household and would have broken the tradition that binds her people to the Rubinoff dynasty.” She suddenly frowned as her gaze swept over his big body, still garbed in thesweatshirt and jeans he'd put on that morning. “Where is your jacket?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “What?”
“You can't go outside like that.”
He went still. “Is Her Highness ashamed to be seen with me?”
“Don't be stupid,” she said crossly. “It may be hot in Tucson, but it's autumn in the Balkans, and it can be very cool here in October. You can't run around just in jeans and a sweatshirt. You might catch cold.”
“Really.” A flicker of tenderness transformed the wary hardness of his face. “Well, I certainly wouldn't want to do that. A cold in the head might prove very inconvenient at the moment.” He opened a shallow closet, pulled out a beige suede jacket, and slipped it on. “Satisfied?”
She nodded contentedly. “Yes. Now you're being sensible.”
“I'm known to be a very sensible man.” He directed a grin at her before he stepped back to allow her to precede him down the stairs. “Sometimes.”
“Your dual personality?” she asked over hershoulder. “I would think you'd feel very Jekyll and Hyde with—”
“Who's that?” Zack's gaze had focused on someone beyond her shoulder and his voice was so sharp it startled her.
Her head turned to follow his gaze and she unconsciously tensed. “We're evidently about to be honored,” she said quietly as she watched the tall, lean man approaching them with leisurely catlike grace. “It's Sandor Karpathan.”
Zack gave a low whistle. “This little junket may prove more entertaining than I thought. I can see why he made you uneasy. He has—”
“Condar
. Strength,” Kira finished flatly. “Marna says he is a
disek
, one of the exceptional ones who can be anything he wants to be. But
diseks
can be evil as well as good. She doesn't trust him. She says there is something not as it should be.”
Condar
. Yes, the word suited Karpathan, just as the impression inherent in the word
power
fitted Zack. He was in his middle thirties and his slender body was clothed in a flawlessly tailored three-piece beige suit, which he wore with effortless grace. His hair was dark and barbered by a masterhand, his shoes shined to a mirror gloss. His features were just as perfect as his dress and he should have looked a trifle effeminate. But there was nothing effeminate about Sandor Karpathan. He appeared to be tough, intelligent, and dangerous.
His smile was a brilliant flash in his bronzed face as he stopped before her and bowed. “Your Highness, I was informed by immigration that you would be arriving this afternoon and I took this opportunity to come and meet you.”
“How kind of you, Sandor,” Kira said ironically. “I didn't realize you'd missed me. I've only been gone three days.”
“But we always miss you, no matter how short your journey,” he said softly. “There are some people who take the sunshine with them when they leave.”
“How very flowery. I'm sure both you and Tamrovia survived my absence.” Karpathan and Zack were sizing each other up like two gladiators about to enter the arena, and she doubted if either man heard her. “However, I think it far morelikely you were interested in the information immigration gave you regarding my companion.”
Karpathan shrugged. “I admit to a touch of curiosity. After all, I'm only human.” His smile was totally charming. “The two of you made every newspaper in Europe this morning. Mr. Damon is such an elusive man; I found it very interesting that you managed to capture him.”
“But she didn't.” Zack took a step closer and his arm slid around her waist in swift possession. “I'm the one who captured her. Introduce us, Kira.”
“Of course,” she said quickly. “Zack Damon, this is His Grace, Sandor Anton Karpathan, the Duke of Limtana and personal adviser to my brother.”
Karpathan held out
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