That was then and this is now, and now everything has changed.
True, the past could not be recaptured, and the future was not his to command, but seizing the moment was his particular skill and this chance to talk to Jazz was up for grabs.
CHAPTER FOUR
JUST AS TYR came within earshot, Britt whisked Jazz away, explaining that she had arranged the place cards on their table so that Jazz wouldn’t have to sit anywhere near Tyr, or any other single man. As Britt smiled reassurance into her eyes, Jazz was reminded again how much she valued their friendship.
‘I’m so glad you’re here to share Tyr’s homecoming. It wouldn’t have been the same without you, Jazz.’
‘I’m sorry if I seem tense to you.’
‘You feel awkward around men?’ Britt shrugged. ‘That’s hardly surprising. You should get out of Kareshi more. I’m going to speak to your brother about it.’
‘Please don’t give Sharif anything more to worry about. I’m happy in Kareshi. You know how much I love my work, and—’
‘And how you live under your own self-imposed guard while you’re there? Yes. I know all about that, Jazz—only allowing yourself this briefest of trips outside the country?’
‘I know you find the way I live hard to understand, but please believe me, Britt. This is the right thing to do for my country.’
Britt shook her head. ‘Locking yourself away can never be the right thing to do. It would benefit your people and you if you travelled more.’
‘I can never forget that I’m a princess of Kareshi,’ Jazz argued, trying her hardest not to glance at Tyr. ‘Or that with that title comes duty and responsibility.’
‘But not a ball and chain, surely?’
Britt’s expression made Jazz laugh. ‘Now you’re exaggerating. Anyone would think I was my own jailer.’
‘But aren’t you?’ Britt turned serious. ‘Beware of squashing your spirit completely, Jazz. Don’t turn yourself into something you’re not.’
Jazz’s eyes sparkled. ‘Like an embittered old shrew, do you mean?’
‘There’s no chance of that.’ Britt laughed. ‘And now we’ve got my brother to contend with.’ With a sigh she stood aside as the crowds parted to allow the handsome Viking through.
‘Don’t look so worried. I can handle Tyr.’
Jazz could only hope her heart was listening.
* * *
Tyr paused for a moment to check Sharif was still talking to the ambassador and his wife, before approaching the family table for dinner. He didn’t want to cause Jazz a moment’s discomfort, but, as if sensing his approach, Sharif called his sister over.
Britt walked over. ‘You’re looking thoughtful, Tyr.’
‘I am thoughtful.’
‘But you’ll stay and see the evening through?’
‘Of course I will. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.’
‘But you would have preferred something a little more low-key.’
‘No, in this you’re right,’ he admitted. ‘Better to see everyone at once.’
Britt cocked her head. ‘Get it over with?’
He looked at his sister with amusement. ‘I couldn’t possibly comment.’
And then the ever-changing pattern of friends reshaped again, leaving Jazz all alone in a halo of light.
Jazz made her way to the family table, only to find Tyr there ahead of her. Relaxing back on one of the gilt chairs, he was surveying the party with his cool dark gaze. She was about to turn around, to go and find Britt, or her brother, but Tyr was already on his feet, holding out a chair. ‘Jazz.’
No man should smile at her like that—so openly—so invitingly.
There was a belief in Kareshi that members of the opposite sex could never stare directly into each other’s eyes without there being some form of sexual implication.
‘Tyr.’ Had she always felt so awkward around him?
She knew the answer to that question. They had never been awkward with each other in the past, but a new tension had entered their relationship and that seemed set to stay. Neither of them was the same person they’d been ten years ago. Britt was right in saying a lot of water had passed under the bridge since then.
It was only when she sat down that Jazz realised Tyr had ignored Britt’s carefully arranged place cards completely. Britt had assured her she wasn’t going to be sitting anywhere near Tyr, so he must have moved the cards around.