Having experienced a ridiculously long period of time in supposed marital bliss, I’ve come to the conclusion that marriage severely limits your dating options. Especially when you’d rather not hurt your husband’s feelings. Most especially when you live in a land where adultery is almost always punished by death.

I didn’t want to get married in the first place. It was one of those unfortunate things that happen when the stars and planets misalign or when you have a emotional crisis or when your chef switches from margarine to butter even though you’ve told him time and time again that you prefer margarine. I mean, butter may be better for you, but a girl’s got to allow herself a few trivial whims. Honestly.

As of yet, I don’t know what anyone else thinks of my marriage. I’ve been avoiding all social obligations for the entire week we’ve been home. This could seriously hamper my position as one of the privileged elite. My life’s work is at stake here. Not to mention my pending marriage to the emperor; my life’s goal.

For the moment I was busy picking through my breakfast. It just wasn’t appetizing. How can anything be appetizing when your life is ruined?

“You know that little voice?” I mused. “The one that encourages you to buy the chic new black catsuit with hand-embroidered cloth of gold trim instead of the one with cloth of silver trim? That’s the wise little voice in your head. The one that knows that silver clashes with your color palette despite the fact that you like it.”

Camry glanced at me from across the table. His eyes betrayed a cautious sort of I-don’t-know-what-I’m-getting-into-here emotion. “Yes?”

I sighed. “I should have listened to it.”

“Very deep.” said a voice from the door. That voice was a smooth one, a lovely one, a persuasive one. That was the voice of the only person I’d ever met who could convince people to do things with a single word. It was a dangerous voice. But I didn’t really care about that. I was just vexed at the inconvenience of one of my inner thoughts popping out in her presence. I love her and all, but it’s an extremely delicate relationship.

Mio strode over to the table and offered Camry her hand in one elegant motion. “Mr. Silver, I presume?”

He looked confused but had enough sense not to argue. For that, at least, I could be grateful. He kissed her fingers, all the while locking his eyes on hers. His endearing little smirky grin was driving her mad; I could tell by the slight flicker in her eye. I wasn’t so sure if I should be grateful for that… “Aphrodite?” he returned.

She laughed, and I won’t say that it sounded like the pealing of a bell, because honestly, have you ever heard laughter that sounded even remotely similar to a bell? That laugh was more of a challenge. I know because I’ve used it on countless men. Funny, it had never seemed half so sinister before.

“This is the Mastess Mio.” I interrupted. Sure as hell I’d make them aware they weren’t alone. Maybe I don’t really want Camry but I’ll be damned if he’s stolen from me! “First class private spy of the Emperor’s guard, voted most accomplished in a recent poll in Spy Woman magazine; one of the leading authorities in the spy world, a council member of the Board of Agent Fashion and a brilliant strategist with the fascinating ability to juggle.” If you count all her boyfriends, I added silently.

“You flatter me, Mae!” she cried delightedly. “Surely you know of all your wife’s accomplishments, don’t you Camry?”

He shook his head.

“Mae a.k.a 00Amy: Class A secret agent of the state, voted most demure in said poll of said magazine, distinguished courtier in the Emperor’s court, and a talented justifier with a curious propensity to run…”

“I don’t run from men!” I cried, all the while quite aware of how much shorter my list appeared to be. Sometimes life is just plain cruel.

“I don’t juggle them!” she retorted.

I laughed, mainly because her denial was entertaining. “I missed you.” I said. The shocking thing was that it was true. You don’t grow up with a person and survive half so many misadventures without becoming attached.

She smiled and reached over to pat my hand. “I missed you too.”

Camry gave us another perplexed look. I was starting to find them charming. It was what usually popped out of his mouth after such a look was given that made me want to smack him upside the head. “Your name is Mae?”