Free A Reluctant Empress by Nora Weaving Page B

still worried that Harmena might do something foolish. That day went by quickly and Kalliope never found another moment to speak with Harmena about the topic.
     
    * * *
     
    Three days later Kalliope was sitting in Melina’s room, asking her for advice on braiding, when Priska came in search of her.
    “I’m sorry, Melina, but I must take Kalliope from you.”
    Kalliope gave Melina an apologetic look and followed Priska.
    Priska placed a heavy black velvet coin purse into her palm.
    “What’s this?”
    “A gift.”
    “From who?” Kalliope had only just received the bracelets as a gift and she couldn’t imagine who else would be sending her such a present.
    Priska swallowed, “Spyro.”
    Kalliope shoved the purse back in Priska’s hands. “Not interested,” she said backing up.
    “I don’t like it either, but he said it was an apology offering.”
    “Liar,” Kalliope spat, her anger bubbling over. “He wasn’t the least bit sorry.”
    Priska straightened up, and her eyes flashed. “Listen here,” she hissed, “I don’t like it any more than you do. But he’s a good paying customer and you work here now. Spyro is giving you a gift, and you would be wise to accept it!” She paused, and her face softened. “And since you’ve showed such promise already, I’m willing to move you to a new room this evening.”
    Kalliope was about to retort back when she realized Priska’s words. “My own room? Tonight?”
    Priska nodded. “If you’ll follow me, I will show you what I had in mind.”
    Humbled, Kalliope snapped her mouth shut and followed Priska. To Kalliope’s excitement the room was located next to Harmena’s. It was also roughly the same size as Harmena’s room, and Kalliope decided that she would be able to split the room to accommodate a small sitting room as well as a bedroom.
    “The furniture is a bit old,” Priska commented, motioning toward the worn out chaise lounge, “but I imagine you will be able to buy new furnishings soon enough.” She looked shrewdly at Kalliope. “Or maybe you already can.”
    Kalliope quickly added up the money she had earned, plus the money that she had been given from Orestes’ deal with Gaia, not to mention Spyro’s disgusting gift. She had more than enough to buy herself new furnishings. And not only that, she could probably afford well-made pieces.
    Priska left Kalliope in her new room, and she wasted no time moving her few belongings into the space. She then went in search of Melina, who she knew would be able to tell her how she could go about finding furniture for her room.
    Melina was more than helpful, and a couple of hours later Kalliope found Harmena.
    “That’s amazing!” Harmena exclaimed when Kalliope told her where her new room was located.
    “Well, the way it happened was not ideal, but yes the end result is incredible!" Kalliope agreed.
    Harmena looked confused, and Kalliope quickly filled her in about Spyro’s gift.
    Harmena made a nasty face. “That means he likes you. He’s going to come back for more.”
    As angry as Kalliope was at the thought, she still couldn’t forget how Spyro had managed to please her at the same time. She tried to shrug it off, and instead she and Harmena talked about how to re-arrange her new room.
    That evening, Melina introduced Kalliope to Stelios, one of Hera Selene’s most valued customers, who also happened to be the most exclusive furniture maker in Athens.
    Stelios was older with cropped salt and pepper hair and light eyes. He was friendly and flirtatious and Kalliope knew he liked her instantly.
    “Tell me,” Stelios said warmly, guiding Kalliope to a quiet corner in the lobby. “What type of furniture are you interested in?” His hand lingered on Kalliope’s arm, and she decided to play along and flirt.
    Smiling seductively, she let her hand graze across Stelios’ knee, and explained how she was interested in a large bed, a trunk, a chaise of some sort and a table with chairs.
    Stelios’