I swallowed my pride and called Serena again. I explained what I needed: a companion for another party thrown by Lord Georgius. I knew the dangers of going with just my family.

"Another one? You're going to owe me two."

"You have to accompany me. I can't go to Lord Georgius' tower solo."

"Why do I put up with you?"

"Because you love me and I'll pay for every minute twice over."

"Fine, but don't make a habit of dragging me along for boring stuff. You must be desperate if you're willing to call on me more than once."

"Well, I am worried that he's going to put me on the spot somehow and force me into consenting to marrying him. It wouldn't be that hard for him to mesmerize me into saying something that I would regret."

"I won't let that happen, but if there are any attractive men, I'm going to ditch you in a heartbeat."

"I accept your terms. I appreciate what you're offering."

"You better. And I'm not going to do this again, so just think about who else you want to invite next time."

"I'll pick you up soon."

I ended the call. I smoothed my dress, which was a cheerful yellow. It was a lot happier than I actually was, but I hoped that the cheerfulness would rub off some way.

I rubbed the back of my neck. My gut wasn't happy about going to this party and how many he was having in very quick succession. He was going after me with single-minded obsession. I got my levi-car and sent it to Serena's home.

Serena didn't try as hard for this one, and I doubted that she'd been telling the truth when she was talking about ditching me. Her hair wasn't even up. It was just down and loose. Her dress was spectacular, though.

"Is that dress appropriate?"

"I barely wear it. I thought that it should see some sunlight once in a while. Do you care?"

"No." I sat back and closed my eyes.

"Why do you keep going to these parties?"

"My great-aunt has already accepted the invitations."

"So just send your regrets after that."

"Believe me, she'd know. She wants me to marry well."

"Stand up to her. You don't have to keep doing stuff that doesn't interest you."

I didn't know how to explain to her just how overbearing my great-aunt was.

"Just leave it alone." 

Serena looked out the window and ignored me until we got there. When we got out of the levi-car, she gripped my arm and hissed, "Who is that?"

"He's from the old world. He is finishing some kind of doctorate, studying the colonization of this world."

Serena tried to twist her hair so that it fell over one shoulder. "Introduce us. He's so handsome."

She was shameless. I beelined for him. "Excuse me, sir?" He turned around and looked Serena up and down. "May I present Serena? Serena, this is the scholar Lord Borbon."

"Enchanted." He kissed Serena's hand. "And what a pleasure to see you, too, Arienne." He hadn't let go of Serena's hand yet. Instead, he put it on his arm so that he could walk away from me. He wasn't being rude. Serena was pulling him towards the door to the porch with all of her might. I was pretty sure if I followed them, I'd find them attached at the mouth. The novelty of someone from off-planet had excited Serena, especially since he was handsome and intelligent. He was a rare jade-colored dragon when he shifted, but I guessed that Serena could find that out for herself.

"Hello, lovely."

I tried not to grimace when I turned around.

"Hello, Lord Georgius."

"I noticed that you looked a little lonely. Your great-aunt isn't here."

I looked at the floor. "I guess so."

"Can I take you to the refreshment table?" There was a glint in his eye. He'd finally caught me. He looked very satisfied, a smile hinting on his lips. He was staring down my dress again.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise. My heart was beating like a rabbit's. "I'm so sorry. I need to use the powder room."

I fled straight to the front door to get my levi-car. I sent a message to Serena so when she finally stopped making out with her dragon, she'd know where I'd gone. I would send the levi-car back for her when I could.

I had to figure out a way to avoid him. I couldn't keep going to his parties. I had to avoid Agatha and my great-aunt. They didn't actually hate me, but they were slowly shoving me into a corner. I needed to figure a way to avoid marrying this odious and evil man.