Sirens

Chapter 48

ONE MONTH LATER

As Calix and I sit in one of the palace's grand drawing rooms, an older Elipson female named Debroah gives us etiquette lessons. 

"When you are in public, you are expected to stay with your mate at all times," she says as she paces the room.

"That's not going to be too hard," Calix mutters, loud enough for me to hear. I hold back a snicker. I can tell he's tired of these lessons already.

"During your time in public, the females are expected to hold their mate's non-dominant arm at all times. The only execptions are when you are seated at the table, dancing, or walking, in which case, you may either choose to hold your mate's arm or their hand. Shall we practice?"

I take hold of Calix's left arm and we stand still. 

"No, no, no!" Deborah scolds. "You're much too stiff! If the public sees you like that, they'll think there's something wrong with the matehood. Relax you body. You may even lean into him, if you wish."

I lean into Calix a little bit and Deborah claps her hands. "Wonderful! Now, I'd like to see you both walk. Your steps should by in sync."

Calix groans quietly. He's eight inches taller than I am, so he's going to have to shorten his stride a lot. I pat his arm gently.

Deborah seems to approve when we walk around the drawing room. Our steps aren't perfectly in sync, but it's close enough. 

Once we're finished, Deborah says, "Now, onto greetings in public. When you are approached by a mated pair of a higher rank, the Luna Queen is expected to kiss the cheek of the female and shake the hand of the male. The Alpha King is expected to shake the hand of both the female and the male."

This isn't news to me. When I told Cynthia of the etiquette lessons, she told me that the only thing she remembered when she took them with Branumn was how to tell a salad fork from a dessert fork and how to greet people, which she never did because Branumn never let her touch other people. 

"When you're approached by a reporter or journalist, you will shake their hand, regardless of gender. You do not want to get the media on your bad side."

"I'm sure I'm already on theirs," I mumble. Calix shakes with silent laughter. 

"When you make eye contact or are approached by a Kappa, a respectful nod in their direction will do. However, if a lower rank approaches you, you do not have to acknowledge them."

Calix and I nod. 

"When you are in public, there is to be no groping, hugging, or kissing. I know the media has no problem with pictures of mates photographed in more . . . intimate acts, but as the king and queen, you should maintain a more professional image."

Calix doesn't look happy.

Clearly, Debroah notices this, because she sighs and says, "A kiss on the hand before a dance is . . . acceptable. Shall we move on to dancing?"

"She already knows how to dance," Calix says.

"That was only one dance. The queen should be able to master at least twenty and so should you. Your parents mastered fifty dances because your mother enjoyed it so much."

Calix leans down and whispers in my ear, "She only mastered fifty dances because she could use it to avoid talking to people from other packs."

I cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing. 

After three hours of dancing, Calix hands me a glass of water as I sit down on the couch.