I paced across the bedroom floor for the fifth time.

"Don't bite your nails," Mhairi said, lying back on a small sofa, a book in her hands. "It won't help. Or make any of them respond any quicker."

Nodding, I tried to force my hands to hang back by my sides, but it took all my restraint to keep them there. I needed to know who was coming to my unveiling. Keaton had given me his acceptance right away, but the others were taking their time and I couldn't focus on anything else.

"Did you feel nervous too?" I asked. Mhairi put the book down, keeping one finger on the page she'd got to. For a moment she looked thoughtful, not answering.

"Yes, I suppose so. There was less pressure on me. And I adored several of my companions, but my sponsor wasn't... laid back."

I didn't reply, not wanting to interrupt if Mhairi was about to open up and tell me about her life before. Instead, I settled on the edge of the bed.

"I think I felt most nervous the first night I went out after my unveiling. By then I knew exactly how much money I needed to make. And most of my companions from the unveiling were broke."

"I hadn't thought about that. I've been so focused on the unveiling."

"Oh, don't worry. You're going to be fine. So many men are already interested."

"Doesn't seem like it since our little scandal." I lowered my chin to my knees, deflated. "It was hard enough getting the companions for this one event. Let alone enough for a long-term career."

"Every courtesan worries about that to begin with. It gets easier."

I nodded, and sighed again, but before either of us could say any more Edward knocked on the open door.

"You've got your first companion awaiting you in the small tea room," he said. I leapt up, more than a little eager to see who had responded first. I heard the flutter of pages as Mhairi followed quickly behind me. In much the same way she'd given out the invitations, she was also meant to accept my replies.

Edward accompanied me to the same room I'd met Yaru in. Standing waiting for me was Tomichii, a smile quick to light up his face.

"Auralia, Mhairi, I hope you've not been waiting too long or arduously?"

I shook my head, no part of me able to be cross or show any displeasure in front of him. Winking at me, he placed a small red envelope in Mhairi's hand.

She opened it quickly and efficiently, almost as if she'd done it before. Holding my breath, I waited for her to read it. As soon as she looked my way a smile played across her face. I didn't need her to tell me then.

Tomichii followed our silent exchange with a bow, which I returned, feeling my first thrill of delight. Tomichii had been chosen for me as a person to meet, but he had been so caring and kind I had quickly grown to like him.

"I hope you won't consider this too forward of me," he said as he came a little closer, "but I look forward to the ceremony, and, I hope, having some time together as a regular part of my schedule."

My heart fluttered as his arms slipped around me just long enough to give me a squeeze, his lips brushing against my cheek.

"Thank you," I whispered. "For always making me feel safe and cared for."

His eyes went wide as he pulled back, and he bowed again. Without another word, he left.

Before I could go anywhere else, James appeared, striding in, his long leather jacket trailing out behind him. He swaggered, his face serious and his eyes taking in everything.

"Nice little court Daniel has here," he said. "Almost makes a man want to get one of his own."

"Apparently we're expensive," I replied, sounding more serious than I was being. He grinned and pulled his reply from seemingly nowhere. Keeping his eyes fixed on me, he held it out between two of his fingers as if it was a cigarette or some cash he was offering as a tip to the bell boy at the hotel. Mhairi took it while I did my best to hold up under his gaze.

"James officially accepts your invitation," Mhairi said a moment later.

"Damn straight, gorgeous. I'm not missing out on getting to roll in the hay with a fellow resurrected. See you in a week." He flicked his coat as he gave me a quick wave and hurried back the way he'd come. I hadn't expected him to leave so quickly, but I was glad he had when only a few seconds later Jake showed Kioshi into the room.

Confused at first, I stood stock still. Had Kioshi changed his mind? Had I been accepted for what I was?

But Mhairi soon took my hopes away, shaking her head as she opened his reply.

"I'm sorry, Auralia," he said. "It just did not sit well with my spirit. The courtesan and companion life is not one for me."

"You have been more than kind in your help. Please don't apologise for what is beyond your control. Thank you."

"It is I who should be thanking you. My main technician has already informed me that your blood sample has some information we were missing."

"Really?" I felt my stomach tighten at the thought. I'd done something to help. Kioshi gave me a rare smile, took my hand and kissed the back of it before leaving.

I sighed, both sad to see him go and pleased we were going to retain a more innocent friendship. But I didn't know how likely it would be for me to see him again. Not after the ceremony.

By the time another hour had passed, Rick was leaving, his acceptance letter clutched in Mhairi's hand. I was exhausted.

"Still nothing from Benton?" Mhairi asked as we tidied up the tea service I'd entertained Rick with.

I shook my head, following her back to our room.

"You might need to choose someone else. You need to invite him today or not at all."

I bit my lip. There was no one else. While I tried to think of reasons he might not have replied, I picked up my crystal anyway and checked the messages. There wasn't a reply from Benton, but there was one from Aiden letting me know he was honoured to be invited and accepted.

Shuddering at the thought, I didn't bother replying to the message. He was the one person I was inviting to the ceremony that I didn't like and wasn't attracted to.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, I pulled up my contacts. Perhaps someone else would know where he was and help me get Benton's attention. I found Tomichii's name on my list and opened up a new message.

I hope you don't think me rude, but one of your employees, Benton, has been helping me adjust to the new culture and demands made of me, but I couldn't find him today in the usual spot where he has lunch. And he hasn't replied to my messages since. Do you know if he's well? I'm beginning to worry that something might have happened to him.

Mhairi gave me a grin and a thumbs-up after reading it over my shoulder. I tried not to laugh, aware I wouldn't have let anyone read my private messages before I'd been resurrected. There was something about Mhairi. I felt like I could share anything with her after our night defending ourselves together.

No sooner had I thought this than I felt the warm little buzz that meant I had a reply. Tomichii must have been free because in only a few seconds he'd replied.

Benton is definitely well. I saw him this morning. Asked him to handle something for me. Probably kept him from lunch. I'll let him know you were concerned for him and wanted to get in touch.

"Yay," I said out loud.

"I take it everything is going well, then?" Daniel's voice interrupted the little celebration Mhairi and I had been doing as he strode into the room. In response, Mhairi hurried to her feet and out of the room. Both of their behaviours made me raise my eyebrows. Except for the night he'd been furious over the rumours, I'd never seen Daniel anywhere but his office since the day I'd arrived, but here he was, standing in my bedroom.

"I've got five confirmed companions," I replied, assuming it was the only thing that could have brought him so far from his lair. He nodded but stepped closer until he was almost towering over me. Reaching out, he stroked an errant lock of hair back behind my ear, his eyes trailing down my skin.

"You had me worried for a while. Thought I'd never even see ten percent of what your healing cost, but you've shown you've got a lot more metal than I realised."

I blinked, not sure what to say, his fingers bringing my skin to life. I'd done nothing but flirt for several days. His touch definitely wasn't unwelcome.

Leaning over me, he pushed me down, taking control of my body as well as his. I let him guide me until he was on top, his legs only partially supporting him, his erection digging into the top of my thigh. I could feel him stiffen as his hand wandered down my neck and toward my breasts. His touch was light, gentle, unlike all our previous encounters.

As his fingers brushed across my nipples I let out a moan and arched my back. He chuckled briefly, his lips meeting my skin a moment later. Trailing kisses down me, he rubbed himself against my groin, warming us both. It didn't take long for me to feel aroused, wetness dripping from my core. I wanted him inside me, deep enough to feel full, but we couldn't do it yet.

Bit by bit he brought us both into the stimulating pleasure of lying together, his erection against my clit. We'd not done anything quite like this before, but he'd evidently been saving it up for me. No doubt this was a reward to his mind. And I couldn't argue as I automatically found myself thrusting back towards him.

He was the first to orgasm by a fraction of a second, the jerking movement of his hips enough to send me crashing over the peak into oblivion. I wanted to lie there forever, but after another quick kiss, he got up again.

"Let me know when you've got all six companions secured," he said as he was leaving, all business again. I tried to hide my disappointment, merely nodding.

To try and distract myself from how used and lonely I felt, I picked up my crystal again and checked the notifications.

At some point during our coupling I'd received another message, this time from Benton.

I'd almost given up hope that you wanted to talk further. I have been hearing very mixed reports from the other people here. I would like to have faith in the goodness you seemed to show the first time we met. For a person like me, courtesans can often have very little time. I would always be happy to talk about books anytime you wish to. I'm busy today, my work keeps me on my toes, but from now on I will look out for you.

I smiled. It was exactly the sort of reply I needed. Leaping up, I went over to the small nightstand in the room. One of the drawers contained pen and paper, something considered very old-fashioned in this day and age, but several courtesans liked to use paper to deliver messages to special companions. All the rooms had a basic supply. I opted to handwrite my response so Mhairi could take it and the invite to him before our time ran out.

I must confess I was worried that you no longer had a good opinion of me. Knowing I can come and talk to you about something as wonderful as the books I like to read will brighten my thoughts for many days to come. And I will always hope to have the time to be in your company.

I hope this isn't too bold of me, but this accompanies a special invitation. Mhairi has kindly carried it with her all day today while accompanying me but we didn't find you before I had to return to the court. I know the actual time we've spent together has been limited, but your kindness has come across in your words. I'd be honoured if you'd forgive the lateness and become a treasured companion as I embark on my new life.

The message was flowery and deliberately flattering, but before I'd finished it, Mhairi had returned. Neither of us spoke of Daniel's visit. She didn't need me to confirm why he'd come over.

Instead she took my letter, added it to the invite for Benton and hurried away. Watching her go, I suddenly felt very bereft. At no point in the last few weeks had I been alone. It felt strange, almost wrong.

Sighing, I sat on the bed and waited for her to return with my final answer. I so desperately needed it to be a yes.