Lex admitted, even if only to himself, that he wanted to fail. He didn't want to mate with this Amanda. In fact, he hoped he couldn't find her or that she protested enough that he could return empty-handed and claim, without lying, that he'd failed to complete his mating mission. Then he'd beg, if he had to, for the option of taking Maya as his mate instead. Tradition be damned. He'd fallen for the earthling emotion of love. What else explained this overpowering desire of his to claim her as his forever more?
But he said nothing of this to Maya, lest he raise false hope, so he only half listened when she mused aloud different ploys for approaching Amanda Beckworth.
"ÁDios mo, I have it!" she exclaimed suddenly. "The balloon festival."
"And how will balloons help?" asked Lex, curious at how her mind worked.
"Everyone goes to the festival."
"And if she doesn't?" He'd go home empty-handed-perfect.