Chapter 16
Listra dropped her tapestry to the marble floor and ran to the window. “Did you see who it was?”
“Not a sign of anyone.” Tashama frowned when the head of the guards hurried to her window.
“Did he…did the boy threaten you in any way?” The guard huffed and puffed as he tried to catch his breath.
Listra shook her head. “We didn’t see him.”
“But he was on this very path. He had to have come right by here.”
Tashama sighed deeply. “I must have been distracted as I watched Listra embroider.”
The guard turned to Listra. “A guard will be posted in the gardens, in the future.” He bowed and rushed off.
“He’ll tell the prince.” Listra straightened her back. “Were you protecting the young man?”
“If I did not see him, how could I be protecting him?”
Listra shook her head. “I cannot see what you can with these special gifts of yours, my lady, but your cheeks darkened when the guard questioned us.”
“I blush easily, if that is what you’re referring to.”
The folded blue sheet of paper fluttered slightly in the breeze.
She took a deep breath as she hoped Listra wouldn’t catch sight of it. “The guard is one of the ones who watched as the prince removed my sheer overdress. Having him watch me like that, then seeing him here before me once again, embarrassed me, nothing more.”
Listra’s lower lip dropped as her eyes widened.
“I’m sorry. I had no idea,” she said quickly, then hurried back to her chair.
She drew her tapestry off the floor. “I’ve been afraid to ask you what you saw about my future.
I saw your eyes widen as I touched your hand while helping you earlier this morning.
I know you don’t want to tell me what you saw, but I can't shake the notion from my mind. My imagination is very vivid, and I think I must be going to die soon or…”
“You will betray the prince’s trust in you.” Tashama considered how she’d get the thief’s message waving back at her.
“Surely you do not see me do this. I would be exiled and lose the love of my family and everything I believe in. Maybe you are wrong.”
“Yes,” Tashama said softly. She truly liked the woman. Had she been blessed with a sister, she would’ve wanted her to be just like Listra.
“You are never wrong, are you, my lady?”
Tashama shook her head.
“But how could I do such a thing?”
Tashama ran her hands over her golden skirts.
Listra put her tapestry aside. “What happens?”
“You’ll find you have no choice in the matter, Listra. The tidings are not entirely bad, however. You will fall in love too. This is all that I know.”
“But I’m to marry Duke Coryn at the end of the month. He is extremely loyal to the prince.”
Tashama shook her head. “The marriage will never come to pass.”
The door was thrown open. Tashama and Listra turned as Daveal rushed into the room. “Leave us,” she said to Listra.
“You forget I’m the prince’s first cousin,” Listra said.
Daveal turned to Tashama and sputtered, “You…you…”
“Does the lady have a speech impediment?” Tashama asked.
“If you think the prince has any more interest in you than just to use you as a pawn…”
“You’re right about that.” Tashama touched her gold braid. “I’m just a pawn in the scheme of things, though he did enjoy watching me swim in his bath this morning.”
Tashama smiled as Daveal’s cheeks grew red.
“Now, she’s the one to blush,” Tashama said to Listra, then she turned to Daveal.
“You know, Devil, I’ve offered to teach the prince to swim even.
I believe he’ll soon take me up on the offer.
Of course, I’ll have to hold his bare chest as he floats on his stomach in the water while he gets used to… ”
“The name is pronounced Daveal for your information.” Daveal faced Listra. “And as for you, when the prince marries me, you’ll find little protection for you concerning your position here.”
“Ah, but the lady will be more powerful than you can ever imagine.” Tashama winked at Listra.
“You, Karthlander, won’t be the prince’s plaything for long.”
“I should say not.” She tilted her head to the side.
“Why, he intends to marry me, haven’t you heard?
By marrying me, I will be the greatest pawn he can have.
” Daveal’s eyes narrowed. Tashama waved her finger at the woman’s face.
“You know, with that pointed little chin and that high forehead, bangs and a haircut could really improve your appearance in a big way.”
“You think you’re very clever.”
“I know so, Devil. I can tell you right now, the prince is on his way to see me this very minute and will not be happy to find you here.”
The guard opened the door a speck. “The prince is on his way.”
Daveal glared at Tashama. “This isn’t the last you’ll hear from me.”
She hurried out of the room, and the prince exclaimed, “Lady Daveal!”
“Sire.”
Listra turned to Tashama. “Why did you say I would be more powerful?”
“Shhh.” Tashama held her finger to her lips and whispered, “Because it’s true.”
The prince walked into the room and nodded to Listra. She curtsied to him, and Tashama bowed her head to him as she remained seated.
“Your feet still bother you?”
“Yes, sire.”
“I was made aware a young thief, one who’d been locked in the tower with you specifically, was near your window a short while ago.”
Tashama smiled. “Yes, I invited him in for tea, Your Highness, but he had already enjoyed teatime earlier in the day, so it would seem.”
“Leave us,” the prince said to his cousin.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Listra hurried out of the room.
The prince walked back and forth in front of Tashama. “The gardens are to be always guarded. If I have to, I’ll chain you to your bed at night.”
Her lips turned up slightly as she ran her fingers over her braid. “You mean I won’t be sleeping on the pillows in your chambers any longer? Last night’s dreams seemed most vivid only…”
“Only?”
She frowned. “When I woke, I could not recall them.”
The prince studied her as his brows furrowed, then he folded his arms across his chest. “Was the thief to rendezvous with you last night?”
“Of course, Your Highness. It was awfully inconsiderate of me to have stayed with you last night instead.”
The door opened, and Carissian walked into the room. “I’ve been informed about the thief.”
“Cannot keep any secrets around a court, I always say.” Tashama leaned into the sumptuous pillows of her chair.
“Do you think, Carissian,” the prince asked, “he had planned to ferret the prisoner away, but by her staying in my chambers last night, he was thwarted?”
Tashama faced the window. “Quit trying to read my thoughts.”
Carissian rubbed his chin, then, as his eyes followed her gaze, he hurried out of the room through the window.
“What is it?” The prince watched Carissian lean over the blue-flowered shrub.
“A piece of paper caught here in the branches.” He pulled the paper from the branch, then unfolded it.
Tashama jaw dropped.
Carissian refolded the paper. “The guards’ concern was warranted, Your Highness.”
The prince nodded, then as Carissian walked back into the guest chambers, Tashama stared at the note he still grasped in his hand.
The sorcerer handed the message to the prince.
His brow wrinkled while he read the message.
He handed the paper to Tashama. “Seems the communique was for you, Princess.”