Chapter 18 #2
“I take it you were leaving a substantial offering for your providential release from your captivity.” Rattling of coins caught her ear, then the priest said, “Bachava will shine on you.”
“Yes.” Oshon scowled; his footsteps drew in her direction again.
Tashama disappeared into the gardens. She hurried to pull off the black garments as she slipped onto a planted island next to the meandering pool hidden from prying eyes.
After folding the clothes into a neat stack under one of the ferns, she hurried back to the path and toward her chambers.
Seeing Oshon headed that way, she hesitated.
Once he had run past, she darted toward the prince’s chambers and the path that passed his apartments, leading to the temple.
She approached the temple, but saw the priest speaking with another, and she turned back toward the prince’s chambers.
The warning bells rang out, and she knew her absence had been discovered.
With a heavy heart, she ducked into the prince’s quarters.
Before the prince could rouse himself from his sleep, Tashama dove for the pillows piled high in his outer room. She fought the urge to smile as she kept her eyes closed while boots tromped into the room. She knew they stood staring at her, wondering how she ever ended up there.
Acholuria said, “What…”
One of the men interrupted him in a whispered voice. “We thought she’d escaped from her chambers. We had no idea the prince had brought her back here in the middle of the night.”
Aleron, still bare-chested, walked into the room. “What is the problem? Why are the bells ringing?”
His chief guard pointed at Tashama as she curled up like a kitten in its pillow nest. “What is she doing here?” the prince asked.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. Dressed in satin nightclothes revealing her curves more than any other garment she’d worn, he motioned to one of his men. “Get a blanket at once.”
Carissian appeared. “Sire, the lady managed…”
The prince pointed to Tashama. “How did she get here?”
“The padlock was pick-locked. Our guards were drugged. What she is doing here, I have no idea.”
The guard hurried into the room with the blanket. The prince motioned to Tashama with a nod of his head. The man straightened the blanket over her body, and she sighed.
Aleron folded his arms, but before he could speak, Oshon walked into the chambers. “How did you…”
“I managed to escape, sire, when they had the changing of the guard.” Oshon looked down at Tashama. “Why are the bells being rung?”
“The lady slipped out of her room, but she didn’t go very far,” the guard said.
The prince raised his brows as Tashama opened her eyes. “Have them stop ringing those annoying bells.”
She smiled, then yawned. “Your Highness.” She stretched. “I had the most wonderful of dreams. How about you?”
The prince motioned for all but his sorcerer to leave them. “I suppose you do not wish to tell me what happened?”
“I just couldn’t get comfortable last night. The chains kept getting in my way. Then I realized if I returned to your chambers, nobody would bother me, and I could have the most pleasant of dreams.”
“Did she, Carissian?”
Carissian shook his head.
“My sorcerer says this is not so.”
“I can see that. I do have a question to pose to you, however.”
The prince nodded.
“Do you not think it odd Oshon escaped from his captors as he did? Surely you don’t think he could have done such a thing on his own.”
“You were listening then. You weren’t asleep at all.” He took a deep breath. She is as cunning as Carissian says. “You infer Oshon was allowed to do such a thing.”
“Certainly.”
“For what purpose?”
“Should you not hand me over to Loran, he has made a promise to the prince that he will be the one to do the deed.”
The prince straightened. “You say this just as you try to create friction between Daveal and me. You’re very clever, Tashama. Carissian is right about you.”
“Devil.” Tashama pushed a blond curl behind her ear. She turned to Carissian. “Do I not speak the truth?”
“I cannot tell. I can see you’re trying to deliver something to me, but you’re fearful the surroundings and people involved may somehow reveal something you do not wish me to see.
” Carissian’s eyes bored into Tashama’s for several seconds, then he shook his head. “You fight me every step of the way.”
“She’s fabricating this, Carissian.”
“Yes, sire. I would have to say so, unless she’ll allow me to see what she has seen or heard.”
“Do you know, Prince Aleron, when your sorcerer tries to read my thoughts, he touches me where he ought not?”
The prince glanced over at Carissian, whose face revealed the slightest hint of amusement. “She is dangerous, this one, is all I will say.”
Carissian vanished. Tashama’s eyes widened. “You did not dismiss him, my prince. Why is that? Have I touched on the truth of the matter?”
“When he reads my thoughts, all I notice is a gentle tugging in my forehead, nothing more.”
Tashama smiled. “Ah, yes–but he cannot read my thoughts easily. He employs other methods with me to try to distract me. But do not take my word for it. Your sorcerer’s actions speak for themselves.
” She could tell the prince was still considering the notion when she proposed another question.
“If Oshon were to find out I knew the truth about his escape and feared I could convince you of his traitorous plans, what do you think he would do to me?”
“He will not disobey me.”
“You do not know much about this leader of your cavalry, then, Prince Aleron. He has made this promise to Loran and has vowed to keep it.”
“He wouldn’t have told you such a plan, should he have planned to do such a deed.”
“You are right, of course. I overheard him speaking to a woman.”
“Who?”
“I wouldn’t know—just Devil and Listra are the only two ladies of your court I know by name.”
“If you saw her again?”
Tashama shook her head. “She loves Oshon and he…she, but her parents will not permit her marriage to him.”
The prince rubbed his chin, then hollered, “Carissian!”
The sorcerer appeared before him. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Who do we know that Oshon has taken a fancy to?”
“None that I know of, sire.”
“They meet in secret,” Tashama said.
“Where?” Carissian smiled. “The temple. You think you can keep up this charade, but you cannot.”
“The temple?” the prince said. “Does she speak the truth then?”
Carissian furrowed his brow. “She was hiding in the temple when Oshon spoke with one of the women of the order—the princess speaks the truth.”
“We cannot have him detained unless there is proof.” The prince turned to Tashama. “And the thieves? What does she tell us about them? Any clues?”
“Not a one, sire.”
“Sire,” a messenger said as he rushed into the room,
“Prince Loran states he will exchange one of your highest-ranking officers—or some other who pleases you—for the girl.”