Chapter 26
“Escape, sire, is what Princess Tashama is planning now. I know she’s scheming somehow, but I cannot find out how. She suspects someone still wishes to murder her and Princess Listra.”
“But we don’t know for certain whether the lobster was poisoned or not. Oshon has married now and doesn’t seem to mind that the Karthlander woman continues to reside here. So what makes Tashama think someone intends to murder her, and my cousin as well, for heaven’s sake?”
“Lady Daveal confronted her and Princess Listra in their guest chambers earlier in a threatening manner. She doesn’t trust the woman.”
“Why did you not tell me this before?”
“Princess Tashama does trifle with Lady Daveal, sire, like a cat toying with a mouse. Lady Daveal is often a tigress herself, so I didn’t believe the women would behave any more than the usual sort of advisories would who were after the same thing.”
“Whatever does Tashama have that Daveal would want? She’s a Karthlander after all and came here with little possessions of her own.”
“I cannot think of a thing.” A slight smile appeared on Carissian’s face. Then he grew serious. “You only have a week and a half to decide between a wife, sire.”
“And if I wait two weeks? Where does it say I have to make a decision within that time frame?”
“Our laws, sire, as passed down from generation to generation. This is to prevent a king from waiting too long and not producing an heir in a reasonable amount of time. Within two weeks of the coronation, you must wed. If not, you could be forced to abdicate the throne, and the next royal figure in line would be eligible to become king.”
“Oshon.”
“Yes, and from what I understand, he has taken off much time from leading the cavalry of late, as he sees to other priorities.”
“His own offspring?”
“Yes, sire. So you see, you should not delay any further.”
“I will not be rushed into the matter.”
“If the list is too short, we could add some lesser noblewomen to the list.”
“No. You truly do not know what measures Tashama is taking to try to escape?”
Carissian shook his head. “She has been teaching Listra to swim. I wondered if perhaps she was preparing her for some venture they may wish to make.”
“Where?”
“At the pool that meanders through the gardens.”
“When?”
“At this hour, I would think. The activity draws quite a crowd every day. You won’t see a soul in the hallways loitering as usual about this time.”
The prince jumped to his feet and headed out the door before Carissian could finish his statement. “Are you going to stop the entertainment?”
“Do you not have other business to attend to?”
“No, sire. Accompanying you seems to be a more interesting business.”
As they arrived at the pool, Aleron saw a crowd gathering at the bridge, then he dashed that way. He watched as one of the ladies pointed at the pool, while several others smiled and nodded.
“Oh, sire,” one of the ladies said as she quickly curtsied to him. “Princess Tashama has taught Princess Listra to swim underneath the water already.”
Aleron studied the women as they swam underneath the bridge. “Have none of you anything better to do?”
“It’s the hour of free time, sire,” Carissian said to Aleron.
“Then why does she do this during this particular time of day?” Aleron hurried to the waterfall.
“It’s the only time the guards have allowed her to have free time also, sire.”
“She has no regularly scheduled duties. Anytime is free time for the lady.”
“Yes, sire.”
They stood at the edge of the pool. Tashama and Listra poked their heads underneath the waterfall. While they ran their hands over each other’s long hair as the fall ran over them in a steady stream, then laughed.
Tashama whispered to Listra, though her spoken word would not have made it to his ear just the same. Listra nodded and dove under the water, and then Tashama followed her. The two soon vanished beneath the bridge.
When they swam across to the other side, they dove under the water and swam until they came to the secretive islands of plants that hid them.
Both climbed out, then covered their wet gowns with towels and hurried back to the path.
Aleron caught up with them. “I wish a word with you,” he said to Tashama.
“Yes, sire?”
Listra hurried back to their chambers.
“You do not find our ways too disagreeable?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
“And yet you wish to leave still?”
“Who has said such a thing, as if I wouldn’t know?”
Carissian followed a greater distance behind them this time.
“Yes, well, he believes you still wish to leave.”
“As much as I cherish the thought of spending the rest of my days waiting for a royal kiss from your lips, as a gesture of friendship, mind you, I do believe my time could be better spent finding a mate of my own and running my own kingdom. Granted, I have enjoyed teaching Listra to swim.”
“To what end?”
“No one in particular. She was interested, that’s all.”
“And should I be interested?”
“Listra can teach you. She swims as well as I do, now.”
“Nobody could swim like you, royal cousin of the water nymphs and cousin to the mermaids of the sea, I do believe.”
“I thank you for showing Listra a greater kindness, King Aleron.” Tashama tried to change the subject. “She’s much happier now.”
“And because I have done this favor for you, should you not return a favor to me?”
“What is it that you desire of me?”
Carissian’s arched brows told a tale Aleron didn’t wish repeated. Aleron took Tashama’s arm and led her back to her quarters. “Teach me to swim, tonight, by moonlight.” He left her off at her chambers.
“If this is what you desire, so be it. Tonight.”
When she hurried into her room, she slipped into the room containing the bath. “What did Aleron want?” Listra asked as she dried her hair.
“What every man wants of a woman. But for now, I will teach him another lesson in swimming.”
“You know he is balking about choosing a wife. Many say this is because he desires you and no other, though he realizes he cannot marry you.”
“Nonsense,” Tashama said. “He is just a typical man who is scared to make a commitment to one woman.”
“He is our king and must weigh the consequences of his decision heavily.”
“He is your king. He is only a man to me and much the same as all the rest.”
“The ladies say this isn’t so.”
“And what do you say, dear Listra?”
“I agree with the other ladies. Your cheeks blush when Aleron steps close to you as his breath touches your neck. I may not have your special gifts, but I can see things about you that reveal much of your nature.”
“And what else do you see?” Tashama climbed into the blue gowns of silk.
“Carissian has said you are planning to leave us again. He asked me to tell him whether you should say or do anything that would indicate you planned a move in that direction.”
“Dear Listra.” Tashama walked into the bedchambers.
“I cannot lie to you about this—as I have been just as honest with Aleron—that is to say, I must lead my people. I don’t know what happened to my own mother and father, as Balthazar would never say, but I believe Loran had something to do with it. ”
“You think he had them murdered?” Listra sat down hard on the bed.
“I don’t know for sure, but he certainly benefited from their deaths.”
“But then you should have been installed in your father’s place.”
“Yes, with Balthazar to advise me until I came of age and wed. But he felt I would never have lived long enough to fulfill my obligation and took me away to this strange place named Texas. So you see, I must return to Karthland. It is my duty and my innermost desire.”
“But Aleron won’t release you.”
“The choice is not his to make.”
“Then you do plan to leave here.”
“The guards double in strength, yet no amount will keep me here.” Tashama braided her hair.
“Still, Aleron feels you are planning this move soon. Will I wake up tomorrow and find you gone?”
Tashama smiled as she touched Listra’s cheek. “I would tell you all I have planned, only Carissian could read your mind and discover what I will do. I cannot have my plans forfeited like that.”
“Oh, Tashama, you cannot leave me like this. Aleron will be furious again.”
“He will get over it and even finally make his selection for a wife.”
“You’ve seen whom he chooses?” Listra’s eyes widened. “Do tell? The betting in the palace has gone to such great lengths.”
“No.” Tashama smiled. “I just meant to say, he will make a choice once I’m out of his hair.”
“I do not understand this illusion you make in reference to his hair. His hair is not long enough for you to…”
“No longer here for him to think about.”
“Oh, if you are gone, he will think of nothing else, rest assured. You cannot leave.” She studied Tashama as she took her seat in one of the velvet chairs.
“I’ve seen you do this a lot in the last couple of days.
If I were Carissian, I could tell what you were thinking, and I would imagine you were contemplating how you would steal away. ”
“Then it is good you do not have Carissian’s powers.”
Listra wagged her foot up and down, which caught Tashama’s eye. “Now you are contemplating something.”
“I do not wish for you to leave, Tashama. Loran will kill you, of that, I’m certain. You have not even told me who it is I will marry. And what has happened to Lord Coryn?”
“A band of wild boar killed Lord Coryn and his party of merchants; the elves told me. Since they have not had good relations with the Maldovians, they never told Aleron of the matter.”
“Why did you not tell me before? Why did you not tell Aleron?”
“I was a prisoner once again. Quite frankly, I’d forgotten. But I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
“I wouldn’t have wished the man the kind of death he incurred, but I wasn’t happy with the notion of marrying him.”
“Truly?”
“The marriage was arranged. Neither in stature nor in character did the man ennoble himself with me.”
“The one you will marry will please you, I’m certain.” Tashama turned away from Listra.
“Who is he?” Listra hurried over to the chair where Tashama sat.
“You do not know him, and I cannot say anything further.”
“I will do anything for you if you will only tell me.”
“I cannot, Listra. I beg your forgiveness, but I just cannot. If it weren’t for Carissian’s meddling ways…”
Listra stood. “Oh, Tashama, I cannot disobey Aleron again. You mean to say I will do such a thing again?”
“I’m sorry, Listra. Devil intends to kill us both. I didn’t want to say this to you, and you must never think of this while Carissian is nearby. But she intends to kill us so Aleron will be free to wed her.”
“But there are others on the list.”
“She is at the top of his list. Who is it he always spends time with? Who was sitting with him at the high table in the last three days? She feels her position is secure, only if I am out of the way.”
“And me?”
“She has already threatened you once. If I should die, you will undoubtedly be able to convince Aleron she was the cause of my death. You will not be allowed to live either.”
“But how?”
“I’m not sure. You saw how the lady of the Bachavin order was able to slip past the guards with their consent. Perhaps they’ll see fit to allow Devil or her henchmen to do the same. In any event, I believe she will make a second attempt.”
“But Carissian said the lobster wasn’t poisoned.”
Tashama shook her head. “The lobster was never tested for the poison.”
“He said…”
“Yes, well, what he said and what truly happened are two different stories.” Listra stared at the floor for a moment, and Tashama took her hand. “What, Listra?”
“Thinking there was truly no threat, I’ve let my guard down.”
“Why? Has something happened we should be concerned about?”
“A girl brought flowers into the bath, but I had not asked for them. I always use Jasmalange, roses, or the water lily. These are a different variety, and I thought since they looked stunning…”
Tashama jumped up from her chair, then hurried into the bathroom.
She stared at the violet orchard-like flowers with their spotted burgundy throats tilted in her direction.
“I don’t know about the local floral life here.
I wouldn’t be able to tell if these are poisonous or not, though I have seen no sign of them in the gardens. ”
“Perhaps Aleron sent them to scent your bath…”
“Perhaps not. Is there a way for us to drain this water and the flowers from the bath without touching them?”
“Certainly.” Listra hurried to a lever on the wall. “This will flush everything from the bath down into the sewers. But shouldn’t we tell Aleron about this first?”
“Let us play a game on the party that wishes us injury. If Aleron is made aware of this before nightfall, she will know she wasn’t successful and will have to come up with another plan.
This way, if we should take our baths late, as is usual, no one would discover our bodies until the morning when breakfast was served.
“This way, we should be safe for another night, and at breakfast, we will wait until someone comes to check on us. Would it not be justice to walk into the great hall late and see how she takes our rather healthy appearance as we sit at our usual seats? I, for one, would enjoy such a thing.”
“You mean Daveal, do you not?”
“Yes, she is the one most likely to be at the top of my list.”
Listra nodded, then pulled the lever. As the water swirled out of the drain, Tashama smiled. But Listra frowned at the disappearing water. “If you see I marry someone, then how can anyone end my life.”
“We must always be able to thwart them, Listra. We cannot let our guard down ever.”
“Then you must leave here,” Listra said softly as she saw the first of the purple flowers plummet through the drain. “You cannot stay here with me.”