Chapter 28
“To aid you in returning to Karthland and saving my own kingdom, the risk is worth my banishment,” Carissian told Tashama.
Tashama smoothed out her skirts. “Would I be such an intolerable choice for your king?”
“Neither my people nor your own would approve such a match. The notion is folly.”
“And if I gave up the idea of returning to my own beloved Karthland?”
“You could reside here under the protection of His Highness.”
“As?”
“His subject.”
Tashama straightened her back. “I would no more want to be King Aleron’s subject than he would want to be mine. Perhaps if we resided elsewhere instead, as just a man and a woman…”
“You wish to free your people.” Carissian stared out the window. “I will turn you over to General Karam, and then it’ll be up to you to do what you can to bring Loran down.”
“And you want what in return?”
“Your word that you will make peace with King Aleron once you rule Karthland or convince the husband you choose of this at least.”
“If I don’t agree?”
“I know it’s in your heart already, my lady. You desire more than anything else in the world to bring peace to the two lands. You’ll do it if you’re able.”
Tashama stood. “When do I leave?”
“Soldiers will come for you tonight. Oshon will lead the force to get you to Chrisholm Island safely.”
“Aleron wants me to teach him to swim further tonight. Can you dissuade him?”
“I’ll attempt to, but when he has business with you, my powers of persuasion are rather limited.”
“Do what you can. It’ll be best for both of us if we see each other no further.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Will Listra be safe?”
“I believe you know she will be.”
Tashama nodded, then walked over to the door that led to the gardens. She opened it and smiled. “Why does this not lock in some fancy way that the other does?”
“I wished for it to be unlocked so you could go that way.”
“Tonight then.” Tashama walked outside and glanced up at the clouds cluttering the sky.
She sauntered toward her own room. Then, quickening her pace, she hurried down the path to her own bedchambers.
As she entered the room, she gasped as the young thief waved to her from the canopy on her bed.
He dropped to the floor. “Because you weren’t here, they’ve posted no guards. You must come away with me now.”
“But other arrangements have been made.”
The boy narrowed his eyes. “By whom?”
“I cannot say, but they will take me to Chrisholm Island.”
The thief shook his head. “No, no. Someone lies.”
Tashama sat on the bed. “Why do you say such a thing?”
“A healer approached the leader of our guild—the one who was imprisoned with you at the compound. General Karam is paying us to steal you from here. We’re to bring you to his forces nearby.”
“When?”
“We were to move late tonight. But we’ve heard of the attempts on your life and…”
Footsteps approached her bedchambers, and the thief slipped out the window.
The door was shoved open, and Daveal walked into the room, then pushed the door closed.
She folded her arms and then tapped her foot on the floor as her cheeks darkened.
“You’ve started rumors about me—ugly rumors.
Not only are they not true, but you’re stupid for having done such a thing. ”
“Oh?”
“Whosoever wishes you dead isn’t being watched. So now everyone is keeping an eye on me, and when you’re not expecting it, whoever plans to murder you will do so.”
“Ah, so who do you think might be interested in such a thing?”
“Many do not like you, Karthlander.”
“Do you mean the fourteen women on the prince’s list?”
Daveal glared at Tashama. “If you think you’re going to have your murder pinned on me…”
Tashama laughed. “Why, I have no intention of being murdered.”
“I can arrange to have you sent away from here tonight.”
“Didn’t you say you were being watched?”
“No one realizes you are even back here. I was going to leave this message here for you.”
Tashama stared at the strange symbols. “Sorry, I cannot read it.”
“You cannot read?”
“I can read English, and some French, German, and Spanish. Maldovian is foreign to me.”
Daveal stared at her for a moment. “The Karthlanders have the same language as we have.”
“Yes, well, I haven’t been around for the last ten years.”
Daveal nodded, then read the note out loud, “At midnight, a caravan of merchants will leave the palace grounds, travel through the city of Banff, then leave you with the Elorian elves in Ramoria if you so choose, as the merchants continue on their way north.”
“And if I choose otherwise?”
“Then you will die.”
“But not by your hand?”
“I wouldn’t wish to hurt my chances with King Aleron.”
“I see. Very well. It’s a deal.”
Daveal took a deep breath, then nodded. “Be ready by midnight.”
“And the guards?”
“Don’t worry about the guards.”
As the woman hurried out of the door, the thief popped his head in through the window. “You cannot trust her, miss.”
“I don’t. Can you come for me before then?”
“Of course.” He waved his hand, then darted down the path. Before Tashama could sit, more footsteps hurried toward her room, and then the door burst open. “Tashama!” Aleron said.
“Your Highness.” Tashama curtsied to him.
“You’re not to be alone in here. What is Carissian thinking? Come with me at once.”
“Can you not just have a guard posted, King Aleron?”
“Why?” He paused in the doorway. “Are you upset about Listra?”
“I’m certain Listra will be safe.”
“Then what?”
Tashama looked down at the floor for a moment, then turned to the window. “It’s just I wanted to look at the garden from my room for a while.”
“I wish I could read your thoughts as Carissian can, as I can see you’re troubled by something, yet will not reveal this to me.
” He waited for her to respond, but as Tashama continued to look out the window, he walked over to her.
“Come, Tashama. It’s not safe here for you without a guard.
” He took her arm and led her from her room.
“I cannot understand what Carissian was thinking to let you back in your room without making sure you had some further protection. While you were with him, there was no threat, of course.”
“You know he wanted to speak with me?” Tashama asked.
“Of course. He wanted to explain my thinking concerning Listra’s attendance at our cousin’s wedding. Since I must wed. Well, since I have other concerns, I’m unable to attend.”
“Did she tell you Lord Coryn is dead?”
“Yes. I have not thought of who else might be a suitable groom for the princess, but it will be my next priority.”
“Why did you not also send me with Listra?”
“You cannot be serious.”
“If she were safer there, why would I not be also?”
“You will be safe here with me.” Aleron motioned to his chambers.
“King Aleron.” Tashama took no further step. “Why can't you release me? You need to marry, and so do I. We have our own kingdoms to rule and…”
“I told you already, Tashama, I love you and will have no other.”
“Then you will have to abdicate your throne.”
“Carissian may believe this…”
“He is your advisor, sire.”
“He is not all-knowing.” He pulled Tashama into his pillow room, then motioned to her to have a seat.
“I cannot, sire. I must leave here soon.”
Aleron grabbed Tashama’s hand and pressed her fingers to his lips.
“Even when your eyes were blackened like the raccoon, there was something about you I couldn’t resist. Carissian feared you like no one else before this, and now I know why.
You have captured my heart, and I believe he knew something like this would happen. I will not give you up, Tashama.”
She sat on the pillows, and he snapped his fingers at a servant down the hall. “Bring us something to drink.” He sat beside her.
She touched the satin pillows and leaned back to consider the mural. “If you were to help me to overthrow Loran…”
“And what if in so doing, your people would install you as ruler of the region, but insist you marry someone of their choice? What would become of us?”
“We will have a peace treaty, King Aleron, at least. The killing would stop.”
“I wish more than that, Tashama.”
“What do you want, sire?” She studied his dark eyes.
As the servant returned with a jug of wine and two goblets, Aleron waited for him to pour the wine into the cups, then said to the man, “You may leave us.” Aleron handed one of the cups to Tashama, then clinked his with hers. “I wish for us to be one.”
“And if I were to desire the same thing, only no one in either of our kingdoms would want such a notion?”
Aleron smiled. “I knew you wished the same as me.” He drank his wine, then set his goblet down. “You can move men like no other, Tashama. You can do it. I know you can.”
“I cannot deceive you because you know my secret.”
“The water nymphs told me.”
She frowned at him. “You do not know their language.”
“No, but you managed to tell me anyway.”
Tashama wriggled to get comfortable on the pillows. “Despite my loving you, I will be leaving soon. I don’t know what will become of me, but I will not stay here.”
“Then, my princess, I will go with you.”
Her lower lip dropped slightly as she considered his sincerity. She looked at her hands as they touched the pillows while a tear cascaded down her cheek. “You cannot be serious,” she said under her breath.
He lifted her chin as her eyes glistened with tears. “I haven’t wanted anything more than this ever. If you must leave, I will go with you.”
“I wouldn’t want anything ill to happen to you, sire.”
“I insist.”
Tashama nodded. “We will have to go early this evening.”
“I must have another of my swimming lessons. I wish to swim underneath the water as you do.”
“I’m not certain that one more practice…”
Aleron touched his finger to her lips to silence them. “One more lesson.”
She nodded, then he pulled her close and held her head to his chest, and she listened to his heartbeat.
He kissed her head. “We’ll eat here this evening.
No one will try to poison the food if they know I’ll be sharing it with you.
We’ll swim, as several know, that is what I intended to do.
I’ll have provisions ready, and once we’ve changed into dry clothes, we’ll leave. ”
“But how can we get beyond the gates without anyone suspecting?”
“We go with the caravan that takes Listra from here tonight. I’ve already spoken with the guard staff that a noble couple will be joining them. No one will suspect us.”
Tashama smiled. “Then it is all falling into place.”
“What?” Aleron kissed her forehead.
“I must remember to thank Bachava more often.”
Aleron squeezed Tashama. “I will leave an offering for us both.”