The cubs now free and the parents reuniting with them, Ebere came out of the enclosure and to her side. He lifted her chin and winced at the sight of the small cuts she felt on her neck.
"That was a very risky and foolish thing you did back there," he said.
"I did what I had to do," Ladi said. "I wouldn't let that cub die when I knew I could save him."
Ladi looked up to the sky, wondering how things had gone in the arena. The sight of Wola circling the sky was a comfort. That meant they'd secured the area. They didn't have to wait long before Tarrick appeared.
"The arena is shut down. The animals are safe," he said.
Ladi's shoulders slumped with fatigue. "The cubs and young are also free and reunited with their families." She nodded in the direction of the smaller caged enclosure.
"I see," Tarrick said with a smile.
Grella approached, her head hung low and one cub on her back.
"Thank you," she said, bowing her head low to Ladi.
Ladi reached out and stroked the top of her head and the head of her cub. He'd been the one the bird-man grabbed that she replaced.
"I would do it again, no matter what," Ladi said.
Grella lifted her head and nodded as she returned to her family. Browl was already wrestling around with his other cubs.
"How do we get them home?" she asked out loud.
"The ships?" Ebere asked.
Ladi walked over to Browl, who tore his cubs away long enough to talk to her.
"We can prepare the ships but it will take some time before you all can return to the other side of the water. Will you be all right here until then?"
"We're not leaving," Browl said. "My family and many of the others have decided that we like this land and we'll stay here."
"Oh," Ladi said, not bothering to hide her surprise.
"It's more comfortable here and we'll have plenty to hunt and eat," a nod toward the remains of the feathers on the ground made his point.
"I see," Ladi nodded. "I'll miss you, old friend."
"I am with family and friends here too. You are welcome to return."
"Thank you," Ladi nodded to him and he dashed off with his family into the woods.
As it turned out, none of the beasts cared to return. The dragons were able to roam as they wished and the Wola were returned to their people. With their broken wings, they were carried across the blue expanse along with Ladi and Ebere.
When they reached the other side again, the Wola needed time to recover. Ladi and Ebere waited for the others.
"I appreciate all of your help in this. I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without you," Ladi said to Ebere, not quite meeting his eye.
"I was happy to give it and I'm glad you trusted me enough to allow me to try to redeem myself a little. I made a huge mistake and I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life."
"Yes, you will," Ladi reached for him and he threw his arms around her.
Ladi pressed her face to his chest, the ache in her stomach spreading to her chest and throat. She could barely speak. One look in his eyes and she knew she was in love with him.
Ebere didn't hesitate. She'd been expecting the passionate desperation like before. Instead, he leaned down and kissed her on the mouth, a soft and gentle exploration. Ladi was on the tip of her toes and letting him pull her so close until nothing could pass between them. His kiss warmed her aching belly and made her dizzy. When Ebere pulled back, she gripped him by the shoulders, unwilling and unable to let go.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Ebere looked down at her his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. When Ladi stepped back he saw two Wola had taken up position behind him. His shoulders fell and the look of betrayal on his face threatened to split her in two.
"You didn't trust me to turn myself in," he said.
Ladi shook her head. "I didn't trust myself. So, I made sure to have Tarrick take care of it for me. The timing and execution of it was his."
The Wola stepped forward, each taking an arm.
"Where will they take me?"
"The palace. The prince and the council will hear your side of the story and make their decision," Ladi said. Her voice felt stilted and artificial.
Ebere nodded and as they pulled him away, he called her name. That stopped them and her, giving him time to say one thing more.
"Wait, I want to be clear. I love you, more than anything, and I probably always will."
Ladi nodded once and before the tears threatened to choke her, she turned her back to him. She waited for the sound of their flapping wings to dissipate before she fell to her knees and cried.
32
THE PALACE BUZZED WITH ACTIVITY the night of the ball. Servants covered the entire building with imported flowers and showered the guests with food and drink. Now the kingdom had come out on the other side of the disease, it was time to get on with things. The New Choosing would be announced after the final ball. The royals, potentials, and their families were invited back to the palace to celebrate. They'd lost two of the potential ladies and one prince to the disease that swept the eleven kingdoms, but even their families were invited.
Prince Bashir wanted this ball to bring people's attention away from the disease and its mysterious cure. When Rasha explained to him what would be involved in accepting the cure, he'd agreed without contest. When he learned about the origins of the mermaid necklace as a boy, he always imagined he'd wear it as a man just like his father had. But he didn't hesitate to heal the breach between the kingdoms by returning the shell necklace to the Majiwa. The leather band that belonged to the first prince was also returned to Karmir. He insisted that the items remain in their respective kingdoms side by side, as had the couple themselves. The Majiwa leader was so pleased that he attended the ball. It was his first time on land for such an occasion.
Every royal in the kingdom joined in the festivities. The parents of the lost princesses were able to appreciate the tribute that Prince Bashir had done for them in the east wing. Many of the mothers gasped with grief and joy at seeing their precious daughters memorialized on the walls of the palace forever, many of the families still grieving their losses.
Prince Bashir and Princess Chiza maintained their facade of indifference during the festivities. The Choosing would be announced at the end. They didn't want to spoil it by giving away the surprise, although a blind man could have seen that the two of them were in love. They couldn't keep their eyes off of each other the entire night and whenever there was a moment he could touch her without being obvious, he did. Rasha caught the subtle way he brushed her neck with his fingertips to adjust her necklace or the way they stood near each other with the backs of their hands touching.
"Makes you sick watching them, doesn't it?" Jak said into her ear. He handed her a glass of fermented juice.
It was so good to have him at her side again. She'd missed his quick banter.
"Don't be jealous," she said, at the same time throwing a smile and nod to a young man who walked by and bowed in their direction.
"I'm not jealous. I just don't believe everyone in the room is fooled by the two of them. He's already chosen her, what's with the pretense?"
"You've clearly never been to one of these before." Rasha angled her body toward him, but she kept her eyes on the room. "Look around, don't you understand what this party's really about? It's an introduction to royal society. All of these young people are the future royals and the old royals are strutting around reminding each other of who's got the most jewels or power or both."
"I don't see anyone here except you," Jak whispered. He was so close to her ear, the hairs on her neck stood up.
"Blushing, I understand. He must have said something scandalous." Silae came up and put her arm through Rasha's.
"Not really, I was just complementing the princess on her amazing look this evening."
"You're welcome, if it had been up to her she'd be wearing her courier's rags."
"Well then
, thank you very much, she looks stunning."
"I'm still here," Rasha said with as much annoyance as she could muster.
"Yes, and what are you doing here when you should both be out there dancing?" Silae clucked her tongue and shook her head.
"She doesn't like dancing." Jak shrugged and then draped an arm around Rasha's shoulders. She shrugged him off and removed her arm from Silae.
"Pity, it's really fun," Silae moved to stand between Rasha and Jak and put her arm through his.
"I'm standing right here," Rasha said, then crossed her arms.
"Shall we?" Jak asked, pulling Silae out to the dance floor.
A second later, Rasha closed her shocked mouth. She shouldn't be surprised, they were both notorious flirts.
Chiza stood across the room and watched the two go out onto the dance floor before she crossed the room to talk to Rasha.
"I wouldn't let that gorgeous beauty dance with my boyfriend if I were you."
"He's not my boyfriend. Besides, what do you know? You and the prince have already made your claims on each other and yet here you stand, watching him dance with every other potential in the room."
"They're not really potentials when they don't have a chance," Chiza said as she smirked into her drink.
"You're a wicked thing now aren't you?" Rasha was happy to see Chiza up and around. She'd been confined to her room longer than any of the others and had only just started walking around on her own.
"I'm sorry, you're right. I shouldn't be. There was a moment there where–,"
"Don't finish that thought." Rasha turned to her friend and grabbed her shoulders. "You made it and he loves you and that's all that matters."
Chiza smiled and when Rasha let go of her, she leaned her head on Rasha's shoulder. "When did you become such a romantic?"
"Is it romantic to state the truth? I didn't know." Rasha spotted someone on the edge of the room who didn't belong, his pointy ears and large paws blending into the background. "Excuse me, I have to go take care of something. I'll be back."
"Dance with him, make sure you're the last and he'll forget every other girl he danced with tonight." Chiza gave Rasha a light push on her back.
The little cub was fighting with the curtain by the time she reached him. He growled at it and refused to let it out of his teeth until Rasha lifted him to her face.
"You don't belong here, little fellow. I promise we'll find you a good home too, but this party is a little too big for you." He stared at her in that way that made her think he understood, then his little pink tongue flew out of his mouth and licked her nose. "Uck!" She held him out at arms’ length to the nearest servant.
"Sorry, your highness, he got away from me." The young maid was at her elbow, taking the little beastie into her hands. "It won't happen again."
"It's fine, they're mischievous at this age," Rasha said.
The young maid tucked him into her arm and dashed out of the room, away from the guests. He'd already caused a bit of a stir as the royals didn't like barn animals of any kind sharing the night with them.
33
THE NIGHT ENDED WITH A final celebration of love and romance. The royals were invited up to speak in front of the crowd about their most romantic notions and experiences. Soon, it was a competition to see who was the most romantic. Even her own parents were obnoxiously ready to share their true love story. The young all stood around looking embarrassed for themselves and their families.
By the end of the night, everyone was drinking to their success in marriage and romance. A large bouquet of white flowers was brought into the room. Attached to each flower was a name card and on the card was a potential. Each one of them pulled out their flowers in turn. The only person who didn't have a flower was Chiza. She turned around, looking surprised as Bashir crossed to the center of the room and bent down on one knee. He held up a necklace made in the image of The Eye of the Universal. The rainbow swirls of color surrounded by silver eyelids hung from a silver chain.
"I choose you and if you choose me, we'll love each other for eternity."
Chiza's tears of happiness spilled over onto her cheeks as she accepted his offered gift. He draped the chain around her thin brown neck. Then he turned her toward him and captured her mouth with his own in a deep and luxurious kiss. All the royals cheered. Although, Rasha noted a lackluster applause from Chiza's father. He'd be giving up more than his share of gems to make their marriage happen. Even though society in general hadn't forgiven him for trying to play two sides of the Choosing, he'd been welcomed to the palace for this special event.
Jak reached over from beside her and grabbed her hand, lifting it to his own lips. While everyone watched the happy royals, he pulled Rasha out onto a nearby balcony. They slipped through the sheer curtains and the cool air outside greeted them.
"It's so hot in there,” Rasha said, waving a hand in front of her face.
"Yeah," Jak said as he turned to look out over the gardens. The summer air held the scent of the flowers that filled the room behind them. He still held her hand and even when she tugged, he didn't let go.
"We should congratulate them,” Rasha said, speaking of Bashir and Chiza. Her own heart raced as she waited for Jak to speak.
He took in several long breaths but still didn't say anything. Rasha didn't know what he had in mind but couldn't shake the feeling he was about to ask her something.
"What are your plans after you leave here?"
This wasn't the question she was expecting. He'd said 'your plans' as if he didn't include himself in them. She imagined it then if she had to choose her next move what would she do. She'd been a courier for three years despite the fact that she hadn't been commissioned to deliver anything in the last year she retained her license. There were several options open to her, and she wanted to be honest with Jak about her ideas. Maybe he'd even want to go with her. What worried her was if he didn't want to go, would she still go through with it?
"I'm a courier. But I don't want to stay on Bolaji forever. I may extend my territory to off-worlds."
Jak didn't seem surprised as he nodded.
"There are so many places to see and I'd like to visit other planets in our system before I'm too old and too comfortable."
Jak didn't say anything for a long time, as if he were considering it.
"What about Zele? Will you bring her with you?"
"I hadn't considered it. I don't think a courier gets a space vessel big enough to carry a dragon."
"Something to consider, I guess." Jak spoke as if he had no feelings about it one way or the other. What was he getting at?
"I'm not leaving them until all those remotes are destroyed and the animals are protected."
"I've been considering that dilemma. If the beasts have their own hunting grounds in the North, then that will spare the rest of the kingdoms. It also gives them the freedom to settle without fear of humanoids trying to take control of them."
"Their own kingdom of Adalu, land of the beasts?" Rasha wondered what the council would say to that idea. "The council might take issue with it. There's still life outside of the palace, they might not take to sharing Adalu with the beasts."
"Whether they like it or not, Bolaji is their home. They deserve a piece of it." Jak's jaw was set in a firm line.
Good, they needed another champion. Ladi had done all she could, but it was time for others to step in and help the poor animals.
"What are your plans after all this?" Rasha pulled her hand away and gestured to the palace.
"I don't know yet," Jak said.
He hadn't mentioned her in his plans. She hadn't mentioned him either. Was that the point he was making? The music inside got louder and people were dancing all around the room. Her parents must have retired for the night as they were no longer drinking and eating. They were usually the last to leave a party, but perhaps with the anxieties of the day they were just tired. Rasha caught sight of Chiza and Bashir laughing and dancing in the center of th
e guests. Could she ever be that happy? She looked at Jak's outstretched hand, asking her to dance, and thought, perhaps, someday.
34
IT WAS EARLY MORNING BY the time the festivities died down. Rasha climbed the stairs to her room alone. She'd left Jak on the dance floor. There was nothing worse than a long goodbye. She'd make time to see him later. Ladi was notably absent, but after dealing with Ebere and the beasts, she didn't blame her for wanting to spend time with her own family. Ebere was tucked safely in a cell for the moment while the council met to decide his fate. He'd done some good but until they found Omi, he was their only guilty party. Ebere would have to answer for what they'd done.
Rasha was passing her parent's door on her way to her own room when she heard voices inside raised in anger. Rasha caught the tail end of their conversation.
"You can't do this. You've kept it from them long enough." Aunt Sochi was in her parents' room and arguing with her father.
Rasha heard him pick up something and throw it against the opposite wall where it shattered with a crash.
"You don't scare me," she said.
"Please, both of you stop. Don't push him," her mother said.
Whatever was going on, it didn't concern her, but it seemed urgent. She didn't need the sword at her back to propel her forward, but she didn't get the chance to say so.
"Why don't we all go in and see what the fuss is about?" Omi spoke from behind her. He held the sword up to her neck when she turned to see who'd snuck up on her.
The three adults stopped and turned when they entered. Her aunt and father were nose to nose with her mother holding one shoulder of each. Sochi was the first to move. She lifted her hands as her eyes flew from his hand to the knife he held at Rasha's back. Rasha shook her head when she saw her aunt's hand move to her waist.
The Courier's Quest Page 16
