by Cayla Kluver
I placed a hand on his chest and pushed myself up to look at him in mock umbrage. “Then tell me how our wedding will proceed.”
“That I don’t know,” he said with a grin. “I suspect Hytanica’s marital traditions and rites would fill a volume more than double the rest of our history texts put together.”
“You’re ridiculous!” I lightly smothered him with a pillow, then nestled upon his chest, content and ready for sleep.
At some point in the night, I woke and looked over to see Narian staring at the ceiling.
“What are you doing?” I asked, stifling a yawn.
“Thinking.”
“Do you want to tell me what you’re thinking about?”
“Candidates for my new second-in-command. I have a feeling your Harvest Festival is going to bring matters to the breaking point between us and Rava. If things go our way and the High Priestess removes her, I intend to be the one to name her replacement.”
“And this cannot wait until morning?” I asked, even though I knew how he would respond.
“I believe in being prepared.” I nodded and closed my eyes. Anticipating, planning, developing strategies and counter strategies, was another ingrained aspect of Narian’s nature. As I drifted back to sleep, I wondered for how many contingencies he was prepared that I knew nothing about.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
FRIEND AND FOE
SHASELLE
My days of punishment were miserable, in large part because of the glares and sideways glances I received that were meant to make me feel guilty. Since I already did, I undertook the extra chores I was given without complaint, not wanting to prove myself even more irresponsible.
I tried several times to speak with Mother, wanting to make her understand that I had not missed dinner with Grayden on purpose, hoping she would realize how important it was to bring King home. But she would have none of it. In the end, the only way left to redeem myself was to apologize to the young man.
Dressed in my finest day clothes, I set off toward the wealthy residential area that lay east of the thoroughfare, opting to go on foot despite the distance. While I could have taken a buggy, the Cokyrians seemed to enjoy seizing—stealing—every reasonably well-bred Hytanican horse they came upon, and all of my father’s horses were better than well-bred. I didn’t want to chance losing my mare, my brother’s gelding or Alcander.
It was a sunny afternoon, and the breeze felt fresh upon my cheeks, giving my spirits a lift. Were it not for the Cokyrian soldiers on the streets, I could have let myself believe that we were returning to simpler, more pleasant times. In years past, October in Hytanica would have been a time of rising excitement, for the harvest would have been well underway, and city dwellers and country folk alike would have been stocking the larders for winter. And young men would have been honing their skills for the annual tournament, while young women would have watched and admired them from afar. Would Lord Grayden have competed this year? At eighteen, he would have been eligible for the first time. Uncle Cannan had said he’d excelled in military school, and the tournament was the place to demonstrate one’s skills. Or perhaps, being good with horses, he would have entered the races. Had I been a boy, nothing could have prevented me from doing so, just as Papa had done when he was my age.
When Lord Landru’s two-story manor house loomed before me, I scanned its newly placed stone, wondering where within its walls the rebels had hidden their weapons. I slowed my steps as I started up the path toward the front entrance, feeling like I was about to walk on smoldering embers. Had the fire burned down enough that it couldn’t harm me? Or would I be scorched? Reaching the front door, I took a deep breath, aware of the importance of what I was about to do and fearful that I would not succeed. Then I rapped firmly upon the dark wood. This was not the time to practice timidity.
Grayden opened the door himself and our eyes met. For a moment, neither of us moved, equally flustered—he was stunned to find me on his stoop, while I had expected a servant to answer my knock.
“May I come in, my lord?” I inquired, sounding more nervous than I would have liked.
“As you wish.”
He leaned back against the door frame and gestured for me to enter, his manner not entirely hospitable. I stepped inside and glanced around the spacious foyer, then cleared my throat, ready to begin a short, but well-rehearsed, statement of contrition.
“I owe you an apology, Lord Grayden. I’m sorry for failing to attend the dinner to which you were invited at my family’s home. While I do not deserve your kind regard, I hope you will be gracious enough to forgive me.”
“That depends on what you were doing instead.”
“Excuse me?” I squeaked, for this was an unexpected reaction. My mind spun, trying to decide what to do. Did I need to apologize better? Or should I just leave?
He laughed, and I felt even more flustered. “Your mother and sisters kept changing their stories. Makes me think they didn’t know what you were doing. I’d like the mystery solved.”
Taken aback, I surveyed him, noting his dark brown hair that made his skin appear all the more fair, his perfectly proportioned nose, his gorgeous green eyes and his inviting smile. He wanted me to be honest. I decided to risk it, for nothing worse could come of his knowing the truth.
“I forgot you were coming.”
He straightened and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “At least I know you’re not a liar.”
“Not usually,” I blurted, and he laughed once more.
“Well then, I accept your apology.”
“That’s very considerate of you.” I hesitated then gave him another curtsey. “Good day to you, my lord.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “You’re leaving so soon?”
“Yes,” I replied, a grin playing at the corners of my mouth. “You see, I haven’t been invited to stay.”
Before he could respond, I slipped past him and out the door, pleased at his befuddled expression. All in all, things had gone well—I had accomplished my appointed task; at the same time, I was certain I could cross another suitor off the list. After all, even the best impressions Lord Grayden had of me left much to be desired. But I didn’t feel as happy about that outcome as I had expected. Strangely, the young man held more appeal for me now than he had before. I sighed, for my nature did indeed appear to be a fickle one.
* * *
My mother was eager to hear every single word of my exchange with Lord Grayden, although I couldn’t see that there was much to tell.
“I apologized for forgetting we had invited him to dinner,” I announced, baiting her. “He forgave me.”
“We were the ones embarrassed by your behavior, Shaselle, not Lord Grayden,” she chided, and what I had thought to be solid ground shifted beneath my feet.
She said no more, but set me again to chores, although fewer frowns came my way. Perhaps this would soon be over. I ate with the rest of my family, then retreated to my bedroom, desperate for some breathing space. Not that there was any to be found for me inside this house, where the bits of freedom that were doled out were dominated by boredom. I had felt much the same during my schooling days, when tutors would come and sequester me with lessons for hours on end. My blessed relief back then had been riding with my father after he came home from the military base, where he served as the cavalry officer. Now there was no relief in sight.
Hearing my mother’s footsteps in the first-floor corridor, I gr
oaned. It was too early to go to sleep, yet I didn’t want to be downstairs. I idly considered opening a book, but what I craved was a touch of excitement. I sat up, then went to my wardrobe and dressed in breeches, boots and a woolen shirt, shrugging my cloak over it all. Despite the amount of trouble I would be in if I were caught, I returned to the window and pushed it open, once more escaping by scuttling down the oak tree.
I headed out on foot, lurking in the shadows of houses and cutting through alleys between the shops in the Market District, not wanting to draw the notice of the enemy soldiers who patrolled twenty-four hours a day. A destination had entered my mind, a potentially foolish destination, a definitely dangerous destination. I didn’t know why, but the risk appealed to me.
The barracks on the military base came into view, and I strode toward them, hoping my bravado would enable me to pass for Cokyrian. But the closer I came to the buildings, the more idiotic my idea seemed. I didn’t want to end up in the enemy’s hands. I didn’t want to be brought to Rava. I stopped to turn around, but it was too late.
“You there! What are you doing?” A sentry was approaching, her strides swift and purposeful. “Identify yourself!”
She held a lantern close to me, and I squinted in the light, my heart thrumming loudly. On the chance that I could still pull off the charade, I attempted to mimic a Cokyrian accent. The inflection was subtle, but not terribly different from our own, and I hoped the guard would be none the wiser.
“I was sent to deliver a message.”
“And what message is that?” Her voice was skeptical and she laid a hand on the hilt of the sword at her hip.
“The message is not for you.”
The sentry laughed. “Get out of here, girl. I have no interest in arresting you. I’ll consider this an amusing part of my night duty as long as you don’t cause any trouble.”
“The message is from Rava,” I tried again, my natural stubbornness overcoming my fear. “For her brother.”
“Messages should be taken to the main building,” she pronounced, no longer confident that she should send me away.
“Rava instructed me to deliver it to no one but Saadi. She said he would be in the officer’s barracks.”
The woman deliberated, looking dubiously at me, although she ultimately decided in my favor.
“Then I’ll take you to him. We’ll see what he has to say about this.”
The sentry grabbed my arm and led me toward the building. There were two guards at its entrance, and she instructed one of them to fetch Saadi.
Despite the coolness of the weather, I could feel myself sweating. If Saadi refused to come, I would be locked up and likely taken to Rava in the morning. But if he did come, how did I know he would be happy to see me? He might not approve of the game I was playing. Nausea roiled my stomach, and I glanced at the Cokyrians on each side of me, trying to decide if I should beat a hasty retreat. Too afraid of the consequences if I failed to get away, I waited, praying the fates would smile upon me.
It wasn’t long before footfalls reached my ears, and the door to the barracks swung open. Saadi stood there in breeches and a loose, unlaced shirt, strapping on his weapons, obviously having been awakened. Would he be angry that I had disturbed his sleep?
“Well?” the guard who discovered me prompted.
“I recognize her,” Saadi answered, staring directly at the woman. “She works for my sister as an errand girl.”
I briefly closed my eyes in relief. Saadi waved the guard back to her post and issued an order to the man behind him to retrieve his cloak. When it was thrust into his hands, he escorted me back across the base, not speaking until we were out of earshot of those on patrol.
“So, Rava has a message for me?”
I shoved him unthinkingly, teasingly, and he laughed, jumping away.
“You wanted to see me, remember?” I pointed out. “But you never picked a time or place!”
“So you decided to do it for me. Fair enough, but I’m dying to know what you have in mind to do.”
“I don’t have anything in mind.”
We had reached the thoroughfare, and he chuckled. “You braved Cokyrian soldiers and the stronghold of the military base, but don’t have a thing in mind for us to do?”
“That’s right,” I admitted, irritated that he was laughing at me. “Would you grow up please?”
“Shaselle, there’s nothing ‘grown-up’ about what we’re doing. I assume you snuck away from home to see me, and I have a five o’clock call in the morning.”
I came to a halt and turned to face him, my eyes issuing a challenge. “If you want to go back, feel free. Tell those soldiers that Rava just wanted to make sure her baby brother went to bed on time.”
He grinned, enjoying my feisty responses, and smoothed his bronze hair forward, a habit I still found annoying. It also served to make my heart flutter.
“Trust me, I’ve survived many a night without sleep.” He came closer, putting his hands on my hips, and I spontaneously leaned in to kiss him. He drew me close, his mouth more hungry than it had been in the barn, and a tingle ran from my lips to my toes. Then I pulled away, smiling mischievously, loving how reckless my actions were.
He took my hand, kissing each of my fingers before tugging me down the street.
“Come on, Shaselle.”
“Where are we going?”
Saadi didn’t answer, but led me in the direction of the Market District. As a Cokyrian soldier on horseback trotted by, he pulled me into the shadows of a storefront, placing a finger upon his lips.
“I’ve thought of something for us to do,” he whispered. “Since you came so unprepared.”
Once more he took my hand, and I went with him blindly, happily, until we reached the shop from which I’d stolen fruit and wine when I’d run away from home.
“What are you—?”
He gave the door a strong kick, and I winced at the crack of the wood in the stillness.
“Saadi!” I hissed, glancing around, expecting the mounted Cokyrian to come galloping back.
He ignored me, pushing the door open.
“Come on now. No errand girl of Rava’s would be such a coward!”
He stepped inside and I followed, peering through the darkness, watching him pry the lid off a crate and pull forth a bottle of wine. He tossed it to me, and I gamely caught it. After grabbing another, he darted back into the open, snatching hold of my wrist to make sure he didn’t lose me.
We hurried down the street, halting where the road intersected the thoroughfare, and Saadi clamped the cork of the wine bottle between his teeth, tugging it free. He spat it on the ground, raised the bottle in mock cheers and took a long swig. After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he passed the bottle to me. I hesitated, not wanting to seem fainthearted, but knowing this was not how I should be behaving. His eyebrows rose, and I grabbed the bottle, not about to let him make fun of me. I put it to my lips and gulped, feeling the wine burn down my throat, and he clapped, applauding me and flashing the most adorable grin I had ever seen.
It didn’t take long to finish off the first bottle, and Saadi attempted to open the second, but couldn’t seem to get a good grip with his teeth. Giggling, I took the bottle and tried chewing through the cork; he snatched it back, trying in vain to drink its contents without removing the cork at all. I shoved him and he stumbled, dropping the bottle, the cork finally popping loose, and we laughed uncontrollably, falling into each other’s ar
ms while the wine flowed onto the street. Sobering somewhat, Saadi gripped my shoulders and held me away from him.
“Shaselle!” he cried, eliciting another spasm of giggles from me. “You’ve spilled the wine.”
“No, no, no. You’re the one who spilled the wine.”
I tossed my hair back, my upper body weirdly following the motion, and would probably have hit the cobblestone street had he not caught my arm.
“Don’t worry—I have something.” He dropped his hands to his belt and untied his water flask, presenting it to me like it was the legendary Holy Grail, and I stared stupidly at him.
“Do you know what this is?” he crowed, his words slurring together.
“That’s your water, silly!” I leaned back against him, craning my neck in an attempt to see his face. His balance was fortunately better than mine, and he managed to keep us both upright.
“Do you really think I would keep water in here?” he asked.
I gasped and lunged for his great discovery. He stepped away, laughing.
“Come and get it!”
I did my best, zigzagging after him down the street, while he dodged and stole swigs from the flask.
“You’re going to drink it all!” I shouted, then pointed helplessly at him, trying to find the words to tell him we were no longer alone. He took another step backward, right into the horse of the Cokyrian soldier we had avoided earlier, bouncing off to land gracelessly upon the ground on his rear end.
He stared up at the woman, making no attempt to stand.
“Your horse is very solid,” he slurred. “Congratulations on having such a fine mount.”
“Saadi, what are you doing?” she muttered, banishing my initial fear that we would be taken to Rava. I should have remembered how well known he was among the Cokyrians.
“Ah!” he exclaimed. “A friend of mine!” He brandished an arm toward me, struggling to his feet. “She’s a friend of mine, too. That…that girl over there. She’s helping me take care of important business.”
