Goddess’s Choice

by I. T. Lucas

  Her attraction to Khiann was too powerful to resist.

  PART 3

  GARDEN OF LOVE

  1

  Annani

  “What do you think of this one?” Annani shook out the skirt of the new blue dress her seamstress had delivered that morning, smoothing out the folds and creases.

  The order had been fulfilled with unusual speed. Typically, it took the immortal weeks to be done with the elaborate embroidery adorning Annani’s dresses and tunics, not days. For some reason, the seamstress had been exceedingly eager to please this time, and more talkative and full of questions than ever.

  Delani was such a gossip.

  For a change, however, Annani had been careful, censoring her words and keeping her excitement bottled up, lest the woman suspected something and started asking questions. A lot was at stake and letting a hint slip out could have devastating consequences. Fates forbid Mortdh found out about Khiann’s courtship.

  Who knew who else the seamstress talked to?

  Not everyone was as trustworthy as Gulan, who Annani regarded more as a friend than a servant.

  “It is most flattering, my lady.” The girl lifted the dresses Annani had tossed over the privacy partition, discarding them as not pretty enough, or too fancy, or not fancy enough.

  On the one hand, Annani wanted to look her best for Khiann, but on the other hand, she did not want to appear as if she was trying too hard or showing off her status.

  Khiann was going to arrive shortly, for the first time in his official capacity as her suitor. Their non-official, hush-hush courtship period was about to start, and Annani needed to look as tempting and as alluring as possible without it being obvious that she had dedicated much thought to it.

  It was such a tough choice.

  “Is it nicer than the others?”

  “They are all beautiful, my lady, and you look magnificent in every one. I cannot choose one over the other.”

  Ugh. Gulan probably considered offering her honest opinion as too forward, or maybe she was just indecisive. In either case, her friend was not much help.

  Perhaps she should call her guards in. A male’s opinion could have been helpful. After all, what looked pleasing to a female’s eyes might leave a male indifferent.

  Except, asking the guards was inappropriate. Annani treated them as her friends, but unfortunately, they could not reciprocate in kind. There was an invisible and yet very tangible wall of propriety between a princess and her servants. Besides, they would probably react precisely the same as Gulan, saying everything looked beautiful.

  Camel droppings. Having an older brother would have been beneficial in so many ways.

  Annani chuckled at the absurdity of the thought. If she had an older brother, she would not be in the predicament she was in because she would not be first in line to rule, and Mortdh would not be interested in her. She would be free to mate with whomever she pleased, and her choice would not have the catastrophic potential of starting a war.

  Indeed, an older brother could have been the answer to much more significant problems than choosing a dress to wear for Khiann.

  Maybe in the absence of a brother an uncle would do?

  Annani could ask Ekin. Her father’s older and much more fun half-brother was probably the only person she trusted to tell her the truth. Even her parents told her only what they thought she should know. Which she thought was dishonest and cast a shadow on her relationship with them. In Annani’s opinion omitting information, especially when it pertained to her, was almost as bad as lying.

  Ekin always answered her questions to the best of his ability.

  Besides, he knew about her and Khiann, which meant that stifling her excitement would not be necessary around him. Annani wanted to dance and sing and tell everyone how happy she was.

  Instead, she had to pretend as if nothing unusual was going on.

  Except, her uncle’s quarters were situated on the other side of the palace, and asking him to come to her chamber would border on disrespectful. On the other hand, crossing the palace with each new dress she wanted his opinion on was too time-consuming, and she was in a bit of a rush.

  It seemed Gulan would have to do.

  With a sigh, Annani tried a different approach. “Which color do you think looks best on me?”

  “All colors look good on you, my lady. But personally, I think red hues complement your complexion the best.”

  Annani peeked from behind the partition. “Are you sure? Even with my red hair?”

  Gulan shrugged. “I am not an expert. Perhaps I should get the seamstress?”

  That could have been an excellent idea if Annani had the time. After all, Delani was her primary source of information on everything that had to do with the male sex. If nothing else, a few giggles over some racy stories might have calmed the flurry of butterflies taking flight in Annani’s stomach.

  “Hand me the burgundy one,” she told her maid. The dress was not new, but she had worn it only once before. The fabric was beautiful, soft and airy, which was vitally important since Annani did not do well in the heat, especially when she was excited, and the air was still hot out in the gardens.

  Sweating was most unbecoming, and it would be several more hours before the night cooled sufficiently to be comfortable.

  Since the fabric of the dress was unadorned, Annani added a gold necklace, a matching pair of earrings, and a circlet to hold her hair back.

  “Not bad,” she told the reflection in the mirror. She was not overdressed or underdressed, and she looked pretty.

  “Perfect,” Gulan sighed. “Master Khiann is going to swoon.”

  Annani huffed. “Male gods do not swoon.” On second thought, though, she giggled thinking that he might get a little dizzy if all the blood from his big body rushed into a certain part of him.

  Knowing Gulan, though, that had not been what had prompted her comment. The girl was too innocent to entertain thoughts of that nature.

  “My apologies, my lady.” Gulan bowed.

  “No apologies required.” Annani pulled her friend into a quick embrace. “You are my best friend. I want you to always speak your mind when we are alone.”

  As Gulan returned the hug, her long, strong arms were as gentle as those of a mother embracing a child. “And you are mine. But I cannot behave one way when we are alone and another when we are not. It is too confusing. I love you in my heart, but whether anyone else is present or not, I prefer to always address you with the respect and deference you deserve. It makes matters simpler for me.”

  “Oh, Gulan.” Annani stretched on the tips of her toes and kissed her friend’s cheek. “I am so lucky to have you. I would have been so lonely without you.” Hiring Gulan as her handmaid and protector was the best thing Annani’s parents had done for her. Other than giving her life, of course.

  A lone tear slid down Gulan’s cheek. “Thank you.” Embarrassed, she quickly wiped the tear and forced a smile. “My apologies for getting overly emotional.”

  Annani patted her shoulder. “Your big heart is one of the things I love most about you. Feel free to get emotional whenever you feel like it.”

  Gulan was a big softy who got teary-eyed over cute babies and fluffy kittens and true love stories.

  A moment later there was a quiet knock on the door, followed by a hesitant, “My lady?”

  “What is it? You can come in, Gumer.”

  The guard opened the door just enough to stick his head through it. “Your tutor has arrived, my lady. He is waiting for you in the gazebo as you have instructed.”

  “Thank you. I will be out in a minute,” Annani said.

  Gumer bowed and closed the door.

  Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the skirt of her dress once again.

  “Okay, one last look in the mirror.” Satisfied with her appearance, Annani turned to Gulan. “Shall we?”

  2

  Khiann

  “Stop stressing, you look fine.” Esag tugged on Khiann�
��s tunic. It was a little tight at the chest, which caused it to ride up. He had bulked up since it had been made for him several moon cycles before.

  “Fine is not good enough.”

  “How about dashingly handsome?“

  Khiann smiled. “Better. But the tunic is too tight. Maybe I should wear a different one?”

  It was the best casual garment he owned. The others were either too fancy or too plain. Up until today, Khiann had not concerned himself with clothing, and whatever his mother ordered for him had been fine. Except, he was about to court a princess and needed to look the part.

  “It shows off your muscles. Girls like a muscular chest.”

  “Is that so?” Khiann gave the tunic another tug and puffed up the aforementioned body part, putting even more strain on the seams. The stitching held.

  Good. It would have been embarrassing to have the garment tear in Annani’s presence.

  “You look irresistible, my lord,” Esag taunted in a feminine tone while fanning himself with his hand.

  “Now look at what you have done.” Khiann batted his eyelashes. “You made me blush.”

  As Esag had no doubt intended, the teasing had lightened the mood, easing the churning in Khiann’s gut. Judging by his nervousness, one might think he was a blushing virgin and not an experienced young god who had bedded females aplenty and had not heard a single complaint yet.

  If anyone should be nervous, it was Annani.

  He wondered what she was doing. Was she standing in front of her mirror the same as he was and fretting about her appearance?

  Not that she had anything to worry about. He would think her the most beautiful female ever born no matter how she was dressed. Even a commoner’s garb looked good on her.

  Taking one last glance at the mirror, Khiann gave his tunic another tug for good measure and raked his fingers through his shoulder-length hair, pushing the wavy strands behind his ears. It still looked messy.

  “Hand me the comb, Esag.”

  His squire shook his head. “You do not want to appear too well-groomed. Girls go for the carefree, tousled style.” Esag demonstrated by pushing his fingers through his own dark hair and then tossing his head from side to side. “I present the wind-blown style.”

  “More like the just-fell-out-off-bed style.” Nevertheless, Khiann decided to take Esag’s advice and forgo the comb. “Let us go. I do not want to be late.”

  They walked to the palace instead of riding their horses, first of all because Khiann did not want the animal smell clinging to his clothes, and secondly because he figured his visit would draw less attention if they arrived on foot.

  As they entered the palace’s inner courtyard, Gulan waved at them from the front door, then blushed furiously when Esag bowed to her in greeting.

  “Good evening, Master Khiann.” She bowed. “My lady awaits you in the gazebo.”

  “Thank you, and good evening to you as well. Please, lead the way.” Khiann waved his hand.

  “How are you, Gulan?” Esag asked.

  “I am well,” the girl answered without looking at the squire, bowed again, and then quickly turned on her heel.

  As she walked briskly toward the gardens, Khiann and Esag followed a couple of steps behind her.

  The nervous energy radiating from Gulan was palpable, and Khiann was quite sure that it had nothing to do with Annani and his first official tutoring session, and everything to do with his squire.

  He needed to have a talk with Esag about leading the girl on. If the guy cared about Gulan even a little, he should dial down the charm and act indifferent. At first, her feelings might get hurt, but it would be better for her in the long run. The girl should set her sights on an available immortal, not one who was promised to another.

  As they reached the gazebo, and Khiann got his first glimpse of Annani, all thoughts of Gulan and Esag were forgotten. She looked resplendent in her dark red dress, the soft fabric hugging her lush body most enticingly. Annani was small and not at all voluptuous, but every part of her was made to perfection.

  Fates, how he wanted to pull her into his arms and run his hands all over those slender feminine curves. But courtship was not about the meeting of bodies, or at least it was not supposed to be. It was supposed to be about the meetings of minds and hearts and about ascertaining compatibility.

  In theory.

  In reality, males were slaves to their baser natures and filled with carnal thoughts. He would do his best, though, and hope it was enough.

  Khiann bowed. “Greetings, my lady.”

  With a tiny smirk, Annani inclined her head in a perfunctory bow. “Good evening, Master Khiann. I am eager for our first lesson to begin.”

  “Yes, indeed.” Khiann pulled out his tablet from his satchel and put it on the stone table. “I prepared a list of the goods currently imported and also of those exported.”

  Annani clapped her hands. “Splendid. It sounds fascinating.” Taking a seat on the bench, she motioned for him to join her.

  “Come on, Gulan.” Esag took the maid’s elbow. “While these two discuss commerce, I am going to teach you how to defend yourself and your lady.”

  The girl glanced at Annani. “Do I have your permission to leave, my lady?”

  “Yes. You should have taken combat lessons a long time ago. Size and physical strength are not enough to stave off an attack.”

  Gulan’s dark complexion got a shade darker and ruddier. “As you command, my lady.” She executed a slight bow before letting Esag lead her down the meandering garden path.

  As the two walked away, Khiann leaned and whispered in Annani’s ear, “You should not encourage this. Esag is promised to another.”

  Annani’s face fell. “That is such a shame. Gulan is quite taken with him.”

  “I have noticed. I will have a talk with him.”

  “Poor Gulan. She is going to be crushed, especially since Esag seems to genuinely like her.” Annani sighed. “People should be free to choose their mates. I do not support the custom of parents arranging their children’s engagements at a young age. It is a loophole that allows them to circumvent the law of consent. I do not know how loving parents can sentence their child to a loveless joining.”

  Khiann took her hand. “Of course you do not. You are a victim of that custom.”

  A slight, barely there rustle of leaves reminded Khiann that he should have cast a shroud around them before speaking so freely. It could have been nothing more than a bird in a tree, but it could have also been one of Mortdh’s spies.

  Concentrating, he cast a complicated shroud, creating not only a sound barrier but also an illusion of Annani and him poring over his tablet. As soon as it was in place, he turned to his princess and smiled. “Are you ready for your first lesson, my love?”

  Annani gasped. “Did you just call me your love?”

  “Yes, I did.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. “I have fallen for you, my feisty sprite.”

  “But our courtship has not even begun yet.”

  “I know what is in my heart. I have known it for a very long time and tried to ignore it because I thought there was not the slightest chance of anything ever coming of it. But now that you have given me that chance, I am going to prove to you that I am your one and only.”

  With a soft sigh, Annani lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of his. “You do not have to prove anything to me. I already know that we are fated to be joined for eternity.”

  3

  Gulan

  Gods help me, Gulan thought as she reluctantly let Esag lead her away.

  Annani had been too preoccupied with Khiann to notice the desperate plea in Gulan’s eyes, which had been begging for the opposite of what her words had been asking for. She had not wanted to leave with the squire. She could not handle being alone with him.

  Was this love? Or was this illness?

  Immortals did not get sick, so it must have been the former.

  Did Annani suf
fer from sweaty palms, racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and nausea?

  Gulan did not think so. Annani might have exhibited a few signs of nervous excitement, but at no point had her lady been close to fainting as Gulan was now.

  The effect of Esag’s proximity was not enjoyable. If that was how love or attraction or whatever that was felt, then it was poisonous.

  “This looks like a good spot.” Esag pointed to a clearing in the garden. “We can practice here.”

  Her throat too tight for talking, Gulan nodded.

  “I am going to show you a few basic moves.” He retook her elbow and positioned her in the center of the dirt patch delineated by bushes. “Stand here.”

  He took a step back and looked at her hands, which were clasped tightly together. “You need to loosen up. Drop your arms by your sides and shake them like you are shaking water off.” He demonstrated.

  She imitated him. “Like this?” Her voice came out barely louder than a whisper.

  “Yes. That is good. Now do the same with your legs.” He winked. “One leg at a time. I do not want you to fall on your pretty face.”

  At the compliment, Gulan felt her face heat up even worse. She was probably redder than a pomegranate.

  Once she was done shaking out her legs, he had her shake her arms again. Gulan felt silly but did as he instructed. Not one to argue or assert herself, she did all that he asked of her. Besides, if she cooperated, the training session would be over sooner rather than later. She could go to the fountain and splash some water on her burning cheeks before returning to Annani.

  “Now you are ready.” Esag smiled. “I am going to show you the first basic move. Pretend you want to grab me.”

  “Grab you where?”

  He patted his chest. “Pretend you are a thug and grab my tunic here.”

  Hesitantly, she reached for his tunic, but before she could grab a fistful, Esag caught her wrist and pulled her forward while turning around in slow motion. “I do not want to complete the move, but the idea is to use your opponent’s momentum and throw him over your shoulder.”