The Princess

by Andrea Ring

  Then you must change this society you have built. You must give these people the respect they deserve. And you must run.

  I lift my head. Run?

  I care not for the politics of human beings, but I will not be on the side of slavery. We are free, and your people should be as well. Run, Tanaya. I’m about to rouse my thunder and we will be free of this place. The camp will burn. Take a horse and run.

  My sister is there, I think. Others who are good and only want to do the right thing. Please.

  Rorek’s yellow eyes gleam. He closes the lids slowly. I will give you time if you go now. Run!

  I turn on my heels and run.

  XXXVII. MAJA

  “Are you cold, my lady?”

  “No.”

  “Here. I have some kaafii for you. Should warm you up for the rest of our journey.”

  She takes the cup with a curt nod.

  I take a seat beside her and sigh. “Have I done something to offend you, Aaliyah?”

  I catch her eye, and she looks away. “No.”

  “Am I not performing the duties for which you hired me?”

  She slams her cup down on the floorboards. “Stop, Manu! Just stop. I’ve let this go too far already. I’ve said too much, and felt too much, and it just has to stop.”

  “I like you, Aaliyah,” I say. “A great deal. I think you like me. We understand each other, and that is a rare thing. Why would you turn your back on that?”

  “What does that even mean?’ she says. “So I like you. So what?”

  “You could give me a chance,” I say. “I could be a good friend, if you let me.”

  She laughs. “You just want to be friends? How sweet.”

  “Friends is a good start.”

  “I cannot have friends,” she says. “If I trust, I can be betrayed.”

  “What about this Danna? The one who packed for you. It sounded like she is a friend.”

  “She works for me. I pay her. You cannot be true friends with someone in your employ.”

  “Is that the issue?” I ask. “Then I resign as your guide. I refuse all payment. We will continue on as companions.”

  She works to hide a smile. “That’s not the issue and you know it.”

  “I see,” I say, nodding my head. “So the real issue is…you want me. You fear that you might fall in love with me. And then you fear that I will betray you, or hurt you, or leave.”

  She takes a shaky sip of her kaafii. “You are the pushiest man I have ever met.”

  “I doubt that,” I say, sipping my own, “but I may be the most honest.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here to attend a wedding and to see what that portends for the future of Jatani and our caste. That’s it. I don’t want any complications. My life works.”

  “So does mine,” I say. “That doesn’t mean it can’t be even better.”

  Aaliyah sets her cup down and looks at me. “Spell it out. What exactly do you want?”

  “For us to get to know each other,” I say.

  “And then?”

  “And then, if we get along, I’d like to court you.”

  Her jaw drops. “You want to…court me?”

  “Why does that surprise you? Isn’t that the logical next step?”

  “Manu, I think you fail to see the world I live in. Whores aren’t courted. They are bedded and paid.”

  “I know you better than that,” I say. “When is the last time you bedded a man?”

  “What does that matter?”

  “I bet it was a cycle or two ago.”

  She gets to her feet and goes to the window.

  “Aaliyah?”

  She shakes her head.

  I stand and move up close behind her. “You did what you had to do. You rose above your circumstances, and still, you fight for those who are in your former position. You are not a whore, and I will challenge anyone who says otherwise.”

  She turns to me.

  “Six cycles, ten moons, and twelve days,” she whispers.

  I fold her into my arms.

  ***

  I had a plan.

  I was working to gain her trust.

  I needed her to let me in.

  But somewhere along the way, that plan blew up in my face.

  There is something in Aaliyah that calls to me. Maybe it’s a vulnerability that she cannot completely hide. Part of it is the passion she has for the lowliest people in our kingdom. It’s her intelligence, her ambition, her ability to create a life for herself despite all the obstacles she has faced.

  I’m even drawn to her harpy side, I must admit. With neither my first love, Kerani, nor with my heart, Nilaruna, could I have a proper argument. Kerani was too shy to express herself, and Nilaruna has a talent for compromise. I am surprised to find that I actually enjoy the sparring with Aaliyah. I do not have to suppress any negative emotion in her presence. She is one who can handle it, whatever I throw at her.

  But I am not truly a man, and I am lying to her. Aaliyah’s greatest fear is betrayal, and I am exactly the thing she fears. What am I doing?

  I step back from her.

  “My lady, you have spoken from your heart, and I value nothing as more precious. Thank you for that gift. I will honor your wishes and not pursue this further. Consider me once again in your employ.”

  Hurt fills her eyes, but she plasters a smile on her lips. “You are a good man, Manu,” she says. “I would be honored to be your friend.”

  I turn away from her, disappear our cups, and gather up our bedrolls. “As you said, it’s not a good idea to be friends with someone you are paying. Let us forget we ever had this discussion.”

  “I’ve hurt you,” she says.

  I drop the bedrolls, sigh, and face her. “I was caught up in the moment with a beautiful woman and I forgot myself. Forgive me.”

  “Forgive you? For what?”

  “Know that I feel something genuine for you. If circumstances were different, if I were different, I would pursue you to the ends of the earth. But I was ignoring the realities, and I cannot ignore them any longer. We can be friendly, I can escort you to the palace, but that is all.”

  “What circumstances, Manu? What are you talking about? Wait.” Aaliyah closes her eyes. “Are you a spy for the royals?”

  “I am not on one side,” I say. “I am loyal only to the people of Jatani.”

  “Oh, gods,” she says, putting her face in her hands. “You are from Indrapur. The king sent you.”

  “The king did not send me,” I say.

  “But you know who I am. You know what I have planned.”

  “I know nothing of your plans but what you have told me. You said you had a dream.”

  “Stop this!” she shouts. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “I want to prevent a war,” I say. “And I want all the untouchables to have all the rights you spoke about. I want what you want.”

  “Who are you!” she shouts, and her eyes flood, and tears spill over, dripping down her cheeks.

  I grab her arms. “Do you trust me?”

  “How can you ask me that? I—”

  “Do you trust me!” I bellow.

  Aaliyah lets out a sob. “Completely,” she whispers. “More than I’ve ever trusted anyone.”

  And I bend down and crush my lips to hers.

  XXXVIII. SAPHALA

  I wake in a strange room, in a strange bed, with a strange buzzing in my ears. I shake my head but that does nothing to clear it.

  “Glad to see you’re awake,” a familiar voice says, and I turn my head sharply to see Healer Wadee occupying the chair next to my bed, a book in his hands.

  “Where am I?”

  “The king’s mistress’s chambers,” he says. “Seems fitting.”

  I hold his gaze. “Not for long.”

  He laughs. “Whatever. It’s your life.”

  “Indeed it is,” I say. “How is Jagir feeling?”

  He raises an eyebrow at me. “Jagir, is it? Fe
eling so familiar already?”

  “I have been inside him, and he has been inside me. Familiar doesn’t begin to describe it.”

  Wadee chuckles again. “You are a handful. I hope my king knows what he’s gotten himself into.”

  “He’s healed, and he had a night he won’t soon forget. I’m betting he’s quite content with his plight.”

  “As you say.”

  Wadee stands and fingers his book. “You’ve slept about sixteen hours. Do you require more?”

  “No. I feel quite rested.”

  “The lady Nilaruna and the prince are looking for you. Do you wish to see them?”

  “Not particularly,” I say. “Perhaps you can tell them I am ill.”

  “If the king agrees, I will.”

  “Is Jagir about?” I ask.

  “He is next door,” Wadee says. “And no, I will not send for him. He is your king, Saphala, no matter what compromising positions you have seen him in. If you wish to see him, you will ask for an audience.”

  I sigh. “Fine.”

  “And you were sweating like a pig all night after your exertions,” he says. “I suggest you bathe before you see him. I’ll send someone in to help you.”

  Wadee pads to the door, gives me a cursory bow, and leaves.

  I scowl. What an ass.

  Servants come in with hot water for my bath. Two others come with fresh clothing.

  I choose a gorgeous orange sari. Perhaps Jagir had it made for me.

  Several hours later, dressed and perfumed and combed and painted, I stand before Jagir’s door. I take a deep breath.

  My guard knocks.

  XXXIX. THE KING

  I stand before the long mirror, eyeing every part of myself.

  Boy, did I let myself go to ruin.

  I pinch the flab at my waistline. I poke the squishy skin of my chest. I pull down my second chin, frown, then push it back up.

  No matter. Without the headaches, I can start training with the soldiers again. I was deadly with a sword, once.

  I lean in close and examine my face. The pouches beneath my eyes have already begun to shrink. The crease between my eyes seems more shallow. My eyes are open wide, not squinting against the meager glare of candlelight that used to cause so much pain.

  Pain. I have none. None. Not a twinge.

  And to think, all this time, my cure was in the little village of Dabani wearing the face of the heavens and the body of a temptress. I chuckle. Saphala Parsa is a gem. No wonder Shiva covets her sister Lili. It must run in the family.

  “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  I startle at the voice and spin around. Shiva is lazing on my bed.

  “Shiva. Where have you been? I was just thinking about you.”

  “I know,” he says. “I’ve been running around trying to keep the world from falling to pieces. Same as always.”

  I shake my head. “I wonder what would happen if you just took a vacation.”

  “Nothing good, I assure you,” he says. “So Saphala.”

  “Saphala,” I say. “Saphala. Such a lovely name.”

  Shiva laughs. “You fancy her?”

  “Why not? She’s beautiful, smart, highly talented—“

  “You don’t fall in love with someone because they know how to suck your cock,” he says. “How old are you?”

  “Excuse me,” I say, “but there’s no need to speak about her like that! She healed me, Shiva. That deserves a damn lot of respect.”

  “So pay her for her trouble,” he says. “Don’t hand over the keys to the kingdom.”

  “I’m old,” I say. “I probably don’t have long to live even without that damn brain issue. Why are you spoiling my fun?”

  Shiva rises from the bed like a lazy cat. “I, sir, am the last one who would ever spoil your fun. But the rebellion is rising. The assassin still lurks. You cannot ignore your duties.”

  I puff out my chest. “You are the last one to lecture anyone about duty. I have a plan. It’s proceeding. I haven’t deviated from it.”

  “But you have,” Shiva says. “You are healed. That wasn’t part of the plan.”

  “So?”

  “So Nilaruna will not be on the throne any time soon. You will live past the next thirty-odd days. What of Silvia and the second bed?”

  “So I won’t be in that bed,” I say. “She’s not eating, Shiva. She’s not even lifting her head. She’ll be dead, before the wedding, most likely.”

  “And the rebels. Do you even know what’s going on?”

  “Is there something I don’t know about?”

  Shiva walks over to me and leans against the wall next to the mirror. “Maja has disguised himself as a guide, and is escorting Aaliyah to the wedding. He’s worming her secrets out of her…and I think he’s falling for her in the process.”

  “Good,” I say. “If his heart is engaged elsewhere, he’ll be less likely to interfere with Nili and Kai.”

  “But if he loves Aaliyah, his loyalties will surely be with her.”

  I frown. “You said he wouldn’t choose sides, that he is devoted to peace in our kingdom.”

  Shiva shrugs. “People change. Circumstances change. Love changes things, Jagir.”

  “Can you separate them?” I ask. “Give Maja a task to get him away from her?”

  “No. I refuse to make an enemy of him before he comes into his full power. Your life may be short, but mine is not. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder for the next five hundred cycles.”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  “I suggest you pull your head out of your ass,” he says. “You want to fuck Saphala? Fine, fuck Saphala. But remember, don’t let it go any further.”

  “Why do you dislike her so?” I ask. “She’s beautiful. And she’s Lili’s sister. Surely you see the similarities.”

  “Lili and Saphala have nothing in common except parentage,” he says. “A rose is beautiful, Jagir. But even a rose has thorns.”

  ***

  I roll my eyes. Saphala need not be a rose to have thorns. She’s a woman. Thorny is their nature.

  “Enough. Mita’s servants,” I say. “You know who killed them?”

  Shiva scratches his head. “Remind me who Mita is again?”

  And a knock sounds at my door.

  “Yes?”

  “My king,” a guard calls, “Saphala Parsa requests an audience.”

  I grin. Shiva rolls his eyes at me and pops out.

  “Send her in.”

  Saphala is a vision in bright orange, her hair curled and just brushing the tops of her eager young breasts. I don’t even bother trying to tear my eyes away from them.

  “My king,” she says, bowing low.

  “My lady,” I say, bowing back.

  We both rise and stare at one another.

  “How are you feeling?” she asks.

  “Like I could pound you into the mattress all night.”

  Saphala laughs and bats her eyelashes. “You’re feeling up for that, are you?”

  I smile and take her hand in mine. “You’ve given me a gift. It is my turn to give you one.”

  Saphala smiles back. “As your healer, I think it would be unwise for you to exert yourself so on the eve of your recovery.”

  “I haven’t felt this good in cycles,” I say. “Let me be the judge of my own stamina.”

  She squeezes my hand and then drops it. “What about your son? If you and I continue our dalliance, how am I supposed to get close to him? And how will you feel when I am sleeping in his bed and not yours?”

  I walk to my dresser where a servant left some figs and honey wine. I pour two cups and hand one to Saphala. She nods her thanks and sips. I wave her to a chair and sit beside her.

  “I have at least ten good cycles left in me, more with you around as my healer. Why bother with Kai?”

  She eyes me over the rim of her cup. “What are suggesting, my lord?”

  “You can be my mistress,” I say. “With all
the benefits that position entails.”

  “Ah,” she says. “So you are proposing that I become your mistress, and as such, I will have benefits.”

  “Yes,” I say. “Large benefits.”

  She smiles. “Let me see if I have this correct. I become your mistress. I will have your ear, your company, and will share your bed. And for that privilege, I must share you with your other women, come whenever you call, play statue in your wife’s presence, and have no acknowledgment of my existence in the eyes of the kingdom. Is that right?”

  “It is a position of great honor,” I say, trying to hold down my irritation. “You will have more wealth than you ever dreamed.”

  “You underestimate my dreams,” she says.

  “I have no other mistresses, Saphala,” I say, “and I have no plans to take another.”

  “What of your wife?”

  “She is not an issue.”

  Saphala drains her cup and stands. “I know the offer is a generous one, but we agreed I would be available for the prince. I must think on it.” She turns to go.

  I stand. “Wait. You need not leave. We can spend the evening…discussing it.”

  She laughs. “I believe the bulge in your trousers has other ideas.”

  “Is that such a bad thing?”

  She steps forward and puts a bold hand on the bulge. “You may be recovered, my king, but I am still feeling the effects of my magic. If we are to do this, you will have to do all the work.”

  She puts her hands on my shoulders and presses down. I kneel before her.

  Saphala hikes her sari up to her neck and pulls my head to the sweet juncture between her thighs.

  I breathe in deep.

  XL. NILARUNA

  I cock my head at Healer Wadee. “Saphala is ill? Is it serious?”

  “Not in the long term,” he says. “She just needs her rest. She may be in bed for a few days.”

  “Does that mean she will miss the wedding?”

  Wadee nods. “I am sorry, my lady. I know she is your attendant, but what if she’s contagious? The last thing we need is for you to be ill on your wedding day.”

  I look at Kai. He shrugs. “How’s my father?” he asks.

  “Remarkably well. I believe he is almost fully recovered from his chronic pain. You both may visit him tomorrow.”