by Robin Roseau
“I’d like that,” she whispered. “I’d really like that, Darfelsa.” She paused. “I’m fairly sure any expectation I had is wrong.”
“People see the palace and the gowns and the tiara,” I said. “Public appearances are typically to the theater, or something similar.”
“You have duties,” she said. “Real duties. Important duties, far more important than anything else I’ve ever done.”
“I can’t comment on that very last part, but yes, and I’m barely getting started.”
“You managed an embassy.”
“For a while, but the staff knew their jobs.”
“It was still standing when you left.”
I laughed. “Yes, it was.”
She took my hand, lifted it, and kissed the back, watching me over the top. “Darfelsa, the life you’ve described is seductive. You are seductive.” I smiled. “Is it wrong to admit that?”
“No. Regarding the second part, you should probably understand that in some ways, I have grown Ressaline.”
“I probably don’t appreciate the implications of that.”
“Probably not. Let’s just say I’m not offended a lovely woman refers to me as seductive.”
She laughed. “Good. Darfelsa, will you tell me what you want?”
“Ah. What I want, and what I need. They go together. We talked about it this morning.”
“We talked about supporting you. That can’t be the entire list.”
“No, I suppose not. All right. I want a partner in my life, for the simple moments, like sitting in the gardens or sharing a bed, for conversation, or to sit beside me in court. That, by the way, will probably be the most boring part of being tied to me.”
“I think it’s exciting.”
“Sure, for the first hour. Oh when it’s my open court, then it’s entirely different.” I smiled. “For me. But you will have my role when it’s Father’s court.”
“Sit there and look pretty?”
“Yes.”
“Do you, I don’t know?”
“Curl up in the corner with a book?”
She laughed. “No. But maybe bring something?”
“Embroidery? No. I never had patience for it. You?”
“I love to embroider,” she said. “Would that be allowed?”
“Yes,” I said. “Well, for my Open Court. We would have to ask Father about his. We should ask Ahlianna first, or Mother.” She nodded. “So… A partner.” I grinned. “A playmate.”
“I don’t mind that idea.”
“Someone to help raise children,” I said. “Someone to travel with me. I need someone who not only accepts my life, but can embrace it. When I come to you and say, ‘There’s an emergency in Tellen, and we’re leaving within the hour’, I need you to say, ‘Fabulous! I can’t wait to see it’.”
“Rather than complain.”
“Rather than complain,” I agreed. “It’s not enough that you’re willing to go with me. You need to embrace it, or you’re going to be miserable.”
“Here’s what I want, Darfelsa: that I am not neglected.”
“You won’t be neglected, but there will be times your needs come behind my duties.”
“I entirely understand.”
“We won’t be rich. There will be new gowns, but not for every event. Our children, when they grow up, will almost certainly need to make new lives. They won’t live in the palace forever. It may be that we won’t, as Ahlianna’s family grows. She is expected to see to my basic financial needs through my lifetime and yours. If we were to die early, she would most likely adopt our children, but they would not be her heirs, and ultimately, they are expected to make their way in life. And I am not handing them business or lands. I don’t have any, and I never will. Everything that is Father’s will flow to Ahlianna, which is necessary, as she must support herself and her family.”
“I’m not here for that,” she said. “I didn’t know any of this, but that’s not why I’m here.”
I nodded, and then I moved closer to her. We leaned together, carefully laying our heads together, staring at the little pond.
We sat like that for a while, holding hands, not speaking. I’m not entirely sure how that began to change. I remember kissing her hand. And I remember her getting more playful with mine, nibbling one of my fingers as I caught my breath.
And then we turned, and we were kissing, and touching. It wasn’t frantic, and we didn’t rip clothes off. It was sweet, lovely kissing, and a few murmurs and nuzzles. “This is also what you want,” she whispered.
“Is it what you want, Tisha?”
“Yes.”
I turned to looked into her eyes, trying to determine if she was being false, if she was luring me with her body. “You’re wondering if I am lying.”
“No.”
“Now who is lying?”
“A little.”
“I don’t blame you,” she said. “I'm not lying. If I were a man, expressing desires, you’d believe me.”
I laughed. “True.”
“You have desires. You must know how lovely you are. Is it so hard to believe I would have similar desires?” She paused, then grinned broadly. “I can even prove it, in time.”
“Oh?”
“You told me earlier that a Ressaline slave can’t lie.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to do that here.”
“The border isn’t that far. Princess Darfelsa, before you commit to me, take me to Ressaline and do whatever you want to me.” I tried to push away, but she clasped my hands. “I don’t want those questions between us. I don’t ever want you to wonder if I am false. Ask me if I am false. Ask me whatever you want. If I have been lying to you, then leave me there, belonging to someone else.”
“I can’t do any of that.”
“Why not?”
“Because…”
“I’m fairly sure that lying to you is some sort of crime. One could call it betraying my country, or something. And you took that other one with you.”
“I didn’t ask her those kinds of questions.” I paused. “However, I’m fairly sure she entirely enjoyed nearly the entire experience.”
“Nearly?”
“Some of the travel was especially difficult. She never complained. Tisha, I’m fairly certain if I took you to Ressaline and said, “Let me enslave her so I can ask if she’s true,” Allium and Olivia would have serious words for me.”
“Let’s go ask them,” she said. “Lady Olivia isn’t here, but Princess Gionna is. I just bet your sister would love to see that. She’ll probably insist on going with.”
“Ahlianna isn’t like that.”
“I think your big sister is very protective of her little sister, and yes, on this one issue, I think perhaps she is just like that.”
I thought about it. “You might be right.”
“Where are they?” She stood up, pulling me after her.
“You’re not serious.”
“Yes, Darfelsa, I am.”
“I suppose you think I’m going to let you do the same to me.”
“No, and it’s not necessary, because I think you were hoping to scare me away today.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way. I was confident that the truth would scare some of you, but probably not all of you.”
“Well, I’m not scared. Let’s go.”
I let her pull me towards the palace, her grip transforming into a more comfortable wrapping of my arm, which I always liked. Once inside, I wasn’t sure where they would be, but a few queries led us to Ahlianna’s quarters. I knocked, heard a noise, and cracked the door. “It’s Darfelsa and Tisha.”
“Gionna is drunk,” Ahlianna said. “Come on in.”
“I’m not drunk,” Gionna said.
“Have you been playing childish drinking games?”
“Ahlianna’s complaining because I’m playing poorly,” Gionna replied. The four of them were seated at a table, Gionna across from my sister.
“Wh
ere is the slave?” Tisha asked.
“Did you come for more hugs?” Gionna asked. “I sent her to bed.”
“Tisha doesn’t believe me about something.”
“That’s right,” Tisha confirmed. “I don’t.” And then she relayed the tail end of our conversation.
“Sounds like a plan,” Ahlianna said. “I’ll come.”
“You’re not helping,” I told her.
“I might insist on it,” Ahlianna added. “For the same reasons you took Shalendra with you.”
“I’m fairly certain it’s against Ressaline law or something.”
“Nope,” Gionna said. “But she has to have her First with someone. Maybe it should be me, after all. I can quiz her like there’s no tomorrow.” She paused. “Or Allium could win a permanent challenge, and then she’s eligible.”
“I’m not allowed to accept permanent challenges unless I become a subject,” Allium replied.
“Pshaw. I know the queen. We can get that law amended like that.” She snapped her fingers.
“You’re all drunk,” I declared. I stepped to the table and looked at the score card. “What kind of cards have you two been getting?”
“Valsine deals off the bottom,” Gionna said. “I just haven’t caught her yet. She tried to get me to wager Ahm for a week. I counter-offered the option of kissing my ass, but for some reason, she wasn’t impressed.”
I shook my head. “You’re in a weird mood. You’re scaring Tisha.”
“She’s not scaring me,” Tisha countered. She stepped to my side and picked up the score card. “Well, unless someone wants me to partner with her.”
“Hey!” Gionna complained. “That’s a team score, and Ahlianna isn’t playing that well, either.”
“Valsine has been dealing off the bottom,” Ahlianna muttered.
“I’m sitting right here,” Valsine said. “I have spent years trying to make amends for bratty behavior. I wish I could get a little credit for that.”
“Hey,” I said gently.
She looked up at me. “It was cute the first time Gionna said it, given that it was her own partner that dealt her the poor hand, but it stopped being funny about ten accusations ago.”
“We’re just frustrated,” Ahlianna admitted. “Valsine, you’re right. You were a brat when we were teenagers. You’re not anymore. I’m not ready to admit I like you, but I am willing to admit that my old impressions are no longer accurate.”
“You are?”
“My sister has been on my case about it for a while, and clearly Allium has been impressed with you. She hasn’t been shy telling me, either.”
Valsine looked back and forth, and then she smiled. “All right.”
“Frankly, your play tonight has been brilliant,” Ahlianna continued. “And you and Allium partner together well. Gionna and I have been at cross purposes all evening.”
“Which isn’t usually like us,” Gionna said.
“I am sorry we teased you,” Ahlianna said.
“I’m probably owed some.”
“I would like to declare a statute of limitations on that,” I suggested.
There were a few snorts, but Ahlianna nodded. “My little sister is right.” She shifted her gaze to Tisha. “We didn’t take you seriously when you arrived. Were we supposed to?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “Gionna, or maybe Allium, we should take her seriously for a minute. I may be the least qualified to comment.”
Allium nodded to Gionna, so she cocked her head. “This isn’t actually something we deal with. It’s not legal to do it quite the way you asked, but if you came to me, asking me to help you provide definitive proof of good intentions, I would help you facilitate that. However, it would involve a time commitment. If you’re truly serious, then you could also come to Charth to experience your First.”
“I’ll consider that,” Tisha said. She smiled. “See? She said she’d do it.”
I didn’t say anything. The entire conversation had made me uncomfortable. “I think we should let them finish their match.” I took Tisha’s arm and offered “Good night” on the way from the room.
In the corridor, Tisha asked, “Which one is yours?”
I didn’t question her. We walked slowly, and then I let her into my room. I left her near the door then walked about, turning the lamps up.
Tisha was watching me. I smiled. “Two rooms,” she observed.
“And I have an office suite downstairs,” I replied.
Tisha turned away, moving about the room. She made her way into the bedroom and wandered about, picking up a few things and setting them down, eventually arriving at the closet. She turned to look. I nodded, so she grinned and opened the door. “Is there a lamp?”
I stepped over, collecting the lamp, then slipped past her to hang it from its hook. I turned, and Tisha was offering a predatory look. “What?” I asked.
“Lots of things,” she said. “I’m not only in your bedroom, but I’m in your closet, surrounded by…” She reached out. “All your lovely gowns. Add to that: I’m between you and the exit.”
I laughed.
She looked around, although I noticed she pointedly stayed near the entrance while she did it. I didn’t try to get past her. Then she looked at me again. “All the stories these clothes could tell.”
“It’s a little crazy. There are things in here I’ve only worn once, and others that get worn over and over. I have the same three or four gowns for court, and they’re frightfully expensive, so I don’t know when I’ll get another.” But then I collected the lamp and made a gesture.
Tisha didn’t move, but she was grinning at me. Slowly, I put the lamp back on its hook. “Are you sure you want to play that game?”
“Pretty sure,” she said. She looked me up and down. “Soft princess. I can take you.” I laughed and stalked closer. “I grew up with two brothers and several cousins,” she added.
“I tell you what,” I said, my voice a little sultry. “We can discuss this tomorrow morning after you see my training session with Captain Felist.” I set my hand on her hip then wrapped it around to rest in the small of her back, pulling her closer. Her arms went around my neck.
And we met, there in the closet, not necessarily the most romantic location. But our lips met, and she offered a little growl in the back of her throat.
I thought that part was pretty sexy.
Our earlier kisses had been good. This one was far better, long, deep, and filled with mutual desire.
Then we broke, and I looked into her eyes as they fluttered open. “Behave now,” I whispered. She didn’t fight as I collected the lamp, but she walked to the bed and turned to me. I set the lamp aside, turning it down, and closed the closet door. Tisha watched me.
I didn’t approach her. Instead, I moved to the door. She looked at the bed, more pointedly this time. I held my hand out to her. “You’ve had a pretty big day.”
She didn’t move. I waited. Finally, she asked, “You’re turning me down?”
“No. I’m telling you I want you to absorb the events so far, and I want us to spend more time together first.”
“This isn’t a ‘we need to be married first’ thing, is it?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. She looked annoyed. “Tisha, I’ve both been a pleasure slave and had one of my own.”
“Okay, maybe that was a stupid question,” she admitted.
“I need to meet the others my grandmother brought, including your cousin. I want you to see my training session tomorrow.”
“And somehow that’s going to change my mind?”
“I hope not, but I don’t know, Tisha. And I want us to spend time, but I don’t want to schedule more until I’ve met the others.”
“So, you think you can do better. Maybe I’m too old.”
“This jealousy is not attractive,” I told her.
“This isn’t jealousy.” She paused. “This is me, not giving up easily.”
“I’m not askin
g you to give up, Tisha. I’m not treating this like dress shopping. I can’t schedule time with you until I know how many of you I need to balance. So far, it’s one.”
“I’m the only one you met today?”
“No, I met two others. They each decided this wasn’t what they wanted after all.”
“Oh. I still don’t understand. I’m fairly sure you find me attractive, and as you said, you’re not without experience.”
“I don’t want to kick you from my bed and then go meet your cousin.”
“Oh,” she said again. “I suppose I can understand that.” She sighed but then stepped forward and took my arm.
* * * *
She wasn’t at training when we began in the morning, but I noticed her perhaps halfway through. Another woman was with her, but I put my focus back on what I was doing. When I looked later, they were both gone.
It was an hour later that Grandmother stepped into the library. With her was the woman who had stood beside Tisha. “Princess Darfelsa, this is Siora Haloran.”
She greeted me. Grandmother disappeared, and I invited Siora to sit. I poured tea, and then we both looked at each other. Siora was younger than her cousin; I guessed her closer to my age. She was shorter than I was, her long, blond hair in ringlets, her smile easy. I offered my own smile. “Have you talked to your cousin?”
“A little. She said things went well, but that you would have some interesting things to say.”
“How do you feel about both of you offering to court me?”
“Our families got together, and we decided we’d do our best to give you a choice,” she replied. “She and I are sufficiently different that if you prefer her over me, you would probably prefer someone else over me, too. If it isn’t to be me, then I’d rather it be her, and I think she feels the same way.”
“All right. I want to use this time to get to know each other a little. You know more about me than I know about you.”
We talked. Her cousin was right; Siora was sweet, and as she spoke, I began to understand what Tisha had meant about soft. It came out in a variety of ways.
And I liked it. A lot.
Then she smiled. “Princess Darfelsa?”
“Hmm?”
“Tisha said you would tell me some things I might find shocking.”
