Woman of Silk and Stone

by Mattie Dunman

  Before I could protest he was out the door and I was left alone, blinking at the door and trying to ignore the heat of threatening tears. The fire blazed cheerily beside me, but no matter how close I got to it, my bones still felt cold.

  Chapter VII

  Oh, Who Would Ever Want to Be King?

  The sound of the door opening woke me.

  I wasn't sure how long I had been curled up there in front of the fire dozing, and despite vaguely formed dreams that involved masculine hands in some intriguing places, the rest had done me good. I felt more clear-headed and a bit more myself as I straightened my hair and got to my feet, unwilling to meet anyone else at a disadvantage. As I turned to face the newcomer, I heard a gasp and a muttered word in that language I still hadn't been able to translate, the Old Tongue as Damki had called it.

  The boy who stood in front of me looked to be no more than twelve or thirteen, just at the cusp of manhood and awkward in the transition. Dressed in an intricately embroidered, knee-length dark green tunic and fawn colored leggings, he was tall for his age, the top of his head nearly reaching mine, and I could tell that his lanky build would eventually fill out into something pretty impressive; for now his arms seemed overlong and wiry, his shoulders too broad for such a narrow waist. Big violet-hued eyes blinked at me from behind luxurious indigo lashes and an unruly mop of the same colored hair. Golden-skinned, his features were hawkish and he hadn't grown into the aristocratic hooked nose and high, tilted cheekbones. This boy would one day epitomize the image of royalty, but as he shuffled nervously before me, I knew that day was still a while off.

  "Hello, I'm Honey Su..." I started before the boy-king paled alarmingly and began to sway where he stood. Less concerned about etiquette than having the king keel over while alone with me on my first day, I hurried forward and grasped his arm, gently guiding him over to my couch and pushing him down with his head between his knees.

  "Take a deep breath, there you go...that's it, wait until the dizziness passes. You're doing fine, just take another breath...and let it out....that's it..." I crooned as I rubbed his back, worried over his reaction and wondering what on earth could have the kid so stressed out.

  A few minutes later, he let out a deep sigh and raised his head, eyeing me warily. Though intellectually, I knew he had to be the king and therefore probably above my paltry ministrations, he looked like a kid who was terrified to admit he got a bad report card. So I did something that was probably against all the laws and customs.

  I gave him a hug.

  At first he was stiff in my arms, and his breathing quickened, his mouth opening and closing, probably to tell me off or call for my beheading, but after a moment, as I simply held on, murmuring quiet words of comfort, his whole body sagged and he leaned into my embrace, trembling.

  We sat like that for a while, huddled in front of the fire, his head resting on my shoulder like that of a much younger child, his eyes closed peacefully, my chin on his head and hand stroking his back. It was strange; I'd never experienced much of a maternal instinct before. I'd always planned on having kids someday, way down the line, after I'd saved the free world or become president or something, but I'd never really interacted with kids as an adult. When I was in college, I didn't really have contact with anyone not my age or older, and working at Marduk didn't exactly leave me the time or energy to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club. But at this moment, holding this awkward teenage royal in my arms, I felt a surge of protectiveness and affection wash over me, opening my mind and making me say the right things, the things my own parents should have said to me when I was panicked or frightened.

  Although I have never been a big believer in fate or destiny, in that moment, holding the boy in my arms, I thought I might have discovered my purpose in Solis.

  At last, he rubbed his head slightly on my shoulder and pulled away, leaving me feeling strangely bereft. His lovely violet eyes darted over my face apprehensively, clearly trying to gauge my response to his breakdown.

  "Let's try this again," I said gently, holding out my hand. "I'm Honey Sullivan, the new Halqu, from Earth."

  He stared at my hand, confusion furrowing his brow, so I sighed and took his hand in mine, demonstrating the proper way to shake hands. He was hesitant at first but then got into it, a faint smile tracing his lips.

  "I am Tam. Ensi Tam of the House of Ebab," he said shyly, voice low and melodious, startlingly deep for someone his age.

  "I take it Ensi means king?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light, knowing that putting him at ease with me was the most important thing I could accomplish today.

  He nodded eagerly and his timid smile grew wider. "Yes, Ensi is my title, but I am king." He hesitated a moment and then seemed to gain courage. "You can call me Tam."

  I smiled, feeling warmth down to my toes. "And you can call me Honey," I replied, pleased with how he seemed to be losing some of his nerves around me.

  "Honey," he said, his voice gaining strength. A red flush worked its way up his neck as he met my eyes, and the childlike uncertainty in his expression made me drop a few years off of my age estimation.

  "Well, Tam, I have to say, you're the first person I've met to really make me feel better about dropping into this world so unexpectedly," I said, knowing I needed to move the conversation away from his probably embarrassing display of nerves.

  He shot me a grateful look and then pulled himself together as only adolescent royalty can; his entire bearing spoke of breeding and a lifetime of training to be superior.

  "You are very welcome here, Honey. In fact," he swallowed anxiously, losing some of his regained color. "I am so taken by your...beauty, that I wish to formally propose that you be my...my..." he broke off, sweat beading on his forehead. I had a sick feeling about what he would say next.

  "It's alright, Tam. Just spit it out."

  He gave me a puzzled look, probably trying to figure out my charming American phrasing, and then stiffened his shoulders again. "Yes, of course. I propose that you be my..." he paused to clear his throat, giving me a last, desperate look. "My consort," he whispered, voice filled with agony.

  My gut churned and I felt a sudden, intense disgust for Efrim and whatever other advisors this poor kid had. Not to mention that being the "consort" of a teenager was pretty repugnant to me as well.

  I reached out and took Tam's hand in mine, giving him what I hoped was a reassuring smile rather than a feral baring of teeth. "Tam, I am...honored by your proposal. But I don't feel that being a, uh, consort is what I am here to do. Surely whatever forces ripped me from my world and dropped me here have something else in store." I kept my voice gentle to avoid offense, but I needn't have worried. Tam's expression slackened with relief and he let out a great, gusty sigh.

  "Thank you," he breathed, and then snapped back into it. "I mean, your point is well taken, Honey." He gave me a sheepish grin and for the first time I caught of glimpse of the real Tam, a boy I imagined would be a bit mischievous, but very conscious of his duty.

  "Now that is settled, want to tell me whose bright idea it was for me to be your consort?" I asked archly, expecting at least one familiar name.

  "Efrim said that since you were the first female Halqu, it could only mean that you were meant to be my queen or consort. And he said you don't live long enough to be queen, so..." Tam shrugged and gave me an apologetic look.

  "Got it." I gave him a sharp look. "How old are you anyway?"

  "I am thirty years this month," he replied with a hint of pride.

  I blinked at him, incredulous. This little pipsqueak was older than me? Not possible.

  "How is that...I mean, I'm twenty-three years old. How are you older than me?" I blurted out, losing all diplomatic abilities in my shock.

  Tam looked me over with surprise etched on his juvenile features. "I don't know, Honey. You appear to be a woman in her sixties at the very least."

  "Well thanks for that," I mumbled, shuddering a little bit. Sixty indeed.

>   "Our passage of time here must be very different from yours. A man reaches adulthood when he is sixty years of age."

  I sat back, sinking into the decadent cushions thoughtfully, wondering at my oblivious acceptance of things like time and age since arriving on Edin. Of course time would be measured differently; I was on an entirely new world in an alternate dimension. Why would I assume that everything was the same? I mean, they had horses that looked like big leopards, men running around who looked like ancient stone carvings, and of course, blue grass and purple skies. Hell, the kid sitting fretfully at my side had blue hair, and I doubted it was a fashion statement.

  I could feel that wave of dread cresting again, the one that told me I was near the brink of collapse. Too many things had occurred one after the other since I lost my job that morning, or whenever it was. I had no way of telling how much time had really passed, how long I would live in this weird new world, or what the hell I was going to do.

  "Honey, are you alright?" Tam asked worriedly, taking in my hundred-yard stare with concern. I just nodded absently and rubbed my temples, trying to ease the steadily building ache that threatened to engulf me.

  "I'm just a little...overwhelmed. It's been a really long day," I choked out, appalled to find that tears were streaking down my face as though someone had turned on the faucet without me knowing. A tentative hand reached out and patted my shoulder. Smiling wryly, I squeezed Tam's knee and leaned my head back, too drained to try to figure out my next move. Life was simply moving too swiftly for me to catch hold, and I felt like I was chasing after a train that was speeding quickly out of my reach.

  "I will have you shown to your quarters and you can rest. When you feel better, we'll speak again," Tam said, an unexpected maturity entering his voice as he took on the role of caregiver. I just nodded gratefully and hauled myself up to my feet, completely sapped of energy and ideas.

  "Thanks Tam, and sorry I'm such a boring Halqu. I promise I'll liven up when I've had a chance to get my bearings. I just need about forty-eight hours of sleep and gallon of coffee."

  The boy-king looked nonplussed, but merely nodded and gestured for me to precede him to the door. He seemed pretty relaxed now that we'd settled I wasn't going to be his consort, whatever that entailed. Hopefully not what I thought it meant, because by my vague calculations, Tam would be the equivalent of about a twelve-year old back home. Not exactly kosher boyfriend material.

  I opened the door and winced at the size of the crowd waiting, my new pal Efrim prominent among them, looking expectant. I shot him a dirty look, and managed a wan smile for the rest of the audience. Tam stood to his full height next to me, donning his kingly bearing like a burdensome mantle far too heavy for a boy his age.

  He glanced around until he caught sight of a short, willowy girl who couldn't have been much older than him. Her dress was less ornate than that of most of the crowd and she looked uncomfortable hovering on the fringes. With an engaging smile, Tam gestured for her to come forth. Sea-green eyes widening anxiously, she stepped towards us, her entire body quivering like a bow pulled taut.

  "Yes, Bright One?" she stuttered, addressing Tam while keeping her eyes fixed on the floor. When he answered, I assumed "bright one" must be something like "your highness." Filing away that little tidbit, I looked the girl over more intently.

  She was small and slender, not yet grown into a woman's body, her wrists fragile and delicate beneath the heavy draping of her gown. While not as beautifully embellished as some of the others, it was made of good quality fabric, sturdy and well-fitted, like shantung silk. The turquoise color accented her unusual eyes and pale blond hair, and set off the now familiar golden-tan skin that seemed to be the norm here. Despite her obvious trepidation, her face held a sweet expression, and I couldn't help but notice the similarities in features when she glanced up at Tam.

  Perhaps a cousin? A childhood playmate?

  "Hili, of the House of Kishar, I appoint you as advisor to Honey Sullivan of Earth. You are to educate her in the customs of Solis and be her devoted companion." Tam glanced at me and I nodded my approval, grateful that he was sending this amiable-looking girl to help me rather than whatever devious cow Efrim probably would have picked.

  "Bright One, perhaps someone more experienced would be more appropriate," Efrim started, but I quickly interceded, watching the uncertainty wash over Tam.

  "Oh, I think Hili and I will get on just fine. But thank you, Efrim, for your selfless concern. I look forward to the many discussions we will no doubt have as I advise his high...er, Bright One in matters as I did back on my world. I feel certain my age and experience will be useful in that capacity." I drilled the villainous looking advisor with a deadly glare, hoping I got my message across and there would be no more talk of cradle-robbing in the future.

  He matched my glare for a moment, and I could feel the tension in the room rise to an almost unbearable level as the crowd waited to see if Efrim would push the matter, but after a subtle nod in my direction, he turned his corkscrew smile on the king.

  "As you wish, Ensi Tam. I am certain your judgment is perfect in this case." Efrim turned and waved a dismissal at the gawking nobles, seemingly oblivious to the complacent smirks on several faces. Clearly not everyone was an Efrim fan.

  "Honey Sullivan, we will speak again soon. I look forward to educating you in the ways of the court," Efrim gritted out, a saccharine smile twisting his long, skinny face.

  "And I look forward to discussing my role here in Solis, Sukkall Efrim. I have no doubt we will have many things to say to one another." An answering smile stretched my face and my nerves to the tipping point. With a final glare of irritation, Efrim swept away down the hall, his opulent robes trailing behind him.

  Just like Jafar. Uncanny.

  I could feel Tam relax at my side and in that moment, despite my exhaustion and the need to sob hysterically for several hours, I determined what my role in Solis would be. I was clearly brought here to help this poor boy-king and keep Jafar's evil twin from taking over the throne. For the first time I could see a glimmer of hope in my new situation. I might not have gotten to be a campaign manager for the next president back home, but I could be a powerful force of change for a fledgling king in this world.

  "Honey, you are staying in the Halqu chambers, just down the hall from my own. Hili will help you adjust to court life, and will oversee the servants in getting you proper attire. I'm...I'm glad you're here, Honey," Tam said, blushing.

  I smiled warmly at him, feeling comforted by his honest statement of welcome, and gave a little bow. "Thank you Ensi Tam. I hope we speak again soon."

  With that, hesitant little Hali straightened her shoulders, bearing the importance of her new position with grace, and she gestured for me to follow her. The crowd parted, nodding heads at me in greeting as I passed by. I managed to return the nods and keep my head held high, though all my bravado was beginning to bleed away, leaving me feeling hollow and exposed. I followed Hali through one of the many doors in the honeycomb room and down a hallway, up some stairs, and down another hallway, listening to her chatter nervously the whole way, pointing out various rooms and their uses. I hoped she was going to show me around again when I was more aware, or I would never find my way again.

  At long last we paused at door and Hali bowed her head respectfully. "These are the chambers reserved for the resident Halqu. They were prepared for you the moment your presence was reported, Honey Sullivan of Earth," my guide said proudly.

  "Call me Honey," I said absently as she opened the door.

  Now this was worth waiting for.

  Chapter VIII

  All I Want Is a Room Somewhere

  I sat on the edge of the bed, running my hands over the glossy strands of the blanket beneath me. It was made out of something similar to angora; most likely a product of the silky grass on which I had landed upon my arrival. Closing my eyes, I sank my fingers into the luxurious fabric, allowing the lavishness of my surroundings to
ease some of my stress.

  The room was gorgeous. It was twice the size of my tiny apartment back in D.C., with a tiled mosaic fireplace; giant, couch-sized pillows huddled together before the inviting warmth. Thick, sumptuous rugs were scattered about the room, and glimpses of warm mahogany floors made the bright colors of the rugs' weaving stand out. The entire room followed a color scheme reminiscent of the landscape; stunning blues and purples were countered by gold and green accents, and tapestries depicting Halqu being welcomed to Solis adorned soft butter-hued walls.

  Bookshelves covered one entire wall, and to my delight, I was able to read the few books I had picked up as though they were written in English. Some of the phrasing was unfamiliar, and there were words I didn't understand, but I could read enough to appreciate the books' subject material. They seemed to be journals written by previous Halqu, many of the spines worn and pages turned down. It was kind of reassuring to think that I was only one in a line of many individuals who had been dropped unceremoniously into this world, who had sat on this very bed, feeling the same overwhelming sense of displacement as I did now. Some of the entries I had glanced through detailed months of painful recovery from the journey between worlds, so I counted myself lucky that, for whatever reason, I had been healed from the trauma so quickly.

  There was a small pantry-like room off on the far side of the bookshelves, and I was delighted to find a store of crackers and pale, thin cookies that reminded me of rice-cakes, as well as jugs of wine and water. Clearly I wasn't to eat my meals in this room, but I wouldn't starve if I didn't come out either. The bathroom was glorious, carved out of what seemed to be one great cave of sand-colored marble. Strains of glimmering amber wove through the stone, catching the firelight from a second, smaller fireplace, encasing the room in a jeweled glow. A toilet similar to the one in Damki's spa waited behind a blue wooden partition painted with images of thin, tan people bathing. Stretched along one wall, a long mahogany table was covered with perfume bottles, scented oils, soaps, lotions, and other toiletries I couldn't wait to get my hands on.