Qamar smiled at Adrienne’s remarks. “You insult Khursid’s and my skills as Elite guards, Highness.”
“I thought you two were enjoying the break. You get to sit around all day doing nothing and still get paid. Sounds like a cherry job to me,” Adrienne countered.
Khursid, who stood as a stoic guard at the entrance of the room with his back to everyone, finally spoke. “I do not know what a ‘cherry’ is, but your use implies it to be synonymous with easy. A true warrior hopes for opportunities to test his skills, not to ‘sit around’ at his ease.”
“You want me to be in danger? That’s nice to know. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside when my own personal guard wants me to get attacked so he can test his skills. What happens if your skills aren’t up to par? What then?” Adrienne asked in an amused voice. She waited to see if Khursid would rise to her baiting. Qamar had learned to bait right back. Either Khursid was born without a sense of humor, or he’d had it beaten out of him at an early age.
“That wasn’t how I meant my words to be interpreted, Highness. I wish only for your well-being at all times,” he replied in a gruff, somewhat defensive voice.
Adrienne recognized the tone. Khursid only became defensive when he feared his words might get him in trouble. The tone also meant Adrienne had the advantage.
Khursid and Qamar couldn’t leave the room. Adrienne had made it an order. She wanted to get to know them and for them to get to know her. The one upside to the command was Khursid’s inability to leave when she started to tease him, which she did when he acted like an ass.
Her next words were well chosen. “Come now, Khursid, you’re telling me it doesn’t suck even a little being stuck in here all day and most of the night with five women who do nothing but talk? You could be swinging big pointy objects at your fellow Elite. Wouldn’t that be preferable to this?”
Hani and Nimat smothered giggles behind their hands. Mushira gave them a stern look but didn’t pull it off since she was trying not to smile herself. Adrienne smiled with them and winked at Qamar, who winked back.
Khursid didn’t see this exchange since he hadn’t face them when he joined the conversation. He stood at rigid attention, showing his agitation.
Before Khursid could even start to form an answer that wouldn’t get him in trouble, Malik entered and signaled Khursid out of the room. The other man practically left a smoke trail in his haste to be gone. Qamar bowed to Malik and followed her partner.
Adrienne couldn’t be mad at Malik for not knocking. She wouldn’t invite him in if he did. Somehow she got the feeling he knew that particular fact.
Mushira and the others curtsied quickly, then busied themselves with some task or another on the far side of the room, a small attempt to give the royal couple privacy.
Their conversations never got intimate so the others’ courtesy served no purpose. Adrienne usually ignored Malik until he decided to leave. She’d hoped Malik would get fed up and stop visiting. It didn’t happen.
“First, Khursid would be stupid to answer that question. Second, Mushira is right, my lady. You need to get out of these rooms and explore the palace. It will soon be yours,” Malik said as he approached her. He didn’t expect her to answer. He had gotten used to her silence.
For the past four days, he had spoken to her of preparations for the wedding or of their plans for after they were wed. When he felt she had suffered his presence long enough, he left.
Malik considered himself a patient man and knew the day would come when Adrienne would have to suffer his presence all the time instead of a few hours each day. He wouldn’t let her continue to hide after they were wed, not unless he joined her. Then they would be occupied with other matters.
Adrienne was prepared to sit and stare out at the gardens. It’s what she had done all the days before and she planned to keep doing it. Her silence was childish—knowing that didn’t stop her from using the only form of retaliation she had left.
A strange shadow reflected in the window caused Adrienne to whip around. The shadow turned out to be a giant black panther. The cat not only had Adrienne’s attention, he had everyone else’s attention, as well.
Nimat gave a high-pitched scream and ran for the bathroom. The silence of the room made the sound of the lock turning clearly audible. Mushira edged behind Hani, who looked too scared to defend herself, let alone Mushira.
“Feyr, I told you to wait outside,” Malik snapped.
The big cat came farther into the room. His eyes roamed over everyone but ultimately fell on Adrienne. He moved towards her.
Adrienne’s gaze scanned every inch of the cat. While the others were afraid, she was intrigued. Its size reminded her of a tiger but it had the sleek shape of a cheetah.
“What in the world is that?” she asked in a whisper.
The cat stopped near her knees. He sat on his haunches and stared at her.
Malik’s frown changed instantly into a smile. Where Mushira’s and his efforts failed, Feyr’s mere presence prevailed. Simple curiosity had made Adrienne break her silence. Malik latched on to this opportunity. “This is Feyr. He has been my constant companion since I was five, a present from my father.”
“Fear? What a strange name.”
“Feyr, my lady, not fear.”
“Oh,” Adrienne said absently. Her hands twitched at her sides. She wanted to touch the cat, but wasn’t sure, given the others’ reactions. “He doesn’t look twenty.”
“He is. The animals in Ulan age slower than anywhere else, Feyr especially.”
Giving in to temptation, Adrienne held her hand out to the cat for him to sniff. Instead, Feyr pushed his head under her hand and purred. She laughed at Feyr’s forwardness.
She obliged him and scratched his head, then ran her hands over his neck and shoulders. It surprised her that Feyr’s fur resembled thick strands of silk beneath her fingers. She had expected it to be coarse.
Feyr bumped his body against her legs and purred loudly. Adrienne laughed and scratched him faster.
Malik inhaled deeply at the sound of Adrienne’s laughter. The feel of Adrienne’s joy was intoxicating to his senses. He could become drunk on her excitement if he allowed himself. He hadn’t thought he would hear her laughter so soon.
Loathed to interrupt, Malik decided to watch silently until Adrienne spoke again. At this moment, he envied his cat. He wanted Adrienne’s hands in his hair and her laughter to be for him and him alone.
Feyr tried his best to climb onto the window seat. Malik wouldn’t move and there wasn’t enough room for all of them. He laid his head on Adrienne’s lap instead.
Adrienne scratched Feyr wherever her hands could reach. She cooed at him and hugged him.
A movement from Mushira caused Malik to look away from Adrienne to see what the woman wanted. He had every intention of beckoning her forward, but the fear evident in her eyes told Malik she wouldn’t come near him with Feyr there.
He hated to, but he left Adrienne’s side to see what the other woman wanted. “Yes?”
“Majesty, I thought perhaps Princess Adrienne would appreciate a companion during the days. Isn’t Feyr’s mate having her cubs soon?” Mushira asked in a shaking voice.
“You want Feyr’s cub to reside with Adrienne? That seems an odd request, Mushira. You have to know Feyr would more than likely follow his progeny.”
“I do, but—” she glanced at Adrienne and smiled at the girl’s laughter, “—she is happier. It’s a welcome change. I can swallow my fear of the father if the child would keep Princess Adrienne in high spirits.”
“Yes. It is a welcome change,” he agreed. He nodded to Mushira, then returned to the window seat. He gave Feyr a good-natured thump on his haunch, then sat. “I have an offer to present to you, Adrienne.”
Adrienne looked up from Feyr. “Sending me home?”
“No. I wish to give you one of Feyr’s cubs. Your choice, of course.”
Her face split into a huge smile. “Really? A little Feyr fo
r me to take care of?”
Malik couldn’t believe how much his heart lightened when Adrienne smiled at him. Was this the effect this woman would have on him? Was this the effect all the queens had on the previous kings? He found himself wondering what her passion would feel like to his senses.
Those were thoughts and questions for a later time. He couldn’t let her new attitude distract him from his immediate goal. “Yes. Feyr’s mate will have her cubs any day now and I am sure she would be willing to give one to you once they are weaned.”
Adrienne cupped Feyr’s face in her hands. She cooed at him, “Oh, you cute whiddle puddy you. I get one of your cubs—with mommy’s permission. Isn’t that great?” She kissed his nose, then laughed when Feyr snuffed at her.
His tongue darted out, removing her kiss. “Don’t kiss my nose, if you please.”
Her laughter turned to a surprised squeak. She jumped away from Feyr and he jerked back in response. He looked as surprised as she did. They both leaned forward to peer at each other more closely.
Malik asked in confusion, “My lady? Is something the matter?” Had she realized she should be scared of Feyr after all? He didn’t feel any such emotion coming from her. She still radiated excitement.
Adrienne pointed at Feyr and asked, “Did you talk just now?”
“Yes,” Feyr answered. He looked her up and down. “You can hear me.”
She nodded. “I can hear you in my head.” She asked Malik, “Is that normal?”
“You are a marvel, my lady,” Malik said with genuine amazement. “It is a rare mage who can speak to and understand animals.”
“I’m chock-full of surprises, it seems,” Adrienne bragged half-heartedly. She didn’t know what she had done to understand Feyr. It frightened her a little. She continually manifested different abilities without knowing what triggered them.
“Power is nothing to fear, Adrienne,” Feyr assured her.
“I didn’t say anything,” Adrienne replied.
“If your thoughts are loud enough, I can hear them as though you had spoken aloud.”
“Oh. Okay, this is weird.” Adrienne started petting Feyr again while trying to figure out what she thought of this new ability. Her distraction didn’t matter to Feyr. He was happy with her petting regardless. He said as much.
Speaking to animals wasn’t a bad talent. Adrienne wished she’d had the ability when she dealt with Sir Sheds-A-Lot, Crabby and Sphinx—her cats back home. Half the time she didn’t know what they wanted or how to make them happy.
Thinking of her cats made her homesick. She forced herself to focus on the here and now. She’d already devoted one day to crying and it hadn’t solved anything.
She focused on Malik’s proposal—Feyr’s cub. She smiled when she realized she would never have communication problems with a pet that could talk.
“I think I can handle a cub if I can speak to it.” She nodded to Feyr.
He nodded back.
“On one condition,” Malik said.
A sigh escaped Adrienne’s lips. “I should have known there was a catch. Nothing is free, right?”
“That is correct.” The change in her emotions was immediate. Malik knew this feeling from Adrienne all too well since it normally greeted him when he came to visit her. He’d made up his mind. She would be happier for it and he would have the joy of her happiness back.
“You must leave your rooms, starting with attending dinner tonight in the great hall.” He crossed his arms and waited for her answer.
He knew she wouldn’t refuse. She wanted the cub and he knew she would cherish it. Malik’s near-fifteen years as the ruler of a very prosperous merchant kingdom had taught him to recognize demand and to fill it at a price advantageous to him.
“It’s a cheap shot using your cat to lure me out of my room,” Adrienne finally said, giving in to a last-minute whine before she agreed.
“Feyr actually disobeyed my order. He has accompanied me each time I have visited you. I thought his presence might cause you alarm as it did your maids.” He motioned to the locked bathroom door. “With that in mind, I always left him in the hall until I finished. He must have gotten bored waiting for me.”
Malik would have to remember to reward Feyr later, though the attention Feyr got from Adrienne seemed reward enough.
Adrienne thought on this. The lack of security outside her rooms still worried her. Was one of Feyr’s cubs worth the risk?
Another thought occurred to her—would Malik allow her to stay cooped up once they married? She couldn’t deny the wedding on the horizon. There was no way around it that she had found.
Conceding to bribery seemed a better option than showing Malik he had some power over her. He did, but until now he hadn’t used it, and she spent her nights worrying about when he would start.
“Me out of my rooms for my choice of Feyr’s cubs,” she said for her own clarification.
“Yes.”
She looked down at Feyr and he stared back at her. “The things I do,” she muttered to herself. She held out her hand to Malik then raised her eyes to meet his. A shiver traveled up her spine as his hand surrounded hers. “Done,” she said.
Malik squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips. This was the first time Adrienne had voluntarily touched him and he savored it. He whispered, “Whatever the reason, I am happy for the change in your attitude.”
With her hand still clasped in his, he stood. “As I will see you at dinner, I shall take my leave of you earlier than usual. Do you require Feyr’s continued presence?”
A muffled squeal passed through the bathroom door. Adrienne rolled her eyes. “If I want Nimat to ever come out, I guess Feyr has to go.” She disengaged her hand from Malik’s to give Feyr a farewell scratch and hug. The contented cat padded off in the direction of the door without prompting. He tossed a farewell over his shoulder and exited the room.
Malik bowed to Adrienne then followed his cat.
Khursid and Qamar returned and closed the door. Nimat peeked out of the bathroom. Mushira sagged into a nearby chair. Hani dropped to her knees and hugged her arms.
Adrienne looked at all of them in turn. “Why are you all so scared of Feyr? He’s such a big sweetie.”
Hani was about to speak but Mushira silenced her with a look. Khursid busied himself straightening his clothes. Qamar and Nimat would not meet Adrienne’s eyes. This worried her. “What’s going on?”
Mushira answered hurriedly, “It is nothing, Highness.” She jumped out of her seat and rushed over to Adrienne. “We should find an outfit for you to wear to dinner and figure out what we will do with your hair.” She pulled Adrienne from the window seat and ushered her towards the closet.
“Mushira, dinner is four hours away. I think I have time,” Adrienne said laughingly. She stared at the gauzy and formfitting contents of the closet. The memory of her first nightgown floated through her head. “Let’s keep the sheer material to a minimum, shall we?”
“My mother told me Queen Dione would take nearly four hours to style her hair alone. Though to look at her, you would think her beauty was a natural state and she didn’t have to work at it. We lady’s maids know better.”
Mushira pulled a dress out of the closet and held it so Adrienne could see. Adrienne hoped her face looked skeptical. That was the emotion she wanted to convey.
“You are to be a queen, Highness, and you must look it.” Mushira’s voice dared Adrienne to argue with her. “This night most of all.”
Chapter Eight
The next four hours were spent showcasing outfit after outfit until both women were satisfied. Adrienne adamantly vetoed three of the outfits out of modesty. She didn’t have as much confidence about her body as Mushira.
Hani tried different things with Adrienne’s hair only to have to take it down again when Mushira didn’t think it quite right. Nimat had to leave over fifty times to retrieve some piece of jewelry or random item that, for some reason, wasn’t kept near everything else.
Adrienne excused Khursid and Qamar when it came time for her to change. Khursid happily complied and left without further prompting. Qamar, used to seeing Adrienne in various states of undress, didn’t think both guards should be absent. But Mushira changed her mind—if Qamar planned to stay, she would have to help with Adrienne’s preparations. As threats go, it provided enough incentive to get Qamar out of the room. She exited in as much of a hurry as Khursid.
At the end of it all, Adrienne was exhausted, both physically and mentally. Dinner time came but she wanted sleep. The multitude of hairstyles had made her scalp ache. After the third hairdo, she asked why Hani couldn’t use magicks to style her hair. Mushira explained that a true mage didn’t abuse her powers by using them to perform simple tasks because such actions made the mage vulnerable if they were ever caught without their powers. Questions of how a mage could lose their powers were ignored.
Adrienne didn’t take offense at Mushira’s lack of cooperation in answering her questions. She had grown used to the woman clamming up when it suited her. It only annoyed Adrienne because it meant she had to ask Malik. She didn’t want to ask him anything, since he might mistake her curiosity for interest in staying.
She didn’t want to stay. Or, that’s what she thought before she looked in the mirror. If staying meant she could keep Mushira, Hani and Nimat, she might reconsider. Adrienne had dressed up in the past and she’d looked damned good, if she did say so herself. Damned good looked frumpy and plain compared to the beauty that stared back at her.
The floor-length, spaghetti-strapped blue dress with a neckline directly below her bust showed every curve while shaping a few problem areas. Two translucent blue lengths of fabric were draped over her shoulders to cover her breasts and were held in place with two palm-sized silver medallions in the shape of Malik’s family crest.
Adrienne shifted the fabric on her shoulders so it overlapped. The second she let go it moved apart again and revealed more of her breasts than she cared to show.
“I feel naked.”
Adrienne Page 7
