by Bridie Blake
“Ah Tempani, my dear girl. I was just telling your father about our meeting earlier today.” He turned to Otto. “Her fondness for reading did not escape my attention, and I was hoping she would like to visit me at my manor whenever she pleases. My library is hers to explore.”
Tempani grinned and grabbed the older man’s hand. “You wouldn’t mind? The convent was so bereft of books that I fear I have a lot to catch up on,” she said. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be taking up too much of your time?”
“Time? I have more time than I know what to do with. You would be doing me a favor. It would save me rattling around court like a stray dog looking for a bone,” he laughed.
She turned back to her father. “Please papa, may I?”
“So long as you stick to your commitments as a lady and not use it to escape possible suitors.” He dismissed Tempani’s scowl with a wave of his hand.
“It’s settled then. You just let me know when you want to make your first visit,” said Darby, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse us elders, we will retire to our table and leave you in the hands of all these young noblemen.”
Tempani frowned as she was met with glares from the noblemen Darby referred to. Her face burned as she saw the disgust, the hatred, in their eyes. No matter where she went, she would always be the Kalaowin among the Kamaris. She would never belong. She wished she didn’t have to walk through them all to return to the safety of her table.
As if reading her mind, Madoc materialized at her side and offered his arm. She took it and smiled her thanks. They turned their backs on her as she walked past them, and all she wanted to do was rage and scream at them, but she could not.
“Savage,” one of the ladies hissed as she passed.
Tempani felt Madoc tense under her arm, and when she looked up, she saw his jaw was clenched tight.
A clap of lightening flashed over their heads, and the lady who had just insulted her shrieked. Tempani felt a small sliver of satisfaction and allowed herself to believe the weather was on her side.
They re-joined Dahlia at their table, and Madoc’s hand went straight for his glass of brandy. He downed it in one and poured himself another.
“Care to share that around?”
He raised an eyebrow at her but poured her a glass. Tempani brought it to her lips and shuddered as the liquid hit her tongue and moved down her throat. She spluttered and hit her chest, trying to stop the burning sensation she now felt.
“The first drink is always the hardest.”
“If Mother Chennai could see me now,” she muttered as she took another sip.
“So is the first ball. It’ll get easier,” he whispered.
She nodded as she cupped her glass between her hands and fought off tears. What had she expected? That putting on a pretty gown and walking into the room on the arm of her father meant she belonged? That she would be accepted? She didn’t belong in the Kamari world. Of that she was sure.
“Well, look who’s finally decided to join his friends. Had enough of the old folk have we Nic?” Madoc clapped the newcomer on the shoulder.
“You know I would much prefer to be sitting with you than mingling with every single person in the room. But it’s one of the requirements that comes with my title,” he said as he sat beside his friend.
Tempani drew her breath. He really was quite handsome with light brown hair that curled slightly and intense blue eyes that shone when his thin lips curled into a smile. Yet he still held himself with the same self-importance he had as a child.
“Hello Dahlia, you’re looking lovely this evening,” he said, inclining his head towards her. “And I believe my brother was right. Lady Tempani of Amarill, it is a pleasure to see you again.” His eyes fell on Tempani, and his face broke into a grin as he thought how beautiful she was.
“And you too, your Highness.”
“Please call me Nic. We are old friends are we not?”
Tempani raised an eyebrow at his suggestion. She would no more call him a friend than she would call the sky green.
“Ah you do not agree? I heard you were not convinced I had changed. Needless to say I was young and did things I am not proud of, but I have, as you can see, grown up considerably since we last saw one another.”
Tempani cast her eyes down and felt a blush creep onto her cheeks as she remembered the last time she had seen him. It had been the worst day of her life, and he had caught her at her most vulnerable moment.
“Is he harassing you again, Tempani?” Teddy took the vacant seat beside her and offered her a glass of wine.
Nic frowned. “And I see you two are joined at the hip again. Will we need to fight one another for her attentions, little brother?”
“I’m afraid it would not be much of a competition,” Teddy said and rose from his chair. “May I have this dance, Lady Tempani?”
Tempani accepted his hand, and Teddy shot his brother a smirk. “Round one to Prince Theodore,” she whispered as they walked away.
He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry about that. I just take such pleasure in irritating him.”
“And I thought you two got along now.”
“We do. It’s just, when he saw your father escort you in tonight, the old rivalry flared slightly. He was so sure he could get you on his arm, and I really wanted to deflate his ego a little bit.”
Tempani laughed. “Well I think it worked,” she said as she looked over her shoulder to find a fuming Nicolass glaring at his brother’s back.
He twirled her around, sending her into peals of laughter and causing people to stare at the young pair.
“I believe we are not behaving as young nobles should,” he whispered.
She straightened in his arms, squaring her shoulders and pursing her lips. “Is this better, your Highness?”
“Why yes, my lady, I believe it is,” he said, rolling his eyes as they spun past a small group of older nobles.
She relaxed in his arms and smiled to herself. She felt like she was ten years old again, and she and Teddy were pretending they were at a ball dancing just like they were now. Except, in their game an army of enemy fighters would launch an attack, and she would have to protect him from being taken.
She tried to swallow away the guilt she had felt for the past five years. “Teddy,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For never writing back to you. I got your letters. All of them. But I was in such a dark place that I couldn’t bring myself to read them. And then too much time had passed, and it felt wrong to suddenly pick up a quill and write back.”
“It’s all right,” he said softly. “I never once blamed you.”
“I did miss you though. So much,” she choked.
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re back where you belong. With me and Chae.”
Tempani shivered as she felt a pair of eyes on her. She looked up and found herself staring into the coldest pair of grey eyes she’d ever encountered. She wasn’t sure how, but his gaze made her feel like she’d been plunged into a frozen lake.
“Who is that?” She tried to point discreetly at the man with the grey hair and beard.
He followed her gaze and frowned, moving her across the room and away from the man. “Lord Ricton. He teaches sorcery here. You’d be smart to stay away from him.”
“Is he powerful?”
“Very,” Teddy murmured.
She risked one more glance at the man, but he’d disappeared. She was definitely going to take Teddy’s advice and stay away from him. He unsettled her in a way she couldn’t describe.
—
On the other side of the room, Nic watched the pair of them dancing, and it irked him. It made him want to run over there and prise her from his arms. But if he did that, she would know. Know that he had been pining for her for years. That he had stalled his father on every marriage arrangement he had brought forward all because he had been waiting for her to return. To see that he was now a man and th
at he loved her. He had been beside himself with joy when he had heard she was returning. He had even offered to be the knight that fetched her, but Otto had chosen Madoc. He had wanted to go with Teddy earlier that day to greet her, but he had been called away to a meeting.
When she had walked down those stairs this evening, he was glad he was laying eyes on her for the first time. She had been a vision to behold. More beautiful than he had remembered. And he had never been more certain that he loved her. Yet she seemed to dislike him. He saw it in her eyes. Those eyes that saw right through him. He could lose himself in them.
He grabbed another drink from the servant and drank it quickly. He hated that she was dancing with Teddy. He had envied their close bond all those years ago, and it seemed nothing had changed.
“Madoc has disappeared,” Chae said when he joined his friend.
“Snuck off to his room, no doubt,” Nic replied. “You’d think he’d be used to these things by now.”
Chae shrugged. “He did seem a bit more relaxed tonight. Maybe it’s Tempani. She seems to have that effect on people.”
Nic turned to him abruptly. “You don’t think he fancies her, do you?”
Chae laughed. “Madoc? I fear he will remain a loner for life.”
“Yes,” Nic said and nodded. “You’re right.”
“Did she refuse you tonight?”
Nic finished his drink and reached for another. “I didn’t even get a chance to ask her to dance. Teddy swooped in and swept her away before I knew it.”
“He’s doing it to get a rise from you,” Chae said. “You know that.”
“Yes, well, it worked.”
“If you truly do have feelings for her, then you need to show her that you have changed. She didn’t believe me today. In her mind you’re still that same boy she hated.”
“How do I show her?”
“Let her see the side we see,” he said. “Don’t be arrogant. Or rude. And don’t order people around. She doesn’t like that. Talk about history and art. She loves to read so you have that in common.”
“Does she still like to ride?”
“Yes,” he said enthusiastically. “Take her riding. She’ll love that.”
Nic nodded as he took it all in and let his eyes fall on her once more. He smiled to himself when she looked up and caught his gaze. She scowled at him and turned her head quickly. She would be a challenge, but he knew she would be worth it.
—
Tempani and Chae were in the sitting room, the fire crackling before them as they discussed the evening’s events in hushed tones. Despite the late hour, Otto was working in his study.
“He would sleep in there if he could,” said Chae.
“What is he working on?”
Chae shrugged and rubbed Tilaw’s belly. “Reports for the king mostly. I try to stay out of his way as much as I can. He once caught me looking at a map he had drawn, and he blew up. Told me I had no right looking at confidential documents.”
Tempani frowned and reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly between hers. “I hate that we were separated. It must have been hard for you. Living with papa.”
“I only moved in here once I was knighted. Before that I was living at the palace so I was spared most of his anger. He was different when he was teaching us to fight. He was almost happy again.”
“I miss him. I know it sounds crazy because he is just down the hall, but I do.”
“Me too,” he whispered. “I miss talking to him.”
“Did you ever tell him of the problems you faced?”
Chae shook his head. “It had been dealt with by the time he arrived. Though the prejudices were easier to deal with as a boy than as a man. I could throw a punch back and be done with it. Now it’s all snide words and cruel actions. You’ll see.”
“I’ve already seen it.” She told him what had passed earlier that night.
“Madoc is a good man.”
“What I don’t understand is why doesn’t Prince Nicolass stand up for you? He has the authority to do something.”
“There is only so much he can do. Besides, I don’t want to abuse our friendship. That’s what people expect me to do.”
“Well he should do more. You are one of his oldest friends.”
“You don’t think highly of him do you?”
“He was a horrible little boy, and we never quite lose who we were as children.”
“He’s a good man, Tempani. Believe me.”
She shrugged and hugged Tilaw to her. “Do you think either of us would have been allowed into court if papa wasn’t close friends with the king?”
“Not a chance,” he said. “And for that we should be eternally grateful to him.”
“I’m still not sure if it’s a good thing. I can’t help but feel I would be happier among the Kalaowins. I don’t belong here.”
Chae stroked her cheek. “Yes, you do.”
She laughed sadly. “Teddy said I belong with you and him.”
“He’s very wise, our Teddy.”
Otto watched from the shadows of the doorway as his children embraced. He swallowed hard to force the lump from his throat as his eyes glistened with tears. One day they would understand. They would belong.
—
Tempani had just finished lunch with Dahlia and had decided to take a stroll through the city before returning home. Her chaperone, Rando, was by her side as an unwed lady was not free to walk unescorted.
She felt eyes on her as she walked, and she tried to pretend that she didn’t notice their stares.
The stalls were up ahead, and she had intended to go there but a flurry of activity caught her eye, and she moved towards the alley that ran behind the stables and blacksmiths.
“You don’t want to be going down there, my lady.”
“I’ve never gone this way before,” she said. “We’d always go straight from the stables into the center.”
“Your father wouldn’t like it.”
“Well, he’s not here.”
She followed the trail of people walking down the path and then froze when she saw what they’d come to see. Now she understood why they’d never gone down that path before. It led straight to the slave pens.
The people she had followed moved to the pens and looked over the three Kalaowins chained up inside. A girl of thirteen, a woman of forty and a man of twenty-one. They had been fresh caught. Or so the sign said. A nobleman spoke quickly to the trader, and the two females were pulled from the pen and handed over.
The fear in the young girl’s eyes sparked an ache in Tempani’s heart. She wanted to rescue them but how?
“Lord Pieter treats his slaves well. They won’t be harmed,” Rando whispered.
She inched closer to the man who had been left behind. The left side of his face was horribly scarred. It looked like it had been seared by a fire or hot coals. He had the same markings on his back as Nika. She moved even closer towards him, wanting to fill the void left by her Kalaowin friend.
“Julo,” she whispered using the Kalaowin word for hello.
His eyes flicked down to her.
“How much?” She demanded to the trader.
“You ain’t got enough.” His stale breath caused her to step away from him. He grinned at her, thinking he’d scared her off.
“How much?” She asked again, reaching for her coin purse. “I have money.”
“He ain’t for sale,” he snarled.
“He’s a slave,” she snapped. “Of course, he’s for sale.”
She couldn’t bring herself to look at the man as she called him a slave.
“Not to you. You’ll set him loose.”
“Mark him as mine, and he can’t escape. He’ll be bound to me.”
“I told ye, he ain’t for sale!” He roared and stepped towards her.
Rando moved swiftly and pulled Tempani behind him.
The man laughed at them. “Ye’re as common as me. You ain’t got no weapon to protect her.”
&n
bsp; Tempani’s eyes widened as Rando’s hand slipped to the back of his shirt. The silver of his blade flashed in her eyes, and she gripped the hand that held it, forcing him to keep it hidden behind his back.
She stepped around him and glared at the trader. “I will be back for him,” she snapped. “He will belong to me.”
The man laughed again as she pulled Rando away. She remained silent on their ride back to the manor. Her anger bubbled away in the pit of her stomach, and her hands trembled from its force.
She handed her reigns to Lindow and then marched inside, Rando trailing behind her. Once the door was closed behind them, she rounded on him, her eyes flashing dangerously.
“You’re armed?” She cried. “If he had seen that, you’d be dead! Do you understand that?”
Rando stood, his back straight, his head held high, as he watched her pace the room.
“Dead!” She cried again. “They would hang you for carrying a weapon!” She stopped pacing and faced him. “Do you have anything to say?”
“No, my lady.”
“You are my chaperone! Why are you carrying a weapon? If my father found out, he would have your head.” She rushed over to him and gripped his hands. “Please promise me you’ll get rid of it.”
“It won’t happen again, my lady.”
She shook her head slowly. “I will never tell anyone of this.”
“What of the slave?”
“I dare not go back there and risk you losing your common sense again. Perhaps Chae can go on my behalf and purchase him.”
Rando nodded and turned on his heel. When he reached the door he paused. “You can’t save everyone, my lady. Some people’s paths are already decided.”
“If I don’t try, who will?”
The slave had already been sold by the time Chae got there. It had taken a lot of convincing to even get him there, but in the end he had done as his sister wished, but he was too late. He had already been purchased.
Tempani had trouble sleeping that night. She couldn’t stop thinking about those three Kalaowins. They had been taken from their families and would now know nothing but servitude. She rolled over and watched Zadi, who was curled up on her bedroll.
“Zadi?” She whispered. “Are you awake?”
