by Bridie Blake
Her eyes flicked open, and she sat up abruptly. “Did you need something, my lady?”
“No, I was just curious about something.” She propped herself up on her elbow. “When did you become a slave?”
“Three years ago.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke. “I was taken by a trader one day and brought to the city. Lindow bought me to do chores around here.”
“Your Kamari is good for someone whose only been here three years.”
“I knew some before I was taken, but the household has taught me to speak proper.” A smile flickered across her face. “But my dreams are Kalaowin. Always.”
“Do you miss home?”
Zadi nodded. “But this is the path chosen for me. I’ll follow it.”
“Maybe we could set you free.”
“There are no freed slaves. I’m in your service until I die.”
Tempani blinked away tears. “I’ll find a way to set you free. I promise.”
—
Lord Darby’s manor was on the outskirts of the city and was truly beautiful. It had once belonged to Wimarc’s uncle, Viscount Fredi, and was given to Darby upon his death. Darby had added his own flourishes to the manor. The tribal masks that hung from the walls were from the Pentian Isles, and Tempani found it hard to draw herself from those. The charming paintings in his study were painted for him by a common born artist who wandered the kingdom painting what he thought beautiful: a child playing in a stream, wild horses running through a field, a man holding his wife.
But it was in the library where Darby had done the most work. Viscount Fredi had not been a scholar and hadn’t cared for books and reading. His library had remained empty until Darby moved in and brought with him every book he had ever read and others he longed to read. They were stacked high to the ceiling, row after row of wonderful stories and rich histories.
“A little extravagant isn’t it? Even after all these years I still see reading as a bit of a novelty. Many nobles take their ability to pick up a book and have the knowledge to understand each word for granted.”
“But you have not forgotten what it was like?”
Darby smiled kindly. “We never forget our roots. I was born a commoner, and no matter the title I have now, I still have my common blood pumping through my veins.”
“Lord Darby of Coastir. Commoner turned nobleman. A tale as romantic as they come. The manservant of our king saves his life one day, and in return the king grants him a title.”
“There was more to it than that. We had formed a firm friendship before that day. He taught me to read.”
“Fancy that. Our king can read!”
“Quite well actually. He just doesn’t care for it the way I do.” Darby accepted the tray of tea from his servant and poured them both a cup. “You have a question for me. I can see it on your face.”
She frowned as she put her cup back on the table. “I don’t see how a king whose close friends are a former commoner and a man who had a Kalaowin wife can continue to run the kingdom the way he does.”
Darby sighed. “The man and the king are two very different people.”
“I don’t understand how.”
“The king is ruled by power, but the man sees some sense. Unfortunately, the king often wins out.”
“And innocent people suffer.”
“Sometimes,” he said slowly before taking a sip and then resting his cup on his knee.
“Prince Nicolass is just like his father.”
“And Prince Theodore is his mother.” Darby shook his head. “Don’t count out the man Prince Nicolass is. He may well surprise us all.”
“I won’t hold my breath.” She looked around the library and smiled. “Do you ever wonder what your life would be if you hadn’t saved the king’s life?”
“All the time,” he said. “But I learned quickly not to dwell on what might have been but instead on what is. I will always have the scar from the arrow that struck me as I saved the king’s life. I will always walk with a limp.”
“I can’t help but wonder what my life would be if I had been raised among my mother’s people instead of among nobility.”
Darby eyed her curiously. “That is an interesting thought,” he said. “Or perhaps if you had stayed on at the convent and become a sister?”
Tempani shook her head. “Never,” she said quickly. “I am not built for that life.”
“Quite right,” he mused. “I believe you are in the life you belong to.”
“It just doesn’t seem fair when others who share my blood are imprisoned in slavery or hiding in the south for fear of slaughter, and I attend fancy dinners and balls.”
“There’s not much in our lives that is fair, my dear. It’s what we do with the injustices that matters.”
Darby’s footman, Yuta, walked into the room. “My lord, His Royal Highness Prince Nicolass of Lenthir to see you,” he announced and bowed deeply as the prince walked in.
Tempani frowned as he walked in. Silently cursing him for interrupting her chat with Darby.
“Ah Nicolass, what a pleasant surprise,” said Darby as he offered a chair to the young man. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Your charming guest brings me here,” he replied and smiled at Tempani, who scowled in return. “I thought I might take her for a trip into Fenella before she returns home.”
Darby threw his hands into the air. “What a wonderful idea.”
“I was hoping to stay here longer,” she said, the pleading in her voice obvious.
“Nonsense. You don’t want to be stuck indoors with an old man all day. Go, enjoy yourself, and we will visit here another day.”
Nicolass offered his arm, and she had no option but to take it graciously. He led her down the front steps and assisted her in climbing onto Mincha. If he was surprised when she didn’t sit side-saddle, he didn’t show it.
She nudged her mare forwards and then turned her left.
“Fenella’s the other way,” Nicolass said as he pulled his mare up alongside hers.
“And you are forgetting that I never agreed to accompany you there,” she spat.
“You do know I could order you to accompany me?” He asked. “And your men-at-arms here would be in no position to disobey.”
“They are in my father’s employ; therefore, they will do as I say,” she said. “If you would like to try them, then by all means go ahead. Order me to go with you.”
She held his gaze, hoping he would not take her up on her bluff.
Nicolass shrugged. “I will just take you there another day,” he said. “It will give me another opportunity to call on you.”
“I am sure I will be busy that day.”
Nicolass grinned, amused by her resistance. “You don’t like me very much do you?”
“And that comes as a surprise to you?”
“If I have offended you, I am deeply sorry.”
“If?” She cried. “You clearly do not remember what a vile boy you were. One moment sticks out clearly in my mind,” she said dangerously. “The day you told Chae and myself that we were not to play with you. We were savages. Our only purpose was to serve you.”
“I was a child.” He cried. “I am not that person anymore.”
She raised her eyebrows at him, clearly unconvinced.
“You must accept my apology. I was ignorant back then. I know that now,” he said. “Chae has forgiven me, are you able to do the same?”
Could she forgive him? He had been a boy when he’d said such horrible things to her and when he’d picked on her and Teddy. But Teddy had been a boy too, and he knew the difference between right and wrong. He had always been kind to her. They had been raised by the same parents and rules, yet Nicolass had chosen to be a self-important boy and Teddy hadn’t. She didn’t want to forgive him. He hadn’t shown her he was any different now, and she honestly didn’t care to see if he was.
“Surely you do not seek forgiveness from every person you have ever offended i
n your life, so why be so determined to ask it of me?”
“You are the sister of my close friend, the daughter of my mentor, and you are the most beautiful lady I have ever laid eyes on,” he said breathlessly.
She blushed from embarrassment as Rando coughed awkwardly and looked down at his hands, trying to give the pair as much privacy as he could allow while his gelding stood beside Mincha.
“Flattery will not gain my affections. I am not so vain as most ladies that you can give me a smile, call me beautiful and all is forgotten.”
“I would not want you to be so vain as most ladies,” he said, watching her closely for her reaction. His heart hammered against his chest. No woman had ever had this effect on him before. He flirted with them and felt nothing, but this was different. He wanted her to smile with him the way she did when she was around Teddy. He had watched her laugh with Dahlia and talk to Madoc with envy. When he was near she tensed, her eyes were angry and her smile was forced.
“You are different, Tempani. I knew that as a boy, and I know it now.”
They reached the manor and came to a stop at the gates.
“Can I call on you tomorrow so we can continue this discussion?”
“I’m busy.”
“Then perhaps I can come in now, and we can spend some time together.”
“I have chores to do,” she said quickly.
“Chores?” He laughed. “You have servants for that.”
She straightened in her saddle and glared at him. “Unlike you, I take pride in my land and home. I don’t expect people to do things for me.” She pushed Mincha ahead of him and left him standing outside the gate.
She avoided the eyes of her men-at-arms as she led Mincha to the stable. She had announced in front of them all that she had chores, and now she had to do something. Perhaps she could brush down Mincha and muck out her stall. She knew how to do that. It had been one of her chores at the convent.
Rando watched her go with a smile and then closed the gate behind them.
~3~
THE THIEF, A COMMONER & THE PRINCE
Tempani’s days in Fenella had slowly settled into a routine. Not as strict as her years at the convent but a routine nonetheless. She would rise each day and say her prayers before joining Chae, and occasionally her father, for breakfast, before she headed to either Lord Darby’s manor or into the city center with Dahlia, Chae or Teddy.
She was trying to fill her days as she had at the convent. She even enjoyed helping Leela in the kitchen. She found Leela refreshingly honest and looked forward to their chats. She even had her own little garden where she grew herbs and vegetables for the kitchen.
Keeping her hands busy distracted her from the niggling need she had to use her magic. She felt it in her blood, like a gentle hum, and she itched to use it and go back to healing but she knew doing so would end in her death. It pained her to walk through the city and see so many people starved and sick and not do anything. She hoped the feeling of helplessness would pass but she doubted it ever would.
Prince Nicolass had continued to visit, but she found she was able to avoid him if Teddy was quick enough to give her notice of his impending visits. Word had it that he wasn’t happy about her elusiveness, but could he really blame her? There was too much water under the bridge in her eyes.
Most nights were spent at the palace as there was always some formal dinner on. Teddy was always quick to offer his arm, and it distracted her from the fact that no other man did. Not that she minded. She wasn’t interested in them either so she was better off being alone than having a boring suitor. Well, that’s what she told herself each night as she watched the young men fawn over Dahlia.
She had been expecting it. But it still hurt when people refused to take things she had been holding or refused to dip their fingers in the same cleansing bowl over dinner.
She would go back to the manor, and the anger she suppressed over dinner would boil under her skin. She would feel it pumping through her veins, threatening to explode until she would pick up her dagger and make it all better. Anything to make her feel calmer. She had found it worked in the early days at the convent. Those days when her grief over losing Hamalia threatened to consume her. And then she lost the need for it. Until now.
Zadi rubbed a healing ointment into her mistress’s skin and said nothing as she winced at the coolness of it. The slave girl knew better than to mention anything about it. She knew her place and knew to keep her mouth shut. What went on in a lady’s room was private.
“That will be all,” Tempani said after Zadi tied her into the green wool dress she had picked out for this morning’s trip into Fenella.
“Yes, my lady.” Zadi bowed her head and backed away.
Tempani hurried down the stairs to wait in the drawing room for Teddy to pick her up. She pulled up short when she saw they would not be alone today.
“Lady Tempani.” Nicolass bowed when she entered. “I thought I would tag along today. Teddy always has such wonderful stories when he returns from his visits with you that I just had to come along.”
His eyes held hers, and she saw the triumph in his. She wanted to tell him he wasn’t welcome. That she didn’t want him to tag along. But she knew, as he did too, that she could not turn him away. As a prince she could only push him so far. But she would make sure that he had a far from enjoyable time. She would drag him to every stall in the city.
Knowing Otto was in the next room she forced a smile on her face and curtsied. “I would be honored if you were to accompany us,” she said tersely.
His face lit up with joy. “Wonderful. Let’s go shall we?”
He offered his arm, and she had no choice but to accept it. She shot Teddy a glare as they passed him, but all he could do was shrug an apology and follow them out the door.
Their normally chatty ride into the city was now silent. Her personal guard, who normally rode close to the group so they could join in the conversation, hung back and allowed the Raiders to provide the protection.
She rode between the two brothers, both of them sitting straighter in their saddles than was necessary, and she got the feeling she was in for a morning of sibling rivalry.
“Thank you, Keane,” she said, and slipped the young stable hand some silver when he took Mincha’s reins off her.
He bowed his head in thanks and scurried off to see to the princes’ horses.
“You don’t have to tip him every time we come here,” Teddy whispered. “He is paid well for his services.”
Tempani rolled her eyes. “We have differing views on that.”
They re-entered the city center and dawdled past the stalls to inspect what was on offer. She practically drooled over the beautifully crafted silverware, shawls with intricate detail and more jewelry than she’d ever imagined. She fondled the ruby earrings and gushed over the sapphire encrusted broach. The man behind the stall watched her warily.
She noticed a small shop on her left filled to bursting with fabrics of all colors. She wandered over and fingered the delicate garments carefully.
“Such a fine selection aren’t they?”
Tempani smiled at the sturdy young man with the fiery red hair standing before her.
“They truly are beautiful,” she said. She took in his long fingers and hands free of calloused skin and raised an eyebrow. “Your handiwork?”
A member of the Raiders approached and beckoned Nicolass and Teddy away.
The man laughed and shook his head. “I am just your run of the mill healer,” he said. “These fine specimens are the product of my darling wife’s hard work.”
A short woman with black curls and tired blue eyes approached. “His darling wife is exhausted and could do with a hand,” she told her husband and pointed to a pile of fabrics that needed to be hung. “I’m Leandra,” she said. “And this charmer is Colbert.”
“Tempani.” She took Leandra’s hand in her own and was pleased to see she didn’t flinch. “It is lovely to meet you.”
<
br /> “Looks like our prince has caught himself a beauty,” Leandra called out to Colbert.
He poked his head up and smiled. “I hadn’t noticed, my sweet, for no woman can match you.”
“You may have considered a path as a Player rather than a healer. You have the knack for it,” Leandra laughed.
“Your Highness.” Colbert bowed so low his forehead almost touched the floor as the princes approached.
Nicolass nodded stiffly while Teddy stood there scowling. Colbert and Leandra took the hint and turned away, busying themselves with their fabrics.
“Is everything all right?” She asked as they walked outside.
Nicolass sighed and turned to face her, avoiding her eyes. “I am sorry Tempani, but I need to ask you a rather unpleasant question.”
“This is ridiculous,” Teddy hissed.
“There has been an allegation made against you,” he explained. “A man has accused you of stealing an item of jewelry from his stall.”
Tempani bristled at his words. She looked at the two of them and threw her hands up in the air. “Of course I did. Something goes missing and the finger gets pointed at the closest Kalaowin.”
“It was a sapphire encrusted broach,” he mumbled.
“I didn’t take it.” She balled her fists and tried to keep her voice calm. “And I resent the accusation that I did.”
“He said it disappeared after you admired it.”
“Come on, Nic,” Teddy said. “She didn’t take it.”
“Search me,” she dared him. “Go on. If you don’t believe me then search me.” She stretched out her arms and widened her stance. “You have my permission.”
“That won’t be necessary. We’ll take you home.”
She glared at him. “Don’t bother,” she snapped. “I can make my own way home. Besides you have your hands full here trying to catch a thief.” She turned on her heel and rushed to the stables, trying to ignore everyone who was now openly staring at her.
“Saddle up,” she ordered her men. “We’re leaving.”
They scurried after her and followed her lead as she rushed home. She let out a scream once she was safely inside the door and stomped up the stairs, calling for Zadi to draw her a bath. She pulled at her dress, trying to undo the ties at the back to no avail. Zadi swatted her hands away and undid the ties for her, helping her pull the dress down.
