Why did he fall for untouchable women? His first love had been an assassin. Most of the women he had spent time with were capable of killing him in one way or another. Either that or they were in a position where their fathers would pay to have him killed if they found out. At least two of the bounties on his head were for that reason.
“I’m going to scout ahead,” Sir Danth said to no one in particular. With that, he jogged ahead. Tathan looked back at Liselle who shrugged. She looked at the princess holding his hand and frowned. He didn’t respond to her disapproval. Nothing he said would put her mind at peace.
Chapter 3
Just before sunset, they came across a pattern of stones in the form of an arrow pointing toward the forest. They exchanged glances and followed the trail, assuming Sir Danth had left the marker.
A few minutes later, they were next to a small waterfall that splashed into a pleasant pond. Sir Danth was nowhere to be seen, but had set up a firepit and gathered wood for them. Tathan gestured and spoke a few words of magic, causing flames to appear and jump to the wood in the pit.
Anilyia gasped, making Tathan realize he had never lit a fire with her around. Liselle or Vevin were better and faster when it came to casting.
“How did you do that?” The princess folded her arms and tapped her foot. “I know you’re not a wizard, but I saw you cast the ball of light back in the caverns and now you make a fire with magic.”
Tathan didn’t know why he felt guilty. “Well . . . I just made gestures and spoke the necessary words and . . . poof,” he explained with a rascally grin. The grin turned to laughter when Vevin started throwing lightballs around and making them go ‘poof’. The princess didn’t look impressed.
“I saw what you did, but I don’t understand how you learned it. Magic is only supposed to be practiced by wizards,” she explained.
“Really?” Tathan asked in surprise. “In Dralin, everyone knows a little magic. It comes in useful for lots of different situations.”
“Dralin is a den of wickedness and horrors!” she exclaimed in shock. “You actually lived there? Are you evil and deformed?”
Liselle and Vevin laughed loudly. They were setting up a cookpot for dinner. Tathan sighed. “I am not evil or deformed . . . well, maybe a little evil,” he answered with a wry twist of his mouth.
“Dralin is known throughout the world as the most dangerous city to live. Magical poison fills the streets, deforming citizens. Monsters hide in alleys and even children eat unsuspecting strangers.” The princess paced back and forth while making wild gestures. “If you lived in Dralin, you should be evil and deformed like everyone else there.”
Tathan stared at her for a moment. Then he cocked his head to the side, put his right arm out behind him, his left arm in the air, stuck his left leg to the side and made a funny face. “I’m not deformed. Why would you think that?”
Vevin and Liselle howled in mirth. Tathan joined the merriment and the princess followed suit. They sat on logs Sir Danth had arranged. “Where did he go?” Liselle asked.
“I was wondering the same thing,” Tathan said. “I get the feeling he’s still scouting and doesn’t want to be around us for now. He was embarrassed by his reaction this morning. He’ll rejoin us when he’s ready. Until then, let’s give him space.”
“Is that wise?” Liselle asked while adding ingredients to the stew she was making. “If he’s off on his own, he could become violent again, or do something stupid.”
“Like what?” Vevin asked.
“I honestly have no idea. He’s just so unhappy right now I don’t think he should be alone,” she answered.
“He needs the time alone.” Tathan peeled a couple of roots for the pot. “He was alone for centuries, then suddenly had to deal with people and has been doing so for months. It has to be hard for him to redevelop social skills after so long. Giving him solitude will allow him time to come to terms with all of the changes he’s been through.”
Liselle didn’t look convinced. “Do you think so?”
“I know so. I’ve been having a hard time too after spending most of my life alone. Even in cities I was usually by myself.” Tathan gestured at the three of them. “You’ve been wonderful, but I’m not used to being so close to people. That’s why I snuck off into the forest this morning. I needed time to think and . . . I don’t know. I just needed time.”
Anilyia was sitting next to him with her thigh touching his. “I don’t like it when you go off and leave me alone.” Tathan thrilled at the contact. “What are you, Tathan?” she asked him.
“Huh?” he responded eloquently.
“What are you? Are you a warrior, wizard, servant, criminal or something else entirely?” The fact that she was challenging him didn’t stop her from staying as close as she could get.
“That’s a good question, Tathan,” Vevin chimed in. “I think you’re a thief, but I like you anyway.”
“Are you a thief?” the princess asked in trepidation. Tathan had finished peeling and cutting the roots. He cleaned off his knife and put it away, so she took his hand back.
“I still love you, Cousin.” Liselle smirked. “And I already know you’re a criminal.”
Tathan glared playfully. Anilyia squeezed his hand. “Are you really a thief? I know you’ve stolen my heart.” He turned to look at her, seeing complete vulnerability in her eyes. It was poetic and a little cheesy, but he knew she was sincere.
“Yes. I’m a thief,” he admitted. He half expected her to release his hand, but was relieved when she didn’t. “Not just a thief. I’ve done everything from caravan guard to . . . babysitter.”
“Babysitter?” Liselle asked.
“She wasn’t really a baby, more of a teenager, but a guard in Dralin had a daughter and needed someone to watch her and keep her safe for a little while. He saved my life so I agreed,” Tathan explained. They looked at him in shock. “What? I didn’t say it was a good idea, but I owed him one. The girl knows how to pick a lock like a master now though,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, that’s just wonderful.” Liselle rolled her eyes.
“Actually, someone had already taught her and she had her own set of magical picks. Anyway, I’ve stolen a few things and been arrested more than once, so I guess you could say that I’m a criminal.” He shrugged. Tathan didn’t feel bad about being a thief, but he wanted his cousin and the princess to like him.
“Have you ever killed anyone?” Anilyia asked without expression.
“Yes, more than once.” Tathan hoped she wouldn’t ask how many.
“How many?” she asked.
Tathan sighed. “Never ask a person how many people they’ve killed. In fact, you shouldn’t even ask if they’ve killed someone. I only answered because I care how you feel about me.”
“Thank you. I love you even if you are a criminal. How many people have you killed?” Anilyia stared at him with those luminous eyes.
“More than I care to admit. I have no intention of answering that question,” he said firmly.
“You didn’t tell me you love me. That’s the second time I’ve said I love you and you didn’t acknowledge it,” the princess accused, sadness causing her shoulder’s to slump.
“He can’t be in love with you, nor should you be in love with him!” Liselle exclaimed in frustration. “You’re betrothed and the fate of kingdoms lies in your safe return. I’m certain the prince would object to sharing his wife with a thief.”
“I’m aware of that, silly flower girl,” Anilyia replied haughtily. Blue flames ghosted behind Liselle’s eyes, as they tended to do when she felt strong emotion . . . like anger. For the first time Anilyia ignored the flames. “Why must I be responsible for the actions of two foolish kingdoms? They will not let me rule or make decisions after all. I am merely a copper coin to be bartered. If our kingdoms wished to have peace, they would do so irregardless of whether or not I am married.”
Liselle didn’t have a response for that and the fire in her eyes
died. Tathan squeezed the princess’s hand in comfort. Anilyia pressured Tathan again. “I love you. Do you love me, Tathan?”
Tathan sighed. “I don’t know.”
Confusion washed across the princess’s face. Liselle frowned. “That’s not an answer, Cousin. Do you love her or not?
“I don’t know,” Tathan insisted. “I think I love her, but I just don’t know.” He turned back to Anilyia. “I feel good when I’m with you. The problem is that I don’t know if it’s because you’re so unattainable or if it’s how I truly feel. I’m still trying to figure it out.”
“I don’t like that answer. You’re not very good with answers, Tathan,” Anilyia accused.
“I know. It’s a failing of mine,” he replied with a twitch of his lips.
“Yes, yes it is, Tathan. That’s alright. I’ll wait until you realize you love me. I know you do.”
Liselle frowned as she stirred the stew. The wonderful smell was causing all their mouths to water. “What if he does love you, Your Highness?” She emphasized the title. “What will you do?”
“I will do whatever he wants me to do.” Anilyia was sincere, holding her chin high. “If he wishes me to return to Mayncal to be married in return for great reward, I will see to it that he is showered with wealth. If he wishes me to run off with him to become a criminal and steal things, I’ll do that.” She leaned her head on Tathan’s shoulder and brought her leg over his lap. Looking up at him she said, “I love you, Tathan. If you love me too, we’ll let my daddy and his friends figure out how to make peace on their own.”
Tathan didn’t know how to respond to having the fate of two kingdoms on his shoulders. Regardless of whether or not the countries should be at peace, things just didn’t work that way. If he took the princess home, peace would be likely. If he didn’t, they would almost certainly go to war, dooming their people to years of suffering.
It had been Liselle’s idea to save the princess, charged to her by Yebisu, the Yellow Bird of Sunshine. Letting his cousin make decisions as to which quests they should accept didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore. He had a feeling that if he continued to listen to her, they would end up trying to save the world while everyone in it tried to kill them.
“You don’t have to answer now,” Anilyia assured him, nestling her head further into his chest. She was now sitting completely in his lap. He hadn’t even realized it.
“It’s a good thing,” Liselle said with a wry grin. “I’m not sure he’s capable of speaking at the moment.”
***
Dinner was excellent and they took turns cleaning up in the pond. The boys were told to go away while the girls bathed. When the boys bathed, the girls stayed and watched. Liselle watched Vevin while the princess stared at Tathan.
The last bit of light was glowing in the western sky as they dried off, dressed and sat down, both leaving their shirts off much to the delight of the ladies. Tathan asked, “Why do you two get to watch us while we take a bath but we have to go away when you do the same?”
“Because you’re boys, we’re girls and that’s the way it is,” Liselle explained as she stoked the dwindling fire.
“What she said,” Anilyia agreed.
“I’m not a boy. I’m a man.” He flexed a toned arm muscle. Anilyia wrapped her arms around it and purred. White scars crossed the suntanned skin in a few places, which the princess began tracing with a fingertip, creating goosebumps on his skin.
Every morning and evening, he would do exercises to stay sharp. He didn’t take out his sword very often as it would upset the ladies. Much of his routine was meditation. Tathan had discovered that his mind was the most important thing to keep sharp. A clear head had enabled him to escape rough jams more than strength, speed or swordplay ever had.
“I know you’re a man,” Liselle admitted. “I never said you weren’t.”
“Yeah, but you keep calling us boys.” Tathan tried to ignore the feelings created by the princess’s fingers running over his chest.
“So?” Liselle raised an eyebrow, suggesting that he was being irrational. She turned to Vevin. “Does it bother you when I say boys?”
Vevin hated when she dragged him into disagreements. “I’m not a boy or a man. I’m a dragon,” he pointed out without answering the question.
Liselle persisted. “Yes, but does it bother you when I call you and Tathan boys?”
“No. I’m a dragon,” Vevin reiterated. “You can call me whatever you like and I’m still a dragon.”
“There you are,” Liselle said conclusively to Tathan. “Vevin has just proven my point.”
Tathan tilted his head. “Huh?”
“I don’t get your logic either.” Anilyia’s fingers made their way down to his abdomen.
“It’s simple. Whether I call Tathan a boy, man or dragon, he is what he is and it shouldn’t matter to him.”
“He’s not a dragon,” Vevin disputed with a frown. “I know that for certain.”
“Yes. I know, dear.” Liselle patted his knee. “It’s just an example.”
“But why would you call him a dragon if he’s not?” Vevin asked in confusion.
“Yeah.” Tathan jumped on the logic, pointing at Vevin. “What he said. I’m not a dragon, so you don’t call me dragon. I’m also not a boy, so you shouldn’t call me a boy.”
“You’re being very silly, Cousin.” Liselle walked to her sleeping roll. “I know you’re a man. Now if you boys are finished with your baths, please clean up the dishes. I’m going to turn in for the night.”
Vevin immediately grabbed the pot to begin cleaning it while Tathan stared incredulously at Liselle’s back. Anilyia had tuned out of the conversation, being more interested in Tathan’s skin and muscles. Tathan helped Vevin clean up, which only took a few minutes. When they were done, Vevin went to lie down with Liselle. Anilyia had stared at Tathan the entire time he was doing dishes. Her gaze aroused him just as much as her touch. She held her hand out for him to go with her.
They walked into the forest a ways. Tathan knew it was dangerous, but didn’t care. He was tense and needed a release. If a monster, tree or carnivorous fairies tried to attack him, they were going to be in for the shock of their lives.
A few minutes later, they came to a glade. Piohray, one of Ryallon’s two moons was full directly above, casting a dim red light. Siahray had yet to rise. Anilyia looked at him yearningly, the moonlight giving her skin an eerie pink cast. Tathan took her in his arms and kissed deeply. She reached her arms around his shoulders and returned the kiss.
It was said that Piohray’s light had an intoxicating effect that aroused passion within lovers. Neither Tathan nor Anilyia said a word as they lay down together in that glade, spending the night making passionate love with no regard to whatever consequences might come of it.
***
The next morning they woke in each other’s arms to the sound of chirping birds. Nothing had disturbed their lovemaking or sleep and light was beginning to appear in the east. Anilyia, stretched out on top of him, smiled as she ran her hand over his chest. He returned the smile and arched his back to work out the kinks from lying on the ground. Dew clung to Anilyia’s hair when Tathan kissed the top of her head. The smell of her platinum locks mingled pleasantly with the wet grass.
She repositioned herself to sit above him and then leaned over and kissed him again. Her lips were warm and soft, bringing pleasure to his. They both had goosebumps from waking up naked in the cool air. Tathan ran his hands up and down the soft skin of her back and sides. Her body was perfect in every way and he couldn’t stop touching it.
They revisited their ardor of the night before, ignoring the audience of squirrels, birds, butterflies and a passing porcupine who wondered what all the noise was about. It figured the two creatures rolling around were best left alone and went about its business.
***
The smell of cooking breakfast greeted them. Liselle didn’t even bother to look up when Tathan and Anilyia came into
camp, although Vevin cheerfully waved at them. Tathan waved back while the princess hid behind him. She followed as he went to get his tunic from the bedroll where he had set it the night before.
They took the plates of food Liselle handed them and sat down to eat. She still made no eye contact. Tathan became uncomfortable with the silence. He pointed at the food on his plate. “Good morning, Cousin. Thank you for breakfast. It’s wonderful.”
“I figured you were so busy disturbing the wildlife that you wouldn’t make it in time,” she replied archly.
Anilyia stood with anger evident on her face. “Don’t you dare judge us, child. We will do as we please and you have no right to treat me or your cousin in such a manner!” She finished with her chin in the air and all the power of her royal heritage portrayed in her stance.
Blue flames flared in Liselle’s eyes, taking over with their hypnotic movement. “You are to be married, yet you wantonly sleep with the first man you come across, and you, Cousin,” she said, pointing at Tathan, “You can’t resist yourself for a little while. You have to steal the pretty treasure the first time Piohray lights her face.”
“You don’t get to make decisions for me, especially not with regards to who shares my bedroom or even my bed . . . or grassy glade,” Tathan retorted. “Isn’t that what you told me? . . . minus the part about the grassy glade.”
The fire dimmed and ghosted behind the irises. She became thoughtful. “What are you talking about?”
“In Puujan, at the White Tree Inn, you told me that I don’t get to make decisions for you, especially not with regards to who shares your bedroom. It was when I told Vevin he couldn’t sleep in your room,” Tathan explained. Liselle nodded as she remembered the conversation. “Now I’m telling you the same thing. It applies to Anilyia too. We’re both adults, older than you I might add.” The flames grew again, but Tathan ignored them. “We’ll make our own decisions regardless of whether or not we are thief and princess.” He crossed his arms. “Your boyfriend is a dragon I might add. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been for me to keep quiet about that fact?”
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