Ashni made sure not to look at the princess. Nakia was probably dying for attention right now, not knowing what to do with herself without an army of people rushing to attend to her. The nickname probably pissed Nakia off more than being ignored. Ashni hoped this would serve to entertain her for a while. Having something fun to do would help her continue on with the drudgery of administrative work.
Nakia hissed. “Don’t call me that.”
“Call you what, kitten? You’re a hellcat, right? Well, a hell-kitten.”
“I have a name and you’d do well to use it.”
“Or else what? You’ll whine me to death. This I’ll have to see. I’ve got time.” Ashni motioned to her work.
Nakia snorted. “It’s not like you’re doing anything, so it doesn’t matter.”
Ashni kept her eyes on her scrolls and sipped more of her tea. “Yeah, I’m definitely not working as hard as you are.”
“You’re just pretending to read, anyway.”
“Better than just reveling in not being able to do it like you Westerners, eh?”
Nakia growled. “You can’t fool me. You don’t know how to read. You’re not working or ruling anything.”
“So, I’m essentially doing the same thing your father is, eh?”
“Don’t talk about my father.” Nakia took a step, but then thought better of it.
Ashni snickered. So, Nakia was brash, but not impulsive. “Because he’s such a kind, loving, and gentle man, right? That’s why he sent you here instead of just giving me my gold.”
Nakia let loose something that was between a scream and a sob. The sound shook Ashni’s insides a little. Maybe the dig at Nakia’s father was a step too far. Glancing up, she saw fire in Nakia’s eyes, but they glistened as well.
“At least my father is a great man who doesn’t get drunk and shoot dice like a common peon,” Nakia said.
Ashni tittered. “Yeah, he loses at higher stakes games. And just so you know, I can do this all day. So, unless you’re in for the long haul, I’d stop while I was ahead if I were you, even though you’re not ahead at all.”
“Well, you’re not me. After all, I’m not some brainless monkey.”
“Nah, just the offspring of one, right?”
Nakia made a frustrated noise and Ashni chortled a bit. The banter would help pass the time and get work done faster. Nakia needed to keep up.
“Better than being the daughter of a demon,” Nakia sniped.
Ashni rubbed her chin in thought. “I don’t know. Demons definitely beat monkeys when it comes to fighting and I think we proved that not too long ago. It’s why you’re here, whining like you get paid for it, right?”
Pure contempt burned in Nakia’s jade eyes. “You had your demon gods on your side.”
“And they obviously beat whatever the hell you Westerners pray to, therefore, they’re superior.”
The little back and forth continued. Servants wandered in and out, taking away scrolls and occasionally bringing new things in. Before Ashni knew it, the pile of documents in front of her had dwindled and then her stomach grumbled.
“Oh, must be lunchtime. Come, you can eat with me,” Ashni said. It’ll be fine. Maybe even funny.
Nakia’s mouth fell open. Ashni chuckled as she stood and stretched. She marched down the dais, walking the few feet to a small alcove where she liked to take meals when she had a moment free of work. The servants had already set up the light meal.
“Bring another seat,” Ashni called.
By the time Nakia was at the table, there was a pillow for her. A servant placed it by Ashni without needing to be told. Ashni flopped down and folded her legs underneath her. Her bangles and charms sang as she sat down.
Nakia settled with more grace, needing to move yards of cloth out of the way before she was fully down. Besides her tunic, Nakia had on a cloak that fell over only one shoulder. Surely, she was hot. Her clothing wasn’t made for desert mornings, or desert days in general. Maybe this was a small rebellion along with her snaps and dirty looks.
Ashni watched with a slight tilt of her head as Nakia shifted a bit, probably trying to adjust her body to the table. Nakia couldn’t be used to sitting up while eating. Ashni tended to try her best to understand other cultures, but she couldn’t put together why Westerners ate reclining. It wasn’t comfortable for her and Nakia seemed uncomfortable sitting up. Nakia curled onto her side as best she could and still be able to see the table. Nakia’s face scrunched a little as she looked at the meal before them. She made no move to eat.
Servants had reported earlier that the grandiose princess of Phyllida hadn’t touched her breakfast. It seemed Nakia had no plans to adjust to the food here, just like she had no plans to change her style of dress. Maybe she knew her father would gather his tribute quickly and she wouldn’t need to assimilate. Or, Nakia was a spoiled brat. Ashni, even though she was terrible at gambling, would bet everything it was the latter.
Ashni made a show of looking around. “Well, I guess you’ll have to pour for both of us.”
“What?” Nakia jumped up and glowered down at her. “You have all these servants around here and you invite me to your table and then treat me like some slave.”
Ashni tilted her head as she regarded Nakia. She gathered an apple slice and bit it, enjoying the sweet taste as soon as it touched her tongue. “If that’s the case, get away from my table.”
Nakia squinted, causing her face to scrunch up. Her offense was almost adorable. “What?”
“If that’s the case, get away from my table.” Ashni picked up another apple and dipped into some honey.
Nakia’s eyes blazed as her face turned red. It was so notable on her fair complexion that Ashni almost laughed aloud. Nakia was frozen, like she didn’t know what to do. While Nakia tried to figure out how to react, Ashni grabbed some honeyed bread and enjoyed it. Collecting her cup, she tipped it toward Nakia, who was still stuck with indignation. A second passed and nothing happened. After another second Nakia stood and poured, just as she had last night. Ashni chuckled.
Yes, Nakia seemed to have more bark than bite, but that was fine. Barking could be just as fun as biting. Nakia didn’t sit with her again. She could understand that.
“You don’t want any lunch?” Ashni asked.
Nakia sneered. “It’s all garbage, anyway. You eat garbage, like pigs.”
“No, we eat Westerners like pigs. I’m sure you noticed.”
Nakia’s face twitched into a scowl. “I noticed you’re nothing but pigs and you’ll be gutted like them eventually.”
“By whom? The men we ran through like the rats they were or the cowards looking to pay us off like your dear dad?”
Nakia grimaced. She was easy to wound with remarks about her father. Sighing, Ashni turned back to the food when Nakia didn’t say anything else.
Ashni went back to work after lunch and wasn’t surprised when Layla showed up. Layla was probably a spider in a past life. She hung barely a foot above Ashni, waiting for acknowledgment. Ashni had tested this once and went on working and Layla had hung from the high ceiling for the whole day, no food, no water, no sound.
“If you’re going to be here, what if you actually helped?” Ashni glanced upward.
“What if you stopped doing this work and put in some real work?” Layla countered, dropping onto the throne next to Ashni.
“I don’t have time for that until Adira can find her way from underneath Saniyah.” There were many other things she would rather do than read reports and hear from nobles, but the kingdom would not run itself.
“Do you really think she wants to?” Layla gathered some papers. “Of course, this is Adira we’re talking about. She’s probably trying to sneak out right now, eh?”
Ashni shook her head. “Crazy bitch.” Adira probably was doing her best to get from beneath her spouse. “Speaking of spouses, where’s yours?”
“Passed out in bed. He dared to try to drink with me. Well, not just with me, but from
the same jar.” Layla snickered.
Ashni shook her head. Naren should have known better. Layla drank pure wine, the same as she. Most needed to dilute their wine during a night of drinking. “Dare I ask why he tried to drink with you?”
A tiny smile and blush settled on Layla’s face as she shrugged. “He thought it would be fun. I’m sure it was at the time, but now, he’s certainly feeling the effects.”
“He’s an idiot. Why did I permit you to marry this moron again?”
Layla laughed again. “It’s funny you think you permitted a damn thing.”
***
Nakia watched the Queen interact with her sister and wasn’t sure what to make of it. She had sisters of her own and would never call them friends. Adding to it was the ease with which Layla situated herself on the throne, sharing it with the ruler of the country as if it was normal. This was something beyond anything she could think of.
Nakia knew her father would never allow anyone near his throne, not even her own mother. The throne, the dais, the entire area was only for the ruler. Yet, Layla moved around as if it were her own and the Queen didn’t seem to care. In fact, the wideness of the throne suggested the Queen might have changed it just to hold more than one body. But, Nakia might be giving these savages too much credit since the throne wasn’t a chair as it should be, but a nest of some sort with pillows piled inside of it. Well, she assumed it was a nest because of the spread golden bird wings making up the back of the throne.
“Do you always act like a monkey?” Nakia snapped, cutting her eyes at the line still dangling from the ceiling.
“I dunno. Do you always act like an ass?” Layla replied. She reached up, grabbed her wire, and gave it a yank. It untangled itself from whatever it was connected to and wrapped up in her hand. She attached it to her belt.
Maybe Layla was Ashni, as she had heard Layla claim at the party. It was unnerving, but Nakia shook it off. No way would she allow someone as young and as slight as she was get the better of her.
“You’re the animal here,” Nakia said.
“Really? It’s funny because I swore I saw a tail and donkey ears on your father.” Layla kept her eyes on the documents before her. She passed one to the Queen and pointed to something. The Queen frowned as she stared at it, shook her head, and put it to the side.
Nakia managed to hold in a wince, but was thrown for a moment, not expecting such a quick retort or the dismissive manner Layla used. “I think that was your husband.”
“Nah, from the smell, I’m certain it was your dad. Probably you, too.” Layla twisted her face up.
“At least I bathe.”
Layla didn’t look up. “Once a year, like all Westerners, right?”
“We’re not filthy mongrels like you.”
“No, actually filthy mongrel losers, right?”
Nakia gritted her teeth to the point she feared she might shatter them, but couldn’t muster a comeback. Her thoughts were thrown off as the Queen caressed the top of Layla’s head, and turned her attention to another document. The touch was so gentle. Nakia closed her eyes briefly and shook her head, certain she imagined the scene. Layla groaned.
“Who didn’t handle that?” Layla pointed to the report.
“I think Foma was too busy stealing from the kingdom to worry about the blight,” the Queen answered.
“I’ll summon the doctors, surgeons, and such. I guess we need some people over there cleaning up, too. I’ll have my mother take charge to make sure this is handled properly and quickly, so no one else dies.”
Ashni waved her off. A servant rushed over while Layla picked up a reed to pen something. Nakia didn’t have a good angle to see what it was and she didn’t want to risk them assuming she was interested, so she didn’t change her position. But, she was hard pressed to believe Layla could write, for writing was a sign of civility and culture. As soon as Layla was done, she sealed the note with her signet ring and handed the message to the servant, who hurried away.
Did Layla really wield as much power as the Queen? No one in all of Phyllida had the same power as my father. She heard enough tales and secreted herself away to eavesdrop enough to know how her father conducted his affairs. He had a counsel but in the end, he did what he thought was best. He never passed documents along to anyone, never let others give the orders, never allowed anyone to seal his documents, and never allowed others around him as he worked.
Nakia was certain her father never got through so much in one sitting either, but she was never afforded the chance to observe him for an entire day. Even when she sneaked around, she’d never seen her father work so much. The sisters were like a machine, but still savages nonetheless. After all, who allowed women to rule over them like this?
Chapter Five
WORK WAS DULL. ASHNI understood why her father never got into the administrative part of ruling. It was like the decrees always needed to be cried, reports always needed to be given and responded to, officials always needed to be handled and soothed, and even though there were people beneath her to handle things, tons of matters still made it to her. Conquest beat this every day of the week, hands down.
“Are you drinking my tea?” Ashni asked Layla, who shared the throne with her once more. Layla had a cup to her mouth that Ashni was certain was hers.
“And if I am? Are you willing to fight me over it?” Layla asked with an arched eyebrow and a sparkle in her sepia eyes.
Sighing, Ashni rolled her eyes. “Are you trying to pick a fight? This isn’t a very subtle way to do it.”
“I don’t have to be subtle with you. Days of sitting here doing this has only put a lump on my butt and a cramp in my hand.” Layla shook her hands out and then cracked her knuckles.
“Well, where’s your spouse? You think I like sharing this already limited amount of space with you? Your elbows are pointy. Plus, you’re whiny and I get enough of that from that one of over there.” Ashni jabbed her thumb at Nakia, who stood by the throne, ready to pour wine if necessary.
“Hey!” The two princesses glared at her and then at each other.
Ashni chortled. Was this what happened when Layla spent time with someone her own age? Yes, she had her spouse, but that was extent of her time with someone her own age and that relationship was obviously quite different than this situation.
“Anyway, where is your spouse? You could spar with him and stop whining to me about fighting.” Ashni would love to be able to go and burn off some of Layla’s energy, but she had other things to do. She had to be responsible—for a little while anyway.
Layla dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. “He’s at the races with his friends.”
Ashni nodded. Racing in any form didn’t hold her or Layla’s attention, but was a popular pastime in the empire. For now, Layla was stuck with her doing administrative work. Until their salvation arrived. Adira staggered into the throne room. She leaned slightly to the left, as if she needed support to stand upright. There was a glow about her that had nothing to do with the glint of gold jewelry or the white of her robes.
Ashni howled at the sight. “By the Heavens, you can still walk?” She was genuinely surprised.
Adira grunted and flung her hand in Ashni’s direction. “To Hell with you. I was carried here.”
“I can believe it.” Ashni clapped her hands and rubbed her palms together. “Well, you’re here. You got this.” She motioned to the papers around her. There were no pressing meetings for her to tend to, so it was safe to escape for a while. “The Princess and I are going to go bond.”
Adira dismissed the sisters with a tilt of the head. Ashni wasted no time jumping up from the throne. Layla squawked as she fell over. Chuckling, Ashni moved down the dais while Layla righted herself. Servants rushed over, bringing pillows for Adira to sit on at the foot of the platform. They moved the work within arm’s reach for her.
“Your spouse isn’t going to come looking for you, is she?” Ashni asked, stretching her arms.
Adir
a rubbed the bridge of her nose with a single finger. “Uh…it’s a huge possibility. She got called away for work and doesn’t know I left.”
“Well, Princess, you hear that. We might have a limited amount of time, so let’s get going.” Ashni marched off with Layla following her. She barely made it a few steps before pausing and turning to look back. “Princess Nakia,” Ashni purred. Nakia stiffened. “Come.”
Nakia scowled, but did as she was told. Ashni snickered and continued on with the two princesses trailing behind her. Layla settled by her side while Nakia fell behind. Ashni glanced at Nakia to find her looking around the palace as they moved.
***
Nakia wasn’t sure why she was accompanying the Queen and her sister. Maybe it was because she was expected to be with the Queen. Or maybe it was because this was uncharted territory and she needed something familiar, even if it was the savage queen. She would take anything as long as it kept her from thinking about being afraid. She shook that thought away and distracted herself by taking in the sights.
The palace was so unlike the one she lived in. There were no carved columns or delicately cut pillars. Not in the sense she was used to, like the ones in her home. Instead, the support beams had pictures painted on them, showing different scenes, some battles, some celebrations, some hunting, and some outdoor scenes. It was like they told a story, one she didn’t know and didn’t care to know.
Servants milled about, not giving them a glance. Most of the servants weren’t working. The servants here had a lot of downtime. It didn’t seem to bother anyone that they weren’t working. The Queen nor her sister said anything to anyone idling.
Children ran about the place as if they were in a playland and the Queen didn’t seem to be irritated. Layla mussed several heads as the children ran by, stabbing at each other with wooden swords. The Queen paused occasionally to pretend to fight with a couple of small children who didn’t seem to know who she was. They giggled and the Queen grinned, eyes lighting up like the sun they were colored after. Nakia had never seen anything like this. Her father wouldn’t tolerate his own children coming to play with him. She shuddered to think what he would do should anyone else’s children try to engage him.
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