As Amelia got up, the puma jumped down. It ran up to Naatos, flicking its tail back and forth. It butted his leg with its head, continuing to purr. It almost knocked him off balance. So much for animals having innate senses about people.
Amelia set the book aside, startled to see Naatos stroke the cat's head. "You have pets?"
"He's yours." Naatos nudged the puma toward her. "After what happened…I knew how you felt about animals, so I thought it would be more meaningful if I ensured he recovered." The puma circled, then nuzzled Naatos again.
Amelia smiled but then stopped herself. Look at how easily it happens, she thought, both frightened and angry at herself. "I'm glad he's all right. What's his name?" she asked, rubbing the back of her neck.
"He's yours. You'll name him. Now come. You need to eat. And as for you, Cat, go lie down." Naatos pointed toward the hall.
Amelia stepped around the puma. The feline's presence complicated matters and raised more questions. As she passed Naatos, he reached for her hand and drew her alongside him. "When the tailor comes to fit you for your wedding gown this evening, I will have him replace the ruined dresses as well."
"It's not necessary." Between this and the silver puma, why was he trying to be kind now? If he simply planned to overwhelm her later and let his mind crush hers, wouldn't this be a waste of his time? Or maybe he did not intend to do that. Maybe this was a mind game of another kind.
"It doesn't have to be necessary." Naatos guided her to the dining room. The large double doorway leading into the kitchen had been thoroughly blocked off with haphazard boards. WroOth and AaQar were already there, sitting at the table and speaking in quiet tones.
The table and chairs were distinct from the one in the memories WroOth had shown her. This one was an elegantly carved mahogany table with five chairs around it. AaQar sat at the head with WroOth at his left, his back to the kitchen. Another vacant seat was beside WroOth, but no place had been set for it. The other two chairs on AaQar's right did have place settings.
The table was filled with the different platters, and more were on the wooden sideboard against the wall. Fragrant and savory steam seeped out from beneath the lids of the platters. Both WroOth and AaQar rose when she and Naatos entered. The puma padded in behind them.
"You look as if you're feeling better, Amelia," AaQar said.
"A bit. Thank you." Amelia rubbed her hand along the inside of her forearm, trying to work out the uneasiness.
The puma jumped up into the chair at AaQar's right, coiling his tail around his body and sniffing. Naatos arched an eyebrow. "Amelia," he said. "You sit there." He tapped the back of the chair next to his and then gave the puma a firm shove between the shoulders. "Cat, go lie down."
WroOth chuckled. He took a sip from his goblet. "A word of advice, brother. Use a different tone when addressing your wife from the one you use when addressing the family pet."
Well, someone seemed appeared far calmer now. Amelia wondered how much WroOth had retained of her memories. Perhaps she could recover too if Naatos did not intend to overwhelm her.
Naatos shook his head. He pulled the chair out for Amelia and then shoved the puma out of his own. "You went to Ecekom, I presume."
As Naatos took his seat, AaQar motioned for them to begin. There were no attendants present in the room, but the table was filled with enough food and drink to sustain them for quite a while.
"Where else would I go?" WroOth lifted the lid from the nearest platter. Long strips of heavily seasoned meat lay on a woven silver tray. A sharp and spicy scent like cumin and cilantro rose from the dish.
"When will QueQoa be arriving?" Naatos asked. "He is aware of his role as tel avor?"
Amelia frowned, uncertain what that word meant. Somehow she knew it was related to the wedding. But it didn't sound like the Vawtrian equivalent to a best man.
AaQar, Naatos, and WroOth continued to uncover the dishes. Practically all of them were some form of meat entree. One was a large pot pie that smelled as if it had been made with lamb and bacon. Four of the others were various kinds of roasted and seasoned meat while two were cured and dried meats. There were a few loaves of bread as well. Another dish contained vinegar pickled eggs and yet another contained a thick burgundy stew.
"I spoke with him about it at length," WroOth said. "He was honored. Though as usual, he insisted that someone more meaningful should have the honor. Over nine hundred years and he still hasn't taken the point." WroOth speared a few pieces of meat from one of the dishes and handed it to Amelia.
Amelia paused, looking at the platter in surprise. The meat had scales on it. "Is this snake?" she asked.
"It's fen guan." Naatos put one of the pieces on her plate and took three for himself. "You can cut it open and separate out the bones, or you can eat it whole. The bones are not sharp. It's been cooked long enough so they just add crunch."
"It's snake, isn't it," Amelia said. She was almost certain that there was a head at the end of her piece. The puma curled up around her feet.
"Yes," AaQar said. "It doesn't seem to be a common Earth dish based on your literature selections. But it's very flavorful and nutritious. Many Neyeb ate snake, so you shouldn't have an adverse reaction."
"We sometimes had rattlesnake. Python a couple times." Amelia poked at the snake with her fork. Of course, it had never looked like this. It had been in thin strips smothered in pepper gravy and served over biscuits or grilled and deboned. "Do Vawtrians not eat vegetables or fruit?"
"Only on special occasions." Naatos continued to heap the various kinds of meat on his plate. When Amelia did not add more to hers, he added to her plate as well. "Nuts are an exception. We require protein dense foods. Most vegetables and fruits do not possess enough nutritional value or caloric density to warrant consumption. But if you prefer them, I can have the chefs prepare some for you."
"I was just wondering." Amelia pressed his hand back as he started to put more food on her plate. "Thank you, but I think I should probably try to finish this."
"Good." Naatos set the platter down. The serving fork clattered against the metal. "Eat plenty. But I do have something special for you." He nodded toward the sideboard. "We will save that for last as it is a dish that's meant to be savored."
Amelia nodded, uncertain what that meant. Given his nod toward the platter, she was fairly certain it wasn't a euphemism. At least she hoped not. She had promised to do whatever he wanted short of feshtashooning, and that left numerous possibilities.
Conversation continued around the table. AaQar, WroOth, and Naatos discussed Ecekom at great length as well as the welfare of a number of individuals whose names Amelia did not recognize. Some sounded familiar, perhaps because of her mindreading. She tried a few of the meats but slipped most of them to the puma whenever she was certain she wouldn't be seen. Even though she had not eaten all day, she did not feel overly hungry. Perhaps it was the weight that now pressed upon her. Perhaps it was the fen guan, which tasted like over seasoned and gamy chicken. Perhaps it was just everything combined.
"The cadre members can scarcely believe that there is to be a wedding." WroOth refilled his goblet. "It's best that it's hosted in Ecekom. I doubt this temple could withstand the celebration."
"What does it involve?" Amelia asked.
Naatos placed his hand over hers, smiling. "I'll tell you as you're drifting to sleep in my arms."
"Oh." Amelia dropped her gaze back to her plate. She hadn't even given much thought to sleeping arrangements, but this wouldn't do at all.
Being confused and overwhelmed aside, she had had three split heart attacks so far. They had been approximately six hours apart, if her memory served her properly. And after her blunder with the elmis, she couldn't risk giving Naatos any other reason for killing Shon. "I would actually rather sleep on the couch. In the living room."
An awkward tension fell over the room.
Naatos's eyes narrowed. "Why?" He leaned back in the chair, studying her for a moment. "You ar
e my wife. It is inappropriate for you to sleep elsewhere. I may not feshtashoon you, but I had at least planned for you to be at my side. It is the least you could do in honor of your role."
"No one has to know." Amelia poked at the meat on her plate. He could always eviscerate her suggestions by reminding her of her promise, but if she could dig out a little more time… "Our wedding is the day after tomorrow. Wouldn't it be more…special if we waited? Besides, it's an Earth tradition, and it's one that means a great deal to me."
"Well, why don't we just cloister you off by yourself for the next day and a half so it can be even more special." Naatos picked up his goblet, his jaw set. "Oh, except for a certain promise you made earlier."
Amelia's cheeks flushed. She tried to press down the emotions that rose within her, keeping herself calm. "All right…fine." There was no way that she could avoid revealing how severe the split heart was becoming. Six hours from the last attack…how much time did she have left?
"Good," Naatos said, giving her a stern look. "You shouldn't test my patience, viskaro."
WroOth gave Naatos a cold glance. The laughter had left his face. "Don't test mine either."
Naatos stared at WroOth in silence until it became awkward. Neither blinked. "You have an opinion on this, WroOth? I'm surprised, given how well you were doing a moment ago."
"Of course I have an opinion. And maybe it will wear off in time. I'm really not sure where this opinion is coming from." WroOth turned a fork between his fingers, a cold smile pulling at his lips. "But…Amelia may be playing nice about this, but we all know how she really feels about the recommended sleeping arrangements. So take a guess how I feel."
Amelia looked at WroOth with even more surprise. She hadn't expected him to defend her like this. Apparently the connection had not worn off. She folded her hands in her lap. The only other sound in the room was the puma's low rumbling purr, a contradictorily soothing tone given the tension.
"Very well." Naatos shifted his attention back to Amelia. "But we will discuss this later. In private."
Amelia started to respond, but WroOth began laughing. "Oh, Naatos," he said, shaking his head. His smile tightened. "Don't antagonize her." His smile vanished.
"Maybe this conversation would be more comfortable for you if you left," Naatos said.
"That would leave Amelia alone with you." WroOth stuck his fork in the table and sat back in his chair, pressing his hands together.
"Yes. She's my wife. That's to be expected."
AaQar cleared his throat. "Everyone's nerves are tense given all that has happened. The Tue-Rah has been restored. There's an army on its way. We have a wedding to finish. Let's keep this as amicable as possible."
Amelia dropped her gaze back to her plate. Guilt plucked at her. Perhaps I should just get used to it. I'll be betraying someone some way, she thought.
She reached out and placed her fingers over the back of Naatos's hand. "I know what you want from me, but you have to understand that you succeeded in your original goal, which was to terrify me. You were very, very good at that. I would think you should be more worried if it was easy for me to fall into your arms and promise all my love."
Naatos scoffed, but his expression softened. "It does not seem that two days should make such a difference."
"Two days is all you're willing to give me," Amelia said softly. "And it does make a difference…to me. After the ceremony and we're alone…I'll deal with it. I can't promise I'll be excited, but I'll be accepting." She desperately hoped that the Machat and Ayamin would arrive before then. "But it isn't easy for me."
A pang of sadness passed over Naatos's eyes as he looked at her. "Nor is it easy for me."
That sadness splintered into Amelia's heart. She felt it deeply. Pulling her hand back, she returned her attention to her plate.
"Few things in life ever are." AaQar tore a piece from the bread and set it on his plate. "What's been done cannot be undone so do better in the future." He gave Naatos a brief look, then sopped up the gravy with the bread.
It took a while longer for the conversation to return to its previous ease. Even so, Amelia could not feel comfortable. It was easy to see herself becoming accustomed to life with these three. If not for the atrocities, she would have liked them, even dealing with WroOth's unpredictability, AaQar's dourness, and Naatos's severity.
She ate a little more, trying all of the dishes put on her plate. But she missed the satisfying contrasts of tomatoes, lettuce, kale, squash, or any other vegetable. She knew that wasn't the real reason she felt this way. It was just easier to focus on the lack of vegetables than to consider losing herself here.
Within half an hour, all of the former tension seemed to have passed. WroOth told many stories, seeming to regain his full cheer. AaQar also seemed relatively cheerful. Occasionally, Naatos reached over to stroke Amelia's fingers or place his hand on her leg. She didn't push him away. The brothers consumed all of the food on the platters.
The attendants arrived, though Amelia did not hear any bell summoning them. They cleared away the platters from the table and replaced them with the platters from the sideboard. When they started to remove the largest platter, Naatos stopped them. "Leave that there," he said. "And do not uncover it."
Amelia wondered what it could be. As the attendants filed from the room, she sought some clue as to the platter's contents. It didn't even have a distinct scent. "What is it?"
"You will have to wait," Naatos said. From the smile that tugged at his lips, he appeared quite pleased with himself.
Amelia slipped the puma another piece of meat. The puma took it gently and then gulped it down. "When the meal has concluded, may I visit King Theol?" Amelia asked.
"You will need to complete the fitting first," Naatos said. "But if you wish to—"
WroOth cleared his throat. "That won't be possible."
Naatos frowned. "If she wants to see the king, why shouldn't she?"
"Well…" WroOth cleared his throat again and looked up, forcing a smile. "Perhaps because he is no longer here."
"What?" Naatos's expression hardened.
"He was harmless. You can't expect me to abandon my—her father in the dungeons. If we need him again, we will find him. Besides, this is my world. What happens to its people and its leaders is my decision. Alone." WroOth looked away, his posture rigid as he sipped from the goblet. "He was harmless."
Naatos continued to stare at WroOth. "You let him go. Only him."
"King Theol may be a pacifist, and he may be sworn against certain forms of violence, but it is ludicrous to think that he will do nothing." AaQar's eyebrows knit together. "What else have you done, WroOth?"
"I do not like being questioned," WroOth said stiffly. "I did what was in the best interests of my people. And of course he will do something. He'll go right back to his people. I gave him false information on our plans. They will walk right into a trap." He never released Naatos's gaze.
"Really." Naatos let his hand rest on the table. His eyes narrowed.
WroOth broke the stare and looked back at his plate. "All right. Fine. No. But it makes no difference. Unless you keep pushing it."
Naatos shook his head. "Tomorrow will not come soon enough."
"And don't tell me not to do anything else. That's the perfect way to ensure I will do the opposite." WroOth's words sounded strong, but he appeared uncomfortable. He cleared his throat again, his cheeks flushed.
AaQar exchanged glances with Naatos.
The awkwardness intensified. "Does mastery of the Five Forms prevent unintentional Imprinting?" Amelia asked, more to break the tension than because she believed they knew what it was.
Naatos cocked his head. His frown deepened. "You know what the Five Forms are?"
"They were mentioned in a book someone gave me. About the Neyeb." Amelia folded her hands in her lap, twisting her fingers in. "I don't know what they are."
"Few do. The Five Forms were never canonized because they were largely considere
d impractical and overly rigorous, requiring skills that few Neyeb possessed. You have to remember that just as there are levels and stages of shapeshifting and prophecy, there are levels and stages in mindreading," Naatos said. Now that he had turned his attention to her, he appeared more at ease. "But avoiding the Imprinting is simple enough. You just have to relax. If you don't feel under threat and you are not engaged in a deep mindreading experience, then you have nothing to fear. Besides, it takes tremendous strain to bring it on."
"Relax?" Amelia echoed. She choked back a laugh. "I don't think I've relaxed a day in my life."
"One can hardly tell," Naatos said. "It's just a matter of realizing that you are not at risk here. We are not your enemies. You are part of our family. What fears and concerns you have, you must learn to control."
"Explanations may also help," AaQar said. He pushed back from the table and left. He returned a few moments later with several handwritten pages. "These are the responses to some of the questions you asked before, Amelia." He placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "All will be well. You'll see."
"Exposing yourself to what you fear and seeking to actively conquer it will also help," Naatos said. "That is why I recommend that you do spend time with me." He glanced at WroOth for a moment before returning his gaze to Amelia. "But only if you wish to."
"Yes," WroOth muttered. "It's entirely altruistic, isn't it?"
"Speaking of fear," Naatos said, pushing back from the table. "I think it's time for the surprise."
Amelia stiffened. What did fear have to do with what was on that platter?
Naatos walked to the sideboard and then motioned for her to come to him. As she rose, Amelia's nerves tightened. She didn't have a good feeling about this.
AaQar and WroOth joined them. WroOth stood just behind Amelia and AaQar stood to the side.
"All Neyeb naturally fear spiders, but you had worked to eliminate that fear and are to be commended for that. Unfortunately, it is far easier to reinstate a fear than it is to eliminate it. I realize that my attempt to feed you to the hook-fanged spiders likely triggered a regression. And while you should have told me who you were, it does not absolve me entirely. So in light of that, I have had this prepared for you." Naatos lifted the lid from the platter, revealing a beagle-sized hook-fanged spider.
Enemy Known Page 39
