Tiger's Voyage

by Colleen Houck

  Kishan blinked his eyes open a few times, and they began to tear. I gasped involuntarily when I saw that his once beautiful golden eyes were now completely black and, as we watched, small flames began to dance and build in them. He blinked again, and the flames disappeared. I covered my mouth to choke back a sob.

  “What?” He turned his head toward me. “What is it, Kelsey? Don’t weep.”

  I cleared my throat, dashed my thumbs over my cheeks, and knelt beside him, taking his hands in mine. “It’s nothing. Just stress. Do you want anything? Are you hungry?”

  “I could use a little something.” He took my hand. “Will you stay with me though?”

  “Of course.”

  Nilima rose. “I will get the Fruit.”

  “Does it hurt?” Mr. Kadam asked.

  Kishan shook his head. “Not anymore. It’s odd not being able to see anything, but there’s no pain.”

  “Good. I will have Nilima get us under way, and then I will do some research on this. Perhaps it would be wise for all of you to rest. You will stay with him, Miss Kelsey?”

  “Yes.”

  “Make sure he eats, rests, and drinks plenty of liquid. He feels a bit warm to me.” Mr. Kadam smiled. “Well, warmer than usual, I mean.”

  I nodded. “I’ll take good care of him.”

  “I’m sure you will. Notify me immediately if his situation changes.”

  Mr. Kadam left, and Nilima returned with the Fruit. Kishan said he was tired and would eat later, but I managed to get him to drink a glass of apple juice while I tugged off his boots. He pulled the doublet and tunic over his head, and I drew the covers over him but he shoved the blankets off and searched for my hand.

  He wanted me near him, so I sat against the headboard and put a pillow in my lap. He lay down on the pillow and I covered him with his blanket and stroked his hair. Kishan wrapped an arm around my waist as I hummed a lullaby my mother used to sing. Finally, the lids closed over his fiery eyes, and he slept at last.

  Quietly studying his handsome face, I stroked his brow and listened to his rhythmic breathing. Hearing a noise, I looked up. Ren stood in the door, watching me with a sober expression. He didn’t say anything. Kishan shifted in his sleep, moved the pillow, and cushioned his head on my thigh instead. I adjusted the quilt over his shoulders, and he settled again.

  When I looked up, Ren was gone. I held Kishan for another hour, spending the time thinking about what had happened. When I tried to leave, Kishan reached out in his sleep, pulled my arm across his chest, and held on to me. Eventually, I slept too, overcome by the experience of the green dragon’s island.

  I woke with stiff, sore muscles some hours later and managed to maneuver myself away from the heavy sleeping form of Kishan. Still wearing my princess dress, I headed through the connecting door to my own room, showered, and changed. Shampooing through my knee-length hair took a long time, but brushing through it took even longer. I dressed, checked on Kishan, and grabbing a pair of scissors, went in search of Nilima.

  I found her and Mr. Kadam in the wheelhouse. As Nilima prepared to shear my overly long locks, Mr. Kadam told me about the research he’d done on blindness and mythology.

  “One of the Pleiades named Merope had a son named Glaucus who was blind. The term glaukos means “bluish green or gray,” and from that word, we get glaucoma. Meropia is a physical condition of partial blindness. Another Greek oracle, Tiresisas, was blinded by the gods for either seeing them or disclosing their secrets. The three sisters, sometimes called the three spinners of destiny, or the Moirae, shared an eye among them—an all-seeing eye, it was called.”

  “I remember them. Hold on a second. Nilima,” I pulled a lock of my now waist-length hair over my shoulder and frowned at it. “I think I want it shorter than that.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Kelsey. I was given specific instructions to cut it no shorter than waist length.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yes. Ren threatened to fire me, and technically, he has the right.”

  “He won’t fire you. He’s bluffing.”

  “Still, he seemed very serious.”

  “Fine. I’ll just cut it myself later.”

  “No, you won’t.” I turned at the sound of the threatening male voice. Ren leaned against the doorway with his arms folded across his chest. “I’ll throw all the scissors into the ocean.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll figure something else out. Maybe I’ll use the chakram. You wouldn’t dare throw that into the sea.”

  “Try it. You’ll have to deal with the consequences, and you won’t like them.”

  I frowned at the stubborn expression on his face until Nilima turned my head and began snipping again.

  “Shall I go on?” Mr. Kadam asked.

  “Please,” I said, tight-lipped.

  “There’s also Phineas, who was punished for revealing too much about the gods. He was blinded and put on an island with a buffet full of food he could never touch.”

  “I remember him,” I said. “Jason and the Argonauts saved him. They fought the harpies so he could eat, and then he told them how to get through the Clashing Rocks at Bosphorus.”

  “Correct. Polyphemus was the cannibalistic Cyclops blinded by Odysseus. I can’t see a connection with that story, but I thought I’d mention it. Then there was Oedipus, who took his own eyes after discovering he’d fulfilled the words of the oracle in marrying his own mother. He found her dead after she committed suicide and gouged out his eyes with pins.”

  Acerbically, Ren said, “Perhaps taking a woman belonging to another would apply.”

  “First of all, Mr. Subtle, Kishan didn’t take me anywhere I wasn’t willing to go. Secondly, I don’t believe Laius told his wife to get lost. And thirdly, I don’t think the story of Oedipus has anything to do with this!” I spat hotly. “The obvious theme here, which you could figure out if you could control the green-eyed monster currently inhabiting your body, is prophecies and oracles.”

  Mr. Kadam cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I would tend to agree with you, Miss Kelsey.”

  I smirked at Ren, who sighed deeply and said, “So you think Kishan is supposed to become some kind of an oracle? That he’ll lead us to the fourth dragon?”

  “Only time will tell.” Mr. Kadam rose. “Perhaps I will go check on him now.”

  “He was sleeping when I left,” I added as he made a hasty exit.

  Ren accused, “Yes. You’ve been the best of nursemaids. Offering him the softest of pillows to rest his weary head on.”

  “Umm … perhaps I will go with Grandfather,” Nilima said. She set down the scissors, looked at my expression, and then changed her mind and took them with her. She quickly slid between Ren and the door, making her escape.

  I pulled a rubber band out of my pocket and began braiding my hair. “Has anyone ever told you, you sound petty when you’re jealous?”

  “Do you think I care what I sound like?”

  “Obviously you don’t.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. And yes, I’ll admit, I am jealous. I’m jealous of every minute you spend with him, of every concerned expression you send his way, of every tear shed, of every glance, every touch, and every thought. I want to rip him to pieces and purge him from your mind and from your heart. But I can’t.”

  I swiveled in the chair, stood, and tossed my braid over my shoulder. “Kishan needs me right now, and I’m sorry if you can’t accept that.”

  He took a step closer. “Kishan isn’t the only one who needs you, Kelsey.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Maybe not. But his need is more immediate.”

  “For now. But the fuse is lit. You can run all you want to, but you leave a trail of gunpowder in your wake. There’s going to be a reckoning eventually.” He took another step forward and cupped my chin, tilting my head up until I looked in his eyes. “You should know that I was there in the dragon’s lair too. I was in that foggy dream world with you. I heard your secret confessions. I know the innermost f
eelings of your heart. You will never belong to him. You belong to me, and it’s about time you came to terms with that.”

  I bit my lip and stewed. He had a point, but I was irritated. “It’s very bold to assume that I belong to you. I’m not some slave girl or some bartered bride you can buy from her father. There’s no contract governing my affections. I make my own decisions. I’m my own person, and I belong to who I want to belong to, for as long as I want to. Don’t ever presume that you have the right to do with me what you will. Just because you’re a prince, doesn’t make me your subject. So get off your high and mighty horse, your highness, and find some other girl to intimidate into submission.”

  We stood toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose. I was breathing hard. His eyes narrowed and then darted down to my lips. He smiled dangerously.

  “‘Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made for kissing, lady, not for such contempt.’”

  I was about to protest when he yanked me against him and crushed his lips against mine. I ineffectually pushed against his chest as his lips bruised my mouth. He held me in an inescapable grip. He found my hands and trapped them at my sides so I couldn’t flail against him any longer. I tried to kick him, but he adjusted his stance so I had no leverage. He bit my lip softly, and then instead of trying to escape, I moaned and kissed him back feverishly. He took my braid in his hand, wrapped it several times around his wrist, and yanked my head back to deepen the kiss. It hurt but in a very … good … way.

  When he finally raised his head, he smirked.

  I gasped for air and narrowed my eyes. “If you even think of saying that was enlightening, I’m going to blast you overboard.”

  He ran his fingertips gently over my swollen bottom lip, smiled, and nudged me toward the door. “Go. Take care of Kishan.”

  Confused, I stepped through the door.

  “And, Kelsey—”

  I turned. “What?” I asked impatiently.

  “I’m serious about the hair.”

  I screeched in disgust and stomped off, ignoring his soft laugh. I muttered all the way down the stairs. Imperious, smug, too-enticing-for-his-own-good alley cat! Thinks he can put his paws all over me. Strong-arm me to get what he wants. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms where I could still feel the pressure of his grip and ran a finger across a stilltingling lip. Bully. Might as well throw me over his shoulder and make off with me like some pirate stealing a wench.

  I suddenly imagined a long-haired Ren dressed as a swashbuckler— tall black boots, a white shirt with laces open at the throat, and a red cape. He’d be brandishing a sword and stalking slowly toward me, pinning me against the railing. While I’d be helpless, in a torn gown, with a heaving bosom and … sheesh! Obviously I’ve read too many of Mom’s romance novels. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and was scowling when I entered Kishan’s room.

  “Kells? Is that you?”

  I sighed and slapped a smile on my face though he couldn’t see it. “Yes. It’s me. How are you feeling?”

  “Better.”

  Nilima sat next to him. “He wouldn’t eat until you came,” she said.

  “He’s a pretty stubborn cat. Okay. I’m here now. What’s on the menu?”

  “Soup.”

  “Soup? You never eat soup. What’s the special occasion?”

  Kishan grinned. “You hand-feeding me is the special occasion. I’m just helpless without you.”

  “Uh huh,” I laughed. “I’ll bet. You’re going to milk this for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”

  He sat back and put his hands behind his head. “You know it. How often does a guy get to be served by a beautiful girl who feels great empathy for him and would do almost anything to help him feel better?”

  “Almost being the key word there. And as for beauty, your judgment is impaired.”

  He reached for my hand. When I put it in his outstretched one, he tentatively ran his up my arm until he touched my cheek. “You’re always beautiful.”

  “Flattery won’t keep me from spilling your dinner into your lap. Fine. I’ll spoon-feed you, but not soup. You need something heartier. How about stew and grilled cheese?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Nilima winked at me and left as I used the Fruit to make his meal. Between bites of potato, carrot, and roasted lamb, he asked, “Are we under way yet?”

  “We’re away from the island, but we haven’t figured out where to go.”

  He grunted and sipped from the cup I held for him.

  “Did Mr. Kadam come down to talk with you?” I asked.

  “Yes. He told me all about the theory that I will be an oracle of some kind. I don’t feel any different though.”

  “Hmm. Well, until we know where to go, I guess we’ll just stay where we are.” I set down the empty bowl and dabbed his lip with a napkin.

  He took my hand, pulled me onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around me. “I just wanted to tell you, it’s okay, Kells.”

  “What’s okay?” I mumbled in his shirt.

  “We are. I mean, I’m not mad. If I was in Ren’s shoes, I would have tried to kiss you too. It’s not your fault.”

  “Oh. Well … that’s not exactly—”

  “Shh. It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to tell me. The important thing is … you’re with me now.”

  “I really think we need to talk about what happened at some point.”

  “We will, but let’s just focus on Durga’s Necklace for now. Everything’s going to work out okay. I feel it.” He smiled. “Hey, maybe that oracle thing’s starting to work for me.”

  “Oh, yeah?” I laughed quietly. “Well, it looks good on you.”

  “Thank you.” He ran a hand up my back and kneaded my shoulder.

  I let out a pent-up breath and let him rub my shoulders for a while. “Have I told you lately that you’re just too good for me?”

  He laughed and said nothing but pressed a kiss on my forehead and stared at the wall with his black eyes. I rested against him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

  I spent the rest of the day with Kishan, taking care of him. We walked the deck, I read to him, and even fed him grapes as he teased me about being his harem girl, but we didn’t speak about the green dragon’s island. I also avoided looking into his black eyes because I feared that if he looked closer he would see into my soul and find out that my heart had betrayed him.

  I felt immensely guilty over my relationship with both brothers. Ren knew how to push my buttons well enough that I could shove the feelings to the back of my mind, but Kishan was so patient and sweet, the guilt rose up until my heart was swallowed in billows as black as his sightless orbs. That evening I told him the stories of the blind oracles and began to cry quietly, but he just held me and wiped away the tears until I fell asleep.

  When I awoke, Ren was carrying me to my own room.

  At first, I snuggled against him, felt him press his lips against my cheek, and all was right with the world. Then I became semiconscious. “What are you doing?” I hissed.

  “There is no need for you to be sleeping in his room. I’ll watch over him tonight, and you can sleep in your own bed.”

  “Put me down,” I whispered angrily. “You’re not in charge of my life. Kishan happens to be my boyfriend, and he’s sick. If I want to stay in his room, I will.”

  “You … will … not.”

  He kissed me briefly and hard and dropped me on the bed. I started to get up but he turned around, crossed his arms, and gave me a look that made me freeze.

  “Kelsey … if you get out of that bed I will have to do something drastic, and you won’t like it. So don’t tempt me.”

  He shut the door softly behind him, and I threw a pillow at it just to make a point. I stewed for an hour until I was finally able to drift off again, this time with a smile on my face as I imagined using the Scarf to dangle Ren in front of the kraken, but then in my dream I became the kraken and wrapped my tentacles around him, pulled him into my eternal purple embrace, and
stole away with him to a murky cavern in the depths of the ocean.

  After I shook off the effects of my dream the next morning, I checked on Kishan. Quietly, I peeked in and saw Ren ordering his breakfast. He handed the plate to Kishan with a fork, told him where everything was, and then sat back and picked up a book of poetry. I opened the door wider, and they both looked up—Kishan moving his face toward the sound of the door.

  Kishan sat up and patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Kelsey? Want to help me out with breakfast?”

  “You were eating just fine before she came in. She’s not a nurse, and you’re not an invalid,” Ren spat out.

  I glared. “Stop being a jerk. If he wants me to help him, I will.”

  “No. If he needs help, I’ll do it!”

  Ren yanked the plate of food away from Kishan and started shoving forkfuls of eggs into his brother’s mouth.

  “Hey! She’s a lot more gentle,” he choked out between bites. “And she doesn’t spill cold, wet stuff into my lap!” Kishan picked up something and mashed it between his fingers. “What is it?”

  I laughed despite my anger with Ren. “It’s fruit. Looks like pineapple.”

  “Oh.” Kishan scooped up the pieces and flicked them toward Ren, who smacked his brother upside the head in retaliation. “Did you sleep well?”

  I smirked at Ren before answering. “Yes. I dreamed I fed Ren to the kraken.”

  A grinning Kishan said, “Good.”

  Then Ren shoved a giant forkful of fruit into Kishan’s mouth, and he started coughing.

  “Now look what you’ve done,” I accused. I approached Kishan, sat next to him, and smoothed back his mussed hair. Kishan stopped coughing, reached out for my hand and kissed it warmly.

  “There’s my girl. I missed you, bilauta. Did you sleep better in your own bed?”

  “Well, actually—”

  “Here,” Ren growled and shoved the plate back into Kishan’s hands. “Finish it yourself. Kelsey and I need to talk about something. We’ll be right back.”