by Andrea Ring
I had hoped by now to have more power than the simple ability to maintain proper body temperature, but I’m still limited. I cannot see the future or the past as Shiva does. So I had to find a way to worm myself into Aaliyah’s life.
And it was easy. She needs an escort to the royal wedding. Thank the gods she cannot swim and refuses to travel by boat — my skills as a sailor have never been tested. But I can certainly ride a horse and keep a lady safe on a trip through the Fangs. I know the Fangs better than any man who has ever lived.
The rear door of the brothel opens, and Aaliyah steps out, wrapped in furs from head to toe.
“You are Manu?” she asks me.
I bow low. “I am, my lady. Thank you for honoring me with the task of escorting your person to the royal wedding.”
“You come highly recommended,” she says, “but I’d never heard of you. How is that?”
“I spend most of my time in the Fangs, where I was born. I seldom venture to the cities. But since I was going to the wedding anyway, I figured I’d make a bit of coin in the bargain.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” she says. “Speak plainly. How do my associates know you?”
“They have ventured into my territory, for one reason or another. I assure you, if you’d ever set foot in the mountains, you would know me.”
“I will pay nothing more than one gold piece now. The rest will be given on my safe delivery to the palace.”
“Keep your gold,” I say. “You may pay in full when my job is done.”
“And you know I do not have the gold on me. I will visit my associates in Indrapur to get the coin.”
“Whatever suits you, my lady.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Must I put up with you being this accommodating for the entire trip? I dare say it will grow tiresome.”
I laugh. “They told me you were a harpy, but I think they were being polite.”
She stares at me hard.
And then she bursts out with a laugh.
“You and I will get along, Manu,” she says. “As long as you continue to be honest with me.”
I take her by the elbow and steer her to her horse. I put my hands about her waist and lift her into the saddle.
She gasps. “You’re a strong one.”
I smile and take her bags from her. “Isn’t that what you’re paying me for?”
Aaliyah tips her head at me. “Indeed.”
XVIII. TANAYA
It’s only midday, and I’m exhausted.
I push through the flap of my tent and find Anjali half naked on my bed, Devan sucking on her tit like a newborn babe.
“Really?”
Devan startles and moves to cover my sister, but she pushes him out of the way, heedless of her bare breasts.
“We were just having some fun,” she says.
I sigh. “Devan, you’re supposed to be milking the females. I mean, the dragons.”
He ducks his head with a grin. “Sorry. I’ll go.”
“Come back when you’re done,” Anjali says. “Tanaya always works late.”
He starts to nod but notices my death stare. He hustles out of the tent.
“I didn’t allow you to come here so you could be the camp prostitute,” I say.
Anjali looks indignant. “I’m not a whore. And you don’t allow me to do anything. I make my own decisions.”
“How about at least using your own bed rather than gooing up mine?”
“We didn’t do anything,” she says with a scowl. “I came here to see if you’d have a meal with me, and then Devan came looking for you…I didn’t plan it.”
I lower myself to a stool. “I know you’re depressed about Kai’s betrothal, but sullying yourself won’t help.”
“What would you know about it?” she asks. “You’ve never been in love.”
“Fine. As you said, you make your own decisions. Just don’t make them where I have to watch.”
Anjali finally decides to cover herself. She pulls her tunic over her head. “I thought I’d forget about him up here. I thought the dragons would distract me, but they actually remind me of him. Why is that?”
I pull off my boots. “Because when your heart aches, he’s all you can see. Doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing. It takes time for the heart to heal.”
Anjali narrows her eyes at me. “You say that like you’ve been there. You have been in love.”
I wiggle my toes, trying to work some feeling back into my throbbing feet. “I’m five cycles older than you, Anj. You think you’ve been through more than I have?”
She squirms on my bed and tucks her legs underneath her. “You never said anything. You’ve only been courted by…you mean, you really loved him?”
I nod.
She bites her lip. “But you left him, didn’t you? Are you over him? What happened?”
“He wanted to wait. He wasn’t ready to be married. So yes, I left.”
“He’s not married. He’s not even courted anyone since.”
“No.”
“And you’re not married,” Anjali deftly points out. “So there’s still a chance.”
“No,” I say again. “Once I got some distance, I realized how different we are. I’m much more physical than he is, and he’s more cerebral. I probably would have been bored to death if we’d married.”
“You still love him,” she says. “I can tell.”
I shrug. “Doesn’t mean it’s good for me.”
“I thought all love was good.”
I think about him, and my heart pangs. “Definitely not.”
***
I get Anjali back to her duties and take a light meal. A runner pokes his head in my tent.
“Messages from Indrapur,” he says, handing me two.
The first is from Mother. She’s dying to come visit, but she won’t leave Father alone. She asks me to send her details about everything from the way the dragons look, to how they communicate, to how camp is set up, to our training schedule.
I feel a bit guilty. My mother would cut off her right tit to ride a dragon. And she’d probably be better at it than half the men here. She’s the only reason I even got this incredible chance. If she were even ten cycles younger, she’d be out here helping me.
She also insists that I keep an eye on Anjali and include her in the festivities, as she’s been holed up in her bedroom this entire cycle in mourning for Kai.
Festivities? Am I throwing parties out here? Honestly. And clearly she doesn’t know Anjali, who is having no problem joining in the fun.
I’ll write her a long letter tonight.
The next message is from Father.
Hope you are well, daughter, and that the training is proceeding at an acceptable pace. King Jagir has given a two-week deadline for your arrival in Indrapur. I expect you to arrive sooner. Father
Two weeks? Is he crazy? I could spend two moons and not have the thunder battle-ready. I’d like to see them try to tame the will of a creature that wields more magic in its toenail than most people have in their entire bodies. The deadline is simply not doable.
I pen a quick reply:
Father, while I respect King Jagir and the goals of our efforts, I cannot meet the two-week deadline. One moon, no less. Tanaya
I summon a runner and send the message.
I shove my feet back into my boots.
Then I stand and pull my tunic up, carefully unwrap the dressing, and examine the burn across my torso. The youngest male is a bear — mean and nasty and not afraid to singe every hair off my head, even when my magic pains him to do so.
Three days old, and it’s still bleeding in places. And the smell — it’s gone from grilled Tanaya to rotten garbage.
I smear two fingerfuls of ointment across the burn and mumble a prayer.
Thank the gods I can hide the burn. I know a need a healer, but as long as I’m standing upright, I’ll take care of it myself.
I can only imagine what my father woul
d do if he knew I’m now damaged goods.
XIX. HAADY
I arrive in Indrapur as the sun begins to set. The marketplace is beginning to shut down for the night, though evening cooking smells still waft through the air. My stomach growls, but I can eat when I’m dead.
I head straight for the palace.
I bow low to the guards and hand them the scroll of parchment tucked up my sleeve.
It’s a note I wrote during my stay at the temple in Dabani, detailing my role as Lord Parsa’s emissary and stand-in at the royal wedding.
The guards alert the palace steward, who examines my note and then examines me.
“Have you no bags?” he asks.
“I was robbed on the way here,” I say. “I’m lucky I still have that note.”
He narrows his eyes. “When did you land? What ship did you arrive on?”
“I’ve actually been stuck in Dabani since last winter. I was delivering messages to my lord’s family there when the travel ban was decreed. If not for the wedding, I’d be on a ship home now.”
The steward nods. “I’ll have someone show you to a room. And we can provide a few items of clothing.”
“You are most gracious, my lord,” I say with another deep bow. “I also believe my lord’s niece is ensconced in the palace. Her name is Saphala Parsa. I have a message for her, if you could direct me to her.”
He flips through several pages of parchment in his hands. “Yes, she’s here. In the nobles’ wings. We’ve been taking excellent care of her, and I hope you relay that to Lord Parsa.”
He instructs a servant to show me inside. “Indeed. He and I thank you again most sincerely. Good night.”
***
I get settled in a decent room, take a bath, and feel human again.
I’m in a wing well away from Saphala, and that’s for the best until I can figure out a plan.
I stretch out on my bed and put my hands beneath my head. What to do?
If I take care of Saphala in the palace, and if I am caught, I am dead. And not only will I die, but I’ll embarrass and defame Lord Parsa in the bargain. Is justice worth that?
No.
I don’t mind dying — I’m dying anyway — but I refuse to sully my lord’s good name.
So I cannot be caught.
As satisfying as slitting her throat would be, perhaps I can out her as a liar, as a fraud. But how to do it without incriminating Lord Parsa?
I’ve never been much of a planner. But I’m pretty good at making up stories on the spot.
I need to gain an audience with this Nilaruna.
XX. FAARIS
“Mita’s not the assassin?” I say. “But that means—”
“The assassin is still here,” Manoj says. “In the palace.”
Kai nods.
“We go back to the original plan,” I say. “Summon everyone, and let Nili question them under guard.”
“I think it’s the only course,” Kai says. “You agree, Manoj?”
“I do.”
“Since Nili’s in the bath, we have some time. What did you want to speak to me about?”
Manoj grimaces. “This really isn’t the proper time for this, but I fear it cannot wait. Kai, you received a disturbing letter today. Do you remember the Westend visit?”
I grin. “If you don’t, I’ll have to shake you. That was a party for the ages.”
Kai smiles back. “Of course I remember it.”
“Do you remember a girl named Alexandra, one of Princess Amara’s attendants?” Manoj asks.
Kai frowns. “Should I?”
“I remember her,” I say. “Adorable Alexandra, with the white skin and the beguiling dimples. She had the prettiest little birthmark—”
“You were with her?” Manoj asks. “You spent the night with her?”
I laugh. “She wasn’t the only one, but yes, she gifted me with her presence in my chambers.”
Manoj wrinkles his brow. “Kai? Did you bed her, too?”
He shakes his head. “No. I didn’t bed anyone during that visit. Amara stuck to my side and dug her claws in deep. I couldn’t get away from her. We kissed a little, but her servants continually interrupted us. Why?”
Manoj thrusts a letter in Kai’s face. “This Alexandra is claiming she just gave birth to your child.”
“What?” Kai grabs the letter and scans it. “No way,” he whispers under his breath. “There’s no way. I didn’t lay a hand on her.”
“Then she’s either lying completely about even having a child, or she had your baby, Faaris.”
“Whoa,” I say, holding out my hands and popping to my feet. “Let’s not make that leap. She’s obviously a liar. Why lie about the father of her baby when Kai didn’t even sleep with her? This is ridiculous!”
Kai huffs a breath. “Write a letter to her now, Manoj. Here’s the gist of it: Prince Kai himself swears he never had relations with you. You did bed others in our kingdom, and if you can properly identify the father of your baby, remunerations will be sent. But our kingdom is an honest and forthright one, and we will not be played. Your honesty in return is the only way we will be in further contact.”
Manoj scribbles furiously while my mind spins.
“I could be a father,” I whisper.
“Faaris, Kai is correct. Since the entire letter is built on a lie, we cannot assume any of it is true. Let’s wait until we hear her reply before deciding what comes next.”
I hang my head. Kai puts a hand on my arm.
“One thing at a time, Faaris,” he says. “We don’t know anything yet.”
I nod. “It’s just…I don’t know if I can deal with another complication. I came here because I’d made a decision, but this screws everything up again.”
“What decision?” Kai asks.
“I decided I can deal with Saphala’s…shortcomings. That I’m going to try to deal with them. But that means I need to find her a healer.”
“Healer Wadee himself can help,” Kai says. “I’ll set him to Saphala’s care at once.”
I shake my head. “No. There’s no cure for the Great Pox. I need a healer with magic.”
“We don’t even know where such a person might be,” Manoj says. “Did you have an idea?”
I nod. “I need to find Nili’s father.”
XXI. SAPHALA
I answer the door. My young guard blushes.
“You have a message, my lady.”
He hands it to me, and I let my fingers rest against his.
“My thanks.” I meet his eye and smile.
He grins and looks away as I slowly close the door.
Your father wishes you good fortune with the prince and says he will send a message to his brother immediately. He also sends his love.
I kiss the message and hold it to my chest. Thank the gods he sent a reply.
I approach the fireplace and squat down. I hold the message to the fire, and the corner lights. I watch it burn until the fire licks my fingers, then I throw the parchment into the flames.
I already have writing materials at my disposal from the last message I sent Father.
Using my left hand, a scrawl a note:
Dear Saphala, your father alerted me to your plight, and I had two boats full of my best men out on the sea to help rescue you. By the time they arrived, you were gone, but they found a skiff with two men aboard. My men captured them and upon torture and pain of death, these ruffians admitted to being your captors. One, his name is Naag, claimed he told you he had given you the Great Pox. I know that my mentioning this may be painful, but I bring it up only to tell you that Naag was lying. He is not sick and never was — our best healers insist he is healthy. I hope you have not suffered thinking you were ill.
I know that your family has treated you cruelly, so I understand if you want no further contact with any of us. Know that this letter is meant as a gift for you. Your uncle, Lord Parsa
I wave the note back and forth to dry the ink. I crumple it a bit to
make it look like it took a nice long journey.
Then I will the tears to flood my eyes. I rub my nose to make it turn red. I cry out and rush to the door and fling it open.
My guard jumps back, startled. “My lady?”
I leap at him and throw my arms around him. I sob into his neck.
“My lady!” he says. “What is it? Are you hurt?”
I pull back laughing, swiping at my tears. “No. I’m sorry I assaulted you, but I just got the most wonderful news!”
“My lady?”
“Oh!” I give him one more squeeze and kiss his cheek. “I must see Faaris at once! If he comes by, will you tell him I’m looking for him?”
The guard cannot keep a smile off his face. “Of course, my lady. Of course.”
“Thank you!”
And I bound off to Faaris’s rooms.
XXII. NILARUNA
It is hours into the night before we finish questioning every servant in the palace.
Almost every servant. Two of Mita’s personal attendants are missing.
“Perhaps we should call it a night,” Manoj says, rubbing his eyes. “We’ll have to wake the nobles to question them, and they’re already going to be irritable as we question their honor.”
“No,” I say. “How can any of us sleep knowing the assassin is roaming around?”
“Diplomacy goes a long way,” Steward Dilip says. “You have many allies here that you do not want to turn into enemies.”
“If someone’s gonna start hating the prince because he’s doing his best to track down a threat to his bride and person, I think they weren’t very loyal to begin with,” Farris says. “I agree with Nili. Let’s get this over with.”
“Bring the first group of nobles,” Kai says to the steward. “I’m betting most of them are awake. Their servants have to be talking.”
The steward rises with a bow and sends his assistants to fetch the next group.
It doesn’t take much time for them to appear. As they enter single file, I notice they are dressed properly and look wide-awake. Kai was indeed correct.