Upon reaching the door she grabbed a hold of the heavy curtain, blinking in surprise to find Enapo on the other side. She gasped, stumbling backward, her arms flailing to steady herself. “Enapo,” she breathed. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to find you,” he stated calmly, pushing his way into the room. She watched him, awed by the boldness of his actions, finding his behavior uncouth and inappropriate. Her father may have offered her to him in marriage but they remained nothing to one another now. He had no right to intrude on her private chambers.
“I did not give you permission to enter.”
“I do not need your permission. There is business for us to discuss which your father desires to be handled with much haste.”
Business? What sort of business could he possibly have with her? “If you refer to the business you and my father spoke of before, I am certain there is nothing you need to say to me. The decision is in his hands.”
“Your father and I already concluded our discussion before Moinie came and told me of your excursion in the prison… which I do intend to ask on. One thing at a time.”
Her heart sank in her chest at the news. They had already concluded their discussion? Was her honor so easy to decide the fate of? Averting her eyes she took a step back, not wanting to stand too close to this man who invaded her personal space against her will. “Dare I ask what my father has decided? Am I to be your whore?”
“You are to be no more of a whore than the people of this village already believe you to be,” he said simply, stepping forward to make up the distance Neomi fought to keep between them. “He has given his blessing for us, but only if you also agree to the terms. I have come here now to retrieve your answer. So what will it be, Neomi? Do you accept the responsibility I present to you in producing an heir to the Onepa’i line? In doing so, you will restore the honor you have cost your family.”
“I have cost my family nothing.”
“Those who were with you and the Prince in Isavo say otherwise.”
“And what do they say, exactly?” she challenged. She was sick of hearing about these rumors. There was so much talk circulating about what these men claimed to have witnessed yet she could think of nothing she and Edric had done which would imply indiscretion between them. The only person who had seen her folly in revealing her interest in Edric was Ewei and his word meant little to anyone at the moment. He was nothing more than a traitor.
Clasping his hands behind his back Enapo looked her over carefully, seeming amused by her question. “You deny being the Prince’s whore?”
“I have never been anyone’s whore.”
“An ambiguous answer,” he frowned. “I did not come here to play games with you.”
“I do not play games,” she said, defiant, unwilling to let him push her around. “You asked if I was the Prince’s whore and I responded with the truth. There is no ambiguity in my statement. You simply look for something more within my words.”
“Then can you deny sharing his bed?”
She drew in a deep breath, unsure of how to respond. It was a pointed question. More direct than those posed by her father when he confronted her about the rumors. He insisted on not knowing the identity of the Vor’shai whose affections she gained during their time together. Enapo was not as accepting of her privacy. “That is none of your business. If you have come here to torment me with senseless questions, I suggest you leave. I am not in the mood to tolerate the insult you bring with your words.”
“You are mistaken if you think this is not my concern.” Calmly he took another step forward. “I am currently considering you as a wife. The mother of my children. It is every bit my business to know of your behavior when it involves the bed of another man. If you will not comply, I may be forced to retract my offer altogether.”
Grimacing, she lowered her eyes further, not wanting to see the stern expression on his face. She was torn, her mind crashing with the reasons why she shouldn’t tell him anything while at the same time she couldn’t help but feel she owed it to her father to accept Enapo. He had been more than forgiving of her when he knew she had behaved dishonorably. He was within his rights to force the answer from her lips and have Edric killed for the slight. Instead, he chose to ignore it, requiring only for her to end the relationship for the sake of her family. For his mercy, she was indebted to him.
You are such a fool! None of this would be happening if she hadn’t been so stupid. She knew the repercussions in going to Edric that night and now she was faced with the consequences. There was nothing left to do now than to take responsibility for her mistakes. “I do not deny it,” she said softly, bracing herself for the worst.
Confused by her answer Enapo stiffened, peering at her curiously. “You do not deny it? So you have shared a bed with the Vor’shai Prince? Why does your father allow him to live?”
“Because I am alive now only because of him. My father knows of my behavior and has forgiven me. The affair has been ended and will no longer be an issue.”
“How can I know this to be true? I have heard the stories about the foreigners. I know the way they treat women and the scandals they involve themselves in. We are above that Neomi. I will not have my wife taking part in such liaisons.”
“The incident which occurred between the Prince and I was entirely the fault of myself. He had no hand in it.”
“No hand?” Enapo scoffed. “I am aware of what is required to perform the acts you claim to have done with that man. He must not have put up much of a fight if you were able to proceed.”
“I tricked him. The man is blameless.”
“He touched the daughter of the Chief. Trickery or not, I refuse to absolve him of his guilt. Though, if you are truthful in what you say, your behavior is appalling.”
“Then turn me away if that is how you feel. My father has come to terms with the truth and has moved on. You, on the other hand, still have the option to walk away. I am not your burden to bear if you do not wish it.”
She didn’t like the way he stared at her. He was disgusted. That was obvious by the slight upturn of his nose, though he said nothing. She wanted to know what was going through his mind. Would he turn her away? It was what she wanted. If Enapo didn’t desire the marriage, she wouldn’t have to worry about the arrangement. Her father would find some other man who might be more interested in the marriage without stipulations. Then she would be able to honor her family without compromising her dignity.
Unable to contain her curiosity she let her face lift to meet his, searching his eyes. There was no emotion in them the way she’d become accustomed to when looking into Edric’s gentle gaze. She missed that about him. The way she could tell what he was feeling simply by the way he looked upon her. That would never be the case with Enapo. She was business to him. Nothing more.
She flinched to see his hand raise, the tips of his fingers brushing against her hair, running over the dirt caked to the snowy strands. “I should turn you away,” he mumbled, wiping a clump of mud from Neomi’s hair. He looked distant. Thoughtful. “Some part of me will not allow me to do so. I always felt myself a better match for you. My brother was a renowned warrior and his reputation certainly suited a woman of your station but to pair you with such an old man… it was a disservice to you. I am confident you will provide me what I require.”
It was the opposite of what she hoped. He was confident? Lies. Confidence would allow him to accept the marriage without his ridiculous terms. “I doubt your supposed confidence. If you were so convinced, you would not require me to be in your bed prior to the nuptials.”
“I am confident, but I am also cautious,” he replied. Boldly he took another step forward. They were chest to chest, Neomi’s stubbornness disallowing her from moving away. She wasn’t afraid of this man. Regardless of her father’s acceptance of their possible union, Enapo wouldn’t dare force his hand on her. He stared down at her, inspecting the details of her face, seeming satisfied with what he saw there. “Pro
vide me the proof I need to move beyond caution.”
“There will be time to do so later.” She wanted away from him. He was too close, setting her on edge at the thought of what he was suggesting. Did he intend to enact his rights now? She found it difficult to believe that her father would want them to move forward with the arrangement with such haste. There was a war going on around them. They needed to stay focused on the Avaern.
Enapo shook his head, his hands coming to rest on Neomi’s biceps, holding her in place. “Your father desires the rumors put to rest quickly. His hope is to announce a marriage by the time the war ends. It will alleviate a great deal of questions your family would otherwise face once our people are no longer preoccupied by the attacks.”
“Remove your hands from me.”
“Give me your answer.”
Why could he not have questioned her about Naphul before demanding her decision? If he knew the details of what transpired he would be too angry to think about touching her. She wasn’t prepared for this. There were too many things she had yet to come to terms with in her own mind. She wanted Edric while at the same time she wanted to show her father the loyalty he deserved. It was her duty to do as her father wished. The descendants of the Chief were to set an example for their people. They were considered blessed by the gods. Higher beings than any other in the Komoa tribe. Her father’s orders were second only to the laws said to be laid out by Sarhik himself. To go against her father’s wishes was like disobeying a power far above her.
When she considered it in that light, the decision was less hazy. She had no choice, really. Her father was merely being polite in claiming she had a say in the matter. In hearing that he had given his blessing, she should naturally concede, knowing it to be his desire. So why was it so difficult for her to do? She didn’t want this man before her now. The thought of letting him near her was revolting.
Torn, she eased her stance, praying to the gods for guidance. Was this their will? Did they command her to do what her father asked? She didn’t want to believe they would require such a thing from her. They must have had something in mind when they crossed her path with Edric’s. Was it punishment? Had she done something wrong which led to the suffering she endured now? Or did the gods intend a different path for her?
At the feeling of her body relaxing under his touch Enapo let his arms slide away from her biceps, wrapping lightly around her waist. She could feel him drawing her in closer. The fluttering in her heart was unbearable, leaving her anxious and uncomfortable. She didn’t want this. No amount of loyalty could make her desire Enapo. It seemed a misplaced sense of duty which held her there now, panicked, feeling his lips press against hers. There was no emotion. No passion. It was nothing more than a motion utilized between a man and a woman to indicate intent. She couldn’t bring herself to return the pressure of his mouth. In her head all she could see was Edric. The way he held her against him, energy coursing between their bodies like fire… unlike the cold emptiness she felt when Enapo held her now.
“No.”
The word came as nothing more than a breath, falling from her lips before she had a chance to stop herself. Enapo paused, arms stiff, holding her firmly against him. “What?”
Her entire body was trembling. It took every ounce of her will to speak, knowing it was the right decision, no matter what Enapo might say. She didn’t love him. The gods would never want her to do this. And her father – if he truly wished for Enapo to have her, he never would have given her the chance to say no. He had to know she would never do it. It was more likely she would be letting her father down by allowing Enapo to continue. “I said no,” she replied quietly, tensed in preparation to strike if Enapo made any attempt to keep her from moving away. To her relief he let her go, granting her the freedom to step back, holding her hand out between them to prevent him from coming any closer. “I do not concede to your terms. If you do not desire my hand in marriage without need of ultimatums then the union is not possible. It is best for you to leave my chambers at once.”
“Tell me this does not have anything to do with that Vor’shai Prince…”
“My business with the Prince is no longer a concern of yours. I apologize for any inconvenience but our negotiations are closed.”
“So be it,” Enapo huffed. His hands moved to straighten his shirt, clearly angered by her dismissal. The tips of his ears burned crimson, his icy eyes flashing from the upset of energy inside him. “Do not think to make the offer again if you change your mind. I do not tolerate insolence and you have made it clear that you are not fit to be my wife. You disobey your father and you insult me with your selfishness. No man in his right mind will ever have you again.”
“I understand the reason for your anger so I will not scold you for your behavior. You should keep in mind who you are speaking to, however. I recommend you hold your tongue from further insult or I will have you taken into custody for the disrespect you show the daughter of your Chief.”
“Taken into custody? Would you have me thrown into prison so your Vor’shai friends can slay me like they did the man whose corpse bloodies the floor of the cells now?”
“It was my hand which killed the man you saw.”
“You were not supposed to be near him! Your father should cast you out for your defiance.”
“That man admitted to killing your brother. It was a matter of justice which ended his life. If you take issue with that, then you are a disgrace to your own family and unworthy of the offer my father so graciously made to you. My patience has been spent. Leave. Now.”
A flicker of understanding could be seen in Enapo’s eyes, closing his mouth to refrain from further argument. He was an intelligent man. She held little fear that he would speak out against her to her father in regards to the incident which took place in the prison. Moinie had no doubt expressed the importance of keeping things quiet. She wasn’t foolish enough to bring someone into their mess if there was a chance they would speak to Onuric or the Chief when Moinie had gone out of her way to avoid bringing the issue to their notice.
He remained silent, their eyes locked on one another before he finally turned away. Relief flooded her to be out of his sight, relaxing her tensed muscles for the first time since his arrival. She watched him storm out of the room, the curtain falling into place behind him, a dull thud from his boots resounding through the hall until it drifted away, leaving Neomi in blessed silence.
Now what? She needed to make some decisions. Should she go to Edric? Would it be wise? He could be killed… No. She wouldn’t let that happen. They would run away together before she allowed her father to raise a hand to him. There were plenty of places they could go to escape. She was willing to suffer the heat of the desert if it was required to be with him. She just had to find him and pray it wasn’t too late to take back the awful things she’d said. If they could keep their feelings concealed long enough to destroy the Avaern, in the aftermath of the war they could slip away without anyone noticing. Then they could leave knowing her people were safe and Tanispa was free of danger.
In her current state of disarray she couldn’t let herself be seen by the others. She would draw too much attention to where she was headed. Excited by the prospect of what she intended to do she hurried about her room, gathering clean clothes and cleansing herself of the dirt and grime from the prison. She wanted to look her best when she found Edric.
By the time she was ready to leave her heart was racing so fast she feared it might burst from her chest at any moment. She started toward the door, realizing in her haste that she had left her coat behind. Frustrated by the error she hurried to slide the jacket over her slender arms, retrieving a pair of gloves from a chest near her bed. In that instant her head was clear. Looking around the room she took stock of everything, choosing to gather the sword which was positioned against the wall, strapping the belt to her waist with quick precision. Weapons were essential if she was going to spend any amount of time at the camp near the frontlines of
battle. Attacks came so frequently these days; it was likely she would find herself involved in the fray before she had a chance to find Edric. Examining her arsenal she made sure she was properly equipped for whatever she might face. Knives hidden in her boots, longbow at her back, quiver strapped securely to her thigh. She was ready for anything if it stood between her and Edric.
Making her way out into the cold she found her resolve strengthened. Any doubt she’d had about going to Edric was completely diminished, leaving her with nothing but a sense of purpose. Her only fear now was in finding him surrounded by people. There was a chance her conversation would have to wait, though she suspected he would make time for her if she indicated a desire to speak with him in private.
Upon reaching the camp she was unsurprised to discover the warriors dispersed, sounds of battle echoing on the air from the gates. Damn. Fighting was inconvenient. Why did the Avaern’s creatures have to attack now, of all times?
She wasn’t going to let this stand in her way. She would find him on the battlefield and convince him to step away. With determined strides she moved closer to the sounds, trembling at the thought of what she would say to him. It hadn’t crossed her mind but now she was faced with the fact that she had no clue how to approach a topic such as this. Intimate conversations were unknown to her. How did you tell someone you care about them when only days ago you swore they meant nothing to you?
Words crashed about in her head, stringing sentences together, none of them sounding right. Everything in her mind sounded so clinical. She had to make it believable. Why was that so hard when everything she intended to say was the truth? Because you lied to him. It was a simple fact. She had looked him in the eye and told him she held no feelings for him. He had no reason to believe her if she changed her opinion now.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 79