Tiara- Part Two
Page 20
“No!” Allium said.
“You just don’t want to marry me,” I said. “I’m hurt.”
“Now I’m really confused,” Olivia said, so I explained the joke.
“As funny as it would be to see Allium marry a woman half her age, I don’t allow it,” Gionna declared. She gestured at Shalendra. “Are you a scared rabbit?”
“I’m no rabbit. Are you normally rude?”
“Settle down,” Allium said. “Gionna, you know everyone experiences culture shock the minute the cross they border. I seem to recall a certain someone struggling to get within twenty paces of a man.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gionna replied. “Ms. Robella, I’m not being rude. I’m being blunt, and I’m telling you to find your backbone.” She paused. “And I’m probably a little put out at the looks you gave me when I greeted one of my dearest friends.”
Shalendra dropped her gaze. It was falling apart, and so quickly.
“I am Princess Gionna,” she continued. “Only daughter of Queen Lisdee. I am not the crown princess, like Ahlianna is, because we don’t inherit positions in this country. You’re on a diplomatic mission, and maybe you didn’t realize I was the queen’s daughter, but you had to know you were going to meet some fairly important people.”
“My apologies, Princess Gionna,” Shalendra said in a subdued tone. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“I’m actually fairly certain you were doing just that,” Gionna replied.
“Gionna,” I said, my tone pleading.
“You,” she said, pointing to me.
“Me, what?” I asked.
“Are far too sweet for your own good,” she said. “What was that phrase you used? Sink or swim? Well, so far, she’s sinking.”
“I’m not sinking!” Shalendra said. She clasped my arm. “You have no idea who I am.”
“I know you must be pretty special to even be here,” Gionna said. “But I saw the looks, Ms. Robella, looks that said you couldn’t decide whether you wanted to stab me or Darfelsa.”
“Excuse me?” I asked.
“I wasn’t the only one receiving looks,” Gionna said. “She thinks you haven’t told her half of what you should have, but knowing you, you told her everything, and then some. Maybe I’m wrong.”
“You have to admit: it looked pretty bad!” Shalendra said. “She went from woman to woman, and then those other two kept kissing her! In front of everyone!”
“Welcome to Ressaline,” Gionna said. “Maybe you should have stayed home, and you could pretend everything north of the river is exactly the way it is south.”
“You two,” I said. “That’s enough.”
“Mother would have enslaved her by now,” Gionna said.
“She can’t do that!” Shalendra said.
“Actually,” Allium said. “She can. It’s her country. And unlike the rest of us, she does it with a touch.”
“You’re serious?”
“Being enslaved isn’t just a change of clothing,” Gionna said. “There is significant magic involved.” She gestured to Va. “You won’t find any seams.”
“How does she get dressed, then?”
“Really, Darfelsa. I can’t imagine you didn’t explain all this.”
“I did, but it’s a lot to absorb. It sort of grows over her, Shalendra. I explained. Gionna, you could give her a chance.”
“Her fake apology needs work,” Gionna said. “I’ve spent my entire life the subject of some amount of jealousy, but I have never, not ever been looked at the way she did twenty minutes ago. I’m not sure I’m even half done developing a snit.”
I stared at Gionna. She offered a smile to me, one that faded as she shifted her gaze back to Shalendra.
“Fine,” Shalendra said. “You want a proper apology? Stop the carriage.”
“You can apologize from there.”
“I’m sure you’d be much happier with a larger audience.”
“All right. Olivia, if you would be so kind.”
Olivia half stood and stuck her head out, calling for a stop. Gionna was the first out of the carriage, Va with her. And then she turned her back, waiting for everyone to assemble.
Shalendra was upset. Gionna was upset. I was upset. We’d been in the country for less than an hour, and my mission was falling to pieces. I stepped up to Gionna, who glanced at me. “Darfelsa, I love you.”
“You’re doing a great job showing it.”
“So you’re saying I’m wrong to be angry?”
“I’m asking you to forgive her.”
“I will, if I get an honest apology.”
“She apologized.”
“And then she justified her behavior. If she’s going follow you hither and yon, she needs to learn to control her reactions, or she’s going to do something like that around someone a lot less forgiving than I am. My mother, for example. Or send her home, Darfelsa, and keep her there. Or I’ll take the apology from you if you can convince me it’s your fault she doesn’t trust you.”
“She’s had to compete with I don’t know how many other suitors.”
“Oh, please,” she said. “How many of them were women?”
“One other.”
“What happened to that one?”
“I told her about Ressaline.”
She stilled then dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry about that.”
“She thought Allium was Gretchena.”
Gionna smiled. “So, you didn’t explain how old Gretchena is? Allium is a total hottie, but she doesn’t pass for low twenties.”
“I didn’t offer those sorts of details about my past relationships,” I said. “Please, Gionna. Can we move past this?”
“I’m not the one who demanded a public apology,” she said. “Step away now. I want to see how well she grovels.”
“If she asks to turn around, I’m going with her.”
“That’s a mistake, and you know it. If she can’t handle me, she has no business traveling anywhere with you. I’m a pussycat compared to anyone else she might encounter. Go away, and don’t tell her how to handle this.”
I sighed, but then Bee and Dee stepped over and grabbed my arms. Shalendra’s lips tightened when I didn’t fight them as they pulled me to Olivia. But then she turned back to Gionna. “Princess Gionna. I’m sorry, I don’t know the rest of your name or your titles.”
“That’s my entire name,” Gionna said. “And we don’t carry so many titles here.” She turned around, her arms still folded. “Yes?”
Shalendra then surprised me. She lowered herself to both knees and bowed her head. “I was rude. Everything you said was right. I was very nervous coming here, and then I had a number of shocks that I handled very, very poorly. I am still learning my role in Darfelsa’s life, and I failed this test rather miserably. I hope you can forgive me, anyway.”
No one spoke for several long heartbeats, and I realized I was holding my breath, but then Gionna said, “Well, you grovel well. Get up. You’re ruining your lovely dress.”
“I’d rather ruin a dress than any relationships,” Shalendra replied.
“Get up anyway,” Gionna said, then offered her hands, supporting Shalendra as she stood. She smiled. “I forgive you. I’d like to be friends.” And then she offered a Ressaline greeting, her hands on Shalendra’s shoulders, holding her in place. I saw them both whispering, but I don’t know what either of them said.
But then Shalendra kissed the ear, which was probably too much, but Gionna was smiling as they separated. “Very gracious, Shalendra. You have a choice now. I know this has been shocking to you, but it’s not really going to grow less shocking to you. Are you sure you want to be here?”
“I’m scared, and I suppose you have the authority to toss me back across the border.”
“I don’t, but I have influence, and Olivia does,” Gionna said. “Do you want it to be my choice?”
“I would prefer to stay,” Shalendra said. “I’m just… I’m sor
ry, Gionna. Darfelsa tried to explain.”
“I’m sure she did, at length,” Gionna replied. “So, staying?” Shalendra nodded. “Then I think you should ask me to help you grow accustomed to our culture.”
“You… would do that?”
“That’s what friends do,” Gionna said. “Even if you don’t think we’re really friends yet, understand that Darfelsa is very, very important to me.”
Shalendra looked over at me. I shrugged. “You can trust Gionna.”
“Mostly,” Allium muttered.
“That was six years ago!” Gionna exclaimed. “Six years!” Allium snickered. “That’s what I thought.”
“What happened six years ago?” Shalendra asked.
“That’s a long story, one I only tell to my closest friends,” Gionna said.
At that, Shalendra offered a smile. “Maybe you’ll tell me by the time we reach Charth. Princess Gionna, I clearly need help growing accustomed to the way of things here. Will you help me?”
“Maybe,” Gionna said with a smirk.
“Maybe?” Shalendra echoed.
“Maybe,” Gionna confirmed. “First, you don’t need to use my title all the time. Second, there are times you need to trust me even when you don’t understand.”
“Darfelsa says I can trust you.”
“You can,” Gionna said. “If I tell you to do something without explaining myself first, will you do it?”
Shalendra paused, just long enough to really consider it, then nodded. “Yes.”
“Excellent. I’d love to help you. Here’s your first lesson. Walk over to Darfelsa and give her the best kiss of the day. You’re going to have to work hard to beat Bee and Dee.”
Shalendra didn’t even question it. She turned, stalked me, and I held my ground as she pulled me into her arms.
And then she kissed me quite deeply, clinging tightly. I could tell she was now operating on bravado, but it was a pretty good kiss, and I fanned myself when she released me.
“Not bad,” Bee declared.
“She needs more practice,” Dee suggested. “Do it again, Shalendra.”
“I think I will.” And she did.
* * * *
We got moving again. I was quiet. Olivia and Allium engaged in a minute or two of small talk, and then Gionna said, “Shalendra, you must be dying of curiosity.”
“I don’t know where to begin.”
“You’re struggling not to stare at Va.”
“I’m struggling not to offend you again.”
“A cultural difference,” Allium said quietly.
“Excuse me?” Shalendra asked.
“That was a short way of saying that what you told me was a cultural difference,” Gionna said. “There’s nothing wrong with staring at Va. She’s quite beautiful, and she looks quite striking like this. Plus, you have no experience at all with our slaves. Curiosity is natural, and I’d be shocked if you accepted this casually.”
Shalendra cocked her head. “She’s a temporary slave.”
“Yes. Do you understand how that works?”
“Not the magic part, but you already mentioned a practice challenge.”
Gionna shifted her gaze to me. “How detailed an explanation did you give her?”
“Enough she understands the basics,” I replied.
“The others are temporary slaves, too,” Shalendra said. “Except the two that kissed Darfelsa.”
“Correct,” Gionna said.
“And from what I’ve heard, they weren’t slaves when you came south.”
“No.”
“Darfelsa said practice challenges always have a duration tied to them.”
“Yes, and they’re all to be freed the morning after we return to Charth,” Gionna explained.
“That seems fishy.”
“Suspect,” Allium translated.
“Excuse me?” Shalendra asked again.
“That phrase isn’t used here,” Gionna said. “I knew it though. Why does it seem suspect?”
“Everyone with the same duration?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Are you trying to shock all of us?”
“Not at all,” Gionna said. “I would say we’re trying to expose you.”
“More ways than one,” Shalendra suggested.
“Good one. True.” She gestured to Va. “You’re curious.”
“Yes. Seeing it isn’t the same as hearing about it.” She paused. “A practice challenge. Does that mean you could have lost, and then I’d have seen you like this?”
“Not only could I have lost, but nearly did. Valsine nearly had me, and I’m not really sure what happened.” Something crossed her face, and she turned to look at Va. “Did you throw our challenge?”
Va smiled broadly. “Yes.”
“You didn’t want to win?”
“I wanted Renalla,” she said. “You needed to be you, Gionna. I like being yours. Will you please kiss me?”
“Of course I will, Darling.” And then they didn’t just kiss. They had a little make-out session. Shalendra watched for a minute, then looked away. “Are we making you uncomfortable?” Gionna asked.
“I don’t know,” Shalendra said. “I’m not sure how long it’s going to take me to catch up.”
“Months,” Gionna said. “Or forever, if you let me drive you south.”
“If that’s what you’re trying to do, you need to try harder.”
“No,” Gionna said. “Ask whatever you want to ask.”
“She’s Darfelsa’s cousin.”
“Second cousin,” I clarified.
Shalendra turned to look out the window again. We rode quietly for a minute until Allium said, “No one here is going to be offended by questions, if asked politely.”
“I don’t know where to begin,” Shalendra said.
“Do you think she looks good?” Gionna asked.
“You know she does.”
“True, but I don't know what you think. I don’t know how to help you if you shut down.”
“I’m not shutting down.” She turned back. “I’m terrified, Gionna. Can you understand that?”
“Of me?”
“No. You intimidate me, but I’m fairly certain the worst you can do to me is poison me with Darfelsa. I’m fairly sure that wouldn’t be hard for you.”
“Probably not, but I have no reason to do that, if you’re the right woman for her. Are you, Shalendra?”
“I thought I was.”
“Everyone is overwhelmed by this,” Olivia said, the first thing she’d said in some time. “Everyone. If you weren’t, I’d assume it was an act.”
Shalendra looked down. In the carriage, she was having trouble deciding where to look. Of course, that meant she was staring at Va’s legs. But maybe that was easier. “Does it hurt?” she asked in a whisper.
“Va,” Gionna said. “You may answer any of Shalendra’s questions you wish, for the next hour. Does it hurt?”
“It’s wonderful,” Va replied. “Some of the challenges can be quite active, but at its most basic, it’s wonderful, and even better once I’m like this.”
Shalendra turned to me, but she didn’t look up, so it was my lap she stared at. “You told me you couldn’t even talk. She’s talking just fine.”
“The First is quite overwhelming,” I explained.
“And even after that, your first few practice challenges are typically nearly as overwhelming,” Olivia added. “But it becomes easier. Va has quite a bit of experience.”
“I take one or two challenges a week,” Va said. “Most of the time, it’s overnight, so we don’t neglect our duties. But sometimes it’s longer, like this time.”
“That’s what you meant when you said it can be debauched,” she said.
“Yes,” I agreed.
“If you hadn’t gone to Gandeet?”
“I probably would still be posted here,” I said. “And by now, I’d probably have grown to be as capable as Va is. Well, maybe not as capable
at winning challenges, but as capable after losing them.”
“So you could have been here, dressed like her.”
“Yes. Olivia, would I have begun to win any?”
“If you challenged the people I told you to, yes,” Olivia said.
“I’d let you play to your strengths,” Va said.
“I’m sorry, but you’re my second cousin, and I’m fairly sure you wouldn’t normally think that way, Va.”
“Maybe not,” she admitted after a pause. “But I’m not the only one who would let you play to strengths. Not Allium, though. She only lets Bee and Dee beat her.”
I laughed. “Still doing that, Allium?”
“I don’t know what you’re implying.” She turned to Olivia. “I’d like an overnight or two though.”
“Talk to Dee, then,” Olivia said.
I watched Shalendra. I could see her struggling to keep up, but then I also saw when she decided to keep it simple. “What’s it feel like?”
“Be more specific,” Gionna said.
“That,” Shalendra said. “It’s… shiny. It is like silk?”
“It’s rude to touch a slave without permission,” I said.
“I know. You told me.”
“And it’s rude to ask in a large setting. This is a small setting.”
“Who do I ask?”
“Me,” Gionna said.
“May I?”
“Va, would you like to sit beside Shalendra? We’re helping her understand.”
“Bee and Dee are better,” she said. But then she looked at me. “I’m doing my best here, Darfelsa.”
“I know you are, Va,” I said. “If you don’t want Shalendra to touch you, Gionna won’t give permission.”
“She can touch me,” Va said.
“Then switch places with Darfelsa,” Gionna said. “The price of touching my slave is I get to sit beside my friend.”
Shalendra offered a ragged laugh. Va and I switched, taking the place between Allium and Shalendra, pressed between them and smiling. But then Shalendra looked at me. “I don’t know what’s rude.”
“Start with an arm,” Gionna said. Then she stroked mine in example. “If you want, she’ll cuddle with you.”
Shalendra reached up a hand and ran it down Va’s arm. “Could I see your hand?” Va lifted it for her, and Shalendra took the arm, then turned the hand this way and that. “No seam.”