by Robin Roseau
"She does know," I said.
"She knew before I asked," she said. "Yalla, there will be no more kisses from me for a while, and I may find myself out of the city for a time. Have your experiences, and then we will see where life take us."
"Juleena." And I threw myself into her arms. She held me tightly, but it was not the same embrace from earlier. This was the embrace of an older sister, holding a confused younger sister of only ten and eight years.
And eventually I slept, but when I woke, I was in my own bed. And later, I learned Juleena was away on mission for the queen.
I knew I was to have my experiences, but she wouldn't bear witness to them.
Choices
"You seem subdued," Larien said some hours later.
"I'm sorry," I said. "Juleena left early this morning. I didn't know she was going, and she didn't say goodbye."
"You are close with the princess."
"She brought me here, nearly five years ago. She was the first friend I ever had."
"As a child?"
I shook my head. "No. Juleena was first. Muranna was second. Do you know Muranna?"
She smiled. "We have met, years ago. I remember she was a troublemaker."
"She is still a troublemaker," I said, "and my best friend." I paused. "You should know. Do you know what a slumber party is?"
She laughed. "I do. We have this tradition in Alteara as well. I believe girls everywhere have this tradition."
"Not on The Hippa," I said. "But otherwise, you may be right. Muranna and I have slumber parties more nights than not."
"I see."
"Friends," I said. "Dear friends. Not more."
"I understood," she replied. "You tell me this because..."
"Because I wouldn't want you to find out other ways and think I hid something from you."
She smiled. "I am afraid, Dear Yalla, I know far more about you than you know about me. Your relationship with my countrywoman is no secret here in Marport, and so it is no secret to my brother, and so it is no secret to me. I am not jealous. I hope I will meet her."
"If I don't drive you away," I said. "Then you certainly will."
"I am not frightened of you so far."
"My horse does not frighten you."
"Ah, Zana. Do I say her name correctly?"
"You do."
"She is small, but she seems a very good horse." Then she gestured to her own. "And I must borrow from my brother, although if I were to move permanently, I would retrieve my own horses."
"Are they as big as this one."
"About," she said. "Zana will quaver in fear."
"Zana fears little," I said, "and certainly not an oversized beast that would die of thirst on The Hippa."
"Ah, is that why she is small?"
"It is one reason," I said.
And so we talked as we rode, side-by-side. And at one point, Larien held out her hand, and I gave her mine.
Eventually we stopped for lunch, an inn I knew. And over our meal, I asked, "How would you wish to spend the remainder of the day?"
"If it is with you, then it matters not."
I felt the same way, but as it was my town, I felt I should make offers. "I could show you the shopping districts," I said. "Or there is a museum."
"I would like to shop while I am here, but perhaps not today. A museum would be nice, or perhaps you can show me this place where you win all your races."
I laughed. "Is that what you would like?"
"Yes. And are you mine for dinner, and for later?"
"I am."
"My brother invites us to his home for dinner, if the queen does not make first claim."
"She hopes for us in two days," I said. "And there is a small event at the palace tomorrow. Our attendance is optional."
"So tonight is dinner with my brother. And after?"
"It is usually Muranna that plans our evening activities. I am quite poor at it."
"If we were in my home, you would find I am not at all poor at it. I wish to meet Muranna. Perhaps we could find her later, and she could join us for dinner and set our plans for the evening. Or is this too short of notice?"
"We can try," I said.
"Then we have a plan."
And so we talked, and we laughed, and we stared longingly into each other's eyes. I couldn't believe this beautiful, amazing woman wanted me, but she wasn't shy with her affection.
We made our way back to Marport, and from there, the track. My barrels were not set up, and the track was deserted, but I wasn't afraid of a little work. As Larien looked on, I tipped barrels over and rolled them across the ground, setting them where I wanted them.
"You must do this every time you ride?"
"No, but it is winter, and the grooms rolled them up so the grass could grow in the spring."
"I can help."
"You can help next time," I said. "I have done this before."
I didn't set out that many, only one path of ten. And then, pulling both our horses behind us, I brought Larien to the starting point. "You must ride like this," I said. And then I gestured so she would understand. "Others set them up differently." I took her hand and traced a pattern on her palm. And then she clasped her fingers, capturing mine. We looked into each other's eyes for a time. I couldn't say how long. A few seconds? A minute? An hour?
But then she released my fingers, and the moment was over.
"How will we race like this?" she asked.
I laughed.
"I am serious. I wish to race."
"You will lose."
"You are very sure. I wish a wager."
"I do not wish to steal your money, Larien."
"We will not wager for money, Yalla. Money is what you wager with people who do not matter. No, no. We will wager for a kiss."
"I will win this kiss, you know."
"And I will be obligated to pay you. But perhaps the next wager will be to my advantage, and you will pay me. Or perhaps a kiss from me has no value to you."
"A kiss from you has great value," I said.
"Then how do we race?"
"Ah, for that, we need more barrels."
And so, I erected a second track, making it exactly the same as the first, as best I could. And then I told her to ensure herself they were even. She barely looked.
"Which side do you wish?"
"This side," she said, taking the right.
And so we both mounted and took our places. Zana knew what was going on, of course, and her muscles were tight, ready to run.
"How will we start, so there is no advantage?"
She pulled her hat from her head and gestured. "I will throw my hat a short distance. We must both watch, and we begin when it touches the ground. I will strive to throw between us."
"All right. Good luck, Larien."
"Ready," she said. "And I toss." She threw her hat, and true to her word, it dropped to the ground perhaps ten feet in front of us, and as equally between us as anyone could have thrown.
"Hai! Zana! Hai!"
It wasn't even close. Of course it wasn't. Zana and I crossed the line, and I even had time to bend low in the saddle and collect Larien's hat from the ground before crossing the finish line. I brought Zana to a snorting stop and turned her around. She threw her head as if to say, "Is that it? Can we go again?"
And then Larien crossed the line.
She could ride; I had to admit that. She rode very well. But this was Zana's course, and no one would beat Zana and me here, and certainly not riding a monster of a Framaran horse.
"You have won," Larien declared. "And collected my hat besides. You were here long enough to do so?"
"I was just dashing past and decided to grab it," I said.
"From the saddle?"
"There are many reasons Zana is no larger than she is, Larien."
"Oh, I wish I had seen," she said. "Well, I owe you a kiss. And I will deliver now, if you prefer, but it is cold, and I can tell you warm kisses are far better than cold kisses
. So it is your choice."
"It is to be our first kiss," I said.
"I would not wish you to believe I would cheat you," she said. "If you ask for your kiss now, I will pay my debt. But I would rather pay you just a little while later."
"I am patient and would want the best first kiss we can achieve."
"Then leave it to me, and that is what we will have."
I was already halfway in love.
* * * *
Without warning we called on Lady Griffen. Yes, Muranna was home. Yes, she would accept us. And as soon as Larien and Muranna saw each other, they both squealed happily, hugged tightly, then spoke rapidly in Altearan for several minutes as I watched on, amused.
Finally they both turned to me. "I thought you said you barely knew each other."
"It is the joy of meeting another of my countrywomen," Larien said. "And someone so close to you besides."
"I hope you don't mind if we speak Altearan in front of you. It is rude, and I am sorry."
"Be my guests," I said. "But let us discuss business first."
"Yes," Larien said. "You are invited for dinner."
"At the palace?"
"The embassy," Larien clarified. "Can you find a date?"
"Perhaps a certain wine merchant," I said.
"Oh, perhaps a certain wine merchant indeed," agreed Muranna. "An excellent suggestion. Do you know what is on the menu, Larien?"
The two discussed food -- in Altearan. It was fun to see them both so pleased.
"And then," I said, "we wondered what is happening tonight."
"Really, Yalla," Muranna said. "If you are going to entertain, you really must keep abreast of things."
"Why, when I have you?"
Both of them laughed.
"In fairness," said Larien, "I am the one courting her, and it is my responsibility to uncover the possible activities. But I am at a disadvantage."
"Well, there is an exhibit," Muranna said. "But I had a sneak peek." She wrinkled her nose. "The theater is dark this week. There is a concert, but it is Paglorta." Muranna and I both wrinkled our noses at that.
"Who is this Paglorta?"
"His music sounds like this," Muranna said. And then she began bleating like a sheep. She went on and on, causing Larien to nearly double over in laughter.
"The thing is," I said, "it sounds almost exactly like that. But it's supposed to be serious music, and we get such looks when we laugh at it."
"I think you are teasing me," Larien said.
"I swear," I said. "I wouldn't lie to you."
"You better not," she declared.
"I think we could make our own fun," Muranna said. "We could hold our own concert."
"Muranna, I'm trying to avoid scaring Larien away."
"Oh, true."
"Oh, no," said Larien. "That excuse will not work. I will hear you play."
"She's better than she says," Muranna said. "But you should hear her when she plays with the queen and princess."
"Juleena's gone."
"What?"
"She left early this morning. No idea when she'll be back."
"I didn't know she was leaving."
"It was sudden," I said. "Larien, not tonight. I'll agree to play before you go, but not tonight."
"All right," Muranna said. "We can play cards or other games. We should see what the wine merchant can play."
"That sounds like a plan."
"Is it a formal dinner?" Muranna asked.
"Casual," she said. "It is only my brother, and perhaps he has someone new I haven't met yet." She looked down. "Although perhaps not this casual."
"Well then, I need to see about acquiring someone pretty for my arm," Muranna said. "If Valara isn't available, I will find someone."
"And you and I must get ready," Larien said. "And so we must each go our separate ways."
"You still owe me a debt."
"I will pay you when next I see you."
"Yalla!" Muranna said. She turned to Larien and spoke rapid Altearan. Larien answered briefly, and Muranna laughed. "Well, that's all right then."
And so, somewhat more abruptly than I had planned, I found myself alone, but it would only be for a few hours. I made my way back to the palace, returning Zana to the care of the grooms. Mellara was about, so I told her the plans and asked her to inform the queen and the cooks I wouldn't be home for dinner.
"You smell like horse," she said. "I will first see to your bath, and then I will see to these other needs before dressing you."
"Thank you, Mellara."
She bustled for a few minutes, and then she insisted on helping me into the tub, which wasn't help I normally needed. But then she sat down beside the tub and said, "So. You like her."
"Very much."
"What of Lady Malta."
"I like her, too."
"And Lady Clareeda."
"I like Clareeda, but. Hey!"
She giggled. "You know I would never share anything you tell me." Then she sobered. "Where would you live? If you were to marry the Altearan."
"Here," I said. "Perhaps not in these exact quarters. Ralalta intends me to remain in the palace."
"That's good," she said. "I like it here. I suppose the Altearan would bring her own staff."
"As long as I have a say in the matter, Mellara, and as long as you desire, you will have a place in my household."
"I'd like that, Yalla. I'll run those errands and then select your clothes for tonight."
"Thank you, Mellara."
* * * *
I was last to arrive, which surprised me. A servant met me and escorted me to a library. Muranna was there with Valara, I was happy to see. Larien was there, of course, and Henry, her brother. With Henry was a woman my age, another Altearan, but she spoke no Framaran, so she and I couldn't really talk. Introductions were exchanged, and then Larien took my arm and said, "We'll be a few minutes. I have a debt to pay."
She drew me upstairs, not to a bedroom, but to a study at the back of the embassy. "In the daytime, this is the best view of the gardens," Larien explained. Then she moved closer. "I wish to pay my debt, Yalla."
"I believe I would like to collect this debt, Larien."
We stepped closer. She was taller than I was, only a little taller, and we came together, staring into each other's eyes. She brushed a hair from my face and then asked, "Why do you wear your hair so short?"
"Debt first, explanation after," I said.
She smiled. "Of course."
I let her control it from there. She moved slowly, exquisitely. She touched first, my cheek, and then a brush of fingers across my lips, a promise of things to come. We came together closer, and my hands found her hips. One hand remained on my cheek, guiding, and the other moved to the back of my head.
And then, for the longest time, I couldn't think. I couldn't think at all. We kissed, and I couldn't think. I was enspelled by that kiss, and I couldn't think, I could only feel.
Afterwards, I stood, stunned, my eyes still closed. Larien pulled me into a hug, our cheeks pressed together. My heart was pounding, and I could feel hers as well.
"I believe, Yallameenara, that you like me."
"I believe, Larien, that I find you irresistible."
"This is good," she said. "You should not even attempt to resist. Oh, I believe you will become mine."
In the back of my head, I was confused. And in my heart, I felt it split into at least two. But it felt good. It felt very, very good.
"We cannot remain. They will think this is more than it is, and I am not ready for anyone to believe that."
And so I let her separate us, but she took my arm and drew me back to the others.
* * * *
I don't really remember the dinner. I spent most of it staring at Larien. She sparkled. She absolutely sparkled.
Later, we divided, Henry and his date going in one direction, four of us in another. Larien poured a libation for each of us and then said, "We should play cards." She named
a game I didn't know. Muranna laughed.
"What's so funny."
"She wants another wager, Yalla."
"I wouldn't mind."
"This is a partner's game," Larien said. "Muranna and I will be partners. When we win, then I will take my kiss back, and Valara will owe Muranna."
"No," Muranna and Valara said together.
Larien leaned back, looking between the two of them. "It is only a kiss."
"Um. They aren't together," I said.
"They aren't together now, but perhaps after this kiss they would be."
"No," I said. "Muranna and Valara are friends."
"Oh," Larien said. "I am sorry. I misunderstood."
"Our fault," I said.
"How did you become friends?"
"Well, actually," Muranna said. "Valara is Yalla's friend, and through her, mine."
"You and Valara are friends," Larien said, setting an eye on me.
"Just friends," Valara said. "We've only known each other a short time. Just friends. Not courting. Nothing like that. Friends."
"Just friends," Larien said. "And yet there is more at the same time, isn't there?"
And when I couldn't answer her, Larien began to move away from me.
"No!" said Valara. "It's not like that. Oh, Yalla, you have to tell her."
"Tell me what?"
"The plan doesn't work if we tell everyone, Valara."
"Yes, but look at her. She's angry at you, and you didn't do anything wrong. Larien, she's trying to help me."
"Is that what you call it?" she asked frostily.
"Are you calling all of us liars?" Muranna asked.
That stilled Larien, and then she said, "No." She bowed her head. "I am sorry. But how is she helping you?"
We took turns telling Larien the entire story. We hadn't gotten far before she was plastered to my side again, and when we were done, she said, "Well, and I wish to help. Please, this sounds like such fun."
And so our little conspiracy added one more name, for whatever it was worth.
But the Larien said, "But I still wish for this wager."
I laughed. "It is unfair for you and Muranna to be partners, however."
"Afraid to lose?" Larien asked.
"I am protecting Valara."
"She is making no wager," Larien said. "And so it is decided." And she was very difficult to argue with. Muranna and Larien explained the game, and we played a practice hand. And then they beat us soundly, which wasn't at all surprising.