Vicaroy shrugged. He would not waste another second thinking about that evil woman. He had bigger concerns and there was nothing he could do against a powerful woman like Fay. “Baya, I have to leave tomorrow.”
“That soon! That doesn’t give us much time to figure out what to do.”
“Shema generously gave me one day to gather my things and get out of town.”
Baya shook her head in dismay. “I’m finally free to spend more time with you. My education is done. I’m no longer a mistress and now this. … One of the only things that kept me going this past month was getting to be with you and my family more.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Vicaroy gently took her bandaged hand. “I take it the tests didn’t get any easier.”
Baya shook her head. “No. But I’m alive and it’s over.”
“Thank the Great Goddess for that.”
“That’s enough about me. What will you do, Vicaroy?”
Baya looked at him with such dismay that he thought his heart would break in two. Her dark eyes with the burst of green and gold at the center had always made her irresistible. It killed him to see them so full of pain. “I’m not the son of a high priestess, so it’s unlikely that I will be chosen by a woman who could support me. I have to work outside the home … somehow.”
Baya narrowed her eyes. What did he mean — he needed to become someone’s theo in order to survive outside the palace? She didn’t fully understand why this bothered her — really bothered her. “Surely there’s some other work you could do. Perhaps you could change your name and …”
“And What? Change my profession? I only know how to garden.”
Baya searched for an answer. “There must be some other option, some way for you to stay.” Nothing came to mind.
“The only way I would not have to leave is …”
“What is it?” Baya looked at him with wide hopeful eyes.
“Well, I’d have to go underground, out of Shema’s sight completely.”
Baya shook her head, not comprehending.
“I could join the theater.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Unawi forbids it and all theaters have long since been shut down.”
“You live in a pretend world — safely tucked away in a palace. That’s okay though. I often shut out the world beyond the gardens. Living here made it easy to believe that all of Pathins was as lovely and pure as the royal grounds.”
He opened his hand to reveal a small rock. He threw it as far as he could. “Well, never again. I’m in the real world now. Just because something is banned doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist, like our boat. Shema’s men found one such establishment just eight years ago, remember?”
Baya nodded. She vaguely remembered hearing news of a functioning theater.
“Sure, Shema had it shut down but that in no way stopped it. It sent the theater ring deeper underground — to a new location.”
Vicaroy knew more about life on the streets than she did, so she would give him this much. “But that can’t be your only option if you stay here.” The theater was a cover for the practice of prostitution. It had always been deemed unholy by the Unawi.
The theater usually consisted of a play, or sometimes men would dance, and then after the performance women would bid on the men they wanted. Baya had learned about this in her history lessons. She thought that the women who were low enough to do this were the worst of sinners. Only sick and desperate women would pay men to be with them. She had thought it was a very old practice that had died out centuries ago — or perhaps that was just what Shema had told her. Apparently, it still existed and always would find a way as long as there was a demand for such atrocities.
Vicaroy interrupted her thoughts. “A man, especially a young and handsome one, can make a good living this way. So I’ve heard.”
Chapter 30
Baya jumped to her feet. “You can’t be serious about this!” Her fingers curled into fists. This shot pain up her arm from her burned hand. She didn’t care. “No! I won’t let that happen. You can’t …” Baya panted, suddenly short of breath.
Vicaroy stood. He placed his hands on Baya’s shoulders. To her surprise he was smiling.
“That’s the reaction I was hoping for,” he said.
She exhaled so deeply it pushed her lips out. “So you won’t join the theater?”
“Azod thinks it’s my best option.”
Baya growled, actually growled at him.
Vicaroy laughed. “I think, I would try my chances with a new name in the North before I would resort to … prostitution.”
Baya’s heart sank. “You have to leave? Or become a …” she couldn’t make herself say it. Prostitution was akin to the worst curse word in the world, especially with Vicaroy’s name associated with it. He had come close to being forced to be with Fay. She couldn’t bear the thought of him having to entertain sick old women. The tears were back. She lowered her head and covered her eyes with her hands. She shouldn’t cry, women were stronger than this. Yet, the tears continued to fall.
“There’s one other option.”
Baya jerked her head up. “What?”
He was in deep thought, looking out at the sea.
“What?” she demanded.
He took her good hand in his and looked into her eyes. “Run away with me.”
Baya’s jaw dropped. She tried to speak but couldn’t. There were too many questions all at once — far too much to process. So nothing came out.
“I’ve been thinking. Here’s what I’ve got so far; we set sail —”
“Set sail!” Baya blurted.
“Yes —”
“Wait! You mean …” She looked out over the seemingly endless ocean. There was nothing but water, an expansive nothingness. “You want us to leave Pathins?”
“What did you think I meant?”
“That you wanted me to go to the North with you.”
“I thought about it but that would never work. Even if you could find a way to support us, your mother would post scrolls on every tree all over the island, with your face on each one. We could never outrun her — you’re too well known.”
Baya swayed. She sat down in case her legs decided to stop working altogether. She placed her hands on the hard rock underneath her. She needed to know that something so unchangeable and strong was supporting her.
Vicaroy sat down as well. He remained silent, giving her time to think.
“So those are our only options? We head out into the wild where no other humans can be found or you leave me and try to make your way in the North.”
Her insides churned when she said the second option out loud. It was unbearable to think of life without him. They would never see each other again. He would eventually become someone’s theo. She grit her teeth. Yet the thought of leaving Pathins was somehow not as bad — why? Because she would be with him. But —
“Yes, my options are limited, but just imagine what it would be like to see the world?”
The light of excitement shone in his eyes. It was a light that Baya hadn’t seen in a while. “You have spent a lot of time thinking about this, haven’t you?” she said.
“Of course, when I was a kid I used to dream about exploring the world. That’s how I ventured far enough to find this place. I have only ever felt at home in the garden and when I head out to sea in my canoe. If I can no longer garden in the palace then … what better place for me than the sea?”
“Well, I for one don’t need to imagine what the world’s like out there. I’ve seen it in Ameris’s scrolls. We wouldn’t last a day — if we could even find land.”
“You don’t really believe all that about the big scary world out there, do you?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t I? It’s written in the ancient scrolls.” She blinked at him in disbelief. “Don’t you believe in Ameris’s text?”
“I don’t know. It could be true but the only way to find out for sure is to go there — to see for ourselves.
Look, if there are truly deadly animals out there, we can protect ourselves. I have my weapons and you have your powers. Together we can do this. We can survive out there. I know it.”
Mook popped into Baya’s mind. She’d survived in the arena with him. The world would be dangerous but maybe he was right and they could make their way. “I can’t even begin to see how we could manage this and … Shema is too old to be the ruler for much longer. Everyone is certain that the next Unawi will be called upon to serve and I’ve just completed my studies. I’m ready —”
“To become Unawi.” Vicaroy completed her sentence. “It’s perfect timing. You’ve passed your tests and are poised to become the next ruler.” He shook his head. “How can I possibly ask you to leave all that?” He pulled his legs in tight and lowered his head to his knees.
Baya took a deep breath. That was final. She had to stay. Her future was here.
He looked at her and set his jaw with determination. “Baya, you don’t want to become Unawi. The pressures of ruling will wear you down. You want to have children … someday and … you’ve only worked so hard at your education because your mother wants you to. Forget about her. What do you want?”
The question took her by surprise. She had never thought about what she wanted. “Life is what it is. As Aga’s firstborn, I have to be the best. Nothing less will do. There’s nothing I can do about my life …” or was there? Could she possibly make her own choices? Part of her answered with an, Of course not! This was the side that longed to please her mother. Yet there was another side and it said, It’s about damn time you make a decision for yourself.
Vicaroy gazed at her in silence, allowing her to struggle with her thoughts.
“I know that I don’t want to die at sea or be eaten by some giant wild beast,” Baya finally said. What if Tash were to become the next Unawi. She envisioned Aga gushing over her perfect daughter, forgetting about Baya entirely. “And I can’t let Tash … win.” She inhaled sharply as the next thought hit her, “Or worse, Fay.” Baya shivered.
Vicaroy raised an eyebrow at her.
Baya looked away. She knew it was wrong to be jealous of her sister, but she was.
“What I’m about to do is the most selfish thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
Baya was going to ask what he was talking about when Vicaroy wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. He placed his lips squarely on hers. She tried to pull back in surprise but he held her close.
Baya’s head felt light as he continued to kiss her. The sensation that spread through her body was strange and wonderful. His kisses grew more intense, hungry. He ran his tongue along her lower lip before consuming her with another kiss.
A deep tingling feeling settled in her lower abdomen. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to push him away to make the unfamiliar sensation stop or if she wanted to push him to the ground and crawl on top of him.
When he pulled away, Baya had to take a couple deep breaths. She shook her head to gather her thoughts. “Why…” she stuttered, “was that selfish? And why haven’t you done that before?”
“It’s rude for a man to be so forward. I’m sure it happens but it’s the woman’s job to make the first move. I’ve been waiting for a long time for you to kiss me but I’m out of time … I had to.”
“Well, rude or not, I’m glad you did. It was … nice.” This was a stupid thing to say as it was a complete understatement but it was the only word that came to her foggy mind.
“So many times, I’ve wanted to do that. It was selfish to kiss you because I’m trying to convince you that I’m what you want. You want more of that.” He placed his palm gently on her neck and ran his thumb along her lower lip. “You don’t want to become the ruler and have to deal with all the world’s problems. I’m offering you something … different, something better.”
Baya could only watch his lips. It was all she could do not to press her mouth to his. She forced herself to look away. Rubbing the back of her neck she thought, pull yourself together. “Alright, I’m listening. Tell me about this plan of yours.”
Vicaroy smiled and his honey-colored eyes danced. “I’ve been working on a new boat, one much bigger than my canoe.”
“Okay, that solves the problem of how we will get off the island.” Baya’s thoughts came quickly. “However, neither one of us knows how to sail. And if we did, where would we sail to? And if we did know where we were going, we have no idea how long it would take to reach land. So we couldn’t possibly know how many provisions we would need to somehow carry with us.” The reality of the situation fully hit Baya and her good hand clenched and unclenched several times before she jumped to her feet. “And I can’t leave Rus and Bek and … my mom. Plus, we would be alone, no other humans.”
Baya looked around, suddenly aware that the suns were getting close to setting. “I have to get back before the doors are locked for the night.” Baya’s eyes widened with realization. “Where will you sleep?”
“Well, I’m banished from the palace grounds so I brought my bedding from home.” He pointed to the large cave behind them.
Baya put her hands over her face as she burst into tears. Vicaroy had to sleep in a cave, like some animal from the old scrolls. It was all too much. She ran.
“Baya. Wait!”
She glanced back briefly and the look on Vicaroy’s face made everything worse, even though she didn’t think that was possible. She’d never seen such dismay, such desperation before. “I can’t! I can’t do any of this.” She didn’t stop until she reached the palace doors, drenched in sweat and tears.
Chapter 31
Baya burst into the mistress’s common room.
“Oh, there you are.” Fay mocked. “I wondered where you disappeared to.”
Something snapped in Baya as she rounded on Fay. “Why do you care where I go or what I do? You had better not have had anything to do with this.”
Fay crossed her arms and smiled her smug, self-satisfied smile. “Why, Baya. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You had better not. I swear Fay, you and your games will catch up with you someday.”
Fay inhaled dramatically and placed her fingers gently against her chest.
“Don’t fake innocence with me. You had better pray that I don’t become Unawi.” Baya stormed out of the room.
She couldn’t get comfortable in her bed. When she closed her eyes she saw Vicaroy sleeping alone on the cave floor. She finally drifted off but her mind was full of thrashing winds and rain at sea. The sheets of rain turned into large claws as they nearly missed ripping her flesh to shreds. When the first sun was on the rise her dreams calmed as Vicaroy wrapped his arms around her and placed his lips to hers.
Baya sat straight up in bed, shaking the dream out of her head. It had been of Vicaroy playing with two small children — her children. They squealed with delight as he chased them through tall grass.
She stood, and splashed her face with water from the washbasin. She peered intently at herself in the mirror. “I love him and I can’t lose him,” she whispered.
A smile crept across her face. “I do love him and I’m going with him, no matter what.” Then she frowned. Her hair was a mess from the restless night. She quickly brushed it and put on her casual clothes, a pair of breeches and a tunic, before heading out with determination.
As she exited the common room she nodded to Fay. “Good morning.” Have fun with your games, she thought.
Fay looked at Baya with wide eyes, surprised at Baya’s high spirits. Then her face fell into a scowl.
Baya marched right up to Vicaroy. He sat staring out at the sea in the exact same spot as the day before. She wondered if he had moved at all. She tucked her tunic under her as she sat down gracefully next to him. With the slightest smile she said, “So, when do we set sail?”
He looked away and his shoulders slumped.
This was not the reaction Baya had hoped for. “What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to leave the i
sland.”
“It was … terrible of me to kiss you like that. I never should’ve. I couldn’t sleep last night —”
“Neither could I, but maybe for you it was because you were on a cave floor.”
“No. That’s not it. You have everything here. And I can’t take that from you just because I have nothing. You deserve a comfortable life … in a palace. You were born to become Unawi and you deserve all the best. I can’t give that to you. I can’t be selfish enough to take all that from you.”
Baya smiled at the sea. “Even if it’s a life I don’t want? One I’ve never wanted?” She was surprised at the absolute calm that she felt. Her mind was made up and she was utterly content. “You’re all I’ve ever needed.”
He shook his head and stood. She took his hand to stop him from leaving. “Vicaroy, I want to be with you.” She got to her feet.
Vicaroy studied her. He looked deep into her eyes and finally wrapped his arms around her, pressing her body against his. “There won’t be any palaces or manicured gardens where we’re going.”
Baya exhaled with relief. She had hoped for another kiss but there would be plenty of time for that. Besides they had a lot of planning to do. It was overwhelming to think about where to start. Nobody had left the island … ever.
Vicaroy’s arms tightened around her shoulders and he took a deep breath, as if inhaling her scent.
Something felt wrong. She pulled away in order to look at him. His eyes shone with emotion. “What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing.” His response was entirely too quick. He cleared his throat. “I guess we’d better start by having a look at the new boat.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and Baya relaxed.
Vicaroy took her hand and led her into the cave. “A boat much bigger than the canoe will be needed to withstand the open ocean. Come, I’ve been dying to show you.”
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