Tagan's Child

by ammyford1

  There was a soft tap on my door.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s me,” replied Toby.

  “Come in,” I said, sitting up. Now that had been close.

  He bounced across the room and landed on the bed.

  “Are you alright sweetheart?” I asked

  He rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, great,” he said climbing into bed next to me, his voice still croaky from sleep.

  “Are you ready for another day as Prince of Ramia?” I said, putting my arms around him and hugging him close.

  He laughed. “That just sounds funny.”

  I kissed him on the top of the head and smiled into his hair.

  “When I woke up I thought I had dreamt it,” he said, shaking his head in wonder. “Oh, and guess what?”

  “What?” I asked, feeling so happy that my little nephew was back with me.

  “Halsan breeds racehorses. Do you think he will let me go and see them?”

  “I’m sure he will.” I knew full well that his grandparents weren’t going to be able to refuse him anything.

  “We better get up,” I said, glancing at the clock. “It’s nearly eight, everybody will be having breakfast without us.” I felt a flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing Ahran again.

  “I’m going to jump in the shower. Meet you in the lounge in ten.”

  “Okay,” Toby said climbing out of the bed. “Do you think the King will let me sit on one of his horses?” he asked, turning back towards me.

  “Who knows?” I replied. His life had suddenly become full of endless possibilities and I had my work cut out if I wanted to keep him grounded. I climbed out of bed with a heavy sigh, feeling no closer to coming up with a solution regarding Toby that would suit us all.

  I stood in the shower and contemplated how Ahran and I were going to take things from here. I had a home back on Earth and a business to run and he had a farm to set up, if indeed he still had one after his father learnt we were together. No doubt we would have to spend stretches of time apart and I didn’t feel comfortable about that at all, and if our relationship survived that, then what? I couldn’t see Ahran living on Earth but could I live a double life in Ramia, lying about where I was half the time to my friends back home, the friends I loved and respected? The emotions I felt were so bittersweet. On the one hand, I was floating on cloud nine, but on the other, my life seemed more hopeless than ever.

  I finished showering and quickly dressed in a pair of white linen trousers and a pretty lemon yellow blouse with short ruched sleeves. I towel dried my hair and applied a little mascara and some lip gloss before slipping my feet into a pair of flat sandals and joining Toby in the lounge.

  Halsan and Leylana were already sat down at breakfast when we arrived. Ahran had yet to make an appearance. At least it gave me the chance to compose myself before he arrived. A knot of excitement had formed in my stomach.

  “Good morning,” I said as two servants pulled out our chairs.

  “Good morning my dear,” Halsan replied. “And how is our grandson?”

  “I’m good thanks,” Toby replied politely and sat down. Both the King and Queen smiled at him. Like me, I don’t think they could quite believe he was actually here.

  “Did you both sleep well?” Leylana asked as she poured herself a cup of tea.

  My mind flitted back to the night I’d just had. I felt a hot flush sweep across my chest. “Yes, thank you,” I replied courteously and reached for a glass of orange juice to avoid making eye contact. I felt exposed, as if it was clearly written across my face that I had spent the night with their nephew.

  “We are having our 100th wedding anniversary celebrations tonight,” Halsan said as he buttered his toast. “We thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce Toby to our friends and subjects.”

  I remembered Leylana had been out making preparations for their anniversary when I first came to meet them. I sipped my orange juice feeling slightly irritated that they were not being more sympathetic to Toby and the ordeal he had just been through, nor were they giving him the space he needed to adjust to his newfound heritage. The last thing he needed was all their cronies fawning over him.

  “Well, I think it is a little early for anything like that, we’ve only been back a day,” I said, trying to reason with the King.

  “I understand, but it’s important that my subjects meet Toby as soon as possible. Word is out that he is here at the palace and they are expecting an introduction.” The King had obviously been prepared for my protest.

  I still couldn’t see what the rush was.

  “I don’t mind Auntie Sophie,” Toby said.

  I got the distinct feeling I was being ganged up on and I strongly suspected the King and Queen had already mentioned this to Toby without talking to me first. Was it always going to be like this? Were they always going to undermine me where Toby was concerned? I felt cross that the King was already assuming control over Toby with little regard for my feelings or my position as his guardian.

  “Toby really needs a few early nights and to get back into some kind of routine. He really mustn’t be up late.” I didn’t want it to sound like I was point scoring but the King had to bear in mind that we were dealing with a child, whether that child was a prince or not.

  “No, of course,” the King said in agreement.

  Leylana had kept very quiet during our conversation, she was obviously aware of the delicate nature of our situation. I felt for both of them. I really did. They had lost a son, but they had gained a grandson and heir, they were bound to want to show him off. That said, I was damned if I was going to let them walk all over me because of their loss. In my eyes, they were Toby’s grandparents and I was his guardian, the fact that they were powerful rulers in their world was not a factor I was prepared to let intimidate me.

  The atmosphere was somewhat strained as we continued to eat our breakfast. It wasn’t long before Ahran joined us which brought a different sort of tension. My stomach did a little flip at the sight of him all showered and looking as fresh as a daisy in spite of the exertions of the night.

  “Morning my Lord, Aunt Ley, sorry I’m late, I had to make a few phone calls,” he said as he sat down. I don’t know why I thought it but I felt a stab of jealousy as I wondered whether one of them had been to Talina. Was she absolutely clear that their relationship was over? She hadn’t come across as the sort of woman to easily let go of a man like Ahran.

  “Good morning,” he said, greeting me and Toby.

  “Morning,” I replied and quickly looked away.

  “Good morning Ahran, are you well?” The Queen asked.

  “Yes very well Aunt, thank you.”

  He caught my eye again and winked. I was furious. Had I not asked him to behave himself?

  “You are toast…I mean your toast,” I corrected as I passed him the toast rack, scowling. He laughed and choked on the mouthful of tea he had just taken. Serves him right!

  Halsan clapped him on his back. “Are you alright?”

  I refused to look at him again. Fortunately, neither the King nor Queen seemed to notice his little indiscretion.

  “How is Galius?” Halsan asked Ahran once he had recovered.

  “He’s good. Settled. Seems to have some success at breeding top quality racehorses,” Ahran replied.

  “That’s good to hear, he always did have a talent for picking good horses.”

  Ahran nodded in agreement.

  “We’d heard he’d got married. I never thought he was the settling down type,” Leylana declared.

  “Yes, married with a son. Family life seems to suit him.”

  “Well, I can’t say I’m not pleased. He was always very charming, it was so terribly tragic he lost his parents and at such a young age, he deserves some happiness,” Leylana said.

  “And a damn good soldier,” the King added. “I will make sure he is suitably rewarded for what he did for us.”

  This seemed to please Ahran. “We couldn’t ha
ve done it without him.”

  “I shall get Sulaan onto it this afternoon,” the King promised.

  “Toby tells us he likes horses,” the King said, directing his attention back to me.

  Toby’s interest was pricked when Halsan brought up the subject he had raised back in my bedroom this morning.

  “Yes, he even wanted to be a knight at one stage,” I said affectionately.

  “Auntie Sophie!” Toby said, mortified that I should share such a toe curling snippet of information about him with the King.

  Everyone chuckled at his embarrassment.

  I put a reassuring hand on Toby’s arm. “Yes, he loves horses, don’t you Toby?” I said, trying to hide my smile.

  He nodded.

  “Well, I was thinking maybe he would like to visit our stud today, the Queen and I breed our own race horses. It’s something we are very passionate about,” the King revealed.

  “The foals are adorable,” Leylana added.

  “Can I? Please Auntie Sophie,” Toby pleaded. “I’m sure you can come too,” he said in the hope that this would persuade me to say yes.

  “I’ve got to be at the farm today to receive a delivery,” Ahran interrupted. “I wondered if Sophie might like to come with me and see the place seeing as she has heard so much about it,” Ahran continued nonchalantly. He was obviously trying hard for it not to sound like we were angling to spend the day together.

  “Oh, you’ll love it Sophie, it’s in such a beautiful spot,” Leylana said. I couldn’t tell whether she genuinely wanted me to see the place or whether she was giving her blessing for me to spend the day with Ahran. I got the distinct impression it was the latter. I strongly suspected she knew something was going on between us and surprisingly she seemed to approve.

  I looked from Toby to Ahran. Toby’s face was willing me to say he could go to the stud and Ahran’s face was purposefully expressionless. “Very well, if you want to see the horses Toby, I’ll go with Ahran to see his farm.” I hoped I sounded suitably indifferent and yet gracious in accepting Ahran’s offer.

  “Great,” Ahran said with the hint of a satisfied smile and Toby pulled his fist into his waist in a gesture of triumph.

  “Excellent,” said the King. “We just need to make sure we are all back in time for tonight’s celebrations,” the King reminded us.

  I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. He was obviously determined to have Toby there.

  We finished our breakfast and went back to our rooms to get ready to go. Toby cleaned his teeth without me having to ask him and in double quick time. If only he showed that kind of momentum when he was getting ready for school, I thought to myself.

  I touched up my make-up and picked up a pair of sunglasses from the dressing table. The Queen had not stinted on the choice of clothes and accessories she had provided.

  “Are you sure you are happy to go without me today?” I asked Toby.

  “I’ll be okay Auntie Sophie I promise.”

  He was being so brave but I was expecting some kind of fallout from what had happened at any moment. “You’ve been through a lot and you don’t have to pretend with me.”

  “I know. I really like the King and Queen and it is so cool having bodyguards, I feel safe with them.” The excitement of the situation he had found himself in was still very much evident. I was pleased he felt comfortable in his grandparents company and I wasn’t about to deny him the thrill of getting to know them.

  “Good, I’m glad,” I said and gave him a little squeeze.

  “See you later,” he said, before giving me a peck on the cheek and then scooting off to find them.

  Ahran was waiting for me in the reception hall. He looked relaxed with one ankle resting on the other knee, he was concentrating on a series of figures which were being projected up from a small electronic tablet on his lap and hovered just in front of his eyes. He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a navy polo shirt and his sunglasses were perched on the top of his head. He looked like an Armani model posing for Tatler and my heart beat a little faster knowing he was all mine.

  He stood up as I approached and had a mischievous look in his eyes. “You look good enough to eat,” he whispered and bent to give me a kiss on the cheek. “Ready?”

  “Yes, let’s go.” Strangely, I felt a little nervous which was ridiculous considering how up close and personal we had been last night.

  A car I didn’t recognise was hovering outside waiting for us. It was silver and sporty looking, like a Ferrari but with no wheels.

  I turned to Ahran and raised my eyebrows.

  “It’s my car,” he replied. Blimey! It must have cost a fortune and suited him down to the ground. I nodded in awe.

  The doors slid up as we approached. He sat in the driver’s seat and turned to me before switching it on.

  “Are you okay? You seem a little edgy.”

  “I’m fine, just feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything at the moment.”

  Ahran took hold of my hand, and stroked my palm with his thumb.

  “What you have had to deal with lately is more than most people have to deal with in a lifetime, you are bound to be feel unsettled.”

  “I just find the King overbearing sometimes, and I feel I’m losing Toby already.”

  I looked at him with tears in my eyes.

  “Mootya,” he said softly. “I know the King can be very persuasive.”

  His sympathy made tears spill down my cheek.

  “Yeah, you can say that again,” I said humourlessly and dropped my gaze to my lap. I was trying so hard to cope with the situation and be strong.

  “Hey,” he caught hold of my chin and turned my face towards him.

  “You are Toby’s Auntie. Anyone can see how much you love him and as his guardian, until Toby is an adult, nobody, not even the King, can make you do anything you don’t think is right for him. We respect the rights of family here. You have just got to stand your ground and don’t let Halsan bully you into doing anything you don’t feel comfortable with.”

  I nodded and smiled weakly through my tears.

  “Do you want me to try and talk to him and explain how vulnerable the situation is making you feel at the moment?” he suggested.

  “No, no, that won’t be necessary, but thank you it’s very kind of you to offer.” The last thing I wanted was for the King to sense any weakness in me. I needed to earn his respect if I had any chance of standing up to him.

  “It’s just nice to know I have your support,” I said, taking the tissue he handed me and wiping my eyes.

  “I’m here for you Sophie, always,” he said sincerely.

  I laced my fingers with his and looked up into his eyes. “Thank you. My life is in such a state of flux at the moment, it’s difficult to know what to do for the best.”

  “I know. You will work it out with Halsan and we will take things as slowly as you need to.”

  The look in his eyes was so genuine and heartfelt it melted my insides. I raised his hand to my lips and kissed his knuckles.

  “I really want to hold you in my arms right now, but I know that would be an illegal gesture,” he said teasing me and lightening the atmosphere.

  “And talking of illegal gestures,” I said, prodding his knee with my finger. “You are not allowed to wink at me in company. I’m sure Leylana suspects something.”

  “It’s so hard,” he complained.

  “It’s not easy for me either, but I don’t want to burden Toby with anything more at the moment. He needs to make a decision about his future without him worrying about how that decision might affect me. Besides, it’s not as if we’ve had a conventional courtship so far, it would be nice to enjoy each other for a while longer without every man and his dog knowing about us. In fact, the secrecy is sort of nice in a way.” I looked up at him a little bashfully.

  Toby was the main reason why I didn’t want to tell anyone about us but not telling anyone for the moment was also a way of delaying any trouble with Ahran’
s parents. I was dreading the time when he would have to tell them because I knew it would be disastrous for his already strained relationship with his father, but my biggest fear was that once his father found out about us, Ahran would lose everything.

  “I understand and respect your reasons for not telling anyone yet, as torturous as it is, but as long as you understand that whenever we are alone I will not be able to keep my hands off you.”

  “That’s fine by me,” I said, smiling at him.

  “Good, I’m glad we have come to an agreement,” he said with feigned seriousness.

  My heart swelled. I loved that there was such easy banter between us, I loved that we so desperately wanted each other, I loved that he was kind and sensitive and supportive. I loved him, it was as simple as that. I gently squeezed his hand.

  The humour disappeared from his eyes and was replaced by something darker, hotter. “I think we better go before I break all the rules.” He put his sunglasses on and started the car.

  I smiled at him. “You look seriously hot in those glasses,” I confided.

  “Carry on like that and I will be pulling over as soon as we are out of the palace gates to have my wicked way with you.”

  I laughed. “As long as nobody can see us, you can do whatever you want to me,” I said flirtatiously.

  “Ah Sophie! Don’t say things like that or we are going to miss the delivery I’ve been waiting for.”

  I laughed again and rested my hand on his thigh. He took hold of the steering wheel.

  “I was expecting this car to have an autopilot,” I said.