Page 56 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“No, I’m simply curious,” she answered.

“I have none, though I do possess something that might count in that regard. It’s something both the current Queen Betrest, Khety’s long-suffering wife, and I share. Living scalp hair,” Mereruka answered.

“Like that woman with the water for hair?” Taisiya asked.

“No, ah… well, try not to scream. I’m told it can be unnerving,” he said.

When his hair, whether in braids or hanging free began to rise up, seemingly on its own, he watched her grip the material of her dress and hold her breath, her eyes wide.

“It’s less alive and sentient than it is a conductor for my magic, like an extra set of hands. I’ll feel it if it’s cut.”

“O-oh,” She replied.

“You can touch it. It won’t hurt either of us.”

Tentatively, she reached out. She held one of the violet strands in her hand and slid her fingers along it.

“It just feels like hair.”

Mereruka laughed, startling her.

“Well, it is.”

Taisiya scowled and put her hand in her lap.

“Normal hair doesn’t move like that. Why would I assume it would feel the same?”

A fair question, but a knock on the door prevented him from answering. Bas strode through with a large bowl of hot food, a pitcher of steaming water, and a teetering tower of dishes.

“Are you showing her your freakish hair?” Bas asked, his brow raised.

“He was,” Taisiya replied.

“No one wants to see you do unnatural things with your hair,” Bas hissed. He mumbled something about childishness before setting the food before them.

“You used to love it when-” Mereruka began.

“When I was a toddler, yes. No one needs to know that. Moving on. I brought dinner if you’re feeling up to it,” Bas said to Taisiya.

Taisiya seemed about to protest, a hand on her stomach and the dark circles under her eyes prominent.

“I—”

“She is,” Vasilisa replied sternly as she materialized in the dark corner. “As am I.”

Bas’s hair was standing up on end and his tail had grown three times in furry width when he slowly turned around to face the darkness mage.

“Stop doing that!” he hissed.

Vasilisa smiled.

“Why? It’s so much fun when you yowl in surprise.”

“Alright children, stop fighting and join us for dinner. Taisiya, Vasilisa, this will be good practice. Some of our etiquette will be different from what you’re used to,” Mereruka said, interrupting the fight before fists were involved.

When everyone found a spot at the bolted-down table, Mereruka poured the hot water into bowls and passed them about.

“The food has been prepared so that it can be eaten with our hands and shared amongst us. The bowls are for washing our hands.” At Taisiya and Vasilisa’s shared look of incredulity, he added, “I’ll show you how it’s done.”

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