Page 20 of Legacy of the Heirs
Elisara said little to Nyzaia, who guided her back through Tabheri palace until reaching the guest chambers. She wanted to ask more about the celestial tie and what had unfolded between Elisara and Kazaar. Nyzaia was certain something else had happened, as the pair were terrible at hiding the tension between them. It remindedNyzaia of when she and Tajana had first begun seeing one another, and their failed attempts to hide their relationship from the syndicate. The men had all bet on when they would finally confess to it.
Nyzaia could not remember the last time she and Tajana shared such heated tension or even the last time they were intimate; the moment after Nyzaia’s coronation barely counted. With all the recent revelations, Nyzaia craved a constant—someone to always rely on. Why should she care what the lords thought? Would the people really dissent if they knew she was with Tajana? Nyzaia tried to calculate how many people might know Tajana was from the Red Stones as she strode to the guards’ quarters to find her. She would suggest they spend the day together.
The palm trees swayed in the morning sun. Nyzaia had lost many hours of sleep, and though it had only been two days since Elisara and Kazaar had arrived, it felt like weeks.
Descending the tile steps of the palace entrance, Nyzaia crossed the courtyard to where the guards’ quarters were located, and the horse and carriage remained tied up. Intricate gold markings and ornamental pieces blinded against the deep burgundy of the coach. Lord Israar was still here.
The guards’ quarters were quiet when she approached. It should be loud on an inspection day, given over a hundred guards were stationed at the palace. Nyzaia slowed her steps. There was nobody here apart from the two men guarding the doors.
“Have you seen the captain?” she asked. The pair straightened.
“No, my queen,” one responded.
“She said she was inspecting the guards’ quarters; does that happen later? Am I early?” The two guards shared a look before one began to stammer.
“The quarters’ inspections are only once a week, my queen.”
“It was yesterday, my queen,” said the other. Nyzaia maintained composure and suppressed the urge to clench her fists.
“I must have misheard her, thank you.” Nyzaia turned andhurried back up the steps of the courtyard. She had not misheard, and as she rounded another corridor, she groaned.
“Queen Nyzaia,” called Lord Israar.
Plastering a fake smile on her face, she greeted him through gritted teeth. “Lord Israar.”
“Can I accompany you?” he asked.
“I am only returning to my chambers.”
“Then please.” He offered his arm with a forced smile, a flash of gold teeth glinting at the edges. No matter how gentlemanly Lord Israar appeared to others, the tainted calculation in his eyes was clear. He looked her up and down. “Lead the way.”
Nyzaia sighed and took his arm. Wisely, she led him away from her actual quarters and towards her mother’s old rooms.
“Have you thought any more about my proposal?” he asked, wasting no more time with formalities.
“Honestly, Lord Israar.” Nyzaia paused, trying to place her words carefully. “I do not see a threat to my rule if I were to have Tajana as my legal consort.”
The lord hummed and stroked his oily beard, pulling her to a stop by a balcony overlooking the oasis at the back of the palace before meeting the canyons. Nyzaia clenched her jaw and tugged her arm free of his hand.
“So, you have no concerns for your image but also none about her?”
“Should I?” Nyzaia countered. Lord Israar met her eyes with a smirk before placing his arms on either side of Nyzaia to grip the balcony, penning her in. Nyzaia jerked back until her hair dangled over the balcony.
“You tell me,” he whispered in her ear before striding off. Nyzaia watched him leave, overcome by confusion. When she was certain he was gone, she turned back to look over the balcony and tapped a rhythm on the burnt-orange stone. She paused upon spotting Tajana. She crossed through the oasis towards the canyons, glancing behind her as she did. Other than the Red Stones’ den, little residedin the canyons, except for the occasional runaway felon or orphans attempting to cross into a new realm. She seemed nervous. Nyzaia narrowed her eyes, a gut feeling stirring within.
Tajana was hiding something.
***
Stupid clothes, Nyzaia thought, trying to untangle herself from the skirts of her lehenga. Once she was naked, she secured her dark locks upon her head with a blood-red ribbon. She was exhausted and looked it. Nyzaia prodded the dark shadows below her eyes before striding for the hot bath in the open morning air outside her chambers. She groaned, sinking into its depths.
“There’s a sound I like to hear.” With her solace interrupted, she watched Tajana enter the chambers and strip off her clothes. Nyzaia followed her naked form as she confidently strode to the bath, descending the mosaic-tiled steps into the water. If Nyzaia was not so angry about Tajana’s lie, she would admire her curves and the smoothness of her skin. Instead, she pursed her lips and stared ahead.
“What’s wrong?” asked Tajana. Nyzaia lifted her foot and placed it between Tajana’s breasts to keep her from wading closer. Tajana smirked. “Are we playing a game?”
Nyzaia’s eyes glowed, and the flames in the sconces rose behind her.
“I’ll take that as a no then,” said Tajana, beginning to massage Nyzaia’s foot. “Tell me what I have done.”
