Page 111 of Tashama
As the woman hurried out of the door, the thief popped his head in through the window. “You cannot trust her, miss.”
“I don’t. Can you come for me before then?”
“Of course.” He waved his hand, then darted down the path. Before Tashama could sit, more footsteps hurried toward her room, and then the door burst open. “Tashama!” Aleron said.
“Your Highness.” Tashama curtsied to him.
“You’re not to be alone in here. What is Carissian thinking? Come with me at once.”
“Can you not just have a guard posted, King Aleron?”
“Why?” He paused in the doorway. “Are you upset about Listra?”
“I’m certain Listra will be safe.”
“Then what?”
Tashama looked down at the floor for a moment, then turned to the window. “It’s just I wanted to look at the garden from my room for a while.”
“I wish I could read your thoughts as Carissian can, as I can see you’re troubled by something, yet will not reveal this to me.” He waited for her to respond, but as Tashama continued to look out the window, he walked over to her. “Come, Tashama. It’s not safe here for you without a guard.” He took her arm and led her from her room. “I cannot understand what Carissian was thinking to let you back in your room without making sure you had some further protection. While you were with him, there was no threat, of course.”
“You know he wanted to speak with me?” Tashama asked.
“Of course. He wanted to explain my thinking concerning Listra’s attendance at our cousin’s wedding. Since I must wed. Well, since I have other concerns, I’m unable to attend.”
“Did she tell you Lord Coryn is dead?”
“Yes. I have not thought of who else might be a suitable groom for the princess, but it will be my next priority.”
“Why did you not also send me with Listra?”
“You cannot be serious.”
“If she were safer there, why would I not be also?”
“You will be safe here with me.” Aleron motioned to his chambers.
“King Aleron.” Tashama took no further step. “Why can't you release me? You need to marry, and so do I. We have our own kingdoms to rule and…”
“I told you already, Tashama, I love you and will have no other.”
“Then you will have to abdicate your throne.”
“Carissian may believe this…”
“He is your advisor, sire.”
“He is not all-knowing.” He pulled Tashama into his pillow room, then motioned to her to have a seat.
“I cannot, sire. I must leave here soon.”
Aleron grabbed Tashama’s hand and pressed her fingers to his lips. “Even when your eyes were blackened like the raccoon, there was something about you I couldn’t resist. Carissian feared you like no one else before this, and now I know why. You have captured my heart, and I believe he knew something like this would happen. I will not give you up, Tashama.”
She sat on the pillows, and he snapped his fingers at a servant down the hall. “Bring us something to drink.” He sat beside her.
She touched the satin pillows and leaned back to consider the mural. “If you were to help me to overthrow Loran…”
“And what if in so doing, your people would install you as ruler of the region, but insist you marry someone of their choice? What would become of us?”
