Page 16 of Tashama
Reconsidering, he said, “You have a tongue.”
“Certainly, and you have yet to hear it.”
He tilted his head back slightly and considered Tashama’s ivory complexion and gem-quality green eyes. His eyes roamed over her naturally blond hair, striated with fine strands of gold and honey drifting over her shoulders now in ruffled waves past her slim hips.
His smile returned when he studied her turtleneck drawn snugly over her breasts. His brows rose slightly in amusement, then he chuckled when her full pink lips pursed with irritation.
She was lovelier than anyone he could have imagined, although she was only a Karthlander woman. Yet there was something more about her. Even Carissian sensed something unusual. His gaze rested on her inviting mouth, and he shook his head. Since her capture, he’d been unable to think of anything else.
He sighed deeply. His women wore colored waxes to enhance the appearance of their lips, but this woman needed no such coloration. Perfectly formed and pink as the frizolan when in full bloom, she didn’t need to improve their luscious color. With just a little persuasion, he knew her lips would succumb to his.
He motioned for her to sit on the bed. She folded her arms. Aleron waved to one of his guards, who yanked her to the mattress. Sitting on the bed, she glared back at Aleron.
He sat on the stool the healer had used and studied her further. “Who are you?”
The question wasn’t meant to be answered…just his thinking out loud. He rubbed his silky chin.
“My jewelers are baffled by the chains you wore. Only royalty can wear such a thing.” He furrowed his brow. “Are you a thief?”
The healer and the other prisoners waited on the edges of their seats for Tashama’s answers. Aleron shook his head. “You are nobody.”
Why haveyou come to see me, then…a nobody…when you have never before visited the compound? Why do you sit here undressing me with hungry eyes? A nobody wouldn’t be worth a smidgeon of your time, great prince.
Tashama was glad Carissian wasn’t around to read her mind. She’d hold her tongue in the prince’s presence with her own people sitting in audience, but she could think as freely as she wanted.
Aleron touched the ribbed edge of her doubled-over collar. The prince’s fingers stretched the material.You’re as curious as that silly Maine Coon cat I used to have. But I’m not your mouse to play with.
She studied Aleron’s gaze while he seemed to take in every measure of her figure…the spread of her narrow shoulders and her slim hips, then his focus centered on the points of interest beneath her turtleneck.
The wounded prisoners watched his attentions to her. “You’re no threat to me.” The prince rose, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the healer’s tent.
“Just you wait and see,” Tashama said under her breath.And yes, despite realizing my feelings for you are wrong, I want to share your bed. But, it will never be, prince of Maldovia.
She turned to the healer. “I noticed when I arrived last night that the guards had only a few posted when it would be easier for our people to escape. Why is this?”
“I do suppose they feel we would never be able to find a way through the mountains to Karthland.”
“Nonsense. Our people can do anything they set their minds to do.”
“They’ll get themselves killed.”
“They’ll be free. Living here kills the spirit. If this war goes on forever, won’t the body die here, too—never knowing the freedom to live? Never to be with family and friends? I lost that freedom once.” Tashama looked down at her hands. “I never realized how much I longed to be with my family and friends until I was torn away from them. I didn’t realize it until now. I was just as much in a prison where I was, hiding until I was able to return and resume…” The words she almost said died on her lips. “Iwillreturn home.”
“To a place you do not know.”
She took a deep breath. “I will remember it again.”
“To find a mate you know not.”
“In time.”
“Do you truly have the gift?”
“They seem to think so.” Tashama waved her hand at the camp.
The healer gave her a small smile. “If nothing else, you sure have been entertaining, miss.”
Tashama peered out of the tent. The prince and his entourage mounted their horses at the gate, and she walked out into the open. Several of the prisoners caught sight of her, andan unexpected roar of cheers erupted. The prince and his men turned to watch her.
