Page 68 of Tashama
“You were listening then. You weren’t asleep at all.” He took a deep breath.She is as cunning as Carissian says.“You infer Oshon was allowed to do such a thing.”
“Certainly.”
“For what purpose?”
“Should you not hand me over to Loran, he has made a promise to the prince that he will be the one to do the deed.”
The prince straightened. “You say this just as you try to create friction between Daveal and me. You’re very clever, Tashama. Carissian is right about you.”
“Devil.” Tashama pushed a blond curl behind her ear. She turned to Carissian. “Do I not speak the truth?”
“I cannot tell. I can see you’re trying to deliver something to me, but you’re fearful the surroundings and people involved may somehow reveal something you do not wish me to see.” Carissian’s eyes bored into Tashama’s for several seconds, then he shook his head. “You fight me every step of the way.”
“She’s fabricating this, Carissian.”
“Yes, sire. I would have to say so, unless she’ll allow me to see what she has seen or heard.”
“Do you know, Prince Aleron, when your sorcerer tries to read my thoughts, he touches me where he ought not?”
The prince glanced over at Carissian, whose face revealed the slightest hint of amusement. “She is dangerous, this one, is all I will say.”
Carissian vanished. Tashama’s eyes widened. “You did not dismiss him, my prince. Why is that? Have I touched on the truth of the matter?”
“When he reads my thoughts, all I notice is a gentle tugging in my forehead, nothing more.”
Tashama smiled. “Ah, yes–but he cannot read my thoughts easily. He employs other methods with me to try to distract me. But do not take my word for it. Your sorcerer’s actions speak for themselves.” She could tell the prince was still considering the notion when she proposed another question. “If Oshon were to find out I knew the truth about his escape and feared I couldconvince you of his traitorous plans, what do you think he would do to me?”
“He will not disobey me.”
“You do not know much about this leader of your cavalry, then, Prince Aleron. He has made this promise to Loran and has vowed to keep it.”
“He wouldn’t have told you such a plan, should he have planned to do such a deed.”
“You are right, of course. I overheard him speaking to a woman.”
“Who?”
“I wouldn’t know—just Devil and Listra are the only two ladies of your court I know by name.”
“If you saw her again?”
Tashama shook her head. “She loves Oshon and he…she, but her parents will not permit her marriage to him.”
The prince rubbed his chin, then hollered, “Carissian!”
The sorcerer appeared before him. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Who do we know that Oshon has taken a fancy to?”
“None that I know of, sire.”
“They meet in secret,” Tashama said.
“Where?” Carissian smiled. “The temple. You think you can keep up this charade, but you cannot.”
“The temple?” the prince said. “Does she speak the truth then?”
Carissian furrowed his brow. “She was hiding in the temple when Oshon spoke with one of the women of the order—the princess speaks the truth.”
