Page 77 of Tashama
They walked off the pebble beach, and a thud from behind made the prince turn. He laughed. “Thank you, water spites.” He grabbed up the fish and hastened after Tashama. “What did they wish of you?”
“I won’t tell, so quit asking.” Red peppers dangling on stalks nearby caught her attention. “You have chili peppers here.”
Aleron shook his head. “We cannot eat those.”
She pulled one from its stem, then bit into it as Aleron held his breath. Smiling, she coughed. “Great stuff.” Her voice was hoarse from the burning juices of the pepper. She cleared her throat, then walked beside the prince’s pack and grabbed up the wet blanket. She shook it out and stretched it over the fire.
Aleron carved the end of a stick, then stuck it through the center of the fish. Afterwards, he hung it on the makeshift spit over the fire. “Nobody ever eats those things. We thought they were poisonous.”
Tashama smiled. “Great Texas food.” Then she grew serious. “The sun grows low in the fall sky. The air has already turned cooler by several degrees. Our clothes will not have time to dry properly before nightfall.” Her arms were already covered with bumps from the cold as the slight breeze whisked about her.
The breeze carried the smoke in her direction, and she moved to the opposite side of the fire. The prince rubbed her arms to warm them as they stood before the flames.
“Your shift is still so wet,” the prince said softly.
“Yes, and your breeches, too, but we will not remove them.”
“Modesty aside…”
“No, unless you want me to leave you here alone. Then you may remove the rest of your garments to your heart’s content. I’m certain the water sprites would be intrigued.”
The prince leaned down and pulled her wet hair aside. “Even your hair is still so wet, Tashama. You’re bound to catch a chill.”
“Then it is the gods’ will.”
“You said once you must do what you can, that the gods cannot live your life for you.”
“You left me to fend for myself, oh prince, with men who had not the luxury of being with a woman of their choice for several months. Maybe longer. I was able to carry myself with dignity and respect while living among them. Do not think I’ll succumb to your charming ways, for the sake of staying warm and dry.”
“I’m sorry, Tashama. I cannot take back the terrible way I’ve treated you, but I am sorry. I was wrong to have dealt with you in the manner in which I did.”
She nodded as she wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to quit shivering. He walked over and touched theblanket. “The blanket is dry now. Will you not cover yourself in it? I will turn from your view, and you can remove your shift. Then we can dry your garment over the fire. Your hair will still be wet, but you should be warmer.”
He offered the blanket to her.
“Will you look away?”
“I promise. I don’t want you to become ill.”
She took a deep breath. “Then look away, Prince, and do not turn this way again until I tell you to do so.”
“Of course.” He handed her the blanket, then turned his back to her.
Tashama droppedthe blanket to the ground, then pulled the shift over her head as quickly as she was able, as her hair caught it halfway. As she struggled to loosen the hair from the fabric, the prince folded his arms across his waist. When he felt she’d had enough time to remove the gown, he said, “Are you ready yet, Princess?”
“No!” The panic in her voice made him smile.
“What seems to be the trouble?” He rubbed his chin.
“My hair.”
“Do you need my assistance?”
“No, and do not turn this way.”
She dropped her wet shift on the ground. The prince said, “Ready?”
“No!” Tashama grabbed up the blanket and pulled it over her shoulders. “All right.” She held the blanket tightly closed with her clenched hands.
