Page 90 of Tashama
“Certainly. Only the dust in the temple made me sneeze. You would think they would keep the place dusted better than that.”
“The incense is what probably made you sneeze.”
“Oh, well, the incense then.”
Listra glanced over at the head table. “Carissian is watching you.”
“Yes, he’s trying to read my thoughts. I give them to him freely now, and this puzzles him.”
“Can you read his thoughts? Some say you cannot.”
“Certainly.” Tashama licked the peppermint flavor off her fingers. “Um, I’m glad we were able to eat tonight. I really was quite hungry.”
“The prince hasn’t eaten much.” Listra tilted her wine cup to her lips. “He cannot seem to take his eyes off you, though Daveal has tried to get his attention several times. Her face is three shades darker than I have ever seen it as a result of his ignoring her.”
Tashama smiled, then took her drink, stood up, and toasted it to the prince. “To your successful coronation, Prince Aleron!”
Everyone raised a toast to the prince, and Tashama sipped her drink. “And to mermaids and the like,” Tashama said under her breath as she sat down. “Did you finish your pillow for the prince’s coronation?”
“Yes, but now I’m not certain he will want it.”
“Will you attend the ceremony, tomorrow?”
“If I will be allowed.”
“I won’t.”
“You will not be allowed?”
“No, I won’t attend.”
Listra shook her head. “I do not see why you wish to aggravate the prince so.”
“It is he who aggravates me. He promised to stay with me while I returned to Karthland, and then what does he do? He returns me to prison.”
“To keep you safe from Loran.”
“And who is going to keep me safe from the Maldovians?” Tashama finished her wine, then waved for a refill. “I don’t know, Listra. I felt it my duty to my people to return here and lead them to victory. Now, I’m not certain I should have ever been brought back.”
“Why would your sorcerer have brought you here and not to Karthland?”
“He made a mistake. There was a tornado.” Tashama’s eyes filled with tears. She looked over at Listra. “I was angry with him for making the mistake and not coming to rescue me afterwards. If he’s not here, then maybe he’s dead.” She stood slowly as the conversation dropped off in the great hall.
“He must be all right.” Listra reached out her hand to Tashama’s.
“He has been like my father.” Tashama walked away from the table. “For these past ten years, I…I would not be able to rule without him by my side.” She turned and ran for the door as the prince motioned for the guard. “Let me go!” she screamed as two of the guards grabbed her arms and made her stop. “Let me go!” she repeated as she tried to wrench her arms free from their tight grip.
Then she collapsed amidst sobs as the prince stood at his table. He motioned for Tashama to be removed from the hall, then hurried to conclude the feast.
The prince hurriedout of the hall with Carissian. “What was the matter?”
“She was thinking about Balthazar when she had visions he might have died in the tornado.”
“Tornado?”
“I believe it was the black funnel-like object dropped down out of their clouds. I’ve seen her envision this image several times. The image is life-threatening. I believe now her injuries when we first discovered her were due to this. If so, Balthazar may no longer live.”
The prince rubbed his chin, then shook his head as he stopped in his footsteps. “She cannot rule without a royal sorcerer by her side.”
