Page 102 of Tashama
“She has no regularly scheduled duties. Anytime is free time for the lady.”
“Yes, sire.”
They stood at the edge of the pool. Tashama and Listra poked their heads underneath the waterfall. While they ran their hands over each other’s long hair as the fall ran over them in a steady stream, then laughed.
Tashama whispered to Listra, though her spoken word would not have made it to his ear just the same. Listra nodded and dove under the water, and then Tashama followed her. The two soon vanished beneath the bridge.
When they swam across to the other side, they dove under the water and swam until they came to the secretive islands ofplants that hid them. Both climbed out, then covered their wet gowns with towels and hurried back to the path. Aleron caught up with them. “I wish a word with you,” he said to Tashama.
“Yes, sire?”
Listra hurried back to their chambers.
“You do not find our ways too disagreeable?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
“And yet you wish to leave still?”
“Who has said such a thing, as if I wouldn’t know?”
Carissian followed a greater distance behind them this time.
“Yes, well, he believes you still wish to leave.”
“As much as I cherish the thought of spending the rest of my days waiting for a royal kiss from your lips, as a gesture of friendship, mind you, I do believe my time could be better spent finding a mate of my own and running my own kingdom. Granted, I have enjoyed teaching Listra to swim.”
“To what end?”
“No one in particular. She was interested, that’s all.”
“And should I be interested?”
“Listra can teach you. She swims as well as I do, now.”
“Nobody could swim like you, royal cousin of the water nymphs and cousin to the mermaids of the sea, I do believe.”
“I thank you for showing Listra a greater kindness, King Aleron.” Tashama tried to change the subject. “She’s much happier now.”
“And because I have done this favor for you, should you not return a favor to me?”
“What is it that you desire of me?”
Carissian’s arched brows told a tale Aleron didn’t wish repeated. Aleron took Tashama’s arm and led her back to her quarters. “Teach me to swim, tonight, by moonlight.” He left her off at her chambers.
“If this is what you desire, so be it. Tonight.”
When she hurried into her room, she slipped into the room containing the bath. “What did Aleron want?” Listra asked as she dried her hair.
“What every man wants of a woman. But for now, I will teach him another lesson in swimming.”
“You know he is balking about choosing a wife. Many say this is because he desires you and no other, though he realizes he cannot marry you.”
“Nonsense,” Tashama said. “He is just a typical man who is scared to make a commitment to one woman.”
“He is our king and must weigh the consequences of his decision heavily.”
“He isyourking. He is only a man to me and much the same as all the rest.”
