Page 112 of Tashama
“We will have a peace treaty, King Aleron, at least. The killing would stop.”
“I wish more than that, Tashama.”
“What do you want, sire?” She studied his dark eyes.
As the servant returned with a jug of wine and two goblets, Aleron waited for him to pour the wine into the cups, then said to the man, “You may leave us.” Aleron handed one of the cups to Tashama, then clinked his with hers. “I wish for us to be one.”
“And if I were to desire the same thing, only no one in either of our kingdoms would want such a notion?”
Aleron smiled. “I knew you wished the same as me.” He drank his wine, then set his goblet down. “You can move men like no other, Tashama. You can do it. I know you can.”
“I cannot deceive you because you know my secret.”
“The water nymphs told me.”
She frowned at him. “You do not know their language.”
“No, but you managed to tell me anyway.”
Tashama wriggled to get comfortable on the pillows. “Despite my loving you, I will be leaving soon. I don’t know what will become of me, but I will not stay here.”
“Then, my princess, I will go with you.”
Her lower lip dropped slightly as she considered his sincerity. She looked at her hands as they touched the pillows while a tear cascaded down her cheek. “You cannot be serious,” she said under her breath.
He lifted her chin as her eyes glistened with tears. “I haven’t wanted anything more than this ever. If you must leave, I will go with you.”
“I wouldn’t want anything ill to happen to you, sire.”
“I insist.”
Tashama nodded. “We will have to go early this evening.”
“I must have another of my swimming lessons. I wish to swim underneath the water as you do.”
“I’m not certain that one more practice…”
Aleron touched his finger to her lips to silence them. “One more lesson.”
She nodded, then he pulled her close and held her head to his chest, and she listened to his heartbeat. He kissed her head. “We’ll eat here this evening. No one will try to poison the food if they know I’ll be sharing it with you. We’ll swim, as several know, that is what I intended to do. I’ll have provisions ready, and once we’ve changed into dry clothes, we’ll leave.”
“But how can we get beyond the gates without anyone suspecting?”
“We go with the caravan that takes Listra from here tonight. I’ve already spoken with the guard staff that a noble couple will be joining them. No one will suspect us.”
Tashama smiled. “Then it is all falling into place.”
“What?” Aleron kissed her forehead.
“I must remember to thank Bachava more often.”
Aleron squeezed Tashama. “I will leave an offering for us both.”
29
Carissian popped into Aleron’s anteroom unexpectedly early that evening, then frowned as Aleron and Tashama napped together on the pillows as she snuggled against Aleron’s chest while his arm was wrapped around her in a warm embrace.
“Sire,” Carissian whispered.
