Page 114 of Tashama
“Do.” Aleron took his seat beside Tashama. “Lobster?”
“Yes.” Tashama dug the meat out of the shell with relish.
Aleron laughed. “I do believe if you were a mermaid and I a merman, you would choose the lobster over me.”
“Only if I were hungry for this kind of food, Your Highness.” Tashama bit a piece of the succulent meat off with her teeth.
“I heard you speaking to Carissian about having a daughter.” Aleron scooped up a spoonful of blueberry-covered rice. “We do have one prophecy here. My firstborn will be a son.”
Tashama nodded.
“And you?”
“A daughter.”
Aleron twisted his mouth. “I suppose your prophecy could be wrong.”
Tashama smiled as she wiped her cheek. “Or yours.”
“I heard Carissian mention Oshon’s name.”
“Ah, he is grateful I cleared his good name.”
“Oh.” Aleron finished his lobster and waved to the servant to bring another for the two of them. “It may be a while before we can have such a feast again.”
After finishing the rest of their meal, Aleron nudged Tashama. “Let’s take a walk in the gardens, then go for our swim.”
“All right.” Tashama stood and then straightened her skirts.
As the servants hurried to clean up the room, Aleron took Tashama’s arm and walked her onto the garden path. “I fear we will have rain tonight as there are no stars in the night sky.”
Tashama glanced up at the dark sky and nodded. “Is everything ready?” she whispered to Aleron.
“Yes, everything is prearranged. I worried Carissian was studying your dreams and would discover our plans. I’ve been careful not to think of them while he was about.”
“I was sharing an intimate moment with my king.” Tashama squeezed his hand.
“Oh? Do tell?”
“Someday, perhaps.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“But Carissian was able to see them?”
“See us, you mean.”
Aleron rubbed his chin. “He can be quite annoying at times.”
“Well, it was good that this is all he saw.”
After walking, then sitting in the gazebo for another half hour, Tashama reached for his hand. “Shouldn’t we swim?”
“Of course.” He helped her from the bench.
They arrived at the pool that meandered through the plants, and Tashama caught sight of the blue sleeve of the thief and another as they hurried into her chambers. She slipped into the water. Aleron soon followed.
She took his arms and had him hold his breath, then slip beneath the surface of the water. As he swam beside her, she smiled at him underwater. They came up for air, and she smiled at him. “You can do it!”
He kissed her deeply, then hugged her soundly, but as footsteps headed toward her room from the garden, they grew quiet. Daveal and two men hurried into Tashama’s chambers. She waited for Daveal and her henchmen to discover the thieves,but no sound was heard. Then a cavalry officer rushed along the path and entered her room.
