Page 33 of Tashama
“Yes, sire.”
Aleron stared at Carissian. He’d never known him to advise him wrong in a matter before. But his contradictory behavior toward the woman made him wonder what was going on in his mind. “Why is she so dangerous to me?”
“I cannot say, sire. I just haven’t been able to fathom who she is or what makes her so different. Call it sorcerer’s intuition.”
Aleron left his bed and walked over to his window. He’d never distrusted his advisor before, and sorcerers were known to be highly loyal to the ruler they served, yet… He turned as Carissian watched him, listening to his thoughts. “Well, what did she say?”
“She was asleep when I saw her.”
“And her dreams?”
“She had none.”
“None?”
“No, sire.”
“All right, then. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I believe she’s growing more of a threat to you all the time. She says her heart is broken, sire. I believe she refers to you.”
The prince stared at his sorcerer, then took a deep breath. “I didn’t realize you had a sense of humor, Carissian.”
“She is dangerous.” Carissian vanished.
Aleron swore under his breath.
Later that evening, Aleron arrived at the guard tower, and the guard nearly knocked his stool over in his haste to stand. “Sire.”
“I want to see the prisoner.”
“The woman?”
The prince glared at him.
“Yes, sire.” He fumbled with his keys, then finally unlocked the door. Pushing it open, the prince brushed past him.
“Pretty wench, ain’t she?” one of the men bound to the wall said.
Aleron ignored him and walked over to the straw where she was sleeping. With the moon clinging to the black velvet in a shimmering sphere of white, casting a light into the room, he knelt beside the window and touched Tashama’s cheek.Howwill you hurt me?He ran his fingers over her soft skin. Her lashes fluttered, and he nearly fell backward.
Regaining his balance, he lifted her hand from her breast and touched his lips to her fingers. He’d never desired a woman before like this one. What made her so appealing? Besides her looks, of course…then the thought occurred to him. She wouldn’t bow down to him. That’s what it was. She wouldn’t bend to his desires. He smiled. She was the most significant challenge he’d ever faced, and he loved a challenge.
Early the next morning,darkness hung like ebony drapes at the naked window, and Tashama stirred. She focused on the shadowy forms of the men bound across the room, then she attempted to sit. She breathed deeply, relieved to find that her ribs were no longer sore, but when she tried to stand, the tea had made her dizzy.
“I have to have food,” she said under her breath. Her soft voice woke one of the men, and he sat up to observe her.
“I do not believe you’re as much of a threat to the prince as he seems to think,” the gruff voice said.
Tashama touched her left foot and gasped as the sole was still painful to the touch. She rolled onto her knees and hands, then made the slow crawl toward the prisoner. His eyes grew big, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
“Would you like a good-morning kiss?” He puckered his lips.
“What are you in here for?” Tashama made it halfway to his location. If she could, she would set the prisoners free. All she could think of was getting back at the prince. Served him right. He would not keep her enslaved.
“Thievery.”
“And the others?” Tashama studied their sleeping forms. One, a young boy dressed in blue, couldn’t have been older than sixteen.
