Page 45 of Tashama
“The one what?” Tashama finished twisting her braid. “Does anyone have a ribbon for me to tie my hair with?”
The prince considered Tashama further as she caressed the tail of her braided hair. “If she’s the one, what should we do with her?”
“I’m not certain. She’d be a great pawn,” Carissian said. Aleron studied his sorcerer while the old man rubbed his chin. “Loran is well entrenched in his role as leader of the Karthlanders. I doubt he would want the woman, if she is theone, to remove him from such a lofty position. And his sorcerer, no doubt, would be a great obstacle as well. However, it wouldn’t hurt to ransom her. Then Loran can dispose of her as he will.”
“Dispose of me?” She tilted her head to the side as she still held her braid tightly in her fist to prevent it from unraveling. “That sounds rather ominous.”
“The notion doesn’t seem to disturb her. Why is that? He surely would throw her into the sea, should she be the one, and we were to return her to him,” Aleron said.
“Perhaps she believes Balthazar will rescue her.”
“Balthazar,” she scowled.
The healer hurried into the room and quickly bowed to the prince. “Sire, you would like to see me?”
“Inspect the woman’s ankle and see if she has a dark heart-shaped spot on her skin.”
“Which ankle, sire?”
The prince and Carissian turned to Tashama. She shrugged. “Don’t look at me.”
The healer hurried to unwrap her left foot, then examined both ankles. He shook his head. The prince motioned for him to continue. The healer unwrapped her right foot and examined the left ankle, then the right. He nodded as he twisted her leg hard to the side for the prince to get a better look.
“Ow! Let go of my leg!”
Carissian nearly bumped heads with the prince as they studied the tanned spot forming the perfect heart-shape on the crest of her ankle, the size of a dime.
“YouareTashama!” Aleron turned to his sorcerer. “She was thought to have died with the rest of her family.”
“Apparently not.” Carissian beamed. “The mystery is solved.”
“She’s no longer a threat to me, then.” The prince considered Tashama while the healer rewrapped her bandages.
“The lady doesn’t realize it, but for the moment you’re her savior.”
“Savior!” She glowered at the prince. “Why, he’s no more my savior than Balthazar is.”
“WhereisBalthazar?” Carissian asked.
“How shouldIknow? If he were here now, you would not be questioning me.”
The prince smiled. “Tashama, princess of Karthland, and the true heir to the throne.” He turned to Carissian. “She was being brought back here to find a mate. She’s of age. Somehow, Balthazar sent her to the wrong place, don’t you think, Carissian?” He studied her. “He was trying to reinstall her in Karthland, but she cannot lead without a husband.”
“Ha!” She released her braid. The golden strands quickly untwisted, and she tried to stand. The memory of the painful burs digging into her water-softened feet etched across her mind, and Carissian grabbed hold of her arms and made her sit. “You cannot walk yet.” His brows furrowed deeply.
“I can do as I please!” She scowled at the floor.
“Wherever this Texas is that she has lived has certainly made her unruly. Our women would never behave as she does. She wouldn’t be a suitable wife for any man!” Aleron stared at her hair, then said to one of his servants, “Have one of the ladies veil her hair. Her hair should not be exposed as it is, especially since she is a princess.”
“Why so ever not?” Tashama ran her hands through the silky strands. “Does it entice you too much?”
Carissian smiled as the prince frowned at her. “I told you she was wily, sire.”
“Whatarewe to do with her?”
“Let me give it further thought, Your Highness. In most probability, we should send word to Loran that we have his cousin here under guard and see how he responds.”
“He was a spoiled brat and a veritable bully, the last I recall of him.” Tashama ran her hands over a satiny pillow while she rested her cheek on her knees. “He was always an angry little boy—mad at the world because my father, not his, was king of Karthland. Since he has continued the war, I assume he’s still angry with the world. Being the ruler of Karthland changed not a thing.”
