Page 48 of Tashama
Tashama pulled the cloth free from her foot as Listra hurried to the door. “Get the healer! The princess has removed the cloth from her foot.”
“Cloths from her feet,” Tashama corrected as she pulled the other free.
“Do hurry,” Listra said to the guard. She returned to Tashama’s side and wrung her hands as Tashama studied the puncture wounds, still red and swollen. “The air is not good for the wounds, my lady. That’s why your feet must remain wrapped until the healer says otherwise.”
“Nonsense. I’m tired of seeing my feet bound like I’m being mummified. Even if the soles of my feet are a sight, at least the rest of my feet look nice and normal. Besides, the healer said they should be fine by tomorrow.”
The guard pushed the door open, and the red-faced healer hurried to her side. “Word has been sent to the prince,” he saidto Listra. Then he turned his attention to Tashama. “You must keep the bandages wrapped around your feet, my lady.”
“But you yourself unwrapped them earlier today—not once, but twice.”
“By the prince’s orders, but against my better judgment.”
“Well then, by the princess’s orders, my feet are to remain unbound. They feel hot and sweaty in those bandages. The cool breeze feels fine between my toes.” She wiggled them slightly.
“This is a foolish notion, my lady, and can be dangerous to your health.”
“I wish to have a second opinion!”
“The prince is coming,” the guard warned.
14
“The second opinion,” Aleron said as he stormed into the room, “is that you will have your feet bound as before, and if you don’t mind the healer’s orders, your wrists will be tied as well to keep those mischievous hands still.”How can she be so beautiful, but as cantankerous as an untamed filly at the same time?
A slight smile crept across Tashama’s face. “Was the lady very offended that you abandoned her to visit me in my chambers?”
“Rewrap her feet, healer.” Aleron wrinkled his brow as the healer reapplied salve. Once the healer finished rewrapping her feet, Aleron motioned to the door. “Everyone, leave us.”
Listra followed the guards and healer out of the room and closed the door behind her. Aleron folded his arms. “Youwillobey me and those who speak for me.”
“Of course.” Tashama relaxed.
“My personal business is none of your concern.”
“Are you marrying the woman?”
He couldn’t believe his ears. Hadn’t he just told her that Daveal was none of her business? “You seem to have difficulty interpreting the spoken word.”
“She won’t like it that you spend so much time with me.”
“She knows her place, unlike you.” How could he, ruler of all Maldovia, put up with such insolence from this woman…a mere prisoner? Yet, even now, his loins ached for her.
She toyed with a golden curl. “My place is as the ruling head of Karthland—not under your thumb.”
“Your place is beside your husband. I already feel sorry for the poor man.” He could only imagine what her husband would face if he risked linking with her. Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“He’ll be a kind sight nicer than you, that’s for certain. And he’ll get all the kisses he wishes.” Tashama puckered her full lips slightly.
“He’ll get a lot more than that from you.”
“Of course.” Tashama tucked the curl behind her ear.
“I meant that tongue of yours.”
Tashama laughed. “You know, you say the funniest things even though you don’t realize you say them. So what are you going to do about my dear Cousin Loran?”
“We’ve sent a dispatch to him already. The sooner he takes you off my hands, the better.” He was annoyed with her, but he didn’t really feel the sentiments he spoke. If he could, he would keep her here, under his thumb, as she said. No, under the weight of his body, full of desire. How could he feel this way about her? His enemy?
