Page 51 of Tashama
“But you are...”
“A princess and so are you.”
“But you will be queen of Karthland.
“Not if your prince has his way.”
Listra cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Our people say you have the gift of future sight. Can you tell me what you see for me?”
Tashama shook her head. “I cannot tell for everyone.”
“Will you try?”
“I don’t want to see anything ill.”
“Please?”
Tashama nodded. “All right.” She reached out for Listra’s hand as a lady’s laughter peeled through the quiet. “Devil?”
Listra corrected her, “Daveal.”
“Well,” the prince said as he and Daveal walked into Tashama’s view, “I had not expected to seeyouhere.”
Listra stood up and curtsied. “Her hair is veiled.”
“Good, then she can sup with me.” He turned to the raven-haired lady who still clung to his arm. “Later, my lady.” The woman cast a scowl in Tashama’s direction, then turned and hurried away. The prince motioned to one of his guards. “Carry her to my quarters.”
Aleron walked in front of his guards, and Tashama whispered to Listra, “Will you stay with me the whole time we dine?”
Aleron looked back at Tashama and raised a brow. “Are we afraid, my lady?”
“Of course not, but I’ve been told I’ve been too agreeable in your presence before.”
“Hardly.” Aleron sighed deeply, then shook his head as he made a face.
They arrived at his chambers, and he turned to Listra. “You may have the rest of the evening off.”
“Am I not to attend to the lady tonight, Your Highness, after she has retired to bed? Should she need something to drink or another pillow or some company or some such thing?”
“No, dear cousin, you have earned the evening off.”
Tashama frowned at Aleron.
Listra curtsied deeply. “As you wish, sire.” She hastened out of the room.
The guards laid Tashama on the pillows, then Aleron gestured for the servants to bring the feast. He sat beside her as she fiddled with the ribbon tied in a bow at the end of her braid. “You can remove your veils now, my lady.”
“They feel good where they are now, thank you very much, sire.”
He smiled.You are afraid of me, though you deny it.Aleron waved for the lobster to be brought forth.
Tashama smiled at the red-shelled creatures garnished in parsley-type leaves. A servant leaned over to pull the meat from the shell for her, and she slipped her fingers around the sweet meat.
“You seem to like lobster best of all of the meals we’ve had here.”
“Oh, yes.” She ate the tender meat.
After she finished her lobster, she turned to him. “I’m afraid to say this as you may think me rather piggish, but could I have another?”
