Page 67 of Tashama
She cried out, and a temple priest standing at the entrance jumped back. “Good gracious.” The priest held his chest. “What are you doing with one of my women, Oshon?”
Oshon released his hold on Tashama, took a step back, and bowed his head to the priest slightly. “I thought she was a thief.”
The priest shook his head. “I understand by the grace of Bachava the Karthlanders freed you.” He motioned for Tashama to leave them. She hurried outside.
Oshon said to the priest, “Yes, and I must speak to the prince concerning the matter.”
“I take it you were leaving a substantial offering for your providential release from your captivity.” Rattling of coins caught her ear, then the priest said, “Bachava will shine on you.”
“Yes.” Oshon scowled; his footsteps drew in her direction again.
Tashama disappeared into the gardens. She hurried to pull off the black garments as she slipped onto a planted island next to the meandering pool hidden from prying eyes. After folding the clothes into a neat stack under one of the ferns, she hurried back to the path and toward her chambers. Seeing Oshon headed that way, she hesitated.
Once he had run past, she darted toward the prince’s chambers and the path that passed his apartments, leading to the temple. She approached the temple, but saw the priest speaking with another, and she turned back toward the prince’s chambers. The warning bells rang out, and she knew her absence had been discovered. With a heavy heart, she ducked into the prince’s quarters.
Before the prince could rouse himself from his sleep, Tashama dove for the pillows piled high in his outer room. She fought the urge to smile as she kept her eyes closed while boots tromped into the room. She knew they stood staring at her, wondering how she ever ended up there.
Acholuria said, “What…”
One of the men interrupted him in a whispered voice. “We thought she’d escaped from her chambers. We had no idea the prince had brought her back here in the middle of the night.”
Aleron, still bare-chested, walked into the room. “What is the problem? Why are the bells ringing?”
His chief guard pointed at Tashama as she curled up like a kitten in its pillow nest. “What isshedoing here?” the prince asked. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Dressed in satin nightclothes revealing her curves more than any other garment she’d worn, he motioned to one of his men. “Get a blanket at once.”
Carissian appeared. “Sire, the lady managed…”
The prince pointed to Tashama. “How did she get here?”
“The padlock was pick-locked. Our guards were drugged. What she is doinghere,I havenoidea.”
The guard hurried into the room with the blanket. The prince motioned to Tashama with a nod of his head. The man straightened the blanket over her body, and she sighed.
Aleron folded his arms, but before he could speak, Oshon walked into the chambers. “How did you…”
“I managed to escape, sire, when they had the changing of the guard.” Oshon looked down at Tashama. “Why are the bells being rung?”
“The lady slipped out of her room, but she didn’t go very far,” the guard said.
The prince raised his brows as Tashama opened her eyes. “Have them stop ringing those annoying bells.”
She smiled, then yawned. “Your Highness.” She stretched. “I had the most wonderful of dreams. How about you?”
The prince motioned for all but his sorcerer to leave them. “I suppose you do not wish to tell me what happened?”
“I just couldn’t get comfortable last night. The chains kept getting in my way. Then I realized if I returned to your chambers, nobody would bother me, and I could have the most pleasant of dreams.”
“Did she, Carissian?”
Carissian shook his head.
“My sorcerer says this is not so.”
“I can see that. I do have a question to pose to you, however.”
The prince nodded.
“Do you not think it odd Oshon escaped from his captors as he did? Surely you don’t think he could have done such a thing on his own.”
