Page 76 of Tashama
“Yes, Loran and his men will be no more trouble tonight.”
The two grabbed their shoes and then moved them to the location the prince determined suitable for building a fire. They built a fire ring with stones, then returned to the forest.
They entered the woods, and the prince gathered a couple of rotting logs for a fire, while Tashama grabbed branches littering the forest floor. “You shouldn’t do such work,” he said.
She smiled. “You’re taking too long. I want to be warm.”
He laughed. “I’ve never known anyone like you before.”
“And you’ll never know another like me again.” She dumped the twigs onto the growing stack of firewood.
“Of that, I’m certain,” he said under his breath.
After lighting the dry timber, they watched as the tiny flame licked at the tower of branches, then, as the fire caught hold, the prince pulled at his ties as he attempted to unfasten his tunic. Tashama reached over to help him as the wet ties fought to be undone, then smiled as she observed his muscles tighten in his waist as he stood taller. “Do you approve?”
“What is there not to like?” She pulled the white veil off her hair. He stared at her dripping wet gowns, then, as she noticed his concern, she pointed at his pack. “You wouldn’t have something in there like a blanket or a bite to eat, would you?”
He opened the pack, then poured the contents onto the grass.
She pulled at her outer gown, but the wetness made it cling to her like a second skin. Halfway situated over her waist with the skirt above her head, his hands touched the hem, makingher gasp. “I’ll help you.” His warm voice washed over her like bath water as he struggled to slip the garment over her head. He smiled as her cheeks warmed. “Like peeling a butterfly from its cocoon.”
He turned to observe his pack. “A blanket.” He motioned to the items from his bag. “Only rather as wet as we are.”
“Nothing to eat.” She rubbed her bare arms and leaned over to get a better look at the objects, her sleeveless shift clinging to her body.
“I’m afraid the biscuits dissolved in the water.”
Tashama nodded, then headed back to the lake.
“Where are you going?” He jogged after her.
“I’m hungry, Prince, and if you will not feed me,Iwill have to feed us.”
“Oh, you will, will you?”
“Certainly.” Reaching the edge of the lake, Tashama knelt. “Water nymphs, we’re hungry. Have you anything for us to eat?”
A sprite bolted out of the water. “You love him, Tashama. Tell him so, and you will eat.”
“We are not that hungry.” Tashama sat back on her skirts.
“What do they wish from you?” the prince asked.
“Tell him, Tashama, and you will eat.”
“No.” Tashama stood.
The nymph laughed, then dove back into the water with a resounding splash.
21
“What did they wish of you?” Aleron asked Tashama.
“Nothing I wanted to do for them,” Tashama said.
“Could I have done something for them? We are hungry. What do they wish?”
“They are pesky.” Tashama turned toward the fire.
