Page 95 of Tashama
“She’ll tattle on me. Tashama loves him, Tashama loves him. Tattle, tattle, pesky sprites.”
The prince smiled, then kissed her mouth again with determination. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as Carissian cleared his throat. The prince stood up quickly.
“Where is my healer?” the prince asked, vexed.
“He is preparing a stronger mix, but it appears you have something that calms the lady just as well. Where is Princess Listra?”
“She wanted a breath of fresh air.”
The healer walked back into the room. “Sire, Princess Listra wishes to know if she can return to her room.”
“Yes, of course. The lady, herself, wished to leave for a moment after all. The choice was hers as far as when she wanted to return.”
Listra hurried back to bed, and Tashama shook her head. “Lies, all lies.”
Carissian chuckled.
The healer gave a new potion to Tashama, and she licked her lips. “Mint julep. Kiss me again, oh lover of mermaids. Kiss me again.” Tashama reached out her hand for the prince, though her eyes never opened, and he kissed her hand in response.
“Well, I would imagine none of you would do,” the prince said to his healer and Carissian as he saw the expression of amusement on their faces. “You are staying for the rest of the night?” he asked Carissian.
“Yes, sire.”
“All right, well, I have a very early appointment with destiny. Good night, my lady.” He kissed her cheek, then turned on his heels and left the room.
Tashama opened her eyes and stared at the healer who had turned to speak with Carissian. “Let me know if you need me for anything further.” Then he hurried out of the room too.
Carissian extinguished the lights, then folded himself into the soft-cushioned seat. His gray eyes studied her as she felt his gentle probes touching her thoughts.
Early the next morning,the prince’s chest swelled as he watched his people file into the great hall to observe his coronation. Carissian stood by his side as Aleron tapped his foot on the red carpet covering the marble floor for the special event. “I do not see my favorite princesses.”
“I was informed Princess Tashama is still sleeping. The second potion she was given was a little stronger than the healer anticipated.”
“Then have him give her something to wake her up. Everyone in my kingdom is to witness my coronation today.”
“Yes, sire.” Carissian disappeared.
Twenty minutes later, Carissian reappeared before the prince. “Your healer has tried two potions to wake her. He said it may be another half hour before they do the trick. Even so, she probably won’t be quite herself.”
“We will wait, Carissian.”
“Yes, sire.” Carissian raised his brows as Listra held Tashama’s right arm while the healer held her left, and the guards walked on either side of the party as they entered the great hall.
“Let’s get on with it, shall we?” The prince smiled as Tashama arrived.
The Bachavin priest began to chant, and Tashama said, “What language does he speak?”
“Shh,” Listra said.
Tashama took a step closer toward the prince, who stood forty feet away. “Is that the prince down there?”
“Shh,” Listra said again. “Yes,” she whispered. “Soon to be king.”
“His crown has got to be as big as a lake…”
“Shh,” one of the men standing along the side of the hall said. “Keep the Karthlander prisoner quiet.”
“I am no prisoner!” Tashama raised her voice while she pulled Listra and the healer with her as she walked over to the man. She poked her finger at his chest. “Take that back!”
