Page 96 of Tashama
“Shh,” a woman said. “Is nothing sacred to you, Karthlander? The prince is soon to be crowned. Mind your tongue.”
“Mind your tongue!” Tashama said. “Mind your tongue!”
“Tashama,” Listra whispered, “do be quiet or the prince will have us removed.”
“To Karthland?” Tashama’s eyes widened. “Good! I want to be removed!”
There was a hush of voices as Carissian appeared at her side. “The prince wants her to see his coronation, but keep her quiet for heaven’s sakes.”
“Is it big enough?” Tashama touched the dagger at Carissian’s waist.
“The dagger is only ceremonial.”
“His crown, I mean.”
“Keep her still,” he said to the healer, then vanished and reappeared at the prince’s side.
“Poof!” she mused. “Poof, poof, poof.” She studied the gold crown the priest blessed, and then she shook her head. “He needs a bigger one!”
“Shut her up,” one of the men growled.
“Make me!” Tashama glared back at the man.
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The man took a menacing step toward Tashama, and she stood her ground while one of her guards pushed the man back. “You touch her, and it’ll be all of our heads,” the guard said to the man.
“How long is this going to go on?” Tashama sat down on the red carpet.
“No, my lady.” The healer lifted her to her feet. “You must stand during the ceremony.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
“Are you still tired?” Listra whispered to Tashama.
“I cannot stay awake and yet.” Tashama opened her eyes, then yanked her arms free from her captors and skipped down the long red carpet before Listra and the healer took her arms and made her step aside. “I feel I’m on a caffeine high.”
The women of the Bachavin order watched the prince in silence, and Tashama pointed at the group. “I know you came to see me last night. I remember.”
“Tashama—shh,” Listra said.
“She did,” Tashama persisted as she glared at the black-veiled women.
Carissian studied her, and she shook her head at him. “Quit trying to read my mind.”
The prince received his crown, and cheers erupted. Carissian appeared before Tashama. “You’ll come with me.”
“No, I must congratulate the prince.”
“King.”
“Yes, him too.”
“Later. You will tell me which of the women of the order came to your room last night.”
Tashama glanced around the hall and saw Oshon glowering at her. “She was veiled. She had no eyes.”
“You have other ways of knowing, Princess Tashama. You’ll point her out to me now.”
