Page 98 of Tashama
“And you took a swim.”
“No.”
“I’m afraid so.”
Tashama frowned as she tried to recollect, then she shook her head. “I don’t remember. But something had upset me—Balthazar.” She walked in silence for a few minutes, then nodded. “If he is gone, I will have to live without him, though it won’t be easy.” She saw Oshon as he stood near the king’s quarters, and her eyes grew big. “I believe I have the solution to this problem, however.”
She hurried over to Oshon and grabbed his wrist, but he jerked his arm away from her and stepped back as the king watched. “If you will permit me this, I will prove you mean to do me no ill will, and you and your bride-to-be will have been absolved of any wrongdoing.”
Oshon glanced over at the king, who, with a single nod of his head, consented to the impromptu trial. Tashama took the cavalry officer’s wrist and held it for some time. A slight smile appeared on her lips as Oshon’s wrist grew sweaty.
Her smile widened. “King Aleron, you have nothing further to fear from this officer. He intends to do nothing for Loran’s cause. But he wishes for you to attend his wedding as he intends to wed the woman Carissian is now questioning.”
Her eyebrows arched as he contemplated the matter. “I tell the truth, Your Highness.”
“But I wonder if I should not have had Carissian studying you as you used your gift. Somehow, I feel there’s more to the situation than you will reveal to me.”
“Is he free from further ostracism, sire?” Tashama folded her arms as Oshon waited to be released from the nightmare he had created for himself.
Aleron shook his head. “I believe I will live to regret this. I do not normally make such lofty decisions without my advisor at my side.”
“You are king now, so be king and decide.”
Carissian appeared next to Aleron. “Have I missed something?”
“The princess used her powers to find Oshon not capable of treason.”
Carissian took the same posture as Tashama, crossing his arms over his chest. “She did, did she? I would have liked to have listened in on this one, Your Highness.”
“Do you call me a liar?” Tashama asked.
“No,” Carissian said. “But sometimes you omit things you do not wish for me to see.”
“That was my very thought on the subject,” the king said.
Carissian studied Oshon. “It is up to you, sire.”
“He is exonerated then. Having a royal member of the household accused of committing treason reflects badly on all of us. Spread the word at once. Oshon is cleared of any wrongdoing.”
The look Oshon gave Tashama was as harsh as any before. She tilted her head to the side. “You’re welcome, Oshon.” Turning to Aleron, she took his arm and led him toward the gardens as his lips turned up in amusement. “So sire, now you must make a selection for a bride, I’m to understand.”
“I have a list of fourteen names.”
“And Devil is on this list?”
“First name on the list, actually.”
“I want Listra absolved of her involvement with helping me leave here before. She only tried to keep me from being harmed.”The king shook his head. Tashama frowned. “How can you win my favor if you will do nothing to satisfy me?”
“My kisses satisfied you last evening.” A smile stretched across his face.
Tashama glanced back at Carissian, who followed them a short distance behind. She frowned as he smiled broadly. She turned to Aleron. “I don’t remember. It must have been the drugs that made me do it if I did any such thing at all.”
“Does she speak the truth, Carissian?”
Tashama faced Carissian. “Must you follow us everywhere? We were having a private conversation.”
“She remembers, sire, and with much satisfaction, I might add.”
