Page 22 of The Eyes of Tamburah
The deacons obeyed and one—Pela presumably—left the room. Shyla smoothed her sleeves.
Settling on a cushion, the Heliacal Priestess pointed to the one across from her. “Have a seat…Shyla, is it?”
“Yes.” Interesting that she didn’t call her sun-kissed.
“What has the Water Prince offered you in exchange for The Eyes?”
The woman was certainly direct. “I don’t have them.”
She waved away Shyla’s protest. “He must believe you can locate them. You’re working with Banqui, you must know where they are. Did the prince offer you riches? Power?” She leaned closer. “Or did he seduce you?”
“No!”
The Heliacal Priestess settled back with a smirk. “He is handsome and charming when he wants something.”
Shyla remained quiet. There was no way to win this conversation. At this point, all she wanted to do was survive it.
Pela returned. She held a silver tray laden with two glasses of water and slices of melon. Setting it down between them, Pela returned to standing by the door.
She handed Shyla a glass and took the other. “Help yourself, the fruit is fresh.”
As she picked up a slice, Shyla marveled over the fact that she had eaten first meal with the Water Prince and was now having a refreshment with the Heliacal Priestess. Surreal. She bit into the melon. Its sweet juice filled her mouth and she almost moaned out loud. Instead, she finished it and then downed the cool clean water. The liquid held a hint of a citrus taste. If she had The Eyes, she might be tempted to exchange them for an endless supply of this water.
A heavy languidness flowed through Shyla’s limbs. The room swayed and everything softened. Her fear lifted as calm washed through her.
The Heliacal Priestess set her still full glass on the tray. “Where are The Eyes?”
“I don’t know.”
The woman turned to Pela. “Did you bring the holy water?”
“Yes, Blessed One.”
“Shyla, why did the Water Prince give you his sigil?”
“To help me find The Eyes.” The words poured from her lips. Unstoppable.
“Can you find them?”
“I have to try. I have to.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“No. Probably not. They’re gone, gone, gone.” Alarmed Shyla clamped a hand over her mouth.
“There’s no use fighting the holy water,” she said. “If you did find The Eyes, what do you plan to do with them?”
“Give them to the Water Prince in exchange for Banqui’s life.”
“Ah.” The woman considered. “What if I told you I can save Banqui?”
Shyla straightened. The walls spun. “Then I would be very happy.”
“Happy enough to give me The Eyes instead?”
“Of course. I will exchange them for Banqui—whoever has him. But the Water Prince would be mad and send Rendor after me.” She slumped deep into the cushion, wishing she’d never heard of Tamburah and his troublesome eyes.
“Once I have The Eyes, there will be no need to fear the Water Prince and I will have the power to save Banqui.”
