The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) (8 page)

Darby’s
footman, Yuta, walked into the room. “My lord, His Royal Highness Prince
Nicolass of Lenthir to see you,” he announced and bowed deeply as the prince
walked in.

Tempani
frowned as he walked in. Silently cursing him for interrupting her chat with
Darby.

“Ah
Nicolass, what a pleasant surprise,” said Darby as he offered a chair to the
young man. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Your
charming guest brings me here,” he replied and smiled at Tempani, who scowled
in return. “I thought I might take her for a trip into Fenella before she
returns home.”

Darby
threw his hands into the air. “What a wonderful idea.”

“I
was hoping to stay here longer,” she said, the pleading in her voice obvious.

“Nonsense.
You don’t want to be stuck indoors with an old man all day. Go, enjoy yourself,
and we will visit here another day.”

Nicolass
offered his arm, and she had no option but to take it graciously. He led her
down the front steps and assisted her in climbing onto Mincha. If he was
surprised when she didn’t sit side-saddle, he didn’t show it.

She
nudged her mare forwards and then turned her left.

“Fenella’s
the other way,” Nicolass said as he pulled his mare up alongside hers.

“And
you are forgetting that I never agreed to accompany you there,” she spat.

“You
do know I could order you to accompany me?” He asked. “And your men-at-arms
here would be in no position to disobey.”

“They
are in my father’s employ; therefore, they will do as I say,” she said. “If you
would like to try them, then by all means go ahead. Order me to go with you.”

She
held his gaze, hoping he would not take her up on her bluff.

Nicolass
shrugged. “I will just take you there another day,” he said. “It will give me
another opportunity to call on you.”

“I
am sure I will be busy that day.”

Nicolass
grinned, amused by her resistance. “You don’t like me very much do you?”

“And
that comes as a surprise to you?”

“If
I have offended you, I am deeply sorry.”

“If?”
She cried. “You clearly do not remember what a vile boy you were. One moment
sticks out clearly in my mind,” she said dangerously. “The day you told Chae
and myself that we were not to play with you. We were savages. Our only purpose
was to serve you.”

“I
was a child.” He cried. “I am not that person anymore.”

She
raised her eyebrows at him, clearly unconvinced.

“You
must accept my apology. I was ignorant back then. I know that now,” he said.
“Chae has forgiven me, are you able to do the same?”

Could
she forgive him? He had been a boy when he’d said such horrible things to her
and when he’d picked on her and Teddy. But Teddy had been a boy too, and he
knew the difference between right and wrong. He had always been kind to her.
They had been raised by the same parents and rules, yet Nicolass had chosen to
be a self-important boy and Teddy hadn’t. She didn’t want to forgive him. He
hadn’t shown her he was any different now, and she honestly didn’t care to see
if he was.

“Surely
you do not seek forgiveness from every person you have ever offended in your
life, so why be so determined to ask it of me?”

“You
are the sister of my close friend, the daughter of my mentor, and you are the
most beautiful lady I have ever laid eyes on,” he said breathlessly.

She
blushed from embarrassment as Rando coughed awkwardly and looked down at his
hands, trying to give the pair as much privacy as he could allow while his
gelding stood beside Mincha.

“Flattery
will not gain my affections. I am not so vain as most ladies that you can give
me a smile, call me beautiful and all is forgotten.”

“I
would not want you to be so vain as most ladies,” he said, watching her closely
for her reaction. His heart hammered against his chest. No woman had ever had
this effect on him before. He flirted with them and felt nothing, but this was
different. He wanted her to smile with him the way she did when she was around
Teddy. He had watched her laugh with Dahlia and talk to Madoc with envy. When
he was near she tensed, her eyes were angry and her smile was forced.

“You
are different, Tempani. I knew that as a boy, and I know it now.”

They
reached the manor and came to a stop at the gates.

“Can
I call on you tomorrow so we can continue this discussion?”

“I’m
busy.”

“Then
perhaps I can come in now, and we can spend some time together.”

“I
have chores to do,” she said quickly.

“Chores?”
He laughed. “You have servants for that.”

She
straightened in her saddle and glared at him. “Unlike you, I take pride in my
land and home. I don’t expect people to do things for me.” She pushed Mincha
ahead of him and left him standing outside the gate.

She
avoided the eyes of her men-at-arms as she led Mincha to the stable. She had
announced in front of them all that she had chores, and now she had to do
something. Perhaps she could brush down Mincha and muck out her stall. She knew
how to do that. It had been one of her chores at the convent. 

Rando
watched her go with a smile and then closed the gate behind them.

~3~

Tempani’s
days in Fenella had slowly settled into a routine. Not as strict as her years
at the convent but a routine nonetheless. She would rise each day and say her
prayers before joining Chae, and occasionally her father, for breakfast, before
she headed to either Lord Darby’s manor or into the city center with Dahlia,
Chae or Teddy.

She
was trying to fill her days as she had at the convent. She even enjoyed helping
Leela in the kitchen. She found Leela refreshingly honest and looked forward to
their chats. She even had her own little garden where she grew herbs and
vegetables for the kitchen.

Keeping
her hands busy distracted her from the niggling need she had to use her magic.
She felt it in her blood, like a gentle hum, and she itched to use it and go
back to healing but she knew doing so would end in her death. It pained her to
walk through the city and see so many people starved and sick and not do
anything. She hoped the feeling of helplessness would pass but she doubted it
ever would.

Prince
Nicolass had continued to visit, but she found she was able to avoid him if
Teddy was quick enough to give her notice of his impending visits. Word had it
that he wasn’t happy about her elusiveness, but could he really blame her?
There was too much water under the bridge in her eyes.

Most
nights were spent at the palace as there was always some formal dinner on.
Teddy was always quick to offer his arm, and it distracted her from the fact
that no other man did. Not that she minded. She wasn’t interested in them
either so she was better off being alone than having a boring suitor. Well,
that’s what she told herself each night as she watched the young men fawn over
Dahlia.

She
had been expecting it. But it still hurt when people refused to take things she
had been holding or refused to dip their fingers in the same cleansing bowl
over dinner.

She
would go back to the manor, and the anger she suppressed over dinner would boil
under her skin. She would feel it pumping through her veins, threatening to
explode until she would pick up her dagger and make it all better. Anything to
make her feel calmer. She had found it worked in the early days at the convent.
Those days when her grief over losing Hamalia threatened to consume her. And
then she lost the need for it. Until now.

Zadi
rubbed a healing ointment into her mistress’s skin and said nothing as she
winced at the coolness of it. The slave girl knew better than to mention
anything about it. She knew her place and knew to keep her mouth shut. What
went on in a lady’s room was private.

“That
will be all,” Tempani said after Zadi tied her into the green wool dress she
had picked out for this morning’s trip into Fenella.

“Yes,
my lady.” Zadi bowed her head and backed away.

Tempani
hurried down the stairs to wait in the drawing room for Teddy to pick her up.
She pulled up short when she saw they would not be alone today.

“Lady
Tempani.” Nicolass bowed when she entered. “I thought I would tag along today.
Teddy always has such wonderful stories when he returns from his visits with
you that I just had to come along.”

His
eyes held hers, and she saw the triumph in his. She wanted to tell him he
wasn’t welcome. That she didn’t want him to tag along. But she knew, as he did
too, that she could not turn him away. As a prince she could only push him so
far. But she would make sure that he had a far from enjoyable time. She would
drag him to every stall in the city.

Knowing
Otto was in the next room she forced a smile on her face and curtsied. “I would
be honored if you were to accompany us,” she said tersely.

His
face lit up with joy. “Wonderful. Let’s go shall we?”

He
offered his arm, and she had no choice but to accept it. She shot Teddy a glare
as they passed him, but all he could do was shrug an apology and follow them
out the door.

Their
normally chatty ride into the city was now silent. Her personal guard, who
normally rode close to the group so they could join in the conversation, hung
back and allowed the Raiders to provide the protection.

She
rode between the two brothers, both of them sitting straighter in their saddles
than was necessary, and she got the feeling she was in for a morning of sibling
rivalry.

“Thank
you, Keane,” she said, and slipped the young stable hand some silver when he
took Mincha’s reins off her.

He
bowed his head in thanks and scurried off to see to the princes’ horses.

“You
don’t have to tip him every time we come here,” Teddy whispered. “He is paid
well for his services.”

Tempani
rolled her eyes. “We have differing views on that.”

They
re-entered the city center and dawdled past the stalls to inspect what was on
offer. She practically drooled over the beautifully crafted silverware, shawls
with intricate detail and more jewelry than she’d ever imagined. She fondled
the ruby earrings and gushed over the sapphire encrusted broach. The man behind
the stall watched her warily.

She
noticed a small shop on her left filled to bursting with fabrics of all colors.
She wandered over and fingered the delicate garments carefully.

“Such
a fine selection aren’t they?”

Tempani
smiled at the sturdy young man with the fiery red hair standing before her.

“They
truly are beautiful,” she said. She took in his long fingers and hands free of
calloused skin and raised an eyebrow. “Your handiwork?”

A
member of the Raiders approached and beckoned Nicolass and Teddy away.

The
man laughed and shook his head. “I am just your run of the mill healer,” he
said. “These fine specimens are the product of my darling wife’s hard work.”

A
short woman with black curls and tired blue eyes approached. “His darling wife
is exhausted and could do with a hand,” she told her husband and pointed to a
pile of fabrics that needed to be hung. “I’m Leandra,” she said. “And this
charmer is Colbert.”

“Tempani.”
She took Leandra’s hand in her own and was pleased to see she didn’t flinch.
“It is lovely to meet you.”

“Looks
like our prince has caught himself a beauty,” Leandra called out to Colbert.

He
poked his head up and smiled. “I hadn’t noticed, my sweet, for no woman can
match you.”

“You
may have considered a path as a Player rather than a healer. You have the knack
for it,” Leandra laughed.

“Your
Highness.” Colbert bowed so low his forehead almost touched the floor as the
princes approached.

Nicolass
nodded stiffly while Teddy stood there scowling. Colbert and Leandra took the
hint and turned away, busying themselves with their fabrics.

“Is
everything all right?” She asked as they walked outside.

Nicolass
sighed and turned to face her, avoiding her eyes. “I am sorry Tempani, but I
need to ask you a rather unpleasant question.”

“This
is ridiculous,” Teddy hissed.

“There
has been an allegation made against you,” he explained. “A man has accused you
of stealing an item of jewelry from his stall.”

Tempani
bristled at his words. She looked at the two of them and threw her hands up in
the air. “Of course I did. Something goes missing and the finger gets pointed
at the closest Kalaowin.”

“It
was a sapphire encrusted broach,” he mumbled.

“I
didn’t take it.” She balled her fists and tried to keep her voice calm. “And I
resent the accusation that I did.”

“He
said it disappeared after you admired it.”

“Come
on, Nic,” Teddy said. “She didn’t take it.”

“Search
me,” she dared him. “Go on. If you don’t believe me then search me.” She
stretched out her arms and widened her stance. “You have my permission.”

“That
won’t be necessary. We’ll take you home.”

She
glared at him. “Don’t bother,” she snapped. “I can make my own way home.
Besides you have your hands full here trying to catch a thief.” She turned on
her heel and rushed to the stables, trying to ignore everyone who was now
openly staring at her.

“Saddle
up,” she ordered her men. “We’re leaving.”

They
scurried after her and followed her lead as she rushed home. She let out a
scream once she was safely inside the door and stomped up the stairs, calling
for Zadi to draw her a bath. She pulled at her dress, trying to undo the ties
at the back to no avail. Zadi swatted her hands away and undid the ties for
her, helping her pull the dress down.

“Leave
me.”

When
she was finally alone in the confines of her room, she let the tears escape her
eyes. They rolled, thick and fast, down her creamy cheeks and over red lips.
Her big brown eyes that gave away her every emotion flashed in anger as she
cursed Nicolass.

Cursed
him for making her feel like the savage people thought she was. That they
wrongfully thought her people were. When would people learn that judging someone
because of the color of their skin would only get them so far?

She
kicked out at the water, sending droplets flying across the room. Normally
taking a hot bath helped ease her anger, but this was doing nothing for her
temper. The anger pulsed through her. Its heat building up. And there was only
one thing that would ease it. One way to let it out.

She
pulled herself out of the tub and padded over to her bed, reaching underneath
to where she hid it. She unsheathed her dagger, holding the hilt firmly in her
hand as she pressed it to her thigh, the blade biting into her skin. She stood
there, water dripping off her naked body and mixing with the blood that now
seeped out of the open wound on her leg. Her breathing slowed as she felt the
release.

Zadi
would have to clean the blood off the floor but at this moment she did not
care. She saw nothing beyond the sudden sense of calm she now felt.

—

The
first bouquet of flowers was delivered the next day and every day after that
for a week. All with a note written in Nicolass’ neat script. Each one begging
for her forgiveness. And each card ended up in the hearth, slowly blackening
until it was nothing but ash.

It
was normally a footman who came bearing his apologies until the seventh day,
and she found Teddy in the drawing room instead.

“Where’s
Hema?” She asked, referring to the footman. “We were becoming fast friends.”

Teddy
laughed and placed the flowers on the table. He had outdone himself with the
arrangement this time. She leant forward and breathed in the beautiful aroma
that wafted up from the blue and red flowers.

“I
think he hoped you would listen to reason if I told you he was sorry,” he said.
“We both are.”

Tempani
smiled at him and patted his hand. “Oh Teddy, I know you didn’t believe it for
a moment. Your brother on the other hand, I’m not so sure.”

“He
didn’t either, but he had a duty to uphold. It’s not easy for him you know.
It’s been drilled into him since he was a boy that his title comes first.”

“I
understand and I’m not mad at him anymore, but it doesn’t mean that I have any
desire to be friendly with him.”

“For
now that will have to do. I doubt he’s giving up though. You seem to have made
quite the impression on him.”

She
rolled her eyes and pulled her cloak over her shoulders, fastening it under her
chin. “I am due to meet Dahlia and Madoc in Fenella. Do you want to join us?”

“So
you weren’t the slightest bit flattered by his apologies?” Teddy asked as they
rode towards the city. “I saw the notes. They were awfully romantic.”

“Not
the slightest. His arrogance far outweighs any charm he has.”

Though
truth be told she did feel something each time Hema dropped by. At first it was
anger, but as the days ticked by it became a mild annoyance before it turned
into something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. An unusual feeling in the
pit of her stomach. She had never felt it before, and for all she knew, it was
simply a reaction to something she’d eaten, but it was there nonetheless.

Their
lunch lay before them at the Grand Moat Tavern, but she found she didn’t have
much of an appetite as she gazed out the window and watched the patrons of the
inn across the way. It seemed to only cater for men as she saw no woman enter
or exit the doors.

“What
is that place?” She asked, pointing to the inn.

Madoc’s
cheeks reddened. “Um, it’s The Night Owl.”

“It’s
for the men,” Dahlia whispered as she leaned across their table. “They are
entertained by what we call Ladies of the Night.”

“Whores?”

Madoc
spluttered on his drink. “You shouldn’t say that word.”

“Why?
That’s what they are.”

“You’re
a lady.”

“One
moment I’m a lady, the next a savage. You Kamaris need to make your minds up.”