7. Chapter 7

Chapter seven

“I owe you my life.”

Tsaria gaped as the emir smiled at him, and he seemed to fall into those deep amber eyes again, so different from the brown he would swear they were originally. Then he absorbed the words and shook his head. He was nothing. A body hired for pleasure. How could he possibly be here with the emir? Maybe he had really died in that awful cell, or maybe the dragon had roasted him alive.

“You not only saved my life, but if the gods are willing, you may be able to help me save the people of Rajpur. My uncle wouldn’t have just let me walk away from the palace. I would have been dead by the time he was crowned.”

Tsaria glanced to his side just to make doubly sure there wasn’t someone else there that the emir was talking to. People of wealth didn’t feel they owed the poor anything.

“You know who I am.” He didn’t make it a question.

“Yes, your Highness,” Tsaria managed to get out.

“Then please call me Kamir at least when it’s just the two of us, or all the time, if you feel comfortable enough to do so. May I have your name?”

“Tsaria,” he whispered. “Just Tsaria.” Because the emir might think him rude for not answering fully, but he only had one name. His father had officially stripped him of the right to carry his family name when he had sold him to the pleasure house.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what in seven hells is going on, and we have some time, so I will share what I know.”

“I don’t understand, Highness,” Tsaria said, and he didn’t. Why did he deserve any explanation, and why was he here in this wagon?

“Firstly, I would give anything for you not to have endured the last few days. My uncle convinced me you were dead, along with everyone else.”

“Dead? Who died?” But then he snapped his mouth shut. It wasn’t his place—

“Everyone who was in the room when I entered. I’m afraid all your friends who came with you.”

Tsaria pressed shaky fingers to his lips. Karice was barely more than a child, and Ayella was with child. One that would never live now. And the new boys. His eyes smarted, and he tried to swallow down his tight throat.

“I’m sorry, so sorry. My uncle is blaming the dragon. Insisting it was the dragon from Cadmeera, but we both know that isn’t true.”

Tsaria shivered, sure his life was forfeit. He just didn’t understand why he hadn’t been left to die in the dungeon. “I promise I won’t tell.”

The emir smiled. “I know. You kept my secret when you had no reason to.”

Tsaria looked his fill. If he wasn’t going to die, or even if he was, the emir didn’t seem to be angry with him at the moment, and his highness was stunning. He wanted to trace his high cheek bones and lush lips with his finger, and his tongue, which shocked him silly. He rarely felt interest that wasn't feigned to make his customers think they were desirable. His own body had long given up feeling genuine desire.

“Let me start at the beginning. I wish I could touch you, but as we are in the confines of a wagon, it may not be a good idea.”

Why? Because… oh . Well, yes, but Tsaria doubted he had anything to do with it.

“Do you know I am expected to shift into an animal to prove my right to the crown?” Tsaria shook his head. “I should have at my age of provenance, sixteen summers, but my father was too busy warring to notice I never did, plus he was convinced he would live forever. But three days ago, I would have been expected to shift, or the crown would be passed to my uncle and then one of his sons. I have never shifted into any animal until I saw you in the palace and we touched, triggering my first shift.”

Tsaria gasped. “It happened? Really happened? I thought it a dream, Highness.”

“Kamir.”

Tsaria flushed. “Kamir,” he repeated, still wondering when he was going to wake up. “But surely that’s a good thing? A miracle?”

“Not as far as my uncle is concerned.”

Tsaria frowned. “That’s why I was held? He kept asking, but I pretended I’d taken poppy and didn’t remember.”

Kamir sighed. “Again, I would give much to have found you sooner. Tam told me of your injuries and assuming I can retake the throne, I will make sure prisoners are never held in such conditions again.”

Tsaria met his gaze. But he was a prince. Why did it have to wait? Why was it like that in the first place?

“I know it doesn’t help, and you have no reason to believe me, but I promise it will happen.” Tsaria dropped his gaze and thought about Jael’s ma. All the promises in the world couldn’t bring her back.

“You were held by my uncle because he is frightened. Basically, he doesn’t know if the power is from me or if you control my ability.” Kamir glanced at the sleeping child. “Is he your brother?”

“No, high—Kamir.” Tsaria stumbled over his name, as it still felt wrong. “He was held in the next cell with his mother, before she was killed. He was distraught, so the guards put him in with me. The intention was to loosen my tongue.”

Kamir swallowed. “Killed?”

“I assume after the guards raped her,” Tsaria said baldly. He couldn’t believe this man didn’t know what went on in his name. Kamir flinched but Tsaria hardened his heart.

“If I can, I will find out if she lives.” Tsaria shrugged. He knew she was dead.

“Your silence saved both our lives. If my uncle knew for certain what had happened, we both would have been murdered.” Kamir heaved a sigh. “I’m surprised he didn’t do that anyway.”

“But surely your guards would have protected you.” That made no sense.

“I don’t know who I should not trust and who is loyal, save a few. I’m not in a position to challenge my uncle, as he has the army and possibly the imperial guard behind him until I shift for the assembly.” Kamir shook his head in apparent frustration. “There are no living witnesses to what happened, save us. Which is why he didn’t enforce the rule about shifting. He’s panicking.”

Tsaria tilted his head, trying to understand. “Then why are you here?”

“Because the king of Cadmeera and his consort are great friends of mine. I hate the fact that I have abandoned my people, and in all honesty, if there was a better king I wouldn’t complain.” He swallowed. “I only ever wanted to be a scholar. I am halfway through documenting the history of Rajpur. I’m not a sovereign. I don’t have the charisma needed for people to flock to my banner. The only reason I intend to regroup and take my throne is because the alternative is too awful.” He met Tsaria’s eyes. “I believe you met my uncle. His sons are worse.”

He watched as Tsaria licked his lips and debated what to say. What could he say? He didn’t understand why he wanted to spare Kamir the details. Surely it was, in the end, his responsibility.

“I know you have no reason to trust me,” Kamir whispered. “I’m simply asking for a chance.”

“And if I said no?” Tsaria shot out.

Kamir gazed at him. “We aren‘t far from Cadmeera. You would be welcomed there as a citizen.” He nodded at Jael. “Both of you.”

“Would we?” Tsaria asked. He had no reason to believe Kamir. It could all be an act. Tsaria took a sudden breath. Kamir thought he was responsible for the dragon. Was that why Tsaria was alive? Because the emir suspected he controlled his shift? But then, what would happen to him when it was disproved? When he wasn’t useful anymore.

“I can give you promises now, but I know they wouldn’t be trusted because you have no reason to believe anything I say.”

For a moment, terror pulled at Tsaria with sharp claws. Had he said that out loud? He had to be careful. He had no reason to trust the emir. None at all.

“I’m sure you have many questions but let me explain what I know first. It will take us some time to travel and—” Kamir paused as the wagon lurched, then in the distance he could hear the sound of galloping hooves, and his breath caught.

“Highness,” Mansala shouted from outside. “Horses following us, hold on.”

Kamir shook his head. “There is no way this wagon can outrun the soldiers.” The wagon lurched again and Tsaria slipped on the cushions. Kamir was just managing to hang on, thankful Jael seemed to be protected cocooned in the blankets. Then another lurch and a crack and the wagon dipped, and Tsaria was in Kamir’s arms.

Kamir had a second to appreciate he was still human and that neither of them was seriously hurt, even if he did feel like his shoulder was on fire from where he landed, before the wagon lurched again and Tsaria fell. Kamir clutched at him uselessly but not in time to stop his head cracking against one of the posts.

“Highness,” Mansala wrenched the door open just as Kamir struggled to sit up. “Quickly.” Kamir reached for Tsaria, but Mansala pulled at his arm. “Highness—"

“No, take him first.”

“Highness—"

“Do it.” Kamir pulled Tsaria to him as gently as he could. “He’s hit his head. As if he hasn’t had enough injuries.”

“Highness!” Tam yelled as the hooves became all but deafening. Mansala caught Tsaria and pulled him free. Kamir bent down to Jael who was very much awake and lifted the blankets. “Quick, hide.” Jael looked terrified but instantly obeyed him and Kamir climbed out, just in time for the twenty or so troops from his uncle’s private guard to catch them up.

“Highness.” The sergeant dismounted quickly and bowed. “Thank goodness.” Mansala kept a hold of Tsaria but was surrounded and had the tip of three swords all pointed at him. Tam likewise.

“Sergeant, what is the meaning of this?” Kamir tried to sound angry and objectionable rather than terrified they would be dragged back to the palace. “Your horses scared ours and they shied injuring my servant as you can see. If you had approached in a sensible manner—”

“Highness, we understand you have been taken against your will,” the sergeant interrupted, and even Kamir was shocked. If the man had done that to his uncle, he would have lost his head.

“Well, you are mistaken. As you can see, my life sentinel is with me, and I am on urgent diplomatic business.”

The sergeant narrowed his eyes. “I’m sorry, but my orders are to escort you back to the palace.”

Mansala moved an inch and one of the swords to his neck scored a red line that oozed with blood. “Stand down,” Kamir thundered, but the soldiers took no notice. And Kamir knew at that moment that they listened only to his uncle. “Very well, I will return with you, but my sentinel and driver will leave.” Jael had to remain hidden as there was no way he could explain his presence.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, your Highness,” the sergeant continued, almost smugly. “I am under orders to bring everyone so it can be ascertained you aren’t under duress.”

Kamir wanted to rage. He knew if Tsaria returned to the palace he would be dead, but he also knew they couldn’t fight twenty armed men. Or could he? Kamir took a step toward Tsaria, only for the sergeant to smoothly insert himself and stop Kamir from touching him. “Highness, if you won’t come freely, I have orders to detain you.”

Kamir thought he’d seen everything his uncle was capable of in the last few days, but clearly he was wrong. “You know laying your hands on me is a capital offense.”

The sergeant didn’t move, and one of the others even slid closer. “I have orders to make sure you aren’t being threatened or even drugged. Once we get back to the palace, it can be straightened out.”

Kamir glanced in frustration at Mansala surrounded by three guards, and then Tsaria, who was still limp in his arms. What could he do? He drew in a breath and tried to imagine the feeling of his dragon, the love, but there was nothing.

And then they heard it.

A strange cry above that Kamir recognized instantly. So did the troops, and they all looked up as a large shadow loomed over them. Wing beats ruffled his hair and a few of the troops struggled to contain their horses.

Kamir didn’t look up, just blessed Attiker’s foresight, if he was responsible. “I suggest, sergeant, that you release my sentinel right away or I will be forced to let my dragon feast. She sounds a little hungry to me.”

Two of the troops couldn’t hold their horses as powerful wing beats battered at them from overhead. Kamir thought it fitting that the troops didn’t hang around either.

“You have one chance, sergeant. I suggest you don’t waste it, or it will definitely be your last one.”

And as if there was some unseen signal, all the remaining troops turned and ran as one. The sergeant blinked, suddenly realizing he had no one at his back, and turned, stumbling as Eldara dropped even lower, then covered his head with his arms and ran.

The wing beats lessened as hooves were heard approaching from the other direction, and Kamir looked up as Eldara rose, hovering, while the approaching horses and carriage came closer, then lifted herself higher with a powerful beat of her wings and flew away.

“Kamir!”

He glanced at the lead rider just in time to see her fling herself from the horse and throw herself into his arms. “We were nearly too late. I am sorry.”

Kamir disentangled himself. “I think you came at exactly the right time.” He looked over at Mansala and his breath caught as he saw Tsaria’s eyes were open and staring at him with a mixture of awe and fear.

“Come brother, get in the carriage and…” but Kamir wasn’t listening. He closed the distance to Mansala and simply opened his arms for Tsaria.

“Give him to me.”

Mansala obeyed, and Kamir took him carefully. He should feel his weight far more than he did, and for an instant, Kamir marveled at his sudden strength. He should never have been able to carry another man this easily, but he not only held him with ease, he also walked back to the carriage, climbing in with no difficulty. Tsaria didn’t try to move or to get away, which Kamir was grateful for. He needed to keep him close.

Jael scrambled out and stared at everyone in astonishment, until Veda told him to sit as they were leaving again.

“Your poor head,” Kamir murmured to Tsaria. “Try to rest until I can get a healer to see you.”

“You can lay him on the cushions, brother,” Veda offered quietly.

Kamir smiled and bent and brushed a kiss on Tsaria’s forehead as his eyes closed. “No,” he said simply. He had no intention of letting him go. Not now. Not ever.