Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The dining hall was more modest than I thought, but then I realized it was the family hall, reserved for Bran's family and close friends. Fenling's dress swished as she walked. It was full-skirted, and she looked stunning. Her hair was fastened back on both sides with tiny braids.

As I followed her in, every one who was already seated looked up. I saw Bran, who gave us a smiling nod. He cleaned up better than I ever expected. He was already a handsome man, but now, dressed in the family colors, his locks held back like Fenling's—with two little braids on each side, pulled back by a clip that held back the rest of his hair. I felt an odd flutter in my chest, now that we were indoors, safe, out of our heavy cloaks.

The prince, on the other hand, had pale hair, almost platinum, with ice blue eyes and chiseled, angular features. He was a handsome man, yes, but his eyes had a cool, aloofness behind them, and I immediately found myself raising my guard. Even before he spoke, I knew this was a man who could—and would—break others.

"Welcome back, brother." Karehl turned to Bran. "I trust your time in the woods has been fruitful and not too difficult."

I called bull. Karehl didn't care how rough it was on the road, and everybody knew it. I could tell from the looks on the various faces around the table.

"Are you going to introduce me to our guest, dear brother?" Karehl continued.

Bran cleared his throat, looking annoyed. "Of course. Your Majesty, may I present Asajia? We met her in the woods where…she was being attacked by a snow-cat. Asajia, meet my brother, our prince and soon to be king, Karehl."

I blinked, but quickly recovered myself. He had lied, for some reason. I quickly stood and curtseyed the best I could, waiting for him to speak.

"Well, stand, girl. Let me see you." The prince motioned me away from the table. I awkwardly obeyed, still keeping my tongue. His eyes slaked over me like I was some sweet bun or cake. "You are a fair looking wench. What were you doing in the woods to attract a snow-cat?"

I cleared my throat. "I'm a hunter. I was out looking for game when I got caught in the snow storm." It wasn't an unreasonable lie.

"A huntress, you say? How interesting."

By his side, a woman with golden hair and a cunning stare froze. She looked me up and down, her eyes narrowing, then her gaze shifted back to Karehl. I immediately knew I'd made an enemy, though I wasn't sure why.

"My lord," she said, an edge in her voice.

"Oh, yes. I present Princess Charla, my wife."

I curtseyed to her. "Your Highness."

She lifted her fork, biting into a piece of meat, before replying. "So now we welcome hunters to our table?" She let out an audible sigh. "Oh, very well. Welcome to our court, girl."

I had never felt as dismissed as quickly as that moment. Even Garimorn had seemed kinder when he pronounced our family out of favor. The venom in the Charla's voice and eyes would have killed me, had she been a snake.

"Thank you," I murmured, wanting nothing more than to sit down again.

"Return to your meal," the princess started to say, but the prince stopped her.

"Not so fast," he said. "Turn around, girl. Let me see you from all angles."

Blushing, I reluctantly obeyed.

"Perhaps we can have a chat later," he added. "Very well, sit down and eat."

Even as I returned to my seat, I could feel his eyes on me. The princess was staring at me, as well. I glanced over at Bran, who had a dark cast in his eyes. He was angry—I could see it right below the surface.

I ate very little, feeling under scrutiny until Karehl and Bran began to discuss the state of the Bramble Fel Forest. When I had the chance, I leaned over to whisper in Fenling's ear.

"How long do we have to stay at the table?"

She glanced at her cousins before answering. "It shouldn't be long now."

Sure enough, a few moments later, the prince and princess stood and we all hastened to our feet, curtseying again.

"Brother, attend me in my study. The rest of you, I bid a good night." Prince Karehl glanced at me once again, then led the way out, followed by his wife and Bran.

Fenling touched my arm. "Come, we'll get something more to eat once we're back in our quarters." She led me through the labyrinth to her room, where she asked Tonyah to bring us some cheese and fruit and bread.

As soon as the maid vanished out the door, Fenling turned back to me and said in a low voice. "I was worried this would happen but there wasn't anything I could do to stop matters. But we can't talk here, and we can't leave the castle right now—the guards would notice. Just follow my lead."

I was a bundle of nerves, but I trusted Fenling. Tonyah brought back a large tray filled with cheeses, buns, and ice-apples, an apple that only grew in the highest climes. The fruit was pale pink, and had a faint taste that reminded me of a strawberry.

As we ate, I watched Fenling. She seemed both at home, and yet on guard, and I wasn't sure if she was on guard because of me, or because of the prince. I couldn't imagine Charla liked having her around because of Karehl's earlier feelings for her.

"Are you involved with anyone in the Lorani?" I asked.

Fenling laughed. "To be honest, there's one…rider…I am taken with. But we'll have to see how things work out. She only joined us a couple of months ago."

That surprised me. Why, I wasn't sure, but I hadn't expected Fenling to be a lover of women. "Her?"

"Yes," Fenling said. "I've always known that I prefer women. Bran knows, but Karehl doesn't, I think." Once again, she bit her lip and glanced around. "We'll talk tomorrow. I'll show you around the grounds some more."

"I suppose I should get to bed," I said. "I'm exhausted."

"Life on the road can be tiring, but it makes me happy. I think you're wise to consider joining us in the Lorani." She saw me to my door, then waved goodnight.

As I stripped, with Tonyah's help, and accepted the nightdress she brought me, I thought about the castle and the people here. The uneasiness that hung over Eleago left me on edge. There was no chance that I could live here, not with Karehl and his wife in charge.

I climbed into bed and Tonyah tucked me in, then she stoked the fire, added more wood, and tiptoed out. As the heavy bedchamber door slammed shut, I couldn't help but hope that it wasn't long before we left for the woods again.

The next morning, after Tonyah helped me dress—again, in a gown from the castle—Fenling caught me before breakfast and we headed out to the court to watch morning life in the castle begin.

The vendors were setting up their wares, and housewives were out shopping, and here and there children raced toward a building at the far end of the courtyard, carrying books and slates, and wooden buckets with their lunches.

I was pleased to see girls among the boys. In Renmark, girls were included in education up till their first moon cycle. Then, except for a rare few, they stayed home to learn how to be a housewife. I'd been lucky. My mother taught me to read, write, and cipher at home, during the times when Da had left me with her. I started going on the hunt with him when I was eight, and so I had little in common with most girls my age.

"So, when did you first know you were attracted to women?" I asked, once we were out of earshot of anybody close by.

Fenling shrugged. "I think when I was young—ten or eleven. All the other girls would talk about marriage and starting a family, and all I could think was that I wanted to stay free forever. I also found girls more interesting, and later on, I found them more attractive. I didn't want to be weighed down with a husband, or children. I loved to read and to write, and then Bran took me out hunting with him and I discovered how much I loved the forest."

"I understand what you mean," I said. "It's not that I don't want to get married, but I don't know how much of my life I'm willing to give up. Who's the woman who caught your eye?"

"I don't know if you've met her—her name is Zusu, and she's short and dark haired, with eyes that sparkle. She's tough, for being so petite, and she can ride better than most of us. I think she prefers women, but I haven't worked up the courage to ask her, yet." She hesitated, then said, "You have to be careful around Karehl. You caught his attention last night and that never bodes well for anybody under his rule. Watch out for Chara, as well. She's vicious."

"I caught that—both things. I think, perhaps, this isn't the city for me. And while I'd love to stay with the Lorani, I don't think I can live here." I hesitated. "If I do decide I need to travel south, would it be possible to get someone to go with me?"

"I think Bran can arrange that, if it's necessary. But…I think we can safely keep you away from the prince." She sighed. "I hate this. We had so much fun when we were little, but he's changed. Although, perhaps he's always had a taste for power and I just didn't realize it."

"I've known types like him. They almost always have tells during their younger days. It's just not always that easy to see, especially if you like them. My father was like that." I glanced up at the sky. The snow was sifting down in tiny frozen crystals. "You're fully into winter here, so it won't be long before Renmark is under the clouds. We had our first snows there shortly before I left."

"Tell me, did you leave behind any friends?" Fenling slid her arm through mine as we strolled along.

"I did. One friend—well, two, counting her husband. Sanya and I became friends when we were young. She's the only one who stuck by me when everything fell apart, and the town was not kind to her because of that. She and her husband own the bakery there. They helped me escape." I conjured up Sanya's face in my mind, wishing her well. "I hope that fate graces her with gifts, for all she did for me."

At that moment, a messenger hurried up to us. "Lady Fenling, I bring a missive from Princess Chara. She bids you and your friend here to attend her for morning tea, at the next gong."

"Gong?"

"Certain events are marked by the sound of the gong here," Fenling said. She dug into her purse and brought out a few coins. "Here, take these for yourself." As she tucked a couple coins into his hand, folding his fingers over them, the young man's face lit up and he burst into a smile.

"Thank you, Mistress!" He turned and raced off before she could change her mind.

"Oh hell hounds on a spit," I said. "I don't want to have tea with her."

"Neither do I, but we have no choice. That wasn't an invitation, it was a direct order. Come on. We can't be late." She picked up her skirts and began to jog back toward the keep. Reluctantly, I followed suit. Running in dresses, especially heavy ones meant to keep the chill at bay, wasn't easy. Though I'd mastered the ability back in our own village, given we spent a long winter's night deep in snow, it didn't make it any easier.

As we entered the castle, Fenling hurried me up to her room, where Tonyah was already waiting with dainty dresses, the kind I'd seldom ever seen, let alone worn.

"Hurry, now. The princess is waiting," she scolded, quickly hustling us out of our clothes. We hurried to step into the lighter frocks. Fenling's was ice blue, almost gray color, and my own was pale rose.

"I can see she's already insulting you," Fenling said with a frown. "Rose is the color of lesser townswomen. Above servant class, but never worn by nobility." She frowned. "I don't care if we're late. Tonyah, fetch her a lilac dress."

"I don't want to make her mad—" I started to say, but Tonyah had already left the room.

"I don't give a fig what she thinks," Fenling said. "I will not allow you to be insulted. You are here as Bran's guest, and my guest. We will be the ones to decide how to present you." Her eyes flashed and I caught a glimpse of something behind them—something wild and feral. Her command was undeniable.

"How are you not in charge, with that voice?" I grinned at her.

"I wish…or rather, I don't wish. I just wish Karehl was a better person. He's brought down the kingdom…" She stopped, once again sighing. "I forget my own rules, at times. Here comes Tonyah with your dress."

The dress was almost the same style as the other, but the color was a deep lilac. As soon as I was laced into it and my hair done, we hurried down the hallway towards the princess's chambers. As we entered through the massive iron-reinforced door, the footman stiffened to attention. Her personal steward approached us.

"Please announce us," Fenling said.

"Very good, Lady Fenling." He clicked his heels, turned, and we followed him through a large room that appeared to be for entertaining, into a private parlor. Princess Charla was sitting there, an impatient look on her face. We curtseyed and waited for her to speak.

"You've taken your time," she said, waving for us to sit.

Fenling took the seat nearest her, and I sat next to her.

"My apologies, Your Highness. It's my fault. The dress laid out for Asajia to wear had a stain on it, so we had to find another."

Very clever, I thought. A good way to get out of explaining why I was wearing the lilac.

Charla had a look on her face like she smelled something bad, but she merely nodded. "Tea and sweets," she ordered the serving girl standing beside her. "And don't dawdle."

"So, how are things out in the great, wide, world?" Charla asked.

"Cold, but beautiful. I'll be glad when we can head out again, as much as I value you taking time out of your busy schedule, Your Highness."

We accepted our teacups from the servant, and plates of sweetcakes. I was crossing my fingers—mentally—that I could get out of here without saying more than a word or two. But I wasn't that lucky.

"So, Asajia, you're from the People of the Snow, yes?"

I nodded. "Yes, I am." Hastily I added, "Your Majesty."

"What village?"

Crap. I didn't want to tell her. I didn't want her to find out where I was from because then there was always the possibility she could contact Garimorn. I quickly ran through possibilities. There was another village a ways off from Renmark.

"I'm from North Face. But we lived out in the woods and seldom made it to town."

"We? Are you married?"

I shook my head. "My parents both died in the past few years. I've pretty much stayed to myself since then."

Charla looked mildly interested. "Are you married? Have you ever been married?"

I shook my head. "No, Your Highness."

Then, she pushed the boundaries. "Are you a virgin? My husband likes virgins and I'd rather he not take any sluts into his bed who might infect him with some disease."

I caught my breath and stiffened. I wasn't sure of what to do, but I damned well wasn't going to answer that. My first instinct was to backhand her, but I fought the desire down, though I couldn't stop shaking.

"I think that's the end of our tea. And I suggest that Your Majesty reconsider that question," Fenling said, abruptly standing. "Know this. My cousin Bran will back me up. Leave Asajia alone. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have things to do." She motioned for me to follow her, and without a backwards glance, we headed out of the room.