I shook my head, but I felt my cheeks flame hotter.My entire face was probably bright red now.
“You do not want me to see you without clothing?”
“I don’t care,” I said, hoping to change the subject.“Do you agree to wait to leave until tomorrow morning?”
He considered for a long moment, so long that my face cooled, and I felt composed once again.“Conditions,” he said.I should have expected him to have conditions.This man was as skilled a politician as any in the Highcastle court.
“Condition the first is you do not leave my sight.”
I nodded.I supposed I would not be taking that bath then.
“Condition the two is we stay with my team.I believe strength is in numbers.”
“Fine.”I didn’t exactly have much leverage to argue, and I too believed there was strength in numbers.Plus, I didn’t want to be alone with him.“Any others?”
“Condition the last is we leave at first light.No arguments.No begging and pleading.”
My back straightened and my shoulders stiffened.“I wouldneverbeg and plead.”
“Good.Then I gather my team, and we return to the castle.”
I shook my head.“I need to go home—”
“Send Mama for what you need.”He held out a hand.I looked at it but didn’t move from where I sat on the stone table.
“If you cannot walk, I will carry you.”
The image of being held in his arms, pressed close to his chest, flashed in my mind.“No,” I said quickly.“I can walk.”At least I thought I could walk.I hadn’t tried it yet.Pressing both hands flat on the stone edges of the table, I levered myself down.I winced when I stood.I had probably bruised my tailbone.At this point, I preferred walking to sitting.My head throbbed, and I wished I’d been able to apply the cold compress instead of dropping it to the ground.Mostly my throat hurt.Undoubtedly, I had bruises on my neck.I felt tender and sore there.I must have lifted a hand to touch my neck without thinking about it because Taio pushed my hand aside.I attempted to move away from him, but he grasped my shoulders lightly.
“Let me look.”He touched the skin of my neck.
“I’m fine.”I tried to bat his hand away, and he caught my wrist, and held it.I could have used my other hand, but perhaps it would be better to just get this over with.I gritted my teeth, both wanting his touch and trying to convince myself I was tolerating it.His fingers probed my neck with surprising gentleness.Even so, I hissed in pain when he touched a particularly painful spot.
“You fought hard,” he said looking up at me.“I had to use more pressure than I wanted.”
I wanted to ask how he’d learned that technique, but I’d prefer to do it when his face wasn’t right against my neck and his fingers tracing my bare flesh.I shivered.
“You are cold?”he asked.
“Yes,” I lied.“Get away from me.”I gave him a shove and started for the door.He was right on my heels, holding the door after I pulled it open.My mother and Finnrey were still standing outside, eyes wide.
“Mara—” My mother reached for me.I took her hands in mine.
“Mama, we are leaving tomorrow at first light.I have agreed to stay close to the prince as”—I glanced at him—“insurance.Would you fetch what I need for travel and bring it to the castle?”
“Of course.”She tossed Taio a look sharp with daggers.
“Finnrey, will you go with her?You know best what I take on patrol, including my weapons.Will you sharpen my skullcrusher?”
Finnrey nodded.Her gaze flicked to the prince and then back to my face.I saw pity in her gaze and ignored it.I supposed I would be the one pitying her if our places were reversed.“I’ll see you at the castle,” I said.Taio took my arm lightly and ushered me ahead.The people parted, allowing us to pass alone along the dark stone corridor.The corridor curved, and I spotted three figures standing against one of the walls.The Zulenii contingent.When they saw their prince, they pushed away from the walls and stood upright.
Kintle, the one with the carrot hair, said something in Zulenii and Taio shook his head.He replied, gesturing to me as he did so.The three of them looked at me then, each studying me with a mixture of distrust and distaste.I held my head high as Taio spoke.I assumed he was telling them of our agreement.I heard one or two grumbles, but no one argued.Almost in unison, they put fists to their chests and knocked twice.Then Taio’s team surrounded us, escorting us along the corridor until we reached a door.Kintle pushed it open, and I spotted dozens of people standing outside.Without being told, the four of them took up positions on all sides of me, as though protecting me.I wanted to tell them that I did not need protection from my own people, but I was strangely moved by their gesture.My chest felt tight.I swallowed that feeling down and pushed past Omira to walk beside Taio.I would not allow my people to see me trailing the Zulenii as though I was defeated.I’d lost the first round.I did not intend to lose the fight.
One day I would return.
***
THE CASTLE CHAMBERmy father had assigned the Zulenii was spacious and bright.This had been part of the private quarters for the king’s first wife and her family.All but three of those children now lived in Shadow Court with their families.Morga and Cameed had taken a chamber in the castle on the top floor with access to the turrets.I sometimes saw them standing up there and looking out at the sea or the village.Their younger brother must have been asked to give up this chamber for the Zulenii.
