A warrior’s call to a fellow fighter.
She replied:
Mother,
I am sorry to know that I worried you. I was also looking forward to the opportunity to meet you, but the winter took its toll on my body, and I had to stay in bed. Blann’s potions have already put me back on my feet so if I do not attend the next Sabbath, it’s not because I didn’t wish to.
Lannahi
Then she convened a meeting with her companions and wrote a letter to Amaruk. The message included a demand to hand over the four women who attacked her and a threat of retaliation if he refused.
When it came to composing an invitation for an evening meal with just her and Ashared, her thoughts scattered. She felt embarrassed at the thought that he’d seen her at her weakest, but the memory of how he treated her and the significance of what he did for her made her heart flutter.
However, it trembled not only with excitement but also with fear. She was horrified to find herself attracted to him, and not only physically. She’d thought that what had happened between her and Nihhal had killed off any fragment of naivete. Why did she want so desperately to trust Ashared? She knew that she shouldn’t. Physical attraction was understandable, but to dream of lifelong devotion and loyalty? Sweet Fate, they barely knew each other.
How does Letiri do this?she thought miserably.
Her sister had sexual relationships with many men, but Lannahi was certain that Letiri had no expectations from any. Her sister treated everyone like courtesans. If Lannahi wanted to keep her wits about her, maybe she should start thinking that way too.
But what kind of courtesan risked exposing himself to the criticism of his fellows?
Though Lannahi had yet to appear in public, she listened diligently to Souhi’s reports. Guardsmen had seen Ashared carrying her in his arms wrapped in a blanket and barely conscious when they returned days ago, and soon the rumor had resounded throughout the palace. Lizaar had demanded an explanation, and though no screams were coming from the chamber where they locked themselves in, Souhi described their relations in the following days as “aloof.”
This knowledge, plus the memory of the care he’d shown Lannahi, seriously impeded her ability to make a clear judgment. She didn’t know what Ashared would gain by getting into an affair with her. Besides pleasure, of course. Potential pleasure. After all, they hadn’t even kissed yet. It wasn’t certain whether they would enjoy one another…
But even if they did, was it really worth risking the loss of the landshapers’ respect for something as fleeting as carnal pleasure?
Caught in this thought loop, Lannahi abandoned the idea of sharing a meal with Ashared in private, considering that the ground she was treading on was already unsteady. She didn’t need more complications.
The thought that she owed Ashared her life, however, bothered her greatly. She was indebted to him. This wasn’t a matter she could ignore indefinitely.
As she requested in a brief note, he came after breakfast when she couldn’t spare more than half an hour for him and the prospect of meeting with Lizaar and the other landshapers discouraged her imagination from any possible romantic dallying. When their eyes met, she was glad she was wearing a pretty dress and that Blann’s ointment had chased away the bruises from her skin, but she tried not to think about her short hair and his now covered chest and not to interpret the expression of his eyes as he ran his gaze over her body as if to make sure she was okay.
“I’m glad you are feeling better,” he said, stopping by the sofa.
His deep baritone made a shiver run through her body and Lannahi regretted that Souhi wasn’t in the chamber. If there had been someone else present, she could have pretended she was on stage rather than alone with the man who had cradled her when she’d needed it.
“I appreciate your concern,” she said, grasping desperately at her diplomatic training. Focusing on her movements, she indicated to the opposite sofa with a polite gesture.
“I hear you singing sometimes when I walk down the corridor,” Ashared said before she could remember the speech she had prepared. “I hope that when you finally agree to Nazarr and Eder’s request, I will be allowed to accompany them in your first performance at Goldfrost. Unlike them, I’ve been lucky enough to see you perform before, but my curiosity is as insatiable as theirs.”
Lannahi had heard thousands of compliments in her life and was always able to find an adequate response almost immediately, but now she had to make a serious effort to come up with one. “In Goldenshadows, I used to play after the evening meal, and I’m thinking of getting back into the habit. I know you usually eat with the guards, but if you wish, you can join me in the evenings.”
The spark that appeared in Ashared’s eyes lit a fire in her chest. Her own words echoed in her head.
You can join me in the evenings.
“In the dining room,” she added hastily.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. “Gladly.”
Lannahi’s brain, trained to quickly analyze the words directed at her, flooded her with possibilities.
I will gladly join you in the dining room in the evenings.
I will gladly join you in the evenings.
Gladly in the evenings.
