The swordsman, who had just finished the bout by knocking his opponent’s sword out of his hand, suddenly turned his head as if she called him with her thoughts. They both froze for a moment, unable to take their eyes off one another, but when those surrounding Ashared started raising their gaze toward her, he nodded casually and Lannahi responded with a similar gesture. Unfortunately, more and more people became aware of her presence, and through the halls swept a murmur that was dying down slowly as soldiers abandoned their exercises.
“You have gained their attention,” Nuadd remarked. “Do you wish to take advantage of it, or shall I get them to work?”
Lannahi hadn’t planned to speak to the soldiers, but she realized that it wasn’t a bad idea.
“Once a week, enchanters will practice in this hall,” she said aloud, addressing the crowd. “I invite anyone who wants to face them and improve their skills. There is only one condition. Only those who take the same oath as the Palace Guard will be allowed to attend the training sessions. A promise not to take part in plots and attacks against me and my allies in exchange for preparation to fight against enchanters, that’s the price. I give you three days for thought.”
Without waiting for the crowd to react, she bid Nuadd farewell.
“Now you can get them to work.”
***
Let me know when you feel like playing again.
Ashared’s words haunted Lannahi for the rest of the day. The power of her desire for him disturbed her. Part of her wanted to be immersed in the adoration and tenderness offered by him, to lose herself in pleasure, to trust… but another part hunched defensively, frightened by the possibility of betrayal and her own desperation. She couldn’t resolve this conflict and for this reason, instead of sending a message to Ashared, she sent for Nazarr and Eder. She pretended that this decision had nothing to do with him and, at the same time, secretly hoped that Ashared would decide to seek her out instead. If she’d known that he was at least half as desperate as she was, maybe it would be easier…
“Has the visit from your friends awakened your desire to sing, lady?” Nazarr asked.
“They reminded me that music sounds better when shared with others,” Lannahi admitted, smiling slightly.
“I’m almost certain that I told you something similar once.” The singer put his hand to his heart in a theatrical gesture. “You didn’t listen to me, lady?”
Lannahi’s smile grew. She moved toward the dining room. “Let’s not waste any more time then.”
She said it jokingly, as a verbal dodge and a little taunt, but for some reason, her words echoed strangely in her head. Hadn’t she told her siblings that she couldn’t imagine life without music? She’d wasted so many days avoiding singing instead of enjoying the fact that she could use her voice at all.
By holding back how she felt for Ashared, wasn’t she doing the same thing?
Wouldn’t it have been better to let herself be carried away by her emotions?
After all, there’s no telling how much time she had left…
The last thought squeezed her heart like a cold chain. When she sat, she discovered Ashared standing in the doorway, and the chain turned into a gentle hand.
“I was passing by when I heard you speaking about sharing music,” he said when their eyes met, “and I remembered the invitation that entitles me to receive my portion.”
“Is this a wolfish custom?” Lannahi asked when she managed to collect herself. “To respond to generosity with greed?”
He smiled. “My mistake.” He made a slight bow. “I can howl, but I worry that your ears will suffer.”
“Are you suggesting then that you are being generous by remaining silent?”
“I believe so.”
Lannahi laughed suddenly. She wasn’t going to stop fighting for her future, but worrying about it drained any joy from the present moment. For now, she was here. She wanted Ashared and he wanted her. Why shouldn’t they enjoy each other while it lasted?
After the evening meal, Lannahi sang a few songs, and when Souhi bid her farewell with a meaningful smile, she invited Nazarr and Eder to play with her. When everyone had become sated with music and the married couple left the chamber, Ashared asked, “Tired?”
He asked the question in a light-hearted tone, but his gaze implied his true meaning. The calmness she’d felt throughout the evening suddenly congealed and turned into tickling excitement.
“Not so much as to mind the evening lasting a little longer,” she replied.
When she stood, he too rose from his seat. They left the dining room in silence followed by Akammu and Ledaii and the gazes of the guards in the corridors. To some degree, Lannahi was accustomed to being under constant surveillance, but the thought occurred to her—not for the first time—that perhaps it would be better to live in an ordinary house rather than a palace. Not only would she have more privacy, but everywhere would be closer.
After entering her chamber and closing the door, Ashared asked, “Are we relying on Fate today too?”
“We can,” she said with a slight smile when he came closer. “But you can also tell me what you want, and I may fulfill that wish.”
