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"Boy? Where are you? You were supposed to meet me in the back room! Get down here this instant!" The voice was male, and sounded familiar.
The 'boy' stared at me while he moved his other hand and placed a finger on his lips, motioning me to stay quiet. He had a warning look in his eyes, the look that meant: "Do anything wrong, and you'll regret it." But in a more.. gentle way. I nodded, tears forming at the corners of my eyes as I was trembling.
He stood up slowly, loosening the grip from my mouth and brushing the hay from his clothes. "Yes?" He took two steps into the open. "I was just enjoying a pipe."
"First of all, DON'T smoke near the hay! You idiot should know it will catch fire! Second, the King wants you immediately! Don't go doing what you like, you shouldn't keep his highness waiting!"
I knew that voice now; it was my tutor!
I saw the 'boy' shrug as he took one leap to the ground. "Your 'highness' is no king of mine." I could almost see a cold glare coming from his eyes. He was proud; father would like him.
Looking over, I saw his knapsack. Sitting up a little, I reached for it and gently pulled the cover open. Inside was some cloth, a small box for soap, a carving knife, what appeared to be some sort of musical instrument to be blewn into. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary- he seemed to be packed very lightly as though he was ready to leave that moment. I knew he was a Plainsman, but he was no one from my tribe. I wondered what he was doing here? Spying on me? Doubtful since he spoke openly with me.
I laid there until I heard nothing but the sounds of birds and some horses stomping their hooves in their stalls. Sitting slowly, I looked at my feet and realized I had forgotten my shoes. Panic! I remembered my venture into the underground at the statue and Feivan's clothes. I hoped they'd be safe in that barrel- I hoped the boy wouldn't go wearing them or anything. But I couldn't risk taking them out and someone seeing me with them either. I jumped up and brushed off my clothes, trying in vain to get the hay and dirt off. I'd get a good tongue-lashing from the queen and my tutor. Rushing down the ladder, I jumped the last three rungs and ran out the way I had come, being careful to stay quiet as I passed by some loud servants. I wanted to get inside and bathe and get something to eat. I was so hungry.
Rushing inside, I looked around and saw I was in another entrance toward the servant's quarters. I went by them, ignoring them. Once I saw stairs going upward, I took the chance and raced up the steps. I hoped I would see the young man again. He seemed intriguing and witty, if not rude. I wanted to talk to him more, to ask where he had come from, and what he was doing here.
Once I appeared on the stop step I felt a bit uneasy. I slowed down and rested against the wall to catch my breath. Something wasn't sitting quite right in the air. Looking around, I felt I should be quiet. I tiptoed through the corridor, and the echo of a chain rattling made me jump. I walked toward the noise as it echoed again. A low rumble followed, along with a whine. It sounded familiar. I heard voices too, and they weren't quiet. I kept walking, their voices growing louder, and I finally could understand what they were saying.
"It's a fine creature, look at those muscles!" A man's voice.
"Grr.. Rawwr!" Ghiva.
"Oh! look at those teeth!" A shrill woman's voice.
I tiptoed now, listening to their conversation carefully.
"A real saber tooth tiger. Those teeth would make a wonderful dagger!" The man exclaimed.
I gasped and peered around the corner, keeping myself as close to the wall as possible. Poor Ghiva was in a large cage, a chain around her neck. She appeared to have given up on straining against it, her body laying limp on the floor of her cage. She looked thin and tired, her eyes slit just a little as she growled every once in awhile.
"Or a comb. A lovely ivory comb would look wonderful with its furs!" The shrilled voice woman was wearing a tight dress that seemed to elongate her figure, a large tuft of fur at the top that wrapped around her kneck. As if to emphasize her height, her hair was carefully piled and pinned on top of her head. They were alone except for a couple of servants. After a few moments of their oo-ing and aw-ing over Ghiva, I heard footsteps and saw my tutor appear from the opposite end of the room.
"I am terribly sorry to keep you waiting." He walked with his back straight and a hand behind his waist.
"Not at all. We were just admiring this fine beast."
"I am sure it.. would make a fine prize." My tutor looked down his nose at Ghiva then glanced to the man next to the tall lady.
"Yes, yes. Now tell me- how much is your master willing to charge to get this creature off his hands?" The man took a couple of strides toward my tutor.
"Ah, are we already discussing terms?"
It took every ounce of my energy to keep me from jumping out there. I nearly did several times, but I couldn't, and for a couple of reasons. One, I was scared. Two, just what would happen to me if I did act reclessly? I had to do something. Turning, I ran down the corridor, my bare feet softly hitting the cold floor as I went. I had to find father and tell him. Why was my tutor selling Ghiva? She wasn't his to do so! My heart was pounding in my chest as I went, my mind struggling to get a hold on what was happening.
As I was racing up the stairs in the Exchange room, I glanced down and saw Prince Feivan. He was walking ever so nonchalantly toward the staircase, twirling a pair of muddy slippers on his finger. I was caught! My heart jumped into my throat as I struggled to climb the stairs faster.
"Oh little foxy girl." He sang as he easily climbed the stairs behind me, taking long strides, skipping a couple of steps in between.
Damn these many layers of skirts! I missed my old skirt-pants at that moment than I had the whole time I was there.
"You know, you should respond when someone calls for you, foxy." His voice sounded sweet, but I knew there was malice underneath.
"Fine!" I turned and stared at him in the face. He stopped and stared at me, his eyebrows going up slightly and the corners of his mouth turning down a little. "What is it?"
He blinked then grinned. "Let me see your feet." He nodded toward the hem of my skirts.
I swallowed hard and slowly lifted the bottom up so he could see I indeed had no shoes on.
"Ah. Such young ladies shouldn't wander with such dirty feet, you know." He continued to twirl the slippers on his finger by the silk ties.
"Well such young MEN shouldn't wander with strange women of whom he he isn't engaged!" I shouted. Echoes of it bounced back at us as I could have sworn he cringed.
"Come with me." He was serious now, but I wanted no part of it. I had more important things to take care of.
"No!" I pulled my arm away from his grasp. "The wedding is in two days, and if you can't explain yourself properly, then I suggest we end it now!" I felt tears at the corners of my eyes.
"I said- come on!" He managed to grab me now, and carry me down the hallway.
"Let me go! Let me go!" I kicked and hit him, but he didn't seem to notice. I couldn't rach his nether-regions properly or I would have got him there.
"Be quiet!" Feivan was practically running down the hall toward my room.
Once we were in, he closed and locked the door then walked over to the bed where he tossed me unto it. "What a- are you doing?" My voice wavered, but I swallowed so I could finish that sentence.
Leaning over me, he pinned my hands at my sides and stared me in the eyes. His peircing blue gaze sent shivers down my spine. "Why did you follow me?"
I frowned slightly. "I was worried about you." I whispered.
"Worried? Why?"
"Because! You left all of a sudden, and no one could find you! I went looking in your room and found a note that said to meet you in the maze. I thought you left that for me!" I felt my face twist up as if to cry.
"Why would I do that? If it was for you, I would have left it here!"
"Who was she!?" I swallowed as I felt y lip quiver uncontrollably.
"A servant." He answered quickly. "She was the first woman I was ever with."
"Is that why you said all those sweet things to her? Things you've never told me?"
"Shiak'se." He sighed and let go of my hands so he could sit on the bed beside me.
I scrambled to sit in the corner furthest away from him. I thought I could see a smirk on his mouth, but his face went serious again.
"You weren't ready to hear them. You never showed any interest in me that way, so I couldn't tell you those things. Except for the first day, you never showed that sort of interest, though I did try to get you to admit it." He exhaled and looked so sorrowful that I almost hugged him. " It's true, I do love her, but nothing could break what we have. It's special with you and I. Not even she could come between us."
At least he was honest in saying that he loved her. At that moment, I felt I could ask him anything. "Feivan?" I looked up at him from my fetal position.
"Yes?"
"Will you.. sing that song for me?"
"Of course." His eyes softened and he smiled a little. "Ooh to thee, my fair and wonderous lady. How was it that I should have ever thought of you as nothing but fair?" He whispered his song to me as he leaned closer toward my body. "If you ever see me as anything but as I may seem, please do let me know; I would wish nothing but the truth from my fair and wonderous lady." By this point he was staring into me as he cupped his hand on my cheek. I could feel the warmth of his hand on my face, and it was so inviting. His mouth was close to mine. My lips parted and I stared back into his liquid pools of blue he had for eyes.
"Tell me, Shiak'se." His voice was so soft.
"Hm?"
"Have you ever been with a man?"
I blinked once, then twice. All of a sudden, I really didn't want to be there. Jumping, I pulled away from his hand and wormed my way around him.
"Shiak'se?" He caught hold of my arm as I slid to the floor.
"Wh-what?" I gulped and avoided his eyes.
"Have you?" I thought I caught a bit of worry in his voice, as though I had been.
"Well, that is-" The door saved my life at that moment for it decided to rattle. "Ah! Someone's at the door!" I pulled away from him and dodged to the door, opening it swiftly. "Yes, who's the-" I stared into the face of my worried mother. "What is it?" I reached for her.
Feivan peered around the corner.
"It's your father! He's terribly ill, and the doctor says he doesn't know why. I can't find Fina, either. Oh, what should I do, what I do!" She was reacting as a plainswoman would when receiving word of her sick family member.
"It's okay!" I turned to Feivan. "Look for Fina, please! We must find her- I'm going to see my father!" I turned back to Mother and we ran down the hall. I didn't see his smirk.


TO BE CONTINUED