Lynn Flewelling - The Oracle's Queen

“Is it true she’s ugly?” asked Ki.

“More like plain, with a big pink birthmark on her face and neck.” Barieus traced a pattern on his own cheek. “Sort of like that one on your arm, Tamír.”

“What else can you tell me, now that we’re away from Cal?” she asked.

Lutha sighed. “Now I do feel like a spy. Korin’s gathered a sizable force—riders, men-at-arms, some ships, mostly from the northern holdings and the mainland territories. He’s sent out some raids against those loyal to you.”

“I’ve been doing the same.”

“I know,” Lutha replied. “It galled him no end, along with the reports of your second victory against the Plenimarans. I don’t know if it’s Niryn’s influence, or just Korin’s own jealousy, but now that he is ready to move, I don’t think he’ll settle for anything less than an all-out fight.”

“Then that’s what he’s going to get. We’ve only got a few good months left before winter closes in. Tharin, ask Lytia to have a complete inventory of supplies ready for my audience tomorrow morning. I need to know how long a siege we could withstand here, if it comes to that. Send out runners to all the camps and heralds to all the lords who’ve gone back to their holdings north of here. I mean to march as soon as possible.”

“With your own Companions at your side,” Ki said. “At least those of us who are fit,” he added with an apologetic look at Lutha.

“We’re fit enough!” Lutha assured him.

Looking around at the fierce smiling faces of her friends, Tamír wondered how many more would be lost before this was over?

Thoughts of war fled for a moment, however, as she and Ki walked back to their rooms. Reaching his own door, Ki paused, looking uncertain. Tamír realized he was waiting for her to say where he would sleep.

She hesitated, too, all too aware of the guards posted nearby.

Ki glanced their way and sighed. “Well, good night.”

Later, as Tamír lay alone in her great bed with Ringtail curled up and purring under her chin, she traced her lips with a finger, remembering their kisses only a few nights ago.

I’m queen. If I want to sleep with him, I can! she told herself, but blushed at the thought. It had been easy when they were both so scared, so far from court. Maybe Ki even regretted it?

She shook off the thought, but a hint of doubt remained. Now that they were back among the others, he was acting as he always had.

And so am I. And this is no time to be thinking of love! Nari’s stern talk had given her other things to consider, too. That sort of love led to babies if you weren’t careful. Nari had given her a jar of pessaries, just in case.

In case—

As much as she longed for Ki, the thought of actually coupling scared her more than she liked to admit. If she used this body like that, it was the final admission that she was a girl—no, a woman—in every sense.

All the same, the bed felt too big and lonely, especially knowing that Ki was so close by. She fingered the healing cut on her chin. She didn’t mind if it left a scar. Every time she saw it in the mirror, it would remind her of him, and what it had felt like, lying beside him in their old bed at the keep. She traced slowly down her throat to her chest, thinking of his fingers taking the same path.

As her fingers brushed the scar, however, it brought back what the witch had said. What had he meant? The wound was healed. It didn’t hurt at all.

She hugged the cat closer, wishing his soft fur was Ki’s hair or skin. For the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like between the two of them if she was an ordinary girl, with no dark secrets or great fate, and neither of them had ever seen Ero at all.

“If wishes were meat, then beggars would eat,” she whispered into the darkness. She was what she was, and there was no changing that.

When she slept at last, however, it was not Ki she dreamed of, but battle. She saw that rocky place again, and Korin’s red banner coming ever closer.

Tamír rose early the next morning, better rested than she’d expected. Having finally accepted the path she must take, she was eager to move. If this was the only way she could meet with Korin, then so be it.

With Una still gone, she had the luxury of dressing herself, with only a little help from Baldus. She put on the necklace and bracelet the Aurënfaie had given her, and was combing her hair when Ki knocked. Baldus let him in. She turned with the comb in her hand to find him staring at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Umm—nothing,” he replied, going to the armor rack. “Do you want your cuirass?”

“Yes,” she replied, puzzled at his odd demeanor.

He helped her into the burnished breastplate and fastened the buckles on the side.

“There. Do I look like a warrior queen?” Tamír asked them, wrapping her sword belt around her hips.

“You do.”

There it was again, that strange look of uncertainty on Ki’s face.

“Baldus, go and fetch the rest of the Companions and Lord Tharin. Tell them I’m ready for the audience.”

The page ran off to carry out her order.

“Did Lutha and the others sleep well?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I don’t suppose Caliel has changed his mind?”

“No. But Tanil is better than he has been. He slept with Cal last night and won’t be parted from him. Caliel seems a little better, too.”

“Perhaps there’s hope for them both.”

“I’m taking Lutha and Barieus to look for a swordsmith later. They’re absolutely determined to ride with you.” Ki reached behind her to free a lock of hair trapped under the cuirass, then ran a thumb lightly across the cut on her chin. “You’re a sight, but it’s healing.”

They were standing very close, almost touching. On impulse, she touched the dragon bite on his cheek. “You, too.”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” He kept his gaze on her chin, fingers just brushing her cheek. It sent a little shiver down her arms and Tamír caught her breath as the feelings that had awakened that night at the keep came flooding back—pleasure, and with it the confused sensation of having two bodies at once.

That didn’t stop her from leaning closer and kissing Ki lightly on the mouth. He kissed her back very gently, cupping her cheek. Tamír slid her fingers into the warm, soft hair at the nape of his neck and her body went hot and cold at once. Emboldened, she put her arms around him but her cuirass knocked the wind out of him and made him laugh.

“Gently, Majesty! Your humble squire needs those ribs.”

“My liegeman, Lord Kirothieus,” she corrected with a chuckle, embracing him more gently, seeing her own wonder mirrored in the depths of his dark brown eyes. The ache between her legs grew stronger, and confusion began to give way to something else.

She was about to kiss him again but the sound of the door opening made them jump apart, blushing guiltily.

Nikides stood in the doorway, looking amused. “Tharin, Master Arkoniel, and the witch are here. Shall I send them in?”

“Of course.” Tamír brushed her hair back, feeling to see if her cheeks were hot.

Ki retreated to the armor rack, trying to hide his own embarrassment as he pretended to check her mail.

Nikides’ grin widened as he took his leave. Arkoniel took no notice of their state as he hurried in with a large scroll tucked under his arm, with the others close behind.

Mahti was dressed like a minor noble. His hair was combed and pulled back in a bushy queue and the barbaric jewelry was gone. He’d left his horn behind, as well, Tamír noted, guessing this was Arkoniel’s doing. Mahti did not seem to be very pleased about it. He was not smiling.