20
They sat in silence as the clouds rumbled in a distance. It seemed rain was expected in the next few days.
Jza bit her lip and wondered what her future would look like. She had nowhere to go. If her sisters were traitors then what was she? Her easy acceptance of her living conditions had sullied her reputation beyond repair. On top of that the new complication forced upon her had added to her confusion. Would she drop dead the moment her father executed Tarquin? Would he even care his traitorous daughter was bound to his enemy? What a muddle her life was. Fate was a cruel mistress indeed.
"What should we do next?" Jza asked, trying to banish the image of her father looking at her with uncontrolled wrath. She needed something to distract herself with.
"Enjoy the peaceful weather?" Tarquin exhaled nonchalantly with his amber eyes still closed. He was still reclining with his back to the stone wall while Jza was now sitting cross legged leaning against the same wall. Her view was of the clouds swirling a long distance away.
"An upcoming thunderstorm is peaceful?" Jza scrunched her nose as she spoke.
"Yes," Tarquin paused contemplatively, "It cleanses everything."
"Not the blood off ones hands," The Princess replied sharply. Tarquin's mouth curved into a smile as he looked at her.
"I am only living upto the name you have given me. I am afterall the beast."
"At least you understand what I call you. I never know what to make of the names you refer to me as," Jza complained. The use of the other language grated on her sometimes. He did not leave many clues about what he thought of her. She often assumed he found her helplessness amusing but then why would he care if she lived or died. Was there a human heart beating under the lethal beast?
"A tit for tat then since you are determined to keep your real name from me," The man answered with a shrug before lowering his voice so much so that she had to lean in to hear him, "But I can tell you, my solnyshko, if you so desire."
"No. That is quite unnecessary," The girl said as she straightened her back, suddenly aware of how his voice changed mid sentence. The intimacy in his voice and tone unsettled her more than her near death experience did. Death was always looming on the horizon circling viciously in her mind but his altered behaviour always caught her off guard.
"The sun shall be rising soon," The man observed, ignoring her discomfort.
"This may be your castle now but I am sure you do not want to be caught by your guests on a stroll especially with me before daybreak," Jza hinted very strongly they should be returning soon. The sky was indeed brightening and she had no wish to be seen in her disheveled state. She gathered her skirts and rose slowly, resembling an unsteady child.
"Why do you always assume I care about their opinions," The Lord exclaimed looking less pensive and more diverted while he followed her example. He brushed off errant patches of dust on his uniform and offered his arm to the Princess who took it immediately. The weakness in her bones lingered too much for even her pride to burden her.
"It is not wise to completely disregard the worth of their opinions. You could still make many alliances-" Jza lectured as they started taking steps down into the castle.
"I have no inclination to associate with this depraved lot. I have made up my mind tonight about the future," Tarquin gave her a searching sort of look as they turned to the coridor towards the main staircase, "This vow changed nothing."
"Yes, of couse, it changed nothing. It is not as if we-" Her chatter was abruptly cut off as he pulled her into a shadowy nook. One finger was gently placed on her lips.
Jza paused mid sentence mouth still half open. She blinked at him while the man arched his neck to check the corridors.
A drunk guard's footsteps walked passed them as they held their breath. The guard was humming loud enough to conceal any sounds they might have been making.
Tarquin's eyes followed the drunkards movements before letting them rest on his captive. Jza inhaled abruptly with a wheezing sort of noise and he pulled his finger away from her. His touch had lit ablaze her lips and she struggled to control her reaction.
The man obliviously ushered her out of their hiding place and unhooked a burning oil lamp from the wall for their journey since it was still dark in the deeper parts of the castle.
The Lord held an arm around Jza's shoulders and began to lead her down the main staircase. His grip was so gentle as if she would break and crumble into a thousand pieces confusing the girl even further. She remembered the bruises he had contributed on her body and wondered when that had changed.
They reached the room without further incident. Like Jza had encountered earlier most of the guards and soldiers seemed to be enjoying the ball and the revelry it offered them. Even the man usually positioned outside their doors was absent.
Tarquin placed the oil lamp on the dresser and watched Jza's delicate face go through a multitude of emotions.
"Take the bed," He gestured magnanimously.
"I'm fine. I am always comfortable on the floor," The Princess lied without looking up.
"I have work to do, the new day is upon us. I will not inconvenience you," The man whispered at her. She blinked feverishly back at him while she took a seat on their bed.
"Wait," She called out as he turned to leave, "At least tell me what are the implications of... What you did. I only heard a few of your words. I did not comprehend much. I live while you do. Is that correct?
"Yes, always," He answered as if out of breath.
"And vice versa?" Jza steeled herself as she comtemplated the possibilities. Could she end the war by simply ending her own life.
"I haven't a clue so if you're planning to take me down you might be sorely disappointed to reach the afterlife all alone," Tarquin seemed to relish her predictability.
Jza laughed at his words,"How did you guess my train of thought?"
"Oh, I know you, Lady Ashbrook. I know you very well indeed," Tarquin tilted his head with half a smile.
"Not that well. You still have not figured out my name," She countered. The Lord just rolled his eyes and left the room leaving Jza to her ablutions and rest. She changed in her night dress and laid her head down on the comfortable pillows.
The entire night was uncharacteristic of anything Tarquin had ever done. Her comprehension skills had never been as limited as they were now and the entire business gave her pause.
What did he want from her? She had nothing to offer him. Nothing about her appearance or personality warranted a second look much less a first one. If he wanted a warm, willing body he had an entire harem at his disposal so why did he have eyes on her?
She was not dim. It could be an act but those eyes...
Goosebumps ran up her arm as she remembered the way she had caught him looking at her. His earlier advances and roving fingers had never been so intrusive as his eyes. She had no words to describe the intensity and focus, none. It was as if he wanted to consume her whole.
She had never had anyone show a sliver of interest in her and it was strange. She was still scared of him and his intentions, of course, but he had saved her life. It shamed her that this gave her an odd sort of thrill. So, this was why women wanted to be saved by a handsome prince. Maybe, in some other time, some other life... She dared not finish her trail of thought. She forced her eyes shut but could not dispel the image of him gazing at her face.
