The Diplomat (10 page)

“If you call me Remela, I’ll call you princess,” Rema said, watching as the servant carefully navigated her way out of the room. No doubt the inhabitants of the palace lived in terror of disturbing whatever magic might lurk here.

“Speaking of princesses, how many others have you uncaringly snatched away from their parents?”

Rema stared at Elise, shocked out of her pleasant relaxation. Even Loric seemed taken aback.

“I couldn’t say.” Rema’s appetite had vanished, replaced with a coiling uneasiness. “Marriage arrangements are usually handled by less-experienced diplomats.”

“I remember when I first learned what it meant to be a princess. When I first learned that my family would only be mine until they decided to give me away.” Elise’s silver eyes smoldered, an effect both frightening and alluring. “When I learned there’s no point falling in love, as it’s already decided you have to go to some fat aristocrat whose breath stinks of eels.”

“Yes, it’s unfair.” Rema tried to master her voice. “But perhaps it’s no more unfair than life is for your peasants, who toil without reward to keep your family in power.”

“So you’re saying we all have to suffer in our own way? They will work in the fields, Loric will get hangovers from too much merriment, and I will marry a man who plans to rape me until I die in childbirth. How fair it all sounds!”

“Elsie,” said Loric, taking her hand. “I thought we were going to enjoy dinner before we discussed this.”

“I suddenly didn’t feel like waiting.” Elise narrowed her glittering eyes. “Justify it to me, Rema. Go on. You’re so very clever.”

There seemed no adequate response but the truth. “It’s unjustifiable,” said Rema. “Like so much else in the world. Your father and mother ruling over these people is unjustifiable. Ormun conquering kingdom after kingdom is unjustifiable. That we are having wine and good food while the people outside eat straw and dirt is unjustifiable.”

“So you have no desire to remedy injustice. You think it’s natural and should continue.”

“The reality is that tens of thousands will die in this war.” Rema found it impossible to match Elise’s furious stare. Where was the lovesick innocent of the night before? “You know what suffering awaits the people of this kingdom if your parents don’t accept my offer.”

Elise gave a short, bitter laugh. “So now you make it seem like I’m selfish! It’s actually my fault people are dying, and I should stop tormenting everyone and accept my fate. How wicked of me to resist my persecution!”

“No.” Rema’s heart ached. She’d never met a woman more beautiful in her indignation, and to be the cause of that outrage was more than she could bear. “The blame here is entirely Ormun’s. The world is strewn with his victims. Some alive, some dead, and some so numb they can hardly tell the difference.”

“You can do something about it,” said Loric, his voice wavering with agitation. “Ask him to change the terms so that we can keep Elsie. That’s all it would take.”

“Ormun takes my advice on many things. But not on this. You two have every right to hate me, but I swear to you, I’d help you if I could.”

“You could fail your mission. Concede that we won’t give her up. Maybe then the Emperor will change the terms.”

“Don’t bother, Lor,” said Elise with such resignation that Rema’s stomach twisted. “She’s not going to change her mind.” She poked at something glistening on her plate. “Shall we eat?”

The meal proved tense. Elise focused all her attention on her food, her gaze never leaving her plate, while Rema toyed with her meal, eating little. Loric glanced often between Rema and Elise, obviously wanting to break the tension but unsure how to do so. Finally, Elise finished eating and put down her cutlery.

“So,” Elise said, turning her attention back to Rema. “Let’s learn more about the wonderful enigma that is you.”

“Ask away,” said Rema. Wary as she was, the return of conversation was welcome.

“You must have seen a lot of this world. What places haven’t you been to?”

“Well, until yesterday, I’d never been here.” Rema ventured a smile, and to her relief, Elise smiled back. A volatile temper, then, but also a capricious one. “It’s the southern continent, Tamalan, that I’m most unfamiliar with. I once visited Alumbra, the kingdom said to be the birthplace of all sorcery, but that is all.”

“Mmm.” A dreamy look stole over Elise’s face. “I’ve often dreamed of visiting Tamalan. They say the very air there is enchanted.”

“Yes, but it’s dangerous too. On its eastern edge is the Darmoor, which is home to nothing but savage beasts, though it must be amazing to see them. Some of them are said to be as tall as ten men. There’s also reportedly an empire off the coast of Kahydeer, but the jungles are so wild that nobody can make contact.”

“If I were you, I’d never rest until I saw all those exciting places.” The resentful tone had returned to Elise’s voice, though her eyes remained wistful. “You have money and power. You can live whatever life you choose. Why are you wasting your life running errands for the cruelest man in the world?”

“Despite everything, I believe in what I do. I’m the closest thing Ormun has to a conscience.” Rema stared into her soup as a shadow moved over her thoughts, blotting what cheer she had left. “You don’t know how dark-minded he’s become. I sacrifice some of myself every day in his service. But I don’t do it for the money or the power. I do it because I know what he’s capable of without me.” She looked at Loric and Elise in turn. “I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I’d hoped at least to avoid your hatred.”

Elise bit her lip and turned to her brother. “Loric, would you mind leaving me with Rema?”

“But we haven’t even started the wine,” Loric said. “Come on, Elsie.”

“Let’s not get started on wine. In the mood we’re in, nobody will stop.” Elise tugged his hand. “Please, Lor.”

“I don’t see why.” Loric stood, untangling himself from the furniture. “I was looking forward to the evening.”

“Take the bottles with you. You can drink yourself to sleep.”

“And now you make me sound like a drunkard.” Loric walked to the door and gave Rema a tragic wave. The door shut firmly behind him.

The moment the door had closed, Elise placed a hand upon Rema’s thigh. Rema became very still, but for the wild rhythm of her heart. “You handsome, troubled woman,” said Elise, cupping Rema’s face with her other hand. The feel of her palm was soft, warm, distracting. “I’m so worried for you. There are people here that mean to do you harm.”

“If I came to harm, it would save you from marriage. Isn’t that what you want?”

“What I want is you.” Elise pulled Rema’s face toward her own.

Before their mouths could meet, Rema put a hand on Elise’s shoulder and gently pushed them apart. “Elise, this isn’t going to happen.”

“It’s happening right now.” Elise drew Rema close once more. Rema turned her head away, escaping the kiss, and stopped Elise’s hand as it slid toward Rema’s inner thigh.

“Damn it!” said Elise. “I couldn’t sleep last night for thinking about you. All I want is for you to desire me too, yet I have no idea how to begin to seduce you. I’m pathetic.”

“You’re not pathetic.” If only Rema could touch her, reassure her somehow, but to encourage Elise further would only lead to catastrophe. “You’re intelligent, charming and attractive, but it’s impossible for us to be any closer.”

“Can’t you see how cruel this is? You’re like something born from my dreams. The kind of woman I never dared imagine might exist. At least kiss me goodnight before leaving.”

“That would depend on where you expected me to kiss you.”

Scarlet bloomed in Elise’s cheeks. “Anyplace you want to.”

Rema looked away. She’d been such a fool. Why had she expected anything but heartbreak to come of this meeting? “I don’t mean to do this to you. It’d be easier if you just hated me.”

“I might be able to hate you yet, if you leave me feeling this way.” Elise tried once more to bring Rema close, but Rema twisted out of her grasp and returned to her feet. Elise remained seated, her face crimson, her lips parted as if still anticipating a kiss.

“Elsie, I’m going to bed now.”

Elise covered her face with her hands. “Be careful,” she said in a wretched mumble. “When I said it was dangerous for you, I meant it.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Rema moved to the door, not even paying attention to the placement of her feet amid the litter.

“Damn you, Rema.” Hearing the anger in Elise’s voice, Rema hesitated, her stomach in convulsions. “I’m begging you not to walk away. I need you. I’m on the edge of oblivion, and you’re the one thing that might bring me back.”

Only a cold heart could ignore such a plea—a cold heart, or one forced into coldness. Rema closed the door and descended the stairs. Halfway down, she began trembling, and she paused at a window to inhale the night air.

Why was this so difficult? As much as Rema enjoyed flirting, she took her duties seriously and was used to fending off inopportune advances. Usually the offenders were men, who were easy to resist, but she had many times been propositioned by women—in one memorable case, by a particularly pushy queen. In every case, Rema had remained resolute in her duty. Turning her back on Elise, however, had stung in a way she’d never before known. It was that fierce independence of hers, that beguiling mixture of temper and sweetness.

Arriving at the door of her chamber, she composed herself with a deep breath before reaching for the handle. “Rema, wait.” Loric spoke from behind her, nasal from drink. He walked without difficulty, but she could smell the wine on his breath.

“Loric.” Rema looked into his eyes and was relieved to find the same gentle, helplessly-smitten young man she remembered. “I’m sorry the evening didn’t go as you hoped.”

“Don’t break her heart.” Tears wavered in Loric’s silver eyes. “You don’t understand how terrible things are for her. You haven’t met my brother.” He placed an unsteady hand on Rema’s shoulder. “Elsie has told me that you’re the same kind of woman she is. Go back to her. She’s been so lonely for so long.”

“I can’t help her.”

“Why don’t you just do what you want instead of what you’re told? You’re so much better than the person you’re pretending to be.”

Rema rarely found herself at a loss for words, but this was just such a moment. She opened her mouth and waited. Nothing came to her. She blinked several times and reached again for the door. “I really can’t help her. Good night, Loric.”

“Maybe you’re just a coward.”

Rema paused, her fingers on the iron handle, her breath coming through a hard knot in her throat. “Ormun’s first wife was taken in the conquest of Tahdeen. The queen of the Tahdeeni had eleven children. Ten sons, one daughter. Ormun had killed all her male children, and the daughter was all she had. The child was sixteen years old and terrified.” Her anger at the memory broke the knot, and the power returned to her voice. “Ormun said that he would kill everyone in the city unless the princess was given to him. The queen asked if the girl would be treated with respect. Ormun said that he would love her when he chose and where he chose. If he ever grew tired of her, he said, he would give her to his soldiers.”

Loric steadied himself against the wall, his face pale. “God…”

“I was there when he said it, and I hadn’t yet realized he was beyond redemption. I intervened. I told him our victory was enough, that to take a wife in this way was untold barbarism. Ormun calmly ordered me stripped and beaten in front of the entire room. And then I had to continue negotiations as if nothing had happened. Loric, I mean it with grief and sincerity when I tell you that I cannot help Elise.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

The sincerity of regret was etched on his adolescent features. Rema smiled at him and touched his sleeve. “How could you? I’m going to sleep now. It sounds like I’ll need a good rest before I deal with this brother of yours.”

“Calan. I’d forgotten.” Loric rested his head against the wall and exhaled a bitter sigh. “He beats Elsie when he’s angry. Goes up to her tower and pushes her around. The son of a bitch. My father knows and does nothing. My mother won’t believe it.”

Rema’s stomach churned. “Can nothing be done?”

“Yorin tried. He had guards visit her room when he thought my brother might be there. Calan just orders them to leave. He’s shameless. I tried to stop him once myself, and I was coughing blood for a week.” Loric gave a weak smile. “Every night I pray that he’s been killed in battle. One of these days, maybe my message will get through.”

“Your brother may think he can intimidate women. He hasn’t met me.”

Loric shook his shaggy head. “You’re tough and smart, Rema, but so is my sister. When she’s angry, she’s every bit as magnificent as you. But all the courage and wit in the world can’t stop a brute, and they don’t get more brutal than Calan. Goodnight.” He lowered his head and stalked back down the corridor, his body shifting listlessly.

Rema entered her chamber, undressed as quickly as she could and threw herself under the blankets. At first, it seemed as if sleep would never come, but finally she was tossed into slumber. She awoke from scattered nightmares, a single tear drying on her cheek.

Chapter Eight

Rema washed without enthusiasm before donning her spare uniform. For once, the dressing ritual gave her little pleasure; she was caught in a swirl of unexamined emotions, and her heart was smothered by feelings too dangerous to contemplate. When finally she emerged into the corridor, however, her face was calm. A diplomat’s exterior rarely expressed her feelings.

She passed through the front court, where a few servants swept while a lone guard patrolled without energy, and made her way to the kitchen. The pantry was unsecured. She liberated some bread and fruit—surely Yorin would consider it a just reward for all her paperwork.

Several servants were eating in the small dining chamber, and they looked up in surprise as Rema entered. Alys was among them, pecking at a piece of bread barely larger than a crumb. “You’re up early, my lady Rema,” she said.

Rema took a seat beside her. “I didn’t sleep very well. Is Yorin about?”