The Diplomat (29 page)

“Are you going to tell her about me? About us?”

“I have to, don’t I? But it feels dangerous to talk openly about that in the palace, even to her.”

“I think your friend suspects something, that rude man in the cloak. Are there many people here that we can trust?”

“Artunos and Jalaya would never betray me. You saw the minister of war earlier, Sothis. He’s a friend of mine too. He and I have differences, but we both agree that the wars need to end. There’s also Calicio, the spymaster. He’s a good man. He’s a fierce opponent of slavery, like I am, so we get along well.”

“So who are your enemies? That Haran was a slime. And Ormun…he was worse than I’d anticipated, but also different. I was thinking he’d be like a gigantic Calan, but he was nothing like that at all.”

“Apart from Haran, I often clash with Ferruro, the imperial treasurer, and Lakmi, the captain of the house guard. Then there’s Betany, Ormun’s sister. She despises me.”

“What about this court magician you’ve mentioned?”

“His name is Melnennor. He’s a mystery to me. He doesn’t take sides or even talk politics.”

“He has a very wizardly name. I don’t believe that’s his real name at all.”

Rema laughed. “Possibly not.”

“Your court is so much more complex than my own. You should dismiss everyone and replace them with a cranky, overworked steward.”

“I liked Yorin. I suspect your kingdom would have fallen to pieces by now without him.”

“Secretly, I’m fond of him too.” Elise gave a round-cheeked grin. “I like to think of him as a beloved uncle, one who’s tremendous fun to tease. I was hell on him as a child, always disobeying him and escaping my tutors. I was a wilful thing.”

“Was?” Rema tickled under Elise’s arms, and Elise yelped in surprise and flopped to the bed.

“You beast.” Elise pouted at Rema through a veil of black hair. “I’ll destroy you!”

Before Rema could be destroyed, Jalaya returned with a tray wobbling in her arms. “I don’t know how to keep this balanced,” she said, staring intently at a quivering jug of water. “There’s cherries, olives, cream and strawberries, and I’m about to get it all over myself—”

Elise helped Jalaya steady the tray, and together they placed it by the bedside. Jalaya pounced onto the bed beside Rema, dipped a strawberry in cream and lifted it toward Rema’s mouth. Rema shook her head, and Jalaya ate the strawberry herself.

As Elise returned to her place, she took Rema’s hand. After a moment’s consideration, Jalaya took Rema’s other hand. “I’m going to need a hand to eat with,” said Rema, laughing. “Give them both back.”

Jalaya giggled as she surrendered her grasp. “Is it much colder than this where you come from, Elise?” she said, talking through a mouthful of strawberry.

“Oh yes.” Elise’s hands were full of olives, which she stared at suspiciously. “People die during our winters, and there’s nothing we can do about it.” She put an olive in her mouth, and her face contorted. “It’s salty!”

“Have a strawberry instead.” Jalaya held one before Elise’s lips, and Elise smiled before taking it with her teeth. “It’ll sweeten your tongue once more.”

Even though she should have been pleased to see them bonding so quickly, Rema felt a surge of ill-temper. Did they have to prove so fascinated by each other? “We were talking about weather,” she said, as if that had been the most intriguing topic imaginable. “I suppose it snows often in Danosha.”

“Yes,” said Elise. “It makes collecting herbs impossible. I can’t stand snow.”

“I’d love to see snow,” said Jalaya. “I’ve seen paintings of it, and it seems beautiful.”

Elise sniffed. “It’s disgusting. So cold and slushy. But I suppose it’s a shame to have never seen snow at all.”

Jalaya laughed and clapped her hands. “You’re so grumpy!”

“I have reason to be.”

Jalaya slithered across Rema’s lap and startled Elise by clambering over her as well. After much wriggling, Jalaya arrived at the far side of the bed, where she crouched by Elise and gazed at her with compassionate eyes. “This must be dreadful for you,” she said.

“You have no idea.”

“You should let me sing for you.” Jalaya smiled as she touched Elise’s shoulder. “It might bring you some happiness. I sing love songs, and I write them myself.” She took a few strands of Elise’s hair in her fingers. “You have such wonderful hair. Are all women as beautiful as you in Danosha?”

Elise’s eyes heated. “You’re a flirt.”

Jalaya giggled, her little shoulders shaking. “I didn’t intend to be. If I were to flirt, I’d remark upon your tempestuous gaze, like a captivating argent flame…”

“Now I see why Rema likes you so much.” Elise drew back her neck and shook her head, allowing her hair to fall more neatly about her body. “Is there anything about you that isn’t perfect?”

Usually, Rema was amused by Jalaya’s effortless ability to charm women; she’d seen countless fall prey to her lyrical tongue, expressive eyes and endearing smile. Somehow, it was less entertaining when the object of the seduction was the first woman Rema had seriously fallen in love with. She bit her lip, trying to ignore the anxiety in her stomach.

Jalaya arranged herself cross-legged and straightened her back. “Would you like to hear me sing?”

Rema shifted uneasily. “I don’t know if we have time.”

“Let her sing,” said Elise. “The singers in Danosha are dreadful.”

“I don’t often write songs in Annari, because it’s not very pretty,” said Jalaya. “But this one is nice enough.” She closed her eyes and inhaled. Her eyelashes trembled, and her next exhale carried her poetry, borne on the melody of her breath.

“O lover mine, where are you now?

Does sea-wind bear you home?

I fear the ocean breaks its vow,

And claims you in its foam;

O lover, come home now.

O lover mine, is your heart well?

Does it beat sound and true?

I dread that in it, some plague swells

And saps the life from you.

O lover, please be well.

O lover mine, do you see land?

Do white cliffs now draw near?

And do you see me on this sand,

Where I wait every year?

O lover, come home now,

O lover, please be well…”

The sad song faded. “I wrote that while thinking of you, Rema.” Jalaya lowered her gaze. “I missed you.”

Elise stared at Jalaya, a deep emotion turning in her eyes. Rema’s own chest ached with the intensity of the poem, imbued as it had been with Jalaya’s sweet sorrow. It was time to force a change of topic. “Ouch,” Rema said, feigning pain. “My back is sore again.”

“You poor thing!” Jalaya put her arms around Rema’s shoulders and nuzzled her nape. Elise watched, but her face remained calm.

“I suppose you can have some medicine now.” Elise shifted to the side of the bed and fetched a bottle from the trunk. She returned to Rema’s side, pressing close. “Just a little sip.” With Jalaya embracing her and Elise leaning over her, Rema experienced the not unwelcome feeling of being suffocated under attractive women.

“Rema’s greedy,” said Jalaya. “Good luck getting her to take just a sip. Whenever we share a wineglass, she drinks most of it.”

“I can believe that. She’s bossy and stubborn too.”

“That’s right. She’s such a tyrant, I don’t know why I find her so attractive.”

“I know how you feel.”

Jalaya glanced sidelong toward Rema. Her brown eyes contained no trace of envy or alarm, only gentle concern.

Before anyone could speak again, the door shook under a series of knocks, and Rema frowned. It wouldn’t do to be caught covered in women. “Off,” she said, and Elise and Jalaya scattered. “Enter.”

Artunos walked into the room, seeming smaller without his cape. “Is it true? Did Ormun have you beaten?”

“Yes. Fortunately, I have a remarkable healer, so I’m feeling much better.”

“What happened?”

“We can talk about it later. All of us, tomorrow night.”

“Very well.” Artunos motioned to Elise, who had retreated to the back of the bed. “Elise, I have arranged you a large bedchamber for your own. If you come with me, I’ll settle you in, and then we’ll see to giving you a fine dinner.”

“I’m happy here with my friends,” said Elise. “And Rema’s hurt. She needs me to look after her.”

“That wouldn’t be wise. Ormun will be very sensitive to how you behave yourself in here. There are plenty of people walking these halls who would like nothing better than to tell him that you went into Rema’s room and didn’t reappear until morning.”

“But I’m healing her! Why should it be scandalous?”

“Because Rema has a well-known disposition, and when women spend the night in her room, people assume things. Speaking frankly, and with apologies to you, Rema.”

“Don’t be rude, Artunos,” said Jalaya. “You should let her stay as long as she likes.”

“No, he’s right,” said Rema. “Elsie, it’ll be fine. Artunos will look after you, I promise you. I’ll come visit you first thing in the morning.”

Elise’s voice rose in indignation. “And who’s going to take care of your back if it hurts during the night?”

“Don’t you remember how my back got hurt in the first place? Please go with Artunos. If he’s worried, he has good reason to be.”

“Haran is already spreading insinuations,” said Artunos. “How interesting, he says, that Rema would take such a punishment for this woman. And then he adds that perhaps people can grow very close on a long ship voyage…”

Elise tugged on Rema’s sleeve. “Rema, tell this stupid man to go away.”

Rema shook her head. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning, I promise.”

“Fine.” Elise pouted as she flung herself from the bed. “I’m going. I don’t really want to spend any more time with you anyway. There’s still medicine in the bottle, but don’t drink any more unless you wake up in the night and you’re hurting. Goodnight, Jalaya.” She joined Artunos by the door and stood glaring at the floor.

“Jalaya, have a word with our colleagues,” said Artunos. “Make sure they’re invited to dinner tomorrow. Rema, Elise will be in the spare chambers opposite my own. I look forward to you telling me what idiot thing you did to provoke Ormun this time. He hasn’t struck you in years.”

Rema gazed at Elise with helpless anxiety building in her chest. That temper may have been attractive back in Danosha, but by the gods, it was liable to get them all into a lot of trouble here. “Look after her, Artunos. I care a great deal about this woman.”

Any hope the admission would placate Elise was quashed when she turned away, still scowling. Artunos escorted her from the room.

The moment the door was closed, Jalaya put a hand on Rema’s forearm. “Tell me what’s happening between the two of you.”

“We fell in love,” said Rema. “And it’s hard, Jalaya. I feel responsible to her, and she feels like she needs me to keep living.”

“Oh, Rema. I don’t blame you. She has the same proud spirit that you do.” Jalaya ran a finger down Rema’s cheek. “Is this why you look so troubled? Let me help you.” She kissed Rema on the forehead and the lips, and Rema shivered as she looked into Jalaya’s understanding eyes. What was it she wanted? Could she really forfeit Jalaya’s tenderness? Elise could be so temperamental and aloof, so oblivious to the feelings of others…

Jalaya undid her top and dropped it to the bed. Rema caressed Jalaya’s dark-nippled breasts and the smoothness of her belly, while Jalaya pressed her tongue against her teeth as she tugged at Rema’s shirt.

“Leave it on,” Rema said. “Please.” She still felt vulnerable beneath the thin garment, reluctant to bare her torso again and conscious of what must be an ugly mark on her back.

“I understand. And I know you must be conflicted, bound by your feelings for her. I don’t expect you to make love to me.” Jalaya touched the silver button that kept Rema’s trousers closed. “If you want, you can close your eyes and forget your troubles while I pleasure you. If not, I’ll just hold you in my arms and sing you to sleep.”

Rema closed her eyes. For the last four years, Jalaya had been her refuge, their nights together Rema’s only respite from her terrible complicity in Ormun’s reign. Jalaya’s expert fingertips caressed away anxiety and guilt, and her lips eased the aching grief. Yet the sorrow always returned.

“Jalaya, you don’t understand. When I say that I love her, I don’t mean a relationship like we have, one where we make no claim over each other. I promised that I would be with her. Only her.”

“I do understand that you’re hurting, and to see you in pain is more than this heart can bear.” Jalaya popped the button. Caught between desire and doubt, there was nothing for Rema to do but wait for the pleasure she knew was coming.

Jalaya pushed Rema back to the bed and leaned over her. They kissed, and Jalaya slipped her hand into Rema’s undergarment. With light pressure and steady motion, she began to provoke that incomparable, frustrating, breathtaking sensation, and Rema moaned. No doubt it had been audible in the gardens below, but she was beyond caring. She went limp, letting herself be guided toward oblivion.

Her pleasure swelled, mounting to a consuming intensity, and fled with a desperate gasp of breath. She was freed, emptied, satiated; the shadow had retreated. Jalaya extracted her hand and kissed Rema gently on the nose. “All I want is for you to be happy.”

“Then sing to me.”

Carried upon the haunting sound of Jalaya’s lullaby, Rema sailed into slumber. Her final thought, before the beautiful, melancholy song pulled her away from the world, was of Elise.

Chapter Twenty-One

Ormun was chasing her. His eyes were Bannon’s, a pair of hateful, slick and bulging orbs, and he carried his whip, the cruel cords of which were alive and wriggling. They writhed through the air and wrapped around her legs. As Rema fell, she realized that Elise was already dead.

Rema woke to a room full of thin morning light. Jalaya was nestled in the crook of her arm. A bird in the garden beat its wings, and Jalaya stirred and mumbled some nonsense. Rema touched her cheek, and she opened her sleepy, tranquil eyes.