Zendar, page 6
“I was referring to your sudden change,” he said, studying the layout a moment before moving one of his stronger pieces. “You are almost pleasant.”
“My mother often mentioned my quickness at sharing my opinion on the matter at hand.” Azel took one of his strong pieces, giving her a second play because she took it with a weak piece. “I understand that I am a guest here and that I should act as such. I have made an agreement with you and I should give you the opportunity to fulfill your side of the bargain.”
She moved a stronger piece into position. It would not be long before she entrapped him and won the game. She glanced up at him as he pondered over the pieces and her words. She could see a small mark above his eyebrow, a thin scar, which until that point had been covered by the turban he normally wore.
“I am not unreasonable,” he said. As he pondered his next move. “Nor am I blind. I am aware you are being agreeable in order to get what you want.”
“In a way,” she answered, capturing another of his pieces. The move put her ahead. “I may not agree with you, but I should allow you every opportunity to change my opinion of you.”
He stared at her hard as she spoke and Azel didn’t hesitate to meet his level gaze. His hands went to his mouth as he seemed to consider the layout of the board. He nodded before sitting back without moving any of the pieces.
“You seem to have bested me,” he said, hiding a slightly hurt pride. “I have no choice but to surrender.”
“I accept your surrender,” she answered, knocking his most guarded piece over.
The Liege stood up, adjusting the positioning of his clothes so that he was slightly more presentable. “Shall we call for lunch?”
She stood slowly as well, surprised that he could be so considerate. “I believe we shall.”
“Must you wear such a thing?” he said as Azel drew close, fingering the modesty veil between his fingers.
“I had not wanted you to misunderstand my intentions,” Azel answered, meeting his gaze though she felt slightly embarrassed.
He slowly pulled the veil back from her face, lifting it until he could bend forward to kiss her. She didn’t move when he leaned forward but she kept her eyes wide open. He regarded her, not inches from her face, as though he was trying to understand her.
He released the veil and turned back to the door, “Remain close.”
Her heart was beating as she followed him from the room; now that she had become more compliant he seemed less repulsive. For a moment she had wanted him to kiss her, for the smallest second, but it was enough. She needed to be careful. He was more of a danger to her then she had originally thought.
Chapter 12
“Brings Joy”
They spent the rest of the day in each other’s company, and yet Aleron could not shake his desire for her. The closer she stood, the more he could smell the flowers from her hair and skin, and the more he wanted to devour her. She was like a hot-tempered bird and he like a sand feline. If he so chose, he could catch her and have her. Never before had Aleron had the desire to possess something so completely. He both wished her to want him and to take her by force.
He was a ruler, a Liege, and he could not allow a single girl to shake his focus so completely. The worse part of the matter wasn’t that she refused him; it was because she refused him for another. This fiancé that waited for her haunted his thoughts and plagued his mood.
Azel had become agreeable, and Aleron was relieved that at least the strain between them had lessened. She was careful not to touch him or be close enough for him to touch her. This only flared his desire more; it was strange that the more she pulled away from him, the more he craved her.
“Do you not like dessert, my Liege?” she asked politely.
He had been smoldering her with the intensity of his stare, and neglecting the little pastry that had been set before him. He glanced down at it. The light fluff of the sweet bread and the thick cream looked back at him. He would normally have enjoyed the simple desert but it didn’t have the same charm. The taste was gone.
“It does not sound appetizing” he commented, pushing it aside.
“I have never had such a simple dessert,” she continued. “I wonder at its origins.”
“My mother brought it with her when she was married to my father,” he answered, remembering the joy the pastries had brought his mother. “They reminded her of her home since she was born in Nova. She was as dark a beauty as Sol had never seen. My father took her as tribute and married her before her family could protest,” Aleron said. “As is normal with those from the Corvinus family.”
He watched her pause and she seemed to consider his words before turning to look at him. “I always thought it unfair that your ancestor was denied his equal share, my Liege.”
“When we are alone, Azel,” he said, “address me as Aleron.”
She glanced up at him and for the first time the side of her lips turned up ever so slightly. “I will remember that.”
“Come,” he said, standing. “I have something to show you.”
She stood and walked just behind him to his left, as he led her down the hall. He led her down, until they were below the ground of the city. Azel was thankful he had to take a lamp with captured sunlight in it to lead them through the dark. He stopped when they came to a large door with multiple knobs shaped like pointed stars and symbols. She watched as he pulled on the handles, twisted them around, and then pushed back in. He turned the large one at the middle, and the large door opened as he pulled on it. When he walked in and turned to her expectantly so she followed.
The room was well lit by hundreds of chandeliers made of glass with the same captured sunlight. It glittered off the gold of the statues. Water ran in a circle around the room, and all sorts of weapons were waiting to be used. For some reason as she stood there looking at the gold and water all she could smell was blood.
“You can take from here whatever you wish,” he said leading her to where there were gems of very shape and type. “Whatever will make you happy.”
She looked them over but said, “none of these will make me happy.”
He looked was perplexed. He led her to where the gold jewelry was kept. “Surely there is something here that would please you.”
“They are very lovely,” she said and turned to look up at him. “But they will not bring me any joy.”
“Then what, may I ask?” He turned his head and leaned towards her. “Will bring you pleasure?”
She turned her eyes downward in thought for a moment. “I know precisely what will make me happy.”
--
Her hair streamed back as the animal ran through the sand with ease and she bounced along on its back. Her knees tightened on the riding harness. Azel couldn’t help but put her arms out and feel the way the fresh air washed over her. She could hear Aleron just behind her but she didn’t turn back to look as they rode along the sand dunes.
It had large feet and a long face. The white coat was soft, and it was just thick enough to protect its skin from the sun’s rays. Long ago, the horses were bred with camels and their skin bleached white from the intensity of the sun. Azel knew them to be Horiti, and they could go for nearly a month without water of any sort. Their ancestors had died along with the planet’s water but the Horiti had thrived in the new climate.
She had one of her own at home, it had always been one of her greatest releases to ride into the sand and forget herself. Her sisters had not understood, but like dancing, whenever she rode she felt at peace. She pressed the Horiti to go faster and faster until she could lose herself in the moment.
“Azel!” she heard Aleron call to her.
She tightened her heels, digging them in as she patted her hands on both sides on the Horiti’s back. It immediately began to slow and Azel patted its right side more so that it would turn. She put an arm up and waved at Aleron – she had left him behind in the feeling of temporary freedom. She looked up to the plateau that seemed to rise into the sky, and wondered at the power of the man beside her.
When he caught up to her he looked pleased, “Where did you learn to ride so well?”
“Just as dancing came naturally, so did riding,” she said, patting her mounts side, “He is a good Horiti.”
He watched her closely and she could feel his desire that he kept tightly leashed. “You do not desire the precious stones of the world, but the simple things.”
“Precious stones may be pretty. But this,” she said with a great smile, “this is enjoyable.”
She turned her mount and urged him into a run, yelling behind her, “try and keep up!”
--
Aleron watched her as she rode ahead of him; her hair seemed to almost blend with the night sky. Strange that he should feel so normal as he rode beside her. Though he did not laugh as she laughed, he obviously enjoyed himself. Never before had he done something simply for the fun of it, and yet Azel was full of life. She may have been born of his enemy but she belonged in Sol, and he would do whatever was necessary to keep her. She was as the sun and she shone bright in the innocence of her simple joys; she made his darkness seem less consuming.
Chapter 13
“Bella”
Azel walked into the large bathing area just beyond the royal gardens where the other concubines were washing themselves. When she entered they turned to look upon her; she was clearly not welcome in their company from their haughty expressions. A young girl she didn’t recognize washed with them, sitting patiently as they washed and brushed her hair. When Azel entered the young girl regarded Azel with interest, and watched as she pulled the robe and walked into the flower-petal filled water.
The smell was sweet and pungent; she had missed the daily baths that she and her sisters had enjoyed. The sand from the desert loosened itself from her hair as she applied oils to her skin and washed her hair. Those around her whispered and glared, but the newer girl eventually stood up and came towards her.
“Are you from the other world?” she asked, not ten years old.
“I was born of this world, but I come from Undel,” she answered, unperturbed by the truth. “Who are you?”
“I am the Liege’s illegitimate sister,” she answered. “You can call me Bella. What shall I call you?”
That did surprise Azel, as there had been no mention of a sister or a child born before the last Liege’s assassination. It was her understanding that all the children born of the Corvinus Bloodline except Aleron had been slaughtered. He had obviously kept the secret of his little half-sister close to himself.
“I am Azel.” she answered, slowly straining the water from her hair.
“I see why my brother chose you as his consort – you are more beautiful than anyone I have ever met,” Bella stated, unabashed by her honesty. “I hope I may one day look like you.”
“This face and form, I fear, have given me more trouble than it is worth,” Azel said with a bittersweet smile. “I was gifted with this form by my mother, but sometimes I think it a curse.”
“You are not trying to please me,” Bella‘s head tilted slightly to the side as she pondered. “It is more than your looks. It is your manner that intrigues him.”
She Azel leaned forward and said in hardly a whisper, “it is in my nature to have an outspoken temperament.”
“You do not seem to discriminate between me and the servants,” Bella commented. “You told them precisely what you thought. You must be the reason that my brother has not called upon any of his concubines.”
Azel’s eyebrows shot up at that. “I have done nothing to pleasure him.”
“He says you played Hak-Ta with him and ride like the wind,” Bella pointed out. “I do not know this game. Will you teach me?”
She and Bella walked from the bath as warm water slid down their bodies and pooled at their feet. Each lifted their arms and stood as still they could as servants dried them off. “I would be happy to.”
“Ina,” Bella said to one of the younger serving girls. “Have a Hak-Ta board brought to my room.”
“Yes Mistress.” The young woman bowed and kept her head low as she backed up from the room.
Azel was helped with one of her new dresses, modest and lovely as the rest of her dresses were. Bella’s dress was covered in frills and was the brightest pink Azel had ever seen. The young girl kept her hair short cut in a perfect line around from her chin. Azel sat as the servants dried and arranged her hair, but Bella’s was done after a few strokes.
“Is Sol like your home?” Bella asked, her round face demanding information.
Azel couldn’t help but laugh; it was the same face that Aleron made when he wanted her to tell him something. Bella looked surprised as Azel slowly regained composure and the servants finished arranging her hair.
“You are definitely the Liege’s sister. You both make the same face when you want something,” Azel explained with a smile on her face. “Sol is much like my home, but it far older and much bigger. Our culture prides itself on dominating the skies and sands with our inventions.”
“It must be very pretty. I have always wanted to ride in an airship,” Bella said, watching Azel closely as they made their way to Bella’s chambers. “Aleron thinks it is too dangerous for me.”
“Perhaps he is right,” Azel said softly. “I was nearly killed when our airship crashed.”
Bella stopped and her eyes became as wide as Zendar coins. “You were on an airship when it crashed? Did anyone else survive?”
“No,” Azel said, remembering what she had done to those still aboard the ship. “I alone was blessed.”
They reached the room and the doors were opened from the inside. It was lush with pink cloths spread from every corner. The curtains, tapestries, paintings and bedsheets were all the same blushing pink. Bella bounced into the room and went over to the Hak-Ta board, half squealing from excitement.
“I, too, will be able to play with my brother,” Bella said as Azel swept into the room and sat down across from the ecstatic girl.
“Would you prefer to be red or blue?” Azel asked as she began to put the pieces onto the two-tiered board.
“Red is a very close color of pink,” Bella informed her. “I will be red.”
Azel smiled and began to explain the rules of the game. Bella was clearly a sheltered child. Bodyguards were always around her, maids tested all of her food before she ate it, and all of her memories were in Sol. Half of the time Bella paid attention, and the other half she inquired about the rest of the world. Being a princess, Azel had traveled to all of the major cities and once on a relief mission to the Lin Provence.
Azel told her about growing up with servants but no slaves, that they were paid and treated like any other civilian. Bella couldn’t completely understand such an idea because prisoners of war were taken to labor camps where they harvested minerals. Azel told her that although slave labor was free it was unjust, and that everyone should have a right to choose.
“Where would we get our workers?” Bella asked, mostly ignoring the game in preference to Azel’s story telling.
“In our city we pay the poor to come and work for us. Most are fed and compensated for their work,” Azel explained. “Although I consider this exploitation, because sometimes we pay them far below standard, it is preferable to having slaves.”
“You speak as though you run the city,” Bella laughed. “You speak as I should, as a princess should.”
“My mother always said I have a brain for understanding people,” Azel answered, moving one of her blue pieces. “She said if I were a queen I would be a queen of the people.”
“Your mother wanted you to be queen?” Bella’s eyes were wide again.
“She always thought I was meant for something great,” Azel said. Tears were stinging her eyes and she tried to bat them away. “She was proud of me.”
“Oh, Azel!” Bella stood to come over and take Azel’s hand in her own.
“Forgive me. The wound created from losing my mother has not completely subsided.” Azel said, trying to reassure the young girl.
“I never met my mother.” Bella’s eyes turned downcast.
“I am sure she would have loved you and misses you as much as you miss her,” Azel said. She took the young girls hand in her own and squeezed it briefly.
“If I had a mother,” Bella said leaning forward to wrap her arms around Azel’s waist, “I would want her to be exactly like you.”
Azel looked down at Bella. She could feel her face scrunch from the emotions stirring in her chest. She petted the young girl’s head and stared out the window to the sea of sand and thought of her mother’s grave. She hoped that her father had found the grave she marked and that her mother had been properly buried with the rest of her ancestors. She knew that her enemies didn’t bury their dead; they were burned and returned to the sands in the form of ash. She was heartsick with the understanding that Bella was already forming an attachment, but just like her mother, Azel would leave her.
Chapter 14
“Zendar by Night”
Azel was dozing. The sun had set, and soon sleep would take her. She had not bothered to change, Bella had cried herself to sleep, and Azel had stayed with her until a guard had come to escort her back. She had collapsed on the bed, hugging a pillow as she began to drift off. Half asleep, she didn’t hear the quiet opening of the door that adjoined her room to the Liege’s.
She wasn’t even aware someone was in the room until he put his hand on her and shook her once. She immediately took hold of his arm and brought the dagger she had taken from a guard to his neck. Aleron’s eyes met hers in the darkness but it took a moment for her brain to catch up with her actions.
“Going to slit my throat?” Aleron said, remaining still as she kept the tip pointed at him.
She hesitated for an instant; she could rid the world of her enemy and perhaps get her freedom. She was perfectly aware that he would easily be replaced by a council member that was a descendant of the Corvinus Bloodline. She thought of Bella, the love she had for her brother, and she moved the dagger away from Aleron’s throat.
