The Drifting (57 page)

I listen enthralled by her story.  “The fae?”

“Oh come, Lily.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the fae?  We are fae…you, me, Tharin.  All of us who dwell in the realm of Velesi and Eirrell.”

“It’s not that I haven’t heard of them, it’s just that I thought they were…you know, faerie people
–
tiny faeries flittering around with small delicate wings
–
some good, some bad
,
depending on who’s telling the story and its origin.”

Sema steps back
,
giving me a patient look.  “Lily, you’re a faerie.  And be glad there are no little folks around to hear you.  They’re vindictive little
beings
who tend to hold on to grudges
,
” she warns as she pulls on a loose piece of fabric causing the tear to rip further.  She makes a face before going on, “Deep down you believe everything that’s happened to you so far is just a dream.  And sooner or later you’ll wake to find yourself back in
San Diego
still worrying on what to do with your life.  Wake up
,
child
,
and look around you.  I mean, who do you know
who has
spoken with a
thousand-
ton sea serpent?”

I blink at her and say, “I was just asking.”

“Excuse me,” I recognize
the
voice from the hallway
,
and I come to a standstill as I lock gazes with Sema.  We
slowly
turn toward the doors to find Kalis standing there dressed in what looks like a formal military uniform.  The color of her uniform is of aged golden oak leaves, designed with the
leaves’
vein
s giving it a subtle camouflage-
like look.  Her hair pulled back with a golden band and
it’s
laced in a thick braid.  On her hip is a thicker version of her
hair
band with a short sword attached to it, but I can see the blades tuck into each of her boots.  She looks stunning.

The double doors open behind her and for a mo
ment I hoped it was Tharin coming
to take his mistress away.  Instead, Walem, the king’s valet who I met the first night I was here
,
walks in and stand
s
just behind Kalis.  She doesn’t turn around, ignoring the old man.

Sema walks forward asking, “May I help you?”

“No,” ignoring Sema and looking at me.  “I’m Kalis, the king’s captain to his elite guard.  I’m here to speak to you about the recent attempt on your life.”

“That’s no longer necessary, captain.  Tharin has already spoken with his bride,” offers Sema kindly with a smile, not one to be ignored.

Kalis glares at the old woman saying, “You will leave us
,
or I’ll have you physically remove
d
.”  Oh crap.  Kalis may be the warrior Julia told me about, but she doesn’t want to mess with Sema…she’s way out of the old woman’s league.

I notice Sema’s back become rigid and I step forward before she can respond.  “It’s okay
,
Sema.  I’ll call you when we’re through.”  Sema gives me a hard look and I can just
feel
her hands aching to cast an energy blast at Kalis.  Instead, she gives me a smile and for the first time since I’ve met her, curtsies.  I keep my smile to myself and when Sema rises, she gives me a nod before heading toward the door.  Kalis watches the old woman leave and notices Walem for the first time.

“You can leave to
o
,” she demands haughtily. 

“I’m sorry,
C
aptain, but
it is
the king
’
s
wish that
I remain with Princess Lilianethia.”

I watch as Kalis’ face goes through a range of emotions.  She’s determined to have her say with me, but she won’t go against her king’s order.  She turns from the valet frustrated, but looks at me with a wary stare. 

I move back to the dresser and sit.  I look at her and offer the empty chair in front of me.  She hesitates for a moment but then starts to remove her sword belt while making her way over to me. 

I watch her every move.  If she were a cat, she would be Cessa’s sister, fluid and sensual,
with
a hi
n
t of danger behind her movements.  She places her sword against the side of the dresser and then takes the offered seat.  I can feel my heart beating fast and hope the new cloth Sema put on my wound hides any indication of its pounding.  At close range she’s even more beautiful, except for the scowl on her face.  I look at her curiously waiting to see what she has to say.  She said she was here to
talk
to me about the attack.  Yeah, right.

Kalis stares at me, looking me over and assessing my worth.  That
,
or she’s wondering what Tharin sees in me.  She starts to say something, but then turns to look at Walem first.  I look over at the old valet as well and wonder why the king would send him. 

“I…I wanted to meet you,
P
rincess
,
” says Kalis hesitantly.   

Suddenly, the image of her hand moving along Tharin’s arm pops in my head and I have to look down at my hands.  I shake my head
,
trying to stop my mind from picturing Kalis naked next
to
Tharin.   I straighten my shoulders and look at her, meeting her gaze.  “I’ve wanted to meet you, too.  Tharin tells me you’re old friends…that you grew up together.”

She tilts her head to one side and looks at me curiously.  “What else has Tharin told you about me?”

I shrug my shoulder at her.  “He said that you two were together for a while, until recently.”  I look down at my hands again before saying, “I’m sorry how it ended.”

“You’re sorry for what?  Nothing has ended between Tharin and me.” 

I look up at her then
, not surprised by what she said, just a little disappointed.
“So last night was real,” I say more to myself.

She gives me
a
confused look, sitting back in her seat.  For a moment we remain quiet, just staring at each other.  I finally sigh, getting tired of just staring at her and her ridiculously beautiful face.

“You wanted to talk to me about the attack?”

She crosses her legs, shaking her head, “No.  We both know that was a lie
,
and the only reason I would be concern
ed
is because you were attacked here in the tower.”  She gives me a raised brow an
d a
challenging sneer
as if saying,
Do something about.
  Yeah, she’s not so beautiful now, not so much.

What a spoiled and self-entitled bitch.  I’ve had to deal with her type all my life, both Julia and me.  Always looking down their noses at me
,
and my height had nothing to do with it.  Who does she think she’s talking to?

I sigh exaggeratedly and tilt my head at her, “I wonder what Tharin would say if I tell him that his captain is a threat to the queen of Velesi?”

She snorts at me, “You think becoming the next queen will change how Tharin feels about me?  I can’t believe you would fall for the lie.  But then again
,
he did say you were naive and gullible.”

“The lie?”

She gives me another sardonic smile, saying
,
“That he loves you.  The only reason he’s going through with all this is because he needs you to marry him and unite the clans, what’s so hard to understand
?
”  She shakes head at me as if she can’t believe how stupid I am. 

“Your wedding is inevitable, but that doesn’t change our plans.”  She gives me a look of disgust and bewilderment.  “How do you continue to act as if you would be accepted as our queen?  You’re not even full Sidhe, you’re only a
Halfling
.  As far as we’re all concern
ed,
you’re tainted and not worthy to take the throne, no less become queen of the realm.”

“Maybe not,” I answer, keeping my cool, not letting her know her words got to me.  “But the last time I look
ed
I’m still going to be queen.  And when I do, I’ll see to it that a new captain of the guards is appointed.”

“Stupid girl, you can’t appoint a new captain.  You have to be challenged for the position and the last time I looked, no
o
ne has beaten me.  Look at you…you don’t even know our ways, our laws and you sure as hell don’t know anything of our people.”

She’s right.  So far I’ve given her nothing but childish threats and
me
not knowing anything about their ways
h
as put her at an
advantage.  I keep my mouth sh
ut but refuse to look away.  She looks me over again and then sighs. 

Leaning
forward
, she say
, “Look, I don’t want
to be your enemy…and you don’t
want me for an enemy,” she threatens.  “But Tharin loves me and I
have
love
d
him since the day we met as kids.  I will do my duty and protect you because I’m honor bound to, but make no mistake,
L
ittle
P
rincess.  I will fight for him because he belongs with me.” 

I finally look at my hands
again and shake
my head
, tired of this game
.  I look back up
at her, my eyes steady.
“You’ve wasted your time, Kalis.  There’s nothing between Tharin and me, and when all is done here, I’ll be going home.”

She leans back giving me a puzzled look, “But I thought…”

“You thought what?  You don’t know me
,
or what I’ve been through since Tharin came into my life.  If you assumed anything your assumptions
are based on
what Tharin has told you. 
You
are none of my business and neither is he.”

She sits staring at me trying to figure out what kind of game I’m playing.  When she decides there is none, she nods slowly.  “I was wrong about you.  You’re not what I made you out to be.  I’m sorry if I came on strong, it’s just that
–
”

I don’t let her finish, “It’s just that you’re in love with
him
.”  I look down at my hands
again
,
saying more to myself than her, “Yeah, I get that.”

I stand and she follows
,
reminding me how tall she is, or rather, how short I am.