The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) (17 page)

“You
will like him. Everyone does,” he said before brushing his lips against her
hand. “We will also celebrate you having a smile on your face after yesterday.
I take it you are feeling better?”

“Much,”
she whispered. She took Darby’s advice and did not mention anything to Nic
about their conversation. Although it made her feel uneasy to be keeping a
secret from him, she knew it was for the best considering the circumstances.

—

Tempani
and Darby were unable to meet over the next few days. He had been called away
to the university just outside Fenella to meet with an old scholar friend of
his who had spent the last two years living deep in the deserts of Horatia.
Tempani was desperate for him to return so they could talk more about it. So he
could reassure her that she wasn’t a sorceress.

The
arrival of Prince Hallam of Lenthir had not helped her anxiety. She was a
bundle of nerves as she dressed for the feast they were holding in his honor.

Zadi
ran a comb through Tempani’s glistening locks and fastened the back of her blue
gown. She twirled Tempani around to face her and ran her eyes across her
appearance.

“Well
Zadi, do I pass inspection?”

“Yes,
my lady,” she said quietly.

Tempani
had apologized to Zadi for the way she had spoken to her but their relationship
was on shaky ground. She felt awful for having treated Zadi in the one way she
had never wanted to. As a slave.

“He
is one of the most important people in Nic’s life so I have to make a good
impression,” she said, hoping to get a conversation with the reserved girl
started.

“You
will impress him more if you flash him one of your smiles,” Chae remarked as he
walked in and grabbed Tempani’s arm. “We’re going to be late.”

They
entered the Royal Dining Hall and took their seats beside Madoc and Dahlia, who
was looking beautiful in her crimson dress. As Tempani and Nic weren’t
betrothed and she was not a member of the Royal Parliament, she was not allowed
to sit at the monarchs’ table.

Tempani
watched
Famette
at the monarchs’ table, trying to
engage Duchess Sylena in conversation before turning to Madoc, whom she
noticed, was squirming uncomfortably in his chair.

“What
is wrong with you? Have you forgotten how to sit still?”

“I
don’t like these formal dinners,” he complained. “Course after course. And we
can’t get up until his Majesty is finished.”

“He
means, he doesn’t like having to be on his best behavior at these dinners. I’m
afraid you’ve got no choice. As Nic’s friend, it’s something you will have to
live with,” Chae laughed and clasped his friend’s shoulder.

“Not
when I am off discovering the vast world out there.”

“And
when do you plan to take off on your adventure?” Tempani asked.

“As
soon as Nic gives me permission.”

“Why
do you need his permission?” Dahlia asked as she accepted a glass of wine.

“He
has requested that I stay until the wedding.”

 “You
need not pout then. Xanthir and
Famette
will be wed
shortly, and you can leave and discover the world,” said Dahlia.

“No,
he has insisted that I be here for his wedding,” he said and clasped Tempani’s
hand. “We are just waiting on this stubborn lady to say yes.”

“I’m
afraid you will be waiting a long time for I have no desire to wed at the
moment. There is still so much I want to learn before I am tied down with a
family.”

“You
can still learn whatever it is you want when you are his wife,” Chae chipped
in.

Tempani
knew all too well that what she had to learn she had to learn in secret. There
was no possible way she could be married to Nic and be placed in a situation
where she would be lying to his face every day.

“Well,
I refuse to wed until papa tells me that he loves me,” she said triumphantly,
knowing this would silence her friends.

Chae
laughed heartily. “That settles it then. I’m afraid you’ll be stuck in Fenella
for a very long time because father is unable to show any form of emotion
towards either of his children.”

“How
about I tell you I love you? Or Dahlia or Chae? What if Nic tells you?” Madoc
asked in desperation.

“Sorry
Madoc, not a chance.” Tempani hugged her burly friend.

“I
leave my love in your hands for a short time, and you’re flirting with her!”
Nic exclaimed as he approached their table and kissed the top of Tempani’s head
and placed his hands protectively on her shoulders.

“Your
Highness has nothing to worry about,” Tempani assured him. “I am not foolish
enough to fall for Madoc when he is so determined to travel. I will not sit by
the window waiting for a man to return to me,” she sighed dramatically.

“Then
I suppose I will need to find myself another foolish woman.” Madoc grinned
devilishly before disappearing in the crowd.

“I
think now is as good a time as any for you to meet Hallam.” Nic pulled Tempani
to her feet and offered his arm. She accepted, and he led her to the head of
his table.

“I
take it this is the woman who has stolen my nephew’s heart!” Prince Hallam
roared, his cheeks rosy from the brandy he was drinking.

“Lady
Tempani of Amarill meet Prince Hallam of Lenthir, the finest swordsman in the
kingdom,” Nicolass said.

“I
don’t know about that. Rumor has it you and your friends could give me a run
for my money!” He laughed loudly as his gaze rested on her. “You are all my
nephew talks of.”

“Take
a seat dear,” Queen Tryphena spoke gently to Tempani.

Nic
pulled out the chair beside Teddy and then sat on her other side, clasping her
trembling hand. She took this opportunity to inspect Hallam. His looks were
drastically different to Wimarc’s. His jet black hair and moustache and
slightly darker skin were quite unlike the chestnut hair and fair complexion of
his older brother. Different mothers she guessed.

“I
hear you are quite fond of the city,” Hallam spoke directly to Tempani.

She
met his eyes and smiled politely. “Fenella is a beautiful place, and I do enjoy
exploring it.”

“And
visiting your friends of course. My brother tells me one is a healer, a most respected
profession and well paid I assume.”

“Colbert
does not believe in making others pay, considering that many of them struggle
to make ends meet as it is.”

“With
a baby on the way, surely he must charge. How does he expect to raise his child
with no funds to his name?”

“With
love. And with the sales his wife makes in her store,” Tempani said
defensively.

Otto’s
eyes were on her as she spoke, willing her to hold her tongue.

“Highly
unorthodox isn’t it? Don’t be surprised if they ask you for help once their
child arrives. I’ve seen it happen before.”

“Hallam
there is no need for this,” Tryphena interrupted and looked helplessly at her
husband, but he did nothing to resolve the tension.

“They
would never dream of asking. Many people have raised children with nothing more
than love and have done so successfully.” Tempani’s cheeks burned.

“Yes
and their children have ended up working as thieves or by entertaining men at
Inns,” he said.

“Hallam,”
Nic said nervously. He knew all too well how loose his uncle’s tongue became
when he was drinking.

“Settle
down Nicolass. If she is to be queen, she needs to be careful. I’m simply
warning her to watch her back. These commoners can turn on you in an instant,”
he slurred.

Tempani
glared at him, her brown eyes were blazing with pure hatred. “So can nobles,”
she said tensely.

“A
sharp tongue you have there. Perhaps you have more of your father’s blood than
Hamalia’s.”

She
shivered when he mentioned Hamalia. His voice had been thick with disgust.

“I
fear belonging to her people is a burden you will carry for the rest of your
life.”

“No,
it is an honor.”

Hallam
laughed and shook his head as he watched her.

“Hallam,”
Nic warned.

But
he did not have to say anymore. Teddy had sensed that Tempani was about to make
a scene and berate Prince Hallam in front of everyone. Such an outburst would
be unforgivable. So he stood and excused himself and his friend from the table.

“Little
Teddy’s in love with her too?” Hallam laughed as they left.

Once
they were safely in the courtyard Tempani exploded.

“The
nerve of that man!”

“He’s
a self-righteous, arrogant jerk,” Teddy said. “I seem to be the only person in
my family who sees him for what he is.”

She
paced back and forth, her anger building with each step.

“You’re
the first person who has ever stood up to him.”

“If
that’s true then we live in a very sad kingdom,” she said. “How can people just
sit there and listen to that. How could my father? He insulted his wife!”

“Because
he knows what it takes to survive at court,” Teddy said. “You choose the
battles you can win.”

“What
about standing up for what I believe in?”

“If
you truly want to make a change in this kingdom then accept Nic’s hand and do
it as queen. While you still have a chance. My uncle has a lot of influence
over my father. And Nic adores him.”

“You
think he will influence Nic.”

“Nic
can be stubborn, but he can also be influenced by people if they know what his
weaknesses are. And Hallam is great at exploiting people.” He reached out and
took Tempani’s hand. “He’s already a better man because of you. Marry him, and
he can become great.”

“I’m
just scared that I will then become as useless as our queens of past. No
offence to your mother, but she has as much of a voice in this kingdom as the
commoners.”

“You’re
right,” he sighed. “Perhaps it’s up to you to change that.”

“I
want to,” she whispered. “But I don’t know how.”

Teddy
wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll help you,” he said. “That’s what friends are
for.”

“Sorry
to break this up,” Nic said tersely. “Your father is ready to leave.”

Tempani
pulled away from Teddy and patted his hand in thanks. She walked past Nic and
allowed him to stroke her cheek.

Nic
glared at his brother for a moment before turning on his heel and following her
inside. Teddy sighed, knowing full well that his brother still didn’t believe
he had no feelings for Tempani.

—

 “So
my two nephews in love with the same girl, who would have thought?” Hallam
laughed later that evening.

Teddy
rolled his eyes. “I’m not in love with her.”

“Of
course not,” Hallam said. “I mean she’s hardly your type is she Teddy? She’s
too dainty for your liking.”

Teddy
froze. Did Hallam know? How? There had only been one kiss, and he had been
discreet. He had just wanted to know what it felt like - if his disinterest in
girls was simply because he felt a higher calling to serve his God. But the
moment their lips touched he had known it was not the Gods that stopped him.

If
his father found out, he would be disowned. Pledging his life to the Gods was
one thing, but this would be a different matter entirely. Perhaps it would be a
blessing. He would be free to live his life the way he chose. But then he
thought of his mother. And
Laiken
and Ellsje. Even
Nic. He couldn’t be separated from them. Besides the person his heart belonged
to didn’t feel the same.

“I
always thought Lady Dahlia of Raine was lovely,” Tryphena said as she sat
beside Teddy and rubbed his arm. “You seem quite taken by her.”

“We’re
friends,” he groaned.

“Besides,
I think Chae may object to you courting her,” said Nic. “He’s barely left her
side recently.”

Teddy
swallowed hard and tried to smile as he felt
Hallam’s
eyes on him. His cheeks burned, and he prayed that he wasn’t blushing right
now.

“Well
if you want her Teddy, you best fight for her,” said Tryphena, a note of worry
in her voice.

He
buried his head in her hands. “I don’t want her.”

“No,
he doesn’t want her,” Hallam said.

Teddy
stood abruptly. “If this is done, I have somewhere to be.”

Hallam
laughed as the young prince hurried out the door. “Looks like little Teddy is
upset.”

—

The
following evening Prince Hallam of Lenthir watched Tempani as she sat with her
friends. He tweaked his neat moustache between his long fingers as he thought
about his conversation with his brother late last night. The two had agreed
that Tempani was not the right choice for Nic.

“I
hope Tryphena will finally see sense now. After her display tonight I would
think it clear that she is not fit to be Nicolass’ queen,” Wimarc said as he
paced his study. “A queen cannot behave in such a manner. She will ruin this
kingdom and all I have worked for.”