Future Dreams (17 page)

Jame spent most of the day convincing them not to kidnap the Lindigan sisters or attempt to liberate Indot from the city jail. The last thing she wanted was to be in the middle of an incident between Emoria and the city of Glaus. Despite the sisters’ threats, Jame knew the jail was the safest place for Indot. The city would have to answer to the Federation Council if anything happened to a peace warrior or peace arbiter in its custody.

“We can’t just sit here and do nothing.” Naderol, a compact young woman with short brown hair and matching eyes, plopped both elbows on the table and scowled. She reminded Jame of Tas.

“We are doing something,” Jame said. “We’re waiting for Ynit to respond to my message.”

“But you’re our princess,” Naderol said. “We can’t allow you to be treated like this.”

“No one here knows I’m a princess. They probably don’t even know I’m Emoran because I’m an arbiter.” Jame took a sip of spiced tea. “After this fiasco, I’m not sure if I’ll even receive my medallion.”

“It’s not your fault your client turned out to be guilty,” Regar said. She was a tall levelheaded woman seated next to Naderol.

“But they know, even if all this mess hadn’t happened, I would’ve asked to be taken off the case,” Jame said. “I just can’t bring myself to defend the guilty, although they have the right to a fair hearing.”

“Sometimes guilt is not always obvious,” Regar said.

“I know and that bothers me a lot,” Jame said.

Naderol gave Jame a puzzled look. “But you’re not really going to be an arbiter. You’re going back to Emoria when you finish your studies. Right?”

Jame’s thoughts filled with the images of a dark-haired warrior traveling by her side as she worked as an arbiter at large. Jyac wasn’t going to be happy with her choice of companion. Argis was going to be livid. No. Going back to Emoria was not a wise choice at the moment. “I plan to be an arbiter for a while. I need to explore the world before I settle in Emoria.”

“But you’re going to be joined,” Naderol said.

Jame took a deep breath while she found the proper response. “Any rumors you’ve heard concerning that are false.”

Regar and Naderol exchanged astonished glances.

“You haven’t entered into an understanding with Argis?” Regar asked.

“No formal understanding.” Jame knew that whatever she said would get back to Emoria. The speed of an Emoran rumor was quicker than the wind, so the saying went.

“Formal or informal,” Regar shrugged and relaxed, “you do have an understanding.”

“There may have been an understanding once.” Jame was tired of resisting the truth in her heart. She was in love with Tigh. “But that understanding no longer exists.”

“You and Argis are no longer a couple?” Naderol asked.

“We’re no longer a couple.” Not wanting to endure any more questions, Jame pushed up from the table. “It’s getting late and I need to do some work before I turn in.”

“Good night, my princess,” Regar said as she and Naderol stood. “Sleep well.”

Jame smiled. “Thanks.”

She trudged up the steps to the guest rooms, trying not to picture the reactions back home when her words reached there. On one side of the sword blade, her life was clearer than it had ever been. On the other side, it had degenerated into a hopeless mess that got more confusing by the heartbeat.

An astonishing thought came to her, and she paused at the top of the steps. Her life was now intertwined with Tigh’s, whether she received her medallion or not. If Emoria wanted her to come back they’d have to accept Tigh and Tigh would have to want to live in Emoria.

Caught up in this amazing revelation, Jame navigated the short corridors to her room. Being a princess, she had the best chamber in the establishment, removed from the small common rooms on the other floors.

She pushed her door open, strolled across the threshold, and sensed another presence in the room behind her. The door slammed shut and a large strong hand covered her mouth, while another hand grabbed her arm and pinned it to her back.

Casually flipping a knife and sporting a smirk, Sed sauntered out of the shadows. She made a show of looking Jame over and lifted a few strands of Jame’s hair. Jame tried not to grimace at the touch.

Sed sneered and her eyes turned cold. “What’s this about needing a peace warrior to argue a case?”

Peace warrior?
Jame’s frightened mind reacted.
What I need is a miracle
.

FOR TIGH, IT felt an eternity since the coach wheels clattered onto the cobblestones of the city street but it was scarcely a quarter sandmark before it jolted to a halt in front of a door illuminated by a single sheltered light. She had spent the day too tense with worry to give in to her overwhelming exhaustion and emerged from the vehicle onto unstable legs. The driver had delivered her to Glaus without delay and she gave him the agreed upon amount of silver.

The door etched with a sword and a bow opened. A coach with the colors of Ynit could only mean one thing and an older woman beckoned Tigh into the safe house. “Are you the new peace warrior from Ynit?”

Tigh blinked at her and wondered why she hadn’t thought of using that ruse. “Yes. Paldar Tigis.” She was surprised at how raw her voice sounded. Now she felt foolish for not taking advantage of the long journey to catch up on her sleep. She couldn’t help Jame if she wasn’t alert.

“I’m Balwen, the proprietor,” the woman said. “The princess’s room is on the second level, toward the back. A rabbit is on the door. Tigis? We serve Ingoran food. I’ll prepare a room for you.”

Tigh almost told her to not bother, but stopped. “Thank you.”

As soon as they entered the common room, Tigh hurried to the back stairs and only her heavy exhaustion kept her from running up the steps.

“Rabbit on the door,” she muttered as she wandered the narrow corridors leading to the back of the building.

She stopped and listened. She didn’t need to see an animal on the door to know which chamber Jame was in. Her enhanced hearing picked up an arrogant voice behind the door at the end of a short hallway. An all too familiar voice, filled with defiance and fear, answered.

Safe house, indeed
, Tigh’s mind reacted in rage. She took long strides and exploded into the room.

A tall muscular woman held Jame. An equally large woman hovered nearby. All three sets of eyes shot to the opened door. Before Tigh had a chance to do anything, the womens’ arrogance faltered into fear.

The woman released Jame and, with the other, backed away from the doorway. Tigh’s sleepy mind was mired with confusion.

“Did I forget to mention my best friend is Tigh the Terrible?” Jame asked as she backed away from the women.

Finally catching on, Tigh straightened and leveled her most intimidating glare at them.

“Please,” one woman whimpered as she huddled on the floor with the other.

“What’s going on here?” Balwen asked from behind Tigh. A group of Emorans crowded the corridor.

“The Lindigan sisters were trying to coerce me into arguing their brother’s case,” Jame said. “Would some of you mind securing them and making sure they are safely escorted to the city jail?”

Naderol grinned. “With pleasure.”

Tigh stepped away from the door and several Emorans entered and dragged the terrified sisters away. The Emorans cast curious glances at her.

Tigh almost tumbled to the floor by the impact of Jame’s body against hers. Jame buried her head onto Tigh’s shoulder as they wrapped their arms around each other. Tigh was so relieved and happy she couldn’t stop a few tears from sliding down her cheeks.

Balwen shut the door on her way out.

Tigh’s world was right again. Jame was safe and in her arms. The lack of sleep and food caught up to her all at once and her mind tumbled.

Jame braced Tigh up and led her to the bed. She then knelt in front of her. “You look awful.” She brushed strands of hair out of Tigh’s eyes.

“I guess I haven’t gotten much sleep,” Tigh mumbled.

“I missed you, too.” Jame gave her a gentle kiss. “I was praying for a miracle and then you burst through the door. How’d you do that?”

Tigh managed a weary smile. “I overheard Kartlin about you being in trouble. I got here as fast as I could.”

Jame gazed at Tigh with affection-filled eyes. “Does anyone know you’re here?”

Tigh looked at the floor. “They’ve probably figured it out by now.”

Jame pulled Tigh into her arms. “We’ll worry about that later. You need sleep and I need to write out a formal complaint against the Lindigan sisters.”

“Don’t go out alone,” Tigh said.

“I’ll send the complaint by courier,” Jame said. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere without my warrior.”

Those words sent a wistful pang through Tigh’s heart. “I want to be your warrior.”

“You are my warrior.” Jame pressed her lips against Tigh’s in a gentle reaffirming kiss. “Now I want you to get some sleep.”

Tigh was barely aware of Jame’s efforts to get her boots and leathers off, and being tucked into bed. Her heart felt safely at home and she fell asleep, knowing what fate had prepared for her life.

TIGH DARTED HER eyes around the chamber. The quick moment of panic was replaced by the memory of where she was. She was in Glaus. In the Emoran safe house . . . She wasn’t alone. She rolled over and her breath was stolen away by the vision of Jame’s face relaxed in peaceful sleep. The intimacy of their positions made her lightheaded and she sat up to clear her roiling brain.

Jame stirred from the movement. “Good morning.”

Tigh took some settling breaths. “Morning.”

Jame sat up and studied Tigh. “I’m surprised at how well I slept. I’ve never shared a bed with anyone before.”

Tigh turned to her. “What about—?”

“A patch of meadow, a shadow behind the warriors barracks, a hidden crevice in the palace, never a bed,” Jame said. “Emoria’s rather strict about some things.”

“I’ve never shared a bed with anyone before either.” Tigh pushed down memories of finding release with other Guards in any place that was convenient. Sex was just something to do to keep them from giving in to what they really lusted for—engaging an enemy in battle.

“I’m sure we’ll get use to it,” Jame said. “If you still want to be my warrior that is.”

Unable to speak, Tigh needed to reassure Jame she most definitely wanted to be her warrior. She twisted around, pulled Jame into her arms, and gave her a heartfelt kiss.

Jame smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Tigh took Jame’s hand into both of hers. “I have a lot of memories, things I have to work through. You’ll have to be patient.”

“We both have things we have to work through,” Jame said. “We can do it together.”

“I think I like that.” Tigh glanced around the room. “Is this one of the things you’re going to have to work through?”

“Let’s just say Balwen, the proprietor, gave me a motherly lecture last night when I took my message concerning the Lindigan sisters to her,” Jame said. “They think Argis and I had some kind of spat and we’ll get back together again. They’ll understand in time, but this is what I’ll have to go through until they’re convinced I’m not interested in Argis anymore.”

“What would completely convince them?” Tigh asked.

Jame sighed. “Emorans can be so stubborn with their ideas. It doesn’t help that I’m a princess and they’ve been hearing stories about me since I was born. Nothing less than a joining will convince them that Argis and I aren’t just quarreling.” Jame caught her breath. “I mean—”

Tigh studied the smaller hand in her strong large hands. “If that’s what it takes.”

“But I wouldn’t want that to be the only reason.” Jame wrapped her free arm around Tigh’s neck and pulled her close. “There’s only one reason I want to be joined with you.” She gazed into Tigh’s eyes. “I love you.”

The impact of the words was such a blow to Tigh’s senses she was close to blacking out. How could words create such a physical reaction? She labored to pull air into her lungs and gently squeezed Jame’s hand. “I love you, too.”

Jame grinned and collapsed against Tigh.

A rap on the door interrupted their peace.

“A delegation has arrived from Ynit,” Balwen said through the door.

“Delegation?” Tigh asked.

Jame sighed. “Why can’t anything be easy?”

JAME KEPT GLANCING back at the pair of soldiers trailing them as they walked down the crowded street. She thought it was insane for the Tribunal to think Tigh was a danger to anyone. She turned to Tigh and frowned at the carefully controlled grimace on her face. “Are you all right?”

Tigh’s startled expression turned sheepish. “The morning meal.”

“Wasn’t it good?” Jame said. “It tasted all right to me.”

“Cooks who aren’t Ingoran tend to make the food too spicy,” Tigh said. “They think they’re making up for the lack of meat or something.”

“I never thought of that,” Jame said. “So your stomach’s upset.”

Tigh sighed. “Yeah.”

Jame watched Tigh’s stoic attempt to ignore her discomfort. This was the woman the Tribunal thought was a danger to society? She almost laughed at the irony. They approached a narrow shop and she turned to the soldiers. “I need to step in here for a moment.” Before they had a chance to respond, she ducked through the doorway.

Jame smiled at the shopkeeper. “A small bag of those.” She pointed to one of the dozen small wooden barrels on a slab of wood.

The shopkeeper darted a glance outside the door. “Two coppers.”

Jame paid and wondered what rumors were already stirring about certain visitors from Ynit.

She strode out of the shop and held up a parchment bag. “This ought to help.” She opened the bag and revealed molded balls of mint leaves and sugar.

“Thank you.” Tigh selected a ball and popped it into her mouth, then took the parchment and tucked it into her belt pouch.

“Let me know the next time food bothers you,” Jame said.

They paused in front of the Glaus Inn and Jame wrinkled her nose at the sprawling building that seemed to have expanded more from necessity than design. The gilded carvings and deep blue paint shouted its self-importance to the surrounding somber government buildings.