Nightshade (12 page)

“But I remember feeling…I felt so—”

“You felt what?”

“
Alive
!” Jessa said. “Damn you, Radha, I
know
you’re lying.”

“Then you should meditate. I cannot do everything for you.”

“I do not
want
to meditate,” Jessa said between clenched teeth.

“Then what would you rather be doing?”

“I would rather be
living
,” she said. “I shall be in the bath, not that you care, you heartless wretch.”

Radha grinned.

“I will have to sing, mark my words.”

*

Emmalyn handed the bulky packages delivered from the tailor into Darry’s arms, noting the dusty uniform and the sword at Darry’s side. “I almost opened them,” she said, eyeing for the hundredth time the soft parchment wrappings that were tied with string. “Tell me you don’t have a dress in there.” Darry was utterly stunning in a dress, but they had not suited her temperament or her wild spirit since she was a girl. If she wore one now it would bring the court to its knees with shock and rumors.
Malcolm would keel over.

“I don’t have a dress in there.”

“Where have you been? Mother and I went looking for you, and Longshanks told her that he sent you on an errand, then received a tongue-lashing like I haven’t heard in years.”

“I had to do a bit of riding, yes.” Darry smiled. “I have a present for you.”

“What?”

“I said that I have a present for you.”

“What is it?”

“A Solstice gift, of sorts.”

“What is it?” Emmalyn asked again.

“You’re very pushy.”

“Darry.”

“Do you always lie about in the middle of the day in your dressing robe?” Darry asked, surveying her up and down. Her hair had been done for the ball, piled in flaming red curls atop her head and spilling onto her shoulders. She had yet to put on her dress and so stood in bare feet and a simple gray robe. “And though you look ravishing just as you are, I’m fairly unimpressed with the duties of the eldest daughter if this is how you’re allowed to spend your days.”

“You would do well to get ready yourself,” Emmalyn said. “Your hair will take hours to dry.”

“My hair is fine.”

Emmalyn was less than convinced. “Mother will flay you alive.”

“It won’t be the first time,” Darry said with a grin. “My skin grows back.”

“Where’s my present?”

“Close your eyes.”

Emmalyn lowered her brow in annoyance.

“Do you want it or not?”

“We’re not to exchange gifts until the Solstice, Darry.”

“This isn’t your Solstice gift. I said it was a
sort
of Solstice gift.”

“Just give it to me.”

“Then close your eyes.”

Emmalyn growled and closed her eyes, though but a moment later she heard the hinges of the door and looked. “Where are you going?”

Darry turned on her. “You’re bloody well impossible, Em. I left it in the hall, is that all right with you? Close your eyes!”

“Is it very big then?” she asked, smiling.

Darry stared at her.

Emmalyn closed her eyes. “Is it big?”

“Not too big,” Darry answered. “But the box is very pretty. If you look before I say you can I’ll take it back, I swear to Gamar.”

“
Fine
,” Emmalyn said. “I promise.”

Darry proceeded into the hallway and pulled the door closed.

Lord Royce Greyson stepped away from the wall, a smile spreading like sunlight across his handsome face. He was six feet tall and his shoulders were strong beneath his dusty black jacket and tunic, his unshaven face dark with stubble. Royce straightened his jacket and sword. Darry liked the way his clothes fit his well-built frame. They were a bit dusty from their ride on the furious road south, but he was a handsome sight nonetheless.
And I’m not in love with you, my friend
.

Darry chuckled at his boyish smile. “I don’t suppose you brought her anything, did you?”

Royce frowned.

Darry took his hand and pressed a small brightly wrapped box into his palm. “
Men
,” she said. “Put it in your pocket,” she ordered, and he did so. “And people wonder why I seek my pleasures elsewhere.”

Royce’s eyes lit up and he planted a kiss on her cheek. “I shall pay you back.”

“Darry?” Emmalyn called. “What in the seven hells are you doing?”

“Keep your eyes closed, woman!” Darry yelled over her shoulder. She unbent his collar, patting some of the dust away, then licked her thumb and smoothed down the twist of curling hair above his left ear. “I’m fixing the paper!” she called. Darry met his gaze. “They are combs for her hair, in case you’re wondering. And you’re damn right you’ll pay me back. They’re from Master Fina’s.”

“You’ll make me a fine sister, Darrius. Like the one I always dreamt of but never had. Thank you.”

Darry flushed at the words and took him by the shoulder. “Wyatt has some rather smashing clothes that will fit you for the fête. I’ve set them on his bed. And please, Royce, remember that though you’re betrothed, if our mother finds you in her daughter’s rooms in the middle of the day, you shall be running for the Green Hills with the entire guard intent upon your ass.”

“
Darry
?” Emmalyn called.

“Are they closed?” Darry asked as she pushed the door inward, Royce crowding her from behind. She elbowed him in the stomach and he retreated.

“They’re bloody well
sewn
shut.”

Darry opened the door completely and pulled at Royce’s jacket, sending him forward. The expression on his face when he saw Emmalyn made Darry’s heart skip, not only in happiness but with envy. He stood very still as he took in the sight of the woman he loved, and after a few seconds Darry shoved him again.

Emmalyn’s head tipped to the side. “Is that you?”

“All right, Em,” Darry said. “You may open them.”

Emmalyn obeyed instantly, her gaze catching on Darry for but an instant before her shoulders jerked at another person standing so close.

Royce touched her face as their eyes met. “Look at your hair,” he whispered. “You’re so beautiful, Emma.”

Emmalyn shook her head in shock, then threw her arms about his neck. “Royce!” Her hands slid through his hair as his lips lowered onto hers.

Darry smiled in satisfaction as he pulled Emmalyn close. She turned away and picked up her packages.

Emmalyn’s hands moved down his chest as they kissed. She slipped them about his waist and then his hips. “Wait,
Emma
,” he mumbled against her mouth. His hands went to her face and he kissed her again, ignoring his own plea.

Emmalyn pulled back. “Not the hair, love.”

“All right,” he whispered as his hands dropped to her shoulders. “Darry said,” he tried to speak and then kissed her again. “Your…mother would…”

Emmalyn gave a start. “
Darry
,” she said.
I said it was a sort of Solstice gift
. Darry was gone and the chamber door closed tight against any intrusions. “Darry,” she said again.

“You can’t keep touching me there,” Royce said quietly, “and expect me not to mess up your hair.”

Emmalyn laughed. With slow and deliberate purpose she drew her right hand around, stopping at his belt buckle, then inched lower to touch him elsewhere. A lovely tremble tripped along her spine when his body reacted. His fingers caressed her mouth as his eyes darkened with want.

“May I touch your hair now?”

The need within his voice made her knees weak. “Yes,” she answered, moaning as his lips covered hers once more.

*

Darry stood upon the balustrade and considered Jessa’s door.

She had been gone only a short time, yet she had waited for this moment since her first night on the road. Sitting beside her small fire and enjoying the night air, she had looked back to the south and wondered what Jessa’s day had been like. She had wondered what color her sari had been and if her hair had held more braids or less. Their number seemed to change each day and counting them had become a lovely pastime that Darry indulged in as often as possible. She had missed making Jessa laugh, or at least trying to. Jessa’s delicate humor made her feel special, somehow, that such a beautiful woman had been charmed by her, if only a little.

She had realized as well that she liked very much how quiet Jessa was. Life was never quiet for Darry, and she had not known how much she would enjoy such a thing.

Of her many thoughts while she was away, those of Jessa had been uppermost. It pleasantly surprised her how much she now welcomed Jessa’s presence in her daily life.

Just to be next to her made Darry happy, and Jessa’s scent of jasmine haunted her in a pleasing manner throughout her days. She was not immune to Jessa’s beauty either, but she supposed that could not be helped. The way her sari curved to her breasts and draped about her hips enthralled Darry.
I’m only human…and I’ve done nothing untoward. Anyone with a bloody heart that beats would notice how sweet her body is.

She kicked the dust from her boots, feeling trapped as she tried to put her attraction aside.
I’ve not forgotten why she’s here or who she is. But we can be friends, just as we pledged. There’s no harm in that, even though I find her…
Darry let out a long breath.
Find her what?

“Bloody well fucking lovely,” she whispered.
But just friends.
Somewhere deep in her heart she knew it was true, despite her thinking of Jessa in ways that she should not. They were friends, and it had been some time since she made a new friend. Remembering that innocent pledge once again, she stepped forward.

Radha opened the door to her knock.

“Lady Radha.” Darry gave a slight bow of her head. “You’re looking well on this fine day.”

“And you are looking road-worn, Princess.”

Darry chuckled. “Yes, but that’s because I wore out the road.”

Radha laughed.

“I was wondering…” Darry faltered. She shifted the packages in her arms. “I mean, would it be all right if I spoke with your Lady for a few moments? I know she must be busy preparing for the fête, but I would just like to pay my respects. If that’s all right?”

“Would you stand in wait?”

“Of course,” Darry answered with a grin. “I would wait forever if needs be.”

Radha studied her closely and Darry stared back, wondering suddenly if she had said something wrong. The old woman moved and Darry let out a nervous breath as she disappeared into the chamber.

Radha pushed open the door to the expansive privy. Jessa stood with a towel about her legs as she dried her body from the bath. “You have a visitor.”

“Unless it is the Queen, Radha, I don’t want to see anyone before I have to. Please send them away.”

“As you wish,” Radha answered.

Darry pushed the packages more tightly beneath her left arm.
Maybe she won’t want to see me. Maybe you should’ve just
—she straightened as Radha approached. “She will see me?”

“No. She’s very nervous about this evening.”

“Why? Did someone say…” Darry realized her tone was too forceful and she stepped back. “My pardons, Lady, I didn’t mean to…” She let out a breath of frustration. “I mean, has someone made her feel, did my brother—”

“She is afraid they will make her sing.”

Darry considered Radha’s answer, imagining herself standing in the Jade Palace and singing before its entire court of strangers, of being judged so openly and made to perform for the pleasure of others. And though Jessa was known as the Nightshade Lark for the beauty of her voice, no doubt it was not as pleasant as some might think to be on display in such a manner. Standing before the future King of Arravan, caught beneath his appraising eyes as the whole world watched, could be demeaning.

“She’ll not have to sing, my Lady,” Darry said with confidence. “You have my word.”

“And how will you stop such a thing if the court desires it?”

“I shall think of something.”

“No doubt,” Radha said. “Off you go then, child, to wash the road from you, I should think. Before your mother sees you thus.”

Darry bowed her head and stepped back. “Lady Radha.”

Jessa walked from the privy, tying her robe as Radha closed the door. “Who was at the door?”

“It was not the Queen, so what care do you have?”

“One day you shall be dying and ask for help in one of your riddles, and no one shall lift a finger to save you for want of knowing what you really need,” she said sarcastically.

Radha laughed, picking up the dress. “She was not a queen, it is settled.”

“Yes, thank you old woman, for telling me what I’ve…” She raised her eyes slowly. “For telling me—
Shivahsa
!” Jessa cursed, rushing to the balustrade door and throwing it open. The door crashed against the chair beside it as Jessa stepped over the threshold.