Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) (29 page)

He turned back to look at her, though he knew that was a mistake. She wasn't half the woman Marysa was! "Maybe I didn't make myself clear," he said crisply. "I want more than scraps from someone else's table! Do you think commoners care any less about that? I know I don't!" He took a deep breath. It was time to be honest. "Yes. I want you. You have that much power over me. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but since I know you don't even like me, have the kindness to leave me alone!"

She walked over to him and gently kissed him on the lips. His arms went around her without asking the rest of him for permission. Kiliane was shorter and slimmer than Marysa, but just as warm and soft in his embrace. Lord and Lady, if only this wasn't a sham!

He opened his eyes and saw that hers were half-closed, as if lost in thought. Her expression reminded him of the way Marysa had looked when she'd wondered about him as a husband. That told him all he needed to know. He'd never touch her again, no matter how much he hated to let her go.

He
heard the door open. He stepped back and turned away, though he was shaking. Kiliane calmly smoothed her hair and sat down as if nothing had happened. He knew what it must look like. Who would believe that she had nearly thrown herself into his arms?

His father seated himself as if he'd seen nothing, except for the satisfied smile he wore on his face.
Tam tried to keep his mind on the next case, which involved a mage, a merchant, and a pet snake that apparently wasn't as tame as it was supposed to be. He barely heard what the Protector or Lady Kiliane said because his heart pounded too loudly just thinking about what happened.

At last his father said they were done for the evening, though it was still early compared to other nights. The Protector departed, again with a smile on his face.

As soon as the door closed behind his father, Tam angrily stood up and glared at Kiliane. "If you kiss me like that again, I won't be responsible for what happens!" he said, then stalked off. Her shrill laughter echoed in his ears as he went out to his escort. It was all a game to her, nothing more. If she tried it again, he’d just push her away, no matter how warm she felt in his arms, and no matter how his body reacted. He had that much sense.

He couldn't sleep that night,
as the memory of her embrace, the softness of her breasts against his chest, and touch of her lips on his kept him awake.

At last he became so weary he
began to drop off anyway, when some noise came from the floor underneath the bed.
It's late for even Father to be up. I wonder what's going on?
He leaned down and quietly removed the panel that covered the metal grill beneath. Kiliane--her voice was unmistakable--was down there talking to someone. He had to find out what story she was telling people.
Now Mauric will really hate me, unless there's some way I can convince him of the truth.

He almost banged his head on the bed when he heard what she was saying. "He didn't mean any harm, Lord Sidian. It's natural for a boy that age to be curious. Some women find it romantic to be swept into another's arms."

That's not how it happened! How dare she say that!

"
Most people find it wiser to tell me the truth," his father replied. The Protector continued, and sounded tired. "I was not as far away as you think, Lady Kiliane, and I heard what both of you said. Try again."

"I beg your forgiveness, Lord Protector," she said, sounding contrite. "I did approach him first, but he certainly brought me closer! I tried to reach his mind, my lord. I did everything you said I ought to, to see if I could obey you...I wish I could, my lord, but I
can't
! Please, my lord, isn't there some other way?"

Tameron could have told his father how it
actually was between them, though he doubted anybody would listen to
him. Will I ever find someone who loves me?
He was tired of offering his heart only to find it wasn't wanted.

His father was silent. Another voice spoke. "Part of the Duty may not always be pleasant," said the Guardian. "At least you can look forward to returning to your lover's arms. Not all are so fortunate."

"We can make it easier for you," his father added. "The Red Cup is said to guarantee delight with any partner. Personally, I think he deserves better than someone who's made her distaste for him so clear, but the political situation forces me to insist on it. Your family has a lot to answer for."

"No!" cried Kiliane. "The Red Cup is for whores! Please don't force me to drink it."

"I see you don't know as much about it as you think you do," the Protector said harshly. "Your mother came from Outside. I'm sure she's told you how marriages are made in her land. You ought to be grateful you have as much choice as you do. We are asking for less than a year of your life, for which you will be honored and rewarded. It's true the Duty demands far more of women. That's why men must provide a jewel of great worth or its equivalent for each child. Tameron holds title to his mother's estate in his own right, while I stand ready to fulfill the promises I've made to your family. You don't even have to see the child afterwards."

Tam
grimaced. All his mother's estate, whatever that was, and he couldn't even get a pair of new boots! He wouldn't be considered an adult till his first Festival, four long months from now, and thus had no control over anything. Of course, that meant little with his father being the Protector.
I'm glad I heard all this. If Kiliane pretended to change her mind, and I hadn't listened in, I’d probably believe her. At least I know that any show of affection from her after this will only be a cheat.

The thought sickened him. He was more than his evil dreams. Oh, he was angry with Kiliane after the way she'd treated him, but he couldn't take that kind of revenge.

The young woman spoke again. "Maybe you can force me into bed with your son, but you can't make me have a child! The first thing that women are taught in Wizard's College is to control our own bodies that way, no matter what our Element is!"

"Do you really think you have a choice? You know how your own family feels about this opportunity. In fact, I spoke to your uncle this morning through the glass," Lord Sidian replied. "If I must shadow your powers for the next nine months, I will."

Tameron blinked in surprised. 'Shadowing' meant a stronger wizard could neutralize her magic. She'd have as little choice in the matter as he did. In fact, she'd have less as her body grew great with child. This time he imagined her large with an infant of his making and grew queasy, unlike the joy he'd felt when he’d dreamed of Marysa that way.

Then
she began to weep. Tam felt all desire for her die within him. This was just as bad as when Marysa showed him the burn that Tigran had given her for refusing to dishonor herself. He wasn't going to play this game.

He
heard his father dismiss Lady Kiliane for the night, and began putting the tile back over the grill. Then he heard the Protector greet Stine, and bent back down to listen some more.
What is Father going to talk to her about? I wonder if she'll say anything about what I did this morning?

At first, they discussed Lady Kiliane. "What's the rush?" Stine said. "The boy's not really of age till Midsummer. Why not let him have his first Festival with someone who doesn't hate him? The girl really loves Mauric. Maybe she won't trample your son so badly when he's a bit older."

"I wish I could," the Protector said, "but I've got problems that won't wait. You heard what my son said about corrupt mages. Imagine how the Council will react if he spouts that in their faces!"

"Yes, especially since many of them first heard it from you," murmured the Guardian.

Tam's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that—or known his aunt was there.

"I learned better," his father replied dryly. "Notice how little good it did? Some of them may know too much about
my son already. How long will it take them to offer him another poisoned cup, especially when they feel threatened by his ideas?"

"Pardon me, Lord Protector, but if you explain your long-term plans to him, he'd be more willing to accept how closely we have to guard him. It's hard on the lad to be kept in the dark. Why else would he run off like that? If only you'd tell him what you told me, he'd probably be a lot more cooperative."

"I know," his father sighed. "It took him till tonight to trust me enough to wear slippers instead of those damn boots. We've got to find a way to see that everyone in Fiallyn Mor has at least
some
magic! Then we won't have this nonsense about mages oppressing everyone else. He's the key to it all, but not if we have to follow some obsolete tradition that didn't make sense the first time around. He has to let me protect him. The only chance for him to stay alive is to do what I tell him."

"Aren't you taking his part in all this for granted?" Stine asked. "He's shy around the lasses yet. Most of them his age are, for all their talk."

"He'll do it. The Red Cup for both of them, if necessary," said the Protector.

Once more Tameron's head ached with a memory he could not reach. Once more an ancient woman's voice chanted
Run, boy, run...
Why did all this feel so
wrong? Maybe my fears were right,
he thought, remembering being terrified of having to live all his days wondering when the next assassin might be successful.
Maybe--if it's true that no magic works on me--maybe that means I won't ever be able to trust anyone.
He trembled with fear.
Father sent me here in the first place because he admitted he couldn't protect me in Kelemath. Even Lochil isn't safe. Stine found the guard who sold me out, but what about the next one? Oh Lord and Lady, what's going to happen to me?

I can't go
back to Kelemath.
He remembered the odd statement that Lorin's friend had made when he'd first come back from Aylar's cabin--'he hasn't been to Kelemath yet.'
What kind of destiny means I have to sacrifice my life? Maybe Lorin and his dragon-worshippers can't be trusted if they save me only so I can die the way they want me to.

He began listening intently again when the Guardian spoke. "Haven't you told him what being immune to magic really means?"

"No, of course not!" his father said angrily. Then his voice became calmer. "I know. I've been avoiding it. All this time he wouldn't give up those boots, even though they had to hurt, because he wouldn't accept my authority. He's not going to like what he hears, and I didn't want him running off and allowing our enemies another chance to capture him for real this time."

"Isn't that part of the risk you take with your plan, my lord?" Stine asked. "If this is all true, there are reasons for those old traditions."

"If Tam isn't going to be Protector after you, and frankly, I'd rather you didn't place him in such danger," said the Guardian, "why not offer him adoption to Randor's family once he's done his Duty? He should live among ordinary people instead of be reminded of his lack every time he turns around. It's the commoners that need his blood the most."

Tameron's heart leaped in hope. Oh, what he'd give for such a haven! During the summers he'd stayed on Randor's farm, he'd always been aware of a gulf between him and all the rest, no matter how kindly they treated him. If he went back without any rank to form a barrier, they might be more of a real family to him. It hurt to realize that his father had been lying to him all a
long about his prospects, but it was a relief, too.
Aylar, I promised you to do my best, but can't you see, I won't be allowed to live long enough to do any good!
He prayed for the Protector to agree to the Guardian's proposal.
Maybe that's what Lorin's friend really meant by saying I needed to return to Kelemath,
he thought again, more soberly.
But what good would it do if my father's enemies kill me before I do anything to help the ordinary people? Then again, maybe I'm just looking for a way out of my promise. Maybe I'm just a coward.
He rubbed the thin scars on the inside of his left wrist.

"Well, at least you think he ought to do his Duty," his father said. "Which he will, starting with Kiliane. According to her, he seems to know it all even at his age."

"From what I learned from the women in Aylar's cabin, the boy was willing but never pushed harder than Marysa wished. Lady Kiliane has made her distaste extraordinarily clear, and Tameron isn't likely to believe she's changed her mind so drastically. I do hope you were joking about the Red Cup, at least for him." The Guardian sounded sure of herself.

"I wish they'd been joking about the Red Cup for me, too," the Protector said bitterly.

"He doesn't have that problem, brother, and he's much younger. The a' Sandega family has other women just as gifted as Kiliane, who aren't already in love with someone else. Why not negotiate for one of them? You know the old man doesn't really care as long as it's one of his clan involved. And then your son can go into obscurity, where he'll be much safer."

Stine interrupted. "Beggi
ng your pardon, my lady, but that won’t work. He'll be in the hills with the rest of the dragons in just a few years, or even sooner if he runs into another crooked mage. Look how long it took for you to find him, and him not really trying to hide. He's good, too. Actually managed to beat me this morning! Most of the better ones give it a try, but they don't do it very often. Your son's had training in arms from me and in strategy from Tayn. Half the guards
here
would follow him anywhere if he asked. If he decides to turn bandit, I don't want to have to go out against him. I'm not even sure I'd win if he were a few years older and had some good people by his side."