My extensive training stretched for a brutal two weeks. Vanora instructed and demonstrated on how to act like a woman born in Dwarkaa High Society, a true citizen of the ruling land mass. I was not the best student. My revulsion with the new set of directives did not diminish during my preparation. Stepping into High Society felt detestable to me.
Being a mighty warrior from Akoni Farrin, second in command to Clan Leader, Xiomara, had not equipped me for the world I was suddenly forced to embrace. Battle, war and killing was my comfort zone. Pretending to be a high-born, elegant woman of Dwarkaa seemed like a death sentence to everything I valued and to the vow I’d made. I’d promised myself I would never marry. Suddenly I was pressured to do exactly that, all in the name of advancing the revolution. I struggled to believe I was capable of deceiving the man I was supposed to pursue or the one who may desire to court me.
I moved into the fine estate that my falsified paperwork said I inherited from a supposed deceased uncle. My new name became Tamasa, niece of Krishay, former advisor and confidant of Casimer. Krishay was a rare one, the only one in Casimer’s Inner Circle who’d ever died of natural causes.
Most of those close to Casimer were murdered or done away with in one horrible scenario or another. That despot is eternally suspicious, paranoid and vindictive. No one lives long under his employ.
Having relations to such an esteemed member of Casimer’s Royal Inner Circle granted me many privileges and opportunities. All the hierarchy in the Grand Capital City of Dwarkaa learned of my existence and my rights to all of Krishay’s property and riches. Apparently I was the only rightful heir of his estate. His children had all died or been murdered and his wife’s life was cut short by his own hand many years ago. Vanora’s research and manipulation made sure there were no other heirs.
Wearing an ostentatious gown, that felt overly tight and constricting, I was sitting at a desk in a garishly ornamented room, writing in my diary when the First Footman entered. The creaking door was the sign that I was not alone.
Turning to face him, he said, “Excuse me, Miss Tamasa. There is a gentleman here to see you. Should I bring him in?”
“What is his name?” I asked in the lilting voice I was taught.
“Daegel, Miss Tamasa.”
With my back straight, my nose elevated to show my station, I responded. “All right. See him in.”
He left and I stood and walked over to the elaborate sitting area, the benches and cushioned chairs surrounding what they call a fireplace. The stones used in its face, which rose to meet the ceiling, were carefully selected to fit together with precision and appeared like a work of a stonemason’s artistry. I was continually in awe of the lavishness of the home. Never had I seen such luxury before.
My humble abode on my home farrin of Akoni was like a pauper’s residence in comparison. Although I now found myself dropped into the lap of affluence, I longed for what I was most familiar with. The disparity made me feel like an unprepared warrior in a surprise attack with zero weapons and no battle advantage. The discomfort was as though I was standing before the world naked and exposed.
Noise at the door stopped my processing and I noticed a tall, handsome man enter. Vanora had told me about Daegel, the man I was supposed to catch. He was even more impressive than what she described. His attire was striking, the typical black suit of those who served in Casimer’s employ, with red and yellow detail on the edges of his jacket sleeves, pocket and lapel. His hat was one of the higher ranked models of those in the elite core of Casimer’s employees and it too had red and yellow detail. He was no ordinary Royal Guard. I stood and he came forward.
Taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a kiss, Daegel said, “Miss Tamasa. I am so sorry for your loss. Your uncle, Krishay, was a fine man and I’m sure he’s enjoying all the benefits and joy of the Great Land of Efa.”
Efa does not exist, you fool!
I restrained my thoughts and said, “Thank you. Although I did not know him well, I have been told what a powerful and successful man he was. I feel overwhelmed at my sudden station.”
“A station that you well deserve. I heard that you moved here from outside of Dwarkaa City, from one of the outlying towns. I was informed that you left quite the large home behind.”
I allowed a small smile. “Yes. I did. I have servants and guards who are taking care of my other property.” The property he spoke of was not really mine, although it did exist and I had stepped in as the falsified heiress. Hopefully Daegel would never find out.
The home that supposedly belonged to me was populated by revolutionaries. Razmig and Vanora were living there with a host of others. The property belonged to a wealthy man, a merchant and ship captain who died an untimely death at the hands of a rival competitor. Although he’d had a daughter to inherit his estate, Vanora was able to secure the home for the cause and ensured that the daughter disappeared. I’d never heard what became of her and had never asked. I was chosen to replace her, impersonate her, so my new name became Tamasa.
Greed shone from Daegel’s eyes but he said, “You are very favored to have such good people to support you during your bereavement.”
All those pompous, airy words were boring me to tears. In character, I said, “Do sit, Daegel. Keep me company.”
He bowed at the waist and sat opposite me.
A kitchen servant, a young teenage boy, entered the room with a tray holding a tea pot, tea cups and some sort of delicacy, biscuits of some kind. We waited until he’d served us and departed before continuing our conversation.
Daegel averted his eyes from my chest and found my eyes. “I would like to court you.”
At least he didn’t mince words. I appreciated that in a man, however pretentious and self-absorbed he appeared to be. I didn’t respond immediately but studied him openly, my eyes scanning his frame from top to bottom.
He simply smiled in amusement. He finally said, “Unless you have been visited by another and perhaps more agreeable man.”
“There have been others that have come, fine, high ranking members in Dwarkaa’s Domain. I clearly have a difficult choice to make.”
“Surely you have not met anyone as eligible as I.”
He was a cocky one. I said, “Have you taken a coverling before?”
“Never. I just became eligible to take a wife six months ago.”
“And you waited until now to move forward?” I’d learned that men never waited to take a coverling after becoming qualified and receiving the royal grant to do so. I wondered why he waited six months.
“I was waiting for the right one.”
“And you think you’ve found her?”
“I’m very sure.”
“Covering a woman that has wealth will draw many a man.”
“I was told of your great beauty and had to see it for myself. I am not disappointed.”
“Beauty or money? Which one has the greatest pull?”
“Both are equally attractive. But I want to assure you, as a high ranking Royal Guard Leader, I have wealth of my own. Casimer repays my service well.”
“I would be interested in seeing what you own.”
His face lit up. “Of course. That is an acceptable step towards a mutual agreement. You may come for dinner tomorrow night. I will tell my kitchen staff to prepare for your visit.”
I nodded.
He took the bag at his side and dug inside. Pulling out a velveteen box he stood, came forward, knelt before me and opened it. “A gift for the exceptionally beautiful heiress of Krishay Manor.”
Looking at what he held, I was spellbound for a moment. Placing a hand to my chest as I’d been taught, I said, “It’s truly breathtaking.”
“Not as breathtaking as you, my dear Tamasa.”
He removed the sparkling emerald and amethyst necklace encased in gold settings and held it out. “May I place it around your neck?”
I smiled and nodded.
He stood and went behind my chair. I used all the self control I could muster to not rush from my seat, remove the blade tucked discreetly into my skirts and attack him. Never did I, as a warrior, allow anyone to stand behind me. The opportunity for an ambush was too great. The defenseless I felt was suffocating and my breaths came fast and furious. I hoped he wasn’t noticing my discomfort.
With the clasp in place, he put his hands on my shoulders and moved them ever so slightly to caress my neck with his thumbs.
I moved my head and lifted my shoulders to encourage him to stop. He went back to his seat looking victorious.
“It looks stunning on you.”
“Thank you for the gift. It is very generous. But you must know this will not influence my decision. I will pick the best man when I do decide to be covered.”
“Of course. I would expect nothing less. The decision will always be yours.”
He looked too smug for my liking.
“How many others have you courted and given gifts to?”
“Not that many, only a few,” he said.
“Tell me their names,” I demanded.
Exhaling loudly through his nose and lowering his eyes to study his hands, he finally looked at me and said, “There are three others that I’ve considered in the last months, Fia, Layal and Maura. Each one is a great beauty but I found them deficient in intelligence and maturity. Now you, you have a quality I have not seen in other women. There is an edge to you and sharpness to your character that I find intriguing. I can see history in those dark eyes of yours that I would love to learn more about. I have a sense that there is so much more to you than being an elegant heiress of Krishay’s massive estate. I desire to know all I can of you and I do hope you will allow me to learn more of your past.”
I allowed a small smile but inside I was fighting the urge to tell him where to stick his desire. He would never know my past. I would have to fabricate my history to a degree that would hopefully satisfy his curiosity. I again despised all the pretense of my new life.
Daegel asked, “And you? I’m sure a beautiful, desirable woman like you has had many suitors. Do you care to share the names with me?”
“I do not. I have had many interested males fawning for my attention over the years but I resisted each and every one of them.”
Daegel looked shocked. “Why?”
“I had other priorities and projects.” Thinking quickly, I said, “Studying books, writings and my various interests kept me entirely occupied.” I learned to read a little, my mother taught me while she lived but I didn’t read well. I hoped that Daegel wouldn’t ask who my favorite authors were. I could not name one.
“What kind of interests took up so much time that you didn’t invite any suitor?”
“I was captivated with the art of throwing knives. This fascination started when I was a young child.”
Daegel’s lips twisted in confusion. “And your parents allowed a daughter to learn this skill?”
“Yes. My father was very forward thinking. He is the one who taught me.”
“Interesting. I would like to see you practice sometime.”
“Perhaps that can be arranged.”
“What other things took up your time?”
I was tempted to say sparing, killing, hunting and warring but that would blow my cover.
With a slight tilt of my head to make myself appear more ladylike, I said, “I do some sewing, just a little on the side. Of course we had a seamstress in house so it was not a requirement but I was fascinated by the skill.”
Seamstress, my foot! I did all my own sewing, repairing rips and tears after a war and making my warrior garb from rough farrin-clad leather.
The next idea came from something Vanora had suggested. While in training for high society at the home Vanora and Razmig lived in, they showed me the few horses on the estate that were housed in a stable out back. They even taught me how to ride one in a ladylike style. The wide field to the side of the home was a perfect place for me to learn. Vanora suggested I give the impression that I grew up riding and training horses. She gave me some tips, the verbiage to use in describing everything from harness to hoofs, and everything in between.
“Have you ever ridden a horse?” I asked.
“No, but I have been in many carriages. I leave the dirty horse work for others.”
“I grew up riding and training horses. That was one of my great loves, my pastimes.”
“Really?” he said, with respect in his eyes. “And you have your own stables here, don’t you? I have heard that you own many fine horses.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Perhaps you could teach me to ride.”
I lowered my chin and blinked slowly in an endearing way, the way Vanora had demonstrated, and said, “If you wish, of course.”
“I do wish.” His face was fixed on studying my eyes, his interest clearly piqued. “You are a fascinating woman, Tamasa. I will enjoy getting to know you better.”
“Now tell me, what are your hobbies and interests?”
With a chuckle, he said, “Although I was raised in luxury and with certain privileges, my father was a hard man and he was eager to teach me the hard path of life, prepare me for what lay ahead in entering Casimer’s employ. My childhood was wrapped around my training and although, at the time I thought it harsh and difficult, it prepared me well for the rigors of my position. Being a Royal Guard Squad Leader over a regiment of Royal Guards is my only passion and interest.”
“It sounds like you are a very single-focused man.”
“If by that you mean boring and dull, I would disagree.”
“Tell me more.”
“I know how to romance a woman and I do sing and play the dulcimer as a pastime.”
“Really?” I asked, truly feeling surprised. “You will play for me when I come to visit?”
“I will. My mother loved music and she sometimes sang. She is the one who taught me how to play the dulcimer. I also write my own songs.”
“Is that so?” I didn’t know a soul who could play an instrument or write songs. The luxury of a musical instrument was not found on the lowly land masses and I’d never seen one on Akoni Farrin.
“I also have quite the sense of humor. I think I will keep you laughing and keep a smile on that beautiful face of yours.”
“We shall see. I’m not given much to laughing.”
“I can see that. What makes you so serious?”
“Must you ask?”
“Is it due to all your loss? I’ve learned that you are the only one left of your entire family.”
“I’m sure that has something to do with it.”
“Give me a chance and I will give you reason to laugh again.”
I stood, done with the futile chit-chatting. I didn’t have time to laugh. I found it an unnecessary burden, a high-born Dwarkaa trait which I deemed tiresome. There was nothing in the world to feel merry about, except removing Casimer from his position of High Ruler but I could not voice such a sentiment.
Daegel also stood, bowed at the waist, straightened and said, “I will look forward to your visit tomorrow night.” Stepping forward, he took my hand, lifted it to kiss it and, with a mischievous smile, turned and left the room.
When the door closed behind him, I sank down into my seat with relief. I didn’t know how I would tolerate a full evening with the pompous, self-absorbed imbecile. Imagining a lifetime of being his wife made me absolutely dread my future.
