At that instant, hiding behind the large potted plant, watching my woman and Struble converse on the back deck of the Grand Ball Room as though it was permitted caused my flesh to boil with rage.
Ship Captain Struble moved in close to Tilly and said, “I don’t think I’ve seen a more stunning creature. Why would you settle for someone like Donagh? There are more dashing men available on Dwarkaa.”
I estimated he was a good five years younger than I and wondered if he’d already taken a woman under his roof. Some men are eager to add to their households. I didn’t know this man well, seen him only a handful of times but we’d never spoken. I despised Captain Struble in that moment, the threat he was to my future with Tilly and his audacity to approach her when she was alone. I had no illusions of trust toward Tilly either.
Tilly turned her pretty face to look at the tall, dark man and said, “Who could be more dashing than Donagh?”
Strubel chuckled. “Yes he is quite the catch, especially since his promotion. I can see that there’d be an attraction”
A flash of uncertainty appeared on Tilly’s face but she covered quickly and asked, “What have you heard of his promotion?”
“Who hasn’t heard of his promotion? It’s an astounding twist coming from the Royal Palace. Who knew that the southeastern most farrins could suddenly become so important? The shift still astounds me. The Palace’s proclamation has caught everyone by surprise.”
I could see Tilly’s interest soar, her eyes probing his. “Do you know why the southern farrins have drawn Casimer’s attention?”
Strubel smiled wide. “I didn’t come out here to speak of Casimer. I came to spend time with the most beautiful woman at the ball. Would you like to join me in a stroll on the royal grounds?” He offered her his arm and waited.
Tilly turned away from him and said, “I don’t think Donagh would approve.”
“He’d never have to know.”
“And how would this benefit me?”
Strubel chuckled and said, “Ah, a woman who knows how to barter. I haven’t met someone like you in a long time except maybe at the bathhouse. To get them to lower the price they charge is always good fun and sometimes a challenge.” He grinned wide like a youth just beginning to notice the opposite sex.
Tilly frowned deeply at the insinuation and said, “And you never will again. This conversation has grown sour. You need to leave now. I don’t typically consort with low-lifes like you, unless I’m slitting a throat.”
Strubel’s smile vanished. “A fine lady like you slitting someone’s throat? Don’t you mean hovering in the kitchen, slicing a piece of bread for your man?”
“Stick around long enough and your blood will flow as red as any man’s.”
Strubel looked utterly stumped at Tilly’s bold statement and I inwardly applauded her.
Strubel nodded uncertainly and said, “Well, it was nice meeting your acquaintance. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again. Perhaps the next time we meet you will have thought over my offer and changed your mind.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t wish for that. Death comes soon enough.” Tilly’s look was fierce, deadly enough to make the strongest man wince.
The man looked bewildered, backed away and returned to the ball room. Tilly resumed her stance of inspecting the expansive yard and lake.
I left my hiding spot behind the plant, walked up next to her, placed my hands on the rail, looked towards the grounds and said, “It’s a beautiful view.”
Surprise lit her eyes as she turned to appraise me. “Where did you come from?”
“I had to check on my coverling, make sure that ravenous wolves weren’t stalking you.”
She made a grunting noise. “You overhead my conversation with Strubel, didn’t you?”
“You answered well.”
“I didn’t answer like a well-bred woman of Dwarkaa. My reply was in keeping with my warrior status on Akoni.”
“I quite enjoyed your reply.”
She chuckled and I looked into her eyes and smiled.
A comfortable silence surrounded us for a moment. I felt thankful that we were conversing in an amiable way. Our interactions had been too fraught with tension at my home. The best Tilly had accomplished was to tolerate me and in that moment we were actually enjoying each other’s company.
Tilly said, “You know what the best thing is about this ball?”
“No, what?”
She pointed down to her legs. “No chains. I actually feel human.”
I nodded and said, “The chains are your choice. If you’d promise to stay home and not run I’d remove the chains.”
“I promise I’ll stay home and not run.” There was no conviction in her voice.
I held out my arm and asked her, “Would you like to take a stroll around the lake?”
“Yes. I’ll soon be chained again so why not enjoy my freedom while I have it.” Her sarcasm was not missed.
She placed her hand through my arm and I led her down the wide steps and on to the pathway that circled the small lake. It was a wonderful walk, the woman I wanted at my side, her warmth doing crazy things to my flesh.
“So tell me,” she started, as we reached the halfway point on the path, “why is it that everyone knows about your promotion except me?”
“Well, notices have been posted in every public forum throughout Dwarkaa’s Domain.”
“Ah. And since I’m confined to the house, I have not seen them.” She grew silent for a while. “And why did you not tell me about it? You know my farrin is in the southeast. You didn’t think I’d care?” She pulled her hand from my arm, stopped and turned accusing eyes to me.
I came to a standstill, gazed into her mesmerizing eyes and said, “I couldn’t think of how to broach the subject.”
“You didn’t think I’d be upset that my man is the ship captain who inflicts pain and anguish on my fellow clan members?”
“Your clan is now here, in Dwarkaa’s Domain. You are now one of us – a resident of Dwarkaa City.”
“I will always be an Akoni clan member. My relocation has not changed that.”
“So, tell me about Akoni. What is it like? What should I expect? Is the leader difficult to deal with?”
“I will not tell you anything of Akoni.”
“I could torture you to get information.”
“Is that how you treated all your former coverlings?”
“Perhaps.”
“Maybe I should slit your throat before you’d have the opportunity.”
She was a brash woman and I rarely anticipated her bold words. Tilly reminded me somewhat of my deceased mother but my mother still retained a measure of class in her outbursts.
Tilly flung her head sideways, causing loose tendrils of hair to swing on the breeze. “The only way I’ll tell you anything is conditional on one thing.”
“And what is that?” I was curious at what type of stipulation she’d demand. I was anticipating her insistence to be let loose from her chains, something I was not yet prepared to do, especially with my trip looming.
“You take me with you on your tour of the southeastern farrins.”
“Never. Women are not allowed on any ship.”
“I’ve been on a ship before.”
“And that was your only and final voyage.”
“Then you’ll never learn what I know of Akoni.”
“I can force you to talk.”
“You’ll be long dead before that.” Tilly said it with such conviction that I wondered if she’d actually do it.
I felt unsure of her threats and only glared menacingly at her, hoping it would intimidate her.
“Purchase some new, fine leather and have Una sew me new warrior’s clothing. I’ll be joining you on your next voyage.” With that she left me and headed back toward the Royal Ball Room.
I watched as she circled the lake, ascended the steps to the back veranda and disappeared through the large glass doors.
Tilly had taken control of our relationship and I didn’t know how that had happened. The trajectory switch left me feeling feeble, exposed and angry. Somehow I had to take the reins back again. No decorated or high-ranking sea captain allowed his woman to dominate him. I followed her, racking my mind as to how to cow her into submission.
