Stolen Princess

23. For Just One Moment

The camp is quiet, Talon and Sam sit together at the smouldering fire where an animal rotates on a spit over the coals. My heart jumps to my throat when I see him, and I think on Thio's words again. Would Talon have agreed? 

"You're staring at me, deerling," he says it so low and quiet, I'm suspicious he doesn't want to be over heard. That's fine with me for the moment. I take the last few steps to join him, planting myself beside him on the large stone seat. I wonder if he'll be silent, if he'll ignore me again today, and I wish for something to say.

"Tal -" but before I can think of anything, one huge arm encircles me and I'm pulled into his side.

"Thank you," he whispers into my hair, and this time I'm sure I feel him leave a kiss there, "You saved Naatan, probably me as well... you are a good woman."

"Thought I was a Danaya? Wasn't that impressive enough?" I squeak out, trying to make a joke. But I don't dare move or he may notice that we're touching again... something he's been careful to avoid since his brother woke up.

"Danayas do not have to be good... they simply are. You... you are good," he says again, his praise a low rumble in his chest.

I smile, feel a warmth of pride glow over me at his words. For just one moment my world sits perfect. I let myself lean into his chest, listening to that steady heartbeat. I'm afraid to consider why I feel whole all of the sudden. Instead I just soak it in, pretending nothing can touch us.

"Fiduja!" Sosha's voice sounded a warning in Orc as she emerged from one of the tents. I of course didn't understand what it was, but in an instant Talon's arm dropped away from just before Oren appeared the way Sosha had come.

"I have never seen anyone so stupid!" the Crown Prince fumed as he kicked one of the goblin skulls. At first a shot of guilt went through me, but  then I realized he couldn't know what I had traded Alek earlier. But then Naatan came slinking behind him, his chin all the way to his chest in shame as Oren continued his scolding.

"You do have something to say to the Princess, eh?" Talon reminded the youth in an even tone with a nod in my direction. Naatan's gaze shot to me, and his eyes were red rimmed from crying. I smiled softly at him, my heart squeezing at the thought of his hands on that chopping block. Aleksander was the monster... not these green Orcs.

"Thank you," he warbled out, those round yellow eyes brimming with tears again as he thanked me.

"I - it's... " I fumbled awkwardly, unsure of how to take his gratitude, "Couldn't..." but here I broke off and cleared my throat uncomfortably. Talon chuckled at my struggle, then jerked his chin in my direction. I'd received similar wordless commands from him before, but I wasn't sure what this one was supposed to mean until a blur of green boy ran at me. Throwing his scrawny little arms around me, it was the equivalent of being hugged by Isobel, only he had a death grip around my neck.

"Thank you," he muttered again into my shoulder, and my arms came around him as if it were a reflex, hugging him in return.

"Please never do it again..." I tell him, a sudden lump in my throat, "Alek is... dangerous, alright?"

"Promise," he mutters against me, but it's Talon's dark glare that has me squirming. Sooner or later this Orc will want to know the truth.

"What were you even looking for?" I ask as he pulls away and goes to sit at Sam's side.

"He gathered some of Alek's things," Sosha answers this time, "Enedina can use them to reverse whatever charm is allowing him his winnings."

"We'll go back into the forest as soon as this trial is complete," I answer with a nod. I finally feel like we might find the answers. And since my conversation with my father, I need them.

"Out of the question," Oren says.

"Excuse me?" I stumble over the words in my surprise. Talon gives me a warning glance, and Sosha's lips are smashed together as she watches the exchange.

"Your safety is our priority... not this tournament, and certainly not some human knight winning or losing," the Crown Prince scoffs.

"You know absolutely nothing about it!" I exclaim, standing to my feet, "You forget what's at stake if he wins!"

"It won't matter," Oren says with a wave of his hand as if my words mean nothing. It's something I've seen Alek do a hundred times at least. I bristle immediately, squaring my shoulders for the fight that's coming.

"She's under a blood oath," Sosha points out, and Oren flinches at that news.

"And who let her do that?!" he roars in anger, turning on Talon immediately. I step between them without thinking, and Oren's scowl turns on me immediately.

"We need to go back,"  I repeat, crossing my arms against myself, standing my ground.

"Fine, but you're not coming with us," he concedes, narrowing his eyes at me. I laugh at him in return.

"You will die in the forest without me," I remind him sourly.

"She did save your life..." Sosha points out, "And Tal's... and Naatan's... "

"And yours," I add with a smirk. She rolls her eyes and falls silent, probably regretting helping me.

"No, you're not going back into the forest," Oren insists, shaking his head and pinning me with a glare.

"Oren..." Talon tries this time but Oren cuts him off with another roar.

"No! No more debate - she stays put, and that's an order," he adds firmly, turning to glare at each of us before stalking out of the camp once more. We fall silent for long minutes, but I already know I won't be taking orders from Oren.

"You should go and change," Talon suggests with a nod towards his tent, "Sosha can paint your face with oil this time so that the markings don't wash off in the caverns."

"Stubborn Orc," I mutter over my shoulder before I slip inside Talon's tent.

It smells like him in here. I like that about it. There's a mass of furs and pillows in one corner where I'm sure he sleeps and then an array of weapons in another.

A familiar set of clothes is waiting for me on the table inside, and I latch the tent flap before stripping out of my gown and slippers. In only a few minutes I'm back in the black leather jerkin, chest bindings and armored boots. I pull on the fingerless leather hand sheaths, slipping the knives Alder gave me in at each wrist.

I think of him again, all alone in that dungeon and feel a warmth in my chest at the thought we won't be telling him his son is now without both hands. Alder will not be thrilled when he hears what Alek has done... but I doubt he'll be able to do anything about it. No one ever has been able to do anything about Alek.