Elven Legacy

Chapter 66

Zemisha

She hadn't been allowed outside the guest suite since her stroll on the beach with Myzian.

Which had been nearly two days ago, and felt like more. She'd never known hours could go by so slowly. Three guards stood posted outside her closed door now, instead of the usual two, and they'd installed a brass lock on her window. As if Neros had grown more paranoid than before that she might attempt an escape.

Lakensha had offered to share meals with her, but Zemisha declined every time. She didn't want to see her mother, it frustrated her too much. She really didn't need to hear another speech along the lines of, 'But Neros truly loves you Zemi, what are you waiting for, just marry him and give him babies already!'

Earlier this morning, Zemisha had felt so utterly bored, she'd opened the door to ask the guards if they would like to play chess with her. One of them looked like he was about to accept, or at least consider it, but his colleague elbowed him in the ribs, forcing him to remain silent.

Rolling her eyes, Zemisha had skulked back in, and she'd settled for playing against herself. It provided scant entertainment, to be sure, but all things considered it was better than doing nothing.

It was later in the afternoon, sunlight slanting beams into her suite and revealing dust motes in the air, when Neros came in the room unannounced. She sat upright on the sofa, tightening her night gown around herself.

Her half-brother closed the door and strode to the lounge area, selecting a chaise where he sprawled cross-legged, adjusting his side cloak to avoid crimples. Zemisha crossed her leg too, one bare foot on the velvet carpet. She frowned, unease settling in her stomach. Neros seemed in a cheerful mood, which she wasn't sure boded well. 

"Playing against yourself?" he commented, amused, with a glance over the exquisitely carved chess pieces on the board.

"I was winning too," she replied.

He chuckled, throwing his arms back to cradle his head in his linked hands. He sighed contentedly.

"I'm glad you're here, Zemi," he said, glancing at her sidelong. Funnily enough, he sounded almost honest. Well, in Neros' very own scrambled version of honesty, anyway. It made her feel sick.

"Are you?" she asked. Because you have an awful strange way of showing it, locking me up, isolating me . . .

He ignored her question, giving her one more look – frowning, this time.

"Still in your night clothes?" he said with a disapproving note.

The sea foam gown her mother had picked out for her still lay spread out on the canopy bed, unworn.

"Perhaps," Zemisha said slowly, "if I were allowed out of my room once in a while, that would be motivation to wear the uncomfortably tight garments Lakensha provides me with. As things are," Zemisha added with a small shrug, "I think I'll stick with the night gown."

Neros' eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but then his upbeat mood returned.

"As you wish," he said nonchalantly.

He sat up straight then, swinging his legs to the side and stomping his feet onto the carpet. He glanced again at the chess board on the low table between them, then up once more to meet her eyes, making her nervous. Neros had waltzed in here with something to announce, she could tell.

Oh Goddesses, please let my friends be all right.

Anxiety worried at her and made her shiver, even though the room was comfortably warm. She let out a low, trembling sigh.