Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 9

My fingers flicked on my knee in a rhythm. This was a long time for me to be sitting here. When was that man going to present himself?

I fluttered my eyes upward as the sea blue satin curtains danced with the tender breath of the wind that came through the window.

My body shivered and I exhaled in frustration.

The door latch clicked. I turned and saw a tall man. His hair was rather high, but well-trimmed along the edges.

Those eyes dug into mine as if searching for treasure. The chains connected to the chest badges off his dark brown jacket shook to his sudden stop. His trousers were darker and it complimented his round-mouthed shoes lined with minute green gems with a metal based top.

He smiled. "Ah, you are quite beautiful...for a witch."

He thought I was a witch? Yes, I was with a Terison. That was expected. Then again it could be my lighter skin tone. It is well known that the Ascus royal blood line got muddied from the age of the King Balo.

He was the first to start that lovely practice of marrying outside the Shyia family tribes. It's been a cornerstone of my country ever since. 

Only Ascus practiced it, for elsewhere, it was a grave sin. I was not dying for the sins of my fathers and mothers, so I had to prove my innocence and get out of here. 

Maybe, I could have gotten him to release Valor as well. I needed him if I was to survive, for doing this on my own was going to difficult.

Mindful of what I hid, I turned fully on the stone bench and faced him. "I am not a witch. I am, but a traveler seeking passage through your city. Nothing more."

"I find that hard to believe," he said, a wave of his hand. His wrist covered in a ruffle of white fabric. "After all, he did have tattoos." The hallmark of a witch were their tattoos.

The way he said it I knew it was likely to not be true. If such was the case, I would already be drawn up by the neck in a rope. Unless he wanted to use me; I read a book constructed from the words of scholar Hermes. He accused many nobles of consorting with witches.

That was an odd levy against the Ascus royalty.

No, I could not admit to something I knew nothing about. I needed to find out why I was not thrown in jail alongside him. How did this man know who I was?

"I know he has no tattoos. I have seen the whole of him, completely," I said.

The man's eyes widened. He looked on, mouth agape. Then he shook his head, tightened his lips together and stepped forward. "I see, hmm, where are my manners, I am the Castellan Yodan. Your name, miss?"

I looked away from his gaze. "Beckburt, Illia Beckburt." My gaze met his stark one now.

His face showed nothing, but his eyes wavered in direction. "Beautiful name, beautiful face, you are quite an interesting person."

"Me." My palm motioned at my chest when I looked away from his potent gaze. He looked feverishly at what he desired. What he desired? I feared I owned it.

"Can you release me? You have no evidence to prove your claims. I can call a magistrate and ensure my innocence, but you are a busy man, I am sure. I do not think you want it to come to that."

He made a facial shrug. With hands behind his back, he tilted from side to side. "How long are you going to lie?"

I remained silent. He continued with a low drawl on his voice, "What bothers me is the fact that your sanctity has been stolen by that insolent dog."