21. High Treason
1202 Words
Tasmina
The celebrations, if you could call them that, went on for the rest of the day. There was a party taking place on the streets of Daro for the crowning of the new king… though I had heard more than a few whispers already about the mystic witch that most probably bewitched the king into marrying her. I thought of Mama and refused to let it get to me.
“Turn the other cheek,” she used to say, whenever I’d get into a scrap with one of the children who lived in our neighbourhood.
“What, so they can slap that one too?” I used to retort, every single time.
And each time she would laugh and shake her head at me.
As the party outside the gates grew louder, I longed to be out with them. I realised with a pang, had I not been mated to Rikom, I would be. Dancing and drinking with my friends, with my family. With Mama. I wondered what she would think of all this now. There wasn’t a single thing about her I didn’t miss. Her warmth, her love, her smell. And the way she would make you feel at ease with a single look. It was her ability as a mystic, but for me, it was her ability as a mother.
As afternoon grew into evening and my jaw began to hurt from smiling and greeting Rikom’s family, he looked at me with eyes full of concern.
Are you alright? he linked.
I grinned. Goddess forbid the new, mighty king showed public concern for his wife.
Are you worried, King Rikom?
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth but he refused to give into it. It made me smile wider nonetheless.
Does my concern amuse you, Queen Tasmina?
I was startled at being called a queen. This would take some getting used to.
I’m just tired, that is all, I replied.
He gave me an imperceptible nod and then rose from his throne.
“I will now retire with my Queen. I thank you all for sharing this day with us. Please, feel free to continue on with the celebrations on our behalf,” he said, nodding at them all formally.
A loud cheer rose up from the crowd. He allowed himself a small smile, but as the roar of the crowd died down, a drunk reveller spoke far louder than he had intended.
“Apparently any street riffraff can become a queen nowadays.”
I chose to ignore it, but Rikom did not. His eyes narrowed, zoning in on their target.
“What did you say?”
His voice was low, menacing as the man’s eyes widened.
“My… my King, I didn’t mean to say… I…” he began to stammer, backing away slowly towards the pillars.
“You dare insult my Queen?” Rikom said, his voice rising.
I placed a hand on his arm quickly as he stepped towards him.
“My king, let us not ruin the festivities. We have all spouted nonsense after too many goblets of wine… isn’t that right, good sir?” I said, glaring at him pointedly.
He fell prostrate onto the floor.
“Of course, my Queen. Nonsense as you say… I shall stop drinking at once.”
I laughed, squeezing Rikom’s arm.
“Please, dear man, don’t stop drinking on my behalf. My king, if you would take me to our chambers,” I said, turning my attention back to him.
Flames danced in his brown eyes as he glared at the man. But I didn’t let go of his arm and he eventually relented, stalking towards the chambers. I gave a quick smile to my family, who were sitting at a table drinking.
We shall talk tomorrow, I linked them all.
They raised their goblets as I left the hall, not letting go of Rikom’s arm until we were safely behind the closed doors of his chambers.
—
Rikom
As soon as the door was shut, she turned on me, her onyx eyes blazing.
“What were you thinking?” she hissed.
I was more than slightly taken aback – this I hadn’t been expecting. Maybe a thank you, even a kiss perhaps, for defending her honour. But the venom with which she rounded on me, I had not been prepared for.
“What? He insulted you and you just let him get away with it? I would have taken off his head for a lot less,” I growled.
She let out an exasperated cry and threw her hands into the air.
“You can’t just snap off the head of anyone who insults me. You’ll really be eating into the population of Daro, let me tell you.”
“Tasmina, I will not bear an insult to my wife,” I argued.
“Rikom, you must. This will only get worse before it gets better. There has never before been a mystic queen. Wolves aren’t exactly open to change,” I reasoned.
“It is high treason!” I said, angrily.
I couldn’t believe she was defending the vulgar actions of a drunk fool.
“Oh goddess, stop being so dramatic. It is not treason and I will not have you spilling blood in my name,” she said, crossing her arms stubbornly.
It was my turn to let out an angry cry.
“So you expect me to stand by and let people insult you? Insult the Queen of Zamee? Is that what you’re asking of me? To be weak?”
Her eyes rolled and despite my anger, I wanted to see her do it again.
“When will men ever see the strength in showing restraint? Do you know what a weakness is, Rikom? Allowing the words of a drunk i***t to force you into doing something you can’t take back.”
“I would have regretted nothing,” I replied.
“You realise this will get far worse? People think I have bewitched you, Rikom. They think I have used my mystic abilities to force you to marry me. There will be things said about me that are far worse than what that moronic man said today.”
Truth be told, I was completely and utterly bewitched by her, but her mystic abilities had nothing to do with it. I didn’t think now was the best time to share this little tidbit, though.
“Tasmina, you underestimate how willing I am to cut down any and every soul that crosses you.”
“Goddess above, why are you so stubborn?”
“Me? I’m stubborn? If I remember correctly, my queen, you got your own way back there.”
“Oh please, Rikom, the man barely escaped with his life.”
“Now who’s being dramatic?” I replied, smiling slightly.
She sighed, her face flushed with exasperation, taking her crown off and placing it gently onto the table.
“I don’t understand why you can’t just let these things lie.”
It was my turn to take a deep breath.
“Because, Tasmina, I am hopelessly and emphatically in love with you.”
- Writer
