17. Terms
1694 Words
Tasmina
“What? Are you insane?” Felan shouted.
We had been summoned to the palace and were sitting in their dining chambers. Rikom had just told us of his plan to wed me within the next two days.
“This is not happening,” Faris agreed. “Mina, tell them.”
I looked at Rikom, who sat with his fingertips touching, resting contemplatively against his lips. He seemed unperturbed by the whole fiasco as my brothers stood angrily. He took a deep breath, then rose.
He was a mountain of a man. I was nearly six foot tall, and he was almost a full head taller than me. His broad shoulders flexed as he drew himself to his full height.
“I appreciate your opinions. But the only opinion that matters to me is that of your sister.”
He looked at me then, his amber eyes piercing.
“I have some conditions,” I said, quietly.
“Name them,” he said, sharply.
“My family will still be permitted to live on the palace grounds.”
“This was never in contention.”
“My family includes… another mystic. She is my sister.”
“Is this the Rai mystic that your mother was rumoured to have taken in?” Queen Maha asked sharply.
“We do not judge by the sins of her mother,” I replied sharply. “She is my sister and therefore a part of this family.”
“Done,” Rikom said, despite his mother’s furrowed brow.
“And… I wish to reinstate the Queen’s Guard,” I said, quietly.
Rikom raised his eyebrow.
“I know women who could have your men flat on their backs before they so much as draw their swords,” I said, defiantly.
He didn’t smile… I noticed it was something he often refrained from doing. But his eyes narrowed and shimmered with a mischievous glint.
“Fine, done. Anything else you require?”
“I will still practise as a royal mystic. Any future markings for the royals, healing, births. I will perform my duties as expected.”
He raised his eyebrow at this. Before he could speak, I continued.
“It is who I am… I…” a lump formed in my throat as I thought of Mama. “I must not forget who I am. And where I come from.”
He considered me carefully, then nodded.
“Do you have any terms for me?” I asked
I could tell the question took them all by surprise, his mother and brother included, their eyes widening.
“No, no requirements. Although if you’ll allow me to make a suggestion…”
“Please, do continue,” I said.
His mouth twitched as he resisted the urge to smile.
“Queen Maha has served this kingdom for two decades as Luna and Queen. I suggest that you learn all you can from her… for ease in this transition.”
“It would be an honour,” I said, turning to Queen Maha and bowing.
She bowed her head to me and smiled.
“By goddess, if that wasn’t the most romantic proposal I have ever heard,” Rodin blurted out.
Felan was the first to laugh, before we all steadily joined in. Rikom’s mouth turned in a small, half smile as he glanced at his brother.
“So, we are agreed. In two days time, Tasmina Miya Kaiz will wed Rikom Iza Zal. Do you have any requirements for the wedding?”
“Uh… umm… no?” I answered, unsure. “Just… small, please. I do not wish for any grandiosity.”
Queen Maha raised her brow at me.
“An unfussy bride… how rare, indeed. Well, small and simple it is. I shall have your belongings moved from your home in Daro immediately. I will have an omega take you to your new residence once we have eaten lunch,” Queen Maha said, pragmatically.
She was a pragmatic woman. The only real warmth I had seen from her was towards Rodin, otherwise she seemed practical and safely distanced from things around her. But that was not to say she was unkind. It was just something I was unaccustomed to.
“We must find a mystic to perform the wedding ritual… sadly, you cannot do that yourself,” Queen Maha said, smiling wryly.
“Ruki can do it,” I said.
Queen Maha shook her head immediately.
“We cannot allow this, forgive me. It is enough that a Rai mystic will live on these palace grounds. You may choose the mystic you wish, but this we cannot allow.”
When Rikom didn’t disagree with her, I sighed.
“Fine. Then it will be Mama’s old friend, aunty Aliza.
Queen Maha nodded.
“I will have her notified, unless you wish to do that yourself. Please inform her to be discreet, if so.”
I nodded.
“I will tell her myself.”
“Then it is decided.”
It felt surreal that my upcoming nuptials had been as a result of what felt like bartering in the marketplace. I turned to my brothers.
“Well, Mina. Congratulations,” Faris said, giving me a small smile.
“Our sister, the Queen of Zamee,” Felan said, laughing and grabbing me in a hug.
Hearing it filled me a feeling of absolute terror.
—
Rikom
“You have an hour to talk with your bride. Then you will not see her until your wedding,” Queen Maha said, matter of factly, as we finished lunch.
Tasmina seemed surprised by this, but she said nothing.
“Would you care to walk with me, Tasmina?” I asked.
She raised her eyebrow. We had spoken every night for two years, but now that she was in front of me, I realised I spoke to her as though we barely knew one another. She stood up to join me and I offered her my arm.
When she took it, a jolt went through the entirety of my body. I tried not to react, but when she gasped, I couldn’t help but smile. I took her through the Hall of Judgement, choosing to take her to the back of the gardens where we would be less likely to be disturbed.
“Finally, he smiles,” she said, teasingly.
“What?”
“You don’t smile very often, Prince Rikom.”
“Call me Rikom. And why should I smile?”
She was quiet for a moment as we walked towards a small cluster of trees.
“Because… it is a very nice smile.”
She blushed slightly, and something in me stirred.
“A nice smile. There are many in Zamee with nice smiles,” I replied.
She smiled widely and I stopped to look at her.
“Your smile, on the other hand, is incomparable. It lights up the world like the sun breaking at dawn.”
She darkened as she blushed and she avoided my gaze.
“Why, Rikom, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were flirting with me.”
“Then you most certainly don’t know any better, for I am certainly trying,” I replied, grinning at her.
Her breath hitched for a moment.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, concerned.
“Yes… it’s just… you should definitely smile more often,” she said, shyly.
Goddess, she was a vision. Not only was I the first king to find my mate in seven generations, but my mate also happened to be the most exquisite woman I had ever laid eyes on.
“I am… sorry… about your mother,” I said, quietly.
Her eyes were saddened and I felt immediately foolish for bringing it up.
“I… I can’t help but feel it was my fault. I insisted upon coming. She would have never been there if I had just…”
“You shouldn’t think that way. Your mother certainly wouldn’t approve.”
She raised her brow.
“And just how would you know that?”
“I have been on the receiving end of a very thorough scolding by your mother… I think I gauged a good enough idea of what would and wouldn’t garner her approval.”
She laughed at this, the sound soft, tinkling almost, as gentle as the breeze that wafted through her hair now.
“I have never seen Mama that way,” she said, remembering the day.
“Well then, I feel even more honoured,” I said.
She laughed again and I promised myself to do whatever it took to hear it more often.
“I… I am worried that I will forget her face. I’m terrified that I’ll forget her voice, her laugh… her smell.”
I was quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. Where was Rodin when you needed him?
“Well, I can’t speak for her smell… but her laugh… I hear it in yours. And her face… you need only look in a mirror, Tasmina. For you are as beautiful as your mother, with a voice that moves the earth, just as hers once did.”
She stopped walking and let go of my arm, turning to face me. Suddenly, she flung her arms around my neck and I stood, eyes wide as she pressed her body against me. My fists were clenched by my side as I suppressed every urge. Slowly, I pressed my palms into the small of her back and held her. She gasped quietly and I thought I might die from want.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice in my ear as her lips grazed against it.
Something in my shalwar stirred. Goddess, I had never wanted something to never end but also stop immediately before I had to explain to my future wife why she was being unceremoniously poked in the stomach by my wayward c*ck.
Mercifully, she let me go.
“I’m sorry… I don’t know what came over me… you’re just very… sweet.”
Sweet? Well, that was a first. I hoped to enjoy many more firsts with her.
- Writer
