Tasmina
Just after noon, the emissary finally arrived. After spending the morning with Rikom in the pool, not even the cruellest of whispers could tarnish my mood. We stood at the steps of the palace. I had ensured the entire royal family was there to greet him; the more welcoming we seemed, the better for negotiations.
“I can’t believe we’re standing out here waiting to greet a common messenger from Nordicia,” Salma complained.
“The more honour we give, the more we receive in return,” I said aloud, without turning around to look at her.
“Let me guess, something your mother taught you?” she retorted.
I resisted the urge to hoist my elbow into her mouth to quieten her. Instead I turned sharply to look her dead in the eye.
“Yes, actually. It seems my mother’s limited interaction wi
