A Crown of Stars by L. E. Bryce

Author:L. E. Bryce
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Phaze

Part Three

Closer Than Lovers

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Chapter Thirteen

Absolutely not.

In the last three days, Zhanil had heard those two words more times than he cared to count, until he had to shut them out. For once, his grandfather made his will known, yet even then Zhanil did not know what to think.

"This may not seem like a wise course of action,” said Ampheres, “but I have weighed the matter and decided that you should go. Arzhati gives his assurances that you will be perfectly safe, and he knows, as I do, that it would utterly foolish for him not to keep his word.” In fact, the invitation had been worded in such terms that implied a refusal was unacceptable. “This is an opportunity for us to strengthen our ties with the Turyar and present a united front against our enemies in Tajhaan. I expect that you will do us credit abroad."

I am going to Rhodeen, openly and by invitation. It was what Zhanil had wanted from the beginning, to see his father's homeland with his own eyes, but his excitement was watered with equal parts apprehension. Although his father had once told him that Arzhati wanted to reconcile with his wife's kinsman and establish good relations with his neighbors, Zhanil could not fathom why he would extend an invitation to a teenage prince he did not quite trust.

Naturally, his parents opposed the idea, his father even more than his mother. “This is foolish,” said Sephil. “Why your grandfather is allowing you to go, I do not know."

Ketalya agreed with him. “He has no thought at all for your safety."

Right away, the Turya ambassadors took pains to reassure them. “This is a great honor,” said Lakkel. “The turkan much desires to meet his wife's kinsmen, and as he respects Prince Sephil's desire to remain in Khalgar, he invites Prince Zhanil in his father's place. I assure you, the prince will be completely safe. No one would dare harm a hearth-guest of the turkan."

Kalmeki nodded agreement. “I will accompany the prince to Rhodeen, and bring him back safely."

Only now, after a separation of ten weeks, was Zhanil able to see his lover, and then only among others. They were never alone, and when they spoke to each other it was always with the utmost formality. Such proximity and lack of acknowledgement stung enough that Zhanil began to wish one of the other ambassadors would accompany him instead.

I understand why he does it, and if I were wiser I would welcome it and do likewise. In private, he felt sullen, wanting to refuse the invitation altogether, to lash out and banish Kalmeki from both his thoughts and his presence. How can Grandfather even think to let him come with me? It should be Lakkel, or even Nesha.

As senior ambassador to Khalgar, Nesha would stay in Bhellin, and Lakkel had just returned from Rhodeen, leaving the younger Kalmeki to make the trip. Zhanil knew his grandfather did not trust him enough or his feelings for Kalmeki to let him go alone.

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