Page 117 of Somber Prince

The cooling air was fresh and light. So unlike the weight pressing heavily on my chest. I didn’t know my mother well enough to predict what to expect in Kalmena, and uncertainty bothered me.

Alzali moved her arm in a wide gesture at one of the camels waiting outside. “If you please, Your Highness.”

I helped Dawn climb into the wide double seat before following her up as well. The dark, protective fabric had been pulled back, only the long gossamer curtains softly swayed in the breeze, framing the seat. My cousin hadn’t lied when she said we’d ride in comfort.

The long caravan of the queen’s warriors stretched as far as the eye could see behind us. In the front, there were only a few horses and the camel with Alzali. By etiquette, my cousin belonged behind me in a procession. The fact that she rode ahead proved I was not a guest or a visitor but a prisoner, detained and escorted to the queen.

“Do these hurt?” Dawn glared at the clips on my tendrils.

“No, my treasure.”

The iron clips were similar to those worn by Joy Keepers in the sarai. There was no pain from them, but my ego had been bruised by the way Alzali slipped them on me without a warning or my consent.

I could’ve fought her and all those who’d come with her. Either way, I would’ve lost with so many warriors against me, but making it difficult for Alzali to detain me would’ve given me some satisfaction in the end. Except that Dawn was with me, and I couldn’t put her in danger.

Curled against my side, she kept quiet. The iron clips around my tendrils incapacitated my magic, preventing me from dipping into her emotions. But I didn’t need to use the tendrils to know that she was worried and scared.

I ran a soothing hand through her matted tresses. Normally soft and silky, they were tangled and weighted down by storm dust clinging to them.

“Would you like to eat something?” I pointed at the basket with provisions the guards left for us.

The temple was about halfway between Teneris and Kalmena. We had a several-hour journey ahead of us. It was best to eat now to keep our strength up.

Dawn shook her head, then thought better of it.

“I should, shouldn’t I? It’s been a while since I ate last.” She stirred, reaching for the basket. “You should have some food too.”

I helped her move the heavy basket closer. It held a few travel packages and a large skin bag of water, but no food suitable for Joy Vessels. Irritation stirred in me. Dawn needed taste and flavor.

“This won’t do.” I leaned forward and flagged the closest guard on horseback to ride closer. “My woman can’t eat this.” I gestured at the basket. “Bring her something appropriate for a Joy Vessel.”

The guard’s eyes shifted under the cloth over his head. “I’m afraid that’s all we have, Your Highness. We didn’t bring any other food with us.”

Holding back my anger, I gauged the distance between us to calculate whether I’d have a chance to wring his neck before the rest of them would stop me.

A gentle touch on my upper arm distracted me from my murderous plans.

“I’m okay, Rha,” Dawn said. “Food is food. Who cares?”

I cared. After traveling through heat and storm all day, then sitting on the hard floor for hours, she deserved a bath, clean clothes, and an enjoyable meal—all of which I would’ve given her back in Teneris. Instead, we were facing being tossed in the seat on the back of the camel for the better part of the upcoming night, and what awaited us upon our arrival to Kalmena remained unknown.

But she tugged on my arm, talking sweetly. “Come here. Have a drink of water with me. You must be thirsty.”

The guard rode ahead, oblivious to the fate he’d so narrowly escaped courtesy of this sweet woman. She pressed the water bag into my hands, and I took a drink, washing the dust of the storm from my throat.

She handed me a ration pack next, taking one for herself too.

“Let’s see what you guys eat. If it’s snake meat, don’t tell me. I’m hungry enough to eat anything, but I’d rather not know.” She unwrapped her pack and took a bite from the pale substance inside.

I watched as she chewed and swallowed, her expression bland just like the food she was eating.

“And?” I prompted. “What do you think?”

“It’s not terrible.” She licked her lips, the tip of her pink tongue darting out of her mouth.

I ate it too—mashed root vegetables with minced meat pressed into a cube, then flattened to make it easier to hold and transport.

“Could use some salt, though.” She laughed. The sound brushed over my skin with a tingling sensation.

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