Page 20 of The Omega Slave

Tam was silent for a moment. “I don’t knowyourhighness very well. All I know are my two, but I trust them with my life, and if yours wasn’t worth saving they wouldn’t have bothered.” But the emir wasn’this. And what if he was just the lesser of two evils? Tsaria had so many doubts. “They worked out an elaborate ruse to empty the palace so we could get you out.”

But for what reason? “How do I know I’m not just here because of the dragon thing?”

Tam shrugged. “I guess you don’t.”

“I don’t even know if it will work a second time.” And he didn’t. They’d touched in the cart, and he didn’t remember the emir growing scales.

Please call me Kamir.But he shouldn’t.

“You don’t have to work everything out now. The emir said you could leave. He had no idea if that meant you’d stay in the palace, or you were going to disappear into the city. Maybe give him a little credit for that?”

But Tam’s loyalties didn’t lie with him, and it could all have been arranged to keep him here. Not that he could go anywherebecause he was committed to Jael. He wouldn’t be another person the child lost.

He still didn’t know what to say when there was a knock at the door. Tam frowned and rose. Jael remained dead to the world. Tsaria heard the indrawn breath from Tam as he opened the door, and he gazed at the two men standing at the door. One was the large man he’d seen with the emir, Mansala, and the other the guard he’d seen with the Cadmeeran consort. They both inclined their heads to Tam, who scoffed. “Really, Ash? Takes two of you?” But Tam’s voice was a little breathless, and Tsaria saw the look he sent the bigger man when he glanced at Jael.

Ash scoffed but waved a hand at Mansala. “He needed a guide.” And to be honest Tsaria had to give him that. He had no clue where they were either or if he could find his way back if he left.

Tam stepped back and waved an arm to welcome them in. Tsaria’s first instinct was to run, but he had Jael to think about. The bigger man took a few steps toward him then bowed. “I am Mansala, his highness’s life sentinel.” Tsaria knew what that was. Mansala had vowed to protect the prince with his life when they were both children. Must be nice.

“And?” He knew it was rude, but he didn’t care. Ash grinned and wandered over to the wine.

“You got any beer?”

Tam rolled his eyes. “In the ice chest.” Ash made a sound of approval and headed for the next room. Mansala shook his head when Ash sent an inquiring eyebrow in his direction.

“I shouldn’t be here,” Mansala said in a low voice and Tsaria huffed.

“Well, you know where the door is.”

And then Mansala smiled. It caught him off guard because all Tsaria had seen was grave and protective, and relaxed and humorous didn’t seem to fit. “No wonder he is so enamored.”

It was his turn to scoff. “Look, we all know his highness is only interested because he hopes for a repeat of what happened in the throne room. Which, sorry to disappoint, but I don’t know how to replicate it.”

Mansala inclined his head. “You make a valid point, and I have no idea of how to convince you of anything else, and that isn’t my role. I have known his highness since we were four summers old and—”

“And that’s why he sent you.”

“Actually,” Ash said, coming out of the kitchen with a tankard. “He didn’t. Not that I expect you to believe me, but he was very clear that no one should influence you.”

“And yet you’re both here,” he added, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

“Being the emir is the last thing he wanted,” Mansala said. “His highness is a historian not a warrior, but his freedom to control any decision was dependent on him shifting. His father was weak and easily swayed by his brother. His highness was constantly forgotten and overlooked. So much so that his age of provenance passed with no one realizing he hadn’t shifted. It only became necessary when it was time to take the throne.” Mansala leaned forward. “But please understand that the only reason his highness is willing to ascend the throne is the horrors that would be wrought by his uncle and his progeny on the people of Rajpur.”

He stared at the sentinel. He knew this man would give his life for the emir, and as such he had no reason to believe a word he said either.

And yet.

“Why are you here?” Expecting a repeat of previous assurances, he was shocked when Mansala dipped his head.

“Yes, I am honor bound to surrender my life, but he’s a good man. Despite the cruelties his uncle has wrought, he retains abelief in his people, and while thinking he is the least qualified, he is in my opinion the most morally necessary.” Mansala sighed. “It took much to make him escape, even knowing he faced certain death.”

“Death?” I whispered.

“I’m afraid so,” Mansala said. “Since Kamir would forfeit the throne, once his uncle becomes emir, there is no way he would be allowed to live.”

“And that would happen if he hadn’t shifted?”

“The trouble his uncle had was knowing whether you were the catalyst for the dragon or not.” He held his palm up, “And yes, you would think that that would ensure both your deaths, and I believe if his highness had shifted into a wolf that would have happened. A dragon, however, is a mythical beast and he was scared. He didn’t dare call for his assassination until he knew more. In all the summers I have lived at the palace I have never seen his uncle afraid, but he was that day.”

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