CHAPTER 45

*Hellcat,

The Queen has sanctioned an important task to the north, to be carried out immediately. I will be gone for a fortnight...perhaps longer, but I will return before the hunt. Until then, have your guardsmen put on alert and do not accept any invitations that would lead you out of the palace proper.

Wear your rubies. Think of me.

Xor’annan*

Tianna fingered the note. It was worn and a little smudged from her checking it so often. Yesterday, she had practically carried it everywhere with her, using the words to reassure herself. He would be back, he said he would.

But today was the hunt and Xor’annan had not returned. Nerves balled in her stomach as Chelsey helped her with her hair, clucking with disapproval as she did. Miss Inaz had sent one of her creations that was once more intended to draw attention, except this time Tianna was glad. It consisted of a brown fitted coat that narrowed at her waist and then flared slightly at her hips before ending entirely. The undershirt was cream with matching brown embroidered flowers and a soft gauzy neck scarf was to tuck into the shirt. The best part, though, the part that had Chelsey in a snit, were the tight, body fitting breaches; no skirts to get in the way and make her useless. If this hunt was truly dangerous, and her stomach clenched again at the thought, then she didn’t want to be dragged down by fashion.

It had occurred to her, sometime in the night, that she should have had the sense of mind to question what exactly was being hunted. The thought of the saber cats came to mind and pulled enough blood from her face to make her feel light-headed.

“Thank you, Chelsey,” she told the woman, as she stood back and took in Tianna’s appearance pensively. Chelsey didn’t nod and scramble out of the room as she usually did, but hesitated. “Is something the matter?”

“It isn’t my place, I know…,” she said carefully,“...but-there-are-no-skirts-and-those-breeches-are-so-tight-one-can-see-the-curve-of-your-rear-end,” she blurted, her words coming out so fast they were nearly indecipherable. Her hands flew to her lips, and her eyes widened.

Tianna laughed.

“I think that was the point,” she told the girl.

“It’s entirely inappropriate,” Chelsey sniffed, and pushed her hands along her own, simple skirts, attempting to recover herself.

“Thank you for caring about my appearance,” Tianna smiled at the other woman. “You should probably get used to the idea that I do not care about appropriate or not, if you want to work with me.”

Chelsey’s face took on an expression of panic.

“Of course, Binessa Tianna, I didn’t intend to question you. Please forgive me, I cannot lose this position.”

Oh boy.

“It is good to question me,” she patted Chelsey on the shoulder. “I hope you will always speak your mind, even if you don’t think it’s something I want to hear.”

“You do?”

“Yes, in fact I would be very disappointed if you didn’t.” Tianna sat in the chair in front of the vanity. There was a mirror there, but she avoided looking at it for too long. She had changed over the last year and she wasn’t sure what to think of that just yet, nor did she want to think about the hunt. Instead, she focused on her maid. “Why is it you cannot lose this position?” She remembered what Xor’annan said, that they would choose servants and maids according to their situations, to ensure loyalty. The thought bothered her, and the fact that she hadn’t done more to get to know those who had come to the household.

Chelsey was the picture of discomfort, but she seemed to be thinking about Tianna’s previous words.

“My mother is infirm. This is the first position that allows me the time and the pay to care for her properly.”

“Where is she now, your mother?”

“There is a section of the palace that houses the servants. The rooms are small, but your man ensured I received one large enough that both of us might live comfortably for the time being. He has said that, when we return to the estate, I may bring her with me, and my husband and my boy. That we all might find work there.”

Tianna watched the woman. There was discomfort there. It was likely taboo to speak to one’s employer about such things, but there was something else, too...hope. The position had truly improved Chelsey’s life and, as such, it had guaranteed the loyalty that Xor’annan had spoken of.

“How old is your boy?” Tianna asked.

“He is eight this year, but he is big for his age,” Chelsey said. “He can be a hard worker.”

Well, that was just sad. At eight, Tianna’s biggest worry had been getting to the top of the tallest tree on the ranch and whether Grandma would make her a snack when she got back inside.

“Has he been educated?” Tianna wanted to know.

The fallen expression of Chelsey’s face told her the answer. This woman really had to stop worrying so much, but perhaps life had beat the habit into her. It was likely that Chelsey, herself, might not know how to read and write. The thought bothered her, but it also sparked an idea.

“I promise that we will take your family when we leave the palace,” she leaned forward so that she could catch Chelsey’s gaze and hold it. “I am simply asking because I would like to provide education to those who work for me.”

Chelsey made an odd sound.

“That would be too much…”

“Nonsense,” Tianna waved her off. “It is best for me to have an intelligent staff, so you, your husband, and your boy will all do your best to learn what is taught.”

In fact, Tianna was going to do her best to bring education to as many of her people as she could. As Xor’annan had insisted, that would be helping them help themselves.

“I don’t know what to think of you,” Chelsey admitted. “You are not like the Daemon.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Tianna smiled at her. For the first time, Chelsey offered a small smile back before slipping out the door.

The distraction faded in moments and Tianna’s nerves were back. It was time to leave, and she still hadn’t heard from Xor’annan. She considered feigning illness. Would it work? Mizare would know, of course, and she might never live it down, but she would be alive to live it down. A win, as far as she was concerned.

A tap at the anteroom door interrupted her thoughts. Sargrach stood on the other side when she opened it and handed her a folded sheet of paper.

“This just c...ccc...came,” he told her.

Tianna took the note and opened it with trembling fingers.

*I will be there.*

That’s it. That was all it said. But it was enough. Xor’annan was back and he would be with her.

“Thank you, Sargrach,” Tianna breathed. “I am ready to go.”

“We are ready when you are,” he told her.

She took an extra moment to give Eveera a snuggle.

“Binessa,” Malwell broached, handing the girl over and then taking her back when it was time to leave. “I am pleased to be of use to you, but this…”

“I know Malwell, as soon as I find a nanny…,” Tianna slipped toward the door.

“And when will that be?” Malwell wanted to know.

“Soon,” she promised.

In the hallway, Sargrach, who had elected to come with her for the hunt, eyed her.

“Will you m...mmm...make good on that promise?” he wanted to know.

“Sure.” The idea of leaving Eveera with someone she didn’t know enough to trust did weird things to her insides. She didn’t need the extra stress right now, so she pushed the thought away to be dealt with later. For now, she had to survive this day, but with Xor’annan back, it didn’t feel so daunting.

The group that had gathered around the stables looked more like a war party than a hunting party. House guards with various liveries sat mounted between the Daemon dressed in rich costume atop snorting steeds. At least fifty altogether, though the hunting party itself was only around twelve or so. Tianna was surprised to recognize Torgux along the edges of the group. She stopped and smiled at him. His foul mood from the other day had cleared and he smiled brilliantly back at her. Well, at least she would have* someone* to talk to.

Mizare was at the center of a larger group, in a peacock blue riding habit that would stand out for miles Her hair was braided intricately tight and she even wore blue tassels on her horns. Whatever they hunted, it must be colorblind. She caught sight of Tianna and a corner of her lip lifted in a small sneer, quickly tucked behind a polite facade.

“Binessa Tianna, I took the liberty of having one of my horses saddled for you, since I am informed you have yet to purchase some of your own and the palace steeds are far too docile for such a trip.”

Tianna looked to the side where a high-strung chestnut mare pranced, her nostrils flaring, ears flicking nervously. The rest of the horses were calm and mild in comparison, though there were signs that they were getting antsy to head out.

Mizare thought to make a fool of her. If she struggled the entire hunt to control her horse, or worse, was afraid of the beast, it would show her up.

That was fine. Tianna had been riding a horse since before she could walk. If it was even remotely trained, and not deranged in the head, she would manage.

“Thank you, Mizare,” she smiled at the woman and took the reins one of the guards held out. She swung herself into the saddle with ease, her lack of skirts catching the attention of the Daemon, especially the men.

The mare pranced and attempted to rear, but Tianna spurred her forward and then brought her in a smooth circle without looking away from the group. Where was Xor’annan?

If Mizare was dissatisfied that her plan was not working, it didn’t show. She smiled brilliantly at the others, true excitement lighting her face.

“Let’s be off!” She shouted and spurred her mount into a full out gallop through the palace gates and into the reserve.

Tianna followed, the mare beneath her fighting for control. She pinned her ears and gave a little buck when she realized that Tianna was not going to allow her free rein. Tianna responded by driving the mare harder, turning her back and forth along the path so that she had to waste precious energy on balance and coordination. It didn’t take long before the mare settled into a respectful gallop, and Tianna could let her straighten out. The maneuver had put her behind the pack a little and had distracted her from the one thing that concerned her.

Xor’annan hadn’t come.