Read Online Kismet's Kiss: A Fantasy Romance (Alaia Chronicles) by Cate Rowan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cate Rowan
Tags: fantasy romance
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nodded once more toward the doorway.
“Maybe.” But his voice betrayed his doubts.
CHAPTER SIX
A s soon as they re-entered the sunshine of the courtyard, Sohad turned to Varene and gave a half-bow. “Where would you like to go now, Royal Healer?” His tone was devoid of warmth.
“I can carry my pack,” she said half-apologetically, reaching for it.
He drew it out of her reach. “The sultan told me to help you with it, so I will.”
“No, really, it’s fine…” She put her fingers on the canvas.
He raised his chin and stepped back, keeping the pack in his grasp. “I’ve been given an order by my sultan, Healer. I intend to obey it.”
She stopped and blew out a breath. Clearly she was doomed to garner enemies in Kad. “All right. Though perhaps you and I should come to an understanding.”
She mustered the kindest smile she had in her arsenal, but did not curtsey or bow her head. Diplomacy was important, but so was the authority she’d need to do her job. “I want you to know that I appreciate the…awkwardness of your position. You were the assistant to the Royal Physician, a man who is very recently deceased. Now someone else has appeared out of nowhere to take his place—amid a crisis, no less.” And that person is Tegannese and a woman, to boot. “I imagine all this was a bit unexpected.”
In fact, she suspected Sohad wanted Yaman’s job. No one became the assistant to a Royal Physician—or Royal Healer—without ambition. Another universal prerequisite, or so she dearly hoped, was healing talent.
Sohad listened to her speech without betraying any emotion. His closed lips remained firm.
Sweat broke out at the small of Varene’s back. Please, let me say the right thing, find the right words. Let me have ONE person on my side in Kad. “The sultan wishes us to work together, and as Yaman’s assistant, you know the patients, and how things are done here. If I ask for your advice on a matter, I hope you’ll give it.”
He inclined his head politely. “Of course, Royal Healer.” But the cool hue of his eyes remained, meaning his trousers were still in a twist. He’d give only what he had to.
So be it. “I’m certain your help will be invaluable. As for where I’d like to go, first I want to cleanse my hands.”
She walked to the fountain Kuramos had showed her and washed while Sohad waited beside her, blank-faced and yet still bristling with hostility. A shame. His lanky features might even be pleasant when they’re not knitted into a scowl.
“I’ve already seen Prince Tahir and the Sha’Lai.” She gestured toward Rajvi’s door. “Please take me to the patients suffering the most.”
Sohad blinked and pulled his head back a fraction. “Are you certain? That would mean palace servants, but the royal family’s importance…”
She cocked a brow. In Kad she was expected to take care of the royals first, regardless of urgency? Royal privilege was one thing, but in matters of life and death, privilege held little sway with her. The patients most in need deserved her aid first. She hadn’t expected that others would see it differently.
But then, she wasn’t a servant of the palace, nor dependent on the royal family for her daily bread or her life. Maybe Yaman had taught Sohad to give the ruling family precedence. She certainly hoped it wasn’t a royal expectation. She’d think much less of Kuramos if it were.
Well, since she wasn’t being paid for her service here, she’d do things as she saw fit. “I’m certain. Take me to those most ill.”
His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t interpret. “The infirmary, then,” he said. “Follow me, please.”
Follow, follow, follow. Was this what all the women did here? Man in front, woman in back. Last.
The courtyard’s fragrances and bird calls quickly faded behind them as they moved through hall after grand, stately hall. Guardsmen ignored her. Servants gazed curiously at her clothing from beneath
“Maybe.” But his voice betrayed his doubts.
CHAPTER SIX
A s soon as they re-entered the sunshine of the courtyard, Sohad turned to Varene and gave a half-bow. “Where would you like to go now, Royal Healer?” His tone was devoid of warmth.
“I can carry my pack,” she said half-apologetically, reaching for it.
He drew it out of her reach. “The sultan told me to help you with it, so I will.”
“No, really, it’s fine…” She put her fingers on the canvas.
He raised his chin and stepped back, keeping the pack in his grasp. “I’ve been given an order by my sultan, Healer. I intend to obey it.”
She stopped and blew out a breath. Clearly she was doomed to garner enemies in Kad. “All right. Though perhaps you and I should come to an understanding.”
She mustered the kindest smile she had in her arsenal, but did not curtsey or bow her head. Diplomacy was important, but so was the authority she’d need to do her job. “I want you to know that I appreciate the…awkwardness of your position. You were the assistant to the Royal Physician, a man who is very recently deceased. Now someone else has appeared out of nowhere to take his place—amid a crisis, no less.” And that person is Tegannese and a woman, to boot. “I imagine all this was a bit unexpected.”
In fact, she suspected Sohad wanted Yaman’s job. No one became the assistant to a Royal Physician—or Royal Healer—without ambition. Another universal prerequisite, or so she dearly hoped, was healing talent.
Sohad listened to her speech without betraying any emotion. His closed lips remained firm.
Sweat broke out at the small of Varene’s back. Please, let me say the right thing, find the right words. Let me have ONE person on my side in Kad. “The sultan wishes us to work together, and as Yaman’s assistant, you know the patients, and how things are done here. If I ask for your advice on a matter, I hope you’ll give it.”
He inclined his head politely. “Of course, Royal Healer.” But the cool hue of his eyes remained, meaning his trousers were still in a twist. He’d give only what he had to.
So be it. “I’m certain your help will be invaluable. As for where I’d like to go, first I want to cleanse my hands.”
She walked to the fountain Kuramos had showed her and washed while Sohad waited beside her, blank-faced and yet still bristling with hostility. A shame. His lanky features might even be pleasant when they’re not knitted into a scowl.
“I’ve already seen Prince Tahir and the Sha’Lai.” She gestured toward Rajvi’s door. “Please take me to the patients suffering the most.”
Sohad blinked and pulled his head back a fraction. “Are you certain? That would mean palace servants, but the royal family’s importance…”
She cocked a brow. In Kad she was expected to take care of the royals first, regardless of urgency? Royal privilege was one thing, but in matters of life and death, privilege held little sway with her. The patients most in need deserved her aid first. She hadn’t expected that others would see it differently.
But then, she wasn’t a servant of the palace, nor dependent on the royal family for her daily bread or her life. Maybe Yaman had taught Sohad to give the ruling family precedence. She certainly hoped it wasn’t a royal expectation. She’d think much less of Kuramos if it were.
Well, since she wasn’t being paid for her service here, she’d do things as she saw fit. “I’m certain. Take me to those most ill.”
His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t interpret. “The infirmary, then,” he said. “Follow me, please.”
Follow, follow, follow. Was this what all the women did here? Man in front, woman in back. Last.
The courtyard’s fragrances and bird calls quickly faded behind them as they moved through hall after grand, stately hall. Guardsmen ignored her. Servants gazed curiously at her clothing from beneath
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