Read Online Student of Kyme by Storm Constantine - Free Book Online Page B

‘You seem… strange.’
    I put a
hand over my eyes. ‘I am strange, yes.’ I lowered my hand. ‘You
could have sent me home alone, you know. I wouldn’t have
minded.’
    He
smiled. ‘I am not a har to rush things.’
    What did
that mean?
    ‘ The Nagini are subtle,’ he continued. ‘But I am not as
gullible as they think.’
    ‘ Haruah is like a dehar,’ I said. ‘I can imagine him dancing,
all in veils, which drop off one by one. By the final veil, you
will nearly be dead with longing.’
    Malakess
laughed. ‘Striking imagery, Gesaril! But remember, the Nagini are
named for serpent spirits. Handle with care if you don’t wish to be
bitten, or constricted to death!’
    ‘ A bite from a Nagini… hmm. I imagine it would take you to a
world of dreams.’
    Again,
Malakess laughed. ‘You like them, don’t you. I think perhaps you
should meet some of the younger ones.’
    ‘ I’m told I will do.’ I swallowed, and it felt as if my throat
were full of sand. ‘But maybe it is not the Nagini who inspire me,
as our friend tiahaar Sabarah would say. Maybe it is somehar
else.’
    Malakess
was silent, and a ringing tension filled the interior of the
carriage. I shouldn’t have said that. Stupid of me.
    I opened
my mouth to speak again, but Malakess interrupted me. ‘You’ve drunk
a lot, Gesaril. I’ll take you home.’
    ‘ Don’t,’ I said. ‘Take me somewhere else.’
    Malakess
sighed, rubbed a hand over his mouth. ‘I am not Ysobi,’ he
said.
    Again, I
was not sure of his precise meaning. He could have thought I wanted
to pretend he was Ysobi, or was merely telling me he’d not take
advantage of me as Ysobi had. ‘I know,’ I said. ‘You’re nothing
like him.’
    ‘ That’s not entirely true,’ Malakess said, ‘but nevertheless
I’m taking you home.’
    ‘ Kess…’ I had never called him that before. The short form of
his name sounded intimate in my mouth.
    ‘ No, Gesaril. I won’t be responsible for you in this way.
Think about what you’re suggesting. Tomorrow, you’ll feel
differently.’
    ‘ I won’t. I felt this way before I started drinking. That’s
the truth.’
    Malakess
hesitated before speaking. ‘It would be very easy for me, Gesaril,
very easy, but you are young, in turmoil, and under my care. This
would be good for neither of us. Now please, say nothing
more.’
    And so I
didn’t. We finished the journey in prickly silence. At Huriel’s
gate I got out of the carriage without speaking and didn’t close
the door behind me. I wanted Malakess to call me back, but he
didn’t. I heard him pull the door closed and then the driver urged
the horses onward. I stood there listening until I could no longer
hear the sound of their hooves.
    This
morning, I was so full of cringing shame I could barely move. I
decided the best option was to stay in bed. I had virtually begged
Malakess, one of the highest ranking hara in Kyme, to take aruna
with me. How could I bear to continue living? It was too
embarrassing to endure. I was used to every har I met desiring me,
but Malakess had turned me down. My self-loathing was augmented by
the fact I’d drunk so much the night before the effects were still
in my body, which was unusual.
    Huriel
brought me breakfast and, towering over my bed, inspected my
pathetic state. ‘A harish hangover,’ he said. ‘That’s novel,
Gesaril.’
    ‘ Leave me alone,’ I said and pulled the covers over my
head.
    ‘ Can’t,’ Huriel said. ‘Malakess has sent a note. You’re to
join him for lunch with the Gelaming, or rather we are. I’m coming
with you.’ My heart leapt at the news, but from what emotion it was
difficult to tell.
    I put my
head out of the bed. ‘Kess has invited a Gelaming to stay
here.’
    ‘ I’ve already heard,’ Huriel said darkly. ‘Chrysm Luel. He’ll
report back on us.’
    I sat up
and picked up a piece of toast from the tray Huriel had laid on the
bed. ‘I was awful last night,’ I said. ‘I’m surprised