Tasmina's Tale

14. Noble Bastard

Tasmina

By goddess, the last time I had seen him, he had been a boy. What stood before me now was most certainly a man. He had filled out his ridiculously large frame, his shoulders broad and powerful. His chest was large, his abdomen chiselled, his shalwar hanging provocatively from where his hips narrowed. There was a hint of a line along his hip that led beneath the waistband of his shalwar and I snapped my eyes away quickly, before anyone caught me staring. 

As far as men went, he was the finest I had ever seen. His brow was heavy, giving a predatory slant to his already narrow eyes. His nose had grown more prominent, stronger if it was possible. But his mouth… it seemed almost delicate on a face of such hard, angular features. Where there had once been a shadow of a beard, there was now thick stubble and I found my hands itching to touch it.  

He walked ahead and led us to the dining chambers. His gait was powerful but almost feline, he moved with the easy grace of a panther. For such a large man, he seemed shockingly nimble. Where the Hall of Judgement was vast and ferocious in its beauty, their dining chambers were surprisingly cosy. There was a large table, big enough to fit a tribe. Beautiful ornate lanterns hung from the low ceiling… one had the feeling almost of being in a Bedouin tent. 

“Please, honour us,” Prince Rikom said, gesturing for Mama to sit at the head of the table. 

She shook her head.

“I couldn’t possibly,” she said, smiling and shaking her head.

“Please, I insist. It would be a great honour to me,” he said, pulling out the chair for her. 

I could tell Mama was honoured, and I loved that he did that for her. Each night he linked me, I had heard the change in him. Not just the fact that his already deep voice grew into almost a growl. But his mannerisms, the way he spoke. In a sense, I had heard him growing into a man. 

“I thank you for this honour,” Mama said, graciously. 

She sat down and Faris sat to her right. Prince Rikom pulled the chair out for his mother so that she could sit beside Mama. Then he sat directly opposite me. His eyes had a way of shifting from dark to light, it almost seemed as though it were dependent on his thoughts. I looked away with great difficulty, but I couldn’t escape his warm, heady scent. 

An array of meats, rice and breads were brought in. Along with a large plate of sliced banana bread. I eyed it suspiciously and looked up at him. Had I mentioned what he smelt like to me? 

“Your mother told Mama that it was your favourite. And since today is your born day…”

I smiled shyly and looked down. 

“Our birthday,” I said. 

He didn’t smile but his eyes crinkled at the side and I knew he was pleased. 

We ate together then in silence. It wasn’t necessarily a comfortable silence, but we were easing into each other’s company. 

“This rice is so good, I almost pissed myself,” Felan said, suddenly. 

Mama’s eyes widened in shock. Prince Rikom paused, his fork near his mouth. Then he roared with laughter. Felan grinned at him from beside me and he grinned straight back. My brother had struck again and Faris shook his head in disbelief. 

Prince Rikom’s laugh was contagious and soon we were all laughing with him. 

“I will be sure to pass on your highest compliments to the cook,” Queen Maha said, politely. 

“Does the king know?” Mama asked, turning to the Queen. 

Queen Maha paused for a moment before shaking her head. 

“Good,” Mama said. “Then the decision remains between Prince Rikom and Tasmina. I wish for my daughter to make her decision on whether she will accept the mate bond by herself. With no influence whatsoever… not even from myself.”

“That is very big of you,” Queen Maha said, nodding her head in Mama’s direction. 

“My child, would you like us to leave you with Prince Rikom while you make your choice?” Mama asked. 

I looked at her, grateful that this wise, kind woman was my mother. I shook my head and Prince Rikom looked at me in surprise, his brows furrowed. 

“No, Mama. I know my decision. I… feel incomplete without Prince Rikom. I… know that I am his mate and he is mine,” I said, looking down, feeling incredibly shy confessing this with my entire family present. 

But it was the right way. I looked up and his eyes were almost glowing, warm and brown, easy enough to melt into. 

“Rikom,” he said, gently. “You will call me Rikom.” 

I smiled gratefully. 

“But… I cannot live so far from my family. I know it is just outside the city walls, but I also know I won’t be able to just come and go at my leisure. The thought of not being able to sit on the floor in my Mama’s home and smell her warm dal on the stove…” 

I looked at Mama and her eyes had welled up. I couldn’t let go. She had been a constant my whole life. The whole world could shift but Mama would always be there, her warmth, her wisdom, her love, the greatest weapons against anything the world had to throw at me. 

“My girl…” she battled to hold back her tears. 

To both our surprise, Queen Maha reached out her hand and placed it over Mama’s. 

“We would be honoured if you would take up residence on the palace grounds once more. You and your family,” she said, looking at Felan and Faris and smiling.

“We couldn’t… I am not… it is not in my nature to be a burden,” Mama said, raising her chin high. 

“I understand. But know this, this is not charity,” Queen Maha said sternly. “You will sell your home and pay for this new home using those coins. And your boys will train as part of the king’s army. They are strong, young men, who seem as though they’ve had very thorough training before.”

Mama looked at them proudly and they positively beamed at her. 

“Faris is an apprentice to the blacksmith in Daro. He is happy with his job and…”

“Then may keep that honourable job. Felan can join the army… if he wishes,” Queen Maha said, quickly.

Felan nodded eagerly, grinning. 

“You know, Miya, we have offered this to you once before. Before you had your first child, when you first became royal mystic,” Queen Maha said. 

“And you know exactly why I didn’t take you up on the offer then,” Mama said. 

“It is not so scandalous to have a bastard of noble blood,” Queen Maha said, flippantly. 

Our eyes widened and one by one, we turned to look at Faris. Mama looked pained as her eyes darted to him and he gazed at her, confused. 

“Surely the boy knows he is the son of Lord Silas?” Queen Maha said, not reading Mama’s pleading glances. 

Judging by the look on his face, he had, in fact, not known. None of us had. Too late, Queen Maha realised what she had done. 

“Oh… forgive me,” she whispered, meaning it. 

But the damage had been done. Faris’s eyes were wide as he gazed at Mama.

“How… why… why did you never tell me who my father was?” he said, quietly. 

Mama was gazing down at the table, her head bowed in shame.

“WHY?” Faris shouted, slamming his fist onto the table. 

“Don’t you dare shout at her,” I yelled, standing up beside him.

“Mina, peace,” Mama said, quietly. “He is right. I should have told him long before.”

She looked up at Faris calmly, at the boy she loved more than one heart could bear. 

“When I was in love with your father, he was a good man. When he became mated to another, my heart was bruised, but it is the way of a mystic. But… I have heard his ramblings… I have seen what his sons will become… I didn’t want him having any influence on you whatsoever. So I chose not to remain in the palace gardens, so that he may not reach you. Forgive me, my son. I should have told you sooner.”

She turned to Rikom.

“You must watch that family carefully, young prince. Especially since you are betrothed to the daughter of the Gul house.”

“So, my half-sister, then?” Faris interjected, angrily. 

Mama nodded awkwardly.

I could tell he had questions. We all did. He opened his mouth to ask when an omega came darting in. 

“Sire, I tried to link you. Our scouts have seen a huge party of rogues heading towards the coastal village. They outnumber your father’s men two to one. They will arrive in a few hours.” 

Rikom stood quickly, snarling. 

“Then let us even out those numbers. Summon my brother and gather my men,” he growled. 

“I will come,” Faris said.

“As will I,” Felan offered, and Rikom nodded at them both gratefully.

“I’m coming,” I said, without hesitation.

“NO,” he and Mama said in unison.

“Oh, you’ve got to be bloody joking. Mama, I am the best warrior between your children and you let these two idiots go? Malaka’s family is in that village. She was supposed to visit them today. I am going; don’t you dare waste precious time trying to stop me.”

Rikom glared angrily, but he looked at Mama, waiting for her next words. 

“Fine, you difficult girl. But I’m going with you.”