Tasmina's Tale

10. Monk in a Whorehouse

Tasmina

Mama had said it with such flippancy, and now my stomach was doing backflips. Each night, Rikom linked me. We talked about everything and nothing. True to my word, I had told him of my need to sleep so that I could train, and he would wish me goodnight just before midnight. It was the night before he was due to arrive at our home, and Mama had mercifully granted me the day off training. 

“Don’t get used to it,” she called after me, as I bounded off to bed excitedly. 

I got into my bed, forgoing the blanket. It was a sweltering summer night. 

Good evening, Tasmina.

It was almost as though he knew I was waiting for him. His voice filled my ears and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face, or the shiver that ran through me at the sound of it. 

Good evening, Prince Rikom.

Will you call me that forever? How many times must I ask you to call me Rikom.

I grinned. I had already begun to note that he enjoyed scolding me quite a bit. Admittedly, I enjoyed it, too, hence why I still referred to him as Prince Rikom. 

As long as you act like a prince, I will refer to you as such. 

I see, and how exactly does a prince act? 

Surely, you don’t need lessons from a mystic on how to behave in a princely manner? 

You do make me laugh, Tasmina Miya Kaiz.

It hit me then that I didn’t know the sound of his laugh and I ached to hear it. He didn’t seem the type to laugh often. 

So, how many sellers fell in love with you today? 

It was my turn to laugh. I had made the mistake of telling him that Felan doubted my haggling skills, instead insisting that sellers had to be in love with me to give me their goods for so few coins. To my disdain, Rikom had wholeheartedly agreed with him. 

You still doubt my bargaining capabilities, I see. 

I wouldn’t dare, Tasmina. You forget, I’ve met your mother. I would assume bargaining runs in your blood. 

I snorted, remembering how Mama had very nearly tore his head off. 

I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, he linked. 

I suddenly felt shy. It had been nearly a week since I had last seen him. I wondered how it would be. 

As am I.

We spoke for a few more hours, before exhaustion took over me and I drifted asleep to the sound of his deep voice. 

—

Despite not training in the morning, I still woke up early. We cleaned the house from top to bottom, Felan dusting while Faris polished everything in sight. I got the broom and swept the floors while Mama made us breakfast. We ate hungrily after a hard morning’s work, before continuing on. 

As the afternoon loomed, we were sent to the market for bread and fruits while Mama cooked at home. I walked in to the smell of roasting chicken and potatoes. 

“It smells delicious, Mama,” I said, my mouth watering. 

She grinned at me. 

“Good enough for a prince?” she asked. 

“Good enough for a king, Mama,” Faris said, kissing her cheek as she beamed at him. 

“Golden boy,” Felan muttered. 

Mama laughed, kissing Felan on his forehead. 

“You two,” she said, pointing at me and him, “get some fresh coriander from the garden. I just need it to garnish. Lunch is almost ready and the prince will be here any moment.” 

We did as she asked, stepping outside into the garden together. It was cool in the house, but the moment we stepped out, the wave of heat hit us in the face. 

“It’s boiling,” Felan complained. “I’m sweating more than a monk in a whorehouse!”

I rolled my eyes at him. 

“Oho, are you too good for my jokes now, sister. Too crude for your delicate, royal sensibilities?” he teased. 

I laughed, pushing him roughly. 

“I think everyone is too good for your jokes, Felan.”

He clutched at his chest as though I had wounded him. 

“That’s it, I think you need to be brought back down to earth, Princess Tasmina,” he laughed, running at me. 

He tackled me to the ground and I laughed, wrestling with him as we had always done. All of a sudden, he was violently yanked off me and flew across the garden. I got to my feet quickly as a huge figure stood between me and him.

“Get your f*****g hands off her,” Rikom snarled, shielding me with his body. “She’s mine.”

Felan looked dazed. As he shook it off, he got to his feet angrily. 

“The hell I am,” I snapped, pushing Rikom out of the way and walking towards Felan. 

His brows went up in surprise as I pushed past him.

“Who the f**k is this crazy prick?” Felan snarled, his fists clenched. 

Rikom bristled angrily.

“How dare you—”

I turned to face him.

“Prince Rikom. Meet Felan. My brother,” I said, glaring at them both.

Their faces were a portrait. Anger was long gone as they both fumbled for words. 

“Oh for goddess’s sake, get inside before more people start looking,” I muttered, turning on my heel and walking into the house. 

As I opened the door, Mama was already beside it, smiling wryly. 

“You knew?” I whispered. 

“I may have seen the Prince’s grand entrance last night, yes,” she said, innocently. 

“Mama!” I hissed. 

“What? A mystic can’t have a little fun now and then?” 

I wanted to be angry but it was impossible as she grinned like a little girl. Prince Rikom and Felan walked behind me, their heads bowed, barely glancing at one another. 

“Welcome to our home, Prince Rikom,” Mama said, bowing her head. 

“Thank you, it is an honour,” he said, bowing back formally. 

Noticing that we had all removed our sandals, he turned back to the door and took his off. 

“You don’t need to do that,” Mama called after him, as he placed them outside. 

“It’s no bother,” he said, gruffly. 

Although when Mama beamed at him with approval, even he couldn’t resist giving her a small smile.

“Lunch is ready… we sit on the floor to eat,” Mama said hesitantly. 

“Excellent. I’m starved,” he replied, smiling affably. 

Faris bowed to him, pressing his fist to his chest and he returned his salute. 

“Well, that’s a far better greeting than the one I got,” Felan muttered, as we sat on the ground. 

Mama smirked and I looked across at Prince Rikom. 

“I wasn’t exactly expecting to be called a crazy prick,” he muttered back. 

“Oh for goddess’s sake, will both of you stop behaving like children,” I said, exasperated.

Felan grinned sheepishly at me, while Rikom seemed surprised. I turned to look at him.

“I am no one’s property. I belong to no one. Whether Felan was my brother or not, you will not attack a man for speaking with me or touching me. If that is how you think this works, we’re going to have far bigger problems than juvenile insults being hurled at you,” I said, curtly. 

His eyes narrowed slightly in anger. I wasn’t scared, but a new, unfamiliar feeling went down my spine at the sight of it. He turned to look at Felan. 

“I apologise for hurting you. I didn’t know who you were,” he said, curtly. 

Felan, true to his nature, began to laugh. 

“It’s quite alright, I can see how it might have looked to you. It’s not every day one gets the opportunity to justly call the Prince of Zamee a prick. I ought to thank you for the honour.” 

To my surprise, Rikom grinned widely at him as the room erupted in laughter. Boys, I thought to myself, rolling my eyes. Although he did have a beautiful smile. 

“Is that your way of getting out of an apology?” he asked. 

“You’ve caught me,” Felan replied, grinning at him widely. “You and I will be great friends.” 

Prince Rikom chuckled affably as Mama and Faris placed the food down on the sheet. 

“This all looks wonderful, Lady Kaiz. I am honoured by your hospitality,” Prince Rikom said, bowing his head at Mama. 

Mama burst into laughter, followed closely by me and my brothers. Prince Rikom looked puzzled as he looked at us. 

“Please, Prince Rikom. Lady Kaiz was my mother. You may call me Miya… you are mated to my daughter, after all. Perhaps such formality shouldn’t exist between us,” she said, wiping away tears of laughter.  

Understanding the hilarity behind it, he gave a small smile.

“Well, in that case, you must simply call me Rikom. Since your daughter refuses to do so,” he added, staring at me pointedly, his mouth curled up slightly at one end. 

I felt my breath hitch under his gaze and brought my eyes down to my food. We ate heartily, conversing in short bursts as we stuffed ourselves. When we were done, Prince Rikom leaned back on one arm, one hand on his stomach. 

“I don’t remember the last time I ate that much. I’m going to have to fast for two days and train for double the time,” he groaned. 

“Mina made the potatoes,” Mama quipped. 

“And they were divine,” he said, his eyes on me again. 

“Well… I only seasoned… I… yes, thank you,” I muttered. 

Why was I so flustered? I was never flustered. I heard Felan snort and I wanted to throw my spoon at him. We sat up on the armchairs and the chaise then, with him sitting awkwardly between Faris and Felan as I perched on the arm of the plush chair Mama was sitting upon. 

“So… how did you know Mina was your mate?” Faris asked, awkwardly. 

“I… well, she smelt of… she looked like… I…” 

It was Prince Rikom’s turn to look flustered.

“Right, I need to walk off this meal. My sons, will you accompany me?” Mama said, saving him the embarrassment and glaring at my brothers pointedly. 

“Of course, Mama,” Faris said, smiling and standing immediately. 

“But… my pipe…” Felan protested. 

“You can have it when you get back,” Mama said, through gritted teeth, her eyes flitting between me and Prince Rikom pointedly. 

“Ahh, I see,” Felan said, standing up hurriedly. 

Goddess, as if this wasn’t embarrassing enough. When the door closed behind them, I realised with a small start that I was entirely alone with the prince.