On Fire's Wings - Christie Golden [78]
“What do you mean?”
Halid grinned, his teeth white in the firelight. “A few years ago, it seems you were having some very bad dreams. Dreams of people with yellow hair and pale skin, of blue simmars with stripes. Dreams that your father knew were sent by kulis.”
Hotly, Jashemi retorted, “My father will believe me, no matter what dreams I—” The words died in his throat as the true import of Yeshi’s and Halid’s words registered.
They knew Tahmu would believe him. That was not the issue. Their words were a threat that they would reveal to others what Jashemi had confided to his father when he thought they were alone. If word got out about Jashemi’s strange dreams, the best he could hope for from his father was disinheritance. At worst, he would be executed.
“My bright boy,” purred Yeshi. “One breath of scandal, and you are immediately disowned, like that little slut you keep company with.” Her eyes narrowed. “Go to Tahmu with tales, sweet son of mine, and they will be the last words you speak as a member of the Clan of Four Waters—perhaps the last words you speak as a living man!”
Jashemi made his decision. Kevla had lived as a Bai-sha. So could he, if it meant his father’s life would be saved.
“For my father’s safety, I will risk it!” he cried.
“Ah, but what about the safety of your little friend? Accidents happen in the kitchen, Jashemi. Burns. Cuts. It would be a shame if Kevla hurt herself—or worse.”
Jashemi felt as if he had been struck in the stomach. He trembled, but not from fear. Outrage at the wild miscarriage of justice made him shake.
“Believe this, Mother, if you believe nothing else. If Kevla comes to any harm, I will kill you myself.”
“You’ll have to get past Halid first, and Kevla will still be dead,” Yeshi said, shrugging.
The two lovers looked at one another and grinned in satisfaction as Jashemi struggled to make sense of it all. If he told his father, Halid and Yeshi would make public Jashemi’s dreams. Tahmu’s hands would be tied. Jashemi would be either disowned or executed. Tahmu could not even act on the news his son had given him, or else the stigma of kuli-cursed would be attached to him as well. And then, one day, when Tahmu’s guard was down, they would kill him. With he, Jashemi, so conveniently out of the way, it would be easy for Halid to become khashim and wed the widowed khashima.
And Kevla…He could not permit anything to happen to her. As he stared at Yeshi’s face, gloating, twisted in a smirk, he realized Yeshi would have no qualms about murdering Kevla.
A low growl escaped him. He rushed the bed on his mother’s side, hands raised to strike her, and had the brief satisfaction of watching her quail. Then, he clenched his fist and brought it to his side with an effort.
He turned and marched out of the room, the scornful laughter of the lovers and would-be murderers following him.
The next few days that followed were the most anguished of Jashemi’s young life. He could not tell his own father that his life was in danger. He could not see Kevla, or even try to contact her through the fire, to confide in her and seek comfort; to do so would put her at risk. Worst of all, he saw his powerlessness reflected in Yeshi’s dark, knowing eyes every time he saw her. He lay awake at night, trying desperately to think of a way out.
It was at the evening meal when she made the announcement that would change his life forever.
They were halfway through a simple meal, just the khashim and his family, Halid and Asha, when Yeshi set down her goblet and straightened. She seemed calmer and happier than Jashemi had seen her in years.
“A few days ago, my little boy became a man,” she said. Her voice was warm and affectionate, but Jashemi knew how false such sentiments were. He was on the alert at once.
“And a man needs a wife,” Yeshi continued, addressing Tahmu and ignoring Jashemi. “I have found an excellent candidate, my husband. For too long we have been the enemies of the Sa’abah Clan, when we should have been their friends. Sa’abahs mean wealth, and the Clan of Four Waters deserves as much