Spying on Tamara
Hello again to everyone, and my most sincere apologies for delaying this story's debut. Anyway, I do hope that you enjoy it; I don't really know these characters all that well or where the story is going to end up, so any helpful suggestions are very welcome.
Russav paced restlessly in Danric's rooms, guiltily listening to Mel and Tamara talking in the adjoining one. The two had become great friends after Flauvic's becoming a tree, though it was a slow transition from rivals to friends. Every afternoon Tamara would visit Mel to try and distract the new queen from trying to throw things at her overprotective husband, and every afternoon Russav would find some excuse to visit Danric at the exact same time, even though he knew that the king was in the archives. Perhaps it was cowardly to listen in to the women's talk, but he needed to find some answers before he tried courting Tamara.
Boy, he chided himself. You have been courting women since before you even knew why they were there to be courted. You know how to flirt and flatter them until you have them eating out of your hand, and you know how to keep them gazing at you like no one else exists. This girl should be no different.
But she was. Life, she was so much more than just another woman, another conquest, to him. She was stunningly beautiful and seemingly unaware of her grace and charms, yet she knew the arts of flirting and flattery almost better than he himself did.
She also knew the best ways to turn a man away, and she knew the best ways to keep him from coming back and ruining his social life in court for many weeks.
In truth, she was like a dagger studded with gems. Rare and beautiful, so much so that you forget the point and cut yourself. He had almost forgotten that dangerous edge that lay hidden inside of her, but not quite. Not enough to openly court her and tease her with his presence as he did to the other girls.
"Tamara, won't you have another cup of tea?" Mel was asking her friend, startling Russav from his thoughts and back to his current task.
"Oh, certainly not. Anymore of this tea and rich food your husband provides for you and I will lose my girlish figure!" The both of them laughed. A figure like yours is never lost, my dear, Russav found himself thinking.
"Surely you say this to offend me and my ever widening girth, madam." It was true. The queen had lost her small stomach, but somehow she still looked radiant.
"Offend the queen?" Tamara's tone was full of mocking shock. "Who would dare do such a thing, when you have such fierce protectors? Your good husband would run a fool through if they dared to upset you."
"Too true. Danric is a little overprotective."
"You are his wife and love, and you carry his child. His protectiveness is not pointless."
"I'm pregnant, not a glass statue. Leave it be."
"You still maintain the beauty and grace of a statue, despite your added belly, my queen. You are not the same woman because you are vulnerable now. I know you aren't used to it but until you accept the fact you and Danric will never see eye to eye about your pregnancy."
A sigh reached Russav's ear. "Sometimes you sound like what I've always imagined my mother would."
"I, a mother? I have not even been courted by anyone for many weeks." The listener's heart skipped a beat.
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Perhaps. But I do not know how to approach him."
"You can woo anyone in court, Tamara!"
"Ones I do not truly care for, yes. Those I can woo. But him... I would be terrified of driving him away."
A long silence hung between the girls and Russav held his breath, afraid to be discovered.
"Who is he?" Mel asked at last.
"I do not know for sure."
"I understand, Tamara. You need not say anymore... I was the same way when Danric was courting me, not wanting to tell who it was that I loved for fear that he'd hate me for it..."
"Yes... I do remember that... all right. I'll tell you, but you must not breathe a word to anyone."
Russav leaned forward, trying to catch her quiet murmur that would confirm his doubts and fears. So intent was he on doing so, he missed the sound of silent footfalls and was surprised out of his mind when a hand grabbed his shoulder.
Until next time, my friends. I hope you like it, please review!
