Chapter Nine

Kalasin sighed delicately, leaning against the railing of the ship. A few strands of her long black hair fluttered out of her chignon, blown about in the light sea breeze.

Zaimid gave her a distinctly lovesick look, followed by a gusty sigh. "You don't know how lucky you are," he told Kaddar mournfully. "It's not fair. Royalty always gets the best of the best. And you don't even appreciate her."

Kaddar scowled. "You're horribly nauseating, you know that?"

"Harsh," winced Zaimid. He gazed at his empress for another few moments. "Ah, Kaddar, don't take this the wrong way…"

"Take what the wrong way?"

"…You wouldn't consider, er, sharing her, would you?"

Kaddar's jaw dropped. "You did not just say what I think you said."

Zaimid edged away. "Have pity on a lonely man, cruelly stricken by love?"

"I am so glad that I will be spending time away from you," muttered Kaddar. He was silent for a moment. "I don't like Kalasin, but she's mine."

Zaimid raised an eyebrow. "I'm glad that she didn't hear you say that. Really. In any case, I hope you and the lovely Kalasin enjoy your vacation together. Give her a kiss from me!" With that, he hopped off the rising plank and waved merrily. Kaddar pulled a face at him, and felt a hand descend on his shoulder. Kalasin leaned against him slightly and waved at Zaimid flirtatiously. To which the chief healer grinned hugely and swept a low bow.

Kaddar left the deck promptly. Next thing he knew, Kalasin and Zaimid would be throwing handkerchiefs or silk scarves at one another with avowals of undying love. And it wasn't becoming for an emperor to retch over the rails, no matter how disgusting the sight happened to be.

"Where are you going?" Kalasin called, skipping after him. Her cheeks looked less pale, and she seemed to be getting better at the mere prospect of a vacation. Even if it was with him. The wind whipped her short-sleeved dark blue dress and veil around, and she stared up at him. "Well?"

Kaddar sighed. "If you must know, I was going to go up to the prow. There's a better view there, and we'll be able to see Radzyn as it approaches…do you want to come?"

She tilted her head to the side. "Sounds good to me. Let's go." Unceremoniously ripping off the veil that covered her hair and lower half of her face, she trotted along with him, admiring the deep teal of the ocean water as it rippled along the side of the boat. "It's gorgeous, isn't it? Almost makes me want to dive off the side and go swimming."

Kaddar found it easier than usual to bite back a sarcastic comment, and instead gave her a small smile. "We'll be at Radzyn soon, anyway. You can go swimming there if you want."

They talked for the rest of the boat ride; more accurately, Kalasin chattered and Kaddar listened. She was certainly very happy, he noted. Maybe a vacation was a good idea, after all.

The towering white spires of Radzyn Keep soared into view after a while, and Kalasin gasped in amazement. He understood; it had been the summer home of his family when he was young, and Radzyn was certainly awe-inspiring. It was a huge castle, one of Iliniat House's oldest holdings. Most of Kaddar's fondest memories of his childhood were here in the airy, colorful rooms of the castle or on the vast expanses of white sand beaches, with Zaimid and his sisters. And now, he was going to share it with Kalasin. He had to admit that it was a nice feeling to be back here after so long.

Kalasin could barely contain her impatience as the ship unloaded and they were allowed to disembark. She had seen very little of Carthak, aside from the capital, Thak's Gate, Carthak City, and the coast of the Inland Sea. She had heard of the ancestral home of Kaddar's family, but she had never been here before. It was beautiful. Remembering the coast of Pirate's Swoop, where she and her brothers and sisters often spent the summer, she smiled a little sadly. It had been almost three years since she had gone to a beach with anyone.

The gentle turquoise waters lapped at the smooth white sand, the sun glinting daggers of silver off of the water. Further out, she could see the bright colors of a huge coral reef. The sand sunk under her sandals, and it just became too much for her. She kicked off the high-heeled footwear and took off running down the beach, much to Kaddar's alarm.

"Kalasin! Wait!" She was out of sight now, and Kaddar heaved a dramatic sigh. He was doomed to spend the rest of his life running after a woman who had no concern for his old, creaky bones and stressed heart. The emperor considered sitting down and relaxing until she came back, hopefully soaked in icy salt water, covered in sand, and had a number of crab wounds.

He toyed with the possibility for a few moments. It was tempting. Perhaps she would get delirious again, from the number of crab wounds. Or maybe she'd fall off a cliff or swim out too far…argh. There went his only chance at a peaceful afternoon. Kaddar took off after her, the sand sinking under his boots, rendering fast movement nearly impossible.

By the time she even came back into sight, he was panting and thoroughly winded. There was sand in his boots, eyes, and he had narrowly avoided stepping on an irate crab. And there was Kalasin, standing in the surf and laughing, her dress soaked to her knees and her surcoat nowhere to be found. He found he was beginning to sympathize with the fathers of teenage daughters, which was truly chilling. "Kalasin!" She didn't seem to hear him, and kept walking down the beach.

Sighing in defeat, he looked down at the ocean. Strangely enough, it was getting a little more turbulent now, as the wind increased. He could see waves and undercurrents roiling through the previously calm seas. Wait. Waves. Strong ones. Maybe they would wash some of the stranded crabs and mussels away from the beach.

Something in his mind clicked. Strong waves. Beach. Kalasin.

Oh, Mithros, why me?

Kalasin had approximately no clue about the ocean's growing hostility, not being able to see from her lack of a vantage point. She could feel something different, though…as if there was something pulling at her ankles and lower legs. Instinctively, she looked back toward the shoreline. The water level had receded, and her eyes widened as she realized what that meant. Oh, Goddess, why me? She almost didn't have to turn back toward the ocean as she saw the huge wave head toward her, and she knew, with a sense of detached calm, that it would knock her off her feet and pull her out. Realizing that there was no way to run from the combination of waves and undercurrents, she braced herself, preparing to be slammed by the wall of water.

She had not prepared to be slammed into by the side, by something heavy that sent her flying into the damp sand. Kaddar flew. Into her. Would miracles never cease?

The wave hit next, immersing them both in the warm salt water. As suddenly as it had come, it was gone, leaving the couple gasping and hacking up salt water, Kalasin still clinging to Kaddar. She realized that she was shivering with relief, and tears were coursing from her eyes, thanks to the burn of the water.

Their gasps mingled in the afternoon air, until they could finally breathe again. "Thank you," was the first thing Kalasin whispered, her throat sore.

Kaddar nodded groggily. "I'll save you, anytime." His entire body smarted with the impact of hitting the sand so hard, and he climbed off of Kalasin, collapsing on the ground next to her. The once-again tranquil waters lapped at their bodies as they lay there, completely exhausted.

Wet sand had gotten all over Kalasin's back and on her hair, and she turned to Kaddar. "You can help me wash the salt and sand off," she teased gently. "I'll need all the help I can get. The bathtub does fit three, after all."

Kaddar raised an eyebrow. "Fits three? You, your ego, and your questionable judgment. I don't know if I would fit."

Kalasin winced, pulling herself up from the sand. She reached out a hand and helped Kaddar up. "I itch. All over. And there's sand in my hair, and the salt will bleach it and make it dry and horrible. Do you want to be responsible for that?"

He looked at her and sighed. "There are fountains in the courtyard. Follow me."

--

Kalasin sat on the edge of the elaborate fountain, listening to the crystal clear water gush behind her. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She was entrusting her pride and joy, her beloved mane…to Kaddar. Who pulled faces at running a brush through his hair every morning.

Then again, he had very recently saved her from being washed away. Kalasin weighed the possibilities, and decided that he deserved the honor and responsibility. "I'm ready."

With that, her head was gently tilted into the cold water, and she started at the strange feeling. It was nice. In a strange way. She closed her eyes and lost herself to the feeling of his fingers running through the length of her hair and caressing her scalp. "Tilt your head back, and keep your mouth closed," he instructed, and she obeyed blindly, to his surprise. Then she felt the pad of his thumb brush her cheeks, eyes, lips, and forehead. Oh.

When the water finally stopped, she couldn't help but feel regretful as he left her hair alone, after one last comb-through. She made a little mumble of pleasure in her throat, and Kaddar chuckled. "You really liked that, didn't you?"

She cracked an eye open. "…Maybe."

He helped her up, and they made their way back to the castle to dry off. "Oh, and Kalasin?"

"Hmm?"

"You owe me."

"You'll let me comb your hair?" she asked, sounding inappropriately excited.

"No."

"It's not anything perverted, is it?"

"I'm going to say yes, and see how you react."

"You're irritating, you know that?"

"I try, dearest. I try."

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