Leila smiled at his confusion. “I don’t really have a preference for left or right hand,” she explained. Nalick nodded. She was trained better than he had expected. “Shall we begin?”
For over an hour Anatolio watched as Nalick and Leila fought, evenly dancing from side to side of the courtyard. In the beginning Leila tested Nalick to get his reactions. She even gave him openings to win, but he was smart enough not to take them. As the fight progressed, Anatolio could tell she was very well trained. Even though Nalick was stronger and better with his weapon, Leila’s stamina and analytical skills compensated for the difference between them.
After a while, nonetheless, Leila could feel the muscle in her hip start to get sore. Leila had told Roger she was fine, but she had not put it to such a harsh physical test since she had been hurt. However, her hand was holding up better than she had expected. After analyzing each move, Leila found a pattern to Nalick and possibly a way to compensate. Since her hip was getting worse, she decided to try it. Moving into position, she began her attack. Before Leila could finish the move, she was flat on the ground and Nalick’s sword was at her neck. She chuckled as he dropped his sword and lay down next to her. Winded, he heaved deep breaths while Leila lay quietly, analyzing what went wrong. Nalick was amazed Leila was not tired.
“You could have won if you didn’t try to end it so soon. I’m beat,” Nalick said. He was impressed. She was much better than anyone had ever said.
“I figured you would be too stubborn to give up even if you were tired,” Leila replied.
“You finished this for me?” he asked. “You are really amazing.”
“And weapons are not even my specialty,” Leila said back. Nalick rolled over and stared at her.
“Once I catch my breath I would like to see how well you fight without them then,” he said, taking in gulps of air.
“So did I earn the right to test the men tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yes, that is for sure,” Nalick said smiling at her and slowing standing for a second round.
“Really?” Leila asked. He was still out of breath but would not quit. “I’ll make this quick then.” Leila stood in front of Nalick. “Ready?” Reluctantly he nodded his head, unsure if he should back out while he still could. Leila tested, and Nalick was an easy read without weapons to hide behind. Within two minutes she had Nalick pinned to the ground with her bare foot on his neck. Leila bent over to offer him a hand to stand up, and Nalick instead pulled her down on top of him.
“I don’t ever remember being taken down so quickly and certainly not by someone even half my weight,” he said in awe, finally catching his breath.
“I told you it was my specialty,” she said. Leila felt her heart begin to beat faster as she lay on top of Nalick. Beneath her she could feel that his heart was also beating fast, but she did not know if it was from the previous match or the same reason hers beat so fast. Nalick did not let go of her waist keeping her pinned to him.
“I would like to try again sometime when I am not as tired,” Nalick said while gently tugging her braid. Leila bent down so that her face was only a breath away from his. She stared into his eyes, contemplating making the first move. Nalick’s eyes were warm and inviting, so she gently pressed her lips to his. Nalick responded by also gently kissing her in return. His hands rested peacefully on her hips and he felt that he was finally winning her over completely.
“The result will be the same,” she said with a grin. Nalick wanted to reply back, but it was probably true. Unwillingly she stood. Lying in the sand in the middle of the practice was not the place to continue playing.
Nalick waited for Leila to change. Anatolio was still keeping guard and had watched the whole match. Nalick walked over next to him and sat on the staircase beside the younger man.
“So what do you think?” Nalick asked Anatolio.
“She truly is amazing,” Anatolio replied.
“Better than me?” Nalick asked.
Leila exited the storeroom to find the two men sitting on the staircase to the upper balcony. They both beamed as she approached. The men escorted Leila back to her room where she could barely contain the excitement from the afternoon. Her practice with Nalick was the first time since Erich died that she fought someone that she could not beat easily. After Leila's long bath, Nalick was sitting on the balcony where he normally found her. Leila sat down next to him.
“So was I everything your scouts told you I was?” Leila asked.
“Much, much more,” Nalick replied while wrapping the blanket that was around him around her also. “You must have trained for years.” Leila moved close to him so that his arm was draped gently around her shoulders. She would not object to continuing their play from earlier.
“I trained almost daily. The couriers at Rogers are not especially good at fighting, so we train more than normal. If they were, I guess they would not be couriers,” she laughed. “Now do you believe me that I don’t need more guards?”
“I always knew that, but I would feel better if you had more men watching out for you,” Nalick said.
“Why are you so worried?” Leila asked. She searched his face, trying to predict his response.
“I got a letter from Roger yesterday. He said that Jahangir has a plan to take you, but Roger did not know the details. All he knows is Jahangir has men in the city, and they are all working to find a successful way to take you to Jahangir.” Nalick truly feared losing the woman sitting next to him.
“I will be fine,” she replied. Leila also feared being taken from Nalick by Jahangir. Though she was afraid to tell Nalick, she loved him and did not want her love life to repeat itself. Trying her best to hide her own fears, Leila stood. “I better get some rest for tomorrow,” she said cheerily. Nalick could see the hesitation in her eyes at the mention of Jahangir, but as easily as she worried, she was fine again. Nalick could not be as easily calmed. He stood and followed her to bed.
Leila was still sore from their practice and could not fall instantly to sleep like Nalick. She quietly rolled over and watched him sleeping next to her. Gently she touched his face and he did not wake. His tan, olive toned skin was a stark contrast to the man she once loved. Everything about Nalick was different from Erich, and yet she was attracted to him. Leila softly traced Nalick features. He looked so peaceful while asleep. Cautiously she picked up his right arm and looked at the lines. Slowly she turned his palm over the looked at the words. From her studying, she could make out many of the letters.
Why me? she wondered. Of everyone in the world, Nalick chose me. As she studied his hand, she failed to notice he had woken. He in turn just watched as she was intently tracing the lines on his arm. Following the lines up his arm, she finally noticed him watching her.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Nalick did not mind being woke up by such a beautiful smile.
Nalick reached over and pulled Leila half way on top of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. Quickly he turned to see Mauve sitting in the corner of the room. He could not tell if she were awake or asleep.
“She has been there every night,” Leila explained. “Since I told her I wanted you to stay, she decided we needed to be watched so that we behave.” Nalick smiled and pulled the covers over their heads so that they were out of Mauve’s view. Quickly he kissed Leila as he could hear Mauve standing. Mauve was awake.
“Nalick,” she said sternly. Nalick pulled the covers back down and looked innocently at Mauve before settling down to go back to sleep.
Chapter 17
Two days later Leila rose early. It was market day, and she was eager to visit with the children she had met there. Leila was surprised as Nalick was already gone before she woke. He left a note promising to join her as soon as he was finished with his work for the day. Nearing the door she could hear Anatolio and Macarius talking.
“It was great,” Anatolio said. “She let Pallas come to the stage to fight her and within moments he wa
s lying on the ground looking up at her. You should have seen the expression on his face.”
“Oh, knowing Pallas, I am sure he was not taking it well,” Macarius replied. “He is the hothead of the group. I can’t believe you are actually related to him.”
“Not if you ask him,” Anatolio replied.
“Don’t you ever sleep?” Leila asked Anatolio. Every time she tried to go somewhere, Anatolio followed. Anatolio became quiet again around her while they were in the presence of another person. Leila shrugged at getting no response and greeted Macarius. “So is it just you today?”
“We have been knocking on Theo’s door for the last five minutes, but he has not answered,” Macarius explained. “Micaela was going to take Dimas to Theo’s parents, but he must have gone with. I don’t think he expected you to be up as early, as you were quite busy yesterday beating all the guards.”
“That was nothing,” Leila replied. “Just a little entertainment.” Macarius wished he had been there. “Since he knows where we are going, can we leave without him?” she asked, though she had a feeling what the answer would be.
“Nalick doesn’t want you going anywhere outside the palace without at least four guards,” Macarius explained. “So we will have to wait for Theo.” Leila added it up in her head. The two new men from yesterday, Anatolio, and Macarius made four. Macarius could see her confusion. “Sorry, Anatolio doesn’t count.” Leila looked to Anatolio for an explanation, but he just shrugged his shoulders in reply.
Leila looked at both men but neither seemed to budge on the issue. “So I won’t be let out of the palace then if I try?” Macarius shook his head no.
He promised that I would be free to come and go as I please, Leila thought, getting upset.
Anatolio could see her anger building and quickly suggested, “Why don’t we wait in the garden? Macarius can come and find us as soon as Theo returns.” Anatolio understood her better than she thought. Leila nodded her head and followed Anatolio to the palace garden.
Once inside the garden walls, Leila sat at her normal spot. Anatolio joined her rather than climbing into the nearest tree. In her disguise, if anyone passed them, they would not know he was talking to the queen. Leila understood and moved over to make room beside her.
“The arrogant man yesterday…” she began, but he interrupted her.
“Is also my half-brother,” Anatolio said ending her sentence. “Four older brothers, one older sister, and one younger brother, but they mean nothing to me. My father did nothing but get my mother pregnant, and he has done nothing since. The only person in that family that acknowledges I exist is Nikias.”
Leila thought to the previous day and wondered about the stoic-faced man she met. “You look like him and even act like him,” she observed, running her fingers through the cool grass.
“He was the only man close to a father figure in my life. In front of everyone, he would treat me the same as anyone he met, but on the other side, he was always there for me. If I needed advice or training, he would help me. He’s a good man,” Anatolio said, staring into the clouds above.
“And Pallas?” Leila asked.
“Is just your typical rude noble,” Anatolio easily replied.
“So how did they handle you getting to work directly with Nalick?” Leila wondered, looking over at Anatolio while he stared up at the sky.
“Though they would not show it publicly, I knew most of them hated it. Nikias was happy for me, but Pallas was furious. I always thought that if I accomplished much, they would finally accept me, but I know that is not true. I am working directly under the king, and they still don’t accept me,” he explained, still staring up as it was easier than to looking into her knowing eyes. Leila never missed anything.
“Things are just so much more complicated here,” Leila commented going back to the grass on her hands.
“It is not like this back where you are from?” he asked, looking down at her.
“There are no kings and queens or noble families. Some people have more and some less, but no one acts as if they are better just because of their name,” Leila explained. “Maybe it is the heat. It makes everyone in Lior a bit crazy.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. My mother is not from Lior either, and she always complained about the heat.” Anatolio casually observed the walls around the garden. “Are you afraid of being caught by Jahangir or Aiolos?” They were currently safe, but Leila’s safety would always be an issue.
“I don’t fear being caught by anyone. There is always a way out if you try hard enough. Most of the time, you just need to be patient. Maybe it helps knowing that they all want me alive. If they wanted me dead or alive, then I might worry some,” Leila explained, and Anatolio chuckled. He understood her reasoning but could not help but admire how courageous she was.
“Would you teach me?” Anatolio asked quickly before he could stop himself.
“What do you want to learn?” Leila asked, puzzled by the question.
“Everything. You are great at everything a courier needs to be good at,” he said.
“Sure, what should we start with?” Both of their heads quickly turned to the door opening to their left. Theo looked around the garden. Leila stood, realizing he could not see them behind the flowers.
“Sorry, Miss Leila,” Theo apologized. “I just walked Micaela and Dimas to my parents. I caught Nalick this morning, and he said you were still asleep.”
“Not a problem,” Leila said trying to reassure him and stop him from continuously apologizing. “So where do we pick up the new guards?” she asked leaving the garden. As she turned, she noticed Anatolio had backed away and was going to follow in the distance as always.
“They are both waiting at the gate,” Macarius explained, joining Leila and Theo.
Though it took a little time to convince both of the new men that Leila was the person in the disguise, finally all four men accompanied her to the market. Nikias and Javed both kept two steps behind her and quietly searched the surrounding people for any sign of something being out of place. Leila ignored the two new men and proceeded to walk from tent to tent, dragging Theo and Macarius along.
Once near the square, Leila found Phillip standing over his two siblings as they clapped along with the music and watched the people dance. As she neared, the small boy Tim noticed her first. He quickly jumped up before Phillip could catch the edge of his shirt and dodged the people as he ran over to her. Leila picked him up.
“Found her,” Tim cried, calling to Phillip.
“Hello, Phillip,” Leila said, carrying Tim back over to his brother.
“I was just going to go sit down and get some drinks. Would you guys like to join me?” she asked. Phillip picked up Ruth and followed Leila through the crowd to the tables. Tim remained on her lap and started to tell her stories about his week. After he finished his first story, Leila reached for one of her bags. “Which bag would you like to look in first?” she asked Tim.
Quickly he grabbed the toy bag. Inside he found a toy car and doll. He handed the doll to Ruth as he began to race the car around the table.
“So what do you do for work?” Leila asked Phillip.
“I work for a meat cutter here near the market. I don’t make much, but it's enough,” Phillip explained.
“And you make enough to take care of all three of you?” Leila wondered.
“So far,” Phillip replied. “Our mother died and there was no place for us to go. If we went to an orphanage, they would split us up and make even Tim work. I do better to take care of us. Besides, I am almost old enough to get a real job,” Phillip tried his best to convince Leila they were doing fine.
“Bag please,” Ruth asked for the other bag that Tim did not open. Leila handed her the bag. Ruth squealed seeing the sweets.
“There are several sweets in there,” Leila said as Tim stopped circling the table as soon when he heard his sister squeal. “If you have one now, Phillip can then hold onto the rest and then you can have som
e later.” Ruth nodded and picked out one piece. Tim walked over to his brother and held out his hands for one also.
“Thank you,” Phillip said to Leila as Tim hopped back on her lap. Sweets were a treat he could not afford to buy his siblings.
“Why is that man watching us?” Phillip asked pointing behind Leila. Leila turned to see Nalick standing only feet away but not approaching them.
“That is the man I am going to marry in a few months,” Leila explained. “He is a bit shy.”
“Oh,” Phillip said nodding his head. Phillip recognized the man from the countless images of the king he had seen over the years. Without Nalick wearing a crown, Phillip could not be sure, but he suspected.
“Are you a noble?” Phillip asked Leila bluntly.
“Gosh no,” Leila replied. “I’m from a place where they don’t have nobles.” Phillip seemed more relaxed.
“Is he?” Phillip asked about Nalick.
“Yes,” Leila told him truthfully. “I didn’t like him too much at first either, but then I found out he really is a good man.” Theo and Macarius were sitting on the other side of the table and listening to the conversation. Leila actually admitted to liking Nalick. “Would you like to meet him?”
“He really is a good person?” Phillip asked. “Around here, they don’t talk nicely about most of the nobles. The only person they seem to like is the new queen.”
“I promise he is a good guy,” Leila said, motioning for Nalick to come over and join them. Nalick sat down next to Leila, and Tim huddled closer to her. “It’s okay Timmy. This is my friend.” Tim relaxed as Phillip eyed Nalick suspiciously. “These are Phillip, Ruth, and Tim,” Leila said introducing the children to Nalick.
“Pleased to meet you,” Timmy said while shaking Nalick’s hand. Nalick smiled as the young boy tried to greet him like a grown up.
“Pleased to meet you, also,” Nalick replied. Nalick shook Phillip’s hand also. Ruth just smiled and offered him part of her treat. Nalick watched Leila play with the children while talking to Phillip. The children seemed to like her the instant they met her the two weeks before and now acted like they were all old friends. Leila sparkled while talking to the children. The lunch bell rang to interrupt their meeting. Phillip rose, collected his siblings, and left.