One Choice (12 page)
Authors: Ginger Solomon
I know you are needed by your family at this time, and I understand. I wish only to be of service. I will be leaving with the others unless I hear from you.
If my request is denied, please know I will always consider you my friend and cherish the time we spent together.
Your friend,
Cahri Michaels
She returned and handed him the note. He nodded. “Now go pack, prepare for your departure.”
Cahri prayed she wouldn't have to leave, but she packed anyway. She glanced over the few things she had unpacked â her personal items, the picture of her family, and the figurine from Paul. She wrapped them in cloth and placed them in a box. Then she cleaned out Stormy's litter box and walked around to the other rooms to see if she could find him. She found him with Halima, who cried as she petted him.
“What's wrong?”
“I cannot go home. I must find a husband. I am afraid.”
Cahri hugged her and tried to reassure her. She asked if she could pray for her.
Halima gaped at her, but nodded.
“Father, God, help Halima. Give her favor with the nobles. Open the eyes of a young, kind, and loving man so he might see her in a special way. Give her your peace. Thank you. Amen.”
“Thank you for sharing your cat with me.” Halima handed the cat to Cahri and wiped her tears.
“You're welcome. He enjoyed it.” Cahri watched her walk away, continuing her prayers for her in silence.
It had become easier in the past day to pray, but Cahri's heart was still not right with God. A heaviness remained. She sighed.
She took Stormy back to her room and found Matthias standing at the door waiting.
“Come.” Short and to the point, as usual.
“Just a minute. I need to put Stormy away, so I can find him again, if I need to.”
He nodded.
With Stormy tucked into his carrier, voicing his disapproval at being confined, she stood.
She followed Matthias to an area of the palace she hadn't been to before. It wasn't even a part of the tour, though it appeared much like the rest, lots of paintings and sculptures. They ascended a set of stairs and made a few turns. As they neared a set of doors fraught with a great deal of quiet commotion, he slowed. A low whistle bounced off the walls, and then Anaya appeared.
“Cahri!” Anaya ran and hugged her. “You will have to go before my father with your request. I cannot make that decision.”
Cahri sighed.
“We are shorthanded right now, so he may oblige you, but he is an unusual man, and sometimes his decisions are hard to understand. He is just down the hall. Are you ready?”
After a quick prayer, she nodded.
Anaya led her toward another room and stopped at the open door. “Father, Cahri requests an audience with you.”
“Not now!”
Before Anaya could say anything, Cahri took a bold step forward with her eyes lowered. “Sir, I realize this is not a good time, and I beg your forgiveness, but it is the only time available to me. Please, will you hear me? I will take just a moment of your time.”
She heard him sigh, though she couldn't see his face. In the background, another female voice spoke in whispers.
After just a few minutes he said, “Yes, come in, so I can see you better. Please make it quick.”
“Yes, sir. I am here to offer myself in service to you, until such time as I am no longer needed. I have no family in the area and I wish to remain in Belikara, at least for now.”
“Give me some time to think on this.”
Turning from Cahri, he faced Anaya and spoke to her in the dialect Cahri didn't understand. Frustration pooled in her gut, but she tamped it down. Why had she never heard it before?
Anaya and the king talked back and forth, and Cahri moved her eyes from one to the other from beneath lowered lids. She caught a few words, but they didn't seem to make sense, something about service and wife. A few emotions flitter in and out of Anaya's features. The most disturbing came when the king spoke the word
wife
. Her friend's face had a hint of excitement, which disappeared as fast as it had come. Why would she be excited about the word
wife?
“Come,” Anaya said. “My father will think and pray about your offer for a time. It could be a few hours or a few days. In the meantime, he has instructed me to give you use of a room beside mine meant for a lady's maid. Matthias will take you to get your things and show you to the room. When you have settled in, I want you to come back here. I want my father to see that you can help with Josiah.”
Anaya motioned to Matthias, and he led the way back to the room. The other women had already left when she returned, so no one questioned her. She grabbed her things and asked Matthias if he would carry one of the boxes as she lifted another box and Stormy's carrier.
“I'm ready. Lead the way.”
He moved toward Anaya's room, as she expected. They passed it, and at the next door he stopped and motioned her inside. She set down her box and the cat carrier and took the other box from Matthias.
“Thank you.”
“Can you find your way back?”
“Is there a shorter way?”
“Yes. Go this way.” He pointed farther down the hall opposite from the direction they just came. “Take a left at the fountain. A corridor will lead you to the stairs we went up before. Can you find it from there?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Cahri decided not to waste time unpacking her things until the king had made a decision. She set up Stormy's litter box and gave him some food and water. She released him from the carrier, but decided to shut him in the room for now. She didn't want to have to go looking for him if something changed. A quick glance around the room showed a wrought-iron bed with a red and beige accented comforter. Nice enough, but not her style.
She made her way back to Anaya. The prince must be there as well. They hadn't told her the extent of his injuries, but he must be in pretty serious condition for the Bridal March to be canceled instead of postponed. Matthias stood outside of the third room on the right. As she drew nearer, he motioned for her to stop and wait.
Voices came from the room, but she couldn't hear everything being said, nor did she understand most of it. She thought she heard Anaya and the king, but another, unfamiliar female voice floated to her ears.
After a few minutes, Anaya came out into the hall looking for Cahri. “Good, you made it. Please come in.”
Cahri followed her through the door and encountered the king and the queen. She curtsied.
“Come closer,” the king commanded.
She obeyed.
“Look at me.”
She quaked, but dared not disobey. She raised her eyes and peered at him. His eyes were a little lighter than Prince Josiah's and more intense and penetrating than either Prince Josiah's or of Prince Jonathan's in the portrait. She sucked in and held her breath, but did not look away. Could he see her heart by looking into her eyes?
Then a twitch of a smile appeared on his lips. “So, now I see why my children are taken with you. You are different with your green eyes and auburn hair. You are respectful, but can also withstand much scrutiny without flinching. I like that. You will stay. See to it, Anaya.”
“Yes, Father.” She faced Cahri, “Come.” She led the way to another room. “Sit, please, Cahri. I must tell you what your duties will be.”
Cahri sat and waited. She scanned the room. Dark colors and no frills, but she loved it. It was warm and inviting. The chairs asked to be cuddled in to read the many books lining the shelves of two of the walls. The third wall consisted of windows covered by cream sheers and flanked by a deep blue set of drapes. Paintings of various garden scenes covered the last wall. She peered closer and recognized the garden she'd walked through every day.
She sighed and wished she could sit here and rest for a little while. Her mind flitted from one thought to another, and she needed to relax a little.
****
Anaya sat without speaking for a few minutes as Cahri examine the room.
God, I pray my father is right and this will bring Cahri and Josiah together and not push them apart. This is a hard thing I am going to be asking my friend to do. Help her.
“Your assignment is to take care of the prince. I know you have strong feelings for him, but I also know since you are not a normal servant, he cannot bully you. He's woken once and was quite rude to the servant girl who tended him, sending her from the room in tears, so be prepared.”
She took a deep breath, fortifying herself, and continued. “His injuries are not extensive, nor life threatening, which is why he is here instead of in the hospital. The doctor is a local one and excellent at his job. He can be here within a moment's notice if necessary, since he will be in the palace for a few days.
“Josiah has several bruised ribs, a broken leg, a broken arm, and a slight concussion. Those are his major injuries. He also has many scrapes and bruises. While not significant, they do cause him some minor pain and irritation. Your job is to try to keep him comfortable. While it sounds like an easy job, it's not. He's not an easy patient. He becomes irritable when he's in pain and also when he's bored.”
Cahri's face seemed serene, but her gaze flitted from object to object, never focusing on one thing. Anaya hoped she was at least listening.
“My brother loves God and strives to always do right, but he is still human and doesn't always hold his temper well. Right now he is on a strong painkiller, which helps him rest.” Cahri's gaze settled on something in her lap. “Later when his wounds begin to heal, he will be bored. Since you will be his primary caregiver, except for his more personal needs, you will bear the brunt of his irritation. Can you handle it?”
“Yes.” Cahri sounded confident, but her body language didn't agree. She clutched her hands together so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Nope, not confident.
Her eyes showed fear, but they also held determination. It might get her through.
“Remember, you will take care of everything except his most personal needs, which includes making him follow doctor's orders.”
God, help her.
She prayed fervently.
“Since I take care of the servant assignments, it has been decided you are the least likely to cower when he becomes angry or to give in when he becomes sullen and demanding. I need you to be strong.” Stronger than ever before.
“I know you also rise early, which will be necessary to keep him company during those times when no one else is awake. I trust you with my brother's welfare, Cahri. My father trusts me to take care of it. This is your one chance to remain here. It is a lot of responsibility. Are you ready for it?”
“I will do my best to not let you or the king down.”
“Okay then, let's go see the prince. Remember he has many bruises and scrapes, and the doctor has him on an IV for now. The doctor is staying in the palace, but he won't be here long, a few days at the most.”
Josiah opened his eyes a fraction then closed them again. The light hurt. Where was he? He opened his eyes again and gazed up at the ceiling. His room.
Anaya came over and put her hand on his. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I've been trampled by a horse. What happened?” He struggled to remember.
They'd ridden through the woods and come upon a sandy area. He'd dared Anaya to a race. She'd agreed, but not without arguing about it. The next thing he remembered was a great deal of pain when someone touched his leg. He thought he might have screamed, but couldn't recall for sure.
“Copper tripped, and you kept going. I screamed and he spooked, stepping on your leg. We're not sure how you hurt your arm, maybe the fall.”
“That must be why I ache all over.”
“It is. I have something else to tell you.”
“Okay.” Something about her tone set him on edge. He peered at her. What type of news would precipitate such an introduction? Copper?
“Did Copper get hurt?”
“No. A skinned knee where he fell, but otherwise he's fine.”
He breathed out a sigh, relieved to know his horse hadn't suffered from his juvenile games. “Then what?”
“Father has agreed to allow Cahri to be your nursemaid for the length of your recovery. She offered her services after the Bridal March was canceled.”
“No!” He shook his head. He tried to rise, but the pain sent him back to the bed. “I don't want her here. I don't want her to see me like this.”
Anaya stood. “It has been decided. You have no say in the matter.” She walked away from the bed toward the window.
He followed her with his eyes.
Cahri.
She was already here, in his room.
Oh, God. How can I stand being in her presence all of the time? You know how attracted I am to her. I never wanted her to see me like this. Incapable. Weak. Vulnerable.
He refused to look at her. He'd have to make her go away.
“I'll be back in a while, Josiah. Behave,” Anaya commanded on her way out.
He closed his eyes. Maybe if he ignored her, she'd go away. Sleep claimed him again.
****
“Do you feel like eating?”
No response. Cahri sighed.
She filled a plate with a little of everything brought for lunch, since she didn't know about the prince's food preferences. After a deep breath, she walked over to the small table beside his bed, set the plate down, and pulled up a chair. While it was proper for her to keep her eyes lowered in front of him, she couldn't care for him and maintain that position, so she stared straight at him.
“I don't want you here,” he said.
“I know. I heard, but I'm not going anywhere. I have a job to do. Are you going to cooperate?” Bluntness should serve her best here.
His look of astonishment almost caused her to smile, but she resisted. He wouldn't react well to such an action.
“Do I have a choice?”
In his eyes she saw pain but also a measure of pride, which he seemed to be fighting. His voice reflected his struggle.
“No. You either cooperate or you go hungry. It's your choice, and since your father knows I'm the one taking care of you, I guess I'm your only choice.” She lifted her lips in a small, knowing smile.
He sighed and gazed at her. “I can see your reverence has a limit. I will do as you ask. For now.”
“My reverence is no good to you right now, my prince,” she said as she bowed her head a touch. She stood to help him sit. He refused the help, so she waited. After a few minutes of struggling, he laid his head back down on the pillow, exhausted.
“Are you ready for me to help you?” Her calmness surprised even her.
He glared at her and mumbled a yes. She helped him sit and asked what he preferred to eat. He glanced at the plate and chose what he wanted. She lifted the fork toward his lips, and he closed his mouth and shook his head like a child who didn't want to eat.
“What is it now?”
“I can feed myself.”
“Oh? How exactly? It took almost every bit of strength you had just to sit with my help. You can't hold the plate with your right arm in a cast, and I doubt you could get much of this food into your mouth with your left hand tied to the IV bag. What do you propose to do, eat like a dog while I hold the plate?”
He glared at her again. “Why do you have to be so⦠so right?”
She shrugged and proceeded to feed him. He managed half the meal before he was too exhausted to eat more. She offered him a drink and his medicine, and then helped him to lie down again, pulling the covers up to his chin.
“I like the covers below my arms.” He huffed.
She pulled the covers back down, raised his casted arm and set it on top.
“Better?”
“Yes.”
Almost before she picked up his plate and returned it to the tray, his breathing evened out. She filled her own plate and pushed aside the curtain. Opening the door, she stepped out onto the balcony. This would be her only time outside for the time being, so she would take it when she could get it. She pulled out a chair, sat down, and ate her lunch.
After cleaning up, she watched the prince. He appeared relaxed and childlike as he slept. The frown of pain was gone. She walked over and reached out to touch his hair, but pulled her hand back.
She was his caretaker. Nothing more. She didn't have the right to touch him with such affection. The contact from moving him earlier still tingled on her fingers.
Taking a deep breath, she moved to the single upholstered chair in the room. It was in the corner on the opposite side of the bed from the balcony window. It allowed her to see the prince and the bedroom door.
As she sat in the chair, which was a pleasing shade of burgundy and quite comfortable, she glanced about the room again. She'd always thought people's personalities were conveyed through their decorating tastes.
Who was this man?
The king-sized bed, covered with a comforter of bold stripes in burgundy, gold, and navy blue, dominated the space between the two balcony doors. She liked it. Blue, a shade or two lighter than the comforter, adorned the walls. Navy blue drapes with creamy off-white sheers waved in the breeze.
The bistro type table, where she'd sat talking with the doctor a short time ago, sat nestled beside one of the balcony doors along with two chairs.
It appeared the prince liked to be neat. Little cluttered the room. The mahogany chest of drawers had a family picture and some loose coins and a wallet.
She recalled her venture into his closet. Casual shirts hung separate from the dressy shirts. His formalwear dangled in color-coordinated sections at the rear of the closet. Shoes lined the wall in straight rows.
The prince would have been disturbed by the appearance of his room when she had entered earlier. She had taken the time to pick up the trash and dishes and fold the clothes. Somehow she knew it would please him to see his room clean. He would never know what she had done, which was okay. She didn't need his thanks.
Cahri had just closed her eyes for a few minutes' rest when the door opened all the way. She stood, shaking off the fatigue, as the queen entered the room.
“Sit, dear. I need to tend some matters in another part of the palace, but I wanted to check on Josiah before leaving. How is he?”
“Resting. He did manage a few bites of lunch.”
“I sense anxiety in your voice, dear. What is it?”
Cahri lowered her gaze to the floor. She contemplated about whether to voice her concerns or not. “He's not happy I'm here, nor is he pleased with me. I wish to show him reverence as the prince, as he's accustomed to receiving, but it's difficult to maintain and still have his best interests in mind. He thinks me irreverent, I think.” Heat rose to her face at her admission.
“My husband and I knew this would be a difficult position, but Anaya assured us you were up to it. You are right, though. Josiah has gotten his way for the most part, especially with the servants. They all love him a great deal and would not disobey him in anything, even for his best interest. This is one of the reasons we agreed to allow you to be his caretaker. He is in need of a firmer hand than any of the servants would give. You must stand firm. He is strong-willed and will fight you a great deal of the way, but he is a good boy, and he loves God.”
She pushed the stray lock of hair off of his forehead with a mother's gentleness. The same lock Cahri dared not touch earlier. She sighed to herself.
The queen straightened and left the room without another word. Cahri returned to her seat. This was going to be harder than she first imagined. Not being able to touch him with affection would be hard. Continuing to hide her strong feelings for him would be the most difficult part of all.