Chapter Fourteen: Renegotiating the Future (2)

[manniness]

 

“Champion Tarranya.”

Tarra turns away from the awakening garden, away from the sun-kissed edge of the Witzend horizon, and looks over her shoulder at the approaching lion man. Smiles. Says: “Not a Champion. Not anymore.”

Leif’s brows arch. “Quitting so easily?” It would have been a taunt, had he not clearly intended for it to be a Dare.

Tarra, bless her beautiful soul, does not rise to it. “No. Exploring other options. I do have talents, you know. In other things besides whipping your tail on the pitch.”

“Hah!” Leif barks, stepping up next to her to take in the view on the other side of the garden gate. “I should very much like to see you try.”

“Oh, you’ll get your chance,” she promises. “Maybe tomorrow. Before I leave.”

“... Leave?”

She nods. “Back to Crimson Harbor. I guess Master Setteeson needs an apprentice after all.” She shrugs. “Who knew I’d have the Instinct for carpentry?”

“Into-home wares,” he softly corrects her.

She chuckles. “Thanks. Into-home wares.” For a long moment, the silence that is carried on the early morning breeze is melancholy, aching.

“You never had to become a Champion for me, Tarrash’rya,” Leif rumbles softly.

“Pompous kitten,” she chides him. “You think awfully highly of yourself, don’t you?”

Leif gapes at her until she turns and informs him in a very blunt manner, “If you honestly think anything could make me do something I didn’t want to...”

He chuckles, reaches out and runs a claw through her pale hair. “Without you here to keep it in check, my ego will be completely out of control.”

“No doubt. I suppose that means you’ll just have to find time to visit me.”

“Oh, I guess I could work a few trips to the Harbor into my busy schedule.”

Tarra snorts. “You do that. It’ll be a nice change for you: managing your time instead of trying to manage me.”

“I never managed you,” he argues. “I tried – and failed spectacularly – to manage how I... I mean, I tried to... to...”

This time, the silence is awkward and heavy, teetering with the unbalanced weight of unsaid things. And, of course, Tarra refuses to tolerate that. She lifts her hand to Leif’s mane and gently pushes it aside so she can see the ornament he wears around his neck.

“Are you ever going to give this damn claw to me?” she challenges him. “It’s mine, you know.”

He chuckles at her directness. “Yes. I know.”

“But... maybe it’s best if we wait,” Tarra muses in a teasing lilt. No, her tone is not wise – not at all! – it drips with Challenge. She’s too transparent to successfully wield the weapon of emotional manipulation. But, then again, Alice had never taught her how to do that. Naturally, she uses it poorly, awkwardly. Fantastically. No, Tarra does not want to guilt Leif into surrendering to her. She is simply too prideful to beg for it. This is her way of expressing her desires, of admitting what is in her heart. “You would wait for me, right?” she continues, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “It’s just for a couple years... until I finish my apprenticeship.”

“A couple of years...” Leif muses, humor making his golden eyes glow. “That’s all the freedom I have left?”

“Oh, definitely. Once you’re mine...” She shakes her head in warning.

Leif, interestingly enough, doesn’t look all that concerned. He looks... thrilled. And then he looks... sad. “I will miss you, Tarrash’rya,” he informs her, brushing the backs of his furred fingers against her cheek. And then he reaches up, lifts the thong that holds his First Claw over his head... and settles it over hers. “... and now I won’t,” he concludes, settling the necklace against her neck and centering the claw over her tunic.

For a long moment, they say nothing... simply smile into each other’s gazes, wait for their souls to touch, to merge, to share... And then Tarra gasps, reaches for his paw. She rasps, “Leif... I can... feel...” She pauses, swallows. “Is that how you... for me?”

“Yes,” he rumbles, his own expression morphing with awe, with amazement, with flunderwhapped delight. “Yes, that’s what I feel, but you... you...! How is this possible? You... for me? You’re still so... young!”

He reaches for her as her hands disappear into his thick mane.

“Tarrash’rya?”

Tarra shakes her head, gently reprimanding him. “I’ve always felt this way, you blind idiot. You were just too stupidly stubborn to notice.”

“Not anymore,” he swears and then leans down and kisses her.

Mirana smiles as she steps back from the railing of her office balcony and gives the couple embracing under the garden arbor the privacy they deserve. Yes, she is a mother and yes, she is inclined to snoop, but Tarra does not need her now. Tarra is happy. And it is Mirana’s job, as both a mother and a queen, to ensure she has every opportunity to enjoy that happiness.

She returns to her desk and the proposal lying atop it. Negotiations will resume shortly and she has a decision to make.

Mirana picks up the parchment, reads it once more, and then calls for a footman. Marshing answers it a few moments later and, entering the office, croaks, “What can I do for you, Your Majesty?”

“You can deliver an invitation to Jaspien. I would like him to join the negotiations today and present his ideas.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

The frog bows himself out and Mirana glances toward the balcony. Oh, she is tempted to check on them, but... no. She’ll settle for asking the trees later.

Yes, Tarra had been right; the ever-blossoming cherry trees are terrible gossips, especially about romance.

And they have been fortunate in that regard, Mirana knows. Tarra and Leif. Herself and Dale. Alice and Tarrant.

Oh. Yes. Alice and Tarrant. Mirana’s heart aches for them, for herself, for what is coming. For what neither she nor Tarrant must be permitted to prevent, to stop, to circumvent. No, no one must interfere in the coming events.

And come they will.

For good... or ill.

 

Comments

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

“Are you ever going to give this damn claw to me?” she challenges him. “It’s mine, you know.”

I Loved that. Very muchy and very Tarra. Their whole scene was really satisfying after seeing the arc of their relationship from when she was small to now.

But, um...Mirana knows about this Thing too? I'm feeling worse and worse about it!