Eramane by Frankie Ash Read Free Book Online

Satisfied, I hobble out to the kitchen.
    “There is no way that Lebis could take another after looking at you.” The wonderful compliment comes from Samiah as he rises from his chair at the kitchen table. “You know, I will have my men keeping an eye on the two of you,” he says with a smirk.
    “Will they hold my hand too?” I ask.
    “If I tell them to, they will,” he says, and they would too. We trade smiles and I pull up a seat.
    “Where is Mira?” I ask.
    “She said she needed to lie down for a bit. She is not feeling well.” Samiah looks concerned.
    “I am sure she will be fine,” I say, trying to lift Samiah’s concern. “She may have eaten something from the festival that has disagreed with her. You know, I was feeling unlike myself last night, but I am better now.”
    “You are probably right,” he says. I think I convinced him. My story was not completely dishonest; I did feel unlike myself last night, right after I stepped on that shard of glass.
    I hear the slowing trot of a horse just outside. Samiah looks out the kitchen window.
    “Your knight has just arrived,” he says. “Take that.” Samiah points to a small dagger lying on the cutting block. “Keep it tied to your leg.” He hands me a leather strap. “Why would I need this?” I ask, almost worried.
    “I like Lebis, I really do. But when it comes to you, I do not trust any man.”
    “Are you serious, Samiah? I am nervous enough without you frightening me. I am not taking it. Have your men follow us. I do not care, but I am not tying a blade to my leg.” I toss the strap next to the blade.
    “Take it, Eramane. I will not take no for an answer. There is nothing wrong with having help if you need it.”
    Samiah begins to walk to the door. “What are you doing?” I ask.
    “I am just going to say hello, Eramane. He makes my weapons; it would be rude if I did not.” He opens the front door halfway and, looking back to me, he says, “Put that on.” He looks down at the blade, and then out of the house he goes.
    “I am not wearing that.” I pick up the blade and the leather strap, open a cupboard door and toss them in. I will deal with Samiah later, but not now. He will not find out until we are out of sight. I begin to close the cupboard door when I see Mira in the doorway.
    “Mira!” Her presence startles me, and I shut the cupboard door less delicately than I would have liked. “Are you feeling better?”
    “A bit,” she says, reaching for the water pitcher. I pull a chair out for her to sit. “I suggested to Samiah that you may have eaten something spoiled. He seemed to believe it, so you may be able to disguise your nausea for a few more days without suspicion.”
    “That is clever, Eramane.” Her voice is dry.
    “Did you vomit?” I ask.
    “Quite a bit, actually.” She wipes her brow. “Till there was nothing left.”
    “You should go back to bed and rest. It is hot, and heat never helps nausea.”
    “I will. I just wanted to see you off. Did Samiah ask you to wear that ridiculous blade?”
    I look to the cupboard. “Yes.” Mira follows my gaze.
    “But you tossed it in my cabinet instead?” Mira’s laugh is dry too.
    “Please, Mira, do not tell him.”
    “Your secret is safe with me, Eramane. Now get out of here before Lebis hops back on that horse to fetch Lily.”
    “You are hopeless, Mira.” I kiss her good-bye on the cheek. “Go back to bed.”
    “Have fun. Be safe,” she says. I walk to the front door, take a deep breath, and open it, greeting Lebis with a friendly smile.
    He is standing with his arms folded; he looks different. I am accustomed to seeing him in dark leather garments pierced with burn holes, in gloves and big boots. Like this, though, he looks bright, dressed in a light linen shirt and dark trousers. His light brown, curly hair falls just past his neck. Lebis does not look like the rugged local blacksmith any longer. I try to look him over once more before being noticed, but my