"Come then," spoke Annette. She tried vainly to smile. "Let us leave these men to their preparations. Tomorrow is a grand day for all of us." She positioned herself at the Princess's side, allowing Tashalan to grasp her arm to stand and steady herself. Monotek grasped the princess, and Annette swiftly snatched his hand from hers. She glared at him, without the slightest repentance, and hissed "You will get your turn!"
The cold rage flared for an instant in Dominic's eyes, but it was quickly covered by a luke- warm attempt of a smile. In the most regal of tones, he announced "Yes, fair ladies. Retire while these gentlemen and my self get re-aquainted...we have a marriage feast to plan for!"

Annette gave Curioso a quick look of quiet desperation, then led the princess slowly to the side chamber. The large doors opened to them, and the room held the same glorious view of the lake, the same wide balcony. Annette helped Tashalan to her bed, then sat on the floor beside her. Tashalan slowly ran her fingers through Annette's hair and across her cheek, "Khatsa.." she smiled, "you are srab med...a wild thing...aren't you? Monotek looked absolutely furious..."
"You do not have to do this, Princess. You know that as well as I.
"My people deserve this, Khatsa. They deserve to live."
"Non, by this action you are condemning them to the worst possible of hells. That is not living." sighed Annette.

Tashalan pulled her hand away, giving Annette a steely look before her gaze turned to the open balcony. "Yi mug skyes....the sadness reaches places you have no idea of, Khatsa. I know the doctors lie to me when they smile. The men, they used to look at me and say 'There goes the beautiful Tashalan'. Now all there is are looks of pity for the thing I have become." With this, she reached beneath her pillow, handing Annette the small silken purse she found beneath it. Annette opened the clasp and poured the contents into her palm. Four tiny pearls....the teeth of a Princess.
"Majesté", Annette fought back tears as she whispered, "I think you are very beautiful."
Tashalan studied her for a moment, and then smiled. "You do not lie to me." She lay back against the pillows and closed her eyes.

Annette stood, and quickly inspected the room. She went to the ornate desk along the wall and took the paper, pens, and ink. She gently sat at the foot of the Princess' bed, and began to draw her in life. Tashalan smiling, climbing, laughing. The knowing form, gentle and peaceful, danced across the pages with none of the sparrow-like fragility of the present. When Tashalan opened her eyes, she looked inquisitively from the paper, to Annette, and back again.
"Ah, madame," Annette smiled and bowed low from her seat on the bed, "Vous êtes éveillé! So nice you could join us..."
Tashalan gave her the faintest of reproachful glares, then asked "What do you have there?"
"A something for you...if you call it a wedding gift I will tear it to shreds..." Annette gave Tashalan one of the drawings. The Princess looked longingly for a moment, breathed a deep sigh, and smiled. "What is the other one?" she asked.
"Ah, nothing, le croquis de pratique. Practicing again, it has been so long..." she quickly folded the paper and put it in her pocket.

A loud knock came at the door, and the two women startled. A guard entered, announcing that the Prince was now ready to serve the noon meal. Annette looked at Tashalan, who shook her head 'no' and waved her toward the door. "Go, Khatsa. I will rest and dream about mountains." she smiled. Annette stepped forward and embraced the tiny woman, cursing Dominic for her frailty, and smelling her sickness through the veil of her perfumes.
"I will come back..." Annette whispered into the Princess' ear
"And with any luck, Khatsa, I will be dead." came the answer into hers.

Annette followed the guard through the vast halls, into a room set with one low table. She sat at a cushion beside Curioso, avoiding his glances.
"And how is my Betrothed?" wheedled Dominic, "I trust she is feeling better?"
Annette only stared at him, refusing to answer for fear she would cry out and give Dominic exactly the response he was anticipating from her.
"Well then," he continued, "This IS a joyful time!"

As the tea was served, Annette took the folded drawing from her pocket and placed it in Curioso's. She shrugged off his glances and quietly whispered, "It is a gift, mon beau canard. Now, drink your tea."