The Dedicated, Chp 1 Pt 2

Jannelle let out a small, barely audible sigh of relief now that the official greetings were over. She stood to the left and slightly behind Jared, and waited for his dismissal. He never wanted her around during his closed meetings with ambassadors. Jannelle had a moment of apprehension when the Littan ambassador, Tasia Ye’ana, mentioned to her, “My dear child, there is no reason to be so nervous with us.”

Jared gave them a strange look and then unobtrusively moved her away from Tasia. Neither of them realized that her nervousness came from her fear of displeasing Jared and facing him afterward, and not this meeting. But before he could dismiss her, Tasia spoke up.

“Lord Fallar, if you please, today holds nothing that my mate cannot handle on his own. I would like, with your permission of course, to spend some time with your charming wife.” Tasia smiled slightly, and her luminous blue eyes regarded him levelly.

With credit to Jared’s wonderful diplomatic skills, there was no hesitation in his answer. “Why Ambassador Ye’ana, I’m sure she’d be delighted. I don’t believe she had any plans, and talking with you would be educational for her. She has admired you for quite some time. Feel free to keep her company all day. Ambassador T’rar and I will be just fine.”

But the set to his jaw, and the black look he cast Jannelle’s way promised his anger would fall on her when they were alone. She never really understood why she could anger him so quickly by just being, but it was usually the norm. Jannelle brought forth a weak smile, and her response was automatic. “I’m flattered, Lady Ambassador. Thank you, my Lord husband. Your indulgence of me is unnecessary.”

Jared did not look her way as he spoke. “Not at all, dear. But do not forget yourself.” The coldness in his voice caused a small shudder to go through Jannelle. Tasia passed a look to her mate, Rhys, which spoke volumes. Being empaths, they could both feel the intensity of emotion emanating from both husband and wife.

Rhys T’rar spoke up. “Well, Lord Fallar, shall we be on our way? This day will be tedious, so let’s get as much as possible finished. Tasia deplores contract reviews. I always try to spare her.” He gave Tasia a fond look as Jared led him through the tall, ornate doors into the palace.

When they were gone, Jannelle looked at Tasia, and saw her bright blue eyes regarding her with an obvious question. Jannelle spoke quickly, “Lady Ambassador, I’m flattered that you want to spend time with me. Is there anything special you would like to do today?”

For a moment, Tasia just looked at her, and then she spoke. “My Lady, may I be blunt?”

“Of course. You may always speak freely here.” Jannelle was surprised by the question. “Why don’t we sit in the library?”

While they walked, Tasia said, “Child, I knew your mother well, long ago. She told me of this arranged marriage when you were very young. After your father died, she asked my counsel often. At the time, all of us thought this was a good idea,” and Jannelle knew by the wave of her hand that Tasia meant her marriage to Jared. Tasia continued, and Jannelle placed her hand on Tasia’s arm as they walked. “Jared was your age when the betrothal was made. He was always so headstrong, and seeing his father die, fighting a war he never truly believed in, turned him very bitter. He has become a very good ruler over the years but he resented you from the start.” Tasia paused while Jannelle opened the large doors to the library and led her inside.

Jannelle motioned for her to take a seat on a large, soft couch near one of the windows. “I did not know you spoke to my mother about these things when the decision was made. But you’re right, he has never liked me.” She knew Tasia could read her emotions, and she very much wanted someone to talk to.

Tasia looked at her with sympathy. “It was necessary to join your Houses by marriage to make the peace a lasting one. Once, long ago, there was only the one, but it was split by civil war. Of course, you know this. It’s all common history to you. Your mothers knew this after the death of their husbands. They did what they had to do.”

Jannelle responded with a confused sound to her voice. “I understand all of this. I have done all I can to make the marriage successful.”

“But my dear, it’s not what you have or haven’t done. I’m worried about you, you see. I can feel that you are afraid of your husband, and I sense from him how he feels about you. So I think perhaps you could use a friend, someone to talk to. And if there’s anything I can do to help…”

Jannelle interrupted Tasia with a quick shake of her head. “No, please don’t do anything. Jared would be very angry if he knew you were talking to me about this. He’s a very private person, and over the years of our marriage, we’ve come to an understanding with each other. I know you mean well, but it would do more harm than good. He’s told me that we should conceive a child together soon, and I believe that will change his feelings about me, even if it’s only a little bit.”

Tasia gazed at Jannelle with those luminous eyes, and Jannelle realized that all of her feelings were open to Tasia. She knew that she could not prevaricate to the empathic woman. So she just sighed and said, “You’re right, Ambassador. He barely tolerates me. He can hardly conceal his contempt for me. I know he has hated me since our marriage was arranged. I have done all I could to change his feelings toward me, but I have come to realize that that will never happen. And although I do my best not to anger him, sometimes the mere sight of me does. But I am his wife, and I will fulfill my obligations, and perform all of the duties of his wife and co-ruler.”

“You certainly have matured over the years, Lady Jannelle. You put up a brave front, but deep inside, you have some fear of him. I wish you happiness in your marriage, but I have also sensed how Jared feels about you, so I do not expect you will find it there. I do, however, hope that you find some measure of it in other aspects of your life.”

Jannelle gave Tasia an ironic smile. “I thank you for being candid,” she told her. Jannelle let her gaze drift out the window to the beautiful garden outside.

Tasia shifted in her seat to get Jannelle’s attention. “I have heard that you have an interest in humanoid telepathic abilities. I have done some research in that field over the years, and I would be happy to discuss it with you. My findings are quite extraordinary.”