“Jaerella, did you let me win?”
“You asked me that.”
“I know. I’m asking again.”
“You surprised me. No one has ever picked me up like that. I might have expected it from someone bigger, but you’re not really any larger than I am, and I couldn’t have done that to you.”
“Builder of roads,” I said. “I don’t just sit back and give orders.”
“Yes, I suppose. I was so afraid you were going to drop me that I panicked. I didn’t even register I was breaking the rules when I began hitting you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. You got a spanking for it.”
“I left bruises,” she said.
“No biggie. I’ve had worse.”
“The resin knocked some sense into me,” she said. “But not fast enough to stop you. I couldn’t believe you were going to spank me!”
“Did it make you feel helpless and vulnerable?”
“The way you made me curl up certainly did.”
“Funny, that.”
“Hey!” she complained.
“Thank you for the excuse. I enjoyed it. I think you did, too. The resin started to coat you awfully quickly, as soon as I started rubbing.”
“I want a rematch. You tricked me.”
“Oh, please. You called, ‘Begin,’ hoping to surprise me.”
“I did do that,” she admitted.
We cuddled for a while, and then she said, “I should go.”
“I’ll bring you to Olivia,” I said.
“That isn’t necessary.”
“Are you turning me down?”
“No.”
* * * *
The house was quiet without her, although I was also ready for a break. She’d worn me out. I didn’t hear anything else that day or the next, but it was the following morning when I received an invitation from Olivia, asking me to Government House after the lunch hour. The invitation appeared quite official, but she had added a postscript. “Dress is formal.”
I wondered what was up, but sent my reply. I took an early, light lunch and then chose something appropriate, dressing like I might for court.
Melistara met me at the entrance. I asked her if she enjoyed her last two weeks, and she grinned.
She led me through Government House, but as we drew near the doors where Olivia held her most formal events, she set her hand on my arm and pulled me to the side of the corridor. “Ambassador, I’m probably out of place.”
“I feel like that most days.”
“I just think…” She trailed off then started over. “Everyone is so excited you’ve come.”
“Thank you, Melistara.”
“You were amazing in the arena, and she was so beautiful at the end.”
“That was Claary,” I said.
“Still. I just…” Again she trailed off. I wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. “We’re not really accustomed to having foreign friends,” she said finally. “Everyone in Charth is half in love with you.”
I laughed. “Are you asking me for a challenge?”
“No, but I doubt there’s anyone in town who would turn you down. It wouldn’t be my place to invite. It’s just… I wanted to know we’re happy you’re here. Everyone likes you.”
“Well, thank you, Melistara.”
With that, she led me to the door and announced me. As I walked to Olivia, I wondered what that had been about.
The room was full. There were a few slaves along the sides, but I thought I was the only woman in a dress. The rest were in leather, sparkling leather with a variety of adornments. I slowed down, wondering if Queen Lisdee were here, or something of that nature.
But I reached Olivia. We greeted with cheek kisses, then she hooked my arm. “Thank you for coming.”
“What’s going on, Olivia?”
“I want to tell you something.”
“Hmm. That sounds familiar.”
“What?”
“Nothing. You were saying?”
“You’ve been doing a good job. I’m so happy you’re here. Everyone is. I received a dispatch from Queen Lisdee, and she is quite pleased. Everyone is pleased.”
“Well, thank you.”
“But…”
“Oh, oh.”
“We haven’t lied to you. Not once, that I know of.”
“But…”
“We may have kept a few things from you.”
“I’m sure I’ve kept a few things from you, although I can’t think of any right off hand.”
“We may have let you misunderstand something.”
“You may have, hmm. Are you about to correct my misunderstanding?”
“Not me. Someone else. Just. Please don’t be angry, and don’t do anything rash.”
I pulled my arm from her and turned to face her fully. “Do I have cause to be angry?”
“Maybe a little,” she said, but in a way that suggested she didn’t trust my reaction would be calm. “Ready?”
“No.”
“Excellent.” She made a gesture.
There was a pause, and then someone called out, “Princess Gionna, daughter of Queen Lisdee.”
“The princess is here?” I asked.
Jaerella stepped into the room. She was dressed for court, wearing a long, white, very elegant dress. The entire room grew silent. No one curtsied or offered other tokens of respect, but they all turned to her and watched as she strode the corridor. The only sounds were her heels upon the floor, the swish of her dress.
And my pounding heart.
Jaerella walked to Olivia. “Greetings, Lady Olivia,” she said. She exchanged cheek kisses before turning to me. “My greetings, Ambassador Cuprite.”
She tried to kiss my cheek. I pulled away. She tried to hold my hands. I pulled them from her grip.
“I never lied,” she said very softly. “I told you to call me Jaerella. I never said that was my name.”
I stared at her. I could feel the blood pounding in my skull. I tried to get myself back under control. I actually partially succeeded, but only partially.
I didn’t scream, after all.
“You tricked me,” I said. “You played me for the fool. Perhaps someone with more experience in courtly intrigue would have seen the signs, but, clearly, I didn’t. I knew you weren’t telling me everything, but I didn’t think you were so egregiously tricking me. If you don’t think you were lying, we have different definitions of a lie. Congratulations on fooling me.”
And then I stepped past her and didn’t look back as they both called my name.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lady Olivia, Ressaline Duchess of Charthan
I no longer feel able to perform my duties. As soon as you have returned my household to me, we will return to Flarvor. Consider this letter notice of my resignation, effective the moment we cross the bridge at the River Verlies. I cannot guess whether King Leander will send someone else in my stead. You will need to communicate directly with him or my replacement.
Ambassador Allium Cuprite of Flarvor
About the Author
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
Robin can be reached via email as robin.roseau@gmail.com. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Run
Fox Play
Fox Mate
Fox Afield
Fox Revenge
Fox Dish
Fox Lost
Wolf Watch
Wolf Ways
Wolf Women
Fox Fate
Jaguar
Omega Born
Omega Life
Omega Choice (coming soo
n)
Fox Short Stories
Hunting Pups
Fox in the Water
Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)
Fox Opponent
A Foxy Valentine
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
Familiar
Kitty Cat
Poor Little Witch Girl
Seer
Seer: Thrall
Seer: Guardian
The Selected Series
Collected
Taken
Volunteer
Candidate
Recruited
Galatea
Beginnings
Lottery
Selected Roommate
The Games People Play Series
Stories that ask a simple question: do you want to play a game?
Do You Want to Play a Game?
My Soul to Play
My Soul to Lose
The Five Kingdoms
Privateer
Searching the High Seas
The Pawn Series
Pawn
Bishop
Rook
Queen (Coming Soon)
Ressaline
Encircled (Claary)
Delegation (Allium)
Traveler
Ambassador
Princess
Crown Princess (Ahlianna)
Other Novels and Novellas
Anonymous Bidder
Blood Slave
A Charming Brew
Emergency Claus
Encircled
Fitting In
Fluid
Free to Love
Galatzi Trade
Galatzi World
Galatzi Joy
Galatzi Life
In Custody
Lace
Lost in the Words
Metabrain
Outside The Box
Stark's Dell
Submission
Sugar Baby
Surprise
The Interrogation
Tresjolie
Trust
White
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.
Short Stories
Cooking for Love
Southern Night
Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)
Ressaline: Diplomat
Copyright 2019 by Robin Roseau
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
* * *
License Notes
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Table of Contents
Credits
The Diplomat
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
About the Author
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Short Stories
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
The Selected Series
The Games People Play Series
The Five Kingdoms
The Pawn Series
Ressaline
Other Novels and Novellas
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short Stories