The Drifting by L. Filloon Page B

continues to shake from the cold.  Idiot.  He should have realized that she isn’t accustomed to our climate.  He should have setup one of the thelas for basic training instead.  Not only that, but he threw her in with Kulzo on her first day?  What the hell was he thinking?
    I slip by them into the thela making my way to Lily’s sleeping area.  I move within the shadows, but keep a look out for Sema.  Ziri may miss me in the shadows, but somehow I doubt that Sema would have any trouble finding me in the dark.  Not more than five seconds after entering Lily’s room, several panswas come to light instantly chasing the shadows away.
    “I would think that the future king of Velesi would have better things to do than skulk around his future wife’s room like some lovesick adolescent,” says Sema tartly standing near the end of the bed.  With her hands together and placed in front of her, Sema gives me an arched brow waiting for a response.
    I turn to her folding my own arms.  I’ll be damned if I will let this woman chastise me for being where I have every right to be.  “I didn’t know that I needed permission to ‘skulk’ in my betrothed’s room,” I remark back, not showing any offense to her accusation.
    “Until she is officially your bride, you will be respectful of her innocence, Prince Tharin,” she states firmly.
    “You do me an injustice, old woman,” I reply lifting my chin at her.  Despite my defiance to her questioning, her implication of Lily’s innocence pleases me.
    “Oh, really,” she retorts.  “I’ve been watching you since you were a babe in your mother’s arms, Tharin.  I’ve witnessed you and your brother grow into handsome boys, and become formidable warriors.  And although your brother grew up oblivious to the young Sidhlettes buzzing about him all his life, you, however, not only noticed but gave notice to the fairer sex.”  She squint her eyes at me with intent, “You will behave yourself where Lily is concern.”
    I chuckle at her admonishment and walk farther into the room thinking, If you say so old woman.   I note that Sema added more to the room since my first visit with Lily.  The bed and the nightstand are still here, but there is now a mirror above the nightstand.  The bench at the end of the bed is now covered with a handmade blanket.  Did Lily make that, or Sema?  There are two large baskets along the wall, with Lily’s jeans and shirt sitting neatly folded on one of them.  Beside it on the floor are her boots.  A tub sits at the farthest part of the room, a small stool next to it with towels, and the scent of gardenias lingers.
    “I will do as I please with my betrothed,” I say casually knowing it would rile her a bit.  I look over the items on the nightstand.  On it is a small frame with a picture of Lucas and Lily.  It’s the same one that was in her living room.  I recognize the picture where Lily is wearing a uniform and she’s holding a basketball to one side, while on the other side she has her arm wrapped around Lucas.  He towers over her, hugging her to him, and they are both smiling…their faces filled with joy.  I reach for it, but stop short of touching it.  I stare at the young Lily.  It’s the same little girl I met during our Binding. 
    “How did this get here?” I ask as I lightly trace my finger over Lily’s young face.
    “I brought it to her,” replies Sema.  “Why are you here, Tharin?  You don’t have to worry about her now.  She’s come out of her self-imposed coma.  Ziri and I are more than capable of caring for her until the Seating, and of course, she has Cessa with her at all times.  So, again…why are you here?”
    “I don’t have to have a reason to be here, nor is it any of your business, Sema,” I remark, becoming irritated by the old woman’s meddling.
    “That’s where you’re wrong, Prince.  I have made her my business.”  She stands rigid and seems taller than her small