Chapter 9

There was an uneasy tension during my last interview with Lena. She seemed stiff, uncomfortable and not at all her usual self. She didn’t need to tell me why. It was obvious the Information Minister had told her about my phone call. I felt like a traitor.

After about 10 torturous minutes of my questions and her one-word replies, Lena stood up and announced that she was tired of the interview. My heart sank. Was this it? Would I be unceremoniously thrown out of the palace, never to see or speak to her again? I wanted to explain to her, to tell her my feelings, but I was speechless.

Lena turned away from me and left the room. I stood up and watched as she began heading down the long hallway towards the rear of the palace. Suddenly she paused, made a half-turn, and faced me. “Well, come on,” she beckoned impatiently.

I hastily followed her down the corridor. Soon, we were outside in the garden, bathed in the sunlight and surrounded by lush vegetation. There was no one else about as we strolled along the little path, past the tall, succulent plants and the trees dotted with oranges and pomegranates. Neither of us spoke for a long while.

Then, suddenly, Lena stopped walking and stared down at her feet where a small prickly cactus grew.

“Sometimes I imagine that’s what my tumour must look like,” she mused aloud.

I was so surprised I blurted out:

“Are you ill?”

She eyed me sharply. “You know damn well I am.”

Before I could reply she turned and began walking briskly back up the path. I was stunned, and rather embarrassed at her swift unmasking of my feigned innocence. How did she know I knew? I surmised that our mutual friend the minister had told her. But why? He’d made it seem as though he wanted to shield her, as though her frailty needed protection from even speaking of her illness.

I realized, to my chagrin, that I had underestimated both his duplicity and her shrewdness. I shuddered and hurried to catch up to her as she strode along the pathway towards the palace doors.

“Lena! Wait!” I called out to her. “I’m sorry.”

She looked down at my hand on her arm. I removed it hastily. Lena looked away for a moment, sighed and lifted her chin slightly. I could have sworn she was rolling her eyes but told myself I must have been mistaken.

“Never mind,” she said. “There’s something I want you to have. Come along.”

“Um, OK,” I replied, still not sure what to make of the whole episode. Lena made her way back inside the palace and down the corridor to the wine cellar. I followed obediently.

Inside the cellar, Lena took me back to the shelf where her favoured vintages were stored. She slid one of the prized Bordeaux bottles from the rack, wrapped it in a light cloth, and handed it to me.

“A token of my appreciation,” she said.

“Oh, I can’t accept this,” I began to protest, but she stopped me with the light touch of a finger to my mouth.

“I won’t hear a word of it,” she said with a slight smile. “Take it.”

The gesture floored me. I didn’t know what to say.

“Wow. Thanks,” was my simple reply. “This is just awesome.”

“Now I’d like you to do something for me,” she said. “Will you do as I ask?”

“Of course, your Majesty,” I said quickly.

“Lena,” she prompted, taking the bottle from my hands and placing it on the table nearby.

“Yes, Lena.”

“There’s something I’ve always wanted,” she said softly, moving closer to me as she spoke. “And now, with so little time left, I fear I may never have it.”

“What is it?” I asked, breathlessly.

“I’ve always wanted to be kissed by a beautiful woman,” she answered. “I always wondered what it would feel like. Would you do that for me, Bianca? Would you kiss me?”

Her hand drifted up to my chin and lifted it gently so my eyes locked with hers. Her mouth was so close to mine and her eyes were half-closed. Before I even realized what was happening, I mirrored her movements and sank into her arms. Then our lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

It was like heaven, kissing her. Of course I had dreamt of it many, many times but nothing compared with the true physical sensation of her arms around me, her mouth on mine, her hands cupping my face. Her lips were so soft and inviting, I felt as though I was melting into her. I wanted to float away, to disappear into her. Then, all too soon, it was over.

She pulled away from me and I immediately opened my eyes. She was just standing there, holding my hands in hers and looking at me as though she wanted to imprint the image of me in her mind. I took a deep breath and she smiled warmly.

“Very lovely,” she said, in the same tone she probably used when appraising her wines. “That was perfect.”

“Uh, um … wait,” I stammered as she began to walk back upstairs. “Hey! Is that it? Is that all you are going to say?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she answered politely. “I should have thanked you for indulging me. Thank you Bianca.”

“What?”

“Our time is over I’m afraid.”

“Our time? What are you talking about?” I cried.

She led me to the main foyer and took my hand in what seemed a formal gesture that was quite inappropriate, considering what had just transpired.

“It has been very nice getting to know you, Bianca,” she said. “Goodbye.”

I watched speechlessly as she disappeared down the hallway. For a brief moment I contemplated following her, but I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of a man’s voice addressing me from behind. I whirled around to face the interloper. Of course, it was my old friend, Zacharias.

“Miss Montgomery,” he crisply intoned. “Time to depart.”

“I can find my own way out, thank you,” I replied, annoyed.

He smiled tightly but did not retreat one inch.

“I’m afraid I must insist on escorting you just the same,” he said.

I heard myself exhale angrily, then strode from the foyer. The minister followed briskly, opening the door for me as we exited the palace. His expression was haughty and triumphant. I wanted to slap him.

“You might want to curtail your activities over the next few days,” he intoned as I neared the waiting limo. “The situation is becoming rather unpredictable due to the rebel activity. Just a word of warning.”

His last words were drowned out by the sound of approaching military helicopters, which swooped over us in a deafening wave as they headed out towards the desert. The minister turned abruptly on his heel and marched back into the palace.

I stole a quick look around. There was an electricity in the air that unnerved me. The palace guards with their dark berets and sunglasses seemed more intense and intimidating than usual as they waved us through the gates. The whole kingdom was on edge. I sank into the back seat of the limo, my heart pounding, then met the driver’s stare in the rear view mirror.

“Get me back to the office. Fast.”