She let her head rock back and she gazed out the window of the landing just above her. The sun was low in the sky and soon it would be dark, almost time for bed. But Jahrra wasn’t tired. Her body was fatigued from the day’s classes, but her mind was snapping for action. She wanted desperately to go to that meeting but Jaax had told her no.
The thought of her guardian and his hasty and impulsive decision with regards to Shiroxx drove Jahrra’s temper up again. Why hadn’t he consulted anyone first? Why hadn’t he at least talked to her? She was the one to suffer the insult after all; shouldn’t her opinion have been included? A memory flashed through her mind then, a memory that took place in almost this exact spot. A memory of Jaax, pleased with his Solstice gift after all, pleased because, in his eyes at least, it meant that he knew she trusted him. So why couldn’t he just trust her?
Jahrra sighed and began to move up the stairs once again.
“He should not have expelled Shiroxx,” she said in a near whisper, half to herself.
“That she-dragon was a forest fire waiting to happen, and you know it Jahrra,” Neira scolded as she turned back towards the kitchen. “I’ll bring you some supper when it’s ready and we’ll have a nice talk about it if you like.”
The housemaid smiled, her eyes twinkling, and Jahrra returned the favor. It was so nice having someone to talk to, someone who would just sit and listen and not try and tell her what she should do or what she should have done. Someone to take in her worries and pains and just hold them for a little while so that she could be free for once.
Once in her own chambers, Jahrra threw her school bag next to her desk and glanced around. She desperately wanted to go to tonight’s Coalition meeting for the simple purpose of discovering what everyone thought of Jaax’s impulsive decision. She would also like to have the chance to offer her thoughts on the matter before the entire committee, despite the disastrous aftermath it would most likely cause. Better to be disagreed with than thought a coward by hiding away while her guardian took care of her problems for her.
But Jaax would never see reason and he would never allow her to accompany him, so she would just have to sneak out and go on her own. She had the means to do so and she even tempted herself with the idea of slipping into the building and hiding in one of the many balconies perched above the sitting area and watching in secret. But it was time she outgrow her childish ways and it was time Jaax accepted her as a responsible adult, one who was at the very center of the Coalition; one who had a mind and an opinion of her own.
Jahrra threw open her wardrobe and eyed her options. She glanced over a few dresses. No, those wouldn’t do. She didn’t feel like wearing a dress and besides, if she would be riding Phrym it was best she wear pants and a tunic. Gritting her teeth in irritation and determination, Jahrra grabbed her best pair of trousers and a blue, silver embroidered tunic. She pulled the clothes on and fished her brush out of her desk drawer.
Halfway through making her long hair look somewhat decent, Neira arrived with her dinner.
She took one look at Jahrra and sighed. “And what are you planning now?”
“I’m going to that meeting,” she growled as the brush got stuck in a tangle. “I have a right to be there. Jaax has to stop treating me like I’m eight years old.”
Neira swallowed and set the tray down on Jahrra’s desk. “He won’t be pleased.”
Jahrra actually snorted. “When is he ever pleased with me?”
Neira opened her mouth to say something but then thought better of it. Instead she took a breath and began again, “How do you plan to get there if he has ordered you to stay here tonight?”
Jahrra flashed the maid a poisonous glare. “He has not ordered me and I’ll just climb down the oak and slip away to the stables for Phrym. I can show up independently from Jaax.”
Jahrra threw her brush onto her desk, its wooden handle rattling across the top.
“How are you going to sneak in without being seen then?” Neira asked rather haughtily, crossing her arms and straightening her posture.
Jahrra paused and looked out her bedroom window, her pose calm for the moment. She rested a hand against the stone window frame and said over her shoulder, “I don’t plan on sneaking in. I want to be seen.”
There was silence behind her and Jahrra knew what Neira must be thinking. Jaax would be livid, there was no doubt about that, but Jaax was always livid when she did anything on her own without his consent or presence. Well, scorch him, who is he to endlessly tell her what to do? He wasn’t really her guardian, not exactly. Hroombra had been her guardian and he’d only taken up the title because she hadn’t been an adult at the time.
She was eighteen now and she could very well step out on her own and get a job somewhere to support herself if she pleased. Jahrra laughed at her own brazenness. Eighteen or not, she knew very little of the world, or at least enough to know that she couldn’t live in it as everyone else did. She would be found by those who wished her dead and as brave as she liked to think herself she was terrified of striking out on her own.
“You’ll need your coat,” Neira said behind her.
Jahrra nearly choked. She turned and gave the other woman a surprised look, for she was always on Jaax’s side in these matters.
The maid shrugged, her mouth quirking in a small grin. “You’re right. Master Jaax needs to realize you are capable of making your own decisions without his consent and although I think your going to this meeting may not be the best idea, you do have a right to be there.”
Jahrra smiled, the tension of her irritation easing some. “Thank you, Neira.”
The maid heaved a sigh. “But don’t be too hard on him dear, he does what he thinks is best.” She glanced to the side, but her face cracked in a grin and her eye held a gleam of mischief when she looked back. “Do you know what else he did besides get rid of the she-dragon?”
Jahrra arched an eyebrow.
“Now, I wasn’t eavesdropping, mind, I just happened to overhear the end of his conversation with that other Tanaan, Kaller, Koeler . . .”
Jahrra gaped. “Kehllor?!”
“That’s it! Kehllor,” Neira beamed. “Yes, he was by earlier.”
“Whatever for?” Jahrra demanded.
Neira hushed her. “Don’t know, but I did happen to hear that Raejaax has given him Shiroxx’s old position.”
“What! Why?” Jahrra breathed, her mouth hanging open.
What on Ethoes could possess Jaax to take Kehllor under his wing? Did he know Kehllor was uncomfortably attached to Shiroxx? Jahrra felt a tiny bit of her anger melt away. Perhaps the golden Tanaan dragon had finally managed to pry himself free of Shiroxx.
“I’m not sure,” Neira answered, “but I liked the look of him,” she sniffed. “Honest eyes.”
Jahrra couldn’t fight her smile but it was entirely meant for Kehllor and his promotion; it had nothing to do with the fact that she was pleased with her guardian for being responsible for said promotion.
Neira helped her into her good jacket and Jahrra pulled on her practical boots.
The sound of movement below interrupted their activity and Jaax’s gruff voice drifted up to them from the first floor.
“Jahrra, I’m leaving for the meeting.” There was a hint of apology in his voice, as if he was sorry for his exasperation in their earlier conversation. “I may be home late so don’t bother waiting up.” There was a long pause. “We have much to discuss when I return. In the morning.”