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Ludim materialized from the darkness like a pale reed stepping through the bushes that rimmed the courtyard. A torch sputtered nearby. It wouldn’t last much longer.
“What are you doing here, Ludim?” Imi glanced about. She had wandered to the far end of the courtyard, near the back gate that led out into the lane behind the house. The gate swung open. Ludim must have come through there and she’d been too preoccupied to notice. There was nothing close by to hide behind or use as a weapon.
Ludim smiled. A hard, tight movement of his features that made her body turn cold, despite the oppressive heat that lingered through the night.
“I was at the tavern tonight when I heard about a banquet held by a priestess to show off an heiress who doesn’t move in higher circles.” Ludim said, his voice oilier than a bowl full of flax oil. “I had to stop by and see for myself. You clean up well, runt.” He raked her with a look that made her wish she had a scarf to cover herself.
If she ran, Ludim would overtake her. His legs were longer, and her dress would get in the way. The musicians were still playing music upstairs and people were talking – they might not even hear her scream.
“What do you want?” she stalled for time as she cast about the darkened courtyard for something to help. There. On the raised fishpond in the centre of the courtyard. Aua had been playing there earlier in the evening and had left a large rock on the ledge. If Imi could grab it, she’d have a weapon. She could also put the pond between herself and Ludim.
“Mother is worried about you,” he said, stepping closer.
“That’s kind of her. As you can see, I’m quite well.” She spoke lightly as she edged left towards the fishpond.
“She’d like you to come home,” Ludim said, moving sideways as she did, smiling like a cat toying with live food. The torch nearby sent up a few sparks, then died. In the sudden darkness, Ludim’s pale body became a blob with a featureless face.
“No thanks,” Imi said unsteadily. Ludim had blocked her path to the pond. Her options weren’t great. “I like it here. No one tries to climb into bed with me when I’m sleeping, you know.”
He gave an ugly chuckle. “You can’t stay here forever. You don’t want to be a burden to them, do you?” His voice turned soft and cajoling, with an undercurrent of nasty. The blob moved closer. “Come on, runt. No one else wants you. You can marry me, and it’ll be alright. I’ll give you a litter of little runts to keep you and my mother busy, and you can play around with your perfumes while I manage the funds.”
A shiver ran through her. Because he was partly right, and she despised him for it. She couldn’t stay with Betrest forever and she didn’t want to be a burden to her – or anyone else. But as for the other comments...
“You’re wrong. I’m getting married.” Spoken strongly, the words were out before she could think them through.
Ludim stilled. “To who?”
She took another step back, glancing about the weaponless courtyard. “Uh... to...uhm...” Ra’s balls. She’d meant she was going to marry in a general sense. Eventually. Soon.
“Little liar.” He leapt forward and grabbed her wrist before she could react. His grip was crushing. “You see,” he hissed, “I’m right. No. One. Wants. You.”
“Let me go!” She stomped on his foot.
“Ow!” he cursed, but his grip on her only tightened, and he twisted her arm behind her back until she was afraid it might break. She was crushed against his chest.
Frantic, she twisted and thrashed and flailed her free hand at him. “Lemme go, lemme go, lemme go!” She hit out at his face and scratched his cheek. She kicked his shin. She pulled her knee back, ready to kick him in the testicles once again.
He cursed and shoved her, releasing her so quickly she whirled about, the backs of her knees hitting the stone wall of the raised pond, knocking her off balance. Her bottom landed on the stone with a painful thump.
A blur of movement and white linen fabric blew past her, lifted Ludim from his feet and sent him flying through the air.
“Uff,” Ludim hit the ground with such force he skidded back and almost topped over.
“Get up,” Nehesy snarled, stalking towards Ludim. “Get up now.”
“She’s lying,” Ludim said, scrabbling backwards over the hard-packed sand.
“Imi doesn’t lie.” Nehesy reached down and grabbed Ludim by his braided sidelock of hair, dragging him up to standing. Ludim screeched. Imi slapped a hand over her mouth. In shock. Horror. A touch of glee, even, to see Ludim finally getting what he deserved.
“She is lying!” Ludim screeched. “She says she’s getting married. But she’s just trying to sucker somebody into doing it because of the terms of her father’s will. Until she marries, she can’t access her inheritance. She’s going to trick somebody into marrying her. And she’s lying about it right now.”
Oh no. Imi wanted to sink into the ground, and her knees felt ready to do just that. Nehesy looked to her, a question in his eyes. She stared back helplessly. His mouth flattened, then he turned back to Ludim, his fist still tight on the other man’s sidelock.
“Imi doesn’t lie,” Nehesy said, his voice hard. “And I warned you to stay away from her,” Nehesy shoved Ludim, sending him staggering back in the direction of the gate.
Imi blinked. Nehesy had warned Ludim? When? How? But this was not the time to question, of course, for Nehesy was advancing again.
“I told you you’d regret it if you came near her again.” Nehesy shoved Ludim again with the same results. “You better run now or I’ll break. Every. Bone. In your face.” He punctuated these last words with more shoving.
“Hey!” For some very, very stupid reason, Ludim decided to protest. “You can’t just shove me around. Imi’s my stepsister. I have a right to check on her.” He planted his hands on Nehesy’s chest and pushed. Or tried to.
Nehesy smacked Ludim’s arms away and gave a mean smile. “Go ahead and try again,” he taunted. “Hit me.”
Ludim, belligerent as ever, swung a fist at Nehesy’s face. Imi made an involuntary squeak and slapped her hand over her mouth again, afraid she’d distract Nehesy and he’d get hurt. Nehesy ducked Ludim’s fist and slammed his own into Ludim’s side. It landed with a sickening thud. A second hit connected with Ludim’s exposed throat, and Ludim dropped to his knees and doubled over his right side, gasping like a perch out of water.
“Bastard!” Ludim wheezed.
Nehesy planted his heel on Ludim’s chest, and pushed, knocking him to his back. “Shut your mouth,” he growled, looming over Ludim, his fists clenched.
A soft curse escaped Imi as she exhaled and laid her palm on her chest. It felt as if she’d been holding her breath from the moment Nehesy had launched himself at Ludim. She had no idea Nehesy could fight like that. That he could be so deadly. She despised Ludim, but she couldn’t stand that Nehesy had to fight on her account.
“Nehesy, enough,” she said. “Please.”
Nehesy turned to her. He seemed enormously large, and the air about him was hectic with fury. But as soon as he saw her, the ferocity of his expression drained away, replaced by concern. He was by her side in two long strides. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” His hands were on her shoulders, smoothing down her arms as he looked her over.
She shook her head, still a little stunned by how quickly things had escalated. “I’m fine.” She absently rubbed the wrist Ludim had twisted. Now that the danger had passed, it burned from the friction of their struggle. Nehesy noticed, took her hand up right away and held it up to catch a bit of light creeping over the horizon in the distance.
He gave a low growl and whirled on Ludim, who was just dragging himself up off the ground.
“Run and hide, little beetle,” Nehesy said. “Because if I find out you’ve come near Imi or my family ever again, I’ll kill you and make your body disappear. Your name will be erased from history, and your ka will be forever restless.”
Ludim glanced from Nehesy to Imi, hesitating. Nehesy lifted his fists. Ludim scowled, then turned and limped through the gate. When he’d disappeared into the rising dawn, Imi looked to Nehesy.
Only to find they weren’t alone.
Betrest was standing next to Amun at the base of the stairway.
“Is everything alright now?” Betrest called softly.
Above them on the rooftop, the few remaining guests had gathered at the edge and were looking down at them.
Imi closed her eyes as a sickening feeling filled her belly. She’d caused a scene. After all Betrest’s work to bring her into their noble circle of acquaintances, Imi and her stupid, stupid stepbrother had probably ruined it. It didn’t really matter that it was Ludim’s fault, or that Nehesy had once again rescued her. Ludim had come because of her. Because she caused trouble wherever she went.
Ludim was right. She was a burden to others.
“I’m sorry,” she said to Betrest, then looked to Amun. “I’m so sorry.” Then she fled.