Free Veiled Dreams by Gill James

Imigriana’s face remained blank. Then suddenly it brightened.
    ‘We do have the distance writer and we can hire a magician to bring his tubes that show us what is happening miles away as if it is the room in front of us. You see, our worlds are very similar. Tell me, what is your favourite way of spending your time?’
    That was easy. ‘I like to go shopping.’
    ‘Shopping?’ Imigriana frowned.
    ‘You know. Go to the mall and look round the big shops. Buy things.’
    ‘Buy things. Yes,’ cried Imigriana. ‘But the merchants come to us with their wares. Yes you are right. It’s good buying new things.’
    ‘I did see some little shops in the city,’ said Christina.
    Imigriana shuddered. ‘You mean those dirty little workshops where the merchants make their goods. I wouldn’t ever want to go to one of those.’
    That was disappointing. There would be no going to the mall, then. ‘What’s the worst thing about living here?’ asked Christina.
    ‘Lessons.’
    ‘You mean school?’
    ‘What’s school?’
    ‘A big building where you go with lots of other people your own age to have lessons?’
    Imigriana pulled a face. ‘How vulgar. No, a tutor comes to the palace to give me lessons. Only rich people learn.’
    ‘That seems funny. You’d think poorer people would need to learn so that they could get a job.’
    Imigriana frowned. ‘But they have jobs. They learn them from their parents. We future queens and other noble women have to learn how to rule the world. It’s natural.’
    Christina didn’t get that at all. Perhaps she ought to move on to something else. ’So, what’s your favourite pastime?’
    Imigriana’s eyes lit up. ‘Kissing Leonis, of course.’
    ‘So tell me then,’ said Christina. ‘Will he do then, Leonis?’
    ‘Oh yes, oh yes! He’s just as much fun as when we were younger. But he is tall and good-looking. And very strong! He knows a lot about business affairs.’
    Imigriana looked towards the window.
    ‘My goodness, look! The sun is coming up! It will soon be breakfast time. I shall have to think what to tell Their Majesties.’
    ‘Oh, and what about me?’ asked Christina, suddenly panicking.
    Imigriana bit her lip and frowned. Then her face brightened.
    ‘I know,’ she said. ‘My memory has come back. You are someone I met when I didn’t know who I was. You recognised me when I was at the Magis Counsel. And you came here to see if I had got back safely. When I realised how much you looked like me, I decided to hire you to be my companion. Would you like to be my companion?’
    It sounded reasonable. In fact, it could be quite fun if she really did have to stay in this place.
    ‘Yes, we’ll do that then. Oh, but what about Leonis’s parents? Won’t they spill the beans?’
    ‘What? Why should they spill any beans? They don’tnormally deal with the cooking. What do you mean?’
    ‘You know! Tell your parents where you really were?’
    Imigriana was still looking puzzled.
    ‘Spill the beans. It’s just an expression we have. It means to sort of let the truth out…accidentally.’
    ‘I see,’ said Imigriana. ‘I think not! Leonis is away on business for seven weeks and his parents are holidaying by the Izaran Sea. And the whole point of a holiday there is that no one contacts you. They will stay a month, and by that time, Their Majesties will be used to you.’
    A great gong sounded.
    ‘Oh no!’ Imigriana stamped her foot. ‘It’s a wretched prayer day.’ She turned to look at Christina who was frowning.
    ‘Oh well, at least you are dressed for the part! I’ll have to find my other prayer dress.’

Chapter Eleven
Prayers
    ‘I think you had better carry on being me,’ said Imigriana after they had finished getting ready. You’ll have to pretend that you still don’t remember. Or at least, only remember on and off. That’ll explain why you don’t know what to do in the prayers. Hide, though. There’s someone coming, and we don’t want them to see