The Olive Conspiracy by Shira Glassman

her
hands in her lap. “When I was about sixteen I wanted to marry her
and combine the two countries.”
    Rivka smiled to herself. “What do you feel
now?”
    “ I-I’m afraid of her.”
    Moving carefully so as not to dislodge Isaac,
Rivka scooted closer and put her arm around Shulamit’s shoulder.
“She’s probably harmless. And even if she’s not, remember—I’m
always here.”
    The carriage stopped, and both women looked up
to see an older but tidy little farmhouse with a large,
well-planted property behind it. “Guess we’re here already,” said
Shulamit, adjusting her hair and scarf.
    “ I think I can hold my human body
up for this,” said Isaac. He crawled down Rivka’s arm and
transformed, ending up lying down on the seats across from Rivka
and Shulamit. “Oof.”
    “ Can you get up?” Rivka looked him
over.
    “ Yes, yes,” he muttered, moving
slowly. Finally, he swung his great weight upright and took a deep
breath. “At least the air smells good.”
    Rivka was first out of the carriage and held
out her arm to help the queen down. With other guards leading the
way, they walked toward the farmhouse.
    The two young farmers and their workers had
been prepped for the royal appearance, no doubt by a dawn visit
from one of Gil and Eliana’s numerous offspring or in-laws. They
stood outside the farmhouse, nervously watching the party’s
approach.
    It was easy to pick out the women Eliana had
been speaking about. One of them was very short and very pretty,
with a curvy figure and long hair tied back under a scarf. The
other was a little taller and made of wiry muscle, with short, wavy
hair that was parted on one side. Their body language hinted that
Shulamit’s glee had been on point; they hovered in each other’s
space, most likely feeding off each other to create a more
confident being together than they would have each been
separately.
    Shulamit approached them with Rivka close
behind. “Peace, everyone. Thank you so much for welcoming us to
your grove.”
    The two farmers exchanged a brief, unspoken
conversation with their eyes, and then the shorter, curvier woman
stepped forward. “It’s such an honor to have you here, Your
Majesty.” She bowed daintily, with her companion and her workers
following suit. “I’m Halleli, and this is Hadar.”
    Hadar bowed from the neck. Rivka found herself
looking over the woman’s muscles. She wondered if Hadar knew
anything about fighting, even in sport, or if her strength was of
yet simply the task-taught type.
    “ It’s so wonderful to meet you,”
said Shulamit, brimming over with sincerity. “I know our people
have a hard time talking about these things, but…” She took a deep
breath. Rivka smiled at her beneath her mask, hoping the good vibes
helped. “I have a female companion too. Her name is Aviva. She’s
back home at the palace with the princess.”
    Rivka was proud of her, but looking at that
pained yet exalted face, she wondered if that conversation would
ever get any easier.
    The couple in front of them were clearly
happily surprised. Halleli’s eyes widened, and Hadar broke into a
huge grin. “See, didn’t I tell you? There are rumors, Your
Majesty,” she explained.
    “ I hoped there were,” said Shulamit
sheepishly, but Rivka was pleased to see that she was relaxed now.
The bottle was uncorked and flowed freely. “That makes things
easier! Besides, I’d want everyone like us to know I was out
there.”
    “ People talk about them more.” Hadar nodded toward Rivka and Isaac. “Does he really… the
dragon?”
    “ Oh, I would love to see a
dragon… I love dragons! When my parents were alive, they used to
take me high up in the mountains and we’d watch the wild ones,”
Halleli gushed and dreamed.
    “ I’m sorry to say I am not feeling
well,” said Isaac gravely, “but I will give you a little show.”
With those words, he grew into his full, gigantic, green-black
dragon shape. Rivka watched him, a little stirred, a