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 I do. Sidonie dashed the tears from her eyes.  You saw . . . we all saw what marvels
Bodeshmun and his horologists were capable of achieving. I think he may have seen that the City of Elua
would be in dire need of protection. I think it s terribly important that we find it.
 Then we ll do so. Drustan held her hands. He glanced downward and frowned.  Why are you
wearing an ollamh s charms?
 To keep her safe, I put in quickly and anxiously.  It was my idea.
This question, we had anticipated.
Sidonie glanced over her shoulder at me.  I fear Imriel remembers, she said softly.  Alban
magic, my cousin Dorelei s death. It s all mixed up in his thoughts. He s afraid. Afraid that s what s
behind Alais and Talorcan s rebellion. He thinks this will help keep me safe from it.
 It won t, Drustan said shortly.  It s ambition, not magic, at stake here.
 I know. Sidonie smiled through tears at her father.  But I don t mind and it brings him peace.
Can we not let it be and concentrate on finding Bodeshmun s charm? For that I truly believe might prove
effective.
Drustan released her hands.  Of course.
 Of course, Ysandre echoed.
There was a discreet knock at the door. Ghislain nó Trevalion went to answer it. He returned,
inclining his head.  Your majesties, he said.  The Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève and her
consort Joscelin Verreuil wish to see their foster-son. They have received word of his return.
My heart raced.
 Admit them, Ysandre said.
Seventy-Four
The door opened.
I hadn t had time to brace myself. Not against this. The sight of them was like a spear to the gut.
 Imriel. Phèdre breathed my name and my arms opened. She walked into them and I
embraced her, willing myself to forget the vile things I d said in my madness, wanting to believe for a few
heartbeats that everything was well.
 Did he harm you? Joscelin demanded.  Did he harm you? Because I swear to Elua, I will
butcher him if he did!
He meant L Envers.  No. I released Phèdre.  No, no one harmed me. I m sorry. I m so sorry.
I can t think straight.
 Still? Phèdre whispered.
I glanced at Sidonie and nodded.  Still.
 When I heard you d returned, I hoped . . . Phèdre gathered herself and turned to Drustan and
Ysandre.  Forgive us, your majesties, she said in a formal tone.  I apologize for the impropriety.
 Oh, stop, Ysandre said irritably.  You know damnably well you don t need to stand on
protocol. These are dire times and Sidonie brings dire tidings. Astegal of Carthage is dead and his army
has suffered a great defeat.
 Name of Elua! Phèdre gasped.  Oh, you poor child, she said to Sidonie.  I m so terribly
sorry.
Sidonie looked near tears again.  Thank you, my lady, she murmured.  I m sorry to bring such
awful news.
 You were in Carthage? Joscelin asked me in bewilderment. I nodded. His right hand closed on
my elbow, hard enough to hurt. He shook me roughly.  Why? Why did you flee? How could you do that
to us? Do you have any idea how worried we were?
I closed my eyes.  Yes. I m sorry.
 Take him home, Drustan said brusquely.  We ll hold a conference on the morrow.
My eyes flew open.  No! I need to be near Sidonie. I wasn t playing a role; I was terrified that
her bindings would break or fail. I didn t know what I d do if they did, but I knew I had to be there.
 The hell you do, Ysandre muttered.
 It s all right, Sidonie said quietly.  It soothes his mind to know I m close at hand. Imriel, go
with your foster-parents, at least for the night. You can return in the morning. She touched the
croonie-stone at her throat, her eyes eloquent.  Kratos will stay with me to make sure I m safe.
I hesitated, misliking it.
 Imriel! Phèdre gazed at me with reproach.  After all that we ve done for you, after all that
you ve put us through, how could you possibly begrudge us a single night?
It was true, of course; but in all the years I d known them, they d never once thrown it in my
face. It wasn t like Phèdre to do it now, believing me to be in the grip of madness as she did. As
unkindness went, it was surpassing mild; still, it made me heartsick.
 Of course, I said.  I m sorry.
And so I went with them, willing myself to be calm and docile. The truth was, there wasn t
anything I could do if Sidonie s bindings failed and there was a chance that she d turn on me if they did [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]