Fortune's Fool - Mercedes Lackey [104]
“I could get very fond of this view,” Adamant said meditatively. “Very fond.”
A heavy sigh greeted his words. As one, the three of them turned to see a green-skinned man in elaborate silk robes regarding them with a dubious expression. “I certainly hope you don’t plan—”
And then he stopped, and peered at Sasha.
“Prince?” he said, in an entirely different tone of voice. “I hope there is no—dissatisfaction involved in having you and your—friends—here?”
“Not at all,” he replied, stepping forward from between the two dragons. “I just needed to get your attention quickly, so I asked them to come along. You must admit, they are rather—”
“Prominent?” the adviser suggested. “I would not say ‘threatening,’ of course—”
Sasha widened his eyes. “I absolutely pledge you on my honor and soul, there is and was no threat intended. But I did need to speak with the Queen and not have to wait about hoping someone would let me in. If I may, I really, truly, do need to speak to Her Majesty on a matter of terrible importance.”
The adviser eyed him, and evidently decided that Sasha was serious. And that it was a matter of urgency. “In that case, please come inside.” He eyed the dragons. “Do you wish your—friends—”
“Oh no, Prince Sasha can speak for all of us,” Gina said cheerfully. “We’ll just continue to enjoy the view.”
Chapter 16
The Queen of the Copper Mountain was just as stunning as he remembered her. She wore a different sort of gown today, one that seemed to be made of a pale green silk, cut like a chemise with long flowing sleeves, and it provided the backdrop for a kind of gold-and-malachite collar that covered her shoulders and chest, with a matching belt that encircled her hips and depended to the floor. “You didn’t find your wandering lady?” the Queen asked, with just a touch of a smirk.
“Actually I sort of did, and that is why I need to speak with you, Majesty,” Sasha replied earnestly.
They were not in an Audience Chamber, nor a Throne Room. This was a very different sort of room altogether, but it was one that displayed the wealth and skill of the people of her Kingdom as nothing Sasha had seen before.
Sasha had gotten the impression that one never saw the sun in the Queen’s little Kingdom.
He had been wrong.
They were in a fascinating chamber hollowed out in the very peak of Copper Mountain. The floor was paved with malachite tiles; the furnishings were all malachite as well—two low, padded chairs, a tiny table between them, and a very long table behind them. Most of one wall was a single glass window, the likes of which Sasha had never seen. It was clear, flawless and all a single piece. He could hardly imagine how it could have been made without magic. All of the glass windows he had ever seen were made of thick, wavy glass, full of bubbles and imperfections. This was as clear as air.
And the view was amazing.
They sat, not facing one another, but side by side facing the window, with that tiny malachite table between them. Behind them was a servant at a samovar at the larger table. On the smaller table, within easy reach of either of them, were delicate teacups and plates of tea cakes.
“So did the lady reject you?” the Queen asked, nibbling a cake, as an eagle flew past at eye-level.
He shook his head. “Nothing of the sort, Majesty. No, the lady is held captive, with several others, in the Castle of the Katschei.”
She paused, tea cake halfway to her lips. She set it down. “The Katschei is dead,” she said flatly.
“But something else is in his Castle.” Sasha contemplated the view, then leaned forward a little. Yes, if he leaned forward, he could just see the edge of a zone of pale yellow. “I think you know that, Majesty.”
She nibbled the cake, but it had clearly lost her interest. “Hmm, yes. I believe I was informed. Overtures to trade were met with silence, so I shall not trouble myself with what is there now.”
“Perhaps you should look more closely, Majesty,” Sasha said, getting to his feet and walking over to the window.