Kushiel's Justice - Jacqueline Carey [161]
I cracked the seal and opened the letter.
Mavros had written a full page. I put it aside. The other letter was a single line written on a piece of foolscap.
Imriel,
Come when you can, with or without your wits.
S.
That was all, but it was enough to make my throat tighten. No one else in the world could make me want to laugh and cry all at once with a single sentence. With a pang, I pushed the bit of scrap into the nearest candle-flame. It caught at once, flaring and singeing my fingertips. I dropped it onto the flagstones, smearing the ashes with the heel of my boot.
"Is everything all right, my lord?”
It was the steward, Murghan. I'd not even noticed him approach, quiet and efficient as he was. There was compassion and concern in his dark gaze.
"Fine." I rose. "I'm off to join Lady Dorelei. You'll see to it that our guests want for naught?”
He nodded. "I will.”
I bade a good evening to the acolytes and Clunderry's household. Alais' violet eyes were sparkling vividly, and she was flushed with high spirits. I wanted to ruffle her black curls the way I had when she was a girl, but I kissed her cheek instead.
"Have fun, love," I said to her.
I left them laughing and happy and went to join Dorelei, who was still awake. She looked at me with an unspoken question in her face.
"It was nothing," I said to her. "Sister Nehailah wanted to speak to me about these." I indicated the bindings. "She's going to write to the priest who taught her to see if there's aught to be done.”
Dorelei's face eased. "That's good, then.”
"Yes." I blew out the lamp and lay in the darkness, haunted by the priestess' words.
It is in my heart that even he cannot protect us from ourselves…
Chapter Thirty-Two
In the morning, the effigy was placed and the shrine was dedicated.
As proud as I'd been of the arbor, I had to own, it looked a bit forlorn in its autumnal bleakness. Still, when the statue of Blessed Elua was set into place and unveiled, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.
It was done in the old style, crude and simple, yet somehow more powerful for it. A more elaborate effigy would have mocked its surroundings. With the reedy lake at his back, Elua smiled serenely in the direction of the castle, his arms outstretched.
"Blessed Elua be with us, here and everywhere." Sister Nehailah uncorked a flagon of oil and anointed the effigy. A scent of roses arose. "May your Companions watch over us and guide us. May you hold us in your hand and keep us safe. May we ever walk in your footsteps and follow your precept.”
Watchers murmured curiously to one another. The ollamh Firdha was present. I glanced at her once, but her face was unreadable.
When her prayers were complete, Sister Nehailah spread her arms, echoing the effigy's stance. "In the name of Blessed Elua, I dedicate this shrine to his worship, and the worship of his Companions.”
The air seemed to brighten. I took a deep breath, smelling roses.
"That was nice," Dorelei said, sounding surprised.
"What were you expecting?" I grinned at her. "An orgy?”
"I wasn't sure," she admitted.
So it was done, and I felt better for it. Sister Nehailah and her acolytes departed, but a piece of Terre d'Ange stayed behind. And while I found no guidance at Elua's shrine, I did find it easier to pray there, and my mind was always calmer afterward.
Betimes, Alais went with me, though not as often as I did. As autumn dwindled toward winter, the weather turned cold and the breeze over the lake was bone-chilling.
"Do you ever miss it?" I asked her one day. "Home?”
"Sometimes." Alais knelt beside me, shivering a little despite her thick woolen cloak. "But I do love it here,