Kushiel's Justice - Jacqueline Carey [327]
"Talorcan." She sighed, gazing out at the Straits. "I know. He's grieving over his sister's death and angry at his failure. Still, what would you have me do, Imri? I am fond of him. And Alba…" Her voice trailed off. The wind plucked at her black curls. "Alba, I love.”
"Enough to wed a man you don't?" I asked. "And seek to change the laws of succession?”
Her chin rose. "Mayhap.”
There was an almighty stubbornness in her violet eyes; and Elua's priests acknowledge all manner of love. If Alais chose to act out of love for Alba, I had no footing to gainsay it. I took her shoulders in my hands. "I want happiness for you, that's all.”
"I am happy," Alais said in a low voice. "Imri…we're not all given the same sort of happiness. This is where I belong, where I'm meant to be. Why and how and what I'm meant to do…" She shook her head. "That's my task, figuring it out.”
"Don't try too hard, love." My throat tightened. "Madness lies that way.”
"I know." Alais' face was grave. "I won't forget, I promise. After what happened, we are all mindful of it. Conor said…" Her words broke off again and she flushed.
I grinned. "Oh, Conor, is it?”
"Don't tease!" Her flush deepened. "About you and Sidonie …I'm sorry to have taken it amiss, before. I know there was no hurt intended." I let go of her shoulders, and Alais took my right hand in both of hers, gazing at the gold knot on my finger. "You're good together. I didn't think you would be, but you are. And Imri…" Her voice grew small. "I think she's going to need you. I think she's going to need you very badly, one day.”
A chill chased the length of my spine. "Is that a true dream?”
"No." Alais shook her head. "It's only a feeling. If I ever have a dream, a true dream, I'll send word." She lifted her head to gaze at me. "You are a hero, you know. At least to me.”
I kissed her brow. "I'd as soon be a brother.”
"That, too. Always." She smiled, her expression lightening. "Next spring, will you come to Alba and bring me a puppy?”
"One of Celeste's kin?" I asked.
Alais' eyes were bright. "Yes, please. You choose. I trust you.”
I hugged her, holding her close, feeling her cling to me. "Of course.”
"Just be safe," Alais whispered in my ear. "Both of you. Promise?”
"I'll try," I said. "You, too.”
She nodded. "I'll try.”
On the day of our departure, there was a considerable crowd gathered. I was touched to see that almost all the men of Clunderry's garrison who'd ridden together in the hunt had come …Kinadius, Deordivus, Domnach, Brun …Urist, of course. It was harder parting from him than I'd reckoned. We'd been through a great deal together.
He gave me a swift, hard embrace. "Take care of yourself, lad." His black eyes glinting, he poked my brow with a callused fingertip. "Wish we could have gotten some proper warrior's markings on you.”
I smiled. "Try to give that leg a rest, will you?”
And then there were no more farewells to be made, only the Cruarch's flagship loaded and waiting. We filed aboard the ship; Sidonie and her retinue, Montrève's small company. Hyacinthe had not come, but I had no doubt he was watching in his sea-mirror, for a friendly breeze sprang up at our backs as the ship's prow swung toward the open sea. We crowded into the stern, waving as the harbor dwindled behind us.
"I can't believe I finally got to go on a great adventure, and you never even drew your sword," Hugues said to Joscelin, sounding a bit mournful.
Joscelin gave him a sardonic glance. "I was jesting the other day. Be glad of it.”
"I am." Phèdre took Joscelin's arm. "I'm glad that we went, and glad to find it wasn't needful. You've had enough fighting and death for one lifetime, love." Her gaze touched on me then, filled with soft emotion. "And above all else, I'm glad that you're alive and well and coming home, Imri.”
"So am I." I laughed aloud for the sheer joy of it. "Elua! So am I.”
It was another swift journey, sped by the hand of the Master of the Straits. I shared the state cabin with Sidonie that night and we made tireless love in the plunging darkness,