Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey [125]
"I didn't," she said. "But I knew he was Namarrese, and young. And I know where young men are apt to spend coin they've come into suddenly. It was worth a try."
Ysandre rubbed her temples. "Name of Elua! Why? What possessed my uncle?"
"Sport, mayhap," I said sourly. "No doubt he's had a good laugh watching my friends turn against me."
"Oh, he's more cunning than that." Phèdre turned to Ysandre. "My lady, tell us honestly. What lies behind the presence of the Cruarch's niece here at Court?"
"I will answer." Drustan glanced at his wife, then set his shoulders and looked straight at me. "The idea was mine. You are aware of the difficult matter of succession in Alba?" he asked. I nodded. Drustan rested his hands on his knees, his eyes somber in his blue-masked face. "Imriel, I will be truthful. If I were to follow my own heart and Ysandre's wishes, I would name Alais my heir. But it is not worth the cost. We have gone to war once over this issue. I have gone to war over it. Since I became a father, my heart has changed. Even so, I cannot, in good conscience, change my stance and put my country through it again. Can you understand this?"
"Yes, my lord," I said. "Alais and I have spoken of it."
He smiled a little. "Ah, she's a clever lass! And she'd be a fine Cruarch. But…" He shook his head. "My people want Talorcan. And he's a good lad, my sister-son, with a level head on his shoulders. If Alais consents to wed him, she will rule at his side one day."
I nodded again. "But their children wouldn't stand to inherit. That's it, isn't it?"
"Yes." His gaze softened. "Talorcan would name his own sister-son his heir."
"Imriel." Ysandre leaned forward. "After all you have endured, I will place no demands upon you. I do not ask this thing, only that you consider it. We have fought"—she glanced around at Drustan, Phèdre, and Joscelin—"we have all fought so very hard for this bond between our nations. It has brought peace and prosperity to all of us, and it galls my heart to think of losing it."
"You want me to wed Dorelei," I said.
She spread her hands. "It would keep the peace. It would placate those who insist Terre d'Ange must maintain an equitable foothold in Alba."
"You mean those who murmur against your heir," I whispered. "Your Cruithne half-breed heir."
Ysandre didn't flinch. "Yes."
"Your children would inherit Alba," Drustan said quietly.
I felt like crying, but I was a man grown; instead, I laughed, wild and uncontrolled. It was what I had guessed, what I had suspected from the first moment I beheld Drustan's niece. Still, it was somewhat else to have it stated and confirmed, spoken aloud. "Ah, Elua!" I gasped. "That would amuse my absent mother, wouldn't it? What a fine twist she would think it!"
"Ysandre." Phèdre's cool, thoughtful voice intervened. "Did Barquiel L'Envers know of this plan?"
The Queen looked away. "He knew."
"Then I suspect you have your answer." Phèdre folded her hands before her. Her eyes were clear and grave. Joscelin stood at her side, silent. He didn't need to speak. His scars, his battered vambraces, the grip-worn hilt of his longsword over his shoulder were testimony enough. "Your uncle the Duc thought to give Imriel a bit of added incentive to accept your proposal and leave the shores of Terre d'Ange behind him. Barquiel cares naught for Alba, but he would very much like to see the last of Imriel." She smiled sadly. "My lady, why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought you would oppose it." Ysandre met her gaze. "Would you?"
"No," Phèdre said. "I would have let Imri choose. It's what I promised."
I thought about the diamond lying in her palm, its facets sparkling in the sunlight. The note that accompanied it. I keep my promises. For the first time, I felt less than ashamed at being my mother's son. At least there was a measure of honesty in it.
"What do you chose, Imriel?" Ysandre asked me.
"I don't know." I faced her squarely. "I need to think."