Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey [56]
"Imri!" Katherine said in alarm.
Joscelin winced. "Are you all right?"
"Yes." I clapped one hand over the gouge and glared at him. "I'm fine."
"Let me see." He pried my hand away. "Ah, you will be, just wash it well." There was a hint of amusement in the curve of his mouth. "Sorry, love." He turned, then, and gave his Cassiline bow. "Ladies."
I sat down on one of the stone benches. Katherine hurried to the well and drew a bucket, soaking a handkerchief, then set about dabbing my bleeding graze. Roshana watched Joscelin stride toward the manor house.
"He doesn't like us, does he?" she murmured.
"It's not your fault." I cleared my throat. Katherine was bending over me, the tops of her breasts swelling against the bodice of her gown.
I snatched the handkerchief from her, clamping it to my brow. "Here, I'll do it."
"I don't mind." She smiled at me.
My face grew hot. "Did you have a nice excursion?"
"We did." Roshana came alongside Katherine, laying a hand on her shoulder. "We were thinking, Imriel. Mayhap tomorrow we should take an excursion of our own, the three of us. The boys may not be tired of hunting, but I am. Katherine says there's a lake up in the mountains you promised to show her."
"We could take a picnic luncheon," Katherine added.
I stared at them, wondering if I looked as stupidly befuddled as I felt. "The three of us?"
Roshana smiled lazily. "Why not?"
My mouth worked, but no sound emerged. I swallowed hard. "All right."
"Good!" Katherine clapped her hands. Her grey-blue eyes sparkled, and her color was high. I wondered what in Elua's name they had discussed during their trip to the village, and decided I'd rather not know. "I'll take care of luncheon."
"All right," I repeated, pressing her kerchief to my bleeding head.
Definitely befuddled.
I slept poorly that night, lying awake, tossing on my sheets. It seemed to me a strange and remarkable thing that I could have survived what I have undergone, that I could have seen horrors and marvels, and still have my composure thoroughly undone by a pair of sixteen-year-old girls who had suggested nothing more daring than a picnic on the surface of the matter. It was the promise, the hint of somewhat more that undid me.
I wanted… ah, Elua! I wanted.
But with desire came the shadow. And mayhap Phèdre was right, there was nothing to fear from shadows. I believed it when I was with her. But she had gone into Daršanga of her own volition, a grown woman, already knowing what darkness she carried inside her, the terrible urgings of Kushiel's Dart. I had been a child. What had it done to me?
Mavros was right; I didn't know myself.
I wasn't sure I wanted to.
In time I slept. The day dawned fine and bright. I still felt muddle-headed. Katherine had undertaken all the arrangements with cheerful efficiency; the luncheon was packed, and our mounts were saddled and ready. Amid promises not to stray beyond Montrève's guarded border, we took our leave.
I led them along the prettiest route I knew, up the terraced slopes of the chestnut orchards, winding past the high pastures, where grazing sheep dotted the hillsides. I pointed out the new pasturage which Charles and I had helped clear.
"It's hard to believe you're the same age, Imri," Katherine observed, turning to Roshana. "He seems so much younger, doesn't he?"
"All younger brothers seem thus to their sisters," Roshana said pleasantly.
I eyed her. "Does Baptiste?"
"Well." Her smile brought out a dimple. "Yes, in his way."
My cousin was looking lovely that day. In truth, both of them were. Roshana wore a deep blue gown that brought out the hue of her eyes, her hair loose over her shoulders. It fell the way mine did, in blue-black waves. Katherine wore a pretty linen gown of golden yellow, that made one think of flowers blooming. She had a little coronet of braids, and in the sunlight her brown hair gleamed with honey-colored streaks.
A distant shepherd raised one hand in salute, and I waved