Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey [65]
Ysandre's herald announced us at the threshold of her drawing room.
I heard Alais squeal.
I let go of the leash, already grinning. Celeste bounded forward, her leash trailing.
In a heartbeat a half a dozen guards were there, swords drawn. Alais had sunk to her knees, and she had her arms wrapped around Celeste's neck; half adoring and half protecting. The wolfhound, familiar with her scent, sat on her haunches and lapped her cheek with a long red tongue. The guards exchanged perplexed glances.
"You remembered!" Alais exclaimed.
"I remembered," I said gravely. "Her name is Celeste."
"Celeste." Alais repeated the word, sinking her face into the wolfhound's ruff. "Oh, Imri! I already love her."
I grinned like an idiot. "I knew you would, villain."
At my words, the Dauphine Sidonie's chin rose. She turned slightly to her mother.
"Prince Imriel," said the Queen, her voice restrained. "Be welcome."
I swept her a low bow. "Your majesty," I said.
Ysandre turned to her left. I had paid scant heed to those who stood beside her; now I did. "Cousin," Ysandre said, her voice warming. "I pray you greet Imriel de la Courcel. The Comtresse de Montrève and her consort Joscelin Verreuil, I trust you know full well."
I shuddered, bone-deep.
"Well met, your highness."
Nicola L'Envers y Aragon smiled at me. Even before Ysandre made the introduction, I knew who she was. She had a look of the L'Envers side of the family, with deep violet eyes and shining bronze hair. I made myself reply politely and greet her son, Raul. He must have favored his Aragonian father, for he was dark-haired; a blade-thin youth with a somber gaze.
"Nicola!" Phèdre's voice held a lilt. "I didn't know you'd be at Court already."
She laughed. "I thought I'd surprise you, my dear. Greetings, Messire Cassiline."
"A pleasure, my lady." Joscelin bowed. He sounded surprisingly good-natured. I could not imagine why. It was the first time, to my knowledge, that I had ever met one of Phèdre's patrons in the flesh—save for my mother, whom I already despised.
I hated it. I hated every moment of it.
If not for the pup Celeste, it would have been unbearable. Excited by the new surroundings and exchange of greetings, she bounded around the drawing room, creating havoc. Amid Alais' shrieks of glee, I managed to calm the wolfhound and get her to sit, obedient.
Joscelin rolled his eyes. "Forgive us, your majesty."
"I usually do," Ysandre said wryly.
"I think she's lovely." Nicola stooped gracefully beside us, scratching the pup behind her ears. A garnet seal dangled from the gold bracelet on her slender wrist. "You trained her yourself?"
"Yes," I said shortly.
"She's mine!" Alais announced with pride. "I'm going to have a pillow at the foot of my bed for her to sleep on, and she'll have a special silver platter so she can eat with me."
I caught sight of a bemused, long-suffering expression on the Queen's face, and the quick flash of a grin on the young Aragonian, Raul's. He ducked his head to hide it.
"What fun that will be." Giving the now-adoring pup a final pat, Nicola straightened. "But remember, Alais, Celeste is used to having room to run and play with other dogs. Betimes she might be happier in the royal kennels."
"Mayhap." Alais sounded unconvinced.
"You are a diplomat's wife," Phèdre murmured. Nicola glanced over her shoulder and smiled at her.
"Well, yes." She turned to me. "And I am reminded, Prince Imriel, that I have a gift for you. A small token from the House of Aragon."
"It's not necessary," I muttered.
"It is." Nicola's violet gaze was disconcertingly frank. "I would that we had done more to prevent what happened in Amílcar."
I looked away. It was not something I cared to remember. "It wasn't your fault."
"Ah, well." She touched my arm lightly. "I have a gift for you nonetheless."
It was agreed that Nicola would call upon us within a few days. I paid scant heed to the conversation, making an escape with Alais on the pretext that Celeste must needs be walked in the gardens. A quartet of guards accompanied us.