Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [101]
When I opened my eyes, I still saw a splash of red.
On the far side of the meadow, two men were coming toward us, one mounted and one on foot. It was the latter that made the red splash. He was tall and graceful, and he wore robes of crimson silk.
My heart beat faster.
"That's the Due de Barthelme," Thierry said in a wondering tone. "What's he doing out here with a Priest of Naamah?"
"Looking for me, I hope," I whispered.
Ahead of me, I saw Raphael say something to Jehanne, then check his mount. She glanced back at me, her expression thawing visibly. She drew rein on her pretty white mare and gestured to me.
I rode forward alone.
The priest had hair the color of oak leaves, long and shining. He lifted his head and smiled as I drew near. It was a beautiful smile, calm and serene, like a gift. Everything about him was like a gift. And his eyes were very, very green. As green as grass, as green as rushes.
"Moirin, daughter of Fainche?" he asked.
I nodded.
His beautiful smile deepened. "I believe I'm your father."
* * *
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
At that moment, nothing in the world could have felt better than my father's embrace.
I didn't plan to throw myself at the man—after all, we were strangers to one another. But he had appeared like an answered prayer, and the look of simple gladness on his face as I dismounted undid me. I flung my arms around his neck. He didn't flinch or falter, only held me in his arms. I buried my face against the shoulder of his robe for a long moment, then gathered myself and pulled away.
I wiped my eyes. "Phanuel Demarre?"
"Indeed." He studied my face with wonder, then gave himself an unselfconscious shake and laughed softly. "I'm sorry. I came as soon as I heard the news. I always wondered, but it's somewhat altogether else to see you in the flesh."
He introduced me to Rogier Courcel, the Due de Barthelme, who bowed in the saddle.
"Well met, my lady," he said politely.
The rest of the hunting party arrived. Behind the polite exchange of greetings the whispers went around, but there was no malice in them. Both Raphael and Thierry looked genuinely happy for me. Lianne Tremaine wore an odd, absent look as though she were jotting notes in her head lest the scene play out one day in some epic verse.
Even Jehanne was different in my father's presence. "Your daughter's caused quite the stir, Brother Phanuel," she commented.
My father smiled and laid one hand on my shoulder. "So I've heard."
"Surely not the latest." Something in his smile softened her tone. "Not an hour ago, she saved the Dauphin's life."
He glanced at me. "Oh?"
In the oddest way, it reminded me of my mother. "It was only a viper," I said. "They're not always fatal. I'll tell you all about it if you'd like."
"I would," he said solemnly. "I would like to hear every last little detail of your life, Moirin, from your birth to whatever uproar you've been causing. But I don't wish to interrupt." He shrugged and spread his hands with self-deprecating grace. "As I said, I came as soon as I heard."
"Oh, go," Prince Thierry said in his good-natured way. "Balm House can wait. Would you prefer to ride, Brother Phanuel? No doubt we can find a mount to spare."
My father shook his head. "I like to walk."
"Walking's nice," I agreed.
"Well, then, so be it." Thierry gestured for a servant to take my filly's reins. "I'll see her delivered to Lord de Mereliot's stables."
Raphael…
I'd promised yesterday that I would show him what I'd learned at Cereus House later today. I gave him a guilty look, but his grey eyes were gentle and warm. No stormclouds.
"This is what you came to find," he reminded me. "Go and enjoy one another's company. My household will be open to you day or night."
I looked shyly at my father.
He tilted his head, sunlight spinning the shining length of his oak-brown hair, and reached out one hand. "Shall we?"
I clasped his hand. "Aye."
We walked.
We talked.
I wanted first to hear the story of my conception. I suppose it might have been strange for