Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [123]
There was silence when she finished. Everyone looked to the King and Queen to take a cue from their response. I wiped my eyes, wondering why someone with such a gift would seek even more.
And I wondered, too, what it would be like to love someone so deeply that it felt as though your own heart died with them.
"Magnificent." King Daniel applauded, and we all followed suit. He rose to present Lianne with a token of appreciation, a sapphire pendant on a gold chain. She bowed her head and he placed it around her neck. Jehanne approached and took Lianne's hands in hers, kissed her on both cheeks. I stifled a spasm of envy. Her blue-grey eyes were bright with tears and there wasn't a trace of artifice in her expression.
Afterward, servants circulated with trays of delicacies and wine. My appetite was finally returning after the last summoning. I ate three flaky pastries in quick succession and drank a glass of red wine.
"That was fast," Thierry said with a smile. He took my empty glass. "Where's the fellow with the wine-jug? I'll go find him."
I smiled back at him. "Thank you."
I thought I should congratulate Lianne and tell her how much I liked the poem, but there was a throng of people around her. Near the doorway into the salon, the King and Queen were speaking quietly, their heads close together, guards in House Courcel livery standing a respectful distance behind them.
Curiosity overcame me.
No one was looking. I summoned the twilight and stole near.
"—made you melancholy, didn't it?" Jehanne was saying. She searched his face. "Let me leave with you."
"No, no." Daniel raised her slender white hand to his lips, kissed her palm, and folded her fingers over it. "Stay. Please stay. You know I'm bad company at such times."
She smiled up at him. Tears yet sparkled in her eyes. "Never."
"Liar," he said fondly. "Leave me to my memories, Jehanne. I'll see you anon."
Jehanne pressed his hand to her cheek. "You're sure?"
He withdrew it gently. "I'm sure. Go tend to your errant courtier." A shadow crossed his face. "Do you think you might manage to keep him out of whatever trouble he's courting?"
She sighed. "Elua knows, I'm trying."
"I know." King Daniel kissed her lips, then took his leave. She gazed after him with an expression of such tenderness and sorrow, it made my heart ache for her.
And then she squared her shoulders and turned to sweep back into the salon, so quickly and decisively that the swirling skirt of her gown grazed mine.
I took two hurried strides backward and collided with a servant. A tray of savory tarts clattered to the floor. I winced, letting the twilight slip away.
The manservant gaped, then scrambled to clean up the mess, muttering apologies. Everyone in the room stared.
Jehanne regarded me without speaking.
I closed my eyes. "I'm so very sorry, your majesty."
"Are you?" she asked.
With reluctance, I opened my eyes. Her exquisite face was utterly unreadable. I'd trespassed where I had no business going, and both of us knew it. I answered honestly. "Yes."
"Good." She swept past me.
The denizens of the Court turned their attention elsewhere.
Prince Thierry approached, two glasses of wine in hand, looking good-natured and puzzled. "Where did you go? I couldn't find you. And what in the seven hells was that all about?"
"Ohhh…" I took the glass he handed me and drank half of it at a single draught. The wine sang in my veins, making me feel dizzy and lightheaded. I breathed the Breath of Earth's Pulse, centering myself. "Nothing important."
He clinked the rim of his glass to mine. "I'm glad."
I bedded him that night.
I didn't mean to. It was selfish on my part. I knew Thierry had strong feelings for me—stronger than mine for him. It was like Gillian all over again. And yet I missed Cillian as much as I mourned him. He