Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [237]
I swallowed. "You mean for us to dress in the dead men's garb?"
His expression turned gentle. "Not you, nor her highness. But yes. Bao and I and the others will appear to be Lord Jiang's men, escorting you as our prisoners. It will allow us to travel far more swiftly and freely."
"I see." I was glad I wouldn't have to wear the clothing of a man I'd seen violently slain.
Master Lo put one hand on my shoulder. "Despite Bao's chiding, what you did today was very brave, Moirin. It is clear that the dragon's regard for you is not based on your gifts alone. You have a valiant heart."
"Oh…" I flushed at his praise. "Thank you, Master."
He gave me a weary smile. "I wanted you to know that it did not go unnoticed. I am fortunate to have such a pupil, and the princess to have such a…" He paused, at a loss for the proper term.
"She calls me her necessary inconvenience," I offered.
"Does she?" His smile deepened briefly, less weary, more genuine. "Well, her Noble Highness is fortunate to have you."
In the middle of the night, when Snow Tiger's restlessness woke me, I thought of his words. I lay on my narrow mat listening to her toss and turn, then rise to sit with her head bowed against her knees, shivering violently.
I pitched my voice softly into the darkness. "Would you like more willow-bark tea, my lady?"
"No. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Her head lifted, turning in my direction. "Go to sleep."
Instead, I rose and did what I had wanted to do many times when fear troubled her in the night. I went to her, knelt behind her, and put my arms around her. The princess stiffened, but only for an instant, and she didn't pull away. Slowly, slowly, her tense figure relaxed into my embrace. Remembering the night Jehanne had come to me for comfort after her last assignation with Raphael, I held her and breathed the Breath of Ocean's Rolling Waves, deep and rhythmic and soothing, until her breathing slowed to match mine unwittingly.
"It's the blood," she murmured at length. "All that blood."
I had seen the memory of her wedding night. "I know."
After a time, I shifted to a more comfortable position. Snow Tiger lay curled against me, my arm over her slender waist, the fingers of one hand interlaced with mine. With one arm flung over her, I felt her exhausted, aching body loosen gradually into sleep.
Comforted by the contact, I slept, too.
In the morning, I woke before her. I extricated myself gently, knowing that daylight hours were different from night hours. Despite the blindfold, the princess looked sweet and peaceful in sleep, her features almost as delicate as a child's. I thought about cleaning the blood from beneath her fingernails in the bath yesterday and shook my head, wondering at how very, very far from home I'd come, and how very strange the journey.
To be sure, no D'Angeline had ever served as a royal companion in such a violent, bloody manner.
She needs you, the dragon said sleepily. I need you.
"I know." Knowing I wouldn't have the chance to do it when she was awake, I stooped to kiss her cheek. "And I am here."
This time, our descent into the gorge was uneventful. Abbot Hong and his acolytes had ensured that the path was clear.
I felt bad at leaving Kang behind; I daresay we all did. But he had lost enough blood to render him weak and pale, and his wounded thigh rendered, him unfit for travel. He gazed at the blindfolded princess from his sickbed, his narrow, pock-marked features transfigured by awe into something beautiful.
"You won't forget me, will you?" he begged. "Promise you won't forget me!"
She knelt beside his mat, clasping his hands in hers. "Noble companion, I swear I will never forget you."
He sighed, happy.
I caught Bao's eye. He looked rapt, hopeless romantic that he was. Seeing my gaze on him, he coughed and flushed, trying to hide it.
"Stupid boy," I said fondly, sliding my arms around his