Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [86]
"Nosy, aye," I agreed. "Hectoring isn't a word I know."
"Bullying."
"Ah." I saw Daphne with a tray of tea and pastries and beckoned for her to set it on the table. "Yes, rather."
"Sorry." This time the King's Poet's smile was wry and charming. "I have an overly inquisitive mind and I can be rude and impatient in the pursuit of knowledge. Let me start over." She lifted the teapot. "May I make amends by pouring?"
"You may," I said.
She poured for both of us, then sipped her tea. "Nice. Raphael always has the best tea, thanks to his connections to that Ch'in philosopher at the Academy."
"Master Lo Feng?" I sniffed my tea. It had a delicate floral aroma. "I thought he was a physician."
"Physician, philosopher, poet, botanist." Lianne shrugged. "It seems the famous Lo Feng is many things. Have you met him?"
I shook my head. "Not yet."
"Imposing fellow." She put down her teacup and regarded me. "All right, I'm starting over. Lady Moirin mac Fainche, pray let me introduce myself. I am Lianne Tremaine, the King's Poet and the youngest ever to hold that post. I'm quite brilliant and a bit prickly. I make a dreadful enemy, but a loyal friend. And unless I miss my guess, you could use one of the latter. You've managed to drop out of nowhere into a rather complicated situation."
"That much is obvious," I said dryly. "Even to me."
Her lips twitched. "So you're not dim-witted, just naive. Are you in love with him? Raphael?"
My heart rolled over in my chest at the mere question. "I don't know," I said slowly. I didn't know whether or not I could wholly trust her, but it was such a relief to speak to someone about Raphael that I answered honestly. "I've feelings I've never felt before. And I'm drawn to him. Here, in my diadh-anam." I tapped my breast. "The spark of the Maghuin Dhonn Herself I carry inside me. There's no word for it in D'Angeline."
"God-soul." Lianne tilted her head, slanting sunlight turning her eyes topaz. "That's how Phedre no Delaunay de Montreve translated it."
"Well enough." I nodded. "I don't understand it and I can't explain it. Not yet. Believe me, my lady, I would very much prefer that the man for whom I feel this were not the Queen's lover and favorite courtier."
"No doubt," she agreed. "Are you willing to talk to me about magic?"
I sighed. "I'd rather not until I understand it better myself. I have a gift or two, small things as they would be reckoned in the long history of my people. What happened last night…" I let the words go. "You mentioned an offer of friendship ?"
Lianne grinned. "I said I was a loyal friend. I never claimed to be a tactful one. Very well." She hoisted her teacup. "You're in need of a friend. What would you care to talk about?"
"Hmm." I thought about it. "Mayhap whether or not I should seek to make a graceful exit from Raphael's household."
"Do you want to leave?" she asked.
"I'm not sure." I picked at a pastry, flaking off bits of golden crust. "Raphael keeps saying he wants me to stay. But I'm not sure it's me he wants or the fact of what I am. Last night… I think it aroused him more than I could on my own. And I'm not sure how I feel about that."
I made a face. "Particularly since he informed me that I have a great deal to learn in bed."
The King's Poet sputtered out a mouthful of tea. "He didn't!"
"He did." I sighed again. "Which, while it may be true, in the light of day strikes me as a rather unkind thing to say at the time."
"Rather." Lianne regarded me. "Well then, I suggest you take him at his word."
"How so?"
She flashed her quick, foxy grin. "Name of Elua, girl! Don't let Raphael de Mereliot control your life. You're in Terre d'Ange. You're in the City of Elua. There are hundreds of men and women here sworn to Naamah's Service, any number of whom would be delighted to teach you the full extent of her arts—which is, after all, your rightful heritage. Go to the Night Court and arrange for an assignation and a private Showing."
I blinked. "I can do that?"
"Can and should." Lianne Tremaine rose with alacrity. "Come." She put out