Realm of Light - Deborah Chester [140]
“Why shouldn’t I be upset?” Elandra retorted, draping her hand across her eyes to shield them from the light. “There’s nothing left.”
“Cities can be rebuilt,” Iaris said.
Elandra pushed herself up on one elbow and glared at her mother. “Stop it,” she said angrily. “Stop trying to meddle.”
“You must think positively. The empire will go on—”
“We are being swallowed by darkness, the darkness that Kostimon and Tirhin have unleashed on us,” Elandra cried. “We face our doom, and ignoring the problem does not solve it.”
“You are fretting for a man who is condemned. You are being excessively dramatic and exaggerating everything.”
“Didn’t you hear the soldiers?” Elandra asked her. “It’s dark even when the sun rises. The dark god is coming—”
“Stop it!” Iaris said, jumping up from the edge of the bed. “I will not hear such blasphemy.”
“Then stay away from me!”
“It is my duty to help you.”
“No,” Elandra said curtly. “You hope Tirhin will reward you if you persuade me to marry him. Dear Gault, the man’s arrogance knows no bounds. He acts like a bridegroom already.”
“But, Elandra, is that so awful? Yes, you’re infatuated with this Caelan. But that must end. Your rank, your lineage all forbid anything more than a mere dalliance. It’s time you thought about your future, and the future of your family.”
“Meaning you,” Elandra said in a tight voice.
“Albain and Pier will both profit from this alliance, if they negotiate carefully.”
“There will be no alliance,” Elandra said through her teeth. “I will not consent.”
“Your actions tonight were foolish. Tirhin is clearly besotted with you—”
“No!” Elandra stared at her in amazement. “He is not.”
“I saw him, child. He was beaming until you were rude to him. That is unwise, no matter what your feelings.”
“You forget that I know him all too well,” Elandra said. “He could barely tolerate me while Kostimon lived. This is nothing more than an act, part of his hypocrisy.”
“More drama. More exaggeration,” Iaris said with a sigh. “Look at this room which he has given you. The best in the villa, obviously. Food, flowers, and a good fire have all been provided for your comfort. He is—”
“What else could he offer me?” Elandra asked coldly. “I am the empress, and he is only my stepson. At the moment, most of his consequence lies in his imagination. Without me, he has nothing.”
“Then take care how you deal with him,” Iaris said in exasperation. “You are in an excellent position to negotiate. Few women are given this opportunity. Make the most of it.”
“I do not want to hear anything more from you,” Elandra said, averting her face. She was too tired and ill to go on arguing. The whole discussion was futile.
“You are putting all of us at risk!” Iaris told her. “If you care nothing about yourself, then think of your father at least.”
“I am. But I am not for sale.”
Iaris glared at her. “You have no choice.”
“No. I had no choice the first time my father arranged a marriage for me. This time is different. He cannot force me. You cannot force me.”
“As your mother—”
“You forfeited that status when you sent me away!” Elandra said. “Besides, I have given my vows to Caelan. I will not take them back.”
Rage spread through Iaris’s face. She slapped Elandra hard across the face. “You fool!”
The crack of her hand stung mercilessly. Elandra lifted her fingers to her cheek. Enraged and shocked, she stared at her mother.
Iaris glared right back. Her eyes were wide and furious. “Do you carry his child?”
Rising from the bed, Elandra said nothing.
“Do you?”
Elandra still did not speak. Inside, however, her mind was spinning at the thought of it. Perhaps that was why she was so prone to crying of late. Perhaps that was why she wanted no food, why she felt so tired. She suddenly wanted to clutch her stomach in fierce joy and triumph. Caelan’s child. Oh, blessed goddess mother, let it be true. Let her have some hope in this.
But she refused to show anything to Iaris. Nor would she answer.
“You will not tell me,” Iaris said, pacing back and forth in front of her. “Insolent, stupid girl.