Shadow War - Deborah Chester [128]
The other men stirred slightly, and even Elandra was impressed by the honesty of Caelan’s answer. This was a complex man, not easy to handle, and far too good-looking.
She did not trust her own interest, or the way her pulse quickened when she merely stood within a short distance of him. He reminded her of the mysterious lover in her dreams, and she liked that least of all.
“Majesty?” Hovet asked. “Will you have them spar again?”
She hesitated, her gaze sweeping the three candidates. Then she shook her head. “No. Have them cleaned up and brought to the gallery in a few minutes.”
Turning her back on them, she left the arena and found she was walking a little too fast, breathing a little too rapidly. Her hands were sweating inside her gloves.
She hurried up the spiral of steps, although there was no need to go so fast, and rejoined her husband with a sense of having returned to refuge.
“Well?” he asked her. “What do you think? You were quick in making the initial cut.”
“I must consider.”
Kostimon smiled at her indulgently and patted her clenched hand. “Take your time, my dear.”
She looked away. She did not want to be patted and patronized. But this was no time to indulge in bad temper.
“Hovet?” the emperor asked. “What did you think of them?”
The protector shrugged. “I could take any of them in a fight.”
“Of course,” Kostimon agreed, suppressing a smile. “That’s not the point, is it?”
Hovet shrugged. “She’ll make a good decision.”
He stalked away, and Kostimon smiled at Elandra. “Cold weather makes him grouchy. His bones ache, as do mine.”
She was immediately concerned. “Are you chilled? Am I taking too long?”
“Hush, my child. Hush,” he said, waving away her questions. “It is of no importance. I am in a tolerant mood. We have driven back our enemies, and all is well.”
She looked at him, dying to shower him with questions, but he held up his finger.
“No, I will not discuss it. All is well. That is sufficient for you to know.”
She settled back in her chair, trying not to be petulant. So the invasion had failed. She could not help glancing at Tirhin, but he was toying morosely with his dagger and did not look up.
Captain Vysal cleared his throat to gain her attention. “The men are here, Majesty.”
Kostimon gestured, and Hovet immediately went on the alert, hovering discreetly a short distance away. Led by their stern-faced sergeant, the three candidates filed into the gallery and stood at attention in the same order as before. They now wore crimson tunics and plain breastplates. Their helmets were tucked under their right elbows, with their hands resting on their empty sword scabbards. They had not been permitted to come armed into the presence of the emperor. Their chins jutted at the correct angle, and their eyes were focused on the distance. They looked well trained and ready to serve.
“Your decision, my dear,” Kostimon said.
Lord Sien walked forward to hover directly behind her. She felt a chill touch her spine and wished he would move where she could see him.
“Majesty, shall I use the truth-light now?” the priest asked.
Of the three, only Caelan E’non showed the slightest reaction.
She noticed and wondered why he should care.
Tirhin had risen to his feet. He glared at Caelan, who returned his gaze impassively, without shame, without appeasement.
Elandra remembered the Traulander’s anguish only a few days ago, when he had been torn between duty and a personal sense of loyalty to the prince.
She needed loyalty. Above all things, she needed that.
Her father had told her to confound the others with her choice, to do the unexpected.
Lord Sien had urged her to pick from any province save that of Gialta.
Prince Tirhin was standing rigidly, his fists clenched at his sides while his father smiled benignly at the entire situation.
Elandra sensed dangerous crosscurrents around her. Angers and resentments smoldering beneath the surface.
She wanted the Traulander. He was the best fighter because he was arena trained. That alone made him more ruthless, more dangerous than the others. He was loyal, perhaps