The Black Raven - Katharine Kerr [127]
“I wish you were less perceptive,” Nevyn said. “You’d be happier.”
“Well, I appreciate it, actually.” She patted his arm with her free hand. “Otho! It gladdens my heart to see you!”
The dwarven smith stammered, blushed, and ran off.
“His manners haven’t improved,” Nevyn said.
“Oh, from him that greeting’s worth a thousand flattering words from some courtier,” Bellyra said. “Where’s Lilli?”
“Ill, I’m afraid. That cough of hers troubles me.”
Bellyra could feel him go as stiff as boiled leather. She could only think of one thing such tension might mean.
“Will the poor child live?” Bellyra said.
“Most likely. My apologies—I didn’t mean to make it sound so grave.” Nevyn smiled, but only briefly. “Ah, here’s your husband, come to escort you inside.”
When Maryn strode over, Nevyn released Bellyra’s hand, but Maryn made no move to take it.
“What’s this about Lilli?” Maryn said.
“She’s ill, my liege,” Nevyn said.
“Ah.” Maryn’s face went perfectly bland. “A pity.”
At that moment Bellyra knew, just as she always knew when he tried to hide his other women. She was tempted, bitterly tempted, to ask ever so casually if Lilli were with child, but for Nevyn’s sake she kept silent. Maryn finally offered her his arm, and, smiling, she took it, to let him lead her into Dun Deverry’s great hall.
For some days after the princess’s arrival, Lilli barely saw Prince Maryn. Although she left her door unbarred at night, he never came to her chamber. During the day he would walk in the ward, but always with his councillors and pages. When their paths crossed, she would drop him a curtsy, and he would acknowledge her with a smile. At times she saw him in the great hall, but often the princess sat with him, at other times he was surrounded by his men. Even though she felt stronger every day, Lilli was at first glad of her illness, simply because it gave her such a perfect excuse to stay away from the women’s hall. Quite regularly Elyssa would stop by her chamber and ask after her health, and Lilli could always answer in perfect honesty, “Nevyn’s worried about it.”
Branoic was another matter. During the brief times when Nevyn allowed her to go out and about the dun, Branoic kept her constant company. He was so solicitous, bringing her food or drink when she needed it, letting her lean upon his arm when they walked together. Once, when she’d walked much too far, he insisted on carrying her up the staircase to spare her the effort. Guilt began to gnaw at her soul. How could she let him dote upon her like this, in happy ignorance, when the truth about her affair with Maryn would doubtless drive him away? Finally, on a morning when she’d slept better than usual and thus felt she had the strength, she made up her mind for honesty.
“I can’t stand it anymore,” Lilli said. “There’s a thing I’ve got to tell you, Branno.”
“Indeed?” Branoic smiled at her. “What?”
Seeing how easily he smiled hurt. She found herself on the verge of gasping for air and for a long moment could do no more than look at him. Despite the grey sky and the chill in the air, they were sitting on their usual bench in the kitchen garden, one of the few places that, Lilli could be sure, Maryn would never go. She wrapped her cloak tight around her and tried to think. Her carefully prepared speech had deserted her mind.
“What’s so wrong?” Branoic said at last.
“I can’t marry you.”
“Ah ye gods!” Branoic slumped down on the bench with his legs stuck out in front of him and crossed his arms over his chest. “Your brother’s spoken against me, hasn’t he? I always knew he would.”
“It’s not that! Anasyn thinks you’re a fine man. He’s already told me that we can marry provided you can support me. It’s—well—” She paused, gathering breath. “It’s the prince. He’s taken—I mean, I’m his—” The words stuck in her throat so badly that she wondered if she were going to cry.
Branoic uncrossed his arms and turned on the bench to face her. She’d expected rage, but he seemed merely solemn.
“I’ve heard rumors,” he said at last. “So they’re true?”
She nodded, swallowing hard. She should