Hallowed Bond by Eresse

Author:Eresse [Eresse]
Language: deu
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Impasse

C.A. 3009

Riodan did his best to keep his expression neutral. But a fierce scowl was threatening to mar the serene cast of his features. If he had any sense, he would walk away as quickly as he could and not burden himself with the sight of Dylen in company with one of the Citadel courtiers. But, try as he might, he could not leave. Not when he feared capitulation on Dylen’s part to the obviously non-platonic overtures of his companion.

Sereth was a good match for anyone. That much Riodan had to admit, albeit grudgingly. The courtier was pleasant looking, well-born and possessed enough savvy and ambition to have come so far in society. It was that ambition that troubled Riodan, however, for he could not help suspecting part of Sereth’s courtship of Dylen was due to his desire for the rewards that went with being wed to the Ardan’s one and only brother.

That was not something to sniff at even if it meant putting up with the talk that seemed to accompany Dylen now that the truth of his identity was out.

As expected, the news had rocked the upper echelons of Ylandrin society. Rikara alone was abuzz with the discovery for months after and not always in a positive way.

Riodan could only imagine what was said of Dylen elsewhere, especially in more conservative circles and particularly with regards to his illegitimacy. Even now, he knew that Dylen was still treated unevenly by some—utmost friendliness and ingratiation to his face, wariness and grudging deference behind his back. And overshadowing it all was interest in how his kinship to Rohyr could be used to advantage. Small wonder Riodan harbored suspicions about Sereth’s motives.

He shook his head. Who was he to judge the other? One could say he was doing much the same thing in his efforts to rekindle his friendship with Dylen. He sighed and began to turn away to cross the street. He would have a harder time finding out which tea-room Guyon had entered if he lingered any longer. On the heels of that thought came the feeling that he would not mind failing to catch up with his fiancé in the least. It was not the first time for him to feel thusly, and he suspected it would not be the last. And he had begun experiencing it with a frequency that boded ill for any betrothal.

Movement to his right caught his eye, and he turned his head in time to see a Deir in a wheeled chair emerge from the draper’s shop at the other end of the street. Riodan’s eyes lit up while his stomach did a little flip-flop of apprehension at the same time. He hurried to the Deir, catching up with him before he made the turn around the corner.

“Teris- dyhar!” he called out.

Hirlen Teris looked back over his shoulder and, upon espying Riodan, broke into a warm smile. “Good day, Rio! When did you arrive from Qatare?”

Riodan let out a breath of relief as he neared the retired hethar.

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