House of Shadows by Neumeier Rachel

Author:Neumeier, Rachel [Neumeier, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: FIC009020
ISBN: 9780316126250
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Published: 2012-07-09T22:00:00+00:00

“Well, that was a resounding success,” Leilis said to Bluefountain later, after settling Moonflower back in the room she shared with Rue. Bluefountain, long secure in her own worth to Cloisonné House and to the flower world, found no threat in Moonflower’s swift rise. That was why Mother had sent her to accompany and chaperone the girl’s engagement: Narienneh was too wise to put the newest of her daughters in company that would resent her. Now Leilis helped Bluefountain unstring and put away her kinsana. “She’s exhausted. And thoroughly charmed. She has the kitten on the foot of her pallet, and the pipes next to her pillow.”

“They’re a matched pair. As much as those twin pipes. Ah, young love,” Bluefountain said nostalgically. She was rubbing a perfumed ointment into her fingertips, lest extended playing ruin the softness of her fingers. “She will be flying through the clouds in her dreams tonight, I’m sure.”

“It’s all quite genuine, you know.”

“Oh, I know! There’s not a stitch of cunning anywhere in that child, is there? Not that she’s foolish—”

“No. Just candidly charming,” agreed Leilis. “No wonder the heir is falling for her—how much candor do you suppose comes his way? Though I’m sure plenty of charm,” she added.

“Well, if she’s charmed you, Leilis, she may certainly warm the heart of a young man. You suppose his father—”

Leilis shrugged, honestly unable to guess. She wondered whether Bluefountain was right: Had she herself been charmed by the innocence of the girl? She supposed she had. It was a strange realization. Uncomfortable when Leilis thought about it, and yet not entirely unpleasant. She said merely, “That’s Mother’s task, to judge that.” Her tone was a little sharper than she had intended.

“Well, if the Dragon doesn’t care for the notion, Narienneh’s the one to work him around to it, if anyone can,” Bluefountain commented, unoffended by the sharpness. She yawned hugely, covering her mouth hastily as she took even herself by surprise. “Sorry! I’m not so young as I used to be.”

Leilis smothered a yawn of her own and withdrew, allowing the older woman to retire. Then she hesitated. Now that she was alone, weariness dragged at her as well. More than weariness. Jealousy, like bitter ashes on the tongue. That was merely foolish. There was nothing new about solitude. Leilis turned toward the stairs and her own small private chamber with its huge fireplace. The warmth of a fire would be welcome tonight. Since she could not personally curl herself around the warmth of a dawning—or burgeoning—or remembered, for that matter—rapport with a lover.

Well, that was bitter. And bitterness was a gall that would eat out a woman’s heart. Where was the cool acceptance of loneliness that Leilis had striven so hard to win? Tonight that coolness of mind and spirit seemed as distant as the child she had once been, who had entertained such dreams… At the moment, even a large fire would likely be inadequate to warm her chamber. But at least Leilis could have the fire.

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