Shadow's End (Light & Shadow) by Katson Moira

Author:Katson, Moira [Katson, Moira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-04-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

There was little to be done in light of my conversation with the High Priest. The most important thing, Miriel and I agreed, was that he not suspect us, and she had pointed out, bitterly, that he could hardly suspect her of being his rival when neither of them could gain an audience with the King. There was nothing for us to do but wait, and hope that Wilhelm would send for us, and so we sat in the Duke’s rooms and tried not to go mad with impatience. We were studying—she, a history textbook, and me, the few drills I could reasonably practice in our cramped rooms—when the Duke returned from a Council meeting with a grim smile. I was wary at once; I never liked it when the Duke smiled. The Duke was only pleased by two things in this world: his own rise, or the fall of his enemies, and both of those meant more upheaval in a court that was already unsteady.

“Joyous news,” he said, as he rounded his desk, and before I thought to stop myself, I shot a look at Temar. We rarely met each other’s eyes these days, and then only with mistrust—but now, before his face went blank with his usual look of indifference, I saw a flash of pity in his eyes. My heart sinking, I looked over to Miriel, who had not noticed the look between me and Temar. She was looking elegantly interested, with a half smile and curious tilt to her head; despite her demurrals, I saw her beginning to use her pretty mannerisms once more.

“What is it, my Lord Uncle?” she asked, scrupulously polite. He gave her a curious look. He was perplexed by her lack of spirit, and mistrustful of it, but try as he might, he could find no evidence of the two of us plotting against him. Then he remembered his news, and he smiled once more.

“Oh, the very best of news,” he assured her. “There is to be a special banquet in celebration.” Miriel, tilting her head to watch him, had gone very still. She knew something was wrong, but she could not think what might be coming.

“Oh?” she asked, tentatively.

“Yes,” he said simply, and then, to all appearances, he sat down to his ledgers and missives and forgot her entirely. I saw her clench her teeth at the rudeness, and I saw, too, Temar’s small smile at the evidence of her temper. Temar had no pity for Miriel.

“My Lord Uncle,” Miriel said, her tone measured. “What is the news?”

“Ah, well—it is to be announced at the banquet,” he said. “But I suppose I could tell you now. The Queen, Gods protect her, is with child.” Miriel went white, and her uncle’s smile grew. I hated him, in that moment, more intensely than I had hated anyone. I wanted to hit him, wipe the smug smile off his face, scream at him for telling her the news this way. He had wanted to see where her heart lay, it was true—but he had wanted to hurt her, too.

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