The Queen's Tower by J.S. Mawdsley

Author:J.S. Mawdsley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, epic fantasy, fantasy romance
Publisher: J.S. Mawdsley
Published: 2020-01-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

PRESLEY HAD FOUND A lute somewhere, and Grigory was now strumming his way through all the great ballads of home, while Presley sat at his feet, looking up at him with open adoration. Daryna felt happy for the two of them, and she wondered if anyone else saw what was happening. She looked around the parlor—Nina with Anik, Maxen whispering with Vadik, Ethelred and Edgar and Brandon lounging easily together, much as they probably had for decades. They all sat listening to Grigory play Loshadnarodski songs on his Myrcian instrument, his sweet baritone soft and warm. Everyone here seemed relaxed at last, away from the other guests on the third floor of the Bocburg.

Daryna had been in this parlor before—it had been set aside originally for the use of the court hillichmagnars in the days of the old Kingdom of Leornian. Guests usually didn’t stay on this floor, except for Caedmon when he visited the city, and he took up residence across the hall from where they now sat in his old rooms in the Leofe Tower. Because it had once been the exclusive domain of hillichmagnars, the entire floor ached with magy and memories, and she was happy to join the others when Caedmon had invited them up.

But Caedmon had disappeared a while ago, she could not say quite when, since Grigory’s playing and the wine left her sinking comfortably into her chair by the fire. It was the first time she had not felt tense since Presley had informed her Faustinus would be here. She should have known better than to relax.

“I hate to interrupt your beautiful playing, Mr. Sobol,” Caedmon said from just inside the door. “But I would like to introduce you all to Servius Lepidus Faustinus, who has at last arrived.”

Daryna had been so tranquil and soothed she had not even sensed Faustinus coming. But there he was—casually elegant posture, warm smile, charming air.

“Caedmon, you should know me well enough after all the centuries that I never want good music interrupted for any reason, least of all for me.” He stopped in front of Grigory and held out his hand. “My sincerest apologies, from one musician to another.”

Grigory awkwardly accepted the offered hand, barely able to balance the lute. “An honor to meet you. I am Grigory Sobol.”

“If you insist on claiming the honor, I will allow you, but the pleasure is all mine. We must have a discussion about counterpoint sometime.” He turned back to the rest of the room with his most winning smile, the one that had made her tremble in his arms once upon a time. “And now that I have apologized to our musician, Caedmon, you may finish the introductions.”

Caedmon, obviously, began with Ethelred and Nina, then moved on to the princes, Brandon and Edgar, and finally Anik and Presley. Throughout, Faustinus never turned his head in her direction, even avoiding her when shaking hands with Anik five feet away. She could feel his magy now as clearly as she could see him, and she had no doubt that he felt her just as strongly.

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