The Sin Eater (Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery Book 3) by David Penny

Author:David Penny [Penny, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Tree Print
Published: 2016-05-11T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“I must stop seeing danger everywhere,” Thomas said. “It’s clouding my mind, preventing me from thinking straight.”

“Don’t stop,” said Lubna. “It’s kept you alive in the past and will do so again. Better to see a false danger that not see the real thing when it comes.”

They stood in an outer chamber, beyond the palace, waiting for Jorge. They had sent a message with a servant, but a quarter hour had passed and still he hadn’t come. Beyond the open archway the sleet had turned to heavy snow, flakes tumbling through the light of torches, settling on the floor of the courtyard.

“Are you going to visit Helena?” asked Lubna. “If so I’ll stay here and wait. I can come and fetch you when Jorge comes.”

“Jorge won’t keep us waiting much longer. We can visit her together later, if you’d like to.”

“How is she?” The question was casual. Thomas tried to find some undertone in Lubna’s voice and failed.

“Uncomfortable, but she’s close to her time now.”

“Do you know when?”

“Soon.” Lubna could work the numbers as well as he. He knew she was aware of the night he had spent with Helena before he left for Qurtuba. Knew of the moment of weakness that was now being repaid.

“There’s no point us both freezing out here. If you insist on staying I’m going to visit my parents. Come find me afterward. I would like to see Helena.”

Thomas nodded and pulled Lubna briefly against him, kissed her soft mouth and watched her pull her cloak around herself as she stepped into the swirling snow. Her slim figure disappeared almost immediately. Even as Thomas stared at where she had been, footsteps sounded behind him and he turned to see a different servant returning than the one he had sent a message with.

“Jorge says he can see you now, if you’re going to be quick.” The young man turned without waiting for a reply and Thomas walked fast to catch up.

They passed through a doorway into the inner palace. The air immediately warmed, growing warmer still the deeper they went. The youth turned and turned again, causing Thomas to lose his bearings, which might have been the purpose. The palace preferred its secret places maintained as such. Through an occasional doorway Thomas glimpsed others going about their business, but he caught no sight of members of the harem or those who ruled al-Andalus. He had come here often in the past, welcomed then for his skill. Now he was being treated as an intruder, and the change sat uneasily with him. The ornate luxury all around only served to reinforce his unease. He wondered what his neighbours would think of the riches here. Or those who slept curled together under bridges and in doorways, the dispossessed who had flocked to the city as the Spanish grew stronger and took more and more land. Then he felt a wash of disgust at himself. He could hardly judge. He had money and owned two houses. He led a life regarded with envy by many.

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