Ashes of Roses (Tales of the Latter Kingdoms Book 4) (16 page)

“I am, in body,” I said frankly. “In mind, however…”

“Ah, I have had a taste of that. In fact, I think I am sufficiently recovered to try another.”

Once more he took me in his arms, and I tasted the wine on his tongue and breathed in the warm, woodsy scent of his hair, and felt my body flare with heat again. And so we stayed for a long while, until we broke apart, gasping, and Torric murmured that he must return, for he had already been away too long.

I wondered how I might steal away back into the chamber where the musicale was being held, but he interrupted that thought, saying, “If you do not mind, my love, I think it would be more discreet for you to go directly to your carriage. If Gabrinne did her work sufficiently, then I doubt anyone is looking for you, and it would be safer if you did not try to sneak back in the way you got out.”

That seemed sensible enough, although I wished I would not have to miss the reception. However, it would give Torric another opportunity to lavish his attention on some other young woman — Brinda Aldrenne, most likely and most unfortunately — and therefore deflect any inquiries away from me.

I nodded, and he continued, “I will lead you farther down the passageway. It comes out into the courtyard, and the footmen can then call for your carriage.”

“Of course, Torric.”

We kissed again, and then he took me by the hand and let me out into the dimly lit corridor, down past several narrow passages that broke off from the main one. I wanted to ask why these secret hallways were here at all, but we moved so quickly that I did not have the opportunity. Quite soon, we emerged into the damp, cool evening air — or rather, I did. Torric hung back so he might not be seen, and pressed his lips to my hand one last time before disappearing inside.

His absence felt like a hole in my heart, but I told myself not to be silly, that I would be seeing him tomorrow night, and then we would never be separated again.

The footman blinked in confusion as I approached him and inquired for my carriage. I was sure the poor man must have thought I materialized out of nowhere. Even so, he hurried off to do my bidding, and in a very brief amount of time my own driver was helping me up into the coach.

We rattled off into the darkness, and I lay my head against the cushions and shut my eyes, thinking of Torric’s mouth on mine, his arms around me. And that was enough for now, because this was the last time we would have to say goodbye.

After the ball tomorrow, all of Sirlende would know I was to be their Empress.

T
orric

O
h
, it was hard to let her go, to watch her square her shoulders and walk away from me. The expression on her face told me all I needed to know. She had no more wish for this parting than I did.

But I had learned to master the travails of hard duty, even though I cared little for them. This would be our last separation. After we announced our engagement, I would make sure that Ashara was installed in an apartment here in the palace until our wedding day. Her recent revelations were enough to convince me that she should spend no more days under her stepmother’s roof.

I felt my features harden into a mask of cold anger, thinking of the callous way that shrew had apparently treated the woman I loved. Ashara was perfection; she should not have to suffer a single harsh word, let alone see her unworthy stepsisters favored over her. I wished I could show this stepmother exactly what I thought of her behavior, but as Ashara wished me to let it go, I would…if reluctantly.

One of the branches from the hidden passageway emerged in a storeroom, and that was where I had already planned to come out, deeming it the least likely place for anyone to see me, appearing as I would from a doorway hidden behind a stack of unused furniture and outdated paintings. I slipped out and closed the door behind me, then brushed some dust from my velvet doublet. Blane had set two of his guards to await me in the corridor outside, for of course he would not allow me to return unescorted to the chamber where the musicale was being held.

If those two men thought there was anything strange about the Emperor of Sirlende exiting an unused storeroom while hundreds of prospective brides waited for him on the other side of the palace, their impassive faces did not reveal such musings. No real surprise; after all, it was not their place to judge my doings.

I set a brisk pace as I returned to the audience chamber and my expectant guests. Everyone turned to face me as I entered the room, and the musicians faltered briefly but then found their rhythm once again. Face composed in pleasant lines, I took my seat once again next to Brinda Aldrenne, whose sly eyes were full of questions she did not quite dare to ask.

Mercifully, the music did not last too much longer — not that I do not enjoy music, but if the musicians were ending their set, it meant we were that much closer to the conclusion of the evening, and therefore that much closer to tomorrow. The ball. Ashara.

My loins tightened as I recalled the feel of her mouth, her sweet scent, the taste of wine on those soft, full lips. I was not used to denying myself, but I had to stop her — stop
us
, for if we had pressed on, I would have abandoned all caution and slipped away with her to my bedchamber.

No, I could not think of that. Soon enough she would be my wife, would be mine in every way possible, but until then I had a role to play.

The musicians stood, and everyone clapped dutifully, but I could tell the mind of every young woman there was occupied far more with the reception that was about to follow, their penultimate chance to catch my eye. I must confess that I did feel a pang of guilt then, for most of them were honorable enough, here because they hoped to advance their family’s name, and I knew I was deceiving them. Then again, they had all gone into this knowing that only one woman could be my wife. Was there anything so terribly wrong about realizing who that woman was before the five days ended?

I guessed that the women around me would think there might be, but I could do little about that now.

“…some air, Your Majesty?”

“I beg your pardon?” I inquired, realizing that Brinda Aldrenne had been speaking to me and that I hadn’t heard half of what she’d said.

Those narrow dark eyes of hers narrowed further. “I was just saying that they were opening the doors to the courtyard, and asking if you wanted some air?”

A transparent ploy. While I had to give her some credit for attempting to keep me to herself, I knew I would never allow myself to be alone with her.

“Ah, I think it better that I take a turn around the reception chamber. But you are certainly welcome to accompany me.”

Her expression, which had begun to cloud over, suddenly cleared, and a triumphant little smile played about her mouth. Now, this was one young woman I would feel no guilt over disappointing.

The audience chamber had an adjoining room that was sometimes used when the crowds expected were deemed to be of greater than average size. Now the servants were swinging open the large doors that connected the two spaces, and I saw in the chamber beyond tables heaped with sweets and the sort of small savory dishes so popular for evening functions, along with many bottles of wine that gleamed like dark jewels amongst the autumn leaves and warm-toned flowers.

Already people were flowing into that room, their hunger enhanced by having to sit and listen to music quietly for the greater part of two hours. As I rose from my seat, Brinda got up as well. She seemed determined to stick by my side like a cocklebur, and I made myself repress an exasperated sigh.

We had just entered the reception hall when two more young women approached us — or rather, they seemed acquainted with the Aldrenne girl, and sidled up to her in an obvious attempt to get closer to me. I recognized them at once, for they were a perfect fit to Ashara’s description of them: one overly plump, the bodice of her pale green gown obviously more fortified than a castle’s walls in a vain attempt to contain her generous bosom and rounded stomach, the other one passably pretty, but with an odd strained look to her dark eyes that belied their myopic tendencies.

The stepsisters.

I believe I managed to smile, and if the expression was somewhat strained around the edges, I do not think they noticed, for they were too busy curtseying and saying, “Good evening, Your Majesty.”

“Lady Jenaris and Lady Shelynne Millende, Your Majesty,” Brinda told me. Her tone seemed to indicate that she did not mind making the introduction, for she saw neither of them as a threat.

No, it is the sister who is not here who is the true threat…

“Ladies,” I said, and bowed. How I wished I could say something cutting to them, a few carefully chosen words to let them know that I did not approve of them or their stepmother. But I had promised Ashara, and I did not make promises lightly.

“And what did you think of the music, Your Majesty?” inquired Shelynne, squinting as she attempted to focus on my face.

“I thought it was most excellent, my lady. And you?”

“Oh, it was quite the thing. Jenaris and I both adore music, although we have little opportunity to hear it. We — ” And she broke off, for her sister had quite obviously jabbed her in the ribs to prevent her from saying anything else.

“What she means, Your Majesty,” Jenaris cut in, “is that while we have music all the time, at dinner, or when we have our own dances at our house, we do not have quite so many musicians. So it was a treat to hear six of them playing at once.”

At this revelation Brinda rolled her eyes, clearly not fooled by this pretense to a level of wealth I was sure they did not have. Yes, their mother had married a baronet who had passed away and left behind some wealth — Ashara’s jewels were a testament to that if nothing else, although I supposed they could have been heirlooms of her own mother — but from what I had heard, most households of their rank did not employ regular musicians, but only hired them in for special occasions.

There did not seem to be much point in calling the sisters out for their lies, however. If it made them feel better to pretend to a wealth they did not possess, so be it. Their company was clearly tedious, but at least it prevented me from being alone with the predatory Aldrenne girl.

“Some refreshments?” I suggested, and spread a hand toward the glorious feast before us. Truly, it did look quite enticing. The heat of those kisses with Ashara seemed to have consumed my own supper, and I was hungry again.

“Oh, yes,” said Jenaris. “I fear I am quite famished after all that music.”

“But Jenaris, Mamma said you were not to eat anything — ”

Another elbow to the ribs, and Shelynne went silent as she shot a glare at her sister and rubbed her side.

Brinda sniggered, then said, “I fear I am not that hungry, but perhaps some wine?”

The last thing I wanted was to share a cup of wine with her, but to refuse would be churlish. Worse, it would prove that I was only spending time with her to make it seem as if I had not yet made my final choice.

So I nodded and headed toward the refreshment tables. A servant hurried up to me, and I said, “Some wine for the lady. And you, Shelynne, Jenaris?”

They both curtseyed and blushed and said yes, of course, that would be lovely. The manservant fetched them all goblets of wine, then asked, “And for you, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, I think so.” A goblet or two of wine would help get me through the evening, no doubt.

He brought it to me, then bowed and asked if there would be anything else. I surveyed the group of young woman and said, “Ah, put together a few plates of some delicacies. I trust your judgment.”

A stammered thank-you and another bow, and he went to fulfill his duties. As he did so, I could see Brinda’s brow lowering; no doubt she had not thought she would be saddled with the stepsisters for more than a few minutes. Then again, perhaps they were doing her a service. With the three of them clustering around me, there was not much room for any other, prettier supplicants to approach.

The servant came back with several plates of food, one of which he handed off to the young women to share amongst them, and the other to me. I took it and thanked him, then turned back to my three hangers-on, amused to see that Brinda declined any of the savories or sweets, while Jenaris promptly grabbed a plump pastry with a fig filling, over her sister’s protests. Yes, I would definitely be doing Ashara a service by removing her permanently from their company.

“So, Your Majesty,” Brinda said after taking a large swallow of wine, “what do you have planned for tomorrow evening? Is it going to be truly spectacular?”

You have no idea
. But I only shook my head and took a bite of cinnamon-spiced meat pie. After I was finished chewing, I replied, “Ah, you know I cannot reveal such things ahead of time. Lord Hein wants the evening to be a true surprise.”

She pouted. I had the feeling she used that pout often on her father, to good effect, and therefore thought it must be equally compelling for all men. Now I merely found it tedious, especially since I knew it was just as calculated as the rest of her expressions and utterances. “Not even the tiniest bit?”

I shook my head. “State secret, my lady.”

Shelynne had been squinting around the room, as apparently she had abandoned her attempts to prevent her sister from eating the rich food provided. “I do not see
her
— is she not here tonight, Your Majesty?”

“Is who here?” I inquired, even as Jenaris rewarded her sister with a third, especially vehement elbow to the ribcage.

“You know. The girl with the red hair. What is her name? Sharanne? Aislinn?”

It was on my lips to say that I thought it odd she did not even know her own stepsister’s name, but somehow I found myself unable to reply, as if the words had caught in my throat. Perhaps it was only the memory of my promise to Ashara that I would not speak of her to them, even in such an innocuous context, but I did find it passing strange. At any rate, I did not answer immediately, but drank some wine first, as if that could somehow clear the odd blockage in my throat.

“Oh,” I said casually. “I have not seen her here this evening, but that is of little matter, since I have all you charming ladies for company.”

And of course they simpered and smiled and curtseyed, even while I looked past them, my eyes seeming to search through the very palace walls to find my Ashara, whose name I somehow seemed unable to speak.

“
W
hat on earth
was that business with you leaving the musicale tonight?” my sister asked, crossing her arms and fixing me with the sort of pointed stare that told me she would not allow any prevarication.

“Affairs of state,” I said breezily. “I noticed you seemed very chatty with Lord Sorthannic.”

“We are not discussing that.” But her cheeks did turn pink.

“
You
may not be, but I am.”

“Torric — ”

“It is of no matter. I came back, didn’t I? I did my duty by entertaining some of the most tedious young women it has ever been my displeasure to meet.”

Lyarris shook her head. “Yes, I fear they seemed rather common, from what I could see. And Brinda Aldrenne? What was the point of that? Did you not refer to her as a ‘viper’ only a few days ago?”

“I did. All the more reason to spend some time with her. Now she has gone home happy and satisfied, sure that she has caught the Emperor’s attention at last. She will be quiescent and less likely to scheme when in such a state, so all in all I believe the evening was a success.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“Am I?” I smiled at her, perversely pleased by the small frown she wore. “I would think you would be glad that I was showing favor to other young ladies, and not lavishing it all on Ashara Millende.”

The frown deepened. “I did not see her at all, actually. Did you tell her to stay away, so you might put Lady Brinda and some of the other young women off the scent?”

“Oh, she was there, but she left early.”

“And that disturbance with Gabrinne Nelandre and the mouse?”

I said nothing, but something in my expression must have given me away, for Lyarris set down her small goblet of port and fixed me with a very set stare.

“Tell me you did not plan that!”

“No, I confess the mouse was all Gabrinne’s idea. Rather brilliant, don’t you think?”

She laughed then, as if to show that she had quite given up on me. “If you intended for it to cause a most unseemly disruption, then yes, it was quite brilliant. You had left before that, but oh, the screaming and the fighting over who would get out first. Then there were the stalwarts who would not leave, but stood on their chairs, and all through the commotion those poor musicians had to soldier on as if nothing untoward was happening. Truly, you did
them
a great disservice with your plans. I can only hope you gave them a little extra compensation for their trouble.”