“So,” she said, “the moral of the story is, stick to your own kind, even if a beautiful, mythological creature comes to carry you away.”
They agreed that neither of them cared very much for that story.
Chapter Twenty
Eriis
Moth left with a small company the next morning after extracting a promise that she would get out of their room and visit with Aelle, and go to the market, and practice her flying. He left her with a lingering kiss. His men turned and looked at the sky.
The second two promises she intended to keep. But as far as seeking out Aelle, she'd rather swim across the Gorda on a full moon's tide. When the invitation arrived to join Aelle and some of her friends for dinner, she knew there was no way to refuse. Aelle, it seems, had sought her out instead.
It's just dinner, Maaya told herself. Just a bunch of spoiled demon princesses, not too different from Thirds and Fourths back home.
But she'd spent enough time on Eriis to know it wasn't so simple. Her companions during those long weeks leading up to Moth's rescue had been mostly workers in the Old City and of course Niico and Ilaan. Spies and outcasts and the children of the poor. How did the daughters of privilege comport themselves at dinner? She put on her best placid smile and went to find out.
Aelle received her politely, remarking with a smile that she should be thanking Maaya, since this was the first chance she'd had for an evening with friends since her father's disappearance—she refused to add 'rest him now' when speaking of Yuenne; as far as she was concerned, he was on another one of his jaunts to the Vastness. Maaya could still hear her stupid voice parroting the phrase to Aelle, and wished she were far away.
“Of course, no one blames you for Father’s leaving, Maaya,” she said, nodded to the young maid to serve the first course and pour another bottle of sarave around the table. “Not like with the Raasth.”
Maaya's head jerked up, but Aelle's cool smile remained in place.
“It's what you human persons do, isn't it?” said one of the young women. Maaya struggled to remember her name. Oiisth? “Blow up things? I think it's exciting.”
“Yes, Maaya’s special gift is to ‘blow things up’, isn’t that right?” Aelle was looking her right in the eye. Something was wrong.
“I didn't mean to—” Maaya tried to think of what to say, but Aelle continued.
“Hollen knows. He’s seen you at work.”
“Hollen? Which one is—oh.” Hollen. That was the name of the man who’d tried to restrain Rhuun. She’d nearly incinerated him for his trouble.
“Yes, the one who spread the word of the prince’s return to the Seat, quick as a jumpmouse.” Aelle smiled. “Hollen, all in black. He’s Rhuun’s man these days. Until my father returns - I suppose he might show up in white then. I’m surprised you don’t recall him. After all, you two made plans together.”
“We did? Me and Hollen?”
“Well, it was quite early in the day. Perhaps you don’t remember the encounter. He certainly does.”
Shit. It was that same demon, the one who’d stopped her on her way to the Raasth. She had been wearing Aelle’s face and had agreed to go on a date. She’d forgotten the meeting completely.
“No, I do remember. I am sorry for speaking out of turn, that morning. He obviously likes you, and he asked politely enough. I thought it would do no harm.”
“No harm.” Aelle’s voice had a brittle edge. “You think I’m talking about a social call?”
“He wanted something else.” She struggled to remember. “He wanted to talk to your father…”
“And you told him yes, he ought to go straight to the Counselor. Do you know what it was? No. But you, clever human, you made a decision.” The women at the table were all watching her, as if she were the lyonne at that long-ago circus. “He told my father that Niico was a spy. Did that do no harm?”
“No! Why would Hollen …”
Aelle’s smile revealed nothing. “Apparently Father convinced him he’d get a special treat if he was useful.”
“A treat? What does that mean?”
Aelle looked away, as if asking her friends. “What sort of treats do human men perform tricks for?”
Maaya’s mind raced—how to respond? Take the blame? She decided to be honest. “So, you were to be his reward. I’m so sorry. Niico was my friend, too. I didn’t know.” Aelle looked back at her, and Maaya thought she saw relief—that it was out in the open? That she’d apologized? She couldn’t tell. She straightened up. “It seems your father used us both poorly, and Niico most of all. And Hollen? He was just the right tool for the job.”
The other women at the table were exchanging glances. Oiisth spoke up.
“Aelle, is it always like this when humans gather to dine? It’s very…bold.”
Aelle drew a breath. “I am a poor hostess. My mother would drop her wings.” She took a quick look over her shoulder at the darkened hallway. “Please, let us eat.” The guests smiled and picked up their forks.
Is that it? Maaya took a sliver of the papery brown stuff, whatever it was supposed to be. “I hope you’ll accept my apology. I didn’t know.”
“I think we’ve said enough.” Aelle’s smile faltered. “We’ve all done things we regret.” Then her face brightened, the mask back on. “Let the past remain in the dust. We’ve had our fill of what humans say and do for one night. What else?” She glanced around the table. “Kaati, didn’t you say you’d seen—”
“I haven’t,” interrupted Oiisth. “I think they’re so interesting. Tell me, Maaya, is it true that the men have no flame at all?” Then, realizing her mistake, she turned crimson. Maaya wondered who she thought deserved the apology. She thought of Moth’s flame, the one that was for her alone, and smiled. Oiisth, seeing this, decided her hostess was more deserving. “I mean no offense. But one hears things…”
“It’s true,” said Maaya. “No flame, no wings. Of course, some of them make up for it in other ways.” The women laughed, and she saw a muscle in Aelle’s jaw twitch.
“I wonder how you are enjoying your visit here on Eriis. I know the climate cannot be to your liking, even with your new face. The wonders and delights and cold of Mistra must be calling you back, no?”
“I miss my family,” Maaya replied, determined not to walk into another trap.
“It seems our prince misses his family as well,” said one of the other ladies. “I understand he's gone to the Vastness to seek her out.”
“Oh, no,” Maaya said. “He's on a trip to the Edge. He'll be back in two days’ time.” There, she thought. Simple facts, and nothing to misconstrue.
They all looked at each other. “And he's left you behind?” Aelle smiled and sipped her drink. “He always did have a way of avoiding difficult conversations. The Edge, well, that's a long and dry walk. Tell me, did he pack enough to drink for three days? He does get notoriously thirsty.” Maaya had to hand it to Aelle, that was some superior sauce. Was she supposed to defend him? She searched the table for clues. The other ladies merely chuckled and nodded like they were talking about hats, or the weather, or a garden.
Might as well blow the rest of it up, she thought. “What . . . um, difficult conversations?” she asked.
“About you,” said Aelle. “I mean, Rhuun has the Seat—for now—thanks to you. The Zaal and my father remain in play. So does our queen. Are you content to spend your days being used as a weapon, so far from home?” Maaya did not reply, and Aelle looked sympathetic. “You see? A difficult conversation for which our prince has made himself unavailable. Well, that's how he is.”
“You should know,” added Oiisth.
Maaya pushed back from the table. “I think I should be going back.” Before anyone could protest (no one looked about to protest) she collected her scarf from a server and did her best not to run out the door and down the street. The door closed behind her and she heard Aelle say something—she couldn't make out what—and a ripple of laughter drifted through the air.
Chapter Twenty-One
Eriis
Maaya rolled Aelle's parting comments around in her head. A difficult conversation. Well, that's how he is. If Aelle didn't know Moth's mind, who did? She wondered if all demon dinner parties ended in warfare, with lines drawn and the loser retreating into the night. It wasn't like that back home. Was it? She recalled many evenings of drinking and gossiping, but generally the victim wasn't sitting across the table. Obviously Aelle had invited her there to call her out in front of her friends, to let her know she wasn’t one of them, and she ought to go back to where she came from. Yet she seemed content with Maaya’s apology.
For the thousandth time, she wished Moth had taken her with him. Despite Niico's efforts to educate her she knew she was woefully unprepared for life at the court of the High Seat of Eriis. Poor Niico. He deserved so much better than to be betrayed by accident. She wondered what she’d say, the next time she saw Rhuun’s man, Hollen. Or what she might do.
And the worst of it was, Aelle was correct. She was a weapon, a tool, even if she was a willing one. And as far as Moth, she was right again; that’s exactly how he was. She knew how far he'd go to avoid confrontation. Did he go all the way to the Edge, she had to ask herself, to avoid one with me?
Once within sight of the palace, Maaya looked at people out for a stroll, and noted a few in the air. She decided to follow their example and flew completely around the huge old building until she'd found the room she shared with Moth. She landed on the windowsill, glad that she'd left the tall windows open. There were a few things to enjoy in this strange place; she'd never grow tired of flying.
Once she'd swung her legs over the sill, she realized someone had pulled the curtains open, because she hadn't gotten caught up in them. Had Moth pulled them back before he left? The room would be full of dust . . .
There was a woman sitting on the edge of the bed. Maaya swallowed past a jolt of fear, but composed herself as best she could, and quickly. The woman, whoever she was, sat quietly, and there was no point in being rude.
“Madam, might I offer you water?” That was the thing you were supposed to say, no matter who showed up at your door. Or in your private, guarded room.
The woman laughed delightedly. “You are clever! My son told me you would be.”
So this was Hellne, the missing queen. She felt her heart begin to pound. The woman was beautiful—she could see an echo of Moth's extraordinary looks—but there was nothing warm or welcoming in her eyes, despite her smile and kind words. Although with demons, who could tell? “I'm honored that you would come to visit, Madam. But your son isn't here.”
“Oh, I know where he is. We talk frequently, he and I. Well, as much as we can considering the circumstances. . . . It was such a bother coming back, but when Rhuun asked, how could I refuse?” Maaya frowned. He hadn't said anything to her about talking with his mother. She caught Maaya's confused look. “I'm here to see you at his request.”
“Is something wrong? Is he hurt?” She became alarmed and began to wish she'd been more insistent on accompanying him. Anything could happen to him out there, without her.
“Hurt? Oh, nothing like that, no. Be at ease, as far as his health is concerned. No, he asked me to speak to you about something else.” The queen paused. “Perhaps you ought to sit down.” She did. “This is difficult. Oh, I wish he'd done this himself, but you know how he is.”
“About difficult conversations,” Maaya said slowly. “Please just say whatever it is.”
“Well, my dear, it's his position. And how you fit into it. Or don't fit into it, I probably should say. He holds the Seat by a thin thread. Inside the Arch, where it counts, he isn't what one might call well beloved.”
“He is well loved. By me.” And she thought of the townspeople in the Old City, reaching for his arm.
“And he knows that, and believe me, he is very fond of you as well. That's what made it impossible to tell you himself. My dear girl, it's time for you to go home.”
“Fond of me?” She was stunned. “He said that?”
“He couldn't bear to see your tears. He was afraid you might even plead, and he didn't want to lose his resolve. After all, we know how emotional you human persons get about those you're attached to. You understand, we just aren't built the same way, here on Eriis. And yes, he is fond of you, but he has a realm to rule, and you have become extremely inconvenient. Everyone knows what you are, despite that new face. And then of course there's the Raasth. An unmitigated disaster, even you must be able to see that. So much history lost, and those good servants of Eriis left homeless.” Maaya began to speak but the queen held up her hand. “I know, you say you were defending him. But no one down there was actually threatening him, if I understand correctly. Or you, for that matter. In fact, he had already made his escape, no? You sought them out. When you destroyed the Raasth?” Maaya tried to maintain the Eriisai composure she'd worked so hard on, and failed. The queen continued. “You’ve served him admirably, in your role, but…it's clear to everyone you aren't one of us. And when they see you on his arm, they remember that he isn't either.” Her expression brightened. “He's done a fine job of holding the Seat. Just think of how well he'll do without distractions.”
“He wants me to leave?” She felt the tears on her face, it was hard to breathe. He does blame you. Everyone blames you. Light and Wind were right about you. You’ll never have to tell him you can’t have his child because he doesn’t want you to have his child. “He sent you to tell me?”
“That's why he engineered this little trip out to the Edge. I mean, a thin excuse, don't you agree? Although he was correct in that they would not be pleased to greet you, out there. So. All that's left is for you to contact your friends back home, and off you'll go. He will remember you with much affection, as I'm sure you will think of him.” The queen rose to her feet, looked around the room, and smoothed the quilt where she had been sitting. “I must be off myself. It was such a pleasure to meet you at last. Let's see you on your way, and then we can all get back to our lives, in their proper places.”
Maaya stumbled to the corner of their room, and found her old leather bag, which she upended onto the dresser. A partly burned candle rolled out, the stupid candle that held the record of Moth’s time in Mistra. Scilla had looked at it and said it was just him following her around; watching her, learning how to speak as humans speak, to act as they do. Lessons in humanity he had used and abandoned. The knife landed next to it. It still had some of Moth's blood on it. Good. Her hand shook but she managed to scratch 'Bring me home' into the wooden surface. No more death, she thought. No more blood, and no more magic. I'm done. She left the candle and the knife where they fell.
Within seconds, the tall window no longer looked out over the mountains of Eriis, but into the study at the Guardhouse. Maaya pulled the blanket off the bed she no longer would share with Moth and wrapped it around her shoulders, quickly stripping off her black gown and sandals, and without another word, she climbed onto the window sill and stepped through the open Door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eriis
“It’s done.”
The Zaal had been circling the answer to the question of the weather but looked up from his calculations to see Hellne in the doorway. Wisely, she’d shut the door to his little home behind her and stood with her traveling scarf still looped around her neck. It wouldn’t do for the Quarter folk to see the queen wandering their streets.
“She actually left?”
Hellne smiled and shrugged. “I just told her the truth. No one wants her here” She cocked her head. “Would you like me to keep it on?”
“Perhaps later. I’m in the middle of something. You can take it off, for now. You’ve earned a rest.”
She gave a shrug and it traveled down from head to heel. Hellne melted away, and Calaa took a deep breath. “Well. You were wrong. There were tears, but she didn’t beg. Took it better than I would have.”
“But she’s g
one. You saw it.”
“Opened The Door to someplace bright and stinking. Closed up behind her.” Calaa threw herself on the Zaal’s narrow cot. She laughed and squeaked out a high-pitched whine, clasping her hands over her heart. “He wants me to leave? He doesn’t love me? Sob-sob. You should have heard her. So. No more human. What’s next?”
He held up his pen. It was not quite white, rubbed smooth, and slightly curved. “What do you think of this?”
She squinted at it. “A pen? It’s a pen. What about it?”
“It’s carved from bone. Human bone. It was a rib, I think.” He watched as her eyes widened. But she leaned in for a closer look. “I think humans are fine, as long as they serve a purpose. Like this human, whoever they might have been, I have no problem with them. But the ones walking around, the breathing ones, those I take exception to.”
She frowned. “You’re going to make them into pens?”
He laughed. “A pleasant thought. No, I had something else in mind. I thought I might kill them all.”
“All? Like, all?” Her eyes gleamed in the light of the night stones. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.
“All. What you did tonight was the second step. Now the human girl is removed from play, and the prince is without protection. Next, we wait.”
“I don’t want to wait. I want to help,” she breathed.
The Zaal congratulated himself for choosing such a perfect tool. If she’d been a boy, he would have considered his successor in place. “We will wait until the real Hellne brings me back a gift from the Vastness. Until then, you have a new role to play. What will the prince do, I wonder, when he finds his sdhaach gone?”
The Glass Girl Page 12
