Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) (17 page)

“You want to pull a girl from general maid staff. A scull? Why?”

I shrugged. “I don’t think I could explain it if I tried.”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll talk to Thomas about it. I really ought to go. But, save me if you see me looking miserable. The courtiers can be trying, and I feel like I’m always desperate for an escape.”

I watched as she flitted away. We had yet to speak of Uthur. I didn’t wish to talk of him, as I feared that saying his name would cause my heart to rip apart. Perhaps Mediera was likewise encumbered. Perhaps her gaiety was forced. She was a better actress than I.

The maid lifted a wire mesh monstrosity out of a trunk in the corner of the room. “I’m just going to lift up the back panels of your dress, and fit in the bustle.”

“No, please. I would much rather go without one.”
 

“Are you certain?” she asked. “It will only take me a moment to place it and sew it in.”

“I’m certain,” I insisted.

The woman frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “Lady Mediera won’t be happy with me if I let you go out half dressed.”

“Lady Mediera will get over it,” I said as I stepped toward the mirror. Even without the bustle, I looked like an entirely different person. It was too much.
 

“Should I curl your hair?” the maid asked. “I can pin it up so that it looks stylish.”

I shook my head. “No. I’ll just wear it down.”

The maid frowned again, but I had no intention of indulging her. It seemed entirely unnecessary for me to undergo any further embellishment.

I took uncomfortable steps as I left Mediera’s room, unaccustomed to wearing such a form-fitting gown. Mediera’s maid had tied up the ribbons in the back so tightly that I could barely breathe. I covered my exposed bosom with a fan wishing again that the dressmaker had not been so ambitious with the neckline.

“Anais? Goodness. Is that really you?” Fynn asked, stepping out of the shadows.
 

“How did you get in?”

“The doorman escorted me here. He seemed a bit put off at my attempt to gain entry. I had to insist and show him the invitation that Lord Thomas sent. I don’t think I made the best of impressions.”

“Erlich’s not the welcoming sort,” I agreed.

Fynn, now wearing velvet trousers and a billowy ivory blouse, had been spruced up as well. The ruff of the wide scarlet cravat tied around his neck swelled. The women at the party would swoon over him, I was sure. He would have a dozen contracts for portraits before the night was through.

“You look lovely, by the way,” Fynn said with a sly smile.

I swatted him with the fan and immediately wished I hadn’t.

Fynn’s eyes goggled. “My, my. I had no idea.”
 

I blushed and covered myself again with the fan.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You and I need to charm the nobles, and our only assets are youth, beauty, and wits. Neither of us have family connections to save us.”

“I don’t need to charm anyone.”

“Yes you do.”

I rolled my eyes, not wishing to acknowledge the truth in his words. “Why are you here and not in the courtyard?”

“I’ve been building up my courage to step out.”

“I can’t see you lacking in nerve.”

“Fair enough. I’ve been looking out the window and trying to decide where to start. There are so many people, and I don’t recognize a soul.”

I joined him by the large bay window and we peered out. Twinkles of light illuminated the courtyard, which was filled with perhaps a hundred, or maybe two hundred finely dressed members of court. Men and women were dancing in pairs in the center of the stage. Every bench was full of groups merrily chatting. People stood in circles around tables set up with lovely displays of pastries and fountains of champagne. Musicians stood to the edge of the stage behind a row of hedges playing a tune so raucous that we could hear the beat pulsing through the glass.

“Neither do I,” I murmured in agreement.

“Well, there is only one way to remedy our social failings.” He linked his arm into mine. “We have a party to attend and I don’t wish to miss a moment of it.”

Fynn and I left the townhouse and entered the courtyard. I felt instantly smothered by the gaiety. I wanted to turn and run back into the safety of the townhouse, but Fynn’s firm grip on my arm prevented me from flight. He pushed me through the throng towards the stage where the dancing was in full swing.

A girl flitted to us in a gown of glittering gold.
 

“I’m in need of a partner. Will you dance with me?” she asked Fynn, without a hint of inhibition.

“I would be honored. May I ask your name?”

“I’m Sister Lilian,” she tittered.

My jaw dropped. Mediera was right. The sisters here really did dress like nobles. It was hard to imagine Zilla in a dress like that dancing with men at parties. But, of course, she had a whole other life before I met her. I watched as Fynn took the girl’s hand and led her onto the stage, where they casually joined the fray of dancing couples. As I edged away from the stage, I backed into someone. I turned around, ready to offer apologies.

“Anais, you aren’t trying to escape, are you?” a tall thin man with wispy blond hair asked.

“Thomas,” I said. “I was certainly thinking about it. This is a little much. I’m not sure I belong here.”

“I know. I feel the same way.” He laughed. It wasn’t true though. He looked the picture of elegance, as if this was exactly his place. “Let’s make our way over to one of the tables. You should have a glass of champagne from the fountain. I fear I have indulged a bit too much, but I’m certain one more glass won’t hurt.”

He herded me to a table, where he handed me a crystal goblet filled with bubbly golden liquid. “Drink up. It will make tonight more tolerable. I promise.”

I shrugged and downed the glass. It was refreshing and just a tad sweet. I considered requesting a second glass but didn’t want it to get to my head.

“I saw a Sister of Mercy,” I confided to Thomas. “She looked nothing like the sisters in Barriershire. She was very forward.”

He snorted. “It was a shock to me, too. At least they won’t be trying to get you to marry them. I feel like I’m constantly fending one off. Speaking of the sisterhood, I’ll introduce you to Mother Asher. I saw her floating around the pastry table a few moments ago.”

“Thank you, it will save me a trip to the Abbey.”

“Visiting the Abbey isn’t quite as laborious as in Barriershire. It’s in the center of the city. You should visit. It’s the tallest building in all of Courtshire, except the old Mage’s Tower, but that’s just a ruin now.”

I wondered if I could find a way to arrange a visit to the Mage’s Tower too. That would be something.

We wound our way to the other side of the courtyard, where Thomas and I edged past a circle of women who were avidly discussing the music being played. We joined two women who were standing near a large bush that was carved into a figure of a bird with wide open wings. The topiary carvings throughout the courtyard were quite elaborate.

“Lord Thomas,” a large woman in a bright purple kaftan, embroidered with a thousand tiny flowers, addressed him. “It’s always a pleasure.”

“Mother Asher, I’d like to introduce you to Sister Anais. She belongs to our Abbey in Barriershire.”

“Oh my, I was very sad to hear about Barriershire. The Abbey is safe, I hope. They have their own defenses, as I understand.”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I was in the city when it happened.”

“However did you escape?” the girl standing next to Mother Asher asked. “I thought the mountain pass had been closed up. And do you know if Sister Zilla is safe? She and I were friends when we joined the sisterhood. Did she tell you why she went to Barriershire? She never told me why she left. Are you in the path of light? They say all of the sisters in Barriershire join the path of light. It’s such a dreary choice…”

“Don’t bother the poor girl with so many questions, Maddie. I’m sure she’s been through quite an ordeal.” Mother Asher placed a hand on my shoulder. “Do you have a place to stay? You’re welcome to join us in the Abbey, if you like. Our doors are open to all of our sisters.”

“She’s staying with us,” Thomas interjected. “Sister Anais is a family friend.”

Maddie’s eyes swept to Thomas as he spoke. “Lord Thomas, would you favor me with a dance?”

Thomas smiled, but I could see that it was forced. “Of course.”

He took her hand, and they joined the fray, moving in time with the music. She was a pretty girl and I wondered, idly, if she was committed to the path of love and looking for a prospective husband. Poor Thomas did seem to be an attractive target.

“My dear, I realize it’s a delicate question. But, are you in the path of light? We don’t have many sisters of that path in our Abbey. But, we are not completely one-dimensional. I can introduce you to one of our more senior sisters who can tutor you.”

“I’m not a member of the path of light.”

“You do have a path though?” Mother Asher asked. “If you haven’t selected one…”

“I have a path,” I interrupted her.

“The path of knowledge, then?”

“No.” I decided to give in and answer the question, as it didn’t seem that she was going to let me avoid it. “The path of the protector.”

“Oh.” her eyes widened. “Oh dear. Well, there’s not much I can do for you then. I’ve never actually met one of your order.” She paused. “No that’s not true–when I was young, there was a girl...” She shook her head. “That doesn’t matter. We can provide you with a small stipend. I believe there’s something set aside for sisters of your path. I’ll talk to Mother Mallay. She keeps the books.”

“A stipend would be appreciated,” I admitted. It would be a relief to have my own income. It would mean freedom. Not that I minded being beholden to Thomas and Mediera. No, I was lying to myself. I didn’t like owing anyone anything. I didn’t like being dependent.

“It’s settled. Visit the Abbey and we’ll work it all out.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Sister Anais. I fear you may be the only refugee we will be getting from Barriershire, and I really would be remiss if I didn’t make sure we took care of you.”

I smiled. For the first time, I felt truly glad that I was a Sister of Mercy, and that I had a community of women at my back.
 

“It looks like someone has had too much to drink,” Mother Asher said, as a tall broad-shouldered young man stumbled by us. He abandoned the lit section of the courtyard, entering the shadows. He knelt down and put his head into a shrub and retched violently.

“I know him. I should see if he’s all right.” It was Cedric, and he did indeed look like he was badly off.

“And I should make sure none of the sisters are making too much of a nuisance of themselves. It was a pleasure meeting you, Sister Anais.”

“Likewise,” I murmured.

I walked into the bushes until I was standing by Cedric’s side. I placed a hand on his back. “Cedric,” I said.

He lifted his head up and blinked a few times before his eyes settled on me.

“I just needed some air,” he slurred.

“I can see that.”

“You should go back,” he said. “Getting caught together out here would hurt your reputation.”

“We wouldn’t want that.”

“Are you being flippant?” he asked.

I sighed. “My reputation is inconsequential.”

“Don’t be so quick to think you’re safe. Sisters of Mercy get married on this side of the Mountain. They’ll find you a husband, I’m sure.”

“I’m not getting married.”

“You know, I said the same thing to Thomas. We’re adults. You’d think we could make our own choices. But no. My opinion is irrelevant. Everything must be for the good of the war. Everything.”
 

“The war is the only thing that matters,” I said flatly. “You should know that.”

“You too?”

“Let’s get you some water, okay. You’re not thinking straight.”

He sighed. “I should just keep my mouth shut.”

“Probably,” I agreed.

We re-entered the populated section of the courtyard and found a table where a man was serving glasses of chilled water. As we drank, we looked out onto the dance floor. Cedric stared at a couple who were dancing in slow box steps. The girl had blonde hair pulled up in loose curls, and a dress that dazzled in the twinkling candlelight. She rested her head on the man’s shoulder. He was well built, with closely cropped dark hair and taller than Mediera, but he would seem slight next to Cedric. They turned, and I could see Mediera’s face come into view. She wasn’t smiling.
 

“There’s something eerily familiar about him,” Cedric said, a frown on his face. “Azriel Weston. I could swear I’ve seen him before. But I can’t quite place him.”

They turned again, and I saw his face. He was mine, or should have been. Why was he here and not safely tucked away in Farshire?

“Lord Weston’s son,” I asked dully. Of course, I knew Azriel was a lord’s son. I just hadn’t put the pieces together until now.

C
HAPTER
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