For Want of a Fiend (26 page)

“Now that is odd,” Countess Nadia said, “because my late husband’s relatives didn’t mention that you’d returned to your estate, and an appearance by the local nobility is always such an affair in the townships.”

Lady Hilda’s eye twitched. “I came in very discreetly, didn’t need the invitations pouring in for a lot of provincial parties and fetes, not when I wanted to finish my business and get back to court.”

“Well, that’s it, then. They will be sorry they missed you.”

Before Lady Hilda could finish her bow, Countess Nadia said, “Still, I do wonder how you went home under cover of darkness, as it were. No matter how ‘discreet’ I try to be when traveling to my own estate, someone always spots me. A carriage train is hard to conceal when traveling past lonely farms or, spirits above, through a township.”

Starbride chuckled with her. Lady Hilda had lost her smile and whisked a glance toward the door. “I went home on horseback.”

Countess Nadia’s face was the perfect mix of innocent confusion. “Without your clothes, your jewels, your servants? I would be lost without all my pretty baubles.”

“Are you not lost without your baubles, Lady Hilda?” Starbride asked.

“I’ve learned to do without.”

“The servants you leave at your estate must have been working nonstop to replace what you had to leave behind,” Countess Nadia said. “I’ll tell my husband’s relatives to send them some help, maybe some extra food to make up for what they used while you were there.” She looked skyward. “In fact, I believe that some of my relatives’ servants are related to those in your township. It’s a simple thing to figure out how you stayed out of their sight so well. I really must learn your tricks so I won’t be bothered the next time I’m home.”

“You needn’t bother, Countess, with the food or the help. We managed quite well. As for my secrets, they’re nothing of consequence. Just a few sharp orders, not to mention a whip for those who disobeyed.”

“Tsk, so heavy-handed, Lady Hilda,” Countess Nadia said. “Whipping the servants went out before my day.”

Lady Hilda cast a glance in Starbride’s direction. “Maybe some traditions should come back, such as…” She gestured around. “Well, such as nobility mingling strictly with nobility.”

Starbride smiled. “Or such as a noblewoman traveling alone seeking solace with a traveling noble
man
.”

Lady Hilda’s nostrils flared.

“Too true, my dear,” Countess Nadia said, “though that one was going out of vogue when I was young as well. Still, I used it now and again just after my husband died if there was a handsome nobleman passing my estate.” She winked. “I’m sure you must have used that one once or twice, Hilda.”

“I can take care of myself, Countess, begging your pardon.”

“Well, that’s not really the point, is it? You’re just making them
think
you need their protection.” She snapped her fingers. “Now I know how you did it.”

Lady Hilda froze. Starbride wondered if she even breathed. “Did it, Countess?”

“Sneaked away from your estate! Duke Robert was traveling to court at exactly the same time to return his daughter. You could have easily blended with his caravan.”

Lady Hilda’s smile had an edge of panic. She could deny it, leading the conversation back to how she’d sneaked into and away from her estate. She could say yes, ending the conversation, but connecting herself to Duke Robert’s caravan, somewhere she wouldn’t want Katya to place her after what had happened to Crowe.

“Yes, that’s where I was.” She sipped her drink, covering her expression and clearly hoping Starbride and Countess Nadia didn’t know enough to connect her to Brom and the pyramid.

“That poor man,” Countess Nadia said. “First his daughter is disgraced, and then she takes her own life just as the king allows her marry again. They say she was just so brokenhearted about what she’d done, what she’d lost.” Countess Nadia’s face took on hardness. “It really is something the way someone on top of the world can be brought low just by the company they keep.”

Lady Hilda met that unblinking stare with one of her own. “Yes, that is something.”

“Did you talk to her?” Starbride asked.

Lady Hilda blinked as if she’d forgotten Starbride was there. “Did I…What? Who?”

“The former crown princess. When you were part of the duke’s caravan, did you speak to Brom?”

“Briefly.”

“I was just wondering what would prompt someone to take her own life. We don’t have many suicides in Allusia. It’s considered bad luck for the rest of your family. I wondered if she gave any indication of…what she meant to do.”

“Yes,” Countess Nadia said, “and such a shame that the strain caused poor Cimerion Crowe’s heart to give out.” She turned to Starbride. “Why, just like you said, my dear. Poor Brom’s suicide caused bad luck for those left behind.”

Starbride didn’t stop staring at Lady Hilda. “Almost as if one caused the other.”

Lady Hilda snorted a laugh. “I suppose it would seem that way if you believed in superstition.”

“I wasn’t talking about superstition.”

“Seems you’re at the crux of more than one mystery, my dear Hilda.” Countess Nadia patted Lady Hilda’s wrist. “We’ll find out your secrets one day, though never all of them, I’m sure.”

Lady Hilda bowed again, but she couldn’t leave, not while Countess Nadia and Starbride were taking an interest in her, not until relieved by a bigger fish. Starbride almost laughed at the thought that it would take Katya—at least—to rescue her.

“Well, let’s not keep her ladyship tied up when she has circulating to make,” Countess Nadia said. “Come, if you please, Crown Princess Consort, and hear what Duchess Skelda has to say about this year’s fashion.”

Starbride let herself be pulled away.

“Don’t look back,” Countess Nadia said. “She’s slipping out.”

“I didn’t expect her to leave so soon. I have to ask Dawnmother—”

“Don’t worry, my dear. Your mother has already thought of it. Dawnmother is following Lady Viper as we speak.”

“Remind me never to try and hide something from you, Countess.”

Countess Nadia chuckled. “Oh, my sweet, you can try all you like.”

As soon as she could, Starbride ducked out of the party and left it in her mother’s capable hands. She hurried to Katya’s apartment where Dawnmother would meet her. She only had a few moments of pacing before Dawnmother came in.

“She went directly to her townhouse,” Dawnmother said. “I wasn’t able to follow her inside, but I bribed the potboy to tell me what she was doing. I was quite clever, telling him that my mistress had to know what Lady Hilda planned to wear to the next—”

“I’m sure you were as clever as Horsestrong and Birdfaithful combined, Dawn, but please tell me what happened.”

“She summoned her pyradisté immediately. The potboy couldn’t catch everything they said, but Lady Hilda was yelling about needing another plan. If she isn’t the assassin, then she’s plotting something else. Whatever it is, we can finally be rid of her.”

Starbride grinned. “You want that more than me.”

“A woman who threatened you deserves no less.” Dawnmother bustled around the room, straightening it, even though Averie kept it tidy. It was her nervous habit. When Katya came in, Dawnmother retired to the formal sitting room.

Katya had changed her clothes and bandaged her scratches, though Starbride could still see the weal on her cheek. Starbride told all that she knew of Lady Hilda.

Katya rubbed her chin as she paced. “Now all we have to do is dangle a fish so big she can’t resist. She has to be confident you know she’s guilty, Star. She won’t walk easily into a trap.”

“You’re right.”

“We need to spread a rumor of something she can sabotage.” Katya grinned. “Did I tell you how happy I am that you and your maid are so devious?”

“Devious? Us? We’re models of lawful decorum.”

Katya sank to her knee and took Starbride’s hand. “Oh, the very model!”

Before Katya could rise up for a kiss, Starbride planted her palm against Katya’s forehead. “Stop! We’ve spent enough time on this settee lately.”

“We’re heading to the bedroom, then?”

Starbride gave her a black look, but then thought about it. “Well, we do seem to come up with our best ideas just after.” While Katya was still blinking in shock, Starbride ran for the bedroom door.

*

“How do you do that to me?” Katya lay on her side, her breath coming as hard as Starbride’s, and her flesh shining amidst the wine-colored sheets.

“Would you like me to show you again?”

With a tired smile, Katya kissed her cheek. “Though your skills are a miracle, I meant your ability to make me forget all my cares, all my responsibilities. You’re quite addictive.”

“I think we clear each other’s minds, and then we can think.”

Katya kissed her deeply, stealing her thoughts again for a few moments. “You drive all sorrow away, that’s what it is.”

Starbride captured Katya’s face before she could get away and returned the deep kiss. “As long as we have each other, what sorrow can truly capture us?”

“Is that Horsestrong’s wisdom?”

“Spoken to his love.” Starbride didn’t mention that in the tales, Horsestrong’s love usually met a tragic end, all so Horsestrong could continue to mature and grow. As a girl, she’d always thought the lovers had gotten a bad deal, and she wouldn’t have been one for all the world.

“And how will we catch Lady Viper?” Katya asked.

“With me as bait.”

Katya drew back quickly.

“It’s the only practical solution,” Starbride said. “I’m an irresistible target whether she’s still after you or not. If she still wants to be your consort, she needs to kill me. That would give her two avenues to power, a chance at you and whatever Roland’s offered her, if he’s working with her.”

“And if she doesn’t still want me?”

“How could she not? But even if she has gone insane and no longer wants you, she’ll want to kill me anyway. I’ve thwarted her too many times.”

“She won’t risk her safety on a poorly planned attempt to kill you.”

“Ah, that’s where the irresistible part comes in. The rest of the family will be safe and secure, and I’ll be on my own.”

Katya shook her head. “She wouldn’t fall for that.”

“You sound as if you know her very well.”

“Star—”

“I know, I know. It’s my jealous heart speaking. We have to make her believe the trap. While you and your father remain here in Marienne, I will tour the countryside in your place, just as your brother would be doing if he were here.”

“Tour?” A grin started over Katya’s face. “Outside the palace visiting the homes of nobles. Lady Hilda will think she’ll find only you, but the Order will be waiting for her whether she takes the bait or whether she waits in Marienne.”

“Brutal’s feeling better, then?”

“Yes, I had word from the chapterhouse while you were at your party. He thinks he may be back to fighting shape in a day or two. The monks are plying him with herbs and good food and making him rest. In the past, Star, this plan would be perfect, but now…” She shook her head. “If we leave the safety of the palace for the countryside, we could run into Roland and more of those things we met in the street, and we don’t know how many guards Lady Hilda has.”

Starbride sighed, hating what she’d have to say next. “The hunting princess isn’t going to work anymore. As crown princess, you’re not that free.”

“I never thought I’d be sad to drop the hunting stories.”

“I am sorry so much has changed for you, dear heart, but I have faith in how adaptable you are.” She lifted an eyebrow. “And how flexible.”

Katya snorted a laugh. “Then we’ll truly have to sneak out of the palace, but with Roland creeping around…”

“That’s the genius part. We’re not going anywhere. A carriage train will leave Marienne, supposedly carrying me. Imagine Lady Hilda’s surprise as she attacks and finds it filled with members of the city Watch.”

“You mean the king’s Guard.”

“No, Captain Ursula wanted a catch for all her trouble. We’ll give her one.”

Katya nodded slowly. “We lay the blame for unrest at Lady Hilda’s feet since we can’t mention Roland.”

“And an unprovoked attack on me will prove it.”

“You’re getting very good at this, Star.”

Starbride kissed her softly, glad she didn’t have to push for her plan. “I’ve learned from the best.”

For three days, they could only wait, tell Ursula of their plan, and finalize arrangements. When she wasn’t wandering the palace halls and being seen, Katya stuck as close as she could to Starbride’s side, even through her first encounter with a head of the Pyradisté Academy.

They practiced in Crowe’s office, though Katya guessed it would be Starbride’s now. It hurt to think about. She sat on a leather couch, surrounded by the smell of ink and paper, while Starbride met with the head of mind magic. He was a fussy little man who perched with her at the practice table and drilled her on the subject of mind pyramids.

He seemed more patient than Crowe, if less open to questions. To most, he simply answered, “In time.”

Katya watched Starbride’s pinched look of frustration. She always burned with curiosity. Someone who dodged a question was almost as bad as a liar in her book, especially when he wouldn’t tell her
why
she couldn’t know.

After they were finished and saw the little man on his way out, Katya gestured after him. “Well?”

“What he wouldn’t tell me I’ll look up in Crowe’s books.”

Katya’s heart ached again, but she smiled, too. Crowe would have been proud of her tenacity. “Do you have your schedule set up now?”

“Every waking moment I’m not spending working with the Order or smoothing out the nobles, I’ll be learning.”

Katya draped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re fantastic.”

Starbride beamed, and Katya suddenly wished they had longer just to learn and wander around court. Even a week before, she would have kicked herself for such a thought.

*