Page 11 of Mistress of Hours

“Thank you for the warm welcome; we are honored to have been included,” the first man spoke, his voice gentle and polite. His features softened as he offered Evienne a close-lipped smile.

“Of course. We would never think to snub our neighbors and allies. We are grateful you’ve taken the time to be here. My name is Evienne Elodie D’Auclaire, High Sangviere of Ichorna,” she said, extending her hand to him in greeting.

“High Sangviere, it is an honor.” He took her hand and kissed it lightly before releasing it and straightening. She felt a bit flustered as he spoke again. “I am Lord Solon Lùtair, member of Beitar’s Inner Court and leader of the Glenkoe province. And this is my colleague and friend, Professor Orion Doelahn, our Royal Historian and a Professor at our University.”

Evienne inclined her head in a show of respect, not letting her brilliant smile falter. “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you both to our city. Please, call me Evienne.”

“Evienne,” Professor Doelahn spoke for the first time. His voice was warm, open, resonant; Evienne’s eyes flicked to his sea green gaze. “It’s a lovely name for the deadliest woman in Ichorna,” his eyes gleamed with the slightest hint of mischief.

Evienne’s lips parted in surprise, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. Was this man…teasing her?

“I believe I may be at a disadvantage in our conversation, Professor,” she said, turning to face him. “It seems you know of me, yet I know nothing about you.”Two could play at this game.

“An injustice I will seek to resolve as quickly as I’m able,” the Professor answered, his smirk making another appearance on his obnoxiously beautiful face.

Evienne laughed in earnest then, but quickly gained control of herself. She turned her attention to Lord Lùtair, surprised at her own reaction to Professor Doehlan’s comment. “Lord Lùtair, Professor Doehlan, would you care for a tour of the palace now, or should I show you to your rooms?”

“Our rooms would be a wonderful place to start,” Lord Solon’s smile made another appearance. “We’ve been on the road for some time.”

“I understand completely. Once you’re settled and rested, I can show you around the palace. There’s certainly no rush; you’ll be our guests for the whole month of celebrations as far as I understand?”

Lord Lùtair nodded. “Yes, we are looking forward to our time here.”

The three moved off into the labyrinth of palace hallways, and Evienne found her curiosity about their visitors growing as she let her mind replay their first encounter just now. Evienne pointed out a few of the key public spaces on their way to the guest quarters but kept her commentary to a minimum, opting instead to let her thoughts wander. At the end of a particularly long hallway, she gestured to two bronze-plated doors across from one another.

“Here we are. Please ring for the palace staff if there is anything at all that you require. They can also get word to me whenever you are ready for your tour.” Evienne glanced up to find the Professor’s eyes fixed on her face. She felt herself blush and quickly looked away, beginning to move back down the hall.She refused to fall all over herself; she was a grown woman, and the High Sangviere of Ichorna.

“Thank you, Evienne.” Professor Doehlan’s voice floated down the hall after her. She didn’t turn back, but somehow she knew he was smirking after her.

•

Afewhours later, a member of the palace staff came to Evienne’s rooms to let her know that the Beitarans were ready for their tour. She had been full of anxious energy as she awaited word from them; she had tried to sit and read and enjoy a bit of quiet time, but it had been nearly impossible. She set out for the guest wing, only to run into Professor Doehlan in the entry hall just inside the main door she met them at earlier in the day.

“Professor,” she said in greeting as he strode up to her. She offered her hand, and he took it, brushing his lips just over herknuckles. She sucked in a breath as a shiver ran through her entire body at the contact. She had to pull herself together; this wasn’t the first beautiful person she’d ever seen.

“It is a pleasure to see you again,” he answered, voice smooth as honey when he released her hand.

“I was on my way to fetch you and Lord Lùtair for a tour as requested. Will he be joining us?”

“He has a bit of a headache, unfortunately, so you’ll have to settle for me,” he answered.

“I am sorry to hear he’s unwell; I do hope he knows to alert the staff to anything he might need,” Evienne said, trying to remain professional in the face of spending time alone with this man who had her stomach doing flips. It occurred to her to be suspicious that Lord Lùtair was having Professor Doehlan distract her while he poked around the palace alone, but it was still early enough in the evening that there would likely be too many people around for him to go snooping unnoticed by the staff. However improbable, she had a job to do, and she refused to be taken in.

“He does. I am sure he will make a quick recovery. Where do you recommend we begin our tour?” Professor Doehlan asked with a small smile.

“If you’ll excuse me just a moment, I nearly forgot to send word to my friend in the library that I won’t be able to join her for dinner this evening.” Evienne returned the Professor’s smile and strode to the nearest stationed guard on the other side of the entry hall. “Please alert the guard stationed in the guest wing to send word to me if Lord Lùtair of Beitar leaves his quarters,” she whispered to the guard, who nodded in response. She then strode back to where Professor Doehlan waited, examining a pane of stained glass.

“My apologies again for the interruption. Let’s start with the main spaces where the events will be held over the next month,then stop by the library and the gardens,” Evienne said, turning to make her way toward the Throne Room.

“No need to apologize. And please, call me Orion.”

She turned to look at him as they walked, and nodded her assent. “Orion, then.”

Orion walked by her side as they navigated the halls of the palace. Marble floors and walls were decorated with scrolling bronze metalwork all through the building; it was opulent, but Evienne had always loved it.

“So, Evienne, tell me about yourself. Are you from Lucinne originally?” Orion asked as they walked.

“Oh, no, I came here when I was twelve. My father decided it would be good for my character to participate in a work exchange at a school here in the capital. He used to be the governor of Mulhouse; that’s where I grew up,” Evienne answered casually. Her situation had been unusual and she wasn’t sure how Orion would react. She was the only person she knew of who had been sent away to work for their keep so young.

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