Page 95 of Unrivaled
“Of course.Would you like us to bring along any examples of work, or fabrics?”Ribbons turned to another page, a full-color print Inker-copy of an elaborate sketch more art than advertisement.The garment was a brilliant example of formal Azashi-standard, elaborate enough for royalty.
They weren’t messing around with that sort of picture.
They were staring at me, and all I could think of was how ungainly the oversized sleeves would be or how the bustle would make my back ache.
I didn’t want to be admired for my beauty.
It was a pleasant realization, and I smiled at the two tailors who’d invested a small fortune into this portfolio.“How about I come to you?”I offered, knowing I wasn’t going to be the patron they were hoping for.“But, before then, I’ll let you consider this; my goal isn’t to make La’Angi into a second capital, but to make it prosper in a way that’s sustainable and ethical.I don’t care what I wear, except that by making specific choices, I might help sway trends in a useful way for our local economy.”I looked over at Sandra, a few years younger than I, wearing mismatched, outdated finery, color in her cheeks.“Would you like to come with me?”I offered.
Her color deepened.“I’d be honored, my lady,” she said, enunciating every word with painful precision.
I wondered how Thomas felt about her working so hard to conceal her roots.While I couldn’t fault her for it, I hated that she felt it necessary.
“Would morning work for you?”I asked them, unease tightening knots in my neck.“When the watch calls the ninth hour?”
The door to the hall opened with a creak.Yesterday it had been propped open, but today no one had bothered.It was a sound I was accustomed to.Yet, with unease buzzing in my veins, I turned.
The sight of the once-black tabard over the wide chest of my father’s best-behaved dog made a chill race up my spine.Conversation ended abruptly as Sullivan walked in.His steel-shod boots left flakes of mud across the floor.Sweat had carved tracks in the dirt on his face, and the hair on his cheeks was a dark orange that didn’t match the brown on his head, especially now that it was darker due to lack of washing.
My body was already responding to the threat he posed before I registered the way he was rolling his eyes over me.I stood, stepping away from my chair.Shoulders back, stance relaxed.My hands lingered by my side, offering to be weapons, defenses or counterweights.
“You look well, my lady,” he said, glancing around.“Where are your chaperones?”
“D’you mean us?”Chay asked, appearing in the open door behind him, Thomas at his shoulder.
Sullivan flicked his attention toward them.“You, and the handmaid.Did the plague take her?”
My heart squeezed.“Your concern is welcome but entirely misplaced, sir.Have you urgent news?”
Isolde wouldn’t be far.She never was when I needed her.Judging by the way this man moved comfortably toward me in public…
I couldn’t rule out anything.Not really.I’d seen him kill a child once, in cold blood.No one had bothered to tell me why that’d happened.I’d walked through the bailey at the wrong time and been too terrified to ask a single question.
Luca is here.
I didn’t have time for that thought.
I’ve taken wealth his family tried to claim as their own.The Lyles had been quiet for some time, though.Those who were unhappy had left.The others had settled into the rhythm of life.
“Not for you, my lady,” he said, looking back.“But I expect you’ll have news for me.”
Just like that, he was simply another bad-mannered guardsman.“You’ll be disappointed, then,” I told him, wondering where Kaelson was, and whether Sullivan had come alone.“All my news is already on the way to the Duke.”
He was close enough that I could smell him, now, and I resisted the urge to cover my nose.His poor horse.Over his head I saw the door open again.Kaelson appeared, holding the door for Isolde.What were they up to?But their body language said it was a chance meeting, not a continuation of something.
“Much of the city works at a different pace, post-plague, but the bathhouse is still fully operational,” I offered the knight before me as politely as I could.“I’ve a full day, but I’ll be back to share the night meal at dusk if you’re free, sir.”
He reached over his body.Chay already had his sword naked in hand.
I didn’t recall him being so quick to whip his steel out.
Sullivan glanced at him, eyes narrowed, hand lingering by one hip.Chay kept the sword angled at his neck as Thomas flicked Sullivan’s cloak back.
The scroll-shaped, oiled leather pouch in Sullivan’s belt was the obvious target.I clicked my tongue.“No news?”I asked him.“Just a sealed letter from the Duke?”When Thomas untied it from Sullivan’s belt I waited, hoping I was right.
“This is unnecessary,” Sullivan told Chay.“We’re wearing the same sigil, boy.”
“It’s been a hard winter,” I told Sullivan.“I’m sure you understand.”
