Heirs of Chrior: The Empty Throne Part 23

"I do, Luka, Lieutenant Governor, sir." Ione, the timid, had stepped forward to speak for me.

"Well?"

My friend examined the floor for a moment, then swallowed hard. Looking like it took all her courage to raise her eyes to Luka's, she confessed, in a small voice, "Anya and Davic were betrothed. But she broke it off before dinner yesterday." She glanced sideways at me, and I gave her a grateful smile. "Wanting to offer some comfort, I brought a bottle of wine to her room. Only one bottle wasn't enough, so we ended up...here. So you see, it was my fault, really. And I'm very sorry for everything."

"Thank you-that wasn't the explanation I was expecting." Luka was calming down, Ione's words perhaps prompting a little sympathy to surface. Addressing me, he asked, "You broke off your engagement last night?"

"Yes. It was the right thing to do in light of...changed circ.u.mstances."

"The loss of your wings," he surmised, and I nodded.

"I see." He glanced at Tom, who had returned with the cleaning staff and was now gazing at me with a wide grin in place. The corners of my lips automatically lifted in response, and I covered my mouth, not wanting Luka to misinterpret my expression as a lack of remorse. But the Lieutenant Governor ended the encounter with us the way it had begun.

"What the h.e.l.l," he declared. To his men, he added, "Get them out of here."

At this point, it appeared everybody's day was going to be salvaged. Just before we left the room, Luka stopped us with one more directive.

"The broken betrothal excuse only works once, Anya. So there had better not be a repeat performance. And, Zabriel, if you ever search my things again, I'll make you regret the day you were born."

"I already do, Uncle," Zabriel snapped. For a moment, I thought Luka might slap him again, but his piercing blue eyes narrowed instead.

"Then I'll make you regret the day you left Chrior. It sounds like that would be much more satisfying."

"Understood." Zabriel dropped his gaze to the floor, and I marveled that even he would yield to Luka's authority.

Under the supervision of Constable Farrier and Officer Matlock, we left Luka's study to be escorted back to our own quarters, leaving the Lieutenant Governor standing in the middle of the room, pondering the mess we had made and perhaps ruing the day he'd met any of us.

Chapter Twenty-Two.

FANE'S FURY "Anya, the Lieutenant Governor would like to see you," Tom informed me from the entrance to the parlor in which my father and I were relaxing. I had recovered sufficiently from my wine tasting of the night before to venture downstairs. "He asks that you come at once."

Startled, I sprang to my feet, but it was my father who addressed the young man.

"Is there a problem, Officer Matlock? Perhaps I should accompany my daughter."

"No problem-I believe she has a visitor."

"A visitor?" Both curiosity and relief resonated in my voice. I wasn't expecting any visitors-I didn't even know very many people in Tairmor. "Then I shouldn't keep the Lieutenant Governor waiting."

My father made to rise, but I laid a hand on his arm. "It's all right. You don't need to accompany me."

Cyandro frowned. If anything, he had become overly protective of me since our reunion. It seemed the loss of my wings had in some way changed my relations.h.i.+ps with everyone-everyone except Zabriel, who would never treat me as broken or somehow "less" than I had once been. Neither would Tom. At that thought, a blush rose in my cheeks, and I stood to abruptly move to the door in the hope my father would not notice.

Once in the hallway, my curiosity got the better of me.

"Do you know who this visitor is?"

Tom shrugged, but I had studied his expressions enough to know how to read them.

"Out with it, Officer Matlock."

He smiled. "I'm not about to ruin the surprise. But trust me-there's nothing for you to worry about."

With a hand on the small of my back, he guided me up the marble staircase to the second floor, then on to Luka's office. Just before he knocked on the door, he leaned close to me, so close I could feel his soft breath on my cheek. My body tingled in antic.i.p.ation of his touch, but all he wanted was to tell me something.

"Tonight, Anya," he murmured. "Meet me in the aviary."

I blushed and nodded, my mouth refusing to form words, and he gave my hand a squeeze. Then he opened Luka's door without knocking, his motion startling me slightly, for I had almost forgotten where we were and what we were doing here.

The Lieutenant Governor was seated in an armchair speaking to a woman across from him on the sofa, a gla.s.s table in between, but he nonetheless came to his feet upon my entrance. My eyes went from him to his guest, taking in her short, dark hair, and I rushed forward before he could say a single word.

"Fi!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her. "How wonderful to see you!"

"What 'bout me?" a voice indignantly piped up, and my gaze fell on the boy who sat beside her.

"Frat? Is that you?" I reached out to ruffle his curly head of hair, hardly recognizing him-he was dressed in clothing that actually fit him, and the layers of dirt he usually wore like armor had all been scrubbed away.

He grinned. "It's me a'right. A bit fixed up, but still the same."

My gaze went to Luka, who was discreetly talking with Tom.

"Thank you for this," I said to him. "Thank you so much."

"No need to thank me. I merely granted the request Fi sent to me through Officer Matlock." He gave a nod of silent dismissal to Tom, who turned on his heel to depart. Then the Lieutenant Governor strode to the sideboard. "Fi, Anya, may I offer you some wine? Or perhaps send for tea?"

Both Fi and I shook our heads; then Frat, not exactly the shy type, joined Luka at the sideboard to make his wishes known.

"I'll oblige ya, Gov'na. Prefers red, I do."

"Not on my watch, son." Though Luka's tone was firm, a smile turned up the corners of his lips. "You're already, shall we say, charmingly informal-I'd hate to see you with your inhibitions down."

Frat looked affronted. "Don't know what 'bitions are, but I ain't aiming to take nothin' down."

Everyone laughed, then Luka reoccupied the armchair he had vacated, forgoing wine himself, while Fi and I sank down on the sofa. It was clear he did not intend to leave us alone-probably due to worry over what souvenirs my young friend might stick in his pockets. As if in confirmation, he once more spoke to Frat.

"Take a seat, young man. Within my line of sight."

Frat huffed but nonetheless complied-in a manner of speaking. He hopped up to sit on the back of the sofa, feet on the cus.h.i.+on, arms crossed upon his chest.

"Hope this pleases ya, sir," he said, and Luka gave him a tolerant smile.

"You look well, Anya, other than your wrist," Fi said, scrutinizing me. "Still too thin, but otherwise well." A scold in her voice, she turned to the Lieutenant Governor. "I expect you to see that she eats. No excuse to be losing weight staying here."

"I'll do my best." There was a touch of amus.e.m.e.nt in his voice. It was clear he didn't just fund Fi's shelter-he genuinely liked her. "Now let me fill you in on the boy, Anya."

"Me name's Frat, Gov'na."

Again, Luka gave Frat a tolerant smile. For a man with no children, he was displaying incredible patience.

"Let me fill you in on Frat. He was taken into custody after he was injured and provided with medical care. Once recovered, I placed him in Fi's care at the Fae-mily Home. He and I have an agreement, you see."

Frat scowled. "More like blackmail, it is. The Gov'na says I have to serve time one way or another. Better at the Home than in jail."

"That's right," Luka confirmed.

"Though I'm not so sure yet 'bout schoolin'. I've plenty of know-how."

"True, but I think you should gain some appropriate knowledge for a change."

"And just what kind of student are you, Frat?" I teased, joining the conversation.

"The smart kind. I takes no sa.s.s from no one."

"He's doing well, Anya," Fi a.s.sured me. "And he's a good help around the Home."

"Don't be tellin' tales on me," Frat grumped. He shot Luka a belligerent look and turned to me. "I needs to tell ya somethin'." He leaned back to peer at me from behind Fi, as if that would afford us some privacy. "I ain't the one has your item. Your other friend made off with it. And I ain't heard a word of him since."

"Well, now," Luka said, c.o.c.king an eyebrow at Frat. "That wasn't so hard, after all. If I'd known all I had to do to get that information was put you in the same room with Anya, I would have brought you together a long time ago."

"I ain't no snitch. I tells what I knows to them who should hear it."

"Thank you, Frat," I interjected, his exchange with the Lieutenant Governor telling me more than I was sure Luka would have liked about his interest in the boy. It also confirmed what I already believed to be the case-Spex had taken the Anlace. Turning to Fi, I asked a carefully phrased question, guessing there might be a reason other than social pleasantries for her request to see me.

"How's everything at the shelter? Have you brought me any news?"

Fi gave me an eager nod. "Lots of excitement, you know, what with the Queen being in Tairmor. Talk of the parade through the city to honor her has folks buzzing like crazy."

"Yes, it should be quite an event."

She paused, then took hold of my left hand, covertly pressing a bit of paper against my palm. "Like you, some of my residents can't go back to Chrior-makes the chance to see the Queen mean even more."

She gave my hand a pat, and I slid the note into a pocket in my skirt.

"And the Governor's Ball," she continued, a dreamy note entering her voice. "All those fine folks, Fae royalty, dancing, delicious food. It's almost too much to picture."

"You can do more than picture it," Luka said with a chuckle. "You can attend, if you wish."

Fi's eyes shot open in surprise, and she s.h.i.+fted her gaze back and forth between the Lieutenant Governor and me. "What do you mean, I can attend?"

Luka smiled. "We're inviting select members of the Fae community from Tairmor. As one of its prominent citizens, the Governor and I would be honored to extend an invitation to you."

"I couldn't!"

"Yes, you could, Fi," I encouraged. "In the eyes of the Queen, all members of the Faerie Realm are equal. And she knows of your work here in Tairmor. Not only that, but I intend to tell her of the a.s.sistance you've given me. I'm sure she'd love to meet you."

"But what would I wear?" Color rushed to Fi's cheeks, her blue-green eyes panic-stricken.

"You could come as you are," I soothed. "But if you'd like a new gown, I'd be more than happy to help you acquire one."

Luka cleared his throat to draw my attention, and gave his head a minute shake. The diktat that I not leave the grounds was still in place. Then he graciously resolved the issue.

"If you would allow me to do so, I'll send a seamstress to the Home to meet with you and create a new gown. My expense, of course."

Fi looked so happy I thought she might burst into tears. "Thanks so much, to both of you." Laying a hand on Frat's shoulder, she came to her feet. "We'll be on our way now. I've taken more of your time, Lieutenant Governor, than I by rights should, and have more things than ever to think on."

"Don't 'spose you've got an invitation up your sleeve for me?" Frat said to Luka, who was escorting them to the door.

"Not a chance."

After final farewells, Fi and Frat departed, and Luka crossed to the sideboard to help himself to the gla.s.s of wine he'd earlier forgone.

"Shall we read the note together?" he casually asked, and the color drained from my face.

"What note?" I asked, trying to sound innocent.

He merely held out his hand. Though my ire rose at his gesture, there was no way out of this situation, and so I walked forward to place the message Fi had pa.s.sed me into his palm. Then I moved once more to the sofa, leaving him to follow. After repositioning himself in the armchair, he unfolded the piece of paper.

"'Dearest Anya,'" he read out loud. "'I'm sure you can appreciate how excited I am to have heard from you. My father and I expect to arrive in Tairmor two days hence, and I am trying to arrange a meeting for all of us. Fannie has taken a 'seeing is believing' approach and may be in contact with Shea. Thank Fi for being such a darling in delivering my tidings. I've promised to take her to dinner and for a midnight sightseeing trip to the marble bridge for a view of the stars. You neglected to say whether you were still at the mansion. If you are, greet Luka and the Governor for me. I look forward to meeting your cousin at the ball! Take care, Gwyneth.'"

Finished, Luka skimmed it once more in silence. I waited for him to comment, curious as to what conclusions he may have drawn, my excitement mounting. My own interpretation was that Fane was still after Shea, and wouldn't be deterred unless he saw for himself that Zabriel was alive and well; and that Gwyneth had arranged a meeting for us two days from now on the marble bridge at midnight.

Luka's brows furrowed slightly, but in the end, he returned the note to me, along with an apology.

"It was rude of me to read your correspondence, Anya. My position makes me more suspicious, perhaps, than need be. Though I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, let me again remind you that you are not to leave the estate. If you would like to have girl time here, I can ask someone to a.s.sist you in making the arrangements."

"Apology accepted, Luka," I stiffly responded, concealing the jitters I was feeling with a show of offense. "May I go now? I'd like to spend some time with Zabriel, a.s.suming that meets with your approval."

He gave me a pained smile. "Naturally."

I departed, my mind in a whirl as I made my way to Zabriel's quarters in the west turret. He was sitting on his bed when I entered his room, a map spread out in front of him. I was halfway across the floor before he raised his head to greet me.

"From the look on your face, Anya, there must be news."

"There is-from Gwyneth."

I handed him the note Fi had delivered. While he read, I pulled the map toward me, surprised to see it was a detailed layout of the Warck.u.m Territory-even all the tiny cattle towns and mining camps were designated.

"I should have known Fane would want to see me with his own eyes," he grumbled, tossing the note aside. "He never trusts anyone unless he's got no alternative. But what's this about Shea?"

At the sanctimonious look on my face, Zabriel deduced the answer. "Ah. My pirate friend has sworn revenge against my betrayer-is that it?"

"Yes, that's it. Though I'm not sure she's our problem. Shea got herself into this mess, and it seems fitting she should have to get herself out."