Shifting Loyalties

by Melissa McShane

  Perrin was looking into the distance. “I wish I could, but I think my time with you is over,” he said.

  Sienne followed his gaze to a middle-aged man, not dressed in costume, striding toward their little group like an oncoming storm. He came right up to Perrin and grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands. “You were warned,” he said. “I don’t know how you got in here—”

  Alaric wrenched the man’s hands off Perrin and hauled him away by the collar. “He was invited,” he said, dropping his voice to its most menacing rumble. “Based on your clothing, I’m guessing you weren’t.”

  “I am the Delucco children’s attendant, Althus Brinton,” the man said, trying to slip Alaric’s grasp and failing miserably. “This man has no legal right to have contact with them. He is forbidden to speak to them. I’ll have the law on all of you for collusion.”

  The noise was drawing the attention of nearby guests, all of whom looked like this was great entertainment. “It was a coincidence,” Sienne said. “But I’m glad it happened. Perrin is—”

  “Sienne, please do not make a scene,” Perrin said. He let go of Delphine and Noel’s hands and stepped back.

  “It’s too late for that, Perrin.” Sienne took a step closer to Brinton. “It’s cruel to keep them separated. I don’t know what laws are responsible for it, but they’re unjust. I don’t see what’s so wrong about them having a few moments together.”

  Brinton glared at her. “Oh? And who, pray tell, are you?”

  Sienne drew herself up to her full height. “Lady Sienne Verannus. My parents host this party. And they personally invited Perrin Delucco. So don’t you dare throw around threats, or I’ll have you evicted.”

  “The law is on my side, Lady Sienne, not yours.” Brinton clapped his hands. “Miss Delucco, Master Delucco, we are leaving.”

  “No!” Delphine and Noel screamed as one. They turned and threw themselves at their father again, clinging to his legs and waist like a couple of tearful monkeys.

  Perrin looked like someone who’d been knifed through the heart. “Children,” he said quietly, peeling them away from him, “Brinton is right. You must go. I will…see you again.”

  “You openly declare your intent to violate the law?” Brinton exclaimed.

  “No. My hope for the future,” Perrin said. “But if you ever summon my children as peremptorily as that again, I will break every one of your fingers.”

  “And I’ll hold you down while he does,” Alaric said. “Leave now.”

  Brinton had been about to clap again, but instead extended his hands to the children. Noel took his hand hesitantly, looking over his shoulder at Perrin for approval. Perrin nodded slightly. Delphine, tears streaming down her face, slapped Brinton’s hand away and ran, disappearing in the direction of the park’s entrance.

  Perrin watched until long after all three were gone. In the bright lights, his face looked as pale as Alaric’s, his jaw rigid. Then he turned and strode toward one of the servers, snatched a tall glass of wine from his tray, and drained it in one gulp.

  “Perrin!” Dianthe exclaimed.

  “I make no excuses,” Perrin said, taking another glass. “I cannot bear this. Averran will have to understand.” He drank only half of the second glass, then held it up to the light so its pale contents glowed. “Please make my excuses to your parents, Sienne. I need to be alone.” He set the glass on a different passing tray and walked away, deeper into the park until he disappeared beyond the lights. The guests who’d been watching the family drama play out drew into little knots of three or four, murmuring and casting glances toward the remaining companions.

  “Sisyletus have mercy,” Alaric said. “I don’t blame him for anything.”

  “Should we go after him?” Sienne asked. “What if something happens to him?”

  “Whatever he chooses to do, it is a thing he needs to be alone for,” Kalanath said. “But I worry that he will drink until he forgets, and that will be much to drink.”

  “I’ll go,” Dianthe said. “I can keep an eye on him without intruding or him knowing I’m there.”

  “Do that,” Alaric said. “He really shouldn’t be alone, whatever he thinks.”

  Dianthe nodded and ran off after Perrin. Kalanath said, “Is it too much coincidence that his children come to this party?”

  “He said once that he knew the Lanzano family,” Alaric said. “If he meant he was related to the Lanzanos…it’s not surprising that Rance’s relations were invited, particularly relations whose children are the right age.”

  “Delphine’s mother is Rance’s cousin,” Liliana said.

  They all startled. “Were you eavesdropping?” Sienne exclaimed.

  “I was here the whole time. It’s not my fault you didn’t notice. Does that man drink a lot?”

  “No,” Sienne said, “and it’s private. You understand private, right? You hate it when people tell your secrets, so you should respect other people’s secrets too.”

  “I’m not stupid, Sienne. Why can’t he see his children? I really did hear Master Lanzano telling Rance that Delphine’s papa was dead. Did he do something wrong?”

  “Who’s Master Lanzano? You mean Rance’s father?”

  “Yes. I don’t like him. He always wants me to sit on his lap even though I’m almost as tall as him.”

  Sienne filed that away as information her father should have. “Perrin did something his father didn’t like, and his father disinherited him. Legally, in some ways, Perrin is dead. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be with his children.”

  “That’s awful. I like Delphine.” Liliana turned her attention on Alaric. “Do you still want to play catch-and-carry?”

  “I do,” Alaric said, “and so does Kalanath.”

  Liliana smiled at Kalanath, almost coquettishly. “I definitely want him to play.”

  Sienne concealed her smile at Kalanath’s discomfort behind her hand. “I’m not good at—” She stopped. From across the lawn, Felice was approaching, seeming to drift between groups of chattering people, all of whom ignored her. She was dressed as the Seer from a hazard deck, though she hadn’t bothered with the token veil, so Sienne could see clearly that her sister’s eyes were fixed on her. She took two steps toward Felice, then hesitated. She had no idea what to say to the woman from whose dashed hopes she benefited, if benefit it was and not curse.

  She felt a warm, large presence at her elbow. “Is that Felice?” Alaric murmured in her ear. She nodded, feeling unable to speak. “I thought so. You look alike.”

  “We do not. She’s prettier than I am.”

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I know, but I won’t argue the point. Talk to her. We’ll keep Liliana occupied.”

  Sienne turned her head to look up at him. “You don’t have to sacrifice your evening.”

  “It’s no sacrifice,” Alaric said with a smile. “She’s the youngest child of a large family and I’m sure she doesn’t get enough of the right kind of attention. And it is her birthday. Though I feel sorry for Kalanath, since she looks like he might be her true love.”

  Sienne laughed and kissed him. “Thank you.”

  She walked across the lawn to meet Felice, who slowed her steps as Sienne approached. She was looking past Sienne at the little group near the fountain. “Is that him? The tall one?” she murmured.

  “His name is Alaric.”

  “He couldn’t be more different from Rance. That’s not why you chose him, is it?”

  Irritated, Sienne said, “You make it sound like I went trolling for a lover out of spite. Falling in love with Alaric was a complete surprise.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I know Rance hurt you, and I thought you might have gone off short, dark Rafellish men.” She smiled. “It was a poor joke. Come, let’s get away from the crowds. I’m sure someone will try to listen in.” She hooked her arm through Sienne’s and drew her away from the lights and the people, moving in the direction Perrin had taken.


  Outside the circle of lights, the park was dimly lit along its many gravel paths. Moths fluttered around the lamps, bumping against them and falling dizzily to the ground. Soon they were far enough from the party that the crunch of gravel underfoot was the only sound in the still night. Ahead, a trellis covered with brilliantly white moonflowers sheltered a marble bench. Felice steered them that way. The sweet fragrance of the flowers came to Sienne’s nose, reminding her of other nights when she’d left the bedroom window open so the scent of moonflowers climbing the walls of Master Tersus’s house filled her room. It was hard to stay irritated when the moonflowers bloomed.

  Felice sat on the bench and folded her hands in her lap. “Well. I imagine you have good reason to hate me.”

  “I don’t hate you,” Sienne said, surprised to find it was true. Whatever anger she’d felt toward her sister for stealing her lover felt dim and distant in the peaceful night. “I’m surprised you don’t hate me for stealing your birthright.”

  “That’s hardly your fault. I don’t imagine you want it.” Felice closed her eyes and breathed in the scented air. “It’s strange. I spent twenty-six years, more or less, knowing what I would do with my life, and now…nothing. It’s terrifying and beautiful at the same time.”

  “Papa said it was your idea, being disinherited. You really don’t have to. I don’t mind…” Sienne remembered that she didn’t intend to remain the heir. She felt awkward about saying so, as if her rejecting the thing Felice was forced to give up cheapened both the inheritance and her sacrifice.

  Felice was shaking her head. “It would be too difficult to be the heir, and then the duchess, knowing you were waiting for me to die so you could get on with your life. This is better for everyone.”

  “I wouldn’t—”

  “You would. Maybe not right away, but eventually.”

  Sienne couldn’t think of a response to that.

  “I feel I should apologize to you for ruining your life,” Felice went on. “By what Papa and Mother have said, you’re happier as a nobody scrapper than you were as a lady.”

  “I am happy. I don’t want to be a duchess.”

  “And you don’t want to marry Rance. That’s a change.”

  “Rance never loved me. I was fortunate Mother and Papa refused to change the marriage contract.” Sienne hesitated, then added, “I’m sorry Rance wants to annul your marriage.”

  “Rance?” Felice chuckled. “It was my idea, though I might have manipulated him into thinking it was his. Frankly, it’s a relief.”

  Sienne blinked. “I thought…you don’t love him?”

  “Why would I love him? This was a political marriage. Rance is handsome enough, but he’s shallow and far too easily influenced by his father, who I don’t mind telling you is a piece of work. Both his parents care more for their social standing than for petty concerns like love and loyalty.”

  “I didn’t realize.” Sienne chuckled. “I suppose I was so obsessed with him I couldn’t imagine you not falling in love with him. I was jealous of you for so long.”

  “It would have been hard for me to fall in love with him when I was already in love with someone else,” Felice said.

  Sienne’s mouth fell open. “Felice…how awful! Why did you agree to the marriage? You could have turned down the alliance!”

  Felice shook her head. “I couldn’t marry the one I loved, so I didn’t think it mattered who I did marry. Rance isn’t so bad, for all he’s shallow. And we needed the money from the marriage settlement. I figured it was the least I could do for the dukedom I would eventually inherit.”

  “That’s so unfair! Who is he, that he’s so unacceptable?”

  Felice regarded her steadily. “Her name is Violette Pierobo.”

  Sienne blinked. “Violette? Oh. Oh.”

  “You see why it was impossible.”

  “I do. Felice, I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Once my marriage is dissolved, I intend to move to Fioretti to live with her. She’s a dancer here with a well-known troupe.” Felice sighed. “I feel guilty at being so…relieved, really. I never resented my obligations to Beneddo as heir, because I was raised to put my own needs aside for the good of the dukedom. It wasn’t until it was clear my infertility couldn’t be cured that I began to consider what I wanted, and realized how much of myself I’d sacrificed on that altar. I only regret the turmoil it’s caused. And that you’ve been pulled into it.”

  “I’m going to petition the king to have me disinherited.”

  “He won’t do it. Not without a good reason. And there are no good reasons. You’re healthy, intelligent, presumably fertile—you know they’ll want to check that immediately—”

  “I already did.”

  “So there’s no grounds for appeal. I’m sorry.” Felice took Sienne’s hand. “But there’s no reason you can’t marry your Ansorjan scrapper. Papa and Mother will make a fuss, but there’s no law against it, and ultimately the decision is yours.”

  “I can’t. Alaric…can’t have children.”

  Felice’s hand closed convulsively on Sienne’s. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. We can’t have children together.”

  Felice’s mouth twisted in a mirthless smile. “What a tangle. Then our parents will put enormous pressure on you to marry Rance.”

  “They know I don’t love him. I already told them I wouldn’t.”

  “I don’t think you realize the financial situation we’re in. Once I divorce Rance, he’ll go back to his parents, and we’ll have to repay most of the marriage settlement he brought with him. It won’t bankrupt us, but it will leave us in straitened circumstances. There likely won’t be money to send Erianthe to school, let alone Phebe. Keeping Rance in the family…” She bit her lip. “I suppose you and Rance could come to an agreement, take lovers on the side…”

  Sienne shook her head. “No. Not a chance. I’m not going to keep Alaric like some kind of…of concubine. I’ll just have to find a way to convince the king to free me of this obligation. Alcander would make a wonderful duke.”

  “He would. I don’t think he realizes that. He certainly doesn’t want it, which in my opinion ought to be the first consideration for an heir’s suitability. Of course, that makes you incredibly eligible, since you want it less than he does. What’s it like, being a scrapper?” Felice sounded almost wistful.

  “Exciting, mostly. Sometimes it’s boring. Occasionally it’s terrifying.” She thought of the acid jelly cube and suppressed a shudder. “But what I love is being part of a team. My friends…you don’t know how close you can be to another person until you’ve risked your lives together. I love them. Giving that up just to rule a dukedom—”

  Felice’s laughter interrupted her. “It’s possible you’re the only woman in Rafellin who’s ever said that.”

  “Only because most people think a noble title is glamorous.”

  “People like the Lanzanos.” Felice’s mouth twisted in a genteel scowl. “I will be glad to be free of them.”

  “Master Lanzano has apparently been making inappropriate advances toward Liliana. Does Papa know?”

  “I don’t think so. Parts of Master Lanzano would have shown up all over town if he did. I’ll tell him. And speaking of inappropriate behavior, what was that little contretemps I saw with the Delucco retainer? He ran past me dragging the Delucco boy like he was going into battle.”

  Sienne’s heart ached for Perrin once again. “One of my companions is Perrin Delucco, the children’s father. The retainer took exception to him being here.”

  “That’s a nasty business. Lysander Delucco is a vindictive man. He might try to bring the law against your friend.”

  “But it wasn’t Perrin’s fault! We had no idea his children would be here, and no reason to believe it. Besides, it’s an unjust law that deserves to be broken.”

  “Nevertheless. Maybe we can put Alcander on it. He’s driven to extirpate injustice wherever he sees it. You should have heard him when it
turned out I couldn’t inherit. He went on and on about those inheritance laws being the relics of an earlier, more desperate time when civilization was still clawing its way out of the wreckage of the wars and reproduction was urgent. Maybe he’ll even succeed in changing them someday.”

  “Not if he becomes duke.”

  “Please, Sienne, don’t put your hopes on that. The likelihood that King Derekian will grant your request is small.”

  “There’s still a chance. I’m not giving up before I’ve even tried.”

  Felice nodded slowly. “No, you wouldn’t.” She squeezed Sienne’s hand once more before releasing her, and stood. “I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you before. I felt guilty for so long at marrying the man you loved. I don’t have an excuse to offer you, except that I thought I was doing what was best for our family. And Rance…” She bit her lip.

  “What about Rance?”

  “It’s not important now. Just…you were fortunate not to have married him. I’m not sure he loves anyone but himself.”

  “That’s probably true. And you’re right, I feel fortunate. Now that I know what love is really like, I can’t believe I ever imagined myself in love with Rance.”

  “So you’re happy with Alaric?”

  “Deeply happy.”

  Felice once again linked her arm with Sienne’s and they strolled back toward the party. “He seems worth it. Look at him.” She pointed. “I can’t imagine Rance ever playing a rough and tumble game with children, let alone ones he’s not related to.”

  Alaric had appropriated two of the large glowing spheres and was in the middle of a huddle of children. Kalanath stood several yards away with his own huddle, which included Liliana, Sienne was amused to see. They were too far away for Sienne to hear what they were saying, but suddenly the two teams broke apart and ran screaming at each other, each bouncing and kicking a sphere to make it roll in front of them. Alaric ran behind, waving his arms and herding the children in the right direction, while Kalanath did the same, if less enthusiastically. It wasn’t catch-and-carry, but a game Sienne didn’t recognize that seemed to require the teams to defend their own ball while trying to capture the opponent’s. It also, apparently, required lots of screaming. Sienne couldn’t help laughing at the melee.