The Pyramid Waltz

by Barbara Ann Wright

  “Then why do the nobles stay here? If they’re landowners, don’t they have homes elsewhere?”

  “Undoubtedly, but court is the place to be. It’s so boring in the provinces.” Her head lolled to the side as if the mere act of talking about living outside Marienne put her to sleep.

  Starbride grinned. “A place without courtiers and nobles? Sounds delightful.”

  “Would you like to get out of here?”

  “What? Out of the palace?”

  “Too late in the day for that, I’m afraid. No, out of here.” She nodded toward the pack of monks, who still gave Starbride the occasional angry glance.

  “My concentration is broken.”

  Katya put a hand over her heart. “My apologies, Miss Meringue.”

  Starbride secured her scroll and pencil inside one of her voluminous sleeves and narrowed her eyes as they stood. “You’re not going to try to seduce me, are you?”

  Katya’s mouth slipped open before she blinked several times, and Starbride fancied she saw a slight blush in the royal cheeks. Katya gestured at the mint-colored dress. “In all that, I wouldn’t know where to start.”

  “Where are we going?” Starbride asked. “One of the many activities for aspiring social climbers?”

  “Funny you should mention climbing.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Follow me.”

  Starbride followed, spurred on by Katya’s infectious grin. Katya led her to the upper levels of the palace, through long winding hallways and narrow stairways. They passed many bowing servants, but every time they heard chatter from down the hall, Katya guided her into another passage. “Are you trying to avoid someone in particular?” Starbride asked.

  “Any group of courtiers would stick to us like leeches.”

  “Ugh. How do you know who the voices belong to?”

  “Well, servants don’t linger in the halls to stand around or gossip. They do that behind closed doors so they won’t be caught, same with guardsmen. That leaves courtiers. Nobles don’t linger in the hallways unless they’re searching for royalty.”

  “Like Lady Hilda might be looking for you.” Starbride sniffed as she said it, but inside, she wanted Katya to call Lady Hilda another foul name.

  “Come on. We’re nearly there.”

  They ascended to a short hallway with no rooms leading off it and only a tapestry to mark the end. No servants rushed through the area; no courtiers loitered in the hall. “Where are we?”

  “Near the royal summer apartments. Very few people here at this time of year, thank the spirits.”

  Starbride gestured to the hanging six-foot tapestry, wondering if that was what she was supposed to be looking at. “Seventh century, if I remember my art history.”

  Katya scanned the hallway behind them. Starbride did the same and saw no one. When she turned back, Katya was disappearing behind the tapestry. With a wink, she let go of the heavy wall hanging, and it fell as flat as if she’d walked through the wall.

  Starbride let her mouth hang open for a moment. At first, she thought of pyramid magic, but she’d never heard of anyone using it to disappear. She waved to dispel the cloud of disturbed dust and touched the rough fabric of the tapestry. The wall was solid behind it. “What in Darkstrong’s name?”

  And then it hit her. Secret passageways! One of her childhood fantasies come to life! She heaved on the weighty tapestry, but revealed only blank stone behind it.

  “Well.” She pushed on the cold bricks and tried to turn them. Seconds had passed between when she’d looked away and when Katya had slid behind the tapestry. The mechanism couldn’t be that complicated. She slipped behind the tapestry and let it shroud her in darkness; soundlessly, a door in front of her swung open.

  On the other side, Katya waited, holding a lantern. “I knew you were smart.”

  Starbride couldn’t help it; she stuck out her tongue. From miles away, she felt her mother die a little. Katya threw her head back and laughed. Like schoolgirls, they ran down the passageway, hand in hand, until they reached a narrow staircase only wide enough for one person at a time.

  Katya held the lantern high and started up the stairway. “My brother and I discovered this one while we were playing, years and years ago.”

  “How many are there?” All thoughts of learning Farradain trade law blew from Starbride’s mind as she thought of the enormous palace and all the secrets it could hold.

  “Who knows? I’ve found quite a few.”

  “Was this one your first?”

  “For me, not for my brother.”

  “How many hours did you spend looking for more after this one?”

  “Too many! And quite a few that should have been spent sleeping.”

  Wan light filtered down the staircase. The top of the passage was guarded by a rusty old gate, not very secret from that side. Unlike the stone door, the gate creaked in the stillness of the evening as they emerged onto an old balcony. The view of the countryside around Marienne made Starbride stop in wonder. The palace lay on the west side, and she’d only seen the view of the east, that of the city. Rolling hills spread to the west, covered with a checkerboard of fields, dotted with the occasional tree. Past the fields wound the Lavine River, and the setting sun turned the waterway into a ribbon of gold. “It’s gorgeous.”

  Katya set her lantern down and leaned on the worn stone railing. “My childhood tutor called it Hanna’s Retreat, seventh century, as you pointed out. One of my ancestors used to climb up here to clear her head after dull meetings. It drove her staff mad the way she could walk down a hallway and disappear.”

  “Your tutor knew about the secret passageways?”

  “Only that they exist. He didn’t know where, and I didn’t tell him the actual location of this one.”

  “Wise. Your brother may want to use it someday. Does your father ever come up here?”

  “No, he retreats to his rooms and hides behind my mother.”

  “I saw your parents at the Courtiers Ball. Your father didn’t seem like a fading flower, and your mother didn’t look particularly threatening.”

  “Well, you have one correct observation and one incorrect. I won’t tell you which is which. Thank you for the meringues, by the way. What did the letters on the box say?”

  “Dawnmother—she’s my maid—painted the words. They say, ‘please accept this gift,’ more or less. It’s traditional for a gift in my homeland. And you’re welcome.” She laid her chin on one fist and studied the countryside. If she squinted, she imagined she could see far-off Allusia. She shouldn’t have left the library. She had so much to do.

  “Why were you reading about trade law?”

  “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

  “You were frowning. Law books always make me frown.”

  Starbride grinned wryly. “I’m learning trade law to better help my people.”

  Something in Katya’s eyes froze. Her face didn’t twitch, but her posture turned to ice. “Is that why you came to the palace?”

  Starbride tried to shrug, but something in Katya’s gaze stopped her. “It’s not why I was sent, but it is why I came.”

  “Starbride. Your mother sent you to marry, or to find a lover, an influential lover.”

  Starbride stiffened, realizing the reason for Katya’s frostiness. Katya thought she wanted something from her, just like those vulture courtiers! Part of her bristled at the implication, but she told herself to be calm, forced herself to soften…slightly. With all the grasping courtiers in the palace, Katya couldn’t help but be suspicious. “That’s what my mother wanted,” Starbride said slowly, “but it’s not the way I think. I came to study law on my own. I sent you the meringues as a friend.”

  Katya hesitated before she smiled. “I’m sorry. Sometimes…” She let the word hang in the air.

  “It’s all right. Let’s not talk about it.”

  “That’s not fair. I can’t get to know you and then ignore what’s important to
you.”

  “If I tell you about the problems my people are having and it’s in your power to fix them, won’t one or both of us feel you have an obligation?”

  Katya hung her head. “You’re right.”

  “Then let me study my law books, and we’ll talk about different things.”

  “Now who’s seducing whom?”

  Starbride waved at the countryside. “Thank you for showing me this. Do you use it often?”

  “Court can be tiresome.”

  “That’s why you hunt, isn’t it? Speaking of what’s important to us.”

  Katya hesitated a moment before she nodded.

  “I saw you this morning, going toward the stables.”

  Katya blinked and then stared. “You’re full of surprises.”

  “I wasn’t spying! I was coming back from the library, and I just happened to see you, but you didn’t look happy. Did you see your sick friend?”

  Katya nodded, but her face turned guarded again.

  Curiosity burned in Starbride, but she kept it in check. After all, perhaps the friend had gotten worse or died, and it was too painful to speak about. “I wish I had a fast horse sometimes.”

  “You like to ride?”

  Starbride tsked and wished she had her long hair loose so she could throw it over one shoulder. “My people are born in the saddle.”

  “I hope that’s not literal.”

  Starbride ignored that. “I love to ride. Unfortunately, these clothes weren’t built for it. Now, my old clothes…” She trailed away, shaking her head.

  “Traditional?”

  “Traditional background but trendy.”

  “I wouldn’t believe otherwise.”

  “Does flirting come natural to you?”

  “Not with everyone.”

  Starbride decided to try another prod. “Lady Hilda?”

  Katya’s mouth twisted to the side. “She just keeps coming up in the conversation.”

  “Has she ever been up here?”

  “No, and you must admit that your questions are starting to sound a lot like those of a jealous woman.”

  “Mere curiosity.”

  “I tolerate Lady Hilda because people expect me to.”

  “Like how people expect you to like hunting.”

  “You sound like you’re trying to unravel a mystery. I never said I didn’t like hunting.”

  “You never said you did.”

  “And?”

  Starbride shrugged. “It sounds like neither of us can ever be completely honest about what we want to anyone but ourselves.” She stared into the distance as the sun disappeared over the horizon, leaving a residue of light at the edge of the world. With another sigh, she shook off the melancholy that threatened to settle on her shoulders. “How much do you have in common with Lady Hilda?”

  “I should introduce you,” Katya said in her drawl. “You’re more interested in her than I am.”

  Starbride wanted to continue the light chatter, but homesickness wouldn’t be banished by the wave of a hand. “I’m just trying to understand this place. It’s so different from where I grew up, and I haven’t exactly…fit in.”

  She felt Katya shift. “Has someone been inappropriate with you?”

  If she moved a little to her left, Starbride could lean her head against Katya’s shoulder. As much as she wanted the comfort, she shook her head. “If you’re asking if anyone’s been mean to me, not really. No one’s been anything to me.”

  Katya turned her with a gentle pressure. “I’m sorry. Even if you didn’t come for a good time, it’s terrible to be alone.”

  “You’re here.”

  The bells from the chapterhouses in Marienne tolled with the setting sun. Katya’s head hung again, and it seemed as if all the life went out of her.

  “What’s wrong?” Starbride asked.

  “I have to go. I haven’t seen my parents today.”

  Starbride nodded even as disappointment made her smile slip. “Ah, well. Maybe someday you’ll introduce me, and we can compare mothers.”

  Katya cocked her head, and Starbride realized how intimate a relationship they’d have to have in order for Katya to introduce Queen Catirin as her mother instead of as the queen. Of course, friends could be as intimate as lovers. Katya’s face softened as if Starbride had bestowed a great compliment upon her. “Maybe someday I will.”

  As she descended the stairs, Starbride tried to sort her feelings into an orderly row. The library waited, but all of a sudden, the books seemed deadly dull, and she wished all the harder for a fast horse and someone to ride with. Starbride nearly laughed out loud at the thought of asking Lady Hilda to come and then pushing her into the first deep pit that presented itself.

  They walked toward the library in silence, as if they’d already said good evening. Starbride couldn’t bring herself to ask when they’d see one another again. With Katya’s schedule, it seemed wise to assume that she’d turn up when she could. Starbride told herself it didn’t matter. She had work to do.

  “You know your way from here?” Katya asked.

  “Dawnmother and I made a map.”

  “Smarter and smarter. I hope you know how much I don’t want to go.”

  A blush burned in Starbride’s cheeks, but she kept her expression amused. “Even a princess must answer to a king and queen.”

  “True, and it will take some time.”

  “Well, when you want to find me again, I’ll be in one of two places.”

  Katya stepped forward. Starbride froze, certain Katya was going to kiss her. She held her breath, her heart speeding. Katya smelled faintly of lavender and rosehips, with just a hint of leather, and at such a short distance, her eyes seemed to take up the entire world.

  She lifted Starbride’s right hand and held it between their two faces as her soft lips grazed the hollow between Starbride’s first and second knuckle. “I will see you again,” she said, and the touch of her breath turned Starbride’s limbs to gooseflesh. She knew her mouth was open, but she couldn’t close it.

  Katya winked before she let go and started down the hallway. Starbride shook her head, the spell broken, and chastised herself for ever falling under Katya’s sway. She almost shouted, “Scoundrel!” at the departing back, but the servants who’d faded into the background when Katya had kissed her had reappeared. Starbride rubbed her knuckles as she turned toward the library, but then she thought better of it and went to her room instead.

  “I was just about to come and get you,” Dawnmother said. “I’ve fetched some dinner.”

  “Thank you.” Starbride dropped her scroll and pencil on the bed before she sat in the chair and stared at nothing.

  “Did you hurt yourself?”

  “What?”

  “You keep rubbing your hand.”

  “No, no.” Starbride stared down at her knuckles, seeing Katya’s lips there again. “Katya kissed me there.”

  “Oh?”

  “We’re friends, Dawn.”

  Dawnmother snorted and took the lid off a covered dish, revealing a small roasted chicken on a bed of greens. “There are friends, and then there are friends, and then there are people you sneak into a hayloft with.”

  “How many haylofts have you snuck into?”

  “Enough to know when someone else is thinking of doing it.”

  “I am not.”

  “If the princess sent you a note asking you to meet her in the barn, would you go?”

  Starbride paused.

  Dawnmother snapped her fingers. “A pause means yes.” She carved the chicken with a few quick strokes.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “My life for you and also the truth. You are smitten.”

  “I should have you staked in the sun for insubordination.”

  “That wouldn’t change the truth, and I would go to my grave a much-maligned but honest woman.”

  “A woman who’s been in quite a few haylofts, by the sound of things!”r />
  “Did you ask her to help you with the problems in Newhope?”

  “Absolutely not. That wouldn’t be fair to her.”

  Dawnmother snorted. “If she wants to help, you should let her help.”

  Starbride frowned and thought about it. Katya had protested, but she hadn’t exactly insisted on helping. That did hurt just a little. She shook her head violently. “No, Allusia has to fight its own battles. We can’t expect Farraday to solve all the problems it creates. If we lean on them to do everything for us, we won’t know how to do anything for ourselves. We won’t even know when we’re being taken advantage of!”

  “All right. I see the wisdom in what you say, for now, but if you and the princess become…better friends, the issue will surface again.” She gestured to the chicken. “Eat before it gets cold.”

  Starbride nodded, ate her dinner, and thought too hard about the task in front of her and Dawnmother’s words. She also couldn’t help glancing now and again at the area between the first two knuckles of her right hand.

  Chapter Seven: Katya

  Katya put Starbride out of her mind as she entered the royal apartments. It would be hard enough to tell her parents about the Order of Vestra’s wasted trip to Longside without her mother asking if she was distracted.

  When she entered her parents’ sitting room, though, she stopped in pleasant surprise. Ma sat on one divan, and Crowe occupied the chair opposite, no doubt already reporting. Katya thanked the spirits that he’d beaten her there.

  Ma nodded at Katya before saying, “Please continue, Cimerion.”

  “Majesty, only my wife called me Cimerion and then only if she was upset with me.”

  “Crowe, then.”

  “As I was saying, the man we captured is a smuggler. I need to interrogate the Shadow again to get more information.”

  “My son arrives in two weeks.”

  “I know.”

  “This is the first Waltz that will involve his wife, and nothing can go wrong.”

  “I know, Majesty. I know.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking more tired than Katya had ever seen him.

  Noting the tightening around her mother’s eyes, the signs of strain, Katya frowned. They had to make some progress soon. An idea flashed through her head, a way to combine business and pleasure. “In two days, I’ll ride into the city,” she said, “as myself. The rest of the Order can be waiting nearby to nab anyone who pays me undue attention.”