“Let’s go over it again.” She left the window, refreshed her coffee, and sat back at the table. They had covered the protocol of visiting a place for those whose wits were in need of repair, but he didn’t mind repeating the lesson.
“A nurse,” he said. “That’s the person who tells you it’s time to leave?”
She smiled. “Yes. A nurse also can answer your questions, although she may choose not to, and tell you the doctor is too busy to talk to you. Now, a doctor?”
Rhuun knew this one. “A doctor is a person who will probably be a man who orders the nurses around and decides if you are lucid.” He paused. “What do they do to you if you aren’t?”
“Rane is lucky. If he acted out, the House he’s in would only fill him full of drugs to calm him down, not put him in a cage.”
It became clear. “Like Billy Beesely. Is the House a jail?” In The Claiming of the Duke, Billy had also been falsely accused and sent to a terrible place full of bad smells. If Rhuun recalled, he’d been shackled to a desk when the Duke had come to talk to him. “Will Rane be chained to a desk?”
“What? No, of course not. Chained to a desk? No, he’ll be in his room. Look, it’s nearly ten. I’ll give the driver the address. Just ask the first person you see in a white coat for assistance. They’ll show you where Rane is.” As they gathered their coats, she laid her hand on his arm. “Please, tell him I am thinking of him. I am convinced he is innocent.”
He realized she was nearly in tears. “I think he is lucky in more ways than just his nice room,” he told her. “I don’t know how, but we’ll see him out of there.” Althee deserved what she desired. And it would make Lelet happy. He touched his jacket, felt the letter again. Right now, it was all he could give her.
Once deposited on the grounds of the Retreat, Rhuun took off his eyeshades and admired the neat garden with its rolling green lawn—he still marveled over the perfection of a lawn—the tidy red brick wall that hid the street on the other side, and the house itself. It was smaller than he’d expected. No one approached him as he walked up to the front door, and he was surprised to find it unlocked. If these were people with damaged wits, he’d assumed they’d be more closely guarded. Perhaps they were all ‘lucid’ like Rane and left to their own devices until they were well. He’d certainly ask a nurse about it.
Once inside, he was struck by the quiet. Hadn’t Beesely remarked on the shouting and clanging? The dove-gray carpet was thick, and his footfall was silent. The walls, the paintings hung on them, the whole of the place matched the floor, all soft shades of sand and stone. He wondered why he found it comforting until he realized it reminded him of Eriis. The people in the large main room, which was bounded by windows decorated by attractive, curling metalwork, were mainly in their street clothes, sitting and looking out at the garden or playing cards at one of the tables. He spotted a woman with iron-gray hair neatly pinned and wearing a long white coat, and joined her at one of the windows.
She smiled up at him, making no mention of his strange eyes. “Hello, dear. You must be new.”
“Oh, no,” he answered. “I’m here about something else, to see someone...” He cleared his throat. “What I mean to say is, I don’t belong here.”
Her smile widened. “You’re aware, I’m sure, that’s fairly on the mark for someone to say who actually does belong here.”
He had to agree.
“I can see you carry a heavy burden,” she said. “What troubles you more? Your mind? Or your heart?”
Rhuun didn’t have to consider that one. “My heart.”
“You answered quickly. Why not your head? That’s why most of the people you see around you are guests of this Retreat.”
“Well,” he replied, “I have several jobs. I’m unqualified for most of them, untrained at all of them, and I feel as if there are a few I’m not even aware I’m part of. And yet the happiness and even the survival of many depends on my getting everything right. I don’t struggle with that. I have to find a way to accomplish everything. I don’t have a choice.”
“That’s a lot to take on yourself. It doesn’t sound quite fair.” Her smile had faded, but her eyes were warm and sympathetic.
He gave a shrug. “I am the only one who can do these things. I accept that. Fair doesn’t really enter into it.” He wasn’t sure why he was being so frank with this stranger, but perhaps that was what this place was for.
“I see. Let’s talk about your heart.”
“My love and I have failed, hurt, and disappointed each other in every way possible. And yet I have no life without her.” The letter in his pocket proved how he’d failed to protect her yet again.
She considered this. “If you are so full of resolve in your impossible jobs, why don’t you apply the same determination to repairing relations with this lady?”
“Well, first, I’m hoping my tasks aren’t impossible, or at least aren’t terminal. And as far as the lady...the gulf between us is very wide.”
“Wider than the gulf between Eriis and Mistra?”
He looked down at her, surprised. “I...”
“Miss Lamb, are you bothering this young man?” A woman—she could only be a nurse—took his companion by her thin shoulders and turned her away. To Rhuun, the woman said, “My apologies. She isn’t on staff.”
“I know,” he said. Her white coat, he noted, was more of a robe, and the eyeshades she wore on a chain around her neck had no glass in them. “But it was nice talking to you. Good day, madam.”
The old woman smiled over her shoulder. “A pleasure, my dear. And I have to take my leave anyway. You see, I’m lunching at the Captain’s table. You know we’ll be sailing into port this afternoon. I shall look for you on the dock.”
“I look forward to it.” He waited for the nurse to return and asked her if he might see a guest named Rane va’Everly. Althee had done her usual fine work; he was expected.
Unlike the front door, Rane’s room was locked—from the outside. His lucidity apparently didn’t extend to freedom of the grounds. Once the nurse let him in, Rhuun found Rane sitting in a deep armchair, pulled up to the window, in a room decorated with the same soft shades of tan and taupe. Althee would be pleased; it was a comfortable-seeming space. He was reminded of the day they’d first met. Rane had been in a similar chair, but the circumstances couldn’t have been more different. He himself had been the captive, bound to the va’Everly’s house and to Scilla’s whims.
“Would you look at this?” said Rane, “You are real.”
“I’m afraid so. May I come in?”
Rane squinted at him. “You’re already in. That door is locked behind you. You might as well sit down.”
Rhuun draped his coat over the small couch, pulling a flat bottle from the pocket. “I’ve brought you something.” He handed Rane the bottle of ‘87 Reserve. “Althee picked it out for you. She said it’s your favorite. She also said you aren’t supposed to have it in here and we were certainly going to be reprimanded.”
Rane peeled the wax from the cork. “Is this a peace offering?”
“Were we at war?”
“Glasses are on the dresser. We’ll have to make do with water tumblers.” He waited for Rhuun to bring back a pair. “At war. Well, you hid in my house, stole my things, spied on my family, pretended to be a ghost, got me sent away for my wits the first time, and most recently broke my sister’s heart. Are we at war? You tell me what we are.”
“If you know all that, you must know the circumstances of my being in your home. I’ve apologized to everyone else, allow me to extend it to you as well.”
Rane nodded and poured them each a fat splash of the whiskey. “And Lelet?”
He took a drink. “There is literally nothing I wouldn’t do for her. It wasn’t my idea to come to Mistra. She asked me to. But you must know that as well.”
“She asked you because I begged her. She didn’t want to. She made that plain enough. Lelet won’t say what went on, and it’s not my business
.” He paused and peered at Rhuun over the rim of the glass. “You have the same look about you as she does. Well, when you’re done tormenting each other, maybe you’ll hash it out. Anyway, apology accepted because I need all the help I can get.” He took another sip. “Have you seen the...um...the body?”
“Yes,” said Rhuun. “I didn’t recognize her. I’ll have to try to find her family when I take her home. That place, where you keep all your dead. I’ve never seen anything like it. A roomful of dead humans and one demon.”
“Well, we don’t keep all of them there, just those without family or...” Rane looked at him, curious. “What do you demons do with your deceased?”
“We dress their transitional forms in silk, set the remains ablaze, and leave them for the wind and sand of Eriis to reclaim them, as is proper.” He had only witnessed this a few times. The custom had been abandoned after the Weapon because there were too many mourners and most of the bodies had vanished. But as the years had bolstered the population, many old things had come back into fashion, and this was one of them. Aelle told him that Ilaan, when asked if he intended to perform the rites for Niico, sneered and turned away. With no body to reclaim, Niico wasn’t properly returned to Eriis. This wasn’t the first thing causing Ilaan such grief, but it was on the list. “I’ve been told that someone from the Guardhouse put some sort of holding charm on the lady’s body, to keep it...ah...” He wanted to say fresh, but that was incorrect and disgusting as well. “Composed,” he settled on. “Until I can return her to Eriis.” He cocked his head. “What do you recall about that night?”
Rane sighed and took another sip of his drink. “As I’ve told the bluecoats and our barrister, almost nothing. We had drinks and something to eat, me and Auri, and it went to my head. I remember being sick in an alley, being in a cab—Auri gave me something for my stomach—and then I woke up with that girl next to me. I’d never seen her before. I’ve never seen any of you lot before, except for you. And you’re not really—”
“But you knew what she was.”
“‘Course. Can’t live with Scilla without a general education in demons. You should know that.”
“Back to Auri. I read his statement. He said you got in a cab and left without him.” He didn’t want to talk about Auri. But he’d promised Lelet he’d look into what happened, and Auri was part of it. “Tell me about him.”
Rane gave him a wry smile. “I figured we’d get around to that. I wish I could tell you Lel needs rescuing, but he’s a decent sort.”
“His statement hurt your case,” Rhuun reminded him. “He could have said nothing or that you were with him.”
“You mean lie?”
“You said you don’t remember. How do you know he’s telling the truth?”
Rane set his drink on the table. “I... we were at the bar. In Upper Garden. And he told everyone he was going to marry Lel.” Rane paused. “You all right? Yes? And I remember feeling...good. About him. Really good. Like she was lucky.” He rubbed his forehead. “But I didn’t feel that way before.”
“Before? What do you mean?”
“Before I met him. I was...I had...no. It’s all a jumble.” He sighed. “It was nice, not being mad. Didn’t last long, but I enjoyed it.”
Rhuun reached into his coat. “I’d like you to read something.” He handed the letter to Rane, who read it aloud.
“Dear Moth—or Prince Rhuun as I rightly ought to be calling you—
There’s no easy way to say this, so here it is. After spending time with you on Eriis, many things have become clear to me. Most importantly, Eriis is not where I see my future. I know it’s your home and I won’t speak against it, but I see now that I belong here. My family is here, and I have obligations. We all remain in your debt for trying to help Rane. And yes finally, I belong with Auri. We wish to show our appreciation with a party to be held at Auri’s home, where our friends can thank you in person. I hope you will consider attending.”
Rane looked up. “Sorry, mate. And you came all this way.”
“She’s been forced to write that. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Seems pretty straightforward. Auri got the girl. You got to see me.” Rane took a sip of his drink. “You gonna go?”
“I haven’t decided. If she’s being coerced, as I suspect, I’d be walking into a trap. And if this is her being honest, I’d prefer to spare myself the pleasure of seeing them together.”
“You should go. Look her in the eye. I know my sister. She’s a shit card player. You look in her eye, and you’ll know. And if it is a trap, then I guess we can look at Auri for your deceased relative.”
Rhuun nodded. “He might have lied in his statement.” Then he frowned. “But why? Why would he want you locked in here? Why take you in particular off the playing field?”
“Good question. Maybe I was the easiest to get to. And where’d he get a demon lady? That’s what I want to know.”
He wished he could share everything he knew about Auri with Rane, but he was wary of pulling yet another person in. “I’m having an expert come from Eriis to look at the girl’s body. Hopefully he’ll provide some answers and maybe get you out of here.” He paused. “Althee is quite eager to see you. She sends her best regards.”
“If I do get free, she’s the first person I’ll want to look for. If she’ll take a reformed lunatic and accused murderer, that is.”
Rhuun smiled. “Speaking as a retired ghost and possible brain tumor, I like your chances.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mistra
“No,” said Rhuun, “the name doesn’t sound familiar. But if he made an appointment, I’ll see him.”
His secretary, clad in black and blissfully quiet, went to fetch his latest visitor.
When the man came strolling into his office, Rhuun rose to greet him. I know him, but from where? If he was honest, he was still hopeless at telling humans apart, especially older ones. He had to look at faces very carefully, which of course was rude, so sometimes he just pretended he knew who a human was. Fortunately, they all wanted something from him, even if it was just to get a look at a real-life mythological creature, so no one called him out.
This man was older, his dark hair touched with gray, and he was of small stature. The way he took Rhuun in with a sliding glance felt distinctly familiar. They sat and waited while the assistant poured coffee, and the man smiled politely. Where have we met before? His name, Jan White, meant nothing.
“How may I be of service today, Mr. White? I hope you can forgive me. My secretary didn’t mark down a reason for your wanting to meet with me.”
“A secretary. My, you have moved up. This world seems to be agreeing with you.”
“I beg your... Do I know you?” Rhuun knew he did. It would only take another moment.
“I thought White would give it away. Our house color, certainly you remember that.”
Rhuun felt around the coffee service for a knife, something to throw, even the hot liquid itself. “Yuenne. You’re supposed to be dead.” Don’t give away what you know. The last time you saw him, he was threatening your life at the High Seat. But Ilaan—I have to tell him I’ve found his father.
The smaller man smiled, a smile that now looked as familiar as his own hands. “Set that fork down, boy. I’m here to talk.” His smile faded. “We have much to discuss.”
“Where have you been? Is Thayree alive?” The hard stone of guilt in his throat began to dislodge.
“She is very much alive. In fact, she is in the next room. I won’t ask her in, for reasons I hope you’ll come to understand.” Yuenne went on to explain about the Veil and how they’d been rescued, bearing out the story Ilaan had told him. “I’ve been here ever since. I was at your party at that hotel, though I’m certain you didn’t see me, with so many humans coming to greet the new ambassador.”
“Well, fine. You’re here. Thayree—”
“Sally, now.”
“Sally. Sally is here with you. When do you intend to re
turn her to Eriis? Is that why you’re here? To ask for my help, after everything you’ve done?”
Yuenne was silent for a long moment. “No. I don’t want anything from you. In fact, it’s rather the opposite. You know, Ilaan used to say people only saw the shifting sand when it came to you. They didn’t see the rock underneath. I think he may have been right. The humans you have chasing around after you all seem quite taken with you. One might even say you are doing a fine job.”
“I’m so glad I’m no longer the crushing disappointment you always took me for.” He had set the fork down but kept it near his hand. “You haven’t answered me. If you don’t need my help, how do you intend to get back through The Door?” My help, my blood—he’s here for something. And what game is he playing with Auri?
“I don’t. What is there on Eriis for me? Siia long since turned her face away from me. If I went home, my children would likely try to have me assassinated, and who could blame them? And your mother— Do you think she’d have a kind word and a glass of sarave waiting for me?”
“And Thayree?”
“Sally. She has a cat. Do you know what a cat is? She loves that little creature. And do you know what her favorite thing to do is?”
Rhuun shook his head.
“She loves to go swimming.” Yuenne laughed softly. “I take her to the shore in the afternoon, and she jumps right into the river. She’s forgotten she ever lived anywhere else. She’s been here so long that she thinks she’s a human girl and I’m her human father. I won’t take her back.”
“She’d find out her false father stole her from her real mother,” said Rhuun. “That would be awkward.”
“She thrives. She eats real food and plays in the sun and swims in the river. The only thing she doesn’t like is she says it’s too cold. I agree with her. I’ve booked us passage on a ship heading to the Southern Provinces. I have a house waiting for us, and it has its own beach. Can you imagine such a thing? She’ll go to school and play with her cat, and I will be her father.”
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