Page 90 of A Dance of Shadows

Raul

No one could say that Lavirians don’t know how to celebrate. Everywhere I look in the vast square, dresses are whirling in chaotic dances and shimmering streamers in a riot of colors are flashing through the air. Every civilian with a voice for singing—and quite a few others besides—belt out lyrics that call each other to create or to play. A huge gleaming ball as glossy as a bubble bounces from one set of outstretched hands to another.

I doubt Inganne herself could imagine a more vibrant festival in her honor.

The excited clamor and the swells of lively music provide plenty of cover. I watch as one of my cousins diverts Marclinus—in his boisterous Linus persona today—along with several Darium noblemen to sample a spread of rare liquors one of the palace staff has just set out at the far end of the royal section of the square. Then I catch Aurelia’s eye and tip my head in the opposite direction.

No woman has ever owned my heart like Aurelia does. I’d carve it out of my chest and hand it to her if I thought it’d do her more good like that. But I can’t stop it from thudding at an anxious rhythm as she follows me over to where my mother and brother are waiting alone.

What is it about being around my family that makes me feel like I’ve reverted back to a six-year-old being chided for a fit of temper?

I suppose it doesn’t help that I haven’t spent more than a few months total in their presence in the decade and a half since I left home. Almost all of the memories I associate with this place and the people who still live here are from those early childhood days.

There’s nothing to be nervous about. All the Darium and Lavirian nobles are circulating amongst each other. Marclinus shouldn’t notice that Aurelia ever stepped away.

The other members of court won’t care regardless. There’s nothing all that odd about the Lavirian queen and crown prince stepping apart from the crowd for a minute or two. Or about the empress happening to take one of those moments to speak to our hosts. If you’re not a paranoid asshole like her husband, that is.

Aurelia’s personal guards drift to a halt a polite distance away. Mother stays turned toward the group of my younger cousins several paces away, the lot of them sputtering with laughter as they smear each other with various colors of paint, but she glances over at us. Fernam lets his attention linger on the conjured butterflies flitting overhead for a few seconds longer before acknowledging our presence.

As if they haven’t seen these same games and embellishments honoring the godlen of creativity and play every year before. They want Aurelia to feel as if this meeting isn’t all that important to them.

Can they have any idea how important it is to her—or to me?

Mother’s gaze lands on me just for a moment, with a slight pursing of her lips that’s a silent message.Are you really sure about this?

She’s said as much out loud several times over the two weeks it took to pull together all the pieces to arrange this private conversation. No matter how many times I say it, she’ll keep questioning me.

This negotiation isn’t really about me, though. I step to the side to let Aurelia take over.

The woman I love smiles demurely at the current and future rulers of Lavira, her hands tucked over the graceful swell of her belly. She’s chosen a dress that leaves her lower arms bare and her purple potion-brewing scars on display, possibly as a signal that there’s more to her than a pretty face. The bruise that infuriated me has faded from her shoulder, but she’s still careful about moving her right arm.

She pitches her voice just loud enough to be heard over the racket of the revelers. “I’m so glad we could speak just the three of us, if only briefly. You’ve taken care of my court well during our time here.”

Mother dips her head slightly. “I’m glad your early troubles didn’t linger. I hope whatever ailment struck you wasn’t too unpleasant.”

She says it perfectly politely, but she’s digging for information—for potential ammunition. She’s badgered me about whether I know why Aurelia really abstained from the court’s activities that one morning.

I’ve pretended I have no idea, albeit not quite effectively enough to convince her. But the only people who know the truth are Aurelia, Marclinus, and the three of us princes. I’m not expanding that circle unnecessarily.

After all, my mother wouldn’t use Aurelia’s unhappy marriage as a reason for sympathy but a point of leverage.

Fortunately Aurelia’s nerves might be even steelier than any member of my family’s.

“Only a minor complaint,” she says without any trace of deceit. “You must know how a pregnancy can set one’s body off-kilter from time to time. Once our child arrives, I expect to be as steady as ever. So I hope you’ll feel comfortable addressing your concerns to me as well as my husband, as they arise.”

Mother’s implacable expression doesn’t shift. “Of course. Although I assume your opinions on any matter must mostly align with his.”

If they don’t, she’d certainly like to hear about it.

Aurelia’s smile warms. “In most cases. But our areas of focus can be rather different. He has to handle the larger strategies for keeping the empire running smoothly. I have more time to consider the personal interests of those within our domain. It can be hard to fully address the latter when you’re absorbed with the former. Together we can cover both.”

“That would be a boon.” Mother lifts the wine goblet she’s holding to take a sip. “Surely the concerns of your home country must be at the forefront of your mind?”

She asks the question innocently, but my teeth grit at the hidden barb in it. She’d like Aurelia to admit partiality, as if she could be blamed for favoring the kingdom of her birth.

“The entire empire is my home now,” Aurelia says. “And I believe we are all best served when all of the countries within it are thriving at their best. What makes the running of Lavira easier will benefit Accasy and all the other kingdoms in the long run.”

“An interesting perspective.” My brother knits his brow in apparent pensiveness. “I suppose not a surprising one from a dedicat of Elox. Have you expanded your philosophical perspective with any of the clerics or other thinkers in Dariu?”

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