Page 64 of The Exile's Curse

"Neni? I don't think I've met her."

"She was nice. Nothing like Silya. Didn't call me daughter of ravens for a start." She still had no idea what the seer had meant.

Lucien didn't smile. In fact he went still. "Silya was at the same meeting as me."

"With House Elannon?"

"Yes." He stared at her, face twisting as though considering what to say.

"And the king didn’t tell you that she was related to them?"

"No."

"Perhaps the sejerin and svasyas are like the temple back home. Giving up allegiance to anyone but the goddess."

"You know as well as I that it doesn’t really work like that in the bigger temples. Religion goes hand in hand with power. There are always those who look for advantage. I doubt it’s any different here. A person’s house and family are all part of the balance, after all." He blew out a breath. "Which makes me wonder why Mikvel didn't tell me about the relationship. Damn. I thought he was being genuine in his desire for me to find the truth."

"Perhaps he is. Perhaps it didn't occur to him that you wouldn't know. You investigated House Elannon last time, after all."

"Perhaps," he agreed. "And maybe I did know once. She wouldn't have been a seer back then, maybe. Or not such a powerful one. Just a name on the list of women of the house." He rubbed his forehead. "This damn country is enough to addle anyone's brain."

"Some of them seem nice."

"I'm sure some of them are. But some of them are jostling for position. You're right to be wary of Lady Cela if she has a connection. House Elannon has a lot riding on my decision. Being reinstated to the council early would make life a lot easier for many of them. You should try to avoid Elannons if you can. Uli Elannon especially. He's the potential Ashmeister's uncle. He mentioned you today."

"Me?" Why was her name coming up in a discussion of an Andalyssian house?

"Yes. He was trying to make a point about treason. He used you to do it. Silya seemed on his side. And she mentioned that ‘daughter of ravens’ thing again. Said trouble followed you."

She shivered. The last thing she wanted was a seer weighing in on her fate. "I’m sure she was just being difficult."

"Maybe. But I don’t like coincidence."

"You think Elannon was connected to what Charl did?"

"I don't know. But the trail out of Illvya cut off too neatly. We always suspected that meant another country was involved, but we had no proof. I still don't. But I want you to be careful. Don't go wandering around on your own."

"I hardly have time to bathe alone, let alone roam the corridors. And I'm not an idiot." His advice might be well-intentioned, but it still irritated her.

"I'm not suggesting you are. But this situation just became more complicated. So please, be careful."

"What if my mysterious stranger reappears?"

"Then you string him along, get away from him as soon as possible, and come find me."

"Just you? Not the colonel or the captain."

He rubbed a hand across his chin, which was starting to show a shadow of a beard. Testament to how late it was. "No. I'd rather not involve them. Not just yet. Until we know more, we can’t approach Mikvel about it without risking making the situation worse. The more people we tell about this, the more chance whoever this is—whoevertheyare—will decide it's too risky and not approach you again. Or do something stupid. Let's keep this between you and me until after the wedding, at least. If they don’t make contact again by then, we’ll tell Honore and let her decide."

Chapter 20

"Chloe, you'll go with Major de Roche this morning," Honore said.

Chloe almost choked on her last bite of toast. Assigned to Lucien?

She looked to the top of the table. Lucien didn't look surprised. Had he requested her? Not something she could ask. Junior lieutenants went where sent.

She nodded at Honore, trying to look unconcerned.

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