Page 177 of Silverbow
Leon snorted. “Doesn’t matter. I almost hope that little squatter attempts to extract her from my wife’s clutches if only for the pleasure of seeing Alsbet mount his head on the battlements.”
Oryn blew out a long breath. He would not see Tuminzar blackened the way his home had been. “There are risks, Leon.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve learned since Eastwood, strengthened the wards. Your father was a good man, Oryn, but far too trusting. Besides, Pallas only has one dragon and since your Silverbow saw fit to rob him of his clutch, it looks to remain that way. We’re prepared to deal with Drulougan should he fly on Tuminzar.”
“Thank you.”
Leon tipped his glass, his eyebrows rising. “I told Alsbet not to meddle, but the servants gossip.”
“Oh?”
Leon nodded to the hand holding his glass, a slow smile spreading over his face. “Where’s your signet ring, brother?”
Oryn shifted in his chair. It certainly was not around her neck tonight, which meant it was likely sitting in her room for all of Alsbet’s handmaidens to see. “On loan.”
Leon chuckled. “Orimum is going to be devastated.”
“It isn’t like that, Leon.”
The Prince of Dwarves lifted a dark, bushy brow. “What is it like then?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I have time. And you have vow mark.”
Oryn blew out a stream of smoke. “Remember that bargain with Hylee Starseer?”
Leon’s eyebrows kept climbing. “Oh, I remember.”
Oryn swallowed and painted the broad strokes of their encounter with the Covwood witch. Leon whistled around his pipe, a mixture of worry and amusement muddling his features.
“Well,” he scratched at his beard. “Well…that is…”
“What would you do, if it were Alsbet?”
Leon threw back his head and roared a laugh. “If Alsbet had seen a vision of me with another woman, there’s no place in this world with sanctuary sound enough to keep me whole.” Leon wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, still howling. “I’m sure you’ll find your way back into her good graces, if that’s what you want. Have you considered groveling?”
“That’s what Colm suggested.”
“Smart man, Bellami. Smart man.”
When Oryn stepped back out into the Great Hall, his chest warm from the smoke, the dancing had dissolved. The children had been whisked off to bed and dice and cards were appearing at a number of tables with heaps of gold. He blinked at one such heap, or rather, the woman sitting behind it. Enya held a fan of cards in her hand. Smoke curled up from a pipe clenched between her teeth. She looked up and grinned when his shadow fell over her.
“I’m winning.” Her words were fuzzy around the edges.
Oryn glanced around at the table. “Do you even know what this game is called?”
She shook her head, pipe wagging. The dwarf on her right leaned over and whispered in her ear. Enya grabbed the orange horntail and slapped it down on the table. Men cursed as they pushed more gold her way.
“Would you like an escort to the royal apartments, Lady Silverbow?”
She plucked at the sheer fabric of her skirt and whispered too loudly, “How am I going to carry all this gold?”
“I’m sure that Lord Kragfall will ensure it is sent to your room.”
The dwarf nodded. “Of course, my lady. Of course.”
Enya grinned, handing the dwarf his pipe back. She threw her leg over the bench, pale skin flashing as she darted to her slippered feet. She swayed slightly and Oryn offered her an arm for the longest climb to the royal apartments he’d ever made.
