Page 29 of Death of the Glass Angel
Talon stood, taking Des’ arm. As she laid her hand on his elbow, Des recalled something Talon had said on their trip. “Back when you were teaching Janus to gossip, you mentioned something about Heras.”
“You mean how she missed the last Thruinc Council?”
“Do you know why?”
“No,” Talon answered. “The Dragosi Duchess made a fuss about it, but Heras claimed a family emergency interrupted her trip. The Kahn Chief might be playing nice up there, but he’s been vocal about Heras hiding things from her fellow chieftains.”
“But Heras is a cefra.” Des pointed out.
Cefra lived a life Des did not envy. Forced to join a clan, their minds would deteriorate unless they added their memories to the clan’s communal pond. There, all memories swirled into one, and their lives would be laid bare.
No secrets. No hiding. Everyone in your clan knew every last detail of your life.
“That’s true.” Talon agreed. “You’d think her sons would have corroborated the story, at least. Or a clansman.”
“Maybe a sense of allegiance stilled their tongues.”
“No. A few looked for the memory of this emergency and found nothing.”
Des released Talon’s arm as they reached their table. “And how does a merchant know all this?”
Talon pulled out his chair and sank into it, neatly crossing one leg over the other as he raised his glass. “Some of us like to be informed.”
“Hm.” Des did not believe him, and he knew it. Instead, she stared at her pushed-in chair. “Talon.” She said pointedly.
“Pull it out yourself.” He said, smiling. “In Clodia, it’s considered impolite to demean a woman by insisting she cannot pull out her own chair.”
“You made that up.”
“How would you know?” Leaning forward, he hushed his voice. “Something Felsin said shook you up. Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Des said shortly.
As soon as her rear touched her seat cushion, Avalon returned, leaning on the back of an empty chair. “Have any plans tonight? The heirs usually gather to get a drink.”
“Who all will be coming?”
Avalon pointed around the room. “Paulus refused, so just me, Dinu, and the Gaevral boys.”
Turning back to Avalon, Des bowed her head. “I’ll have to pass tonight, but I’d love to drink with you another night.”
“Of course,” Avalon said. “How about the night after next? After the hunt.”
“Sounds lovely.”
Bowing her head, Avalon smiled and returned to her seat.
Now alone with Talon, Des twisted in her seat to watch Paulus instead. “Who is that with him? A noblewoman I should know about?”
“Paulus’ date? I have no idea.” Talon answered. “She must be from a lesser family.”
“Hm.” Des sat back and watched the dance floor.” We have time before dinner is served. Care to dance?”
“If you can keep up,” Talon smiled. “I taught you to dance with glittering princes, not a man of the streets.”
“You taught Janus. I know how to dance.”
“Consider me intrigued.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
