Bloodkin (Jaseth of Jaelshead) (39 page)

“Now, as you have seen, this only works when you are being viewed from a particular angle. Next you will practise constructing these shields so you will be invisible from every angle. But for now, I think, you have earned yourselves a break.”

For some fresh air and lunch we went around the corner to a café. I felt a concentration headache building such as I hadn’t felt since my first couple of weeks at the Academy, so Charlie passed around a pipe of White and we ordered sandwiches and hot drinks. It was one of the rare, clear days of the winter, and we sat outside, trying to enjoy the feeble warmth of the sun. Lux was still in a prickly mood, made worse by the fact that Telgeth seemed to be highly amused by her attempts to pick fights with him – ever since they had met, Lux had viewed him as fair game and she tried her best to rankle him. She largely ignored me, for which I was grateful, and she watched Lolitha from beneath her lashes with a vaguely feral interest that Lolitha tried her best to ignore.

After lunch we went back to the Thistle for a couple more hours’ practice before Anna was satisfied and dismissed us. “Every Saturday I want to see you here. Early. There are a number of things I want you to learn, all for your own safety.” Telgeth groaned melodramatically but Anna ignored him. “I expect you to practise during the week, just as with your Academy work. Your Mentors will assist you, no doubt. Thank you everyone, you’ve made a good start,” and with that we were dismissed.

Back at the Hall I was terribly weary and in desperate need of a nap, so I found Sallagh and convinced her to come snuggle with me in bed. After a fitful attempt at making out, I rolled over, and with her warm arm draped around my waist I quickly fell asleep.

What with class and Sallagh and Anna’s Saturday lessons, as winter rolled to its inevitable end I found myself with hardly any free time. But busy was good, I reckoned. I didn’t have time
to dwell on the bad stuff – Samhain, Odette – and my fantasies about the Queen were relegated to late nights as I was falling asleep, more often than not completely exhausted.

Excitement built in the Hall towards the end of February as the date of Sallagh’s parents’ promised royal function drew near. I couldn’t help myself, I was desperate to see the Queen again, even if Sallagh was going to be there. I allowed myself to be towed to Myn Tardiallah’s shop to be fitted for a new robe for the occasion. The sprightly tailor tutted when she took my measurements and checked them against the scribblings in her ledger from my earlier visit. “Looks like they’re feeding you well at the Hall, young Jaseth, you’ve grown since you were here last!”

Sallagh helped me choose my fabric, and I settled on a rather smart Nea’thi-weave alpaca and silk blend in a gold and coffee-brown stripe, that in the back of my mind I hoped would look nice next to the Queen, who I presumed would be wearing the traditional royal blue.

As it happened, I was right.

Sallagh’s parents had deemed it appropriate to invite all her classmates and their Mentors to their party for the Queen and her Advisor. This time, getting ready in the bathroom, I didn’t even have to ask Charlie to borrow his kohl. We assembled in the reception of the Hall to walk to the gondolas that would take us up the hill to Sallagh’s mansion. When she saw me, Sallagh gave me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Oh Jaseth, you look so handsome. Thanks for dressing up!” Ouch, there was that sneaky twinge of guilt again, Sallagh wasn’t to know it wasn’t
her
I was dressing up for. “I don’t think we should tell my parents about us just yet,” she confided in me as we walked to the bottom of the hill. “They’ll be stressed enough as it is!” She giggled and I nodded in relief. Being introduced to the hosts as their daughter’s boyfriend would have been
way
too awkward.

We needed two cable cars to transport us all up the hill, to the very highest tier of houses. I went in the first one with the
girls and their Mentors and we waited in the stone pavilion that sheltered the disembarkation area. When everyone had got to the top of the hill, Sallagh led us down the street, under the gondola cables and across one bridge, stopping in front of a massive wrought iron gate.

“Ah, Mynna Sallagh, is that you? Please come in. Your parents are waiting by the door.” An elderly watchman opened the gate for us and smiled warmly at Sallagh.

“Hi Sokhrann, how are the grandkids?”

The watchman bobbed his head. “Very well, thank you Mynna! Little Salkhrannah is starting school this year!”

“Um, that’s nice. Is the Queen here yet?”

“Oh no, shouldn’t be too far away. Go on, enjoy your evening,” and he waved us through.

If I had been impressed by Jeetz’ mansion, this was something else altogether. I mean, I’m a Lord’s heir, I spent my childhood having the run of a country manor estate, so big houses don’t often excite me, but the sheer opulence of Sallagh’s house was pretty overwhelming. The courtyard was immaculately landscaped. A large water feature of tumbling rocks was lit from within by glowbes and the pond surrounding it was filled with water lilies. Box hedges ringed an assortment of topiaries, and generous braziers lit the grand entrance to the mansion.

Sallagh’s parents welcomed us at the door, I recognised them from the New Year’s Eve banquet. Sallagh introduced all of us by name, giving my full title when it got to be my turn.

“Oh, Jaelshead, you say? And your father is the Lord? Oh yes, I’ve met him. Nice man,” Sallagh’s mother said, distracted, glancing over my head at the gate. I really didn’t mind this lack of attention. Meeting Sallagh’s parents made me nervous, and I was probably as anxious as they were about the appearance of the Queen.

“Take your friends inside, dear, we have drinks and canapés in the drawing room.”

Inside the splendidly appointed entrance hall, Sallagh led us up a grand staircase to the drawing room. It really was a magnificent space, positioned right over the front of the house, and
opening on to a balcony, warmed with more braziers, which afforded a breath-taking view of the city and the lake, the castle clearly visible, twinkling on its island. Inside, the polished marble floor was scattered with expensive silk rugs. Crystal sculptures sat on plinths recessed into the walls, the rest of the wall space covered with works of art, at least two of which I could have sworn were Ashlus. A long table stretched almost the entire length of the room, set for a formal dinner, while the rest of the space was filled with luxurious couches. A grand piano nestled in the corner, a pianist playing gentle, classical music to the guests, many of whom turned to look at us as we entered. Sallagh seemed a little flustered now that we were all here. “Uh, drinks anyone?” She caught the eye of a servant with a tray of champagne flutes and he came over, passing the glasses around.

The other guests were a veritable who’s who of Lille society. I picked out the Lord and Lady in conversation with Hanniash. There was something odd about the crowd, though, and it took me a minute to realise what it was. Every single one of them was Human – our Mentors were the only Nea’thi in the room. We sipped our champagne and watched Telgeth scoff canapés from a passing tray. Sallagh shuffled uncomfortably. She had worn one of her Human-style dresses for the evening, a big, rustly, pink silk affair, and she looked kind of… peculiar. I had gotten used to seeing her in the entirely more sophisticated Nea’thi robes she had finally started wearing.

There was a sudden hush and the eyes of the crowd moved to the door, even the pianist had stopped playing. Sallagh’s father stepped forward as I turned around.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present our honoured guests for the evening, the Queen and her Advisor!”

There was polite applause as Sallagh’s parents moved to the side and the Queen stepped forward, on the arm of her Advisor. Holy Lilbecz she was gorgeous. She wore a Nea’thi-style robe, elegant in its simplicity, that hugged her figure, the high collar accentuating her long neck. Her hair was bound back in a simple bun, her head encircled with a delicate tiara, glinting with sapphires. Donnick and Sammoch, who hadn’t seen her in person
before, were staring with their mouths open, and I hoped I didn’t look as obvious. I chanced a look at Sallagh, who had gone pale, almost green, envy clear in her features. Compared to Thaelique she looked brassy and sort of horse-like, and her ridiculous pink gown gave her the appearance of a frivolous child. Dammit, that was totally the wrong thing to be thinking about my girlfriend, but I couldn’t help it. I was starting to worry that I had fallen madly in love with the Queen.

As Sallagh’s parents guided their guests of honour around the room, making introductions, us Bloodkin and our Mentors were shunted off to the side. We didn’t really mind, most of the guests looked a bit pompous, and we consoled ourselves with the excellent champagne and tasty nibbles. Sallagh’s siblings had appeared – her sister was a girl of perhaps sixteen and was a plumper, sweeter version of Sallagh. Her younger brother was a wide-eyed boy of about ten, his hair a halo of golden curls. Sallagh’s mother beckoned her children over and presented them to the Queen. Seeing Sallagh next to her made my insides ache, but at least I didn’t have to pretend to listen to Sallagh chatter nervously while I surreptitiously (I think) followed Thaelique with my eyes.

Eventually the Queen and Myr Serbastient made their way to our group. It could have been wishful thinking, but I was sure she flashed me a tiny smile as Sallagh took over the introductions.

“Ah, Lord Jaseth. A pleasure to see you again.” Somehow Sallagh had left me until last, whether on purpose or not, I didn’t know.

“Um, the pleasure’s all mine, your majesty.”

She rewarded me with her enigmatic smile. “And this is your beloved Charlie?” Oh gawd, she was laughing at me. Charlie gave her his best smile and bowed, extending his hand.

“Ϛaioћлeжa Ұлeßжa of the Ұiờ Enclave, your majesty. But yes, I am Jaseth’s beloved Charlie.” Bastard! I could have kicked him. Sallagh gave me a queer look then shook her head, her golden curls tumbling.

“I think Mama is serving dinner soon, shall we take our seats?” Sallagh hurried the Queen away and I exhaled heavily, I hadn’t
realised I’d been holding my breath. Thaelique was seated at the seat of honour at the head of the table, while the Hall crowd were lumped down the far end. Sallagh and Emma got to sit with her parents near the Queen, but her younger siblings had been consigned to sit down at our end of the table.

Exquisite, rich foods were served, and volumes of the best Jaelshead wine were poured. I was glad to be tucked in between Telgeth and Charlie, I couldn’t even see Sallagh from where I sat. Opposite me, Dunkerle had been latched onto by Sallagh’s younger sister, who had announced that she was Nea’thi-Blood too, and proceeded to pester him with questions about the Hall and the Academy. From the number of times Dunkerle had to remove his spectacles and wipe them, I guessed he didn’t mind the attentions of the pretty girl all that much.

Different courses arrived, were consumed, and the plates cleared to make way for the next. Everyone enjoyed the wine, and the conversation at our end of the table grew sillier. Telgeth was poking fun at Lolitha about the obvious attractions of the Queen.

“Ugh, I
hate
being gay,” she sighed her familiar lament. “All the prettiest ones are straight!”

“Ha, better not let Coco hear you say that!” laughed Jimmy from the other side of the table.

“What? Coco? Your hot waitress from the Rose?”

Lolitha blushed. “Um, yeah, we’ve been… hanging out.”

“Why didn’t I know this!” Telgeth was indignant. “Hey ‘Litha, next time you and Coco are “hanging out,” can I watch?”

“Ew, sod off ‘Geth, that’s
exactly
why I didn’t tell you. And it’s not like we, er, do anything anyway. We’re not allowed to, both of us being Nea’thi-Blood and all.”

“Oh yeah, right, waiting for our sex education classes eh?”

“Um, something like that,” she muttered. “I heard it’s Aliakh who takes them.”

It was Telgeth’s turn to blush. “No way! Yum, can’t wait. I bet Jaseth can’t wait either, eh Jas! Jas?”

“What?” I had been trying to listen to the conversation down at the Queen’s end of the table. With my Nea’thi-Blood hearing I
could make out quite a bit of it. Thaelique herself wasn’t saying much, just asking questions of those around her and letting them do all the talking. Pretty much like how she’d done with me.

“I bet you can’t wait for our sex ed classes, then you and Sall— ow!” I stomped on his foot under the table. We were sitting right across from her little sister, for Lilbecz’ sake!

“Fyar khanall ‘Geth, keep it down!” I muttered.

“Ouch, fine, be a dick.” And he turned away in a huff. Charlie gave me an odd look.

“Just because you’ve had the lessons, doesn’t mean you have to do anything, Jas.”

“Yes, I know that,” I said grumpily,
extremely
uncomfortable with this line of conversation. But Charlie just grinned.

“Good, just making sure!”

The servants finally cleared away the dessert dishes and the party abandoned the table for the couches, where servants served more wine and sweet liqueured coffees. I had drunk maybe a little more than was good for me, and I desperately needed some fresh air. I ducked outside to the balcony and leaned on the stone railing, looking down at the city. I felt a presence at my side, and turned, and there she was.

“Lord Jaseth, did you enjoy your dinner?”

“Yes, thank you, your majesty.”

“Good.” She smiled that half-dimpled smile, then grew serious. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Me?” I squeaked. Shit, get it together, man! “I mean, of course, anything you want, lady.”

“Good.” She moved closer and I could smell her, vanilla and musk. She took one of my hands in hers and I swear my knees wobbled at the touch of her smooth, cool fingers. “I need to meet with someone, and I need you to arrange it,” she said quietly. She removed her hands and I fought the urge to grab them back before I realised she had pressed something in my palm.