The Alcazar (The Cerulean Duology #2) - Amy Ewing Page 0,19
would hand him over to the Triumvirate the moment they landed in Ithilia. At least they hadn’t taken Agnes too. He wondered if he would be as valuable as a hostage, not being the heir to anything.
The main boulevard was bathed in the warm glow of gas lamps; carriages and people alike stopped short to let the Misarros cross. Leo heard small gasps turn to excited mutterings.
“Is that a Byrne?”
“A Byrne in the custody of the Triumvirate!”
“Ambrosine won’t take this lying down.”
The voices seemed to follow them as they entered the portico. Leo’s jaw was clenched so tight he thought his teeth might crack. He’d imagined his face would be a positive attribute once they arrived in Pelago, but it was bringing nothing but trouble.
They arrived at the docks and Eireen led them to a ship that Leo knew at once was the Gilded Lily. Made of smooth white wood, its every detail seemed to have been dipped in gold, right down to the glittering figurehead. A row of Renalt Misarros stood waiting by the gangplank, a line of golden suns. Eireen led them onto the ship, where tiny white lights had been strung over the deck. There was a table set for two with white linen and a candle flickering in the wind. Rahel was seated at it, fixing her hair, but she jumped up at the sight of Leo, then frowned when she noticed Sera.
“My lady, I have brought you—”
“Leo,” he said, interrupting Eireen.
Rahel seemed enchanted. “Leo,” she breathed, her doe-brown eyes growing even wider. Sera gripped his arm tighter.
“We must leave now,” Rowen was growling. “The Aerin will not want to be kept waiting.”
“You are on a Renalt ship, Rowen. You do not give orders here,” Eireen said tartly, but turned away from her and shouted, “We sail at once!”
There was a flurry of activity as the Misarros readied the ship. Rahel looked around, confused. “But I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow.”
“Alas, my princess, things have changed. Your new friends are coming with us to Banrissa, isn’t that exciting?” Eireen said.
Rahel’s face lit up with delight. “I get to keep him?”
“Keep him?” Sera said, disgusted.
Rahel gasped. “What was that?” she asked, trying to peer through the beads covering Sera’s face.
“Why don’t you show your guests belowdecks,” Eireen suggested. “I’m sure they would love to see all of your beautiful rooms. And they are most interested to try dessert.”
The princess nodded, eager as a puppy. “Dessert!” she exclaimed, shooting a sulky glance at Sera before leading them to a set of stairs. “I didn’t know you were engaged,” she said to Leo as the ship began to move out into the water. But her petulance faded quickly as she began chattering to Sera. “Did Mistress Phebe make that dress for you? She’s the best there is in Pelago, isn’t she? She’s making one very much like it for me. What was that language you were speaking earlier? Are you from the northern islands? My mother says they speak funny up there. I like your headdress too, it’s awfully ornate. Isn’t it hurting your head, though? They’re heavy. You can take it off now if you’d like.”
Though he couldn’t see her face, Leo could tell Sera was bemused by all the questions. He certainly was. They had entered a hall with golden carpets and gold sconces on the walls and every door had a golden knob. It was all making Leo’s temples throb. Sera pulled off the headdress and Rahel let out a shriek.
“Saifa!” she cried.
Leo was getting very good at explaining that Sera wasn’t Saifa. But it was even easier with Rahel because she seemed to decide after a moment that she did not care who Sera was. Especially not after Leo told her they weren’t actually engaged.
“What did you dye her hair with?” Rahel asked. “She would have caused a scene in the market. Is that why she’s dressed like your bride? That’s a brilliant idea, you are so smart. I heard the Byrnes are smart but also cruel, that’s what Mother says. She says they’re out for power. Ambrosine wanted to marry Hektor to a Triumvirate princess but they all said no, even the Lekke. I was too young, though, when she asked. Wouldn’t it have been grand, a Byrne marrying a Renalt? But Mother didn’t like that much. Which Byrne are you?”
“Alethea’s son,” Leo said. He could hardly keep up with Rahel’s questions and found he was too tired to lie.