Harbinger of the Storm - By Aliette De Bodard Page 0,72
said. “I want her to–” And then I stopped, realising I was making all the decisions for her, that I might have accused Tizoc-tzin, the She-Snake and the rest of the council of endangering the Fifth World through the selfishness of their acts, but, really, was what I was doing any better? It might not have been about power or influence, but I was still placing myself and my blood above the sake of the Fifth World.
”You win,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s go ask her. But you’re doing the talking.”
The fleeting grimace on Teomitl’s face was a small but satisfactory victory, the only one I was likely to get all day.
We found Mihmatini still in Teomitl’s rooms, staring at the frescoes as if she could peel the paint from the walls.
”I was starting to worry about you,” she said, getting up. Her gaze descended to my scuffed sandals. “You look like you’ve been mauled.”
”Close,” I said.
”I had no idea Tizoc-tzin was so fierce,” Mihmatini said, deadpan. She raised her eyes; Yaotl had just entered the courtyard. “And you would be…?”
Yaotl bowed, somewhat perfunctorily. “Who I am doesn’t matter much at this juncture.”
”I beg to differ,” Mihmatini said, somewhat acidly. She puffed her cheeks, apparently considering something. “All right. What is it that you’re not telling me?”
I’d never thought I’d actually see Teomitl embarrassed. If he could have turned crimson, he would have. But, as it was, he merely shifted slightly, as if he didn’t quite know where to stand. “We, er–” He shook his head, and plunged on again. “We need your help.”
She was silent for a while. “I see. What wonderful plan has Acatl come up with?”
Teomitl shook his head. “It wasn’t his plan. Look, there are star-demons outside the palace…” He trailed off into silence;
she let him flounder, without a word.
”How interesting,” she said. “So many words to tell me nothing.”
Teomitl blushed. I’d never seen such a sheepish expression on his face. “We need to keep them at bay, and, well…” He took a deep breath, started again. “They need to designate a new Guardian. Us. I mean, you, on account of the imperial connection and the virginity…”
Mihmatini raised an eyebrow. I winced, wishing I could look away. I knew that expression all too well.
Teomitl, too, apparently, for he hurriedly got a more coherent explanation of why we needed a new Guardian, and why it needed to be her. “It’s symbolic. They need a couple who can stand for the Empire in the eyes of the Duality, and we don’t have much time to find one. And, well, Ceyaxochitl had had an eye on you for a while, and thought you might be suitable for the job anyway…”
When Teomitl was finished, Mihmatini was silent again, deep in a dangerous kind of musing, just before she lashed out. She’d never shied from telling me or my brothers exactly what she thought of our heroic acts, and I had no doubt she would.
I could imagine the smile on Yaotl’s face without turning around.
”I’m not doing this for pleasure.”
”Oh, for the Duality’s sake, don’t be so serious,” Mihmatini said.
”It is a rather serious matter,” Teomitl said.
”Most things are.” She smiled again, half-amused, halfangry. “But you have no sense of humour, either of you. You should give some thought to working on that, Acatl. It’s clearly missing from his education.”
”Much as I love your wit–”
”I know, I know.” She was sober again. “It’s not exactly innocuous.”
”Most of it was my idea,” Yaotl admitted behind me. “If it helps.”
Dear gods, we must really have been desperate, as she was saying. Since when had Yaotl owned up to having an opinion of his own? It was more sobering than I’d ever imagined it would be.
”No, it doesn’t.” Mihmatini’s voice was low and dangerous now, as cutting as a jaguar’s claws. “Let me make matters clear. I’m not a tool to be used at your convenience, just because there’s a need for a well-connected virgin. I’m not a fool either, and I know what you’re asking.”
”Mihmatini–” Teomitl started.
We were asking her to step into a position equivalent to that of a High Priest, to take Ceyaxochitl’s place, for the rest of her life.
”Look,” I said. “I know you wanted to get married–”
”It doesn’t seem to be incompatible,” Mihmatini said, dryly. “But I’m not a fool. Whatever is needed is bad, if it’s got both of you pushing for me to accept.”