Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology #2) - Robin LaFevers Page 0,100

Mayhap the others did not want me to join them. Or he has been detained by the guards. Or recognized.

My heart thuds into my stomach. No. There would be more of a hue and cry, a bustle of some activity if that were the case.

But perhaps someone lingered near the fletcher’s hut who could recognize him. Angoulême. Pierre d’Albret. Even General Cassel himself. The list is long. In case that is what happened, I make my way over to the smithy to see if he is waiting there.

The smith’s hammers clang loudly throughout the crisp morning air. And while a half dozen apprentices and journeymen scurry about their work, Maraud is nowhere in sight.

 Chapter 55

Sybella

I heed the queen’s warning and spend the rest of the afternoon in her solar, then pass the night in her apartments along with the rest of her attendants. In the morning, however, I am required once more to present myself before the king to further discuss “certain matters,” as the understeward puts it.

Although I do not plan it so, I am the last to arrive. All but one.

“Where is he?” The king does not try to hide his exasperation.

“I am sure he is on his way, Your Majesty,” the Bishop of Albi soothes.

“One would think he would understand the folly of being late for a hearing he requested,” the king points out.

“He should be here, my lord. I am certain there is a good reason why he is not.” The faint smugness on the regent’s face disappears when she notices my arrival, replaced instead with a vague uncertainty. I cannot help but wonder what new scheme she and Pierre have devised.

“Whatever it is, I do not care.” The king turns to Captain Stuart. “Have someone fetch him at once.” Captain Stuart bows, then strides off to find my errant brother.

The regent’s face resettles into its normal inscrutable mask as she studies me. “Perhaps she had something to do with it.”

I lift one shoulder in calculated unconcern. “Or perhaps he is not here because he cannot defend his actions to the king.”

The regent smiles thinly. “Perhaps you murdered him,” she says.

That surprises a huff of laughter from me. “If I were inclined to murder him, do you not think I would have done it before he presented his claims to the king? Besides, who is to say that you are not behind his disappearance? Perhaps you wished to save yourself one hundred thousand gold crowns.” I brace myself, expecting the king to jump in and order us to stop, but he does not. When I risk a glance in his direction, he is staring thoughtfully at the regent.

Unaware of his scrutiny, she says, “Your Majesty, if he is not here, he cannot defend himself against the Lady Sybella’s accusations.”

“Perhaps not, but you can.”

His words surprise her into stillness. “I did not realize I had to,” she says at last.

“The accusations the lady made involved both of you. So while we are waiting for Lord d’Albret, I will ask you. Why are you working with him against the crown?”

Her face grows white. “Never against the crown, Your Majesty. For the crown. Always for the betterment of the crown.”

“How does paying him such a large sum of money for a false claim better the crown? From where I sit, it seems more like robbing it.”

Before she can answer, Captain Stuart returns, somewhat breathless. “He is gone, Your Majesty. Viscount d’Albret is gone.”

The regent scowls at me, as if perhaps I have murdered him after all.

“One of my men checked with the stable master. He and his entire party left early this morning, just before dawn.”

“So not murdered, then,” I murmur. The regent shoots me a look that is sharper than the point of a spear.

The king’s jaw tightens, his entire face pinched with the anger he is trying not to show. “If he is not here, his claim is forf—”

“But, Your Majesty,” the regent interjects. “Surely after all that has transpired you cannot believe that the Lady Sybella is in any way fit to serve as guardian to her sisters? Or should be left free to roam among us?”

He studies her for a long moment. “She, at least, is here. And for now, that is more than can be said of her brother.”

Deciding it is better to take the loss, the regent curtsies. “Very well, Your Majesty.”

He leans forward. “But you and I have much to discuss, because I dearly wish to hear the reasons behind both your