on the arms of his chair. “This is how you would mark a solemn occasion?”
“A joyous occasion,” I reminded him.
Daniel shook his head, dubious. “Moirin—”
“My lord.” I leaned forward, nervous sweat prickling my skin. Mayhap I had boasted too quickly of my ability to deliver a royal invitation. “Believe me, I take my oath very, very seriously. If you know aught of the history of the Maghuin Dhonn, you must know we do not swear oaths lightly or in vain.”
“ ’Tis not a question of doubting your oath, Moirin,” the King said. “ ’Tis a question of propriety.”
“Eglantine House is mindful of the need for propriety.” I breathed slowly and evenly to settle my nerves. “And Bao is teaching them Ch’in tumbling arts based on strength and grace.”
“He is?” He sounded startled. “I thought he was Master Lo’s apprentice, not a tumbler.”
“Bao has been many things.” My hands fell into a reassuring mudra. “My lord, I am not sure your choice can provoke any more controversy than it has. I have been advised that at such times, it is the Priests and Servants of Naamah and the commonfolk who will side with love’s cause. That is who I seek to woo, who I seek to charm with this gesture.”
Daniel de la Courcel’s brow furrowed. “I did not realize there was such considered thought behind the notion,” he admitted. “And there is merit to the idea of a performance celebrating your accomplishments in Ch’in.”
With an effort, I kept my voice serene. “Will you countenance the performance, my lord?”
He picked up a piece of stationery emblazoned with the insignia of House Courcel. “With reservations, yes. I suppose I must trust you, having made my choice.”
I watched him dip a pen in ink and write. “It is not too late to change your mind, my lord.”
“My heart tells me I have chosen rightly.” His pen skated across the page. “And… mayhap you are right, too. This should be a joyous occasion.” Pausing, the King glanced at me, making an effort to smile through the deep wells of sorrow in his eyes. “Jehanne wouldn’t have hesitated to hire the tumblers of Eglantine House for such an occasion, would she? She would have delighted in the scandal it provoked.”
“Aye, she would,” I said softly.
“So be it.” He inked the royal seal and stamped the page. “I will have the invitation sent forthwith.”
Relief flooded me. If the King had refused, my standing with the Night Court would surely have fallen. “My thanks, your majesty.”
“You are welcome.” Daniel wiped the seal with a clean cloth. “I fear… I fear my grief has been an anchor weighing down the entire realm. It is good to be reminded that there is cause for joy in the world.”
Reaching across the desk, I laid my hand over his. “I know.”
He squeezed my hand in reply. “I daresay you do.”
Dismissed from the King’s presence, I made my way through the Palace to the nursery, where Bao was concluding his second lesson with the young princess. I made it a point to meet the gaze of everyone I passed, smiling pleasantly and inclining my head in greeting. Some smiled broadly and openly in response—most notably the vast array of Palace servants and guards.
The response from peers was mixed.
Some smiled with mask-like politeness; some did not. A few offered genuine smiles.
Some looked away, snubbing me pointedly.
It had taken only a day for the news to spread throughout the City of Elua and for the City to become divided over it. A part of me yearned to flee from the scrutiny, back to the Alban wilderness of my childhood, or even the wide-open expanses of the Tatar steppe. To the valley kingdom of Bhaktipur, where my golden lady, the Rani Amrita, ruled with a gentle hand, presiding over an adoring populace.
None of these things were possible; and there was a child’s happiness at stake.
Jehanne’s daughter.
In the nursery, I greeted her brightly. “So, dear heart! Did you and Bao study well today?”
“Moirin!” Desirée flung herself toward me, and I scooped her into my arms, hoisting her onto one hip. “Yes, we did.”
“They did,” her tutor agreed.
The senior nursemaid Nathalie Simon gave a huff of disapproval.
I ignored her, inhaling the scent of the child’s hair. She smelled of lavender soap and innocence. “Well done.”
Bao rose from his cross-legged pose. “Did his majesty approve?”
I nodded. “He did.”
“We should ask her highness before we proceed,” he said gravely. “My lady Desirée, you understand that Moirin will take a sacred