Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,49
is a survivor. She doesn’t fight for fun or glory. She fights to eliminate the threat. Every time she draws her sword, it’s life or death. She gives it everything, because her child’s life hangs in the balance. Of all people, I thought you would relate.”
Ilemina fell silent. “I’ll say this, sparring with her was an illuminating experience.”
“It is.”
“And the child is adorable.” Ilemina smiled. “The daggers were so cute.”
“I’ve seen her kill with those daggers,” Arland said.
“The baby, Helen?”
He nodded. “She cut a Draziri assassin’s throat in the middle of a battle. She did it the right way, mother.”
Ilemina recoiled, shocked.
Maud ducked her head under the water and wished she were a better mother. Helen shouldn’t know how to kill. Sitting under water wouldn’t change that fact, but she would have given everything to take that back from her daughter.
She surfaced.
“But why?” Ilemina asked.
“Karhari,” he said. He was right. That was the only explanation needed.
“What sort of House exiles a child?” Ilemina growled.
“The kind of House that’s beneath our contempt.”
Ilemina sighed. “You really love her?”
“Yes.”
“But are you sure, Arland? Are you sure she would make you happy?”
“Yes, Mother. Give her a chance. At least find out who you’re dealing with before you reject her.”
“And if I do reject her? If I reject this union?”
“I’ll go with her,” he said.
Maud fell off the shelf and splashed, scrambling back onto it.
“Arland, you wouldn’t dare!”
“You walked away with Father. I don’t see any reason why I can’t do the same.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “You’re the Marshal.”
“So were you. You’ll just have to replace me with another.”
“What if she rejects you?”
“I’ll respect her wishes.”
Ilemina threw her hands in the air. “This is blackmail, Arland.”
“No, it’s a boundary. Your blessing isn’t necessary, Mother. But I would like to have it. I know she would, too. She respects you a great deal. She’s a daughter of innkeepers. She has vast knowledge and understanding. She will be a great asset to the House.”
Ilemina held up her hand. “I’ll give her a chance. But only a chance, Arland. I will make up my own mind. If she stumbles, if she endangers you in any way…”
Arland bowed his head. “Thank you, Mother.”
The recording faded out.
Maud leaned back against the tub. He would leave with her.
She wouldn’t ask for that sacrifice. She had no right. If she wanted him—truly wanted him—she had to make sure not to stumble.
9
The door chimed. Arland. Finally. They had things to discuss. She planned to open with “The Lees are spying on your mother and here is the recording of that conversation you had with her.” If her prior experiences with vampires in general and Arland in particular were anything to go by, it would take her at least twenty minutes to talk sense into him and convince him not to do something drastic like kicking Nuan Cee and his furry clan out of the castle.
Maud checked the time. After her bath, she’d tracked Helen down through their linked harbingers. Helen and Ymanie had charmed some dessert out of the kitchen staff and were eating it on the balcony of one of the towers. Helen begged for more time and Maud had given her another hour. That was twenty minutes ago. Plenty of time left for a private conversation with Arland.
Maud paused before the door, trying to compose her thoughts. Things refused to line up in her head. Words like “love” and “leave” buzzed around in there, muddying things up. Get a grip.
The door chimed again, then again. Not Arland.
“Show the guest,” she said.
A screen opened above the door, showing Karat. The vampire knight tapped her foot on the floor, her arms crossed.
What now?
“Accept.”
The door slid open and Karat stormed inside.
“What is it?” Maud asked.
“I have urgent news.”
“I’m beginning to wonder if you bring any other kind.”
A careful knock echoed through the chamber. It came from the side door, from the passage connecting her rooms to Arland’s. Maud crossed the chamber and opened it. Arland stepped inside. He must’ve stopped by the medic as well, because the bruises on his face had faded to almost nothing.
“Lady Maud.”
“Lord Marshal.”
He saw Karat. Something snapped in Arland’s eyes. It might have been his patience.
“Why are you here?” he growled. “Why are you always here? Do you not have any other duties, cousin?”
Yes, definitely his patience.
Karat’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry, did I frustrate your intentions? Were you about to make an awkward love pronouncement? Perhaps follow it with a sonnet you’d composed?”