The Will of the Empress - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,116

possibly say no to my offer?" Sandry heard Berenene ask.

Sandry grimaced and turned her head. It's not just me she wants to stay, Sandry thought. It's Briar and Tris. She glanced at Daja and Rizu. Rizu was whispering into Daja's ear, making Daja laugh. And maybe even Daja Berenene wants to keep here. Why not? Even among ambient mages, they've done unusual things, brilliant things. Shakkans and living metal creations have made Briar and Daja rich and famous. Tris could be, if she were willing to do battle magic. Even as a weather mage she would make people think.

Sandry looked down, tracing the brocade pattern of her overgown so she could hide her face from those around her. If my cousin has her way, I might just have to stay here to keep seeing my sisters and brother. What will I do? What will I do if I have to choose between them and Uncle Vedris?

A tear dropped onto the brocade.

With the court dazed after a day in the sun, they were given the evening to themselves. Sandry invited her sisters and brother to supper in the elegant small dining room that was part of her suite. She would have asked Rizu as well, but Rizu had gone with Berenene to a meeting. Sandry wasn't sure if Briar and Tris knew what was going on, or if they would appreciate Rizu's presence at a dinner that was confined to their small family.

Gudruny was still setting the table when Briar arrived. He carried his mage kit and a shakkan from the imperial greenhouse. "I thought I'd work on it later," he told Sandry, placing the shakkan on a side table. "Hullo, Gudruny. Did you see your kids and Zhegorz?"

The maid nodded. "Zhegorz asked me to tell you and Viymese Tris, he followed one single conversation all the way to the green market today. He says to say it was real, bargaining between a cherry seller and a potter. He said he did it after he took out just one ear bead — whatever that means. And I think Wenoura is spoiling my children."

Briar chuckled. "Good cooks do that. If you worry about this sort of thing, once we get to Summersea, keep them away from Gorse at Winding Circle. Otherwise you'll have kids that roll, not walk."

Sandry had inspected his miniature willow while Briar talked to her maid. "What's wrong with it?" she asked when she had the chance.

Briar grimaced. "See how it's shaped so it's bent almost clean out to the side? The bleater that shaped this beauty actually thought the tree ought to be trained up in the full Cascade style. She properly needs the Windblown style, with the trunk more upright. Anyone can see that. The empress had the eye to see it, even if she hadn't had the time to get to work on her yet." He caressed the tree's slim branches, which twined gently around his hand. "Nobody ever asks the tree, do they, Beauty?"

Sandry shook her head. "If only you found a human being you loved enough to talk that way to."

"Isn't one of us in love bad enough?" Briar asked.

Sandry knit her brows. "You know, then. About Daja. And Rizu."

"Couldn't hardly miss it," Briar replied, pinching off tiny new leaves. He glanced up at Sandry. "How'd you know?"

Sandry blushed and looked down. "Daja and I reopened our bonds with each other a little while ago."

"Interesting way to find out," Briar murmured, his concentration on the tree again. "Don't hold your breath for me to throw myself down in a heap of contriteness and beg you two to include me in all this joy."

"I wasn't going to," retorted Sandry, her eyes flashing. "Of all the selfish, rude, impertinent boys —"

Briar grinned at her. "Well, I am family."

Sandry couldn't help it. She had to laugh as Gudruny admitted Tris and Chime.

"Good to see you two getting on," the redhead remarked. She came over to look at the miniature willow. "Reshaping her?" she asked Briar. Chime stretched out from Tris's shoulder, her head at the same angle as Tris's as they eyed the tree.

Briar nodded. "No willow tree bends over on itself. That was pretty decent of you today, taking some of the load from the sailors."

"Too bad it only made them uncomfortable," Tris replied drily.

"It's just that weather magic and anyone who can do more than control a wind here and there are so uncommon," explained Sandry. "If you'd brought up a big wave that just