Dragon Prince - By Melanie Rawn Page 0,124

long violet skirts, and strode off into the night, Sioned drained her winecup, set it on a table, and went after her.

“Your grace!” she called mockingly, and Ianthe whirled around. They were in the area just outside Rohan’s camp, where only the moons illuminated the path. “I see you’re not wearing your silver jewelry tonight. Does this mean I should expect to find it in my tent as a token of your defeat?”

Ianthe’s brows arched delicately. “Do I look defeated to you? It’s not a rejected woman who spends time in Prince Rohan’s arms, Sunrunner.”

“That’s an odd thing for you to say, considering how little time you spent there the other night.” Sioned knew this was a mistake. One did not humiliate a woman as potentially dangerous as Princess Ianthe. But she could not resist the chance to pay back a few insults.

Ianthe turned wordlessly away, rigid with fury, and started walking again. Sioned followed, laughing softly to taunt her. At last the princess swung around again.

“Leave me alone!”

“But I thought we were going to your tent so I could collect my winnings,” Sioned responded innocently.

“You have won nothing!”

“And you don’t even know what game’s being played!”

“You’re mistaken if you think it one of your choosing.” Ianthe suddenly smiled, sleek and superior. Sioned ignored the warning and laughed again.

“I thought it had been established that the game is Rohan’s.”

“Not tonight.” And with that the princess pulled a slim silver knife from her belt, its jeweled haft winking purple and crimson.

Sioned was delighted. She lifted one hand almost casually and the blade began to glow. Sunrunner’s Fire licked lazily along the knife, moving toward Ianthe’s fingers as Sioned exerted exquisite control. She had to admit that the princess was no coward; the tiny flames were nearly touching her hand before she finally dropped the knife.

“You faradhi witch!” Ianthe spat. “I’ll have him, one way or another—and when I’m his princess I’ll see to it that no court anywhere will have you! You’ll spend the rest of your life walled up in Goddess Keep!”

“And that’s what you’re most afraid of, isn’t it? Being likewise walled up at Castle Crag!” She gave the princess a mocking bow. “Learn the rules of the game before you try to play it, your grace. Good night.”

Sioned left Ianthe trembling with impotent fury. Exhilarated by the encounter, she nearly danced down to the river, envisioning similar scenes in the future when she would have the power of her position as princess as well as Sunrunner. The first and possibly the best would come tomorrow night when she appeared at Rohan’s side as his Chosen. The prospect of Ianthe’s rage and mortification enchanted her, and she laughed aloud.

“I had hoped to find you alone, my lady,” a familiar voice said behind her.

Palila sat on the edge of her couch, staring at Crigo’s prone body on her carpet. “Damn you, wake up!” she hissed. “You’ve had enough wine poured down you to float a merchantman!”

One of her maids stood by, wringing her hands. “My lady, he doesn’t look at all well—”

“Of course he doesn’t, you fool! Give him more wine!”

Application of another goblet of drugged wine, most of which spilled from the Sunrunner’s slack lips onto the rug, brought a groan from him. Palila gestured impatiently, and the maid helped Crigo to sit up. His dazed eyes began to focus.

“Slap him,” Palila ordered.

One blow, two—and Crigo’s hand came up to grab the woman’s wrist. “No more,” he said thickly. “Get away from me.”

“Get out,” Palila seconded. The maid fled and the door slammed closed behind her. “Can you think now, or do you need more?”

He ran a hand back through his limp hair. “I was asleep.”

“Never mind that! Allow me to tell you what you’ve missed. Roelstra has his eye on a new mistress and a new Sunrunner—and they’re the same woman!”

“Sioned?” he breathed.

“Neither you nor I can afford to let him trap her the way he trapped you with dranath.”

“Why don’t you warn her? Oh—of course. She would hardly believe you. And then there’s your little understanding with Pandsala.”

She gasped. “How did you—”

“Does it matter? Let’s just say you don’t want the girl rescued too soon. After Roelstra’s had her, Rohan won’t want her anymore and Pandsala will have a clear field. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to go, Palila?”

“You’re thinking rather precisely, considering the condition you were in when I had you brought here.”

“Amazing stuff, dranath.” He got shakily to his feet, using a chair as leverage.

“The