The Eighth Court (The Courts of the Feyr - By Mike Shevdon Page 0,3
the Eighth Court,” I told her, “and Mullbrook is right. The more you look the part, the quicker they will get used to the idea. The first step to being treated as an equal is to act like one. Kimlesh and Yonna dress formally for the High Court. So does Barthia, come to that. Mellion is the only one who comes as he is, and even he wears the silver chain of the Horde-Master.”
“I suppose,” she said. “But don’t you think it’s a little over the top?”
I teased back the twist of copper from her shoulder and kissed the nape of her neck from behind, feeling her tremble as my warm breath passed over her bare skin. “I don’t know,” I said. “I rather like it. Maybe you could wear it later?”
“You are not to be encouraged, Niall Petersen,” but she was smiling as she said it. In the mirror her eyes had a sparkle of green in them. She leaned back against me, and I folded my arms around her.
“You won’t fight with Katherine, will you?” she said, suddenly serious.
“I am simply going to drop Alex off,” I said. “I’m not stopping long enough for an argument. Hello, here’s your daughter. Don’t let anyone know she’s here because she’s supposed to be dead. That’s it.”
“That’s what I mean, I’m sure she already knows that she can’t tell anyone about Alex.”
“This isn’t my idea,” I said, “but everyone keeps telling me that Alex is grown-up. Frankly I’ve given up trying to stop her doing things she wants to do.”
Blackbird did not look convinced. “It’s only natural that she will want to see her mother. Better you take her than she just turn up on the doorstep unannounced, don’t you think?”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with what I think. Besides, I rather feel my place is here with you.”
“You can’t be present when the court is in session, Niall.”
“Why not?” I asked. “Fionh is.”
“Fionh is there at the invitation of the court. Someone has to attend, and they trust her.”
“And they don’t trust me, you mean.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Even Garvin isn’t normally invited, and they trust him implicitly. It’s a matter of roles, that’s all.”
“As you say, My Lady.”
She turned and met my gaze directly, determination in the way she lifted her chin. “We will have a court. We will be recognised. The Eighth Court will be home for any fey with mixed blood. They will have to accept us eventually.”
“When you say it like that, I believe you,” I said, “but you need to say it to them, not me. I wish I could be there to help you convince them.”
She shook her head. “Angela will attend me. She’ll have to wait outside, but her presence will be noted. She unnerves them enough for it to make the point.”
“She’s becoming quite an asset. I would never have guessed she’d adapt to life at court so well. She’d lived alone so long, I thought she’d find it daunting.”
“I think she’s finally found somewhere she can be,” said Blackbird, “Which convinces me even more that we are doing the right thing. Besides, they think she knows something.”
“What?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “I’m sure if she knew, she’d tell me, but it’s as much a mystery to her as to me. If she does know something then she’s not aware of the significance of it.”
“So we negotiate on bluff and hope they don’t know the difference?” I suggested.
“You don’t bluff the Seven Courts, Niall, even in jest.” She smoothed the dress, “You’d better go before you make us both late. I’ll see you when you get back. Give Katherine my regards. Will you ask Angela to join me when she’s ready, and we’ll walk down together?”
“Yes, Lady.” I bowed, accepting the instruction.
Blackbird frowned at me. “Don’t tease,” she said.
“You’ll have to get used to it,” I reminded her. “A lot more people are going to be calling you that before we’re done.”
“Don’t remind me,” she said, turning back to the mirror.
I took my leave and went to find my daughter.
Alex’s room was still at the end of the west wing. I’d offered to find her a room closer to ours, but she’d insisted on being left where she was. Still, there were more visitors these days and she was rarely there alone. I was also trying to be more accepting of her wishes and to treat her as an adult, even when she didn’t