Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,16
Archchaplain. They required a neutral location in which the ceremony can be performed.”
“Naturally.” It was a sword-edge wedding. Nobody trusted anyone, and everyone was waiting for an ambush. “Did House Krahr offer them such a haven?”
“There was no way to reasonably refuse,” Lord Soren said. “We dominate the quadrant and Serak is only one hyperspace jump away from us. The wedding is in eight days. It would’ve been more appropriate for Arland to have been on the planet to assist with preparations, but since he’s been otherwise occupied, we’ll be arriving about the same time as the wedding guests.”
“Correct me, but isn’t there another vampire-controlled star system, closer than this one, to the Serak system?”
“There is.”
Something was off about this wedding. “One wonders why two Houses with such lack of trust want to be bound.”
“Supposedly to end their conflict and form a pact.”
“If they are unable to come together for even the most joyous of occasions and require a neutral location and a host to oversee them, their alliance is doomed from the start. There must be willingness from both Houses for the marriage to hold.”
Lord Soren studied her.
“How large of a wedding party are you expecting, my lord?”
“One hundred guests from each side.”
“And they will arrive armed?”
“They will.”
House Krahr could field tens of thousands of troops. Two hundred vampires, no matter how elite, shouldn’t have posed a threat. So why did this suddenly make her uneasy?
The door in the far wall slid open and Arland strode through it. She saw his handsome face, framed with a mane of blond hair.
His blue eyes found her. He grinned. Her heart skipped a beat.
Damn it.
Arland zeroed in on them and broke into a march. He moved like a massive predatory cat, deliberately, smoothly, the blood mace at his waist a reminder of his rank. He’d fought for the place at the top and won. All of Krahr’s military obeyed him without question. And his mother was the Head of the House, the Preceptor.
Arland was the perfect embodiment of everything a vampire lord should be. Smart, powerful, fearless, and loyal. A paragon of vampire knighthood. It took Maud exactly two seconds to deduce that he was his uncle’s pride and joy. He was likely his mother’s pride and joy, too. And she was a human nobody.
“Lord Soren,” Maud murmured. “Lady Ilemina must be stressed by these preparations. Perhaps it would be wiser not to mention Lord Arland’s proposal.” And her refusing of it.
“I couldn’t agree more,” the Knight Sergeant said.
She let out a small breath of relief.
“Unfortunately, my nephew took it upon himself to inform his mother already.”
What? She kept her voice calm. “He did?”
“Oh yes,” Lord Soren said, his face looking like he’d just bitten into a lemon. “He sent the message two days before we left the planet, by an emergency jump-drone, announcing that he would be bringing a bride and to make sure adequate accommodations were prepared.”
Damn it, Arland. “He didn’t ask her blessing?”
“No. I believe he commanded the household to make themselves ‘presentable.’”
Because his mother would never find that offensive. She closed her eyes for a tiny moment.
“Then he sent a second message, stating that you turned him down but will be joining him anyway.”
Arland had accelerated. He was looking at her as if she was the lone light in a dark room.
“Did his mother reply?”
“Yes.”
Maud steeled herself. “What did she say?”
“Just five words,” Lord Soren said. “Can’t wait to meet her.”
Great. Just great.
Soren reached over and awkwardly patted her arm. “It could be worse.”
She couldn’t for the life of her see how.
Arland reached them. “Lady Maud.”
His voice sent a soft rumble through her. She hated that. It was a weakness, but she had no idea how to compensate for it. She wished she could be immune.
“Lord Arland.”
Lord Soren discreetly stepped away and strolled closer to the arch of the summoning gate. Helen abandoned the fish and the water and brought her bag over. Arland held out his hands, but Helen stayed by her side.
“No hug?” he asked.
“Mommy said to be polite.”
“There are certain appearances that must be observed, my lord,” Maud said.
“I never cared much for appearances,” he said. His eyes were soft and warm. Inviting.
She needed to get her head examined.
“Unfortunately, some of us are not in the position to not care.”
The summoning gate turned crimson. Lord Soren stepped into the light and vanished.
“My lady.” Arland indicated the gate with his hand.
He reached for her bag, but she shouldered it out of the way. They walked toward