David Coe - Bonds of Vengeance

A few of the ministers laughed, Nitara a bit too loudly. Kayiv didn’t even smile, nor, for that matter, did Stavel.

Dusaan laughed with the others, though inwardly he berated himself for his carelessness. He didn’t usually allow himself to be so thoroughly distracted. There could be no doubt: the time had come to move forward with his plans.

“Yes, Chancellor,” he said. “That does strike me as an equitable solution to the problem. I’ll mention it to the emperor, and I’ll be sure to tell him that it was your idea.”

Stavel nodded, obviously trying not to appear too pleased.

Dusaan stood. “Perhaps we should adjourn for the day.”

The others stood as well, Nitara lingering as if she wished to speak with him privately. The Weaver, however, was watching Kayiv, who strode past the older chancellors toward the door.

“Minister,” Dusaan called.

The man stopped, casting a dark look his way.

“A word, please.”

Kayiv looked at the door once more, seeming to consider leaving anyway. His mouth was set in a thin line, his hands flexed restlessly, but he remained by the door, allowing the other Qirsi to file past him.

Nitara stared at the high chancellor for several moments, until it occurred to Dusaan that she was awaiting an invitation to remain as well.

“Was there something you wished to discuss, Minister?” he asked.

She furrowed her brow. “No, I. . I merely thought. .”

“I won’t keep the minister long,” he said, indicating Kayiv with an open hand. “Perhaps you can wait for him in the corridor.”

Her face colored, her eyes straying to Kayiv briefly. An instant later she left the chamber, as if suddenly eager to get away. Dusaan closed the door.

“I hope you didn’t think to fool me with that little deceit.”

The Weaver gave a small frown. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”

“Please don’t play games with me, High Chancellor. You know as well as I that Nitara wasn’t interested in speaking with me. It’s you she wants.” He looked away, his gaze flitting about the chamber as if searching for an escape. “For all I know, she already has you.”

“She doesn’t.”

Their eyes met. Kayiv appeared to be trying to gauge whether Dusaan was telling the truth.

“Please,” the chancellor said, gesturing toward a pair of chairs in the center of the chamber.

After a moment, Kayiv stepped to one of them and sat. Dusaan did the same.

“You’re right. I do know that she wasn’t waiting for you. I said what I did to make her leave.” He paused. If he was to keep Kayiv from turning on him, he’d have to allay the man’s jealousy. And that meant being completely honest with him where the woman was concerned. “I’ll also grant that you’re right about Nitara. She has admitted that she harbors some. . affection for me. But nothing has come of it, and nothing will. I have more important matters with which to occupy my time.”

“I’m not certain I believe you.”

“That’s your heart talking, not your mind. Think about it for a moment. Given what I’ve told you-both of you-about my role in the movement, would I risk an affair with her, knowing that it would anger you, that if it ended badly, it would anger her as well? She’s an attractive woman, and under different circumstances I wouldn’t worry about bruising your feelings. But I’m not about to risk my life and the movement merely to bed her.”

“Is this why you asked me to stay? To tell me that she’s not your lover?”

“Not entirely, no. I did sense your jealousy, however. It concerns me that you conceal your emotions so poorly. Others in the movement, myself included, are depending upon you to be more subtle.”

“You have nothing to worry about.” He gripped the arms of his chair, as if waiting for the high chancellor to give him leave to stand.

“I’d like to believe that.” Dusaan regarded the man for a moment. “Nitara told you that she believes I’m the Weaver.”

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you?”

The Weaver gave an easy laugh. “What do you think?”

“I think she’s so taken with you that she sees far more than is there.”

He made certain that the smile remained on his lips, but he allowed just a hint of anger to shade his voice when he said, “Careful, Minister. I may not be a Weaver, but I’m still high chancellor, and I do have some influence with the leaders of the movement.”

“Forgive me, High Chancellor. I forget myself.”

“Don’t give the matter a second thought.” Dusaan stared out the window, watching a raven circle over the palace walls. “Tell me, Kayiv, are you comfortable with your decision to join the movement?”

Even without looking at the man, the Weaver sensed his unease.

“Of course I am, High Chancellor. Don’t I appear to be?”

“I can’t say for certain. You were reluctant the first day I spoke to you of allying yourself with our cause. I seem to remember you saying that you didn’t trust me. At the time I assumed that Nitara would be able to convince you where I could not, and that the gold you were to be paid would do the rest, and I’ve continued to hope this would be the case in the days since. Now. .” He opened his hands and shrugged. “I worry that perhaps your anger at Nitara will effect your relationship with us.”

“I hated the Eandi before I met Nitara, and I hate them still, though I’m no longer with her. One has nothing to do with the other.”

“Good. I’m pleased to hear that. But you haven’t really answered my question. Hating the Eandi is one thing, working with the movement to end Eandi rule in the Forelands is quite another.”

Kayiv nodded. “I know that. I’m with you, High Chancellor. You have my word.”

“Thank you, Minister. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

They sat a moment in silence.

“You’re free to go.”

The minister stood, though it seemed he wished to say more.

“There may come a time when I’ll need to speak with both you and Nitara together. I hope that won’t be a problem.”

“It won’t be, High Chancellor.” He started toward the door, then halted, facing Dusaan again.

“What is it, Minister?”

He opened his mouth, closed it again, shaking his head. At last he smiled, though clearly it was forced. “It’s nothing. Thank you, High Chancellor.”

A moment later the minister was gone and Dusaan stood, intending to make his way to the emperor’s hall. Harel would be expecting him. Before he could leave, however, there came a knock at the door. He knew who it was even before he opened it. He hadn’t time for this.

Pulling the door open, he found Nitara standing before him, an odd mix of fright and pique in her sand-colored eyes. Two guards stood nearby.

“Have I displeased you?” she asked.

He took her arm and pulled her into the chamber, closing the door and whirling on her. “Are you mad?” he demanded, struggling to keep his voice low. “Asking me a question like that in front of the emperor’s men? I should kill you where you stand!”

“I. . I’m sorry. But after you sent me away like that-”

“I wished to speak with Kayiv in private. He thought that we’re lovers and I wanted to disabuse him of the notion before his jealousy overmastered his judgment.”

“Did he believe you when you told him that we weren’t?. .” She faltered, swallowed. “That there was nothing between us?”

“I think he did. I can’t be certain.” He glowered at her. “You coming here so soon after he left doesn’t help matters.”

She lowered her gaze. “Forgive me, W-”

He stopped her with a raised finger. “Not here,” he whispered. “Not when there are guards outside the door.”