Jon Sprunk - Shadow’s Lure

“Send another message. Command them to appear and answer for their offenses.”

“Yes, Majesty. And there is something else. I believe I have an answer to the Akeshian problem.”

“Really?”

“You’ve read the reports about food shortages across the realm. Last year’s harvest was abysmally meager, and with anarchy running rampant through the central provinces and the troubles on the border-”

“I understand, but how does this tie to Akesh-?” She grinned at him. “You want to offer the Akeshians a trade agreement. Food in exchange for peace. Very clever, Lord Chancellor.”

“Actually, Lord Parmian devised it. His plan makes perfect sense. Akeshia is swimming in grain, so they get rid of their surplus for a hefty profit. We receive the food we need and a chance at building a new relationship. Everyone benefits.”

“Except for the Church.”

“True. The hierarchs will not be pleased to see an end to the eastern crusades. There is also the matter of convincing enough ministers to support it, and then where to obtain the funds to pay for the grain.”

Josey took a cleansing breath. “I’m sure you and Lord Parmian will work out the details. Thank you, Hubert. This is the best news I’ve had in weeks.”

She hesitated before asking about the thing plaguing her mind, but then plunged into it regardless. “Any word from-?”

“No.” He dropped voice even lower. “Nothing yet. I have sent additional riders north, but none have returned so far. I will come to you the moment I hear anything.”

She hadn’t expected more than that. Still, she could not help but be a little depressed. “Thank you, Hubert.”

He started to bow, but his gaze wandered away to focus on something behind her. Josey turned and laughed in delight.

“’Stasia!”

Josey met her friend with an embrace. Pulling back, she admired Anastasia’s lavender gown, which fitted her slender frame like a second skin. Waves of golden curls framed her doll-like face.

“You look-”

“You look-” Anastasia said.

They melted into each other’s arms with laughter. Behind Josey, someone cleared his throat, and she let go.

Anastasia made a graceful curtsy to Hubert. “Duke Vassili.”

He returned with a low bow. “Lady Farthington.”

Josey looked from one to the other. What’s gotten into – Oh!

She raised her eyebrows, and Anastasia’s smile deepened.

“Lord Chancellor,” Josey said. “I believe the Lady Anastasia is here unescorted. Would you do her the honor of a dance?”

A crimson stain spread across Hubert’s face. “Ah, Majesty. I should… I mean, I would if Your Majesty… That is to say-”

“Oh, it’s just a dance.” Josey grabbed his hand and placed it under Anastasia’s arm. “There. Off you go.”

A warm feeling glowed in Josey’s chest as she watched them walk onto the dance floor. Anastasia had been devastated by Markus’s death, so much so that Josey hadn’t had the heart to reveal all the cruelties she’d suffered at his hands. Now it appeared that ’Stasia was over the past.

While the couple danced, Josey felt she was being watched. Looking through the crowd, her gaze stopped on a man staring at her from across the ballroom. Her first impression was that he was quite handsome. Almost too handsome. Rings of inky black hair. Tanned skin. Dark eyes with long lashes. He smiled, and Josey couldn’t help smiling back. She wanted to know his name. She looked for Anastasia, who would probably know him on sight, social butterfly that she was, but she was still dancing with Hubert.

While Josey greeted people, looking everywhere except the direction of the handsome man across the room, a dry voice spoke behind her.

“Your Highness.”

Josey turned around to be confronted by Lady Philomena in a hideous, high-necked gray dress. The lady bobbed an inch or two, but her head never bowed. Her eyes were like small glass beads painted with a patina of disdain.

Josey waited for her to say something. Then, as the moment stretched into an uncomfortable silence, she felt the touch of other eyes upon them. Pretentious bitch. She’s making a scene, just staring at me.

Finally, when Josey couldn’t take it any longer, Lady Philomena spoke.

“That is an interesting gown,” she said. “It brings to mind the dress I bought for my maid last Yuletide.”

Josey gathered two handfuls of her skirt into her fists to keep from punching the lady in her aristocratic nose. She tried to think of a scathing reply, but Philomena glided away before anything came to her. Josey looked around to see who might have overheard, but everyone in the area was involved in their own conversations. Which meant, of course, that they all had heard. Hang that woman!

Moisture stung the corners of her eyes, but Josey held up her head as if nothing had happened. People did not meet her gaze as freely as before. Or perhaps that was her imagination. She fought the urge to look around for Anastasia, but she really needed her best friend.

Then a man sidled up to her. Lord Du’Quendel, dressed in a smart suit of black with silver trimming. A thick gold chain garnished with tourmalines was draped around his neck.

“Your Majesty,” he said. “Allow me to say how honored I am to become your new Master of Luminaries.”

“Uh. Yes, Lord Du’Quendel. The honor is mine.”

“And may I introduce a new addition to your court.”

The nobleman turned to reveal a man standing behind him. Josey swallowed as she saw a smile of brilliant teeth set in a bronzed face. Inky black ringlets of hair. Oh heavens! It’s him!

She tripped over her own feet as she tried to stop and turn at the same time. The man moved with effortless grace to catch her with a grip as firm as stone, but gentler than she expected. She couldn’t stop staring into his eyes.

“Pardon me, Majesty.” His voice was like pure silk.

She extricated herself. “Thank you, sir.”

Lord Du’Quendel cleared his throat. “This is my cousin, Lieutenant Dimas Walthom of Your Majesty’s Light Horse.”

Josey had a hard time catching her breath. The room had become overly warm in the past few moments. “Are you enjoying the ball, Lieutenant?”

He leaned closer. “To be honest, Your Majesty, I am not much for this sort of thing. But here, in your presence, I cannot bear the thought of leaving.”

Josey’s feet didn’t want to move. Then an image insinuated itself into her thoughts, of her and Caim walking in the gardens a few weeks ago, surrounded by leafless trees. She blinked as the soldier said something.

“I’m sorry. I was somewhere else for a moment.”

His smile was easy. Practiced. “Wherever it was, I am glad you returned to me.”

Josey glanced away. Whatever she had felt a moment ago, it was gone now. She wished Anastasia would find her. Then Hubert was beside her, nodding to the two lords as he offered his arm. She took it with relief.

“We’re ready, Majesty,” he said.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” She turned back to the other men. “Lord Du’Quendel. Lieutenant Walthom, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

The lieutenant bent his head, but his eyes never left her. “The pleasure was mine. Perhaps we shall speak another time.”

“Another time,” she said as Hubert led her away.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Your timing is impeccable-”

The bottom dropped out of Josey’s stomach as she realized where they were going. The musicians put down their instruments and departed the stage. It was time for her introduction. She’d had a few remarks prepared, but now she couldn’t remember a single word to save her life. Swallowing, she tried not to show the dread oozing up as Hubert escorted her through the crowd.