The White Spell (Nine Kingdoms #10)(103)

Léirsinn looked at her in astonishment. “I can’t believe that.”

“Sometimes the tales we hear about others don’t tell the whole story,” Morgan mused. “If you know what I’m getting at.”

“I think I do.” Léirsinn looked at Acair who was currently ignoring Prince Rigaud in favor of sending Mansourah of Neroche a selection of very cool looks. “I’ve heard a great deal about Acair’s adventures, but I find it still difficult to believe.” She looked at the queen. “Has he done all those things they claim, do you suppose?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, but you have to consider his past and what it contains.” Morgan shrugged. “I won’t admit to the number of times I slipped inside a keep in the middle of the night and whispered boo into a lord’s ear before I put a knife to his back and forced him to open his gates to a different lord who had paid me to do the like.”

Léirsinn looked at her in surprise. “Impossible.”

“’Tis all too true.” She glanced at Acair briefly. “I have only known him as someone to be avoided at all costs, but looking at him now, I wonder if perhaps the tales have been a bit exaggerated. He does clean up well, I suppose.”

“He didn’t throw food or knives at supper.”

Morgan smiled at her. “I must admit that I did worry he and Mansourah would come to blows.”

“What did Acair do to him?”

“It would seem the rub concerns what Mansourah would like to do, which is spend a night dancing with you. I imagine he’s already sent a message to the musicians to prepare.”

Léirsinn felt her mouth fall open. “But I don’t dance.”

“My brother-in-law won’t care.”

She couldn’t imagine that, but she was hardly an authority on the doings of royalty. She decided it would be best to just leave Mansourah to his plans and Acair to his snarling. Perhaps she would escape to the stables and see how their horses were faring.

At the moment, that seemed like the safest place to be.

? ? ?

It was very late when she stumbled along with Acair behind a servant with the promise of her destination being a soft bed instead of a ballroom or a straw-filled stall. She wasn’t one to keep royal hours, which seemed to include chatting far into the night, so she supposed she might not manage any presence at Tor Neroche’s morning stables. Hopefully their ponies would forgive her.

She stopped in front of the door a young man indicated, listened to Acair thank and dismiss their escort, then looked blearily at the man who had survived supper and conversation.

“Where are they putting you?” she asked, hiding a yawn behind her hand.

“With any luck, somewhere besides the dungeons.”

She couldn’t even muster up any concern over that possibility. “Prince Mansourah doesn’t seem to like you. If that isn’t too rude to point out.”

“It isn’t, and the feeling is quite mutual.” He pursed his lips. “He’s preparing some sort of ball for tomorrow evening, which seems to be the limit of what he can do. Dancing and preparing to dance, that is.”

“Can you dance?”

“Divinely.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “You are without a doubt the most arrogant show pony I’ve ever encountered.”

“One must keep up appearances.” He opened her door, looked inside, then pulled back. “No ogres, trolls, or black mages that I can see. I think you’re safe.”

She paused halfway across the threshold and looked at him. “They won’t throw you in the dungeon in truth, will they?”

“Nay,” he said. “Thanks to my half-sister and her strong-stomached husband, it seems I have been given the chamber next to yours. Knock on the wall if you need me. If you hear frantic pounding coming from my side, feel free to come execute a timely rescue.”

“I would need something more than harsh language to use, I think,” she said.

He smiled briefly. “You’ll be perfectly safe here and, with any luck, so will I. But I will find you a dagger, if you like, and show you how to use it.”

“Thank you, and for more than just that.”

“Oh, it has been a glorious adventure thus far,” he said with a wry smile. “I am breathless with anticipation over what lies around the corner.”

She walked inside, then turned and held on to the door. “What should I do when I wake? I’m not sure of the proper comportment for a woman who is completely out of her depth.”

“I would suggest a visit to the stables, if you like,” he said, “then do what pleases you. I imagine there will be no shortage of Nerochian princes willing to aid you in that, damn them all.”

“They seem very nice.”

“Looks are deceiving.”

She smiled. “And what will you be doing?”

“I’m going to hunt down that lazy mage who holds the key to my life,” he said. “I’ll return as quickly as I can. I wouldn’t want to miss those delightful entertainments we have to look forward to courtesy of that empty-headed Mansourah of Neroche.”

She started to shut the door, then paused. “Be careful.”

He looked at her with absolutely no expression on his face. “I don’t think another soul has ever said that to me before,” he said quietly.