Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1)(83)
“Or to make sure Prince Castian finally finds a bride,” says the golden-haired lady, and at the realization of what she said, she covers her mouth. “My apologies, Lady Nuria, I didn’t mean anything by that.”
Lady Nuria doesn’t seem bothered at all, and simply keeps drinking her tea. How does she do that? How does she let words roll off her like water over rock?
“No apologies, Lady Roca. Despite the rumors about us, Prince Castian and I remain friends. We’ve known each other since we were infants. My husband, Judge Alessandro, is quite fond of him.”
I can’t help but think of the sealed letter Leo left in Castian’s chambers. I have a hard time believing Nuria and Castian are only friends. I wouldn’t perfume my letters to Sayida. Then again, I don’t pretend to understand the ways of royals and nobles—and Nuria’s secrecy intrigues me.
Perhaps in it lies a weakness I can exploit. Leo returns, handing me a porcelain teacup, and flashes me a warning eye.
“And where is the good judge?” Lady Soria asks. “He must have missed you terribly while you were taking in the fresh air of the Salinas coast.”
There’s a pause where everyone drinks their tea. Should I be drinking tea? Leo gestures that I should. But I spill some.
“The air is fresh in the whole of the kingdom,” Lady Nuria says amiably. “I was there speaking to an ambassador from Empirio Luzou to strengthen our relations.”
“Why ever would we need that?” Lady Roca asks, and I believe she genuinely wants to know.
“Nuria, dear, the first six months are the most blissful of a union. You shouldn’t take such long trips. Especially when the justice warns the Moria danger is not completely over.”
Lady Nuria’s beautiful lips become strained. I feel my body heat up at the words Moria danger, but I now realize this is why people drink tea during these conversations. To hide their faces in these giant cups. “Alessandro is taking up Justice Méndez’s duties while he travels to Soledad prison.”
Lady Roca gasps. “So close to the festival?”
I can’t control the frown across my forehead, even as Nuria stares at me. Méndez is going to Soledad? I remember Castian’s map had the prison circled. Is this where they’re training the Ventári? Not training, I remind myself. Breaking.
How could they risk traveling that far? Then I remember—the justice is free to take the main roads. No hiding in forests. No evading tax farmers. His route will be direct.
I lock eyes with Leo. We’ve been through enough that I hope, I pray, he will understand how much I hate being here now.
He sweeps into our space and clears his throat. Addressing Lady Nuria only, he folds himself into a bow.
“I’m afraid I must be taking Lady Renata to Justice Méndez’s workshop,” he says, with genuine regret. I don’t actually have to go there, but I will thank him profusely for helping me escape. The ladies make sounds of lament and pet the top of my head as if I’m a domesticated mutt.
“Lady Renata,” Lady Nuria says, catching up to us just out of earshot from her guests. When she stands she seems to tower over me. She hands me her fan. I take it in my gloved hand. “It’s getting hot these days. And it’s a good way to hide that constant frown of yours. You’ll have an easier time at court if you can hide what you’re truly feeling.”
I laugh at that. The fan is delicate black lace with tiny red roses on one side. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this.”
“Take it. The real reason I wanted to talk to you was to ask a favor.”
What could I give a lady like this? When I stare into her brown eyes, I see the sorrow she hides so well. “Yes?”
“I have a memory that plagues me. Would you take it from me?” Lovely brown eyelashes bat at me. It is impossible not to fall in love with her. Why would Castian have called off their engagement, then? “And don’t tell me that your hand is injured. I know quite well how Robári magics work.”
I was wrong. Lady Nuria isn’t just bold. She’s reckless. She reminds me a little of Dez. I hesitate for a moment, unsettled by what could plague a lady like Nuria. But I need all the information on Castian I can gather. That and her blackmailing, while subtle, is still laced with a threat. I wonder if her husband told her what he saw me do. But then, why not go to Méndez instead?
I bow my head to her. “Of course.”
She looks at Leo. “Please bring Lady Renata to my guest quarters for tea tomorrow afternoon.”
Leo raises a curious brow at me. “Yes, my lady.”
Before I head back to my room for the night, I stop by the kitchens for my meal and a bit of information. Everyone is talking about Lady Nuria’s arrival. Claudia says she’s kept away for three months after her wedding, but had to return to be at her husband’s side. The king must have been in a hurry to make sure the treaty with the current Duquesa of Tresoros stood. Why else rush her to marry Alessandro? I wouldn’t fault her for leaving the palace to avoid the prince.
The young maids fall over themselves to attend her. She is kind and generous with her attention. I can understand why the house staff would prefer to spend the day with her than any of the other nobles at court. I wonder what memory plagues her. My curiosity makes me jittery all through the next day.