Lord's Fall (Elder Races #5)(30)

She said in Eva’s head, I’m in so far over my head in so many ways, I don’t even know where shore is anymore.

Steady on, Tinker Bell, Eva said calmly. Man shits like anybody else do.

She did not just hear that. Her poise, having already grown precarious, splintered. She bent sharply at the waist and leaned her hands on her knees. Vaguely she was aware of a ripple of reaction passing through the others.

A strong, brown hand curled around her bicep and gripped her hard. “There’s no need to be alarmed,” Eva said crisply. “She just isn’t much of a rider. She has been suffering from a leg cramp, that’s all.”

Captain Psycho’s speech was polished, educated, and her grammar beautifully correct. And damn that woman, she could lie. Pia’s truthsense insisted on Eva’s sincerity.

“Yes, I’m all right,” Pia said hoarsely. She kept it simple, not even attempting to match Eva’s duplicity. “My apologies.” She told Eva, You’re pure f**king evil, and I hate you passionately.

I know, my bitch goddess too hot for some to handle, Eva said. Even in her telepathic voice, she sounded complacent.

SHUT UP.

Opposite Eva, Beluviel took Pia’s other arm for support as she straightened. The consort’s wide gaze was warm with concern. Beluviel asked, “Are you able to walk?”

“Yes, thank you,” Pia said.

“Other issues need my attention,” Calondir said. “I’ll take my leave now.”

Pia saw everything she had worked for slipping through her fingers as the High Lord turned away.

Anger sparked. Sure, an upcoming visit from Numenlaurians must be hugely important, but the Elves had invited her first, dammit.

She said, “Sir.”

Calondir paused to look back at her, one eyebrow raised in imperious inquiry.

In the end, she spoke as plainly as she had several months ago when she had first addressed him. “I know you are very busy, and you have a great deal on your mind. That is why I was so honored at your invitation. I’ve made it my priority to visit despite the distance and the important developments occurring in my own demesne.” She knew the original invitation had come from Beluviel, but just as Dragos had to agree to the visit, Calondir had to have put his stamp of approval on it, and she couldn’t afford to let him wriggle out of granting her an audience. People in the Wyr demesne needed for her to succeed at reestablishing trade agreements. She finished, “I hope you might find time for a short talk.”

He regarded her unsmilingly, then inclined his head. “Thank you for your effort in making the journey. I appreciate your dedication and hope you have a restful evening. Good night.”

Argh, that was it? No promise to talk later? Just a dismissal? What the f**k? Pia’s lips tightened as Calondir turned his back to her again and walked away.

She looked at Beluviel. The consort stared after Calondir, her posture stiff. “Ferion and Linwe,” said the consort, “would you kindly show Pia and her people to their rooms?”

“Of course,” Ferion said immediately.

Pia looked around to discover who Linwe was. She found the blue-haired Elven girl standing just behind the consort. The girl bounced a little on the balls of her toes. After Calondir’s Powerful, mature presence and tension-filled greeting, Linwe’s blue-tipped hair seemed cheerfully barbaric. The sight lifted Pia’s spirits quite unreasonably.

Beluviel said to Pia, “Please don’t hesitate to tell either Ferion or Linwe if there is anything that you or your group requires. Perhaps if you are interested, one of them can show you around tomorrow. In the meantime I will say good evening as well.”

After the warmth and support Beluviel had shown over the last two days, her abrupt departure on top of Calondir’s rebuff felt like a slap in the face. Pia didn’t know if she was angry or just confused. She did know she didn’t trust herself to speak. She gave the consort a curt nod.

Beluviel hesitated, dark gaze searching Pia’s expression. Then the consort said telepathically, Forgive me for bringing you all this way only to abandon you this evening. The emissary from Numenlaur arrived this afternoon, several days earlier than expected, and their mission is one of some urgency. Calondir and I are needed elsewhere at the moment.

The emissary was already here? No wonder Calondir looked less than thrilled at her arrival. This trip was rapidly going from bad to worse.

I understand, Pia said, because in the end there was nothing else she could say.

I will be in touch. Rest well. Beluviel brushed her cheek with cool lips and followed in Calondir’s footsteps, her long stride rapid.

Pia bit back her impatience. It had been another long, frustrating day. Her back ached like a bastard, and no matter how much she wanted it, she couldn’t expect an instant resolution to any of the issues that had brought her here. At the rate things were going, she might not even get a chance to talk with Calondir at all.

At least this meant she could go to bed soon, right?

That thought did not exactly put her in a more cheerful mood. She and Dragos had too much unresolved between them. But the interminable day was nearly over, which meant she could hope to get on a better footing with him. Missing him had turned into a deep ache, only now she didn’t just miss his physical presence. She also desperately, fiercely missed their lack of rapport.

She turned to Ferion, who regarded her with a faint smile. “Lady, please forgive our preoccupation with other matters,” he said. “Your visit deserves better than this. It is good to see you again.”