The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(33)

“How do you know Maeg keeps it secret from her father?” Maia asked.

Suzenne smiled. “She has boasted of it often enough,” she answered. “She is training to be a courtier. She and I both were, which is why we were chosen as companions. Only our mothers know we can read and engrave. Both of them were Ciphers too.”

Maia nodded. “So there is a strong tradition of secrecy then. That is good. I worry that she may tell just to spite you.”

Suzenne shook her head. “She would not do that. Not in a world that slaughters its daughters for daring to read. I have been told that I must not even tell my future husband.”

“You mean Dodd?” Maia asked playfully.

Suzenne went crimson with embarrassment. “I do not yet know . . . whom I will marry.” She gazed down at her hands.

“But you love him?” Maia asked softly.

“I cannot answer that,” Suzenne whispered.

“Why not?”

“My parents have . . . they have forbidden me . . .”

Maia shook her head. “I did not ask what they had commanded you do. I only asked for your feelings. It does not take great wit or imagination to see it, Suzenne. You love him.”

The look of painful misery on Suzenne’s face said it all. Her voice was strained with anguish. “I will not say it. Words have meaning and power if you say them. I have never told anyone what I feel.”

Maia reached over and grasped Suzenne’s hand, reminded of the proverb she had read recently in the tomes. We often want one thing and pray for another, not telling the truth even to ourselves.

“I will not say it,” Suzenne repeated with determination.

“I will coax you no further,” Maia replied.

“And what of you?” Suzenne said, shifting the burden back on her. “I know your father has forbidden you to marry. Will you defy him?”

It was only fair for her friend to make her blush in return. “Mine will be a political match, I think,” she said softly, looking down.

“Were you not promised to the heir of Dahomey when you were little?” Suzenne pressed. “I remember hearing there was an alliance of some sort long ago. He was a baby. I think we were born the same year, if I recall. Prince Gideon.”

Feint Collier, Maia wanted to correct her. She sighed and leaned away from the table. “Yes, we were betrothed as infants.”

“Did you ever meet him? I know your father eventually abandoned the suit.”

“Yes, it was abandoned long ago,” Maia said, the memories beginning to churn and foam in her heart. She remembered awakening from a trance to find herself kneeling in front of a wooden altar, swearing before a Dochte Mandar that she would become the King of Dahomey’s wife. She was, she realized, ostensibly still the Queen of Dahomey—a fact that made her cringe.

“Did you meet him?” Suzenne pressed.

Maia was saved from having to answer when a firm knock sounded on the door. Eager to escape her friend’s relentless questioning, she lurched to her feet and hurried to open the door. In the hallway beyond were the Aldermaston and his wife.

“Good evening,” Maia stammered, still feeling a little flushed.

“A quick word with you both,” the Aldermaston said in a kindly voice that was at odds with his expression. He looked so solemn and grave.

Maia backed away from the door to give them room to enter. Suzenne rose from the table and quickly fetched a shawl to cover her shoulders, even though the room was stifling. Maia sent a thought to the Leering and damped down the flames. She felt awkward meeting the Aldermaston in her nightclothes, but nothing could be done about it now.

The Aldermaston’s wife closed the door.

“What is it?” Maia asked, feeling her stomach twist with anxiety.

“Ill news came on the heels of this storm,” the Aldermaston said, his voice deep and unworried. “I wanted you to know instantly, Marciana, and it is appropriate for your companion to know as well. Please sit.”

Maia was too nervous to sit, but she obeyed him and joined Suzenne back at the table. Dread had driven away their earlier frivolity.

“We received word from Comoros,” the Aldermaston continued, “that your mother, the queen, is to be interred here at Muirwood in a simple ossuary and with no ceremony. The sheriff of Mendenhall is to observe the service and no one else is permitted to attend.” His voice was so tender. “The sheriff made inquiries about Suzenne’s new companion today and pressed me for information about you. I think the rain and wet made it more difficult for him to recognize you. Be on your guard. He is cunning and persistent. He seeks to curry favor with your father by being dutiful to his orders.”

Maia’s heart panged. “So I cannot attend my mother’s interment?”

The Aldermaston shook his head no. “It would not be wise to reveal your presence at Muirwood too soon, my dear.”

“There is more,” the Aldermaston’s wife said. She gave Suzenne a sad look. “The sheriff received word today from Comoros. Celia told us this afternoon after finding the letter. One of Dodleah Price’s brothers attempted to escape Pent Tower. It was the eldest, Tobias, who had not seen his newborn babe. He was caught before he could leave the city and executed on the tower green in front of his father and the rest of his brothers.” Her voice strained with emotion. “The sheriff was given orders to account for Dodleah’s presence here at Muirwood daily. He was instructed to watch vigilantly for news of the pending executions of the rest of the Prices. If Dodleah attempts to flee, he is to be hunted and killed on the spot.”