She felt his pride in her, and a certain feeling of awe, which, she thought hotly, would never do.
She reached up to take hold of the long tail of his hair, pulling his face down to hers.
“Kiss me,” she commanded.
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Liaden 11 - Mouse and Dragon
Chapter Twenty-Six
Balance must be maintained in all things. Debts must be paid promptly and in full.
—From the Liaden Code of Proper Conduct
“Good morning, Mr. dea'Gauss. I hope I find you well?”
There were in Daav's office, downstairs, he in the chair and she standing behind, both within range of the screen.
Mr. dea'Gauss inclined his sleek head. “Good morning, your lordship; my lady. I am perfectly well, I thank you.”
“Excellent,” Daav murmured. “Please forgive me for accosting you in this uncivilized manner. My only excuse is that we are summoned in a hour to Lady yo'Lanna's side, and I have something rather urgent for you to undertake on Korval's behalf.”
“Of course, your lordship. I stand ready to assist, as ever.”
“I will be brief. Pilot Caylon has found a simple solution to our dilemma of yesterday, sir. She suggests that she and I sign as lifemates before the world, and thus place Mizel beyond distress.”
Mr. dea'Gauss blinked, and raised his eyes to Aelliana's.
“Yes,” she told him, with a smile. “It must be so, Mr. dea'Gauss. If you please.”
“Few things which I have undertaken in the service of Korval have pleased me so much, my lady. I will, of course, make this my first priority.” He gave a seated bow. When he had straightened again, he looked to Daav.
“Korval will offer the life-price of a first class pilot, and a scholar expert?”
Aelliana stirred, meaning to say that it was too much; she had been a scholar expert during her whole adult life. Had matters fallen otherwise, she supposed she would have remained a scholar expert until Mizel's Ring passed and the new delm had made her a whore.
Daav inclined his head. “Korval seeks to place value appropriately. We have no reason to stint Mizel and every reason to be generous.”
“Very good,” Mr. dea'Gauss murmured. “This business ought to take no more than a few hours. It is perfectly possible that I will have the concluded contract in hand this afternoon.”
“We will come to you,” Daav said, “when Lady yo'Lanna releases us. Pilot Caylon had been wanting to visit the shops in any case.”
Oh, had I? Aelliana frowned down at the top of his head, which was as helpful as one might expect. When she looked back to the screen it seemed to her that Mr. dea'Gauss was smiling.
“Very good, your lordship,” he said. “I will set to work immediately. Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning, Mr. dea'Gauss,” she said.
The screen went dark.
“Why do I want to visit the shops in Solcintra?” Aelliana asked.
Daav spun 'round in his chair and smiled up at her.
“Why, to purchase a dress worthy of Lady Kareen's formal gather, of course! I advise that you place yourself entirely into Eyla dea'Lorn's hands.”
Aelliana sighed lightly.
“Who is Eyla dea'Lorn and how shall I find her?”
“She is an artist, and I will guide you to her, directly we have concluded our business with Mr. dea'Gauss.” He tipped his head, his smile broadening into a grin.
“Where will you wish to go for our honey-trip, Aelliana? The mountains or the sea?”
“Do you know?” she said reflectively. “I think I had considered the trip to Avontai our honey-trip. Though I should,” she admitted, “like to see an ocean.”
Daav's grin twisted a bit. “Have you never been to the sea?”
“No, never,” she said, and touched his cheek, reading ebullience, relief, delight . . . “I was waiting for you to take me there, you see.”
“Then I shall,” he answered more seriously than perhaps the moment warranted, and came to his feet.
“Come, let us collect your guest-gift and be on our way! It will never do to be late!”
