Duir sighed loudly, then went to the large window looking out over the gardens we both loved. “Ahh, so it will soon be. I will be attended by everyone and surrounded by people all the time.” He folded his arms across his chest and cast his eyes upward at the sky as if thinking of something far away.
I remained silent. Duir was rarely morose, and when he was, it foretold trouble.
He must have felt my unease, for he left the window and a familiar smile spread across his handsome face.
“Ignore me, friend, and show me what you have brought.” He wore only braises and the cotton had been woven so fine, I could see the outline of his cock and the dark thatch of hair above it.
I went and gathered the velvet-heavy pack to my lap. “The strangest thing has happened.”
“Oh, a strange thing? Indeed, show me. I’m hungry for a surprise.” Duir crouched and leaned an elbow on my thigh.
I could smell his freshly washed skin. Horace had anointed him in an oil of Frankincense and the smell only intensified as he drew closer.
I swallowed hard, reached a hand inside the pack, and was pleased to find the touch of the velvet quieted my longings.
“Yes, well, more an odd occurrence. A messenger came to the shop the other day and delivered wares ordered by my father before he died.”
Duir stared up at me. “What has this to do with me?”
Instead of answering, I removed the length of purple velvet from the sack and laid it across Duir’s shoulder.
“This is what I will make your coronation vest from.” I wanted to say more but resisted.
Duir lifted the fabric from his body and studied its richness. “It feels unlike anything I have known before. What is the name of such magnificence?”
It was the first time I could remember Duir being awed.
“It is velvet,” I said in an equally hushed voice.
He looked from the fabric to me. “It is a shame your father never knew of its arrival.”
I could only nod when words failed to find my voice.
“I will wear it in his honor and the honor of my own father, and I will honor you if you make me a garment from it.” Duir took my hand, clasped it in his, and pulled me into his embrace.
I was grateful when he patted me on the back and released me.
“Does anyone know of your discovery?”
I shook my head. “Only my brother and I. I wanted you to be the first. The very moment I saw it, I knew you should wear a vest of purple for your coronation.”
“You say purple as if there are other colors. Is there more than one hue? How much do you have, Virago?”
I hesitated.
Don’t tell…secret…don’t tell him!
The velvet undulated like a serpent
“There is purple only, but there is an ample amount.”
How easily you lie to your friend and king!
The velvet slithered in his grasp as though it longed to return to me.
My mouth longed to cry: Tell me your secrets!
Had I said them aloud?
Before we could say more to one another, we heard voices from the hall. We both listened.
“It is Auberon and the others,” Duir hastened. “Listen to me. You must use your father’s old workroom to compose my vest. I trust not your shop for secrets.”
There were loud raps on the door.
“I will be the first to wear this velvet and none other before me, or they shall know death because of it. I may have been drunk when I swore this to you the other night, but leave it to you to see me through on such a vow.” He rose and reluctantly returned the velvet to me.
“What of Auberon’s wedding? He has asked me to make his vest and the vests of his men, which shall be Briar, Cale, and you.”
“I must think on this, Virago. Do your work, and let me ponder the laws of sumptuary and how best to manipulate them. For now, you must tell no one else of this and entreat your blind brother to keep his tongue or he shall know more than blindness as a sorrow.”
There was more pounding on the doors.
I stood, angered by his words towards Sylvain, but knew better than to attack Duir in the obvious ways. “Wait,” I rushed after him as he strode towards the doors. “If I am to work and complete your vest in time, I must have my brother’s aid. I ask he be granted permission to come to court and assist in my labors.”
Duir reached the door, but stopped. “Ahh, Virago, so you must always be the wiser. I have no care whether Sylvain comes to court. His unwillingness to be in my presence alone stopped him. Bring him and I will pay him as I pay you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace, you are kind to—”
But I didn’t finish. An ominous shift in Duir’s presence made me regret asking for Sylvain.
His face took on a stormy countenance and his eyes narrowed. “Kindness is weakness! I have bid you make me a coronation vest and you challenge me with a bargain?”
Silence begged my words to be still. The velvet begged my body to strike with a seductive, hissing voice.
Must you always bow to his madness? Show him you do not bow to madness!
My fists tightened until the blood throbbed like a war drum’s incessant thrumming.
Luckily, the pounding on the doors resumed and the storm threatening Duir’s atmosphere passed. My hands relaxed. I could only indulge one impulse and I chose silence.
Duir turned from me and went to the doors. He stopped before them, raised his hands so they rested on the massive structures. “Fail to amaze me in this task and you will both be dismissed from court. I, too, can be wily as a fox.”
He opened the doors and was greeted by Auberon, Briar, and Cale. I could see Horace beyond shaking his head with disdain.
Chapter 6
I arrived home to
