“You are enamored and are only at the entranceway! Come now and meet Duir’s cousin, Lady Tienne who will marry Lord Auberon shortly.” I took his hand and placed it firmly on my shoulder. “She is quite beautiful and thinks you handsome. Do you remember her from when we were younger?”
Sylvain gripped my shoulder. “Of course I remember Tienne. Her voice is one I think of often, but she mocks me to say I am handsome. I know how I look by the way people have laughed when I pass, but I will meet her because I cannot help but want to hear her voice.”
“Come and let us meet her and perhaps I will leave you in her care while I find the musician, for I fear for him.”
Tienne was where I left her, but as we approached, so did Auberon and when he saw Sylvain behind me, he made the face of one who is about to endure something unpleasant.
“Lord Auberon and Lady Tienne.” I bowed, and Sylvain followed suit. “Surely you both remember my brother, Sylvain.”
“Sylvain?” Auberon sneered “In court? It must be a historic day indeed to be graced with his presence!”
“I am fortunate to be welcomed in King Duir’s court. God save the King,” Sylvain intoned respectfully as he rose from bowing. “Lord Auberon and Lady Tienne.” He offered his hand, to which Tienne placed her own. “It is you who smells of bergamot and tuber rose? I remember you smelled as lovely years ago when I met you in my father’s store.”
“You are a visionary, Sylvain,” Tienne cooed as he drew her hand to his lips. “I’d forgotten how clearly you see with your memory. How pleasant to see you in court after all this time. You must allow me to steal you away for a dance and let me introduce you to all the beautiful women who would swoon under your words!”
“Do I not woo you with silvered words, my love?” Auberon asked, his eyes never leaving my brother’s face.
I knew Auberon’s jealous mind well enough to know I must intervene. “Fear not, my brother told of no tales to steal the Lady Tienne from beneath your arms!”
At this, Auberon leveled his gaze upon me and smiled. “Tienne, why don’t you take Sylvain and make him known to the court. I wish a moment with Virago.”
Sylvain held his hand out to me. I clasped it tightly, then let it go. This was our sign from childhood to indicate the other was all right.
“Go and make merry, Brother.” Aware of Auberon’s glowering face, I smiled at Tienne. “Mind him well, for I worry some witch-woman may steal him away!”
Tienne smirked and drew Sylvain from my side. “He is in the hands of a lady, and will be treated as my guest.” She winked coyly at me before taking her leave.
Auberon snatched her to him, forcing her to drop Sylvain’s hand and kissed her roughly.
“A blind man may know how to honey you with words, but words are no substitute for actions.”
These sharp words would have cut anyone else, but Sylvain, knowing the arrogance of Duir and his men, merely bowed. “You are a much better man than I, My Lord, if your actions can secure the beauty of one such as the Lady Tienne.”
Auberon’s face grew dour, but before he could say more, Tienne interrupted. “Virago, be sure and quiz Auberon about his wishes for his wedding vests. Duir has approved my request to have you as the men’s tailor. I insisted he allow you to use the new fabric you employed for his coronation vest! What is the material called?”
“It is velvet, My Lady.” I thought I could hear music beginning to swell from the depths of the room.
“It is a fantasy, and if I could, I would have my wedding dress made in it! It is like the hide of a magical beast!” She laughed at this foolish comparison and seeing Auberon’s unsmiling face, took Sylvain by the hand and led him from us and into the crowd.
Alone, Auberon’s mood lightened, but I could sense a strange heaviness between us.
“What is it?” I asked, cautious of my own words in his presence.
“Come, let us skirt the crowds and make our way to the throne. Duir did not see you at the coronation ceremony.”
I had to practically walk on top of his boots to hear him.
“The King must know I have worked tirelessly on his garment and am bone weary and sought the comfort of my bed for a short time. It is not my place to be by his side, Auberon. You know this as well as he, and it is time I recognize my own position in this court. It was one thing when he was Prince to have his tailor at his heel, it is another when he is King and I am not part of his privy council as are Briar, Cale and you.” I stopped talking when we reached the edge of the crowd and we sought space behind a large pillar.
“I don’t understand you, Virago. Have you lost your senses? You leave the castle after Duir instructed you not to do so for fear of having his coronation vest stolen or exposed. You don’t attend him at his coronation because you say you are tired?”
“My Lord, I—” Before I could say more, Auberon interrupted me.
“And what of this, My Lord, My Lady?”
“It has been made clear to me my position in this court, Auberon. Painfully clear. In fact, if I am merely the tailor, I shall regard those above me as one in my position should.” I heard the callousness in my voice and saw the way my words struck Auberon. His face hardened as though he wished to strike me.
“Is this because of the musician?”
If my words struck him, this question was like a cold knife to my
