'It is not for Princess Wei Dao?'
Tang's jaw fell. 'She dishonors Ginger Palace! I do not set place in her memory!'
Hsieh's uncovered eye narrowed in what Ruha now recognized as a well-practiced expression of displeasure.
'Wei Dao is Shou princess. Trouble she cause in Elversuit is of no consequence to Emperor, so it is appropriate to treat her as well as you treat guests.'
Before the stupefied prince could respond, the mandarin spun to face Lady Feng, who was holding Winter
Blossom on her shoulder and casting covetous glances at the golden serving platters. According to rumor, she had developed a distressing habit of sneaking off to Cypress's swamp with the Ginger Palace's finest tableware.
'I must offer condolences, Lady Feng,' Hsieh said.
'Most High Emperor sends me to invite you to Tai Tung, but your son's bad manners do not make that possible.'
Prince Tang looked first insulted, then relieved. He forced a grave expression and bowed to the mandarin.
'Please to pardon, but I never honor Wei Dao at my table.'
'Then you never return to Shou Lung.'
Tang could not keep from smiling. He turned to Ruha and asked, 'Perhaps you sit next to me? I never return to Emperor's court, so perhaps you consider becoming my Princess?'
'I-uh-Brave Prince, I don't know what to say,' Ruha stammered. Since his return from the dragon's lair, Tang had shown himself to be a gracious and gallant man, but the witch was not in love with him. 'I will be pleased to sit with you, but perhaps we should discuss the rest at another time.'
Hsieh frowned, almost angrily, and stepped toward the witch. 'Surely you accept. It is great honor to be Shou princess!'
Ruha's heart sank. Normally, the Harpers would not dictate the person she married, but these were hardly normal circumstances; Storm Silverhand would look very unfavorably on starting trouble with the Shou. The witch glanced around the room and saw Vaerana watching her icarefully, as though she expected Ruha to start a war at any moment.
It was Yanseldara who broke the silence. 'Before Ruha decides, perhaps you should give her that message, Vaerana.'
The Lady Constable rolled her eyes, then turned to Ruha. 'I almost forgot, Witch,' she said, a roguish grin upon her lips. 'Storm sent for you this morning. Some giants up in Oak Dale stole a duke's daughter, and she doesn't think anyone else can bring the girl back alive.'
Ruha did not know whether to hit Vaerana or hug her.
'When did you plan to tell me? After my wedding?'
'I don't think Storm can wait that long.' Vaerana chuckled, then took something from her pocket and pressed it into the witch's hand. It was the Harper pin Ruha had given to Captain Fowler. 'I suppose you'll be needing this.'
'I suppose I will.' Ruha pinned the signet inside her aba, then turned to Tang, who looked almost as amused as he did disappointed. 'I'm sorry, Brave Prince, but I cannot stay. You know I am a Harper, and Harpers go where they are needed.'
