Blood, Honor and Dreams (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #2)

“Would you be upset if I were?” Sovaesh asked, and the question gave him pause.

Sitting quietly, Truce contemplated it and slowly shook his head. “I have no wish to see my father dead. I would greatly prefer finding a way to talk him out of this current situation,” he said finally and wondered if he shouldn’t be calling for guards. It would be the proper thing to do, he knew. If Sovaesh was plotting against his father it needed to be stopped now.

“If it makes you feel better I have no intention of making a move now. I simply do not like the direction things are going,” Sovaesh said, drawing Truce once more from his thoughts.

“I can’t say that I do either. I think war is the last thing we need with the difficulties in Gaelyn. And truly I cannot understand why there is such a fuss over your daughter-in-law. She is just a simple girl. I don’t see how she could be a threat at all.” He paused thoughtfully and smiled at Sovaesh. “You know, I met her at Finn’s wedding. She seemed sweet and shy. I have no idea what Cassia has against her.”

“Jealousy,” Sovaesh said simply, letting the single word hang.

Truce stared at him for a moment and shook his head slowly. “Why would Cassia be jealous over a girl with no money or station?” he asked finally, realizing Sovaesh had no intention of elaborating.

“My son used your sister like a whore and then married this girl. Shade catered to this girl’s every whim and shunned Cassia. Half of the high lord children live in the same hall as Jala and love her. Now tell me, why should your sister be jealous?” Sovaesh explained slowly as if speaking to an imbecile.

“Well when you put it that way …,” Truce muttered and let his words trail off. He truly hadn’t considered it in that light. Cassia was prideful. It was no wonder this girl’s presence was pricking her ego. “But what do you want from me, Sovaesh? I can’t stop Cassia any more than I can my father. Cass is his golden child,”

“I want you to do everything you can today to steer your family in another direction. I want you to soothe your sister and I want you to get your family to leave my son alone,” Sovaesh said, his tone definitely holding a note of anger. “I am a patient man, Truce, but I am quickly losing my patience with the Avanti,” he added, and nodded to Truce before turning on his heels and leaving the way he had come.

“Wonderful,” Truce muttered as he watched the Assassin disappear into the house. “And for my next Miracle, the Barrier will fall.”

Standing slowly he shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the immense windows of the dining hall. Guests would be arriving any time now and he would need to be inside to greet them. It wasn’t a task he looked forward to at all. He knew for a certainty that Lord Morcaillo would be there and the man had been acting odd lately. It was also likely that Lord Rivasa would be there as well and Truce had never cared much for the man or his sons. With a resigned sigh, he headed back to the house and opened the doors just as the opposite doors were opening with the first guest. Freezing in his tracks, Truce stared at the woman for a brief moment in absolute shock. She was the last person he had expected to see. She was examining the room with a critical eye. The long black skirts of her high collared gown brushed lightly against the marble causing a rustle with her every move. “High Lady Nerathane, what an honor to have you here,” Truce called and walked toward her with a smile.

Turning her dark eyes on him, she raised a slender copper eyebrow, her expression doubtful. “Why am I being greeted by an heir and not the High Lord?” she asked, her high voice grating to his ears.

“I’m afraid my father is not available yet. He is an extremely busy man. I assure you he will be down shortly,” Truce said keeping his voice pleasant. Bowing before her he kissed the back of her hand lightly, fully expecting the pale flesh to be cold to the touch. She was certainly cold enough in personality.

“I see,” she replied in disapproval and carefully pulled her hand away, glancing down at the plentitude of rings as if she expected one to be missing.

Ignoring the insult, Truce smiled and motioned toward the table. “Perhaps you would care for some refreshments,” he offered with a smile.

She looked over the table fleetingly and shook her head ever so slightly. Raising a hand to assure herself that her coppery hair was still up despite the movement, she sighed at him. “No, I don’t think so. Why don’t you busy yourself somewhere else, child.” Waving a hand at him as if dismissing a servant, she walked toward one of the wide windows.

Truce nodded slightly and bit his tongue. Keeping the smile plastered on his face was getting more difficult by the moment. The sound of the door opening again drew his attention away from the high lady. His mood sank even further as the dark haired man stepped through. He was perhaps six foot and more heavily muscled than the typical High Lord, but then one would expect the High Lord of the Seravae to be muscled. He was, after all, a renowned Soulblade. “What the hell,” Truce muttered under his breath and bowed low to the new arrival. “High Lord Jexon, what an honor. May I be the first to welcome you to the Avanti house?” Truce called in greeting.

Jexon snorted in amusement at Truce and raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing servant today?” he asked, his voice deep and cynical.

“I’m honored to attend my father’s guests until he can arrive,” Truce answered, fighting to keep his expression pleasant and idly wished he had ordered Sovaesh to stay. Having the household Assassin in the room would likely have kept the guests more cordial.

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