To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson Page A

room for His Royal Highness. Prepare the adjoining rooms for his staff. And inform our other guests that dinner will be delayed."
    The servant bowed and darted away.
    Lord Eli turned to Achan. "You will join us for dinner?"
    Sir Gavin descended the dais steps. "What other guests?"
    "The future queen, her mother, and her sister."
    "You house the Hamartano women?" Sir Caleb asked.
    Lord Eli blanched. "They were traveling through on their way to Jaelport. How could I refuse such beauty? Avenis would not be pleased."
    "The future queen is whatever woman weds Gidon Hadar," Sir Caleb said, gesturing to Achan. "Esek may marry whom he pleases, but she will not be queen."
    "Quite so," Lord Eli said. "Yet it is my understanding that the best match for the king of Er'Rets is a daughter of Lord Hamartano. My seer has said as much. None are prettier than Jaelportian women, though do not tell my wife I said so." He chuckled. "Should not the king have the most beautiful wife?"
    "Jaelport is a powerful force," Sir Caleb said. "But the Hamartano family cannot be trusted. Lord Hamartano voted against the true prince and has always acted in his wife's best interests. Perhaps it's best we skip dinner tonight."
    "But he has two daughters," Lord Eli said. "Lady Mandzee has been promised to King Esek, but Lady Jaira is promised to no one. Personally, I feel Lady Jaira is the handsomer of the two. Why not come to the temple and see who Avenis would favor for the prince's bride?"
    "Never," Achan said.
    The men looked to Achan.
    "Even if I wished to marry, which I don't, I'd never marry Lady Scorn . I'll not even jest of it. Beauty is as much an inward attribute as it is physical, Lord Eli. And I've never met a more hideous beast of a woman than Jaira Hamartano."
    Lord Eli placed a hand over his heart, his wide eyes and freckled face giving him the appearance of a scared child. "Surely we are not speaking of the same creature?"
    Your Highness, Sir Caleb said to Achan's mind, do keep your charitable opinion of Lady Jaira to yourself. You do your reputation no service to speak so callously of anyone in company beyond our own.
    Sir Gavin stopped at Achan's side. "We're not yet marrying you to anyone, but we must remain open to all options." His voice boomed in Achan's head. Play along, lad, and see where this leads. Tell him we'll dine with him.
    Achan gritted his teeth but lightened his tone. "Forgive me, Lord Eli. It is only the fatigue of the road speaking, I fear. We'd be pleased to dine with you."
    Lord Eli's face brightened. "Excellent. And I insist you allow my tailor to service you with new clothing for the occasion. We must look our best or Avenis will be displeased."
    Sir Gavin jerked his head in a bow. "You're most kind."
    Achan wasn't convinced.

    * * *

    Achan's chamber was a mini great hall paneled in dark wood. The room stretched lengthwise with narrow doors for servants on each end. White crown molding edged the ceiling and lined pocket niches along the walls that held nude gilded statues. A turquoise rug covered the center of the intricately painted gold and black wooden floor.
    A colossal bedstead, centered on the wall opposite the entrance, dominated the room. It had a turquoise and gold silk canopy that tied back against four fluted wooden pillars. The carved headboard ran up the wall and held a marble bust of Avenis. At least a dozen square and round pillows of black, turquoise, or gold lay piled on the mattress itself.
    To the left of the bed , a fire burned in a marble hearth as high as Achan's head. Two massive candelabra hung from the ceiling, holding thin white candles. Fancy furnishings stood about the room: wooden chairs painted white with gold leaf flowers, half pillars holding ornate vases, paintings of half-dressed people framed in gold leaf, and ornate bronze wall sconces every three paces.
    " Delightful host." Sir Caleb removed his shield and set it against the wall. He shrugged off his pack and fell onto one of the white