“Lady Brynn!”A woman in rich blue burst through the crowd, flanked by servants and guards.People parted before her like sheep before a shepherd.
Brynn turned and dropped into a bow as soon as she saw who it was.“Lady Tullia.”
Guin went rigid, standing close to Brynn’s side.Esa fell silent at her back.Lena’s head dropped and she seemed to shrink into the background.
“There you are!”Tullia cried, sweeping in to catch Brynn’s hands.“You are a difficult woman to track down.Even after I sent you a spy!”At that last part, Tullia cast a knowing look to Lena.
Lena kept her head down, shoulders hunching.
Brynn wondered once again if Tullia knew Lena was Istovari.“Were you seeking me, lady?”
“It so happens I was.”Tullia came to stand beside Brynn, tucking Brynn’s arm through hers as if they were sisters or close friends.“Where has that husband of yours gotten to?”
“My husband went to meet your father this morning, I am afraid.”Brynn wondered how long he would be gone.“I do not know when he will return.”
“Late, if I were to guess.”Tullia eyed the crowd as if she was looking for someone.“My father has much to show him.”
A pit of dread seemed to open up in Brynn’s belly, but she forced her face to remain friendly.“I am sure.”
Tullia let off a Valdari curse.“So many people here.My father has built the largest fleet ever seen in Valdar.”
“You must be very proud.”Brynn offered a polite smile.“I can tell my husband you wanted to speak with him.”
“It is you I wished to speak with.”Tullia seemed to give up trying to find whoever she was looking for in the crowd.“Have you visited the bazaar yet, Lady Brynn?”
Brynn chose her next words carefully.“No, lady.I sent my men there this morning.”
“You have been working hard, it seems.”
“I dislike being idle.”Brynn had the impulse to clasp her hands together, but she tried to remain relaxed, at least on the outside.These Valdari royalty made her nervous.
Guin plopped back on her haunches, staring at Tullia with interest.She peered up at the Valdari woman and then to Brynn as if asking whether she should growl.
“Would you like me to show you?”Tullia asked.“It is not every day that I meet someone of my own station.”
“Your station?”
Tullia’s eyes sparkled.“The daughter of a king.”
Esa shifted, but remained silent as befitted her age and rank.Lena made no sound at all.She didn’t even move.She reminded Brynn of fawns that laid still in the brambles, motionless even at the approach of hounds.
What would be the correct response?Brynn could refuse and risk offending Tullia.
Again, Brynn had to wonder if Tullia knew Lena was Istovari or if it was coincidence.Was Brynn being threatened?
She wished again she’d accepted Vana’s invitation for today.Vana made Brynn uneasy, especially because she still hadn’t gotten up the courage to ask Cenric about his past with the gorgeous Valdari woman.But Brynn had allowed that to influence her decisions when Vana had made good efforts to be friends.Vana also seemed to be close with Queen Sifma.This whole situation could have been avoided if Brynn had controlled her feelings.
“That should be alright,” Brynn conceded.
“Excellent!”Tullia clapped her hands together and in that moment Brynn could see the resemblance to Ovrek.“Do you have anything to trade?”
“I sent my men to do the trading for me.”
“You sent men to do your trading?”Tullia’s brows rose in mock consternation.“You must have faith in them indeed.”
Brynn offered a wry smile.“They are sworn to die for me.The least they can do is barter for me.”
Tullia laughed at that, a great belly laugh.“Fair enough.”
