The Ciphers of Muirwood (22 page)

“Do you have any questions?” Maia asked softly, staring at him in spite of herself. His eyes were so blue, they reminded her of the flowers nearby. The forget-me-nots. Collier’s raw attractiveness both pierced and alarmed her. All her life she had distrusted handsome men. A man like him would catch the eye of many ladies . . . would he even be capable of fidelity?

“I have many questions,” he said guardedly. “But I cannot trust answers from you. I must seek them from other sources. From other harbors.” He turned away from her and walked over to the wall. “You are either incredibly devious or utterly sincere. Or . . . quite possibly . . . both, depending on who is . . .” He regarded her significantly and tapped his forehead.

“I am myself right now,” Maia said resolutely, her insides twisting with suppressed feelings. “And I hope to be myself forever after. That is why I seek to become a maston.”

“Yes, I know,” he said in almost a pained voice. He shook his head. “I never wanted to marry a maston. Too sanctimonious. Too many scruples. Too . . . good. I admired my father as a man. He was a king-maston and he taught me to trust the Medium and surrender my will to it.” He grit his teeth in frustration. “To what end? He was vanquished by the King of Paeiz. His coffers were gutted by a ruthless neighbor seeking more land. Half of Dahomey is cursed anyway, and fighting border wars is tedious business. I crave land. I crave power. I already told you this, and I thought we had an understanding between us.”

She saw his ambition again, saw the gleam in his eye that said he would not be satisfied without conquest. It repelled her sensibilities.

“What good are fortunes and land when so many of your people are suffering in poverty, Collier?” Maia responded.

“What good is giving alms after you have given away everything and they are
still
poor?” he retorted. “You said in your letter that you seek to marry a maston. I am not one. I do not believe in Idumea. I think our forefathers chained our minds with their practices and beliefs. But let us suspend our opposing doctrines for a moment and say, just for argument’s sake, that you are the girl described in your letter. I assume you still do not want me to overthrow your father?”

Maia nodded once, briefly, and braced herself for his incredulity. The truth was, she was sorely conflicted, and each time she heard more about her father’s depredations, the feeling only worsened. But unless the Medium commanded her to, she would not depose him. Collier was the kind of man who could do that, but would he risk
becoming
like the man he despised in doing so?

“Of course not!” he said with a harsh chuckle. “So if I continue to uphold our marriage, I have shackled myself to a girl with no ambition and a father-in-law who is quite likely the most lecherous and tyrannical ruler in history! Yet I cannot topple him and do the kingdoms and you a favor.” He threw up his hands in frustration. “I have married a girl who is a simpleton, who would plead peace against logic . . . and thus thwart me in achieving my goals. To make matters even more insufferable, she is beautiful, and yet they say her kiss is death.” His jaw trembled with suppressed emotion. He breathed in heavily through his nose, calming himself deliberately. He shook his head wonderingly. “By what power,
Wife
, do you allure me? For I am half tempted, darling, to prove it wrong right now. I do not believe a kiss will be fatal, despite what the tomes say. If I am wrong . . . maybe I deserve to die.”

He took a step toward her, his gaze both a challenge and a question.

Maia shrank and retreated. “No, Collier,” she said, shaking her head to clear her own mind. Her heart thundered in her ears. How she wanted to kiss him. She could feel the temptation twisting inside of her. But she knew what would happen if she relented. She knew from personal experience that he was wrong, that a hetaera’s kiss was deadly. She still grieved for the dead Aldermaston of Cruix Abbey.

The sound of a rickety cart could be heard approaching the garden, could be heard as Collier stopped in front of her. Beyond the wall, Maia heard her grandmother’s voice greeting Thewliss warmly.

Collier stood in front of her, trembling, his eyes fixed on her face. A half-mocking smirk twisted his mouth. “You have not told your father yet about our marriage.”

“I have not,” she whispered. “Few know.”

He nodded. “Good.”

She closed her eyes, feeling sick inside. “What are your intentions?” she asked him. She desperately wanted to hear a rejection of the plans for him and Murer.

He pursed his lips and shook his head. “That you will have to learn for yourself, just as I must learn for myself who you truly are.”

Collier started toward the wall to escape, but stopped himself. He glanced at her over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming. “You are not very good at making allies,” he said simply. “You offend Crabwell and then scold Carew. Maybe you truly are this naïve.” His eyes narrowed. “I may be slightly younger than you, but do not underestimate me. I cannot trust you, Maia. Nor should you trust me. We are allies at the moment. But that may change come Whitsunday.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Princess of Comoros

W
hen Maia was reunited with Suzenne at the Aldermaston’s kitchen, she could tell her friend had experienced something transforming. Her countenance had altered, and her eyes were filled with a wisdom that had not been there before. The kitchen was tumultuous with preparations for Whitsunday, but the whirl seemed to still as their eyes met.

Suzenne set down her dish and hurried to Maia, brushing strands of Maia’s dark hair away from her forehead. “What happened to you last night?” she whispered, bringing Maia with her to a secluded spot beneath the loft. Sabine, who had come in with Maia, nodded at Suzenne and smiled, then greeted the two kitchen girls with hugs and accepted breakfast from them. Collett oversaw the kitchen bustle while sternly punching a mound of dough at a nearby table.

“The Medium forbade me to enter.” Maia lowered her eyes, her stomach still churning from the confrontation with Collier. She was tired as well, from not sleeping that night, and her clothes were damp and uncomfortable.

“Oh, Maia,” Suzenne whispered. “I was afraid it was something else. That . . . you were feeling . . . tempted.”

Maia shook her head. “I have felt nothing like that since coming to Muirwood,” she replied.

“But why is that? You went to another abbey before.”

“I know. There is something different about Muirwood. There are protections here that Lia set up on these grounds all those years ago. The Myriad Ones cannot trouble me here. But I have no illusion that they
will
trouble me should I leave.” She sighed in misery. “I had really hoped I would be allowed to take the test last night.” She tried to smile through a frown. “But what about you, Suzenne? You passed it. I can see it in your eyes.”

Suzenne nodded timidly and clasped Maia’s hands. She was silent for several moments, choosing her words carefully. “It was like nothing I expected,” she said falteringly. “I cannot describe it. There is little that compares to the sensation. The knowledge I gained there is forbidden to write in tomes. But more important than the knowledge is the . . . feeling. Maia, I have never felt so close to the Medium before. It is a beautiful reminder and a privilege to wear the chaen.” She touched her bodice reverently. “What I do not understand now is how anyone could experience the rite and walk away from it. How could they break the vows they made? I shudder to think of it.”

“You mean my father,” Maia said in a sad voice.

Suzenne waved her hand. “Not just the king . . . all those who insinuate themselves in the high court. Men like the new Earl of Forshee and the Aldermaston of Augustin! How can he replace our Aldermaston without the High Seer’s approbation?” She bit her lip. “Now that I have felt the Medium so powerfully . . . their actions are incomprehensible to me.”

Maia patted her hand. “Is it so hard to understand, Suzenne? We see it among the Ciphers. These are girls the Medium has trusted to learn and engrave. Yet despite all the tomes they have read and the principles they have been taught, for some the words remain only on aurichalcum . . . they do not enter the heart.” Maia smoothed some of her own hair over her shoulder. “The Medium only has imperfect people to do its will. I am afraid that has always been the case. I can only hope it will accept me as one of them.”

Suzenne looked her deep in the eyes. “Maia, you have survived troubles I can only wonder at. I was worried about you when you did not come to the abbey last night. I have been worried sick.”

Maia smiled at the sentiment. “My grandmother suggested holding vigil instead.”

“You have not slept then? No wonder you look so weary! I took it all for disappointment. How silly I am. I think that is wise, and I shall hold vigil with you as well. Whitsunday is two days from now. We will keep each other awake whatever the cost.”

“Thank you,” Maia said, feeling her love blossom wider for the other girl. “You are a true friend.”

Suzenne reached out, and they embraced. There was a soothing balm in the compassion of a friend. When Maia pulled back she sighed. “And I encountered Collier in the garden this morning.”

Maia quickly related the extent of their short meeting. Suzenne covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief. “How that must have pained you,” she whispered, fidgeting.

Maia agreed. “He thinks me either devious or utterly naïve. He is still very angry.”

Suzenne sought to reassure her. “But not quite so much as last time. Your letter helped, I think.”

“Did it?” she replied with a hint of despair. “And yet . . . mark how you have your Dodd. A maston himself, and the two of you will be bound by irrevocare sigil. That is all that I have wanted for myself from childhood, even though my parents’ marriage was full of sorrow. Collier took the maston test, but he failed it deliberately. He did not want to be bound to do the Medium’s will. He has his own ambitions.”

Suzenne touched her arm gently. “If I were to give you any advice on passing the maston test, Maia, it is trust. You know the game that children play . . . the one where they fall backward and are caught by someone else? Trusting the Medium is somewhat like that. You cannot see it behind you, but you know it will not let you fall.” She smiled into Maia’s eyes. “Believe that you will not fail . . . as I do.”

Davi approached with a steaming bowl, offering it urgently. “Eat quickly, Maia. The Aldermaston’s wife just sent Owen here to fetch the two of you. You must come to the manor at once.”

All of the Ciphers had gathered in secret in the Aldermaston’s study and the tension in the room was as heavy as smoke. The murmuring and fidgeting caused chittering sounds like birdsong throughout the chamber. Finally the Aldermaston’s wife had to clear her throat to quiet them all.

“Please, girls,” she said calmly. “I know you are nervous. I must share news. Celia, who has been reading the sheriff’s messages for us while doing his laundry, has informed me that the sheriff has heard from Lady Deorwynn, offering him an earldom if he will support her against the chancellor.”

There was a gasp as this was spoken, and Joanna, the Aldermaston’s wife, patiently held up her hand for silence. Eyes turned to Maeg with astonishment, and the girl could not smother a smug look. “Please, let me finish. When the nobles arrive, there will, of course, be a great deal of posturing, negotiations, and alliances made and broken. Do
not
let this distract you from our purpose.” She began to pace amidst the girls. “Keep your ears open. Learn what you can from our guests, who are arriving by the hour. Lady Deorwynn and her children arrived last night, and we expect the king and his retinue later today. And Maeg, your father, the sheriff, is Chancellor Crabwell’s sworn man, so I would not get my hopes up too soon.”

Maeg nodded demurely, but Maia could see the fire of ambition in her eyes.

“Lady Deorwynn also sent word to me that she seeks a new lady-in-waiting.”

Again, the girls gasped at the news.

“Jayn!”

“Is she dismissing Jayn?”

“Oh my!”

“She is not dismissing Jayn,” Joanna reassured them. “Please, you must bridle your passions, girls. Many of you will take the maston test today, and I know you are nervous. These are exciting times for certain, but we must not let our excitement distract us from what is truly important—the Covenant of Muirwood. Jayn Sexton is still one of Lady Deorwynn’s ladies-in-waiting. The new post is for her daughter, Lady Murer. Lady Murer is under negotiations to wed the King of Dahomey, so this position would require girls who can speak Dahomeyjan and are willing to go there if chosen.”

Silence struck the room at last. The Aldermaston’s wife nodded solemnly and her birdlike frame seem to be forged of iron as she paced in front of the girls. Some eyes glanced at Maia, for all knew that she was the best at speaking languages and many of them had sought her coaching. Maeg went pale with jealousy, but Maia was too agitated to care. She felt Suzenne’s fingers tighten against her arm, offering quiet consolation.

“Now, Lady Deorwynn seeks an audience with the girls from the noble Families right away. Haven Proulx, Maergiry Baynton, Suzenne Clarencieux, and Joanna Stay—you will prepare to meet with Lady Deorwynn immediately.” She paused and then looked straight at her. “And Maia. Lady Deorwynn asked for you specifically,” she added in a soft voice.

They were given a short amount of time to change clothes, put on jewels if they desired, and primp themselves. A knot had twisted inside of Maia’s stomach at the news, and she felt her cheeks growing hot with anger, shame, and weakness at the thought of seeing Lady Deorwynn again. That woman was on the abbey grounds at this very moment, along with her daughters and sons. Her father’s sons. Maia clenched her fists. The boys were not to blame for their sire, nor for their parents’ disastrous upheaval of Comoros. Suzenne looked uncomfortably at Maia out of the corner of her eye. Out of all of the girls, Suzenne was the most fluent in Dahomeyjan, yet she was also the most unwilling to live abroad.

“I will not leave Dodd,” Suzenne vowed as they combed through their hair again. Maia was too distracted to pick proper attire, so Suzenne helpfully chose something more formal for her to wear. Before long, a knock sounded to retrieve them, and they clutched each other’s hands as they followed Owen to an audience chamber where the guests awaited them.

Maia felt her knees shaking with trepidation, and try as she might to calm herself, she could not. The Aldermaston’s wife awaited the girls who had been summoned, outside the room, watching rather nervously as they all gathered together. Maeg was so heavily painted she looked otherworldly in her beauty. Haven was a pretty girl, though not a beauty, but her sneer matched her friend’s. Maia stared down at the floor, chafing with discomfort, praying that the Medium would preserve her from the viper’s fangs. The door opened, and they were at last admitted.

The first person Maia saw upon entering was Collier, which stretched her nerves even more tightly. He was dressed in all his royal attire today. She recognized his jeweled doublet, black and sparkling with eye-catching gems. He was freshly shaven, his jaw firm and smooth, displaying a statuesque grace. Only his blue eyes moved toward her as she entered, but then she noted a small smirk tug one corner of his mouth. His gaze was challenging, and Maia had to look away, unable to bear his gaze in this moment. To his left stood Lady Deorwynn, standing with hands clasped formally up near her bosom, left hand over right like a dignified salute. Behind her was a train of young women wearing gowns identical to the one Maia had once worn. The ladies were all young, none older than twenty-five, none even close to Deorwynn’s age—a few years shy of forty.

Lady Deorwynn wore the strain of her marital relationship in her eyes and the set of her lips; otherwise not a single stray hair was out of place. She wore a gown shimmering with gold thread, which easily cost ten thousand marks. She wore a diadem with a huge ruby inset, and there were more jewels and rings at her wrists and throat. Her elegant finery cast a shadow over her young ladies, making her resemble a single blossom amongst the weeds—the intended effect, no doubt. Lady Deorwynn sought to exert her power over those around her through every possible means.

Maia’s heart faltered as she took in the sight of Murer standing to Collier’s right. Dressed in a gown almost as exquisite as her mother’s, she was clasping his arm possessively and looking superbly satisfied with herself. Dear Aldermaston Syon was farther back, by the wall, speaking in low tones to his steward, Tomas, who looked solemn and nodded deferentially to whatever orders he had been given.

“Well, well, these are surprisingly pretty girls,” Lady Deorwynn said in a breezy yet brittle voice. “I was expecting pastier skin due to the swampy climate here in Muirwood. Does the sun never shine, I wonder?” She chuckled disdainfully. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Maia, but she offered no verbal acknowledgment.

“Thank you, my dear Joanna,” Lady Deorwynn continued, bowing respectfully to the Aldermaston’s wife, “for bringing your brightest girls. I understand that they have been taught to embroider, play musical instruments, speak languages, dance in the latest styles, run multiple households, and manage servants. Fine qualifications indeed. But only the best will be worthy to serve
my
daughter, the Lady Murer. She may be a queen herself someday, I dare suggest”—and here she gave Collier a simpering smile that made Maia want to retch—“so we must choose someone who will show the foreign courts what treasures of beauty and grace exist in Comoros.”