Kushiel's Chosen

belt, he withdrew the khai pendant and held it forth. "Take it, if you will, and return it to she who gave it me. I am not worthy of bearing it."
    "Hanna is gone, apostate." The Rebbe's tone was remorseless. "She has gone north, with the others. She would have given her heart to you, would you have accepted it, but you chose your own course instead."
    "I didn't know," Joscelin whispered, paling slightly. For all that I loved him, he could be a bit of an idiot about some things. The Rebbe sighed, jerking his bearded chin at the pendant in Joscelin's hand.
    "Keep it, then, and remember, how we do injury unwitting to those around us," he said sternly. "You Children of Elua are too quick to forget how the love you invoke may cut like a blade; even you, apostate. Still," he added, smiling faintly, deepset wrinkles about his eyes, "it gladdens my heart to see the both of you alive."
    It made Joscelin thoughtful, and I was not sorry for it; I remembered the pain we had dealt each other in those days. How much of it was my doing, I knew full well; I had not forgotten aught that I had undergone in the thetalos. But I had spoken with the Kore, too, and I knew we each of us bear our own careless guilts, too seldom acknowledged.
    I saw also Quintilius Rousse in the days after Ysandre's return, for he had been in Marsilikos when my letter arrived, making ready to winter his fleet; instead, he had brought them up the Aviline River to lie some few leagues south of the City, prepared to assail de Somerville's troops by water if necessary, while Roxanne de Mereliot raised an army in Eisande and Siovale. The Royal Admiral was blessedly unchanged, haranguing me mercilessly for the risks I'd taken, and hugging me in a bone-cracking embrace.
    "La Serenissima will pay," he said ominously. "See if they don't!"
    "My lord Admiral," I wheezed, still trying to catch my breath. "Despite what has happened, La Serenissima continues under the rule of Cesare Stregazza, who has pledged his alliance to Ysandre de la Courcel. It is a delicate situation, and I suspect the Queen might take it amiss if you were to exact vengeance against her orders."
    Rousse scowled at me under his brows. "I'd have razed their mother-sodding Arsenal if they'd harmed you, child, make no mistake. Besides, La Serenissima is no friend to us while they hold Melisande Shahrizai in health and comfort-there's that, eh!"
    "Yes," I said softly. "There is that."
    For it was true, and would remain so; Melisande Shahrizai-Melisande Shahrizai de la Courcel-remained alive and well in the custody of the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea. Letters were carried back and forth from the City of Elua and La Serenissima that winter. The wily old Doge professed his great joy at learning that Ysandre had retained sovereignty of the realm, but he pled impotence in light of her repeated requests for Melisande's extradition.
    I know, because Ysandre spoke candidly of these matters with me, and I received letters also from Severio Stregazza, and betimes his aunt, Allegra. Always, the news was the same: Melisande remained at the Temple, attended like a queen and seemingly content to continue thusly.
    Of her son Imriel, there was no trace.
    "How should I proceed, Phèdre?" Ysandre asked me once in a rare moment of frustration. "You tried to warn me against her, and I failed to give credence to your fears. You, who know her best-tell me now what I may expect from Melisande Shahrizai!"
    "My lady, I cannot say," I said helplessly, spreading my hands. "Melisande's plans failed, save this last avenue of retreat. If she is content to remain in the Temple-for I think it could hold her no more than Troyes-le-Mont; indeed, a good deal less-it is because whatever further plans she might spin have not yet come to fruition. It is beyond my guessing to know what those might be,"
    Ysandre gave me a wry look. "The boy stands in line for my throne. You cannot guess?"
    "To guess what is simple," I said, meeting her eyes. "The problem lies in discerning how. I swear to you, my lady, I will maintain every vigilance and report to you aught that I learn. But I make no promise."
    "It would be nice," Ysandre said mildly, "if you found the child."
    One day I would remember those words with a deep and bitter irony; then, I merely bowed my head, acknowledging my Queen's wishes. I did not offer to return to the Service of Naamah to pursue the search. I had made no decision on that score, and any mind, I didn't think Melisande would