Naamah's Blessing

murmur of interest ran through the theater.
    After the space of a few heartbeats, he overbalanced and dropped back to the floor. “Like so. If you had a proper pole, you could do this.” Setting down his staff, he went into a handstand, then assumed the same pose as before. From there, Bao levered himself to a horizontal position, still balancing on one hand.
    The adepts applauded.
    “It is to show strength and grace.” He got to his feet, dusting chaff from his hands. “A slower kind of art, I think.”
    “I like it,” Antoine said. “What other kinds of tumbling artistry do you not see practiced here, messire?”
    Bao smiled at him. “I am not sure I should give away all my secrets for free.”
    The second of Eglantine House returned his smile. “Mayhap we might come to an… arrangement.”
    “Oh, indeed.” Bao tilted his head. “I think the young princess Desirée would very much enjoy seeing tumblers. Mayhap Eglantine House’s troupe could arrange a special performance in honor of the occasion the King announced today?”
    Antoine raised his brows. “Thus implying our support?”
    Bao shrugged. “I am a stranger here. Is it customary for a troupe to question an invitation to perform for royalty?”
    “No.” The other laughed. “No, it is not. Can you guarantee this royal invitation? I’m not aware that his majesty has a fondness for the art.”
    “I can,” I said promptly. “I cannot promise that his majesty himself will attend it, but I am sure he will issue the invitation if I ask him.”
    “It would have to be a performance appropriate for the occasion,” Antoine nó Eglantine mused. “No japes, no foolery. It would be an interesting challenge.” He glanced around at his tumblers, who had abandoned their practice and gathered close to overhear the conversation. “What do you say?” he asked them. “Should Eglantine House stage a performance to celebrate Lady Moirin’s appointment as Princess Desirée’s oath-sworn protector?”
    There were nods all around.
    “Who better, Antoine?” a blond fellow demanded. “This is Jehanne de la Courcel’s daughter we’re speaking of! The Night Court should be represented at the ceremony.”
    “You’re right,” he said thoughtfully. “We should be there.”
    “Do we have a bargain?” Bao inquired.
    Antoine grinned and thrust out one slender, callused hand. “I will have to confirm it with my Dowayne,” he said. “But if you can teach us further novelties, and Lady Moirin can deliver a royal invitation, I say we have a bargain, messire.”
    Bao clasped his hand. “Then we do.”

TWELVE

    T umblers.” Daniel de la Courcel looked blank and uncomprehending.
    “Aye, my lord.” I cleared my throat. “It will be a delightful spectacle. I am confident it will please your daughter.”
    “It’s… undignified.”
    “She’s not yet four years old,” I murmured.
    He drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair. “
This
is how you would mark a solemn occasion?”
    “A joyous occasion,” I reminded him.
    Daniel shook his head, dubious. “Moirin—”
    “My lord.” I leaned forward, nervous sweat prickling my skin. Mayhap I had boasted too quickly of my ability to deliver a royal invitation. “Believe me, I take my oath very, very seriously. If you know aught of the history of the Maghuin Dhonn, you must know we do not swear oaths lightly or in vain.”
    “ ’Tis not a question of doubting your oath, Moirin,” the King said. “ ’Tis a question of propriety.”
    “Eglantine House is mindful of the need for propriety.” I breathed slowly and evenly to settle my nerves. “And Bao is teaching them Ch’in tumbling arts based on strength and grace.”
    “He is?” He sounded startled. “I thought he was Master Lo’s apprentice, not a tumbler.”
    “Bao has been many things.” My hands fell into a reassuring
mudra
. “My lord, I am not sure your choice can provoke any more controversy than it has. I have been advised that at such times, it is the Priests and Servants of Naamah and the commonfolk who will side with love’s cause. That is who I seek to woo, who I seek to charm with this gesture.”
    Daniel de la Courcel’s brow furrowed. “I did not realize there was such considered thought behind the notion,” he admitted. “And there is merit to the idea of a performance celebrating your accomplishments in Ch’in.”
    With an effort, I kept my voice serene. “Will you countenance the performance, my