Naamah's Blessing

allies here, allies amongst House Shahrizai, amongst the Lesser Houses. Amongst the guardsmen and attendants, who were not greeting the news with cheers.
    Not enough.
    You’ll fail
, Jehanne’s voice murmured in my memory; and I saw the truth of it unfurl before me. I may have been Desirée’s oath-sworn protector, appointed by King Daniel himself, but his majesty was dead and I was a bear-witch of the Maghuin Dhonn. In Terre d’Ange, I would always be suspect. If I spoke out now, all I would do was further alienate those who thought I was mad, and jeopardize the goodwill of those who believed in me enough to risk the voyage to Terra Nova.
    I inclined my head to Duc Rogier, ceding this battle.
    He smiled, glancing sidelong at his wife, Claudine. She smiled, too.
    The balance of the evening was like a dream best forgotten. For Desirée’s sake, I put the best face I could on it. Breathless with excitement, she was permitted to introduce Bao and me to her newly found grandparents.
    I greeted them politely. Behind the reciprocal politeness of the Comtesse de Maillet, I saw only dislike born of a lingering resentment. I had loved her daughter, therefore, she opposed me. It was as simple as that. Jehanne’s father was another matter.
    “I understand my daughter found comfort and kindness in your companionship,” he said to me in a low voice. “I was glad to hear it.”
    “And I to provide it,” I said honestly. “My lord, if I might have a word in private regarding this betrothal—”
    Averting his gaze, the Comte de Maillet turned away from me. “I beg you, do not speak to me of politics. I have no stomach for controversy. We do but seek what is best for our granddaughter, and it seems to me that this alliance will serve her well.”
    “It won’t,” Bao interjected in a blunt tone. “And you ought to know it.”
    Shaking his head in denial, the Comte withdrew further, demurring and deferring to his wife.
    I sighed.
    “Well!” A heavy hand settled on my shoulder. “Looks like you’ve been outflanked, eh?”
    “Oh, aye?” I glanced up at the owner of the hand, finding a pair of bright blue eyes in a face homely by D’Angeline standards, topped with a thatch of copper-red hair. “And who might you be, my lord?”
    He laughed. “You don’t know?”
    Bao shifted uneasily, reaching for his staff.
    “Peace, peace!” The redheaded fellow unhanded me, backing away, his blue eyes bright with mirth. “I mean no harm. I’m your captain, you idiots. I’ve been to Terra Nova and back. And I come from a line of naval commanders foolish enough to believe that the gods choose unlikely vessels.” He bowed with surprising grace. “Lord Septimus Rousse, at your service.”
    Balthasar Shahrizai drifted alongside us. “Oh, good!” he said in a languid voice. “You’ve met.” He nodded toward the Comte and Comtesse de Maillet. “Quite the masterstroke, eh, digging up dear old Grandmother and Grandfather to lend their blessing to the whole affair? I nearly thought I’d hear you denounce it.”
    “I wanted to,” I admitted. “But it wouldn’t have done any good.”
    “You’re learning.” He continued to gaze toward the royal family, eyes narrowing in thought. “Fourteen years.”
    I blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
    “That’s how long the Regent would be in power until Desirée is old enough to take the throne,” Bao said. “That’s what you meant, isn’t it?”
    “Exactly.” Balthasar gave a precise nod. “Fourteen years to rule the realm, fourteen years to train his successor. If we fail, that child will never be anything more than a figurehead.”
    “Then we’d best not fail,” I murmured.
    “I’ll hold up my end of the bargain,” Septimus Rousse said in a steady tone. “And that’s a promise.”
    It made me feel a little better.
    But only a little.

THIRTY-ONE

    W hen the royal steward rang the bell summoning us to the dinner table, it was time for Desirée to return to the nursery, and time for us to say our final farewells. Now came the realization that this occasion marked the separation to come, and the inevitable tears and protestations.
    The assembled peers watched the scene uncomfortably, and Claudine de Barthelme gave Sister Gemma a discreet order to remove the princess forthwith.
    I shook my head at her. “Wait, please.”
    Although it earned her a none-too-subtle glare from Maman Claudine, the priestess obeyed.
    I knelt before Desirée, Bao crouching on his heels