The Pillars Of The World

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    Dianna paced her sitting room, waiting for Lyrra and Aiden to answer her summons. Lucian’s blunder wasn’t as bad as it had sounded, but she also knew that, as much as Ari had said, some things had been left out. It was clear that the girl’s reasons for refusing Lucian had something to do with that Neall, but Ari hadn’t said exactly why she’d refused. Still, there had been other things that had been said that had given her an idea of how to ease Ari toward thinking well of the Fae.
    A quick rap on the door was the only warning before Lyrra and Aiden slipped into the room.
    “Forgive the haste,” Lyrra said, “but Lucian was heading for his suite, and we didn’t think you wanted anyone to know we were meeting with you here.”
    “You both have plans for the Solstice,” Dianna said abruptly.
    They looked at each other, then at her.
    “The Muse and the Bard usually do,” Aiden said, amused. “It is one of our feast days.”
    “This year you’re going to be absent from the feast in Tir Alainn. The three of us will be celebrating the Solstice at the cottage.”
    “With the witch,” Aiden said, no longer amused.
    “With Ari ,” Dianna said.
    “Who is a witch,” Lyrra said.
    Looking at their grim faces, Dianna tried to find a way to explain without really explaining. “The humans also celebrate Midsummer. There’s feasting and music and dancing. But Ari isn’t welcome among them and will be alone. I thought ...” She trailed off, not sure how to finish.
    “You thought that bringing a couple of musicians and a bit of a feast would take the sting out of not being welcome elsewhere,” Lyrra said.
    “Yes.”
    Lyrra and Aiden looked at each other.
    “Does she know you’re Fae?” Aiden asked.
    Dianna shook her head. “But I think I should tell her soon, so she won’t feel that I’ve deceived her.”
    “We’re both used to appearing as humans, so holding the glamour for an evening won’t be a problem,”
    Aiden said. “Slipping away from Tir Alainn unnoticed will be more of a challenge.”
    Dianna smiled. “We’ll find a way. Besides, the only one we really have to avoid is Lucian.”
    “Aiden.”
    Lucian wondered why the Bard tensed so much before turning away from the stairs to speak with him, then dismissed it. He’d spent most of the afternoon prowling the gardens while trying to figure out how to placate Ari enough for her to overlook his blunder that morning. He needed to offer something that would please her more than his other gifts had—and Aiden was his answer.
    “I’m going to need you on the Solstice.”
    Aiden paled. “Lucian ... as much as I regret refusing you, I must. The Huntress has already requested my services for a special performance that evening.”
    Disappointment weighed heavily on his shoulders. “I see. Perhaps the Muse—”
    Aiden shook his head. “She’s also engaged that evening.” He hesitated. “There are a couple of other bards here. Perhaps one of them could—”
    “No.” Needing air and open ground, Lucian quickly went down the stairs. Then, remembering courtesy, he turned and looked up at Aiden, who was still looking pale. “I thank you for the suggestion, but I wanted the best.”
    “Perhaps another night?” Aiden said faintly.
    “Perhaps.”
     
    Lucian prowled the gardens until well after dark. Finally, weary enough to rest, he returned to the Clan house.
    He had no voice for songs and no skill with an instrument, so there would be no music. And he didn’t have the Muse’s gift, either, but he could tell a story fairly well. Enough to amuse and provide a little pleasure.
    It wouldn’t be the entertainment he had wanted, but at least Ari wouldn’t spend the Solstice alone.
     

 

     
     

Chapter Twenty-two

 

     
     

     
    Adolfo dipped his pen in the ink pot and made another X on the map spread out on the desk. Two more witches would no longer foul the world with their magic. After glancing at his courier to make sure the young man was still too busy wolfing down the meal that had been ordered for him, Adolfo studied the map and smiled.
    His Inquisitors were making good progress in this part of Sylvalan now that they weren’t spending the time needed to convince the common people that witches were evil and simply could get on with the job of eliminating the vile creatures. The barons supported the purge since the witches’ land came to them.
    For now, their support was enough. The minstrels he had hired to travel