Chapter IV. New Eyes
IV
NEW EYES
“‘WHY DID YOU do that?’
“They stood in Dior’s bedchamber afterward, alone but not alone.
The room was well appointed, all gold and velvet and mahogany.
Flames danced in a great hearth, refracting on carafes of wine and crystal goblets on the mantel, its heat setting our tiny wings ashiver.
Reyne sat in a plush velvet chair, mismatched eyes locked on the Grail.
Dior was pacing in front of that fire, voice cracking with outrage as she turned on the princess.
“‘Why the hell did you do that, Reyne?’
“‘Do what exactly?’
“‘You know what I mean, don’t act a fool! Why did you joust with Isabella like that?’
“The Princess pursed her lips, sighing as she looked into the flames.
“‘I grew up in this court, remember? I know how these people think, Dior. If we’d proposed marriage to Philippe in private, that’s where the idea would’ve died.
But now, that question lives in the minds of every general, every lord, every power broker in this city.
Isabella married into the dynasty. She’s a female sovereign, widowed onto the throne, and Augustin in name only.
You couldn’t throw a rock in that room without hitting a man who wouldn’t trade her for Philippe. A male heir of Augustin blood.’
“‘And why didn’t you talk to me about it first?’
“‘What would you have said?’
“Dior glowered, ice-blue eyes turned molten by the light of those flames. ‘About being sold off like some cow to that poncy little shit?’
“‘Prince Philippe is a good man. A brave warrior. His men adore him.’
“‘I don’t know what makes me feel more sick. The idea of our union, or listening to you talk about the fruit of it in front of a room full of drooling toff wankers!’
“‘The Augustin dynasty has survived six centuries, Dior. There’s nothing more important to them than the idea of succession.’ Reyne rose to her feet now, anger shining in faeling eyes.
‘I was looking to sweeten the pot. You’re the daughter of a streetwalker for Godssakes, and we’re trying to sit you on the throne of a bloody empire!
Sweet Mothermaid, do you want to end daysdeath or not? ’
“‘Of course I do!’
“‘Then why are you crawling up my backside for trying to help you do it?’
“‘Because I…’
“Dior turned to the flames, firelight dancing on pale blue.
“‘I just…’
“The Grail shook her head, cursing under her breath. And with a snarl, she punched the mantel, her good hand curled into a white-knuckled fist. The blow was fearsome, the strength in her blighted blood enough to crack the stone. But she left a smear of red behind, knuckles split wide.
“Dior hissed, bloodied fingers cradled in her mangled hand. She backed away, cursing again, trembling lips pressed thin. Reyne watched on, speaking soft into the quiet.
“‘Are you aright?’
“Dior stared at her bleeding knuckles, the scrapes already beginning to close. And turning to the girl she adored, the Grail shook her head and whispered.
“‘… No.’
“‘Oh, love,’ Reyne breathed.
“The Grail slid to her knees, and the Princess slipped down to meet her, Dior already crying as they threw their arms about each other. Dior’s sobs were bone-deep, shuddering, all the grief and blood and hurt and loss of the last few months spilling out of her in flood.
Reyne was crying too, eyes closed as the girl in her arms shook like a leaf.
“‘It’s aright,’ she whispered, smoothing down those ashen curls. ‘It’s aright, Dior.’
“‘It’s not aright,’ Dior replied, face pressed into Reyne’s hair. ‘I’m not aright. Ever since Gabe left, it’s all gone to shite. I never thought it would be like this. I never…’
“The Grail closed her eyes, holding on to Reyne for dear life.
“‘I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first,’ Reyne whispered.
‘Honestly, I only started considering the idea tonight. I’d chewed on it before, and it seemed like fancy, but the way Philippe looked at his mother when she shushed him publicly…
’ The Princess shook her head. ‘It just … made sense to me suddenly. Like I saw it with new eyes.’
“Reyne squeezed tight, arms about Dior.
“‘But you’re right. I’m sorry.’
“Dior sniffed thickly, her voice just a whisper.
“‘You know, ever since Rafa and Chloe found me in Lashaame, I was waiting for the other slipper to drop. Waiting for the grift. The fucking price I’d have to pay, and here it is. Same as it ever was. Everyone I care about either leaves, or gets taken away. Mama. Toff. Rafa. Bel. Saoirse. Chloe. Gabe. Phoebe.’
“She breathed deep and sighed.
“‘Now you too.’
“Reyne shook her head, cupping Dior’s face in her palms.
“‘Dior, I’m not going anywhere.’
“The Grail met the taller girl’s eyes, her own wet with tears.
“‘Kiss me, then.’
“Reyne faltered, swallowing thick. ‘I…’
“Dior leaned closer, whispering, tear-stung lips seeking Reyne’s.
“‘Kiss me.’
“‘… I can’t.’
“Reyne drew back from Dior’s embrace, sighing.
“‘How many times must you make me play the villain? We can’t, Dior.’
“‘Don’t you love me anymore?’
“‘Of course I do, but…’
“‘But what?’
“‘But Connor á Lachlainn is your father and mine! Godssakes, we’re half sisters!’
“‘We don’t know that! Phoebe only suspects you’re Connor’s daughter; there’s no proof save the color of your eyes! She could be wrong, she could b—’
“‘And if she’s not?’ Reyne rose to her feet, incredulous now. ‘You’d have us risk it? It’s sin enough to do what we’ve been doing, let alone to taste that sin doubled!’
“‘Don’t say that,’ Dior pleaded. ‘No, don’t call us a sin. It doesn’t matter what some dusty book says, I know what I feel, Reyne. And I know you feel it too.’
“‘I know I have responsibilities. Both of us do! All dances on a knife’s edge here, Dior! You’ve a need to keep this city’s favor if you’ve a hope to sit the throne.
You’re the chaste and holy maiden now, but if rumor started that the Princess of Low and High and the Grail of San Michon were not only joined in lust unnatural, but were sisters also—’
“Dior flinched then, as if Reyne had struck her.
“‘Unnatural.’
“Reyne drew a calming breath. ‘That is not what I meant. I say what others will see. This is the imperial court, Dior, you’ve no idea how poisonous these serpents hiss. I was raised among Elidaeni nobility, I know how they think. You must trust my counsel here.’
“‘It is what you meant.’
“Dior rose to her feet, trembling now.
“‘And worse, it’s what you think.’
“‘No.’
“Reyne reached for Dior, but the Grail stepped away.
“‘Sweet Mothermaid, what a fucking idiot I’ve been,’ she breathed. ‘All this time, you’ve told me you weren’t ready. And I was good with that, I honestly was. I thought it was because you were raised godly, that you’d come to me in time, but…’
“The Grail scoffed, no more tears in her eyes.
“‘Unnatural.’
“‘Dior, please—’
“‘Get out of here, Reyne.’
“‘Dior—’
“‘GET THE FUCK OUT!’
“The Grail snatched a carafe from the mantel and flung it at the wall. Crystal shattered into a thousand glittering shards, wine spattering like blood, dripping down the stone. The girls stared at each other, cheeks pinked, fists clenched, drenched in exhaustion and rage and foolish pride. So far they’d come together, so much they’d shared, now splintered and glittering on the floor.
“‘You’re a coward, Reyne á Maergenn,’ Dior hissed. ‘A coward and a fucking liar.’
“Reyne clenched her jaw at that, rage seething in the green and blue of her eyes. But she’d been brought up in these halls, remember. Raised among serpents. And rather than lose her temper in kind, the daughter of Niamh Nineswords inclined her head and hissed.
“‘My Lady Grail.’
“‘Princess,’ Dior replied.
“And slamming the door behind her, Reyne swept from the room.”