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“A pretty speech. Tenebrans like pretty speeches. They like shows of piety, too.” The Dexion leaned forward, as if studying her for the first time. “I begin to see where your pieces are headed on the board.”
“I doubt that.”
“Come now.” He gave a charming laugh. “My game plan is obvious to you. I too have made no secret of it. You can be as open with me. What is it you are after, wrapping the embassy around your little finger? To prove your usefulness to the king? To win from him something more than mere acknowledgment? Or a more personal contest, perhaps, with Lord Flavian’s family. They are spectacular players all, and it will take a good game indeed to impress them.”
“I have nothing to hide.”
He put a hand on his chest, where he usually wore the sunstone medallion that signified his rank as the Dexion of the Aithourian Circle. “You should really consider confessing to your spiritual guide.”
“I have nothing to confess.”
“I am the last who will assign penance, I assure you. I am the finest player you will ever meet, and whatever your strategy, I would be happy to assist you in achieving it. Imagine what you could accomplish then.”
“Oh, I see how it is. You are inviting me to be your second.”
“You cannot deny it would improve both our games.”
He had moved on from threats to temptation. And tempting it was indeed, to appear to accept his offer so he believed she was on his side for her own gain. How many of his moves might he reveal to her then, in order to enlist her aid with them?
But she knew such a strategy would be too costly. She had no time to waste pretending to be his token, even for the information she might glean. Her progress with the rest of the embassy hinged on her being one of their own, and even appearing to side with Chrysanthos would jeopardize that too much.
Tenebra had played with Cordium too long. It was time to show the Orders her people could win the game without the sun.
“I am flattered indeed, that you deem me worthy to sit at your table, Honored Master. But I am second to only one player, and that is Tenebra. I must reserve all my tokens for that cause.”
“Really, Lady Cassia? You would give up the chance to share in my victory? You know that whatever it is you are after, I can give it to you. You’re a clever woman, I can see. To have gotten to where you are, you undoubtedly know how to make the most of good opportunities, when they come your way. You must recognize that this is the greatest chance you’ve ever had.”
“I have told you, Honored Master. I am after Tenebra’s good. That is all.”
His mouth twisted in a half-smile. “Innocence. You wear it well. Devout Tenebrans cannot resist it, I am sure. It arouses all their more noble instincts. But they are not so kind when the mask is torn away. Tenebra does not give gentle treatment to fallen women.”
“I was never high enough to fall from anywhere. No man can move me, no matter how hard he pushes.”
“You have yet to bear the weight of the gods.”
“What’s this?” warbled a voice from Cassia’s left. “A theology lesson in the middle of the night? It won’t do.”
The Semna made her way across the courtyard, each tap of her stick like a judgment, her attendants in her wake. Cassia beamed at them. Pakhne and Ariadne gathered around her.
The Semna halted before Chrysanthos. “You should know better than to dawdle with a lady at this hour of the night, with no one in sight to vouch for either of you. No one questionsyourhonor, I’m sure, but folk say unkind things about a woman caught standing too long with a fellow like you. Things Lady Cassia certainly does not deserve.”
He bowed. “I beg your forgiveness. This was thoughtless of me. In my eagerness to continue our discussion of tonight’s topics of import, I have been lax in my adherence to propriety.”
“See that you keep your discussions of import to yourself, young man.”
“As you say.” Chrysanthos met Cassia’s gaze. “I will not trouble Lady Cassia about Summit business again.”
He turned to depart under the nearest arch, only to be halted by a grim-faced obstacle blocking the way. Callen stood at attention and stared at the mage in silence. His strong shoulders and broad fists, hardened under Lord Hadrian’s command, made Chrysanthos’s lithe athleticism look like a racing dog before a liegehound.
Chrysanthos gave one of his disarming smiles, which did not work. He tucked his hands in his sleeves, nodded as if in salutation, and turned to leave through a different arch.
Benedict lounged against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. Across the courtyard, Lord Gaius held up the other arch.
Their gazes followed Chrysanthos through the only exit they had left him. As he walked through the shadow there, his steps hastened, and he glanced over his shoulder.
Callen came to Cassia’s side. “Are you all right, my lady?”
“Thanks to all of you, yes. I assure you, I was utterly astonished to see him here. I was going to wake you, but he insisted—”
