Blood Song: The First Book of Lharmell Page 4

  Occasionally I saw the blue-eyed phantom on the edge of my dreams as I was tortured with images of death and blood. Once, I woke in the middle of the night and saw twin blue points of light travelling next to the coach, but before I could yank the window down and have a proper look it had disappeared. Give me back my ring! I had called in my mind, but had heard nothing in reply. I began to fear the night and the dreams it would bring.

  The morning we were to arrive at the palace, Renata snapped. ‘Why are you constantly moping, Zeraphina? Do you not like the beautiful sunny days, the fresh fruit and the stunning scenery? Are you wishing you were back in that cold, run-down castle of ours?’

  I straightened in my seat and tried to look happy. ‘No, Mother. I am tired of the journey, that is all. I haven’t been sleeping well.’ I glanced at Lilith. ‘And I’ve been thinking how lonely I shall be in Amentia with Lilith gone.’ I winced inwardly at my lie. Of course, that’s what should have been making me miserable, if I wasn’t so wrapped up in myself.

  Lilith smiled and patted my hand. ‘Oh, Fina.’

  Renata sat back, satisfied. ‘Yes, of course. As shall I. But don’t worry. As soon as we get home there’ll be no end of suitors calling for you. Lilith’s advantageous marriage is going to make you quite a catch, young lady,’ she assured me with a smile.

  I groaned inwardly. Suitors. Something to look forward to.

  ‘Now,’ she said briskly, ‘wipe that mopey look off your face. We’ll be arriving at any moment and you need to look happy to be here. Lean forward and let me fix your hair.’

  She pulled the curls Eugenia had set that morning into a soft halo round my face. We were all dressed in the Pergamian style: loose, toga-like gowns that were belted around the waist with braiding. The seams along the tops of the arms weren’t closed up, but instead attached at regular intervals by strips of fabric. The style showed our slender shoulders off to advantage and the dresses were very cool. They needed to be; the midday sun was fierce. Not used to it, we had taken to fanning ourselves with our books.

  Xallentaria was bordered with fortifications, and as we crossed into the city proper I saw many soldiers patrolling the area and posted atop walls, their keen eyes trained on the sky and bows at the ready. What sort of enemy came from above? I looked up, but didn’t see anything except a vaulted blue sky.

  On the shimmering horizon, beyond the domes and spires of the city, the palace rose, robust and proud, and gleaming in the midday sun.

  Despite the presence of the soldiers the cityfolk looked cheerful enough and bustled about their business. There were women in gowns like our own. In twos and threes they sat under tea-house awnings, sipping from coloured glasses and nibbling sweets from tiny platters. Merchants plied their wares and children ran all over, playing tag and eliciting lazy calls from their parents to behave. Girls the same age as Lilith and me wandered here and there, holding parasols to protect their complexions and gossiping behind lacy fans.

  The palace lay on the north-eastern side of the city at the end of a long, tree-lined boulevard. Lilith and I hung out the carriage windows and gawked at it until Renata dragged us back.

  ‘Act unimpressed,’ she told us. ‘You’re supposed to be princesses for goodness’ sake, not country bumpkins.’

  I sat back, but tilted my head so I could see out the window. Everything was made of white stone and hurt the eyes to look at. The main keep, in which would be the great hall and living quarters of the king and queen and those at court, rose far above the outer walls, an immaculate, gleaming structure. I counted eighteen turrets, capped with gold and flying the nation’s blue-and-gold standard.

  It made our own castle look like an outhouse.

  I’d been expecting grand and ostentatious, but this was something else. This was splendour, and magnificence, and more than a little imposing.

  ‘Oh, dear,’ Lilith moaned, clutching her stomach and turning green. ‘I don’t feel very well. We are bumpkins, Mother. What am I even doing here?’

  Renata, alarmed, began fanning her with a book. ‘Nonsense, Daughter. It’s just nerves. See how beautiful you look today? The air agrees with you.’

  The palace’s outer walls were patrolled by soldiers marching along the wide stone parapets. We passed through the gates and into beautiful gardens with sweeping lawns. Wandering among the rich green foliage I saw a beautiful blue-and-green bird that made strange, sad cries. As we passed, it turned and regarded us with a regal gaze. Then its trailing golden tail rose and spread like a fan to reveal a hundred eyes.

  Our little procession came to a halt within an enormous courtyard. The door of the carriage was opened by a footman, and Lilith and I stood blinking in the immense space, gazing up at the four white walls around us. The place was enormous. It was also empty except for soldiers posted at intervals along the walls and around the bailey. There was no welcoming ceremony, no fanfare. I looked around for the servants’ carriage and our guards but it seemed they had been diverted elsewhere. I wondered where Leap and Griffin were.

  ‘Why is there no one to meet us?’ Lilith asked.

  Anxiety passed over Renata’s features. This clearly wasn’t a good sign.

  Lilith began to look green again.

  From across the courtyard a very handsomely dressed man approached, nose raised to the sky. He walked straight up to Renata and bowed from the waist until his back was completely level with his hips. He righted himself, and in a voice altogether too loud given we were standing quite close, he announced, ‘Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, welcome to the House of Pergamia. The king and queen hope that you had a swift and agreeable journey.’ He gave a half bow and held out an arm, indicating that we should follow him. ‘Your chambers await.’ He led us through the main entrance – ‘Thank goodness we’re not going in the tradesmen’s door,’ hissed Renata – which was huge and grand like the rest of the palace. It was bordered with tall marble columns and the floor was laid with more marble. I realised the reason for it once we were inside. As well as being ornamental, the marble was blessedly cool. We were led up grand, sweeping staircases and along airy landings dotted with suits of armour and portraits of the relations. Portly women and bearded men abounded, all looking quite plain and severe. I hoped, for Lilith’s sake, that Amis had fared better.

  As soon as we were alone in our apartment, a suite of three bed chambers with a shared living room, Lilith and I flopped onto couches. She smiled at me wearily. We had arrived.

  Renata paced, reading the rooms like a gypsy poring over a palm. ‘The bedrooms face west, which gives a good view of the city, but I’m not altogether sure that they are the best in the palace – not counting the king and queen’s, of course. The beds are entirely too small, and I’m really not sure about the size of this living room.’

  It was far grander than anything we had at home. On the rose-streaked marble floor stood a low table, bordered by three ample couches and loaded with plush cushions. In a raised alcove we had a breakfast table with a huge bowl of exotic fruits on it, and around the walls were some beautiful artworks: delicately painted silk screens, ornate candelabra and the most delicate china vases.

  ‘Perhaps I misjudged the importance of our visit,’ Renata fretted. She paced back and forth, eyeing the vases (‘elegant’), the plasterwork on the ceiling (‘ornate’), and the paintings (‘ugly, but expensive-looking’). Fingering the silk curtains that led to an enormous sunny terrace, she pronounced, ‘Well, we’re not ridiculously important, but we’re not embarrassingly lowly either.’ She sniffed. ‘It will have to do.’

  I rolled my eyes. What was she going to do, march out and demand a room change?

  We sat under the awning on the terrace, gulping pomegranate and lime cordial and staring at the view. The whole city was spread out below us, grid-like and with many spires, gardens and ornate buildings. I hoped we would get to go down into the town and walk around. I had never been in such a populous place before and wanted to haggle in the markets over trinket
s and eat from street-vendor’s stalls.

  Before the footman had left our quarters he’d announced that there was to be a reception in our honour that evening. Renata told us that it would be a lengthy affair so we retired to our respective rooms to take an afternoon nap. I was too keyed-up to sleep so I sat on my private balcony, gazing at the city. A servant had somehow got Leap and Griffin into my room, and after greeting me with purrs and squawks they sat and stared at the view with the same wide-eyed wonder as me.

  I was here, in the north.

  Phantom, do your worst.

  FOUR

  I eventually dropped off to sleep, but the nap wasn’t nearly long enough. Renata was soon shaking me awake. With a bleariness that only comes from sleeping in the afternoon, I dragged myself out of bed and into a steaming bath. As I washed my hair I could see out the balcony door. It was nearing dusk and a thousand little lights had sprung up all over the city. A bath with a view: it was too luxurious. It was also a novelty not to have the bathwater turn icy after only a few minutes. I sniffed the fragrant air, smelling the sea and jasmine flowers growing in the garden.

  On the terrace, the last of the sun’s rays dried my hair. I combed it into a river of black that cascaded down my back. Looking to the north I saw a sparkle that must be the sea: the Straits of Unctium. Beyond that must be Lharmell, invisible over the horizon. I wondered how far it was. How long it would take to get there by seacraft.

  Renata and Eugenia were both tending to Lilith so I dressed myself in the metallic silver gown laid out for me. Then I sat in the living room twisting my one silver ring on my thumb and wondering when something was going to happen. I was impatient for it, my stomach hovering high in my chest with anticipation and fear.

  Lilith was cranky and didn’t want to be bothered with hot-irons for her hair or pots of rouge for her lips and cheeks. Batting the women away, she said, ‘Oh, what’s the bother? The servant said it would just be a little celebration.’

  Renata caught her daughter’s chin in her hand. ‘This will be the first time you are to meet Prince Amis. Tonight will be almost as big as your wedding feast, you silly girl.’

  Lilith pulled away. ‘Then why did he say it?’ she asked sulkily.

  ‘Because,’ Renata said, ‘in court, a “little celebration” is code for a great big fuss! Now stand still.’

  When she’d done with Lilith, Renata stood us side by side in front of a large mirror. ‘Look at yourselves, my beautiful girls,’ she whispered.

  We looked, and never before had I been more aware of the difference between us. Lilith was in a gown of the purest white, and her red-gold hair was curled delicately round her face. In contrast, my hair and dress shone darkly, and black kohl around my eyes made me look quite striking. Pointing first at my reflection and then at her own, Lilith said in surprise, ‘You look like the moon, and I look like the sun.’

  I saw that she was right. We were two sides of the same coin: she of the day and I of the night. It felt like an omen. I recalled the black forest and a shiver of trepidation ran down my spine.

  ‘Did you do this on purpose?’ Lilith asked Renata.

  Renata was fiddling with her hair in the mirror. ‘Of course, darling. Everyone’s going to see how different the two of you are anyway, so it’s best to emphasise it now rather than let them think I’m trying to cover up a bastard child.’

  But was she? The question burned in my mind. What else could explain the way I looked?

  I felt a warm body press against my leg and bent to see luminous green eyes looking up at me. Having been parted from me for such an exceptional length of time, Leap and Griffin were both adamant they were coming to dinner. I tried to coax them back to my room, but Renata said, to my surprise, ‘No, take your little pets with you. They’re quite strange-looking and might impress the court.’

  ‘Really?’

  Renata looked to the heavens. ‘When will you girls start to realise that in these matters, I know best?’

  I ran to get my gauntlet before she could change her mind. While I was fastening it on, Renata tutted and said, ‘It does quite ruin the outfit, though.’

  A liveried footman led us through labyrinthine corridors to the great hall. Suddenly struck by nerves, Lilith took my arm. ‘What if he’s an absolute troll?’ she hissed, looking warily at Renata’s back.

  ‘Well,’ I whispered, ‘either you marry him and have a tribe of little trolls, or you’ll have to fake your own death. Because Mother’s not letting you get out of this alive, is she?’

  Lilith gave me a tense glance and shook her head. She was looking slightly green again.

  We arrived at a huge set of ornate doors. From behind them we could hear the chatter of what sounded like hundreds of people.

  The doors swung open, revealing a cavernous space hung with crystal chandeliers. It was filled with guests, all talking and laughing loudly, and so far oblivious to our presence.

  A panicked thought flashed through my mind. We might stand like this all night, completely ignored. What if the king and queen had forgotten they’d even sent for us? It had taken us weeks to get here.

  I saw my own fears echoed threefold on Lilith’s face, and for an instant I was afraid she was going to turn tail and run.

  The footman stepped forward. He held a staff that he banged on the marble floor three times. It made a sound like the tolling of a bell, and echoed around the room. Everyone fell silent and hundreds of faces turned to us in unison. Never in my life had I been in a room with so many people, all looking towards me at once.

  There was a strained moment when no one moved, and then, as one, the court dipped into curtseys and bows, the only noise the rustle of the women’s satin dresses.

  ‘His Royal Highness, Prince Amis of Pergamia,’ the footman bellowed.

  The crowd parted, and pacing towards us was a golden-haired young man. He was pale and slender like many of the other men in the room, but had a jaunty step and a twinkle in his eye. Not a troll. Rather handsome, in fact, and not daunting in the slightest.

  I heard Lilith let out the breath she’d been holding.

  The prince smiled and held out his hands to Renata, clasping hers in his. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, my queen. And your lovely daughters.’ His eyes flashed to Lilith, a smile curving his lips.

  Renata inclined her head. ‘And it is a great pleasure to meet you, Prince Amis. May I present my eldest daughter, Princess Lilith?’

  ‘Indeed you can,’ he exclaimed. He took Lilith’s hand, bowing over it and kissing it with some enthusiasm. ‘My lady,’ he said. There was a look in his eyes as he regarded Lilith, intense and responsive. I think he liked what he saw.

  ‘And may I present my youngest daughter, Princess Zeraphina.’

  Amis reached for my hands and seemed to notice for the first time that there was an eagle perched on one of them. With her glittering black eyes and sharp beak, it was difficult for others to tell the difference between Griffin being friendly and Griffin about to strike. I, on the other hand, could tell she was in a very good mood.

  ‘Oh – ah, hello,’ he said to me, taking back his hands. His smile faltered and he settled for a little nod. Then he jumped. Leap was curling around his ankles, gazing up at the prince and purring audibly. Amis tried to step away from his coiling body but Leap was quite insistent with his affection. He was leaving silvery hair on the prince’s white stockings.

  ‘What nice, erm, pets,’ Amis said, still trying to step out of Leap’s way.

  ‘Thank you, your highness,’ I said. ‘Leap,’ I hissed, and he made his way back to my side.

  Amis took Lilith’s arm and said to all of us, ‘Do come and meet my parents. I know they’re dying to meet you.’

  We paced through the crowd, all eyes on us. I drew quite as many stares as Lilith. All were in full court dress, the women in floaty silk gowns much like our own, the men in well-cut trousers and frothy shirts. Coiffures were not limited to the ladies; it seemed that in Pergamia t
he men liked to dress as fancifully as their partners.

  Across an expanse of blue-and-gold carpet, the king and queen were seated on their thrones. Behind them hung the Pergamian standard, a hefty golden sword on a blue background. The king had a more-salt-than-pepper beard and the queen was a little on the dumpy side, rather like the portraits of past Pergamian royals. They were dressed in golden robes and very heavy-looking crowns, and their eyes were fixed on a point somewhere above our heads. They seemed rather aloof, but as we neared they broke into friendly smiles. To their left stood a girl, grinning at us. She had curly blonde hair like Amis’s and I guessed she was his sister.

  At the king’s right hand was a dark-haired man about Amis’s age. He had his hands clasped behind his back and watched our approach gravely. I found he drew my gaze, and he was conspicuous not only by his simple attire of black trousers and white shirt, but the way he held himself; with strength and pride. With his broad shoulders and strong features he made the other men in their powdered wigs and lacy cravats seem slight and silly. I saw his eyes widen as he regarded first Leap, then Griffin, and then me. I thought good manners would make him look away, but he kept staring. My cheeks grew hot, and I wondered what he thought gave him the right to look so candidly at me.

  A herald with a long feather in his cap stepped forward. He blew a horn and, in a pealing voice, began to make the introductions. ‘Their Majesties King Askar and Queen Ulah, rulers of the House of Pergamia, Saviours of Brivora and Protectors of the Free World.’

  I resisted the urge to raise my eyebrows at such a lavish introduction. It seemed Their Royal Majesties had high opinions of themselves.

  The herald continued. ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Carmelina, Daughter of the House of Pergamia.’

  Carmelina curtseyed, and a smile dimpled her features.

  ‘The Honourable Rodden Lothskorn.’

  The dark-haired man lowered his head in what barely passed as a bow. He clearly wasn’t one of the family, but was being introduced as if he was as important as any of them. As he raised his head he caught me staring, and my eyes snapped back to the king.