JК
The Magehound :: Каннингем Элейн
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Matteo's new quarters werein the south wing of the royal palace, far from the council chambers and several floors up from the queen's clockwork court. Although this was not the most prestigious part of the palace, it was by far the most luxurious suite he had ever occupied. There was one room for sleeping, another in which to receive company, a study lined with books, and a bath so large and luxurious that it was almost an embarrassment.
As he entered his rooms, the faint splash and murmur of water caught his ear. Carefully he eased one dagger from its sheath and crept to the door of the bath. The sight before him froze his feet to the marble floor and left him uncertain whether to smile or groan.
Tzigone had returned, and she had made herself very much at home. She was sprawled in the bath, her small bare feet propped up on one end and her head lolled over the other. Her eyes were closed, and her short brown hair had disappeared into a foamy, fragrant mass. More suds filled the tub like cream on a trifle.
He cleared his throat.
"Come on in," Tzigone said without opening her eyes. "I've been waiting for you for hours. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I've waited in far worse places."
For a moment he wondered whether «in» referred to the room in general or the bath. Neither course of action seemed wise.
"How did you get into the palace?"
She cracked open one eye. "You always start conversations with a question. Are you aware of that?
"I started in the bilboa tree over by the harbor park," she went on, not waiting for an answer. She lifted one arm out of the water to brush aside a fleck of soap that dripped onto her face. "It's amazing how far you can travel in this city without once touching the ground."
His gaze shifted to his open window, which was at least six stories off the street, and marveled. Whatever else this girl might be, she had a powerful sense of honor if she would go to so much trouble to fulfill her perceived responsibilities.
Or was there another reason for her presence here?
"Is there still a debt between us?" he asked tentatively.
She shrugged, a movement that had Matteo averting his eyes again quickly. "That depends. How are things working out at the palace?"
"Strangely," Matteo said honestly. "I have yet to find a way to truly serve the queen."
"Hmm." Tzigone took this in. "Well, what can you do?"
This drew his attention back to her. "Excuse me?"
"What kinds of services are you trained for? Besides battle, of course. I've seen what you can do with a blade.
* * * * *
Matteo's new quarters werein the south wing of the royal palace, far from the council chambers and several floors up from the queen's clockwork court. Although this was not the most prestigious part of the palace, it was by far the most luxurious suite he had ever occupied. There was one room for sleeping, another in which to receive company, a study lined with books, and a bath so large and luxurious that it was almost an embarrassment.
As he entered his rooms, the faint splash and murmur of water caught his ear. Carefully he eased one dagger from its sheath and crept to the door of the bath. The sight before him froze his feet to the marble floor and left him uncertain whether to smile or groan.
Tzigone had returned, and she had made herself very much at home. She was sprawled in the bath, her small bare feet propped up on one end and her head lolled over the other. Her eyes were closed, and her short brown hair had disappeared into a foamy, fragrant mass. More suds filled the tub like cream on a trifle.
He cleared his throat.
"Come on in," Tzigone said without opening her eyes. "I've been waiting for you for hours. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I've waited in far worse places."
For a moment he wondered whether «in» referred to the room in general or the bath. Neither course of action seemed wise.
"How did you get into the palace?"
She cracked open one eye. "You always start conversations with a question. Are you aware of that?
"I started in the bilboa tree over by the harbor park," she went on, not waiting for an answer. She lifted one arm out of the water to brush aside a fleck of soap that dripped onto her face. "It's amazing how far you can travel in this city without once touching the ground."
His gaze shifted to his open window, which was at least six stories off the street, and marveled. Whatever else this girl might be, she had a powerful sense of honor if she would go to so much trouble to fulfill her perceived responsibilities.
Or was there another reason for her presence here?
"Is there still a debt between us?" he asked tentatively.
She shrugged, a movement that had Matteo averting his eyes again quickly. "That depends. How are things working out at the palace?"
"Strangely," Matteo said honestly. "I have yet to find a way to truly serve the queen."
"Hmm." Tzigone took this in. "Well, what can you do?"
This drew his attention back to her. "Excuse me?"
"What kinds of services are you trained for? Besides battle, of course. I've seen what you can do with a blade.