Морган Райс - A Jewel for Royals стр 3.

I dont know, Sophia admitted. I wish he was.

At last, they arrived at the castle, moving through it to the hall. News of Lucass arrival must have spread ahead of them, because all the cousins were there outside the hall, even Rika, who had a bandage masking the injury to her face she had received defending Sophia. Sophia went over to her first, taking her hands.

Are you all right? she asked.

Are you? Rika countered. Is the baby?

Everythings fine, Sophia assured her. She looked around. Is Kate here?

Ulf shook his head. Frig and I havent seen her today.

Hans coughed. We cant wait. We need to go in. Father is waiting.

He made it sound serious, but then, Sophia could remember what it had been like when she arrived there, and how cautious people had been with her. In Ishjemme, they were careful about people claiming to be one of their own. Sophia felt almost as nervous standing there waiting for the doors to open as she had the first time, when it had been her claiming her heritage.

Lars Skyddar stood in front of the ducal seat, waiting for them with a serious expression as if ready to receive an ambassador. Sophia kept her hand interlinked with her brothers as she walked forward, even though that drew a frown of confusion from her uncle.

Uncle, Sophia said, this is Lucas. Hes the one who came from the Silk Lands. Hes my brother.

Ive told her that it isnt possible, Jan said. That

Her uncle held up a hand. There was a boy child. I thought they told me, even me, that he died.

Lucas stepped forward. I didnt die. I was hidden.

In the Silk Lands?

With Official Ko, Lucas said.

The name seemed to be enough for Sophias uncle. He stepped forward and treated Lucas to the same crushing, all-encompassing hug that hed given Sophia when hed recognized her.

I thought Id been blessed enough with my nieces coming back, he said. I hadnt thought that I might have a nephew too. We must celebrate!

It seemed obvious that there should be a banquet, and just as obvious that there was no time in which to prepare one, which meant that almost at once, there were servants running in almost every direction, trying to prepare things. It seemed almost that Sophia and Lucas became the still point at the heart of it all, standing there while even her cousins ran around trying to prepare things.

Are things always this chaotic? Lucas asked, as a half dozen servants ran past with platters.

Only when theres a new family member, I think, Sophia sent back. She stood there, wondering if she should ask the next question.

Whatever it is, ask it, Lucas said. I know there must be many things that you need to know.

You said before that you were raised by tutors, Sophia said. Does that mean are my, our, parents not in the Silk Lands?

Lucas shook his head. At least, not that I could find. Ive been looking since I came of age.

Youve been searching for them as well? Your tutors didnt know where they were? Sophia asked. She sighed. Im sorry. I sound as though Im not happy to have gained a brother. I am. Im so happy youre here.

But it would be perfect if it were all of us? Lucas guessed. I understand, Sophia. I have gained two sisters, and cousins but I am greedy enough to want parents too.

I dont think that counts as greed, Sophia said with a smile.

Perhaps, perhaps not. Official Ko said that things are as they are, and pain comes from wishing otherwise. To be fair, he usually said it while drinking wine and being massaged with the finest oils.

Do you know anything about our parents and where they went? Sophia asked.

Lucas nodded. I dont know where they went, he said. But I know how to find them.

CHAPTER TWO

Kate opened her eyes as the blinding light faded, trying to make sense of where she was and what had happened. The last thing she remembered, shed been fighting her way through to an image of Siobhans fountain, plunging her blade into the ball of energy that had bound her to the witch as an apprentice. Shed severed the link. Shed won.

Now, it seemed that she was out in the open air, with no sign of Haxas cottage or the caves that lay behind it. It looked only a little like the parts of Ishjemmes landscape that she had seen, but the flat meadows and bursts of woodland could have been there. Kate hoped so. The alternative was that the magic had transported her to some corner of the world she didnt know.

In spite of the strangeness of being in a place she didnt know, Kate felt free for the first time in a long time. Shed done it. Shed fought through everything that Siobhan, and her own mind, had put in the way, and shed broken from the witchs grasp. Next to that, finding her way back to Ishjemmes castle seemed like an easy thing.

Kate picked a direction at random and set off, walking with steady steps.

She marched along, trying to think of what she would do with her newfound freedom. She would protect Sophia, obviously. That part went without saying. She would help to bring up her little niece or nephew when they arrived. Perhaps she would be able to send for Will, although with the war that might be difficult. And she would find their parents. Yes, that seemed like a good thing to do. Sophia wasnt going to be able to wander the world looking for them as her pregnancy progressed, but Kate could.

First, I have to find where I am, she said. She looked around, but there were still no landmarks that she recognized. There was, however, a woman working a little ways away in a field, bent over a rake as she scraped away weeds. Perhaps she would be able to help.

Hello! Kate called out.

The woman looked up. She was old, her face lined with many seasons out there working. To her, Kate probably looked like some kind of bandit or thief, armed as she was. Even so, she smiled as Kate approached. People were friendly in Ishjemme.

Hello, dear, she said. Will you give me your name?

Im Kate. And, because that didnt seem enough, because she could claim it now, Kate Danse, daughter of Alfred and Christina Danse.

A good name, the woman said. What brings you out here?

I dont know, Kate admitted. Im a bit lost. I was hoping you could help me to find my way.

Of course, the woman said. It is an honor that you have put your path into my hands. You are doing that, arent you?

That seemed an odd way to put it, but Kate didnt know where they were. Perhaps it was just how people spoke here.

Yes, I suppose so, she said. Im trying to find my way back to Ishjemme.

Of course, the woman said. I know ways everywhere. Still, I feel that one turn deserves another. She hefted the rake. I dont have much strength left these days. Will you give me your strength, Kate?

If that was what it took to get back, Kate would work on a dozen fields. It couldnt be any harder than the tasks set in the House of the Unclaimed, or the more enjoyable work at Thomass forge.

Yes, Kate said, holding out her hand for the rake.

The other woman laughed and stepped back, pulling at the cloak she wore. It came away, and as it did so, everything about her seemed to shift. Siobhan stood there in front of her, and now the landscape around them changed, shifting to something far too familiar.