The Eighth Court Read Free

presence will be noted. She unnerves them enough for it to make the point.”
    “She’s becoming quite an asset. I would never have guessed she’d adapt to life at court so well. She’d lived alone so long, I thought she’d find it daunting.”
    “I think she’s finally found somewhere she can be,” said Blackbird, “Which convinces me even more that we are doing the right thing. Besides, they think she knows something.”
    “What?” I asked her.
    She shook her head. “I’m sure if she knew, she’d tell me, but it’s as much a mystery to her as to me. If she does know something then she’s not aware of the significance of it.”
    “So we negotiate on bluff and hope they don’t know the difference?” I suggested.
    “You don’t bluff the Seven Courts, Niall, even in jest.” She smoothed the dress, “You’d better go before you make us both late. I’ll see you when you get back. Give Katherine my regards. Will you ask Angela to join me when she’s ready, and we’ll walk down together?”
    “Yes, Lady.” I bowed, accepting the instruction.
    Blackbird frowned at me. “Don’t tease,” she said.
    “You’ll have to get used to it,” I reminded her. “A lot more people are going to be calling you that before we’re done.”
    “Don’t remind me,” she said, turning back to the mirror.
    I took my leave and went to find my daughter.

    Alex’s room was still at the end of the west wing. I’d offered to find her a room closer to ours, but she’d insisted on being left where she was. Still, there were more visitors these days and she was rarely there alone. I was also trying to be more accepting of her wishes and to treat her as an adult, even when she didn’t behave like one.
    As I passed along the hallway, Angela emerged and then retreated to her doorway so that I could pass without brushing against her – a courtesy and a necessity with a seer like Angela, since any contact could lead to her seeing flashes of my future – or in her case, my past. Teoth said her power was corrupted by her humanity, but I wasn’t so quick to judge.
    “Blackbird asked if you’d walk down with her.” I told her.
    “I was just heading there,” she said. “We have two new people coming in this evening. I was hoping Blackbird would spare the time to meet them?”
    “I’m sure she will if she can. You’ll have to arrange it with her, though. I’m going out with Alex and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. It should only be a couple of hours, but you never know.”
    “I’ll try and catch her now, then,” she said.
    I walked on to the end of the corridor where Alex’s room was, and knocked quietly on her door. There was no answer. I knocked again more loudly, “Alex? Are you ready?” There was still no reply.
    I tried the door handle and the door opened easily. “Alex, honey, we’re going to be late.” I looked around the room. There were a few clothes laid out on the end of the bed, and an Alex shaped heap underneath the duvet. “Alex, are you OK?”
    I walked round to the side of the bed. All I could see was the top of her head. The curls of her dark hair spread across the white pillow were twitching with agitation. Alex’s hair had a will of its own and generally reflected her mood.
    “What’s wrong? I thought you were getting ready?”
    “I’m not coming,” said the muffled voice under the duvet.
    “Not coming? But I thought you wanted to see your mum? I’ve arranged it especially.”
    “I’m ill. Tell her I’m s-s-sick and I c-c-can’t come,” said the muffled voice.
    I could hear the lie in that, “Alex, come out from under the quilt,” I said firmly, “I’m not talking to the top of your head.” The duvet edged downwards until I could see her face.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “I feel sick,” she said. From her voice, that at least was true.
    “Is it something you’ve eaten? What did you have for lunch?” I asked her.
    “I didn’t eat lunch. I felt