The Unicorn Hunters: A Novel(68)

Anne opened her mouth on a cry. Closed it again. He had stood but not come nearer. There was too much moonlight. It wrapped them like a wall, shone in his eyes. The room outside looked hardly real. What had happened? Would they hear her if she shouted?

She wished for a gown, feeling naked in her shift, with loosely plaited hair. “How did you get in?”

“I travel by shadows,” he said. “I never meant to hurt you, Highness. The sea-drake was my mistake, but it was none of my doing.” His eyes asked for understanding.

She didn’t move. “You lied. We helped you and you lied.”

“I was then loyal to France, and a French lady came to Nantes, the descendant of my sovereign. You understand loyalty.”

“You took Elesbed away.”

“Did I have a choice? I had my loyalties, and she would have ruined everything. I regret it now. More than I can say.”

“Then loyal?” she said. “Why are you here now?” To kill her? France could not want that. To kidnap her? Perhaps. He hesitated, frowning. She stood well out of his reach. Should she scream? But she wanted to know why he’d come in secret. Why this talk if he was bent on kidnapping? She watched him warily.

He turned to look into the moonlight. His eyes had a lovely tilt in the angles of his face. “I have been a fool.”

She said nothing.

“It was the sea-drake’s blood, wasn’t it, that got you out of Nantes?”

She still didn’t answer.

He sighed. “I have rarely been so full of regret. I should have sworn you my oath from the beginning. Then I would not be coming suppliant now.”

“Are you here to swear loyalty to me?” said Anne, incredulous. “Why?”

He took a step nearer. She caught a flicker of lust in his gaze, a devouring thing. It was not about her. He wanted something she could do for him. Her mistrust deepened. “No nearer,” she said.

Softly, he said, “I know what you want above all, Highness. You want to stay in your own land and rule it.” She didn’t answer. He went on. “That is impossible now. Brittany is too weak. But what if it were strong?”

She was taken aback enough to reply. “And what, according to you, will make it strong? You yourself? You were certainly not eager to put yourself in my service before.”

“No,” he said. “Not me. Keris.” He said the name with reverence.

It was unexpected. “The lost city? What are you saying?”

“Yes, lost. It is in the Lost Lands.” His words tripped over his tongue, so fervent was he. “I had a prophecy from the lady in the mere—long ago. She told me that a woman to whom I offered my hand would find this lost city of Keris and free it from its darkness. So for years I sought her, this wife of my prophecy. I found women in plenty, but none had the gift. The moment I saw the silver blood on your face, I knew. It was you whom I’d been waiting for. Think of it, Highness. You can see the shadows, can’t you? You are the sanctified sovereign of this land of Brittany. It is you. The way to Keris would open for you.” His eyes had a wild glitter, an obsession laid bare. “Keris. With dragons in its bay and gold laid into its seawalls. The master of Keris would be the master of all Christendom. Come with me to Keris and I can save you. I can save your whole realm. Maximilien of Austria cannot. But I can.”

The room was taking on a smoky air of unreality. Anne was unimpressed. “What proofs have you of what you say?”

“Of your talents? Did you not survive the sea-drake’s blood? Did you not use the shadows to escape from Nantes? Or are you asking for proof of the existence of Keris? Did you see the sea-drake in the garden in Nantes, wearing a harness twisted by men? Sea-drakes, like unicorns, can travel by shadows and escape into the Lost Lands. That is why they seem immortal. Or is it me you want proof of, my good word and bond? Would you like an earnest of my intentions? What if all the French horses vanished in the night? What if it rained for a week? Only promise me your hand and your help and you’ll have it.” He held his hands out, appealing.

He planned this, she thought, her mind clear, her heart cold. From the moment he told me that the king of the korriganed desired my hand. He meant to frighten me into accepting his help, making him my ally, acceding to his wishes. The advent of the French hastened his plans. But he planned this all along.

“Promise you? How could I trust your word? You lied to me in Nantes. If ever you pledged loyalty to France, you are breaking your oath now.”

His outstretched hands closed hard one upon the other, something glittering between them. “Never mind that.” She jerked back a step, warier still. “I have power already. All I want is a way to the ancient city. I was born a commoner, but that won’t matter when I am crowned king of Armorica. Help me, I beg, and save yourself. Wouldn’t you like to have Marguerite dragged to you in chains?”

She would not like it.

She said, “I am married, I cannot marry you. Nor can I trust an oath-breaker. Take your baubles and leave me.”

His eyes were on the jewels in his hands; slowly his fingers tightened. “I have come to you in honesty, with my heart laid bare. But I could make you help me, Highness,” he said gently. “I do not want to do that.”

“How would you make me?”

“As to that,” he said, “let it be a surprise. I do think that when I come again, you will return me a different answer.”