Deception's Princess (Princesses of Myth) (23 page)

“With respect, I think that my idea of women’s work isn’t the same as yours.” I took back my weaving and left.

I didn’t dawdle in the great house. That was a good way to run into one of our visitors. I did
not
want to hear any more about how my hair shimmered, how my skin glowed, how my eyes shone, how my teeth sparkled. I’d be too tempted to ask my suitors if they wanted me for a wife or a torch.

I decided to pass what remained of the daylight revisiting one of my favorite places, under the streamside willow tree. It was beginning to lose its yellowing leaves, but there were still enough left to veil me from the outer world. I lay on my stomach, chin resting on my folded hands, and watched the play of light and shadow on the rushing water just beyond the curtain of trailing branches. The sound lulled me into peaceful slumber. In dreams, I stood with Odran on the shore of our lake, watching Ea soar and glide and hover, her tail dragging a
rainbow out of the sun, her fiery eyes shining, growing larger and larger until they engulfed the stars.

I awoke and saw that the shadows had lengthened drastically. Rising to my feet, I shook dirt and dead leaves from my dress before heading homeward. As I passed through the ringfort gateway and neared the great house, I heard a deep male voice behind me, calling my name. Master Íobar came striding toward me, a pair of dead waterfowl swinging by their necks from his hand.

“This is an unexpected pleasure, Princess,” he said in a jolly tone that suited him like a cramped, ill-fitting shoe. “Odran and I have enjoyed the High King’s hospitality all this time, but I’ve yet to have the chance to speak with his pretty daughter.”

“That’s my fault, Master Íobar,” I responded carefully. Something about his uncommon friendliness set me on guard. “I didn’t think you’d find my company worthwhile. What could I have to say to a man of your rank and wisdom?”

“Don’t undervalue yourself, Lady Maeve. You and I should be able to find at least one subject that interests us both.”

“Not hunting, I hope.” I motioned at the ducks and made myself smile.

“Are you really so tenderhearted?” His grizzled eyebrows rose in mock surprise. “But I always see you eating your meat with a good appetite! Tsk. I was going to have the king’s chief cook prepare one of these just for you, the other for your father, but if you won’t enjoy it—”

“You misunderstand me,” I said. “All I meant was that if you wanted to talk to me about hunting, I’d have nothing to say.”

“Nor would I, or at least not much.” He held the ducks
high, their orange feet dangling. “What is there to tell? I’ve been a good, quick shot with a sling since I was a boy. I saw these two down by the curve of the stream over there, where the big willow grows. I whipped a pair of stones at them, and here’s your dinner.”

“Thank you, Master Íobar.” I shivered a little, knowing that he’d been so close to my hideaway. Either I was a deep sleeper or the druid had a born huntsman’s undetectable footfall. “Shall we find the cook? I want to tell him to serve portions of the ducks to you and your son too. Father will insist on it. He’ll say that the meat won’t taste good unless the hunter has his reward.”

“Your father is an eloquent man with a gift for saying what people want to hear.” His teeth showed for an instant. “You can never go wrong praising a man’s children. I was honored to hear he prizes my son’s presence here so much, he hates to see him go. I can’t remember the last time I was so pleased by a conversation.”

Pleased …
 My eyes widened at the word. “If what Father told you—
asked
you—was so pleasant, why was your answer no? It was a simple request, even if it came from your king—let Odran stay here with us when you leave for Tara.”

“Very simple. Except it didn’t really come from the king, did it?” His clumsy attempt at coyness made me grit my teeth. He wanted to continue the game between us, but it was nothing like Devnet’s easy banter. I tasted malice and I was done playing.

“If I had the authority to say who stays and goes inside Cruachan’s walls, I would have spoken to you directly,” I said reasonably. “But the High King’s word rules all of us.”

He looked disappointed that I hadn’t reacted more sharply to his goading. “Tell me, Princess, did you ever stop to think how this ‘simple’ request of yours would destroy my son’s future?”

“Master Íobar, Odran’s future is as precious to me as my own. I don’t want him to stay away from his studies forever, just for a season.”

“I see. Would you care to tell me why?”

“I thought my father explained.” I prayed that Master Íobar would admit that he already knew the reason for my request. I cringed at the prospect of revealing any part of my heart to this man.

“I want to hear it from you.”

So there was no way around it. “Odran’s my friend,” I said. “I have no other. Think of what it will be like for me here after he leaves, when the days turn darker and the sun dies. Please, reconsider.” I bent my head. “Please.” It was his turn, make or break.

His chuckle was a slap across the face.

“Oh, Princess, aren’t you ashamed to tell such lies?” Master Íobar’s grin reminded me of the trophy heads of Father’s enemies, displayed above our door. “Is it because you’re afraid of angering me if you say what you really mean?”

“I’ve told you nothing but the truth!” I couldn’t let him call me a liar and still stay calm. “If you’re going to ridicule me for it, I wish I’d told you nothing at all.”

My raised voice attracted the attention of the people coming and going by the great house. Some were honest enough to stare. Others instantly assumed looks of disinterest, which could only mean that they were paying very close attention to every word Master Íobar and I exchanged.

The druid didn’t want an audience. “Lower your voice, girl,” he growled. His false air of warmth was gone. This was the Master Íobar I knew.

I obeyed grudgingly. “Don’t laugh at me, then. And don’t accuse me of lying.”

“It was my poor attempt at humor. I take no pleasure in seeing you sad.”

“Is that why you rejected Father’s request? To make me
happy
?” I muttered.

“Forgive me, Princess.” His black, unfathomable eyes were momentarily hooded. “If I told the High King no, it was out of the selfish desire to see your face now when I tell you yes.”

I should have gasped for joy. I should have heaped Master Íobar with thanks. I should have laughed and danced and seized his hands to try to make him dance with me. Instead, I could do nothing but stand where I was and stare, speechless.

My subdued reaction amused him. “Dumbstruck? That’s natural. You’ll rejoice well enough tonight when I announce my decision before all of the king’s household.” He glanced at the declining sun. “I’d better find the cook.” He slung the dead ducks over his shoulder and added, “Don’t worry, Princess. When you’ve had a few moments to yourself, you’ll be able to believe your good fortune.”

Maybe
, I thought, watching him disappear into the great house.
But can I believe
you?

I
WENT TO
my sleeping chamber to ponder Master Íobar’s uncharacteristic generosity. He never struck me as the sort of person who’d give you your heart’s desire without having his eye on getting something better in return. I remembered what Father had said about him:
“The man isn’t flesh and blood—he’s ambition and pride.”

But there must be more to him than that
, I thought.
He raised a son who’s gentle and kind, and did it alone. If he didn’t love Odran, he wouldn’t care so much about his future. Maybe he wouldn’t be so harsh with his son if Odran’s mother had lived to teach Master Íobar softer ways. She might have showed him to draw their child along the druid’s path instead of shoving him along
.

I can’t be too quick to judge him. I have to give Master Íobar a chance
.

I arrived at the hearth as everyone was settling into their places. There was quite a crowd. The closer we came to the
Samhain leave-taking, the more of Èriu’s highborn came to Cruachan to share at least one meal with their High King. I recognized some faces from previous visits, though others were new to me. Now if only one of them would come up with some new way to court me! I still wouldn’t be interested, but at least it would be a nice change from hair-eyes-skin-teeth— Oh, how I love you and your dowry.

The air smelled of wood smoke and bore the delectable aroma of roasted venison in addition to the usual scent of the stewpot. I saw Odran seated by himself, with no sign of his father’s presence. He waved for me to join him.

“How were they today?” I whispered as I sat beside him. He knew what I meant. “Tell me quickly, before Father sticks me between two of our guests.”

“All of them are better than the last time I visited them. I think the otter might be ready for you to set her free tomorrow.”

“Is she healthy enough to survive?”

“You’ll examine her and decide. You don’t know all my recipes for salves and medicines, but otherwise you’re a capable healer.” He grinned. “It’s a shame I can’t be there when you give the otter the good news.”

My fingers brushed the back of his hand. “It must be a lucky time of year for otters,” I said, playing with the meaning of his name. “You’re going to have some good news yourself soon.”

Master Íobar joined us before Odran could ask me the obvious question. The druid had decked himself out with so many pieces of gold and silver jewelry that the leaping firelight turned him into a pillar of glittering sparks. I glanced in Father’s direction and saw him staring at Master Íobar warily.
Although we were hosting many nobles, we were merely having dinner, not a feast, not a celebration. This was not an occasion for displaying so much finery.

I stood up hastily to give Master Íobar my place beside his son.

“Stay where you are, Princess. You’re so at ease, it would be a crime to disturb you,” he said with the same unnaturally benevolent smile he’d worn when we’d spoken earlier.

Why does a little thing like that unnerve me?
I chided myself.

“But I must go, Master Íobar,” I replied. “Father will expect me to take my usual seat and entertain two of our guests.”

“Not this night.” The druid turned his eyes to Father and gestured at me, silently inquiring if the king approved. To my surprise, Father nodded, but he wasn’t happy. His brooding look grew deeper when the nobles waiting for me to join them realized I would remain where I was. Their faces clouded and they began muttering to one another.

If Master Íobar noticed their discontent, he didn’t seem to care. His cheerful gaze drifted over the hearth, the fretting cooks and bustling servants, and the platters that were being heaped with food. “My dear son, I don’t see the special dish that I provided for Lady Maeve and her father. Find out what’s become of it.”

“Yes, sir.” Odran went swiftly.

Master Íobar took his place at my side. “I hope the duck will be prepared to your liking. They’re plump birds with plenty of meat on them. A fine roasted duck is one of my favorite dishes.”

“Then you’ll share mine,” I said, encouraging myself to warm to him.
There’s nothing wrong with his smile except disuse
, I thought.
He’s not like Devnet, whose work is merriment. He’s a high-ranking druid with many serious matters to concern him. No wonder that his face looks more natural in a frown!

“How kind of you, Princess. However, I’ll be seated with the king tonight and he is sure to offer me a portion of the duck I killed for him. Why don’t you share yours with my son? I think he merits a treat for bringing me so much joy.”

“He’s done well with his lessons?”

The druid looked momentarily taken by surprise. “Mmmm, yes, that, of course. I’ve had your Master Owain and Master Niall examine him. My brethren tell me he has an intellect I can be proud of. They will continue his education after I leave him here.”

“After I leave him here”!
Hearing him repeat his new plans for Odran in front of an audience was even better than hearing them for the first time. With five words Master Íobar filled my heart with light and quashed all my misgivings about him.

Odran returned to say that the ducks were done to a crisp, delicious-looking brown and would be presented shortly. “The chief cook also bids me tell you that your instructions will be followed, Father,” he added, looking somewhat puzzled.

“What instructions, Master Íobar?” I asked, itching with curiosity. It wasn’t as if our chief cook needed to be told how to prepare a duck.

“Wait and see, Princess,” he replied. I was starting to become accustomed to his strange smile. “We’re all entitled to our secrets. I know you’ll be happy when this one’s revealed.” He walked away to sit at Father’s side. Every eye was on him. I heard two men near me speculate about why the druid was so gorgeously adorned.

“No one dresses up like that unless they want something,” one muttered.

The second man grunted agreement. “Whenever I see my girl’s wearing her best clothes and heaviest gold, I know I’m going to pay for it one way or the other. But that fellow’s worse.”