Michelle West - The Sun Sword 03 - The Shining Court by The Shining Court Read Free Book Online Page B

walk through the gates with your domicis, the ties between us are sundered although no one else will know it. I have given you all that I can give, and I have been pleased, even proud of what you have achieved.
    "But what you have achieved pales against what you
must
achieve.
    "This House—"
    Jewel backed away from the table.
    The Terafin thought she would flee. Was surprised at how much it cut when she did, in fact, walk quickly and stiffly toward the doors.
    Was surprised at how much it meant when she stopped there, her hands on either side of the crack between them, her forehead pressed against the heavy wood. She lifted her head. Turned.
    Her cheeks were wet with tears.
    This,
this
, was why she had demanded, and received, privacy. Because The Terafin could not be seen to be weak, no matter how unnatural such a facade was.
    She said, "I don't want you to die."
    The Terafin said nothing.
    "I don't want to accept what you offer because accepting— accepting it means that I've accepted your death."
    "It is not an offer, Jewel. Make no mistake. It is a plea. It is a command. It is a responsibility. But an offer? No. Nothing so simple."
    "Terafin—"
    "No."
    "Amarais."
    The Terafin bowed. "Yes. Here, in this room, between us, that is all I am. I have no idea how I will die; I accept that I will, in your absence. It pains me. I confess a certain fear, a morbid curiosity, an unsettling anger. I will, of course, fight it. That is my nature. But I will have your word, here, or I will have your name."
    It took a moment for the threat to sink in. She was patient. Wished that she could be more patient—but the time for waiting had passed.
I had hoped
, she thought, staring at this woman who, born into power, might have been her younger self,
that you would come to me on your own
.
    Ah, well.
    "This House means many things to me. But it stands for something. The Sword is
Justice
, and it
is
the House Sword."
    "What do you want from me?"
    "Everything. Protect Alowan. Preserve my Chosen, if they will it. Preserve my House from the war that will divide it if they do not. Become Terafin, Jewel. Become
The
Terafin."
    "You're The Terafin. I know no other."
    It was spoken so quietly The Terafin could have chosen not to hear the tremor in the voice, the break, subtle and slight, between syllables.
    "You will know no other while I live," she said quietly, stating the obvious because Jewel ATerafin needed to hear it. "Isn't that what this is about? In you, tonight, I see my death. I
hate
it." The vehemence of the word surprised her. She swallowed. Looked away. Looked back; she owed Jewel that much. "But I also see life, of a sort. The life of
my
House. You are not who I am. But we value the same things. You will never destroy what I have built."
    The younger woman was weeping now, silent and open-eyed. It was painful to watch. She watched, however; those tears were both for her and cried in her stead.
    "Jewel Markess ATerafin, I name you my heir. You will serve the House and you will serve the Sword, and if the gods will it, they will serve you."
    The tears were slow to stop, but they stopped.
    "I will make no announcement. The House is already divided; the war is already in motion. But my death will deliver the news to the four least likely to accept it."
    "To the five," Jewel said faintly, attempting to smile. The humor did not fall flat; Amarais accepted it for what it was. "Avandar will be so pleased."
    "Yes."
    "Morretz?"
    She looked away. "He is not what you require. He will not, I think, serve another. Not for years, if at all. The option is open to teach, and many men who choose a life of service, rather than the contracts that are more common, often retire to teach others when the life of their chosen master is abruptly ended.
    "Jewel."
    The moment stretched out until it was so thin something had to break.
    Jewel ATerafin slid, by painful inches, to one knee. "I give you my word," she said softly. "The House will
be
Terafin, and I—"