The Devil's Garden by Jane Kindred Read Free Book Online Page B

against his thighs. “Thank the gods that’s not a matter I shall have to worry about. Now who’s up for a drink?”
     
    Cree cornered him in her bedroom later when he was preparing to go out. “Why don’t you stay tonight? Azhra’s taking the couch, but we’ll have privacy in here. There’s an important meeting, and I’d really like you to see what we’re about.” Cree kissed his neck as he cleaned off his eye paint before her mirror. “And I have purely selfish reasons too, of course.” She paused and looked at his reflection. “Cillian, you told me you were of age that first night.”
    “Actually that was in the morning, after you’d had your way with me.” He flashed her a wicked grin.
    “Cillian.”
    “You didn’t specify what age you wanted me to be of, Cree. I’m well past the age of marriage. My older sisters married at thirteen.”
    Cree’s eyes darkened. “The age of marriage for a woman, you mean. The age our fathers sell us off. You’d still be sowing your wild oats if you were a man.” Despite her glowering looks, he was pleased she seemed to have forgotten that technically he was one.
    “Besides, I told you, I’ve been a working girl since I was twelve. You could hardly take advantage of me. How much less innocence were you looking for?”
    Cree made a face at him the mirror. “Maybe Ume Sky is beyond corruption, but you, dear Cillian, aren’t quite as worldly as all that. I have an overwhelming urge to take care of you.”
    “Well, Master Sylva—” Cillian loosened what remained of the chignon, “—there’s no charge for that.”
     
    He took his leave of Cree and Azhra before midday, his dress and veil from the previous evening bundled together in brown paper tied with string.
    “It was a pleasure to meet you, Maiden Azhra.” He kissed her hand in parting.
    She gave him a look he couldn’t interpret. “We should talk before I return to Rhyman.”
    “Perhaps we’ll see each other again, then.”
    At the bottom of the stairs, Cree lingered for a parting kiss before opening the door to the street. “If I don’t see you soon, I’ll come looking for you again in the Garden.” She gave him a wink.
    “I look forward to it, Master Sylva.” Cillian dropped a slight curtsy before turning to head upriver.
     
    At Ume’s apartments, a note from Templar Nesre was waiting. MeerAlya had requested her presence at the temple, and she was already late. He was certainly a man of odd hours.
    After a quick bath Ume slipped into a sleeveless black sheath with red ribbon closures up the bodice and open sides. Beneath, a pair of crimson silk pants with veiled insets of a red matte gave the billowy effect of a skirt. Slippers embroidered with damselflies in red and gold and a veil in bloodred satin completed the outfit, with a dyed rivercock-feather comb to hold her chignon in place. There was little time for cosmetics; a sweep of pomegranate stain dotted with black river sand sufficed for the Irises of Alya. Ume ran the juice over her lips and rubbed a bit into her cheeks as well before hurrying down to the carriage waiting in the Garden.
    It was a relief not to find Nesre in it. His warning about her loyalties still disturbed her, especially after the tone the morning with Cree had taken.
    MeerAlya waited for her in his studio, seated before a pedestal with his hands white with clay, and greeted her warmly with no mention of her tardiness. “I thought you might like to see what I’m working on.”
    On the pedestal, a half-formed bust was emerging from the clay. Ume stepped closer and saw it bore her likeness. He had sculpted her face with eyes downcast and to the side, a brooding coquette.
    “Does it please you?”
    She nodded. “It does, my liege. I’m honored you consider me a worthy subject.” She gave him a sidelong look. “Have you done many courtesans?”
    The Meer laughed richly. “You delight me, Maiden Sky. You wish to know who has captured my eye before you. A fair