Page 132 of The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy
Aurienne’s heart refused consolation, even when the cat, purring, kneaded at her thigh.
At her tacn came the tingle of a familiar seith, dark and smoky.
Mordaunt’s wolf deofol took form outside the window. Aurienne did her best to dash away her remaining tears, but the golden eyes had noticed.
The cat stayed in her lap and pinned the wolf with her own yellow stare.
“What has caused you grief, Haelan?” asked the wolf.
“Regrets,” said Aurienne.
“About what?”
Aurienne didn’t wish to answer the question and countered with her own: “Why are you here?”
“I’m to warn you about something.”
“What is it?”
“I can only share the information with you if you promise to leave Swanstone,” said the wolf. “You must go to your parents’ house immediately.”
“Why?”
“Promise first.”
“I promise,” said Aurienne.
“The Dreor are coming to Swanstone,” said the wolf.
“What?Here? When?”
“We don’t know. That is all the information we have. My master wished to warn you.”
“Why is he warning me?”
“Because he is desperately unwise,” said the wolf.
Aurienne scrambled off the window ledge. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Remember your promise,” said the deofol as she faded away. “Leave now.”
Aurienne didn’t. Mordaunt must have forgotten. Their promises had equal value: none.
Cíele flew from Aurienne’s palmto Xanthe with the news, only to discover that Xanthe and a delegation of Haelan, including the other Heads and Élodie, were at Tintagel Castle. They were discussing the management of the Pox and the rather tenuous political situation, which hadn’t been helped by Dinadan’s rageful visit to the queen of Dumnonia, during which she accused the queen of launching the Pox.
Saophal, Xanthe’s axolotl, pressed at Aurienne’s tacn within minutes. “The Heads will be on their way back to Swanstone shortly,” she said as she materialised. “Assemble the Directors and the Wardens on duty at Swanstone. They must be informed immediately.”
“They’re gathering in the courtyard as we speak,” said Aurienne. “Will you come with me?”
“Yes,” said Saophal. “Prendergast and Abercorn will send their deofols, too.”
In the courtyard, Swanstone’s department Directors and two Wardens, Verity and Haven, awaited Aurienne. Cath was there, looking concerned, as well as Lorelei from Paeds. Prendergast’s and Abercorn’s deofols joined them, a hartebeest and a puffin, respectively.
Saophal was a reassuring presence on Aurienne’s shoulder as she broke the news.
“Dreor are on the way?On the way?On the way to do what, exactly?” asked Cath.
“When?” asked Verity.
