Книга только для ознакомления
.
"And where might `here' be?"
"My apartment in the Palace of Amber. "
"Prisoner, then," she stated.
"Guest," I repeated.
"In that case, I should be introduced, should I not?"
"Excuse me. Mandor, I introduce Her Highness Jasra, Queen of Kashfa."
(I intentionally omitted the "Most Royal" part.) "Your Majesty, I request
leave to present my brother, Lord Mandor."
She inclined her head, and Mandor approached, dropped to one knee, and
raised her hand to his lips. He's better at such courtly gestures than I am,
not even sniffing the back of her hand for the scent of bitter almonds. I
could tell that she liked his manner-and she continued to study him
afterward.
"I was not aware," she observed, "that the royal house here contained
an individual named Mandor."
"Mandor is heir to the dukedom of Sawall in the Courts of Chaos," I
replied. Her eyes widened.
"And you say he is your brother?"
"Indeed."
"You've succeeded in surprising me," she stated. "I had forgotten your
double lineage."
I smiled, nodded, stepped aside and gestured.
"And this-" I began.
"I am acquainted with Nayda," she said. "Why is the girl . . .
preoccupied?"
"That represents a matter of great complexity," I said, "and there are
other things I am certain you will find to be of much greater interest."
She cocked an eyebrow at me
|
