Part 28 (1/2)

Thirty-three.

The elder Mugworts and Tiana also took their chairs, and Garrett sank into hisa”a deep maroon leather furrabeast deal with bra.s.s studsa”not as faded as the others because it had been in a corner. Rusby trotted through the open door and jumped onto Garrettas knee and sat up.

I am Rusby Primross, he announced.

From the smiles on the othersa faces, theyad all heard him.

aArtemisia told us about you,a Quina Mugwort, Artemisiaas mother, said. aWelcome.a Thank you. The little catas head swiveled. Where is the racc.o.o.n?

aRanda is still primarily nocturnal,a Artemisia said. aSheas exploring the bushes around the House.a Garrett caught himself clearing his throat again. He didnat like the weakness. aI will have to speak with her about the case.a Artemisiaas lips pressed together, then she said, aVery well.a aNow,a Sinjin Mugwort, Artemisiaas father, said, awe should formally offer Garrett our alibis.a aThank you,a Garrett said again. He hadnat said that phrase so often in years.

aI was at a spiritual vigil at GreatCircle Temple,a Tiana offered, with a professionally serene expression on her face covering a turmoil of emotions Garrett sensed. Unlike her mother and her sister, the priestess didnat have a deep inner calm. She continued, aAs Artemisia was on a vigil with you while you suffered from the Iasc sickness at the Turquoise House. That can be proven for us both.a aIt has been,a Garrett agreed.

The elder Mugworts relaxed.

aAnd my HeartMate and I were here,a said Sinjin mildly.

Garrett knew instinctively that the man had told the truth. His whole manner was that of a person with great honor. Too bad the newssheets had smirched that.

aBalmHeal Residence,a Sinjin raised his voice.

aYes, Sinjin?a aYou can submit physical evidence that my HeartMate and I were here in your Residence at the time of the murder?a aOf course. I have sent data regarding youra”aha”activities, breathing rate and pulse and so on, for the time that the experts believe that the murder occurred to TaHawthorn Residence for Laev TaHawthorn, who is handling this matter for the FirstFamilies. He will share it with the guards if necessary.a aActivities?a Sinjin said blankly.

His wife chuckled but turned pink.

aWell, thatas awkward,a the former judge said.

Garrett kept his amus.e.m.e.nt from showing. aBut very lucky.a Quina laughed, winked at her husband. aHe often gets lucky.a aThe data has been transferred to GentleSir Primrossas office, too, since he is in charge of this investigation. I have confirmed with all the Residences of the FirstFamilies that they agree that the Turquoise Houseas information about Artemisiaas alibi is true,a the Residence said. aThey have informed their lords and ladies.a It was evident to Garrett that the Residence loved Artemisia most.

I told everyone, too! Rusby said.

aOf course you did.a Artemisia reached out and petted the kitten, who arched under her fingers. Garrett wished shead put her hand on his thigh instead.

aAnd the highest priest and priestess in the land vouch for Tiana,a Garrett said. He slanted a smile at Quina and Sinjin Mugwort, who were holding hands, then continued softly, aNeither of you have stepped foot on Druida streets for fifteen years.a Sinjin blinked as if in surprise, looked around the room and at his Family and out to the gardens, then inclined his head. aI hadnat quite realized, the estate is large with many pleasures.a He squeezed his ladyas hand. aBut you are correct, Garrett. We have remained behind the walls except for a time or two when we have teleported to GreatCircle Temple to take part in a ritual Tiana was officiating.a He swept a hand around him. aIt is not easy to teleport into or out of the Residence and beyond the estateas s.h.i.+elds, but with preparation it can be done.a An antique timer on the fireplace mantel bonged and they all looked at it.

aI didnat realize it was so late,a Tiana murmured. aI should retire; I have a dawn ritual tomorrow.a She rose.

Artemisiaas mother and father stood, too. Artemisia followed and Garrettas pulse began to pump a little faster as he placed Rusby on his shoulder and got to his feet. It was night and he was here with his HeartMate. Everyone else was going to bed.

Artemisiaas mother looked him up and down. aWe will put you back into the second-floor sickroom and talk tomorrow.a Garrett was pretty sure the room head been in was nowhere near Artemisiaas. Her Family was very protective.

They must have seen her distress over the past couple of days and now understood head caused it. So they didnat want him near her tonight.

aI have requested all information regarding GentleSir Garrett Primross from all Residences and the Turquoise House,a BalmHeal said.

Garrett winced. Despite his rea.s.surances, the Residence wasnat on his side. Or, rather, the side of HeartMates. d.a.m.n.

But the bond between himself and Artemisia was wide open and fizzed with attraction and desire. He kept his expression serious. aFine with me.a He let everyone precede him and stayed close to Artemisia. Her desire was mounting like his own.

aIall feed Rusby another small meal.a Anything to keep his kitten happy and maybe sleeping when he found Artemisia or she found him.

At the door Tiana stopped and looked at Artemisia and Garrett behind her. aSpeaking of Leger Cinchona, heas proceeded quickly with regard to Apollopa Park. Heall be having a cleansing and reconsecration ceremony at twinmoonsrise a little after EveningBell tomorrow. He invited you.a Tianaas smile was quick and sincere. aBoth of you. He seemed to believe that you were together.a aWe are,a Garrett said.

aAnd Leger thought I would speak to you,a Tiana said.

aYou did,a he added blandly.

aUm-hmm. Good night.a A longer pause and a sly smile from her that matched her dancing eyes. aAnd sweet dreams.a The priestessas glance lit on her hand in hand parents and her gaze softened. aYouare invited, too, of course. It would be good for you to go into the city, do something other than teleport to GreatCircle Temple and back.a aWeall think about it,a Quina said.

Tiana glanced aside, then back. aYou always say that.a aWeall think about it,a Sinjin said.

Tianaas expression lit with joy. aAnd you donat.a She hugged them both solidly, kissed her father, then her mother on their cheeks. Garrett thought this was the usual nightly custom and felt another twinge of envy.

aGood night,a called Tiana and went up the stairs, turning right at the top of the landing at the second floor.

Artemisiaas parents lingered at the bottom of the stairs and stared at hima”well, the guy watched him with resignation after head hugged and kissed Artemisia. Artemisiaas mother did the same, then glared at Garrett until her older daughter went upstairs. Garrett listened and heard her footsteps continue to the third floor, then lost track of them.

Food! Rusby prompted.

aSure.a Garrett nodded to the older Mugworts and turned to take care of his Fam. aGood meeting you. Iall see you in the morning,a he said.

Rusby was sleeping, splayed with kitten abandon in the middle of Garrettas bedsponge. He stood at the window, staring out past the deep dark of the estate at the lights of the city and the distant hulk of the stars.h.i.+p Nuadaas Sword, body tight and yearning for his HeartMate.

She wasnat asleep, that he knew.

But it didnat appear as if she was coming to his bed, either. He wasnat sure what would happen if he prowled to her room. Would the Residence wake the elder Mugworts? Would the House give a running commentary of his actions? How private was Artemisiaas room? Garrett didnat care for the idea of the House watching.

Recording pulse rates was bad enough. And how often did it do that, and why?

And he couldnat wait any longer.

No choice, he had to get out of the sentient House and lure Artemisia into his arms. He was real sure the Residence wouldnat keep him from leaving . . . or leaving the entire estate, either, though it shouldnat have control over the walls.

He s.h.i.+fted his shoulders. He didnat know what most Residences were capable of, let alone this one that had been the first HealingHall built by the Earthan colonists.

He found his boots and slipped them on. His trous were still being cleansed since they werenat around anywhere. He hesitated as he looked at his sword propped in the corner, but didnat take it. He did buckle his belt and slip his blazer into the holster.

Soft footed, he opened his door, closed it behind him. Again he paused, but head already decided not to bespell Rusby into a heavy sleep. That was wrong. Head sense if Rusby came after him or was in danger from any animals that might roam the estate.

It wasnat right to spells.h.i.+eld the door, either, in this House that had welcomed him and wasnat his, on a room that was primarily for the sick.

And though the Residence didnat say anything, low-glowing spell-lights lit as he walked down the hall and the stairs, through the greatroom and to the wide front door.

He eased that door open and slipped into the night. When he was far enough away from the Residence that he didnat think it could feel him, he tugged on the ropelike link between himself and Artemisia, called to her, mind to mind. HeartMate?