She did not love him.
Alais silenced the voice in her head. She had failed in her duty, both to her father and to her sister. She got to her feet.
“I will go to my sister, Messire.
She bowed as he left the chamber, then turned back. She could not bring herself to leave her father. She began the process of laying out the body herself. She ordered the bed to be stripped and freshly made, sending the contaminated covers away for burning. Then with Rixende’s help, Alais prepared the winding sheets and burial oils. She cleaned his body herself and smoothed the hair from his brow so that, in death, he looked like the man he had been in life.
She lingered a while long, looking down at the empty face. You cannot delay any longer.
“Inform the Viscount his body is ready to be taken to the capela, Rixende. I must inform my sister.”
Guirande was asleep on the floor outside Oriane’s chamber.
Alais stepped over her and tried the door. This time, it was unlocked.
Oriane lay alone in her bed with the curtains pulled back. Her tousled black curls were spread over the pillow and her skin was milky white in the early morning light. Alais marvelled that she could sleep at all.
“Sister!”
Oriane opened her green cat-like eyes with a jolt, her face registering alarm, then surprise, before taking on its customary expression of disdain.
“I have ill news,” she said. Her voice was dead, cold.
“Could it not wait? The bell for Prime cannot yet have rung.”
“It could not. Our father-” she stopped.
2›How can such words be true? 2›
Alais took a deep breath to steady herself. “Our father is dead.”
The shock registered on Oriane’s face, before her habitual expression returned. “What did you say?” she said, her eyes narrowing.
“Our father passed away this morning. Just before dawn.”
“How? How did he die?”
“Is that all you can say?” she cried.
Oriane flew out of bed. “Tell me what he died of?”
“A sickness. It came on very quickly.”
Were you with him at the hour of his passing?“
Alais nodded.
“Yet you did not see fit to inform me?” she said furiously.
I’m sorry,“ Alais whispered. ”It all seemed to happen so fast. I know I should have-“
“Who else was there?”
“Our Lord Trencavel, and…”
Oriane heard her hesitation. “Our father did confess his sins and receive last rites?” she demanded.“ He died in the Church?”
“Our father did not die unshriven,” Alais replied, choosing her words with care. “He made his peace with God.”
She has guessed.
“What does it matter?” she cried, appalled by Oriane’s callous acceptance of the news. “He is dead, sister. Does it mean nothing to you?”
“You have failed in your duty, sister,” Oriane jabbed with her finger. “As the elder, I had more right to be there than you. I should have been there. And if, in addition to this, I discover you allowed heretics to paw over him as he lay dying, then make no mistake about it, I will make sure you regret it.”
“Do you feel no loss, no regret?”
Alais could see the answer in Oriane’s face. “I feel no more for his passing than I would for a dog in the street. He did not love me. It is many years since I allowed myself to be hurt by the fact. Why, now, would I grieve?” She took a step closer. “It was you he loved. He saw himself in you.” She gave an unpleasant smile. “It was you he confided in. Shared his innermost secrets with.”
Even in her frozen state, Alais felt colour fly to her cheeks. What do you mean?“ she said, dreading the answer.
“You know perfectly well what I mean,” she hissed. “Do you really think I do not know of your midnight conversations?” She took a step closer. “Your life is going to change, little sister, without him to protect you. You have had things your own way far too long.” Oriane darted out a hand and grabbed Alais by the wrist.
“Tell me. Where is the third book?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
Oriane slapped her with her open hand.
Where is it?“ Oriane hissed. ”I know you have it.“
“Let me go.”
“Don’t play games with me, sister. He must have given it to you. Who else would he trust? Tell me where it is. I mean to have it.”
A chill ran down Alais’ spine.
“You can’t do this. Someone will come.”
“Who?” she demanded. You forget our father is no longer here to protect you.“
“Guilhem.”
Oriane laughed. “Of course, I forgot that you are reconciled with your husband. Do you know what your husband really thinks of you?” she continued. “Do you?”
The door flew open and slammed against the wall.
“That is enough!” Guilhem shouted. Oriane immediately dropped her wrist as Alais’ husband strode across the room and gathered her into his arms. “Mon cor, I came as soon as I heard the news of your father’s death.
I’m so sorry.“
“How touching!” Oriane’s harsh voice broke the intimacy between them.
“Ask him what brought him back to your bed,” she said spitefully, not taking her eyes from Guilhem’s face. “Or are you too afraid to hear what he has to say? Ask him, Alais. It’s not love or desire. This reconciliation is because of the book, nothing more.”
“I warn you, hold your tongue!”
“Why? Are you afraid of what I might say?”
Alais could feel the tension between them. The knowledge. And immediately she understood.
No. Not that.
“It’s not you he wants, Alais. He seeks the book. That’s what brought him back to your chamber. Can you really be so blind?”
Alais took a step away from Guilhem. “Does she speak the truth?”
He swung round to face her, desperation flashing in his eyes.
“She’s lying. I swear, on my life, I care nothing for the book. I have told her nothing. How could I?”
“He searched the chamber while you slept. He cannot deny it.”
“I did not,” he shouted.
Alais looked at him. “But you knew there was such a book?”
The alarm that nickered in his eyes gave her the answer she feared.
“She tried to blackmail me to help her, but I refused.” His voice cracked, “I refused, Alais.”
“What hold did she have over you that she would make such a request?” she said softly, almost in a whisper.
Guilhem tried to reach for her, but she backed away from him.
Even now, I would that he denied it.
He dropped his hand. “Once, yes, I… Forgive me.”
“It’s a little late for remorse.”
Alais ignored Oriane. “Do you love her?”
Guilhem shook his head. “Can’t you see what she’s doing, Alais? She’s trying to turn you against me.”
Alais was dumbstruck that he could believe she would trust him ever again.
He held his hand out. “Please, Alais,” he pleaded. “I love you.”
“Enough of this,” said Oriane, stepping into her line of vision. “Where is the book?”
“I not have it.”
“Who does?” said Oriane in a threatening voice.
Alais held her ground. “Why do you want it? What is it that is of such importance?”
“Just tell me,” she snapped, “and this will all end here.”
“And if I will not?”
“It is so easy to sicken,” she said. “You nursed our father. Perhaps the illness is already within you.” She turned to Guilhem. “You understand what I’m saying, Guilhem? If you go against me.”
“I will not allow you to harm her!”
Oriane laughed. “You’re hardly in a position to threaten me, Guilhem.
I have enough evidence of your treachery to see you hanged.“
“Evidence of your own designing,” he shouted. “Viscount Trencavel will not believe you.”