Read Principles of Angels Online
Authors: Jaine Fenn
Principles of Angels (46 page)
Nual shrugged. ‘I know, but I have to do this. It is the least I can do for her.’
‘A shame you weren’t so fastidious about Vidoran’s remains,’ said the Minister, which struck Taro as a deeply insensitive remark - no doubt why he’d said it.
Nual chose not to take offence. ‘You still disapprove of me leaving Vidoran’s body in the throne room?’
‘Yes, though it’s not as though I can do anything about it. I can hardly send someone in there to clean up after you. Tell me, was he already dead when you regained consciousness?’ The Minister directed the question at Taro but Taro signalled wordlessly to Nual that he had no intention of answering it. He had come to in the throne room to see Nual bending over the Consul’s prone form. He knew what she’d been doing - reaming his dying mind for every piece of information he’d gained from his contact with the Sidhe - but he’d never mentioned it, and neither had she.
Nual said coldly, ‘I gave him his wish, to be at the centre of power.’
The Minister barked a laugh. ‘Quite. The man’s arrogance still astounds me. To think a mere human could ever consider taking on all this.’ He gestured around him, then looked at Nual. ‘Or even an untrained Sidhe female.’
He turned to Taro and said conversationally, ‘You do know that the woman you love is an inhuman monster who may well destroy you?’
Taro let his hand brush Nual’s, a momentary touch. ‘Aye. I know.’
The Minister shook his head. ‘So then, you’re on your own now. Both of you. Goodbye—And, I suppose, good luck.’
‘And to you,’ said Nual.
‘Goodbye . . . sirrah.’ Taro used the honorific with only slight irony.
As the Minister walked off, Taro heard him mutter, ‘Gods of our ancestors, what have I let loose on the universe?’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Being the first, this one took a long time gestating and had many hands to help it into the world. Though he might not recognise where I’ve ended up, it all started with Christopher Patrick. Since then many critiquers have helped me get where I wanted to go: Mike Lewis, Liz Holliday, Jim Anderson, Frances Beardsley and Milford Class of ’04. I’ve also had much useful feedback from first readers Dave Weddell, Kari Sperring and Emma O’Connell and proofreader Lucya Szachnowski. ‘Zero5um’ provided soundtracks and visualisations. James Cooke gave last-minute advice on weaponry. Jo Fletcher of Gollancz has guided me gently and expertly towards the finished article. My thanks to you all.
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