CHAPTER 28

The treaty signing took place in the middle of the Jardin des Tuileries, next to a large pond surrounded by statues. It was past three o’clock in the morning, but the snow was still falling. The group—Fae, dragons, humans—had moved far enough away from the rue de Rivoli to avoid the rescue efforts and repair work that were still going on there. The Cardinal had had a pleasant “little chat” with Inspector Maillon, and Inspector Maillon was now utterly convinced of everyone’s innocence in the recent anarchist disruptions. Certainly the crater spanning the street and the shattered surrounding buildings were more reminiscent of bombs than anything else. Such as a dragon attack.

Irene would have felt guiltier about the widespread destruction they’d brought to Paris if she’d had any energy left to do it with. She was running on caffeine and brandy, and even though she’d been wrapped in borrowed coats and had her frostbite bandaged, the cold had settled into her bones. Unfortunately, given the presence of royalty on both sides, only the very elderly or badly injured got to sit down, and she didn’t quite rate that level of consideration. The fatigue-stupid part of her brain almost wished that she had been injured enough to deserve a chair, but common sense strangled that train of thought. The area buzzed with the same mixture of order and chaos that had filled the dining room last night, but it didn’t feel quite as claustrophobic or condensed. Yet it was still a tingle in the air, a frisson on the nerves.

Ao Ji had been removed by a group of dragons, led by his royal brother Ao Guang, who had arrived shortly after all the fighting was over. The official story was that the Countess had poisoned Ao Ji, resulting in temporary insanity. The fact that absolutely nobody believed this didn’t stop it from being a good story. The Countess had vanished, but nobody was trying to hunt her down; they were all too busy with immediate emergencies. Irene had reported the full story to Kostchei and Coppelia—as far as she knew it—with Vale’s assistance. And it was amazing how smoothly final negotiations had gone, with both sides being culpable of something and wanting to smooth it over.

Kai’s father Ao Guang was … impressive. He had the same colouring as Kai—and Irene suspected that he was blue in his dragon form as well, but she hadn’t had a chance to see that. He possessed a bearing and power that came with age and with the knowledge that, if he really wanted to, he could take the world apart. Very much like Ao Ji, in fact. Irene had been doing her best to find other people to stand behind, whenever she was anywhere near him. It probably didn’t do much good, but it made her feel slightly better.

Vale was standing near her now. He occasionally offered an elbow when she looked as if she was starting to sway. Irene wasn’t too proud to take it. She was counting the seconds till this was done.

And then it was. Ao Guang signed. The Princess signed. Coppelia and Kostchei signed as witnesses. Li Ming brushed snow off the documents—three copies, one for each group—and rolled them up to slide them into scroll tubes, his motions still slow and pained. Irene breathed a sigh of relief; very carefully, through her nose, so as not to hurt her throat any further. She still had difficulty speaking.

There were mutual gestures of courtesy and formal speeches, which Irene mostly tuned out while keeping a vague awareness of the situation. Kai remained at his father’s side at all times, and he was far too aware of scrutiny to even glance at Irene, just as she was far too politically sensible to spend her time gazing at him. Official neutrality. Right. She had no idea what his father would say to him once they were alone. Determined optimism let her hope that there were some prospects for them both, for the future. They were all still alive, after all. That was better than things had looked a few hours ago. She would just have to get on with her job and wait till his father let him go his own way again …

And if it’s decades? At least we had one night together. At least I’ll know he’s safe and well.

“And we have one more decision to announce,” Coppelia wound up her speech. “Step forward, Irene.”

Irene’s stomach dropped as everyone’s eyes turned to her. Being noticed at events like this was rarely good news. She pasted a polite smile on her face and tried to step forward gracefully but staggered, and Vale had to catch her.

“Kindly forgive Miss Winters,” Vale said. “She was injured.”

“Her service has been noted,” Ao Guang said. “What is your decision, Madam Librarian?”

It was too much to hope for a reward, Irene decided. This wasn’t the sort of school prize-giving where one was handed a book and an improving homily about hard work. A pity. She’d have liked a book. But she didn’t think that she’d done anything deserving punishment—or at least, she hadn’t been caught doing it officially. She tried to slow her pulse and act as if she knew what was going on.

Coppelia leaned forward in her chair. A thin crust of snow covered her shoulders and dusted the folds of her skirt. The moonlight brought out all the lines of her face. “The Library has decided to create an official embassy. It will be a clearing-house, if you like, for peaceful questions and complaints from all treaty signatories. Naturally this requires a younger Librarian who is capable of living outside the Library and who is on good terms with both Your Majesty’s kindred and the Fae.”

She paused, possibly to allow objections. Nobody made any.

“We have therefore decided to appoint Irene, also known as Miss Winters, currently Librarian-in-Residence to B-395 by our classification, to this position. Miss Winters will maintain her current job, though of course without infringing on the rights of any treaty signatories. We hope this is acceptable to all parties.”

Irene fixed her gaze at a point somewhere over Coppelia’s shoulder and struggled to keep her breathing even and not have a coughing fit. Actually, would a coughing fit get her invalided out of this presumptive position? Tempting thought. This job she was being offered—no, assigned—was not remotely safe. She was going to be a public target for anyone with a grudge against the Library or the peace treaty.

I’m doomed.

“We entirely approve,” Ao Guang said.

They probably all set this up beforehand.

“As do we,” the Princess agreed.

Sheer panic took over. I wonder if my budget will extend to building fortifications and machine-gun emplacements?

“And you, Irene?” Coppelia queried. “If you honestly feel that you are not suited to this task, then we will assign someone else.”

Irene took a deep breath. “I hardly feel competent,” she said honestly. “I’m still very young and inexperienced compared to other Librarians.” Though, really, was she that inexperienced? Choosing to avoid responsibility by labelling herself as unworthy might be the easy choice … but was it the right choice?

She met Coppelia’s eyes. “But I will do my best to serve the Library in this position,” she finished.

“A wise choice,” Ao Guang said. He didn’t comment on whose choice. “And in order to facilitate these lines of communication, I will assign one of my own sons to the same task. Kai, this will be a duty for you. You will share the embassy with Miss Winters here. As will the eventual Fae representative.”

Kai went down to one knee in the snow and pressed a fist to his shoulder. “As my lord and father commands,” he said. His manner was perfectly appropriate, but Irene knew him well enough to hear the suppressed undertone of eagerness in his voice.

“And of course we will assign some loyal servant of our own for a similar purpose,” the Princess said. Her eyes were practically glowing with sweet harmony and love for all living things. Birds would have been singing if it wasn’t snowing and the middle of winter. “But for the moment, let us say our farewells. I truly feel that we have achieved something great today.”

And when she said it, her words really sounded true. Irene could actually believe in … happy endings?

We have a peace treaty. The Library’s safe. My parents are safe.

I get to be with Kai. He gets to be with me. This can’t be coincidence. There has to be some sort of plan behind it.

Or could it really be the closest thing to a reward they can give us? Am I risking my own happiness because I’m too paranoid to accept a gift?

She backed away politely as the royalty on both sides turned its attention away from her. For a moment she caught Kai’s eyes, and she saw the same awareness—and the same hope—in his face. Then he stepped back to answer a question from his father, and she looked away before she could be caught staring.

“Well, Winters,” Vale said softly. “It sounds as if you will be causing my world some inconvenience for a while yet.”

Apparently he’d made the same calculus of potential dangers that she had. “I could request that this theoretical embassy be positioned elsewhere,” Irene said reluctantly. “So long as I take the job, that is.”

Vale snorted. “Hardly necessary. Simply exercise your customary caution.” He glanced at the rue de Rivoli beyond the trees. “And do your best to avoid blowing up London, if at all possible.”

Silver slid through the crowd towards them, giving Irene his most affectionate and enticing smile. “I have to admit, my little mouse, that I’ve seldom been so relieved in my life.”

“For which of many possible reasons?” Irene asked.

“Not being given any official appointment regarding our new treaty. It’s really not my style.” He reached inside his coat and slid out an envelope, offering it to Irene. “And speaking of things I’d rather not hold on to—here you are. I’m sure you can find a safe place to keep it.”

Irene flipped the envelope open. The contents were reassuringly the same as earlier: the letter the Countess had given her. She hadn’t actually read it, and she wasn’t sure that she wanted to. She could feel the Cardinal’s eyes on her from across the crowd, even if he wasn’t currently looking at her. “Somewhere very safe, I think.” She slid it into her own coat. “No talk of favours?”

Silver flashed his teeth in a smile. “After some study of your personality, my dear Irene Winters, I’m coming to the conclusion I might prefer to have your goodwill instead. The world is changing. I will watch with interest. Do come by the embassy when we’re back in London. I’m sure I can host a party that would … entertain you. Bring your pet dragon. And the Princess has told me to make sure you get paid, detective, so I’ll see to that.”

He tipped his hat and wandered away.

“Do you believe his affirmations of goodwill?” Vale asked, austere and suspicious.

“I think the strength of his intentions may depend on the seriousness of the situation,” Irene answered quietly. “But he has come out ahead for the moment, so let’s not rock the boat. Could you help me across to Coppelia, please?”

A gap formed around Coppelia as Irene and Vale approached, with surrounding Librarians and bystanders melting away.

Coppelia looked up and her face creased in a smile. “You know, for a moment I honestly thought you’d refuse.”

“You’re my teacher,” Irene responded. She knew that people around her were listening to the conversation, even if they were tactfully pretending not to. “Of all the people here, you should know which way I’d jump.”

“You might have claimed that you weren’t up to it. You’ve done it before. I’m glad that you didn’t do it this time. After a certain point, it becomes a habit.” Coppelia offered her hand to Vale. “And thank you very much for your help. I hope that we can call on you again if necessary. I believe your fees are on a fixed scale, except when you remit them entirely?”

Vale gave her a small bow. “You are correct, madam, though I would expect nothing less from you. I am glad I could be of assistance.”

“Excellent. My agent will be calling on you later.”

Irene passed Coppelia the letter. “This needs to go somewhere very safe indeed.”

“Ah yes,” Coppelia said, tucking it under the blanket that covered her skirts. “Another document for the files … You can call on me in your own time, you know, Irene.” Her voice softened. “There’s no need to be a stranger.”

Irene thought about all the people in her future. “I promise that I won’t,” she said quietly. “Some things may change, but others will stay the same.”

She felt the brush of orderly power behind her and turned to see Ao Guang, with Kai behind him. Automatically she dipped in a bow, and Vale perforce did the same.

Ao Guang nodded to them both. “There is no need to detain you further,” he said, in a tone of voice that Irene decided to class as friendly. “I can see that you are both injured, and the night is cold. I will be glad to escort Madam Coppelia and her friends to the Bibliothèque nationale, to exit this world.”

And the Cardinal’s letter. Right. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Irene said. She tried to meet his eyes without having any thoughts about Kai whatever. Or about Ao Ji. Or about anything to which Ao Guang could take exception.

“Your fee will be dispatched to you,” Ao Guang informed Vale. “Kai, see to it. I will not require you for the rest of the night.”

“Yes, my lord father,” Kai said, with another bow.

Ao Guang turned from them to Coppelia with the calm assurance of a man who knew they’d vanish into social invisibility the moment he looked away. Kai took Irene’s other arm, and the three of them retreated to the shelter of one of the statues.

“I can get all three of us home,” Kai said quietly. “Irene’s obviously not up to much travel—”

“Excuse me,” Irene muttered, and coughed.

“Ignore Winters,” Vale advised Kai. “After being ordered around just now, she feels the need to assert her independence.”

Irene glared at him but didn’t trust her throat enough to speak.

“Or we could find another hotel for the next few hours,” Kai suggested. “Enough to catch some sleep. My father has given me leave.”

“Yes, we heard,” Vale said. “Tell me, Strongrock, what do you make of this embassy business?”

“Experimental,” Kai said thoughtfully. “But it’s worth a try, I think. And it keeps me out of court for the moment. The matter of my uncle …”

“I’m sorry about that,” Irene said hoarsely.

Kai looked at her, choosing his words carefully. “Irene, I would be lying if I said I was at all comfortable with what has happened. But my father came to help. He has publicly acknowledged me and given me a worthy task. Things are never going to be the same—but I know that he feels I acted properly. And his opinion is the most important thing to me.”

More important than me? The words rose in Irene’s throat, but before they could pass her lips she saw just how stupid they were. There were different sorts of importance. Kai would never ask her to compare her affection for him to her loyalty to the Library. Mortal beings could have more than one thing that they cared about. Immortal ones, like dragon kings, might be carried away by their ruling passions and be prepared to sacrifice everything else—all other loves, all loyalties, all honour—to that consuming flame.

But she was mortal.

She nodded.

In the distance, down along the Seine and on one of the further bridges, far-away noises drifted through the snow. The grinding of cartwheels, the noise of horses’ hooves, and above it singing and shouts of enthusiasm.

“What’s going on?” Kai asked.

“The early-morning market vendors,” Vale answered. “They’re bringing their vegetables and other food to the markets at Les Halles. They usually go along the boulevard Saint-Michel—but perhaps the snow has closed it. And I’m told the more bohemian students often accompany them.” The disapproving lines of his face suggested that he’d never done any such thing himself when he’d been studying.

Irene, however, had. “Life goes on,” she said philosophically, giving up on resting her voice, “and Paris will be here long after we’ve left it. I think a hotel might be the best idea. We can get back to London tomorrow.”

“Probably wise,” Vale agreed. He looked at the group of people in front of them. Fae, dragons, Librarians—and all of them interacting with each other. If not warmly, then at least politely. “I daresay nobody will notice that we have gone.”

Irene nodded. She smiled at both of them, more genuinely than she’d managed yet this evening. It was difficult to let fear go. Yet she was willing to try. “Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day. But … I think I’m looking forward to it.”