“So, it’s done,” Blue Heron said as the Morning Star wrapped the ceremonial marriage blanket around Night Shadow Star and Thirteen Sacred Jaguar’s shoulders. The kukul standard seemed to be leering in triumph as it swayed above the Itza’s head.
Her niece’s expression, behind her black-and-gray facial paint, showed not a flicker of emotion.
Blue Heron stood by Wooden Doll’s side, having been interrupted by the arrival of the Morning Star and the performance of the ceremony.
As people flocked forward to congratulate the new couple, Blue Heron blocked Wooden Doll’s line of flight, studying the woman carefully. To her credit, the paid woman gazed back through wary but unflinching eyes.
“You swim in dangerous waters,” Blue Heron began. “Aligning yourself with my ex-husband against Morning Star House either takes exceptional courage and political agility, or a death wish.”
“I am a paid woman, Keeper. My ‘alignment,’ as you put it, is nothing more than a business arrangement.”
Blue Heron glanced sidelong to where Horn Lance was translating congratulations from the crowd of chiefs and nobles. “That might not be enough to keep you alive.”
“I’m not a fool, Keeper.”
“Coming from where you do, a woman doesn’t gain your stature and prestige by being stupid. I’m catching a glimmer of what the thief sees in you.” She paused. “Tell me. What happens to you on the day when Horn Lance waves his hand dismissively and says, ‘Begone.’”
“That depends on how this all plays out.” With a graceful gesture she indicated the crowd around the newlyweds. “If this is truly the first of a long series of contacts with the Itza, a smart woman might profit in the most incredible ways.”
“And if it isn’t?”
Wooden Doll’s eyebrow barely arched in reply. “That same smart woman needs to get what she can, while she can, and remain agile enough on her feet that she makes no enemies in the process.”
“Even if that means sacrificing Seven Skull Shield in the process?”
The woman frowned, her hardening gaze fixing on Horn Lance where he interpreted for the Itza. “He told me that Skull had sent him. I had no reason to doubt it. Men often send friends to my door.” As quickly she countered, “Though I find it odd that the Four Winds Clan Keeper would care what happened to a clanless man like Skull? What is he to you?”
Blue Heron bristled at the woman’s tone. Then a deadly smile bent her lips. “You do live dangerously. What’s he told you about me?”
“Straight out? Nothing of consequence, except that he trusts you. But knowing Skull like I do, you’re like sweet nectar on bread, and he just can’t get enough. Working for you the way he does, he gets to feed that sick craving he has for excitement and challenge. And my guess is that you’ll play him like a hollow-reed flute, right up until the moment you don’t need him anymore.” Her dark gaze hardened. “And it will break his heart, because fool that he is with his insane sense of honor, he thinks you’re really his friend.”
Blue Heron’s lips quivered as a spear of truth made her heart skip. “I’m not the one who sold myself to the man who’s offered a chief’s Trade to anyone that will club Seven Skull Shield in the head and drag him in to be tortured.”
“Until Skull told me today, I wasn’t aware that Horn Lance had placed a price on his head. So for the moment I don’t know who I trust less when it comes to his safety. You, or Horn Lance.”
“I don’t owe you any explanations, woman. But then, I’m not the one warming Horn Lance’s bed. Tried it once. Didn’t like it. You, however, are—”
“Earning a small fortune, Keeper.” She glanced at where Seven Skull Shield had pulled Fire Cat to the side. “Men come and go. So, I’ll get what I can, while I can. And if I were ever fool enough to try to save Skull, change his life? Settle him down? Pus and blood, Keeper, in the end he’d break my heart.”
“So it’s all about who pays the most?”
“Always, Keeper. Always.”