The Singer's Crown Read Online Free PDF Page B

must admit that his gift pleased you.”
    â€œThe voice is divine,” she agreed, glancing toward Kattanan, who swiftly looked away.
    â€œThe baron knew your love of music—he considers more than your crown.”
    â€œThat’s true.” Melisande made a slow curtsy. “Perhaps I shall find him for this next.”
    Wolfram returned the honor and turned to seek a new partner. The baron intercepted him quickly, with a tug at his sleeve. “Is your sister favorable?”
    â€œMy friend, your gift was truly inspired. Catch her and dance with her.”
    The baron made a move to follow this advice, but Melisande had already been swept away by the son of a senior minister. Eadmund rubbed a hand over his beard, standing first on one foot, then the other. After a moment, he glanced over to the thrones, where Kattanan sat alone on his stool. Approaching the singer, he said, “There’s no law against your dancing, boy.”
    Balls and courtships always made Kattanan uncomfortable, always watching from a distance the moments between men and women. “The dance is not my trade. I was made, or unmade, to sing, and that alone.”
    â€œI’m no longer your master, but if I should be again, I’ll find one to dance with you.”
    â€œI thank you, Excellency, but the Lady assigns to each of us a purpose, and I know my own well enough. The dance is nigh to finished,” he pointed out.
    The baron hurried off to find Melisande. “If Your Highness would care to dance?”
    â€œCertainly, Excellency.” She smiled brilliantly at the older man—much older, he suddenly seemed, with lines like frost around his eyes.
    â€œI fear I was not well tutored, but your grace will perhaps mask my own lack of it.”
    â€œAny man can dance, given the right tune.”
    â€œYou are the tune I would dance to, Your Highness.”
    The princess laughed, more at his earnestness than at the compliment. “I shall endeavor to be neither sharp nor flat. But come, it is beginning.”
    The baron proved not terribly clumsy and ever generous in his praise. He had been practicing at both in the halls of his keep, trying dance steps, and murmuring to an unseen partner. At the final bow, they stood not far from the thrones. “My singer does not care to dance?”
    â€œNo, Highness, he has said his purpose is to sing.”
    â€œWhy, he must be light of foot. I think I shall ask him.” With that, she turned from the baron, and Kattanan glanced away, hoping to seem uninterested.
    â€œCome dance with me,” Melisande demanded, holding out her hand.
    â€œI do not know the dances, Your Highness, and I’ve no wish to embarrass you before your guests,” Kattanan protested to no avail.
    â€œJoin me quick, before one of my suitors shows up!” She smiled, beckoning him onward. He accepted the hand delicately into his own, his fingers even more pale than hers. “It begins this way, with a bow, then three small steps…” She bent her head to the task of tutoring his feet, but the second time he trod upon her skirt in his nervousness, she stumbled into another dancer and abandoned the task. “For now, I’ll accept your ignorance. Fetch me some wine.”
    â€œYes, Highness.” He took his leave with relief, his heart pounding in his throat.
    â€œWolfie,” the princess said as she retired to her seat, “this is the first time I have left a dance unfinished. A singer he is, and such he shall remain.” She took the offered goblet.
    Her brother sighed with her. “It is a shame Father couldn’t be here to listen. He’d have told you to marry the man on the spot.”
    â€œIt is true that the baron is less false than the others.” She toyed with the necklace. “He is also one of your favorites, so I would not seem so distant from Father.”
    â€œCan I take it he is one of your favorites also?” the