Читать книгу The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf - Martin Millar - Страница 28
ОглавлениеAs soon as Vex headed for the kitchen, Daniel and Moonglow rose from the table. Moonglow headed for her room upstairs, so Daniel went in the opposite direction, following Vex into the kitchen. The young Fire Elemental was drinking another bottle of beer and eating chocolate. Daniel and Moonglow had wondered in the past how she managed to remain as thin as a twig.
“Remember to keep what we were saying a big secret,” said Vex. “If Aunt Malvie arrives, don’t say we were talking about her.”
They walked back into the living room, and at that moment Queen Malveria materialized in front of the fireplace.
“We weren’t talking about you,” said Vex.
“I beg your pardon, niece?” said Malveria.
“Nothing. I just said we weren’t talking about you. We never do. Do we, Daniel?”
“Eh, no,” muttered Daniel, and looked guilty.
“Thanks for the computer,” said Vex, to change the subject. The Fire Queen, after asking Moonglow what Vex required for college, had given Moonglow money to buy her a laptop of her own, as a birthday present. She looked around with distaste at the bottles and cans that littered the room.
“I presume the party was a success.”
“I got a boyfriend,” said Vex.
“I have come to talk to Moonglow on an important matter,” said the Fire Queen, ignoring her niece.
“I have a boyfriend!” repeated Vex.
The Queen frowned. “Daniel. You look rather downcast. Is something the matter?”
“Moonglow rejected him,” said Vex.
“Ah.” The Fire Queen nodded sagely. “Crushing his spirit?”
“Completely devastated,” said Vex. “But I’m trying not to mention it. You know, in case it upsets him. Daniel, have you noticed how I’ve hardly mentioned it?”
Daniel nodded glumly.
“Do not worry, Daniel,” said Malveria. “The unbearable humiliation of Moonglow’s rejection will lessen over time. Moonglow will probably never mention it to anyone, apart from a few of her intimate friends.”
She looked encouragingly at Daniel, but by this time he’d left the room.
“Odd,” said the Fire Queen. “Does he not wish to talk of the matter?”
“Human boys are funny like that,” said Vex, then seized the opportunity to tell her aunt, once more, that she now had a boyfriend.
The Fire Queen regarded her niece with some distaste. “I don’t like this overeagerness. While liaison with men is acceptable, you should not bounce around like a little girl, squealing about it. The female Hiyasta royalty are independent women.”
The Fire Queen took a step away from the fireplace, but swayed slightly.
Vex looked at her aunt quizzically. “Are you having problems walking in these heels?”
“Certainly not.”
“They’re really high, maybe you should—”
“Enough, dismal niece. The Queen of the Hiyasta does not have problems with heels, no matter how high.” It was Malveria’s turn to change the topic. “Tell me about this boyfriend.”
“He’s a guitarist!”
“You amaze me,” said the Queen. “I take it all the doctors and lawyers were unavailable?”
Vex proceeded to tell her aunt all about Pete. Malveria, despite her doubts about the affair, was interested to learn that this was the same young man with whom Dominil had once had a brief liaison. The Fire Queen was always entertained by the romantic entanglements of others, and would have enjoyed nothing better than a furiously jealous Dominil to burst into the room, accusing Vex of stealing her man.
Though that is unlikely, from my knowledge of Dominil’s character.
“She was horrible to Pete,” said Vex with the instant loyalty of a new girlfriend. “It’s really put me off her.”
The Fire Queen sat down at the table. “When you say ‘boyfriend,’ Agrivex, am I to assume that you actually mean one intoxicated encounter which will never be repeated?”
Vex shook her head. “Definitely not! He’s going to call me!”
Malveria shook her head. “I anticipate you may have a long wait. But enough of your grubby affairs. I came hear to consult Moonglow over an important matter. I take it she is hiding in her room upstairs, sensitive to encountering the wretched Daniel?”
“Why would she be sensitive?” asked Vex.
“Because Moonglow is a sensitive young woman. No doubt she feels some regret after trampling over Daniel’s dreams, and will attempt to stay out of sight for a while. I can empathize. As a young queen, I shattered Lord Stratov’s heart, and I avoided him for months afterward.”
Agrivex looked interested. “Who’s Lord Stratov?”
“Do you pay no attention to anything around you? Lord Stratov is one of our most illustrious noblemen. You met him last month at a banquet.”
“Did I? Is he married?”
“Married? No, his wife passed away some time ago. Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” replied Vex. “Just wondering.”
Malveria felt the strength returning to her ankles. She rose from the table and ascended the stairs, very slowly, leaving a thoughtful Vex behind her.
