Free Spiderwork by L. K. Rigel

something. Char's face was a blank.
    Prince Garrick shook his head. "Holidays beget holidays. This isn't the right time for workers' rights and coddling."
    "Speaking of my workers, let me thank you for Garrick's coronation gifts," Jake said. "The kitchen is in a tizzy."
    "The kitchen?" Durga said.
    "A complete set of stainless steel pots and pans and knives," Jake said. "A gift that only a city of wealth and technology could produce."
    "So unlike the tacky gold jewel-encrusted crown from Luxor with its companion everyday-wear gold circlet," Char said.
    "It was nothing." Garrick wrinkled his nose. "I am told that you make a point of feeding your commoners every day from your own stocks. I thought you should have some tempered steel to put your stews in."
    Durga understood if Jake did not. Garrick meant the gift as a joke.
    "I'm sure the cagers and masons would like to thank you too," Jake said. "After their holiday."
    "Khai, Prince of Luxor!"
    Thank Asherah . Durga wanted to talk to the Prince of Luxor about the Team of Inquiry before Versailles got to him. Magda had said he had integrity, and that was good enough for Durga, but it never hurt to meet with someone personally to ensure they understood things from the proper point of view.
    Durga gasped. Everybody gasped.
    The scion of Luxor was tall and dark, but he wore so much gold that all the candlelight in the room reflected off him like a halo. Earrings, necklaces, wristlets. Hammered gold bands on his bare biceps had dagger designs plunging toward his elbows. His tunic was of sky blue cloth interwoven with gold threads.
    A ceremonial dagger, the symbol of Luxor, hung from his gold belt. Its handle, guard, and blade were carved from a single red carnelian stone.
    He wore his black hair close at the top, then falling down his back in a cascade of thin braids decorated with more gold, lapis lazuli and carnelian beads, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. A plain gold circlet rested just above his eyebrows.
    Dark, expressive eyebrows. One of which he raised inquisitively as he spotted Durga.
    The musician.
    He came to her as if she were the only other person in the room. In the world.
    "Luxor." Prince Garrick brightened, as if he'd found someone worth talking to.
    "Emissary." The scion of Luxor brushed past Garrick to take Durga's hand, and she allowed it. His touch sent a rippling shock through her body and set her loins on fire. It happened so fast, she forgot to control herself.
    He looked up at her, his lips pressed in a smile against the back of her hand. She returned the smile. As he lowered her hand, he gave it a friendly squeeze before letting go. The intimacy of it left her delighted—and truly afraid. This was real pain. She ached to feel his touch again.
    The rest of the world came flooding back to her senses. Magda and the others had joined their circle. Magda, for one, seemed quite amused by Durga's flustered discomfort. Durga had never felt so exposed and vulnerable.
    Khai of Luxor turned to Jake. "Lord Ardri, Luxor is honored to stand witness to your coronation. Adding well-run settlements like yours to the increasing number of city-states is the key to real peace and stability in the world. Welcome to the monarchy."
    "A bit premature, don't you think?" Garrick smirked. "He isn't king yet, and this settlement is not yet a city."
    "Allel," Jake said.
    "Come again?" Garrick said.
    "Allel," Jake said. "The city's name will be Allel, all gods. All gods and all people are welcome here. Exotics. Ghosts. Samaeli priests." Jake nodded to Maribel. "I mean to rule with respect for all."
    "We all do at the beginning, Ardri," Prince Garrick said, as if he knew anything about beginnings or mutual respect. "Poor bastard. You have a few things to learn about people. What will your trade export be? Partially cut stone and wooden raptor cage technology, I suppose. Or radical democratic philosophy."
    "We're working on something," Jake said. "Of course we honor the Great Chain, but