[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

with a death wish would fly in that. His brow creased in a puzzled frown.  Why are you
out here? Why aren t you with the prince?
 He said he needed some time alone. Dane sighed.  And I could ask the same thing
of you.
 Just contemplating, Lahn said.  I may have agreed to be a hostage. That doesn t
mean I m comfortable with the idea.
Dane had a sense there were other things on his friend s mind but decided not to
pursue his suspicions.  I wonder if I ve done the right thing.
Lahn looked at him a second.  Let s go down.
The copse was cool and quiet, the air heavy with moisture. The sound of the thunder
was reminiscent of the mutterings of a god turning over in his sleep.
 Yes, I think you did the right thing, Lahn said.  He had a right to know.
 You didn t see him. Dane turned and began walking, only half-aware of his
destination.  He was devastated. I want to ask him what the letter said but 
 I don t think he ll mind telling you. Lahn had fallen into step beside him.  I don t
need to tell you how much he ll need your support. He s in for a rough time. You re both
fortunate to have each other.
Lahn had looked away when he d spoken those last few words. Dane wished his
friend would tell him what was troubling him.  Lahn 
 What is this place? Dane wasn t sure if Lahn was just trying to change the subject
or if he was truly interested.
Their meandering had led them to a spot within the very center of the copse, and at
that heart stood an old and gnarled tree, its trunk knotted and black with age, its branches
thicker around then a man s torso. A good portion of the root system was above ground,
looking like the legs of a spider and giving one the impression that the ancient sentinel
would walk away at any second.
 This place, Dane said.  I m not certain. I know it is where the bogies come. I think
they use this tree to pass back and forth between worlds.
 No jest?
 That s what I m told.
Lahn seemed to examine the tree for a moment.  You need to go back. Vanlyn s
been alone too long, hasn t he?
 And what about you?
Lahn sighed.  I ll get a room at The Rare Blessing.
 Why not just stay at the manor? Dane looked up at as the first drops found their
way through the leafy canopy.
 I don t believe the two of you need me there, Lahn said.
 It s a big manor, Lahn. Just speak with Dawkins, and he ll see to things.
 Very well.
Dane ran a nervous hand through his hair. Lahn was not the only one contemplating.
Yes, the future had been on Dane s mind quite a bit.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Vanlyn was in the same position he was when Dane had left him. As he slipped into
the library, he closed and locked the door behind him.
Dane s steps were cautious as he approached. When he saw Vanlyn s face pale and
haggard and how he held the letter in a white-knuckle grip, his heart ached.
Dane moved around the couch and resumed his place next to Vanlyn. The young
man continued to stare at the sheath of papers before speaking.  She wants me to destroy
this. Vanlyn s voice was an agonized whisper.  This is the only thing I have of her.
Dane moved closer.  May I?
Vanlyn relinquished his grip on the letter. Dane s eyes skimmed over the words until
the end where Eselda had asked her brother to destroy the letter. He had to admit it was
probably a wise course of action.
 Love, I m so sorry, Dane said.  I should never have 
 No! It was the most vehement emotion he d seen from Vanlyn since he d first
opened the letter.  I-I m glad you did it. I just can t& I can t& 
Can t destroy the only tangible proof that you sister is alive. The only little piece you
have of her. Dane thought.
 Would you light a fire, please? It was such a simple question. One that Dane knew
twisted Vanlyn s world. Dane didn t know what else to say or do, so he obeyed, taking
his time. When the flames filled the hearth, Dane moved aside and waited.
Vanlyn stood. It was one slow and painful movement, as though he were a much
older man beaten down by life. He approached the fireplace and stared into the flames,
their dance reflected in his eyes.
 Vanlyn wait. Dane reached out and grasped the wrist of the hand that held the
letter.
Vanlyn paused, his eyes filled with questions.
 You don t have to do this, Dane said.  I can conceal the letter in illusion. Make it
impossible to be read.
 No. Vanlyn s voice was soft.  Eselda asked me to promise. I won t break that
vow, certainly not for my own selfish wants.
 You re not being selfish! He was sorry he d suggested it, but he couldn t stand to
see Vanlyn so distraught.
Dane released him, and Vanlyn turned to the fireplace again.
The papers fluttered down like hapless butterflies unaware they were falling into a
predator s trap. The beast rose up and engulfed them quickly, leaving nothing behind but
ash and the lingering scent of Eselda s perfume.
Vanlyn made a strangled cry as he pressed a fist to his lips. Dane opened his arms to
him, and Vanlyn fell against him. The tears that escaped from beneath his own closed lids
surprised Dane.
* * * *
The thick curtains blocked out the wan light, cloaking the room in a false darkness.
The storm had hit the island in its fury and had raged and diminished for two days.
Vanlyn lay stretched out in his bedroom and tried to conjure an image of Eselda in
his mind and found he couldn t. What he did discover was that every attempt came out
disjointed. He could see her eyes, her smile, and her upturned nose but never did these
images meld into a proper picture of her face.
Another face, however, came clear to his mind, and each time he saw that face, his
anger waxed hotter.
Argent.
The bedroom door came open. Vanlyn turned his head to face it. Dane walked in
carrying a tray. Vanlyn knew Dane worried about him. In the time since he d burned
Eselda s letter, his emotional state had fluctuated between depression and fury. Vanlyn
had eaten little and said less, and he could tell by the dark bruises under Dane s eyes and
the haggardness of his features that his lover was beside himself with worry. He hated
distressing Dane this way, but try as he might, Vanlyn couldn t dredge up enough energy
to resume his life.
 Vanlyn. Dane s voice was heavy with distress.  Please eat something.
The agony in Dane s voice gave him the reason to move. Vanlyn rolled over on his
side and pushed himself up, letting his legs swing over the side of the bed.
 Here, Dane said as he held the tray out.
Vanlyn pressed his palms flat against the coverlet, then fisted them around the
material. He didn t look at Dane when he spoke.  I need a favor from you.
 Anything. Dane set the tray in the floor and knelt before him, placing a hand on
Vanlyn s knee.
 I need you to allow me to return to the mainland for a little while.
Dane frowned in confusion.  Why? I mean to say it s not to meet with Lady Dacien,
is it? You haven t even 
 It s not about that. Vanlyn tightened his hold. The anger that was smoldering just
below the surface of his consciousness threatened to erupt in flames. He was trembling,
and he couldn t stop.  I m going to return to Toryn. I m going to kill Argent and my
father.
 Gods and fiends. Dane breathed the words.  Vanlyn, you can t mean that.
The silk bunched in his hands.  It s the only way Eselda will be safe. The only way [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]