Dark Lightning by Janet Woods Read Free Book Online

teacher than my father. I can tell you about yourself. If you wish to know about you, then close your eyes, it will only take a tix or two.’
    Who could resist, certainly not Jynx? Tighe fell quiet and his eyes focused on the water. Almost immediately Jynx’s mouth curved into a grin and she began to laugh. Reaching up she unraveled her braid and her hair fell about her shoulders in ripples of silvery strands.
    Laek sucked in a breath. He’d never seen her hair unbraided before, and hadn’t realized it was quite so exquisite. She was a fey spirit, a sprite. ‘Why do you keep your hair braided and covered?’ he asked.
    ‘Because it’s an unusual color and my mother thinks it is different enough to attract unwanted attention. She said the women will be envious, and make fun of it, and the men will stare and will want to touch it.’
    ‘They will if you flaunt it as you are doing.’
    Her face crumpled at the harsh condemnation in his voice. ‘I thought you might like it, Laek.’
    ‘Like it,’ he said roughly. ‘Look at yourself through my eyes and deny that you are a woman.’
    A blush crept across her face. ‘I cannot see myself through your eyes, Laek, but I can’t deny what I am, and neither do I want to. What do you see?’
    ‘Would you have me feed your vanity with pretty phrases, Jynx? Would you have me tell you that you are the most exquisite creature that I ever set eyes on ... and that you have enchanted me with your glowing hair and eyes to the extent that I am nearly bewitched? I’ll not be able to concentrate on my training for days to come.’
    She made an angry noise in her throat and her voice began to tremble as if she was about to cry. ‘No, and firstly because Tighe has already said as much, so my vanity is well satiated. I do not want you to lie. I shall not bother you again, Laek, high-and-mighty Prince of Arles. I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said or thought about you. I will never speak to you again.’
    ‘You will, because I shall command that you do.’
    ‘And I’ll ignore your command.’ A movement of her hand sent small ripples across the water then she must have changed her mind for it cleared and she was back again, her voice trembling with the wound he’d inflicted on her. ‘Do you really think all those things about me, Laek?’
    Laek’s feelings were muddled about Jynx at the moment. To encourage her hero worship of him when he was to be wed to her sister was wrong. ‘I was teasing. I think of you as still a child.’
    ‘Hah! Then I’ll definitely not speak to you, again,’ she cried out with great passion and the pool below him began to froth and storm. This time when it cleared she was gone.
    ‘What’s wrong with her?’ Laek muttered, racked with guilt over the necessity to hurt his childhood friend. 
    ‘Nothing is wrong with her. Jynx thinks she loves you, and you condemn her for having such tender emotions.’
    ‘We’ve always loved each other.’
    ‘As children, but now you’re nearly a man and Jynx is nearly a woman. Think on it.’ Tighe went back to whittling.
     Laek remembered the giggle Jynx had given when she’d been talking to Tighe, and he frowned at him. ‘What did you say to Jynx during that mind exchange?’
    Flicking him a glance, Tighe gave a faint smile before ignoring him.
    ‘Tighe, you’ll answer me. That’s an order.’
    Tighe’s eyes took on a bland opaline glow as they slid his way. The next moment Laek found himself flying through the air. A couple of somersaults later and he landed in the water with a resounding splash.
    Swimming to the side Laek began to climb up the handholds in the rocks towards the cave. When he got within earshot, he shouted. ‘I could have you killed for doing that.’
    Tighe smiled and said nothing. Jon and Iago came out from the cave to see what the fuss was about, their swords half drawn in defense of their friend.
    When Laek had nearly reached the top of rock his fingers slipped out of a