Magic's Promise by Mercedes Lackey Read Free Book Online

King's Own, but - “
    “ In that case, the present I brought you may be handy. ” He shifted so that he could get at his pocket, and pulled out the crystal. He closed his hand around it, feeling all the smooth planes and angles pressing into his palm. “ Don't you need a Prime Focus stone of your own to set in the Web? I thought you didn't have a good Prime to use for anything but personal stuff.''
    “ You do, and I put a stone there, but it was a Secondary Focus, an amethyst, and not what I'd have- ”
    He raised the hand holding the crystal above his head, parting his fingers so she could see it, but not opening his eyes or moving his head.
    “ Sunsinger's Glory! ” she breathed. “ Where did you find that? ”
    “ Gifted me, ” he said, as the weight left his hand. “ People keep giving me things, Savil. An opal or amber I could have used - still - you can use it, so do. ”
    “ I shall. ” Her hand began to stroke his hair again, and he heard the little click as she set the stone down on the table beside her. “ That will make my job a bit easier. ” She chuckled richly. “ I thought I was so lucky when it turned out my resonances worked best with rose-quartz-not like Deedre who was stuck with topaz, or Justen, with ruby. Nice, cheap stone, I thought. Won't have to go bankrupt trying to get a good one. Little did I know how hard it was to find a good, unflawed, large crystal! ”
    “ Little did you know you were going to turn out a Guardian, ” he replied drowsily.
    “ Hmm, true. ” Her mind touched softly on his. Vanyel, ke'chara, you are not well. There's more silver in this lovely black hair.:
    He couldn't lie mind-to-mind, not to her, so he temporized. :The silver's from working with the nodes; you should know that. As for the rest - I'm just weary, teacher - love. Just weary. Too many hours fighting too many battles, and all of it too much alone.:
    :Heart - wounded?: Her Mindvoice was etched and frosted with concern.
    :No, heart - whole. Just lonely. Only that. You know. I haven't time these days to go courting a friend. Not on battle - lines. And I won't ask for more than friendship -   gods, how could I ask anyone to make an emotional commitment to somebody who's out trying daily to get himself killed? I'm better off alone.:
    The hand on his hair trembled a little, and rested.
    :I know,: she replied, finally.   :There are times when I wish with all my heart I could take some of that from you.:
    :Now, now, don't encourage me in my self-pity. Honestly, you and 'Fandes-: “ If wishes were fishes, we'd walk on the sea, teacher - love, ” he said aloud. “ I'd rather you could keep Father and Mother off when I'm home. ” “ So you're finally making that major visit they've been plaguing you for? ” She took the unspoken cue and switched to less - intimate vocal speech.
    “ Randale sent me word just as I was leaving the Border. Several weeks leave of absence at least. And I must say, that while I'm looking forward to the rest, I'm not at all sanguine about this little sojourn in the bosom of my loving family. ”
    “ Out of experience I'm forced to tell you: even if they behave themselves, you're all too likely to find yourself the court of appeal for every family feud that's been brewing for the last ten years, ” she said, and laughed. “ And no one will like your judgments and everyone will accuse you of favoritism. ”
    He opened his eyes and moved his head around, propping his chin against the seat cushion. “ And Mother will haul every eligible female for leagues about in on 'visits,' and Father will go cross-eyed trying to see if I 'm attempting to seduce any of the young men on the estate. And dear Father Leren will thunder sermons about fornication and perversity every holy day, and glare. Jervis will snipe at me, try to get me angry, and glare. And Mother's maid Melenna will chase me all over the property. And on and on. ” He made mournful eyes at her. “ If I hadn't promised,