storm by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

Underneath the sparring, all the time, had been this.  Cal didn't pull away for a good half minute.
     
                “Rue, no...”
     
                Caeru ran his fingers through Cal's hair.  “Why not?”
     
                "It's not a good idea.  You know it isn't."
     
                "What are you afraid of?  Didn't Pell once say to you that all he owned was yours?  He did say that, didn't he?"
     
     
     
                "He didn't mean this.  He didn't mean you scheming to get me while he was away, so that you could act out your own private vengeance plan.  If you are mine and I am yours, then Pell should be part of it too."
     
                "I cannot imagine a greater abomination."
     
                "I'm sure you can."
     
                Caeru leaned on the back of the chair.  Cal's neck was still twisted.  He must be in agony by now.  "It's not anything like vengeance," Caeru said.  "The truth is that I want to know why I've suffered all these years.  I want to find out for myself.  And you are curious to know, because I am the har with whom Pell conceived a child.  You never did that together, and you know how powerful aruna has to be to achieve such a thing, because you've been a hostling yourself.  You want me too, Cal.  Admit it."
     
                "Yes, I want you.  Who wouldn't?  You know your assets, I'm sure.  We should talk about this, and then I should talk with Pell."
     
                Caeru laughed.  "You must still be insane after all, Calanthe.  Pellaz can't stand the sight of me.  I was supposed to be nothing more than a one-night stand.  He abused me.  He made me trust him enough to let him do that unspeakable thing to me.  Then he left me.  When are you going to wake up?  Pellaz is not the fantasy you have in your head.  Pellaz died.  He never came back.  Can't you understand that?  The har who lives now is something other than the human boy you stole away from home.  You can never have him back."
     
                It was clear that Cal had now heard more than enough.  He uttered a growl, leapt to his feet and wheeled round, so swiftly and aggressively that Caeru instinctively took a few steps back.  "I could justify wringing your scrawny neck, if I thought about it long enough," Cal said in a chilly tone.  "You know I'm capable."
     
                "Get out," Caeru said.  His voice was calm, but inside he was terrified.  He know exactly how capable of murder Cal was.  He could almost see himself lying dead and broken on the carpet.
     
                "Why?" Cal laughed.  "This is wonderful.  Can't you take what you dish out?  You want to truth?  You came here with your son – an eminently suitable excuse – because you craved some of what Pell had got.  And oh, how much of that you've greedily taken.  Did you really expect him to welcome you with open arms?  Would he have left you in Ferelithia if he hadn't bitterly regretted what he'd in ignorance?  You are no innocent, Rue.  Inside, you are still a singer in a two-bit band with a lust for power and possessions.  You always will be, whatever jewels you drape on your body and however well you play act at being royalty.  What a performer!  Your son must be proud."
     
                "I said get out," Caeru said.
     
                "Why?  We've only just started.  We haven't even reached the interesting stage yet.  Let's share breath again.  Let's really show each other the truth inside."
     
                "Do I have to call somehar to throw you out?"
     
                "Can't cope with what you invoked?" Cal enquired.  "How disappointing."
     
                "Go," Caeru said.  "This is finished."
     
                "No, it hasn't.  Don't you understand?  You've won.  But maybe it doesn't feel like victory