The Dreamer Stones by Elaina J Davidson Read Free Book Online

cheek. “How did it go?”
    “Turns out it
was a saboteur working for Santillana. The esteemed, now disgraced,
Prime Minister sought to delay his competition economically also.
We got the turbines going again. Still, it will be some time before
they recoup losses.” Krikian grinned, showing oil-stained hands to
Torrullin. “Magic wasn’t enough - I had fun getting dirty.” He
blushed when Torrullin laughed. “My Lord, the one thing we have not
in daily Valleur life is the opportunity to work with great
engines.”
    “Thank the
gods,” Torrullin muttered, only half-joking.
    It was
Krikian’s turn to laugh. “Daily may be pushing it!”
    Lowen yawned
and then, “Now you’re here, Krik, we can get down to those things
that need discussing.”
    “It can wait
till morning.” Torrullin said. “You need sleep.”
    “I’m
fine.”
    “Lowen,
tonight? I just got here, I need a bath and we have other things to
catch up on,” Krikian said.
    Torrullin,
watching Lowen again, said, “Krikian requires the full picture on
Valaris before we leave him waiting. There are matters he needs be
prepared for.”
    She retreated
down the passage. “Go have your bath. We’ll talk after.”
    The Valleur
was indecisive. “My Lord, are you two fine? There’s tension … and
she waited long and was patient.” There was also accusation.
    “You stand up
for her. Bless you. You are an astounding friend.”
    Krikian bowed.
“Thank you.”
    “It’s strange.
We saw this then and it didn’t prepare either of us. Relax, it will
be smoother soon.”
    “Good. Well,
I’ll have that bath.” He wandered down the passage to the
bathroom.
    Torrullin
retrieved his mug, found the brew in it lukewarm, but tossed it
back anyway.
    The sound of
running water began and masked the sounds of Lowen throwing
something in her room, but not quite. He walked down the narrow
space and stood before her closed door. He heard Krikian muttering
next door, the sound of urinating … and opened her door.
    She faced
away, pulling a dark tunic over her head. She was aware of him, for
she froze and then pulled her clothing into position before turning
around, dressed for another world. She raised her brows.
    “Why are you
in a hurry now?” he asked.
    “You’re about
to balk, that’s why. It’s time to begin, and you can’t change the
course.”
    “I have no
intention of doing so.”
    She sat on her
rumpled bed to pull boots on. As she bent to them, hair falling
over her face, she was much like Cat in appearance and attitude and
he nearly doubled over.
    His eyes raked
her. “Dressed like that, you mean not to do this thing from
here.”
    “Too
dangerous.”
    “We’ll go
through it with Krikian just now.” A pause, and then, “How long
have you had those clothes?”
    The tunic was
Valleur in design, woven and light with thermal properties, and the
breeches that emphasized her long legs were Xenian, of dark denim.
The boots were generic.
    “Would you
prefer me robed for a ball?”
    He muttered an
oath and swung away to return to the sitting area. Laughter trailed
him. He mouthed another silent oath. She was as contrary as he
could be. It set his teeth on edge, and itched him into action. He
realised also he relished every second of it - of her.
    Torrullin
lurched into the kitchen space and started a big pot of coffee
brewing.
     
     
    Krikian,
washed and shaven with hair slicked back, sat at the table,
drinking mug after mug, listening to Torrullin.
    Lowen stayed
out of it.
    He blanched
when Torrullin revealed the truth about Tymall, but did not
interrupt.
    “My son is
Warlock and as it stands now, there are darklings on Valaris and I
am slandered. Tymall laughs up his sleeve.” Torrullin also downed a
number of mugs of his strong brew, and was fidgety. “I should be
there to negate the worst of it, but my presence could also
escalate the whole, particularly for Tannil. This journey with
Lowen has taken on new importance, however, and needs