The Moon's Shadow by Catherine Asaro Read Free Book Online Page A

had taught her to protect herself. It sickened him to realize why; it made her more vulnerable to the link that formed between an Aristo and a provider. Aristos had a cavity where their capacity for compassion should have been, a void in their souls.
    Alarm sparked in the girl’s mind. “Please forgive me if I have disappointed you.”
    “No! You haven’t. You’re perfect.” He took her hands in his. “I just—uh—took a vow.”
    “A vow?”
    He tried to think of an intelligent follow-up to that panicked remark. Given Aristo culture, she was hardly going to believe a vow of celibacy.
    Then her mind prodded his.
    Ah, hell. She was trying to probe his thoughts. Corbal had sent her to spy on him. Pah. Maybe Corbal was the one he should sock.
    “A vow?” she repeated.
    “That’s right. To protect myself.” Jai raised his voice. “You hear, Corbal?” He had no doubt his cousin could monitor this room. “Sending pretty spies won’t work. I’m not that stupid.” He hoped Corbal really was listening; otherwise he would look like an idiot, telling the room he wasn’t stupid.
    The girl tensed, gripping his fingers. He spoke to her in a gentler voice. “Don’t be afraid of me. Lord Xir made a mistake, that’s all.”
    Doubt leaked from her mind. Then he felt another of her emotions—and it scared the hell out of him. Recognition. Just as he could feel her psion’s mind, so she could do the same with him. She didn’t understand yet, but she might soon. His parents had given him extensive training in using his abilities, and he had a greater mental strength than the provider, so it was easier for him to detect her than the reverse. But a faint suspicion glimmered in her thoughts.
    Jai exhaled. “The hour is late.”
    “Do you wish me to go?”
    “I think so.” He had to force out the words.
    She slid off the bed and padded across the room, her shift clinging to her body. He so wished she could stay. What a bizarre life this was, that he had to worry about being discovered as a kindhearted man.
    After she left, he lay down, even more aware of his loneliness. It wasn’t only sensual; he missed his family, too. For the first fourteen years of his life, they had been the only people he knew. Now they were gone. He had lost a part of himself.
    Lisi, his sister, was almost fifteen, bright and quick, with her teasing humor. Ten-year-old Vitar had always shouted with delight when Jai swung him around. Del-Kelric wasn’t even five. Their mother had left them in the care of Admiral Seth Rockworth on Earth, trusting him because he had once been married to her aunt.
    Jai had searched the nets for news about his siblings, but found nothing. He knew they would go into hiding when they learned he had become emperor. He dared investigate no further, lest he draw attention to them, risking their freedom and raising questions about his own parentage.
    Jai grieved, knowing he could never see them again.
     
    Corbal sat in his dimly lit study, relaxed in his smartchair, his hands folded around a crystal tumbler. He took a swallow of brandy and let it warm his throat.
    A door opened across the room. His bodyguards had let him know who was coming, but he said nothing, just stared into space, sipping his drink.
    Bare feet padded on the floor. Then she came into view, Sunrise, his favorite provider. She dropped to her knees in front of his chair, between his thighs, and bowed her head. “I am sorry,” she whispered. “Please forgive me.”
    Corbal took another swallow. “All right.” He wasn’t displeased; she had done her best. He could never be angry with her anyway.
    Her relief at his response showed in the relaxing of her shoulders. He set his tumbler on the arm of his chair, which adjusted to secure the glass. He ruffled Sunrise’s hair, enjoying its glossy texture. Pressing his legs against her body, he savored the flex of his muscles against her curves. One-hundred-thirty-two years old and he had a better physique