The Oracle's Queen by Lynn Flewelling Read Free Book Online

me?” she whispered.
    Those black eyes went darker still and his smile was poisonous.
How many times I wanted to!
    He advanced, passing through the side of the tub to kneel before her in the water, face inches from her. The water went achingly cold, like the river below the keep inspring. The demon grasped her bare shoulders and his cold fingers bit into her flesh, feeling all too solid.
See? I am no helpless shade. I could reach into your chest and squeeze your heart as I did to the fat one who called himself your guardian
.
    She was truly terrified now, more than she ever had been with him. “What do you want, demon?”
    Your pledge, Sister. Avenge my death
.
    Dreadful realization penetrated the haze of fear. “Who was it? Lhel? Iya?” She swallowed hard. “Father?”
    The murdered cannot speak the name of their killers, Sister. You must learn that for yourself
.
    â€œDamn you!”
    Brother was still smiling as he slowly faded away.
    The door flew open and Tharin and Una burst in, swords drawn.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” asked Tharin.
    â€œNothing,” Tamír said quickly. “I’m fine, just—just thinking out loud.”
    Tharin nodded to Una and she retreated and closed the door. Tharin swept a suspicious eye around the room as he sheathed his sword.
    â€œI’m almost done here,” she told him, hugging her knees to her chest. “I told Ki he could use the water when I’m done but it’s gone cold.”
    Brother had stolen the last of the heat.
No, don’t think of him right now, and what he’d hinted at
. She’d had too much to bear already, without looking for murderers among what was left of her circle of trusted friends. She clung to the fact that Tharin had not been anywhere near her mother that night. But Iya had, and Arkoniel. Perhaps there had been someone else? It was too painful to contemplate.
    â€œThat’s a long face.” Tharin helped her from the tub and wrapped her in a large flannel, rubbing her hair with a corner of it.
    Tamír dried herself and put on the robe again, not looking at him as she let the flannel drop.
    When she was dressed, he urged her into bed and pulled the comforter up around her, then sat down and took her hand. “That’s better.”
    His kind, knowing look undid her. She threw her arms around his neck and hid her face against his chest, not caring that he still stank of blood and smoke. “I’m glad you’re still with me!”
    He rubbed her back. “As long as I draw breath.”
    â€œI’m going to make you a prince of the realm when I’m queen.”
    Tharin chuckled. “Bad enough you’ve made me a lord. Leave well enough alone.”
    He stroked a wet strand of hair back from her cheek and gave one braid a tug. “You’re worried about Ki.”
    Tamír nodded. It was half the truth, anyway.
    â€œHe didn’t look any happier than you when he left.” She felt him sigh. “You’re determined to keep him by you, aren’t you?”
    â€œYou think I’m wrong?”
    â€œNo, but you might consider the boy’s feelings.”
    â€œI’d be happy to, if he’d tell me what they are! He treats me like I’m someone else now.”
    â€œWell, like it or not, you are.”
    â€œNo!”
    Tharin patted her shoulder. “Maybe just who you were, then, with more added on.”
    â€œTits, you mean?”
    â€œYou call those little flea bites tits?” He laughed at her outraged look. “Yes, your body’s changed, and that’s something that can’t just be pushed aside, especially not by a young man with Ki’s hot blood.”
    Tamír looked away, mortified. “I want him to see me as a girl, to like me that way, but then again, I don’t. Oh, Tharin, I’m so confused!”
    â€œYou both need time to know your hearts.”
    â€œ
You
always treat me just the