by Janet Woods
‘You’ll have to excuse him. He’s feeling stubborn and much too dignified to dance today.’ There was no answer and when Jynx looked for the man again he was no longer there. She puzzled over it for just a minitix, and then she realized he must have delivered the pouch and letter.
She was eager to go back to Helise with the herbs and make a concoction to drop in her eyes. But first, she would read the letter.
Dearest Jynx,
Destiny parted us ... and quite unexpectedly, for I didn’t have the time to gather my wits or say goodbye properly. Time means nothing where I am, and my life is made pleasant through study, meditation, and the knowledge that one day I’ll reach a stage of knowledge where I can wear the badge of the grand alchemist.
Jynx, please be assured that I love you most dearly, and think of you often. I hope you’re happy with the followers, and I’m sure we’ll meet again some time in the future ... if not in this life, then the next.
Walk in light, my dear sister.
Remy.
When she began to cry, because the note was much to short and tender, and she longed to see her brother again, Wulf whined and laid his head against her chest.
‘Oh you, what would I do without you, Wulf,’ she said, caressing his ear and giving him a watery smile. ‘The world is so big, and sometimes I feel so alone without Remy. I wish you were human. You understand me better than anyone.’ She gazed at the pouch. ‘I suppose we’d better go back to Helise and see if this will help her. And if it also changes her disposition I’ll be eternally grateful to Saire, who must have brought it to me. He was a nice old man, wasn’t he? Harmless looking. I wonder how he knew about the wishing dish.’ She picked it up and gazed at it, shaking it a little and wondering if it was running out of power.
A little while later Jynx carefully placed a drop of the firebolt solution into Helise’s eyes.
Helise sighed. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing ... it stings.’
‘Lay still, Helise.’ She cupped her hands over her sister’s eyes and began to meditate.
She could feel her arms and fingers prickling as the healing process began, and the wave of resistance and disbelief in her sister as she struggled to keep open the tenuous link on the ruined eyes. She concentrated harder, felt the firebolt going to work and slowly consuming the corruption, while the other ingredients soothed its passage.
It was slow, hard work, and she began to tire. Because she was tired, she began to doubt herself and her ability to heal Helise. She was about to give up when somebody’s arms come around her from behind. Strength flowed into her limbs and fingertips, and that strength flowed from her into Helise.
Her sister gave a little whimper. ‘It stings more.’
‘Because you’re resisting the healing ... quiet now, Helise. I’m growing stronger and so are you. Believe in it and it will happen.’
She leaned back into the strong body behind her. How wonderful to be loved like this and to be able to draw on that love and use it for the good. Her mind was drawn from her like a pure strand of silk and they entwined to become one mind. She was no longer alone ... no longer lonely.’
Jynx woke to find herself in a chair. White light streamed through a window and someone had placed a pillow under her head. She felt at peace with herself, emptied out, and she smiled at the sight of Wulf stretched across the doorway watching her every movement.
‘Helise!’
Sybilla moved into view, a wide smile on her face. ‘Her sight is restored, thanks to you, but you were exhausted.’
‘Another helped me ... I don’t know who. His arms came around me from behind and his strength kept me going. I couldn’t have done it without him.’
‘It happens sometimes ... a passing spirit perhaps ... a stranger on a different plane who sensed the lack of faith in your patient.’
‘No ... I knew this man. We’ve met, yet we’ve not met, because I can feel his presence and hear him, yet I can never see him.’
‘Perhaps he doesn’t want to be seen. Enough now Jynx. Some things cannot be explained ... they just are, and you accept them. You must bathe, and ready yourself to visit the palace. Lady Azarine has invited your family to a social gathering. There will be a magic show, I believe. All your friends will be there. Prince Laek, Jon and Iago. And Falcon will attend.’
‘I should like to see Laek again, and Falcon, of course. But Lady Azarine is at cross purposes with my family and my mother despises her.’
‘Perhaps Lady Azarine wishes to heal the breach now she’s avenged her family and her brother is now in his rightful place on the throne of Karshal. Danea and Jon are to be joined. You cannot refuse, my dear. It would be an insult.’
The wishing dish supplied Jynx with two gowns, a dark blue one for Helise, with crystal stars, and paler blue ribbons for her hair. She looked beautiful, except for the faint whip marks across her face. ‘I don’t want to go looking like this,’ she said. ‘That Esbel creature will gloat, and everybody will be sorry for me.’
‘The scars will disappear in time, and you could wear a veil. See, here is a gold-edged one that came with the gown. I thought it was a scarf.’
Our parents will be trying to curry favour with the Sabarin family. Father will be looking to join the court as an advisor. If you don’t go you’ll be cast out of the family for ever.’
Helise adjusted the veil across her face and inspected her eyes, now back to their former shining beauty. ‘A lot they care for any of us. They were going to have you and Remy euthanized. I do love pretty things. If I had that wishing bowl I’d build a castle to live in, and have jewels, silk gowns, and servants.’
‘You have to be careful only to wish for what you need.’
‘Then perhaps I’d wish for a wealthy and powerful man to fall in love with me. He could give me all that instead.’
Perhaps she would wish for that, and Falcon came to Helise’s mind. She laughed. A union with him would put Azarine’s nose out of joint.
When Jynx was in the vanity room arranging her hair, Helise scooped up the dish and splashed a little water in it. Quickly she made her wish for power, and then threw the water away, so Jynx wouldn’t see the colors.
When Jynx was ready, she picked up the dish and slipped it into her vanity bag. In her gossamer thin, shimmering gown of the palest green, which she wore over ankle length pants and a silver modesty vest, Jynx looked as ethereal and delicate as a water sprite.
‘Are you wearing these flower garlands with it?’ Helise asked, trying to keep her jealousy under control, even though her sister had been good to her.
‘I thought I’d wear the circle in my hair. The other one is for Wulf to wear about his neck.’
When Wulf sighed, Helise laughed. ‘You know Jynx ... sometimes I think that wolf is human.’
Chapter Seventeen
It was a colourful scene, with people threading in and out of each other, and servers offering food and drink as they waited for the joining ceremony of Jon and Danea to begin.
The troopers on guard had not allowed Wulf entrance but Jynx was sure he’d have found a place where he could keep an eye on her.
Laek caught Jynx’s eye and a smile spread across his face as he made his way over to her. He swept her up in his arms and kissed her. ‘You look lovelier every time I see you.’
‘Put me down, Laek, you great oaf. People will get the wrong idea.’
Setting her on her feet Laek’s glance went to Helise and he reached out and moved the veil aside with one finger. Shame filled his eyes. ‘I’m sorry this was done to you, Helise. It was a bad time and my mother intends to make amends.’
Helise fluttered her eyelashes at him, making him grin. ‘Jynx assures me the scars will fade in time. Already, she and the sisters have managed to restore my sight.’ She waved to someone across the room. ‘There’s Emrys. I must go and speak to him.’
Jynx paled at the mention of Emrys’ name and looked around for the reassuring presence of Wulf.
Laek patted her hand. ‘It’s all right, Jynx. Emrys won’t hurt you. Besides, you have me to look after you and I’d make just as good a guard dog as Wulf.’
She laughed. ‘Yes, I suppose you would.’
‘You did well by healing Helise, Jynx. You showed compassion by having her brought inside the city gates, and courage by ignoring your parents’ wishes ... and those of my mother. She was upset at first, because you ignored her order about Helise. She has come round though.’
‘My orders come from a higher power and my service is to care for the sick, the injured and the maimed. That’s why I was endowed with healing skills. I know what it’s like to be cast out and to be hunted. Helise is my sister, and my profession will not allow me to leave anyone suffering, when that suffering can be relieved.’
‘Whatever the consequence?’
‘My own welfare comes second, Laek. We’re not allowed to involve ourselves in the politics, though sometimes it’s hard when you know the punishment is unjust.’
‘Have you heard anything from Remy?’
‘He’s well and is studying hard.’ She caught sight of a man across the room, talking to Iago. As if he sensed her scrutiny he turned her way, and he smiled.
Immediately, she colored. ‘Who’s that man with Iago?’
‘It’s my friend Tighe. Iago, Jon and I went through training with him. He’s been searching, without success for a way across the mountains of fire. My mother wants that land to be mine, because it once belonged to Lord Kavan, who is my genetic father.’
‘But you’re the Prince of Arles and have inherited it from your ... well, from your stepfather, I suppose.’ She couldn’t quite bring herself to utter Cynan’s name in this place where it was so hated. And they’d kill Helise if they suspected she was carrying Cynan’s son.
‘Arles has become one with Karshal. If I want Arles I’ll have to raise an army and fight my uncle for it.’ He shrugged, saying lightly, ‘Tighe might yet find the promised land, and if he does it will save me the bother. Come, and I’ll introduce you to Tighe. I warn you though, he can be disconcerting.’
Tighe’s elegance was all too apparent. His lean features and shadowed cheekbones were accentuated by hair drawn back to the nape of his neck. He took her hand in his as though it was created from the finest crystal, and he kissed it.
Jynx felt like purring when he looked into her eyes and whispered, ‘Well met, My Lady.’
Laek took her other hand in his. ‘Tighe was responsible for the joining of Danea and Jon. He flirted with Danea until Jon was so afraid he’d lose her that he found the courage to step in and asked her to be his wife.’
‘You must have great powers of persuasion, Tighe. Danea said she’d never wed.’
‘Ladies often changed their minds. You just need to go about things the right way.’
There was a note of resignation in Laek’s voice when he murmured, ‘One hopes so.’
Tighe’s eyes narrowed in on him.
He shrugged. Jon just needed a bit of a prod.’
Jynx exchanged a smile with Tighe, feeling comfortable with him. ‘Where have we met before?’
‘Could it have been at the High Place?’
‘Ah ... yes.’ Remembering what had taken place there her breath caught in her throat. Then she grinned. Her lover could have been this elegant stranger who seemed so familiar, and had made her feel so wonderfully alive with one glance. ‘Yes ... I remember you Tighe.’
‘You were in the lake, and we had a brief conversation via the wishing dish, I believe.’ Those silvery eyes of Tighe’s were brimming with mischief. ‘The meeting was too brief, we must try it again some time.’
It was him ... the man of her imagination! Her face heated.
Laek’s fingers tightened on her arm. ‘Be careful Jynx. Tighe is a heartbreaker, and you’re spoken for.’
Her eyes flew open. ‘Spoken for ... what do you mean? I certainly am not.’
‘Negotiations have been going on. It has been agreed between your parents and my mother that you should become my wife. In return, the lives of the Colban family will be spared, and Helise will be restored to favour.’
She jerked her arm away. ‘Nobody consulted me about it.’
Laek sounded unhappy as he said, ‘Jynx, you know these arrangements are decided by the parents. In fact, the ceremony is to take place after that of Danea and Jon.’
Consternation filled her. ‘But surely I have the right to refuse.’
‘No ... you do not. Only the man has.’
‘Phiff! This isn’t negotiation it’s manipulation. Laek, you know I value you as a friend but I don’t want to become your wife. I told you I wanted my freedom.’
‘Freedom is a myth, and we are no longer children. It will be a good match, Jynx. I have Lord Kavan’s genes and you have those of Lady Tiana. They adored each other. You can still be a healer when you’re not going about your duties as my wife.’
‘I also carry my parent’s genes, and you’ve inherited Azarine’s, and as far back as I can remember they’ve always been in opposition to one another.’
She was aware of Tighe’s gaze on her, eyes mercurial now in their brightness, and filled with a warning to tread carefully. She inhaled ... steadied herself. ‘I want to talk to your mother, make her understand this joining would be wrong for me.’
‘As you wish, but I warn you, she will be affronted.’ Laek sounded distant now, as if she’d crushed his pride. ‘I’ll arrange it before the entertainment. Tighe, bring her to the committee chamber in half an hour. Try and make her see sense first,’ he muttered, and strode off, bristling like one of the prickle-jacks that lived in the forest.’
She felt like stamping her foot. ‘I did not think political power would turn Laek’s head.’
‘It’s not political power, though he does find himself in an awkward situation. He has been part of an invading force against a man he thought was his father. He has shed blood and been the victor. His expectations of rulership has been set aside, and so has his newly discovered pride in himself. Now, somebody he has always trusted and been sure of has thwarted him.’
‘Don’t you try and turn my mind,’ she said.
Tighe laughed, and his touch was a caress of silk against her skin. ‘Why not?’
‘You know why not. Why didn’t you show me your face before?’
‘You weren’t ready, and besides, you didn’t want to see it, my Jynx. You wanted to cling to a romantic dream. Try not to upset Azarine. Her mind is volatile.’
‘Lady Azarine has always been kind to me. She told me she was training to be one of the followers when Cynan took her.’
‘Azarine used the art of mesmer to keep Cynan under control all those seasons they were joined. When Cynan invaded Karshal the goodness in her heart was eroded by the bad. Her power to heal was eliminated by her stronger need for revenge, her heart was filled with hate and fury. Azarine schemes, because the death of Cynan didn’t appease her hate. Your name family is in her mind. She intends to eliminate them all, and any excuse will do.’
Jynx shivered. ‘I won’t wed Laek, Tighe. I can’t ... especially not now. I told him I loved another, and I do.’
He smiled at that. ‘He’ll attempt to kill me when he finds out.’
‘Surely Laek wouldn’t do such a thing ... not to a friend.’ Her instinct niggled at her, told her different. ‘I only knew him as a child and a youth. He was always gentle. You won’t hurt him, will you?’
‘I’m flattered you think I could. Youths change into men and they change. On Soran he was taught the art of combat, and would kill me without remorse if the need was great enough.’
‘But you’re his friend ... his comrade in arms. I won’t tell him it’s you. We could run away together ... just leave.’
‘He has already posted guards on the doors. His smile was rueful, his eyes a glow of shining darkness. ‘If Laek didn’t come after us Falcon would. Let’s go in. If they won’t accept your decision not to
wed I’ll think of something. Remember the powers revealed to you? Don’t be afraid to use them.’
‘I just wish Wulf was with me, he always makes me feel safe.’
When he touched her hand, she felt reassured.
* * * *
As soon as they entered the hall Jynx felt the hostility in the room, but it wasn’t all directed at her.
Beside her, Tighe hissed out a breath. His thoughts came clearly to her. Interesting that they’re not all in agreement. Use your instinct and don’t be surprised by anything that happens, Jynx.
Azarine was seated, Esbel at her feet. Danea, looking lovely in a white drifting gown with embroidered flowers on the skirt, stood beside them.
The others stood in two groups. Laek, Jon and Iago were a casual, but tightly knit bunch to one side. Tighe was the recipient of a comradely grin.
That would change when they found out, she thought, and trembled for him.
Falcon, Emrys and Thornwall were on the other side of the throne Azarine occupied.
Surely Falcon should be seated there. Falcon stood alone, and he and Laek exchanged hard looks, as if they were at loggerheads.
She glanced up at Tighe, who managed a reassuring smile for her.
Standing a little was apart was Yegan and Greer. Not far away, Helise offered flirtatious looks to a dark powerful man who stood in the shadows. Tighe’s thoughts came clearly to her. Don’t look at him, Jynx. It’s Bane, and he only appears to those he thinks he can use.
Azarine’s glare bristled with the ill will she felt towards her. ‘I understand you’ve refused both my brother and my son.’
Jynx didn’t want to look at Azarine, who was shockingly changed. Her skin had thickened and darkened and her eyes bulged slightly.
An invisible thread reached out to her from Tighe, and Jynx found some courage. ‘Lady, I am not worthy of either of them.’
‘Of course you’re not worthy of them,’ she scorned. ‘But both of them want you, and wife to one of them you’ll become. No matter how tedious it will be for me to have you in the family, Jynx, it has been decided upon.’