Gifted

by JoMarie DeGioia

  Donnic didn’t look convinced. “Is that what she said?”

  Kelwin shook his head. “No. I feel it.” He thought back to the first time he’d felt that pull, even before he understood what it was. “I think that was what happened the night of the harvest festival.”

  “When you had that…whatever?” Donnic’s eyes widened. “But she was nowhere near Rosemont that night.”

  Kelwin just nodded.

  “Damn, you’re serious!” Donnic said.

  “Yeah.” He took a breath. “And I think this thing with Dalton has something to do with that, too. The timing’s right.”

  “How could that…?” Donnic looked skeptical, then held up his hands. “I don’t know what it’s like to be like you, cousin. How the hell could you feel what was happening to her from so far away? I don’t know the answer to that. I know that I can trust you, though. I always have.”

  Kelwin swallowed hard when he felt the emotions coming off of Donnic. Love and support and everything he’d always had from his family. “I know that.”

  Donnic tilted his head. “You know you can trust me, right?”

  “I do.” Kelwin smiled, the tension in his limbs relaxing for the first time since they’d started sparring this afternoon. “Thanks, though.”

  Donnic wiped his face with his hand, then flattened it against his chest. “Did you hurt yourself when you touched me?”

  “Yeah,” Kelwin admitted.

  Donnic’s mouth thinned. He wanted to touch him again, to get at what his cousin was thinking and not just feeling. He couldn’t do that, though. Not because of the pain he’d experience but because it was a breach of the trust they’d just admitted to.

  A cold breeze kicked up and Donnic cursed. “The hell with the lake. I’m going to take a bath.”

  Kelwin watched him go. He’d never touched Donnic before, and today he’d pushed him and held him down? He’d felt Donnic’s thoughts as his hands pressed him into the dirt, his shock over Kelwin’s defense of Alyssa and worry over Kelwin’s pain. Donnic did care, as Kelwin cared about him. He couldn’t stand to hear him talk like that about Alyssa though. She was in trouble and he knew it was up to him to save her, even if Donnic didn’t get that. Imagine what would happen if he ever found out Kelwin kissed her? He’d never hear the end of it.

  Following Donnic into the castle, he put everything aside and focused on unraveling the mystery of Lord Dalton and what he really wanted with Alyssa. He knew in his gut she was gifted. She could deny it all she wanted to, but he knew. She had to be, no matter what she said about it.

  It was the only explanation for what happened last night. After that kiss.

  Chapter 9

  Dalton sat on a couch at court, leaning one elbow on the armrest as he glanced around the hall. The king’s wealth was evident everywhere he looked. The place was stuffed with fine furniture of carved woods or covered in plush fabrics in rich colors like purple and gold. Crystal chandeliers were lit electrically overhead, and more gold and silver candlesticks were wired for light too.

  Conversation buzzed in the high-ceilinged room, and he did his best to ignore the words as he blocked the thoughts pelting at him. He really didn’t care about the nobles’ troubles, concerns or desires. He had his own worries right now.

  He rested his scarred cheek in his hand. The short beard he’d grown since the night of the fire nearly covered the scar’s ridges, though a few snaked upward toward his eye. His muscle control had returned, though.

  The electric lights certainly burned bright, nearly as bright as the shining clothes everyone wore. He wore his favorite emerald green suit, and the material was smooth and cool to the touch. It fit him well, not that he needed the looks he received from the ladies at court to prove that. He’d never had trouble finding company in Lotherin, and this trip wouldn’t be different in spite of the scarring on his face. His status as one of the king’s favored barons secured it.

  It was two weeks until the next Pageant, two weeks until the next full moon, and the nobles around him all seemed to be talking about the upcoming match and nothing else. They spoke excitedly of last month’s champion, a boy of eleven who had amazing physical skills. Apparently he’d sent his final opponent sailing in the air to crumple to the floor.

  Dalton knew the one he’d beaten well. She was a girl of seven with telepathic skills. She wasn’t his strongest find, true. How she’d managed to beat her previous three challengers in the match to reach the final bracket without his interference was beyond him. He doubted she’d recover in time to participate in the next Pageant. It was a pity, but it might even take a few months to heal her enough physically so she could focus on her mind skills again.

  He almost wished he hadn’t come to court. It was bad enough he’d stayed away from the last Pageant, though. He wouldn’t want people thinking he was weak by hiding after his challenger’s loss. He couldn’t stay at Merrickwood any longer, either.

  Frustration bit at him. He should have Alyssa here with him at court right now. Wearing the dresses he’d bought her and carrying herself like the gifted noble she was. The buzz of anticipation for her first challenge would eclipse the talk of this past Pageant’s failure. The king would bend over backwards to welcome her, and hand over plenty of money to Dalton for bringing her here.

  He thought back on his own performances in the Pageants, from when he was fifteen until he turned twenty. He’d been the king’s favorite Brain then, and there was hardly a Brawn who could beat him. He’d boasted so many champion patches on his jacket that the king had gifted him with the jeweled pin replica on his twentieth birthday. It was the first one commissioned and, even though several champions had received them in the ten years since he was in the matches, he knew his was special.

  “Why, Dalton!” he heard a woman say.

  He turned to see Lady Lyn strolling toward him. Her dress was shining silver and clinging. The hem was high and her breasts were nearly exposed by its deep neckline. He’d seen her with fewer clothes on, though. Just two months ago, in fact.

  “Good eve, Lyn,” he said.

  She smiled and slid into the narrow space next to him on the couch. “You were missed at the Pageant.” She winked. “And after.”

  He sat up straighter, then lowered his hand from his face.

  Her blue eyes widened. “My, what happened?”

  Stroking a finger over the pale ridges high on his cheekbone, he shrugged. “An accident, I’m afraid. Do you now find me repellent?”

  She laughed. “Hardly. It lends you an air of danger.”

  He smiled and his skin barely pulled with the expression. “Danger? I don’t know about that.”

  “You need to relax, Dalton.” She put her hand on his thigh. “You never just let go. Maybe it’s because you spent so much time in the Pageants.”

  He held his smile, but he wasn’t going to talk about that time with her. While he’d lived below with the other children, Brains and Brawns as old as twenty and as young as five, she’d lived the life of a spoiled noble above. Yes, the king gave him a title several years ago and the Merrickwood estate just this year. Yet he still felt like he wasn’t anything beyond his latest performance, in the Pageants or out of them. He wasn’t going to let her know that her careless comment bothered him, though.

  “I can let go, as you put it,” he said.

  He pushed into her mind, conjuring an image of the last time they were together. Her breath quickened.

  She leaned closer. “Then let’s—”

  “Hello, Baron Dalton!” a voice boomed across the hall

  Dalton winced. He knew that voice well. It was Baron Gregory, that clod. The baron was the closest thing Dalton had to a rival, though his bulk and muscle couldn’t make up for his miniscule brain. Gregory would boast and brag over his find’s recent win and it would be all Dalton could do not to mentally jam his finger into the dolt’s brain and scramble what little sense he had.

  Lyn removed her hand and stared up at Gre
gory. “Lord Gregory,” she said. “You’re looking well.”

  Dalton supposed he looked hale and hardy, attractive in a way a plow horse could be thought handsome.

  Gregory blinked dully, then grinned. “Thanks, Lady Lyn.” His gaze slit to Dalton. “Dalton, you missed a fine match.”

  “I know. Business kept me in Terelden.”

  “Yes, your new estate.” He ran a hand through the short blond hair topping his wide forehead. “Are you enjoying living among the rustics?”

  Dalton lifted a brow. “I find it refreshing, yes.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t live among those savages,” Lyn said with a shiver. “I know you find most of your Brains out there, but even they must be relieved to get away from such places.”

  Dalton just shrugged. He’d been raised not far from Terelden, and when his mother died he’d come to Lotherin to find some way to live. The Pageants began a short time after, and he knew he could beat any and all challengers. Mental pushes into the right minds set him up without much trouble. He never spoke of his childhood then and saw no reason to now.

  “Who are you putting in the next Pageant, Dalton?” Gregory asked, rubbing his big hands together. “I think I’ll put up my champion from the last one.”

  “I haven’t decided,” Dalton said. “Perhaps I’ve found a new challenger.”

  Gregory, the clod, just stared at him. His lips flapped as he tried to wrap his weak mind around Dalton’s answer.

  “Who is he, Dalton?” Lyn asked. “Or is it a she?” She sighed. “I had money riding on your little girl, you know. I was very disappointed.”

  Gregory puffed out his chest. “Put your money on my challenger, Lady Lyn. He’ll keep you in jewels.”

  Lyn giggled.

  “The king was pleased with my champion,” Gregory went on. “Have you seen him yet, Dalton? The king, I mean?”

  Dalton had yet to be called into the king’s chamber, and he was certain that slight was deliberate. “I’m waiting to see him now.”

  Gregory grinned again. “He’ll want to know your plans for the next Pageant.”

  “Don’t tell me my business,” Dalton snapped.

  Gregory held up his hands. “Hey, I’m just saying.”

  Dalton pushed into his mind. He couldn’t help it, but the guy really pissed him off. Gregory squinted, then he blinked a few times.

  “I’m thirsty,” he muttered, turning away and lumbering off.

  Lyn sniffed. “Well, that was rude.”

  Again, Dalton said nothing. Gregory was lucky he hadn’t given him the compulsion to jump out a window.

  “Baron Dalton,” a court page called.

  Dalton stood. “Yes?”

  The page, a young man with neither mind nor body strength that he could detect, nodded. “King Jerrus requests your presence in his chamber.”

  Lyn stood and wrapped her hand around Dalton’s arm. “Will I see you later?”

  He read her thoughts and knew just what she was offering. “Of course.”

  He put her out of his mind as he followed the page to the king’s chamber.

  “My dear Baron Dalton!” the king said as he entered.

  Dalton bowed to King Jerrus. “Your Majesty.”

  King Jerrus clicked his tongue. “Rise, Dalton.”

  Dalton stood straight again, meeting the king’s gray gaze. His short reddish hair was shot through with gray also, as was his pointed beard. He was a large man, much broader than Dalton, but was getting visibly soft in the middle. He filled his throne but the queen’s throne to his left was empty. It had been empty for years now, ever since Queen Tilda left him. Few knew the real reason why, but Dalton did.

  “What happened to your face?” the king asked.

  Bitterness churned in his belly as he recalled the fire the night Alyssa got away from him. “It was nothing, Your Majesty. An accident.”

  “At your new estate, Merrickwood?” At Dalton’s nod, the king continued. “How do you like living in that far flung castle, Dalton?”

  Dalton knew Merrickwood was considered valuable, and he also knew the king wanted unending gratitude from Dalton for giving it to him after Baron Merrick’s sudden death.

  “Merrickwood is all that it could be,” he said with another bow of his head. “The place is vastly comfortable, as I am when I’m there.”

  The king grinned. “Then you’re using the relics We gave you? Excellent.”

  “Thank you again, Highness. I’m sorry I missed last month’s Pageant. I had to nurse my injury, I’m afraid.”

  The king waved a hand. “Oh, Gregory’s boy was unstoppable. Your little girl was no match for him. We don’t know if it would have made a difference.”

  Dalton let that go. If the king suspected he often directed the Pageants from the sidelines, he wasn’t going to point that out. In the end the king required entertainment, not fairness.

  The king’s gray eyes sparkled. “What have you brought Us today?”

  That bitterness rose in his throat now. “I have nothing this trip, King Jerrus.”

  The king pouted. “That’s a shame. We’d hoped you could give Gregory’s children some competition next month.”

  Dalton made himself smile. “My children will be ready for the next Pageant, Your Majesty. I’ll see to it.”

  The king grinned and clapped his hands. “Wonderful! We enjoy the shuffling for supremacy between you and Gregory nearly as much as the children’s matches!”

  Dalton nodded, knowing no comment was necessary.

  “Go, Dalton. Have a good time. We have plenty of food and drink.”

  Of course the food was plentiful. Dalton knew that was due to the annual harvest. At least, as one of the king’s favorites, he hadn’t had to pay the tariff on Merrickwood. “Yes, Highness. Thank you.”

  “Before you know it, it will be the full moon again and time for another Pageant.” Excitement poured off of him. “Enjoy yourself while you can.”

  Dalton bowed and took the dismissal for what it was. He left the chamber, running the king’s words through his mind.

  King Jerrus’s threat wasn’t overt but Dalton knew it was there nonetheless. He had to produce another champion and soon. The king had a very short attention span.

  It wouldn’t do for another favorite to take his place in the king’s court.

  Chapter 10

  “You like hanging out here,” Donnic said.

  Alyssa turned. She was irritated that he’d invaded her space. Again. “What, I can’t sit in the garden now?”

  Donnic ran his fingers through his hair in what she guessed a stalling move. “I wasn’t saying that.”

  He just looked at her, his eyes running over her face. She blew out a breath.

  “Donnic, it’s been two weeks since everyone found out who I am. You haven’t talked to me at the dinner table or anywhere else. Can’t you just leave me alone now?”

  He studied her face more closely and she was grateful he couldn’t read her thoughts like Kelwin. She didn’t want to share her worries with anyone, especially Donnic. She and Thomas might be safe at Rosemont now, but what about this winter? If the raids come and food grows scarce, why would the family continue to shelter her and her brother? She wouldn’t think about Dalton finding her. That was a completely different nightmare and one she didn’t want to deal with right now.

  “I wanted to say I’m sorry,” he said.

  That surprised her. It was her turn to study his face. He did look sorry, with his dark brows drawn together and his lips thinned.

  “I think I almost believe you,” she said.

  He grunted. “I apologized to Kelwin, too.”

  “For what?” She narrowed her gaze at him. “What did you say about me?”

  “I said…” He cleared his throat and looked away, but she saw the stain of red on his cheeks. “I said you’d be fun if he caught you.”

  She knew Donnic didn’t know about that kiss. She thought of how wonderful she’d felt for those short m
inutes Kelwin held her in his arms. What was this about fun, though? Donnic was out of his mind if she thought anything about her relationship with Kelwin, with anyone, could be any fun at all.

  “You know, I wish I had the power to slap you right now,” she said.

  His eyes widened. “It was like you did that time before, Alyssa.”

  She remembered. She’d yelled at him and he’d snapped his head back like she’d struck him. “I don’t know how that could be.”

  Donnic was quiet for a moment. “Kelwin says you’re gifted.”

  “That again!” She paced in the garden, her peace officially disturbed now, and she fingered her braid resting over her shoulder. “I’m not gifted, Donnic. Just because I heard Kelwin’s thoughts that one night, he thinks—”

  She stopped, but Donnic heard what she said. He had to. She kept her back to him but it didn’t matter. She could almost feel him staring at her.

  “You heard his thoughts?” he asked.

  She risked a look over her shoulder at him. “Yes. It was the night Thomas told you who we really are.”

  “That night at dinner?”

  “No.” Her cheeks got hot and she knew she blushed like he had earlier. “Later.”

  Donnic blinked. “When?”

  She wouldn’t tell him Kelwin was in her room that night. And she definitely wouldn’t tell him about their kiss. She’d done her best to forget about that, and had avoided Kelwin whenever she could over the past two weeks since.

  She waved a hand. “Why is this your business, Donnic? Are you his official keeper now?”

  “No. Kelwin is my family, Alyssa.”

  “Well, I’m not. I don’t have to tell you anything.”

  “True.” He crossed his arms over his chest, in what she now knew was his favorite intimidating stance. “I can’t get into your mind, either.”

  Alarms sounded in her mind. All those glances from Kelwin from across the table, all those times he looked like he was about to say something before looking away. No. He couldn’t do that. Could he?

  “What are you saying? Is Kelwin getting into my head without my knowing it?”