[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
looked bewildered by the gesture. His echo within her
magnified; before, she received only glimmers of his emotion,
but now she felt the conflict in him need to keep her close
vying with vague repugnance at the desire.
Speak, woman. It is clear I am bound, and I would hear
the whole.
Zillah caught her breath and Muir knew how it felt,
hearing his voice for the first time. Yet its cadence had lost
some of its mesmeric quality to her ears, not that it was any
less euphonic. His eyes still had the power to fix her like a
serpent with a mouse.
Drink your tea and I will tell you, said Zillah.
Despite her anxiety, Muir obeyed, and she couldn't restrain
a small smile when she saw Rodhlann do the same, at first
hesitantly and then with greater appreciation. She knew he
236
Stone Maiden
by Ann Aquirre
was surprised that it stayed down; he had been able to take
only water for the past ten days. The awareness bemused her
when she considered it, but she knew it for truth he had
become as transparent to her as he'd once been
unfathomable.
It's good, he said slowly. Might I ... have you some
naan? I am ... hungry.
Hungry. He was hungry. Delight exploded in a starburst
within her. At a nod from Zillah, she pushed to her feet, and
then swayed. Odd. She located the basket of naan and took a
piece for herself. Zillah declined, but Rodhlann finished three
squares in as many bites, looking particularly savage. She
had never noticed that feral quality to his features until this
moment. Would he need blood to accompany the bread? And
what would Zillah's reaction be if he did?
You have not been bound in the way you mean, afreet.
You are not compelled to do my bidding. Your friend bade me
save you without hearing first what it would demand of her.
Zillah shook her head. Such loyalty is rare. But if I had taken
the time to explain, you would not be eating all my naan.
Rodhlann slid Muir a hooded look, but she knew what was
behind it now: puzzlement. He did not understand her no
more than she had once understood him. Muir wondered at
the change.
What ... what was my sacrifice?
Half your life, Zillah said, and then sipped her tea.
I don't understand.
Zillah lowered her clay bowl. The afreet had lost whatever
magic once sustained him. If he was to survive, he must be
237
Stone Maiden
by Ann Aquirre
fed. You have given him your life in place of energies more
arcane.
That is why I feel weak.
So it is, because you share one life between you. That
means you will not have your allotted fifteen but a mere
seven and a half hands in cycles.
Seven and a half hands in cycles sounded like a long time,
but Muir was not sure how old she was. The prospect of a
shortened life did not alarm her, however, as she had always
lived under threat of death, if she displeased Immelia. Being
free was worth so much, free from beatings, free to choose
she must count the cost worthwhile.
Will the weakness go away?
I do not know. The other woman lifted her shoulders,
rippling the fabric of her brightly patterned robe. Perhaps.
And if it does not, you will likely grow used to it and find it
hard to remember feeling any other way.
That much was certainly true; one could adapt to
anything, given time. Muir smiled. Is there anything else I
should know?
Zillah seemed faintly disappointed, as if she wanted more
reaction dismay or regret, perhaps. This charm she held
up an intricately braided talisman, coarse black strands
woven through platinum silk; Muir glanced at Rodhlann and
saw the bloodstain on his crown" represents your bond, and
as long as it is safe, the bond will remain intact. To unmake
it, you must burn the hair and scatter the ashes. And know
that the afreet must have another source to sustain him, or
he will perish.
238
Stone Maiden
by Ann Aquirre
You will be closer than lovers....
Muir began to understand, and she was afraid to look at
Rodhlann. His silence had a brooding air, although he should
be exultant that he had stolen a few more cycles in which to
realize his dream. She swallowed the last of her naan and
drank down the tepid tea. The dregs at the bottom of the clay
bowl left a sharp aftertaste, quite apart from the mint aroma,
but she chewed them anyway. Absently, she judged that they
had plucked the leaves too late in the year; frost was already
in the green, so they had dried bitter.
Our fates are inextricably linked then, he said at last.
One cannot live without the other, Zillah answered.
Muir felt Rodhlann's fingers flex against her shoulder; he
found one of the myriad bruises that the knotted wool had
left. Her wince drew his attention, and he released her.
Does this mean we cannot be separated? The quiet
question defied her ability to interpret it. Becoming aware of
her increased perception, he had apparently tightened his
thoughts.
It is not impossible, Zillah told him, but it may be
unpleasant. In truth, these questions have no answer
because, while I remember the rite as told by my
grandmother, I have never been able to perform it ... because
I lack the power. If the link had not already been partly
formed, I would not have been able to help you.
Remembering gave Muir a forbidden thrill; he had passed
through her mind and fed from her. Now it seemed they had
done so near a place of power. Erathos. Would she ever learn
the secret of the red soul?
239
Stone Maiden
by Ann Aquirre
Then there is only the matter of payment. Muir met the
other woman's look squarely. I have gifts as well. Perhaps
No. Zillah was already shaking her head. I will take your
Bedu amulet. Nothing less.
So many questions snapped awake, jostling for
prominence. How did Zillah know about the amulet? Why did
she want it? Could Muir give it away and survive another
encounter with the Bedu? Would she meet the Bedu again? In
the end, it did not matter, so she reached reluctantly into her
bag and withdrew the pendant. It sparkled in the light from
nearby lamps, breaking tiny rainbows over her palm.
Will you tell me why you want it? she asked.
Zillah poured herself another cup of the bitter tea, looking
pensive. It will do no harm. I want the path you did not
choose, Muir of the earth.
Rodhlann's attention sharpened; she saw the distance
recede. You see the branches of fate? It was clear he found
that difficult to credit, as he glanced about the rough tent, a
simple thing of raw wood and skins, filled with crude clay
vessels and the occasional bit of burnished bronze.
I see what might have been. Muir will not live among the
Bedu; she will not claim the destiny that might have been
hers. It is worthy; among the Bedu, she would have risen
higher than any woman has before. She would have molded
Shunnar to strength and wisdom and guided them from
savagery. But she chose another path.
And you believe you can usurp her destiny? Rodhlann's
voice was salted with skepticism.
240
Stone Maiden
by Ann Aquirre
Zillah gave a tranquil smile. I know I can. If I come
bearing the amulet, they cannot harm me. And once I have
settled there, they will admire my gifts. While they are not
the same as hers, I will be valued. I will have respect.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]