Danith pulled the box closer. She ran a finger down the first three. Shock! She gasped. They were strong, pulsing, full of power, and quite uncomfortable. They also reeked of T'Ash, the unique signature of his Flair. Her hands had become sensitized, she supposed, what with the jewelry she'd been purchasing over the last few months, the gifts of last night, and now this.
She took a deep breath. She hadn't completely accepted that her Flair was finally verified. But she could not stop now.
Slowly, carefully, she passed her hand above the stones. Tingles ran from them to her. The procedure worked better with her eyes closed and centered breathing. Finally one called to her, more than any other. She opened her eyes and plucked from its nest a cream-colored egg shot with varicolored streaks and glittering with flecks of gold and redgold.
"I've never seen anything like it," she said with wonder, turning it in her hands.
"Microcrystalline rock called Anifile," T'Ash said, "denoting animals. Your Flair lies with animals."
Zanthoxyl's rumble filled the room. He licked her hands and the egg between them.
"Zanth approves. Is that the only one you wish to hold?"
She nibbled her bottom lip. His gaze narrowed.
Blindly she reached into the box and took another. This one, too, fit her palm as if it had always been hers. It connected with some deep energy within her, now finally stirring and swelling to the surface. She looked down. The stone was a deep maroon carnelian.
"Yes!" T'Ash said.
"Lord and Lady," murmured Holly.
Zanthoxyl purred louder, filling her mind with his sound. She touched the stone to his nose, and he squeaked in horror and hopped backward.
She laughed and held the stones to her chest, caressing them with her thumbs.
When she looked back to T'Ash her laughter died.
His gaze burned.
She stirred warily on her chair.
He stared at her hands cradling his stones, then slid the entire box over to her. "Yours," he said. "Take them."
Danith dropped the two eggs she still held. All the peace and real satisfaction that had filled her vanished. She looked at the exquisitely carved box and the unique stones with alarm. She could never accept such magnificence and power. "No."
The man overwhelmed her once more, presenting her with a situation that was too much to cope with. She swept from her chair and across the room to the door before which he stood, face impassive.
She bowed her head formally but kept her eyes on him. "I can never thank you enough, but please, keep your gifts." When she thought of all the things he had sent her the night before, she smiled wryly. "All the multitude of your gifts." She hesitated, hand on the doorknob. "I will scry you later."
Hurriedly T'Ash reinforced the protection spell around her, using the energy he'd previously gained from her. It hurt him to relinquish the sweet Danith-strength, but was necessary.
He watched, expressionless but yearning, as she slipped from the room.
Me follow. Guard. She tired, blown, Zanth said.
T'Ash nodded at his Fam. Zanth twitched the tip of his tail and sauntered out.
"Ah, my friend," Holm said, rising and coming to the desk as T'Ash bleakly stared at his HeartMate, who had rejected him and left. Again.
"You push too far, too fast."
"HeartMate," T'Ash said, unclenching his fingers one by one.
"I gathered that."
T'Ash brooded at the Testing tools on his desk. They contained, in most respects, the best he could ever be, fashioned over long hours and with the greatest of Flair, skill and care. They should have been as nearly irresistible as his HeartGift.
Holm hitched himself on the corner of T'Ash's desk and swung an expensively shod foot. "You know, I have heard word round noble circles that a HeartGift was stolen by a Null."
T'Ash pinned his gaze on his friend and growled.
Holm grinned. "That's my Downwind friend. You're speaking in shortspeech again."
"Nothing but a Downwind scruff."
Holm froze. He laid his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Tell me who said that, and I will be pleased to carve him into tiny pieces."
His heart aching, T'Ash looked at the door. He closed his eyes briefly. His senses told him Danith had left his estate.
"Ah, the ladies. They can prick us where we hurt the most."
"She apologized."
"Good. But about this missing HeartGift—"
T'Ash raised a hand. "No matter. I'm making another. One more reflective of me and which she can't refuse."
Holm winced. "Please be careful, my friend, and don't set yourself up for a fall."
T'Ash looked at him.
Holm started swinging his foot again. "Now, about this Null. I know you've been occupied making the main gauche for my brother, and you have all my esteem and gratitude for placing my needs over your own at this time. Tinne, by the way, was ecstatic at the gift." Holm shook his head. "I must congratulate myself for thinking of it."
T'Ash moved from his desk and took the chair Danith had sat in. Warmth from her body lingered, as did her scent of fresh apples.
Holly examined him with pewter-colored eyes. "You have been concentrating on adeptly crafting a weapon to guard my younger brother and ineptly wooing your Lady. How many septhours have you slept lately, anyway?"
T'Ash shrugged. "About four septhours."
"For two nights and two days, fifty-six septhours?" Holm whistled. "Go rest. I imagine you're nearly done on the blade."
T'Ash nodded. "It's steeping in power and magic."
"Good. I've met this Ruis Elder, this Null." He shuddered and shaped empty air with his hands. "There is no sensing him. It is as if he doesn't exist. We are completely blind to him."
"Ruis Elder." Sudden pleasure at the new information made T'Ash grin. He rolled the name around on his tongue again. "Ruis Elder." He tucked the knowledge away, for later use.
Holly matched his feral smile, then looked down, studying his fingernails. "I'll take the burden of hunting him for you."
"You relieve me," T'Ash mocked, knowing it was more sport than burden for the Holly.
Holm's smile broadened. "True. I am a noble, honorable man, and will be glad to pursue this foul thief for you. It will be a good hunt. He is clever and quick."
Holm sounded like Zanth talking about sewer rats. But then, the thief and a sewer rat shared common characteristics.
Then Holm's face became unusually serious. "I would prefer to look out for my brother over the next few days, but he would feel my emanations. He'd be enraged if I baby-sat him. A young man's pride and honor…"
T'Ash nodded.
"So I will occupy myself with your Null thief. It's the least I can do."
"A guard, Winterberry, is on the case of this Ruis Elder. He is trustworthy."
"Winterberry? Damn. He's a connection of ours. Hard-ass," Holm grumbled. "He'll keep the hunt to himself or bind it with laws."
Holm reached out a finger and rolled the deep maroon egg until it clicked into the cream-colored one with multicolored veins. When T'Ash didn't object, he picked up the maroon one, yelped at the power, and let it fall from stricken fingers to the felt.
T'Ash smiled. "Hard for a Holly to hold a Healing egg."
Holm looked down his straight nose. "I'll have you know, we Hollys have the utmost respect for Healers."
"Since you need their services so often."
Holm raised his eyebrows. "You are one to speak. My body is no more covered with scars than your own."
The thought struck T'Ash immobile.
Holm smiled. "Not to worry. Most women don't mind a few scars on a man. Some prefer them."
"Humph."
"Do you think she knew it was a Healing stone she chose?"
T'Ash shook his head. "She thought she was Flairless. Whoever Tested her before must have had poorly calibrated Testing Stones."
"Ah. But yours are the most powerful I've ever seen."
"True. But I felt her power from the first, strong but fine, like an exquisite diamond."
Holm smiled wickedly. "I felt it today, too. Yet I don't recall noticing it when we were in T'Ash's Phoenix last Koad."
T'Ash stiffened. "You remember her?"
"I don't often forget a female face and form. Another gift of the Hollys. Perhaps her Flair has expanded since she's rubbed up against you. Lord and Lady know that your Flair is potent enough to stir even the feeblest. I learned that when we rode Passage together. And you have rubbed up against her. At least once, haven't you?"
Heat rose to T'Ash's neck. The very thought of the too-brief feel of her body against him made his own body harden. He shifted in his chair.
Holm grinned. "I thought so. How long have you been in this state?"
"Since she walked into the shop."
Now Holm looked appalled. "Impossible. It would be impossible for a Holly—"
T'Ash sent him a dark glance. "Be glad I channeled most of the energy into the spells of Tinne's main gauche."
"Oh, I am. I most assuredly am." He clicked the eggs together again, the veined cream one with the deep carnelian. "An animal Healer." Holly's tones were hushed. "I believe there was an Earth Family or two on the starships that had that Flair. But their lines did not survive here on Celta. We have animal communicators and trainers, and Healers, but not the combination. She will be welcomed and valued. You have chosen extremely well."
T'Ash lifted his head in pride.
Holly smiled. "Not that you had much to do with it, HeartMates being foreordained, but she will be a worthy addition to the FirstFamilies."
"Keep this in confidence. This courtship is plenty rough without my every move being scrutinized."
Holm stood. "T'Ash, your every move has always been scrutinized. You've kept a discreet presence these last few years, but the FirstFamilies have been fascinated with you since you first went hunting for vengeance. You fuel the interest since you only attend the compulsory rituals. Even then, you only provide a modest amount of strength and energy to the circle."
"I provide what is requested, my share."
"And no more." Holm's voice held an edge.
"How many others provide more?"
"My Father, and others active on the Council."
"Those who want power."
"T'Holly believes in service! So do I."
"The FirstFamilies never did anything for me to dedicate my life to service." But his life would change with his marriage. With a Family he would have more interest in extending his duties. "I fully expect my HeartMate to take her place at my side, including the Great Rituals. We will consider increasing our participation in the affairs of the FirstFamilies' circles."
"Humph."
T'Ash softened. "You, Holm, were the only one who helped me when I needed it."
Holly smiled bleakly. "And now I demand repayment."
"As is your right. You also asked something of me as a friend, and I render it as a friend."
"I can see the cost to you. You've lost weight, energy, and stamina. From what I judge of your HeartMate, you will definitely need energy and stamina." He winked. "I've witnessed a Testing, which was a duty and a pleasure. I will file the certificate of results with the NobleCouncil Clerk."
"I'll put down Zanth witnessed, too." T'Ash smiled. From a drawer he removed a piece of the finest papyrus. Placing both hands on the sheet, he visualized the artistry he wanted on the certificate. Words formed in his mind. Uttering the spell, he held his vision. Light flashed from the document. When he raised his hands, the papyrus had turned a pale blue. Just under the gilt edging, another border marched, a detailed rendition of every T'Ash Testing egg. Danith's name and the outcome of her Testing was embossed in fancy scrollwork, along with larger holo images of the two stones that encompassed her Flair.
Holm picked up the paper by its edges. He whistled. "Very impressive." He put the thing back down and added his holo Heirmark as witness. "Decorative and informative, but the pictures of the Testing tools are some of the best advertising I've seen in many a day." He grinned. "I'll teleport this from T'Holly ResidenceDen. It will cause a stir."
"Thank you."
Holm bowed with his usual theatrical flourish. "My thanks to you for the weapon. Tinne says it will be ready tomorrow morning?"
T'Ash thought of the final adjustments he wanted to make, the sleep he needed. His own Passage. "Perhaps Tinne should pick it up tomorrow evening. I would like to give it one more check after resting."
Holm nodded. "A good idea. I'm glad he will have it for his Passage. Though, I tell you, I envy him it. Merry meet."
"And merry part."
"And merry meet again. Until later, T'Ash."
"Until later, Holm."
Danith plodded Rome, vaguely aware that Zanthoxyl followed her. She was in no mood to accommodate him in any of his cat wishes, so she ignored the Fam.
The Testing had so agitated her emotions, it felt good to be weary and know that her body would demand sleep. She would slip into someplace where she didn't have to struggle with all the brand-new multitude of problems that came as a consequence of her Testing.
She had Flair! Great Flair, even. HollyHeir Holm had witnessed. Happiness gave her a brief surge of energy, and Danith executed a few of Mitchella's joyful dance steps. Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. No one would ever sneer at poor, little Danith Mallow from the Saille House of Orphans ever again.
She may have lost her parents. She may have grown up in an institution. She may have been rejected many times on many levels, but now she was the equal of any other woman she knew.
She danced through her door. And was greeted by an exotic Pansy, still draped in as much jewelry as possible. Danith had been in too much of a hurry to gather every one of T'Ash's gifts.
Pansy wore a heavy redgold chain that dragged behind her, a long string of winding ruby beads, a small glisten chain suspending what looked like a breathtaking Skycrystal, and had even managed to insinuate a clustered diamond clip on one feathery-furred ear.
T'Ash's jewelry carried his strong emanations. Danith's heart thudded. What was she going to do with the man? Without giving herself time to think, she picked up her new deck of divination cards.
She drew two.
The Lord of Blasers.
The Lovers.
No! She set the two cards and the pack on the table, determined to ignore them. She knew what she wanted. Though the last septhours had given her more options than she'd ever had, though her fondest wish had come true, though her future looked shining, bright, and all together different, she would continue on the path she had planned. She would marry Claif.
T'Ash gave her flowers.
T'Ash gave her jewels.
T'Ash gave her a wonderful future.
T'Ash gave her passion.
But he gave nothing of himself.
Claif didn't give a great deal, either. But she would never expect more than what Claif wanted to give. What he was was what she wanted—a cheerful, simple man. And he came with many related Clovers that would meet her huge need for Family.
Still set on her own way, Danith went to her bedroom, slipped off her weaves, and fell onto her bedsponge, asleep a moment later.
A soft, murmuring voice woke her. "GentleLady. Gentle-Lady Mallow…"
The words insinuated into her sleep, persistently drawing her from slumber. She opened her eyes, blinked.
"GentleLady Mallow."
She jerked around.
A stranger in her bedroom.
She gasped. Inhaled.
He raised both hands. "Please, don't scream."
She licked her lips, her scrybowl was in the kitchen.
His smile was too charming to be true, matching falsely innocent brown eyes. He took a step or two back, hands still raised, into a patch of early afternoon sunlight. "I mean you no harm. I merely wish to return an—item—to you."
He made no sense. And he smelled funny, too. Not unpleasant, but wrong s
omehow. She inched back to the headboard.
"Allow me to present myself. Ruis Elder, at your service."
Chapter Seven
« ^ »
"I don't know you," Danith said to the man calling himself Ruis Elder.
"Entirely my fault, GentleLady."
"Miz."
He inclined his head. "Miz, then. I assure you, I am completely harmless."
He wasn't. He had the same smooth and charming manner as Holly, but while she sensed it was innate to Holm, she suspected this man used the manner as a mask. He had a hard edge underneath. He was also bigger and stronger than she. "What do you want?"
"Only to return something and have a few words with you."
"I've lost nothing."
Another quick, supposedly reassuring smile. "It's for a friend of yours."
The Clovers? Young Trif was a little wild, and always losing things. Danith had a soft spot for the girl. "Then you won't mind waiting in the grassyard. There's a cafe table and chairs there."
His brown gaze sharpened. She met it steadily. For all the controlled power he radiated, he was not nearly as dangerous as T'Ash.
He dipped his mahogany-colored head again. Holding his arms out from his sides, he slowly glided from the room. Danith bolted to the scrybowl, visualizing the guard station nearest her. Nothing happened. She touched the water of the bowl. It was cold, not warm with the hint of magic. Cold and dead.
Damn!
She should run. She should scream. She should do anything but stand and dither.
But she had sensed no threat from him. And she was curious.
She put on her weaves and straightened her clothing.
The back door to the grassyard was open. She stood on the threshold, ready to slam the door and retreat if necessary.
He appeared to lounge in one of her black cafe chairs set in a close-clipped circle of grass, but tension emanated from his body. He had his gaze fixed on the corner of her fence.
Zanthoxyl perched there. His lip lifted in a nearly soundless snarl. Danith's headache returned.
Elder's far hand clenched into a fist. His face showed nothing of the charming smile he had used earlier. In a flash of insight, Danith recognized the man's power. Rage drove him.
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