Destiny
Page 50
‘And perhaps he will,’ Cyrus said, echoing everyone’s hopes.
A very young boy ran dizzying circles around his brother—a baby —cradled in a beautifully-woven basket. Their mother smiled in a radiant manner such as none had seen in centuries. These were no ordinary children—these were Princes of the Host. The eldest and heir to the throne was a sunny, happy child with golden hair and strangely violet eyes full of laughter. His brother was much darker in looks; a thick shock of black downy hair told his parents he might echo his father and if the presently-dark eyes turned into the brilliant blue they promised to be, then he might well be the image of Darganoth, the King of the Host.
As Aeryn played, singing an old rhyme to his baby brother, Evagora was laughing with two other women.
‘It turned out better than we could have ever hoped,’ she admitted to her oldest and dearest friend.
Lys took the Queen’s hand and smiled. She was still finding this happy scene hard to believe herself. ‘Thank you for allowing me to bring her back.’
Evagora’s eyes immediately brimmed but her voice was firm. ‘They have suffered too much. All innocents. When you came to us with the plan, I knew if anyone could make it work, you could. It was an inspired move to bring her back through the Bleak.’
‘I took a gamble, your majesty. I guessed that if I could force her spirit to lift free somehow whilst she still drew breath, then I could save her; claim back that spirit.’
‘And did you know that Tor would return Aeryn?’
Lys shook her head. ‘No, highness. That had not even occurred to me. He worked that out himself.’
The Queen noticed her other guest tentatively reach forward to stroke the baby’s soft skin.
‘May I hold him?’ the woman asked.
‘Of course, my dear,’ the Queen said.
‘Will he remember, do you think?’
‘No, child. But it matters not,’ her mother replied gently. ‘There is no doubt that when he is grown, he will fall in love with you all over again,’ Lys added.
Alyssa smiled and hugged the little boy close. She would wait.
Acknowledgments
And so this tale finally ends and I have loved crafting it. Sincere thanks to all who have followed the series and especially to the countless readers who have taken the time and trouble to contact me. Your enthusiasm for Trinity is the best reward for so many hours spent at a lonely keyboard.
There are those whose generous support has been invaluable over the past couple of years, especially authors Sara Douglass and Robin Hobb, as well as my editor Nicola O’Shea who is a dream to work with. I must also give a nod here to the regular visitors to my website’s bulletin board for the late-night laughs, companionship and constant encouragement.
Which leaves my close friends and lovely family to thank, the most deserving of these being Will and Jack who seem to accept this solitary pursuit of their mother’s with their usual good grace. Gratitude and love to my heartiest critic and most ardent supporter, Ian.
About the Author
Fiona McIntosh was born and raised in England but spent her early childhood in West Africa. She studied in Brighton before embarking on a career in PR and marketing in London, but following a holiday to Sydney in 1980, she made Australia her home. She and her husband Ian now live in Adelaide with their twin sons where they publish a national magazine for the travel industry.
You can find more information about Fiona on her website: www.fionamcintosh.com Or email her direct: fiona@fionamcintosh.com
For information about Fiona McIntosh and her books, plus all the latest science fiction news visit ‘Voyager Online’: www.voyageronline.com.au— the website for lovers of science fiction and fantasy.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Praise for Fiona McIntosh
TRINITY
‘a rattling good adventure that fulfils all the requirements of fantasy’
Adelaide Advertiser
‘as good as Sara Douglass’
Good Reading
‘From the opening chapter to the very last work…has the reader savouring every scene, every character and every moment’
Altair Magazine
‘leaving the reader with a fantasy debut as good as Sara Douglass’s, if not better.’ Phillip Knowles, Good Reading
THE QUICKENING
‘a bold new voice in high fantasy…I was enthralled from page one’
Lynn Flewelling
‘Fiona McIntosh is a seductress. I have not moved from the sofa for three days’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘delightful and fast-moving story’
Publishers Weekly
ALSO BY FIONA MCINTOSH
TRINITY
Betrayal
Revenge
Destiny
THE QUICKENING
Myrren’s Gift
Blood and Memory
Bridge of Souls
Copyright
Voyager
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, Australia
First published in Australia in 2002
Reprinted in 2002, 2003
This edition published in 2010
by HarperCollinsPublishers Pty Limited
ABN 36 009 913 517
A member of the HarperCollinsPublishers (Australia) Pty Limited Group
www.harpercollins.com.au
Copyright © Fiona McIntosh 2002
The right of Fiona McIntosh to be identified as the moral rights author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 (Cth).
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the publishers.
HarperCollinsPublishers
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National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
McIntosh, Fiona, 1960- .
Destiny.
ISBN: 0 7322 8281 0.
ISBN: 978 0 7304 4583 8 (epub)
I. Title. (Series : McIntosh, Fiona, 1960- Trinity ; bk .3).
A823.4
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