chapter 10
FIVEDAYSLATER,ONTHEEVEOFTHEEMBERDAYS,theycametoCastleBorso.
AllthatlastafternoonastheymovedsouthDevinhadbeenwatgthemountains.AnychildraisedierylowlandsofAsolicouldnothelpbutbeawedbythetsouthlandraheBracciohereiando,theParravieasttowardsTregeaand,thoughhedneverseeherumorofthesnow-cladSfaroni,highestofall,overwestwhereTiganaoncehadbeen.
Itwaslateintheday.FartothenorthonthatsameafternoonIsollaofYgrathlaydeadanddismemberedunderabloodysheetintheAudienceChamberofthepalaChiara.
Thesuingbehindathrustspurofthemountaihepeakstundyandredandasomberpurplehue.Ontheveryhighestsummitsthesnowstillshoneanddazzlediofthelight.
DevincouldjustmakeouttheliheBraccioPassasitcamedowhethreefabledpassesthathadlinked—insomeseasons,andnevereasily—thePeninsulaofthePalmwithQuileiatothesouth.
Intheolddays,beforetheMatriarchyhadtakendeeprootinQuileiatherehadbeentradeacrossthemountains,andthebroodiyofthespringtimeEmberDayshadalsedaquiingandstiroferciallifewiththepromiseofthepassesopeningagaiownsandfortress-castleshereihernhighlandshadbeenvibrantandvitalthen.Well-defeoo,becausewhereatradecaravancouldcross,socouldanarmy.ButnoKingofQuileiahadeverbeensecureenoughonhisthrooleadanarmynorth;notwiththeHighPriestessesstandingbyathometoseehimfailorfall.Hereiandotheprivatearmieshadmostlybloodiedtheirbladesandarrowsagainsteachother,insavagesouthlahatrangedeionsandbecamethestuffoflegend.
AheQuileianMatriarchyhadetopowerafterall,iimeofAchisandPasitheia,severalhundredyearsago.Quileiauhepriestesseshadfoldedinonitselflikeafloweratduskandthecaravansended.
Thesouthlandcitiesdwiovillages,or,ifflexibleaiough,theygedtheircharacterandturheirfaorthwardandtootherthings,asAvalleoftheTowershaddoigana.Hereiandanhighlandsthemightylordswhohadonceheldglitteringcourtintheirhugewarlikecastlesbecamelivinganas.Theirforaysandbattleswitheachother—oegraltotheflowofeventsinthePalm—becamemoreandmoreinsequential,thoughnotthelessbitterorviciousforthat.
ToDevin,twithMenicodiFerraut,ithadsometimesseemedthateverysedballadtheysangwasofsomelordoryoungersonpursuedbyenemiesamongthesecrags;orofill-fatedsouthlandloversdividedbythehatredoftheirfathers;orofthebloodydeedsofthosefathers,untamedashawksiernhighcastlesamongthesefoothillsoftheBraccio.
Andofthoseballads,whetherwildwithbattleandbloodandvillagessetafire,orlamentingpartedloversdrowningthemselvesipoolshiddeniyhills—ofallthosesongs,halfagain,itseemedtoDevin,wereoftheBorsoainandaroundthemassive,piled,grimsplendorofCastleBorsohardunderBraccioPass.
Therehadntbeenanynewballadsforalongtime,veryfewinfacetheQuileiancaravanshadstopped.Butoffreshstoriesandrumorstherehadbeenmanyitwodecades.Agreatmany.Inherownparticularway,andinherowime,AlienorofCastleBorsohadalreadybeealegendamongthemenandwomenoftheroad.
Andiftheseorieswereaboutlove,assomanyoftheshadbeen,theyhadlittletodowithanguishedyouthbewailingfateonwicrags,andrathermoretotellaboutcertaingeswithinCastleBorsoitself.Aboutdeepwovencarpetsandtapestries,aboutimportedsilkandlad
velvet,andprofoundlydiscertingworksofartinroomsthathadonceseenhardmenplanmidnightraidsattrestle-tables,whileunrulyhuntingdogshadfoughtforflungbonesamongtherushesofthefloor.
RidingbesideErleininthesedcart,Devindraggedhisgazeawayfromthelastshiningoflightonthepeaksandlookedatthecastletheywerenearing.Tuckedintoafoldofhills,withamoatarounditandasmallvillagejustbeyond,Borsowasalreadyinshadow.Eveched,Devinsawlightsbeinglitinthewindows.ThelastlightsuntiltheendoftheEmberDays.
"Alienorisafriend,"wasallthatAlessanhadvolunteered."Anoldfriend.”
Thatmuch,atleast,wasevidentfromthegreetingshegavehimwhenherseneschal—tallandstooped,withamagnifitwhitebeard—usheredthemgravelyintothefirelitwarmthoftheGreatHall.
Alessanscolorwasunusuallyhighwhentheladyofthecastleunlacedherlongfingersfromhishairandwithdrewherlipsfromhisown.Shehadnthurriedtheenter.her,eveerestingly,hadhe.Alienorsteppedback,smilingalittle,tosurveyhispanions.
ShefavoredErleinwithannition."Weleback,troubadour.Twoyears,isit?”
"Evenso,mylady.Iamhohatyouremember."Erleinsbowharkenedbacktoanearlierage,tothemaheydseenbeforeAlessanhadboundhim.
"Youwerealohen,Iremember.Iampleasedtoseeyounowinsuchsplendidpany.”
Erleinopenedhismouthandthencloseditwithoutreplying.AlienlaAlessan,afleetinginquiryinherverydarkeyes.
ReceivingnorespourheDukeandthecuriosityinherfacesharpehoughtfullyshelaidafingeragainsthercheekandtiltedherheadslightlytooneside.ThedisguisedSandreenduredherscrutinyimpassively.
"Verywelldone,"saidAlienorofBorso,softlysotheservantsandtheseneschalbythedoorscouldnothear."IimagiBaerdhasthewholePalmtakingyouforaKhardhu.Iwonderwhoyoureallyare,underallofthat."Hersmilewasquiteravishing.
Devindidntknowwhethertobeimpressedoruled.Aninstantlaterthatparticulardilemmawasrenderedirrelevant.
"Youdontknow?"saidErleindiSenzioloudly."Aterribleht.Allowmetheintroduylady,mayIpresenttoyouthe—”
Hegotnofurther.
Devinwasthefirsttoreact,whichsurprisedhim,thinkingaboutitafterwards.Hedalwaysbeenquickthough,andhewasclosesttothewizard.Whathedid—theonlythinghecouldthinkoftodo—ivotsharplyandburyhisfistashardashecouldinErleinsbelly.
Asitwas,hewasonlyafraofasedaheadofCatrianaonErleinsotherside.Shehadleapedtoclapherhahewizardsmouth.TheforceofDevinsblowdoubledErleihagruntofpain.ThisinturnhadtheunintendedeffectofthrowingCatrianaoffbalandstumblingforward.TobesmoothlycaughtandbracedbyAlienor.
Thewholethinghadtakenperhapsthreeseds.
Erleinsanktohiskheopulentcarpet.Devibesidehim.HeheardAlienordismissingherservantsfromtheroom.
"Youareafool!"Baerdshewizard.
"Hecertainlyis,"Alienreedinaratherdifferenttone,allexaggeratedpetulandflounce.
"WhywouldahinkIdwanttheburdenofknowirueidentityofadisguisedKhardhuwarrior?"ShewasstillholdingCatrianaaroundthewaist,quiteunnecessarily.Nowshelethergo,withanamusedexpressionatthegirlsrapidretreat.
"Youareauouscreature,arentyou?"shemurmuredsilk-ily.
"Notespecially,"saidCatrianahardily,stoppingafewfeetaway.
Alienorsmouthquirked.ShelookedCatrianaupanddownerteye."Iamhorriblyjealousofyou,"shepronoulength."AndIwouldbe,evenifyouhadthathairchoppedoffandthoseeyessewnshut.Whatmagnifitmenyouaretravelingwith!”
"Arethey?"Catrianasvoicewasindifferent,buthercolorwassuddenlyhigh.
"Arethey?"Alienorechoedsharply."Youmeanyouhaveablishedthatforyourself?Dearchild,whathaveyoubeendoingwithyhts?Ofcoursetheyare!Dontwasteyouryouth,mydear.”
Catrianalookedatherlevelly."IdontthinkIam,"shesaid."ButIdoubtwedhavethesamethoughtsonthatsubject.”
Devinwinced,butAlienorsanswerwasmild."Perhapsnot,"sheagreed,unruffled."But,intruth,Ithinktheoverlapwouldactuallybegreaterthanyouimagine."Shepaused."Youmayalsofindasyougetolderthaticeisfordeathsandendings,ninnings.Anykindofbeginnings.Oherhand,Iwillensure,"sheadded,withasmilethatwasallkindness,"thatyouhaveasufficyofblaokeepyouwarmtonight.”
Erleingroaned,draggingDevinsattentionawayfromthetwowomen.HeheardCatrianasay,"Ithankyouforyoursolicitude,"buthemissedherexpression.Fromthetonehecouldhazardaguessatwhatitwouldbe.
HesupportedErleinsheadasthewizardlaboredtogethiswindback.Alienorsimplyighem.
ShewasgreetingBaerdnowwithafriendlycivility—atowascheerfullymatched,Devinnotedinstinctively,byBaerdsownmaowardsher.
"Imsorry,"hewhisperedtoErlein."Icouldntthinkofanythingelse.”
Erleinwavedafeeble,still-unhealedhand.Hedinsistedonremovingthebandagesbeforetheydehecastle."Imsorry,"hewheezed,surprisingDevinsiderably."Ifotabouttheservants.”
Hewipedhislipswiththebackofonehand."IwontachievemuyselfifIgetusallkilled.Notmyideaoffreedom,that.Nor,frankly,isthisposturemynotionofmiddle-ageddignity.Sinceyouknockedmedownyoukindlyhelpmeup."ForthefirsttimeDevinheardafaintnoteofamusementiroubadoursvoice.Asurvivor,Sandrehadsaid.
Astactfullyashecouldhehelpedtheothermanstand.
"Theextremelyviolentone,"Alessanwassayingdrily,"isDevindAsoli.Healsosings.Ifyouareverygoodhemaysingforyou.”
DevinturnedawayfromErlein,butperhapsbecausehedbeendistractedbywhathadjusthappenedhewasquiteunpreparedtodealwiththegazehenowentered.
Thereisnopossibleway,hefoundhimselfthinking,thatthiswomanisfortyyearsold.HereflexivelysketchedtheperformersbowMenicohadtaughthim,tocoverhisfusion.Shewasalmostfortyandhek:Alienorhadbeenoyearsaftershedbeenwed,whenaroofBorsohaddiedintheBarbadianinvasioando.Thestoriesanddescriptionsofthebeautifulwidowinhersouthlandcastlehadbegunveryshortlyafterthat.
Theydidnteeveocatgwhatshewas—whathesawstandingbeforehiminalonggownofabluesodeepitwasnearlyblack.Herhairwasblack,whuponherheadandheldbyadiademofwhitegoldstuddedwithgems.Afewtendrilsofhairhadbeenartlesslyallowedtofallfree,framingtheperfectovalofherface.Hereyeswereindigo,almostvioletuhelonglashes,andhermouthwasfullandredandsmilingaprivatesmileasshelookedatDevin.
Heforcedhimselftomeetthatlook.Doingso,hefeltasthoughallthesluice-gatesinhisveinshadbeenhurledopenandhisbloodwasariverinflood,ragthroughasteepwildcourseatanever-increasingspeed.Hersmilegrewdeeper,moreprivate,asifshecouldactuallyseethathappeninginsidehim,andthedarkeyesgrewwiderforaninstant.
"Isuppose,"saidAlienordiCertando,beforeturningbacktoAlessan,"thatIshallhavetotrytobeverygoodthen,ifthatwilliosingforme.”
Herbreastswerefullandhigh,Devinsaw,couldnothelpbutsee.Thegownwascutverylowandadiamondpendanthungagainstherskin,drawingtheeyelikeablue-whitefire.
Heshookhishead,fightingtoclearit,alittleshockedathisowion.Thiswasridiculous,hetoldhimselfsternly.Hehadbeenoverheatedbythestoriestold,hisimaginationrenderedunrulybytheopulent,sensuousfurnishingsintheroom.Helookedupwardsfordistraandthenwishedhehadnt.
OntheceilingsomeoastraheactoflovehadpaintedAdaonsprimalcouplingwithEanna.ThefaceofthegoddesswasveryclearlythatofAlienorandthepaintingshowed—justasclearly—thatshewasintheverymomentofrapturewhearshadstreamedintobeingfromherecstasy.
Therewereiarsstreamingallacrossthebackgroundoftheceilingfresco.Itwas,however,difficulttolookatthebackgroundofthefresco.Devinforcedhiseyesdown.WhathelpedhimreclaimhisposurewasmeetingCatrianasglathen:amingledlookofcaustiyandasedthinghecouldntquitereize.Forallherownsplendorandthewildcrimsongloryofherhair,Catrianalookedexceptionallyyoungjustthen.Almostachild,Devinthoughtsagely,fullyrealizedoraplishedinherwomanhood.
TheladyofCastleBorsowaspleteinwhatshewas,fromhersandaledfeettothebandinherlustroushair.Hernails,Devinnoticedbelatedly,werepaihesameblue-blagerouscolorashergown.
Heswallowed,andlookedawayagain.
"Iexpectedyouyesterday,"AlienorwassayingtoAlessan."IwaswaitingforyouandIdmademyselfbeautifulforyoubutyoudidnte.”
"Justaswell,then,"Alessanmurmured,smiling."HadIseenyouanymorebeautifulthanyouarenowImightneverhavefourengthtoleave.”
Hermouthcurledmischievously.Sheturheothers."Youseehowthemantormeaquarterofanhourinmyhomeandhespeaksofleaving.AmIwellservedinsuchafriend?”
Thequestionwasaddressed,asithappened,directlytoDevin.Histhroatwasdry;herglancediddisruptivethingstotheorderlyflowofmessagesfrombraintotongue.Heessayedasmile,suspegratherthattheexpressionproducedfellsomewherebetweeuousandtheimbecilic.
Wihoughtdesperately.Hewasinseriousneedofaiveglassofsomething.
Asifsummonedbyanartoftimingmoresubtlethanwizardrythreeservantsinblueliveryreappeared,eachbearingsevenglassesonatray.Twoofthetrays,Devinsaw,borearedwiwasalmostcertaiandan.
Thewihethirdsetofglasseswasblue.
DevinturoAlessan.ThePrincewaslookingatAlienorressionthatspoketosomethingprivateandsharedfari.Foramomentherownexpressionanddemeanoraltered:asifshehadlaidasideforaninstantthereflexivespinningofherwebsofe.AndDevin,afarmoreperceptivemanthanhehadbeensixmonthsbefore,thoughthesawthehintofasadnessinhereyes.
Thenshespokeandhewascertainthathedseenit.Ilewayitcalmedhim,andshedadifferent,milderlightonthemoodintheroom.
"ItisnotathingIamlikelytet,"shesaidsoftlytoAlessauringtowardsthebluewine.
"NorI,"hereplied."Sibeganhere.”
Shewassilentamoment,eyelidslowered.Thenthemomentpassed.Alienorseyesweresparklingagaiheylifted."Ihavetheusualcolleoflettersforyou.Butoneisveryret,"shesaid.
&quhttwodaysagobyaveryyoungpriestofEannawhowasterrifiedofmethewholetimehewas
here.Hewouldaythenightthoughheonlyarrivedatsu.IswearherodeoutsofasthemusthavefearedIdhavehisrobeoffifhelingeredforameal.”
"Andwouldyouhave?"Alessangrinned.
Shemadeaface."Unlikely.Eannassortareseldomworththetrouble.Thoughheretty.AlmostasprettyasBaerd,etothinkofit.”
Baerd,quiteuurbed,simplysmiled.Alienlangeredflirtatiouslyonhim.Theretoo,Devinnoted.Anexgethatspoketoeventsandthingssharedalongwayback.Hefeltyoungsuddenly,andoutofhisdepth.
"Whereisthenewmessagefrom?"Alessanasked.
Alieated."West,"wasallshesaid.Sheglaherestofthemwithaveiledquestioninhereyes.
Alessa."Youmayspeakfreely.Itrusteverymanandwomanhere."HewascarefulnottoevenlookatErlein.Devindidlook,butifhedexpectedareafromthewizardhewasdisappointed.
WithagestureAlienordismissedherservants.Theoldseneschalhadalreadywithdrawhepreparationoftheirrooms.WhentheywerealoneAlienorwalkedovertoawriting-tablebyohefourblazingfirepladclaimedasealedenvelopefromadrawer.ShecamebadgaveittoAlessan.
"ItisfromDanoleonhimself,"shesaid."FromyourownprovincewhosenameIotyethearorsay.”
Andthat,Devinhadnotexpectedatall.
"Fiveme,"Alessanmurmured.Hestrodequicklytowardthefire,tearierope.Alienorbecameverybusylassesoftheredwiookalongdrinkfromhis.
TheicedthatBaerdhadnottouchedhiswihathisgazewasfixedonAlessanacrosstheroom.Devinfollowedthelook.ThePrincehadfinishedreading.Hewasstandingrigidly,staringintothefire.
"Alessan?"Baerdsaid.
Alienorturnedswiftlyatthat.Alessandidnotmove;seemednottohaveevenheard.
"Alessan?"Baerdsaidagain,mently."Whatisit?”
SlowlythePriiganaturnedfromtheflamestolookatthem.Ornotreallyatthem,Devinamendedinwardly.AtBaerd.Therewassomethingbleakandcoldinhisface.Iceisforendings,Devinthoughtinvoluntarily.
"ItisfromDanoleon,Imafraid.FromtheSanctuary."Alessansvoicewasflat."Mymotherisdying.
Iwillhavetostarthometomorrow.”
BaerdsfacehadgoneaswhiteasAlessans."Themeeting?"hesaid."Themeetingtomorrow?”
"Thatfirst,"Alessansaid."Afterthemeeting,whateverhappens,Imustridehome.”
GiventheshockofthatnewsandtheimpactAlessanswordsandmannerhadonallofthem,theknoDevinschamberdoorlatethatnightcameasadisorientingsurprise.
Hehadnotbeenasleep."Wait,"hecalledsoftlyandstruggledquicklyintohisbreeches.Hepulledalooseshirtonoverhisheadandpaddedinhisstogsacrossthefloor,wingatthecoldofthestoneswherethecarpetingended.Hishairdisordered,feelingrumpledandfused,heopehedoor.
Inthehallwayoutside,holdingasingledlethatcastweird,flickeringshadowsalongthecorridorwallwasAlienorherself.
"e,"wasallshesaid.Shedidnotsmileandhecouldnotseehereyesbehindtheflame.Herrobewasacreamywhite,lihfur.ItwasfastehethroatbutDevincoulddistheswellofherbreastsbeh.Herhairhadbeenlooseumblingoverhershouldersanddownherbaablack
cascade.
Deviated,hismouthdryagain,hismindscatteredandlaggiupahandtotrythtenthehopelesstangleofhishair.
Sheshookherhead."Leaveitlikethat,"shesaid.Herfreehandwiththelongdarknailscameupandpushedthroughhisbrowncurls."Leaveit,"shesaidagain,andturned.
Hefollowedher.Herandthesingledleandtheunleashedchaosofhisblooddownalongcorridorthenashorterohroughanangledsequenptypublisthenupacurvingflightofstairs.
Atthetopofthestairsanespilloflightcamefrombeyondapairofopendoors.DevinpassedthroughthosedoorsbehindtheLadyofCastleBorso.Hehadtimetistertheblazeofthefire,theritricatehangingsonthewalls,theprofusioravagantcarpetsonthefloor,andthehugeopiedbedstrewnwithpillowsofallcolorsandsizes.Aleanhuntingdog,greyandgraceful,regardedhimfrombythefirebutdidnotrise.
Alienorlaidherdledown.Sheclosedthetwodoorsandturohim,leaningbackagainstthepolishedwood.Hereyeswereenormous,unilyblack.Devihispulselikeahammer.Therushofhisbloodseemedloudinhisveins.
"Iamburningup,"Alienorsaid.
Somewhereapartofhim,whereproportionlivedandironytookshape,waoprotest,eventobeamusedatsuchapronou.Butashelookedatherhesawthequiingdrawofherbreathingandhowshallowitwas,sawthedeepflushofherc...oneofhishandsasifofitsownwillcameupandtouchedhercheek.Itwasburninghot.
WithasounddeepihroatAlienortrappedhishandwithoneofherownandsaeethinthefleshofhispalm.
AndwiththatpaindesirewasloosedinDevinasitneverhadbeeninhislife.Heheardanoddlydistortedsoundandrealizedithadefromhim.Hetookahalf-steptowardherandshewasinhisarms.Herfingerslockedandtwistedinhishairandhermouthmethiswithanavidness,ahuhatrakedtherisingfiresofhisowoapointwhereawarenessfledanddriftedfaraway.
Everythingwasgone,oing.Tigana.Alessan,Alais,Catriana.Hismemories.Memoryitself,thatwashismostsureanchorandhispride.Eventhememoryofthehallwaystothisroom,theroadsandyearsandrooms,alltheotherroomsthatledtothisone.Andher.
Hetoreatthefasteningsofherrobeandburiedhisfacebetweenherbreastsastheyspilledfree.Shegasped,andherhandsclawedathisshirtuntilitcameaway.Hefelthernailsteartheskinalonghisback.
Hetwistedhisheadandbitherthenandtastedblood.Heheardherlaugh.
Never,ever,hadhedonesuchathingbefore.
Somehowtheyseemedtobeonthebedamongthecoloredsplayofthepillows.AndthenAlienorwasnakedabovehim,impaledonhissex,hermouthdesdingtohisownasthetwoofthemsurgedtogetherthroughthearactthatstrovetocasttheworldaway.Asfarawayasitcouldbehurled.
Foraninstahoughtheuood.IhinkingflashofvisceralilluminatiohoughthegraspedwhyAlienordidthis.Thenatureofherneed,whichwasnotwhatitseemedtobe.
Givenanothermoment,astillplathefirmament,hecouldhavereachedouttoputa,aframefortheblurredawareness.Hereached...
Shecriedoutwithherclimax.Herhandsslidalonghisskin,curvingdown.Desireobliteratedthought,anystrainingtowardsthought.Witharagtwisthevirtuallythrewhertoonesideandswunghimselfaboveher,neverleavingthewarmshelterbetweehighs.Cushionsscatteredaroundthem,fellonthefloor.Hereyesweretightlyshut,hermouthfsoundlesswords.
Deviodrivehimselfintoherasiftodriveawayallthedemonsas,allthebrutaldeadeningtruthsthatweretheworldofthePalmintheirday.Hisownclimaxwhenitcamelefthim
shudderingandlimp,losttowherehewas,onlydimlygingtowhathekobehisname.
Heheardherwhisperingitsoftly,overandover.Shemovedgentlyoutfromunderhim.Herolledoveronhisback,eyesclosed.Hefeltherfingersglidealonghisskin.Hecouldnotmove.Shelayingwithhishands,caressingandguidifromhissides.Herlipsandfingersdanceddownhischestandbelly,overhissatiatedsexandfurtherdown,explalonghisthighsandlegs,anddown.
Bythetimehewasawareofwhatsheddonehewasboundhandandfoottothefourpostsofherbed,spreadeagledbehher.Hiseyesflewopen,startledandalarmed.Hestruggled.Uselessly—hewasheldinbondsofsilkloopedandknotted.
"That,"saidAlienorinahuskyvoice,"wasawonderfulbeginningtoanight.ShallIteaethingnow?"Shereached,nakedandmagnifit,flushedandscoredwithhismarksuponher,andbroughtsomethingupfromthefloorbesidethebed.Hiseyesgrehenhesawwhatitwassheheld.
"Youarebindingmeagainstmywill,"Devinsaid,alittledesperately."Thisisnotmyideaofhowtoetogetherinlove."Hetwistedhardagain,atshoulderandhip;thesilkenbondsheldfirm.
Alienorsansweringsmilewasluminous.Shewasmorebeautifulinthatmomentthanhecouldeverhaveimaginedawomanbeing.Inthehugedarkpoolsofhereyessomethingstirred,primalanddangerousandterrifyinglyarousi,improbablysoon,aquiinginhissex.Shesawit.Hersmiledeepened.Onelongfingernailstrokedlightly,almostmeditativelyalonghisgatheringtumesce.
"Itwillbe,"murmuredhisdarklady,theLadyofCastleBorso.Herlipspartedshowingthesharpwhiteteethbehind.Heregisteredthetautfirmnessofhernipplesassheopenedherlegstostraddlehimagain.Hesawhercaresswhatshehadclaimedfromthecarpetbythebed.Beyondher,bythefire,thewolfhoundhaditshandsomeheadraised,watgthem.
"Itwillbe,"Alienorsaidagain."Trustme.Letmeteachyounow,andshowyou,this,ahis,andsoonitwillbeyourideaofhowtoetogether.Ohyes,Devin,itwillbeverysoon.”
Shemoveduponhisbodyandthedlelightwasdeflectedandthenhiddenasshecamedownoverhim.Hestruggledbutonlyforamomentforhisheartoundingagainanddesirewasoverwhelminglyuponhim,justasAlienorwas,justasherownplexneedscouldbeseenrisinginheragain,inthedarknessofhereyesbeforetheyclosed,inhermovementsabovehim,andintheragged,reag,upwardstrainingofherbreath.
Andbeforethenightwasover,beforethehalfofithadpassed,withthelastdlesofwinterburningdown,shehadprovenherselfright,terribly,overandain.AndattheendeveheonewholayboundaweenthefourpillarsoftheworldthatwasherbedandDevinwasnolongerquitesureofwhohewasthatheshouldbedoingtoherthethingshewas.Thethingsthatmadeherwhisperandthencryaloudhisnameasshedid,overandagain.Buthedidknowthatshehadgedhimandhadfoundaplacewithinhimwherehisoseekoblivionwasequaltoherown.
Thedleonhissideofthebedbursometimelater.Therewasasmall,steddriftingofsmoke.Thepatternoflightandshadeintheroomged;herofthemwasasleep,theybothnoticedit.Thefirewasdowntoitsembers;thedogstilllaybeforeit,itsmagnifitheadstretchedoutonitspaws.
"Youhadbettergo,"Alienorsaid,strokinghisnearshoulderabsently."Whiletheresadleforyoutocarry.Itiseasytoloseyourwayinthedark.”
"YouobservetheEmberDays?"heasked,alittlesurprisedatsuchpiety."Nofires?”
"Nofires,"shesaidruefully."Halfmyhouseholdstaifwouldleaveme,andIdontevenwanttoguessatwhatthetenantfarmersorthevillagerswoulddo.Stormthecastle.Calldownsomeacursewithearsofsoakedinblood.Thesearethesouthernhighlands,Deviaketheirritesseriouslyuphere.”
"Asseriouslyasyoutakeyours?”
Shesmiledatthatandstretchedlikeacat."Isupposeso.Thefannerswilldothingstonightandt松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
AllthatlastafternoonastheymovedsouthDevinhadbeenwatgthemountains.AnychildraisedierylowlandsofAsolicouldnothelpbutbeawedbythetsouthlandraheBracciohereiando,theParravieasttowardsTregeaand,thoughhedneverseeherumorofthesnow-cladSfaroni,highestofall,overwestwhereTiganaoncehadbeen.
Itwaslateintheday.FartothenorthonthatsameafternoonIsollaofYgrathlaydeadanddismemberedunderabloodysheetintheAudienceChamberofthepalaChiara.
Thesuingbehindathrustspurofthemountaihepeakstundyandredandasomberpurplehue.Ontheveryhighestsummitsthesnowstillshoneanddazzlediofthelight.
DevincouldjustmakeouttheliheBraccioPassasitcamedowhethreefabledpassesthathadlinked—insomeseasons,andnevereasily—thePeninsulaofthePalmwithQuileiatothesouth.
Intheolddays,beforetheMatriarchyhadtakendeeprootinQuileiatherehadbeentradeacrossthemountains,andthebroodiyofthespringtimeEmberDayshadalsedaquiingandstiroferciallifewiththepromiseofthepassesopeningagaiownsandfortress-castleshereihernhighlandshadbeenvibrantandvitalthen.Well-defeoo,becausewhereatradecaravancouldcross,socouldanarmy.ButnoKingofQuileiahadeverbeensecureenoughonhisthrooleadanarmynorth;notwiththeHighPriestessesstandingbyathometoseehimfailorfall.Hereiandotheprivatearmieshadmostlybloodiedtheirbladesandarrowsagainsteachother,insavagesouthlahatrangedeionsandbecamethestuffoflegend.
AheQuileianMatriarchyhadetopowerafterall,iimeofAchisandPasitheia,severalhundredyearsago.Quileiauhepriestesseshadfoldedinonitselflikeafloweratduskandthecaravansended.
Thesouthlandcitiesdwiovillages,or,ifflexibleaiough,theygedtheircharacterandturheirfaorthwardandtootherthings,asAvalleoftheTowershaddoigana.Hereiandanhighlandsthemightylordswhohadonceheldglitteringcourtintheirhugewarlikecastlesbecamelivinganas.Theirforaysandbattleswitheachother—oegraltotheflowofeventsinthePalm—becamemoreandmoreinsequential,thoughnotthelessbitterorviciousforthat.
ToDevin,twithMenicodiFerraut,ithadsometimesseemedthateverysedballadtheysangwasofsomelordoryoungersonpursuedbyenemiesamongthesecrags;orofill-fatedsouthlandloversdividedbythehatredoftheirfathers;orofthebloodydeedsofthosefathers,untamedashawksiernhighcastlesamongthesefoothillsoftheBraccio.
Andofthoseballads,whetherwildwithbattleandbloodandvillagessetafire,orlamentingpartedloversdrowningthemselvesipoolshiddeniyhills—ofallthosesongs,halfagain,itseemedtoDevin,wereoftheBorsoainandaroundthemassive,piled,grimsplendorofCastleBorsohardunderBraccioPass.
Therehadntbeenanynewballadsforalongtime,veryfewinfacetheQuileiancaravanshadstopped.Butoffreshstoriesandrumorstherehadbeenmanyitwodecades.Agreatmany.Inherownparticularway,andinherowime,AlienorofCastleBorsohadalreadybeealegendamongthemenandwomenoftheroad.
Andiftheseorieswereaboutlove,assomanyoftheshadbeen,theyhadlittletodowithanguishedyouthbewailingfateonwicrags,andrathermoretotellaboutcertaingeswithinCastleBorsoitself.Aboutdeepwovencarpetsandtapestries,aboutimportedsilkandlad
velvet,andprofoundlydiscertingworksofartinroomsthathadonceseenhardmenplanmidnightraidsattrestle-tables,whileunrulyhuntingdogshadfoughtforflungbonesamongtherushesofthefloor.
RidingbesideErleininthesedcart,Devindraggedhisgazeawayfromthelastshiningoflightonthepeaksandlookedatthecastletheywerenearing.Tuckedintoafoldofhills,withamoatarounditandasmallvillagejustbeyond,Borsowasalreadyinshadow.Eveched,Devinsawlightsbeinglitinthewindows.ThelastlightsuntiltheendoftheEmberDays.
"Alienorisafriend,"wasallthatAlessanhadvolunteered."Anoldfriend.”
Thatmuch,atleast,wasevidentfromthegreetingshegavehimwhenherseneschal—tallandstooped,withamagnifitwhitebeard—usheredthemgravelyintothefirelitwarmthoftheGreatHall.
Alessanscolorwasunusuallyhighwhentheladyofthecastleunlacedherlongfingersfromhishairandwithdrewherlipsfromhisown.Shehadnthurriedtheenter.her,eveerestingly,hadhe.Alienorsteppedback,smilingalittle,tosurveyhispanions.
ShefavoredErleinwithannition."Weleback,troubadour.Twoyears,isit?”
"Evenso,mylady.Iamhohatyouremember."Erleinsbowharkenedbacktoanearlierage,tothemaheydseenbeforeAlessanhadboundhim.
"Youwerealohen,Iremember.Iampleasedtoseeyounowinsuchsplendidpany.”
Erleinopenedhismouthandthencloseditwithoutreplying.AlienlaAlessan,afleetinginquiryinherverydarkeyes.
ReceivingnorespourheDukeandthecuriosityinherfacesharpehoughtfullyshelaidafingeragainsthercheekandtiltedherheadslightlytooneside.ThedisguisedSandreenduredherscrutinyimpassively.
"Verywelldone,"saidAlienorofBorso,softlysotheservantsandtheseneschalbythedoorscouldnothear."IimagiBaerdhasthewholePalmtakingyouforaKhardhu.Iwonderwhoyoureallyare,underallofthat."Hersmilewasquiteravishing.
Devindidntknowwhethertobeimpressedoruled.Aninstantlaterthatparticulardilemmawasrenderedirrelevant.
"Youdontknow?"saidErleindiSenzioloudly."Aterribleht.Allowmetheintroduylady,mayIpresenttoyouthe—”
Hegotnofurther.
Devinwasthefirsttoreact,whichsurprisedhim,thinkingaboutitafterwards.Hedalwaysbeenquickthough,andhewasclosesttothewizard.Whathedid—theonlythinghecouldthinkoftodo—ivotsharplyandburyhisfistashardashecouldinErleinsbelly.
Asitwas,hewasonlyafraofasedaheadofCatrianaonErleinsotherside.Shehadleapedtoclapherhahewizardsmouth.TheforceofDevinsblowdoubledErleihagruntofpain.ThisinturnhadtheunintendedeffectofthrowingCatrianaoffbalandstumblingforward.TobesmoothlycaughtandbracedbyAlienor.
Thewholethinghadtakenperhapsthreeseds.
Erleinsanktohiskheopulentcarpet.Devibesidehim.HeheardAlienordismissingherservantsfromtheroom.
"Youareafool!"Baerdshewizard.
"Hecertainlyis,"Alienreedinaratherdifferenttone,allexaggeratedpetulandflounce.
"WhywouldahinkIdwanttheburdenofknowirueidentityofadisguisedKhardhuwarrior?"ShewasstillholdingCatrianaaroundthewaist,quiteunnecessarily.Nowshelethergo,withanamusedexpressionatthegirlsrapidretreat.
"Youareauouscreature,arentyou?"shemurmuredsilk-ily.
"Notespecially,"saidCatrianahardily,stoppingafewfeetaway.
Alienorsmouthquirked.ShelookedCatrianaupanddownerteye."Iamhorriblyjealousofyou,"shepronoulength."AndIwouldbe,evenifyouhadthathairchoppedoffandthoseeyessewnshut.Whatmagnifitmenyouaretravelingwith!”
"Arethey?"Catrianasvoicewasindifferent,buthercolorwassuddenlyhigh.
"Arethey?"Alienorechoedsharply."Youmeanyouhaveablishedthatforyourself?Dearchild,whathaveyoubeendoingwithyhts?Ofcoursetheyare!Dontwasteyouryouth,mydear.”
Catrianalookedatherlevelly."IdontthinkIam,"shesaid."ButIdoubtwedhavethesamethoughtsonthatsubject.”
Devinwinced,butAlienorsanswerwasmild."Perhapsnot,"sheagreed,unruffled."But,intruth,Ithinktheoverlapwouldactuallybegreaterthanyouimagine."Shepaused."Youmayalsofindasyougetolderthaticeisfordeathsandendings,ninnings.Anykindofbeginnings.Oherhand,Iwillensure,"sheadded,withasmilethatwasallkindness,"thatyouhaveasufficyofblaokeepyouwarmtonight.”
Erleingroaned,draggingDevinsattentionawayfromthetwowomen.HeheardCatrianasay,"Ithankyouforyoursolicitude,"buthemissedherexpression.Fromthetonehecouldhazardaguessatwhatitwouldbe.
HesupportedErleinsheadasthewizardlaboredtogethiswindback.Alienorsimplyighem.
ShewasgreetingBaerdnowwithafriendlycivility—atowascheerfullymatched,Devinnotedinstinctively,byBaerdsownmaowardsher.
"Imsorry,"hewhisperedtoErlein."Icouldntthinkofanythingelse.”
Erleinwavedafeeble,still-unhealedhand.Hedinsistedonremovingthebandagesbeforetheydehecastle."Imsorry,"hewheezed,surprisingDevinsiderably."Ifotabouttheservants.”
Hewipedhislipswiththebackofonehand."IwontachievemuyselfifIgetusallkilled.Notmyideaoffreedom,that.Nor,frankly,isthisposturemynotionofmiddle-ageddignity.Sinceyouknockedmedownyoukindlyhelpmeup."ForthefirsttimeDevinheardafaintnoteofamusementiroubadoursvoice.Asurvivor,Sandrehadsaid.
Astactfullyashecouldhehelpedtheothermanstand.
"Theextremelyviolentone,"Alessanwassayingdrily,"isDevindAsoli.Healsosings.Ifyouareverygoodhemaysingforyou.”
DevinturnedawayfromErlein,butperhapsbecausehedbeendistractedbywhathadjusthappenedhewasquiteunpreparedtodealwiththegazehenowentered.
Thereisnopossibleway,hefoundhimselfthinking,thatthiswomanisfortyyearsold.HereflexivelysketchedtheperformersbowMenicohadtaughthim,tocoverhisfusion.Shewasalmostfortyandhek:Alienorhadbeenoyearsaftershedbeenwed,whenaroofBorsohaddiedintheBarbadianinvasioando.Thestoriesanddescriptionsofthebeautifulwidowinhersouthlandcastlehadbegunveryshortlyafterthat.
Theydidnteeveocatgwhatshewas—whathesawstandingbeforehiminalonggownofabluesodeepitwasnearlyblack.Herhairwasblack,whuponherheadandheldbyadiademofwhitegoldstuddedwithgems.Afewtendrilsofhairhadbeenartlesslyallowedtofallfree,framingtheperfectovalofherface.Hereyeswereindigo,almostvioletuhelonglashes,andhermouthwasfullandredandsmilingaprivatesmileasshelookedatDevin.
Heforcedhimselftomeetthatlook.Doingso,hefeltasthoughallthesluice-gatesinhisveinshadbeenhurledopenandhisbloodwasariverinflood,ragthroughasteepwildcourseatanever-increasingspeed.Hersmilegrewdeeper,moreprivate,asifshecouldactuallyseethathappeninginsidehim,andthedarkeyesgrewwiderforaninstant.
"Isuppose,"saidAlienordiCertando,beforeturningbacktoAlessan,"thatIshallhavetotrytobeverygoodthen,ifthatwilliosingforme.”
Herbreastswerefullandhigh,Devinsaw,couldnothelpbutsee.Thegownwascutverylowandadiamondpendanthungagainstherskin,drawingtheeyelikeablue-whitefire.
Heshookhishead,fightingtoclearit,alittleshockedathisowion.Thiswasridiculous,hetoldhimselfsternly.Hehadbeenoverheatedbythestoriestold,hisimaginationrenderedunrulybytheopulent,sensuousfurnishingsintheroom.Helookedupwardsfordistraandthenwishedhehadnt.
OntheceilingsomeoastraheactoflovehadpaintedAdaonsprimalcouplingwithEanna.ThefaceofthegoddesswasveryclearlythatofAlienorandthepaintingshowed—justasclearly—thatshewasintheverymomentofrapturewhearshadstreamedintobeingfromherecstasy.
Therewereiarsstreamingallacrossthebackgroundoftheceilingfresco.Itwas,however,difficulttolookatthebackgroundofthefresco.Devinforcedhiseyesdown.WhathelpedhimreclaimhisposurewasmeetingCatrianasglathen:amingledlookofcaustiyandasedthinghecouldntquitereize.Forallherownsplendorandthewildcrimsongloryofherhair,Catrianalookedexceptionallyyoungjustthen.Almostachild,Devinthoughtsagely,fullyrealizedoraplishedinherwomanhood.
TheladyofCastleBorsowaspleteinwhatshewas,fromhersandaledfeettothebandinherlustroushair.Hernails,Devinnoticedbelatedly,werepaihesameblue-blagerouscolorashergown.
Heswallowed,andlookedawayagain.
"Iexpectedyouyesterday,"AlienorwassayingtoAlessan."IwaswaitingforyouandIdmademyselfbeautifulforyoubutyoudidnte.”
"Justaswell,then,"Alessanmurmured,smiling."HadIseenyouanymorebeautifulthanyouarenowImightneverhavefourengthtoleave.”
Hermouthcurledmischievously.Sheturheothers."Youseehowthemantormeaquarterofanhourinmyhomeandhespeaksofleaving.AmIwellservedinsuchafriend?”
Thequestionwasaddressed,asithappened,directlytoDevin.Histhroatwasdry;herglancediddisruptivethingstotheorderlyflowofmessagesfrombraintotongue.Heessayedasmile,suspegratherthattheexpressionproducedfellsomewherebetweeuousandtheimbecilic.
Wihoughtdesperately.Hewasinseriousneedofaiveglassofsomething.
Asifsummonedbyanartoftimingmoresubtlethanwizardrythreeservantsinblueliveryreappeared,eachbearingsevenglassesonatray.Twoofthetrays,Devinsaw,borearedwiwasalmostcertaiandan.
Thewihethirdsetofglasseswasblue.
DevinturoAlessan.ThePrincewaslookingatAlienorressionthatspoketosomethingprivateandsharedfari.Foramomentherownexpressionanddemeanoraltered:asifshehadlaidasideforaninstantthereflexivespinningofherwebsofe.AndDevin,afarmoreperceptivemanthanhehadbeensixmonthsbefore,thoughthesawthehintofasadnessinhereyes.
Thenshespokeandhewascertainthathedseenit.Ilewayitcalmedhim,andshedadifferent,milderlightonthemoodintheroom.
"ItisnotathingIamlikelytet,"shesaidsoftlytoAlessauringtowardsthebluewine.
"NorI,"hereplied."Sibeganhere.”
Shewassilentamoment,eyelidslowered.Thenthemomentpassed.Alienorseyesweresparklingagaiheylifted."Ihavetheusualcolleoflettersforyou.Butoneisveryret,"shesaid.
&quhttwodaysagobyaveryyoungpriestofEannawhowasterrifiedofmethewholetimehewas
here.Hewouldaythenightthoughheonlyarrivedatsu.IswearherodeoutsofasthemusthavefearedIdhavehisrobeoffifhelingeredforameal.”
"Andwouldyouhave?"Alessangrinned.
Shemadeaface."Unlikely.Eannassortareseldomworththetrouble.Thoughheretty.AlmostasprettyasBaerd,etothinkofit.”
Baerd,quiteuurbed,simplysmiled.Alienlangeredflirtatiouslyonhim.Theretoo,Devinnoted.Anexgethatspoketoeventsandthingssharedalongwayback.Hefeltyoungsuddenly,andoutofhisdepth.
"Whereisthenewmessagefrom?"Alessanasked.
Alieated."West,"wasallshesaid.Sheglaherestofthemwithaveiledquestioninhereyes.
Alessa."Youmayspeakfreely.Itrusteverymanandwomanhere."HewascarefulnottoevenlookatErlein.Devindidlook,butifhedexpectedareafromthewizardhewasdisappointed.
WithagestureAlienordismissedherservants.Theoldseneschalhadalreadywithdrawhepreparationoftheirrooms.WhentheywerealoneAlienorwalkedovertoawriting-tablebyohefourblazingfirepladclaimedasealedenvelopefromadrawer.ShecamebadgaveittoAlessan.
"ItisfromDanoleonhimself,"shesaid."FromyourownprovincewhosenameIotyethearorsay.”
Andthat,Devinhadnotexpectedatall.
"Fiveme,"Alessanmurmured.Hestrodequicklytowardthefire,tearierope.Alienorbecameverybusylassesoftheredwiookalongdrinkfromhis.
TheicedthatBaerdhadnottouchedhiswihathisgazewasfixedonAlessanacrosstheroom.Devinfollowedthelook.ThePrincehadfinishedreading.Hewasstandingrigidly,staringintothefire.
"Alessan?"Baerdsaid.
Alienorturnedswiftlyatthat.Alessandidnotmove;seemednottohaveevenheard.
"Alessan?"Baerdsaidagain,mently."Whatisit?”
SlowlythePriiganaturnedfromtheflamestolookatthem.Ornotreallyatthem,Devinamendedinwardly.AtBaerd.Therewassomethingbleakandcoldinhisface.Iceisforendings,Devinthoughtinvoluntarily.
"ItisfromDanoleon,Imafraid.FromtheSanctuary."Alessansvoicewasflat."Mymotherisdying.
Iwillhavetostarthometomorrow.”
BaerdsfacehadgoneaswhiteasAlessans."Themeeting?"hesaid."Themeetingtomorrow?”
"Thatfirst,"Alessansaid."Afterthemeeting,whateverhappens,Imustridehome.”
GiventheshockofthatnewsandtheimpactAlessanswordsandmannerhadonallofthem,theknoDevinschamberdoorlatethatnightcameasadisorientingsurprise.
Hehadnotbeenasleep."Wait,"hecalledsoftlyandstruggledquicklyintohisbreeches.Hepulledalooseshirtonoverhisheadandpaddedinhisstogsacrossthefloor,wingatthecoldofthestoneswherethecarpetingended.Hishairdisordered,feelingrumpledandfused,heopehedoor.
Inthehallwayoutside,holdingasingledlethatcastweird,flickeringshadowsalongthecorridorwallwasAlienorherself.
"e,"wasallshesaid.Shedidnotsmileandhecouldnotseehereyesbehindtheflame.Herrobewasacreamywhite,lihfur.ItwasfastehethroatbutDevincoulddistheswellofherbreastsbeh.Herhairhadbeenlooseumblingoverhershouldersanddownherbaablack
cascade.
Deviated,hismouthdryagain,hismindscatteredandlaggiupahandtotrythtenthehopelesstangleofhishair.
Sheshookherhead."Leaveitlikethat,"shesaid.Herfreehandwiththelongdarknailscameupandpushedthroughhisbrowncurls."Leaveit,"shesaidagain,andturned.
Hefollowedher.Herandthesingledleandtheunleashedchaosofhisblooddownalongcorridorthenashorterohroughanangledsequenptypublisthenupacurvingflightofstairs.
Atthetopofthestairsanespilloflightcamefrombeyondapairofopendoors.DevinpassedthroughthosedoorsbehindtheLadyofCastleBorso.Hehadtimetistertheblazeofthefire,theritricatehangingsonthewalls,theprofusioravagantcarpetsonthefloor,andthehugeopiedbedstrewnwithpillowsofallcolorsandsizes.Aleanhuntingdog,greyandgraceful,regardedhimfrombythefirebutdidnotrise.
Alienorlaidherdledown.Sheclosedthetwodoorsandturohim,leaningbackagainstthepolishedwood.Hereyeswereenormous,unilyblack.Devihispulselikeahammer.Therushofhisbloodseemedloudinhisveins.
"Iamburningup,"Alienorsaid.
Somewhereapartofhim,whereproportionlivedandironytookshape,waoprotest,eventobeamusedatsuchapronou.Butashelookedatherhesawthequiingdrawofherbreathingandhowshallowitwas,sawthedeepflushofherc...oneofhishandsasifofitsownwillcameupandtouchedhercheek.Itwasburninghot.
WithasounddeepihroatAlienortrappedhishandwithoneofherownandsaeethinthefleshofhispalm.
AndwiththatpaindesirewasloosedinDevinasitneverhadbeeninhislife.Heheardanoddlydistortedsoundandrealizedithadefromhim.Hetookahalf-steptowardherandshewasinhisarms.Herfingerslockedandtwistedinhishairandhermouthmethiswithanavidness,ahuhatrakedtherisingfiresofhisowoapointwhereawarenessfledanddriftedfaraway.
Everythingwasgone,oing.Tigana.Alessan,Alais,Catriana.Hismemories.Memoryitself,thatwashismostsureanchorandhispride.Eventhememoryofthehallwaystothisroom,theroadsandyearsandrooms,alltheotherroomsthatledtothisone.Andher.
Hetoreatthefasteningsofherrobeandburiedhisfacebetweenherbreastsastheyspilledfree.Shegasped,andherhandsclawedathisshirtuntilitcameaway.Hefelthernailsteartheskinalonghisback.
Hetwistedhisheadandbitherthenandtastedblood.Heheardherlaugh.
Never,ever,hadhedonesuchathingbefore.
Somehowtheyseemedtobeonthebedamongthecoloredsplayofthepillows.AndthenAlienorwasnakedabovehim,impaledonhissex,hermouthdesdingtohisownasthetwoofthemsurgedtogetherthroughthearactthatstrovetocasttheworldaway.Asfarawayasitcouldbehurled.
Foraninstahoughtheuood.IhinkingflashofvisceralilluminatiohoughthegraspedwhyAlienordidthis.Thenatureofherneed,whichwasnotwhatitseemedtobe.
Givenanothermoment,astillplathefirmament,hecouldhavereachedouttoputa,aframefortheblurredawareness.Hereached...
Shecriedoutwithherclimax.Herhandsslidalonghisskin,curvingdown.Desireobliteratedthought,anystrainingtowardsthought.Witharagtwisthevirtuallythrewhertoonesideandswunghimselfaboveher,neverleavingthewarmshelterbetweehighs.Cushionsscatteredaroundthem,fellonthefloor.Hereyesweretightlyshut,hermouthfsoundlesswords.
Deviodrivehimselfintoherasiftodriveawayallthedemonsas,allthebrutaldeadeningtruthsthatweretheworldofthePalmintheirday.Hisownclimaxwhenitcamelefthim
shudderingandlimp,losttowherehewas,onlydimlygingtowhathekobehisname.
Heheardherwhisperingitsoftly,overandover.Shemovedgentlyoutfromunderhim.Herolledoveronhisback,eyesclosed.Hefeltherfingersglidealonghisskin.Hecouldnotmove.Shelayingwithhishands,caressingandguidifromhissides.Herlipsandfingersdanceddownhischestandbelly,overhissatiatedsexandfurtherdown,explalonghisthighsandlegs,anddown.
Bythetimehewasawareofwhatsheddonehewasboundhandandfoottothefourpostsofherbed,spreadeagledbehher.Hiseyesflewopen,startledandalarmed.Hestruggled.Uselessly—hewasheldinbondsofsilkloopedandknotted.
"That,"saidAlienorinahuskyvoice,"wasawonderfulbeginningtoanight.ShallIteaethingnow?"Shereached,nakedandmagnifit,flushedandscoredwithhismarksuponher,andbroughtsomethingupfromthefloorbesidethebed.Hiseyesgrehenhesawwhatitwassheheld.
"Youarebindingmeagainstmywill,"Devinsaid,alittledesperately."Thisisnotmyideaofhowtoetogetherinlove."Hetwistedhardagain,atshoulderandhip;thesilkenbondsheldfirm.
Alienorsansweringsmilewasluminous.Shewasmorebeautifulinthatmomentthanhecouldeverhaveimaginedawomanbeing.Inthehugedarkpoolsofhereyessomethingstirred,primalanddangerousandterrifyinglyarousi,improbablysoon,aquiinginhissex.Shesawit.Hersmiledeepened.Onelongfingernailstrokedlightly,almostmeditativelyalonghisgatheringtumesce.
"Itwillbe,"murmuredhisdarklady,theLadyofCastleBorso.Herlipspartedshowingthesharpwhiteteethbehind.Heregisteredthetautfirmnessofhernipplesassheopenedherlegstostraddlehimagain.Hesawhercaresswhatshehadclaimedfromthecarpetbythebed.Beyondher,bythefire,thewolfhoundhaditshandsomeheadraised,watgthem.
"Itwillbe,"Alienorsaidagain."Trustme.Letmeteachyounow,andshowyou,this,ahis,andsoonitwillbeyourideaofhowtoetogether.Ohyes,Devin,itwillbeverysoon.”
Shemoveduponhisbodyandthedlelightwasdeflectedandthenhiddenasshecamedownoverhim.Hestruggledbutonlyforamomentforhisheartoundingagainanddesirewasoverwhelminglyuponhim,justasAlienorwas,justasherownplexneedscouldbeseenrisinginheragain,inthedarknessofhereyesbeforetheyclosed,inhermovementsabovehim,andintheragged,reag,upwardstrainingofherbreath.
Andbeforethenightwasover,beforethehalfofithadpassed,withthelastdlesofwinterburningdown,shehadprovenherselfright,terribly,overandain.AndattheendeveheonewholayboundaweenthefourpillarsoftheworldthatwasherbedandDevinwasnolongerquitesureofwhohewasthatheshouldbedoingtoherthethingshewas.Thethingsthatmadeherwhisperandthencryaloudhisnameasshedid,overandagain.Buthedidknowthatshehadgedhimandhadfoundaplacewithinhimwherehisoseekoblivionwasequaltoherown.
Thedleonhissideofthebedbursometimelater.Therewasasmall,steddriftingofsmoke.Thepatternoflightandshadeintheroomged;herofthemwasasleep,theybothnoticedit.Thefirewasdowntoitsembers;thedogstilllaybeforeit,itsmagnifitheadstretchedoutonitspaws.
"Youhadbettergo,"Alienorsaid,strokinghisnearshoulderabsently."Whiletheresadleforyoutocarry.Itiseasytoloseyourwayinthedark.”
"YouobservetheEmberDays?"heasked,alittlesurprisedatsuchpiety."Nofires?”
"Nofires,"shesaidruefully."Halfmyhouseholdstaifwouldleaveme,andIdontevenwanttoguessatwhatthetenantfarmersorthevillagerswoulddo.Stormthecastle.Calldownsomeacursewithearsofsoakedinblood.Thesearethesouthernhighlands,Deviaketheirritesseriouslyuphere.”
"Asseriouslyasyoutakeyours?”
Shesmiledatthatandstretchedlikeacat."Isupposeso.Thefannerswilldothingstonightandt松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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