[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.He hesitated a scant second.This is the hand that strangled Kera, he thought.He clenched his jaw, swallowing bile.He pressed his lips against the smooth skin of her hand.He stood then, letting the visor fall back into place.She smiled, displaying her perfect white teeth."You're a bashful one, Captain Breldurn," she crooned."I find that charming in a man.But then, innocence can grow tiresome after a time.We shall cure you of this soon enough."She glanced toward the chair where the boy sat, silently watching."Leave us, Kellen," she said coldly."Find Snake and practice your music for him.""Yes, Mother," the boy said.He picked up his lute and walked to a side door, turning the knob with a small hand.He cast one backward glance at Caledan, then stepped through the portal.Caledan made a silent oath to himself then.If it was at all possible, he was going to rescue that child from Ravendas."Come with me, my shy soldier," Ravendas said with a sultry laugh.She took his hand and led him to a divan covered with snowy white furs.She sat down, the crimson silk of her dress spilling bloodlike over the white fur.She leaned forward to fill two crystal glasses with ruby-colored wine from a decanter resting on a black lacquered table.For a heartbeat, time seemed to cease for Caledan.He realized this was the moment he had been wailing for the last seven years.This was the perfect chance to exact h' vengeance upon Ravendas.As she leaned forward her graceful neck was extended like a swan's, and the large vein that ran in her throat stood out clearly against her pa]e skin.The guards at the door had taken his sword, but the boots he wore were still his own.Inside the right boot was a small throwing knife.In less than the time required to take a single breath, he could produce the knife and slit Ravendas's throat.He knew there would be little chance of escaping.Even if Ravendas died without a sound—something he could not count on—there was no way to slip by the guards outside the door.They would know something was awry, and his life would be forfeit.But did that matter? All he had lived for these last seven years was revenge against Ravendas.Once he had revenge, his life would mean nothing to him.His hand inched its way down his leg, toward the hidden knife.You will be avenged, Kera, he vowed to himself for the final time.His fingers brushed the hilt of the knife.Suddenly his hand froze.After a moment he sighed, his hand dropping away from the concealed knife.Ravendas turned and handed him a goblet of the deep red wine.The moment for vengeance had passed.Why didn't you kill her? a part of his mind screamed at him, but he pushed the question aside.He knew the answer.Ravendas's death was exactly what Snake wanted.He forced himself to remember that Snake was the greater danger now, not Ravendas.Perhaps he should use this opportunity to warn her.If anyone had the power to defeat Snake, it was she.At least he had to try.Forgive me, Kera, he whispered inwardly."Come, Breldurn, speak a toast to me," Ravendas said in a lilting voice, lifting her glass.I can't believe I'm going to do this, Caledan snarled to himself.This must be the Harper's bad influence on me."To you, Ravendas," he said as he lifted his goblet, the words dripping like poison from his tongue.He flipped up his visor.Shock flickered in her azure gaze for only a second.Then a dangerous smile coiled about her red lips."It has been some time, Caledan Caldorien," she said, her voice as cold as steel.Swiftly, before he could react, she snaked out a hand and reached deftly inside his right boot.She drew out the small knife concealed there."Right where you always kept it," she said with a smile that would have been enchanting had it not been so devoid of warmth."If nothing else, you were always predictable, Caledan.""Do you mean to say you were expecting me, Ravendas?" He made no effort to hide the revulsion in his voice.He pulled off the hot, uncomfortable helm.She stood and moved to the window, gazing out for a long moment.She sipped her wine delicately [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]