Free The Seer And The Sword by Victoria Hanley Page B

walkway.
    Sickened, Torina knew it was Irene.
    ‘A spoiled child, who’ll learn what it means to obey her husband.’
    There was a giggle. ‘Vesputo, there’s something about her I know that you don’t.’
    ‘What’s that, darling?’ His voice was detached, cool as frost.
    ‘I heard about it from Eva, who serves the old queen.’
    ‘Queen Ancilla?’
    ‘Yes. Eva was in the next room, and she heard the old queen talking with Torina. Eva says Torina has a magic crystal that tells the future.’
    ‘Indeed?’ There was heat now, in his tones.
    ‘That’s what Eva says.’
    Torina turned silently. She fled into the darkness.
    * * *
    Landen sat his horse at a cliff overlooking the sea, remembering the day a girl-child saved his life. The surf pounded as forcefully as ever, beating tiny grains out of the great rocks. He watched the waves for a long time, sitting still and morose.
    Torina had taken his words very hard. He’d no idea how deeply Vesputo had invaded her passionate heart. He kept seeing her furious, denying eyes.
    Faith battling with truth. Whichever wins, I have killed her innocence. And what now? She has seen Vesputo crowned
.
    Landen knew enough about her abilities to believe that vision would come to pass – unless she acted to prevent it. Would she stop Vesputo? Remembering her stricken face, Landen doubted. She’d give her beloved a chance to vindicate himself. Vesputo would play the part of doting suitor perfectly.
    If she denounced him, how would she do it? Would she sound like a foolish child? And would Kareed, if asked to choose between the commander he’d prepared for kingship and the wayward daughter he loved, erupt in rage?
And then there are those other, dangerous rumours, and no way to fight them
.
    He slapped the reins in frustration. The grey horse trotted on. He rode slowly, back towards the castle. Once he was stopped by a patrol that asked if he’d seen the princess. No, he answered.
    Sunset found him in the little glade next to her garden. He dismounted and squatted at the edge of the late, lush flowerbeds. This place bore the stamp of her exuberant spirit: the carefully set rocks and riotoussurging colours created an atmosphere of delightful tangles. Like her hair, he thought sadly. She always managed to gather blossoms, long after other gardens went to sleep for the year.
    The sound of running footsteps urged him into the bordering trees. Red colours from the sky ran over the mass of flowers like a trail of blood, as Torina ran into the garden alone. She was crying. At sight of the dagger in her hand, Landen almost came out of the woods. But she didn’t turn the blade against herself. Instead, she began to slash at her precious plants, hacking flowers to pieces and shredding delicate leaves. Landen watched, transfixed, as her wild grief destroyed the garden.
    Finally, surrounded by mangled petals and shoots, she crumpled to the ground, tears streaming. She took out her crystal and stared at it.
    ‘Why?’ Landen heard her sob. ‘Why not tell me?’
    She must know. But how? Surely Vesputo would try everything to soothe her fears? Unless she saw them together. . .
    And how am I brought here to see this? If she knew I watched her, would she hate me? I’m watching a tender young girl die. What strange, wild woman will take her place?
    She was looking hard at the crystal. Her face went still.
    ‘No,’ she spoke. ‘No, no. Not her. Not Gramere. Please, please, please, not Gramere. Not her.’
    She stood. A wind picked up some of the scattered flower petals and whirled them round her as she drew back her arm and threw the crystal. It flew in ashimmering arc. She didn’t stop to see where it fell. She raced for the castle.
    Landen hunted for the crystal in the torn beds. The light was dimming rapidly, as, down on his hands and knees, he searched the ground. The crystal eluded him. No sparkle, no glimmer showed, and the sun didn’t wait for him to find it. Soon dusk fell, and then