Free Dark Magic by REBECCA YORK Page A

what you want, but I feel better than I ever have in my life.”
    “And you think I can save your people.”
    “Yes.”
    He stood up, pulled on his clothes and looked to the cave entrance, where she saw the dawn coming.
    “I must sleep,” he said.
    “But…”
    “We will talk when I wake up. But first, I will get you food and drink.” He walked toward the cave entrance and vanished.
    She got up and pulled on her gown and the gold chain, then hurried to the place where he had been. While she was trying to sort out where he had gone, he reappeared, holding a tray of meat stew, fruit, bread and small cakes, along with flasks of cold water and wine.
    Her eyes widened. “Where did you get that?”
    “From the other side of the mountain.”
    “So quickly?”
    “Yes.”
    He walked back toward his bedroom. “I will sleep—until the sun is low in the sky. You are welcome to stay here. Or not.”
    He swept his hand toward one of the rugs and she saw the sandals she had taken off on the other side of the sharp rocks. He had brought them to her, so she could walk back the way she had come.

Chapter Twelve
    Before Devon could tell him she had no intention of running away, he closed the stout door between them, leaving her alone in the beautiful room.
    She ate some of the food and drank from the goblet. It was the best meal she had had in weeks, perhaps the best she had ever tasted. Her father’s cooks had been adequate. This food had been prepared by someone with a lot more skill.
    Forcing herself not to gobble it all, she left the tray on the table, then wandered around, taking in the details of the room. It was wonderful, with more treasures than she could ever have imagined. Diamonds, emeralds and rubies sparkled in a silver bowl. A large crystal globe had images of the moons and stars embedded inside it.
    She saw tables of what looked like scientific instruments. Some, like a telescope, she recognized. Others were a complete mystery to her. And beside them were quill pens, inkwells and stacks of notebooks where Galladar had written in a language she could not read.
    Perhaps he had taken over this cave, but he had obviously made good use of what he found. He was a scholar, with knowledge wider and broader than that of any man.
    Enthralled by everything she saw, she drifted around the room, inspecting more of his riches. Tables held shells from the sea, crystals, bottles of colored glass, boxes carved of stone and wood, and cunning images of animals—some real and some from stories. She found a beautifully carved dragon. A unicorn. And a bear that was completely white.
    She had left the best for last. On the shelves was a king’s ransom of books. And ancient scrolls beautifully illuminated. She opened volumes on history. Philosophy. Science. Geography. Language. Anything she wanted to read. All the subjects she had longed to study. Instead she had been forced to join the other women of the castle, learning weaving and embroidery and how to sew clothing—because that was all females were good for. That and marriage and having babies. And maybe keeping their husband’s household accounts.
    Now she attacked the riches of the library, pulling out volumes that interested her, looking through them, and carefully putting them back before she picked up still others.
    She could stay here for a thousand years, she thought, reading these books. And learning from the man who lived in this remote place. He was not a monster to her. He was like no one she had ever met—not her parents or her brother. Or the people of Arandal, who spent their lives working for the good of her father’s household.
    Time sped by. When the door to the bedroom opened, she blinked.
    Galladar stepped out. He was dressed in black, as she had always seen him.
    “You’re still here.”
    “Of course.”
    “I must eat.”
    She stiffened, wondering if he was going to take her blood again. But he walked past her, out into the night, and she realized he was