Betrayal's Price by Lisa Blackwood

Author:Lisa Blackwood [Blackwood, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Lisa Blackwood
Published: 2015-01-15T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Navigating the library baffled Ashayna. Even the sprawl of the practice grounds and the many buildings comprising the stable complex was nothing compared to the complexity of the library’s corridors, stairs, and tightly nested rooms. Mentally cursing narrow stairs, which reminded her far too much of her time in the Oracle Tower, she steeled herself against fear and followed close at Sorntar’s heels.

“The part of the library we’re headed to is more spacious than this section, nothing like the Oracle Tower,” he said.

“I didn’t say anything aloud. And I had my shields in place.” Tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, she stood with a hand braced on her hip.

A look of mild embarrassment crossed Sorntar’s features. “Though I’ll admit to trying to peek into your mind on previous occasions, I didn’t this time. Your Larnkin grows stronger, and with it, your ability to project your thoughts.” He shrugged, his wings flaring with the movement. “As our Larnkins recover from the severing of the bond which occurred when they took us as hosts, our magic will grow in strength. Increasingly, we will be able to sense what the other thinks and feels. It has some benefits,” he rushed on, “Only rarely will I intentionally read your private thoughts.”

“How gallant of you.” A smile twisted the corner of her lips up at his hasty and very nervous explanation, spoiling her attempt at anger.

He didn’t say anything in response, just stood there looking blameless and altogether too handsome. As she stomped past him, she glanced up to see if he’d caught her last stray thought.

He flashed a quick shy smile. Was it her imagination, or did his skin darken with a blush?

Instant warmth flooded her, twisting low in her belly. A shiver raced down her body and her breathing hitched. Blood rushed to her cheek at her body’s surprising response to him.

By the gods, it was just a smile. Stop acting like a girl at her first flush of maidenhood. Scolding herself didn’t stop the pounding of her heart.

“Curse it,” she whispered and tromped ahead, uncaring that she lacked the slightest clue where she was headed.

They moved deeper into a new section. This one made the first area seem open and spacious. The small dark corridor had one point in its favor—this deep, with its gloomy atmosphere, no one was likely to disturb them or ask uncomfortable questions about her magic. Just when she was searching for something to say to break the awkward silence, Sorntar pointed down a newer section of tunnel. They arrived at a large book-lined room with tables and benches at its center.

“We should start with older scrolls dealing with the Oracle Stone,” Sorntar said. “Nothing I know or have discovered fully explains what it is.”

“Maybe we should just go to the other councilors.”

“I’d rather not. What I know of the Oracle leads me to believe its words are always truthful, but not easily understood. There is a saying among my people ‘Beware the untruths and the half-truths, for many have died in deception’s shadow.

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