Daughter of Fire by Quinn Taylor Evans

Author:Quinn Taylor Evans [Evans, Quinn Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Sixteen

The narrow passage that led to the kitchen was cold and damp as Vivian's feet skimmed over the stones. She hugged the folds of Rorke's woolen mantle more tightly about her, the fabric redolent with his masculine scent. The flames of the torches quivered at her hasty flight.

The sudden warm blast of heat from the oven and cook fire was heady with the aroma of fresh-baked bread and meat already turning at the spit for the evening meal.

The cook cursed in French at one of several young girls who helped her. From the coarse exchange, it seemed the girl had returned late from the soldiers' barracks. She was hollow-eyed and sluggish in her chores, causing the cook to wave a stout knife at her menacingly.

Vivian had left Mally and another girl busily preparing William's chamber for the arrival of his wife Matilda in time for the coronation. Now, she looked for Meg and found her stirring herbal leaves into a small simmer pot over a brazier in the adjacent pantry.

The potion was for the painful stiffness that plagued the woman in the damp coldness of the royal fortress. Although the noise from the kitchen would have made it impossible to hear, still she sensed Vivian's presence and smiled as Vivian reached around her to steady her hand at her stirring.

"Dear child, I despaired that I would ever have a chance to speak with you." Meg said as she turned and put her arms about Vivian. "You are kept so busy and well guarded there is never a moment when we might be alone."

Taking the old woman's hand and pressing it against her cheek, Vivian said, "I sensed your thoughts and came as soon as I could. It is difficult," she admitted, and, glancing over her shoulder at the cook who was busy with her own chores, said, "It seems the most private moment might be here."

Meg nodded. "You are well?"

"Yes, very well. You must not worry so."

"How could I not worry?" Meg sighed. "You are as much my child as if I had borne you. I am old and my powers are not as yours, but whatever the meaning of this vision, I could not let you face it alone." She pulled Vivian aside to the sacks of flour that lined the wall. They sat upon them and spoke of things there had been no time to speak of that last day at Amesbury.

"Has the vision revealed anything more to you?" Meg asked with concern in her voice.

Vivian shook her head gravely. "I have seen nothing more in the stone. But I have sensed a presence."

Meg heard the hesitation in her voice. "What do you mean?" she asked, sensing something more.

Vivian hesitated. "It is difficult to explain, for I have never sensed anything like this." She glanced back over her shoulder to be certain no one listened, for what they spoke of might easily be misunderstood by those who were superstitious about such things.

But even though no

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