Destiny of the Light: Shadow Through Time 1 by Louise Cusack

Author:Louise Cusack [Louise Cusack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781743340134
Publisher: Momentum
Published: 2014-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

Djahr raised his glass to his lips, then stilled. There it was again. That glance. Intercepted between Talis and Khatrene.

Lae leant forward a moment and Djahr was forced to do likewise, that he might further observe the expression on Talis’s face.

Khatrene looked back at her plate, yet Talis continued to gaze at her with more attention than seemed fitting. Djahr hesitated to call the glance one of desire. More of sadness and something else.

Certainly, the interest was not returned. Khatrene desired only Djahr’s attention, which he gave her in lavish quantity during the day. The nights were a cruel disappointment to her, but Djahr could tell by her manner that she blamed herself for the inadequacies of their joining.

The refinements of the Shadow Woman’s torture were so sweet Djahr could barely wait for nightfall so that he could watch Khatrene’s innocence erode under the onslaught of thunderous muscle spasms devoid of any emotional content. How she ached for his touch, and this he would grant, sparingly, when they were in company. Once they were alone, however, he gave her nothing but his seed.

A week had passed in this fashion and Djahr’s appetite for destruction was barely awoken, yet already he sensed a withdrawal in her. Was there cause to fear that? Might she become discontented? Or even go so far as to attempt to make him jealous? Djahr glanced again at Talis who was now listening to Lae, yet he did not glance at her, and even as Djahr watched, the Guardian’s eyes strayed again to Khatrene.

Djahr pondered this and after the meal found occasion to speak to Talis alone. ‘Do you call Be’uccdha home now, Talis?’ he asked.

‘My Lord, I do,’ Talis replied, his manner showing deference. ‘And I long for the time when Lae and I shall be wed.’

Djahr thought to test him in this. ‘My daughter urges speed,’ he said. ‘I suspect she desires to lure you to her bed and wring babies from your loins.’

Talis smiled at this, but he looked unsure. ‘My Lord, The Dark … you told me once you did not wish Lae early with child. Her mother’s birthing difficulties …’

To which Djahr replied with a weary nod. ‘Yet she is now a woman and will not be denied,’ he said. ‘I fear I was foolish to believe I could hold back a surging tide with mere words. Therefore take my blessing.’ Djahr waited a moment, watching close before he said, ‘Does this not please you, Talis?’

‘My Lord, yes,’ he answered quickly, yet Djahr saw hesitation in his eyes.

‘Then ready yourself for feats of endurance,’ he said and stepped closer as conspirators do. ‘For a wife can sap the strength of a man from dusk till dawn if she is not restrained.’ Djahr’s smile was wide yet Talis looked away and struggled with a frown. ‘If it were not my solemn duty to fulfil The Light’s destiny,’ Djahr went on. ‘I swear I would ask for respite from the —’

‘My Lord, I

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