Voice Of The Demon (Book 2) by Kate Jacoby

Author:Kate Jacoby [Jacoby, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-09-18T23:00:00+00:00

17

Rosalind sat in a corner and watched. Although all these preparations were being made on her behalf, it was hard to feel a part of the organization, much less to feel she was actually one of these conspirators.

The long table was covered in papers and maps, a few books and the odd cup of wine. Along its sides were ranged a group of the most fearless soldiers she could ever hope to meet. Sir Alexander Deverin of Ankar, whose father and grandfather had served the Douglas House and whose two sons would one day follow him. Owen Fitzallen, who ruled Dunlorn when its lord was away and who had suffered near-mortal wounds in an effort to save the last Earl’s life in the Battle of Seluth. Then there was Alard Bain, young, inexperienced, but with a tough streak in him. Such courage could be seen again in the forms of Shane Adair and the brusque sergeant, Keagan. Although they would return to Elita tonight, their council was still welcomed and they gave their opinions honestly.

Kandar too was there. No longer caught up in mistrust and travel-worn fear, George had allowed himself to be charmed by these companions – and had learned to listen.

Brightest of all these young fires was the flame-haired Micah Maclean, whose father had brought them to this haven. Micah showed his worth in the questions he asked, in his gentle suggestions. More than once, he made the others laugh with his deprecating wit and seemingly simple queries.

Ruling over them all, however, was the towering figure of Robert Douglas, with his commanding voice, his eye for detail and his relentless pursuit of the perfect strategy. There was a challenge there, in his eyes, in the way he looked at each of them individually. Without the others ever realizing it, Robert reached out and drew them all together into a cohesive unit. This was Robert at his best. This was when he was at his most formidable.

It was such a familiar sight, a memory of years gone by when Robert had lived at court. This same fire she saw now, raked up by his unceasing pressure to make the others think clearly, was something she’d once seen almost every day.

And how Selar had loved him.

The whole court had felt the effects of Robert’s leaving, some more than others. The Guilde had almost openly celebrated. Stunned, the Church had argued vehemently for Robert’s pardon. Almost breathless, the court, the city, the entire country watched as one so mighty, in the end, fell. What had surprised them all, without exception, was the speed with which it had happened.

In Selar there had been no change at all. On the surface, he appeared determined to prove that he hadn’t needed Robert, hadn’t desired the friendship, and didn’t feel the void that remained.

Of course, everybody had assumed that once Robert had left Marsay, there would be a few months – a year at most – when he and Selar would speak little. But as the weeks went by and news of sweet Berenice’s death reached court, fears began to grow deeper.

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