Ring of Lightning by Jane S. Fancher

Author:Jane S. Fancher [Fancher, Jane S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epic, Fantasy fiction, General, Fantasy, Fiction
ISBN: 9780886776534
Publisher: DAW
Published: 1995-08-01T23:00:00+00:00

Casual. Tranquil.

The scut didn't deserve sensitivity.

Without fireworks to feed it, the laughter had died, and the dozen or so men (the exact number varied day to day)

who comprised their small band had quietly resumed their own meal, as. if a naked stranger in their midst were nothing unusual. But then, some had joined them with little more to their namesome with less: this Rhomatum exile could at least stay on his feet.

Having finished the meal and complimented the anony-

mous cook, the Rhomatum simply sat and stared into those flames. Waiting, tired, as she herself was, but too wary to let sleep overtake him, in this camp of unknown elements.

Waiting for someone else to instigate, content in his ability to handle whatever situation might arise.

Kiyrstin jerked the final lacing tight. Tough, practical the fur-lined leather vest provided warmth, protection and a very necessary support that was infinitely more comfortable than corsets . . .

And made her look like a rather pudgy, fourteen-year-

old boy.

Packing the hated skirt away, she gathered the pile of folded leather and cloth she'd set to the side, and sauntered across to Just Deymio's side.

Dark eyes turned up to her, fire-dazed, tiredand puz-

zled, for a moment, as if he didn't quite recognize her. But the puzzlement lifted along with an enigmatically raised brow, as that gaze travelled her length.

"Stunning," he said coolly. "You should wear it to the Transition Day Ball. Give the day a whole new meaning."

Transition Day. The holiday reference held no signifi-

cance for her, but the scorn dripping from his voice, the disinterest from his eyes, did.

"I don't dress to please you or any other person of my acquaintance, Rag'n'bones," she said tightly. "Here."

She wadded the pile and thrust it at his chest.

Hands closed reflexively over the clothing. Fine hands, white lines in the tan where rings once circled, manicured

file:///F|/rah/Jane%20E.%20Fancher/Jane%20S....%20Rings%201%20-%20Ring%20of%20

Lightning.txt (186 of 377) [2/4/03 11:02:40 PM]

file:///F|/rah/Jane%20E.%20Fancher/Jane%20S.%20Fancher%20-%20Dance%20of%20the

%20Rings%201%20-%20Ring%20of%20Lightning.txt and elegant as the man himself was, even without a stitch on. Too elegant to ever have the least interest in a woman who preferred breeches to skirts, warm leather to lace ruffles, and whose callused fingers would snag any fine fabric they touched.

Not that she caredthere was. no time, and rarely any desire, for such things these daysbut the look in his eyes, when she again intercepted them, showed he'd guessed those thoughts, and mocked her nonexistent interest.

She scowled down at him, lest he dare to presume. His mouth twitched, but (showing uncommon good sense) he kept those thoughts to himself.

He located the broadcloth breeches and slipped them on before standing and sorting the rest of the clothing out on his rock.

She studied that smooth-skinned back with what she con-

vinced herself was clinical detachment, noted the slight blemish (barely visible above the waistband) with a decidedly imdetached, fiendish satisfaction.

Page 191

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.