Asaro, Catherine The Charmed Sphere

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A knock came on the door.
Although he ignored it, silence no longer protected him. Nor could he shut out the compassion that
flowed to him from outside. He shouldn t be able to sense Iris with a heavy door be-tween them, but he
did. She was becoming a part of him, one so close to his heart that he feared he would break into a
thousand pieces when he left her.
The door opened. Jarid rose to his feet, his back to the wall as if he were facing an attacking army rather
than his bride. Iris stood in the archway, guards looming behind her, their hands on the hilts of their
swords, ready to defend their queen against their king. His view of the scene distorted at the edges of his
vision; he hadn t yet fully relearned how to see. Iris turned to the guards. You may close the door.
Your Majesty, one began. You shouldn t risk She lifted her chin. I shall see my husband in
private. When the man hesitated, Jarid spoke in his gravelly voice. You heard her. The guard opened
his mouth, then shut it again. With obvious reluctance, he closed the door, leaving Iris alone with Jarid.
He knew he should insist she leave, but the words deserted him. He wanted her so very, very much. He
put up his hands, palms out, to push her away.
You donna fool me, she murmured.
You must go, he said.
Nay, my husband. Iris crossed the room, her hair swinging around her body. She stopped in front of
him.
You cannot love me, he said.
You can say I will never be yours, but you canna tell me what I will feel. She spoke with tenderness.
Give us time to learn each other, Jarid. With you, I feel a closeness I ve never known before. It is as if
we have a place in the world. A home. Perhaps neither of us knows how to love the other, but the seed
is there. Let us give it a chance to grow.
She besieged his defenses. His conflicted emotions bewildered him: he wanted her in his arms; he
wanted to thrust her away; he longed to hope; he didn t deserve what she offered.
He drank in the sight of her hair, so full and curly, gleaming red, gold, and yellow. Her face glowed, her
cheeks pink as if she had been running. He remembered their wedding night and his pulse quickened. He
spoke in a rasp. I cannot promise you a life of the laughter and love you deserve.
I couldna bear it if you left. She reached out to him with one hand, her arm outstretched.
It was too much. Jarid pulled her into his arms and laid his cheek on the crown of her head. Iris His
voice caught.
Is it truly so horrible, to be with the likes of me?
It is a miracle. But you destroy my defenses.
She rested her head on his shoulder. It is a good thing, to heal.
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It s killing me.
Nay, Jarid. Living hurts, but that is n death.
I must never forget what I am.
You are Jarid Dawnfield, King of Aronsdale.
I am a monstrosity.
Nay! She drew back to look at him, her eyes flashing. You are a marvel.
Jarid shook his head. Muller is right. He is more worthy to be king.
He didna say that.
He doesn t want me to wear the crown.
He wants it even less himself.
He doesn t mean that.
He means it. She set her palms against his chest. Muller is also a mage, but his spells go awry. You
fear you will kill because you have so much power within you. He fears he will kill because his spells twist
out of shape. He stared at her. Muller is a mage?
Aye. He says I may tell only you.
Jarid leaned his forehead against hers. He can learn to control his spells.
He thinks not.
I cannot accept the crown.
You already have it.
I will abdicate.
Nay. Her melodious voice flowed over him. What meaning would light have without darkness? Good
is n the absence of evil, it is our ability to rise above the shadows within. If you had no such goodness,
you would have never punished yourself all these years. She touched his cheek. That you have both
light and shadows donna make you evil, it makes you human. I must go. He feared to accept this hope
she offered. You must stay.
Her voice caught. I would miss you forever if you left me. Jarid pulled her close again so he wouldn t
have to look into her face. He couldn t speak his heart: If I stay with you, I fear I will fall in love. It hurt
too much, for to love meant to risk the anguish of loss. We all leave this life someday, she murmured.
We canna let that stop us from giving our hearts. If we do, our lives have no meaning. He knew leaving
would protect Iris, but when he tried to imagine a life without her, isolated in his mountain refuge, it was
unbearable. Great ice floes were breaking within him, as his defenses cracked and split. Let them
crack, Iris murmured.
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I don t know how to love you. The words wrenched him.
She spoke softly. Let us learn together.
It was a long moment before he spoke. Then he said I will try. I will stay, my wife.
20
The Dented
Spells
Chime sat alone, in a hexagonal alcove on a cushioned bench, surrounded by gilded walls and fine
paintings. None of the beauty offered comfort. It rent her heart to think of Jarid as a boy, frantic to
protect himself, unaware of his immense power. She had felt Unbent s unconditional love for him and
Jarid s for his foster father. That they had found so great a gift in the midst of such tragedy made her tears
fall.
She leaned her head against the wall, remembering how Wareman had spoken this afternoon, so
solicitous, offering comfort. She couldn t tell the peddler why she grieved, but his kindness had eased her
sadness. It made her wonder if he were a mage. She had warmed to him these past ten days, since they [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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