Valley of Silence Read Online Free PDF Page B

seemed to melt away in that moment, for a moment. There was only him, his face shadowed by the hood of his cloak, and his eyes so brilliant and blue.
    How could it be, she wondered, that she should hold her destiny in her hand, and see only him? How, meeting his eyes like this, could it be like looking deeper, deeper yet, into her own destiny?
    â€œI am a servant of Geall,” she said, unable to look away from him. “I am a child of the gods. This sword, and all it protects is mine. I am Moira, warrior queen of Geall. Rise, and know I love you.”
    She stood as she was, the sword still pointing skyward as the hands of the holy man placed the crown on her head.
    He was no stranger to magic, the black or the white, but Cian thought he’d never seen anything more powerful. Her face, so pale when she’d removed her cloak, had bloomed when her hand had taken the sword. Her eyes, so heavy, so somber, had gone as brilliant as the blade.
    And had simply sliced through him, keen as a sword, when they’d met his.
    There she stood, he thought, slender and slight, and as magnificent as any Amazon. Suddenly regal, suddenly fierce, suddenly beautiful.
    What moved inside him had no place there.
    He stepped back, turned to go. Hoyt laid a hand on his arm.
    â€œYou must wait for her, for the queen.”
    Cian lifted a brow. “You forget, I have no queen. And I’ve been under this bloody cloak long enough.”
    He moved quickly. He wanted to get away from the light, from the smell of humanity. Away from the power of those gray eyes. He needed the cool and the dark, and the silence.
    He was barely a league away when Larkin trotted up to him. “Moira asked me to see if you wanted a ride back.”
    â€œI’m fine, but thanks.”
    â€œIt was amazing, wasn’t it? And she was…well, brilliant as the sun. I always knew she’d be the one, but seeing it happen is a different matter. She was queen the moment she touched the sword. You could see it.”
    â€œIf she wants to stay queen, have anyone to rule, she better make use of that sword.”
    â€œSo she will. Come now, Cian, this isn’t the day for gloom and doom. We’re entitled to a few hours of joy and celebration. And feasting.” With another grin, Larkin gave Cian an elbow poke. “She might be queen, but I can promise the rest of us will eat like kings this day.”
    â€œWell, an army travels on its belly.”
    â€œDo they?”
    â€œSo it was said by…someone or another. Have your feasting and celebration. Tomorrow queens, kings and peasants alike best be preparing for war.”
    â€œFeels like we’ve been doing nothing else. Not complaining, mind,” he continued before Cian could speak. “I guess the matter is I’m tired of preparing for it, and want to get to it.”
    â€œHaven’t had enough fighting the last little while?”
    â€œI’ve payment to make for what was nearly done to Blair. She’s still tender along the ribs, and wears down quicker than she’d admit.” His face was hard and grim as he remembered it. “Healing fast, as she does, but I won’t forget how they hurt her.”
    â€œIt’s dangerous to go into battle with a personal agenda.”
    â€œAh, bollocks. We’ve all of us something personal to settle, or what’s the point? And you won’t tell me that a part of you won’t be going into it with what that bitch did to King in your mind and in your heart.”
    Because Cian couldn’t deny it, he left it alone. “Are you…escorting me back, Larkin?”
    â€œAs it happens. There was some mention of me throwing myself bodily over you to shield you from the sunlight should the magic in that cloak fade out.”
    â€œThat would be fine. We’d both go up like torches.” Cian said it casually, but he had to admit he felt easier when he stepped into the shadow cast by Castle