‘Really?’
‘Yes, she was most excited. A peregrine hasn’t been spotted in these parts for decades.’
Tor grinned. ‘He’s mine.’
She did not believe him for a second and assumed he was teasing. ‘Fiction!’
‘I swear it. He is mine and a finer falcon you will not see in all of Tallinor.’
‘He’s tame?’
‘Indeed. You must meet him.’
Xantia took joy in the flippancy of this conversation after a lifetime of suppression in these
halls. ‘Oh? A formal introduction! And can this bird of yours speak?’ she said, pointing towards the corridor they needed to follow.
‘Of course. But only to me.’ He winked and took her arm.
Xantia had never known such a thrill. It was a simple, courteous movement but his gentle touch made her blood rush to her head for the second time in almost as many heartbeats. She felt giddy. This was a new and rare experience. She dared not speak for fear of breaking the spell but Tor broke it anyway.
‘So, what is your plan for me today, my pretty guide?’ he asked. He unlinked his hand from her arm when he saw Elders approaching.
Her disappointment at the loss of his touch was immense. ‘I would like to take you to our library in the crypt where you will meet the Academie’s archivist.’
‘Ah, yes. She sounds like quite a woman.’
Xantia did not reply for fear of saying something regrettable which may get back to the Elders.
Tor continued, oblivious to the consternation he was causing. ‘Elder Iris was telling me that she’s not only extremely learned but also very beautiful.’
Xantia nodded reluctantly and pointed left into a new warren of corridors which would lead them to the crypt.
‘A deadly combination,’ he said behind her.
Alyssa woke sharply to the sound of her books slipping from their precarious perch on her curled lap and slapping loudly to the flagstoned floor. She jumped at the noise and realised she had spent the night in the crypt; now, in its gloominess, she had no idea of the time. She glanced towards her candles. Both had burned out. If it had not been for the thicker ones still courageously burning elsewhere in the library, she would have been plunged into darkness. Her stomach told her that breakfast was long finished but her hunger concerned her less than being missed at breakfast by Xantia, Sorrel and, more importantly, Elder Iris. The head of the Academie preferred that all of its community broke bread together at least once daily.
She rubbed her eyes and tried to smooth her unkempt hair. Now she would have to creep through the less-used corridors and make it back to her room the long way. No use lingering, she told herself.
As she bent to pick up the spilled books, she froze. The voices were muffled and sounded as though they came from the top of the stairs to the crypt.
She listened. It was Xantia’s voice she could hear.
How awkward this was going to be. Discovery by an Elder would be tricky enough but Xantia would make sure everyone knew. What did she want in the crypt anyway? She hated the place. Alyssa figured Xantia must have another acolyte in tow so did not hurry herself. She retrieved the books, set them on her desk and had just returned to her nook to fold the rug when her visitors arrived.
‘Hello?’
‘A moment,’ she called from behind the bookshelves.
‘Where are you?’
‘Right here,’ Alyssa said, stepping out behind them. She was surprised to see not only Xantia’s back but that of a very tall man.
They both turned at her voice. In an instant the man’s heartbreakingly familiar smile fled from his face. She saw dull shock replace the brightness of those impossibly blue eyes she remembered all too well.
Xantia noticed only the untidiness of the usually immaculate acolyte. ‘Good grief—don’t tell me you’ve slept in the library again.’ She laughed harshly, delighted now by the embarrassment she could see on Alyssa’s face.
‘Let me introduce you to—’
‘Torkyn Gynt,’ Alyssa said.
Xantia was miffed at the interruption. This was her shining moment to show off. ‘Good guess,’ she said smoothly. ‘Physic Gynt, this is—’
‘Alyssa,’ he said softly.
Xantia moved her confused glance from him to Alyssa and then back again. The silence between them was thick.
‘You know each other?’
He nodded, not daring to glance away from the astoundingly beautiful Alyssandra Qyn. Even with her hair tousled, blotches on her cheek from where she had slept against the chair and in a most
unflattering nightshirt, she was more lovely than he recalled.
Alyssa regained her senses first and took a step forward. She bowed, as courtesy demanded, but she refused to look into his eyes which were riveted on her.
‘Forgive me, Physic Gynt. You have caught me by surprise. I have indeed passed the night in the library and you must allow me a moment or two to tidy myself.’
She turned to Xantia. ‘I shall return shortly.’
And then she fled, running up the stone stairs as fast as her long nightshirt would allow. She zigzagged down various hallways, more in fright than with any purposeful direction, though it did not surprise her that she found herself at the stables. Breathless, not from her flight but from shock, she collapsed in a corner, terrified he had followed her.
She almost screamed when a figure loomed from the shadows. She should have recognised Saxon’s distinctive hobble but for Alyssa nothing was as it should be.
Alyssa had finished her ablutions and was dressed for the day in her acolyte robes; her hair was neatly plaited and pulled into a thong. Going through that routine may have stopped the shaking but her unease was far worse.
That was his silhouette she had seen last night and she was now convinced it was Tor who had
attempted to link with her earlier yesterday. Confusion, anger and fear was the unnerving brew coursing through her when a young messenger arrived to request that she go to Elder Iris’s study.
As Alyssa crossed the courtyard Saxon approached. He handed her a note, squeezed her arm and moved on. She lingered a moment to look back at him but there was no time to read the missive now. The young acolyte had obviously been told to fetch her immediately and she was not to be held up in her mission.
Elder Iris welcomed her warmly; she was fond of Alyssa and her committed way to life at the Academie. This young woman would make Elder far sooner than most; she would be a remarkable superior for the youngsters to look up to and emulate. Elder Iris watched her now as she politely bowed; there was something so contained and controlled about her. Something…she searched for the word in her mind. Regal. Yes, that was it.
‘Come in my girl and sit,’ she beckoned. ‘Are you well? I missed you when we broke our fast this morning.’
‘Yes, I’m sorry, Elder Iris I—’
‘Slept in the crypt again?’ offered the older woman kindly.
Alyssa nodded, wondering how she knew.
‘Alyssa, I gather you met our royal visitor earlier and that the two of you know each other from a long while ago. Now, we have learned little of your past and I have no desire to pry so we will leave it at that, though Physic Gynt has been to see me.’
‘Oh? I have to admit I was embarrassed and rushed off rather swiftly…What did he have to say?’ Alyssa tried to keep her voice as neutral as possible.
‘Oh, not much really. He mentioned that you two grew up on opposite sides of a valley, him in Flat Meadows and yourself at Mallee Marsh.’ Elder Iris laughed, surprising Alyssa. ‘Physic Gynt mentioned that you used to tease him a great deal when you were both younger.’
Alyssa forced a bright expression onto her face.
‘I imagine you two have plenty to catch up on,’ continued the older woman.
‘Elder Iris, I haven’t seen Tor for many years now. I hardly remember those childhood days. In fact I can hardly remember him.’
‘Now, Alyssa, don’t be coy. You have one of the sharpest minds in the Academie and I don’t believe for a minute that you forget any detail.’
Alyssa blushed. ‘It was an unpleasant surprise to meet Xantia and our visitor in the archives and me barely awake.’ She smiled, hoping it was artful enough. ‘Have I let you down, Elder Iris?’
‘Not at all, my dear. In fact, you have helped me with a prickly situation. Please sit and let me explain.’
Alyssa took the herbal tea and biscuits on offer. The activity of pouring and sipping gave her precious time to think. The old girl was far too sharp to be hoodwinked.
‘Alyssa, Xantia made it clear she wanted the task of entertaining Physic Gynt during his stay here. You
probably don’t know this, buried in your books as you are, but he arrived almost three days earlier than expected and I’ve been at a loss for what to do with him. It was against my better judgement but he seemed more than happy to have Xantia as his guide.’
Alyssa coughed and smothered her feelings by sipping tea.
‘Yes, indeed,’ said the Elder, reading the younger woman’s thoughts completely. ‘I have no doubt as to why Xantia manipulated the situation and I also have no doubt that he is relishing the company of such an exuberant member of our Academie.’
Alyssa nibbled a biscuit as her mind raced. Elder Iris was no fool.
‘Anyway, Physic Gynt has assured me he is here purely for his own education. Curiously, he came to me a short while ago to request that Xantia be relieved immediately of her duties on his behalf.’ The old girl noticed Alyssa’s surprise. ‘Now isn’t that an amazing coincidence? He bumps into his childhood friend, now a beautiful young woman, and suddenly has no more interest in the less intriguing acolyte.’ She raised her hand to prevent Alyssa’s protests.
‘It’s quite all right, Alyssa. There’s nothing wrong with the admiration of men but as Untouchables we must always be aware that that is the point where it must stop.’
Alyssa nodded. ‘I’ve always respected our rules, Elder,’ she said dutifully.
‘But I’m not so sure Xantia will continue to do so. Thankfully, your friend the physic is smart enough to
realise her interest is becoming too…ardent, shall we say. It is dangerous to his career at the very least. And so he is keen to avoid an awkward situation—as I am.’
‘And he has requested that I assume the role of guide for the rest of his stay?’ Again Alyssa kept her voice deliberately flat.
‘Yes, my dear, you’ve presumed correctly and I can’t think of a better person for this job. You are so reliable. We can rely on you to make sound judgements.’
Alyssa put down her cup for fear of it falling to the floor. Elder Iris liked to drink from the very best Ildagarth porcelain and it would not do to smash her prized china.
‘Elder Iris, I’m so busy with my transcriptions. Perhaps acolyte Shelley could step in?’ she said desperately.
‘Oh tush, Alyssa. There is no one in the Academie more in awe of your fine work than I, but even a crusty old lady like myself knows there must be some relief…some playtime. You work too long and too hard. I hope you won’t make me insist. I’d like to think that you will take up this task because it might be pleasurable. It’s only until tomorrow night, after all. What can it hurt?’
Just my whole life, Alyssa thought but she realised she would not win this argument. ‘What would you like me to do with him?’
‘Thank you, Alyssa. I knew I could count on you. Saxon will be available this afternoon to drive you
and our visitor into Ildagarth. Xantia had an idea to give him a walk around the streets where the festivities begin. I agree with her and it will kill plenty of time. I don’t expect you to rush back. Stay in town until this evening, if it pleases. I trust your integrity completely.’
Alyssa looked up anxiously. ‘Saxon will stay with us?’
‘Of course.’
‘And Xantia?’
The older woman shooed her out the door. ‘I’ll deal with Xantia.’
Xantia sat on her cot; she had been waiting for Alyssa to return to their room. She watched her hurriedly throw a few items into a small sack as she prepared for her day in Ildagarth.
Alyssa could not bear the seething jealousy hanging heavily around them. ‘Xantia, aren’t you supposed to be in your study room?’
‘Don’t be condescending to me, Alyssa! You’re not an Elder yet!’ She punched her pillow. ‘You don’t even go into Ildagarth much.’
‘And neither do you so we know about the same amount. I’ll muddle through.’
Xantia sat up angrily. ‘Why has Elder Iris done this to me? She has relieved me of my tasks to spite me and picked her favourite acolyte to step in. Now you are relishing the thought of going off with him.’
‘Oh, stop it, Xantia! You’re acting like a child. Do you think I want this task? Do you think I asked Elder Iris if I could do this? Does it sound to you like the sort of day I would enjoy?’
Xantia’s mouth twisted. ‘How am I to know your whims, Alyssa? You’re such a closed book to all of us,’ she said sourly. ‘I want to know about the two of you.’
‘I’ll say this once only. Tor and I were raised in the same district. We met occasionally. That’s it.’
‘I can’t help it, Alyssa.’ Xantia did not mean to spill this to the person she despised. ‘I love him. I want him. I have to be with him.’
Alyssa felt sick; she was not sure whether it was from Xantia’s yearnings for Tor or her own hidden love.
‘Xantia, on your forehead is a pale blue disc of archalyt. It is not a piece of jewellery. It marks you. You will be an Untouchable until released by death. You will never be loved by a man. You will never feel a man’s embrace.’ Alyssa’s voice was icy.
Xantia had not witnessed any emotion in Alyssa since she had first seen Saxon again after his torture. But there was something burning behind those cold words now, a fact she stored.
‘Alyssa, you don’t need the archalyt to make you Untouchable. You do it so well all on your own because you’re as cold as death itself, which is perhaps the only embrace you’ll ever welcome. You wouldn’t know what it is to yearn for a man’s touch. I fear Goth must have done a great deal more to you
than just beat your lapdog senseless and cut out his tongue.’
The shock of these words hit Alyssa so hard she felt winded.
Xantia was not finished. ‘Oh yes, I hear you talk in your dreams. I am no fool. You’ve been touched by the monster of all men. It is a lovely irony!’ She barked a bitter laugh. ‘Go about your duties. Run to your friend. Be the self-assured, aloof Alyssa the Academie expects you to be. And whilst Tor’s wondering how he got stuck with you, I’ll be remembering the way he kissed my hand with longing and how he looked at me with desire.