Read Online A Little Fate by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online

and rolled onto his bloody back.
    â€œI’ve lived with horses too long, and forget how to be a man.”
    She was shaken to the bone from her feelings, from her needs, from the loss. “Yes, you forget to be a man.” As she had forgotten to be a queen. “But we’ll blame this on the night, on the strangeness of it.” She got to her feet, walked over to pick up her dagger. “I think perhaps this is some sort of test, for both of us. I’ve loved you as long as I remember.”
    He looked at her, into her, and for one moment that was all there was, the love between them. It shimmered, wide and deep as the Sea of Wonders. But in the next moment the heavy hand of duty took over.
    â€œIf things were different . . .” Her vision blurred—not with magicks but with a woman’s tears. It was the queen who forced them back, and denied herself the comfort. “But they aren’t, and this can’t be between us, Thane, for there’s more at stake. Yet I have such longing for you, as I have always. Whatever’s changed, that never will.”
    â€œWe’re not what we were in visions, Aurora. Don’t seek me in them, for I won’t come to you. We live as we live in the world.”
    She crouched beside him, brushed the hair from his brow. “Why won’t you fight? You have a warrior’s skill. You could leave this place, join the rebels and make something of yourself. Why raise a pitchfork in the stables when you can raise a sword against an enemy? I see more in you than what they’ve made you.”
    And want more of you, she thought. So much more of you.
    â€œYou speak of treason.” His voice was colorless in the dark.
    â€œI speak of hope, of right. Have you no beliefs in the world, Thane? None of yourself?”
    â€œI do what I’m fated to do. No more, no less.” He moved away from her and sat, staring into the thick shadows. “You should not be here, my lady. Owen would never select a wife bold enough to roam the forest alone, or one who would permit a stable hand to take . . . liberties.”
    â€œAnd if he selects me, what will you do?”
    â€œDo you taunt me?” He sprang to his feet, and she saw what she’d hoped to see in his face. The strength and thefury. “Does it amuse you to find that I could pine for one who would offer herself to another like a sweetmeat on a platter?”
    â€œIf you were a man, you would take me—then it would be done.” If you would take me, she thought, perhaps things would be different after all.
    â€œSimply said when you have nothing to lose.”
    â€œIs your life so precious you won’t risk it to take what belongs to you? To stand for yourself and your world?”
    He looked at her, the beauty of her face and the purpose that lit it like a hundred candles glowing from within her. “Yes, life is precious. Precious enough that I would debase myself day after day to preserve it. Your place isn’t here. Go back before you’re missed.”
    â€œI’ll go, but this isn’t done.” She reached out, touched his cheek. “You needn’t worry. I won’t tell Owen or Lorcan about the tunnels or the spy hole. I’ll do nothing to take away your small pleasures or to bring you harm. I swear it.”
    His face went to stone as he stepped back, and he executed a mocking little bow. “Thank you, my lady, for your indulgence.”
    Her head snapped back as if he’d slapped her. “It’s all I can give you.” She hurried back to the tunnel and left him alone.
    Â 
    S HE slept poorly and watched the dawn rise in mists. In that half-light, Aurora took the globe out of its box, held it in the palm of her hand.
    â€œShow me,” she ordered, and waited while the sphere shimmered with colors, with shapes.
    She saw the ballroom filled with people, heard the music and the gaiety of a masque. Lorcan