Read Online Changing Fate [Fate series] by Elisabeth Waters - Free Book Online Page B

home. It's obvious that no one ever taught you anything about shape-changing, and you'd be a lot safer if you were properly trained. And speaking of training, where is your library? So far the only books I've found in the entire castle are the account books."
    Akila chuckled. “If you are meant to find the library, you'll find it. If not, you won't."
    Lord Ranulf sighed. “That's exactly what your steward said."
    Akila felt a brief stab of alarm. “You didn't hurt him, did you?"
    "No, of course I didn't.” He actually sounded shocked. “What do you think I am—some king of monster? All of your people are safe and well."
    "Thank you,” Akila said politely.
    "One thing does puzzle me, though. I haven't seen anyone show grief over your father's death, including you and your brother."
    Akila shrugged. “I suppose I'll cry for him in time. Right now so much has happened that I feel rather numb. As for everyone else—well, he was away at least half of every year, and he wasn't exactly the sort of person one loved. Everybody obeyed his orders promptly, but—” she tried to find words to explain “—he didn't care about people , except as things: his steward, his son, his daughter.” She suddenly realized something. “You know, I don't remember his ever having touched me, not even to take my hand, or kiss me in greeting when he returned from a campaign."
    Lord Ranulf blinked in surprise. “He seems to have been a strange man. Where did you get your talent? Was your mother a changer?"
    "I don't know—she died when we were born. Nobody knew I was one until I fell off a shed roof when I was three. I was a bird when I hit the ground. Fortunately Briam was the only one who saw me, and he thought it was a great game. After that, I taught myself, but I was careful to keep it a secret. And once I grew up I was too busy administering the estates to have much time to practice, so I suppose I'm not very good."
    "For a wild talent, you're quite good. Your main faults are that you copy real animals too much, rather than making adjustments that fit the shape to your weight better—you can get a great deal more flying speed and range if you don't insist on trying to look like a real eagle—and you haven't learned to recognize and compensate for your limits. You should establish some simple defensive shape that you can shift to and hold when you're exhausted, and practice it until it's automatic. And you need to strengthen your sense of self—no matter how tired you get, you shouldn't be doing that random shifting you were doing just now. You don't want to lose yourself—you're much too valuable."
    His arms tightened around her. “I wish I'd met you when you were younger, and when my father was still alive—he was a good teacher.” He sighed. “Please come home, Akila."
    "No.” At the moment the idea did have a certain appeal, but Akila resolutely refused the temptation. “I have to take care of Briam, and he wouldn't be safe at home anymore."
    "But I've told you I don't seek his life!"
    "Maybe you don't. But you obviously have plenty of men who'd kill him to do you a favor.” She set her jaw and looked him straight in the eyes. “I really don't think Stefan's men were out to avenge him; I think they thought you'd reward them for killing Briam and returning me, even if you didn't order it."
    He considered that for a long moment. “You may very well be correct. Well, I'll set my house in order, and you look after Briam—but be very sure that you look after yourself as well!"
    He shifted her slightly so that he could reach his belt pouch, and held something to her lips. It was a honey bar like the one he had given her that morning. “Take a bite of this, there's a good girl."
    Akila obediently bit off a small piece and struggled to chew it. It wasn't easy, but she did feel slightly better as it softened and melted in her mouth.
    Lord Ranulf took the rest of the bar and wrapped her fingers around it. “Be sure to eat the