Read Online The Fall by Christie Meierz - Free Book Online Page B

went. Her peds followed habit and took her across the road to the stronghold, where she halted, staring at the great doors in sudden indecision. The Monral was moving, ascending from the hidden places below the keep, and she trusted herself even less with him than she did with her student. Turning aside, she kept to the wall, walking along it until she reached the gate to the outer garden. A huge flat-topped boulder lay embedded in the hillside there, a place to which she often retreated to find momentary peace. She climbed onto the rock and sat with her peds dangling over the edge. The city lay spread before her, and beyond it the glimmering, treacherous sea.
    Perhaps she should spend the evening down in the city. The idea held appeal, but no—it would do nothing to interfere with the ugly emotions flowing into the pair-bond she shared with the Monral.
    Oh my beloved, what have you become?
    Had she made a mistake after all, becoming entwined and entangled with a member of the ruling caste?
    With a flash of yellow, the sun tipped below the horizon, and behind her, she sensed the Monral’s heir leave the keep, heading for her. She kept her gaze on the city as Farric lowered himself onto the boulder beside her and swung his legs over the side, kicking at the rock like a restless child despite the fatigue suffusing his presence.
    “Scholar,” he said.
    “Your father would not approve of such an undignified posture,” she replied, casting him a sidelong glance.
    A snort escaped him. “Neither would he appreciate it of his bond-partner.” He scooted back to pull up his legs and set his heels on the edge. With an insolent grin, he rested his elbows on his knees to complete the discourtesy. “Do you prefer this?”
    “In that position, at least, you will not lose your slippers.”
    His grin tilted at her words, remembering, no doubt, the many he had lost as a child, kicking this very rock.
    “Why are you so weary?”
    “Father intensified my physical training.”
    “Again?”
    “He says only that his plans require me to be at the peak of my abilities.” He lowered his arms and dropped his peds over the edge again. “It has not pushed me beyond my capacity. He ordered the same of a hand of his best guards.”
    She held in the question— against whom do they train to fight? —and instead fixed her gaze on the deepening purples and reds splashed across the western sky. She pivoted to view it more comfortably, which turned her away from Farric.
    He would not answer such a question, even if she asked. Possibly, even he did not know the answer—the Monral kept much in his own pockets. Whether Farric would not answer, or could not, did not matter. The ruling caste of Monralar shared little with those they called upon to advise them.
    “I must prepare for tomorrow,” he said, after a time. With a small grunt, he rose to his peds, robe rustling into place. “I am to embark on another diplomatic mission.”
    She remained where she was, but performed a seated bow. “Fair journey then, high one.”
    “Fair evening, scholar.”

Chapter Seven
    “You and the Paran, finally?” On the tablet, Marianne’s face glowed. “Joy of the bond!”
    Laura lifted her eyebrows. “This, from the woman who took eight years to figure out the Sural loved her.”
    The young woman stuck out her tongue. “You won’t regret it.”
    “Getting through the rest of the day, that’s the hard part.” Laura leaned back in her chair at the desk in her sitting room. “Is it really so different, being bonded?”
    Her friend gave a solemn nod. “Like… like… I don’t know.”
    Laura snickered. “At a loss for words?”
    Marianne smiled and shrugged happily.
    “You’re in good company,” Laura continued. “The Paran says Tolari can’t find words for it either. Oh, and before I forget, I want to show you something. The last time the Paran took me into the city, an old artisan gave me—you have to see it to believe it. Here.” She