Read Online Without Light or Guide by T. Frohock - Free Book Online

oath.”
    Diago stood with his back to the examining table. “What if Rafael hears her call him a bastard?”
    â€œShe says things like that to upset you, not Rafael.”
    â€œShe’ll move to him next.”
    â€œI will speak to her. I promise.” She picked up the small handheld light she seemed to love shining in his eyes of late. “I had more time to work with Rafael today.”
    Miquel sat on the examining table and put his hands on Diago’s shoulders.
    Diago leaned against him. “He can’t read or write. Did you find something wrong with him?”
    She shook her head. “Wherever he was, they simply didn’t bother with even the most rudimentary education. I spoke with Father Bernardo, and he gave Rafael some books. Bernardo is going to visit you later this week.”
    â€œHe can’t go to school if he’s so far behind. The others will torment him.”
    â€œThat’s why Bernardo is going to visit. He’ll show you what to do. Meanwhile, read to him and encourage him to focus on letters and words. Make it fun.”
    â€œSo . . . he’s not . . . you know . . .”
    â€œMentally deficient? No. Rafael is a bright boy, Diago. He’ll catch up to the others in no time.” She assured him as her cool fingers touched his chin. “Wish I could say like son, like father . . .” she mused, a playful smile on her lips, which fled at the dark look Diago gave her. “Bad day?”
    Diago shrugged.
    Miquel chided him. “Not as bad as he thinks. He’s always harder on himself than anyone else.” He blew on Diago’s ear. “It’s part of his charm.”
    â€œStop it.” Diago swatted at Miquel, but his fingers only touched air. Any annoyance at his lover was feigned. Between his relief for Rafael’s good health and Miquel’s playfulness, he managed a smile.
    â€œThat’s better.” Juanita smiled and flicked on the light. “Look straight ahead.”
    â€œDo I have to?”
    Miquel poked him in the back. “Yes.”
    Diago sighed and tried not to blink when Juanita shined the light in his eyes.
    â€œDid you have more episodes of chromesthesia?” she asked.
    â€œNothing serious.”
    She snapped off the light and stepped back. “Don’t lie to me, Diago. You’re no longer a loner. A mistake on your part could take all of us down.”
    Diago instantly saw the word LIAR tattooed on Alvaro’s forehead. The memory punched him harder than it should have. Don’t lie to me. Did they all think him a liar just like his father?
    â€œI’m not lying, and I haven’t made a mistake.” But I am lying and I did make a mistake today. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, trying to calm himself. With a conscious effort, he softened his tone so he didn’t sound so waspish. “I just wish everyone would stop questioning my loyalty.”
    Miquel’s hands massaged his shoulders. “Easy.”
    Juanita said, “I’m not questioning your loyalty, Diago.”
    Of course she wasn’t. Juanita had always spoken up for him, even when the others wouldn’t.
    â€œI know, I know. I’m sorry.” He sighed again and wished he could start this day over. “It’s just that all day, I’ve listened to Garcia second-­guess my every motive.”
    â€œAh. Now I see,” Juanita murmured. “I understand your frustration, but you have to remember: the others recall you in your firstborn life. When you were Asaph, you swore an oath, and then you betrayed your king.”
    And not a single one of them acknowledged that Solomon and Asaph had begun as friends. During our youth, we had loved one another like brothers. They had rarely argued until the daimons managed to drive them apart. Pride and a desire for revenge had turned their final days to ashes. But that was the past, and the past was as dead as Solomon