Reign of Shadows - Deborah Chester [33]
“Ice caves are not safe,” he said sternly. “You must be careful, little one.”
“I always am,” she said without concern for his warning. “Since you’re so clever, can you guess which ice cave?”
He had to laugh at her sauciness. “There are hundreds.”
She nodded. “But only one where the emeralds are.”
“Will you show me?”
“Yes, tomorrow. I want you to find as many emeralds as I have, and if you don’t, then I will share mine with you.”
“You are a generous lady,” he said, bowing to her. His love for this sweet child welled up again. Little did she know how much her offer meant to him, and his future.
Smoothing his hand across the lid of the box, he handed it back to her and watched as she hid it beneath her dolls. It was madness to suppose them safe in such a place, yet he wasn’t about to take them away and lock them in Beva’s strongbox.
By law, all precious stones gathered had to be tithed to the emperor’s tax collector, just as all income was tithed. Caelan wasn’t about to tell his little sister she had to give up part of her treasure to the emperor—a man at the other end of the earth whom they didn’t know and would never see. If Beva learned of the emeralds, he would obey the law and tithe without question. Better to leave them here in the child’s hands. Lea wouldn’t lose them.
“You’re wise to keep them a secret,” Caelan said. “You’ve got quite a dowry for yourself now, little sister.”
“Yes, I have,” she said, sounding almost grown up for a moment. “Which is a good thing because Father spares no attention for such matters.”
Caelan grinned. “Now I know you’ve been listening to grown-up talk. Who said such a thing? Anya?”
Lea nodded. “She tells me much, even when she doesn’t mean to. She says women have to stick together in this hold of feeble old men.”
“She’s right.”
“Only you aren’t old, and you’ve come back. I missed you terribly.”
“I missed you just as much,” he said, stroking her curls.
Her hand stole into his and gripped it hard. “It was a bad place, your school. Wasn’t it?”
He nodded.
She sighed. “I knew it. Every night I think about you before I go to sleep. And sometimes I’ve dreamed about you running and running. There were creatures flying through the darkness after you, and men with big sticks trying to hurt you—”
“Hush,” he said, catching her close in a hug. “Hush, little one. Don’t talk about that.”
“But I was so afraid for you—”
“I’m all right,” he said to soothe her, feeling her tremble in his arms.
They had always been closer than thought. Females were not expected to possess talents, and they were never trained. Still, Caelan knew Lea was gifted. She could frequently guess what he meant to say before he spoke. If she wished for something hard enough, very often it did come to pass. And sometimes, she could pronounce the future. He had warned her to hide what she could do. Although Lea was only sunshine and good, her gifts were the kind that might be misunderstood by superstitious strangers. It was important she learn to be careful from an early age. Besides, in a year or two, she would be expected to put away her dolls and wear a shawl. She would start her training in the domestic arts. Then would come betrothal, and eventually marriage.
Caelan found himself praying she would be bonded to a decent man who would let her sing and laugh, who would see her gifts for what they were and not use her harshly. Worry added to his sense of protectiveness. He knew he should stay here and see to it himself. His father might not take enough care.
Lea struggled against him and pushed away. “You’re hugging too tight,” she told him breathlessly.
“Sorry,” he said.
“What are you thinking?” she asked. “You’ve come home different, and I cannot tell what is in your heart.”
“That’s just as well,” he said, trying to make his voice light.
“Why are you closed to me? I could always read you before. Now you are all tight and guarded,