The Sea Devil's Eye - Mel Odom [137]
Jherek trembled, sensing the truth behind the words. "I'm sorry. I should not have spoken in such an ill fashion."
The voice spoke, and Jherek felt he could hear the smile in the words. My son, you are going to be one of the very best. I knew it was so when I saved your life as a boy.
"Who are you?" Jherek whispered, not as afraid of the answer as he had been back in Velen when he'd first contemplated it.
I am the spring, dawn, birth, and renewal, my son. I am beginnings and hidden potential. I am conception, vitality, youth, and self-perfection. Know that I am Lathander, called the Morninglord. And you, my son, are one of my chosen champions.
"Glawinn," Jherek croaked, "does he know?"
He has suspicions, but he does not know. That has not been his to know until you tell him.
Jherek glanced at Sabyna, hardly daring to ask for what was on his mind. '"What of Sabyna? She is my heart. I could not live knowing I had caused her life to be taken."
That was no fault of your own.
"She believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself."
She saw the goodness in you, and the potential.
"Must-" Jherek's voice broke and tears streamed down his face. "Must I lose her? I would ask you for her life, Lathander, and pledge mine in its place. Save her and do with me what you will."
No, my son. I would never bargain over a champion. You will serve me only if your heart wills it.
"But you could save her."
Yes. And you would look to me as though you forever owed her life to me. I will not have that.
"So I'm to watch her die?"
My son, you have the power to save her. As you saved Khlinat, and as you have saved yourself upon occasion in the past. Trust in yourself, Jherek. Trust in the love you have for her, and in your own ability to do what must be done.
Slowly, Jherek reached for Sabyna. He remembered how Glawinn came into her room and laid his hands upon the ship's mage, but it didn't seem right that he do so. "I don't know how," he said.
Love her, my son. That is your greatest gift. But you must give and receive it. You cannot lock yourself away from it.
Trembling, his face covered in tears, so afraid that he would be somehow found wanting, Jherek laid his hands on Sabyna's face. He willed her to be well, pictured her in his mind hale and whole, saw her with the smile on her lips that he knew so well.
Power coursed through his hands, filling them with heat. He knew it wasn't enough. Tenderly, he leaned forward, pressed his lips to hers, and kissed her. He remembered how she'd been in the rigging the day she kissed him. The love and the hunger crashed down over him, threatening to sweep him away.
Sabyna kissed back, her lips soft against his.
Jherek opened his eyes to find her staring back at him. He tried to back away, knowing the question of his birth still lay between them, embarrassed by what she must think of him to find him there, obviously taking advantage of her weakness.
"Lady," he said breathlessly, "I know this must appear unseemly, but I swear I only had-"
"Shut up," she ordered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly, then covered his mouth with hers and kissed him deeply. "Hold me, Jherek, and don't let me go."
The young sailor wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him fiercely. Somewhere in there, the old bard had the decency to leave.
* * * * *
"Are you sure you want to do that, young warrior?"
Glawinn's quiet words startled Jherek from his reverie. He stood on Azure Dagger's stern castle, the wind blowing through his hair. Late morning tinged the eastern sky pink, but the rest of it was pure cerulean. Bright white doves winged overhead, and the young sailor chose to take that as an omen.
"Aye," Jherek replied. "I can see no other way of it."
"This thing you're undertaking," Glawinn said, "it's no easy thing."
"Would you talk me out of it?" Jherek asked.
Glawinn shook his head.
"I would see it done, then, if you're willing."