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And increase your own?
I went on regardless, ignoring my conscience.
"An Ihlini does not gain his powers until he reaches adolescence, and even
then it takes years to focus all the skills. I am not so well-versed my-
self." I was, but no need to tell him that; I was
Lochiel's daughter, and the blood showed itself. "I
am a child leading an infant, but who better to recall the days when a simple
trick proved diffi-
cult? See this?" I made a gesture and felt the tin-
gling coldness in my fingertips. The godfire came as I bid it, luridly purple.
It hung in a glowing sheet between Devin and me, but our hands re-
mained linked. "This is "
He jerked his hand from mine and lifted it as if to shred the godfire. I tore
it aside before he burned
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439
himself; he did not yet know how to ward himself.
A sheen of perspiration coated his face, "Ginevra "
"What is it?" 1 left my chair and knelt by the bedside. "Devin what is it?"
"That that " His eyes were frightened. "I re-
member. Dimly. Fire flame . . ." He closed his eyes. His body went slack
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against the pillows.
"Why can I remember no more?"
"It will come," I told him, as I had so many times.
He shifted against the bedclothes. "How can you be certain? How can you know?
And if I am not able to master such things .. ." The chiseled lips compressed
themselves flat, robbing them of shape.
"An Ihlini with no arts is hardly fit to be wed to
Lochiel's daughter."
I took his hand into my own and pressed it against my mouth. "He will be fit,"
I said. "I will see to it."
Devin's eyes were black. His breathing was shal-
low and quick. "Can you do such a thing?"
Against his flesh, I said, '*! can do many things."
The hand turned in my own. He caught my fin-
gers, carried my hand to his mouth, and let me feel the hardness of his teeth
in the tenderness of his lips, "Show me," he breathed, I shuddered once.
"Not yet."
"When?"
It was a difficult truth, but he was due it rather than lies. "When my father
is convinced you are fit to serve the god."
Devin's breath was warm against my hand as he laughed softly. "Fathers need
not always rule their daughters in such matters as this."
"Mine does." I pulled free of his grasp. "If you forget that, even once, it
could be your death."
"Ginevra "
"He is Lochiel," I said; I knew it was enough.
440 JeaalCer Roberwn
The tension in his body fled. His mouth moved faintly into an ironic smile.
And then it, too, died, and I saw in its place a harrowing despair. "I have
nothing," he said. "I am nothing save what you make me."
It shook me. "You are Devin."
"I am no one," he said, "save what you tell me.
I am denned by you." His eyes burned livid as god/ire, save they were green in
place of purple.
"You are my sanity."
I petitioned the Seker to lend him the strength to find his own sanity, lest
mine prove too weak.
And then I left the room. I wanted too badly to give him what he asked.
When the splint at last came off and Devin was able to stand, I learned he was
taller than I had expected. He had lost flesh in his illness, but
movement and better meals would restore him.
Within the week the crutch was tossed away and he walked freely on his own.
With renewed mobil-
ity came vigor and curiosity to see where I lived.
He walked easily enough, but I saw the trace of tension in his mouth and
around his eyes. I
wanted him to see all of Valgaard so he would know it as I did; it was to be
his home. It was important that he understand the kind of power contained in
the fortress, so he would not forget himself once he had relearned the
arts and wield it improperly.
He progressed at last from ori'neth to H'ri'a. The rune pattern was roughly
worked, but achieved, glowing fitfully in the air. He was most pleased that it
smoked and sputtered, shedding bits of godfire; I reminded him that control
was more important than appearance.
"You require new clothing," I told him as we walked the cobbled courtyard.
A TAPESTKY OF LIONS
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441
"I have clothing. And you have already said ap-
pearance is unimportant."
"Not unimportant; less important and that is in wielding magic, not wearing
clothing." I cast a sidelong glance. "I want you to have better. These do not
fit well enough."
"And if I gain back the weight you say I have lost, the new clothing will
not." He touched my cheek. "Let it be, Ginevra. I am content with what
I have."
"Then at least wear the ring." I took it from the pouch hanging from my
girdle. "Here. I sent it to you last year. The least you can do is wear it in
my presence."
He took the emerald from me, studying it. I saw the flattening of his mouth.
"Even this I do not recall. Any more than the other ring."
"No matter. Put it on."
He did so. The gold band turned on his finger.
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