Page 43 (1/2)

Daemon smiled and reached for another piece of toast "You shouldn’t keep the lady waiting, Prince Alexander"

Philip hesitated at the doorway Dae that Philip atching hi other than toast beneath his hand Well, if Philip actually believed someone like Leland could make a Black-Jeweled Warlord Prince pant, the fool deserved to sweat

The one, Daeed his clothes Wilhel her lessons; Cook was in the kitchen, sipping a cup of tea and starting to plan the lunchtheir various chores There was only one person left

Daemon whistled a cheery little tune as he headed for the private alcove to spend a pleasant ardens, prowled the house, slipped in and out of the stable yard, checked the Craft library, and finally stood in the nursery wing feeling frustrated and concerned He simply couldn’t find her He had even checked her roo or wanted some privacy When there’d been no answer, he had slipped into the rooht his lower lip between his teeth and listened to Graff scolding Wilhelmina He’d wondered why that harsh and not terribly educated wo witch from such a powerful family until he’d learned that Robert Benedict had hired her Since Wilhelmina wasn’t directly related to Leland and Alexandra, Robert’s preference had overruled their objections Daeood choice if a irl’s sensibilities about what she was and the power she contained led to such an extent that she would never find any joy in the Craft or in herself Yes, Graff was an excellent choice to bruise a young girl’s ego and ot a little older

Daeht possibly be there at the sa Absolutely worthless You call that Craft? Go on The lesson’s over Go do soe GO!"

Wilhelht her by the shoulders, planting his feet to keep theave him a shaky smile of thanks

"So, you’re free," Dae in return "Where’s--"

"Oh, good, you’re here," Wilhel voice "Help me practice my duet" She turned toward the music room

"First tell me where--"

Wilhelmina stepped back and planted her heel squarely on Daerunted fro in the dooratching them closely

Wilhelmina stepped aside "Oh, I’ for an answer, she hauled him toward the music room "Come on, I want to practice"

Once they reached the h the"You can play the bass part," she said as she placed her hands on the keys

Daemon limped to the bench and sat down "Miss Wil--"

Wilhel him out She continued for a few bars and then turned to hi"

It was such a perfect i voice that Daemon’s lips curled in a snarl as he twisted around to face her, but the look on her face was a plea for understanding and her eyes were glazed with fear Grinding his teeth, he placed his hands on the keys "One, two, three, four" They began to play

She was badly frightened, and it had soh the duet, he noticed Graff standing in theThey finished the duet and started again The longer they played and the longer Graff watched theled thethe sa to do hat he was hearing, and he wincedproduced

When Wilhelan the duet for the third tirimace, and Daemon felt sourly envious of her ability to leave As soon as she left, however, Wilhelan to play more smoothly, more quietly

"You must never ask about Jaenelle," she said so quietly Daemon had to lean toward her to hear "If you can’t find her, you must never ask anyone where she is"

"Why?"

Wilhelht ahead Her throat worked convulsively as if she were choking on the words "Because if they find out, she et into trouble I don’t want her to go back to Briarwood" She stopped playing and turned toward him, her eyes misty "Do you?"

He shtly caressed her cheek "No, I don’t want her to go back WilhelminaWhere is she?"

Wilheloes for lessons in the oes and sees friends"

Daeoes for lessons, surely your father or Alexandra or Leland had arranged--"

"No"

"But a maid must accompany her and would--"

"No"

As Daemon considered this, his hands slowly closed into fists "She goes alone?" he finally said, keeping his voice carefully neutral

"Yes"

"And your faoes at all?"

"No, they mustn’t know"

"And you don’t knohere she goes or who gives her these lessons?"

"No"