Part 83 (1/2)
A voice spoke close by her ear. ”Why do you avoid me so? Am I now your hated enemy?”
Madouc whirled to find Dhrun standing beside her. ”Dhrun!” She barely restrained herself from an over-impulsive act. ”I have been looking everywhere for you! To no effect; wherever I went, you were gone; I was chasing a shadow!”
”You have found me at last, and I have found you, and I am amazed!”
Madouc looked up at him, smiling in sheer happiness. ”Tell me why!”
”You know why! If I told you more, I would be embarra.s.sed!”
”Tell me anyway.”
”Very well. Long ago I knew that you would become beautiful - but I did not think it would happen so soon.”
Madouc laughed quietly. ”Are you embarra.s.sed?” Dhrun also laughed. ”You do not seem offended, or disturbed.”
”Then I will say something and perhaps I will be embarra.s.sed.”
Dhrun took her two hands. ”I will listen, and I promise you I will take no offense.”
Madouc half-whispered: ”I am happy to hear what you said, since I care for no opinion other than yours.”
Dhrun spoke impulsively: ”If I dared, I would kiss you!”
Shyness overtook Madouc. ”Not now! Every one would see!”
”True! But what of that?”
Madouc squeezed his hands. ”Listen now! I have something important to tell you, and you must heed me very carefully.”
”You have all my attention!”
Someone stood close by Madouc's shoulder. Madouc looked around and into Kylas' inquisitive black eyes.
Kylas asked: ”Are you coming to change your garments, as Her Highness wishes?”
”Not just now,” said Madouc. ”You may explain to Her Highness that Prince Dhrun and I are deep in consultation and he would think me eccentric if I suddenly ran off to change clothes.” She led Dhrun away, leaving Kylas staring after her.
Madouc said: ”Kylas is something of a trial. She watches my every move and reports to the queen, for what purpose I cannot imagine, since the queen has no notion of what I am about to tell you.”
”Tell me, then! What is so important?”
”Your life! I could not bear that you should lose it!”
”I feel much the same. Say on.”
”Do you know of Persilian the Magic Mirror?”
”I have heard the name from my father.”
King Audry approached the two and halted. He looked Madouc up and down. ”Who is this bright-haired little slyph? I noticed her at the table, deep in conversation with Prince Jaswyn.”