Page 84 of A Conduit of Light
“Howmuch earlier?”
“Oh, decades now, love.”
“AndBaronHeimlen?Wereyou here before or after him?”
Revichfelt the pause in the woman’s breath.Whetherit was a true hesitation or a pause to remember, he couldn’t tell which from outside of the door.
“Lia?”
“Itwas after.Icannot remember exactly how long, if that’s your next inquiry.”
HeheardKaruslaugh. “Itwas.ThereasonIask is becauseIam curious to know aboutBaronHeimlen’spower.Ibelieve you know, but in case you don’t, he was able to cure a terrible sickness that plaguedHyrithia, which led him to be able to bring me here and defy the contents of theTreaty.Itjust seems like powerful magic…to be able to cure something so deadly and swift.”
“Iknow little of it.You’rebetter off talking toSylvain that case, she’s close toBaronHeimlen, and after me, has been here the longest.”
“Thisall looks lovely, thank you,Lia.I’lltake it to her now and get out of your kitchen and out of your hair.”
“Enjoy, love.”
Revichsat on the dining chair, awaitingKarus’sarrival.
“Oh, just one more question.HasBaronHeimlenalways worn gloves?”
“Whatan odd thing to ask.”
“Itis.Ijust realized the other day thatI’venever seen him without them.”
“Ican’t really say.Iknow that around the time you arrived, he stopped eating in the dining hall, preferring to sup in his own rooms, but as to gloves?I’mnot sureI’veever noticed.”
“Ofcourse.Thankyou again.”
Helistened to her steps on the short staircase to the door of the dining hall and watched her open it fully. “Hello, my darling.Justwhat are you up to?”
Chapter40
Karus
“Revich!”Herbreath came sharp and she almost dropped the basket of bread. “Whatare youdoinghere?”Sheclosed the kitchen door behind her and leaned back against it, settling her pacing heart with her hand across her chest.
“Ifollowed you here, actually.”
“Followedme?Why?”
“Ihappened to see you enter the dining hall and had plans to surprise you.”
“Ithink you succeeded.”
“However,Ithen overheard you having a conversation with the cook.”
“Lia.”
“AndIwas going to leave, not wanting to eavesdrop, but thenIheard my name.”
“Youheard my conversation just now?Thatwas rude of you.”
“Iagree, it was.”
Hestood then and walked a few paces toward her, quick as ever.Hisblack locks fell into his face, and she resisted her usual urge to pull them back behind his ear.
