Wizard of the Grove Read Free Page B

it. Their dying convulsions had reshaped the face of the world.
    â€œFather! You don’t think . . . ?”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous, boy. I was joking.” Raen leaned back in his chair and looked fondly at his son. His expression hardened. “You’re not wearing your sword.”
    Rael’s hand jerked to his belt and he flushed.
    â€œI saw Mother today, to tell her I wouldn’t be back to the Grove for some time. You know how steel upsets her.”
    â€œWell, your guards were armed, I hope?”
    Rael looked at the cold hearth, the hunting tapestry on the wall, the great canopied bed, everywhere but at his father.
    â€œYou took no guards.” The king’s voice was sharper than Rael’s missing sword.
    â€œThe guards won’t go into the Grove.”
    â€œThe guards will go where I tell them.” And then he thought of Milthra’s reaction to heavily armed men tearing up her peace and reconsidered. Gods, he missed her. “Well, they can wait with your horse at the edge of the forest, then. They needn’t go into the Grove.”
    An uncomfortable silence fell as both considered another who would not go into the Grove.
    â€œYou’ll take them with you next time,” Raen said finally. “I don’t want a dead son.”
    Rael turned the brilliant green of his eyes on the king. “Who would want to kill me, Father?”
    â€œBalls of Chaos, boy, how should I know?” Raen looked away from the Lady’s eyes. “Melac’s men. Madmen. You’re prince and heir, my only son. When you ride from now on, you ride with guards.” King’s command, not father’s. “I don’t care where you’re going. I will not lose you.”
    â€œYes, sir.” Suddenly, Rael made a decision. He was tired, he decided, of bouncing from the pain of one parent to the pain of the other and tired too of pretending he didn’t see that pain because they both so obviously tried to keep it from him. He took his courage in both hands and asked what he’d never dared ask before. “Father? Why don’t you go to the Grove?”
    Raen stared at the map without seeing it. He remembered ivory andsilver and green, green eyes and strong smooth limbs wrapped around him. He remembered a love so deep he could drown in it.
    â€œHow did your mother look when you left her this afternoon?” he asked hoarsely.
    Rael thought about his last sight of the hamadryad as she merged back into her tree.
    â€œAs always, beautiful; but worried and sad.”
    â€œAnd her age?”
    â€œHer age?” He remembered how he’d wanted to protect her. “She seemed very young.”
    â€œNow look at me.”
    â€œSir?”
    â€œLOOK AT ME!” Raen stood so suddenly that his chair overturned. His hands clenched to fists and his voice rose to a roar. “Once my hair was as thick and black as yours. You’ll notice that what I have left, and there isn’t much, is gray. There was a day I could defeat any man in Ardhan with my bare hands, but no longer. I used to be able to follow the flight of a hawk in the sun. Now I’m lucky if I can see the damned bird at all! I grew this beard to hide the lines of age!” He paused, drew a shuddering breath and his voice fell until it was almost a whisper. “Your mother hasn’t changed, but I am growing old. She must not see me like this.”
    Rael was on his feet as well, staring at his father in astonishment. “You’re not old!”
    The king’s smile was not reflected in his eyes. “Fifty-two years weigh heavily on a man, and your mother is ageless.” He raised a hand to stop the next protest. “I appreciate your denials, lad, but I know what I see.”
    Unfortunately, there was nothing to deny. His father was a mortal man and his mother stood outside of time.
    â€œMother loves you. It wouldn’t matter to