"Briggs, Patricia - Sianim 2 - Steal the Dragon.text" - читать интересную книгу автора (Briggs Patricia)

It was too much for Laeth. Without his temper to protect him, he couldn't resist
her misery. He left the bed and, with one boot on, strode to Marri and wrapped his
arms around her. "Nothing is going to happen to me, and I'll do my best to see that
nothing happens to Karsten either. You'll have to be satisfied with that."

Laeth hugged her and rested his chin on the top of her head, staring blindly at a
wall. Marri leaned against him a moment and then whispered, "I'd better go, before
my maid starts to worry. She wouldn't say anything, but it's better not to tempt


fate."

Laeth allowed her to draw away and then said, "I'm sorry, Marri. I'm sorry that I
didn't talk to your father. I'm sorry that you're worried." He slanted a faint grin at her
and lightened his tone. "I'm even sorry that I'm a stupid mule. Karsten is a good
man, even if he is my brother."

He took Marri's arm in a formal hold and escorted her to the door. "Thank you
for your warning, lady. I'll keep it in mind. If you find out who started the rumor that
I'm behind the assassination attempt, I would like to know his nameЧbut send a
servant with a message."

He put a hand on the door to open it, and Rialla casually attempted to use the
remnants of her talent to scan for someone lurking in the hall. She suspected that
even if there were someone there, she wouldn't be able to tellЧ so she was
astounded when she found something.

"Laeth, stop," she hissed urgently, abandoning her post against the wall to sprint
to the door and hold it shut. "There's someone out there. Wait." Taking a deep
breath, she pressed her forehead against the smooth wood of the door. The person
outside the room was in a consuming rage; only the force of his emotions allowed
her contact at all. Sweating, she tried to find out more.

The anger she felt was directed atЕ the cat. The miserable, sharp-toed, speedy
tabby who'd left with the tasty scrap of meat he was saving for a snackЕ Rialla
could feel the flush of embarrassment that crept up her fair skin. It was one of the
castle dogs. The hunting dogs were allowed full run of the keepЧone of Karsten's
little eccentricities.

Animal thoughts had always been easier to pick up than human onesЧtheir
thoughts were simpler and more tightly connected to their emotions. She could pick
up their thoughts almost as easily as she could touch their emotions.

She was just about to turn and try to explain why she'd stopped Marri from
going out when she caught the last edge of a thoughtЕ a whisper of resentment at
the leash that kept him from the cat. She tried again, without success, to touch the
person on the other side of the door, but only the dog came in clear.

Her head was starting to ache with the effort of stretching the old scars that
limited her empathy, but she ignored it. Unable to reach the person, she touched the