Forbidden Magic Read Online Free

maiden, one tall in stature with exquisite beauty, who is quick of tongue and more knowledgeable than I."
    "As Gwynne?" Dawn asked, one brow raised.
    "Yea, as Gwynne."
    "Then 'tis you who is faint, for I have seen many men, young and old, turn to watch you pass. Your thoughts are always elsewhere and thus you fail to note their silent compliments." She scooted forward in her chair. "Why, pray tell, does Gwynne scorn you, set lies in your head about your betrothed and the comeliness you alone possess? Methinks she is jealous."
    A light blush rose in Jewel's cheeks.
    "And your eyes, fair Jewel, do capture any who would look upon you. Most would say they are brown, but not I. They capture the sunlight in them, a color no other can claim. They set you apart from most and leave their image burned in every mind. I do not know your betrothed, Jewel, only by name and shield, but I wager all I own that he too will feel the sting of your beauty and be left breathless in your wake."
    "You do me honor with your praise, my friend," Jewel answered tenderly, "but the beauty of which you speak lies only upon the surface, if indeed it exists at all, and will not entrap a heart as calloused as my betrothed's for long. I must have beauty of the soul if I wish to hold him for any length of time, and that, I fear, I do not have. 'Tis why I worry." The yellow cloth of her gunna shimmered as she stood. "If one so graced as Gwynne can bring about his scorn, how can I, a simple maid, hope to win his love?"
    "Because she has the surface beauty only, Jewel. She will catch a man's eye but nothing more," Dawn pointed out, her words strong. "Is that not why she finds herself unmarried and more than a score in years?" A wicked grin pursed her lips. "And what man would want what others have had before Win?"
    The skirts of Jewel's gunna rustled when she spun around to face her. "Dawn!" she gasped.
    '"Tis truth," the young girl declared. "She speaks often of her affairs as battles she has won. If she cannot still her tongue, how can they with whom she lies?"
    "But we must not be among those who spread the word further," Jewel scolded.
    Dawn stiffened in the chair. "And you sorely injure me. I have told none but you." The smile returned and shone clearly in her eyes. "And Lynette ... and .. ."
    Feeling the humor of the younger woman's recital, Jewel failed to conceal her own mirth and broke into merry laughter. "I will hate the day I must return home and leave you behind, Dawn. I have never had a friend before you and doubt I could find another equal."
    "Then let's vow to see our friendship last. Though our married lives will set us miles apart, we will visit from time to time."
    "Yea," Jewel agreed with a nod of coppery curls. "I will gladly make the pledge." She reached out, intending to touch the other's hand, when Lynette burst into the room, startling both her sister and Jewel, and bringing an irritated frown to her sibling's brow when it was discovered she had returned empty-handed.
    "Lynette," Dawn barked. "You have the manners of a donkey to enter thus and without food to break our fast. Have you run in circles that you find yourself here and not standing before the cook?"
    Gasping for air, Lynette's speech came raggedly. "I... I had .. . gotten down . . . the hall. .. near Her Majesty's chambers ... when I saw them . .." She pressed a tiny hand to her heaving bosom in an effort to catch her breath.
    "Who, Lynette? Who did you see?" her sister inquired curiously, rising from the chair.
    "The knights ... the ones who rode with King Richard." Dawn's fists angrily rested on her slim hips. "And you forsook our need for food to enlighten us with knowledge that is not sew?"
    "But Dawn," Lynette pouted, bright blue eyes reflecting her injured pride, "I came quickly because I saw the coat of arms of one."
    Dawn's anger fled. She dropped her arms at her sides and glanced over at Jewel.
    "The silver falcon on a black shield. Jewel, 'tis your betrothed, Sir Amery