Read Heart Thief for Free Online Page A

chances and live life to the fullest. The Herald’s voice became a pattern of cadence. She heard the tiny clinks of Ruis’s chains and her stomach clenched.
    She blinked and focused again on his face, and she understood that he hated her seeing him like this—a bound captive, with blood oozing from his mouth, blood that he wouldn’t wipe away because he’d have to raise chained hands to do so.
    Ailim looked back and forth between Tinne Holly and Ruis Elder, both sons of a FirstFamily, but how far apart in station! One was cherished, the other outcast. Ruis was taller than Tinne Holly, but with equally noble features and bearing. The injustice of the discrepancy made her dizzy.
    â€œElder’s nullness affects you, GrandLady,” Tinne said, steadying her with a hand under her elbow.
    Wanting to wipe away Ruis’s blood with a gentle touch and knowing she couldn’t, Ailim shook her head. “No.” She raised her chin and stepped away from Tinne. Now Ruis was scowling, his stare fixed on Tinne’s hand.
    â€œNo,” she said again, louder. “It is the flouting of the Law that I find distressing.” She set her teeth, forcing herself to think beyond Ruis. He was going to be banished, not executed, but Ailim felt loss at the thought that she would never see him again. “Guards, accompany GentleSir Elder”—that brought a flashing smile from Ruis—“to Northgate. Master Herald, I expect you to check with the Northgate sentinel regarding the health of Elder and report back. Viz a full explanation of this incident to my collection box in the morning, understood?”
    The Herald bobbed his head. “Indeed, Your Honor.” He began talking again, reinforcing her orders.
    Ignoring the other men, Ruis bowed, then lifted his manacled hands and blew her a kiss, followed by a wicked smile. Ailim blinked as warmth fluttered in her.
    The guards sidled closer to him and muttered grumpily. Ruis pivoted and started down the hallway. Ailim released a long breath and turned in the opposite direction, walking down the hall back to the FirstFamilies Council and toward her own fate.
    â€œYou have a nice ‘command presence,’ Your Honor. I’m impressed,” Tinne Holly said.
    Though she trembled inside with the anticipation of her own judgment, Ailim kept her face serene, slipping her hands in her wide sleeves. “Thank you.”
    She thought again of the small bond that had spun between Ruis and herself. He’d been facing a death sentence, she the death of the Family line which had been entrusted to her care.
    Who would she be if she failed her destiny and didn’t obtain this loan? What if the Residence and estate were sold? Could she keep the Family together?
    Her burdens and the long, hard road ahead made her shudder. Ruis had been banished. Ailim fought a twinge of envy. Ruis left the Council, and old Druida, free to explore and build his own future, with no duties or ties to the past, or the Council.
    She wanted to see him again, to make sure he was all right. She wanted to experience being completely at peace and using her five physical senses. And she pondered what she might do to help him.
    Now that Ruis was gone the hum of magical-machines and the inner tingle of deeply embedded spells welled to fill the vacuum his nullness had caused.
    Thoughts and emotions crashed over her. She stumbled and would’ve fallen if Tinne Holly hadn’t caught and steadied her. “Easy,” he said with a charming smile.
    Instinctive shields clapped around her mind, cocooning her inner self against the onslaught of telepathic noise. She erected powerful, conscious mindshields of her own until she could selectively practice her Flair.
    She tried a smile. “My thanks.” Then she freed herself from his light grasp, and for once ignoring who might see her nervousness, pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve and patted at her face. Squaring