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his.
                  Then, as abruptly as it began, it ended.
                  "Morthar's teeth," he cursed, his expression grim.  "You speak truth, this time.  The amulet of Gwymyrr is not here."
                  Still reeling from the sensation of power shifting her foundation from beneath her, she dipped one shoulder in agreement with his words.  "I have tried to tell you that I did not take it."
                  "Then who did?"
                  Goddess help her, she did not know.  "Can you not find this out with your magic?"
                  He shook his head.  "I have tried.  Yet somehow I am blocked, by someone or something else.  This other that seeks to keep me out is powerful indeed, stealing my amulet and keeping it so well hidden."
                  She inhaled a shaky breath.  Did this mean he finally believed her?
                  "I must find it."
                  Deirdre nodded.  "Tell me of this talisman, this amulet you seek so intently."
                  His expression went cold.  For a moment she thought he might refuse to answer.  When he finally spoke, it was with a remote voice that sounded, even to her untrained ears, hollow and devoid of emotion.
                  "The Amulet of Gwymyrr is passed from King to King." 
                  Stifling a gasp, Deirdre kept her face from showing any emotion.  Did this Egann of Rune now claim to be a King?
                  "Twas given to me by Fiallan, the Wise One of Rune.  Even after I refused to take the throne, he insisted I take it.  Even knowing that I meant to leave Rune for this mortal world."
                  Patiently she waited, though her insides were in turmoil. 
                  It seemed a long while until he spoke again. 
                  "Though I know not when I might decide to return to Rune, I accepted the task of guarding the Amulet of Gwymyrr until a new King could be chosen.  If Fiallan comes to me and wants the amulet back..." 
                  "I see."  The anguish she heard beneath his carefully modulated tones moved her.  More than anything she wanted to go to him, to hold him close and murmur soothing words of comfort.  But, knowing him only from her dreams, she dared not.
                  "Will you help me find it?"  He asked, his stare bold and openly daring.
                  "Me?"  Astounded, all she could do was gape at him.
                  "Yes, you."  Voice mocking, he gave her a grim smile.  "You are connected with all of this somehow.  In what way, I do not know.  But I will unearth the truth.  You had best tell me what you know."
                  Back to that again.  What did he imagine, that she'd had some sort of accomplice, some assistant who had spirited the thing away under cover of darkness?  To what end?
                  Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin.  "Egann of Rune, hear my words.  You have saved my life, and for such an act I am eternally grateful.  But it should be apparent to you that my command of magic is but a sapling to your ancient oak.  I could not stay your hand in any way, nor block your eyes from seeing whatsoever you desired.  How could I, a lowly mortal who has but one skill, that of my Shadow Dancing, assist you in finding your magical talisman?"
                  Though she'd purposely laced her tone with irony, after she'd spoken, she could see the stark ring of truth in some of her words.
                  Muscular arms folded across his massive chest, he cocked his shaggy head, considering.  
                  "You are mortal, tis true."  His sharp blue gaze raked over her, missing nothing, not the nervous tapping of her foot, nor the way her aching nipples still pebbled against the