Page 63 of Forbidden

“What does that have to do with it?”

“Egbert would see obstacles and turn aside, certain that no one could pass the way we did.”

A cool breath blew down Duncan’s spine as he remembered how impassable parts of the trail had looked…at first.

“That’s why I made you leave your horse,” Amber added.

“It wasn’t Learned?” Duncan retorted dryly.

She laughed and shook her head, making sunlight gleam and run like liquid amber through her hair.

“Whitefoot is used to my ways,” Amber said. “She goes where I guide her.”

“You see a path,” Duncan said.

It wasn’t quite a question, but Amber answered anyway, shrugging.

“I’m Learned.” Then she added with a sigh, “But, according to Cassandra, I’m not very Learned and never will be unless I settle to it and stop roaming the wild places.”

“Like this one?”

“Aye.”

Duncan looked at the smooth curve of Amber’s cheek and wondered how he, who had never been taught, had managed to see both obstacle and trail. Before he could ask Amber, she was talking again.

“Despite my failings as a student, I have absorbed enough Learning to walk a few of the ancient trails. Ghost Glen is my special place. I’ve never shared it with anyone. Until now.”

Her quiet words went through Duncan like distant thunder, as much felt as heard, a tremor of the earth itself.

“Amber?”

Duncan’s voice was low, aching, nearly rough. She sensed the leap of sensual hunger in him. She also sensed a nameless yearning that pervaded him as surely as sun pervaded the day.

“What is it?” she whispered, turning to Duncan.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“To count Cassandra’s geese.”

Hazel eyes searched Amber’s face.

“Geese?” he asked.

“Aye. They come here from the north in the autumn, pulling winter behind them like a bleak banner.”

“’Tis early for geese, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Amber said.

“Then why are you looking for them?”

“Cassandra asked me to. The rune stones foretold an early, harsh winter. If the geese are here, we’ll know Cassandra cast the stones correctly.”

“What do your serfs say?” Duncan asked.

“They say the signs are mixed.”

“How so?”