Book 2 Chapter 1 Part 5

Robin pulled out as the memory became disorienting. “Well, there’s some sense at least,” he muttered, blinking as his vision cleared. “Are you crying again?” “Robin, I was so scared! I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t gotten away.” “Great Lady be praised you actually listened when I gave you those self-defence lessons. Now you need to learn to listen to your instincts. And your sister.” Sephy groaned. “If you ever tell her that she’ll never give me a moment’s peace.” “If you’re never alone you won’t be in any danger. I can’t be there to save you every time!” “That’s what my chaperones are for!” she shouted, not noticing the concern on his face. “Obviously you’ve reached a time when your chaperones are no longer trustworthy. Not all of them at least. Meryum would never pin you to a wall just to kiss you against your will.” “Meryum hates bookstores and shopping and you!” she shouted. “It doesn’t matter that you impressed her with your little party last night. If she had her way I’d never see you again.” “If that is the price of your safety, My Lady, then I will pay it.” He looked away under her studying gaze and she watched him look at everything in the room but her. “Why do you care so much, anyway?” “Because you’re important to me,” he muttered. He looked at her and realized that she’d heard him. Quickly he added, “You’re not afraid of me, of my telepathy. You’re the only one who can help me use this gift and control it better. Besides, you’re a princess. You’re important to everybody.” He fought not to blush under her scrutiny. “It’s a damn good thing you don’t believe in snooping,” he grumbled. “Aw, you don’t actually keep secrets from me, do you, Robin?” She batted her eyes at him and smiled with false sweetness. “You look ridiculous, Sephy. Come on. We’ve delayed long enough.” Robin disappeared into the main cavern. Sephy sat for a long moment, staring after him. Is he trying to get rid of me? He’s not afraid of what Mery or Luke will do to him if they knew we’d spent this time alone together. Is he afraid of my gift after all? Is he afraid I’ll examine the secrets of his mind? I thought he was different. I thought I didn’t scare him. “Come on, Sephy!” he called. She crawled out of his room into the cavern and promptly stepped in a puddle of what she hoped was just mud. The long curved walls, dotted with little alcoves where people slept, caves where supplies were stored, and passages that led to various tunnels and numerous other caves and openings, were usually damp but today they were seeping water as the ground thawed. Sephy, like most of the people who lived down here, only knew about a few of the openings that connected this damp, muddy sanctuary to the surface. Sephy knew there was one in the tea house cellar, one in an elderly lady’s home near the inn, and one in the butcher’s shop on the west edge of the city. She also knew there were dozens more and only two or three people, Robin among them, knew all of them. Robin was a Caretaker. He was a protector, and a leader, to the people living under Junayd. These were young widows who had lost their homes because they had no skills to earn money with, women who would have had to turn to prostitution if not for Robin and The Underground. There were young, single mothers who faced the same hard choice – starve or sell their bodies to men who didn’t care if they lived or died. There were children here too, orphans and runaways too young to work at the warehouses or farms. The men worked any way they could – as labourers at the warehouses and farms, as bodyguards for merchants and nobles, or as sneak thieves and pickpockets. The Underground was noble, but it wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t entirely legal. Robin had been stealing from a shopkeeper when Sephy had first met him. Curious she had followed him from the store to the tea shop where they now frequently met. She hadn’t cared that he was a thief; all she wanted to know was how he had distracted the shopkeeper. She’d never met anyone else with telepathy. In fact, the only other people she knew who had an innate gift were her sister, Meryum, and her father. Everyone else had to study with a Craft Hall or with the Church to learn spells which had been handed down from the Great Lady through the Oracles and Prophets long ago. In the year they’d known each other, neither had ever figured out why there was no one else, except Meryum, who was like them. It had bound them as close friends, in spite of their class differences and in spite of having to lie to so many people in order to spend time together. As Sephy walked silently beside Robin her mind drifted to the many friends Robin had introduced her to. They treat me like a normal person. They let me help with the cooking. And the elders let me fold laundry while they tell me stories. Avia’s the best, though. It’s like having a little sister. She’s so sweet, and happy. I wish I could bring her back to Caprex with me and get her a job in the castle, but Robin wouldn’t even listen to the idea. He won’t let Avia out of his sight. I wonder if ... The thought of Robin being in love with Avia hurt for some reason. It doesn’t matter if they’re in love. Robin and I are just friends, very good friends perhaps, but nothing more. We can never be more. She sighed. “Is everything all right, Sephy?” “As all right as it can be.” I won’t be allowed to marry for love, not truly. We can only be very good friends so it’s best if he loves someone else. “Do you want to talk about it?” He stopped walking and stared at her in the flicker of torch light. “No, Robin. Thank-you.” How could I talk about it? I don’t even know why it hurts so badly. She bit back another sigh, afraid he’d press her for answers, and followed him up the ladder.