“You have no idea.”
“So, do you think it worked? Do you think it awakened the gazing crystal and that I’ll be able to scry now?”
“I don’t know,” he told her. “But if not, I won’t stop you from trying again.”
They both laughed and then she sat up, pushing her long hair out of her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I am too excited and need to know the answer right now. I can’t wait a moment longer.” She slid off the bed and her bare feet pitter-pattered across the floor. She hurried over to a table, picking up the gazing orb, and then heading back to him.
“Are you really going to try it? Right now?” He chuckled because she was so cute and so excited to learn. Most women he’d made love with wanted him to just lay there and talk after coupling. They didn’t want him to hurry away. But this woman was unique. She seemed to be all about business. Although it surprised him, it made his feelings for her even stronger. He sat up, scooching back on the bed.
“Well, yes, I was going to try it.” Her bright blue eyes flashed upward. “Why? Do you think it is insensitive to do it right now since we just made love? I mean, I suppose I could wait a little longer if you think I should.”
“Don’t wait on my behalf,” he answered with a chuckle. “I find your enthusiasm and your innocence refreshing.”
“I don’t think I’m innocent anymore after that!”
“Nay, I suppose that wasn’t the best word to use. Go ahead, Persimmon. I want you to try it.”
“All right, then.” A wide smile crossed her face. She held up the gazing orb in two hands. “What should I ask? Or should I just look into it and not ask anything at all?”
“You’re asking the wrong person, sweetheart. I don’t know the first thing about magic or magical beings and neither do I pretend to know. Just do whatever you feel in your heart is the right thing to do.”
“All right.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, seeming to think. Then she slowly released the air from her mouth. “I’ll try both ways,” she told him. First, she just looked into the orb, and when nothing happened, she moved her face closer, focusing hard on the ball. “I don’t think this way is working.”
“Then try asking a question,” he prompted her.
“All right, I will. Where can we find the thieves?” she asked aloud, staring once again at the gazing ball. After a few minutes and a couple more questions, the excited smile on her face disappeared and was replaced by a frown.
“It didn’t work?” he asked.
“Nay.” She shook her head, looking like she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry, Persimmon.” Stone stood up and walked over to get his clothes. “I really hoped that would work for you.”
“I was sure it would. Mayhap I did something wrong. Mayhap we should try it again?”
Stone dressed as he spoke. “As much as I’d like to stay right here and try it over and over again for the rest of the day, I’m afraid I can’t. Time is of the essence. I really need to hunt down Rancor and Filip before it is too late.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking at the ground and seeming like she hated herself right now. He didn’t understand it. She threw the orb down on the bed and got up and started dressing.
“Sorry for what? We both enjoyed ourselves, didn’t we? So it wasn’t a waste of time if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Nay, that’s not it, Stone.”
“Then why do you sound as if you’re being hard on yourself?” He pulled up his breeches and tied them.
“I’m sorry for failing. For letting you down.”
“Stop it!” He stopped dressing and walked over and pulled her back into his arms. She buried her face against his bare chest. “You could never let me down and I don’t want to hear you say that ever again. Do you understand?”
“I want to help you. Honest, I do. I want to be able to help my family and any of the people of Mura who need it as well. But it is just not working and I don’t know why.”
“You can’t save the world, Persimmon, and neither is it your job. Remember that.”
“But bad things are going to happen and I won’t be able to stop them.”
“Mayhap that is so. But did you ever think that it wasn’t your destiny to stop anything from happening?”
“What do you mean?” She sniffled and pulled out of his embrace.
“I mean, I have a job to do, and I suppose I was just looking for a fast and easy way to get to where I’m going. I never should have asked you to scry for me. I don’t mind hard work.”
“And I don’t mind going with you to help you attain your goal.”
“Nay,” he said firmly, stepping away and pulling a tunic over his head. The he pushed into his boots and ended by strapping on his weapon belt. “It is too dangerous and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“But I have magic,” she told him. “I’ll be protected by it. I’ve already used it to help us, and I won’t hesitate to do it once again.”
“I said no,” he told her, picking up his sword and sliding it into the scabbard. “Now stay here where you’ll be safe. I will see you later.” He kissed her once more, giving her a quick hug and then walked over and pulled open the door.
“Will you? Will you really return?” she asked, sounding like she was looking for validation.
He turned to see her standing there, looking so forlorn.
“Of course, I will, sweetheart. I always carry out my promises.”
“And what if you find the portal open? Then, what will you do? Will you go through it?”
