He nodded.
“Do you remember what he told her? The last time they danced?”
David pulled the memory from the recesses of his brain. Rhiannon had been as smiley that night as Autumn now. They’d been at the Deva Dances, a tradition that involved a lot of music, dancing, and mind-altering substances that distorted the memory, changing the colors, the timbre of her voice.
But he remembered the conversation. “‘As always, you dance likefire.’”
She smiled and spoke Rhiannon’s words: “‘Do you know how I know you lie?’”
David shook his head as Galadaine had done.
Her grin turned mischievous. “‘Even you cannot embrace fire.’”
With a lyrical trill of violin, the music exploded to life once more, and her smile grew.
Galadaine’s emotions filtered through the memories, opening doors to a deeper understanding of the relationship he’d had with Rhiannon. “He really cared for her, didn’t he?”
Autumn nodded. “They were the best of friends. Closer than siblings.”
“He killed her.”
Her fingers gripped his. “It doesn’t matter. Me and you are destined to be confidants.”
The crowd danced. The melody swelled while the flames of the bonfire licked the sky. David and Autumn stood still among them, eyes searching.
He tilted his head. “You don’t even know me.”
“Ido. They’ll say terrible things about you, David. They’ll accuse you of things you never did. But I see your mind, and you aregood. I’ll spend eternity proving it if I have to.”
Staring into those trusting eyes, golden with the light of the fire, David sensed not one shred of doubt or misgiving in her ecstatic emotions. “Why?”
“I mean to do things the right way this time. These people hear your name and assume you can’t be trusted. I’ll show them they’re wrong.”
“Maybe they aren’t wrong,” he said. “Maybe I’m exactly who they think I am.”
A murderer. A manipulator. Someone weak and pliable, who would always travel the path of least resistance.
She shook her head. “I don’t think even you know who you really are.”
“I’ve hurt people.”
“Not your fault.”
“I’ve torn families apart.”
Her golden eyes turned soft. “Your own family tore you apart.”
David released her and stepped back. How much had she seen inside his mind? He wanted to put a lock on his thoughts the same way he had his emotions. He knew how to control his feelings, but he didn’t know how to stop thinking.
All he ever did was think.
She pressed her lips together and motioned toward a less crowded area. “Take a moment. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
He allowed himself two breaths to stare deep into those golden eyes, letting memories of her ancestor wash through his mind.
I love you, brother. No matter your choices.
Run, Rhiannon! They’re coming!
