Page 79 of Forbidden

“Nay,” Duncan said instantly. “She didn’t curse me.”

“You sound very certain.”

“I am.”

“Amber?” Erik asked softly.

“He is telling you the truth.”

Duncan smiled slightly as he smoothed a wisp of Amber’s golden hair back from her face.

“’Tis sweet to be championed by you,” Duncan said, smiling down at Amber. “Your faith in my honesty is humbling.”

“What she has is more certain than faith,” Erik said flatly. “Scrying truth by touch is Amber’s gift.”

“And curse,” she whispered.

“What do you mean?” Duncan asked.

“Just what I said,” Erik retorted. “If I question a man while Amber touches him, the truth is clear to her no matter what lies he may speak aloud.”

Duncan’s eyes widened, then narrowed thoughtfully. “A useful gift.”

“It is a sword with two edges,” Amber said. “Touching people is…uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

“Why does the moon shine less brightly than the sun?” she asked bitterly. “Why is the oak mightier than the birch? Why do geese cry out the coming of winter?”

“Why are you distressed?” Duncan countered, his voice gentle.

Amber looked away from him to the hounds gathered with eyes of fire around Erik’s feet.

“Amber?” Duncan asked softly.

“I—I’m afraid you will be put off by my—by what I am.”

He caressed Amber’s cheek with the backs of his fingers, turning her face toward him again.

“I told you once that I had a penchant for witches,” Duncan said. “Especially beautiful ones. You’re touching me now. Have I told you true?”

Amber’s breath caught as she looked into the smoldering hazel of Duncan’s eyes.

“You believe what you are telling me,” she whispered.

Duncan’s smile made Amber’s heart turn over with joy. He saw the change in her expression and bent down to her without realizing what he was doing.

“Erik is right,” Duncan said. “You burn.”

Erik came to his feet in a surge that scattered hounds left and right.

“It’s a pity you don’t remember your past,” Erik said distinctly. “It will make life a foretaste of hell for Amber.”

“For Amber?” Duncan said. “How so?”

“Do you think she will enjoy being your leman rather than your wife?”

“She isn’t my leman.”