so long. She’d repressed it so easily when all she could think of was her grief over Lyanna. But now that had eased slightly, now her mind was more open and her mood that bit more positive, it was as if the One was trying to assert itself.
‘Will you stay with me? Help me?’ she asked, opening her eyes and clutching his arm.
‘Where else would I be but by your side?’
She felt a rush of love that swamped the pain for a moment. ‘All right. If you think I should.’
‘I do,’ he said, still stroking her hair. ‘But you must think so too.’
She nodded. It had to be now. The pain smashed around her head and she knew there was only one source of help. She closed her eyes again and spoke to them with her mind, hoping it would be enough.
Are you there? she asked, knowing her tone was unfriendly but with no desire for it to be otherwise. They should know from the outset that this was not forgiveness for what they had done but acceptance of what she carried. Myriell? Cleress? Are you there?
Erienne, we have been waiting. Always near but never within your mind. Cleress’s voice was like honey over a sore throat. It is a joy to hear you.
It is not a joy to be speaking to you but I must, said Erienne.
We understand that you still harbour anger and hatred, said Myriell. But please believe us that we just want to help you accept what you hold in your mind before it destroys you. And destroy you it will.
Don’t threaten me like that, said Erienne, the pounding in her head excruciating. I am not some child you can control with scare stories.
I am simply informing you of reality and nothing more, said Myriell. You are in pain, I take it?
I have never experienced anything like it, conceded Erienne. It has been with me for days but it is suddenly so intense I can barely see or stand. It had better not be inspired by you.
Oh, Erienne, how could you think that? We have never sought to cause you harm, admonished Cleress gently.
Erienne all but laughed as the bitterness showered through her. You killed my daughter. How much more harm do you think you can possibly do?
We so wanted Lyanna to live. But the One was killing her; I wish you would believe that.
And now I have the One whether I like it or not, don’t I? said Erienne, fighting back the throbbing agony a little longer. You didn’t feel the need to give me a choice. Your arrogance is that great.
Erienne, your daughter couldn’t contain the power because Dordover awoke it too early, said Cleress. You, being her mother and a Dordovan, were the only host capable of keeping it alive. Of keeping that part of Lyanna alive. And there was a battle going on. We had no time to discuss this and anyway you would have refused.
There was no hint of guilt in Cleress’s voice. No real regret. Just an assumption of necessity. Erienne knew she should have been enraged by them. But though she hated what they had done, at least she could feel that the One magic that resided in her mind had been nurtured and grown by Lyanna. Beautiful Lyanna. She felt tears on her face and Denser’s soothing hand on her brow and across her hair. He said nothing.
You have to take the pain away, she said. You have to.
We can, but for that you must let us into your mind all the way and you must accept that one of us will be with you always to guide you, said Cleress. We will be silent unless you ask something of us or if we believe your mind to be at risk. But you must know that once the process is started it cannot be stopped.
I don’t want any process to start. I just want the pain to go.
That is the beginning of the process, said Myriell.
So be it. But don’t push me where I don’t want to go. Don’t presume to control me or anything about me or I will fight you. Do nothing without my express agreement.
Both Al-Drechar laughed. Erienne, we know you well enough not to presume anything ever again.
It is no laughing matter, snapped Erienne.
No, it isn’t, said Myriell. Now, are you ready? Just relax your mind.
Begin, said Erienne.
And, with the most gentle of probing feelings, her pain vanished and she saw for the first