Magician's Touch (Deadly Touch book 3) Chapter 19: 19: Alone. Together.

Read chapter 19 of Magician's Touch (Deadly Touch book 3) by Deb E Howell on NovelPedia.

Braph pressed his fingers to the smooth bark, again mesmerized by the way the tree’s shimmer responded to his touch, appearing to ripple out and wash back. While pale blues and pinks dominated, the full rainbow made appearances, if one watched closely. The effect would be truly impressive beneath a night sky. Romantic, even. But that was several hours away. Besides, lights may be pretty, but of no value to Braph. “Whoa,” Orin murmured behind him obliterating any thoughts of romance. Orinia completed another circuit of the tree, her attention fully captured by the display, despite the continuing panic beyond the garden’s walls. A true island of calm. She appeared not to need to check where she placed her feet; her gaze remained fixed on the rippling branches above, her mouth open. As much a wonder to Braph as the tree appeared to her. “Ajnai,” she murmured, having only just learned the name herself. Braph was mildly curious at the fact Aenuks knew less about these trees than Quaven natives but, of course, no modern Aenuks would expect to come across an Ajnai in their lifetime. “None other quite like this, though.” Braph pressed his hand flat against the tree. The shimmer washed out from under his touch and back again repetitively, a heartbeat, as if repelled by his touch yet desperate to refill the void created. “Your daughter had this one planted. It is a memorial to your grandchildren.” Orinia winced each time Braph referred to her daughter. Even now, after he had assured her Llewella was once again free. He supposed there were some complexities when one had to choose between one’s children; not that Braph doubted for a minute Llewella held any sway versus himself and Orin. At the mention of her grandchildren she stopped and looked at him, unvoiced questions clear in that gaze. “Yes. My brother and Llewella nearly became parents, but sadly lost the children early on. The unborn Immortals are buried here, beneath this tree.” Braph had Orin’s attention now, too. “There are Ajnais in Turhmos, too, but they don’t shimmer like this. One can only imagine the power contained in this tree, what good it might do for the world.” For me , at least . He moved his hand, shifting the focal point of the ripples. Likely, to access that power he would have to drain it out, just like with an Aenuk or Immortal donor. Luckily, he had expected as much and come prepared. “Did they marry?” The inane question jolted Braph from his wonder. He shook off his musings and laughed. “No. My brother’s mission is to spread his oh-so-special seed far and wide.” He smirked at the revulsion on Orinia’s face. How he loved her for it. “Yes, Llewella got caught up in his apparent superiority. But she will learn.” He looked up into the rippling branches. “Along with everyone else.” Out of curiosity, he lifted his flesh hand from the bark, pulled the glove off his metal hand and pressed it to the tree. He had no sense of touch through that hand, of course, but it was very much a part of him. The tree’s rippling took on a frenetic rhythm. Yes, the tree had an awareness, and it didn’t seem to like him much. He pulled the metal hand back, looked to Orinia. As much as she had looked at the tree tonight, she had yet to place a hand on it. “Touch it,” he said. “It is family, after all.” She looked to him before tentatively reaching for it. Just before she touched, Orin leaned in with his hand bared, pressing splayed fingers firmly across its surface. “Ha!” he exclaimed at the lighting display he had set off; a quick pulsing. Orinia’s fingertips brushed the bark gently. She swept them back and forth lightly, initiating an array of lighting effects. Then she pressed her hand flat and a gentle pulse set in around her touch like a calm breathing, revealing the full spectrum of colors in turn, while further around the tree, where Orin touched, the dominant pinks and blues surged out and in and swirled, almost as if the tree were panicking. Orin pulled his hand back and knocked