The Whisperer by Fiona McIntosh Page A

However, my instincts tell me that the Duke does not wish my son a long and happy life.’
    Pilo stared at her, his blue eyes darkening as he considered the Queen’s fears. ‘Do you question his loyalty, your majesty?’
    She had never admitted such a thing aloud but the man’s question deserved an equally direct response. ‘Not to Drestonia. But I don’t believe he’s as loyal to the family as he tries to appear. I am truly anxious.’
    Pilo’s gaze narrowed and Miralda felt the full weight of this unfathomable man’s stare. In truth he was such an unknown quantity. She realised she entrusted her most precious possession to this quiet man, who said little. However, Lute loved him and she had absolutely no complaint about his care for her son, whom he’d helped bring out of his shell. Lute had become a far more adventurous child since Pilo had come into his life.
    ‘I fear for Lute,’ she repeated.
    ‘Then I will take precautions, majesty.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Miralda replied, unsure of what else she could say to explain her seemingly irrational anxiety.
    ‘Perhaps you should come on the ride with us?’ he suggested. ‘You would enjoy it.’
    ‘Oh I know I’d enjoy being out riding with Lute and yourself but no! Definitely not with the Duke in tow. I’d struggle to keep my manners gracious around that man. Something about him brings out the worst in me. And I’d rather it was a pleasurable experience. I am uncomfortable with him being around Lute but at the same time I realise that my son must get to know Janko. The King has enormous admiration and regard for the man. And I respect that they are brothers. Family ties are important.’ She looked immediately embarrassed at her last words, glancing away.
    The servant frowned, clearly not understanding her sudden discomfort, and bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement as Lute returned with the news that cook had also made custard wafers, his favourite.
    ‘A huge tray is on the way up now,’ he said, ‘still warm!’
    ‘Lucky you, darling,’ she said and hugged him while looking over at Pilo, impressing upon the servant that this child was everything to her. Everything . And she needed to secure his safety, his throne.

5
    Tess stared incredulously at Griff. ‘You can hear my thoughts?’ she repeated, her tone suggesting she didn’t believe him.
    ‘Yes,’ he said, embarrassed. ‘Only the ones that you are so aware of that you…well, you force them out beyond your mind, I suppose.’ He’d kept the secret for years and now he’d spilled it twice in the same day to different people, both relative strangers, although he felt he could trust Tess. The silence stretched until he felt uncomfortable and was about to excuse himself when Tess surprised him.
    ‘I believe you,’ she said, her expression grave.
    ‘You do?’
    Tess nodded. ‘No-one else could know what you revealed. You had to be able to hear my thoughts to have that information about my sister.’ She looked shaken.
    Griff took a deep, relieved breath. ‘I’m sorry about your sister, Tess. I’m sorry that you’re alone.’
    ‘I have my creature friends,’ she replied sorrowfully but then brightened. ‘And now I have you. I don’t envy you that skill. It must be hard to live with.’
    Tess was the first person who had ever sympathised. His brothers thought he was the luckiest person alive to possess such a gift, while Tyren, he sensed, was plotting to find a way he could make use of it. His father had not wanted to talk about it, had even become angry the last time Griff had mentioned his talent. That had been many years ago. He had not discussed it withanyone since then—until today. He wanted to hug Tess for feeling sympathy. ‘That doesn’t even begin to cover it. There are times when I just want to run away, head for the forest and live alone.’
    ‘So you do know how I feel.’ She smiled. ‘Hearing others think. Hmmm, that must be truly awful. Is that why you hurried