The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

intensified. How could she leave if she couldn’t see? How could she work her meager acres without her sight? Who would love her, a blind spinster with burn scars hampering her grasp and her walk?
    Still she clung to the tools, binding father and son together.
    “Vareena!” Marcus and Robb cried.
    She couldn’t see them. The staff and the knife continued to vibrate, continued to bind her to her ghosts. She sensed Ackerly and Powwell lifting free of the confines of their half-existence. Sensed their spirits joining, melding, leaving her behind.
    Their joy flooded her. “Take me with you,” she whispered. “Take me away from the hurts of this life, from the weight of my duty and responsibility.”
    “Not yet, Vareena. You have too much life to live and love to give.” Marcus eased the staff from her hands. “I’ll help you heal. I’ll take care of you, if you let me.”
    She heard the wooden staff land on the stone floor with a clatter. The knife followed, its blade shattering.
    Robb lifted her free of the staircase. Both magicians held her close, crooning soothing words. Each loving her in his own way.
    “You’re safe now. The Rover women are coming to heal you.” Marcus kissed her temple, smoothing tangled hair out of her eyes.
    “Lord Andrall has pledged his protection of you and your acres.”
    “You are safe now.”
    She couldn’t tell which man spoke, only that they both took care of her as she had taken care of them and all the ghosts of this place. She leaned into Marcus, cherishing the strength of his arms supporting her.
    Thank you, Vareena. Thank you for your gift of love and
    healing, Powwell and Ackerly both whispered across her mind.
    She opened her eyes. Too much light still blazed around the edges of her vision. The gloaming lifted. She could see only a few dark figures at the center of the brightness. But she could see.
    She saw a tiny hedgehog scuttle away from the staff under her skirts, seeking protection and love. She stooped to cradle it in her burned hands.
    Thorny, the creature announced his name to her.
    “I guess that makes you a magician after all,” Marcus said around a huge smile. “Powwell left you his staff and his familiar.”
    A gift of love and healing for a gift of love and healing. Powwell’s voice echoed around the library, spreading to the courtyard.
    The mist of Ackerly’s spell lifted from all around. The gold lay inert and uncharmed upon its shelves, ready and waiting to be put to use.