Seer's Promise (Book 2 of The Seer Trilogy) - Excerpt Only

Seer's Promise - Excerpt (Chapter Three)

SEER'S HOPE (BOOK TWO OF THE SEER TRILOGY)

By Maree Anderson

CHAPTER THREE

Around midday Hope and Blayne ventured from their house, only to be greeted by a number of close friends and family. So much for keeping their plans private to minimize chances of provoking a huge fuss. Who'd let the kit out of the sack?

Hope did a quick scan of aureyas. Aha. Gotcha. "Did you have to tell them all what we were planning, Maya?"

She heard her blood-sister's sharply indrawn breath, and knit her brows in a frown. Maya better not try to deny it—

"Of course, I did, Hope. How would I be able to live with myself if—" She paused to snatch another shaky breath. "What if you can't come back to us? What if you have to stay there forever? There. I said it. Someone had to."

All Hope's irritation fled and she knuckled away a tear or two. "Would it help if I promised we'll come back?"

"Of course it wouldn't, sweetie-pie," Roban informed her, his tone syrup-sweet. He was one of the two men who'd Joined with Hope's good friend Treya. He was an incredibly talented musician, and made a point of never using one word when a sentence—or three—would do. "We know you're taking a huge risk," he said, "and we're very cross with you for thinking you could keep it to yourself."

She darted a quick probe at each of those assembled and read their surface thoughts. Okay, it wasn't as bad as she'd imagined. They all knew she was going to try to cross worlds to see her daughter. What most of them didn't realize, however, was that her objective was to bring Romana back to Dayamaria.

Clever, Maya! she thought at her friend.

"Huh?" she heard Maya say. And then her friend's voice sounded in her mind. Oh! Sorry, Hope, you startled me. What did you say? You know I'm not very good at this mind-talking thing. I always feel like I'm yelling inside my head.

You're doing fine. And thanks—a partial truth is easier to hide once the rumors start, right? Good call.

And it'll give you some respite from the elders, too. I can't imagine Fillip being too thrilled by the prospect of another of your potentially Sehani offspring running around.

Indeed.

"What Roban is trying to say in his clumsy way," Zavier was saying, "is we completely understand and we're behind you all the way. Family is the most important thing in the world. We're thrilled you feel you're finally strong enough to attempt this journey. But of course we're concerned about the risks, too. We're worried about you, Hope. We don't want to lose you."

She wasn't surprised by Zavier's fervor whenever he spoke of family. He and Roban had been in a long-term relationship and had never imagined they'd have children of their own. Then destiny had intervened. The two men had Joined with Treya, and adopted her infant son Hopian. Zavier's reserved, caring manner was a perfect foil for Roban's exuberant, sometimes thoughtless behavior. Both men adored the female third of their partnership. Their world revolved around Treya and her son. Family meant everything to Zavier.

 "If you hadn't interrupted me," Roban said, his tone just the slightest bit petulant, "that's exactly what I planned to say next."

"Of course you were, Roban, dear," Treya said.

Hope hid a grin as Roban allowed Treya to soothe his supposedly ruffled feathers. He was milking it for all he was worth.

Apparently next it was Johan's turn to say his piece. "I was very put out when I heard what you were planning, Hope. As your healer I thought about forbidding you to do this but I know you never listen to me unless it suits you." He heaved a sigh. "And I understand you need to try to help your daughter."