StarMan (86 page)

But she did not want him there. She only wanted her son. Whatever love she had once borne him had either gone or been buried so deep that it might as well never have been.

She ran unfettered now, unfettered by pain or betrayal . . . or by her love for Axis.

When she rose Axis expected her to bound off into the forest as she always did.

But this day she did not.

Trembling so badly Axis thought her fragile legs would fold on her, the doe stepped back towards where he stood with the White Stag.

Behind him the Stag tensed . . . Axis could feel the entire forest tense.

She halted a pace away from him, and Axis realised he was trembling himself. Slowly, achingiy slowly, Axis raised a hand.

Her head wavered, and her dark eyes widened in alarm.

He froze, his hand half extended, his fingers reaching out in appeal. He thought his heart was thudding so loudly its beat would be enough in itself to frighten her away.

Her head jerked, her eyes white-rimmed with anxiety. Yet her nose continued to edge forward, almost unwillingly...so near that her warm breath lifted the hairs on the back of his hand.

Oh Stars, Axis thought, unable to breathe himself, she's so close! Another heartbeat and I'll be able to touch her.

But the instant before she nuzzled Axis' fingers the White Stag shifted slightly behind him, and his movement ' roke the spell.

With a startled gasp the doe gave a single great leap sideways, and the White Stag moved so that his body stood between her and Axis.

"Faraday!" Axis cried.

She paused, her eyes burning with unreadable emotion, then she turned and was away, bounding free through the forest, the White Stag at her shoulder.

Unfettered.