The Shining Falcon

A corner of that perfect mouth turned up in a wry, cold little smile. «Did you think I'd trust you alone, girl?»

«But — "

«No. Come, you made your boasts! Clean the caftan, or learn to regret your lies.»

Maria turned away, clutching the caftan to her, heart pounding. She rummaged frantically about in her pouch-there was a sliver of soap in there. At least she could go through the motions of washing. But even a sorceress couldn't remove those sad stains. How could Maria ever hope to succeed?

At least she would go down fighting. Filled with a sort of desperate courage, Maria lowered the caftan into the water.

Lost in a fathomless sea of sleep, Finist stirred restlessly. Someone was touching him, touching his heart…

Deep within the forest, small green-eyed beings nudged each other and giggled softly, and the leshy stood staring at the scene his magic showed him, and began to laugh…

Maria froze, staring in disbelief at the caftan. She had only touched it to the water, and the dried bloodstains had simply melted away, leaving the silk shining and un- harmed.

Dazed, terrified and joyful in one, Maria turned to Ljuba. The sorceress was stunned, face blank with shock.

It lasted only a moment. Then the beautiful eyes went cold and flat as blue marble. «Why, well done, girl.» It was an urbane croon. «You shall be truly rewarded.»

Maria's heart gave a frightened leap. Rewarded—by death? Everyone in the realm knew the terms of Finist's spell: Only the woman who washed the caftan clean with her own hands would be able to wed him.

Only she and Ljuba knew the truth about what had just happened. If the sorceress let her live, no matter how far away she sent her, Ljuba would never be free of the fear of blackmail. And, as far as the sorceress was concerned, Maria was a nobody, a nameless peasant, quite expendable…

She doesn't dare let me live, Maria realized in horror. All she has to do is get rid of me, tell everyone she cleaned the caftan, and she can wed Finist and live happily ever after!

Ljuba raised an elegant brow. «I promised you a reward for cleaning the caftan. Come, name your price!»

Maria shivered, only too well aware of how easy it would be for Ljuba to see that she disappeared: an accidental fall down a palace stairway, a stumble off the edge of a parapet… Who'd notice the death of a peasant? Ljuba wouldn't even need to risk using magic.

«Come, girl, speak!» There was the faintest edge of menace to Ljuba's voice. «Name your reward!»

Akh, she couldn't seem to think straight. The only thing that came to mind was a thought of Finist—that if she could just reach Finist's side, all would be well—

«I only want this," said Maria boldly. «I've heard so much about our magical prince, how kind he is, how much he's done for everybody—well, now that he's sick, I want to do something for him. I want to spend the night at his bedside, try to heal him.» Seeing Ljuba's disbelieving gaze, she hurried on, «I've got some simple songs we use to soothe the sick children back home. Who knows? They might soothe him, too.»

Ljuba gave a short, contemptuous little laugh. «Is that really all you want? Are you sure you don't want to try to help yourself to some royal jewels as well?»

«Oh, no, lady!» Maria's indignation was genuine. «I said I wanted only to help the prince, and I meant it — "

She broke off abruptly, staring at Ljuba, who had become as alert and fierce as some deadly hunting cat. Now what—? Maria glanced down at her hands, and gasped. Those broad, coarse, convincingly peasant fingers were blurring, becoming more refined, returning to their true shape. Terrified, she remembered Vasili's warnings about the fragility of the disguise spell. Dear Lord! When the magic binding the caftan had unravelled at her touch, the disguise spell had begun to unravel as well! Maria stood, stunned, as the last of it dissolved, leaving her defenseless.

Ljuba's glance sharpened in recognition.

«You!» It was almost a scream of rage. «You didn't die in the forest!»

«Ah, no, I — "

«Don't try to talk your way out of this one, fool! Not now!»

Ljuba's eyes blazed with blue fire. «You've been the thorn in my side all along, but that's over. Now there aren't any forest demons to protect you. Now, Maria, you will die!»

Chapter XLVlll

The Lisunka's Egg

It was so soothing here in darkness, no fever-fire scorching mind and body. Here one could float in peace-fill, mindless sleep…

But something was wrong. Finist heard the faintest echo of sound, felt it stirring and prickling at his psychic senses… Someone was in peril, someone he loved… Maria!