CHAPTER 10Opening Doors
When Amadel was eight, she asked to be taught to read. Evnos taught her. The Prince had feared this thing, delaying it as long as possible; but inevitably she tired of being read to, and when she saw him reading by himself, she often watched with obvious fascination, sensing the power of words.
So, when she came to him one day with a book in her hands, piping cheerfully, “Show me how to read this, Father,” he could not refuse. Could he deny the wind? It was nothing he could prevent.
Still, he was afraid. Her mind was active. She learned so much so fast. One day she would be a woman, with full understanding. She would see through his half-truths. She would know what he had done. In the end, how would she regard him, with pity or with horror?
When the request was
