Мор - ученик смерти

           Besides,someofthemaidshadawayoflookingathimwhichcausedhimtothinkdistinctlyunwizardlythoughts.

           Truly,hethought,thewayofenlightenmentislikeuntohalfamileofbrokenglass.

           HeknockedonthedoorofKeli’ssuite.Amaidopenedit.

           ’Isyourmistressin?’hesaid,ashaughtilyashecouldmanage.

           Themaidputherhandtohermouth.Hershouldersshook.Hereyessparkled.Asoundlikeescapingsteamcreptbetweenherfingers.

           Ican’thelpit,Cutwellthought,Ijustseemtohavethisamazingeffectonwomen.

           ’Isitaman?’cameKeli’svoicefromwithin.Themaid’seyesglazedoverandshetiltedherhead,asifnotsureofwhatshehadheard.

           ’It’sme,Cutwell,’saidCutwell.

           ’Oh,that’sallright,then.Youcancomein.’

           Cutwellpushedpastthegirlandtriedtoignorethemuffledlaughterasthemaidfledtheroom.Ofcourse,everyoneknewawizarddidn’tneedachaperon.Itwasjustthetoneoftheprincess’s’Oh,that’sallrightthen’thatmadehimwritheinside.

           Keliwassittingatherdressingtable,brushingherhair.Veryfewmenintheworldeverfindoutwhataprincesswearsunderherdresses,andCutwelljoinedthemwithextremereluctancebutwithremarkableself-control.Onlythefranticbobbingofhisadam’sapplebetrayedhim.Therewasnodoubtaboutit,he’dbenogoodformagicfordays.

           Sheturnedandhecaughtawhiffoftalcumpowder.Forweeks,dammit,forweeks.

           ’Youlookabithot,Cutwell.Issomethingthematter?’

           ’Naarg.’

           ’I’msorry?’

           Heshookhimself.