Assassin's Quest (The Farseer Trilogy, #3)

by Robin Hobb

“Where he is, my queen, is but a bit of information, a spot on that map. But what he feels, and what he feels for you…that is what he breathes, and when we are together in the Skill, joined mind to mind, then I know such things, almost whether I would or no.” I recalled the other times I had been privy unwillingly to Verity’s feelings for his queen, and was glad the night hid my face from her. “Would this Skill were a thing I could learn….Do you know how often and how angry I have felt with you, solely because you could reach forth to the one I longed for, and know his mind and heart so easily? Jealousy is an ugly thing, and always I have tried to set it aside from me. But sometimes it seems so monstrously unfair that you are joined to him in such a way, and I am not.” It had never occurred to me that she might feel such a thing. Awkwardly, I pointed out, “The Skill is as much curse as it is gift. Or so it has been to me. Even if it were a thing I could gift you with, my lady, I do not know that is a thing one would do to a friend.” “To feel his presence and his love for even a moment, Fitz…for that I would accept any curse that rode with it. To know his touch again, in any form…can you imagine how I miss him?” “I think I can, my lady,” I said quietly. Molly. Like a hand gripping my heart. Chopping hard winter turnips on the tabletop. The knife was dull, she would ask Burrich to put an edge on it if he ever came in from the rain. He was cutting wood to take down to the vil...