Shadows of Eternity

Chapter Six

I n the bright light of a new day, Leia chided herself for being so upset over the silly dream she’d had the day before. And yet … it hadn’t seemed like a dream at all. She had felt his gaze on her, a tangible thing, as real as the blankets that covered her. She told herself it was impossible, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had been there, in the village.

Rising, she pulled on her robe and padded into the kitchen. Maybe a cup of hot chocolate would settle her nerves. She added a double amount of cocoa and a half-dozen marshmallows, sat at the table, and sipped it slowly.

It didn’t help.

It hadn’t felt like a dream. She had heard the voices of the people around him, the laughter of the children, felt the warmth of the sun on her face, smelled cooking meat … She was going crazy, she thought. That was the only answer that made sense. Maybe it explained why her memories of the times they spent together were so hazy. Sometimes, after he kissed her good night, she felt like she was waking from a dream.

Like last night. She lifted a hand to her throat, though she had no idea why. She remembered his kiss, remembered his asking if he could see her this evening. As usual, it had never occurred to her to say no.

She was in danger of falling head-over-heels in love with him. she mused, as she got ready to go to work, yet she knew little about him. And she definitely needed to know more before things went any further. Much more.

“Sheesh!” she exclaimed, when she looked at the clock. It was Monday and she was going to be late for school.

Rohan showed up promptly at nine-thirty that night, looking gorgeous, as always. Tonight, he wore a dark blue shirt, black pants, and boots. His hair, long and as black as a raven’s wing, was pulled back and tied with a leather thong, accentuating the masculine beauty of his face.

“Where would you like to go tonight?” he asked.

Leia shrugged. “I don’t know. What would you like to do?”

His gaze moved over her, warm with appreciation. “Can’t you guess?”

She felt her cheeks flush. She had no doubt about what he’d like to do.

“Have you had dinner?” he asked.

“Of course. Who eats dinner this late?”

He shrugged. “I know a few people who do.”

“Are you one of them?”

“No, I had a bite earlier.”

“I could use a drink, though,” she said, grinning.

“Rough day at school?”

She laughed. “Not really. But bars and theaters are about the only things in town open this late.”

He took her to Bad Bob’s, a nightclub on the eastside that sold drinks, hamburgers, and pizza. They had live bands on Friday and Saturday nights, usually some up-and-coming country group. A juke box was available during the week.

After they were seated, Leia ordered a strawberry daiquiri. Rohan ordered his usual—a glass of red wine. As a rule, she wasn’t much of a drinker, but she had decided to try a different cocktail each time they went out.

“So, how was your day?” he asked.

“Hectic. Summer vacation starts Friday and the kids are so excited, it’s hard to get them to concentrate on their lessons.”

“You enjoy teaching?”

“I love it. Someday, I hope to be teaching my own kids.”

“Want a big family, do you?”

She nodded. “My brother is six years older than I am, so we didn’t have a lot in common growing up. He’s a stuntman now. I always wanted a sister, but … ” She shrugged. “My Mom couldn’t have any more kids after me. Do you have a big family?”

“No.” A shadow passed behind his eyes. “My parents died quite a while ago.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I had three brothers.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up unhappy memories.” She was glad when her drink arrived. Rohan seemed lost in the past, she thought, as she sipped her daquiri. She wondered what had happened to his family. They must have all died young, she thought.

A moment later, the jukebox came on.

“Shall we?” he asked.

She nodded, smiling at the thought of being in his arms again.

There were a few other couples on the dance floor, but she was hardly aware of them. There was only Rohan, his arms strong around her, his gaze caressing her, his eyes filled with secrets she yearned to know.

“How much longer will you be in town?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. The show is closing here on Friday.” The thought of his leaving hurt more than it should have.

“Oh. I guess you’ll be going with it when it moves on.”

He drew her closer. “Will you miss me?” he asked, his voice rough with an emotion she didn’t recognize.

“Very much.”

“Will you go with me when I leave?”

She looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise. “I don’t think so. We’ve only known each other a few days.”

“Change your mind.”

She wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to. But saying yes implied a commitment she wasn’t ready to make, not until she knew him better. A lot better. “I can’t.”

“Afraid of me?”

Afraid? Was she? A shiver ran down her spine when she recalled her dream. Maybe she was afraid.

“Leia.” Just her name, but there was a world of longing in it.

It was oh, so tempting. “Where are they going next?”

“Arizona.”

“I’ve never been there.”

“Bisbee is celebrating Old West Days. They’re having a pow wow. Our dance troupe has been invited to be part of the entertainment. It’s only for a few days.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“It would be more fun if you were with me.”

The song ended and he led her back to their table. “What is it?” he asked. “You look troubled.”

“I had a dream about you.”

“Oh?”

Haltingly, she told him about it. “It seemed so real, it was kinda scary.”

Shit! He knew exactly what she’d seen. How the hell had that happened? It should have been impossible. He had been thinking of his past, of her. She shouldn’t have been able to read his thoughts. Yet she obviously had. He could understand it if they had exchanged blood. Doing so would open a two-way link between them, but she had never tasted him. And then he frowned. How many other times had she caught a glimpse of his past?

“Rohan?”

“Dreams can’t hurt you.”

“But I could hear voices, smell roasting meat, feel the sun. I’ve never had a dream like that before.”

He shrugged. “I can’t explain it.” Another song came over the sound system. Hoping to distract her, he said, “Shall we?”

She melted into his arms, lost in the music, in his nearness.

Later, outside her door, he took her in his arms again. “Will you think about going to Arizona with me?”

“I guess so, but … ”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “Just think about it. It’s only for a few days.”

“All right.”

His gaze searched hers and then he claimed her lips with his in a long, searing kiss that made her forget everything but the feel of his arms around her, his mouth moving seductively over hers, evoking sensations she had never known before.

Rohan held her close, thinking he had never, in over three hundred years, known a woman like her. Had he thought less of her, he would have put it into her mind that she wanted to go with him, that she would do anything he asked. But, for some reason he didn’t quite understand, he wanted the decision to be hers, and hers alone.

“See you tomorrow night?” he asked.

“I can’t. I’m going to dinner at my friend, Janae’s, house.”

“I’ll miss you, my sweet Leia,” he murmured, and kissed her one more time.

She was smiling as she went inside and closed the door.