The Golden Barbarian (Sedikhan #1)

Chapter 6

An hour later Tess heard the sound of horses’ hooves on flagstone and men’s voices even before she reached the front door, and Sacha was riding out of the stable as Tess reached the courtyard where thirty or so robed, mounted men were milling about. Galen, mounted on Selik, walked the horse over to her.

“You’re leaving too?” she asked, trying to keep the shock and disappointment from her voice. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t like farewells. I’m taking Said with me, but I asked Kalim to deliver a note to you later.”

“How kind.”

Galen muttered a curse. “I’m only traveling as far as the border. I didn’t like the report Kalim brought back from the hill tribes. Sacha’s going back to Tamrovia on my behalf, and I must assure him safe conduct through Tamar’s territory.”

“You have no need to make explanations. I’m not arguing with you. I shall be glad to be on my own again.” She lifted her chin. “I simply think it would have been courteous of you to tell me in person.”

“I said I have no use for farewells.”

“Nor for courtesy either.” Her voice was faintly tremulous, and she steadied it before she continued. “We all must do things we don’t like. Why else am I in Zalandan?”

“To plague and torment me? Very well, I was discourteous, but I had no wish to hurt you. Will you wish me good journey?”

“Certainly. Good and speedy journey, my lord.”

He hunched his shoulders as if buffeted by a cold wind. “It’s as well I’ll be traveling in desert country.” When she didn’t answer, he went on, “If you have need of anything, go to Kalim. He’ll be in charge during my absence.”

“I’m sure he’ll do very well. His arrogance almost equals your own.”

“Tess, dammit, this is for the best.” His dark eyes glittered in his taut face. “My patience is nearly gone. I need to be away from you for a time.”

“And, naturally, the decision is always yours. You make me feel like a chess piece moved across the board according to your own rules.” She gazed at him directly. “I think it’s time we started a new game, my lord.”

“Indeed?” He went still, and then recklessness suddenly flickered in his expression. “We’ll discuss it when I return in a week.”

She shook her head. “Impossible from Tamrovia. Why, it took us five days from the border to reach here.”

“But I had no strong incentive then.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “Now, I have every reason to hurry back.”

Heat tingled through her, and her lungs seemed to constrict. “You do?” she whispered.

“Oh yes.” His gaze held hers. “And do you know what that reason is?”

She was beginning to have an excellent idea. The tension with which she had become so familiar had returned, settling upon both of them like a sensual cloak. She realized with surprise that this was precisely the reaction she had wanted to stir in him. Perhaps Sacha was right, and she had wanted to prod the tiger. She swallowed, feeling the dark excitement envelop her as she looked at him. “I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“You’re damn right I am. Shall I put it in your own words?” He smiled. “I’m done with dithering.”

He and Sacha rode out of the courtyard then, the men following in loose formation. Her heart pounded, the exhilaration of the adventure to come making her almost dizzy with excitement.

She impulsively took a half-step forward and then stopped. She couldn’t go after him. He would only send her back. She had to wait for his return.

Dear Lord, how she hated to wait for anything!

Well, she must resign herself to it and find some occupation to make the time pass quickly.

She turned and ran up the steps into the palace and then through the corridors until she reached Viane’s chamber.

Viane was on the terrace, and looked up in surprise when Tess blew into her presence like a storm-driven leaf, cheeks ablaze, eyes sparkling.

“I’ve decided that we’ve been entirely too lax in our efforts with Alexander and Roxanne,” Tess announced as she marched toward the aviary. “It’s time we set our minds to teaching them their duties.”

“Why can’t you understand? I tell you I wish to speak to your—” Tess looked beyond the woman servant who had opened the door to see Yusef coming down the steps to the foyer. “Never mind. There he is.” She brushed by the protesting woman and rushed over to Yusef, who appeared to be frozen on the third step. “I’m glad you’re here. I couldn’t seem to make her understand that I had to come in and speak to you. I was sure I’d have to—”

“Majira!” His open mouth shut with a snap. “I cannot blame her. Virtuous women do not pay visits to men in Zalandan.”

“Not only in Zalandan. Women are surrounded by iron bars and silly rules wherever they live.” She waved a dismissing hand. “No matter, I’ve learned to escape most of them. One absolutely must be determined and persevere.”

“I…see.” Yusef waved the servant away and descended the last three steps. His alarmed gaze searched the hall behind her. “Dear God, where is your escort?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I had no need of guards to come to visit you.”

“No?” Yusef asked weakly. “I may have need of guards if the majiron hears you’ve paid me a visit without them. It’s not fitting for—”

“You sound just like Said.” Tess made a face. “Sweet Mary, I’m beginning to detest that word. I refuse to encumber myself with a covey of roosters clucking around me.”

The suspicion of a smile broke through the shock and disapproval on Yusef’s face. “I believe roosters crow, not cluck.”

“The distinction is of no importance. You haven’t asked me why I’m here.”

“Terror struck me dumb.”

She chuckled.

Yusef merely shook his head.

“You seem somewhat perturbed, so I’ll get straight to my reason for visiting you,” Tess said. “I wish to use your roof.”

“What?”

“I noticed when Galen and I visited Kalim that this house is very tall. Its roof is higher than any in town. I need it to launch Alexander.”

“Alexander?”

“My homing pigeon. Well, he’s not that yet, but he will be when I’ve finished training him properly. Viane and I actually have two, but it seems Roxanne is regrettably lacking in natural instinct, so we’ve had to concentrate on Alex—”

He said quickly, “You cannot come here. It would not be fitting.”

“You mean I must find another house? Oh dear, I’m sure I won’t be able to find another roof this suitable, and it will be most awkward going from house to house asking strangers if—”

“No!” Yusef interrupted. “You cannot do—” He stopped as he saw her determined expression and gave a deep sigh. “How long would you need to use the roof?”

She brightened. “Oh, not long, I’m sure. Perhaps only a few days, if I came every afternoon.”

“And when the majiron returns to the city, you must immediately cease your visits.”

She nodded. “I’m sure Alexander will be clever enough to learn the trick of it long before the week is out.”

“I hope so,” Yusef sighed again. “I can send the servants away to avoid gossip and only hope no one else notices you.” He glanced at her red hair blazing in the sunlight streaming into the foyer. “Though that’s probably too much to ask.”

“I’m sure everything will go splendidly.” She smiled at him. “I do thank you, Yusef. I knew I could count on your help.” She moved briskly toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow just after noon.”

Yusef nodded gloomily. “I’m afraid you will. I’ll be waiting, Majira.”

The sand in the dunes shifted, lifted, then swirled in the moonlight with eerie grace.

The desert seemed empty, but that impression might be wrong. Galen gazed out into the darkness.

“Do you think Tamar’s out there?”

Galen turned to see Sacha strolling toward him from the encampment. “Probably, we’re on his territory.”

“Will he pose a problem?”

“Not unless the whim takes him.” He shrugged. “I’ve posted many sentries tonight. After we cross the border into Tamrovia tomorrow, there won’t be any danger.”

“Except total exhaustion.” Sacha’s brows were lifted as he looked at Galen. “I’ve never seen you push the men so hard as on this journey.”

“I wanted to get you safely to the border. News travels fast among the tribes, and there was a chance Tamar might have guessed the reason for my marriage and decided to cause trouble.”

Sacha continued to look at him skeptically.

Galen shrugged. “Very well. So I’m restless and want to get back to Zalandan.” He turned and strode back toward his blanket by the fire. “I’ve been away too much these past months.”

A smile tugged at Sacha’s lips. “Ah, how fraught with responsibilities and the burden of state affairs is the life of a ruler.” Sacha dropped down on his blanket and curled up with his backside to the fire. “What a relief it is to me that I’m just a dissolute popinjay who does only what he wishes to do.”

Galen realized ruefully that Sacha knew why he wanted to return quickly. They had been too closely associated for too long. Sacha had to see that lust was driving him back to Tess. He wondered why he hadn’t answered him with the earthy bluntness that was common between them. Sacha knew Galen needed a woman frequently, and was probably aware that since he had reached Zalandan he hadn’t visited any of the kadines who usually serviced him.

It wasn’t only because of his desire not to heap shame upon Tess that he had not indulged, he told himself. He had also been busy. There had been no time to—

How long did it take a man to wrest his satisfaction from a willing woman? Merde , he was lying to himself as he had to both Tess and Sacha. He didn’t want a kadine . He only wanted Tess.

He had wanted her since that first night in the stable, and the fever had grown until he couldn’t look at her without his loins readying.

As he was readying now just thinking about her.

He muttered a curse and turned to face the fire.

The flames shone as brightly as Tess’s auburn locks. No, Tess’s hair shone with a deeper, softer fire.

He closed his eyes tightly, trying to push the thought of her from his mind. It would be different once he had bedded her. The hold she had on him would lessen, the lust fade, the tenderness—

He would not think about the tenderness she stirred, or the amusement she prompted. It was perfectly reasonable for him to be eager to be with her after only a few hours apart. She glowed with the joy of life, and naturally such joie de vivre would draw him to her. Still, it was best not to dwell on anything but his physical response. Lust could be satisfied. Lust could not hurt him.

The hell it couldn’t. Right now it was damnably uncomfortable, he thought grimly. However, the wait was almost over. When he returned to Zalandan, he would be able to satisfy the hunger he had kept at bay for almost a month.

He firmly locked away thoughts of Tess. Tomorrow he would start back to Zalandan, but it would be so long before he reached there…before he could be with Tess.…

Someone was following her!

Tess hastened her pace as she turned the corner. It was the time of the evening meal, and the streets of Zalandan were deserted. The entrances to the shops were dusky caverns on either side of the street. She shivered with apprehension.

She could have been wrong about the footsteps that slowed and quickened in tempo with her own. Why should anyone be following her? Her hand instinctively went to the golden pendant around her neck. She had discovered in the last few days that although Zalandan might have its share of scalawags, she could move about Without anyone bothering her. The pendant. She was sure it was responsible for her freedom. It was invisible armor enveloping her. Galen’s armor.

But Galen had been gone for three days. Perhaps the man following her was more interested in the gold of the necklace than the warning it sent out to—

“Stop!” The voice behind her was harsh, male, commanding.

Her heart leaped, and she broke into a run.

“Majira!”

The voice was familiar, she realized with relief. She turned to see a tall, robed figure stalking toward her. Kalim.

“Kalim, you frightened me. I didn’t expect—” She drew a trembling breath and drew herself up proudly as she saw his forbidding expression.

“You should not be wandering in the streets.”

“No harm has come to me.”

“I’m responsible for your safety—and your behavior—while the majiron is gone.” His lips tightened. “From now on you will not leave the palace.”

A flare of anger seared through her. “I will go where I wish.”

He smiled mirthlessly. “And you wish to go to the house of Yusef Benardon.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Merde , have you been spying on me, Kalim?”

“I have only been doing my duty to the majiron.” He paused. “It aroused my curiosity when the grooms at the stable said you hadn’t taken Pavda out since the majiron left the city.”

“So you followed me today.”

“For your own protection.” He inclined his head. “Naturally, I assumed you were on your way to a special shop or to the bazaar to buy trinkets.”

“Why would you assume that?”

“I should not, I realize, considering who you are. Western women seldom have innocent pleasures in mind when they leave the safety of their husband’s chamber.”

Her gaze narrowed on his face. “What do you mean?”

“I think you know.”

“Say it.”

He smiled crookedly. “Yusef is young and strong, a bull of a man. The ladies have always liked him.”

“Go on.”

“The Majiron is away, and Western women do not like to wait for their pleasures.”

“I believe you know very little about Western women,” she said hotly.

His smile faded. “Enough to know that I will not permit my friend to be dishonored in the eyes of the El Zalan. You will not go again to Yusef’s house.”

“I will go where I please.”

“Go again and you will find him dead.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“I cannot touch you without the majiron’ s permission, but otherwise my authority is absolute. I can dispose of Yusef.” He paused. “As I would any threat to the majiron .“

She shook her head dazedly. “Just because I visited him?”

“Because you’ve spent the past three afternoons alone with him. I admit you have been discreet, but if it continues, it will become known, and the majiron will suffer shame.”

“And a man dies to prevent that from happening?”

“Casual infidelity is not sanctioned here as it is in your own country.” His eyes glittered in his stern face. “And Galen will not tolerate it in you. He allows you much freedom, but he won’t allow you to take another man.”

She drew a trembling breath, trying to smother her fury. “You insult me.”

He gazed at her impassively.

“Would you believe me if I told you that I have not been unfaithful?”

“Lies come easily to Western women.”

“Impossible.” She threw up her hands. “I refuse to waste breath denying your foul accusations.” She turned on her heel and strode quickly up the street.

“You will not go back to Yusef’s house,” he called after her.

“I’ll do exactly as I choose.” She glared back at him over her shoulder. “I won’t allow you to interfere in my life, Kalim.”

“Visit him again and I’ll deliver his head to you in a basket.”

Stunned, she gazed at him, a shiver running down her spine. For the first time she believed he actually would carry out his threat. “You’re a savage without conscience.”

“At times.” He smiled. “But be warned that Galen taught me from boyhood. Compared to him when he is enraged, I’m quite tame.”

“Is he here?” Tess burst onto the terrace, her gaze searching the shadows beneath the pepper tree. “Did he come back?”

“An hour ago.” Viane’s delighted smile lit her face as she hurried out of the aviary. “It’s the third time, Tess.”

“And you fed him the grain?”

Viane nodded. “As soon as he perched beside Roxanne.”

“Only an hour?” Tess frowned. “He didn’t make very good time. I released him from Yusef’s roof over two hours ago. He must have been meandering.”

Viane laughed. “What difference does it make? I think it’s magical that he found his way home at all.”

“It’s instinct, not magic.” Tess shrugged. “But perhaps feeding the grain will help make him more eager. The Count said that was the secret of training them.” Another frown wrinkled her brow. “But I’m beginning to believe pigeons are very stupid. Yusef’s house is only an hour’s walk away. I almost made it on foot before he got here.”

“On foot?” Viane’s eyes widened. “You walked through the town? You know that is not fitting. I would never have—”

“I was quite safe.” Tess mentally cursed her unruly tongue. She hadn’t meant to let Viane know that she hadn’t ridden Pavda through the town. Viane was anxious enough that Tess moved about without Galen’s permission, and now she would fret. “The first time I rode Pavda to Yusef’s house, the jouncing seemed to upset Alexander. It took a terribly long time to quiet him before I felt I could release him.”

Viane shook her head. “Well, as long as you took the groom—”

“I think Alexander’s ready for a longer test,” Tess broke in quickly.

“What did you have in mind?” Viane asked warily. “Yusef’s house is almost at the city gates.”

“Then it’s clear we must go beyond the city gates,” Tess said lightly.

“No! It’s forbidden for the women of the household to go beyond the gates.”

“Galen often took me for rides outside the city.”

Viane frowned. “You know he wouldn’t permit you to go without him, even accompanied by a groom. We must be satisfied with Yusef’s house until Galen returns. Then perhaps we can persuade him—”

“Persuade?” Tess made a face. “It’s another word for plead, and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

“Galen has been very lenient with you. No other woman is permitted such freedom,” Viane said soberly. “You must understand it’s not usual for women to ride abroad with their men, much less alone. I’m sure Galen has been criticized for indulging you so.”

“He doesn’t appear to mind.”

“He’s accustomed to fighting battles,” Viane said. “Since my father died, he has tried to bring to Zalandan all that is good of the West. Many do not like to be driven from the old ways.”

“Like Kalim.”

“And me.”

“You?”

Viane nodded. “In that way Kalim and I are alike. I find the old ways have grace and reason.”

“It’s reasonable to be imprisoned in this chamber as you’ve penned in your birds?”

“Their pen is beautiful, and they will never know hunger.”

“Or freedom.”

Viane’s eyes were suddenly twinkling. “Alexander knows freedom whenever you loose him on the wind.”

“But even then we tie him to us with bribes of food so that he’ll return to his cage.” Tess shook her head. “If he wasn’t so stupid, he’d fly free and fend for himself.”

“But then you would have no messenger bird.”

“True.” Tess suddenly scowled as she remembered her last meeting with Kalim. “You’re not at all like Kalim. He’s an uncivilized beast.”

Viane arched a delicate brow. “You seem upset with him. Has he done something to disturb you?”

Tess didn’t dare tell about her confrontation with Kalim. “I just don’t like him,” she said weakly.

“He appears surly at times, but he has his reasons. He grew up in one of the wild border tribes, and has known nothing all his life but warfare and bloodshed.… He can be very kind when he wishes.”

“But not the least amusing. He’s all frowns and boring lectures and duty.” Tess gave her a sidelong glance. “Sacha would not bore you.”

Viane flushed and glanced away. “No, I doubt if he would bore anyone.”

“And he can be kind.” Tess added in all fairness, “When it occurs to him.”

“You know him better than I.”

“And he’s handsome. All the ladies think Sacha is wondrously handsome.”

“Very handsome.” Viane moved across the terrace to the balustrade and looked out over the city to the hills beyond. “Why are we speaking of Sacha, Tess?”

“Because he is fond of you.”

“I know.”

“And you are fond of him.”

“He stirs me.” Viane’s hands tightened on the stone balustrade. “It is most unsettling.”

“You would be so much happier with Sacha than Kalim. He would give you freedom.”

“I have told you that freedom has little value for me.”

“But it should,” Tess said earnestly. “If you knew how wonderful it is to be—”

“I don’t wish to speak of this any longer. It disturbs me.”

Tess was sure she had made progress and was tempted to continue, but decided she had pushed enough for the time being. “Oh, very well. I only wish the best for you.”

Viane’s huge eyes glistened like polished onyx as she turned to look at Tess. “And I hope I have not hurt you by avoiding the conversation. I have come to care very much for you.”

“You have?” Tess asked, surprised. “I thought I might be too abrasive for you. I know I sometimes nudge you.”

“Nudge?” Viane chuckled as she shook her head. “Your ‘nudges’ resemble being pulled behind Selik at a full gallop.” She added quickly, “But I don’t mind. I’ve found life much more exciting since you’ve come to Zalandan.”

Tess couldn’t resist the opportunity to insinuate just one more idea. “Sacha is much more exciting than I’ve ever managed to be. Let me tell you—” She broke off and smiled sheepishly as she met Viane’s reproving stare. “Well, it’s true. I haven’t lived long enough to compete with Sacha, yet I do look forward to overtaking him shortly.” Her smile faded as she continued haltingly, “I haven’t had a woman for a friend before, but I consider you my—” She stopped and then went on with a rush. “That is…if you would like…if you wouldn’t mind being—”

“But of course we’re friends.” Viane smiled radiantly. “Friends and sisters. I knew as soon as I met you that it would be so.”

“How…clever of you.” Tess turned and stared out at the sun going down beyond the hills. Her throat ached, and she knew her voice sounded gruff. “I’m never certain about anyone or anything. I only hope.…” She cleared her throat and said briskly, “Now, about Alexander’s next journey.”

Viane frowned. “I thought we’d agreed it would be from Yusef’s house.”

“No, I believe we’ve imposed enough on Yusef.” She carefully avoided Viane’s gaze. “I’ve decided it might become awkward for him if we continue to use his house.”

“Awkward?”

Tess had a sudden gory vision of Yusef’s head in a wicker basket. “Extremely awkward…perhaps. I’ll send him a message tomorrow that we won’t be using his roof again.” She would also include a postscript that it might be wise for him to leave Zalandan until Galen returned. She glanced at Alexander on his perch in the aviary. “We’ll let him rest for a few days and then set him a harder task.”

“What task?” Viane asked warily. “And what place will we use if not Yusef’s house?”

“I’ll have to think about it,” Tess hedged. She had no intention of divulging her new plan at the moment. Viane could be very obstinate when her sense of propriety was offended. Tess intended to use the next two days to drop hints and information and bring Viane around. She looked to the horizon. From this distance she could not see the watchtower, but she had no need to see it. She could visualize it standing tall, strong, mysterious, beckoning to her as it had the first time she had seen it. “I’m sure something interesting will occur to me.”

Kalim met Galen just after he’d galloped through the city gates. “You made good time, Majiron.”

“Good enough.” Galen looked at the palace and felt a predictable quickening in his loins, quickly accompanied by a bewildering flicker of joy. Not yet. Control. Soon. “We rode hard. Is all well?”

Kalim didn’t answer as he nudged his horse into a walk beside Selik.

Galen stiffened and shot him a keen glance. “I take it all is not well?”

Kalim didn’t look at him. “Nothing of importance has occurred to the El Zalan.”

Galen’s gaze flew to the palace.

“Viane is also well.” Kalim added haltingly, “It is the majira.”

Galen’s heart lurched, and he muttered a curse. “Damn you. I told you to care for her. Is she ill?”

“Her health is excellent.” Kalim’s cheeks flushed as he gazed uneasily at the men surrounding them. “This is not the place.”

Galen kicked Selik into a trot that sent them ahead of the escort. He didn’t stop until he reached the courtyard of the palace. He reined in before the steps, slid from the saddle, and whirled to face Kalim. “Why must you have privacy for what you have to tell me?”

Kalim swallowed and said hoarsely, “I would not have you dishonored before them.”

Galen went still. “Dishonored?”

“The majira visited the house of Yusef Benardon three times this week and stayed a number of hours.” Kalim paused. “Alone.”

Galen felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. “You’re certain?”

Kalim nodded. “She went on foot and took no groom. I spoke to Yusef’s neighbors, and they say he sent his servants away while she spent the afternoons with him.” Kalim continued quickly, “They will not gossip. I told them I would put anyone to the sword who spoke of this shame.”

Shame. Galen felt a burst of primitive rage. Tess in Yusef’s bed, writhing on the cushions, Yusef above her.… The blood pounded in his veins. A red haze formed before his eyes. He valiantly tried to think clearly. “Sometimes things are not as they seem.”

“I confronted her, and she did not deny it. She was…bold.”

Yes, Tess would be bold. He could almost see her standing before Kalim, eyes flashing. “You confronted her?”

“I told her if she continued, her lover would have no head,” Kalim said fiercely. “It would have given me great pleasure to have destroyed him for you, Majiron.”

Galen carefully kept his voice level. “And did she continue to see him?”

Kalim shook his head. “His servant said Yusef received a message the next day and left the city immediately.”

“Bound for where?”

“To visit one of the hill tribes.” Kalim took a deep breath. “I thought it was over.”

Galen turned his face so that Kalim would not see his expression. “And it’s not?”

Kalim miserably shook his head. “The majira left the city shortly after noon today. I felt it was my duty to follow her.” He paused. “She went to the tower.”

Galen whirled to face him. “The tower?”

“I don’t think she could have known that a tryst there would add to your shame,” Kalim whispered. “She might not have been told.”

“If she didn’t know, Yusef certainly did.” Galen’s lips twisted. “Just as he knew how convenient the tower would be to reach from the hill encampment.”

Kalim’s eyes were bright with moisture. “Believe me, I did not want to tell you. I wanted to take care of it myself before you returned.”

“I know, Kalim.” On one level Galen was aware of how upset Kalim was, but he could not extend comfort now. His entire being was consumed with the effort to subdue the untamed anger writhing through him. He must think, reason, he couldn’t let himself uncage the wildness.

“What shall I do? Shall I go and bring her back?”

“No.” He turned and mounted Selik. “It’s no longer your concern, Kalim.”

“Let me go with you. Suppose Yusef is—”

“I hope he is.” Galen smiled chillingly. “Then I won’t have to seek him out.”

Kalim’s hands clenched into fists. “I knew the Western woman would bring trouble down on you.”

“I brought it on myself. I know how bored women can get. They must be kept under control.” Dear God, he sounded like his father. Well, why not? He felt like his father. Betrayed, angry, the blood lust rising within him. “I should have taken her with me.” He turned his horse. “Tell Viane I won’t return tonight.”

He galloped out of the courtyard and through the town toward the city gates.

He was not his father.

Yet the blood was there, the savagery was there .

Tess was not without honor.

She had found Yusef comely. She had laughed and joked with him .

She was still a child in many ways.

Yet in those days before he left, he had purposely teased her, primed her to take him into her bed. In the courtyard that last day she had challenged him. She had been ready for a man .

Any man?

Galen found his teeth clenching, his hands tightening on the reins.

He must maintain his composure. He would be calm and reasonable. He would give her the opportunity to explain.

Mother of God, he hoped he could keep himself from hurting her .

He rode through the gates and turned Selik toward the hills.

Tess lifted Alexander carefully from his cage. “All right, lad, we’ve done this before. Just set your mind to it.” She straightened, leaned far out the window, and tossed the pigeon into the air.

Alexander’s gray wings flapped wildly, the tiny bells affixed to his leg jingling merrily as he rose into the sky, wheeled gracefully in a circle…and headed west.

“Not that direction, you idiot,” Tess grumbled as she watched the bird fly away from the tower. “You’re flying toward Said Ababa. Who’ll feed you grain there?”

The pigeon soared blissfully away from both the tower…and Zalandan.

Tess leaned her elbow on the windowsill, chin in hand, and made a face at the swiftly retreating bird, quite definitely headed toward the border. “Very well, you’ll find out.” But Sweet Mary, there was no telling how long it would take the stupid bird to discover his error. In the meantime she’d have to stay at the tower in case he returned instead of winging his way home. Who could know? The dratted bird might become addled and never make it back to the palace.

She cast a speculative eye at the sunlight filtering into the room. She judged it would be at least another two hours before the sun set and Viane started to worry.

She would give the pesky bird until sundown to return. If he didn’t, she would set out then for the palace to see if he had come to his addled senses and flown back like a proper homing pigeon.

In the meantime this chamber in the tower was not a bad place to wait. The guardroom downstairs had been in total chaos, tables and chairs broken and overturned and every nook and cranny wreathed in cobwebs, but here in the tower room there were even touches of luxury. Evidently, the officers who had commanded this outpost liked their comfort. The wide bed across the room was encased in heavy blue velvet curtains to keep out the chill of the desert night; the blue-and-cream patterned carpet stretching over the stone floor was as thick and fine as the one in her chamber in the palace. No matter the luxurious quality of the furnishings, there was no denying the coat of dust and mildew layering everything, and if her judgment of Alexander’s intellect was correct, she might have a long wait. She had no intention of lying on that filthy bed or sitting on the stone floor until he came back.

Tess moved the large thronelike chair before the huge fireplace. She snatched up the mildewed cushions on the dusty chair and threw them carelessly on the hearth before taking off her cloak and draping it on the chair. She settled herself gingerly on the hard seat, leaned back, and sighed.

On the whole the tower had been a disappointment. She had found nothing mysterious or intriguing about the place, and certainly no reason why Galen had forbidden it to her. The only inhabitants were mice and spiders.

She was lying to herself, she realized impatiently. She knew very well why she had wanted to come here. The attraction had been not the tower itself but Galen’s reaction to it. She had hoped she would find some clue to a new aspect of Galen’s character. He was so guarded, he would yield little to her voluntarily. She knew when he returned, their relationship must change, and she had thought she would feel safer if she—

Safer? How odd that word had occurred to her. She had never been afraid of Galen. She had always been aware he could be a danger to those around him, but his control was so absolute, she was sure it could never falter.

Well, she had learned nothing about Galen from this tower. She would have to wait until he returned and probe the man himself. He should be back in Zalandan in two days’ time, three at the most, and the new game would begin. She stifled the tiny flutter of excitement that rippled through her. It was too unsettling to think of coupling with Galen. Instead, she would fasten her thoughts on that idiotic bird winging his way toward Said Ababa.

Dust motes danced on the narrow path of sunlight streaming through the long, narrow window into the chamber. The ride to the tower had been long and hot, but now the heat was abating. In truth, it was quite pleasant in this circular room, the sun bathing her face…

In the distance Galen could see the watchtower silhouetted against the blood-red setting sun. Pavda was tied to the tree that grew beside the brass-bracketed door.

One horse. She was alone in the tower.

It could be a mistake. Kalim could be wrong.

But Kalim would not lie to him.

She could have a purpose for being here.

Of course she had a purpose. Her lover had told her to meet him.

Rapunzel, let down your hair…

The narrow tower window was dark. Was she waiting for her lover to arrive before she lit the candle?

He could feel the shadows of the tower reach out with iron claws, dragging him into darkness.

He was a civilized man. He should think, he should try to search out reasons, delve into his soul for understanding.

Yet the closer he came to the tower, the more his thoughts became blurred. Time seemed to shift. The man he had become was lost. The wild, primitive boy he had been when he had last ridden this serpentine road toward the tower was found.

The flamelike rage licked at him, surrounded him, devoured him, became one with him…