The Golden Barbarian (17 page)

“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.”