Everlasting

eve rla st ing iri s joh an sen

on e "t he re he is ! th at 's za ck dam on 's ca r! " wi th a nea rl y ina ud ibl e swo osh th e si lv er sh ad ow roll s royc e dre w to a halt bef ore th e au di to rium . ph ot og ra phe rs an d re po rt er s con ve rg ed on the car wi th an ea ge rn es s the y ha dn 't di spl ay ed for ei th er th e roc k star wh o ha d jus t go ne into th e lo bb y or for th e gov er no r, who wa s sti ll ling er ing ou ts id e to sh ak e han ds with hi s co ns tit uen ts. th e reac tio n of the pre ss was pe rf ec tly un de rs ta nd ab le , kir a ru bin of f th ough t as sh e ca re full y dre w th e hood of he r bl ac k ve lv et clo ak forwa rd to sh ad ow he r fac e. bot h th e st ar an d the poli tici an co ns ta ntl y mad e th ems elv es avai la ble to th e me di a, while zack dam on was al mo st as

publ icit y sh y as how ard hugh es had be en. pe rh aps war in es s of the me di a was a trai t sh ar ed by bi lli on ai re s in ame ri ca , wh er e as much att en tio n wa s pai d to se lf -m ad e ty co on s as it was to royal ty in eu ro pe . yet dam on was kno wn to be ex cep ti ona lly re clu siv e in th at el it e se t of the recl us iv e. th e on ly pu blic func ti ons he ha d att en de d th is yea r we re sel ect ed be ne fit s an d spe cia l fu nd -r ais er s for vario us ame ri ca n in di an wel fa re gro ups . by por ing over ne wsp ape r an d mag az ine arti cle s in th e ne w york publ ic lib ra ry refe re nc e roo m, kir a had le ar ne d a gr ea t deal ab out him, inc lud ing th e f act tha t h e' d be at te nd ing thi s b en ef it. th e damo n fou nd at io n was a spo ns or of th e in di an her it age cent er ; th e ce nte r ha d use d za ck dam on 's na me an d cl out to pull in the ga la xy of sta rs wh o we re to per for m to nig ht. as the doo r of th e rolls wa s be ing ope ne d by a unif orm ed cha uf fe ur , ki ra qu ickl y st eppe d ba ck int o the sh ado wy mout h of

th e all ey le ad ing to th e st ag e door . it wa s high ly un lik ely tha t dam on coul d spo t her ev en if he wer e lo ok ing for her . . . wh ich, mo st defi ni tel y, he wa s no t. afte r all, he di dn' t eve n kno w he r. still , it did n' t hur t to be cau tio us . in th is , he r fi rst glimp se of th e fle sh -an d- bl oo d ma n, sh e defi nit el y wa nt ed to s ee , y et r ema in u ns een .

po we r. the wo rd str uc k her li ke a blo w as sh e wa tch ed him ge t ou t of the ca r. qu iet , ef fort le ss pow er . she kn ew fro m the art icl es sh e' d read tha t he was in his th ir tie s, bu t he co ul d well hav e be en an y ag e. he wa s tall and br oad sh ou ld er ed . lo ng, sle ek mu scl es len t gr ac e to th e mo ve me nt s of hi s big body . by co nt ra st , hi s f ac e se em ed brut al: bl ac k br ow s s la sh ed ac ros s hi s fore he ad to fra me eye s as night bl ack as his hai r, an d bro ad sla vi c ch eek bo ne s ran par all el to a jawli ne th at wa s fir m an d dete rm ine d. tha t fac e, tha t co mpo se d, st ron g fac e reve ale d a man wh o ha d en du re d an d wa it ed , gath er ing ab ou t

him for ce s on ly he co uld co nt ro l. he wor e a bl ac k tux ed o with the cas ua lne ss of on e acc ust om ed to even ing wea r, but wh o was st ill imp at ien t wi th its ne ce ss ity . an d, she th ough t, he was han dli ng qu es tio ns from th e rep or te rs with much th e sa me att it ud e he dis pla ye d towa rd th e we ar ing of th e tux ed o: ac cu st ome d, but imp at ien t. ki ra li st ene d cl os el y, no t reall y in te re st ed in dam on' s an sw er s so mu ch as th e m ann er in whi ch h e g av e t he m. "yo u' re no t wi th ma llo ry th an e thi s ev en ing . doe s th at me an you r lia is on is ove r? " "i h av e no li ai so ns ." "i t was rep or te d th at sh e sta yed we ek end w ith y ou i n a ca pulc o. " "i h av e no li ai so ns ." blun t, i mpa ss iv e, s oft -s po ken .

the

"i s it tr ue th at th e air flo w me rg er is bei ng foug ht b y th e un io ns? " "yo u' ll h av e to a sk t hem ." "ar e you dam on? "

ha lf

or

qu ar te r

ap ach e,

mr.

"h al f. my gra nd fat he r wa s sh am an of hi s tr ib e. " "yo u' re a ls o ill egit ima te . r igh t?" th at que sti on obv iou sly struc k a ner ve . dam ons gaz e fast en ed on the repo rt er wh o' d aske d th e que sti on . th e man to ok a ha st y st ep bac kw ar d. yes , i' m bo th a ba st ard and a hal f- br ee d," he sai d so ftl y. "c on si de ri ng wh at i'v e ma de of mys el f, i'd say th at spe ak s well for bei ng bo th . and ju st wha t ha ve you mad e of your li fe to dat e, mr. ... " he loo ke d at the man 's pre ss ba dge. "c art er ?" th e rep or te r di dn 't an sw er . he ben t his

he ad ha st ily ove r his not eb oo k. kir a didn 't bl am e hi m for avoid ing dam on 's ch alle nging sta re. she was n' t su re she wo uld ha ve had the co ur ag e to lo ok damo n in the eye at tha t mo me nt. how unn er vi ng to ex pe ri enc e th e leth al swi ftn es s wi th whi ch he coul d cha nge from neut ra li ty to at ta ck . an ot he r rep or te r spo ke up. "you 'v e bee n fi ght ing for be tt er edu ca tio n and empl oy me nt opp or tu ni ti es for ind ia ns for th e la st twel ve years . th ough i'm sur e it 's ve ry la ud ab le , don 't you be lie ve tha t a lot of wha t the am er ic an in di an expe ri ence s to day is du e to res en tmen t of hi s sav age ry in th e pa st ?" "n o, " dam on re sp on de d qui etl y. "i t hink hi s pr es ent si tu at io n is due to the fac t th at he wa sn 't sa vag e e no ugh. " bu t he wo uld have bee n sav age eno ugh to ho ld wh at wa s his , kir a th ough t. she

sh iv er ed. oh lo rd, wha t ha d mar na go tt en he r i nt o? a sma ll, gra yi ng ma n wi th a wid e sm ile on hi s plump fac e had got ten ou t of the front se at of the roll s. he was als o dre ss ed in a tu xe do , an d he sp ok e as he st epp ed be tw een dam on and the repo rt ers . "mr . dam on will gi ve you a sta te me nt ab out hi s in vo lv em ent with th e in di an her it age ce nte r du ring the in te rmi ss io n. i'm afra id you 'll have to excus e him now . it' s time for h im t o go to h is bo x." he plo we d ahe ad, ru nni ng in te rf ere nce for dam on with th e me di a, fend ing que sti on s as fast as th ey we re fir ed. as th ey en te re d th e lob by th e cr owd cl os ed arou nd th em, hi din g d am on from ki ra 's v ie w. sh e dre w a deep br eat h an d tri ed to rela x th e mu scl es of her sho uld er s. until dam on ha d van ish ed from si ght , sh e ha dn 't re ali ze d how te ns e she 'd be co me whil e

ob se rvi ng him. ma yb e it wou ld ha ve bee n be tt er "t o be ard the li on in his de n" wi tho ut an y pri or kn owl ed ge of him. at le as t sh e wo ul dn' t ha ve be en ne rvo us . he av en s, how sill y sh e wa s bei ng. sh e' d be en de aling wit h po we rf ul peopl e sin ce sh e wa s a chil d, and sh ou ld n't be in timi da te d a t a ll b y z ac k d am on. b ut th en, sh e had nev er bee n a supplic an t be fore . be gging for help for th e fi rst tim e was bo un d to put bu tt er fli es in an yon e' s st om ac h, s he r ea ssu re d he rs el f. in a sw if t ges tur e of brav ado, sh e tos sed th e ho od of her clo ak bac k. a ma ss of ri oto us au bu rn cur ls tumb le d over her sh oul de rs. she ste ppe d qui ckl y ou t of the al le y an d wal ke d br is kl y dow n the str ee t to wh er e he r taxi wa s wa it ing. the ti me for hi din g in th e sha dow s was ove r. it was ti me for he r to act wi th her us ua l for th ri ghtn es s a nd t o ac co mpli sh h er ta sk. pe rr y ben tle y fi rmly clo se d the door of the

bo x, shut ting th e rep or te rs out . his gen ial sm ile vanis hing , he turn ed to his empl oy er an d sp ok e rap-" jans en cal le d on the ca r pho ne ju st aft er you got ou t. pr ince ss ru bin of f wa s in the cro wd in fron t of th is au di to rium ." dam on 's ga ze fl ew to be ntl ey 's fac e. "h er e? " "at the mo uth of the al le y. she was wea ring a bl ack ve lv et clo ak , ob vi ou sl y try ing to go un rec ogn iz ed ." " you 'r e s ur e? " "ja ns en foll ow ed he r fro m her hot el. he co uld n' t be mor e su re ." zac k tur ne d awa y to hi de his exp re ss io n from pe rr y, wh os e ey es rev eal ed una ba sh ed cur io si ty abou t th is sit ua ti on . it wo ul d tak e lit tle en cou ra ge me nt, zac k kn ew, to cau se pe rr y to unl ea sh th at cur io si ty in a barr age of qu es tio ns . per ry was n' t at all int imi da te d by him , as mo st oth er pe ople see me d to be , an d mo st of th e time za ck app re ci at ed tha t qu ali ty in hi s ass is ta nt as much as his lo yalt y. but not in thi s pa rt icul ar ma tt er . "h ow di d sh e get he re ?"

"a tax i. she had it wai tin g for her aro un d th e c or ne r f rom t he th ea te r. " "a taxi !" zac k mu tt er ed a bri ef , explici t cu rs e tha t cau se d per ry to li ft hi s bro ws in su rp ri se . "w ha t the hel l is her br oth er th inki ng of to le t he r go run ning arou nd th e w or ld wi tho ut s ecur it y? " "p ri nce ss rub ino ff has the bes t se cu ri ty th at mo ne y can bu y, " per ry remin de d him mil dl y. "b ut go od k ing st ef an d oe sn' t kn ow th at ." th e sa vag e to ne of voi ce zac k us ed ca us ed pe rry' s ey es to wi de n. he had n' t hea rd za ck sp ea k so har sh ly in the se ven ye ars he ha d bee n wo rk ing for him. zac k wa s us ual ly quit e so ft- sp ok en. the re was no ne ed for a man to rai se hi s voi ce wh en ev ery one wa s mo re t han eag er to l ist en. "h ow st upi d c an th e ma n b e? " z ack s na rle d.

pe rr y shr ugg ed . "i' ve hea rd he 's not the mo st enli ght ene d of mon ar ch s, bu t the n ta mr ovi a is so sm all , ma ybe he doe sn 't ha ve t o be ." "g et on th e pho ne and ca ll jans en bac k. i wa nt t o kn ow wh er e s he go es in th at ta xi. " pe rr y nod ded an d slipp ed out the door of th e b ox . th e hou sel ight s went d own ; a spo tligh t was th ro wn on th e velv et cur ta in at cen te r st ag e. za ck sat dow n in a plu shly pa dde d ch ai r in the rear of the bo x, his ey es fixe d un se eingl y on th e mas te r of ce re mo ni es, wh o w al ke d i nto t he s po t. wh y wa s ki ra her e? zac k wo nd er ed . she ha d be en on ly a fe w y ards f rom h im a nd h e ha dn 't ev en kn ow n it . afte r al l th es e years sh e had fin all y be en alm os t clo se en oug h to to uch . he co ul d ha ve cr os se d th e spa ce be tw een them in sec on ds . no, the sp ac e be tw een th em coul dn 't be mea su re d by

di st an ce s. eve n if he had cr os sed th os e few phy sica l yards , the y wo uld sti ll ha ve ha d a ve ry long way to tr ave l to me et on e an ot he r. he mu stn 't get ove re age r jus t wh en it was mo st impo rt an t to kee p co nt ro l. he kne w abo ut pa tie nce an d co nt ro l. even ts co uld be sh ap ed an d wo rld s co nqu er ed by a man wh o po ss es se d th os e tw o qu ali ti es . he dre w a deep bre at h an d co nce ntr at ed ha rd to reg ai n a sen se of pe ac e and tr anqu ilit y. it to ok lo ng er tha n us ual to acc ompl ish , bu t he had succ ee de d by t he t im e p er ry c am e b ac k t o t he bo x. "w ell? " h e a ske d hi s a ss is ta nt . "t he taxi is he adi ng no rt h on the san ta ca ta lin a hig hwa y tow ar d the sant a ca ta lin a mo unt ai ns. if her dest in at ion is the on e i th ink it is, sh e' s go ing to ha ve on e hell of a ta xi f are. " "m y lo dg e. " it was a sta te men t, not a qu es tio n.

pe rr y no dde d. "it ma ke s sens e. acc ord ing to the repo rt , she fl ew int o new yor k cit y fro m tam ro vi a yest er day aft er no on. sh e ma de one lo ng stop at th e new york pu blic lib ra ry an d th en hopp ed on an oth er pla ne. sh e arriv ed in tucs on to day , th e day you ju st happ ene d to be her e, sh ow ing up ou tri de thi s the at er . now sh e' s mak ing a be eli ne in the dir ec ti on of your lo dg e on mo unt lemm on. " he cas t zac k an inqu ir ing gla nce . "do th e secur it y gu ar ds at th e ga te hou se ha ve her on the ir li st for au to ma tic cl ea ra nc e?" "n o. " it ha d ne ve r oc cur re d to zack th at sh e mig ht ev er com e to him. "you 'll hav e to call se cu ri ty and set up cle ar an ce for he r. ha ve j ua na m ak e h er c om fo rt able unt il i ca n ge t th er e. te ll on e of our pe opl e to ch eck her out of he r hot el an d br ing he r lugg age to t he lo dg e. she 'll be sp end ing th e nigh t. " he wa s te mpte d to le av e no w and to hell

wi th the gal a, bu t he ha d pr om is ed hi s full supp or t of the eve nt to the pe opl e at the he ri ta ge ce nt er . he woul d st ay un til th e in te rmi ss io n was ove r an d th en have pe rr y help him sl ip ou t th ro ugh the st ag e en tr an ce. it wo uld n' t hu rt to let kir a wa it . wi th he r vol at ile temp er am ent she pr ob ab ly co uld n' t be ar to wai t for an yt hing o r an yon e, he gue ss ed . h er ne rve s wo uld be tune d to a fin e pi tch an d tha t wo uld be to hi s adva nt ag e. unli ke her , he ha d had to wa it for eve ryt hing he' d eve r wa nt ed . pe rr y wa s on ce agai n op en ing the door of th e box . "i 'm su rpr is ed her na me 's no t on you r cle ar an ce li st, " he said , cle ar ly puz zle d. "she 's bee n pro tec te d by you r se cu ri ty syst em al l th e tim e i' ve be en wo rk ing for y ou. " it 's bee n far lo nge r th an tha t, zac k th ough t, hi s expr es si on pas si ve as hi s ga ze fl ick ed id ly to the mu sic al ext rav aga nz a

no w tak ing plac e on th e st age. "t he re 's no re ason why sh e sh oul d be on th e list . we 'v e nev er met ." th e cor ne rs of hi s mou th tu rn ed up s ligh tly . " yet ." ge ttin g int o th is hou se had be en to o ea sy, ki ra real iz ed as the door of th e lib ra ry clo se d be hin d the in di an ho us ek eep er . bil lio na ir es had tight se cu ri ty and st rang er s, even titl ed str ange rs , si mpl y di dn' t wal k ri ght into th eir hom es . bu t she ha d. why , sh e ha dn' t even bee n aske d for id en ti fic at io n! bot h the gua rds at the ga te hou se and th e in di an ser van t wh o ha d op en ed the door ha d act ed as if th ey ex pe cte d he r. well , ma yb e th ey did, kir a th ough t. pe rh aps mar na ha d man ag ed to in vo ke on e of he r spell s to ma ke al l doors op en for ki ra. th at wa sn 't lik el y, how ev er, si nce mar na ha d pro blem s wi th ev en sho rt di st an ce s an d it wa s a ve ry long way fro m ta mr ovi a to ariz on a. no, kir a's visi t wa sn 't a su rp ri se .

or rat he r, a vi si t by a la dy was n' t a su rp ri se . kir a ha d lea rn ed from th os e fru st ra ti ngly sc an ty art icl es sh e' d re ad in th e lib ra ry tha t a lad y' s pre senc e in dam on 's hou se and be d wer e no t unu su al. a num be r of be auti ful an d wel l-k no wn wo men wer e rum or ed to ha ve be en hi s mi st re ss at vario us ti me s ove r the years . sh e di dn' t doub t ev en one of th os e rum or s no w tha t she ha d se en him . a raw sex ua li ty rad iat ed from him alo ng wi th hi s au ra of po we r, an d both of tho se fie rce , el emen ta l qu ali ti es in him had dis tu rb ed her . oh. de ar, it woul d be ju st her luck to inte rr upt a lo ve rs' ren de zv ous an d ha ve damo n tos s he r out bef ore sh e ev en ha d a ch anc e to ta lk to him. we ll, he 'd ju st hav e to wai t to ta ke mall or y wh at 's -he r- na me to bed . ki ra 's pro blem was a goo d dea l mor e imp or ta nt th an damo n' s imme di at e sexu al gr at if ic at io n. sh e mig ht co mf ort ab le,

as we ll ma ke her se lf she deci de d. the re was no

te lling ho w long it migh t be bef ore dam on sh ow ed up. sh e sh ru gge d ou t of the bl ac k ve lv et clo ak and tos se d it on th e long co uch befo re an op en fie ld st on e fire pla ce. sh e sm oot he d th e amb er chi ff on of her go wn wi th qui ck, tre mbli ng fi nge rs , th en re ali ze d how th e ge st ur e bet ra yed her ne rv ous ne ss , an d del ibe ra te ly st ill ed he r ha nd s. go od h ea ven s, s he w as ac ti ng a s if she we re dam on 's dat e for th e night in st ea d of tha t go rgeo us act re ss . wh y ha d she worn this go wn an yway ? ma yb e it wo uld have bee n be tt er to be co ol and bu si ne ssl ik e. sh e ha d in sti ncti ve ly arm ore d he rs el f for th e co ming int er vi ew in the onl y wa y she kn ew: by mak ing her se lf lo ok as al lu ring as pos si bl e. eno ugh men ha d to ld he r sh e wa s a tt ra ct iv e f or he r t o b eli ev e th at it wa s at le as t pa rt ia lly tru e. some of the m hadn 't ev en had an ythi ng to gai n by tel ling he r, so ma ybe . . . oh , wh at dif fer en ce did it ma ke ? sh e wa sn 't in some kin d of

co mpe tit ion . dam on eith er wou ld or wo uld no t d o wh at sh e w an te d. sh e se tt le d he rs el f co mf ort ab ly on the co uch and gaz ed around the room, se arc hing for a cl ue to th e per so na lit y and ch ar ac te r of the man wh o us ed it . th e co nt empo ra ry fu rn itu re was al l in ear th co lo rs —b ro wn s, be ige s, an d ru st s. th e li ne s we re cl ea n an d co mf ort ab le ye t au st er e. no clu es the re . the pain ting s on th e wall s al so to ld her lit tle . th e work s of el gr ec o, de la cr oi x, tit ian , rus se ll, an d re min gto n hung sid e by sid e. damo n evi de ntl y ha d var ie d an d def in it e ta ste s. th e pa int ing ove r th e fir epl ac e, hung in a pos it io n of pr om inen ce, coul d be pr es ume d to be a fav ori te of dam on 's . pe rhap s it rev eal ed som eth ing o f th e m an . sh e got up to re ad th e titl e on the fra me . song of the tal king wir e by hen ry farn y. it wa s a st rong , lo ne ly pict ur e dep icti ng an in di an who wa s no long er you ng, sta nd ing

by a tel epho ne pol e in a des ola te we st er n la nd sc ape . he had be en hun ting and hi s ki ll was drape d over a hor se st an di ng wi th as much dig nit y as the ind ia n man . the re wa s a we ar in es s as we ll as a st reng th abo ut th e ol d in di an . th e wea rin es s co uld have be en the res ult of the hunt or the be wil de ri ng encr oach men t of whi te ma n' s ci vil iz at io n, rep re se nt ed by the tel epho ne pol e a ga in st whic h he wa s le an ing. ha d damo n, li vi ng in a worl d of two cult ur es , fel t tha t sam e con fl ict? if he ha d, he ob vio usl y ha d re sol ve d th e co nf lic t. th er e ha d bee n no thi ng disco ur ag ed or be wil de re d ab out the ma n wh o ha d st eppe d out of tha t rol ls ton ight. he wa s th e mo st con fi de nt an d awar e man she had ev er see n. sh e sigh ed . th e mys te ry of zack dam on co uld n' t be sol ve d by stu dy ing th is pa int ing. sh e fel t a twing e of di sapp oin tmen t as sh e sat bac k dow n on th e co uch an d curl ed up in th e co rn er . sh e ha d alw ay s found th at un de rs ta nd ing mad e

ev en the mos t in tim id at ing pe opl e more app ro acha bl e, but the re wa s no refl ecti on of any hum an foi bl es in damo n' s su rr oun ding s. th e room wa s as much of an en igma as th e man him sel f. sh e woul d ju st ha ve to wa it unt il dam on hi ms elf app ea re d on th e sce ne an d th en pl ay it by ins tinc t al on e. sh e we ar il y ru bb ed th e ten se musc le s in th e ba ck of her nec k. she had be en tr ave ling con sta ntl y and sl eepi ng ve ry lit tle du ri ng the la st fe w days. he r vi ta li ty wa s usu all y so gre at th at fl yi ng didn 't faze he r. it wa s onl y be ca us e he r ne rv es ha d be en st re tch ed to the br eak ing poi nt tha t sh e ha d bee n una bl e to overc om e je t la g. he r ner ves wer e sti ll tau t an d sh e wa s gr ow ing mo re hy pe r wi th ev ery pa ss ing mo men t. sh e had to try to rel ax or she wo uld be in no con di ti on to fac e damo n wh en he fin all y arri ve d. sh e clo se d her ey es and force d her se lf to take deep , st ea dy bre ath s. th er e, tha t wa s be tt er . sh e

co uld feel the sl igh te st eb bin g of te ns io n. if sh e co uld kee p it up , per hap s sh e wo ul d be rela xe d and ref res he d wh en th e tim e ca me to f ace za ck dam on . ki ra was asl eep . of al l the st at es in whi ch he had im agi ne d he might enco unt er her , sl eep ing wa sn 't one . sh e wa s cu rl ed up , he r he ad pi llo we d o n t he arm of th e co uch , he r ha ir spl ay ed in a fi er y ma ss agai nst the be ige vel ve t o f th e c ush io ns. he sto od loo ki ng down at her and fel t an odd tigh tne ss in hi s th ro at. sh e see me d in fin it ely sm all an d vu lne ra bl e at thi s mo men t. when sh e was a wa ke s he ex ud ed a vi ta li ty and vi vac io usn es s th at was inc an de sc ent , ma ki ng her ap pe ar la rg er , st rong er . bu t now her lip s wer e pi nk an d cr umple d lo ok ing, th ei r loo k of sen si ti vi ty en han ce d by be ing slig htl y par te d. he r no se was sm al l, her ch ee kbo ne s high; he r tr ia ngul ar fac e wa s mor e fascina tin g tha n pr et ty . wh en she wa s aw ak e he r feat ur es

we re mob il e and co ns ta ntl y al igh t with la ught er an d joi e de vivr e, but now sl eep re vea le d a cu ri ou s helpl es sn es s ab ou t he r. he 'd be tt er enj oy tha t helple ss ne ss whi le he coul d, he th ough t, am us ed . wh en sh e li ft ed tho se lon g las he s, her sapphi re eye s wo uld hol d ch all eng e, no t vu lne ra bil it y, an d her bonel es s gr ac e wo ul d be tran sfor me d int o a soft cur vac eo usn es s th at co uld rais e a res pon se in a man to riv al th e he at of an a ri zo na s umm er . he wo uld no t wa ke he r. th er e was no hu rr y. he fel t a dee p co nte ntm ent at th e si ght of her , rela xe d an d ab and on ed in th is roo m, in hi s h om e. h e m ov ed sw if tly to t he ea sy cha ir acr oss from th e couc h an d sat dow n. he had no nee d to draw con trol an d pa ti ence to him no w. sh e wa s her e. he wo uld si t an d wa tch her while sh e slep t. hi s w ai ting ga me w as a lm os t a t an en d.

tw o

ho w co uld she have bel ie ve d tha t his dark ey es we re en igma tic , ki ra wo nd er ed. the y we re ge ntl e an d wi se an d so de ep th at she fe lt los t in them . no, no t lo st . he woul d ne ve r le t he r be lo st . he kne w exa ctl y wh er e he was and hi s pla ce in the sch eme of thing s. if sh e clun g to him ti ghtl y, she co uld ne ve r be los t aga in . he ha d a be au ti ful mo ut h too. she hadn 't no ti ce d ho w well sha pe d it was wh en she had fir st se en him . th e faint es t smil e cu rv ed th os e lips. "g ood ev ening, or per hap s i sho uld say goo d mo rn ing? it 's al mo st th re e o'c lo ck, you kn ow ." sh e lo ok ed aroun d for a clo ck and wa s imm ed iat el y struc k by th e st ran gen es s of he r sur rou nd ing s. oh , lor d! she bo lt ed upr ight , sw ingin g her leg s to th e floo r. "i 'm sor ry. i di dn 't me an to go to sl eep ." sh e bru sh ed un rul y curl s away from he r ch eek s, sayi ng impul si ve ly , "i have n' t had

much re st in the las t few days and ... " she dre w a deep br eat h. th is was ridi culo us . sh e was act ing lik e a fright en ed chil d. sh e st rai ght ene d wi th roy al di gni ty and li ft ed he r ch in. "h ow do you do, mr. damo n. i' m pr inc es s k ir a ru bin of f." "yo u' ll for gi ve me if i don 't sta nd an d bow , pr in ce ss rub in of f, " zac k dam on said in a ligh tly te asi ng ton e, "bu t i'v e ha d a rat he r ti ri ng day my se lf ." he st re tc he d his lo ng leg s ou t be for e him. he ha d tak en off his bl ack tie and unb utt on ed the coll ar of hi s sh ir t but was sti ll dre sse d in th e tu xed o he ha d wor n at th e ga la . "i assu re you i had no in ten ti on o f c omm itt ing l es e m aje st y. " sh e mad e a fac e. sh e' d pr ob abl y so un de d as st if f-n eck ed as st ef an , she th oug ht ru ef ull y. "in sult thi s roy al per so n in tha t wa y all you pl ea se . i' m afra id th at wh ene ve r i get flu st er ed , i fall bac k on th os e po mpo us ma nn er s dri lle d in to me fro m bir th . pl ea se ca ll me kir a. eve ryon e

doe s. " she smil ed . "b es id es, eco no mic all y sp ea king , you 'r e far mo re roya l th an i'll ev er be. i hav e a wa rdr obe all ow anc e, bu t lit tle el se . ste fa n kee ps me a vi rtu al pa uper ." he lif te d a brow . "r eall y? i had no idea ta mr ovi a was so po ve rt y- st ric ken . is the purp os e of y our v is it to e nli st for ei gn a id? " "fo rei gn ai d . . . wel l, ye s. in a fu nny way, i gu es s th at is wh y i' m he re ." her sm ile fad ed and he r ga ze narr owe d th oug htf ully . "yo u kno w who i am. i wo uld n't ha ve th ough t you woul d. the re are so man y pr inc es se s ru nning around eur ope th es e day s." "b ut you 'r e an ex cep ti ona lly ne ws wo rt hy pr inc es s. it isn 't eve ry prin ce ss wh o dan ce s in rom e' s t re vi f ount ai n at m id nigh t." "i wa sn 't dan cing in it, " sh e sai d in dig nan tly . "t he papa raz zi mis rep re se nt ed th e ep is od e. actu all y, whe n i to ss ed my

co in in the foun ta in i was so fu ri ou s tha t i ma de a hor ribl y bl oo dth ir st y wi sh ag ai ns t som eo ne who wa s an no yi ng me at th e ti me. then i had se co nd th ough ts and de ci de d he di dn' t rea ll y dese rve su ch puni shm ent ." "s o you tri ed to get you r coi n bac k and un do th e c ur se? " "w ell , i di dn 't wa nt to ta ke chan ce s. you ne ve r ca n tell wha t wor ks and wha t doe sn 't ." "n o? " t he re wa s a gli nt o f a mu sem ent in hi s ey es. "we re you als o try in g to und o a cur se wh en you pu she d th e sp an ish pre ten de r to th e t hr on e o ff th e d oc k a t co rfu? " "h m-m . it see me d an ef fec ti ve wa y to get hi s pud gy han ds off my body an d keep th em off . he app ea re d to be in ten t on add in g thi s pr ince ss 's sc alp to hi s be lt. " sh e cl os ed her ey es. "oh, dea r, i sho uld n' t ha ve said th at , sho uld i? i didn 't me an to

ca st asp er si on s on your ind ia n he ri ta ge . so much f or t he f or ei gn a id. " she h ea rd a deep chuc kle and he r eye s flic ke d op en . "th an k he av en y ou ha ve a s ens e o f hum or ," "i 'm seri ou s ab out my he ri ta ge, not fan at ic. " he smil ed fai ntly . "you 'd be a mo st des ir able pr iz e wh eth er you wer e a pr inc es s or no t. i can 't say i li ke the li te ra l im ag e of you r sca lp dangli ng from a wa rri or' s be lt, th ough ." ki ra felt oddly bre athl es s. th er e was som eth ing . . . she br eat he d dee ply . "i ass ur e you tha t jose woul dn 't have wa nt ed th e sc alp— or an yt hing els e— if i didn 't ha ve th e ti tle. i didn 't real iz e tha t my es ca pa de s ha d be en so well pu blic iz ed in th e sta te s. " she shr ugge d. "m ayb e it' s be ca us e i we nt to co lleg e he re . wel l, al l of th at bu sin es s with foun ta in s and dock s to ok pla ce wh en i was much you nge r. i'm no t s o imp uls iv e a ny mo re ."

"i 'm gla d ol d ag e has temp er ed you ," he sai d solem nly . "you 'r e how ol d no w? tw ent y- tw o o r tw ent y- th re e? " "t we nty -t hr ee ," she said , frow ning. "you r ne ws pape rs s ee m t o b e ve ry in fo rm at iv e. " "n ot rea ll y. th er e was ac tu all y very lit tle re ga rding you r ba ck gr oun d. you' re pr inc es s kir a ru bin of f, your par ent s are de ad, an d you' re und er th e gua rd ia ns hip of you r brot he r, ki ng ste fa n of tam rov ia . you ha ve ano th er bro th er , lanc e, who li ve s in se dikh an an d is an ext rem ely gi ft ed art is t. i h ave a f ew of hi s pa int ing s, b y th e w ay ." "i sn 't he wo nd er fu l? he pain te d a few po rt ra it s of me wh en i wa s a chi ld , but ha sn 't us ed me as a su bj ect si nc e th en. he say s he' s wa it ing unt il i' ve se t. ' " she wr in kle d he r no se . "ma ke s me so un d ab out as a ppe al ing a s wa te ry j ell-o ." "yo u se em to be quit e fon d of him. " hi s ey es na rrow ed . "w hy didn 't you as k him

for h elp? i un de rsta nd h e' s v ery w ell o ff." "h e' s cl os el y lin ke d to al ex be n raschi d, th e rul er of sedi kh an. i can 't in vo lv e se dikh an in my pro bl ems aga in . the las t ti me i nea rl y ca us ed a dipl om at ic inc id ent . i' m try ing to kee p th e kno wl ed ge of th is me ss from ev ery one in sedi kh an. " sh e ni bble d at he r lo we r lip. "it 's not en tir el y a fi na nci al pr obl em. th at wa sn 't wha t i me an t." "t hi s so un ds int rig uing ," he sa id sl owl y. "or it woul d if i ha d an y id ea wha t you we re tal king abou t. supp os e you cl ar ify ma tt er s by te lling me ju st why you' ve de ci de d to pay me a vi si t at thi s unu su al ho ur ." "w eil , i co uld n' t be sur e of bei ng ab le to co nt act you at any oth er ti me or pl ac e. i fi gu re d si nc e you we re in tucs on , you' d st ay a day or tw o to co nd uct bu sin es s. " she ge stu re d vague ly . "you ha ve go ld mining

in te re st s o r s om eth ing h er e, d on 't you ?" he wo nd er ed wha t the board memb er s of th e gig ant ic sh am an coppe r co mpa ny wo uld say to such an offh an d ref ere nce . "or s om eth ing. it seem s y ou 'v e d on e a lit tle re sea rch o n m y hum ble e nt er pr is es ." sh e ga ve a dis ti nctl y unl ad ylik e sn ort at th at bla tan t und er sta te men t. "i lo ok ed you up i n th e l ib ra ry. i h ad t o fi nd s om e w ay o f tr acki ng you down. you 'r e an elu si ve ma n, mr . d amo n. an d ma rn a w as n o help at al l. " he we nt s ti ll. " ma rna ?" sh e gav e a si gh of rel ie f. "yo u remem be r ma rn a? i was afr aid you 'd forgo tt en he r, an d th at wo uld ha ve blo wn eve ryt hin g. it' s be en so m an y y ears ." "n o. i re me mb er ma rn a de bu k v ery w ell. " "s he sai d you wo uld , but the n sh e cla mme d up on me. " she ran he r fi ng er s dis tr act ed ly

th ro ugh he r curl s. "i' ve se en her be ma dde ningl y insc ru ta ble wi th ot he r pe ople , b ut n ev er w ith me ." th er e was hu rt as well as bew ild er me nt in he r exp re ss io n an d zac k ha d a su dde n impul se to cro ss th e sp ac e bet we en th em an d tak e her in hi s arm s to co mf or t her . hi s han ds on the arms of th e cha ir tig hte ne d u ntil hi s k nuckl es sh ow ed wh it e. no t y et . "s he lov es y ou very muc h. i' m su re if s he th ough t i t b es t t o— " sh e impa ti entl y hel d up he r han d. "i kno w. i kn ow . it 's jus t th at i'm so wor rie d abo ut he r. i nee d al l th e help i ca n get , an d sh e pic ks a tim e lik e th is to bec ome my st er io us ." "i thi nk you 'd be ginn ing. "

be tt er

sta rt

at

th e

"am i bei ng inco he re nt?" sh e gr ima ce d. "i t' s one of my wor st fault s. ve rba l ch ao s. "

sh e bit he r low er lip . "t he be gin ning. i don 't ha ve any ide a ho w mu ch you alr ea dy kn ow . bl as t m ar na , an yw ay ." "t he be ginn ing, " h e r ep ea te d so ftl y. "w ell , you do kno w ma rn a is a gyp sy and a me mbe r of one of the lar ge st tr ib es in ta mr ovi a. it' s a lo ng-e st ab li she d cu st om for a me mbe r of her tri be to ser ve in the roy al ho us eh old in each gen er at io n. ma rn a be ca me my nu rs em ai d when i was bor n an d has be en wi th me eve r si nce ." her ex pr es si on soften ed . "m y par ent s an d st ef an nev er had mu ch time for me and la nce was in se dik ha n, so th er e wa s reall y on ly ma rn a. she wa s ever yth ing i ne ed ed or wa nte d. " "t ha t' s q ui te a n ac co la de ." "s he 's qui te a wo ma n." une as y, ki ra he si ta te d. quit e an unus ual wom an . she ha s ce rt ai n . .. "

"p ow er s, " h e s ugg es te d s oft ly . he r bre at h ca me out in a li ttl e ru sh . "you kn ow ab ou t t ha t?" "i kn ow th at she tol d me sh e co uld work sp ells and som eti me s se e wh at oth er s coul d no t. " "an d y ou b el ie ve d h er ?" "m y gra nd fat he r wa s a sh am an and i sp ent a go od deal of my ch ild ho od alo ne wi th him in th e hil ls. i k no w t ha t p ow er ex is ts ." "t ha t si mpli fi es thing s a bit . i co uld see my se lf qui te fu ti lel y tr ying to expl ain ab out ma ma 's pow ers. well, any wa y, my br oth er st ef an i s a b it of a chi tk a. "

"c hit ka ?" "s orry . it' s a tam rov ia n wo rd. it me an s fool or id io t. st ef an dec id ed when i was six te en th at i sho ul d ma ke a ma rri ag e of sta te , an d

he tos se d me to th e li on s, or rath er to the ti tle hu nte rs . he force d me int o co nt ac t wi th ev ery he ad of st ate and po we rful ty co on in th e w or ld ." "n ot e ve ry ty co on ," zac k co rre ct ed qu ie tly . "i f you ha dn 't bee n hi ding in th e mo unt ai ns pl ay in g ho wa rd hugh es , i ca n ass ur e you tha t you woul d hav e toppe d st ef an' s lis t. ste fan wa s very de te rm in ed ." he r l ips tig hte ne d. "b ut s o w as i. " "h enc e, th e co rfu doc k i nci de nt? " sh e nod ded . "m ar na and i ma na ge d very wel l at firs t. som eti me s it wa s al mo st am us ing. th en, las t ye ar, st efa n got imp at ien t wi th the ga me and deci de d to en d it . he impr is on ed marn a to pr es su re me to g iv e i n." "ra th er a dras ti c so lut io n. don 't you ha ve a ha be as c or pus la w i n t am ro vi a?"

sh e sho ok her hea d. "i t' s an ab sol ute mo na rc hy . ste fa n cla ime d sh e was aid ing me by cas tin g ha rmf ul spell s on pr os pec tiv e su ito rs. " he li ft ed a br ow. "a nd w as s he? " sh e shr ugg ed . "no thi ng very impo rt an t. ma yb e a min or ras h no w an d then ." she br is tl ed . " an d th ey des er ved i t. " "i 'm su re t he y d id ." "w ell , na tu ra lly i co uld n' t ju st lea ve her in pr is on . cl anc y don ah ue , chi ef of secur it y of sed ik ha n, an d i br ok e her out and sm uggle d he r acr oss th e borde r to se dikh an ." "i 'v e he ar d of don ah ue. i onc e tri ed to hi re him as h ea d o f my s ecu ri ty f orc e. " sh e sho ok her hea d. "c la ncy wo ul d nev er le av e al ex b en r asc hi d o r s ed ik ha n. "

"i found th at ou t. pit y. he 's a rem ar kabl e ma n. go on . i ga th er you r tr ou ble s wer en 't ove r wh en y ou r each ed s ed ik ha n. " "t he y sho ul d hav e be en , bu t mar na was mi se ra bl y unh appy in se dikh an . sh e ha s ve ry cl os e tie s to he r trib e and she mi ss ed he r pe opl e. so i went bac k an d tri ed to pa cif y st ef an. " "p ac if y? " all humo r van ish ed from hi s face . ho w?" "i thou ght if i was pl ea sa nt to som e of the me n st efa n w an te d m e— " "pl ea sa nt ." the wor d was raz or sha rp . "is th at a euph emi sm for s le eping wit h th em? " he r eyes wid en ed wit h su rp ri se . "of co ur se no t. i tol d you, th os e kind s of men reall y we re in te re st ed onl y in my titl e. i'm no t ex actl y a s ex sy mb ol , y ou kn ow ." sh e ho ne stl y be li ev ed wha t sh e sai d, zack

re aliz ed . sh e did n' t kn ow tha t her ex tra ordi na ry vit al ity al one wa s a sexu al dra w. "i' m afra id i forg ot ," he dra wl ed whil e wo nd er ing how a wo ma n in he r po si tio n coul d have rem ai ne d so dam ne d na iv e. "w ell , it is n' t impo rt an t. it didn 't work ou t an yway . i' m no t very doc ile and thin gs ha ppen ed . . . " he was su re he wo ul d be fasc in at ed to kn ow ab ou t tho se "t hi ngs ," but at the mo men t he nee de d to get her to the cr ux of th e st ory. "an d? " "i ret ur ne d to se dikh an to wai t for st ef an' s te rnp er to cool. i was go ing to try ag ai n, bu t marn a wa s impa tie nt. she wan te d to se e he r peop le, if onl y for a vi sit . so i sm uggle d he r bac k ac ros s the bor der int o ta mr ovi a. " "q ui te a b us y bo rde r. "

"i t' s no t amu sing . ste fan had me n wa iti ng at the gyp sy ca mp when we go t the re ." sh e fro wn ed . "i don 't kno w how he kn ew tha t we 'd be the re . no one in se dik ha n wou ld ha ve b et ra yed u s. " "s o m ar na is i n p ri so n ag ai n? " "s he 's und er gua rd in an apa rt men t clo se to min e at th e pa la ce. st ef an tho ught it wo uld be more diff ic ult for me to bri be the pal ac e gu ar ds. " sh e adde d dryl y, "n ot tha t i wo uld ha ve h ad t he mo ne y t o d o it ." "s o t ha t' s t he p re se nt s it ua ti on? " sh e he si ta te d. "th at 's not qui te al l of it. ab out six mon ths ag o st ef an appo int ed a ne w advi se r, san do r kar pa th an. i thin k he migh t be man ipu la ting st ef an by pit ting us al l agai nst each ot he r to fu rth er his own en ds ." "w hy do you thi nk t ha t? "

"i don 't kn ow . he 's alw ay s very pol it e and ch ar ming . it 's jus t tha t the re 's som eth ing —" "w om an 's in tuit io n?" "w om an 's ju dg men t," sh e cor rec te d. "b es id es , ma rn a doe sn 't t rus t hi m." "ah , the fin al con de mna ti on ." he hel d up hi s ha nd as she op ene d he r lips to pr ot es t. "i 'm not moc king you or mar na , ki ra. i be lie ve in in st inct s. i'v e rel ie d on my in sti nct s all of my lif e. is kar pa tha n th e pr incip al r easo n f or th is su dd en ur ge ncy ?" sh e no dde d. "i was ne ar ly fra nt ic. he fri ght ens me . i di dn' t kn ow wh at to do. th en ma rn a sen t for me and to ld me ab out you ." hi s stil lne ss to ok on cha rg ed "re al ly? wh at d id sh e t ell you? "

ten sio n.

"n ot

cro ssl y.

nea rly

eno ugh, "

sh e

sai d

"onl y tha t when you we re a boy in your te en s you tra vel ed with her trib e on e su mme r. she said sh e' d me t you when sh e' d le ft th e pa la ce and gon e bac k to th e ca ravan to nur se he r mo th er for a few mo nth s. i und er st an d sh e' s kept tra ck of you th ro ugh the yea rs, sh e feel s str ongly th at if any on e can ge t her ou t of tam rov ia , it will be you . she sai d you an d a ma n na me d ni ck o'b ri en we nt in to said ab ab a ri ght aft er the revolu ti on and free d som e of you r emplo ye es who we re being he ld ho st ag e. is th at ri ght? " he no dde d. "bu t a wa r tor n cou ntr y is a go od deal eas ie r to ma nipu la te tha n a st ab le go ve rn me nt l ik e ta mr ovi a. " he r eyes wer e sud denl y wid e wit h fea r. "do es tha t mea n you won 't— " she st opped . "s he sen t you a me ss age. i have no ide a wh at it mea ns , bu t she sa id you woul d. she sai d t o te ll y ou i t w as t he

ti me o f t he mo nd ava ." hi s hea rt sk ipp ed a be at and then st ar te d to pou nd so hard he fel t a littl e di zz y. he ha d to str ug gle to keep his face ex pr es si on le ss . "mo nd ava is a tam ro via n wo rd. i lea rne d onl y a lit tle tamr ov ian th at su mme r. you sh oul d kno w bet te r th an i wh at i t m ea ns ." "i t m ea ns 't he bo nd ing .' " he sho ok hi s he ad . "n ot qu ite . in ma ma 's di alec t it me an s th e 'fo rev er bo nd ing ' or th e ' ev erl as ting bo nd ing .' " he r eye s lit wi th su dd en int er es t. "you do kn ow wha t s he wa s tr ying t o te ll y ou. " "ye s, i kn ow. " sh e wa it ed eage rl y. then , when he f ai le d to el ab orat e, sh e gr ima ce d. "b ut you 'r e not go ing t o te ll m e e it he r, a re you ?"

"p er hap s if you wai t a littl e lo nge r, i won 't ha ve t o te ll y ou ." "da mn , now you' re be ing as cr yptic as ma rn a. i ha te to wai t. " she ju mpe d to he r fe et , wal ke d acro ss the roo m, an d st ood re stle ss ly bes id e the fir epl ac e. "i ca n' t bear dou ble -ta lk . it driv es me out of my mind . are y ou g oing to h elp m ar na o r no t? " "ju st wh at are you as ki ng of me? do you wa nt m on ey ?" "i don 't kn ow . i supp os e it will tak e mo ne y. you sh oul d kn ow bet te r tha n i, co ns id er ing you r expe ri en ce in said ab aba ." her ha nd clo se d tightl y on th e oak ed ge of th e mant el. "i want he r ou t of ta mr ovi a and sa fe, and i don' t wan t thi s to ha ppen e ver a ga in ." "h ow much do you re ally ca re? " he r voic e dropp ed to a whi spe r. "i ca re mo re abou t he r th an abou t any th ing in th e

wo rl d. i lo ve he r so v ery m uch. " he was si len t a mo me nt, his gaz e fi xed on he r fac e. "wh at did ma rna say to you whe n sh e s en t y ou t o me? " "s he said you wer e a dis ek , on e of the ex ce pti on al on es ." sh e he si ta te d an d the n add ed sl owl y, "s he sai d i sho ul d pu t my se lf in you r han ds , do wha te ve r was nec es sa ry to b ri ng y ou t o ta mr ovi a. " "an d j us t wha t d o y ou i nte nd to d o?" "e xac tly wha t sh e to ld me to do," she said si mply . hi s lips twi st ed . "you 'r e very me ek and ob edi ent al l of a su dde n. and you' re ma ki ng a t ot al co mmi tme nt. " "do n' t you thin k i kn ow tha t? i'm sc are d to de ath you 'r e goi ng to ask me to hi ja ck a pla ne or some thing . you' re a co mple te st rang er t o m e. "

"ye t you 'r e willing to obe y blin dly a wo ma n who has n' t se t eye s on me for ove r fi fte en y ears ." "i 'v e tr us te d ma rn a all my li fe . she wo uld n' t do an yt hin g to hur t me. i'v e go t to h ang on to t ha t c er ta in ty ." hi s ga ze forth righ tly met her s. "wh at you 'r e asking will be very diff ic ult. it will ta ke mon ey an d ti me. i have qu an tit ie s of th e form er and abs ol ut ely no ne of the la tt er . i' m in th e mi dd le of a me rg er . it ju st ma y go down the dra in if i neg lec t it du ri ng t hi s c ruc ial pe ri od ." he r lips dro ope d with di sa ppo int men t. "yo u' re n ot go ing t o he lp me ." "a faul ty co nclu si on, ki ra . i' m me re ly st re ssi ng he po int th at if i ma ke ce rt ai n sac ri fi ce s, i 'll ex pec t co mpen sa ti on ."

sh e sho ok her hea d. "i tol d you i don' t ha ve a ny m on ey ." "b ut you do h ave s om eth ing e ls e i wa nt ." th e titl e? you want to mar ry me an d ha ve a pr inc es s to add to your st at us ?" she fel t a su dd en jol t of dis app oi ntm ent. so me ho w sh e h ad n' t ex pe cte d su ch a sup er fi cia l re sp on se from dam on . "all ri ght , bu t i —" "n ot the damn ti tl e," he sai d har sh ly . "w hy th e hell do you think tha t' s al l th er e is to you? i don' t nee d to ma rry a pr ince ss to sh ow th e wor ld i' ve mad e it . j kno w i'v e ma de i t, an d th at 's all th at co unt s. " sh e sho ul d hav e re ali ze d. she woul d hav e re aliz ed it if sh e' d tho ught for a mom ent in st ea d of reac ting imme di at el y. "i' m sor ry. " sh e smil ed sh ak il y. "i see m to be

ap ol ogi zing a go od deal ton ight. me an to m ak e y ou a ng ry ."

i didn 't

"yo u didn 't ma ke me an gr y. 1 gue ss it wa s na tu ral for you to thin k tha t of me. " hi s ey es na rrow ed on her face . "i supp os e you r br oth er ste fan woul d co ns id er me bey on d th e pale as far as blo odl ine s go. i kno w no thi ng ab ou t my fath er , exc ept th at he wa s a whi te ma n. it wa s the on ly thin g my mo th er wo uld te ll my gr an df ath er ab ou t him ." "yo u' re pr ob ab ly righ t ab ou t st ef an, " sh e sai d frankl y. "i tol d you he was a chit ka . bu t you r mo ne y woul d en do w you with a ve ry to le ra bl e pat ina in hi s eye s. wh at di ffe renc e doe s it ma ke ? you sai d you di dn' t wa nt to m ar ry a pr ince ss an ywa y. " "ye s, i di d, di dn 't i?" he ros e to hi s fee t. "b ut i said no th ing abou t no t wa ntin g to ta ke ki ra ru bin of f to bed . do you th ink st ef an wo uld obje ct if you took me as a

lo ve r?" sh e gaz ed at him bl ankl y. "se x? " she did n' t kn ow how sh e got the wo rd out . he r th ro at ha d cl os ed an d she cou ld n't see m to ca tch he r brea th . "you wa nt to ha ve sex with me? " he sl owl y sho ok his he ad. "i want to be you r lo ver . i wan t to sle ep in the sam e be d you do; i want you to le t me ma ke lo ve to you wh ene ve r an d ho wev er i wish , for as lo ng a s it ple as es m e. " h is v oic e lo we re d to a vel ve t soft ne ss . "i bel ie ve i ca n gua ran tee it wil l pl ea se you as much as it will ple as e me. " she did n' t doubt it for a min ute . sex ua l magn et ism rad ia te d from za ck damo n in an al mo st visi bl e aura . she fe lt a la ngui d hea t beg in to fl ow th ro ugh he r at ju st th e tho ught of hi s int ima te to uch . "w hy ?" he sm ile d. "i don' t be li ev e a wom an ha s ev er ask ed me tha t qu es ti on wh en i ask ed

he r to go to bed wi th me . th e ans we r se em s se lf -e vid en t. ho weve r, i can ma ke it much cle ar er, if y ou l ik e." sh e mo is te ne d he r lo we r lip with her to ngu e. we 'v e jus t me t. i' m no t un att ra ct iv e, but i don' t exac tly ex ud e fe mi nin e all ur e, ei th er . you 'r e wi ll ing to je opa rd iz e a me rg er to go to be d with me ?" sh e sho ok her hea d in bew ild er me nt. "i don 't un de rs tan d th is ." his rare sm ile wi de ne d to wa rm his dark fac e. pe rh ap s i ha ve pecu lia r tas te s. you ha ppen to appe al to me very much, an d i can aff ord to le t th e me rg er s li de . y ou h ad no p ro bl em at all be lie vi ng i wo uld wa nt to ma rry you for st at us , and you agr ee d to tha t with out a se co nd tho ught . why are you ha ving a pr ob lem with th e id ea of bei ng my mi st re ss ? the pos it ion woul d be much mor e adv ant ag eou s for you . you 'd ha ve you r fre ed om and sti ll ge t wha t you wa nt fro m me ."

"i don 't kno w." she gaz ed at him , fro wn ing. "i th ink it 's be ca us e i th ough t i ha d some thing to offe r you in the titl e. th is is en ti rel y d if fer en t. " he r ha nd le ft t he ma nt el an d her fin ge rs rake d dis tra ct ed ly th ro ugh he r hai r. "lo ok, i don' t kn ow an yt hing abou t bei ng a mis tr es s. it is n' t ve ry sophi stic at ed of me to admi t it , but i' m a vir gi n. i don 't kn ow ho w to pl ea se you , dammi t. one ti me an d you 'd pr ob ab ly dro p m e l ik e a ho t po ta to ." "i doubt th at ." he su dd en ly chuc kle d, hi s dar k ey es danc ing. "un do ub te dl y i'd be ma gna nim ou s and giv e you a sec on d ch anc e. p ra ct ice ma ke s p er fe ct ." "yo u d on' t m ind —" "i don' t mi nd an yt hing bu t th is in fe ri or it y co mple x you appe ar to ha ve acq uir ed ." he ros e laz ily to his feet . "y ou ag re e to my te rm s. i a gr ee t o you rs . d eal ?" sh e n od ded . "i gu es s s o, b ut— "

"h ush . ne ve r quib ble afte r a de al is mad e. it 's very unp ro fe ssi on al. " he was wa lk ing to wa rd he r. "i d on' t kn ow much ab out d eal s a nd— " "i do." he wa s st an di ng bes id e he r and she fe lt su dd en ly sm all er and mor e wo ma nly th an sh e eve r had in her lif e. his war mt h wa s su rr ound ing he r and she co ul d cat ch th e scen t of soap and mus k an d som eth ing vagu el y woo dsy . "i 'm an expe rt on mak ing de als . i'l l tea ch you. th e fi rst thing you sh oul d kn ow is th e dif fer en ce bet we en a ta ke ove r an d a me rg er by mutu al con se nt. " hi s i nd ex f ing er to uch ed t he pu ls e po int on he r nec k. it rest ed lightl y, as if te st ing the po und ing of her hea rt. she fel t th e th ro bb ing go wil d ben ea th his to uch . sh e co uld te ll by th e sud de n fli ck er ing in his dar k eye s tha t he felt it too. "i' ve al wa ys pr ef er red me rg er s by mut ual con se nt. it ma ke s for a mu ch bet te r assi mila ti on of ass et s. "

hi s fi nge r was slig htl y uns te ad y on her fl es h. was she ha ving suc h an effe ct on him? it se em ed incr ed ib le, bu t th ey we re so cl os e sh e co ul d se e t he e rr atic t hr ob bin g in hi s te mple . " no w?" sh e whi spe re d. "w ha t wo uld you say if i said yes? " her ga ze met hi s ste adil y. "i don' t kno w ver y muc h ab out deal s, bu t i kn ow abou t mee ting ob li gat io ns to th e pe ople i love . you 'll be gi ving me far mo re th an i will be giv ing you . why sho ul d i obj ec t if you want to co llec t i n a dva nc e?" "i ca n see we 'r e goin g to hav e to do som eth ing ab ou t you r sen se of se lf -w or th ." hi s fing er mov ed from her th ro at to he r lip s an d sh e ex pe ri enc ed a bu rn ing se ns it iv ity t ha t st art le d h er . t he tip of hi s fi ng er gentl y sm oot he d th e fu llne ss of he r lo we r l ip an d th e s ame tin gling foll ow ed in it s wak e. he r lips felt sof t an d sw oll en. "yo u' re ri pe for a ta ke ove r, ki ra . if you don 't st ar t neg ot ia ting , we may bot h be

lo st ." "b ut you sa id —" "a pre lim ina ry f oray to se ek o ut we ak ne ss ." he r gaz e wa s cling ing helple ss ly to his . lo st . she ha d a fl ee tin g me mo ry of the co mple te trus t sh e ha d fe lt in him at he r fi rst mom ent of aw ak en ing. if he wer e los t wi th he r, she woul dn 't be afr aid , "za ck . . ." he clo se d hi s eyes . how ma ny ti me s had he im agi ne d he r say in g his nam e in jus t th at wa y? the sce nt of a ligh t flor al fragr an ce wa ft ed to him from tho se to us le d au bu rn cu rls . he knew ma rn a bl end ed a per fum e for kir a from ga rd en ia s an d th e ver y ligh te st touch of cinn amo n. but ho w coul d he ha ve gu es se d th e effe ct it wou ld ha ve on his sen se s? he' d be drun k an d diz zy wi th the sce nt of the pe rf ume an d of he r wh en he bur ie d hi s fac e in he r hai r and mo ve d ove r her to . . .h e bl oc ke d the

th ough t, bu t it was too lat e. hi s gr oi n wa s a sol id ac he of thr ob bi ng ne ed and his st om ac h was kn ot te d with te ns io n. sh e was he re an d wi lling . wh y n ot ? "z ack? " i t w as a pu zzl ed th re ad of s oun d. th e mon da va, dam mit . ma rna ha d se nt ki ra to him . she ha d exp ect ed him to ta ke he r. he kn ew tha t, ye t the re was som eth ing wr on g a bo ut ru sh ing h er t o b ed a s hi s b ody di ct at ed . no , no t wr ong, but no t ri ght , ei th er . an d it mu st be ve ry, v ery r ig ht. he op en ed hi s eye s an d th en wan te d to clo se them ag ai n. her blue ey es wer e mis tsof t and que stio ning an d he r lips we re sl ightl y par te d. he had nev er tas te d he r, ne ve r reall y touc he d he r, nev er th re ad ed hi s fi nge rs th ro ugh he r hai r an d pulle d he r he ad ba ck so her th ro at arch ed and he r br eas ts pr es se d ag ai ns t his che st . hi s gaz e dro ppe d to th e full sw ell of her br eas ts en ca se d in the am be r chi ffon. it wo uld

ta ke so lit tle to bru sh tha t veil of amb er asi de . sh e dre w a deep, qui ve ri ng br ea th an d her brea st s lif te d an d then fel l. he kn ew sh e wa s awa re of wha t he was th inki ng. sh e wo ul dn 't st op him. he wou ld ta ke his tim e and pl ea su re he r. he wo uld roll he r nipple s bet we en his thum b and for efi nge r. hi s lips wou ld pull gentl y and hi s t ong ue w ou ld — h ell! hi s fi nge r dropp ed from her lip s and he to ok a ste p bac kwa rd. "an tic ipa tio n, " he sai d thic kly . "it mak es th e pl ea su re in fin it ely sha rp er . i think we' ll ind ulg e in a few mo re prel imin ar y fora ys be fo re we co nclu de th e m er ge r. " sh e sh ou ld hav e bee n reli ev ed . he was a st ran ger . she di dn' t rea ll y wan t—y et , if sh e d idn 't r eal ly wa nt hi m, wh y wa s she exp er ie ncing such a sin k-i ng fee ling of disa ppo intm ent . . . as if so me lon g-a wa it ed pr es ent had be en

mo ve d sud denl y out of her re ach? he r lips st ill th ro bb ed wh er e he had to uch ed them an d he r brea st s fe lt as sen si ti ve an d sw oll en as if he had touc he d th em as we ll. it was cr az y. sh e ha d met att ra ct iv e me n be for e, yet ne ve r felt th is volca nic sen su al uphe av al. she tri ed to smi le, "w ha te ve r you say. it' s your deal ." "yes ." he turn ed aw ay abr uptl y an d cros se d to the des k. "i' ll ri ng for ju ana to sho w you to a gu est room for t he nigh t. " "i 'm ch eck ed in at th e h ilt on i n t ucs on ." he sm ile d. "n o pr ob lem . i' ll hav e som eo ne ch eck you out and pic k up you r bag s. by th e tim e you 'v e sh ow er ed an d had a ho t dri nk, th ey 'll ha ve del iv er ed them to your roo m. i w an t y ou h er e t onigh t. we 'i i be le av in g for tamr ov ia in the mo rn ing. " he r hea d lif te d sw if tl y. "w e will? you ca n man age to get aw ay tha t soo n? "

'y ou said you imm ed ia te ly ."

wa nt ed

ma rna

ou t

he pr es se d a bu tto n on the co ns ol e on the de sk. "i 'l i ge t he r ou t. i' ll wo rk on th e det ai ls an d dis cu ss them with you to mo rro w on th e plan e. it sh oul dn 't be to o diff ic ult to es ta bl ish our se lv es at th e pal ac e, if st ef an ha s no ob jec tio n t o me as y our l ov er ." "w on 't he su spe ct some thing? on e day i'm th re at en ing to clo bb er him wi th hi s st upid roy al sc ept er , an d the ne xt i sh ow up with a lo ve r no o ne kn ew ab ou t. " "w ith his own scep te r?" he ask ed , amu se d. "n ow th at is le se ma jes ty . don' t wor ry. we 'll co nco ct a plau si ble sto ry of a pr ev io us me et ing. to pr ep ar e the wa y, i'll co nt act my publ ic rela ti ons ma n ton ight an d ha ve him lea k the st ory of ou r fl aming lo ve affai r to a few we ll-k no wn gos sip co lumn ist s in eur op e, along wit h th e fact

th at you sp ent th e nig ht he re . you nee dn 't tr oubl e you rs el f ab ou t any one qu es ti oni ng th e v ali di ty of ou r affai r onc e we reach the pal ac e. " he pau se d. "it will be cle ar even to th e mo st cas ua l ob se rve r tha t we 'r e sh ar in g a be d." co lo r flo ode d her che ek s. dam n, no t onl y a vi rgin, but a blu shing virg in. ho w un soph is tic at ed co ul d one ge t? she tu rn ed wi th rel ie f as ju ana app ea re d at the door . "oh , we ll, i did n' t thin k we sho uld si gn al ou r pu rpo se to o obvi ou sl y. go od night , mr. dam —z ac k." lo rd, fi ve minu te s ago she ha d be en on th e verg e of tu mblin g in to be d wi th him and sh e wa sn 't eve n co mf ort ab le ca lling him by h is fi rs t na me . he had ca ught the slip an d the re was su dd en ly a tw inkl e in his eyes . he bowe d wi th mo cki ng pan ach e. "go od nig ht, pr inc es s ru bin of f. ju an a will se rve you br eak fa st in bed at nin e. i'd like to be at th e air po rt by ele ve n-t hi rt y. i hop e tha t

will su it y our h ighn es s' s c on ve ni ence? " as if he ca re d. if it ha d ha ppen ed to sui t hi s co nve ni enc e, he wou ld hav e bee n in be d wit h he r. "fi ne ," sh e said soft ly . "i' ll se e you in t he mo rn ing th en. " th e am us eme nt on his face faded as he wa tch ed the door cl os e be hin d her . it had be en to uch and go to wa rd the en d whe the r he 'd le t her le ave , and he was n' t at all su re he ha dn 't be en a d amn f ool to d o it . h e w as so arous ed th at he wa s su re he woul dn 't sl eep at all, and it was defi ni tel y qu es tio na bl e wh eth er or no t he' d be ab le to pla y th e ga me he' d se t for hims el f. an tic ipa ti on of hav ing kir a had go ne on to o long for him. he wo uld try to go ve ry sl owl y and get he r acc us to me d to him , on e in ti ma cy at a ti me , but — it wa s bes t no t to th ink of tho se int ima ci es. he wa s hu rt ing en oug h wi tho ut a dding fu el t o th e f ire . he

re ach ed

for

the

pho ne

and

dial ed

pe rr y' s num be r at th e ho te l. when he wa s put thr ou gh, a ve ry dro ws y voi ce an sw er ed . "p er ry? get mo vi ng and call du bli ss in zu ri ch an d tell hi m we' re po stp oni ng th e de bu k p ro je ct ." pe rr y' s voic e wa s su dde nly wi de awa ke . "yo u' re n ot go ing a fte r he r? " "i did n' t say th at . th e pro je ct is st ill go — we 'r e ju st ha nd ling it diffe re ntl y. i'm go ing in ahe ad to mo rro w and i'll co nt act him wi th f ur th er in st ruc ti on s w hen i a rri ve. " "am i g oi ng w ith y ou? " "n o, you' ll joi n dub li ss day afte r tom or row wh en you 'v e fi ni sh ed tyi ng up th e loos e en ds h er e. " "l oo se e nd s? " p er ry a ske d wa ri ly .

"i wa nt you neg ot ia ti on s. "

to

sta ll

th e

me rg er

"c ri pe s, why wa s i afrai d th at wa s wha t you mea nt? " he aske d gl oo mil y. "th e ai rfl ow bo ard of dir ec to rs will tea r me ap ar t. i ma y not be ab le to mak e it to zu ri ch i n on e pie ce. " 'y ou'l l mak e it, " za ck said . "t ell dub lis s to st ay r eady ." "ri ght. th e s am e g en er al plan as b efo re? " "w e ma y have to mak e a fe w adju stm ent s. i' ll l et y ou k no w. g ood n ight , pe rr y." "fa t ch anc e, " pe rr y said so ur ly . "i ha ve a fe w doz en thin gs to do bef ore i be ard th e ai rfl ow bo ard . on e of them is to buil d a fall ou t sh el te r. " the di al to ne sou nd ed as th e c onn ect io n wa s br oke n. za ck repla ce d th e rece iv er an d dropp ed in to the ove rsi ze d desk cha ir . he sho uld

pr ob ab ly go to be d and tr y to rest , ev en if he coul dn 't sl ee p. he 'd bee n on an ex ha us ti ve mara th on lat ely with thi s me rg er pen di ng. he lea ne d back in the ch ai r an d cl os ed hi s eye s. he wo uld go to be d so on. no w he wa nt ed to sit an d th ink ab out ki ra, to savor th e way sh e had lo ok ed , th e r es po ns es sh e h ad m ad e to h im. th en h e w oul d t hin k a bou t th e mon da va.

th re e th e earl y mor ni ng su nlig ht was str on g, wi th th e sort of cl ar it y fou nd onl y in the high cou ntr y. th e soft en ing mi st had bu rn ed off , le av ing th e san ta ca ta lin as st ark and br ut all y be auti ful aga in st the ce rul ea n s ky . ki ra bre ath ed de epl y, le tti ng the piho nsc ent ed br ee ze int ox ic at e he r wi th it s ta ng y fra gr an ce . tha t sam e br ee ze li ft ed he r ha ir aw ay from her fac e :n a gen tle ca re ss and tugg ed lik e a pl ay ful child at

he r yello w robe . her ha nd s tig hte ne d on th e red- -w oo d rai ling of th e balc on y. no wo nd er za ck had bu ilt hi s lo dg e on th e si de of this mou nta in. the simpl icit y an d po we r of th e man we re ec ho ed in th es e su rr oun ding s. sh e cr oss ed he r arm s over he r ch es t as a lit tle sh iv er ran thr oug h he r. sh e ha d be en de te rmin ed not to let zac k dam on in timi da te her , but, app ar en tly , in orde r to bl ock ou t unce rt ai nt y it was ne ce ss ar y not to thin k at all . wh ich was going to be a ne ar i mpo ss ibl e t as k whe n e ve n t he bla st ed mo un- ta in s r emin de d he r o f h im. sh e ha d bee n una bl e to sle ep for a lon g ti me afte r sh e' d go ne to be d. her mi nd ha d be en a tu rm oil of jum ble d tho ught s, imp re ss io ns , an d appr eh en sio ns . wh y wa s sh e so up set ? it wa sn 't li ke her to br ood ab out thing s she co ul dn 't help. th er e was a pr ice to be pa id and sh e wo ul d pa y it . zac k dam on was both at tra ct iv e phy si cal ly and

fas cin at ing men tal ly . an d, she we nt on th inki ng, th er e ha d to be sco re s of wo men wh o wo uld do vi rtu ally an yth ing to win d up in be d with him. it wa sn 't as if ki ra had an y ha ng-u ps abou t her vi rgin ity , for he av en 's sake . st efa n wa s the co ns er vat iv e on e, no t she . the re ju st had n' t bee n a ma n wh o a ppe al ed to h er in th at wa y be fo re. an d the re was ce rt ai nly no doubt tha t za ck di d app ea l to he r sen su all y, sh e tho ught , am us ed tha t sh e' d use d such a tep id wor d as "app eal " to des cr ib e ho w he mad e her fe el . her rea ct io n to him had bee n nea r in fl amm at or y in th e brie f ti me the y' d be en to ge the r. it wo uld n' t be any ha rds hip gi ving him wh at he 'd ask ed , if sh e cou ld on ly get rid of this uncha rac te ri st ic sh yn es s. "do you lik e my moun ta ins ?" za ck ask ed fro m b eh ind h er . sh e whi rl ed to face him. he le an ed aga in st

th e jamb of the sl id ing gl as s doo rs, wa tch ing her . he was dres se d in je ans an d a cr ea m- co lo re d sw ea tshi rt , but the ca su al ga rb did not hing to di mi nis h hi s aura of co nt ro lle d pow er . if an yt hing , it au gme nte d it. no w he blen de d int o hi s su rr oun ding s, rat he r tha n st and ing de li be ra te ly apa rt , an d she agai n had th e fe el ing he was drawing pow er from ev ery th ing a round h im. "i did n' t mea n to st ar tl e you. i brough t you r bre ak fas t tra y. i kn oc ke d, but you ev ide ntl y d idn 't h ea r me ." "n o. " sh e fel t sud de nl y ton gue -ti ed as sh e ga ze d up at hi m. "i th ough t juan a wa s go ing to br in g my tra y. do you usu all y pr ov id e per so na l se rvi ce to you r ho us egu es ts? " "i want ed to see you, " he said simpl y. "i co uld n' t sle ep for th ink ing ab out you las t nigh t. " her eye s wi den ed . "wh y? " "you

pe rs is t in qu es ti oni ng the obvi ou s. " he sm ile d, hi s eye s br ig ht with am us eme nt. "i f i tell you , do you pr om is e to blu sh ag ai n?" "h ow un kin d. i kno w it 's pro vi nci al, bu t i ca n' t help bl ush ing. i assu re you i' m wo rk ing on el imi na ting it ." "do n' t. i lik e you r blu she s. ev ery tim e i se e th e hea t ben ea th your sk in i wan t to re ach ou t an d tou ch you , fe el the hea t, th e sof tn es s, th e si lk ." sh e tri ed , but co uld n' t man age , to lo ok aw ay from him. th at madd en ing col or rose to her ch ee ks . "you r wor ds are ver y pre tty , bu t i' d pr ef er to app ea r so phi st ica te d rat he r th an nai ve ." her lip s wer e tre mbl ing as sh e sm il ed at him. "i 'm not usu all y li ke th is, you kn ow . for so me reas on, you ma ke me a bi t ner vou s. " his sm ile fad ed. "i don' t wa nt tha t. i wan t you to fe el en ti rel y co mf ort ab le w ith me ."

ho w co uld she when the mer e si ght of him ca us ed he r br eat h to cat ch in her th ro at an d her leg s to tur n bo ne le ss? she gl anc ed aw ay. "i will. it will jus t ta ke ti me . i' ve ne ve r me t any on e lik e you bef ore . i'm mo re ac cus to me d to me n who are soci al bu tte rf ly typ es tha n to men wh o are so se rio us ab out e ver ythi ng. " he fro wn ed . "you th ink i lac k a sen se of hum or ?" "n o, y ou 'r e ju st mo re . . . i nt ens e. " "ye s, i am int ens e. i don' t bel ie ve you sh oul d do anyt hing unle ss you 'r e pr epa re d to thr ow ev ery th ing you hav e int o it . bu t th en, you sh oul d un de rsta nd . you 'r e an ex ce pti on all y i nte ns e pe rs on y our se lf ." he r gaz e fl ew back to hi m. "wh o me? you ha ve th e wr ong lad y. i' m kn own as the ori gin al sc at te rbrai ne d ma dc ap. ask an yon e. "

"i don 't ne ed to as k any one . i pr ef er to for m my ow n jud gm ent s." hi s eyes na rro we d on he r fac e. "and i th ink you 'r e pr ob ab ly on e of the mo st in ten se pe ople i' ve eve r me t. i won de r wh y you' re so de te rmin ed to h id e t ha t i nt ens ity ?" "i 'm no t hid ing anyt hing ." sh e tur ne d her ba ck on hi m an d st are d at the mo unt ai ns. "yo u aske d me if i li ke your moun ta in s. do you ow n t hem? " he wa lk ed to her si de. "i own the m. i don 't ha ve a deed to th em, bu t th ey 'r e st ill min e. " "w ha t?" sh e a ske d, pu zzl ed . "m y gra nd fat he r us ed to say tha t if you lo ve so me thi ng en ough , you bec ome one wi th it . one en tit y fl ow s into the oth er to me rg e and then to sea l. " his ga ze wa s fi xe d on the mou nta in s wit h pos se ss iv en es s as wel l as aff ec ti on. "yes , in spi rit the se mo unt ai ns b el ong to m e. "

"t ha t' s rath er an abs tr act phil os oph y for a to ugh busi ne ssm an to hav e adop te d. i wo uld thin k you r in st inct s wo uld le ad you to pin dow n an yt hing you wa nt ed , to buy it out ri ght an d to have the dee d in you r po cke t. " "n o on e has jus t one face , pa rt icul ar ly not me . the re are ti me s when i wan t to reac h ou t an d gra b. " his ga ze wa s st ill fast en ed on th e mou nta in pea ks . "and th er e are ot he r t ime s wh en i th ink t ha t the o nl y wa y to ke ep wh at 's mine is to le t it go ." he tu rn ed to face he r, hi s gaz e mee ting he r ow n wit h the same inte ns ity with which he ha d re ga rde d th e moun ta in s. "th at 's wh at ma ny in di an tri be s be lie ve d, you kn ow . th ey wo ul d str iv e ver y ha rd to ac qui re ri ch tr apping s, sl av es, and ho rs es, on ly to giv e th em aw ay to sh ow how lit tle ma te ri al wea lth actu all y me an t to th em. it wa sn 't th e ac qu is iti on but th e rel ea se th at wa s impo rt an t." his ton e wa s hal ting, as if he we re try ing to ex pr es s some thin g

be yon d the su rf ace me an ing of th e wor ds. "do you und er st an d wha t i'm sa ying to you? " she sho ok her he ad . "i don 't th ink so. it 's cl ea r you wou ldn 't be in th e po si tio n you 'r e in now if you ga ve ev ery th ing aw ay, so you mu st sub sc rib e to a mo re mat er ia li st ic phi lo so phy th an you r gr an df a-t he r' s. " he was si len t f or a m om ent an d then he sm ile d cy ni call y. "you' re ri ght , of co ur se . i'm pr ob ab ly far more phil ist ine tha n sh am an. i supp os e i wa nt ed to ju st if y mys el f in your eyes . i don' t kno w wh y. i' ve ne ve r bee n te mpte d to do tha t be for e. " he tu rn ed aw ay abrup tly . "co me al on g in si de an d ha ve your bre ak fas t. th e pla ne w ill b e re ady i n t wo ho ur s. " sh e was tro ub le d as sh e trai le d him int o th e room , paus ing bes id e th e bed on which he h ad de po si te d th e wic ke r b re ak fas t t ra y. sh e had the vagu e impr es si on th at sh e had hu rt hi m in som e wa y, and it was ca us ing an odd ac hing de ep in sid e he r. "i ma y no t un de rs ta nd you, but i' m no t st upi d en oug h

to thin k i ha ve any righ t to judg e an unk no wn quan tit y, " sh e sai d ge ntl y. "m arn a tru st s you, so i'm su re you can 't be as r ut hle ss a s you 'v e b ee n p or tr aye d. " "b ut i am ru thl es s, " he said sof tl y. "it 's the ot he r si de of th e coi n. not wi th you, th ough , ki ra . you won 't eve r ha ve to worr y ab out s ee in g th e r ut hle ss -ne ss i n me ." hi s ex pr es si on was en igma tic , ye t it on ce ag ai n gen er at ed wi thin her the war m la ngui d he at she ha d kno wn la st night . she dre w a deep, sh ak y br ea th an d tr ie d to sm ile . "i 'll be ve ry gra te fu l for th at . i don 't th ink i' m eq uippe d to ha nd le a ma n li ke you , z ac k. " th er e was a sud de n glint of mi schi ef in hi s ey es. "i t' s a sk ill i exp ect to en joy tea chi ng you . it will be an exq ui sit e ple as ur e be ing ha nd le d by you ." he hel d ou t his ha nd . "s tar ti ng n ow. co me he re , k ir a." sh e hes it at ed . "you sai d we ha d to lea ve

soo n, " s he mu rmu re d. "n ot tha t soo n. " he smi le d wi th a war mth th at be mus ed he r. such a lo ve ly sm ile , full of gen tlen es s and und er st an di ng and . . . "c om e t o me ." he r ga ze clung to his as she mov ed sl ow ly to wa rd him. th er e wa s some thing the re , wa it ing jus t bey ond hi s glow ing int ens it y. sh e ca me to a ha lt be for e him an d loo ke d up at him se arch ingl y. it wa s sti ll the re , st ill wai ti ng. she ha d al wa ys hat ed wa it ing, she tho ught ha zi ly , an d thi s wa it ing wa s centu ri es old an d cur io usl y ti mel es s. hi s han d was wai ting for her , too, ou ts tr et che d in sil ent inv ita ti on . she sl ippe d her sm al l ha nd into hi s lar ge on e wi th th e sup rem e na tu ra lne ss of a tru st ing chil d an d su dd en ly ex pe ri enc ed a ti ngling sh oc k of sen sa ti on tha t was imme di at el y dro wn ed in a sp ar kl ing sen se of pe rf ec t

ligh tne ss . hell o, " s he whi spe re d. "h ell o, " he said thi ckl y. "w el com e ho me , lo ve ." ho me . yes , tha t' s wha t was wai ting for her . wh y had n' t she re ali ze d it? wha t had bee n be for e, wa s ha ppen ing aga in . a sm il e su dd en ly lit he r face with radi an ce. "oh, i' m so ha ppy . i do lo ve —" sh e br oke off. th er e was som et hing wr ong . she fro wn ed , tr ying to pi er ce th e mi st s ob sc ur ing th e sh inin g tru th sh e' d kno wn ju st a minut e be for e. z ac k?" hi s sm ile was fading as his han d ti ght ene d aro un d her own . "i 'm st ill he re , kir a. i'll al wa ys b e he re ." "ye s, i kn ow, but th er e' s som et hing wr ong. som eth ing— " she st opp ed ag ai n. th en she sh oo k he r hea d as if to cle ar it. craz y. wh at had hap pene d was compl et ely cr az y.

he r ner ves mu st be mo re str ain ed th an sh e th ough t to have trick ed he r in to a wil d fl ight of fanc y. she clo se d her eyes for an in st ant an d dre w a deep, st ea dyi ng bre ath. sh e was exp er ie ncing a po igna nt di sapp oin tmen t tha t wa s sh ak ing he r to th e co re an d was as in sa ne as the res t of it. sh e di dn' t wan t to re tu rn to reali ty when th at mom ent of pie rci ng reco gni tio n ha d be en so magn if ice nt. rec og nit ion ? oh, lord , sh e was goi ng ma d. her eye s op en ed an d sh e smil ed with for ce d ga ie ty . "sor ry. i th ink you mus t ha ve me sme ri ze d me for a mo men t. are you su re you' re no t a sh am an to o?" th er e was a fli cke r in his eye s tha t might ha ve refl ect ed th e same wil d di sapp oin tmen t s he wa s f eel ing. "i 'm su re ." "w ell , you co ul d hav e foo le d me ," sh e sai d fl ip pa ntly . "do you get tha t re sp on se from ma llo ry t ha ne to o? "

"n o. " ki ra co uld fe el the wild col or st ing he r ch eek s. she was su dd en ly feve ri sh . "i 'm su rp ri se d. " h er t ong ue m oi st en ed he r lo we r lip. "i hea r you 'r e quit e the la di es ' man an d sh e' s k no wn t o be —" "b e qui et ." hi s voi ce wa s ve ry sof t to be so co mma nd ing. "i kno w you 'r e fri ght ene d, bu t st op tr ying to put ba rri er s be tw een us ." he r el ea se d he r h an d and sud denl y wa s cupping he r sh oul de rs . he sh oo k he r gen tly . "ma ll or y th an e is n' t impo rt an t. no ne of the m we re impo rt an t, and now th ey 'r e all si mply pa st hi st or y." sh e woul dn 't lo ok at him. he r gaz e wa s fas te ne d stu bb or nly on the mi dd le of his ch est . "you we re exp ect ing her he re las t nigh t. " "n o, i wa sn 't e xpec ting an yo ne bu t y ou. " sh e be li ev ed him, and th at was as cr az y

an d fri ght ening as ever ythi ng els e tha t ha d go ne be fo re. "i don' t un de rs ta nd any of th is. " "yo u will. " his ha nd s mo ve d from he r sh oul de rs ge ntl y to cup he r fac e in his pal ms . "i t is n't ti me y et. tr us t m e, ki ra ." "i 'm tr ying. " her wor ds we re a me re whi spe r. "i hav e to tru st so me on e. i don' t se em to hav e much co nf id enc e in mys el f an ym ore ." "do you suppo se you co ul d str et ch tha t fai th eno ugh to lo ok up at me?" th er e was a th re ad of gentl e humo r in his voi ce . "i th ink your fie rce gla re is bur ning a ho le th ro ugh m y br eas tb on e. " he r ga ze li ft ed , an d his lo ok of ten de rn es s an d un de rs ta nd ing wa s lik e a soot hing ba lm t o he r tr ou ble d spi ri t. "t ha t' s bet te r. " he smi le d. "f or a mo me nt i th ough t we 'd ski pped a few hur dl es , but

ev ide ntl y it was n' t mea nt to be ." hi s thu mbs spla ye d out ac ro ss he r che ekb on es to rub gen tly at the co rn er s of he r lips . "p er hap s it' s bet te r thi s way . we ha ve so much to exp er ie nce , and eve ryt hing is br igh t an d shin ing an d new. " hi s he ad ca me down sl owl y. "i 'm go ing t o ki ss y ou. i s th at al l ri gh t wi th you , l ov e? " he was on ly a br eat h away , hi s dark eyes ho ld ing her own . sh e cou ld fe el th e wa rm th r adia ti ng f rom hi s b od y a nd s mell th e cl ea n, f resh sc ent of him . her th ro at was so tig ht the as sen t ca me ou t a l ittl e h us kil y. " yes ." sh e had exp ect ed war mth an d gen tle ne ss , bu t no t the ho ne y swe et ne ss . his lips we re ha rd an d firm , ye t the y wo oe d and te mpte d, ch er is he d and pro mi se d. he buil t la by ri nth s of gol den inti ma cy and th en le d he r thr ou gh them so lov in gly sh e tho ught

he r hea rt woul d st op with each ne w, ex qu is it e twi st an d tur n. she did n' t kn ow ho w man y tim es th eir lip s met an d pa rt ed or how ma ny wa ys hi s ha nd s mo ved an d an gle d her hea d to tak e and giv e and tak e ag ai n. ti me flo we d, inti ma cy dee pen ed . ti me fl ow ed ag ai n. su ch a beau tif ul, me an ingf ul c ir cle , sh e t ho ught dre amil y. hi s hea d li ft ed at las t and he loo ke d dow n at h er . hi s eye s we re night -bl ack , the di la te d. "g ood ?" he a sk ed s oft ly .

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"w on de rful ... " sh e wi sh ed he ha dn 't st opp ed . he r lip s fe lt soft , pli ant ; she ac he d for th e swe et nes s of his lip s, and the pa in was alm os t as sh ar p as th e desi re sh e' d kn own la st nigh t. how st rang e and wo nd er ful we re the heigh ts to wh ich hi s me re ki ss coul d lif t her . "i wi sh it coul d go on f ore ve r." "i t ca n' t, th oug h." his lips wer e pr es si ng

sof t, lov ing kis se s on he r ch ee ks , th e tip of he r no se , her templ e. "th er e' s to o much el ect ri cit y st ore d up bet we en us ." he til te d he r hea d bac k an d hi s warm lips dri ft ed ove r the sen si tiv e cor d of he r th ro at. "it ha s to ch ang e, bu t we 'll al wa ys ha ve th is to c om e b ac k t o, you kn ow ." "w ill we ?" it wa s ver y co mf or ti ng to kn ow th at , sh e th ough t ha zi ly . but he was righ t; it was al re ady ch angi ng. hi s lip s wer e gr ow ing ho tt er ag ai ns t her th ro at an d she co uld see hi s ch es t rising an d falling with th e har sh ne ss of his br eat hing . th e tin y ch ang es she coul d dete ct in his body tr igg er ed ide nt ica l on es with in her ow n. sh e w as n o l ong er l angu id an d dre am y. th e sen sa ti on s she wa s fe el ing now we re al l sha rp and ac hi ng and f ev er- ho t, a nd sh e wa sn 't sur e sh e wa nt ed to be jarre d out of bli ss fu l euph ori a. th er e wa s a liq uid th ro bb ing bet we en her th ighs an d he r br eas ts fel t fu ll and pain ful ly sw oll en. sh e

wi she d he' d mo ve hi s ha nd s from her face an d pu t the m on her brea st s. per hap s th at ca re ss wou ld ea se the ir st rang e ach ing. sh e wa s vaguel y su rp ri se d tha t th e desi re di dn' t sho ck her . sh e ha d nev er be fore wa nt ed a ma n' s ha nd s on he r, tou chin g in tim at ely . ye t she suppo se d it sh oul dn 't ha ve sur pr is ed he r. th er e wa s no co mpa ri ng an y of the emo ti on s sh e wa s fe el ing for zac k wi th th os e in her pre vi ou s ex pe ri enc e. th e mu scl es of his bo dy we re har de ni ng, ri ppling . sh e wa s awar e of tha t mea nin gfu l ta ute ning , eve n tho ugh he was onl y to uch ing he r wi th hi s ha nd s. his body wa s re adyi ng it sel f. the kno wle dg e sent a nea r sav age jol t of pu re desi re thr ou gh he r. he wa nt ed her . sh e co ul d se e the pul se le apin g craz ily in hi s te mple and fe el the sof t nip of hi s tee th on th e fl es h of he r th ro at . "yo u se e? " his voi ce was gut tur al . he li ft ed

hi s he ad an d his face was flu sh ed and he av y with sen sua lit y. "it ne ve r sta ys th e sam e. t he re 's t oo m uch w ai ting for u s. " ye s," she whi spe re d. she won de re d if her ey es we re as gla ze d and wa nt ing as hi s. th ey pro ba bl y we re . sh e fel t as if ev ery br eat h sh e drew wa s -e plo di ng littl e fie ry sp ar ks i nto he r bl oo ds tre am . "i want to tou ch you. i wan t my han ds on you ," "ye s, " sh e sai d ag ai n. sh e coul dn 't seem to say any th ing els e to him . res po ns e and ass en t. the re acti on wa s as bas ic as nat ur e it se lf . "yo u wa nt it to o? i don 't wa nt to tak e, ki ra ." "i w ant it to o." hi s lip s cur ve d in a rare sm ile . "t ha t' s al l i wa nt ed to kno w. i' m su rp ri se d i eve n ha d

th e res tr ain t to loo k thi s par ti cula r gi ft ho rs e in th e mo ut h. c om e a lo ng, lo ve ," he was ta ki ng her by th e han d and , to he r su rpri se , le adi ng he r aw ay from the be d ac ros s th e r oom . " wh er e a re w e g oi ng?" ri ght he re ." he ha d st opped bes id e the de ep -cu shi on ed con temp or ary eas y cha ir ag ai ns t the wall . he sat down and po si tio ne d he r bet we en hi s leg s. "i f we us ed the bed , i' m su re thi s prel imin ar y for ay wo uld res ult in an in st an t me rg er ." hi s han ds we re swi ftl y unt ying th e belt of he r r obe . sh e felt a swi ft th ru st o f disa ppo intm ent . "i ass ume d you ha d gr own imp at ien t wi th you r l it tle a nt ic ipa to ry g am e." "i am impa ti ent, " he said dry ly . "an d hu rti ng an d. . ." he op en ed the robe and st are d at her for a long mo me nt. she felt sc or ch ed , bur ne d, an d kn ew her bo dy wa s re sp on di ng helpl es sl y an d very ob viou sl y

to hi s ho t, li nge ring appr ai sal. the she er ve il ing of the yell ow ch if fon nightg own migh t jus t as we ll not ha ve bee n the re for al l the cov eri ng it gav e her . "oh , lor d, am i hu rti ng. " an d so was she . the robe dropp ed , mak ing a poo l of su ns hin e col or on th e dark br own ca rp et at he r fee t, and sh e st ood be fore him in on ly the sh ee r nightg ow n. th er e wa s so me thi ng vag uel y barb ari c ab out th ei r po si tio ns —z ac k sit tin g full y cl ot he d an d sh e sta nd ing al mo st na ke d be tw een hi s leg s li ke a sl av e gi rl wai ting to pl ea su re him . "w ha t are you thin king ab out? " his ga ze ha d mo ve d from he r body to he r fac e. the tip of his ton gue reac he d ou t to mo is ten hi s lo we r lip an d the unco nsc io us mot io n se nt a su rg e of ac hi ng ten si on to eve ry mu scle in he r bo dy. sw ee t hea ven , tho se lip s wer e so diab ol ica lly and be au ti full y se nsu al in h is ta ut fac e.

"i t hink you kn ow ." "i pro ba bly hav e a go od ide a." hi s gaz e tr ave le d sl ow ly from the cre am y satin of he r sho ul de rs to th e fu ll thr us t of he r br eas ts ag ai ns t t he chi ff on . " do you li ke m e to l oo k a t y ou ?" "ye s. " "t ha t' s g oo d. i t hink th er e' s e ver y will be on e of my very favo rit e do. " he sl owl y reac he d up an d on e th in st rap off her sho ul de r, ot he r. th e b odi ce o f t he go wn

ch anc e i t thi ngs to sl id fi rst then the

sl ippe d unt il on ly the sw ol len fulln es s of he r bre as ts wa s ho ld ing the cl inging ma te ri al in plac e. za ck le an ed bac k in th e ch ai r an d si mply lo ok ed at he r for a lo ng mo men t. "yo u ha ve w on de rful sk in. it rad iat es a sh ee n t ha t gl ow s w ith l if e. "

"do i?" sh e sca rc el y kne w wh at sh e was say ing . ho w co uld he ju st si t th er e lo ok ing at her wh en eve ry mus cle an d ne rv e in her body wa s on fi re with f ru st ra ti on ? wh y d idn 't he to uch he r? "ye s. " he le an ed forw ard an d lai d hi s ch ee k ag ai ns t he r ab dom en . she inh ale d sha rpl y as sh e fel t the sud den war mth of hi s fle sh th ro ugh the sh ee r fab ri c of th e nightg own . "w on de rful sk in . st ron g, firm mus cle s. " on e bi g ha nd was la zil y ru bb ing he r bell y. "an d sof tn es s. " hi s pa lm sl id down to gen tly cup th e ape x of her th ighs so tha t on ly the mis t of ma te ri al sep ar at ed hi m fro m tha t mos t int ima te pa rt of he r. sh e co uld feel the he at of hi s ha rd han d an d ma de a low so un d deep in her th ro at as he st art ed to rub ba ck and for th , alt er na ti ng ha rd pre ss ur e wit h go ss ame r light ne ss so th at sh e coul d bec om e accu st om ed to ne ith er , his ev ery tou ch then giv ing he r a

fre sh jolt of sen sa ti on . "do you lik e thi s?" sh e no dde d. sh e di dn' t thin k sh e co uld ha ve spo ke n if her li fe had dep end ed up on it . with his ch ee k pre ss ed aga in st her , he co uld n' t see th e no d, but it di dn' t real ly ma tt er . he knew very we ll wha t ple as ur e he wa s giv ing he r. "w ha t els e woul d you li ke m e t o do to y ou?" sh e coul d sc ar ce ly br ea th e. ho w coul d he ex pe ct her to spe ak ? bu t he evi de nt ly di d, for he was lif ting hi s he ad to lo ok up at he r. his han d wa s sti ll movi ng gen tly ag ai ns t h er . " wh at el se , ki ra? " he r tongue mo is te ne d her dry lips . "zac k . he r ga ze dro ppe d he lple ssl y to th e sh ee r chi ff on vei ling he r brea st s. he r nippl es we re so ex qu is ite ly sen si tiv e now th at ev en th e light wr ea th of mat erial was ca us ing t hem to a ch e. hi s ey es foll ow ed her s and th en gr ew mi dni ght dark as he saw the har d, po int ed

tip s thr us ting at th e mat er ia l. "y our br eas ts ?" hi s han d ins ta ntly reach ed ou t an d ho ve red over her righ t bre as t. sh e co uld feel the wa rmth , tho ugh he was n' t to uch ing her . "so sw oll en, " he whisp er ed , hi s eye s on the firm glo be s risi ng from th e chi ff on. "so ri pe an d sw oll en and ready ." hi s ha nd clo se d su dde nly ove r her bre ast an d a wil d sh ud de r ran th ro ugh h er . " re ady for m e. " "ye s. oh, yes. " the cr y was wr ung from her . "pl ea se , pl ea se do some thing !" "s hh , i will ." he pulle d her ont o hi s la p, se tt ling he r astr id e him. hi s fi ng er s we re tr em bling as he push ed th e chif fon th e la st fe w inch es an d ba red her br eas ts . "b ea ut if ul, " he mu rm ur ed . "s we et hea ve n, you 'r e be auti ful , ki ra ." he low er ed his he ad slo wly . she fel t hi s war m brea th , th en th e fi rm ne ss of hi s lips , an d she gav e a low , frant ic ha lf -mo an, he r fing er s ta ngli ng i n hi s h ai r, b ri nging him to he r.

ki ra hea rd hi s lo w laug h. str angel y, it he ld no hint of tr iumph , on ly an exul ta nt joy. "yo u wa nt me. lo rd, i lo ve to kno w th at ." th e wo rd s wer e mu ff le d aga in st he r bre ast . th en his mo uth wa s ope ning , tak ing her , hi s to ngu e run ning over on e bre as t in wild de lig ht and then sw itc hing to he r ot he r br eas t to su ckl e an d ple as ur e he r with a hun ger th at soo th ed e ve n a s it in fl am ed . sh e wa s vaguel y awa re of his han ds on her th ighs pus hing up th e chif fon whil e his lip s and te et h nib ble d, nippe d, and th en soo th ed with a deep , pr imit iv e en joy me nt. hi s ch es t was shud deri ng with ever y br eat h and hi s ha nd s wer e su dden ly franti c as the y slipp ed un de r th e go wn and cuppe d he r nak ed but toc ks in hi s war m palm s. an ot he r sho ck , she th ough t haz ily . ever y di ffe ren t tou ch wa s a fre sh sho ck to her ne rv e end ing s, bu t a sho ck tha t sh e ac cep te d happ ily and wi th am az ing rapi di ty . he was pr es sin g her clo se r and sh e felt his iron -ha rd war mth aga in st the

ce nte r of her wo ma nho od . she nes tle d ev en clo se r and mo an ed wit h hunge r. hung er . sh e ha d nev er kn own such hunge r. he ke pt tak ing , gi vi ng, but it ma de no dif fe ren ce. th e hu nge r kept gr ow ing, sh ar pe ning wi th e ve ry pa ss ing m om ent . "w e have to sto p, you kn ow, " he mutt er ed . hi s han ds ti ght ene d on he r fle sh as if to re fut e h is w ord s. " ki ra. .. . " "n o! " he co uld n' t stop no w. the hung er wa s so int ens e it was hu rt ing her . wa s thi s wh at he mea nt when he sa id th at he wa s hu rti ng? her ha nd s gen tle d his ha ir as sh e fe lt a ru sh of al mo st ma te rn al feel ing. "pl ea se . d on' t s to p. " "do you thin k 1 wa nt to ?" he gro wle d. his ey es cl os ed . "i t' s out of co ntr ol . i di dn' t ex pe ct y ou t o be th is ... lo vi ng. " lo vi ng. the wo rd sho uld have bee n ou t of

pla ce, but som eh ow it was n' t. lu st alo ne co uld nev er be thi s em ot io na lly int ens e— th er e had to be a st ron g el em ent of lov e in it . he r fi ng er s ran thr ou gh hi s hai r ye arn ingl y, adori ng th e cri sp tex tu re be tw een he r fin ge rs . "th at 's th e way i fe el ," sh e said soft ly . "i wan t ... " her voi ce tr aile d off. the re wa s so mu ch sh e wa nt ed al l at onc e tha t she su dde nly fel t as th ough sh e' d be en cat apu lte d int o a stra ng e em ot io na l ma ze . assu ag em ent on a phy si cal le ve l alon e wo uld n't be en ou gh, yet wha t el se co uld sh e hop e for? zac k was a st rang er . "s o do i, " he sa id hus kil y. his eye s op ene d to reve al unb ea rab le stra in . "bu t we ca n' t ha ve it . no t ye t. " he wa s sw if tl y sh if ting he r off him an d sta nd ing up . "it ha s to be ri ght ." "ri ght? " he was lea vi ng her . she co ul dn' t ke ep th e no te of di sb el ie f an d frus tr at io n ou t of her voi ce as she wa tc he d him str id e

sw if tly tow ar d th e door. "i sn 't it a li ttl e la te to wor ry ab ou t— " she cu t th e wor ds off ab ruptl y. her fin ge rs aut om at ic ally we nt to he r bo dic e an d pull ed up the st rap s of th e gown . "i don' t un de rst an d any of thi s. why did you do this to us if you we re n' t go ing to f in ish wh at you st ar te d?" he tur ne d at th e door, hi s fac e ta ut wi th pa in. "i kn ow you don 't und er st and . i to ld you , i mi sca lcu lat ed . i th oug ht i co ul d ta ke a li ttle an d le ss en thi s damn hung er i hav e for you . but it di dn' t work out tha t wa y. it on ly ma de it wor se. " his ga ze tra vel ed ove r he r an d she fe lt as if he we re tou chin g her ag ai n. "i' m not eve n goi ng to be ab le to lo ok at you or tou ch your ha nd with out wa nti ng t his ag ai n. " "w hy ?" sh e ask ed. he r ha nd s tigh ten ed on th e arm s of th e ch ai r. "wh at 's the di ffe renc e w het he r i t' s n ow or l at er ." "yo u ha ve th e ri ght to kn ow me, " he said

ha rs hl y. "i ma y no t be ab le to hol d out for ve ry long , but i don' t wa nt to be a facel es s st rang er to you when i firs t mak e lo ve to you . i wa nt it to be righ t, damm it. if i di dn' t thin k it was impo rt an t, do you be lie ve i wo uld ha ve let you go ?" he dre w a deep , shu dd er ing br eat h. "you 'd bet te r ge t dre sse d. we'll be le av in g for tamr ov ia wi thin th e ho ur ." he cl os ed th e doo r wit h qui et res tr aint and it se em ed mor e ex plo si ve than a sl am to ki ra . sh e ga ze d bla nkl y at th e door for a mo men t be fo re she coul d eve n co ns id er mo vi ng from the ch ai r. she had a vagu e fe el ing she sho uld be res en tf ul tow ar d za ck for havi ng wr es te d th e dec isi on from he r s o s umm ar il y. y et how cou ld s he r eg re t th e fac t tha t he had be en willing to un de rg o su ch pa inf ul se lf -d en ia l in orde r to sp ar e he r the pos si bili ty of fe el ing ch eap ene d?

he wan te d he r to ha ve a cha nce to get to kn ow him, bu t in a stra ng e, inc omp re hen si ble wa y she fe lt tha t get ting to kno w hi m wa s co mple tel y unne ce ss ar y. sh e did kno w him. sh e knew he wa s ho ne st an d ha d a co de of ethi cs th at wou ld be ev en ha rde r on him tha n on tho se aroun d him . she kn ew tha t his lo ya lt y, on ce gi ven , wo uld be as un sha ka bl e as th os e mou nta in s he had cla im ed as his own . th e kno wl edg e wa s so fun da me nta lly ins tin cti ve she di dn' t even que sti on it. som eth ing wa s ha ppeni ng to the m, an d alt ho ugh sh e wa s st ill be wil de re d, sh e wa s no lo ng er fri ght ene d. ins te ad , sh e wa s begi nning to ex pe ri enc e a buo ya nt exhil ar at io n li ke no thi ng she ha d ev er kno wn befo re. it wa s as if a wo nd er full y thr illing adve ntu re we re hove ri ng on th e hori zo n an d all sh e ha d to do wa s mo ve tow ard it and it woul d be her s. dear lo rd, how she wan te d th at adv en tu re ! sh e ju mpe d up an d ben t to retr ie ve th e

ye ll ow sil k robe on the flo or. she ha d to sh ow er , dre ss , and th en re pa ck he r night th ings . she ca st a gl anc e at the co ve red tr ay on th e bed and mad e a fac e. th e food wa s pr ob abl y st on e-c ol d by no w. ev en if it wa s st ill edibl e, she was to o emo ti on ch ar ge d to fi nd food appe ti zing at th e mo men t. per hap s she wo ul d be abl e to eat som eth ing l at er on t he pl an e. he r ste ps we re qu ick an d ligh t, with ju st a hin t of eb ulli enc e, as she cro ss ed the ca rp et t owa rd t he adj oini ng b at hr oo m. "yo u se em to be in a go od moo d," zack sai d, hi s eye s na rrow ed on her fac e. "i ha d no idea you 'd be this happ y to get bac k to ta mr ovi a. some ho w i go t th e impr es si on you wer en 't ove rly fond of you r nat iv e la nd ." "i 'm not . oh , th at 's not tru e. i gue ss i ac tu all y lo ve it ." kir a slippe d her arms int o th e pe ar l- gr ay sui t jack et she 'd rem ove d

for the tr ip. "i t' s jus t th at i alw ay s fe el a se ns e of oppr es si on wh en i st ep off a pl an e on to ta mr ovi an soi l. " sh e wr in kle d he r no se . "w hic h does n' t in di ca te th at i'm pa rt icul ar ly se ns it iv e. st ef an is kno wn to ha ve th e sa me effe ct on th e en ti re coun tr y. no one ha s eve r tol d him mo na rc hs ca n' t ce ns or the pre ss and ou tl aw tra de un io ns in this cent ur y. or, if th ey have , he has n' t re ally he ard i t. " "an d no ha be as cor pus ," za ck sai d th ough tf ully . "h is par ti cula r form of de afn es s co uld be v ery d ange ro us ." "w hy d o y ou thi nk ste fan ha s tig hte ne d t he ex it visa re str ict io ns and st re ngt hen ed the co mple ment of bo rde r gua rds ? the ta mr ovi an fact or ie s are al l pit ifu lly un de rm ann ed be ca us e wor ke rs are le av ing ta mr ovi a for ger ma ny and sw it ze rla nd . wh o c an bla me th em?" a cur io us smil e to uch ed zac k' s fac e. "you

se em very we ll in fo rm ed 's ca tt er br ai ne d ma dc ap. ' "

for

a

he r gl anc e sl id awa y from hi s. "i t' s co mmo n kno wle dg e. i ju st don' t bu ry my he ad i n t he s and wa y st efa n d oes ." "p er hap s. " he unf as te ne d hi s se at be lt as th e le ar jet ca me to a roll ing st op bef ore a ha nga r in th e pr iv at e se ct or of th e air po rt . "yo u didn 't an sw er my que sti on . wh y are you in suc h go od spi ri ts al l o f a su dde n?" sh e sti ll did n' t loo k at hi m. "wh y sho ul dn 't i be happ y? you' ve pro mi se d to fre e ma rn a an d th at 's ve ry imp or ta nt to m e. " hi s ha nd reac he d ou t an d fast en ed on her arm . she co uld fee l the warm th and st re ngt h o f it th ro ugh the lin en bla ze r. hi s eyes met her s wi th s ea rchin g gr avi ty . " no g am es . t ru th. " sh e

ope ne d

her

lip s

to

ma ke

an ot he r

ev asi ve ans we r and ag ai n. s he d id n' t

the n

cl os ed

them

wa nt to eva de hi m, eve n if it me an t ex po si ng he r vu ln er ab ilit y. "i don' t kn ow, " sh e said simpl y. "i 'm ju st ha ppy . i thi nk it ha s so me thi ng t o d o w ith you , z ac k. " hi s han d tigh ten ed on her arm for the br ie fe st in st ant . "dear lo rd, i hop e so -" th en h is ha nd wa s re le as ing he r a nd h e w as ri si ng to hi s fe et . "c om e on . let' s ge t thi s sh ow on th e road . th e soo ne r we ca n get ma rn a out , th e soon er we can mov e on to mo re i mpo rt an t t hing s. " sh e rai se d in st anc e?"

an

inqui ri ng

br ow .

"fo r

hi s ey es tw inkl ed . "w hy , th e mon da va, of co ur se ." sh e ca st him an ex asp er at ed gla nce . "n ow wh o' s pl ay ing ga me s? if you wo n't le t me in on th e big sec re t, it 's no t very kin d of

you to t ea se m e w ith i t. " "s orry , you' re rig ht. i'm not bein g fair ." hi s voi ce lo we re d to vel ve t soft ne ss . "i thin k i we nt a l ittl e g id dy f or a mo me nt. you se e, i fi nd i 'm v ery h app y t oo. st rang e, is n' t it ?" sh e wa s hav ing trou ble te ari ng he r ga ze aw ay from his . she wa s su re hi s ey es sp ok e of ma ny fas cin at ing thin gs if on ly sh e co uld und er st an d. sh e st ood an d pi cke d up he r han db ag . "we ha ve n' t deci de d wha t st ory we' re go ing to tell ste fan ab out ou r re la ti on ship . ha dn 't we be tt er pu t our he ad s to ge the r? " "n ot exac tl y th e por ti on s of our an at om ie s i wa s int er es te d in joini ng, " he mu rmu re d. "b ut if you in si st .. ." hi s bro w gat he re d in a th ough tf ul frow n. "wh er e wer e you si x mo nth s a go ?" "s edi kh an. " "t he n th at 's wh er e we met . i wa s real ly in

se clu sio n in swi tz erl an d, put ting toget he r a pha rm aceut ica l comb ine , but onl y a few pe ople kn ow th at. it wo uld n' t hav e be en unh ea rd of for me to fly to mara se f for a co nf er en ce with al ex ben ras chi d and run in to you th er e. i took one lo ok at you an d — voil d —i nst an t p as si on. " sh e frown ed . "i 'm not the kin d of wom an wh o inspi re s in st ant in sa nit y in men, za ck . do you thi nk a ny one will be lie ve i t?" he sl owl y sho ok his he ad. "w ha t am i going to do wi th you? in cas e you di dn 't no tic e, on ly thi s mo rn ing i ga ve an ex te mpo ran eo us de mo ns tr at io n of how in sa ne you' re cap abl e of dri ving a ma n." hi s fi nge r g entl y to uch ed the h oll ow o f her ch eek . "i pro mi se to be ver y con vi ncin g. ok ay? " "ok ay, " she sai d sof tl y. happ ine ss bu bbl ed up in he r li ke a cle ar , gol de n str ea m. sh e tu rn ed awa y as th e door of th e lea r jet

op en ed and st ai rs we re roll ed up to the en tr an ce. "if you don' t thi nk st efa n will th ink s ome thin g is f is hy ." "l et me ta ke ca re of it. i' ve pro ba bly ha nd le d mo re di ffi cult cust om er s than you r b rot he r s te fan . c or po ra te t yp es are f ar mo re r ut hle ss th an d ip lom at s. '" "i jus t might do tha t. i have n' t ha d an y gr ea t degr ee of luc k in in flu enci ng st efa n up t o th e pr es en t." "i 'v e not ic ed ," he sa id dryl y as he took he r el bo w and ur ge d he r tow ar d th e door. "i 'm su rp ri se d th at mar na di dn' t jus t put a sp ell on him in st ea d of you r un fo rt un at e su it or s. " "s he cou ld n't . it woul d ha ve be en a ge stu re of di sl oy alty to the roya l hou se hol d and wo uld ha veb r ok en th e tra dit io n th at bi nd s he r peo ple to th e rub ino ff dyn as ty ." sh e su dd en ly frown ed a s he r

ga ze swe pt ove r his big bo dy, st ill ga rb ed in the sw ea ts hi rt and je ans he' d put on th at mo rn ing. "w he re is y our jac ke t?" hi s eye s wi de ne d in sur pr is e. "wh at ?" "y ou ca n' t go out si de lik e th at. " he wen t sti ll. "i s her highn es s ash am ed to be se en with me? " "do n' t be stup id ," she said cr os sl y. "it ma y be hot in tuc so n, but it 's aut umn in the ba lk an s, and it can be very coo l her e in oc to be r. you ca n' t ru n aro un d ju st in jea ns an d a sw ea ts hi rt . y ou mi ght c at ch c ol d. " "re al ly ." a fl ick er of te nd er ne ss tr ans fo rme d th e wa ry ha rdn es s of his face . "w ell , i ce rt ai nly woul dn 't wa nt to do tha t. a co ld in th e hea d migh t pr ove ver y inc on ve ni ent at th e mo men t. " he open ed a sh all ow cl os et , pulle d out a be ige sue de jac ke t, a nd s lipp ed it on . " sat is fi ed ?"

sh e nod ded con ten te dl y. "yes . no w you' re be ing s ens ibl e." "i 'm kn own to be a very sens ibl e ma n. " he di rec te d a gri n at her bef ore he st epp ed ba ck to all ow he r to pr ec ed e hi m down the st ai rs. "s ome tim es. " "yo ur du al per so na lit y? " sh e a sk ed o ve r her sh oul de r. "i wou ld th ink you' d fe el ver y je kyll an d hy de w ith— " "w ho 's th at ?" za ck 's ga ze ha d foc us ed on som eon e beyo nd her sh ou ld er an d hi s voi ce wa s s o s ha rp it st ar tl ed he r. he r hea d tu rn ed to foll ow his ga ze an d sh e unc on sci ou sly ten se d. "we 'r e evid en tly ab out to be ho no red ," she sai d qui etl y as sh e wat che d the ta ll, le an ma n app ro aching them with lei sur el y ca tli ke gr ac e. "i t' s s and or k arp at han ." za ck ga ve a low whi stl e. "t hi s li ttl e ju nk et ma y

ev erl as tin g - 57 pr ov e mo re ent er ta ini ng th an i tho ught . i ca n se e wh y he made you un ea sy . he ha s —" "c on do r. st reng th, " ki ra fi ni sh ed fla tt y. "m am a sa ys he is a di se k, on e of the ex ce pti on al on es who ca n be any th ing he wa nt s to be. bu t dis ek s ca n be evi l as we ll as go od. she doesn 't tr us t hi m. sh e say s th er e i s so me thi ng no t as i t s ho uld b e. "

co nd ar. yes, the wor d sui te d ka rpa tha n, ju st as th e impr es si on inhe re nt in the wor d po we r fi tt ed za ck . he was in hi s mi dd le th ir tie s and his sl en de r body was cl ot he d in a fl awl es sl y ta il or ed th re e- pie ce be ig e su it, whi ch he wor e wit h eff ort le ss gr ac e. hi s ha ir was dark and ba rbe re d by a ma st er ha nd , hi s sh oe s shin ed to a mi rr or gl os s. hi s fea- tu re s wer e ju st as per fe ct as his dre ss an d he sh oul d hav e loo ke d a tr if le ef fem ina te . but the re was no thi ng

ef fem ina te abou t sand or kar pa th an. he app ea re d to be tough , int elli gen t, an d dang er ou s. hi s smil e was a bri llia nt fl as h in his br onz ed face as he st opped be fo re he r and bo we d. "your high nes s, i was in fo rm ed by imm igr at io n th at you wo uld be arri vi ng th is afte rno on an d i took th is opp or tun it y to co me and me et you ." "ho w ki nd of you , san do r, " ki ra said iro ni cal ly . "i didn 't re ali ze you' d mi ss ed me . i'v e on ly be en go ne th re e d ays ." "b ut we al wa ys mis s you , no ma tt er how sh or t your jour ne y, " he sa id sof tl y. "th er e are so me peo pl e who take the sun shin e wi th t hem whe n th ey le ave ." "h ow very fl ow er y. i' m su re both you and ta mr ovi a sur vi ve d my abs en ce ." karpa th an an d zac k we re si zi ng each ot he r up like tw o gl ad iat or s ab out to en te r the are na , an d she doub te d if ei the r man he ard he r.

"h ow ev er , i thin k it far mo re like ly you we re int er es te d in the inf or ma ti on imm igr atio n ga ve you reg ar ding my co mpa nio n. " ka rpa tha n shr ugge d. "i admit to a tou ch of cu ri osit y. aft er all. i' m on ly hu man ." hi s sm ile wa s to ta lly ch ar min g. "th e two of you mad e eve ry new spap er in eu ro pe this mo rn ing. mr . damo n is suc h an elus iv e ma n; i found it very int er es ti ng th at you ma na ge d t o cap tur e him ." "b ut she did n' t. " zac k took a step clo se r an d hi s arm sli d arou nd he r wa is t in sw if t po ss es si on . "i' m the one who cap tur ed her . in tr od uc e us , k ir a." "of co ur se , "sh e sa id qu ickl y. "zac k dam on, th is is hi s gra ce , san dor ant on ka rp at ha n, th e duk e of li mta na an d pe rs on al advi se r to m y b rot he r. " ka rpa tha n hel d ou t hi s ha nd . "m y frie nd s at oxf ord ca ll ed me sa nd ." he gri nne d. "i

th ink it was me an t to remin d me tha t th e ti tle did n' t gi ve me an y rig ht to put on ai rs. i h op e y ou w ill c all me sa nd ." za ck to ok his ha nd and found hi ms elf lo ok ing into ey es of dee p sa pphi re -bl ue. ve ry famil ia r eye s. he gl anc ed at kir a. "yo u' re r el at ed ?" "t he ey es? " she no dde d. "we 'r e dist an t co us ins . tha t par ticu la r col or see ms to pop up r ep ea te dl y i n t he f ami ly ." ka rpa tha n gr ima ce d. "you not ic e the emph as is on dis tan t? i ca n' t se em to co nv inc e kir a wha t a won de rfu l fell ow i am . i ho pe you 'll be more rea dy to acc ept my f ri en ds hip ." "w hy do you wa nt to be fri en ds with me? " za ck ask ed bluntl y. "i 'm he re pu rel y for a soc ial vis it bec au se kir a wan te d me to see he r c ou nt ry ." "h ow

ver y

se nt ime nta l, "

karpa th an

mu rmu re d. ki ra mus t ha ve a ve ry odd ef fec t on you. i had n' t hea rd th at you wer e pr on e t o suc h em ot io n. " "s he doe s ha ve an odd effe ct on me ," zac k sai d qu ie tly . "b ut i' m en jo ying the he ll ou t of it ." th er e wa s an el us iv e fl ick er in ka rpa tha n' s ey es. i bel ie ve you 'r e sin ce re . how re fre sh ing. i' m afr aid i've bec om e so me thi ng of a cy nic , and i admit i doub te d you r devo ti on to m y l itt le c ou si n." "i 'm ve ry dev ote d. " zack sm ile d gent ly . "w hy sho ul dn' t i be ? you sai d your se lf tha t ki ra w al ks in s un shi ne. " "n ot you too ," kir a wa il ed , wr in kling he r no se . i' m beg inni ng to get a li ttle nau se ou s wi th al l th is sw ee t t al k f lo at ing aro un d. "

you 'r e righ t. sh e' s ver y ha rd to co nv inc e. " za ck 's gaz e met kar pa th an' s. "th at 's why i' m he re . 'wh en we met six mo nth s ag o in se dikh an , i to ld he r we we re me an t for ea ch oth er , bu t she th ough t i wa s cr azy . i' ve got to con vin ce her tha t i'm not a man to ch ang e h is min d. " "i don 't think the re 's any dou bt abo ut it, " ka rpa tha n sai d ligh tly . "wh en we hea rd you we re co mi ng, ste fan an d i hop ed we co uld int er es t you in in ve st ing in a fe w in du st ri es tha t nee d a li ttle sho ring up. we 'r e obvi ou sl y goi ng to be di sap po int ed ." he sh rug ge d. "oh, wel l, per hap s we can st ill lur e y ou i nt o o ur t oi ls . st efa n is gi ving a recep tio n in you r hon or to mo rro w nig ht at the pal ac e. i'll in vi te a few key men to wh om you might be in te re st ed in ta lk ing. no w, ma y i off er you a rid e to the pa la ce? st ef an is very eag er to mee t you ." "i ju st be t he is, " kir a mu tt er ed . karp ath an ga ve he r an am us ed gla nce . "you ca n hard ly bl am e him. it' s no t eve ry day tha t zack

dam on is br ought in to th e fold . you mu st adm it you' ve pro ve d ver y dif ficul t in th e pa st , kir a. st efa n is de ligh te d th at you' ve fi na lly ma na ge d t o ge t i t r igh t. " ki ra ope ne d her lip s to sp ea k, but za ck qu ickl y sai d, "we don 't ne ed a lif t. " he no dde d to wa rd th e dark br own mer ce de s pa rk ed by th e hig h wi re fen ce borde ri ng th e runw ay . "i arra ng ed to hav e on e of my pe ople me et us ." "oh , yes . i forg ot you ha ve con ta ct s ev ery wh er e. ev en in ou r sm all an d uni mpo rt an t cou ntr y. " he inc lin ed his he ad . "th en 11 1 se e you at the pala ce ." he tu rn ed and wa lk ed swi ftl y in the dire cti on of the na vy- blu e lim ou sin e pa rk ed to th e le ft of th e ha ng ar . za ck was si len t as he esc or te d kir a acro ss th e tar ma c to th e mer ce de s. he gr ee te d the dri ve r br ie fly an d help ed he r in to th e ba ck se at of th e car . the n he se tt le d bac k

ag ai ns t the cush io ne d up hol ste ry with an ab se nt fro wn on hi s face . the car star te d an d be ga n to mov e ou t of the ai rp or t par king lo t with an al mo st soun dl es s hum of mo ti on . ki ra t ur ne d t o fac e h im. "w ell? " he lo ok ed a t he r i nqu ir ingl y. "k arp ath an ," s he s aid wit h a t ouc h of imp ati enc e. " wh at do you thi nk? " "i think bo th you an d ma rn a are righ t," he sai d qui etl y. "h e is a dis ek . . as for wh at el se he is , i ha ve no id ea. i' ll hav e to fin d ou t. " he reac he d out an d la ce d his fi ng er s th ro ugh her s. it was a comp an ion ab le, in tim at e ge st ur e, an d a tin y ri ve r of wa rm th flo we d th ro ugh her . "a nd i th ink we 'r e def in itel y going to hav e an in te re st ing few days in pic tu re sq ue ta mr ovi a. "

fou r

st ef an app ea rs to be an am azi ngly lax gua rdi an of you r mora ls ," zac k sai d fro m th e doo rwa y of his adjoi ning sui te. "he di dn' t eve n pre ten d to wa nt to save you fro m m y clut che s. " ki ra to ok off he r sui t jack et and to ss ed it on th e cou ch. "if he hadn 't tho ught i was will ing to sl eep wit h you , he' d pr ob abl y ha ve pu t you in he re with me and see n th at th e d oor w as l oc ke d e ve ry nigh t. " za ck lif te d a ex agge ra ti ng. "

br ow .

"s ur el y

you' re

"p er hap s a litt le, " she sai d we ar il y as ki ck ed off her high heel s. "bu t you ho w ste fan fawn ed al l over you when we re int ro duce d. my cl ev er co us in co rre ct. it se em s t ha t a t la st i' ve d one

she saw you wa s

som eth ing righ t in st efa n' s eyes . mayb e i sh oul d ha ve turn ed wh or e for the glo ry of ta mr ovi a an d st ef an bef ore th is . it might ha ve be en eas ie r tha n fi ght ing hi s plan s

for a n arr ange d m arr ia ge ." th e am us eme nt le ft zac k' s fac e. "i gua ran te e it woul dn 't ha ve be en eas y at al l," he sai d with danger ou s sof tn es s. "and to ta ll y impo ss ibl e now tha t you' ve agr ee d to b el ong t o me ." he r eyes wid en ed in sur pr is e. jok ing , f or h ea ven 's sak e. "

"i

was

"t he re a re s ome su bj ect s i d on' t fi nd f unn y. you ju st ha ppen to hav e hit on th e one at th e to p of th e lis t. " he was si len t for a mo men t, hi s ga ze on her fac e. "an d i don' t th ink you find the ide a amu sin g eit he r. wh at 's wr ong , k ir a? " sh e laug he d sho rt ly . "wh y, no thi ng at all . wh at cou ld po ss ibl y be wr ong ? sh ou ld n't i be thr ill ed t o h av e s pen t the l as t ho ur wit h th e thr ee of you trea ti ng me as if i we re a pr iz e poo dl e to be pet te d and tau ght new tr ic ks? i' m a per so n, dam mit !"

"i kn ow th at ," he sai d quie tly . "i th ough t you r eal iz ed i 'd ha ve to be ha ve with y ou a s i o rdin ar il y w oul d w ith a mi st re ss ." sh e felt a sw if t jab of pa in. "you did it ve ry wel l. you woul d, of co ur se , co ns id er ing you r expe ri enc e. how ma ny wo me n ha ve you —" sh e brok e off. "i' m sorry . so sorry . i don 't hav e any ri ght to ask you such a qu es tio n. and i kn ow you ha d to ac t as you di d in th e th ro ne room ." she met his gaz e fi erc ely . "bu t ste fa n didn 't an d ne ith er di d san do r. i felt . . . val uel es s. " "i ha ve an ide a karp at han was foll ow ing st ef an' s le ad ," he sai d tho ught full y. "gi vi ng an in ch so he co uld tak e a mil e at some ot he r po int alo ng th e road . i' m sor ry i di dn' t cut th e me et ing sh or t wh en i saw th e wa y it wa s go ing , but i wan te d to ob se rve ka rpa tha n wit h your br ot he r. " he sm ile d f ain tly . " it wa s ver y en ligh ten ing. " "e nli ght ening? "

"k arp ath an is ver y cle ve r. the str in gs are al mo st inv is ibl e and st efa n is co mple tel y un awa re h e' s d anc ing o n t he m." "yo u t hin k s te fan is be ing ma nipul at ed ?" za ck nodd ed. "i' d say ste fan has n' t made a mo ve tha t was n' t in ac co rda nc e with ka rpa tha n' s wish es si nc e you r co us in be ca me h is a dvi se r. " ki ra sh iv er ed. "i tho ught so. which is going to ma ke it much mor e diff ic ult to ge t ma rn a ou t o f t am ro via , i sn 't it? " "p os si bly ." th en, as he sa w he r tro ub le d fro wn , he adde d ge ntly , "bu t we'l l do it an yw ay. i p ro mi se d y ou, ki ra. " sh e co uld fe el pow er and re ass ur an ce flo w ou t to he r and her exp re ss io n gra dua lly cle ar ed. "i k no w you di d, and i'm de fini tel y goi ng to ho ld you to it, " sh e sai d lig htl y. "do you have

an y id eas as to how we' re goi ng to man ag e it? " "a few, " he said abs en tly . his ga ze tr ave le d pa st her to the ph ot og ra ph on the wall ac ros s th e r oom . " is th at on e of y our s? " sh e tur ne d he was ca re le ss ly . wa ll wh er e

to th e bl ac k-a nd- whi te blo wup in dic at ing. "yes ," she sa id she ge stu re d to the opp os it e th er e w er e a h al f

doz en fram ed bla ck -an d-wh it e pho to gr aph s. "th ey 'r e all min e. pho to gr aph y i s on e o f m y h ob bi es ." "ye s, i kn ow. " he cros se d the room and st ood bef ore the pho tog ra ph tha t had ca ught hi s att en tio n. "th is is magn if ice nt. you can alm os t fe el the rage and fru st ra ti on th e m an i s fe el ing. " "s te fan th ough t so to o," ki ra sa id with a to uch of gri mne ss . "t he orig ina l pho to gr aph appe ar ed in the be la jo

se nt inel . th at 's mar c na ld on a, the tra de uni on lea de r. i to ok it at a se cr et to rchlig ht mee ting in the wo ods nor th of th e city a li ttl e over a year ago . st ef an wa s pe rf ec tly fu ri ous . he co nf is ca te d my ca me ra and lectu re d me for two days ." she re ga rde d th e ph ot og ra ph som be rl y. "h e al so exi le d the edi to r of the ne wsp ape r and in st all ed one of hi s st oog es in his pl ac e. th en ste fan tr ie d to arre st nal do na , but he wa s war ne d an d fle d the cit y be fo re the sol di er s a rriv ed ." "do n' t loo k no w, but i thin k you r ma dc ap fac ad e is sl ipping dra stic all y, " zack sa id sof tl y. "do i det ect a no te o f pa tr io ti sm? " sh e sh ook her he ad . "i tr ie d to do som eth ing wh en i real iz ed ho w bad ste fan wa s for tam ro via , bu t he mad e quit e su re i wa s helple ss . i wa s a doll to be ma nipul at ed . th at was why i cho se to sp end my sch oo l year s in am er ic a and my vac at io ns in sedi kh an. i don' t wa nt to ca re

wh en i ha ve no pow er to cha nge wha t' s ha ppeni ng h er e. " "b ut you do c are ." sh e sm ile d a lit tle sadl y. "th en i' ll ha ve to ge t ove r it, won 't i? bec au se if i ma na ge to ge t marn a ou t of tam rov ia th is ti me , i don 't think i'll be ab le to com e ba ck . ka rpa tha n will mak e qu ite sur e tha t ste fan re fus es to let me re tu rn ." sh e str aight en ed he r sho ul de rs with a to uch of brav ado and li ft ed her chin . "i t lo ok s as if 111 hav e to co ns id er a car ee r. do you think i cou ld ma ke a li vi ng a s a pho to gr aph er ?" "ye s, if tha t' s wh at you wa nt. i thin k you ca n be any th ing you wan t to be ," za ck sai d gen tly . "t he se ph ot og ra phs are bri lli ant . di d y ou ta ke t hem wi th t he n ik on? " "ye s, i us ed a lo ng -r ang e— " she st are d at him . h ow d id you kn ow i h ad a n ik on? " "i mu st ha ve read it somew he re ." hi s eye s

we re ti ll o n t he pho to gr aph . sh e frowne d. "i did n' t thin k any of th e re po rt er s kn ew abou t my work . it' s not som eth ing i ta lk ab out. " "ho w els e cou ld i ha ve k no wn?" sh e sh ru gge d co uld n' t.

we ar il y.

"i

gu es s

lo rd, th er e' s no wa y to keep pr iv at e t he se days , i s th er e?"

you

an yt hing

"w as it the niko n you r bro th er took away fro m you? " "ye s, it ne arl y br oke my hea rt . i lo ve d th at ca me ra . ma rn a gav e it to me for my ei ght een th bi rt hd ay an d it wa s abs ol ut ely won de rful . it mu st hav e co st he r a sm all fort une . i fe lt guil ty ac cep ting it fro m her , but i coul dn 't re sis t. " s he ma de a f ace .

"s te fan was n' t ab ou t to le t me ha ve an yt hing tha t migh t st imul at e my in dep en den ce and take my mind off wha t he co ns id er ed m y du ty ." "yo u made go od us e of th e cam er a whil e you had it . th es e pho tog ra ph s are ex ce pti on al. i'll bu y you an ot he r on e as soo n a s we r et ur n t o t he st at es ." "n o, " sh e said em pha tic all y. "i 'll bu y it my se lf and th is time i won 't let an yon e ta ke i t a wa y from me ." th er e was a littl e fli cke r of pri de in hi s dar k eye s. "n o. i don 't th ink you will ." he tu rn ed aw ay from the pho to gr aph. "w ell di sc us s it onc e we 'r e ou t of tam rov ia . i be lie ve we' d bet te r acc ompl ish th at as soo n as po ss ibl e, con si de ri ng ka rp at ha n is he re ." sh e be ca me very st ill. "wh en?" "i thin k to mo rro w nigh t du ring the rec epti on will be as go od a tim e as an y. from wh at he

sai d, ste fan appe ar s to be in vi ting pr ac tic all y the ent ir e bus ine ss an d soc ia l wo rl d of tam rov ia to th e fes ti viti es . it sh oul d be re la ti ve ly easy to sm uggle mar na ou t o f t he p al ac e du ring th e pa rt y. " "t om orr ow?" kir a felt ne rv ous ne ss , bu t she imm ed ia te ly . he was rig ht, be tt er . "eas y? th er e are tw o of he r d oor at a ll t im es ."

a fri ss on of supp re ss ed it the soon er the gua rd s in fro nt

"g ua rd s can be br ib ed an d pala ce gu ar ds are n' t nea rl y as un co rr upt ible as your br oth er wo uld li ke to th ink ." "a bri be tak es tim e, " ki ra sai d sk ep tic all y. "t he las t ti me we brok e her out of pr is on it to ok th re e we ek s for cl anc y an d me to fi nd a sus cep tibl e gua rd an d per su ad e him it wo uld be safe to take a br ib e. you 'r e on ly al lo wing you rs el f a lit tle over tw ent y- fou r ho ur s. " "i 'll ma na ge. " he didn 't lo ok at her as he

sh rug ge d ou t of his su ed e jack et and to ss ed it nex t to he r su it jack et on th e co uch. "t ru st me ." "yo u see m to be sayi ng tha t qu it e a bit la tel y, ' sh e sai d with a si gh. "i don 't hav e a gr ea t d eal o f ch oic e, d o i ?" "yo u won 't be th ink you had ag ai n and tak e be a go od ide a th e w ind so s he

sor ry. " he sm ile d. "n ow i bet te r put on you r sho es me to se e ma rn a. it woul d to let he r kno w wha t' s in c an b e pr epa re d. "

"i th ough t we' d go la te r and ha ve di nne r wi th h er ." he sho ok hi s he ad . kar pa th an an d ste fan will ass ume we 'll wan t to ha ve din ne r al on e. we 'r e l ov er s, r em em be r?" ho w coul d she forg et? all he ha d to do was lo ok at her an d she remem be re d how hi s mo uth had fe lt on he r . . . "all righ t, " sh e sai d quic kly as sh e wal ke d to wh er e she 'd

ki ck ed off her hi gh-h ee le d sho es bes id e th e couch . "i' d for go tt en. " she slippe d th em on and gave he r ha ir a cu rs ory pat . "i 'm re ady. " "n ot qui te. " he wal ke d tow ar d her . "w e' ve be en alo ne in thi s su it e for al mo st an ho ur , an d we' re supp os ed to be un ab le to ke ep ou r ha nd s off eac h oth er . you loo k much to o pr op er ." sh e didn 't fe el at all pro pe r. he r he art was be at -i ng so fas t sh e exp ect ed it to leap out of he r br eas t at an y mom ent . "re al ly? " he no dde d sl owl y. "re al ly . sinc e we' re go ing to be on pu blic dis pla y, we sh ou ld op t for au th enti city ." he too k her in hi s arm s. sh e had n' t tho ught he r hea rt coul d rac e any fast er , but sh e was wro ng. "1 tol d you i didn 't li ke to do anyt hing unl es s i co uld con cen tr at e my en tir e att ent io n on it ," he sai d. hi s fin ge rs ta ngl ed in he r hai r an d he gen tly tugg ed her hea d back. "open you r mo ut h, lo ve ." hi s to ngu e move d very

de li ca tel y at fi rst , sl owl y expl or ing the sm oo th ne ss of her tee th and the dar k ca vi ty of he r inn er ch ee k, toyi ng tea si ngly wi th her to ngu e. the n, with a soun d tha t wa s a ha lf -gr owl de ep in his thr oat , th e de li cac y was gon e. his tongu e wa s spe ar ha rd an d his han ds we re hot and res tl es s, ru nnin g up and down her spin e as if he co uld n' t touch en ou gh of he r. a low, ke en ing cr y tre mbl ed in he r thr oa t as she arc he d int o his bod y, he r mo ut h ope ning wi de r to tak e mor e of him . hi s ton gue wa s mo vi ng rhy th mi ca lly , hot ly , an d hi s han ds sl id dow n to cup he r bu tto ck s and lif t he r in to th e ho ll ow o f h is hip s. aro us al . st ark , hung ry , sh oc ki ng. sh e ga sp ed and pr es se d her se lf cl os er wi th a lit tle inc oh er en t mu rmu r. th en, sud de nl y, zac k wa s st epp ing ba ck , hi s che st mov ing hea vi ly with the ha rs hn es s of his bre at hing . he loo ke d dow n at her fl ush ed che ek s an d bru is ed

lip s. "th at 's be tt er ," he sai d th ickl y. "b ut no t q uit e g oo d en ou gh. " "n o? " s he a sk ed d aze dly . hi s ha nd s we re qui ckl y unb utt oni ng th e pe ar l butt on s of he r si lk blo us e and dra wi ng th e mat erial aw ay from her br eas ts . he unf as te ne d th e fro nt open ing of he r b ra. " st an d st ill, lo ve . i t w ill o nl y b e a mo me nt. " th en hi s mo uth was env el opi ng her nippl e an d suc kling gentl y. his han d fra me d the sw oll en mo un d, pump ing rh yt hmic all y as hi s t ee th pul le d a nd h is to ngu e s oo th ed . st an d stil l, he had to ld her . she coul dn 't ha ve mov ed if sh e had trie d. sh e cou ldn 't do any th ing but loo k down at hi s dar k he ad ben t ove r he r br eas t and wat ch as hi s lip s and tongu e mo ve d on her fl es h and dro ve her to the edg e of ins ani ty . he r br eas ts wer e lif ting and fall ing as if sh e

we re ru nning and she ha d to ope n he r mo uth wid e to ge t air to he r oxyg en st arv ed lungs . eve ry pulli ng tu g, eve ry te as ing bru sh of his ton gue see me d to be co nne cte d to a bu rnin g wir e wh ich le d to th e a pe x o f h er th ighs . th en hi s he ad wa s li ft ing, his eye s, dar k an d wild and br ill ia nt, sta ring into her ow n. "i th ink tha t sho ul d do it. " hi s voi ce wa s hoa rse and st rai ne d. "if i lo ok li ke you do, the re won 't be an y doub t ab ou t wh at we 'v e be en doing ." his han ds wer e tr em bling sl ightl y as he fast en ed he r br a an d th en butt on ed he r bl ous e. "c om e on. le t' s get out of he re or we 'll ne ve r get to se e ma rn a to day ." his ha nd wa s be ne ath he r e lb ow , pr op ellin g he r to wa rd t he door . he r kn ee s fel t lik e wa rm butt er an d she wa sn 't sur e th ey 'd supp or t he r. "y our me tho ds are a lit tle dra stic . was al l tha t re ally ne ce ss ar y?"

he ope ne d th e door. "n o, the kis s al one pr ob ab ly wo uld ha ve bee n suf fici ent to cr ea te th e effe ct we ne ed ed for ou r au di en ce. " his eye s droppe d com pul si ve ly to her fu ll bre ast s push ing aga in st th e si lk bl ou se. th ey we re stil l sw ol len an d ta ut an d be ca me even mo re so un de r hi s bu rni ng appr ai sa l. "t he re st was for me. i wa nt ed to see you . i wa s hung ry ag ai n. i th ink i' ll al wa ys be hungr y now . whe n we we re in th e thr on e room , all i coul d thin k of wa s how much i nee de d to have you on my lap as you we re thi s mo rn ing, hal fna ke d an d wa nti ng me , mak ing th os e soft lit tle sound s tha t—" he bro ke off , too k a de ep br eat h, and then le t it ou t ve ry sl owl y. "la te r. " then he clo se d the door be hin d them an d nu dge d he r gentl y for wa rd int o th e highl y po lis he d oak ha llwa y. "i thin k it woul d be a go od ide a if you led the way , kir a. i app ea r to ha ve lo st my s en se of d ire ct io n at t he mo men t. " th e two arm ed gu ar ds sta nd ing be for e th e

dou ble doors of mam a' s sui te we re ga rbe d in the el ab orat e dark blue dres s unif orm s of th e ta mr ovi an arm y an d re mi nd ed zac k vagu el y of st age ext ras he 'd see n in an op er et ta he 'd a tt en de d in p ar is . th ey fail ed to chall eng e ki ra as sh e op en ed th e doo r and ga ve zac k no mor e tha n a pa ss ing g la nce . "n ot exac tl y raz or- sh ar p se cu ri ty ," zac k mu rmu re d to ki ra as he foll ow ed her int o th e eleg ant su it e and cl os ed the doo r. "th is ma y be e as ie r th an i t hou ght. " "s te fan le ts me co me an d go as i pl ea se ," ki ra sai d. "and ev ery one in the pala ce will ha ve be en tol d ab out you by now ." the doo r opp os it e the sit ti ng room op en ed and sh e was sud de nl y runn ing tow ard the ta ll wo ma n dres se d in bl ack wh o sto od qui etl y in th e d oor wa y. " ma ma !" ki ra was imme di at el y wo ma n' s str ong arms ,

fold ed in th e her di mi nuti ve

fra me ap pe ar ing even sl ight er in co nt ra st wi th ma rn a deb uk 's mas si ve buil d. zack ha dn 't re me mb er ed he r as bei ng tha t tall . th e gyps y towe re d ove r si x fe et and vagu el y re se mb le d a lad y wre st le r. the fe atu re s of her fac e wer e ha rs h and blun t an d h er dark, s hi ning ha ir wa s cl ubb ed j us t be lo w he r ea rs. th at imp as si ve face di dn 't lo ok an y dif fer en t fro m th e wa y he i re me mb er ed it ove r fif te en ye ars ago . he r bl ack eyes wer e jus t as snapp ing br igh t, he r face as in scr ut abl e and age le ss as the day he' d fi rs t se en he r when he wa s a bo y of nin et een . he r arm s wer e hugg ing ki ra wi th th e fier ce ma te rn al aff ec ti on of a gri zz ly , bu t her ey es me t za ck 's over kir a' s hea d. "y ou ca me ." he sm ile d f ain tly . " you kn ew i w oul d. " "ye s. i kn ew. " she ga ve kir a on e fina l em br ac e and slo wly rel ea se d he r. "i t is

don e?" "n o. " ma ma 's e xp re ss io n s ha rp ene d. "w hy no t? " "b ec au se i a m no t a chit ka ," he sai d s oftly . he r fac e cl ou de d wi th an ge r. "i want ed it d —" sh e br ok e off and th en ga ve a deep, bo oming laugh . "n o, you are no t a chit ka ," sh e sai d, sha king her hea d. "yo u ne ve r we re , zack. th ough in thi s ca se i wi sh you ha d be en . it wo ul d hav e be en easi er for me ." "an d for me too. but the eas y way is no t al wa ys h e b es t w ay ." ki ra wa s loo ki ng fro m on e to th e ot he r wi th ex asper at io n. "i 'm sti ll in th e room , you kno w, " sh e sa id po int ed ly . "i have the di st inc t fee ling th at i' ve jus t bec om e in vi si ble. "

"g o sit down, kir a, " mar na sa id, not lo ok ing at her . "i mus t tal k to zack for a min ute . w e h av e th ings to d is cu ss ." ki ra tur ne d obe die ntl y awa y an d th en su dd en ly whi rl ed ba ck to face th em. "t he hel l i will . i'm not an inf an t to be sen t out to pl ay wh ile adul ts ta lk. " ma ma 's eye s wi de ne d in su rp ri se an d th en dar ke ned with a to uch of sadne ss . "i t ha s al re ady b egu n th en. " "oh , marn a, i'm sorr y," kir a sa id , ins tan tly co ntr it e. "i did n' t me an to sn ap . it 's jus t th at i don' t und er sta nd any of thi s, an d bo th you an d za ck are tre at ing me li ke a chil d. " "all righ t, st ay, " mar na sa id wi th a shr ug. "i t will mak e no di ffe renc e. " she fac ed

za ck , her jaw set a tr if le be llig er en tly . "yo u a cc ept th e mo nd ava ?" "i acc ept it, " zac k said quie tly . "wi th all my he art ." th e bellig er en ce sud denl y faded , re pla ce d by we ar in es s. "th at goe s wi tho ut sayi ng. it ha s to be with all you r hea rt or the re is no mo nd ava ." she tu rn ed aw ay. "i t mus t be don e as qu ickl y as pos si bl e. i'm fi nd ing th is v ery di ffi cult ." "t on igh t," z ac k s ai d. he r fac e too k on a sud den fie rc en es s. "no ! you 'v e had your chan ce. you ca n wai t now unt il we can do it pr op er ly and wit h all du e c er em on y. " za ck frowne d. "th e he ll i will . we don' t ev en kn ow wh en tha t will be and i'm al re ady g oi ng c ra zy. " th er e wa s the sl igh te st hin t of ma lic io us

ple asu re in ma ma 's sm ile . "how un fo rt una te . th en you 'll ju st ha ve to arr ange mat te rs so th e ce re mo ny can tak e pla ce q ui te s oon, w on 't you? " za ck mutt er ed a low oath un de r his bre at h. "h as it s lipp ed y our mem or y t ha t ri ght n ow we ha ve to co nce ntr at e on you r es cap e fro m t amr ov ia? " "i thou ght you' d bo th for go tt en, " kir a sai d ca us tic ally . "you won 't mind if i inte rr upt th is cr yptic con ve rs ati on to rem ind you th at we ca me he re to inf or m marn a we' re pla nning on ge tt ing her ou t of her e to mo rro w? " ma ma 's ga ze m ov ed t o zac k' s f ace . "h ow ?" "t om orr ow nigh t th er e will be a recep tio n at the pal ac e an d pe opl e wi ll be com ing an d goi ng con st an tly . you r gu ar ds will be br ib ed to all ow you to be smuggl ed ou t of he re and th ro ugh bel aj o to the wo ods sou th of th e cit y. a hel icop te r will be

wa it ing th er e. kir a and i wil l join you as soo n as we can get awa y from th e re ce pti on. then well tak e off. by dawn we sh oul d hav e cro ss ed th e bo rde r int o sw it ze rla nd ." he tu rn ed to kir a. "ar e the gr ou nd s to th e rear of th e pal ace as well gua rde d as t he ma in ga te? " "ye s, " she sai d tho ught full y. "bu t you wo n' t have to tak e her out ei the r th e ba ck or the fron t." her ey es me t ma ma 's and sh e sm ile d. "t he re 's a no th er wa y." za ck 's b ro ws li ft ed . " a f ly ing ca rp et. " sh e gri nne d. "b et te r. a se cr et pas sa ge in my ap ar tm ent tha t le ad s un de rn ea th the gr ou nd s an d the mai n gat e an d int o a cave in the wo ods . all you hav e to do is arran ge to h av e a ca r st an di ng b y ou t of si ght o f t he pal ac e. " "a secr et pa ss ag e, " zac k rep ea te d, a li ttl e sm ile tugging at his lips. "i sho uld have

kn own . wha t el se coul d i exp ect in a si tu at ion lik e thi s? gy psi es , pal ac es , an d ba lk an intr igu e. it fit s rig ht in . i wo nde r wh y i eve n bo th er ed to formul at e an ef fic ien t pla n. " "i t is effi ci ent, " ma rna said sl owl y. "jus t wh at i woul d ha ve exp ect ed of you, zack. i will ma ke on ly on e al te ra ti on ." za ck f rown ed . " alt er at io n?" "t he helic opt er pilo t will pu t us down in a cle ar ing th at i will desig na te , ab out eig hty mil es fro m her e. he will be orde red to re tu rn in tw ent y-f our ho ur s. " sh e smil ed calm ly . "and th en he will fl y us to s wi tz erl an d. " "n o! " za ck sai d. "i t' s to o ri sk y. the en tir e co un- tr ys ide ma y be c ra wlin g wi th— " ma rn a hel d up he r ha nd to sto p him. "it is th e o nl y w ay i will go ."

"m arn a, pl ea se ," kir a pl ea de d. "i don 't kn ow wh at thi s is all abo ut , but if zac k th ink s it' s too dang er ou s, the n i be lie ve you sh oul d do a s h e a sk s. " a cu ri ou s smil e tugge d at ma ma 's lip s. "y ou tr us t h im?" ki ra m et he r e yes s te ad il y. "i t ru st him ." "g oo d," mar na sai d. "i tru st hi m, too, bu t we 'll st ill follo w my pl an and no t hi s. " sh e pa tt ed ki ra 's che ek gent ly . "g iv e in to me in this , lit tle one . it is for the be st , i pr om is e you. for th is la st ti me, le t me be th e one to mak e thing s as the y sho uld be for y ou. " th is la st tim e. the wo rds we re wei ght ed wi th a str ange sadn es s th at mad e kir a vagu el y une as y. "m arn a. . ." she sta red at he r helpl es sly . the n sh e tur ne d to zac k, unc on sci ou sly squ ar in g her sh oul ders . "z ack , i thi nk we sho ul d do as sh e wish es . ca n' t you fin d som e wa y to mak e it safe for

he r? it 's on ly for o ne n ight a nd— " "all righ t. " th e qui et ass en t su rp ri se d he r so muc h tha t sh e br oke off in mi dse nt enc e. wh er e sh e ha d exp ect ed to find re sis ta nce , she no w found on ly gentl ene ss an d un de rs ta nd ing . "don 't loo k so ast oun de d, lov e. i kn ow how you fee l ab out ma rna ." he tu rn ed awa y. "i 'l l get to wo rk righ t awa y rea rrang ing my plan s. " hi s ga ze met mam a' s ac ros s the room . "i gue ss thi s me an s you 'r e ke ep ing kir a with you to nig ht?" ma rn a no dde d. "ye s. we will hav e di nn er to ge the r and talk of the ol d days an d re me mb er . i will sen d her bac k to you to mo rro w a fte rno on ." a cro oke d smil e sl an te d hi s lip s. "i supp os e it w oul dn 't d o a ny go od t o r em ind you th at ka r-p ath an will co ns id er it a lit tle str an ge for me to le t he r le av e to nigh t, when we 'v e put out th e sto ry we 'r e a very ho t

it em? " "h as k arp ath an se en you to ge the r? " za ck no dde d. " yes ." ma rn a smil ed fain tly . "t he n the re is no pr ob lem . ka rpa tha n is not a chit ka eit he r. he has ey es to se e wh at is th er e and man y thin gs no t so pla in ." sh e paus ed . "he cam e to visi t me a few tim es whi le y ou w er e go ne. " "h e d id? " k ir a a sk ed , st ar tl ed . " wh y? " ma rn a shr ugge d. "wh o kn ow s? he aske d no qu es tio ns . he mer el y sat and cha tte d an d sm ile d. he kn ow s i do no t tru st him . pe rh aps he th ough t to wo rk his ma gic on me as h e d oes o n st ef an ." "w ork hi s mag ic, " zac k rep ea te d th ough tf ully . "a cu ri ou s ph ra se . are you cr ed it ing h im w ith ras put in-l ik e p owe rs ?"

"i do no t kno w. th er e are men wh o are not ea sy to read ," mar na sai d. "som e men are me an t to con trol th e win ds an d oth er s are me an t to be bu ff et ed by th em. " she lo ok ed di rec tly at zac k. "w hich do you . th ink is ka rpa tha n' s d es ti ny ?" "t ha t' s a good que sti on , "'z ac k said dryl y. "p er ha ps i' ll in vi te him to have dinne r wi th me. at le as t it wou ld be st imul at ing an d i'm evi de ntl y to be de pr iv ed of wh at i re ally wa nt ." "onl y te mpo rar il y. " ma ma 's su dd en smi le lit he r usu all y impa ss iv e fac e with wa rm th. "i than k you for giv ing me thi s, " sh e s aid h alt ingl y. " i ca n al re ady feel you r pow er . you coul d hav e wo n i f you 'd ca re d t o d o b at tl e." he sh oo k hi s hea d. "t he n i tr ul y woul d ha ve lo st . we 'r e no t in comp eti ti on, mar na . i' d be an ungr at eful bas ta rd if i didn 't re ali ze a ll i o we y ou. " h is ey es

ling er ed for a mo me nt on ki ra 's bemu se d fac e. "s ta y wi th her ," he sai d sof tl y. "l ov e he r, ki ra, th er e' s no on e who des er ves it mo re ." ki ra la ugh ed a lit tle sha ki ly . "i kno w. i' m ju st won de ri ng ho w th e de vil you do. a fe w mo nt hs ou t of a li fe tim e fi fte en yea rs ag o and you 'r e su dde nly blo od rel at iv es or som eth ing. " za ck gr inn ed . "pe rh aps you 'r e no t far off th e mar k. th e ame ri ca n ind ia n is suppo se d to hav e arr iv ed in nort h am eri ca by cr os sing th e be ri ng st rai t in the daw n of hi st or y. ma yb e my an ce st or s and ma rn a' s wa nd er ed acro ss eur op e and asia tog eth er at o ne po int in tim e. " ma rn a loo ke d at him in su rp ri se . "b ut wh y are you laugh ing? th at 's exac tly wha t ha ppen ed ." za ck blin ke d an d then sho ok hi s he ad re sign edl y. " you di dn 't te ll m e. ".

"i do no t tell an yon e eve ryt hin g," sh e said . "l if e w ou ld no t b e n ea rly as i nt er es ting ." "ju st a go od deal si mple r, " zack mur mur ed . he ope ne d th e door. "e nj oy your even ing, la di es . i ll s ee y ou t om or row , k ir a. " ki ra wa tch ed the door cl os e behi nd him wi th a n o dd f ee ling of l on eli ne ss . "k ir a." ma rn a' s voic e wa s sof t and so wa s her ex pr es si on when kir a tur ne d to fac e he r. "i t' s o nl y on e n ight , n ot for eve r. " ki ra smil ed mist ily . "i don 't kno w wha t' s go ing on . i don' t kn ow wh at 's happe ning to m e. " "yo u k no w. " ki ra lo ok ed in to her ey es . "i lo ve him ? how co uld i? i d on' t e ve n k no w h im. "

ma rn a sh rugg ed . "you kno w hi m. he is the ot he r ha lf of you. wh en the two pi ece s co me to ge the r the re is no unce rt ai nt y. ac cep t it ." "m arn a ... " kir a su dde nly ca me ba ck in to he r arms . "i' ve nev er felt lik e this be for e. help me ." ma rn a' s han d wa s gentl y st rok ing her hai r. "i hav e help ed you . now you mu st help me ." ki ra 's h ea d li ft ed sw if tl y. "h ow? " "fo rge t him. forg et him for th is one night an d be my ch ild ag ain. " ki ra gaz ed at he r for a long mom en t an d th en slo wly no dde d. "if tha t is wha t you wa nt. " "t ha t is wha t i wa nt ." mam a ga ve he r a qu ick, affec tio na te hug and th en le t he r go . she to ok kir a's han d and drew he r over

to the cou ch, push ed he r dow n on the cu shi on ed so ftn es s, an d sa t down be si de he r. th en she to ok her han d aga in wi th a co mpa nio na bl ene ss th at br id ge d all th e ye ars. "do you kno w wh at i firs t re me mbe r ab out you ? you we re on ly a few mon ths ol d wh en i cam e to the pal ace , an d i was fri ght ene d, an d lo nel y for my peopl e. you we re sle epi ng when the y br ought you to me . th en you open ed your ey es an d i kn ew i' d nev er be lon ely agai n. i kn ew th at as lo ng as i had you to lo ve and car e for, th er e woul d ne ve r be lo nel ine ss or sa dne ss or an y ba ttl e i co ul d n ot win ." ki ra felt an achi ng "w e di dn' t win all th os e we did win we re th er e wit h me

tigh tne ss in he r thr oa t. th e ba ttl es , ma rn a, but we re won bec au se you ."

"t al k to me ," ma rn a sa id soft ly . "rem emb er wi th m e. " ki ra hes it at ed , tryi ng to gra sp ju st wh at it

wa s ma rn a nee de d. then , with abso lut e ce rt ai nt y, she knew . it wa s th e time for ga th er ing me mo ri es and dre ams of chil dh oo d so th ey co uld be sto red lov ingly aw ay to ma ke roo m for ne w dre am s, new vi si on s. marn a wa nt ed to be na me d gua rdi an of th os e mem or ie s bec au se sh e wa s afrai d sh e' d hav e no pl ace in th e new dre am . it was n' t tr ue , but kir a kne w tha t wo rds woul d nev er con vi nce ma rn a. sh e wo uld have to be sho wn. in the mea nti me, sh e wo uld giv e mar na wha t sh e ask ed . sh e se tt le d her se lf mo re com fo rta bl y on the co uch, he r fi nge rs tight enin g on the han d of her old fri en d. "i th ink one of my ve ry be st me mo ri es is of th e firs t tim e you too k me to mee t your pe ople . i co uld n' t have be en mo re than th re e or four , and i wa s so ex ci te d. it wa s spr ing an d the enti re gyp sy ca mp wa s ba th ed in su nligh t. th e ho rse s' co at s wer e gl eam ing an d the pain t on the ca rav ans wa s so bri ght it hur t my ey es to lo ok at the m. ever yon e was laugh ing and gla d to see you . i fe lt a lit tle shy among all

th os e stra ng er s, but you we re ho ld ing my ha nd an d i wa s so pro ud to be with you . i kn ew th er e wa s not hing to be fri ght en ed of as l ong as . .. " for man y hou rs the y wov e ta pe st ri es of me mo rie s an d lo ve and tog eth er ne ss . the ligh t in th e roo m me llo we d an d then faded to an int ima te dus k as the y sp ok e an d re me mb er ed an d pr ep ar ed the way for the ne w ha rve st t o c om e.

fi ve st ef an to we re d hea d and sh oul de rs ab ove th e sma ll cot er ie su rr oun ding him . his br oad- sh oul de re d form lo ok ed ver y imp re ss iv e in the me da l-b ede ck ed blu e uni fo rm and his si lv er -t hr ea de d au bu rn ha ir sh on e as he sto od und er the ma gni fic ent cr yst al cha nd eli er in th e ce nte r of the ball ro om. he was la ughi ng, hi s f ace ha nd so me . "b rot he r ste fan app ea rs to be in a go od

mo od ton ight, " zac k mur mu re d in kir a' s ea r as th ey wal ke d ac ros s the room in th e di rec tio n o f th e e li te c lus te r. "w ell , i' m not ," ki ra whi spe re d as she sm ile d bril lia ntl y an d nod ded to th e ri ght an d lef t at ac qu ain ta nce s in th e cr ow d. "i 'm so n er vou s i c an s ca rcel y br ea th e. " "yo u don' t loo k ne rv ou s, " za ck sai d qu ietl y. his gaz e ran over her sma ll fi gu re in th e del ica te pink si lk go wn. "you loo k ve ry lo ve ly , t he pe rf ec t pr inc es s. " "t rai ning ." she mad e a fac e. "i fee l lik e a lit tle girl who wan ts to go hi de und er the co ve rs. i' m s o sc are d ma rn a will be hu rt ." "s he won 't be hu rt ." zac k' s lip s thi nne d to gr im -ne ss . "i 'v e mad e it qu ite cl ea r to my me n wh at will happ en if sh e deve lo ps so much as a han gna il from this es ca pe . i gua ran te e th ey won 't ru n an y ris ks ge tti ng he r ou t of the pala ce . ju st hol d on an d it will al l be over soon . in an oth er ho ur sh e

sh oul d be le av ing th e p ala ce gr oun ds ." "yo u' re su re the gua rd s won 't pa nic and de ci de the bri be is n' t wor th ri sk ing ka rpa tha n' s an ge r? it see ms impo ss ib le th at you wer e abl e to set up th e bri be so qu ickl y. " "t he y won 't pa nic. " his ha nd rea ch ed ou t to cl as p he r arm br acingl y. "an d my me n wo n' t pan ic ei the r. you' re th e onl y one wh o' s i n a t iz zy ." "w ell , i' m not ac cu sto me d to— whe re 's ka r-p ath an? i d on' t s ee h im. " "i do. the re he is ." zac k nod ded tow ar d a co rn er of th e room. "tak e it easy . i gua ran te e he' s not at mam a' s sui te ly ing in wa it wit h a d raw n pi st ol. " "i woul dn 't pu t it pas t hi m. how lo ng do we ha ve t o st ay? " "an ot he r t wo ho ur s s ho ul d d o i t. "

st ef an gla nce d up an d saw th em app ro aching . he imme di at el y stepp ed for wa rd and ou t of the cr owd . "m r. damo n. we hav e bee n wa iti ng for you ," he sa id wi th a jovi al smi le. "th er e are an y numb er of peo ple who wa nt to mee t you ." he gla nce d re pr oa ch full y at ki ra. "yo u sh oul dn 't be so sel fi sh , darl ing. we ha ve n' t se en an yt hin g of ou r gue st si nce you arr ive d. " ki ra f orc ed a sm il e thr ou gh cle nche d te et h. "i 'm sor ry, st efa n. i didn 't re aliz e zack 's arr iva l wo uld cau se suc h a st orm . i' ve be en sh ow ing him some of my fav ori te ha un ts. " sh e pau se d bef ore addi ng delib er at el y, "an d int ro du cing him to my favori te pe ople ." th e geni al smil e faded a littl e. "y es, i hea rd ab out tha t. " the sm ile re ga in ed it s br ill ia nce . "w e all adm ir e your loy al ty , ev en if it is a tr if le mi spl ac ed . i'm sur e mr . dam on re ali ze s th at s om e-

ti me s we 'r e for ce d to un de rt ake unpl ea sa nt ta sk s for t he gen er al go od. " ki ra k ept th e s mil e f ix ed fi rm ly on he r f ac e as sh e co un te d to te n und er he r br eat h. sh e sh oul d kn ow by no w tha t it did no go od to bl ow up at s te fan . he ac tu all y be lie ve d eve ry wor d he utte re d. if he tho ught s om et hing wa s f or ste fan 's goo d an d th e goo d of ta mr ovi a, th en it mus t be so. he wa s the ki ng, was n' t he? "i 'l l try to re me mb er th at th e ne xt ti me i vis it ma rn a an d wa tch he r pac e th e fl oor . she 's a gyps y, st ef an. don' t you re ali ze wh at tha t me an s? fre ed om is as ne ce ss ar y to h er a s ai r to b re ath e." "s and or says she 's adju st ed very well, " st ef an sai d soo th ingl y. "d on' t be so mel od ram at ic , kir a. mr . dam on will th ink al l tamr ov ian s are as unci vili ze d and unt am ed a s you an d you r f rie nd ma rna ."

"m arn a is n' t unci vi liz ed ," kir a beg an hot ly . "h er peopl e hav e a di ffe ren t phil os op hy , bu t th at doe sn 't me an —" za ck 's wo rds swi ft ly cut ac ros s he rs as hi s ha nd ti ght ene d warn ingly on her el bo w. "i ha ppen to adm ir e kir a's un ta me d qua lit ie s, you r ma jes ty . if sh e der ive d them from her for me r nu rs em ai d, th en i ow e her a vote of th an ks. " he smi le d bl an dly . "yo u ma y have he ar d ru mo rs tha t my ow n bac kgr ou nd is n' t pr ec is ely ci vi liz ed ." for an in sta nt st ef an lo oke d a lit tle unc om fo rt able. "w ell , i' m sur e you 'r e— " he brok e off, his exp re ss io n br igh ten ing wi th rel ie f as he sp ot te d his advi se r. "s and or, i was won de ri ng whe re you we re . we must int ro du ce mr. damo n to our gue st s. " ka rpa tha n smil ed la zi ly as he incli ne d his he ad in ack now le dgm ent. "t ha t was my in ten tio n, ste fan . i ca me as soon as i

re ali ze d ou r gu es t of hon or had arri ve d." he tur ne d to ki ra wi th a gra ce fu l bo w th at st ill man ag ed to con ta in a hint o f mo ck er y. "yo u loo k en cha ntin g th is ev en ing, you r high ne ss ." "t ha nk you ," ki ra sai d. ench ant ing. th e wo rd sen t an unpl ea san tly rem ini sc ent ch or d thr oug h her as sh e rem emb er ed ma ma 's rem ar k ab ou t karp ath an wo rk ing hi s ma gic on st ef an. ton ight he look ed mo re tha n ca pa ble of doi ng tha t. the whi te ti e and tai ls ac cen te d bot h his he ight an d el ega nt sle nd er ne ss an d th e onl y not e of co lo r in his out fi t wa s the bril lia nt bl ue an d- wh ite sash he wo re di ago nall y acr oss hi s br ea st. the ver y sim pl icit y of his clo th es onl y se rve d to emph as iz e th e aura of st re ngth th at su rr oun de d him. "i fin d you en cha ntin g, t oo, san do r. " ka rpa tha n' s bro ws li ft ed in su rp ri se an d hi s lips cur ve d in a sl ightl y whim sic al sm ile . "th an k you .. . i th ink ." he tu rn ed to

za ck . "i wa s ju st sp ea king to a ma n i be lie ve you will be fasc ina te d to mee t. he' s som eth ing of a tyc oo n hims el f. we do have th em in tam ro via , you kno w. pe rh aps we co uld le ave ki ra for ste fa n to en te rt ai n for a few minu te s. i'm su re you woul dn 't hea r a wor d th e poo r man said wit h her at you r si de d is tr act ing y ou. " za ck f rown ed . " i don 't kn ow . . ." "g o on, " ki ra sai d quic kly . sh e ha dn 't bee n ex actl y an as set to thei r en te rpr is e thi s ev en ing . zac k was pr ob ab ly afra id to le av e he r a lon e. i t w as ti me sh e st art ed co nd uct ing he rs el f wi th a lit tle mor e con tr ol . "i' ll be fi ne . i wo n' t ev en mi ss y ou ." he sm ile d at he r wit h an inti mac y th at was en ti rel y un fe ign ed . "y ou' d be tt er mi ss me. or i'l l sh ow you ju st ho w wild an d un ta me d i ca n

be wh en i co me ba ck ." hi s han d fel l from he r arm an d he tu rn ed aw ay. "i w on 't b e lo ng." sh e smil ed as sh e wat che d him cros s th e roo m wi th kar pa th an. he mo ve d wi th a pow er an d co nf ide nc e tha t reas su re d an d soo th ed he r eve n wh en be was n' t be si de her . no thi ng coul d go wrong as long as zack wa s he re . "h e' s a ve ry int er es ti ng man, " ste fan sai d th ough tf ully . "he app ea rs qui te tak en wi th you ." "i t' s mu tua l." kir a me t his gaz e dir ec tly . "i ass ume d you we re aw are of th at . you did ass ign him an adjo in ing r oom ." "s and or su gge st ed it wo ul d be t ac tf ul, s inc e you

ev ide ntl y sha re d simi la r qua rt er s at his ho us e in tucs on ," st ef an sai d ea sily . "we wa nt ed th e arrang eme nt to be as di sc re et an d ple as an t a s po ss ibl e f or you ," "t ha nk you , st efa n. " the re wa s a th re ad of ir ony to her ton e. "i re ali ze tha t one of you r pri me mis si on s in lif e is to sav e me fro m th e co ns equ enc es of my own foo li shn es s. " "h e' s a ve ry impo rt an t man . if ha nd le d co rre ctl y, dam on co uld be a valua ble ass et to us. i' m ver y gl ad you bro ugh t hi m wi th you ." he gla nce d at he r wi th sud de n sh ar pn es s. "you reali ze , of co ur se , th at ma rri ag e is out of th e qu es tio n. dam on 's fam ily bac kgr ou nd is tot all y un acc epta bl e." ki ra felt a quic k sur ge of rage . she to ok a de ep , ste ad ying br ea th . "i expec te d you to fe el th at wa y. in oth er wo rds , zack is go od en oug h for me to ha ve an aff air wit h in

ord er to add rubl es to the royal co ffe rs, bu t not good en ough to be th e fat he r of an y ru bin of f p ro gen y. " st ef an' s ex pr es si on was pa ine d. "you don' t ha ve to be unple as an tly cru de , ki ra. you kn ow your pos it ion requi re s cer ta in du ti es of you ." "i don' t kn ow an yt hing —" sh e brok e off in mi d- se nt ence . sh e wo uld n' t let him an ge r he r. it wa s to o dan ge ro us to nigh t. "i' m th ir st y. i thin k 11 1 go see if i ca n find a gla ss of ch amp agn e." she tu rne d awa y. "i 'll se e you la te r, st ef an. " "k ir a." sh e tu rn ed bac k to se e a di st inc tly une as y ex pr es si on on ste fan 's face . "you sp ent la st nigh t i n ma ma 's s ui te. " sh e s ti ffe ne d w ar il y. "so ?" "i 'm sur e damo n rese nt ed sha ring

your

at te nti on wit h an yon e so earl y in your re la ti on ship . it' s obv iou s the man is quit e po ss es si ve o f y ou . y ou w er e luck y h e d idn 't ta ke o ffe ns e a nd l ea ve t am rov ia i n a hu ff ." sh e ga ze d at him in dis be lie f. "no w you 'r e te lling me ho w to con du ct my ow n love aff air ?" "w ell , we al l kno w ho w unth inki ng and un di scipl ine d you can be. sand or an d i di sc us se d it earl y thi s afte rn oon an d we de ci de d it wo uld be bes t to mo ve ma rn a to th e pri so n at bel aj o to mo rrow unt il dam on le av es tam ro via . we' ll mak e sur e sh e has sp eci al tr eat men t an d eve ry com fo rt . th en you 'll be ab le to gi ve damo n you r full at te nti on du ri ng h is st ay. " "s and or, " she rep ea te d dull y. sh e wou ld n't ha ve put th is pl an pa st ste fan , but he us ual ly mov ed mo re sl ow ly and me tho di ca lly . it must hav e bee n ka rp at ha n wh o ha d nu dg ed him in to such swi ft

ac ti on . an d sh e doub te d if it wa s he r pr es enc e in dam on 's bed th at was th e real is su e wi th he r d ea r cou si n. sh e f elt a ri pple of chill ing pani c. did he sus pec t som eth ing? "s and or is ve ry per cept iv e in the se ma tt er s, " st efa n sai d. "you' d be wi se to be gui de d by h im. " go od hea ven s, was he offer ing ka rpa tha n' s se rvi ce s as her pimp, sh e th oug ht hy st er ic all y? sh e ha d to get con tr ol of he rs el f. "i' ll co ns id er th at advi ce . you app ea r to fin d him very valu abl e in tha t ca pac it y. " she tu rn ed aw ay ag ai n. "pe rh aps we 'll d iscu ss it la te r. " sh e was sca rc el y awa re of the ne xt tw o ho ur s as she dri ft ed from gr oup to gro up wi th a bri ght, mea ning le ss smil e pa st ed on he r fac e. she cer ta inl y was n' t con sc iou s of wh at sh e sai d to any one . her co nv er sat io n mu st no t ha ve be en too ou tr age ou s for no

on e see me d to be star tl ed or ups et wi th he r. she cau ght gli mps es of zack from tim e to time , with karp at han al wa ys at hi s el bo w. sh e ha d to rest ra in her se lf from ru nnin g to him an d nes tlin g clo se to shut aw ay the ic y fear ste fan ha d in st ille d in he r. no , she ha d to do her pa rt . she co uld n' t depen d on za ck for ever ythi ng. bu t wh y didn 't he brea k aw ay and com e to he r? sur el y en oug h tim e ha d pas se d no w for t hem to l ea ve w ith out co mme nt. sh e pu t her fl ut ed ch ampa gne gla ss down ca re fu lly on the che st be si de th e fren ch doo rs. she co uld n't tak e this any lo nge r. sh e felt as if her sm ile wer e froz en on he r fac e and her st oma ch full of but te rf li es. sh e' d slip ou t on th e terr ace a mo men t an d ge t a bre at h of air . pe rh ap s when she cam e ba ck in si de , z ac k w oul d b e re ady t o le av e. th e air was cl ea r an d co ld an d th e sta rs br ill ia nt in the nig ht sk y. sh e cl os ed the doo rs be hin d her an d wa nd ere d ou t on the

te rra ce t o s ta nd at th e ston e ba lus tr ade and lo ok out ove r th e gar de n. it wa s much be tt er out her e. the re wa s a pea ce ful -ne ss th at wa s a ba lm to he r raw ner ves . she he ar d th e door op en beh ind he r an d sh e te ns ed . "ar e you al l r igh t?" za ck 's voic e. she rel axe d and tu rn ed to fac e him . "i jus t had to get awa y for a whil e. ca n w e l ea ve no w? " "i n a minut e. " he lef t th e fre nch door op en wi de as he cr oss ed th e te rra ce tow ard he r. "w ha t' s wr on g? you loo ke d tau t as a bow st ri ng. i w as w or rie d a bou t y ou. " "w er e you?" she hadn 't rea li ze d he 'd be en wa tch ing her . the kn owl ed ge sen t a litt le cu rr en t of wa rm th thr ou gh her th at pa rt ia lly dis pel le d th e chill . she lo ok ed up at him . "i was fri ght ene d. ste fan tol d me th at san dor ha d spo ke n to him ab out mo vi ng m ar na f rom th e p al ace to mo rrow .

do you supp os e he sus pec ts some thin g an d ha s se t e xtr a gua rds o n h er t on ight? " he sh oo k hi s hea d. hi s han ds reach ed out an d cupped her fac e in his ha nd s. "i t' s to o la te eve n if he has ," he said softly . "i re ce iv ed wor d thir ty minut es ag o th at ma rn a is saf el y ou t of the pal ac e an d on he r w ay t o th e h elic opt er ." ki ra was so reli ev ed tha t she we nt limp. "oh , tha nk god !" sh e sa id on a long draw nou t b re ath. ho w d id y ou—? " "an ot he r br ib e. i arrang ed to have one of th e gu ar ds get a me ss ag e to me . i kn ew you 'd be w or rie d u nti l y ou kn ew f or s ur e. " "t ha nk you. " sh e co uld feel the fool ish te ars well up in her ey es . it wa s su ch a wo nd er fully tho ught ful thing for him to ha ve d on e. " i f ee l be tt er n ow . when c an w e joi n h er ?" "s oon . fi rst we ha ve to pr ov ide a lo gic al

re ason for with dr aw ing ch ar ming fe st iv it ie s. "

from

ste fa n' s

"w ha t r eas on ?" he smil ed fain tly . "l us t. it 's the mos t co nv inc ing reas on i ca n think of— be si de s be ing the mo st en joy abl e." he sl ow ly lo we re d hi s he ad towa rd her mout h. "i le ft th e d oor o pe n. i d on' t th ink an yon e will be ru de eno ugh to in te rr upt us , bu t it sh oul d be fai rl y cl ea r to an y pas se rby wha t we 'r e doin g he re , even th ough th ey ca n' t se e us to o well bec aus e of the sha dow s. " hi s lips feat he re d he rs , sippi ng with a te as ing delic ac y th at cau se d he r to arc h up to him with helpl es s aban do n. "i mi ss ed you las t nig ht. i'v e ne ve r had you in my be d, bu t s til l i mi ss ed you ." "di d you? " she wo ul d nev er hav e gue ss ed it . wh en sh e ha d ret ur ne d to th e su it e afte r

lunch hi s mann er had bee n ca su al to the po int of b ei ng b ro th er ly . hi s tong ue brush ed her lo we r lip. "i ke pt re me mbe ri ng the sc ent of you and how you r brea st s ta st ed . i lay the re al l ni ght ac hing and th inki ng wha t i' d do to you wh en we wer e tog eth er . when you wa lk ed in to th e su it e i wa s wi thin an inc h of th ro wing you dow n and . . ." he dre w a de ep br eat h. " bu t i kn ew i wo ul dn 't b e a bl e to st op un til th e ac he was go ne, and i wa sn 't sur e if th at woul d be in ho ur s ... " hi s lips hard en ed as he ki ss ed her wi th al mo st br ui sing pa ss io n. "o r days ... or we ek s. " his le ft ha nd mo ve d from he r ch eek , down her th ro at , an d und er the sil k of he r bodi ce. "an d we had a pr io r eng ag eme nt ton ight ." hi s war m palm clo se d over he r nak ed br ea st an d she inh al ed sh arpl y. "i lo ve to fe el you sw ell un de r my ha nd ," he sai d soft ly , his gaz e dar k and in ten t on her face . "i ca n feel you r nippl e ha rde n an d tau ten , push ing

ag ai ns t my ski n. do you kno w how it ma ke s me feel to kno w i ca n do th at to you? i can 't wa it unt il i ha ve you bac k at th e lod ge . i wa nt to kn ow th at anyt ime i wi sh, i can ju st rea ch ou t and slip my ha nd be ne ath al l the se sil ky tra pping s and you'll be as re ady for me as i am for you ." his pal m rub be d slo wly bac k an d forth. she ga sp ed . "i wan t to mak e you wa nt me so much th at you 'r e as cra zy for it as i am. " he r ha nd s dug into his sho ul de rs . "za ck , ple as e, no t. .." he dre w a deep, sh ud de ri ng bre ath, bu t hi s ha nd co nt inue d to mo ve on he r brea st as if un abl e to stop. " i k no w, bu t i d on 't wa nt t o —" he bro ke off . "al l right. " hi s ha nd re luc ta ntl y sl ipped ou t of th e bo dic e of th e go wn. "i' m so rry. i real iz e it 's not the tim e or th e pla ce ." he tu rn ed aw ay. "b ut it su re as he ll be tt er be soo n, dammi t. i can 't ta ke much mo re o f t his ."

"n ei the r ca n i, " kir a sai d sha ki ly . he r br eas ts wer e stil l swo ll en an d tau t and sh e wa nt ed his han d ba ck on her to ease tha t ac hing . "yo u go on ahe ad. i'll join you in th e su it e as soon as i' m in a li ttl e be tt er sh ap e to fac e s te fan 's gue st s. " he r ch ee ks wer e ho t as she tur ne d aw ay. sh e was sur e her arou sa l was alm os t as ob vio us as zack 's . "p er ha ps us ing lu st as an ex cu se wa sn 't suc h a goo d id ea, " she sai d wi th a qua ve ri ng littl e laug h. "ill se e you in a fe w m inu te s th en. " "k ir a." sh e tu rn ed sh oul de r.

to

loo k

at

hi m

over

her

"i t w as n' t lu st ." "i kno w," sh e said soft ly as she mov ed to wa rd th e fre nch doo rs. "i kno w tha t,

za ck ." ki ra ha d alr ead y cha nge d from her forma l we ar to je ans , a thigh -le ngth bei ge sw ea te r, an d soft su ed e bo ot s whe n zac k op en ed the door to th e su ite . he had al so ch ang ed and wa s we ari ng cha rc oal -gr ay co rds an d a bl ack swe at sh ir t, an d carr ying hi s s ue de j ac ke t. "r ead y?" sh e no dde d as she sl ipped on a bl ac k le at he r flig ht jack et and stu ffe d he r pa ssp or t an d wa lle t in to th e pock et . sh e ca st a wi st ful gla nce at the pho to gr aph s on th e wall s. it hadn 't bee n diff icu lt lea vi ng th em be for e, bec au se she had al wa ys kn own she woul d be ba ck . but afte r to nig ht she co uld n' t be sur e sh e woul d ev er be pe rmi tt ed to r et ur n. "i 'll try to arra ng e to hav e them smuggl ed ou t and broug ht to you la te r. " zack 's un de rs ta nd ing ga ze wa s on he r fac e. sh e sm ile d with

an ef fort . "t he y are n' t

re ally val ua bl e exc ept to me ." sh e tur ne d aw ay. "ste fa n wil l pro ba bl y be so an gr y he 'll ma ke a bon fi re of th em an ywa y. ka rpa tha n will no doub t be del ight ed to suppl y t he ma tch ." "w e c ou ld tr y to t ak e th em w ith u s. " "t oo bulk y. i don' t have the neg ati ve s. st ef an de st roye d them wh en he took aw ay my cam er a. it may co me down to ha vi ng to mo ve fas t an d free ." sh e sh ru gge d. "it 's all ri ght . i kn ew when i sta rte d thi s tha t the re we re thin gs i' d have to giv e up. free ing ma rn a is wo rth i t. " "e ven if i t m ea ns giv ing up y our co unt ry ?" "i nev er actu all y had a co unt ry to giv e up ." sh e sm ile d sadl y. "st ef an an d my pa re nt s lo ck ed me up in a nic e, in sul at ed gla ss bu bble and ne ve r let me ou t of it . eve ry ti me i thou ght i had found th e key , th ey ch ang ed th e lo ck ." he r gaz e wen t to th e pic tur e of the uni on lea de r, nal do na .

"w hen he sp ok e at th at mee ting he was ta lk ing abou t al l the thin gs i wan te d for ta mr ovi a. how i wi she d i coul d he lp the wa y he di d," sh e whi spe re d. "g od, i wan te d th at ." sh e di dn' t real iz e za ck was be hin d he r unt il his ha nd s clo se d gen tly on he r uppe r arm s. "w e h av e to g o. " "i kn ow. " sh e st epp ed awa y fro m him and st rai ght ene d her sho uld er s. "i pro ba bl y wo uld n' t have made a very go od ac ti vi st an yw ay. i man ag ed to mes s th ing s up be au ti full y for na ld on a the on ly tim e i tr ie d to do som eth ing con st ruc ti ve for ta mr ovi a. " sh e cro sse d th e room to the pa nel ed wall of book sh el ve s. "th e en tr anc e to the secr et pa ss ag e is rig ht her e. th is ca nd el ab ra bes id e the fi fth she lf ." sh e tu rn ed th e s co nce to t he l ef t a nd t he en ti re bo okc as e sw iv el ed slo wly aw ay from the wa ll, reve aling a dark op eni ng onl y a few fe et w id e. th er e i t i s. "

"i t' s pra ct ica lly no is el es s, " zack said as he pe er ed wa ril y into the darkn es s. "y ou must ke ep t he me cha nis m v ery w ell o il ed ." sh e gr inn ed as sh e tu rn ed on th e fl as hli ght to re vea l a cur vi ng fl ight of na rr ow st on e st ep s. "oh yes, sort of a sacr ed du ty pa ss ed on t o m e b y la nce ." "s acr ed d ut y? " "w ell , per hap s sacr ed is n' t pre ci sel y th e ri ght wo rd. th is ap ar tm ent us ed to bel ong to my brot he r lanc e. " she en te re d th e pa ss ag e an d wai te d un til zac k join ed he r be for e tur ning a sc onc e on the wall tha t wa s ide nti cal to the one in th e sui te . thi s ti me sh e tu rn ed it to th e ri ght . th e bo okc as e sw ung -l owl y shut , impr is on ing th em in the narr ow con es of the pa ss ag ew ay . "yo u' ve pr ob ab ly hea rd la nc e wa s sl ightl y w ild be fore he ma rri ed ." "s lig htl y?" zack ask ed dryl y. "i be li ev e th e ta bloi ds r efe rre d to h im a s lus ty la nc e."

sh e no dde d as she beg an to lea d the wa y ca re fu lly dow n the stai rc as e. "w ell , la nc e di sc ove re d thi s pa ss ag ewa y when he wa s a te en ag er an d us ed it to slip in and out of th e pala ce whe n he wa nt ed to kee p a re nd ez vou s with on e of his la di es . he told me abou t it wh en i vi sit ed him in se dikh an . whe n i ca me bac k i pe ste re d st ef an to let me ch ang e su it es . it mad e th ings much ea sie r for mar na and me , wh en we coul dn 't sta nd it her e any lon ge r an d nee de d to get aw ay from all this st if ling pr ot oc ol ." "i s thi s the on ly se cr et pa ss ag e in t he pa la ce? " " as far as ma rn a a nd i co ul d di sc ov er, and th is one was app ar en tly unus ed an d forg ot te n for decade s un til lanc e foun d it ." she ha d reach ed th e bo tt om of the sta ir ca se an d tur ne d to him with a fi nge r to he r lips. "we 'll hav e to be qui et no w. this pas sa ge run s al on gsi de th e bal lr oo m, down som e st ai rs to the dun ge on, an d un de r the gr ou nd s to th e wo od s acro ss from the ma in gat e. i don 't kno w how thic k th e wall s are in this

pa rt of th e pas sag e, bu t we' d bet te r no t ta ke a ch an ce. " he nod ded an d follo we d he r noi se le ssl y as sh e tur ne d and mad e he r wa y sw if tly th ro ugh t he tw is ting p as sag ewa y. th e li ght s of th e mer ce de s spla ye d out ove r th e co unt ry si de , pic king up the bl ue -an dsi lv er gl ea m of th e helic opt er in th e me ad ow to th e ri gh t of th e dir t roa d on whi ch th ey wer e tr ave li ng. a sma ll po rs ch e wa s p ar ke d be si de it a nd it s d oor s s ud de nl y op en ed as t he me rc ed es ca me to a h al t. t wo me n em er ge d. ki ra 's hea rt gav e a lit tle je rk as mar na was help ed from th e car by the ma n who ha d go tt en out of th e bac ks ea t. she was saf e! sh e didn 't real iz e how te ns e she 'd be en unt il she saw ma ma 's bi g fram e silh ou ett ed ag ai ns t t he h ea dligh ts. za ck 's ga ze was on her fac e. "i tol d you she wo uld be s afe ."

"i kno w, but it see me d imp os si ble th at ev ery th ing co uld go so smo ot hl y, " sh e s ai d, bli nki ng back th e su dde n te ar s. "i t wa sn 't th at i d idn 't t rus t y ou ." hi s ha nd tigh ten ed around her wr is t. "t ha nk you for s ayi ng t ha t. i t m ea ns a gr eat de al to me ." he op ene d th e door . "l et 's get th is li ttl e odyss ey un de r way , sh al l we? ev en if we' re des ti ne d to sp end the nex t day or so in ta mr ovi a, i' ll fee l bet te r onc e we get ou t of the cit y. " he helpe d ki ra ou t of the ca r and tu rn ed to mar na . "ha ve you ch ang ed your min d ab ou t le tti ng us go st rai ght thr ou gh to sw itz er la nd to nig ht, ma rn a? " "no ," mar na said ser en el y. "s wi tz er la nd ha s bee n the re for a lo ng, lo ng time . i tr us t it will sti ll be the re to mo rro w. " he sh oo k hi s hea d. "i was afrai d of thi s. get in to the he lic opt er , la di es . i ha ve a fe w in st ruc tio ns to giv e my men be fo re we le av e. " he joi ne d th em a few minu te s la te r,

ca re fully , stor ing a sm all me ta l su it ca se in th e ba ck of the helic opt er . th e ta ill ight s of th e car s we re di sap pea ri ng down the roa d an d th e mea do w was very dark and eeri ly si len t. "yo u' re go ing to fl y it you rs el f? i tho ught you we re go ing to h av e a pil ot put u s d own an d th en c om e b ac k f or us ." he sh oo k hi s hea d. "i don' t like th e ide a of be ing stra nd ed with no tra nsp or tat io n in ca se thi ngs don' t pro ce ed as sm oo th ly as ma rn a thi nk s th ey w ill. " "p er hap s i sh ou ld fly it? i kno w ta mr ovi a te rra in be tt er th an you do, an d i' m qu it e a go od p ilo t. " "i 'm su re you are, bu t i ne ed som eth ing to do. " he sa t down in th e pil ot 's se at and pa ss ed ma rn a a na vi ga ti on ma p. "i 'd app re ci at e it if you 'd tr y to desig na te our la nd ing si te on the map. it will be ea sie r th an h it -o r- mi ss ."

"c er ta inl y. " mar na ope ne d th e ma p and he r in de x fing er wen t unhe si ta tingl y to a po int on th e m ap. "do es t ha t h elp? " za ck 's lip s wer e twi tchin g as he tu rne d on th e ig nit io n. "it he lps. te ll me, did you ac tu all y re ad the map or did you divi ne it? " "w ha t d if fer en ce doe s it ma ke? " "n o dif fer en ce . i wa s ju st cur io us ." the rot ors we re whir ri ng lou dl y and he had to rai se hi s voic e to be he ar d. "i' d set it dow n th er e r ega rd le ss ." "of cou rs e you wou ld . wh y sho ul d you do an ything el se? we 'v e alre ady det er mi ne d th at you 'r e n ot a chit ka ." a low , amu se d laugh was za ck 's onl y an sw er as th e hel icop te r po nd er ou sl y li ft ed off, tu rn ed in a nine ty -d eg re e ci rcl e, an d he ad ed n ort h.

si x za ck tur ne d off th e ign iti on , reac he d for th e utili ty la nt ern /f la shl ight on th e flo or be si de him, the n op en ed th e door of the hel ico pte r. "your cha rm ing syl va n gla de se em s d ese rt ed. " "i t wo n' t be for long ," mar na sai d ser en el y. "t he y k no w w e' re c omi ng. " i won 't as k ho w. " zac k had com e arou nd an d op en ed th e pa ss en ge r door. he li ft ed fi rst ma rn a an d th en kir a to the gr as s. "b ut i w ou ld lik e t o in qui re who y ou t hink will be co mi n—" "m arn a! " a gia nt of a ma n st eppe d out of th e dar kn es s in to the cir cle of light from th e f la shl ight . "w e kn ew th os e chit ka s co uld n' t hol d y ou. " a sc ow l dee pen ed th e line s of th e man 's roug h-h ewn fe atu re s. "b ut you took you r

ti me abou t bre ak ing fre e of the m. we wer e wo nd er ing wh en y ou w oul d co me ba ck to u s. " "p aul o. " th er e wa s deep affe cti on in ma ma 's mu rmu r as she hugg ed th e lar ge ma n. she turn ed to zack . "you re me mb er my b ro th er pa ulo ." "i rem emb er ," zac k said . he smil ed war mly at paul o as he sh ook th e man 's gig ant ic pa w. paul o deb uk ha d ch ang ed ve ry lit tle ove r the year s. hi s dar k, full bea rd was peppe re d wi th gra y no w, but hi s big-b one d bo dy wa s s ti ll a s li the an d pow er fu l a s za ck re me mb er ed it from year s ago . he wa s dre ss ed in scu ff ed bo ots , an old su ed e vest , a ta tter ed full -s le ev ed tan sh ir t, and rough de ni m tro use rs, an d he wo re thi s sha bb y app ar el with an ai r of ca re le ss ma je st y tha t ev en ste fan wou ld hav e env ie d. "we use d to hunt the se hills tog eth er ," za ck said . "i s hun ting sti ll such a pa ss io n with you,

pa ulo? " "n ow mo re tha n eve r," pa ulo sai d, sm ili ng in an odd way. "t he hill s are fu ll of st ran ge an d in te re st ing pre y the se days . it' s qui te a ch alle nge to st alk it, bu t as ye t i hav en 't bo th er ed t o br ing an y ho me. " za ck 's eyes na rro we d on pa ulo 's bea rde d fac e. "s ound s int ri guing . i wi sh i ha d ti me to join you. " paul o sud denl y la ughe d. "n o, you 'll be to o bu sy wi th the lit tle on e to hun t wi th me on thi s vis it ." he tu rn ed to ki ra and env el ope d he r in a bea r hug , whi rl ing her in a ci rcl e. "how are you , ki ra ? y ou b ag ge d b ig g am e y our se lf , e h?" "h as any one ev er told you ab out wom en 's lib er atio n?" ki ra aske d ta rtl y. "i ne ve r co uld pe rs ua de y ou t o ta ke me hun ting ." "i t wa s not bec au se you we re a fem al e, " he pr otes te d as he se t he r on he r fee t. "to hun t, on e mu st hav e the pr op er ins tinc ts . if i ha d ta ke n you with me , al l you woul d

ha ve d one wa s sn ap p re tt y pi ctu re s. " "an d zack supp os e? "

ha s

the

ri ght

in sti nct s,

i

pa ulo loo ke d at zac k ove r kir a's he ad . "ye s, he ha s th e in st inct s. he kn ow s wh en to ki ll, wh en to cap tur e, and wh en to se t fre e. it 's in th e blo od ." he tur ne d bac k to ma rn a. "i will tak e za ck to the sal da na to sp end th e night . you and kir a go ba ck to th e enca mpme nt. we will sp ea k of th e mo nd ava in t he m orn ing. " "w e ne ed to ca mo ufl ag e th e heli cop te r be for e day br eak ," zac k sai d. "and i ha ve a sh or tw av e radi o to ke ep in con ta ct with my pe opl e in be la jo . i wan t to bring tha t wi th m e t o t he ca mp. " pa ulo no dde d. "i' ll sen d some on e to pick it up tom or row be for e daw n. i'll put a gua rd on th e h eli copt er t on ight. " a gu ar d? th ey pr ob ab ly don 't ev en kn ow

ma ma 's e sc ape d y et. " pa ulo shr ugg ed . "it doe sn 't hu rt to be ca uti ou s. " he ruf fle d kir a's hai r pl ay fully . "run alo ng wi th ma rn a, lit tle one . we 'll ta ke c ar e of e ver ythi ng f rom no w o n. you don 't ha ve t o b e afr aid ." "i 'm not afrai d. " kir a' s han ds clen che d in to fi st s at her si de s in fru st ra ti on . "an d i may be li ttl e, b ut i 'm no t a c hil d. " pa ulo 's laug hte r boo me d out . "we are all chil dren . som e onl y more so th an oth er s. " he tugge d te asi ngly at a lo ck of her au bu rn ha ir . " enj oy y our chi ild ho od , ki ra ." "n o, " zac k sai d quie tly . "w e' re no t be ing fai r. " he to ok a ste p cl os er to he r and his ey es wer e de ep an d so ft in the la nte rn ligh t. "i kn ow all th is is co nf us ing an d an no yi ng to you . i pr om is e it wo n' t

co nti nue to be tha t way for ve ry much lo nge r. i'll try to ex pla in it all to you to mo rro w. ok ay? " sh e felt the now famili ar me lting sen sa ti on at ta ck he r mus cle s and cau se he r bre ath ing to q uic ken . " ok ay. " th e tip of hi s ind ex fing er touc he d her ch eek in th e lig hte st of ca re ss es . "yo u' re be ing v ery pa tie nt w ith us ." "i ne ve r eve n kn ew i pos se ss ed an iot a of pa ti ence unt il the las t fe w days. i' m le ar nin g ne w thing s all the tim e abou t my inn er resou rc es ." she tur ne d to ma rn a. "s ha ll we go on to the ca mp? evi de nt ly i' ve ju st be en to ld to run al on g an d pla y in th e san db ox a ga in ." ma rn a smil ed . "i t is be st . you will se e. co me on , the ca mp is thr oug h th at gr ove of popl ar s. " ki ra lif te d her han d resi gne dl y in fare wel l

to zac k and paul o, an d mut te re d "go od nigh t" be for e fall ing i nt o s te p wi th m ar na . za ck 's gaz e follo we d he r as she swi ft ly st rod e with mar na towa rd th e gr ov e. whe n he r figu re was lo st to him in the sh ado wy dar kn es s of the tre es , he tu rne d tow ar d pa ulo . "a tim e to cap tur e and a tim e to se t free ," pa ulo re mi nd ed hi m s oftl y. za ck clapp ed h im on th e sho ul de r. " i k no w, my frie nd , bu t in th is par tic ula r in st anc e my pri or it ie s are co nf us ed . my hunt ing in sti nct s are bei ng su blima te d by th e ma tin g in st inct . i' ll be damn ed gl ad wh en al l th is is o ve r." "i t is imp or ta nt to ma rna . sh e ha s pl ann ed th is for a lo ng tim e. " pa ulo wav ed hi s ha nd . "i t' s on ly on e mo re nig ht. i hav e an ex ce llen t bra nd y at the sal da na . may be we 'll ge t drun k an d you'l l forge t abou t lit tle ki ra f or th e n ight ."

"i t' s wo rth a tr y, " zac k sai d. he wa s willin g to try any th ing to avoi d anot he r night lik e th e las t one he 'd spen t. he see me d to be in a per ma nen t stat e of arou sa l th es e day s, an d he ha d on ly to loo k at ki ra to ha ve th at arou sa l sh arpe n to an ach ing fe ver is hne ss . "b y all mea ns , lea d on to th e sal da na ." th e cr isp fallen lea ve s cru nche d un de r ki ra 's sue de boot s and she co ul d see her br eat h form mi st y clo ud s as she wal ke d be si de ma rn a th ro ugh the gro ve . the st ars lo ok ed diff ere nt her e in th e wo ods tha n th ey ha d from th e te rra ce . h ad i t b ee n o nl y a few ho ur s sin ce she 'd sto od on th e te rra ce at the pal ac e? she wo nd er ed. sh e fe lt sho ck ed bec au se tha t sc en e see me d to be lo ng to a diffe re nt cen tur y an d ce rt ai nly to a d iff ere nt w orl d. "w ha t i s a sald an a? " she ask ed s ud de nl y. "i t is a pla ce apa rt, " mar na said . "wh en

th er e is a ne ed , one of th e car avan s is pulle d a sh or t dis ta nc e from th e re st of th e ca mp t o i ns ur e c ompl et e p ri va cy ." "a n ee d? " "g ri ef or a sou l sea rch or a mon da va. " sh e pa us ed . "y ou will be wi th za ck at the sal da na to mo rro w n igh t." ki ra sw all ow ed . "i will? how nice of you to te ll m e. " ma ma 's eyes we re sud denl y pr ob ing . "you ha ve pr om is ed t o b el ong t o hi m. is tha t no t so? " "ye s. " "i t is no t ag ai ns t you r will ? you wi sh to be in hi s be d?" "n o, it' s not aga in st my will , an d yes , i wi sh to be in hi s bed .*' he av en kn ew th at wa s the tr ut h. sh e wa s so acu tel y aw are of

him , ju st the li ght to uch of hi s fi nge r on he r ch ee k ha d cau se d a rippl e of des ir e to in va de e ver y se cr et p ar t o f he r. "t he n tha t' s al l th at is imp or ta nt . the un de rsta nd ing will co me in tim e, " ma rn a sai d. "i t i s al l pa rt o f th e mon da va. " "ar e you go ing to te ll me wha t th is mo nd ava is? " kir a ask ed dryl y. "ev id en tly i fi gu re in it pr om inentl y and i app ea r to be th e on ly one around he re who is ig no ra nt ab out i t. " "yo u don' t k no w? i th ough t z ac k w oul d tel l you ." ma rn a sm ile d wryl y. "n o, i tho ught he wo uld sh ow y ou ." "h e was jus t as cl os em ou the d as you we re ," ki ra s aid . ma rn a fro wn ed . "you mu st not go into it wi tho ut kno wle dg e. i did not me an for th at to h appen ."

"z ack sa id it mea nt th e 'fo rev er bond ing ' or 'e ve rla st ing b on di ng' in you r d ial ect ." "e ver la st ing ," mar na said sof tl y. "yes , th at is wh at it me an s. it is th e com ing tog eth er . th e se al ing of tw o sou ls wh o ha ve be en pa rt ed . the re is a pro pe r tim e for all th ings , an d wh en th e ti me is ri ght the re co me s the mon da va. " he r gla nce me t ki ra' s. "n ot onl y the soul s are uni te d bu t als o the bo die s. som et ime s th e me rg ing doe s not co me at one an d th e sam e tim e, but th en on e alw ay s fol low s the ot he r. you mu st not wo rry if za ck see ms to forge t the soul for th e b od y. t he ot he r w ill c om e. " "w ill i t? " k ir a dre w a d eep, sh ak y br ea th . "m arn a, for hea ve n' s sak e, how do you kn ow? za ck ma y on ly be awa re of the phy si cal aspec t of th e mo nd ava . i offe re d my se lf to him on a si lv er pla tt er to get you ou t of tam ro via . he may th ink the mo nd ava is some thin g lik e th e ges tu re s of

ho spi tal it y so me pri mit iv e pe ople mad e in off eri ng thei r wo men to vis it ing men. re me mb er , he onl y spen t a sho rt ti me wit h you r tri be and ma y not full y un de rsta nd th e mon da va. " ma rn a sh oo k he r hea d. "he un de rs ta nd s. " "ma rn a . . ."i t wa s no use . ki ra coul d tel l by the se t of mam a' s jaw th at she had ma de up he r mi nd and no am ou nt of arguin g was go ing to ch ang e it . sh e was obv iou sly co nv inc ed zac k was the on ly ma te for kir a and was pr oc ee di ng to ef fec t th e ani on in he r ow n un iqu e, in ex or abl e fash ion . she wo uld n' t eve n co ns id er th e pos si bil ity th at zac k migh t no t be ready to co mmi t him sel f to an yt hing bu t a ph ys ica l r el at io ns hip. bu t ki ra' s argum ent wa s val id , dammi t, ev en if marn a wo uld n' t adm it it . za ck had ce rt ai nly be en qu ick eno ugh to reje ct the po ss ib ilit y of mar ria ge to her , sh e re me mb er ed wi th a pang . th ei r rela ti on ship had de ep ene d and gr own en or mo us ly in th e sho rt ti me th ey ha d

kn own eac h ot he r, but it didn 't mea n za ck ha d ch ang ed hi s mind . evi den tl y this ri tu al ma rn a wa s arran ging wa s equ iv alent to a tr ib al ma rri ag e cer em on y. leg al or not , za ck had an inn at e re sp ect for tri ba l ri tu al s and woul d rega rd thi s on e as bi nd ing. oh , lor d, she ha dn 't me an t to trap him . an d the re was no doub t tha t th e de sir e torm ent ing the m bo th wa s th e bai t for the tr ap . she co uld n' t le t such a thi ng ha ppen to zac k. "w he n is this cer em on y? " sh e a ske d su dd en ly . "t om orr ow at nigh tf all ," ma rn a sa id . "w e will sp end th e day pr epa ri ng you. " she pa us ed . " of co ur se th e mon da va al so s ign al s th e end of chil dhoo d for a wo ma n an d th e be ginn ing o f m atu ri ty ." ah , kif a th oug ht, no w sh e und er st ood why ma rn a had be en so mela nch oly la st night . sh e be li ev ed kir a wou ld giv e he rs el f to ta ll y to za ck an d for sak e all th os e she 'd lo ve d be for e.

"w e' re goin g to hav e to tal k abo ut you r fe el ing s. marn a, " kir a sai d gen tly . "yes , we ne ed to tal k ab out a go od ma ny thing s ot he r th an m em or ie s. " "t he mo nd ava ," mar na s ai d fl at ly . "i n a man ne r of sp ea ki ng. abou t matu ri ty , an yway . it will wai t, th ough . you 'v e al re ady gi ve n me too much to thin k abou t ri ght no w. " "i t wil l all com e cle ar . tom or row night at th e mon da va. " "k ir a." it wa s za ck 's whi spe r. sh e wo ke ins ta ntl y from the lig ht sl eep in tc whic h she 'd fall en on ly a few hou rs be for e. she lif te d her hea d from th e pillo w an d saw za ck 's dark si lho ue tt e fram ed ag ai ns t the pea rl y gray light of pre da wn co ming thr oug h the ope ning at th e f ron t of

th e wag on. ki ra cas t a gla nce at th e lar ge for m on th e mat tr es s nex t to he r ow n. ma rn a ha dn 't st ir re d a t z ack 's lo w ca ll. ki ra th re w off th e bla nk et an d cam e sw if tly to her kn ee s on the pall et. she se arc he d in the sha d-o ws of th e car avan unt il sh e fou nd her jack et and su ed e boo ts , an d then cra wl ed quic kly to the fron t of th e w ag on. za ck lif te d he r from the seat to the gro und wi th car ef ul an d so un dl es s str eng th. "i 'm gla d i fin al ly foun d you . i thi nk i pe er ed in to ev ery wag on in camp . put on you r bo ots ." he wa it ed whil e sh e pulle d th em on . it was n' t nea rl y as col d as it ha d be en la st night , ev en tho ugh sh e no ti ce d th at th e huge camp fi re , whi ch wa s th e he ar t of th e ring of ca ra van s su rr ound ing it , ha d bu rn ed down to gr ay ash es and fl ic ke ring em be rs . th er e was a tou ch of imp at ien ce in zack 's

fac e as he to ok her han d. "c om e on, le t' s ge t th e hell out of he re ." his voi ce was al mo st roug h an d it sl igh tly st art le d her . sh e had nev er see n zack imp ati ent or roug h. sh e ga ze d at him be mus ed ly as he pulle d her awa y fro m th e ca mp and th ro ugh th e wo ods . th en th ey we re clim bing a hill with a sp ee d th at mad e her leg s ac he a li ttle by the time the y rea ch ed th e s ummi t. th e sun had no t yet ris en and wi thin the clu st er if tre es at the cr es t of the hill hi s fac e was still sh ado we d an d unr ea dab le as sh e face d him . zac k? wh at is it? is som eth ing w ro ng? " "de ar hea ven , yes , some thin g is wro ng, " he sai d in a hus ky to ne of voi ce . hi s arms en fo ld ed h er wi th a c ru shin g po we r t ha t t ook he r br ea th aw ay. if the re ha d be en an y le ft to tak e aw ay. when she 'd bee n br ought with

pa ss io na te vi olenc e aga in st za ck 's bo ld aro us al , sh e' d los t bo th comp os ur e an d br eat h in on e sw oop. "th is is wh at 's wr on g." his han ds mo ve d down to cup her bu tto ck s an d bri ng he r cl os er st ill. his hips be ga n to mov e ag ai ns t her in a sl ow , un dul ati ng mov em ent th at wa s min dle ss ly pr imi tiv e. "i can 't ta ke it any mo re. i th ough t i co uld las t un til ma ma 's dam n ce re mo ny to nig ht, but i can 't do it . it 's be en too lo ng al re ady an d i'm hur ting ." his br eat h wa s co ming in ha rs h gas ps as his ha nd s clen che d on he r soft , roun de d fl es h. "i tri ed eve ryt hing la st nig ht. i coun te d a mill io n damn she ep. i kept paul o up ha lf th e nigh t tell ing st ori es unt il he doz ed off. i even tr ie d to get drun k." hi s laug h he ld an edge of desp er at io n. "i nd ia ns are supp os ed to be su sc epti ble to fir ew ater , bu t it di dn' t faz e me ." his eyes clo se d and hi s ha nd s spl ay ed out with a ta cti le ye arn ing , ru bb ing and smo othi ng gentl y. "m ayb e i wa s high al re ady. "

sh e cer ta inl y was , sh e real iz ed . sh e wa s di zz y an d he lple ss fro m the se ns at io ns he wa s eng en de ring wit h eve ry to uch. sh e co uld det ec t th e fain t sc en t of mu sk and soa p and bra nd y th at clung to his bo dy. sh e had bee n a littl e chill y bef ore , but sh e wa s burn ing up no w. her bre ath wa s co ming in lit tle ga sp s, as if she wer e be ing to uch ed rh ythm ica lly by an el ect ric ch ar ge r. "z ac k . .. " hi s ey es op en ed and he gl ar ed dow n at he r wi th an int ens it y tha t sto ppe d the word s in he r t hr oat . "say it, damm it. " sh e gaz ed up at him in be wil de rm ent . "say wh at? " "s ay yes. say i can hav e you. righ t no w, wi th no mor e of thi s god -aw ful wa it ing. say t ha t i ca n s to p hu rt ing. " he wa s hu rti ng. she co ul d see the agon y th at ta ut ene d his fea tu re s an d ca us ed th e sk in to ti ght en ove r his che ekb on es . and

sh e coul d help him . th e kno wle dg e sen t a fl ow ing wa rmth thr ough her to temp er wi th pu re joy the whi te -ho t pas si on sh e wa s ex pe ri enci ng. she co ul d sto p his hu rti ng, tak e aw ay the hung er b or n o f p ain an d bri ng him pl ea su re , th en pe ace . "oh , ye s, z ac k, " s he s ai d sof tl y. "pl ea se . n ow ." hi s bre at h was rel ea se d in a li ttle ex plo si on . "t ha nk h ea ve n! i k no w i' m bei ng a ba st —" he bro ke off. "i' ll try to ma ke up for it lat er ." he was draw ing her cl os er wi th tr em bling arms . "j us t co me her e and le t me lo ve y ou, ki ra . ju st le t m e l ov e y ou. " hi s han ds we re at th e be lt of her jean s; his at te mpt at un fa st en ing them wa s oddly clum sy . th e zipp er made a soft , si lky hi ss as it sli d dow n. hi s ha nd s slippe d ben ea th de ni m an d si lk to tou ch her , sen di ng ri pple s of sh oc k th ro ugh her syst em . his pal ms wer e co ld , bu t her ow n bo dy he at qu ickl y t ran sf er red w ar mt h to t hem .

hi s na ils rake d lightl y over th e cur ve of he r but to cks be for e mo vi ng around to ca re ss th e sm oo th ne ss of her be lly with ha nd s sh ak ing with eag er ne ss . "s oft . lo rd, you 'r e so soft an d sw ee t. i wan t to— " his ha nd mo ved down to th e ape x of her th ighs an d he to uch ed he r wit h a gen tle ne ss at odds wit h the roughn es s th at ha d pr ec ed ed it . "i ha ve n' t see n you her e, " he said hoar se ly . "w he n i wa s ly ing on th at ma tt re ss las t night , i co uld im ag ine ev ery ot he r pa rt of you, be ca us e i'd see n how be au ti ful you wer e at the lodg e." hi s fi ng er s f oun d t he pl ac e t he y w er e se ek ing. sh e ga ve a low cry as he pre ss ed an d then be ga n to rota te the spo t slo wly . her eye s we re st ari ng blin dl y up at hi m an d sh e ha d to cl utch hi s sh ou lde rs or she woul d hav e fall en. "no t he re . i coul dn 't im ag ine how you lo ok ed or wh at res po ns e you 'd giv e me wh en i di d th is ." th er e was sava ge joy gli tte ri ng in hi s eye s. "bu t no w i' m goi ng to se e you an d touc h you . . ." he pr es se d

ag ai n and she je rke d for wa rd, arching helpl es sl y to wa rd him. "an d pl ea su re you unt il y ou g o o ut o f you r m in d. " sh e w as a lr ea dy ou t o f h er mi nd . s he fe lt as if ev ery si ngle ner ve en di ng we re on fir e. sh e was tingli ng in th e str ange st pla ce s. th e cen te rs of he r pa lms wer e thr ob bing an d her toes wan te d to cu rl. he st eppe d ba ck from her , too k off his jack et, and sp re ad it on a pile of be ech lea ve s on th e gr ou nd . th en he was pu lling her down on he r kne es on the co at to face him . the dry le av es rus tl ed be ne ath hi s coa t as he sh if te d to rem ov e he r jack et to o. "dam n, i' ll pro ba bly gi ve you pn eumo ni a. are you co ld ?" "i f the re 's one th ing i' m not , it 's col d, " she mu rmu re d. her han ds we re qui ve ri ng as sh e pull ed her swe at er ove r her he ad an d th re w it a si de ; "i 'm bu rnin g up! " '' i' ll

tr y to keep

you bu rn ing

up. " he

st opp ed he r as she st art ed to unf as te n the fro nt op eni ng of he r br a. "le t me. i'v e be en lo ok ing for wa rd to un dr es sing you . it wi ll be lik e se ei ng a flo we r un fo ld , pe tal by pet al ." he la ughe d hus kil y. "i f i can ma ke my d am n h an ds st op tr em blin g." th ey we re still tr em blin g as he op ene d the ca tch an d sl id th e str ap s over her sh oul de rs, as he slo wl y slippe d th e la cy sc ra p of mat er ia l down her arm s. th en he dre w a shu dd er in g bre ath , his gaz e ca re ssi ng the full swo lle n mou nd s. his eye s re ma in ed fixe d comp uls iv ely on her as he pulle d his sw ea ts hi rt off and th re w it on to p o f he r sw ea te r. "c om e h er e. " hi s ch es t, br on ze d, he avi ly mus cle d, fe ath er ed wit h a we dg e of dark ha ir , lo ok ed deli cio us ly soft and sp ri ngy to her . sh e slo wly lea ne d forw ard and his ha nd s gr as pe d her sho uld er s. her he ad fell bac k an d he r eyes cl os ed as he ru bb ed his che st ba ck and for th aga in st her with a si nu ous

ca tli ke mov em ent . "z ack .. ." she di dn 't ev en rea li ze sh e had mur mur ed his nam e. th e hai r on hi s ch es t was a soft , sen su ou s ab ras io n ag ain st he r nipples as he mov ed . sh e coul d fe el th e mu scl es of her abdo me n tw ist and kn ot , an d the tre mbli ng of he r bo dy gr ew v iol ent . "yo u' re sur e you' re not co ld ?" za ck mut te re d as his war m to ngu e mo ve d ag ai ns t h er ear . "i 'm no t col d. " he coul dn 't seem to co mpr eh end such a si mple fact . "i' m abo ut to go up in sm ok e. wh y do you— " sh e br oke off as hi s lips cru sh ed her s wi th a for ce and pa ss io n th at sear ed th ro ugh her li ke a b ur ning br and . he lay he r ba ck on the co at, his han ds dra wi ng off he r jean s and pan tie s in one cle an mot io n. hi s he ad li ft ed and he lo ok ed down at he r. he sat bac k on his he els . hi s ey es we re dar k and al mo st

gla ze d wi th nee d as th ey bor ed int o her . "yo u loo k li ke a cos sac k and an emp re ss al l at onc e lying th er e ent ir el y nu de exc ept for t ho se b oo ts ." sh e ha dn 't bee n aw are tha t sh e st ill had th em on . sh e wa tch ed be mus ed ly as he puli ed th e righ t sue de boo t off and tos se d it asid e. his han d cupp ed one bare foo t an d ru bb ed th e arch, ma ss aging it gen tly . "you ha ve str ong, suppl e fee t. i lik e tha t. your en ti re bo dy is st rong an d fi rm and wo ma nly ." she was expe ri enc ing li ttle sh oo ti ng se ns at io ns from he r arc h to her ca lf . s he ha d ne ve r he ar d th at th e foo t co ul d be an erog eno us zon e, she re ali ze d ha zi ly . she sh oul dn 't ha ve be en su rp ri se d. she pro ba bl y di dn' t have a spo t on he r bo dy th at wa sn 't an er ogen ou s zon e if za ck tou che d it . hi s big han ds we re sl id ing up he r cal ve s no w, hi s fi ng er s ma ss aging an d ex plo ri ng a t th e s am e t im e.

th en he was mo vi ng be twe en he r legs , pa rt ing her thigh s gentl y whil e ga zi ng at he r mo st int ima te par t wi th ey es so dark an d in ten t th at sh e felt as if he wer e to uch ing her th er e. "t ha t' s wha t i wa nt ed to see . you' re as be au ti ful he re as ever ywh er e els e. now wh en i'm thi nkin g ab out you , i'll kno w and be abl e to vi su al iz e— " he br oke off. "b ut i won 't have to visu ali ze an yt hing any mo re. " hi s ha nd re ache d up an d cuppe d her with a lo vi ng pos ses si on th at ma de her th ro at tigh ten wit h em oti on . "al l i' ll hav e to do is tur n ove r and pull the sh ee t down and loo k at you ." hi s fi ng er s car es sed her sl ow ly , hi s narr owe d ey es int ent on th e res po ns e he cau se d with ev ery mo ve me nt. his gaz e li ft ed to mee t he rs as he sl owl y low er ed his he ad . "i 'll be ab le to rub my ch ee k aga in st you and feel ho w w ar m a nd . . . " hi s wor ds wer e mu ff le d, but sh e woul dn 't ha ve be en abl e to hea r the m anyw ay . he r he ad wa s thr as hing bac k an d fort h in an

ag on y of hunge r. his ton gue . . . he r ba ck arc he d a nd s he cr ie d ou t b ro ke nl y. th en h e w as m ov ing ove r he r, hi s e ye s wil d an d ho t and his ch est la bo ri ng hars hly . "k ir a. i ne ed you . i don 't thi nk i ca n wai t an y lo nge r. " his ha nd s we re wo rk ing at the be lt o f h is pan ts . "i s it al l r igh t?" al l right? she echo ed to he rs el f. she was ac hing with a hung er tha t se em ed to have go ne on fore ve r. "h ur ry ," sh e sai d. "for he av en 's s ak e, hu rr y. " he wa s go ne. st ri pping quic kly , toss ing hi s clo th es haph az ar dly ont o the gr ound . sh e ha d a vag ue impr es si on of pow er fu l thigh s, tig ht butt oc ks —e xqu is it e ma sc ulin ity —b ut ha d no ti me to ass im ila te any th ing el se be for e he wa s wi th he r aga in, par ti ng her th ighs an d sl id ing bet we en them . str ok ing an d pett ing he r lo vingl y, he lo ok ed dow n at he r wi th de sir e an d hea t and a vu lne ra bi lit y th at star tl ed her . sh e ha d

al wa ys bee n th e vul ne ra bl e one si nc e sh e ha d met zac k. yet now she kne w he was op en an d pl ea di ng an d tot al ly in he r ha nd s. wi th this kn owl ed ge ca me a se ns e of pr ot ect iv en es s tha t wa s fi erc e in it s in ten sit y. he r ha nd s fell to hi s hip s and sh e felt the rippl e and su rg e of his mu scl es be ne ath he r palm s. "z ack .. . lo ve m e. " he slo wly ben t for wa rd, his eyes ne ve r le av ing he rs . he nud ge d aga in st her gentl y an d she coul d see the wild drumm ing of th e pul se in h is te mple . hi s lips move d in a go ss am er -s oft car es s ac ros s her mou th. swe etn es s, gentl en es s, a ho ne yc omb of joy . "op en. le t me co me in , lo ve . w e h ave t o b e to ge the r. " sh e ope ne d her mo ut h an d hi s ton gue plung ed int o it with a wil d ha rdn es s th at su rp ri se d he r afte r his ge ntl e overt ur e. he gr oan ed int o he r th ro at an d she felt hi s en ti re bo dy te ns e wi th unbe ar abl e st rai n.

"t og et he r. " he had li ft ed his lips a fract ion fro m he rs an d each syll abl e of the wo rd ha d be en an ot he r kis s. hi s hips plung ed for wa rd as his ton gue ent er ed her mo uth on ce ag ai n. pa in. s ha rp . star tl ing. th en it was go ne , but th e hung er was st ill th er e. zac k wa s mo vi ng sl owl y, care fu lly . wha t a bea ut if ul fu llne ss . ho t an d hea vy. yet aft er th e fi rst mo men t it was n' t eno ugh . the re wa s som eth ing els e wai ting for her . her palms mo ve d rest le ssl y on hi s hip s. sh e lo ved th e fe el of hi s ski n be ne at h her ha nd s. sh e wa nt ed to run th em all over him and feel th e tex tu re s. but no t now . now sh e had to fi nd tha t som eth ing ... sh e lunge d up wa rd an d za ck ga ve a low cr y, as if he had bee n st ung b y a wh ip. "k ir a, i don 't wa nt to hu rt you .. ." sh e lung ed aga in and hi s ba ck arche d in an ag on y of pl ea su re . he clo se d his eye s. "all ri ght , but you mu st te ll me if you wa nt me

to st op ." his hu sk y la ugh he ld a to uch of de sp er at io n. "i onl y hope i can st ill he ar you ." he plu nge d for wa rd with a pow er an d pa ss io n th at robb ed her of br eat h an d then unl ea sh ed a fi ery rh yt hm th at tur ne d he r min dl es s with se ns ati on . ho w cou ld an yt hing be th is te mpe st -d ri ve n? his ha nd s we re be ne at h her bu tto ck s, lif ti ng he r to gr ea te r cl os en es s, and hi s ey es op en ed to st are d ow n a t he r b lin dl y.

to ge the r. the wor d was rad ia nt with be au ty she hadn 't rea li ze d it unti l thi s mo men t. clo se ne ss an d st riv ing for gre at er uni ty . the rhyt hm bre ak ing th ro ugh ba rri er s to emo ti on she nev er ha d kno wn ex is te d. for if was em ot io n and not ju st se ns at io n, she real iz ed diml y. the y ha d pa ss ed the poi nt of hu nge r and wer e re achi ng for so me thi ng beyo nd . mo nd ava ? pa rt of it , pe rh aps . she co uld n' t ana ly ze an yt hing when she was so clo se . . . then

sh e wa s the re in a bur st of radia nc e tha t illu min at ed th e wor ld . she he ar d his low , ho ars e cry ab ove her . zac k. mon da va. to ge the r. he wa s ho ld ing her wi th tre mbl ing arms , re sting ag ai ns t her , his che st ri si ng and fall ing he av il y. he ki ss ed he r ten de rl y, a si len t joini ng fill ed wi th peac e, gr at itu de , sw ee tne ss . "i 'm too he avy . i must be cr us hing you ." he mo ved off he r with a sm ile tha t lit his face with ge ntl ene ss . "t ha nk you ." he sat up and a littl e awa y from he r. he wa s fra me d ag ai ns t a daw n sho t with pink an d gol d an d mag ent a, and sh e wa nt ed to ke ep loo ki ng at him for eve r. he was al l sl ee k bro nz e pow er an d ri ppling mu scle an d se em ed to be an in teg ra l par t of the sk y an d th e f ore st o f ma ple an d be ech tr ee s wr ea th ed in th e sc ar le t an d gol d of au tumn . "yo u' re no t sa ying any th ing. are you all righ t?" "i' m wo nd er ful. " sh e sat up

wi th a g rin . " and so a re you ." he fro wn ed . "i hop e your fir st time wa sn 't a dis app oi ntm ent. i was n' t th at gre at , you kn ow . i' ll do bet te r now th at— " he brok e off . "do you kn ow ho w be au ti ful you are si tt ing the re ? th e sunl ight is tu rni ng your ha ir the same sh ad e as tho se mapl e le av es. " sh e reac he d for he r sw ea te r and he fro wn ed aga in . "do n' t you like me lo ok ing at y ou?" sh e smil ed . she ha d ne ve r im ag ine d zack co uld be eve n the sl ight es t bit ins ecu re . "i fe el per fe ctl y na tu ra l an d at ease with you ." it wa s tru e. it was as th oug h she ha d sat be for e him na ke d an d joy ousl y uni nhib it ed a th ou sa nd ti me s li ke thi s. "t he n wh y a re you —" sh e hel d up he r han d to st op him . "for the ve ry pe de st ri an re ason th at now i' m c ol d. "

dam n! of cou rs e you are. " he wa s sud denl y kn eel ing be si de he r. he pic ke d up he r br a an d sl ippe d it on her . he quic kly fast en ed it wi th h an ds th at we re muc h st ead ie r th an wh en h e h ad t ak en it off . he r swe at er foll owe d an d he wa s reac hing for he r jean s whe n she st opp ed him. "i 'l l do th e r es t. " "n o, " he sa id cur tly . "we ha ve to ge t you dre ss ed as soon as pos si ble . as it is, i'v e pr ob ab ly mad e you ill . why the hell di dn' t you st op me? " sh e sta red at him be mus ed ly as he pulle d up he r jea ns and fast en ed them swi ftl y. "i di dn' t th ink of it. i don' t bel ie ve i was th inki ng a t a ll at t ha t p ar tic ul ar m om ent ." "w ell , i sh oul d ha ve th oug ht of it. " he jam me d he r le ft foot in to her boot and th en sm oo th ed th e soft su ed e ove r he r an kl e. "if i had bee n th ink ing at al l." th en he was putt ing he r righ t foot in to the

ot he r boo t. "all i wa s doing was fe el ing, dam mit . i di dn 't ca re abou t an ythi ng bu t st opp ing tha t hell is h ... " his voi ce trai le d off as he look ed up at her . "i 'm sorry, kir a. will you for gi ve me ?" "t he re 's noth ing to forgi ve ," she sa id sof tl y. "i don 't eve n kno w wh y you thin k th er e sh ou ld be. you' re rig ht, i cou ld hav e sai d no at an y mom ent and i th ink you wo uld ha ve stoppe d. " sh e paus ed . "i di dn' t say n o. " "i di dn 't giv e you much opp or tun it y, did i? i pr ac tic all y ki dn app ed you fro m th e ca rav an, pull ed you up th e hill , and de ma nd ed— " he r finge rs sw if tl y cov ere d hi s lips. "i 'm no t a vic tim . you insul t me by in si nua ting th at i'd let mys el f be co me one . you took no thi ng i di dn' t wa nt to gi ve ." she sm ile d. "n ow , d on' t y ou th ink you 'd be tt er ge t dres se d? you 'r e th e on e wh o' s

go ing t o ca tch co ld ." "i sel do m fee l the co ld ," he sai d, st ill ga zi ng at her int ent ly . "you ha ve ev ery ri ght to be an gr y with me , you kno w. i sh oul d hav e wai te d for th e ce re mon y to nig ht. i c he at ed you ." "yo u di dn' t che at me. the ce re mo ny wa s ma ma 's ide a, no t min e. i think i lik e this be tt er any wa y. wh at happen ed he re was ju st bet we en th e tw o of us . no my st er io us tr adi ti on s, n o mo nd ava .' ' "yo u' re wro ng. th e mon da va wa s he re . we me re ly an ti cipa te d i t. " he wa s sp ea king of the phy si ca l joi ning , sh e real iz ed wi th a pang. no w tha t he' d ha d her , he might not wan t to go thr oug h ma ma 's bi nd ing, form al ri tu al. "i 've be en me an ing to sp ea k to you . ma rn a and i ha d a ta lk las t nig ht. " sh e lo ok ed fi xed ly at the tru nk of a be ec h tre e

be yon d hi s sh oul de r. "s he expla ine d abo ut th e mon da va ce re mo ny . p erh ap s it woul d be a goo d ide a if we did n' t go th ro ugh w ith it ." th e hell you say ." za ck 's voic e wa s so vi olen t th at he r ga ze ri co ch ete d ba ck to hi s fac e. hi s exp re ss io n wa s as har d and gr im as his ton e. "i th ink you 'd be tt er re co ns id er . we ma de a deal , dam mit . i kn ow i'v e ju st ac te d wi th al l th e tac t an d sk ill of a cave ma n, but th at doesn 't mea n i' ll al wa ys be tha t cr ud e. you don 't ha ve to ma rry me, but it wo n' t st ain the fam ily es cut che on to go thr oug h wi th thi s ce re mo ny . it' s not eve n lega l in an y ot he r co unt ry or soc ie ty . you can at le as t gi ve me the mo nd ava . " he sto od up and qui ckl y be ga n to pul l on his cl ot he s. "t he ce re mo ny will go thr ou gh on sch ed ule . get us ed t o t he id ea. " sh e wa s gaz ing be wil de re dly at him. "za ck ,

you don 't und er st and . i t w as y ou —" he mad e a mo ve me nt wi th th e ed ge of hi s ha nd li ke th e sl ici ng of a kn if e. it wa s a cu ri ou sly in di an ge stu re , the fi rs t sh e had se en him ma ke . "i t' s dec id ed . th e di sc us si on is ove r. " he tu rn ed an d st rod e sw if tly a wa y, l ea vi ng h er to s ta re a ft er hi m wi th a d aze d lo ok o n h er f ace . sh e' d had no ide a her wo rds wo uld tou ch off su ch an explo si on . it ap pe ar ed th at za ck wa s aw are th at th e cer em on y ton ight co ns tit ute d a co mmit men t and wa sn 't at all ave rse to it. she fel t a sud den sur ge of ha ppine ss so int en se sh e was a li ttl e diz zy . he mu st hav e som e fee lin g for her , ot he r th an des ir e, if tha t vol at ile bre ak in zac k' s us ual ly tr an qui l dem ea no r wa s anyt hing to go by she jump ed to her fe et an d gath er ed up bot h zac k' s jack et an d he r own . she st ood a mom ent an d lo ok ed out ove r th e hill s, bre at hin g in th e aro ma tic sce nt of pin es and ea rth an d the myr ia d su b tie

fra gr ance s th at comp os ed thi s au tum n wo rl d. th er e was jus t the fai nt es t ti nge of sc ar le t le ft in th e hea ven s. soon it, to o, wo uld be repl ac ed by the de ep ce rul ea n blu e of th e mo rn ing . she had a fl ee ting me mo ry of zac k si lho ue tte d ag ain st th at sk y and felt aga in a gr ea t, buo yan t joy. to ge the r. sh e tu rn ed and wa lk ed swi ft ly down th e hill to wa rd th e gy ps y enc ampm ent. sh e ha d alw ay s lov ed to vi si t ma ma 's pe ople , fro m the ti me she was a ti ny ch ild . it was li ke ta ki ng a ste p ba ck in tim e wit h its br igh tly pai nte d wa go ns and we ll-g ro ome d ho rs es. the tri be had ada ma ntl y ref us ed to em br ac e th e co nv eni enc es of mot or ve hi cle s and con tinu ed to trav el th e co unt ry si de as th ei r an ce st or s had don e for ce ntu ri es . it wa s very soo th ing to le av e the te ns io ns of the mod ern wor ld for a pl ace wh er e tr adi ti on an d simp le affe cti on wer e mo re i mpo rt an t t han po si ti on a nd w ea lth .

pe ople wer e aw ake ning , pre pa ri ng for th e ne w day when kir a wal ke d in to the camp. ma rn a wa s stan di ng by the wa go n tal king to pau lo and br ok e off in mi d-s ent ence as ki ra cam e tow ar d her . paul o gav e ki ra a puck ish gr in and a ca su al wave be for e he tu rn ed an d st roll ed aw ay. ma ma 's eye s se arc he d kir a' s fac e and then dro ppe d to zac k' s coa t drape d acr oss her arm . " it a don e t hen ," sh e s aid q uie tly . ki ra no dde d and unc on sci ou sly he rs el f f or an e xpl os iv e re act ion .

brac ed

"i t w as w ith you r w ill? " ki ra nod ded aga in an d me t her ma ma 's ga ze readi ly . "yes , i coul dn 't hav e bee n mo re will ing, sorr y you 'r e di sapp oin te d, bu t.. ." ma ma 's impa ti ent ges tur e cu t her sh or t. "i do not mat te r. the mon da va exi st s. tha t is al l tha t is imp or ta nt. " sh e smil ed in a

sl ightl y ru eful way . "be si de s, per hap s it wa s no t t he c er em on y it sel f b ut my wi sh t o ex ert my will over zac k' s tha t made me so de te rmin ed . i sh ou ld ha ve k no wn h e w oul d no t su bmi t me ekl y to my con tr ol ling th e si tu at ion . di se ks ma ke the ir own rul es and cu sto ms ." her sm ile wid ene d and th er e wa s th e faint es t gl int of resp ect in her eye s. "b ut i didn 't expec t hi m to cre ep int o the wa go n at night and st ea l you away fro m be si de me. tha t took a gy ps y bol dn es s. i th ink we trai ne d him too well wh en he wa s wit h us ." "h e di dn' t st ea l me . he ca ll ed ," kir a said gen tly . "i be lie ve tha t for th e res t of my li fe i' ll c om e wh en ev er he ca lls me ." "i t' s so str ong al re ady ? ah , we ll, it is onl y wh at i exp ect ed . com e, we' ll hav e br eak fa st an d then we will begi n to pr epa re you for ton ight . per ha ps it 's be st za ck deci de d no t to tol er at e my in te rf er en ce. now you will be ab le to

co nce ntr at e on th e soul ton ight , ins te ad of th e b od y." wo uld sh e, in de ed ? kir a som eh ow doub te d it . he r bo dy was st ill exq uis it ely sen si ti ve an d be ca me even mo re so wh en she re me mb er ed zack 's han ds movi ng. . . she dre w a deep, sh ak y br ea th . "i real ly wo uld n' t co un t on my bei ng pre occ upie d wi th t he s oul t on ight , m ar na ." ma ma 's dark eye s we re su dde nly tw inkl ing. "may be i sh oul d have sai d you 'd be abl e to co nc en tr ate on th e soul as well as th e bo dy. as for me , to day i' m go ing to en jo y my se lf . i will tal k to the wo me n, and la ugh, an d be a gy ps y a ga in ." ma rn a lo ok ed year s you nge r and as free an d irre sp on sibl e as pa ulo . sh e ha d ex ch ang ed the nea t bl ac k dres s she alw ay s wo re out si de th e enc amp ment for bri ght clo th ing. the fu ll blue sk ir t and yello w co tt on blo us e she wo re now ma de her

app ea r al mo st an ot he r per so n. ki ra had ne ve r reall y th oug ht ab out ma ma 's ag e. she ha d alw ay s bee n mer el y mar na , as ag el es s an d ste ady as th es e hill s aroun d them . now ki ra su dde nly real iz ed tha t ma rn a was on ly in he r e arl y f orti es . "yo u rea ll y mi ss this lif e, don' t you , ma rn a? you ga ve up so much when you le ft you r p eo ple t o ta ke c ar e of me ." "i ga ine d so mu ch, " ma rn a cor re ct ed . "b ut it is go od tha t th ey are st ill her e for me no w. " bu t th ey wo ul dn 't be her e for her for ve ry lo ng. she woul d hav e to lea ve her pe opl e an d her cou nt ry and go int o exi le ag ain. th er e wa s no qu es ti on th at it wa s enti re ly ki ra 's fau lt. mar na ha d bee n drawn in to he r pro bl ems th ro ugh du ty an d dev oti on an d now was goi ng to ha ve to su ff er for it . "oh , ma rna , i wi sh— " ma ma 's big han d ca re sse d her che ek in a

ge stu re tha t wa s hal f-p at , ha lf gentl e sl ap. "h ow ma ny ti me s hav e i tol d you th at it is us el es s to wis h for thi ngs . you ei th er do som eth ing to get wh at you wa nt or acc ept wh at you have . st op wor ryi ng ab out me . i will en jo y wh at i have wh ile i hav e it . it is th e g yps y w ay. my w ay ." ki ra 's exp re ss io n be tr ay ed how tro ubl ed sh e felt . "t ha t' s no t go od eno ugh. not for you , ma rn a. " ma rna shr ugg ed . "i t will hav e to be. " "we 'll ha ve to se e abou t tha t. " she su dd en ly sm ile d as she lin ke d her arm wi th mam a' s. "b ut right now , well foll ow you r gyp sy phil os op hy an d en jo y ou rs el ve s. it' s bee n a long tim e sinc e i'v e be en fre e to do th at , an d th er e' s no on e wh o kno ws ho w to do it bet te r tha n the rom an y. "

se ven ki ra sho ok her hea d as she lo ok ed in the mi rr or mar na was ho ld ing be fore her . "are

you s ur e t his i sn 't g oing a bi t to o far? i s aw an ol d ma ria mo nt ez mo vi e on th e lat e-l at e sh ow on te le vi si on wh en i was in co lleg e, an d ev en sh e di dn 't lo ok this th ea tri ca l. se ven pet tic oa ts , m arn a? " "s eve n is luck y. " a gen tle sm il e softe ne d ma ma 's f ac e. "yo u l ook be au ti ful ." ka ra tur ne d aro un d, tryi ng to see a bac k vi ew of th e out fi t. the re was no deny ing it wa s out ra ge ou sly flat te rin g. th e fu ll cir cle sk ir t, a pa le -pin k and faw n-b ei ge pr int , sw ung gail y as she tu rn ed , it was ci nche d by a wid e, dar k br ow n sue de be lt whic h la ce d an d tie d in the fron t, rem ini sc ent of th os e worn by sev en te enth -c entu ry pe as an t wom en. the la ce -tr im me d whit e bl ou se was c om ple tel y o ff th e s ho uld er a nd ma de her bre as ts appe ar eve n mor e ri pe an d wo ma nly . lu ckil y, he r ow n cal f-h igh br own sue de boo ts loo ke d go od with th e en se mbl e.

sh e tur ne d bac k to ma rn a wit h an impis h gr in. "i' ve ch ang ed my mi nd . it 's mu ch mo re li ke th e ou tf it esm er el da wo re in the hunc hba ck of not re d am e. are y ou sur e you ha ve n' t hi dd en qua si mo do in one of th e wa go ns? " "z ack woul d no t be ple as ed with tha t pa rt icul ar co mpa ri so n, " ma rn a sai d dryly . "an d i woul dn 't br ing it up if i we re you . pa ulo say s za ck 's hum or has n' t bee n of th e be st to day. " her gaz e narr owe d cur io usl y on ki ra' s fac e. "wh at di d you say to hi m th is m orn ing?" "ju st a lit tle mi sun de rs ta nd ing . st rai ght en i t o ut whe n i se e him ."

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"t ha t wo uld be wis e. i don' t thin k ma ny pe ople wo uld be com fo rt able ha vi ng zack 'm isu nd er st an d' th em. you will be in a ve ry vu lne ra bl e p os iti on aft er t on ight ." sh e was in a very vuln er ab le po sit io n righ t no w, ki ra reali ze d. wha t za ck tho ught and

di d an d fel t ha d al re ady as su me d mo num ent al pro po rt io ns in her lif e. th er e we re mo me nt s wh en it frigh ten ed he r. the on ly ti me she 'd ever kno wn tha t zac k fel t a sim ila r dep end en ce wa s when he wa s ma ki ng lo ve to he r thi s mor ni ng, and a se xua l depen de nce woul d ne ve r be eno ugh for her now. sh e mus tn' t bor row tr oubl e, th ough , she re mi nd ed he rs el f, be ca us e thi s wa s onl y th e beg inni ng. th er e wo ul d be ti me to en co ur ag e wha te ve r he fe lt for her to bl os so m an d gro w in to some thing cl os e to th e love she was f ee ling for him. lo ve. it st ill fel t stra ng e and ne w an d a lit tle in timi da ti ng. "h adn 't you be tt er tell me wh at to exp ect du ring th e ce re mo ny ? will th er e b e v iol ins an d dan cing an d si nging? " ma rn a sho ok he r he ad. "th is is th e mo nd ava . it is a ve ry pri va te thing . th er e will be ju st paul o and i at th e sald an a, and th en we 'll le av e and th er e wil l be jus t th e tw o of you. " ma rn a low er ed the mir ro r an d be nt to le an it ag ai ns t the whe el of th e

wa go n. " it is t im e. a re you re ady? " ki ra dre w a deep, sha ky br eat h. sh e ha dn 't ex pe cte d t o be t his ne rv ous . " yes ." th e ne xt hou r wa s str angel y ha zy an d re mo te , as i f view ed in th e ce nt er o f a d ar k cr ys tal tha t mis te d and cle ar ed and mis te d ag ai n. th e si len t wa lk th ro ugh the au tu mn wo ods , th en he r fir st si ght of the wag on in th e lit tle gl ad e of pine s. the wa go n wa s pa int ed a br ill ia nt sc arl et an d a ca mpf ir e cr ac kl ed bef ore it , sen di ng sp ar ks up int o th e d ark ne ss . za ck was st an di ng in fron t of th e wa go n wi th an exp re ss io n on hi s fac e th at was mo re gr im th an ser iou s. he was dre ss ed in th e sam e gra y cor ds he had worn la st nigh t, bu t ev id en tl y pau lo had foun d him an ot he r sh ir t an d a pai r of kn ee -l ength bl ack bo ots . the sh ir t was dee p bu rgu nd y, wi th lo ng ful l sle ev es , and th e ric h co lo r se t off his dark ne ss lik e a fla me . he ha d

le ft the fir st fe w bu tt ons und on e an d she co uld see th e he av y mus cle s th at co rde d hi s che st and th e beg inni ng of th e dar k we dg e of ha ir tha t rough ene d it. th e co ol br ee ze st ir re d the hai r on hi s fore he ad , gi ving him th e re ck le ss and rom ant ic app ea l of by ron . lo rd, he wa s stunn ing. she fou nd he rs el f sta ring up at him with th e dre am y- eye d lo ve si ck ne ss of a t ee na ge r. he fro wn ed . "wh y the de vil are you lo ok ing at me li ke th at? ha ve i gr ow n two he ad s or so me thi ng?" sh e smil ed bemu se dl y. "y ou' re def in it ely no t q ua si mo do ." "w ha t? ma rn a st eppe d forwa rd. "i t is no thi ng. kir a is a b it f ey to nig ht. whe re is p aul o?" "h er e. " pau lo st eppe d from the sh ad ows be hin d t he wa go n. " we be gin? "

ma rn a no dde d. "w e be gin. " th e cr ys ta l mi st ed aga in as she and zac k kn elt on th e whi te sh ee ps kin pa lle t befo re th e fir e. how beau tif ul to se e thi ngs wit h pe rf ec t cl ar it y and yet enh anc ed by thi s di ama nte veil . th e ce re mo ny was not lo ng. ri ch red wi ne wa s sippe d from a si ngle gob let . ma rn a mu rmu re d a ta mr ovi an ble ss ing as sh e st ood b ef ore t hem . th e h al ve s of a n an cie nt co in th at had be en seve re d glit te re d in the fi reli ght on tw o sep ar at e go ld en cha ins . th e fi rs t tal ism an was slipp ed over zac k' s he ad and the se co nd aroun d her own nec k. th en ma rn a stepp ed back an d the re wa s si len ce f or a l ong m om en t. ki ra loo ke d up at he r inqu ir ingl y. wa s it ove r? ma rn a sh oo k he r hea d. "fac e each oth er an d put y our l ef t h an ds pa lm t o pal m."

he r ha nd fe lt sma ll an d helple ss as it pr es se d ag ai ns t hi s lar ge pa lm. fair aga in st hi s dar kn es s. wom an aga in st ma n. aga in st? no . mer ging , bl en ding , bon di ng. her st art le d e ye s li ft ed to z ack 's . "ye s, i fe lt it to o. mo nd ava ." hi s fi nge rs sl owl y t hr ea ded t hr ou gh h er ow n. "m ine ." "m in e," sh e repe at ed sof tl y. to ge the r. th e cu rr en t fl ow ing be twe en the m wa s as deep an d ti me les s as it ha d al wa ys bee n. ho w ma ny tim es , how man y mom ent s, ho w ma ny mo nd ava s? it di dn' t ma tt er . the re wa s onl y no w, on ly zack loo ki ng down at he r. sh e was bar el y aw are th at ma ma wa s ba ck ing aw ay from the fir e, le av ing them al on e in the ci rcl e of intim ac y sh e had help ed to wea ve abou t them . "p aul o, " ma rn a pro mpte d. lik e a gian t sh ad ow, pa ulo cr os sed to st an d bes id e he r. ki ra co uld fee l mam a' s gaz e on th em. lo ve ,

lo nel ine ss , sadn es s, re sign at ion . the em ot io ns fl ow ed from he r in a swe epi ng ti de th at ki ra felt with a po ign ant se ns iti vi ty sh e had nev er kno wn befo re. "jo y," ma rn a whi spe re d. th e nex t mom ent ma rn a and paul o wer e go ne . th e onl y sign of th eir pas sing wa s th e cr isp crun ch of th e le av es be ne ath th ei r fe et as th ey dis appe ar ed int o the wo ods on the ir way ba ck to the en camp men t. ki ra coul dn 't se em to mov e he r gaz e away fro m zac k' s. "wh at are we suppo se d to do no w?" the wor ds wer e a bre athl es s whi spe r. "i think we 'r e on ou r ow n. " he smil ed gen tly . "i kn ow wha t i wa nt to do." "w ha t?" "i wa nt to li e her e bes id e the fi re and ho ld you in my arm s. "

"t ha t soun ds lik e a very go od ide a. " each ne rv e and mu scle in he r bo dy see me d to mel t to wa rd hi m. bu t it did n' t se em all th at un usu al wh en eve ry pa rt icl e of he r be ing was flo wi ng in to hi m an ywa y. hi s arm s we re aro un d he r an d he wa s tur ning he r spo on -f ash io n so th at he r hea d wa s pill ow ed on hi s arm. he ha dn 't re le as ed he r han d an d sh e coul d see the ir fi ng er s st ill ent win ed in th e fl ic ke ring ligh t of th e fi re. hi s voi ce wa s low and th ough tf ul. "i 've be en in a fev er for you si nce i lef t you thi s mo rn ing. i tho ught i' d be wa nt ing you too much eve r to hol d you lik e th is wi tho ut ma ki ng lo ve t o you ." he r eyes wer e fixe d dre amil y on the ora ng e-g ol d fla me s of the fi re . "yo u are ma ki ng lo ve t o me ." he was si len t a mo me nt an d the n he ki ss ed th e tip of her ea r. "ye s, i am . ho w

pe rc epti ve of you to no ti ce ." he se ttl ed dow n bes id e her in a sil enc e fi lle d wi th co mpa nio ns hip, be au ty , and a cl os en es s th at was , at th is mo me nt, eve n st ron ge r th an desi re . ho w ma gic al to kno w th er e wo uld st ill be mo me nts li ke thi s when pa ss io n h ad f ade d. "yo u' re n ot an gr y wit h me an y lo nge r. " "i wa sn 't an gr y, i wa s . . ."h is wor ds tra il ed off . "i t d oes n' t m at te r n ow , d oes i t?" no , it didn 't ma tt er no w. sh e ru bb ed he r ch eek ag ai ns t the hard muscl es of hi s arm. co nt entm ent was a cl ea r gol den bell ri ngi ng th ro ugh he r— the sc en t of bu rni ng lo gs , the cri sp au tum n lea ve s, an d zac k. sh e wa s per fe ctl y re la xed but wid e awa ke . sh e had no de si re to go to sle ep and mis s ev en an ins ta nt of this spec ia l tim e. sh e wo uld li e her e and enj oy th e hea t of th e cr ac kli ng fire an d the wa rmth and se cu rit y th at wa s z ack .

"w hy di d you co me to tam rov ia ?" sh e as ke d sof tl y. "n ot th is tim e. whe n you we re a bo y, i me an ." th e fir e ha d bu rn ed lo w, but ne ith er of th em ha d wan te d to st ir to add an ot he r l og an d st ok e th e fl ame s. "i nee de d to ge t awa y. my gr an df ath er ha d di ed the win te r bef ore and 1 ha d to com e to te rm s wi th lo si ng him. " hi s lip s twi st ed . "an d i was a ha lf -b re ed in a ti me wh en ma ny sou thw est er ne rs thou ght ind ia ns we re drun ks or bum s. i' d had a few ex pe ri enc es tha t ye ar tha t ha d lef t me raw, an d i nee de d to fin d mys el f. or at lea st my se ns e of sel f- wo rt h and a goa l in lif e. i had ba ckp ac ke d aro un d it al y an d swi tz er la nd for a few wee ks an d th en cro ss ed int o ta mr ovi a. " his gaz e wa s fix ed on th e fi re , bu t he wa sn 't reall y see ing it . "i ran into pa ulo in a vi lla ge in the hill s and we st ru ck up a frie nd sh ip. he took me bac k to th e e nca mpme nt w ith him ." "an d you trav el ed th e rest of th e su mme r

wi th them ," sh e fin ish ed for him . "di d you fi nd wh at you we re l oo ki ng f or? " "ye s. " his lip s mo ve d agai nst her ea r in a go ss am er -l ight ca re ss. "i n some wa ys it was li ke bei ng with my gr an df ath er ag ai n. he ha te d to st ay in on e pla ce , too, and wa s ne ve r happi er tha n whe n he wa s wa nd er ing in th e hil ls. " "w as h e a h unt er li ke y ou a nd p aul o? " "n o, he be li ev ed in be ing one with nat ur e. he was a very gen tle man ." the re was a lo ng sil ence . "i love d him ve ry much . i co uld n' t be like him . the re wa s to o much vi olenc e, too much hunge r in me. yet , wh en i wa s a chil d, i wan te d to gr ow up to ha ve th at gentl ene ss and ser en it y mo re th an an ythi ng in th e wo rl d. he wa s a ver y ha ppy ma n." an d za ck ha dn' t be en ha ppy . th e reve la ti on wa s sud de n, poign an t for he r. un de rst at ed th ough zac k' s adm is si on had be en , it wa s

st ill pai nf ully cl ea r wha t ment al and em ot io na l ha rds hip s the lit tle boy fro m tw o wor ld s ha d un de rg on e. her ha nd unc on sci ou sly tigh ten ed on his in sil ent supp or t. "i wish i cou ld hav e met you r gr an df ath er ." "h e wou ld ha ve like d you ." hi s eye s we re su dden ly tw inkl ing. "h e woul d have app ro ved of you r sh oo ti ng pi ctu re s ins te ad of ga me, ev en i f p aul o d oes n' t. " "i wish i had my ca me ra no w, " she sai d wi st full y. "i co ul d tak e pictu re s of marn a an d he r peo ple her e at the enc ampm ent . it wo uld me an a go od de al to her onc e she 's le ft ta mr ovi a. " "ye s, i im agin e it woul d. i hadn 't tho ught of th at. " his arm sl id arou nd he r wai st . "an d to you to o. did you spe nd much of you r c hil dh oo d he re a t t he gyp sy c amp? " sh e sho ok her hea d. "i woul d have lo ved to ha ve sp ent all of it he re , bu t my par en ts

an d ste fan dis appr ove d. marn a an d i co uld es ca pe for a full day onl y now an d th en. i lo ve d ever y minu te of tho se days. i ca n un de rs ta nd ho w marn a woul d be ho me si ck for th e li fe her e. do you think it wo uld be po ssi bl e for us to sp en d ju st one mo re day ? are t he y s ea rchi ng f or us in t hi s a rea ?" "i don' t th ink so ," he said slo wly . "it 's a lit tle pu zzl ing. i'v e bee n in to uch with my me n in be la jo and the y hav en 't se en eve n a hin t of pur su it. it 's as if th e esc ap e had ne ve r happe ne d. for tha t ma tt er , th ey can 't se em to get any inf orm at io n at all ou t of th ei r inf or ma nt s in the pal ac e. the re app ea rs to be a co mple te comm unic at io n bl ack ou t. " "t ha t' s v ery s tra ng e, i sn 't it? " he nod ded . "i' ve to ld the m to fin d out mo re a nd l et m e k no w a s s oon as p os si ble ." "b ut you thi nk it' s safe to sp end on e mo re day h er e? "

"i suppo se it wo uld n' t hu rt to del ay our de pa rtur e unt il to mo rro w eve ning ins te ad of le av ing at d aw n. " "w on de rful ! tha t will mak e mar na mu ch ha ppie r. " "i t wil l mak e me much happi er too. i in ten d to be very oc cupi ed at dawn ." his ha nd mo ved up to cup he r bre ast , and she fe lt a ri pple of sens at io n tha t sh re dde d the fab ri c of tra nqu ili ty she had be en fee ling . "i n fact , i ex pec t to be ve ry oc cupi ed al l nigh t. " his lo ng, str ong fin ge rs pr ob ed de li ca tel y at th e co tt on of the bl ou se , ci rcl ing th e brea st la zil y. "you 'r e not we ar ing any th ing un de rn ea th th is , are you? " "i t di dn' t se em "— sh e los t wo rds as we ll as br eat h as hi s thum b and fore fi ng er pluc ke d gen tly a t h er n ipple— "a ppr op ri at e. " "oh , it wo ul dn 't hav e be en ." hi s lo w chuc kle wa s am us ed . "no r wo uld it hav e

be en at al l effi ci ent. you ha ve won de rful in sti nct s, kir a." hi s han d le ft he r bre ast an d we nt to he r bare sho uld er , rub bi ng th e sof t, si lk y ski n lightl y with th e ti ps of his fi nge rs . "an d th e lo ve li es t sh oul de rs i' ve ev er see n. i hav e a de ep admi ra ti on for bo th ." he sl id th e bl ou se ver y sl ow ly down he r arm . th e ma te ri al tight en ed over he r br eas ts and be ga n to reve al, in ch by inch , th e dee p cl ea vag e. his ot he r ha nd di se nt angl ed fro m he r own an d wan de red to th e othe r sh ou ld er . he beg an sl id ing th at si de of th e blo us e down as we ll. she wa tch ed the mat er ia l sl ip down with in fin it e slo wn es s an d knew her br ea st s we re sw ell ing, pe ak ing, as if tr yi ng to bu rs t fre e of the con fi ning cl oth . ex ci tem ent tau te ne d th e mus cle s of he r st om ac h. he r ch es t wa s be gin ning to co ns tr ict and sh e ha d to bre at he deepl y to for ce oxyg en int o her lung s. th en her br eas ts brok e fre e of th e con fi nem ent of th e bl ou se an d sh e felt the su dd en fl are of se ns at io n as he r nak ed br ea st s wer e

ex po se d to the hea t, of the fir e. he r nippl es wer e po int ed and di ste nd ed with aro us al as he r bre ast s jut te d pr ou dl y out of th e nes t of co tt on an d la ce supp or ting an d cupping th em. za ck di dn' t mov e, bu t she co uld fee l his ga ze on her . she wa it ed bre at hle ss ly . the mu scle s of his arm be ne ath he r che ek wer e no lon ge r re la xe d, bu t co ile d an d ten se . sh e coul d fe el th e erot ic poun ding of hi s he ar t aga in st he r nak ed ba ck . the n his ha nd move d slo wly up and ho ve red ove r he r bre as t. his fin ge rs wer e long an d ta nn ed . aga in st the glo w of th e fire ligh t th ey see me d to hav e a fi er y tr an sp ar enc y th at was alm os t ma gic al . the n all tho ught of magi c vani sh ed as his han d cl os ed on he r bre as t. she gas pe d as if sh e' d bee n ki ck ed in the st om ac h. his ha nd wa s he av y an d wa rm an d ver y, very real as it sq ue ez ed and li ft ed . he pl ay ed wi th he r wi th a p aga n, s ensu ou s e nj oym ent . " za ck ."

"i kno w," he mu rmu re d. hi s lips we re br us hing aga in st he r che ek. "i' m go ing cr az y, to o, bu t let 's try to eas e into it, lo ve . i don' t wan t to be as rough with you as i w as th is mo rn ing. " he had n' t be en rough. he ha d bee n wo nd er ful. th e ver y viol enc e of hi s pa ss io n ha d ma de it all the mo re int ens e and be au ti ful. sh e had to te ll him tha t. "it wa sn 't —" sh e bro ke off as he sud denl y mo ve d aw ay fro m h er . he sat up, un butt on ing hi s sh ir t, his eye s ne ve r lea vi ng he rs . "i lo ve th e way you lo ok to nigh t. i li ke your hai r tou sl ed and wil d ab out your sho ul de rs ." he pull ed the sh ir t ou t of his tro us er s and sl ippe d it off. hi s sho uld er s gle am ed bro nz e in the fi reli ght as he to ss ed th e sh ir t aw ay. "sit up, ki ra. " he di dn 't wai t for he r to co mply bu t pull ed he r gen tly to a sit ting po si tio n. he took the bot to m of he r blo us e and pulle d it ove r her hea d and th re w it on to p

of his sh ir t. then he wa s tugging at her ri ght boot . "i 'm gett ing ve ry pro pr ie ta ry ab out the se bo ots ," he sai d wit h a faint sm ile . he too k th e oth er bo ot off he r an d th re w it tow ar d th e oth er cl oth ing. th en he pau se d to ga ze at her with eyes tha t we re smo ky wi th hung er . sh e co ul d fe el th e te nsi on zapp ing be tw een them in jagg ed li ne s of po we r. "i 'm beg inni ng to fe el very pr op ri et ar y abou t you too ." he mo ve d forw ar d an d hi s uns te ad y ha nd s unt ie d the la ce wai st of he r bel t. when he ha d fi nis he d loo sen ing the lac es he he si ta te d, loo ki ng down at them . the n he su dd en ly pull ed th e la ce s so tight th at he r wa is t was cinch ed to wasp sl im- ne ss an d he r na ke d bre ast s jut te d for wa rd in sa uc y in vi ta ti on. sh e ga sp ed and he r ga ze fl ew to hi s. "wh at are y ou d oing? " "ful fi lling a fan ta sy . hell , i di dn 't ev en kn ow it wa s a fant as y un til i saw you in

th is ou tf it ." he ke pt th e la ce s ta ut as he sl owl y low er ed his he ad . "i 'm no t hu rt ing you , a m i ?" "n o. " his tong ue wa s str oki ng her br eas t gen tly and sh e had tr ou ble get ting th e wo rd out . no pa in, onl y th e sw ol len ta utn es s, the exq ui sit e se ns it iv it y of he r nippl es , his war m te asi ng to ngu e. th e on ly pa in wa s the ac hin g desi re for co mple tio n. "w ha t f ant as y? " he re le as ed the la ce s, unf as te ne d th e be lt, an d sl ippe d it from he r wa is t. his eye s we re darkl y in ten t. "i don 't kn ow . it has som eth ing to do with wh at i fel t wh en you wa lk ed forw ard in to the fir elight in tha t se ven te enth -ce ntu ry garb ." he sh rug ge d. "de ja vu. nos ta lgi a. som eth ing. " he un fa st en ed hi s belt an d pulle d off his bo ots . "it 's a ni ght for ma gic an d fan ta sy , ki ra . do you ha ve an y fant as ie s you wa nt to hav e fu lf ille d? " his ga ze wa s ho ld ing her ow n. "t el l me. i wan t to sh ow you i ca n be

som eth ing be si de s the ba rba ria n i wa s this mo rn ing. " sh e coul d sc ar ce ly thi nk, much le ss re me mb er an y fan ta sy she migh t hav e ha d. "i think you 'r e doi ng ver y well on your ow n. " hi s smil e was a war m fla sh in hi s dark fac e. "go od. then we'l l con tinu e as we st art ed . i 'll be ri gh t ba ck , l ov e. " he st ood and str ipp ed qui ckl y, th en knel t be si de he r ag ai n. his pa lms frame d he r face an d he ki ss ed her te nd er ly . "com e her e, ki ra ." his leg s wer e sp re ad wid e and su dd en ly he r sk ir t and pett ico at s we re fro th ing over him. hi s han d was ben ea th th em. sea rchin g. fi nd ing . she ga spe d as his fi nge rs ge ntl y sta rte d a rh yt hm tha t cau se d he r to clu tch wil dl y at hi s sh oul de rs . she fe lt the pric kly abra si on of th e du st ing of ha ir on his thigh s as he arran ge d he r le gs aro un d his hip s. the n hi s han ds wer e on

he r b ott om, br ing ing h er s lo wly f orw ar d. sh e bit he r lip to sti fl e a lit tle moan as he be ga n to fil l the ach ing emp tin es s at an ex cr uc ia tingl y s lo w p ac e. "i t' s lik e a tre asu re hun t, with al l th es e pet ti coa ts hid ing you from me. " he laugh ed hu skil y. "b ut i thin k i'v e foun d the wa y. de ar he av en , b ut i t' s a sl ow wa y. " sh e tho ught so too. "h ur ry. " her nail s unc on sci ou sly dug int o th e fl es h of hi s sh oul de rs. "t hi s i s d riv in g me . . . cr azy ." he fle xe d and fel t a dee p shu dd er go th ro ugh h er . "ju st a lit tle mor e. i'm goi ng cr az y, to o, bu t i wa nt— " he brok e off. "th er e. no w pu t you r arms arou nd me ." hi s arms en fo ld ed he r an d he bu ri ed hi s lips in he r ha ir . clo se ne ss . f ull ne ss . fi re. th en he was tumbli ng her ove r ba ck wa rd

an d fl ipping up the ski rt and lac e pet tic oa ts . his ha nd ran ove r her po ss es si ve ly . hi s fac e ab ove he r wa s hea vy wi th sen su ali ty . "n ow this is the tim e wh en we hu rr y, kir a," he sai d so ftl y. "l ik e th is, lo ve ." he expl od ed into wil dne ss , th e st rok es de ep and he av y with franti c urg enc y. she wa nt ed to help him , but the sen sa ti on s we re so int en se th at she found sh e co uld on ly arch mi ndl es sl y up to him , her ha nd s fl utt er ing on hi s sh oul de rs. her tee th cle nche d as wav e aft er wav e of feel ing su rg ed ove r he r, in he r, arou nd he r. th en hi s lip s wer e har d on her own as the fin al ti da l d eluge sw ept th em a wa y. sh e coul dn 't mo ve . she fel t as if she migh t ne ve r mov e aga in . zack 's eye s wer e cl os ed an d hi s ch es t was ris ing an d fall ing with th e for ce of hi s la bo re d bre athi ng. th er e wa s a to uch of desp er at io n in hi s low la ugh. "yo u kno w, anot he r fant as y lik e

th at one might kill me. i' ve ne ve r felt an yt hing so int ens e bef ore ." he ope ne d his ey es an d she was su rp ri se d to se e how la zil y se ns ual th ey we re . " and d o y ou kn ow som eth ing el se? giv e me a min ute or tw o an d i' ll be read y to do it aga in . you hav e a ve ry wil d e ffe ct on m e, y our h ighn es s. " "i t will tak e me a li ttle lo nge r tha n tha t to re co ver ," sh e mu rmu re d. "i fee l as if i' ve ju st be en th ro ugh a n ea rth qua ke ." th er e was a fain tly re gr et fu l lo ok in his ey es. "pit y. " he sl owl y sh if te d off her . on e ha nd mo ved to pet he r affec tio na te ly . "i kn ow i' m be ing a se lf is h bas ta rd, bu t i ca n' t see m to get en oug h of you ." he un fa st en ed her ski rt, then rem ov ed bot h it an d the pe tti co at s. "you tell me wh en you 'r e rea dy. " he sm ile d cro ok edl y. "i ass ur e you i'm at your di sp os al at any ti me. " he lay dow n on the she eps kin palle t an d pull ed he r in to his arms , roll ing he r ove r so the y we re fac ing each oth er . the n

he si ghe d con ten te dly . "th oug h th is is ni ce to o." "ye s. " she nes tle d cl os er . "i th ink ni ce is a de finit e und er st at em ent ." her eyes we re dro oping drow sil y and sh e sm ot he re d a yaw n ag ai ns t h is sh oul de r. sh e wa s con sci ou s of hi s ha nd ru nning la zil y down he r arm to her wr is t. "t ake a na p, l ov e. we ha ve a ll nigh t. " sh e nod ded . sh e woul d sle ep pre se ntl y, but ri ght now she wan te d to li e her e and en jo y th is wo nd erf ul cl os en es s. th en hi s fi ng er s we re thr ea ding onc e mo re th ro ugh he rs in th e intim at e emb ra ce th at no w see me d pecu lia rl y thei r ow n. she smil ed co nt ent edl y as her he avy lid s clo se d. th e la st me mo ry of wh ich she wa s co ns cio us wa s the si ght of th eir han ds joi ne d in co mpa nio ns hip. *

*

*

it was ea rly afte rn oo n wh en sh e he ard th e whi r of the helic opt er . at fi rst the sou nd wa s so fain t it mig ht ha ve be en the hum of a be e and she did n' t bot he r to op en her ey es. sh e was drow sy and con ten t si tt ing he re agai nst the tru nk of the be ec h tree , wi th th e sun on he r face and za ck 's hea d in he r lap, an d it wa s imp os si ble to be li ev e an yt hing coul d dis tu rb the bu col ic en cha ntm ent o f t he mo men t. th en the chugg ing wh ir be ca me lo ud er an d he r eye s fle w ope n. "za ck !" the re was an ed ge of pa nic in her voi ce . "zac k, i he ar som eth ing. " "u m-m ," he mu rmu re d, not ope ning ey es. "s o d o i. "

his

"i t' s a hel icop te r. " she pu she d his he ad fro m her lap and jump ed to her fee t in a fl ur ry of pett ico at s. "i' m su re it 's a hel ico pte r. " sh e ran to th e edg e of th e hill, he r gaz e se arc hing the sk y. "zac k, for go d's

sak e, jus t don 't lie th er e. the y' ve foun d us !" "i 'm lyi ng her e bec au se you ne ar ly kn oc ke d me out wh en my hea d fell off you r l ap ," he sa id d ryly as h e s at up . "oh , dear, i'm sorry ." sh e gla nce d over he r sh oul de r with a st ri ck en expr es si on . "b ut th ey 'r e he re , zac k. " a cin na mon -c ol or ed helic opt er ha d app ea re d on the hori zo n. it wa s movi ng purp os efull y i n t he ir di rec tio n. za ck ros e to his fe et and str ol le d over to st an d be si de he r. " so i s ee . b ut t he qu es ti on is . wh o are the y? " he sud de nl y gr inn ed dow n at her . "don 't wo rry. it' s no t st efa n' s st orm tr oop er s. i' ve bee n exp ecti ng th is pa rt icul ar hel icop te r. i radio ed pe rr y be ntl ey la st nig ht afte r you wen t to sl eep an d to ld hi m to fly in from sw it ze rl an d to day.

"p er ry b en tle y? " "m y assi st an t. you pro ba bl y saw him th at nigh t ou ts id e th e th ea te r in tucs on ." he tu rn ed and st art ed down the hill. "p ut you r boo ts on and le t' s go down an d mee t him as h e l an ds ." sh e st are d afte r him. "ho w di d you kn ow i wa s ou ts id e the th ea te r tha t night? " but he wa s ha lf way down the hill an d co uld no lo nge r he ar he r. she hur ri ed ly th ru st he r ba re feet in to th e boo ts and tuck ed th e tai l of her blo us e int o he r ski rt . th en sh e wa s hu rr yi ng a fte r him . sh e ca ught up as he rea ch ed the open fie ld . za ck 's ow n heli cop te r was sta sh ed on the pe rim ete r, be ne at h the cove r of ove rh an ging tre es . sh e wa tc he d as th e ai rcr af t la nd ed in th e exac t ce nt er of th e fi el d. "h ow di d y ou k no w i wa s o ut si de —" hi s han d clo se d on he r arm as he stepp ed for wa rd eage rl y. "c om e on. i wan t you to

se e your pre se nt. " he was pulli ng her to wa rd the he lic opt er , hi s expr es si on en de ari ngly bo yis h. "m y pr es ent? " s he e cho ed b ew ild er ed ly . . th e door of the hel icop te r was ope ning and th e plump ma n wh o had run in te rf er en ce for zac k at the the at er the firs t nig ht sh e' d se en him ju mpe d to th e gro un d. he was dre ss ed in cas ua l jean s and a yello w tsh ir t, and wa s ca rryi ng a sma ll ca rd boar d bo x. "p er ry ben tle y. ki ra rub in of f. " za ck in tr od uc ed them abs en tly as he took the bo x an d ha nd ed it to ki ra . "yo ur pre sen t. " ^ "h ow do you do," kir a mur mur ed as sh e op en ed th e box . a ca me ra . a stat e-o f-th eart ni ko n—w ith ever y co nc ei va ble le ns an d att ac hme nt. her eyes lif te d to zac k' s. "yo u ha d him fl y from sw itz er la nd to bri ng me a ca me ra ?"

"yo u wan te d it, " he said simpl y. "yo u said it was imp or ta nt to you and ma rn a. " his br ow su dd en ly fur row ed in a frown. "don 't you li ke i t? " sh e felt tea rs st ing her eye s. wh at an ex tra vagan t and to uch ing ge st ur e! sh e fel t a su rg e of fee ling so int ens e it took he r br eat h away . "i lo ve it ," she fin all y whi spe re d hu skil y. he r in de x finge r ca re sse d th e ca me ra. "i t' s the mo st wo nd er ful pre sen t i'v e ever rece iv ed . th an k y ou , z ac k. " "i t' s far mor e adv ance d tha n the fi rs t on e he bou ght you ," ben tle y sai d ch ee rf ull y. "t he y' ve ma de som e am az ing str id es in te chn olo gy in th e la st fiv e ye ars. th er e are som e inst ru cti on s in th e box tha t will sh ow you ho w to us e th e new —" he br ok e off with a fro wn as he caug ht her stunn ed ex pr es si on . " is s om et hing wr ong ?" "t ha t' s

wha t

i'm

won de ring, "

she

sai d

sl owl y. "b ut , yes , i'm be ginn ing to th ink th er e ma y be som eth ing ver y wrong ." she tu rn ed to zac k. "you bou ght me the cam er a ma rn a gav e me for my eigh tee nth bi rt hd ay ?" za ck st if fen ed wa rily . "i wa s go ing to te ll you abou t tha t. som eh ow i jus t di dn' t get aro un d to it ." his voic e lo we re d. "i found my se lf ot he rw is e d is - tr act ed . " he r he art jerk ed , and for a mom ent the sh oc k and bewi ld er men t ebb ed as she re me mb er ed the "dis tr ac ti on ." then she pulle d her att en ti on ba ck to the sub je ct at ha nd . she ha d an un ea sy feeli ng this wa s ev en mo re impo rt an t tha n it appe ar ed on th e s ur fac e. sh e sw if tl y li ft ed her hea d to mee t be ntl ey 's eyes . "z ack was awar e tha t i wa s ou ts id e the th ea te r in tucs on , eve n tho ugh i wa s car eful to keep in th e backg ro un d. no w how do you supp os e he knew . mr.

be ntl ey? " be ntl ey cas t an unc om fo rt ab le gl anc e at za ck . th en, wh en hi s empl oy er slo wly no dde d per mis sio n, he sai d, "th e se cu ri ty ma n wh o wa s tai ling you ca lle d me on th e ca r ph on e. " "t ai ling me? wh at secu ri ty ma n?" "th e on e wh o has bee n ass ign ed to pr ot ect you for th e la st seve n ye ars ," be ntl ey said . he was de fini tel y un ea sy now an d his wor ds ca me out , ch oppil y. "jan se n is on e of mr . d amo n' s b es t s ec uri ty m en. " ki ra felt as if she wer e los t in a ma ze of mi rr ors wh er e no thin g app ea re d as it re ally wa s. " se ven ye ars ?" "ac tua lly , it was mo re lik e ten, " zack sa id qu iet ly . "i bec am e very dis sat is fi ed with st ef an' s sl ip sh od se cu ri ty and de ci de d to pr ot ect you my se lf ." he mo ti on ed wit h a je rk of his thu mb. "t he enc ampm ent is th ro ugh th at gro ve of popl ar s, per ry . ple as e g o wa it f or u s t he re ."

"ri ght, " ben tle y said in evi de nt re li ef be for e he sc ur ri ed tow ar d th e sta nd of tr ee s. "i thi nk you owe me an expl ana ti on ," kir a sai d c are fu lly . he no dde d. "ye s, i th ink i do too . i firs t he ar d abo ut you th e su mm er i was nin et een . ma rn a ha d com e to th e ca mp to nu rs e he r mo th er and i was alw ay s off in th e hills wit h pa ulo so i didn 't see much of he r at fi rst . th en i be ga n to ca tch he r sta ring at me. " he smil ed cr ook ed ly . "rath er li ke a hou se wi fe con si de ri ng th e mer it s of a piec e of me at for a ste w. on e day she to ok me asid e and to ld me ab out th e mo nd ava . sh e al so to ld me abo ut a chi ld ca lle d ki ra, who was th e oth er ha lf of me . sh e said tha t on e day , aft er the chil d had be co me a wo ma n, sh e wo uld se nd her to me ." he pa us ed . "i didn 't bel ie ve a wo rd of it . i wa s accu st om ed to a ce rt ai n am ou nt of my st ici sm, bu t my st ic ism is dif ficul t to

ac cep t wh en appli ed to one 's own self . the wh ole th ing sou nd ed like a soa p ope ra or on e of tho se ol d bo dic e-r ipp er no ve ls . a roy al pr ince ss cou ld n't be th e ot he r hal f of a ha lf -b re ed lik e zac k damo n. not in rea l li fe . so i wen t ba ck to ariz on a an d be gan to di sm is s it from my min d. " he slo wly sh ook hi s he ad . "i di dn' t take mam a' s de te rmin at io n int o ac co unt . the firs t le tt er ca me a mo nth la te r. " "l et te r?" "s he wrot e me ever y mon th or so. i wa s mo vi ng around a gre at dea l then an d i don 't kn ow how sh e man ag ed to kee p tra ck of me , bu t som eh ow she did ." his ey es met he rs . "t he y wer e al wa ys ab out you . wh at you 'd sai d an d wh at you' d don e. oc ca si on all y sh e' d sen d me a sn ap sho t or a hai r ri bb on or a pag e of your ho me wo rk on whi ch you' d got ten a pa rt icul ar ly goo d gr ade . i gr adu all y go t to kn ow you. i lo ok ed forw ar d to tho se let te rs as if you

we re my child . th en, as you gr ew old er, th at fe el ing beg an to ch ang e. you wer e st ill mi ne, but no t en oug h mine . i be ga n to th ink abou t the mon da va an d to beli ev e in it ." hi s voic e dropp ed to a wh is per . "i was gr ow ing ver y impa ti ent by the ti me mar na se nt you to me in tu cs on. i don' t thin k i co uld ha ve wai te d much lo nge r bef ore i ca me to y ou. p er hap s m am a k ne w t ha t." "s he pro ba bl y did ." ki ra ran her finge rs di st rac ted ly thr oug h he r ha ir . "and sh e ce rt ai nly wou ldn 't hav e wan te d he r pr eci ou s mon da va to be spo ile d. th er e' s mo re , isn 't th er e? ma ma 's re scue was a lit tl e too smo ot h to ha ve bee n eff ec te d on th e spur of th e mo me nt. you al re ady kne w sh e was bein g he ld pr is on er wh en i ca me to y ou. " za ck no dde d. "th e bri be ha d be en arr ange d ove r a mo nth ag o. i ha d a sp eci al op er at iv e, st eve du bl is s, wai ti ng in sw it ze rla nd . we wer e plan ning to go in

aft er h er in th e n ex t f ew d ays ." sh e sho ok her hea d in bew ild er me nt. "yo u an d ma ma se em to have pla nne d ev ery th ing, down to th e la st det ail. " sh e whi rl ed aw ay fro m him. "i 'v e ju st th oug ht of so me thi ng. i don 't be li ev e you' ve to ld me th e wh ol e sto ry. i ha ve to talk to ma rn a. " he fe ll int o ste p with her as sh e hur ri ed to wa rd th e en ca mpmen t. "it 's not as if we we re try ing to hu rt you ," he sai d gen tly . "w hy are y ou s o ups et , ki ra? " "i can 't tal k abou t it no w, " she sai d je rkil y. "i hav e to tal k to mar na . i hav e to kno w ev ery th ing. " he ope ne d hi s mo uth to spe ak an d th en cl os ed it aga in . he was si le nt the re st o f t he w ay. ma rn a was stan di ng on the edg e of the lit tle cr ow d su rr ound ing pe rr y be ntl ey , bu t sh e brok e aw ay as sh e ca ught si ght of ki ra and zack. sh e cam e tow ard them wit h

a wid e sm il e on her face . "a ca me ra, kir a. ho w you will lo ve —" sh e br ok e off as she ca ught sigh t of ki ra' s ten se exp re ss io n. "w ha t i s w rong? " "s he kn ow s ever ythi ng, marn a, " zack said wi th a rue fu l sh ru g. "no t qui te ev ery th ing, " ki ra sn app ed . "b ut i'm be ginn ing to su spe ct quit e a lot ." sh e drew a deep br eat h. "m arn a, when we cr os se d th e bo rde r bac k in to tam ro via fro m se dikh an and arr ive d at the gy ps y ca mp, ho w di d ste fan 's sold ie rs kno w we 'd sh ow up t he re? " ma rn a gaz ed at her imp as si ve ly for a lo ng mo men t. "i to ld paul o to sen d an an on ym ou s me ss ag e to st ef an te lling him wh en w e' d a rriv e. " za ck le t his br ea th ou t in a low whi stl e. "i di dn' t kn ow th at . do you supp os e ma chi av ell i h ad a ny g yps y blo od? " ma rn a sh rugg ed . "if he had bee n gyp sy , he

wo uld ha ve had the se ns e not to bec om e in vo lv ed in al l th os e in tr igu es an d enj oye d hi s li fe ins te ad . in tr igue sho uld be use d on ly in fr eq uen tly to acc ompl ish on e' s en ds ." "yo u dec ei ve d me ," ki ra said in di sbel ie f. "i wa s so frigh ten ed an d wo rri ed abou t you , an d it wa s you who delib er at el y arra ng ed for y our o wn c ap tur e. why , m arn a, why ?" "i t wa s tim e for the mon da va, " mar na sa id si mply . "i had to fi nd a way to se nd you to za ck an d se t it int o mo ti on. " "s he onl y did it for your happ ine ss , ki ra ," za ck s ai d qui etl y. "i kn ow th at ." kir a's voic e wa s ch ar ge d wi th ten sio n. "s he 'd wal k th ro ugh fi re to ma ke su re i wa s ha ppy ." ma rn a no dde d. "i t wa s f or t he b es t. " "yo u' re bot h being s o marv el ou sl y soot hing

an d unco nce rn ed abou t it al l. " ki ra 's sapphi re eyes we re sud denl y bl az ing in her pal e face . "don 't you re ali ze wha t you' ve don e? you' ve ma nipul at ed me ! all my lif e i' ve be en ju st a che ss pi ece for ste fan and my par en ts to mov e arou nd the ch es sb oa rd. i acc ept ed th at ." he r smi le was bi tt er sw eet . "p er hap s not ta mel y, but i co uld ac cep t it bec au se the y di dn 't re ally ca re ab out me . bu t you lo ve me , ma rn a, an d ye t you 'v e man ipula te d me to o. " sh e tu rn ed to zac k. "an d didn 't it ever occ ur to you to com e to me in all tho se year s and no t wai t for ma rn a to pull th e str ing s? you kn ow , i don 't thin k it did . i was jus t an emp ty -he ade d doll to you . well , i'm not a ch es s pi ece or a puppet or a doll . i'm non e of tho se thing s, and i' m not a ch ild , ei th er ." za ck to ok an impul si ve st ep to wa rd her . "k ir a—" "n o. " she bac ke d aw ay from him. "don 't

to uch me . i ca n' t th ink whe n you touc h me . and it' s time i stoppe d re acti ng an d st art ed t hink ing. " "yo u are hu rti ng. " th er e wa s a fl ick er of sad ne ss in ma ma 's face . "i nev er mea nt for you to e xp er ien ce p ai n." "p er hap s it 's tim e i di d expe ri ence pain ," ki ra said hu sk ily . "wh ene ve r i was with you , ma rn a, i felt i had st eppe d ou t of the gla ss bub ble . but i hadn 't, not reall y. a st rong , over pr ot ec tiv e love ca n be jus t as ef fec ti ve in kee ping some on e from th e re al wo rl d as pro to co l an d a ri ng of gu ar ds. " sh e th ru st th e bo x with the cam er a in it at ma rn a. "wi ll you keep thi s for me? i have som e thi nkin g to do an d i wan t to go bac k up o n t he hill to d o it ." "i 'd l ik e t o c om e w ith you ," za ck sai d. sh e sh ook her he ad . "i wa nt to be al on e. " sh e smil ed sha kil y. "yo u dist ra ct me to o. i' ll tr y not to be lo ng. " sh e st art ed aw ay

an d th en tur ne d bac k to th em. "it 's not th at i don' t kno w ho w goo d you' ve bo th be en to me . it 's jus t tha t i fe el as i di d the ot he r night wh en pa ulo ruf fle d my ha ir an d call ed me a chil d. i can 't let th at . . ." sh e mad e a he lple ss lit tle mo ve me nt with on e ha nd an d tur ne d aw ay ag ai n. "i' ll be ba ck soo n. " it was du sk when kir a cam e down from th e hill . she ha d wa tch ed th e pi er cing blu e of th e sky tur n to the bl az ing sca rl et of su ns et and the n fade to the gen tle vi olet of tw iligh t. sh e ha d felt th e wa rm th of the in di an summ er afte rn oo n co ol to aut umn ev en ing ch ill, and st ill sh e ha d sat un de r th e b ee ch t re e l os t in t ho ught . za ck an d ma rna we re alo ne at the sald an a wh en sh e wa lk ed into ca mp. th e ev en ing ca mpf ir e had bee n lit and the punge nt sm ell o f c of fee d rif te d to he r. ma rn a gl anc ed

up from he r cup.

"you

ha ve n' t had any th ing to ea t si nce lunch . i' ve m ad e a st ew ." "i 'm no t hungr y. il l ta ke some co ff ee , th ough ," ki ra said as sh e str olle d over to th e fi re an d pl oppe d dow n on the sh eep sk in pal let bes id e zac k. she cro ss ed he r le gs tai lo r- fas hi on an d took th e tin cup ma ma han de d her . ma rna retu rne d to he r st ool on th e ot he r si de of the fir e and pic ke d up he r o wn cup a ga in . ki ra felt the ir conc er n as sh e too k a sip of th e s tr on g, hot co ffe e an d lo ok ed up wi th a ha lf -c omi cal gr im ac e. "i fe el li ke mos es co ming dow n from th e mo un ta in with the te n comm an dm ent s. i did n' t mea n to be th at pre ten tio us when i sta lk ed off . i ha ve n' t mad e an y phil os oph ica l dis co ve rie s th at will sh ak e th e wo rl d. " she paus ed . "e xcep t pe rh aps my o wn. " "an d ours ," zac k sai d qu ie tly . "ev ery th ing you do an d say an d thin k are ve ry

imp or ta nt to us . d id it help , ki ra? " "ye s, it di d help ." she cra dle d he r cup in he r han ds as sh e gaz ed int o the fi re . "fo r on e thin g, i dec id ed i ha d no ri gh t to be ups et wit h ei th er on e of you. if you ma nipul at ed me , it was bec au se i let my se lf be manip ula te d. i' ve mad e a ha bi t of act ing impul si ve ly . i re li ed on you, ma rn a, to do my thin king. " she met ma ma 's gaz e acr oss th e camp fi re . "n o ma tu re adult woul d le t he rs el f be sent to a st rang er with ins tr ucti on s 't o do wha te ve r wa s nec es sa ry. ' i was so ac cus to me d to re ly ing on you an d be li ev ing you wer e al wa ys ri ght tha t i me re ly follo we d you r in st ruc tio ns with out que st ion ing th em. " sh e he ld up her han d as mar na wo uld hav e in te rr upte d. "i don' t say tha t i woul dn 't ha ve don e it if i'd st opp ed to con si de r. th er e' s a good ch an ce i woul d hav e ac te d in ex actl y the wa y i did. bu t i wo uld ha ve kn own it wa s my ch oic e, th e ch oic e of an in dep en den t in di vi du al. " sh e pa us ed as if

se arc hing for wor ds. "yo u see, i' ve alw ay s pla ye d at bei ng in de pen de nt with my li ttl e de fia nc es , but i'v e ne ve r bee n will ing to ta ke th at ext ra st ep into true in dep en den ce. " sh e laugh ed sha ki ly . "i was fri ght ene d, i gue ss . as lo ng as i was an ir res pon si ble ch ild i di dn 't hav e to comm it my se lf to tall y to an ything or anyo ne . well, i' ve dec id ed i ca n' t liv e tha t way any mo re . i have to assu me the re sp on si bili ti es tha t go al on g w ith l ov e. " sh e set her cup down an d sp re ad her ha nd s on he r kn ee s, he r fin ge rs fl ex ing ne rv ousl y. sh e drew a dee p bre at h. "i lo ve you , ma rn a, and i' m go ing to ke ep on lo vi ng you until th e day i die . you' re goi ng to be a pa rt of me for the rest of my lif e. i don 't giv e a damn wh at you thi nk the mo nd ava is goi ng to do to ou r rel at io nsh ip. i kn ow mys el f an d i kn ow my lo ve for you is n' t goi ng to cha nge . . . exc ept to gr ow st rong er ma ybe ." sh e tur ne d to zac k. "and i lo ve you too . i' ve nev er tol d you bef ore .

we 'v e all be en so conc er ne d with th is mo nd ava bus ine ss th at we 'v e ign or ed the ba si cs ." za ck smi le d fai ntl y. "i 'd say you cou ld n't ge t muc h mo re b asi c th an th e mon da va. " sh e met hi s eye s di rec tly . "ye s, you coul d. th er e' s alw ay s a pla in old- fas hi on ed de cl ar at io n of und yi ng dev oti on . wh ich you hav en 't mad e, by the way . i thin k th er e are se ve ral peop le aroun d her e be si de s me who hav e a fe w pro bl ems ." sh e ma de an impa ti ent ges tur e wi th on e han d. "w e' ll addre ss tha t la te r. righ t now, i jus t wa nt you to kn ow i lov e you . and no ma tt er ho w you feel abou t me at th e mo men t, some da y i'm goi ng to kn ow tha t you lov e me to o. you onc e sa id i ha d the id ea my valu e la y onl y in my ti tle , an d ma yb e you we re ri ght . but i'v e be en th inki ng ab ou t it , an d i'm a hell of a lot mo re th an a ti tle. i have int ellig enc e an d st am in a a nd d et er mi na ti on. "

"an d a very lo vi ng hea rt ," zac k sai d sof tl y. "t ha nk go d. " he r eye s met hi s wi th glo wing sere nit y. "oh , yes , i hav e th at to o. any man who ge ts me will ha ve a pri ze . i'm goi ng to mak e su re you appr eci at e me, za ck ." sh e was ha vi ng tr oubl e te ar ing her ga ze awa y. hi s dar k eye s refl ect ed so ma ny won de rful th ings —pr id e, un de rst an di ng, te nd er ne ss . sh e fin all y ma nag ed it and loo ke d ba ck in to th e fl ame s. "how ev er , tha t' s all go ing to h av e to w ai t. i 'm go ing to ha ve to st ra ig hte n out thi s me ss with st ef an b ef ore i 'm f ree t o pur su e y ou. " za ck st if fen ed wa rily . "i don 't lik e the soun d o f t ha t. " "i di dn 't thin k you wo ul d. " sh e ma de a fac e. "you 'r e go ing to like even les s th e wa y i int end doin g it. i'm going to fly ba ck to the pal ac e ton ight and mak e st ef an gi ve me his wor d tha t ma rn a will be all ow ed

ei th er to li ve with or vis it he r tr ib e with ou t a ny i nt er fe re nc e o n h is pa rt ." "n o! " mar na sa id ha rshl y, com ing er ec t on he r s too l. "ye s, " kir a sai d firml y. "i' m no t go ing to let you su ff er for helping me . ste fa n was wr on g. i ju st ca n' t cave in on some thin g th is i mpo rt an t. " "yo u tr ie d to con vi nce him be fo re. " zac k' s fac e refl ect ed no ne of th e res is ta nc e sh e ha d exp ect ed . hi s ex pr es si on was me re ly sp ecul at iv e. "wh at ma ke s you thi nk you ca n do it now , wh en you coul dn 't do it th en?" "i ple ad ed . i appe al ed . i re aso ne d. no w i'm go ing to tr y so me thi ng els e. i'm goin g to se t fort h my ter ms and cr am th em down hi s th ro at . if i' m for ce d to, i'll bla ckm ail him . i'll tell him i' ll gi ve inte rv ie ws to the pr es s rev eal ing co nd iti on s in tam ro via . ill ev en in vo lv e se di kh an if the re 's ab solu tel y

no oth er wa y. if you de ci de to do som eth ing, it' s wo rt h going al l the way. " he r lip s cu rv ed in a tin y sm il e. "or so som eo ne t old me qu ite re ce ntl y. " "yo u' re not go ing back to th e pala ce . i fi ght my ow n bat tl es ." ma ma 's eye s we re fl as hi ng. "t hi s is n' t one of you r bat tl es. it' s mi ne, " ki ra sai d jus t as fi rmly . "an d mak e up you r min d tha t i'm go ing to be the one to fi ght it ." za ck se t hi s cup on th e gro un d. "a ll right. we go ba ck to the pal ac e ton ight ." he ign or ed m am a' s lo w cr y o f pr ot es t. "i 'm no t su re wha t go od it will do, but we' ll giv e it a tr y." ki ra sh ook her he ad . "n o, no t 'w e. ' me . i'm go ing b ack a lon e. " za ck di dn' t repl y for a mom ent. "i rath er th ough t you had som et hing of the so rt in

min d. " "i woul dn 't be the on e fi ght ing the battl e if i ha d zack dam on bes id e me, read y to ex ert ec on om ic and poli tic al muscl e. " she sh oo k he r h ea d. " i' ll d o t his my w ay ." hi s ex pr es si on was in scr ut abl e as he st ud ie d he r face for a lo ng mo me nt. "ok ay. " he rose abrup tly to his fe et . "you re tu rn by your se lf . i' ll go get pa ulo and we 'll pull th e he lic opt er out from und er th e tre e cove r an d ch eck it out . you' d be tt er ch ang e you r clo th es ." he sm ile d. "as be au ti ful as you lo ok , th at 's not an out fi t in wh ich to di sc us s ult ima tum s. it' s en ti rel y t oo so ft a nd f emin ine ." ki ra was sta rtle d th at he' d gi ve n in so ea sily . she st ood up, her eye s na rro we d on him with a to uch of sus pici on . "n o argu men ts? " he sh oo k hi s hea d. "i t' s you r battl e. " he lo ok ed to wa rd mar na . "an d your debt . i

re sp ect th at . i'll mee t you in the cle ar ing in fi ft ee n m inut es ." ma rn a w as glo we ring f ero ci ou sl y at bo th o f th em. "i 'v e cha nge d my min d. you are a chi tk a, zac k. tell her not to go. you are joi ne d in the mon da va. sh e will lis ten to you ." "i f she did li st en, she 'd be tak ing a st ep ba ck war d. i wo ul dn 't ask her to do tha t. " he tu rn ed aw ay. "fi ft ee n m inut es ."

ei ght fu ll dark ne ss ha d fal len by the tim e kir a ha d ch ang ed ba ck int o he r jean s, sw ea te r, an d jack et an d wal ke d th e sh ort dis ta nc e th ro ugh the wo ods to th e cl ea ri ng. the hel ico pte r ha d al re ady bee n mov ed out in to th e op en by zac k, paul o, an d be ntl ey , wh o we re wai tin g bes id e it. mar na stoo d ap ar t, ho ld ing a la nte rn , wh os e glo w re vea le d th e gr imn es s o f h er e xp re ss io n.

ki ra cr oss ed to he r at on ce and st ood on tip to e to pla nt a kis s on he r br oad jaw. "i t wo uld mak e me fe el a go od deal be tt er if you 'd wi sh me well ." "w hy sho ul d i wi sh you well wh en you 'r e doi ng a chit ka thing like —" she brok e off, a multi tud e of con fl icti ng emo ti on s cr os sing her face . "go od jour ney ," sh e sa id gr uf fl y. "b et te r tha n you dese rve ." sh e en fo ld ed kir a in a br eat hta ki ng bea r hug. "an d if st ef an cau se s you pro bl ems , i will ma ke a sp ell th at will ca us e hi s nud oc s to rot and fal l off. i' m ve ry wea ry of his st upi dit y. " she rel ea se d kir a and ga ve he r a gen tle wh ack on th e d erri er e. "g o. " ki ra 's eyes wer e mis ty as she cov er ed th e fe w yards to wh er e zac k was sta nd ing by th e hel icop ter . pe rr y ben tle y ha d lef t th e cle ar in g an d pa ulo ha d ta ke n a few ste ps ba ck to all ow th em a limi te d am ou nt of pr iv ac y.

"i 'd be int er es te d in kno wing if tho se nu do cs tha t are abou t to be cur se d are wh at i thin k the y are ," zac k mur mur ed as he op en ed th e d oor o f t he h el icop te r. "t o put it de lic at el y, nu do cs are a gen tle man 's pri va te pa rt s, " ki ra sai d with a gr in. za ck fl inc he d. "hm -m . so i tho ught . i' ll be ve ry ca re ful not to ris k inc ur ri ng th at pa rt icul ar cur se ." hi s gaz e was sud denl y gr ave . "are you goi ng to tell me wh at your pla ns are ?" " i' m jus t goi ng to tal k to st ef an. i'1 1 lan d th e heli copt er in th e cl ea ri ng in the wood s ac ros s fro m the ma in gat e and go th ro ugh th e ca ve an d the se cr et tunn el in to the pal ac e its el f. " she sh rug ge d. "i co uld jus t ma rc h in th ro ugh the fron t ga te , but i'd pr ef er to ta ke hi m off gua rd. it 's li kel y th at i' m go ing to nee d ever y adva nt ag e i ca n man ag e. when i succ ee d in bri nging

st ef an aro un d to my way of thin king , i'll co nt act you by r adi o. "

"w hen , no t if ?" zac k ask ed wi th a sligh t sm ile . " you 'r e v ery co nf id ent ." sh e dre w a qui ve ri ng br ea th . "i can 't let my se lf be any th ing el se . othe rwi se , i' d be sh ak ing lik e a b ow l fu ll o f j el ly ." "i d on' t th ink so . i' d be t y our br oth er la nce wo uld say his littl e si st er ha d defi nit ely 's et .' " he su dde nly cr us he d her in hi s arms an d ki ss ed her wi th a hard , brui sing pa ss io n tha t robb ed he r of bre ath an d ma de her he ad whi rl. he li ft ed hi s hea d an d gla re d dow n at he r fie rcel y. "b e ca re ful, dammi t. an d sta y away fro m ka rpa tha n! " "i w ill, " s he pr om is ed a li ttle daz edl y. th en he lif te d he r into the heli cop te r an d clo se d th e door be hin d her . she wa tch ed him ste p bac k be si de pa ulo as she tur ne d

on th e igni tio n. zack lo ok ed str ong and po we rf ul an d abl e to ta ke on the wo rld , an d, for an ins ta nt, she was al mo st te mpte d to le t him com e wit h her . it wo uld be very co mf ort ing to le an on hi s st re ngt h. oh , lo rd, she was doi ng it aga in . it wa s cle ar ly go ing to tak e pra ct ice to get he r thin king in to th e righ t gro ove ; she wo uld n' t le an on any on e. no t anym or e. sh e wa ve d an d li ft ed off. soon th e fi gu re s in th e cl ea ri ng had vani she d fro m vie w and on ly th e light of the la nte rn ma rn a wa s ho ld ing rem ai ne d vi si bl e. th en, as she tu rn ed sou th, t he ligh t, t oo, di sapp ea re d. "i did n' t thin k you wo ul d let her go, " pa ulo said with a si dew is e gla nce at zac k' s te ns e, set face . "u ntil the ver y la st minut e i tho ught you 'd ch ang e your mi nd an d ei th er ma ke he r st ay o r g o w ith he r. " "a ti me to set free ." za ck 's eyes we re sti ll on the hor iz on whe re the light s fro m th e hel ico pte r had ju st vani she d. "it wa s ti me

to s et he r fre e t o be h er ow n p er so n. " pa ulo no dde d sl owl y. "i t was a wis e mov e. no w she 'll retu rn to you an d be you r pe rs on as w ell ." "de ar lo rd, i hop e so. " zac k su dd en ly re ali ze d hi s ha nd s we re cle nche d. he ca re fully rel ax ed the m. he nee de d pa ti ence an d co nt ro l now more th an at any time in hi s lif e, and he had to co nc en tr ate on ga th er ing th os e forc es to him. it had ne ar ly r ippe d him ap ar t to st an d an d wa tch he r tak e off in the helic opt er . sh e ha d lo ok ed so dam ne d alo ne . "le t' s go bac k to th e sald an a. i tol d pe rr y to c ont ac t m y m en in bela jo by radi o to be on the loo kou t for he r. i wan t to se e if th ey 'v e he ar d any mo re fro m th e pa lac e. " he gl an ce d aro un d. "w he re 's ma rna ?" pa ulo sh rug ge d as he fell int o ste p with za ck . "s he pro ba bl y wa nt ed to be alo ne . sh e d oes n ot li ke t hi s. "

"w ho the hell doe s? " zac k gr owl ed . "i t' s te ari ng my gu ts ou t. th e on ly thing giv ing me an y co mf ort at all is th at i kno w, as au to cr at ic as ste fan ma y be , he' s not li kel y to i mpr is on h is ow n s is te r. " "yo u wo ul d ha ve to argu e wit h marn a th er e, " paul o said dryl y. "sh e think s he' s ca pa ble of e ver y st upi d a ct io n i ma gin abl e. " "yo u' re n ot ve ry rea ss ur ing ." "re al iti es mus t be face d. " pa ulo 's eyes na rro we d specu la tiv el y on za ck 's face . "w ha t woul d you do if he di d dec id e to do th at? " "i 'd go in and get he r, " zack said gri mly . "an d on th e way i' d fle x eno ugh ec on om ic mu scle to toppl e ki ng ste fan fro m his th ro ne . then i' d mak e su re th at ma rna di dn' t ha ve to put a cur se on ste fan 's nu do cs . i' d ri p t hem off m ys el f. " pa ulo laugh ed so ftl y. "w ell , it 's nice to

kn ow you ha ve an alt er na ti ve pla n. i do li ke a man wh o thin ks ah ea d." th ey ha d arr ive d at the sald an a, and pa ulo pau se d by th e fi re to cla p him on th e sho ul de r. "we di dn' t fi ni sh th at bottl e the othe r night . sh all we tr y ag ai n? i think you ha ve mor e to f org et to nigh t t ha n y ou di d t hen ." "t he re may be a pro bl em, zac k. " per ry be ntl ey ha d em er ge d from the cara van an d wa s cl imbi ng down to the gr ound . "t he re 's som eth ing f unn y g oi ng o n i n b el aj o. " za ck be ca me ve ry st ill. "w ha t do you mea n 'f unn y' ?" pe rr y sh if te d his sh ou ld er s une as il y, "y ou kn ow fon ta ine ha sn 't bee n abl e to ge t an y wo rd from his pe ople in the pa lac e. well , he se nt a fe w men to nos e around to see wh at the y co uld fi nd out ." he he si ta te d. "s ome thing we ir d is ha ppen ing the re . no on e go es in . no one goe s out . an d the re 's a co rdon of sol di er s aro un d the pal ac e. no t

pal ac e gua rds , regu la r sol di er s. " zac k mut te re d a vi ol en t cu rs e. "a coup ?" per ry sh oo k hi s hea d. "i don' t kno w. may be ." "n ot a coup, " paul o said slo wly . "a re vol uti on , i thi nk. " za ck glan ce d at him sha rpl y. "you kno w som eth ing?" "i t fi ts to ge the r. tha t st rang e ne w pre y i me nti on ed mo ving aroun d in th e hills ? ba nd s of m en . la rg e ban ds o f me n. " "g ue rill as ," za ck mutt er ed . "damn , why did you ke ep a ll thi s t o you rs el f? " "t he y lef t me alon e. i lef t them al on e. " pa ulo sh rug ge d. "i did lib er at e a few of th ei r weap on s. th ey are in my wag on at th e enc ampm ent if you' d li ke to see the m. th ey are very high pow er ed ." he pa us ed . "an d r us si an-m ad e. " "g et them ," zac k sai d ter se ly . "w e ma y ne ed

th em. " pa ulo 's wid e sm il e sho ne with fera l ple as ur e. "w e a re go ing h unt ing?" "w e' re go ing hun ting ," zac k co nf ir me d gr iml y. "pe rr y, rad io fon ta ine and te ll him to get tog et he r eno ugh men for a sma ll for ce and me et us in the woo ds sou th of th e ma in ga te . but bef ore you do th at, try to rai se kir a on the helic opt er radio an d wa rn he r. " he lo ok ed at hi s wri stw at ch. "i dou bt if you 'll be ab le to do it . she sh ou ld ha ve la nd ed a few minu te s ago. try an yw ay. " "ri ght. " per ry jump ed up to th e wag on seat an d di sappe ar ed int o t he ca rav an. pa ulo rais ed hi s br ow s. "so se tt ing t he lit tle on e f ree ."

much

for

"i set he r fre e to wa lk ri ght int o a damn re vol uti on ." zac k' s voi ce held an edge of ag on iz ed desp er ati on . "i sh oul d ha ve go ne wi th her . god kno ws wha t she 's go ing to ru n int o onc e she re ache s th e pal ac e. " he

tu rn ed with bar el y conc ea le d vi olenc e. "g et th os e wea po ns. i' ll mee t you at per ry' s hel ico pte r. " th e so ld ie r' s han ds wer e rough as he pus he d her in to st ef an' s lib ra ry. ki ra 's eyes we re sho oti ng spa rk s and sh e mu rmu re d som eth ing a tri fl e off-c ol or as sh e wat che d th e door swi ng shut be hin d him. "s te fan , wh at 's go ing on he re ? th er e are sol die rs all ove r the pala ce and th at idi ot was ac tu all y roug h as hell with —" she brok e off as the ta ll, sha dow y fi gu re ste ppe d ou t of the di mn es s by th e book sh elv es int o the sh all ow po ol of light for me d by the desk la mp. "san do r! i tol d tha t sold ie r i wa nt ed to s ee s te fa n. " "s o he tol d me ," karp ath an sai d wea rily . ki ra , wh at the devi l are you doi ng ba ck he re ? i th ough t you 'd be ou t of the co unt ry by no w." he dropp ed down in to st ef an' s over siz ed exe cut iv e cha ir . "and ho w di d you ge t in wi tho ut co mi ng

th ro ugh t he ma in ga te? " "t ha t' s no ne of you r bu sin es s, sand or. wh er e i s m y br ot he r? i c am e t o se e st ef an ." "s te fan is safe . whi ch is more tha n i ca n say for you . ev ery one in the pala ce must kn ow you 'v e r etu rne d by no w. " "s afe ? why sh ou ldn 't i be safe? thi s is all ve ry ir regul ar , sa nd or. " "re volu ti on ha s a wa y of be ing ir regul ar ," ka rpa tha n s ai d dryl y. "re vol —" ki ra 's eye s wi de ne d in sho ck . sh e fe lt a wa ve of panic was h ove r her . "w he re is st efa n? " "t ha t' s wh at we' d li ke to kn ow ," a dee p ba rit on e voi ce sai d fro m beh ind he r. "h e' s be en mo st elu siv e, h as n' t he , s and or ?" sh e tu rn ed to face the sho rt , bull -ch es te d ma n wh o ha d en te re d the lib ra ry. the re

wa s no qu es ti on of not re co gni zing him. th at st rong , dee ply gr oov ed face wa s co mple tel y u nf or ge tt abl e. " nal do na !" he smil ed a tri fl e unple as antl y. "i don 't be lie ve we wer e in tr od uc ed at tha t me et ing tw o ye ars ag o, but i reco gni ze you as well . you r pho to gr aph ca us ed me a go od de al o f t ro ubl e, you r h ighn es s. " "i t me re ly esca la te d you r pla ns ," karp ath an sai d smo othl y as he rose to his fee t. "i t ma y ev en ha ve help ed you r cau se by cr ea ti ng a m ar ty r i mag e. " ma rc nal do na st roll ed forwa rd to st an d be si de kar pa th an. "i t' s very di ffi cult to re me mb er tha t, wh en i rec all how unc om fo rt ab le i was hi din g in th e hill s th os e f irs t f ew w ee ks ." "i di dn 't mea n to hur t you ," kir a whi spe re d. "i onl y wan te d to he lp. i adm ir ed y ou v ery mu ch, m r. n al do na ."

"w ell , it 's fort una te th at i' m going to be ab le to giv e you the op po rt unit y to ma ke am en ds ." his smi le wa s har d and sl igh tly me nac ing. "w e' re goin g to mak e good use of you ." ki ra sh iv er ed. the wh ol e epi so de wa s wil dl y unb eli ev ab le and ev ery th ing wa s to ps y- tu rv y. noth ing was as sh e had th ough t it was . ev en the two men facing he r ap pe ar ed to ha ve cha nge d pla ce s in som e subt le man ne r. na ld on a, who m she ha d onl y se en in roug h work clo the s an d wh o had alw ay s se em ed to tall y of the ea rth and th e peop le, was faul tle ssl y dre ss ed in an ex pen si ve -l oo ki ng, dark blue bu sin es s sui t. karp ath an , on the ot he r ha nd , had she d hi s fast id io us el ega nce an d wa s dres se d with utmo st simpl ici ty in bl ack jea ns an d a lo ng -sl ee ve d bl ack sh ir t. it sho uld ha ve de tr act ed from his force ful pr es enc e but someh ow on ly se rve d to ma gni fy it. tha t force wa s cha rg ing the roo m wi th el ect ri cit y at th e mo men t. th er e

wa s an ai r of an ta go ni sm bet we en the two me n tha t wa s nea rl y tang ibl e. sh e felt as if sh e had bee n thr own in to a ca ge wit h tw o rogu e tig er s and coul dn 't be su re if the y we re go ing to r en d he r o r e ac h o th er . sh e lif te d her ch in. "i obj ec t to be ing use d by any one , mr . nal do na . i thin k you 'll fi nd it 's mor e bot he r th an it' s wo rt h to tr y to for ce me t o d o a ny th ing. " . "yo u' re ve ry brav e, " nal do na said si lkil y. "p er ha ps you thin k th at bec au se you r br oth er ind ulge d you r li ttl e pr an ks, we will do th e same? we will use you as we ple as e. i thin k a prin ce ss migh t do as well as a king und er the cir cum sta nc es, don' t you , s an dor ?" "yo u kno w wha t i thi nk, " karp ath an sai d cu rtl y. "it 's the heigh t of ma dne ss . you ca n' t get awa y with tha t ki nd of ba rb ari sm to day. we 'r e not in cz ari st ru ss ia and she 's no t a r oma no v. "

"b ut an exa mple is nee de d to mak e th e wo rl d ta ke us ser io us ly ." na ld on a' s dar k ey es we re bu rn ing fe ver is hl y in hi s ho llo w-c he ek ed fac e. "t ha t wa s idi ami n' s phil os oph y an d i ca n' t se e th at he ea rne d any gre at amo unt of re sp ect or adm ir at io n, " ka rp at ha n said dry ly . "b ut che ry se ldom earn s you an yt hing bu t an eve nt ual on e- wa y ti ck et ou t o f p owe r. " bu tche ry . rom an ov s. ki ra felt the bl oo d fre ez e in her vei ns . the y wer e talki ng ab out assas si na ti on. "m ur de r, " sh e whi spe re d. "ju st ice ," na ld on a c or rec te d. sh e sh ook her he ad . "st ef an may ha ve be en guil ty of opp re ss io n and of allo wing ce rt ai n ineq ui ti es , but he was n' t a mu rd er er. " "au to cr at s li ke you r brot he r mur de r hop e

an d in iti at iv e amo ng the pe ople ," na ld on a sn app ed . "i t ca n amo unt to the same th ing. " "an act io n lik e th e one you 'r e co nt empla ting wo uld fost er symp at hy an d supp or t for ste fa n from coun tr ie s ou ts id e ta mr ovi a, " ka rp at ha n sai d. "we don 't wa nt th at ." "n ot if it' s ha nd le d co rre ctl y. " nal do na sh rug ge d. "a mob is the eas ie st thing in th e wo rl d to arou se if one kn ow s how to go ab out it . th en we 'd onl y be guil ty of no t be ing able to pr ot ec t he r fro m the ri ght eo us wr at h o f t he p eop le. " "n o, " ka rp at ha n s ai d fl at ly . ki ra felt a sur ge of re li ef th at ma de her kn ee s w ea k. na ld on a' s ey es nar row ed on karp ath an 's fac e. "y ou forg et you 'r e no lo nge r in co nt ro l her e, sa nd or. you' ve pr ov ed ve ry

help ful , b ut d on' t pu sh m e. " ka rpa tha n' s ex pr es si on was in scr ut abl e as he me t nal do na 's ga ze . the n he gl anc ed aw ay. "i t' s no t wor th qu ar re lin g ab out . do as y ou w is h." mu rd er he r he mea nt , kir a th ough t with si ck ho rr or. so ca su al . he r de ath wa sn 't wo rt h bo th eri ng ab out . "you' re bot h mo ns te rs ." na ld on a' s sm ile wa s alm os t che er ful . "it 's al l in th e pe rsp ect iv e. to som e, we'll be kn own as the savi ors of ou r cou ntr y. " he st art ed acr oss th e room tow ar d th e door. "s he 'll ha ve to be tr ans fe rre d fro m the pal ac e to a mo re acc es si ble sp ot. it mu stn 't lo ok as if we hav e an y di re ct co nn ecti on wi th this . it will jus t be a sp ont an eo us ou tpo ur ing of nat io na l feel ing. i'll ca ll th e gua rd. " "yo u do tha t, " ka rp at ha n mur mur ed la zil y. he wa s mo vi ng arou nd th e des k to wa rd

na ld on a wi th th e sw if t, si le nt st ea lt h of a pa nth er . "i 'm gla d y ou 'r e bei ng reas ona ble ," na ld on a wa s sa ying as he reac he d for th e kno b of th e door. "w e have to sta nd tog eth er on all th ings , san dor . onc e you' ve tho ught abou t it , i 'm s ur e— " ka rpa tha n' s kara te ch op to th e bac k of na ldon a' s neck dropp ed him li ke a st on e. kir a wa tch ed num bly as he fe ll hea vi ly to the au bu ss on ca rp et. it wa s no mo re asto un ding th an an yt hing el se th at ha d ha ppen ed si nce sh e ha d op en ed th e door of her su it e to fi nd th e h all c row de d wit h s ol di er s. "do n' t ju st stan d th er e, " kar pa tha n sai d ha rs hh r as he to ok he r el bo w an d pu she d he r tow ar d the door. "he 's no t de ad and he wo n' t be un co nsc io us in de fi ni tel y. do you li ke th e id ea of bei ng torn apa rt by a mob? na ld on a ha s the rhe to ri ca l sk ill of a fall en

an gel , i f y ou r emem be r. " "i re me mbe r. " she sho ok he r he ad to cl ea r it . "b ut wh y sh ou ld i tru st you an y mor e th an i do hi m? it' s cl ea r you 'r e in thi s pl ot as d eepl y a s y ou r fri en d h er e. " "h e' s not my frie nd . the re wa s a ti me when i th oug ht he might bec om e one , bu t. . ." ka rpa tha n sh rugg ed . "w at er un de r th e br id ge . he does n' t wa nt th e sa me thin gs i do for tam ro via and we' ve co me to a pa rt ing of the wa ys . i assu re you th at you 'r e f ar s afe r wi th m e t han wi th h im. " "re al ly? you pla ye d ju das to st ef an , and i ha ve n' t th e sl ight es t doub t you ma st er min de d th is re vol uti on. " he bow ed mo cki ngly . "t ha nk you for you r fai th in my in tell ect ual cap ab ilit y. i did ma st er min d it, as a ma tt er of fac t." his gla nce wa s su dd en ly raz or sh ar p. "as for pla yi ng jud as, i' d do it ag ai n if i thou ght it wa s nece ss ary . i did th ink the re was a

ch anc e i'd be ab le to ma nipu la te st efa n in to ef fec ting rad ic al eno ugh cha nge s so th at al l th is migh t not ha ve had to be com e a real it y. un fo rtu na te ly , it wa s tak ing too lo ng for na ld on a to to le rat e. " hi s face be ca me som be r. "na ld on a' s not the man i th ough t he was . if i let him ta ke co nt ro l no w. it wou ld mea n a rei gn of ter ror. " "w hy wo uld h e w ant —" "l oo k, we don' t have tim e for thi s. i'd ve ry much lik e to get you ou t of he re wi th you r sk in int ac t, but unle ss we hu rr y, it might no t b e pos si bl e." hi s e yes gli tt er ed f ie rc el y. "ye s, i' m a revolu tio na ry and i'm go ing to do eve ryt hing in my pow er to mak e th is co unt ry a rep ublic . ho we ve r, i'm nei the r a wa rm on ge r nor a mar xis t, an d na ld on a is bo th , as i' ve onl y rec en tly di sc ove re d." as he me t her st ill su spic io us gaz e th e fi erc ene ss faded an d wea ri ne ss repla ce d it . "k ir a, i li ke you . i' ve alw ay s li ke d you. i' ve ev en trie d to he lp you wh ene ve r pos si ble . wh o do you thin k pe rs ua de d ste fan to gi ve

ma rn a qua rt er s in the pal ace ins te ad of imp ri so ning he r? " "ye t you wer e go ing to ha ve her tr ans fe rre d to the pri so n. st ef an tol d me you 'd co nv inc ed him to do it, th e ni ght we es ca pe d. " he sho ok hi s he ad . "i kn ew you 'd co me ba ck to help her es ca pe . he r gua rds wer e in my pa y. when damo n' s me n offer ed th em a bri be th ey ca me to me. " he pau se d. "i tol d them to tak e it . ti me wa s run ning ou t, tho ugh, an d i ha d to get you to mov e fas t. you ha d to be ou t of the pala ce by the ti me nal do na arri ve d. i was to cut all th e co mmun ica ti on lin es an d ta ke ove r the pal ac e th e nigh t of th e re cep ti on. it wa sn 't unt il aft er i ha d mad e the sug ge st ion to st ef an abo ut tr ans fe rri ng mar na th at on e o f th e gua rds cam e to me and to ld me you' d al re ady ma de pla ns to free her du ri ng th e re ce pti on ." he su dd en ly sm ile d with be guil ing w ar mth .

it was a bri lli ant esc ap e, by th e way. it wa s as i f you 'd f ade d in to th e w oo dwo rk ." ki ra f elt a n an sw er ing smi le tug a t he r lips . "i n a man ne r of sp ea ki ng, tha t was wh at we di d . . . s an do r." "ah , a bre ak in th e wa ll of your sus pici on at las t, " he said wi th a sig h of re li ef . "no w, if you 'll ju st coop er at e a littl e fu rt he r and te ll me how you man ag e to ge t in an d out of th e pa la ce with ou t be ing se en , we jus t migh t g et o ut o f he re a li ve , s we et co us in. " sh e hes it at ed an d th en said slo wly , "th er e' s a sec re t pa ss age in my suit e th at lea ds un de r th e fro nt gat e ab out a qu ar te r of a mil e int o the wo ods an d exi ts int o a sm all ca ve ." "g oo d! the n we ma y ha ve a cha nce ." he ca st a qu ick gl anc e at na ld on a. "he 's st ill no t st ir ring. " hi s ha nd tigh ten ed on her el bo w. "yo u' re my pri son er , un de rs tan d? mo st of th es e so ld ie rs are men nal do na

br ought wit h hi m from hi s bas e an d th ey wo n' t take my orde rs. nal do na ha s ma de su re th er e wo n' t be any di vi si on of lo yalt y in hi s pe rson al aide s. " he op ene d th e door . "t ry to lo ok frigh ten ed an d pr op er ly ch as ten ed , w ill y ou? i t w ill b e ex pec te d. " "t ha t won 't be a ch or e, " kir a sai d ru ef ull y. "m y kn ee s hav en 't st opp ed sh ak ing si nce i st eppe d int o t hi s r oom ." "i woul dn 't hav e kn own it ," he sai d wit h su rp ri sing gentl en es s. "you 'r e a very bra ve la dy, ki ra ." th en, as he saw the sold ie r stan di ng gu ar d ac ros s th e ha ll com e to at te nti on , his face se t in har sh li ne s. he pu sh ed he r rough ly ou t int o the ha ll. "str ai ght ah ea d, and don 't tr y an yt hing st upid , bit ch. it wou ld gi ve me gr ea t ple as ur e to st op any at te mpt at es ca pe in the mos t pa inf ul wa y po ss ibl e. "

nin e

ki ra drew a br eat h of rel ie f as th e door of he r sui te clo se d be hin d the m. the ha lls ha d be en cr ow de d wi th sol di er s an d ev ery se co nd she ha d exp ect ed to hea r a sh ou t be hin d them si gna ling th at na ld on a had re ga in ed con sc iou sn es s an d giv en th e al arm . "i t' s over he re ." sh e ran acro ss to th e bo okc as e and tur ne d the ca nd el ab ra on the wa ll be si de it. the boo kc as e beg an to op en sl owl y. "i nt er es ting ," san do r sai d as he join ed he r. "m y hom e in lim ta na has a sec re t pa ss ag e to o. us ef ul li ttle addit ion s, aren 't the y?" hi s gl anc e trav el ed to the pho to gr aph of na ld on a on th e wall. "so tha t' s the pictu re th at cau se d al l th e upr oa r. i' ve ne ve r see n it bef ore . i was out of th e co unt ry whe n na ld on a t ook t o t he hill s. " "i still ca n' t beli ev e wha t he' s bec om e." ki ra took a pe n fl ashl ight ou t of he r po cke t

an d fli cke d it on . "i tho ught he wa s so si nce re ." "s o di d i." the re was pr of oun d re gr et in san do r' s voic e. "pe rh aps he wa s at on e ti me. pow er has a hab it of cor ruptin g even th e mos t ide alis tic of men ." he foll ow ed he r in to the pas sa ge and wa it ed whil e she clo se d off the ent ra nc e. "so no w, in st ea d of ha vi ng an ab so lu te mon ar ch y, we 'r e goi ng to ha ve an abso lut e di ct at or sh ip. " hi s lip s tig hte ne d gri mly . "unt il i ca n fin d a wa y of ou st ing h im. " "c an you do th at? " "i hav e to do it . he coul dn 't ha ve gro wn th is pow erful wi tho ut my help . i' m t he on e wh o cre at ed our fran ke ns tei n an d bro ugh t al l thi s dow n on tam ro via ." hi s eyes dar ke ne d. "bu t wh at ev er hap pens , th e mo na rc hy is go ne forev er. you ha ve to un de rs ta nd tha t. it wa s a di no sa ur an d the ti me h ad c om e f or it to p as s i nt o o bl iv io n. "

"i 'v e real iz ed tha t for a long tim e." a tiny sm ile cur ve d kir a' s lips . "did you thin k i'd be out rag ed tha t st ef an an d i are out of job s? " "n ot rea ll y. " he ret ur ne d her smil e with a wa rm th tha t sta rtl ed he r as he follo we d he r dow n th e ste ps . "i had an id ea you we re a repu blic an at he art . it mad e it ve ry di ffi cult pl ay ing t he r asc all y vi lla in a rou nd you ." "i t di dn' t app ea r to ca us e you und ue st rai n," kir a sa id , cas tin g him a gri n ove r he r sh ou ld er . "you did it exc ept io nal ly wel l. you evi den tly hav e a ce rt ai n fl ar e for it ." "ouc h," he sai d, flin ching . "i bel ie ve i' ve be en st ung. th at was mos t unco us inl y, ki— wh at t he he ll is t ha t?" hi s voic e wa s so int ens e tha t kir a's ga ze fl ew to fol lo w his int o th e dar kn es s ah ead . th er e wa s a bo bb ing lig ht mo vi ng sw if tl y

to wa rd th em t hr ough th e p as sa ge . ki ra inha le d sha rply . "som eo ne mus t hav e di scov ere d th e o pen ing i n t he c ave ." "i t' s pos si bl e," san do r sai d sl owl y. "n al do na 's for ce s are al l ove r the gro und s. it 's eit he r th at or one of our illu st ri ou s an ce st or s ret ur ning to haun t th e hall ow ed ha lls ." ho w coul d he be so coo l? she la ugh ed sh ak il y. "if it is , i'm pro ba bl y safe. it 's you wh o' s j us t d eth ro ne d t he ru bin of fs. " "yo u' ll be safe , anyw ay ." he stepp ed ah ead of her in th e pas sag ewa y. "or as sa fe as i ca n keep you . god , i hope th er e aren 't to o ma ny o f th em. " th e be am was much cl os er no w an d she co uld see san do r's wi de sho uld er s ten se be ne ath th e blac k shi rt . she wa s havi ng tr oubl e brea th ing. the wa lls wer e cl os ing in on he r in the na rro w pas sa ge . rats in a

tr ap , she th ough t wildl y. ca ugh t li ke rat s in a tr ap . ab ruptl y th e light ahe ad sto ppe d as it spl ay ed ou t to rev eal san dor bl ock ing th e pa ss ag ew ay . the re wa s an in st an t of si len ce th at la st ed a t l ea st a t hou sa nd y ear s. "s tan d asi de , kar pa tha n, or we' ll blo w you ou t o f t he w ay. " za ck 's v oi ce ! he r hea rt zoom ed to her thr oa t an d sh e du ck ed around sand or and ran the in te rv en ing yar ds sep ar at ing them . "zac k, it 's al l righ t! it' s me. " she was in hi s arms , hugg ing him with su ch st reng th th at he ga sp ed in s ur pr is e. th en she he ar d him ch uckl e as hi s arms clo se d aroun d he r. "re min d me to te ac h you ba tt le fi eld et iqu et te some tim e. one of th e mo st expl ici t rul es is: when thr ea te ne d wi th be ing bl own apa rt , do not mak e a

das h an d thr ow your se lf int o adv ers ary' s a rms . v ery b ad for m. "

you r

"i s it? " he was so bi g an d secu re an d wo nd er fu lly , ma rve lo usl y he re . "b ut you we re n' t thr ea te ning me, you wer e th re at en ing s an dor ." "i n th is dark ne ss i migh t have had tr oubl e te ll ing you ap ar t. " he sud denl y st if fe ne d an d hi s gaz e lif te d from her fac e to fas te n on san do r. "don' t mo ve, ka rpa tha n. paul o st ill has you cov ere d. did he hur t you, ki ra ?" "n o, of co ur se no t. na ld on a wan te d to ma ke a rom an ov of me. san dor ac tu ally sav ed m y li fe ." "w hich act may pr ov e fut ile if we don 't po stp on e th es e expla na tio ns an d ge t out of he re ," sand or sai d impa ti entl y. "it 's lik ely na ld on a has alr ead y gi ve n the alar m and th ey 'r e comb ing th e are a for mile s aro un d. "

za ck gl anc ed dow n at kir a. "wa s ka rpa tha n in th e co nsp ir ac y? " "ye s, bu t it' s not —" ki ra sto ppe d. "i tru st him , zac k. we ha ve n' t time for any th ing el se . na ld on a wa nt s my hea d in a bas ke t. " sh e smil ed with an ef fort . "and , as i' m not at all sur e i cou ld be as digni fi ed as ma ri e an to in ett e at th e guill ot ine , i thi nk we 'd be tt er tr y t o a void i t. " "w e will, " zack sa id qui etl y. he rele as ed ki ra and mad e a mo ti on wi th the fla shligh t in his ha nd . "ok ay, karp at han , we 'll tr us t you . but if you tr y to lea d us in to a tr ap , i pr om is e you tha t it wi ll be your hea d in th e ba sk et ." he tu rn ed . "l et 's go! " he took off at a br is k tr ot , with th e res t of the m foll ow ing cl os e be hin d. as kir a gla nce d we ap on lo ok ing

fell in to pac e bes id e pau lo sh e cur io us ly at the long , sno ut -no se d he was ca rry ing . "w ha t a wei rd gu n. wa s tha t wha t you wer e go ing

to b la st us wit h, p aul o? " he nod ded . "it woul d ha ve be en quit e a bl as t, " he sai d che er ful ly . "it 's a fl am eth ro we r. " he r eye s wid en ed . "you go hunti ng wit h a fl am eth ro we r? " "n o, his frie nd s go hunt ing wi th fl am eth ro we rs ." paul o' s hea d jerk ed ba ck to in dic at e san do r. "i sn 't tha t ri ght , ka rpa tha n?" "yo u' ve run int o my me n in th e hills ," san do r sai d gr imly . "i' ll tea r a str ip off th em f or lo si ng t ho se we ap on s." "t he y didn 't lo se th em. i con fi sc at ed th em. th ey 'r e not bad , tho se sold ie rs of you rs . ve ry qu iet , very fast , very disc iplin ed ." he gr inn ed . "t oo bad th ey are not gyps ie s. th en t he y w oul d be pe rf ec t." th ey reac he d th e re ar of the cav e and zac k

sl ippe d th ro ugh th e tw ist ing, nar row op eni ng tha t wa s hid de n by an ove rh an ging rock. "it 's all rig ht, " he ca lle d. "th e ca ve 's emp ty ." he wa s str id ing qu ickl y to wa rd the fron t en tr anc e. "i le ft pe rr y, fon ta ine , and fou r men st and ing gua rd at pe rr y's helic opt er a sh ort di sta nce fro m her e, but i no ti ce d you lan de d clo se r, ki ra . we'll use tha t on e. ill te ll fon ta ine to ge t hi s men int o the he lic opt er an d pr epa re t o ta ke o ff. i' ll b e r ig ht b ac k. " fi ve minu te s la te r ki ra was at th e co nt ro ls of th e he lic opt er an d pa ulo an d san do r we re seat ed an d read y to take off. sh e ha d st art ed the engi ne and the rot ors wer e whi rr ing , b ut t he re wa s st ill n o za ck . "t he re ha s to be trou ble . su re ly he sho uld be bac k by no w. " ki ra 's ha nd tigh ten ed on th e stic k as co ld te rror sho ok her . "i' m go ing a fte r hi m." "i 'll go ." san do r op en ed th e door of the

hel ico pte r. sh ot s! a dea dly rat- a-t at from th e dire ct ion of th e wo ods int o wh ich zack ha d di sappe ar ed. pa ulo mut te re d a lo w cu rs e and jump ed to th e gr oun d, the fla me thr ow er re ady in his ha nd s. th en ki ra saw per ry 's hel ico pte r sud de nl y ri se slugg ishl y above th e tre es , ga ining al ti tud e with re ck le ss sw if tne ss . the gun fi re es ca la te d in i nt ens it y. "t he sold ie rs mus t have hea rd the ir hel ico pte r and clo se d in ju st bef ore it too k off ," san do r said . "t ha t mea ns the y'll be st re aming al l ove r the pl ac e in a sec on d. wh er e t he h ell is d am on ?" oh , dear god , sh e pra ye d, don' t let him get sh ot . sh e wo uld n' t be abl e to be ar it if an yt hing hap pene d to zac k. "w ell , i'm not go ing to wa it any lo nge r to fi nd ou t. i'm

go ing afte r hi m." he r voi ce was ten se an d ragg ed as sh e fum ble d at th e han dle of th e doo r. "i wo n' t let him st ay ou t the re alo ne . th ey 'r e sh oo ti ng, dam mit ." th e sh ot s we re co ming cl os er . she sud de nl y saw zac k br eak cle ar of th e sh ru bbe ry at th e edg e of the cle ar ing an d st re ak tow ar d th em! he wa sn 't hu rt . she wa s so rel ie ve d th at sh e f el t a l ittl e d iz zy. "h ow cl os e a re th ey? " p aul o s ho ut ed . "t oo clo se ," zac k sai d cu rtl y. "an en ti re co mpa ny of the m. th ey 'r e righ t on my he els ." pa ulo 's gri n glit te re d in the dark ne ss . "w ell , le t us see if we ca n't di sc ou rag e th em. " he lif te d th e fl am eth ro we r and sw ept it in a wid e arc acro ss th e sh ru bs and th e tre es th at bor der ed the cl ea ri ng, an d the n br ought it ba ck ag ai n. a who os h, an

ex plo si on , an d then the woo ds we re afl am e! the fl am es cu rl ed an d so are d, for mi ng a wall of fire tha t wr it he d as if it we re a li vi ng en tit y in the dark ne ss . ki ra co uld he ar star tl ed voi ce s sho ut ing in fru st ra ti on be yon d t ha t b arr ie r of fl am e. "l et 's see th em ge t thr ou gh th at ," paulo sai d with sat is fa ct io n as he sh oul de re d th e we ap on. "i 'm gl ad you didn 't be co me tri gge r- happ y in tha t pas sag e," sand or sai d dryly . "t ha t' s a ver y e ff ec ti ve we ap on. " "t oo eas y," paul o sai d with a sh rug . "n o ch al len ge. an yon e can win wit h th is ." he tu rn ed t o z ac k, wh o w as now c limb ing in to th e helic opt er . "is n' t tha t righ t, zack? be si de s, who wan ts to des tro y all tho se be au ti ful t ree s? " "g et into th e heli cop te r, paulo . sor ry th er e' s no mo re fu n to be had to nigh t. li ft off , kir a. " zac k droppe d into the seat

be si de her . his ha nd co ve red kir a' s on the st ic k. " are y ou a ll r ight? " wa s sh e all right? he wa s the on e who ha d be en dod ging bull et s. sh e nod ded jerk ily . "i will be as soo n as we ge t out of he re ." th e helic opt er li ft ed , hov ere d, and then st rai ght ene d out as it ga ine d alt itu de . th er e wa s a su dd en barra ge of art ille ry fi re as th e hel ico pte r bec ame vis ib le over th e fl am es , b ut t he n th ey we re o ut of rang e. "w he re are we go ing? " sh e ask ed , gl anci ng at z ac k. "t he en camp men t, firs t. well ju st ha ve to ta ke o ne th ing a t a ti me. " sh e no dde d and tu rn ed the helic opt er to wa rd th e no rth. sh e coul d st ill see the sp ir ali ng cl ou ds of bl ack sm ok e an d th e bl az ing inf er no of th e woo ds bel ow . it was a mac ab re co ntr ast to the ge ntl y win king ligh ts of the tu rr et ed pala ce th at ha d on ce be en he r hom e. th en she co uld no long er

se e ei the r th e wo ods or the pal ac e as th e hel ico pte r spe d ou t of bela jo tow ar d saf et y. wh en the y lan de d in the gla de at th e en camp ment , the bri lli an t be am s of the hel ico pte r li ght s reve ale d ma rna sta nd ing pa ti entl y, he r hea d th ro wn back, lo ok ing up a t th em. pa ulo ju mpe d out as so on as th e ignit io n wa s tu rne d off . "i will go an d expl ain ma tt er s an d try to smo ot h th e pat h. ma rn a will no t be pl ea se d th at you le t kir a wa lk in to th at si tua ti on at t he p al ac e, z ac k. " "l et? " k ir a a sk ed p oin te dl y. za ck smi le d. "so rry, lov e, no offen se me an t. w e k no w t ha t i t w oul d h av e ta ke n a ba tt al io n to sto p you ." he wa tch ed paul o cr os sing th e gla de to wa rd mar na . "h ow ev er , hav e you no tic ed tha t ma rna doe s res em bl e a bat ta lio n on the mar ch at ti me s?" he tu rn ed to san dor . "wh at 's nex t

for you? will sw it ze rla nd ?"

you

go

wit h

us

to

san do r sh ook hi s hea d. "i' ll join my men in th e hills as quic kly as po ss ibl e. nal do na will be se nd ing emi ss ar ie s to try to pull th e fring e fac ti on s loy al to me int o his ca mp, an d sen di ng st ri ke for ce s to th e co re gr oup s to de str oy the m be fore th ey 'r e aw are of th e spl it be tw een us. " hi s ex pr es si on was gr ave . "yo u kn ow tha t it wo n' t be safe for ma rn a an d he r peopl e in th e hills . it 's not go ing to be ei th er ple as an t or safe for anyo ne in ta mr ovi a for a lo ngt ime ." "w ar? " k ir a ask ed . he nod ded som be rly , ma ki ng a vio le nt mo ti on with hi s ha nd . "i 'd al mo st rath er ha ve st ef an ba ck tha n have tam rov ia go th ro ugh t hi s h ell. " "w he re is ste fa n? you sa id he was sa fe, but you didn 't te ll me wha t' s happ ene d to

him ." "i had an inkl ing from rep or ts i' d rec ei ve d th at na ld on a was goi ng to try to ma ke an ex ample of th e roya l famil y. be for e he re ach ed the pa la ce i too k ste fan pri so ne r my se lf an d ha d tw o of my men sm uggle him out of be la jo . th ey sh oul d be in se dikh an by now . i to ld my men to de li ve r st ef an to la nce rub ino ff. hop efu lly , you r br oth er lanc e will be ab le to con vi nce him no t to tr y to reen te r tam ro via at onc e. " he sh rug ge d. "aft er a day or so th er e wo n' t be an y que sti on of hi s com ing bac k. na ld on a will ha ve ann oun ce d the take ov er. " san do r' s lip s tight en ed . "an d i will hav e la unch ed th e fir st offe ns iv e ag ai ns t na ld on a' s new re gi me. ste fan will kn ow it will be su ici de t o c om e b ac k. " "p oo r ste fan ," kir a said so ftl y. "i kn ow you sai d he was a din os aur an d i be lie ve th at 's tr ue . but the pomp an d ci rcum st anc e of be ing king is all he' s ever kno wn and

en jo yed ." "p er hap s he 'll be for ce d to deve lop into som eth ing mo re no w, " za ck said qui etl y. "an d if no t, dep os ed ki ngs hav e a gr ea t soc ial ca che t in soc ie ty . the re 's a ce rt ai n tr agic rom an tic ism abou t the m. he 'll pr ob ab ly hav e jus t as man y syc oph ant s aro un d hi m as he did in tam ro via ." he tu rn ed to san dor . "ill fly you to you r bas e no w, if you lik e. you obvi ou sl y wa nt to joi n you r me n imm ed ia tel y. " san do r no dde d. "it 's ur gen t tha t i do so . it 's no t ve ry far from he re . it sho uld n' t ta ke you mo re th an an ho ur to get the re and ba ck ." he hes it at ed . "do n' t ling er her e for mor e th an fiv e or six ho ur s at the mo st . ev ery one kn ow s abo ut ki ra' s assoc ia ti on wi th ma rn a an d her tr ib e. nal do na will ha ve tr oop s ou t in te rr og at ing an d sco ur ing th e co unt ry si de for th e ca ra van s. the gyp si es sho ul d br ea k camp and mo ve far th er up int o th e hill s, and th e two of you sho uld get out of th e co unt ry befo re

al l he ll b re ak s lo os e. " "w ill the tr ib e be in dang er? " kir a ask ed an xi ou sl y. "ve ry li kel y. the re will be fi ght ing, an d inn oc ent bys ta nd ers are nev er imm une in a si tu at ion li ke thi s. " sand or 's lips twi st ed . "an d na ld on a' s int er rog at io n met ho ds wo n' t be gentl e if he dec id es to que st io n th em a bou t y ou r whe re ab out s." ki ra hur ri ed ly op en ed th e door of the hel ico pte r. "i 'l l ta lk to paul o and mar na an d se e if we can 't get ev ery one pac ke d up an d re ady to mo ve out b ef ore y ou ge t b ac k, za ck ." sh e hel d out he r ha nd . "go od luck , san do r. i th ink you kn ow how gr at ef ul i am to you for savi ng my lif e. i' m sor ry we we re n' t able to ge t to kn ow each oth er be for e thi s. " san do r' s st ron g, war m han d en ve lop ed he r ow n. "so am i." hi s sud de n smi le hel d a hin t of am us eme nt. "i 'm su re we 'll me et

ag ai n. we thin k al ik e. i hav e an id ea we' re soul ma te s, co us in m ine ." "s oul mat es !" sh e ma de a face . "n ot you to o? my soul cer ta inl y appe ar s to be a gr eg ar io us ras ca l. " san do r frowne d in pu zzl em ent. "wh at? " "n ev er min d, " kir a sai d, la ughi ng. "zac k ca n ex pla in al l ab out soul mat es and mo nd ava s to you on the way to you r ba se. we 'v e be co me exp er ts on bot h la tel y. " sh e tu rn ed to zac k an d kis se d him wi th a fi erc ene ss th at st art le d him. "y ou tak e ca re of you rs el f. i wan t you bac k he re safe and soun d in an ho ur . and no mor e dodgi ng bull et s, d o y ou h ea r? " th e sl ight es t smi le br oke the gra vit y of his fac e. 'ye s, ma 'a m. i'll tr y to kee p th at in min d. " "s ee tha t you do." she wa s blin king fu ri ou sl y as she jump ed from the hel ico pte r to th e gr ou nd . sh e wo uld not

cr y. no thin g cou ld happe n to zack no w. su re ly the wor st wa s ove r. yet thi s se lf adm on iti on di d ve ry li ttle to loo se n the fe ar tha t wa s cl aw ing at he r, and sh e fe lt te ars bri mming in her eye s. she di dn' t wa nt to be pa rt ed from him now , damm it. sh e had bee n so cl os e to lo si ng hi m in th os e wood s to nig ht. all sh e wan te d to do wa s ru n off wit h hi m som ewh er e. sh e wa nt ed to hid e an d hol d him until the re ali za ti on fi na lly sa nk in th at he wa s saf e an d bl es se dl y ali ve . no, th at wa s a chil d' s re act ion and sh e mu stn 't gi ve in to it . sh e mu st ge t on with her resp on sib ilit ie s an d re le as e za ck to d o h is . sh e forc ed her se lf to smi le an d to lif t he r ha nd in a jau nty sal ute . then sh e sla mme d th e doo r and tu rn ed to wal k to wa rd pa ulo an d mar na . sh e hea rd th e eng ine sta rt, but di dn' t tu rn aro un d to se e th e he lic opt er li ft off . pa ulo 's sympa the tic gaz e wa s raki ng her

te ns e face an d glit te ri ng eye s. "h e' s ta ki ng ka rpa tha n t o h is me n?" sh e n od ded s il entl y. "n ot hing will ha ppen to hi m. za ck is very st rong and so is ka rp at ha n." his lips cu rv ed in a cur io us sm il e. "an inte re st ing ma n, th at ka rp at ha n. i wo ul d lik e to go hunt ing wi th h im s om et ime ." sh e shi ve re d. karp ath an wo uld be the de adl ie st of hunt er s and the ci vil un re st in whi ch he had in vo lv ed him sel f wo ul d off er am ple op po rt unit y to di sp la y th at leth al ta le nt. "yo u th ink he wo uld have the qu ali fi ca ti ons you dem an d in your hun ting co mpa nio ns ?" her voic e wa s st ill a li ttle ragg ed , d espi te he r a tt emp t a t l ight ne ss . pa ulo til te d her ch in up so tha t he coul d lo ok into he r ey es. hi s big call ou se d han d wa s as gentl e as hi s ga ze . "i ju st might

de ci de to take you al on g the nex t tr ip , lit tle one . you hav e lea rn ed on e of tho se qu ali ti es v ery well ." "w hen to let go ?" she sho ok he r hea d. "i ha ve n' t lea rn ed it very well at al l. i wa nt to scr ea m and stamp my fe et and howl at th e m oo n. " "b ut you are no t doin g an y of th os e thing s, an d you di d let hi m go. tha t is wha t is imp or ta nt ." "w ha t is impo rt an t is get ting kir a bac k to ca mp an d gett ing he r som eth ing to eat ," ma rn a sa id cros sl y. "an d you are no t to ta ke he r hun ting , paul o. you ne ve r kno w wh en to stop. you wo uld ha ve her sta rve d an d exh au st ed be fo re you brou ght he r ho me ." "i 'm afr aid the re wo n' t an yone in th e ne ar ab ruptl y jarre d ba ck to si tu at ion . "we ha ve to

be any hu ntin g for fu tu re ." kir a was the real it ie s of th e pa ck up an d mo ve

th e tri be far th er in to th e hills . san dor said it woul d be ve ry dange ro us for you to sta y he re . t he re 's go ing to b e a w ar, ma rn a. " "s o? will it st op the wa r if you do with out di nn er? " pa ulo 's deep chuc kle boom ed out . "g iv e in , lit tle on e, we will go no wh er e until sh e' s sat is fi ed ." "b ut th er e' s no tim e. how ca n you be so ca lm? t he wa r will —" ma rn a st opp ed he r with an abr upt ge stu re of he r han d. "t he re are alw ay s wa rs. la nd s are in va de d, ol d gov er nm ent s fall , new go ve rnme nts ris e. ev ery th ing cha nge s. " sh e ta ppe d her bre as t wit h he r fi st . "e ver ythi ng but us. we st ay th e sam e. th at is ou r st reng th. " ye s, th at was the str en gth of her pe ople , ki ra th ough t, tra dit ion al value s whi ch di dn' t cha nge with each waf t of the wind ,

bu t stoo d firm thr oug h the cent ur ie s. ki ra sh oo k he r hea d in res ign at io n. "all righ t. whil e i e at , y ou p ack . i s i t a d eal ?" "of cou rs e. " mam a' s br ows li ft ed in su rp ri se . "t ha t is ver y se ns ibl e. whe n ha ve i e ver b ee n a ny th ing b ut p ra ct ica l?" "n ev er. " ki ra st ood on tip to e to br us h a ligh t kis s on he r broa d ch ee k. mag ic and st re ngt h and lo ve. for mar na , the se qu ali ti es def in ed pr act ica lit y, and wh o wa s to say th at she was n' t ri gh t? sh e lin ke d her arm thr oug h mam a' s and ur ge d he r gentl y ba ck to wa rd th e en ca mpmen t. "you' re qu ite ri ght . no one in th e wor ld is mor e pr agm at ic t ha n y ou. "

te n ki ra lif te d the tw o- ye ar- ol d ba ck in to hi s pa re nt s' wa gon , pre ss ing a kis s on th e de li cio us chu bbin es s of his che ek as she di d so. "st ay th er e, " sh e wa rne d st ernl y. it wa s th e th ir d tim e he had cra wl ed ou t of

th e ca ra van sin ce the y ha d sta rte d pa ck ing up an d bre ak ing camp . chi ra k app ea re d to de lig ht in gett ing und er foo t, an d sh e cou ld te ll by the gle am in hi s brig ht, danc ing ey es th at he wo uld pr ob abl y do it ag ai n as soo n a s he r ba ck wa s tu rne d. sh e tu rn ed around , he r gaz e rak ing the ca mp. it was al mo st done . th e fire ha d be en ext ingu ish ed , th e ho rs es hi tch ed to th e wag ons , and eac h fami ly' s bel ong ings ca re fully pack ed in it s car avan . eve n the sal da na ca rav an had bee n pull ed ove r to joi n th e oth er s in th e enc ampm ent . the y we re nea rly ready for de pa rt ur e an d sti ll za ck ha dn' t co me ba ck . he r wo rri ed ga ze lif te d to th e mo on lit sky . sh e had bee n wor ki ng feve ri sh ly to try to bl ock ou t the fe ar, and the mom en t sh e st opp ed , panic be ga n to rise in he r agai n. "h e will retu rn soon . it has not be en th at lo ng. " ki ra tu rn ed to wh er e mar na was st an di ng a few fe et away . "th re e ho ur s.

wh at c ou ld he be d oi ng f or th re e hou rs ?" ma rn a sh rugg ed . "he will tell us when he co me s b ac k. " if he com es b— no , she wo uld n' t think th at . ma rna wa s ri ght , he' d be her e an y min ute . "a re you re ady to le av e? zack wi ll wa nt to ta ke off ag ai n as soo n as he arr ive s. " ma rn a wa s sil ent for a lon g mo me nt. "i am re ady. " she paus ed ag ai n. "b ut i am not go ing w ith you ." ki ra was n' t eve n sur pr is ed . she kn ew th at som ewh er e de ep ins id e sh e ha d bee n ha lf ex pe cting th is re acti on . "you ne ve r di d in ten d to go , did you? from the mo men t we cr os sed bac k from se dik ha n you pla nne d to st ay wit h th em. " marn a slo wly no dde d. "i have a pla ce with them ." "you ha ve a pl ac e with me. " kir a's eye s we re gli tte ri ng wi th uns he d te ars . "i lo ve you , dam mit ."

"b ut you do not ne ed me. th e mo nd ava is co mple te d. you are a wo ma n no w, in hea rt as we ll as in bod y." marn a ge st ur ed , he r ha nd en co mpa ss ing bot h the ca mp an d th e pe ople bu stl ing ch ee rf ull y around them . "t he y nee d me. th e time s may not be goo d ag ai n for a long while . we will ha ve to ho ld fas t to e ac h ot he r. " "t ha t' s wha t i wa nt to do to you—h ol d fas t, " k ir a s ai d hu ski ly . th e tini es t sm il e tu gge d at ma ma 's lip s. "b ut you will not do it. you ha ve le ar ne d to l et g o, r em emb er ?" ki ra wa s sil ent, fig htin g tea rs. "no, i won 't do it . no t if th at 's wh at you wa nt. " she ga ve up th e ba tt le an d tw o tea rs roll ed sl owl y down he r che ek s. "i lo ve you, ma rn a de bu k. " ma ma 's bi g han ds cr adl ed ki ra' s che ek s and sh e ki ss ed he r very gen tly on the fore he ad . "an d i lov e you, ki ra rub in of f. you will

al wa ys b e w ith me ." "i will alw ay s be wit h you, " ki ra sai d sof tl y. "as you 'll alw ay s be wi th me ." she dre w a sha ky bre ath. "t hi s is so stupi d. we soun d lik e this is foreve r. i won 't acc ept a li fel ong se pa rat io n. abs olut ely no t. i' m go ing to fi nd a way for us to be to ge the r, an d no t o nl y i n s pi rit , d ammi t." "w e will see ," mam a said nonc om mit tall y. he r he ad li ft ed su dd en ly , her ga ze on the sk y. " he is h er e. " "h e is ?" kir a's he ar t ga ve a lea p of reli ef an d joy. sh e st ill co ul dn 't he ar th e fam ilia r whi r, but sh e did n' t dou bt th e st at em ent . "oh , th an k g od ." ma rn a re le as ed her and stepp ed bac k. "go to h im. i h av e wo rk t o f ini sh. " th e helic opt er wa s co ming dow n as sh e re ach ed th e gl ad e, an d by the tim e she ha d ru n acr oss it, zack wa s ope ning th e door .

sh e lea pe d into his arms and held on tight . he r fac e wa s bur ie d in his che st an d her voi ce wa s a lit tle muf fl ed . "you 'r e la te . wh y th e devi l are you so lat e? i wa s so sc ar ed, so wo rr ie d .. ." he r voi ce trai le d off. oh , dea r hea ven , how she lov ed him. he wa s he re . s afe . "w e ran int o a litt le tr oubl e. " za ck was sm oo th ing her ta ngl ed cu rl s wi th gentl e ha nd s. "or i wou ld hav e bee n ba ck a lo ng ti me ag o. " she lif te d he r hea d swi ftl y. "w ha t tr ou bl e?" "bull et s, " he said su ccinc tly . "i ha d to refu el th e hel icop te r wh en i re ach ed san dor 's ba se . nal do na ev ide ntl y is n' t was ti ng an y tim e. san do r' s ba se wa s raid ed be for e i coul d tak e off ag ai n. it was over an ho ur be for e san do r' s me n man ag ed to fig ht th em off an d i wa s ab le to get ou t of the re ." he sm il ed . "i' m sor ry i was n' t abl e to ob ey your orde rs ab out st ayi ng ou t of the li ne of fire . th es e th ings ju st se em to happ en in tam ro vi a." he ki ss ed her lig htl y and then st eppe d

ba ck an d tu rn ed he r towa rd the en camp men t. "i t' s ti me we sa id ou r goo dby es an d got out of he re . are paul o and hi s pe ople re ady to mo ve u p in to th e h ills? " "alm os t. " sh e did n' t lo ok at him, but he r ha nd unco ns cio usl y sou ght hi s. "ma ma 's go ing w ith th em. " za ck 's fing er s thr ea ded thr ou gh her s in wa rm , si len t supp or t. he di dn 't spe ak for a mo men t. "i wa s won de ri ng if sh e wo uld ." "i 'll mi ss he r s o." " yes ." "i t' s not safe for he r, za ck . san dor na ld on a kn ew abo ut mar na ." sh e bi t lo we r lip. "i' m so wo rri ed ab out he r. ma y not be safe from him eve n up in hill s. "

said he r sh e the

"s and or tol d me he' d ha ve hi s me n tr y to ke ep w at ch o ver t he tr ib e. " "i t soun ds li ke sand or will have tro ubl e ju st lo ok ing aft er hims el f. " the re wa s

an ot he r s il enc e. "i ca n't mak e he r cho ice s, can i? she 's got th e r igh t t o d o a s sh e thi nks be st ." "ye s. " he r voic e was sud de nl y viol ent. "yo u don' t ha ve to ag re e with me . 1 don 't wan t to le av e he r her e, dam mit . i don 't wa nt to be re ason abl e a nd m at ur e. " "i k no w y ou d on 't ." "i can see your ind ia n si de is d om ina tin g at th e mom ent. you 'r e be ing very tac itu rn ." sh e sho ok her hea d ru ef ull y. "one of th es e day s i will ha ve evol ve d to th e poin t wh er e i don 't bl ow apa rt wh en some thin g li ke t hi s h appe ns. " "i hop e no t. " zac k' s voi ce wa s vel ve t soft . "w hy do you thi nk marn a and i ha ve trie d to pro te ct you from th e real iti es al l the se ye ars? you have a very spec ial gi ft for

ca ri ng wi th ev ery at om of you r bein g. th at 's a joy for th os e aro un d you, but it ma ke s you vul ne ra bl e. it' s als o ma ki ng the pa in y ou' re f ee ling no w m or e int en se ." th ey wer e ent er ing th e enc ampm ent and hi s eye s su dde nly na rrow ed sp ecul at iv ely . "i t' s tru e you hav e no ri ght to int er fe re , bu t pe rh aps —" ki ra 's br ow kn ot te d "p er hap s, wha t? "

in

pu zzl eme nt.

he slo wly sho ok hi s he ad. "le t me thin k ab out it ." he rel ea se d her han d. "th er e' s no t much tim e lef t. why don' t you spen d it wi th ma rn a? i'll he lp paul o an d the men wi th t he l as t o f t he he av y lo adi ng. " on ly paul o an d mam a' s wag on rem ain ed in th e des ert ed cl ea ri ng. th e res t of the wa go ns wer e mo vi ng sl ow ly tow ar d the roug h dirt road a mil e or two from the en camp men t.

ma rn a ga ve kir a a br ie f, bri sk hug . "e ver ythi ng has be en sai d bet we en us, " she sai d g ru ff ly . " joy, k ir a. " ye s, ev ery th ing ha d bee n sai d an d wha t wa s le ft di dn 't ne ed wo rds . ki ra , to o, re fus ed to say go odbye . she kept he r voic e st ea dy de sp it e it s hus ki -ne ss . " joy, ma rna ." sh e wat che d marn a climb up ont o th e hig h se at of the wa go n. th e te ars we re br imm ing as she stepp ed back be si de zac k, wh o w as sh ak ing ha nd s wit h pa ulo . pa ulo "do n' t re ally th at ." ki ra ."

tu rn ed an d sm ile d down at her . loo k so tragi c, littl e kir a. we can 't be par te d. ma rn a ha s ta ught you he be nt an d kis se d her che ek . "joy,

sh e thr ew he r arms aroun d him an d hugg ed him wi th al l her st re ngt h. "t ak e ca re , paul o. " "alw ay s, " he sai d li ghtl y as he climb ed

on to th e wag on sea t and pick ed up the re in s. he fl ick ed th e rein s an d the ho rse s be ga n to mov e forwa rd . the y ha d gon e on ly tw ent y yards or so wh en paul o' s hea d su dd en ly sw iv el ed an d he sh ou te d bac k at th em. "b igh or n s he ep? y ou a re su re , z ac k? " za ck gr inn ed . " i' m s ur e, pa ulo ." a wid e sm il e lit pa ulo 's be ar ded fac e an d hi s boo mi ng laugh rang ou t. th en he tu rn ed ba ck on ce ag ai n to face th e dis tan t roa d. he sla ppe d th e re in s an d the wag on roll ed f orw ar d. "w ha t w as th at ab out? " k ir a a sk ed . "i wa s te lling paul o ab out som e la nd i'v e le as ed fro m th e go ve rnme nt in mon tan a an d idah o. " zac k' s ga ze was on the fast di sappe ar in g wa go n. "a wil d coun tr y tr ac t abou t th e siz e of ta mr ovi a, ove rfl ow ing with mo unt ai ns and st re ams an d ga me . i in vit ed paulo , marn a,

an d the tri be to com e over for a ye ar or so an d se e ho w t he y l ike it ." ki ra h el d h er br eat h. " and ?" "h e sai d he' d th ink abo ut it. kir a, it 's onl y a pos si bil it y. th er e aren 't an y real ce rt ai nti es in thi s worl d, on ly po ss ibi lit ie s. you can 't ma ke cho ic es for the pe opl e you lo ve , bu t you can som et ime s expa nd tho se ch oic es an d off er th em a lt er na ti ve s. " ki ra 's fac e wa s illumi na te d wi th ex ci tem ent . "t he y' ll co me. i kno w th ey 'll co me . oh, za ck , i wa s so wor rie d abo ut th em. " "t he re 's no gua ra nt ee th at if th ey do co me , th ey 'll st ay. thi s is th eir hom el an d an d th ey may be co me res tl es s an d wan t to re tu rn to it, " zac k said . "you hav e to fac e fac ts , ki ra. " "b ut by th at tim e ma yb e th e wa r will be ove r and th ey 'll at le as t be saf e. " kir a

sl ippe d into his arms and bur ro we d he r he ad in his che st . "b ut ca n you get the wh ole tr ib e o ut o f ta mr ovi a? " "i t wo ul d ta ke a maj or air li ft . i gue ss i'd be tt er tell dubl is s to st ay put in sw it ze rla nd for a whil e, " zac k said , his voi ce thr ea de d with humo r. "i don' t thi nk we co uld ge t them to lea ve eith er th ei r wa gon s or the ir ho rse s beh ind . but th e ai rlif t is a defi ni te po ss ib ilit y. i go t paul o to ch ar t th eir new loc at io n on my map , an d i tol d him he co uld se nd wor d th ro ugh san do r any ti me he fe lt the ne ed to ta ke a lit tle hun ting t rip. " "i wa nt to go to mon ta na as soon as we get ba ck ,' kir a sai d eage rl y. "i ll tak e hun dr eds of pictu re s of mou nt ain s and str eam s and big ho rn sh eep an d se nd th em to pa ulo an d ma rn a. " she gl anc ed up, he r eye s tw inkl ing. "a lett er bo mb ar dm en t see me d to wor k pr ett y well for mar na with you. no w w e'll ju st s ee ho w s he li ke s i t. "

za ck no dde d. "a ma st erl y pl an, lo ve . we 'll de lug e them wit h ch oi ce s an d ho pe th ey 'll ma ke th e o ne th at wil l su it us be st ." "i s th at gr inn ed .

an

in di an

phil os oph y? "

kir a

"n o, th e ind ia n par t of me is loo ki ng ask an ce at su ch co nt ri va nc e." zack sh rug ge d. "b ut wha t ca n you exp ect from som eo ne w ho is n eit he r f is h n or f owl? " sh e went st ill . "i kno w wh at i expec t," sh e sai d slo wl y. "i exp ect wha t you alw ay s giv e me : hon es ty , st reng th, int ellig enc e, pa ti ence , aff ec ti on, loy alty . . . sha ll i go on ?" he sh oo k hi s hea d. "m uch as i ap pr eci at e th e ac col ad es you 'r e heap ing on me , i th ink we' d be tt er di sp en se with th em for th e mo men t. we 'v e bee n her e too lo ng al re ady. we 'd be tt er hea d for the hel ico pte r. "

"a few mor e minut es won 't hu rt ." she le an ed bac k in his arms to loo k up at him . "i thi nk th er e are a few thi ngs we sh oul d ge t st rai ght . wh en i fir st saw you i th ough t you wer e th e st rong es t, mos t co nf id en t ma n i'd eve r la id eye s on . i still th ink th at, bu t i bel ie ve you ha ve one maj or ha ng-up , za ck ." hi s eyes st ud ie d he r face . "and wh at is th at ?" "t he sa me on e th at 's be en th e ba ne of my exis tenc e al l the se years . my dam n titl e. " sh e li ft ed her ha nd to sto p him as he be ga n to spe ak . "n o, i kn ow you don 't ha ve any des ir e to gai n st atu s th ro ugh it, bu t it 's a buga bo o ju st th e sam e. i t hink my t itl e in tim id at es y ou ." "i nt imi da te s? " "re mem be r wh en you tol d me abou t di sc ou ntin g the pos si bili ty tha t a pri nce ss an d a ha lf -b re ed co uld ev er rea ll y ge t to ge the r, when mar na fi rs t tol d you abou t th e mon da va? you di dn' t eve n que sti on th at re acti on . and wh y didn 't you go aft er

me when you de ci de d you wa nt ed me, in st ea d of wai ting for marn a to se rve me up to you on a sil ve r pl at te r?" she dre w a de ep bre ath. "and why hav en 't you ask ed me to mar ry you? i kn ow you lo ve me . you we re an gr y wh en you tho ught i was n' t go ing thr ou gh with th e mon da va, bu t you ne ve r ev en su gge st ed th at we be li nke d to ge the r in a ce re mon y joi ning us in the ey es of the wo rl d. in so me wa ys, i thin k you nev er re co ver ed from tho se expe ri en ce s tha t sc arr ed you as a chil d. " she pa us ed de li be ra te ly . "you 'r e a ha lf -br ee d, an d a ba st ard, and he av en onl y kn ow s wh o som e of you r an te ce dent s wer e, za ck dam on . you 'r e al so the fi ne st , mo st wo nd er ful man i' ve eve r me t. so wh o th e hel l ca re s? " "t he re 's a pos si bili ty you ma y be righ t ab out my ha ng-up . i gu es s i ne ve r th ough t ab out it . i ju st re act ed ." zac k wa s loo ki ng at her wi th eye s gl owin g wi th int ens ity . "w ho th e hell car es? " he echo ed thic kly .

"w ill y ou m arr y me , k ir a? " "yo u bet i will ." sh e thr ew her arms aro un d his ne ck and hugge d him ec st at ica lly . "oh, zack , i do love you so much . i wa s afr aid you mi ght be go ing to tu rn nob le on me an d wa nt to lea ve me fre e or some thing . the re 's be en so much ta lk of tha t la te ly ." she kis se d him. "no w li st en ca re fu lly . i do not wan t to be free . i wa nt to be lo ng to you and to have you be lo ng to me. i kno w tha t you woul d nev er tr y to sti fl e me, ju st as i woul d nev er try to st ifl e you ." her ga ze was fi xe d ea rne stl y on his face . "b ut i wan t the mar ria ge tie be tw een us . i be lie ve in it . call it th e mo nd ava or jus t pla in lo ve . it ex is ts , zac k, an d it will ex is t for t he r est o f ou r li ve s. " "i kno w." he le an ed forw ar d to kis s he r gen tly . "and eve n long er th an th e res t of ou r liv es . th e ever la st ing bon di ng. we 'r e ve ry luck y to ha ve foun d it, an d we' d be dam ne d foo ls to ris k los ing it. " he kis se d

he r agai n wi th a pow er an d pa ss io n tha t wa s a sh ining pro mi se . the n he li ft ed hi s he ad and his voi ce was a litt le uns te ad y. "i lo ve y ou, k ir a. i 'll lo ve y ou f ore ver ." th e mo men t was so fraug ht wi th be au ty an d me an ing t ha t s he co uld n' t sp ea k. at la st he re le as ed he r. "m or e lat er ," he sai d with a lo w, hus ky la ugh . he .t oo k her el bo w. "no w, le t' s ge t out of he re be for e na ld on a' s so ld ie rs com e bre at hin g dow n ou r ne cks ." he didn 't sp ea k ag ai n unt il th ey had li ft ed off an d wer e fly ing nor th over th e dark for est s and moo nl it rib bo ne d stre am s. he gla nce d at he r sear chi ngly . "yo u' re ve ry qu iet . are you ver y unha ppy abo ut lea vi ng you r h om e? " ki ra lif te d her eye s from th e rol ling pa no ra ma belo w. ye s, it was sad to be le av ing , par ticu la rl y when sh e wan te d so de sp er at el y to he lp ta mr ovi a. yet zac k had

sai d th er e woul d be ways for th em to help in the st ruggle , an d she knew tog eth er th ey woul d fin d th os e way s. in th e fi na l an al ys is , from now on wh er ev er zac k was , he r hom e wou ld be , jus t as sh e wo uld be th e l od es to ne of hi s e xi st enc e. sh e hel d out he r lef t han d an d he to ok it an d cl as pe d it with war m, com fo rt ing st re ngt h. "i 'm not lea vi ng ho me ." she smil ed at him lo vingly . "i 'm goi ng ho me, zack. i'm goi ng ho me ."