Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira (32 page)

When he was sure he’d memorized the moment so thoroughly that he could take it out and relive it whenever he chose, he pressed his lips against hers and ran his tongue lightly along her delicate, sensitive flesh.  She shivered in his arms and he pulled her closer as he ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth once more.  When she responded to his urging and opened her mouth to him, he shuddered with pleasure, his erection growing impossibly larger and harder so that it pressed uncomfortably against the leather lacings of his pants. 

The moment her lips parted he plunged his tongue into her mouth, claiming it for his own.  His lips hardened against hers as he stroked her tongue lightly, inviting hers to dance, all the while telling himself he needed to go slower, be more gentle.  But his body wouldn’t listen.  It wanted her, needed her, demanded that he make her his.

A soft sound from her brought him to his senses with a jolt.  He didn’t know if it was pleasure or fear, but he knew he must ease back, regardless of how difficult it was, or he risked scaring her away.

He lifted his mouth from hers and she lowered her head, panting slightly, her body trembling beneath his hands.  He closed his eyes and breathed deeply in an effort to calm the tidal wave of passion that threatened to overwhelm him.  He felt her take a deep breath and forced himself to pull away, putting a bit of distance between their bodies, though he left his hands on her shoulders, unable to release her completely just yet.

“As much as I wish otherwise, it is past time for us to return to the light,” Zakiel said regretfully once their breathing returned to normal.  “I’m afraid your reputation will be tarnished.”

“I am not sure I care right now,” Karma replied, sending a thrill of pleasure through him.  “You are alive.  I don’t want to think beyond that just yet.”

“I do not want to think beyond this moment either,” he said, ignoring his body’s wishes as he stood up.  He gritted his teeth against his own raging need, and reached down to help her to her feet.  “But I think that we must return.  If anyone asks, I will tell them that you only just remembered my dying today, and that it was a difficult and emotional time for you.  It is truth, after all.”

“Yes, it is,” Karma replied as they stepped back into the light of the torches, surprised to see Nikura join them.  She hadn’t even noticed his absence, and sent him a silent thanks for his consideration.  Then she turned to look at Zakiel, doing her best to hide her feelings  “I thank you, Prince Zakiel, for helping me, and I apologize for my emotional reaction.  I am sure that a good night’s sleep will see me well in the morning.”

Zakiel knew that she was speaking for the ears of the Hunters nearby, and went along with it.  “Do not worry, Lady Techu.  It is not every day that one dies, and then is resurrected.  Please do not give it another thought.”

“Goodnight then, Highness.”

“Goodnight, Lady Techu,” he replied.  He watched as she walked toward her own tent and disappeared within.  He wanted nothing more than to go after her, but for her sake he could not do that.  Besides, he had his own part to play.  He sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.

“Is all well, Highness?” Garundel asked, as he’d hoped.

“I think so,” he said.  “Lady Techu had forgotten much of what happened this morning with the
Ken-No-Kel
.  I hoped that she would not remember watching me die, and she didn’t.  Until a short while ago.  It was very difficult for her.”

“Ah,” Garundel said, nodding wisely.  “I can see why neither of you would have wished an audience for that.  It must have been difficult for both of you.”

“Women can be very emotional,” Zakiel said, wincing inwardly at the implied criticism of Karma, but knowing it to be necessary.  “I will retire now myself,” he added.  “Goodnight, Garundel.”

Garundel bade him goodnight and Zakiel went into his tent and prepared for bed.  He had said just enough, he thought.  Garundel would be sure to let the other Hunters know the reason for their long time together in the dark and, hopefully, it would prevent speculation and gossip of the sort he most detested.

“Highness,” Timon said as he gathered up the clothes Zakiel had just removed. 

“Yes, Timon?” Zakiel asked as he splashed cool water on his face from the washbowl and reached for a towel.

“I have completed your new
egora
,” Timon said.  “It’s beside your bed.  You may wish to check it to be sure I did not make any errors.”

“I will check it, but I cannot conceive of you making an error, Timon,” Zakiel said with a smile that appeared to stun Timon.  He sighed to himself as he patted his face dry then walked over to his bed and reached for the
egora
.  He took a moment to study it, then nodded in satisfaction as he returned it to its place beside the bed. 

“It’s perfect, Timon, thank you.” 

“If that will be all, Sir, I will say goodnight,” Timon said with a bow.

“Goodnight, Timon,” Zakiel said absently as he climbed into bed.  He stared at the
egora
for a long moment, running one finger over the single gold bead, then blew out the candle.  He closed his eyes and tried to summon up an image of Karma.  Instead, an image of Marene appeared in his mind, big as life and twice as clear. 

She was furious with him, her dark eyes narrowed, her face flushed an unbecoming red, her mouth stretched into thin, hard lines revealing teeth that looked too long and too sharp.  His eyes flew open and he swallowed hard. 

Where did that image come from? he wondered.  He was certain he’d never seen Marene actually look like that before, though he had little doubt that it was a fairly accurate depiction of how she would look if she knew what had happened between him and Karma that evening.  Suddenly he felt guilty, which irritated him.  He had never made a promise to Marene, and had nothing to feel guilty about. 

With that thought firmly in mind he closed his eyes again, only this time he imagined the endless, rolling sand dunes that he had gazed upon all day long.  Within moments he was fast asleep. 

Chapter
16

The caravan was subdued when they set out the next morning, the news of their new destination and the dangers they would face causing worry.  It was common knowledge that no one had ever returned from the inland sea.  It was said that the people who lived there were violently territorial, and they knew every stick and branch of the forest that must be crossed to reach their seaside village.  If anyone had ever made it through to the village itself, they certainly had never made the return journey.

But they were going straight into the danger because Lady Techu had said they must.  As much as the Hunters respected her, they could not help but worry about the wisdom of this unexpected change.  But, worried or not, no one dared say a word against it.  They all knew of Prince Zakiel’s offer allowing anyone who chose to leave the chance to do so, and his warning against further dissension.  No one had taken him up on his offer, but having made the decision to remain, they could not blame anyone else for the consequences, regardless of what they might be.

Karma maintained a calm expression as she rode between Nikura and Kapia, sensing the tension and worry around her, but unwilling to let anyone see her true feelings.  She spent some time practicing with the Ti-Ank, sending controlled amounts of energy into it, building it up, then releasing it.  She was pleased enough with how well she’d done against the
Ken-No-Kel
, but it had taught her that there were going to be surprises that she couldn’t prepare for.  Therefore, she needed to become as adept as possible with the things she
could
prepare for.  She was happy with her progress in extending the time she could channel energy without exhausting herself, and her confidence with the entire process was growing.

When she began to get tired, she tried to think of other things to keep her mind busy while maintaining a neutral expression.  Despite her efforts to hide her feelings, her mouth fell open in shock when Tomas joined them around mid-morning.  After what he’d said the evening before, he was the last person she expected to see. 

She quickly closed her mouth and, after the usual greetings, they rode in silence for a few minutes.  Karma didn’t know what he wanted, and she was curious, but she was not going to ask him.

“Lady Techu,” Tomas said finally, “I apologize if I upset you last night.”

“Upset me?” Karma asked, widening her eyes as much as she could to indicate surprise.  “Why would you think I was upset?” 

Tomas floundered a little.  He had expected anger, not surprise, and he wasn’t sure what to say.  After much careful thought the night before, he had decided that his decision to discredit Lady Techu was, perhaps, a mistake.  She was, after all, a figure of legend.  His original decision to court her friendship had been the wisest course.  Besides, the looks of anger and resentment that he was getting from the other Hunters were beginning to worry him.

He cleared his throat and said, “Well, I thought you may have felt that I was doubting you.”

Karma frowned.  “Sir Tomas, I thought that you were simply pointing out concerns others might have so they could be addressed up front.  Did I mistake you?”

 “Of course you did not mistake me,” Tomas replied smoothly, doing his best to hide his satisfaction.  The woman was a fool, there was no doubt about that.  But, as it was working in his favor, he could not very well complain of it.  “I only worried that you did not understand my true intentions.”

“I assure you, Sir Tomas, I would never misunderstand your true intentions,” Karma replied sweetly.

Tomas frowned at her words, but her wide eyes and friendly smile convinced him that she was sincere.  “I’m relieved,” he said, returning her smile. 

Karma turned her head toward Nikura who was sound asleep on his diplo on her other side.  After a moment, she turned back to Tomas with a frown.  “I apologize, Sir Tomas, but I must speak with Nikura now.”

“I will leave you to it then,” Tomas said with a brief bow.  Still smiling, he turned his diplo and rode back down the line to where Saigar rode, watching him curiously.  Tomas chuckled softly to himself, satisfied that his natural charm, his acting skills, and the woman’s obvious liking for him, had put him back in her good graces.

A few minutes after Tomas left, Kapia guided Goldy closer to Dippy and looked around to be sure no one was close enough to overhear her. 

“Karma,” she said hesitantly, “I wonder if I can speak with you confidentially.”

“Of course you can,” Karma replied with a smile.  “However, before you say anything that you might feel uncomfortable saying, I would like you to think back to what was just said, and by whom.  Think carefully, please.”

“All right,” Kapia said slowly, not sure what Karma meant, but willing to do as she asked.  She frowned as she thought back to when Tomas had first ridden up, and went over the conversation in her mind.  After a moment, she smiled and looked at Karma with wonder.

“Oh my, you are clever, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean,” Karma said with a wink. 

“I was worried, but now I see there is no need for that,” Kapia said.  “I don’t understand why you’re so friendly with him, though.”

“You don’t?” Karma asked.

Kapia thought about it hard, since Karma seemed to think she should already know the answer and she didn’t want to disappoint her.  But, in the end, she shook her head.  “I’m sorry, but no, I don’t.”

“There’s a saying that I believe is valid no matter which world you live on, or who you are,” Karma said.  “
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
.”

Kapia realized the wisdom of Karma’s words immediately.  “Karma, do you think that Zakiel knows that?  I mean the concept of course, not the saying.”

“You may depend upon it,” Karma said, smiling.  “Your brother is no fool.”  As she spoke she looked up, pleased to see Zakiel riding toward them.  It was the first time she’d seen him that morning, and she was again reminded of their kiss.  Her face heated but, this time, she didn’t care.

“Good morning, ladies,” Zakiel said after reining his diplo in beside Kapia.

“Good morning, Prince Zakiel,” Karma replied.

 “I hope you’re feeling better today, Lady Techu.”

“Yes, thank you, I’m fully recovered,” Karma replied.  “So long as only one giant demon attacks per day, we’re in good shape.”

Zakiel chuckled, shocking his sister.  She looked back and forth between Karma and her brother a couple of times, then shook her head slightly.  How could I be so blind? she wondered, hiding a smile behind her hand.  “If you two will excuse me, I just thought of something I need to tell Sir Bredon,” she said.  “I’ll be right back.”

“Very well,” Zakiel said, glad that he wouldn’t have to think of a reason to ask Kapia for time alone with Karma.  He was having enough trouble trying to decide how to say what he’d come to say.

As soon as Kapia rode off, he moved his diplo over so that he was riding closer to Karma.  “How are you today, really?” he asked, feeling nervous.

“I’m fine, really,” Karma replied.  “You?”

“I’m nervous,” he admitted before he had a chance to stop himself.