Stardust (25 page)

“
Perhaps,
”
he said,
“
something good could come from such sad news.
”

Winoka bowed before him.
“
Perhaps that is so.
”

* * *

Darvek rose early, needing the solitude of the morning to put his thoughts in order. Moving quietly, he walked outside into the closed courtyard at the back of the small dwelling. Leaning against the high stone wall, he breathed deeply of the fresh, cool air. Closing his eyes, he rested his head against the cool surface of the rock. Sleep had evaded him. Yet his thoughts had not been on the problems facing Palermos or his king as they should have been. His thoughts were selfish ones. He could not control the sorrow he felt in his heart at the death of the maiden, Selina. He did not understand why his heart had reached out for hers, yet it had. Never in his many moons had he experienced such powerful feelings for any other female. And now she was gone before he had gotten an opportunity to know her as a man would know his life
’
s mate. There was a yawning chasm within him and nothing could fill it.

“
You look tired, warrior
.
”
The voice was soft, sweet as the morning air.

Darvek opened his eyes, jerking upright. Surely he must have wandered into the land of dreams! He could not be seeing what he thought he was seeing.

Selina moved forward, seeming to glide over the dewy grass as she put forth a hand to touch his muscular arm.

“
I did not mean to disturb you.
”
Dropping her hand, she started to turn away.
“
I will go and leave you to your thoughts.
”

“
No, wait.
”
Darvek
’
s large hand captured the soft skin of her upper arm, drawing her toward him.
“
I cannot believe
you are here before me.
”
With unsteady hands, he traced her bountiful curves.
“
Are you a dream apparition? Have you come to torment me from the beyond?
”

Selina looked into the face of her beloved. Lifting one hand, she traced the strong line of his jaw.
“
I am no dream, my lord, I am very real.
”
She stepped closer, lifting her lips toward his.
“
But I intend to torment you for the rest of my days.
”
Her lips met his and she gave herself over to the feelings she had for so long denied.

She shuddered at the first touch of his lips upon her own. How she had dreamed of this moment when she could touch the man she loved. His lips were firm and strong, moist and soft. She groaned as his tongue eased past the barrier of her teeth finding hers. Greedily she sparred with him, showing him her own desire.

“
Enough,
”
Darvek growled as he pulled way.
“
Who are you?
”
he demanded.

Selina become frightened at the look
in her lover
’
s eyes.
“
I thought you would welcome my touch,
”
she whimpered softly.
“
I see
I was wrong.
”

Darvek ran his fingers through his silver hair and turned away.
“
You are but a demon ghost sent to destroy my very soul. Be gone from me this instant.
”

Tears gathered in Selina
’
s eyes and her clenched fists tangled in the lovely robe the old woman had given her. She wished for the darkness to be upon her once again. Why had she returned to this world, if only to be rejected by her one true love?
“
I am Selina,
”
she said firmly, quiet dignity in her voice.

Darvek turned his tortured eyes upon her, his arms thrust out before him as if to push her away.
“
How can I believe such magic? I held your lifeless body within my arms. I called your name and you did not answer.
”

Selina removed the silver chain from her neck and placed the glowing green stone in his hand.
“
This is why I live. Winoka said my life force was not taken from me, merely captured with this stone.
”

Darvek fell before her on his knees, clutching at her robe.
“
Tell me you are real, my beloved. Tell me you are mine forever.
”

Selina
’
s smile was angelically sweet as she cupped the proud warrior
’
s face within her hands.
“
I am yours, Darvek, if you so desire me. I will serve you for the rest of my given days.
”

“
You will not serve me,
”
Darvek said rising to his feet, a smile of pure love shining from his face.
“
We will walk the path of life –
together.
”
He took her arm in his.
“
Come, let me enjoy this day, the first day of our joining.
”

Selina walked slowly beside the rugged warrior of her drams, rejoicing in the feel of her small hand clasped in his stronger one. How could her life path have change so drastically, so suddenly? With this thought, her smile vanished and frown lines creased her smooth forehead.

Noticing her silence, Darvek stopped, turning to catch her pensive look.
“
What burdens you, my heart.
”

Selina warmed at the possessiveness of his tone even as the cold talons of fear gripped her insides. Turning her head from his probing gaze, she looked upon the lush grass of the meadow beyond the small back yard.

“
You do not know me,
”
she whispered huskily.
“
You only know what you want to believe.
”
She lowered her head, blinking rapidly against the tears that threatened.
“
I am afraid
once you learn of my past, you will banish me from your sight.
”

Gently Darvek cupped her shoulders in his strong hands and drew her against him.
“
Do not doubt my love for you Selina.
”
He stroked her silky hair. Tangling his fingers in the thick mass, he lifted her countenance to his.
“
It matters not what the past holds, only the future. But if it would lessen your b
urden, you may tell me all
you wish for me to know.
”

The tears which
had threatened earlier now spilled over at his heartfelt words. Wrapping her arms around his lean waist, Selina cried as she had never cried before. She still could not believe the benevolence of the gods in giving her such a gift. Surely such joy was not meant for her.

Darvek held her tightly as the deep, anguished sobs raked her body. The feel of her slight weight in his arms created
a joy inside of his heart
he had never known. With her he felt complete at last. He did not know what had happened in the past to cause her such misery. But he spoke the truth when he said it did not matter. He vowed to do everything
in his power to make sure
she would know only happiness during their life together. Drawing back slightly, Darvek gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
“
Are you ready to share your thoughts with me?
”

Selina nodded and gave him a watery smile. Together they walked to a wooden bench beneath a huge flowing tree and sat down. She was still frightened, but she was no longer afraid of losing her love. Staring into his beloved face, she saw the courage and devotion shining there for her. His features were strong, there was no sign of weakness about him. He was a man who believed in his ideals, a man who would
fight to ensure
the world was a safe place for all, but who desired to live in peace and harmony with his fellow man.

Yes, she could share anything with him and he would stand by her side. Her fate was sealed. Clasping one of his hands in both of hers, she began her tale.
“
I have been mistress of Bartok for the past ten full cycles of the moon.
”
She titled her head, looking into his eyes unashamed. She was not proud of her past, but neither would she deny it.

Darvek caressed her hands.
“
I know of your association with Bartok.
”

Selina could not believe his easy acceptance of her words.
“
I have lain with him. I have committed many acts of pleasure both for him and with him.
”

“
Did Bartok
’
s touch bring you pleasure such as this?
”
He kissed the palm of her hand, stroking the soft flesh with his tongue.
“
Or this?
”
he continued, caressing the slight opening at the neck of her gown.

Selina
’
s breath caught sharply in the back of her throat.
“
Never have I felt so alive.
”

“
It
is how it should be,
”
Darvek said.
“
This touching of our bodies is nothing compared to the joining of our souls.
”
He fastened his arms around her, pressing urgently against her.
“
This is what is important; this feeling that does not exist except when we are together.
”
He lowered his mouth to hers.
“
This is our destiny.
”

From the small window in the cottage, King Jalon viewed the embracing couple for several moments, his face clouding with uncertainty.

“
What is it?
”
Lalona asked as she stood beside him.
“
What troubles you so?
”

“
Darvek is quite taken with the lovely Selina,
”
he said.

“
Yes he is, my dear. They make a lovely couple.
”

Jalon turned to face his wife of many mo
ons, rejoicing in the fact
they had grown closer with the passage of time. His lineage was marred with many unhappy couplings and their own history held many sad tales.
“
Then why is it that I have an overwhelming sense of doom for their union? The woman Selina is a great mystery.
”

Lalona regarded her husband thoughtfully.
“
Do you fear for Darvek
’
s safety?
”

“
No,
”
Jalon shook his head.
“
It is not that which I fear. Darvek has known much sadness in his life. His brother, his parents, all taken from him at such an early time. And even Aurora is in grave danger from Bartok. Selina has the answers to many questions.
”

“
Do not worry so,
”
Lalona urged.
“
If this were not meant to be, how then has it come about? Selina is not the desperate woman of before. Have you not seen the difference within her from the very first day at the cell?
”

Jalon was not convinced.
“
She could still be loyal to Saatan. I do not trust her.
”

“
You need only trust Darvek.
”
She took his hand in hers.
“
Come. It has been many long days since I have walked into the sunlight with you by my side. We will come to know this woman and you will see your jealously is unfounded.
”

“
Jealousy?
”
Jalon growled as he opened the door and walked outside. Fresh air blew across their aged faces, making each glad to be alive.
“
I have no need of such an emotion.
”

Lalona raised one elegant eyebrow.
“
Do you not think of Darvek as one of your own?
”

“
Well, yes I do,
”
he bristled.
“
But that does not mean I would not be joyed to see him find happiness at last.
”

A sad expression came upon Lalona
’
s face.
“
If it had so been allowed, you would have begrudged the day of our son
’
s joining. Given the circumstances, this small sharing is all Darvek and Selina can hope to have. It is only natural you are jealous,
”
she finished, a small smile of satisfaction on her face at having bested her husband.