Jayne Castle [Jayne Ann Krentz] (32 page)

He came down on one knee beside her and released the band that held her hair. Freed, the wealth of

sunset colored curls tumbled over his fingers.

"I want you to find your freedom in my arms, wife." He twisted his hands in the depths of her hair and

bent his head to kiss her heavily.

His mouth fastened on hers with an urgency that flowed over Kalena the way a fire flowed over dry

kindling. She wasn't sure there was freedom to be found in Ridge's embrace, but there was a heated

excitement that was unmatched by anything else she had ever known.

Tonight there was something else, too. Kalena knew. She was aware of a great sense of readiness on

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her part. She felt as though she had been waiting for this lovemaking for a long time. Ridge had barely

touched her, but already she was warming with the same heat that fired his passion. Her arms went

around his neck, pulling him down to her.

"This is where you're supposed to be, Kalena. Whatever fate the Spectrum has decreed for you, you

must share it with me."

"I know," she heard herself respond. "I know that tonight." The knowledge was flooding her

bloodstream, bringing with it a clear certainty that she could not escape.

Ridge's hands moved impatiently on Kalena's clothing. Her tunic was thrust aside and then the narrow

trousers fell to the floor. She writhed naked in his arms and began to fight him for the embrace, driven by

an urgency she had never felt before.

"By the Stones," he breathed as he held her still long enough to rid himself of clothing, "tonight you're like

the free fire that burns in the mountains. How could you even think of leaving me?"

"I wasn't thinking of leaving you tonight," she told him as her nails sank into his shoulders. "I couldn't

leave you tonight." It was the truth and she accepted it unquestioningly. She had to have him inside her,

filling her completely. Kalena's breath came quickly and she stifled her soft cries against his skin.

Ridge's face was set in lines of stark passion as he loomed over Kalena. His fingers trembled with the

force of his need when he touched her breast.

"Come to me," she whispered achingly. She lifted her hips against his in open invitation. "Come to me,

Ridge. I want you tonight."

"Soon," he promised thickly. "Soon."

"No, now" Possessed of an overwhelming need to complete the union, Kalena pressed against his chest

with the palms of her hands.

Surprised by the force of her desire, Ridge allowed her to push him onto his back. Instantly, she was

climbing astride him. Her hair formed a nimbus of golden red against the glow of the lamp behind her.

Ridge's eyes glittered in fierce anticipation as his big hands settled on her flaring thighs.

"Finish it," he grated, lifting her slightly so that she could fit herself to him. "I can feel the liquid fire in you.

It's going to consume both of us, so finish it."

Her fingers closed delicately around the hard length of his manhood. Ridge groaned and pushed himself

abruptly against the damp core of her body. Kalena gasped and fell forward as he entered her deeply.

She braced herself on his shoulders and felt her body tighten around him. Slowly, she levered herself

upward again until she sat him almost the way she would a creet.

"Now you're fine, my sweet Kalena," Ridge murmured as he stroked himself into her body. "Go ahead

and fly. But you'll have to take me with you."

Kalena's whole body arched with sensual tension. Eyes closed, head thrown back in wild abandon, she

rode Ridge with a passion that matched his own. The fire that blazed between Ridge and Kalena

threatened to consume them, but neither cared. Kalena flew on a creet that still retained its wings. She

soared the skies on a great muscled bird who responded to her slightest whim. Dazzling light and deepest

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shadow swirled beneath them as Kalena rode Ridge to the heights of the mountains. When at last he

folded his wings, enclosing her completely, and plummeted back toward the ground, Kalena called his

name in a voice that reached into both the shadow and the light.

Ridge's hoarse shout was as vibrant with life as her own. He seemed to burst inside her, spilling the

essence of himself into the deepest part of her body. Then he held her so close she could hardly breathe

as the tremors that shook both of them ran their course.

Afterward, there was only dampness and warmth and peace. It was a long time before Kalena finally

found the energy to open her eyes. When she did, she found Ridge studying her face in the lamplight. His

legs were tangled with hers and one of his hands was resting on her hip. His golden eyes still burned

faintly with the lazy aftereffects of passion.

"Tomorrow we leave," he said flatly. "With or without the Sand."

"Yes, Ridge," Kalena agreed with a meekness that must have astonished him. "Don't worry about the

Sand. The Healers have promised we can take as much as we can carry." Kalena felt no need to argue.

Ridge could not stay here. She knew that. There was no place for him in this valley. And she knew that

she would leave with him. She could not stay without him. Tonight she understood at last that she and

Ridge were bound together. The bonds might chafe at times, but they were as strong as life itself. She

would no longer try to struggle against her destiny with this man.

Ridge exhaled deeply and gathered her close once more. "Thank you, Kalena."

"For what?" she asked in quiet amusement.

"For not fighting me."

"Were you afraid that if I did, you might lose?"

He shook his head gravely. "I was afraid that if you fought me, you would lose, and then, perhaps, you

would never forgive me. I don't want that kind of victory, but I can't let you stay here in this damn valley,

either."

"Why not?" she asked with calm interest, although she had no intention of staying. "You'll have your

Sand."

His mouth hardened. "There is more between us now than a shipment of Sand. You know that as well as

I."

Kalena's smile faded with his words. "I know it, Ridge. I just wish I understood what it is that binds us

together."

"Why must women question and analyze everything that ties them to men?"

"Perhaps we don't like being at the mercy of things we don't understand," she suggested gently.

His brows came together in a hard line. "You only succeed in making life more difficult for yourself when

you fail to accept things as they are."

"I didn't know you were such a philosopher, Ridge. Have you accepted things as they are, even though

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you don't understand them?"

He bent to nuzzle the curve of her shoulder, his teeth teasing her skin. "I accepted what the Spectrum

brought me the day you handed me that trade marriage contract."

Kalena felt his lower body hardening against her once more, and reached out to touch him wonderingly.

"Perhaps your way is best, Ridge."

"I know it is," he told her as he eased himself down on top of her. "I'm your husband, Kalena. You must

trust me to know what's best for you."

Kalena wanted to smile at his blatant male arrogance. Ridge was so intently serious about what he said.

But he was kissing her again and suddenly her mind was cleared of all things but the sensual demands he

was imposing. Everyone seemed to know what was best for her. Olara had forced her to wear the

mantle of House vengeance. The women of this valley were convinced she was destined to take hold of

the mythical Light Key. Her husband decreed she belonged with him.

Of the three options, Kalena decided as she gave herself up to Ridge's lovemaking, her husband's held

the most allure.

They left the valley at dawn the next morning. Ridge had the creets saddled and loaded with the sacks

containing the Sands of Eurythmia before Kalena had finished eating the morning meal in the dining

chamber. Ridge hadn't been interested in sharing another meal with the valley women. He had helped

himself to a wedge of cheese, a piece of fruit and a chunk of bread, then disappeared to see to the

loading of the Sand.

Kalena almost wished she could have joined him. She felt awkward sharing the meal with Valica, Arona

and the others after having made it clear she did not believe in the destiny they saw for her. But no one

seemed to hold her unwillingness to become involved with the Key against her. The morning meal was a

cheerful, friendly affair. No one mentioned the previous night until Kalena rose to join Ridge.

Valica came forward to take both her hands, kissed her lightly on each cheek and smiled comfortingly.

"Do not worry, Kalena. When the time is right, things will happen as they must. You have not turned your

back on us or on the Key"

"But I have," Kalena protested earnestly. "You must understand, Valica, I am not the one you seek. The

truth is, I'm not sure I even believe in the Key. But if it does exist, I want nothing to do with it."

"There is no need to talk about it now. The balance has not yet shifted far enough to force you to act."

"What balance?"

"You know as well as I do that all the events of our world and our lives are strung out along an infinite

Spectrum. When one thing happens, there must be an opposite action in order to ensure the balance. The

balance in our world has begun to shift, Kalena. I can feel it. There have been times lately here in the

mountains when there has been more Darkness than Light. Such a situation cannot last long. When

matters have fallen too badly out of alignment, there will be a reckoning. When that time comes, you will

be obedient to your destiny. Go now and think no more about it until you must."

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"Valica, please, listen to me. I am merely the last daughter of a House that ends with me. I have failed in

the one responsibility that was left to me. In addition, I have lowered myself to the status of a trade wife.

I am not very important, Valica. Great destinies are not carved out for people like me. What's more, we

don't particularly want them."

Arona came forward, her eyes gentle with understanding. "You want your freedom, not a preordained

destiny. But you told me last night you aren't sure if anything is ever truly free."

"I think I have a chance of building a life for myself," Kalena said steadily. "It may not be memorable to

anyone but me, but at least it will be the life I have chosen." She stepped back, bowing her head

respectfully. "You have been most generous with the Sand. I will see that it ends up in the hands of

honest Healers."

Valica chuckled. "There you go, Kalena, taking on yet another obligation. Olara may have been

misguided, but she did manage to instill a sense of duty in you, didn't she? It is that integrity and sense of

duty that has brought you this far. I think it will guide you the rest of the way. Go now, and good journey

to you."

Kalena glanced around at the faces of the women who had gathered to say goodbye. She felt a curious

burning sensation behind her eyes. With a tremulous smile, she turned away and hurried toward Ridge,

who waited with the creets.

He gave her a sharp glance as he tossed her up into the saddle. "Are you crying?"

"Of course not." She wiped the sleeve of her tunic across her

damp eyes and glared at him challengingly. "I'm ready to leave." He hesitated, one hand on her saddle.

"Kalena, if those

women have said or done anything to upset you, tell me about it." "I'm fine, Ridge."

He appeared unconvinced, but was obviously more than ready to be on his way out of the valley. "The

sooner we're out of here, the better," he growled, swinging into his own saddle. "Have you got your

cloak within reach? It will be cold again as soon as we start climbing away from the valley floor."

She was mildly amused by his concern as she picked up her reins and urged her animal after his. "I have

it within reach."

"We won't be able to move as fast going back as we did coming here. I've got the creets fully loaded

with Sand. But they're good, strong birds. We'll still be able to travel a lot faster than a regular caravan of

pack creets could."

Kalena glanced over her shoulder at the bags of Sand slung across her creet's rump. Her bird didn't

seem overly concerned about the added weight, but she knew the load would slow its pace.

"Congratulations, Ridge, there should be more than enough here for you to finance your dreams."

"What about your dreams, Kalena?" he surprised her by asking.

"I'm still working them out," she tried to say lightly. "We will work them out together," he told her.

Their eyes met for a moment, and then Ridge flicked the reins.

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His creet started forward with its usual cheerful willingness. Kalena's fell into step behind its mate. Once,

Kalena glanced back over her shoulder and saw the women of the valley watching their departure. There

was no greater freedom to be had in this valley than what she would find with Ridge, Kalena thought with