Silver Flame

Chapter 11

“T hat was a verra clever lie,” Farthing complimented Gamel as they strode toward the great hall, leaving their fathers to tend to Sir Peter and his cousin. “I ne’er would have thought ye could be so deceitful.”

“Farthing, ye need not play that game with me. Sine told me about your grievous wound on the first night she shared my bed.” Gamel pushed open the heavy door to the great hall and smiled when he saw Sine pacing there.

“My grievous wound?” Farthing muttered as he followed Gamel into the hall. “What are ye talking about?”

Before Gamel could reply, Sine stopped pacing and looked their way. He frowned a little when he saw that her attention was on Farthing. Despite his best efforts to conquer the emotion, Gamel had to admit that he was still jealous of the closeness between the two of them. It did not help to know that Farthing undoubtedly knew Sine far better than he did. Gamel was startled out of his dark musings when Sine marched over to Farthing and pointed at the man with a mixture of fury and accusation.

“Ye bedded Arabel, didnae ye?” she snapped, sure of it yet praying that Farthing would deny it.

“Now, lass, why would ye think such a thing?” Farthing responded.

“Because of what she said.”

“The woman said a great deal.”

Sine clenched her hands into tight fists but resisted the urge to hit Farthing. “She said that she now saw the purpose of your seduction of her.”

“And I said I ne’er seduced the woman and that is the truth.”

“The truth is something ye seem verra reluctant to tell me. The truth I want to hear is—did ye or did ye not bed Arabel?”

Farthing grimaced, ran a hand through his hair, and smiled at Sine a little sheepishly. “Aye, I did.”

Sine felt as if she had been soundly slapped. “Why? Why would ye bed down with that woman, a woman who wishes me and the twins dead? Ye have slept with my deadliest enemy.”

“I wish ye would cease to look at me as if I am the lowest of traitors,” Farthing grumbled. “I accepted Arabel’s flagrant invitation to sample her favors for the verra reasons ye think I shouldnae have— because she is your enemy.”

“Wait a moment!” Gamel realized that he had yelled the words, causing both Sine and Farthing to stare at him in surprise, and he struggled to calm himself. He was completely confused and did not like how it felt. While he could easily understand why Farthing might talk as if he could still bed a woman, Gamel could not comprehend why Sine was now playing along with the ruse. He began to get the uncomfortable feeling that something was not quite right.

“Is something wrong, Gamel?” Sine asked, eager to continue her discussion with Farthing, yet concerned about the odd look upon her husband’s face.

“Why are ye beleaguering the mon when ye ken that he couldnae do what ye are accusing him of? His grievous injury—remember?”

A soft curse escaped Farthing and he glared at Gamel. “Yet again ye babble about this ‘grievous injury.’ What in God’s sweet name are ye talking about?”

“The injury ye got which makes it so that ye cannae mate with any woman,” Gamel snapped. Then he frowned, for the stunned look upon Farthing’s dark face told him that something was definitely amiss.

“Ye mean ye think I have been unmonned? Do ye actually believe the deceits ye told those two cuckolded fools outside?”

“I told the truth as I kenned it.”

“The truth? Where did ye learn such utter nonsense?”

“Sine told me.” Gamel pointed at Sine and joined Farthing in glowering at her.

Sine gave them a wavering smile as she frantically tried to think of something to say. She heartily wished she had used the diversion of their brief squabble to flee the hall. In her upset over Farthing and her mother she had forgotten about the lie she had told Gamel weeks ago. In truth, since telling it she had hardly thought of it at all. She was now facing the consequences of that omission.

“Ye told him that I had lost my monhood?” Farthing demanded.

“We—ell, not exactly that.” She shrugged. “I can explain.”

“Ye lied to me,” Gamel said, his voice very soft.

The way Gamel was looking at her made Sine feel oddly afraid. Farthing was furious, but although she did not particularly like that, she knew it would pass. She was not at all sure what Gamel was feeling, though his expression made her think it was something very complicated and not easily mended. With growing distress, Sine realized that she did not know Gamel well enough to judge his reaction. The man was her lover and husband, yet she could not even begin to guess what he was thinking or what he would do. Before she could try to defend herself, however, Ligulf marched into the great hall.

“Ye had best come back outside, Gamel,” he said. “Ye too, Farthing.”

After giving Sine one last piercing look, Gamel turned to Ligulf. “They have come to our gates, have they?”

“Aye. There arenae enough of them to wage a successful battle, but Lady Arabel and Lord Malise have ridden close to our walls. They wish to speak with ye, Gamel. In truth, they demand to speak with ‘the mon who claims to be our daughter’s husband.’”

“Demand it, do they? Weel, let us see what they want.” Without another glance toward Sine, Gamel strode out of the hall, nudging Ligulf ahead of him.

“I will speak with ye later, Sine Catriona,” Farthing snapped before following Ligulf and Gamel out of the hall.

Sine stared at the shut door for a moment, then cursed. She gave a startled cry when someone touched her arm. It was Lady Edina. Sine stared at the woman in open-mouthed surprise.

“Have ye been here the whole time, m’lady?” she asked, a blush of embarrassment rapidly heating her face.

“Aye. ’Tis a habit of mine. I have a verra comfortable seat near the fireplace at the far end of the hall, but ’tis in the shadows most of the time. People often miss my presence. ’Tisnae really eavesdropping, though my husband claims otherwise. I prefer to say that I dinnae wish to intrude. Howbeit, I will confess that it may weel be a bit of both.”

“So, ye heard about my lie.”

“M’dear, I kenned all about that weeks ago.”

“I dinnae usually lie to people,” she mumbled.

“I ken that too. Once I learned of the lie, of when it was told and to whom, I was sure of the reason for it. Ye had to have an explanation for your innocence.”

“Aye, I did, but I should have told Gamel the truth before now. I shouldnae have left him to find out in this abrupt manner. ’Tis just that, weel, it eased some of his anger toward Farthing so I took the coward’s way out and kept letting him think that Farthing had been unmonned.” She bit her bottom lip lightly and took a hesitant step toward the door. “I really should hear what is being said.”

“So ye should.” Lady Edina linked her arm through Sine’s and, opening the door with her free hand, led her out of the hall. “I shouldnae fret too much about your lie, m’dear.”

“I think Gamel is verra upset.”

“He is, but I shouldnae feel guilty about that. Ye and Gamel didnae meet under the most auspicious of circumstances. I fear that Gamel was neither honorable nor considerate when he first saw ye. Ye were forced into a verra strange and awkward situation. Gamel has the wit to see that for himself once his anger cools. Howbeit, if he remains sullen and willnae heed what ye have to say, I shall have a strong word with him. No matter what ye mean to do in the end concerning this marriage, we must all be closely united until your foes have been overcome. So we cannae have Gamel sulking about over some imagined slight.”

“Thank ye for that, m’lady. I pray I willnae need to impose upon ye.” When they paused in the bailey, Sine asked, “Do ye think there is a place where I can listen yet not be seen? They are talking now, but I cannae hear each word clearly.”

“They are most likely just exchanging a few belligerencies. William will demand an explanation for the presence of armed men approaching Duncoille and the Brodies will try to explain and remain uncowed yet not throw out any direct challenge. Come along.” Lady Edina led Sine toward the front gates. “There is a small spy portal nearby where ye can both listen and watch.”

It was a minute or two before Sine could make use of the spy hole, for the guard stationed near at hand had to fetch her a block of wood to stand upon. Her first glimpse of her mother caused her to shiver. She began to believe that she would never be able to think about the woman without experiencing a slight chill. As she observed her mother’s arrogant pose, the elegant and powerful image she presented upon her white mare, Sine felt her confidence in her own chance of victory begin to waver. She gritted her teeth and fought Arabel’s dangerous effect upon her.

“Sine Catriona is now a Logan,” Gamel called out loudly so that his strong voice could easily be heard by Arabel and Malise at the foot of Duncoille’s thick wall. “Ye waste our time and your own in coming here. When Sine exchanged vows with me before a priest, all bonds with ye were severed. Ye have no claim upon her.”

“Lord Logan,” Malise called, ignoring Gamel and turning his attention to the master of Duncoille. “Ye are said to be an honorable mon, one with great respect for the law and customs of our land. Surely ye can see the wrong done here? We, the lass’s only kinsmen, were ne’er consulted on this marriage.”

“M’lord Brodie, let us cease this game. We have learned a great deal about ye—”

“Rumors and hearsay,” Malise interrupted. “Accusations with no proof. They are naught but the malicious mutterings of jealous fools.”

“I might consider that if ’twas but a trickle, a few ill words from malcontents. Howbeit, ’tis a veritable flood, m’lord, and told by good and honorable men. Ye challenge me with my love and obedience of law and custom yet ye have ne’er shown either. E’en if the lass wasnae wed to my son, I would still deny your claim to her. I have no stomach for turning such a wee, sweet lass o’er to murderers and rogues.”

“So now ye respond to my rightful demands with slurs and insults.”

“They deserve no less.”

“I will fight this injustice.”

“Aye, I pray that ye do, for if ye lift a sword against me, ye give me the right to cut down ye and yours without troubling myself with explanations. Ye are a curse upon this land and I should welcome the freedom to put an end to ye.”

“I can see that there is no reasoning with ye. The lass has bewitched ye, clouded your wits with her lies. We can argue in the courts about which of us has the strongest claim to her. Howbeit, ye have no claim to the lads.”

“What lads?”

“Her brothers, twins of nine years of age. If ye hold the lass, ye hold the lads too. I willnae heed any denial. Ye must give them o’er to me. Or have ye wed the boys to some kinswomen?”

“Nay, but ye have no claim to them either.”

“They are our kinsmen,” Malise shouted, revealing his anger and frustration for the first time. “They are Brodies and should be returned to Dorchabeinn.”

“They are the bastard offspring of your wife’s late husband. ’Tis a verra thin claim ye have. Lady Sine Logan has a stronger claim than ye do. She is their half sister, their blood kin, and she wishes to keep them with her. Begone and take your hired dogs with ye. If those armed men linger before my gates much longer, I shall view it as an attack and act accordingly.”

“I am not finished with ye yet, m’lord Logan,” Malise bellowed, then he turned his mount sharply around and galloped back to his small army, Arabel following at his heels.

Sine turned to face the bailey and slumped against the cool stone wall. She moved only a little to allow Lady Edina a chance to look through the spy hole. Matters were moving at a furious pace now. Bloodshed was the only possible consequence of today’s confrontation and she dreaded being even partly responsible for it. She told herself yet again that the Brodies would allow no other resolution and then concentrated her attention on a rapidly approaching Lord Magnusson. The man looked deeply concerned and she felt a tickle of unease.

“Have either of ye seen Margot?” he asked as he stopped before Sine and Lady Edina.

“Nay,” replied Lady Edina, looking briefly at Sine, who shook her head. “She isnae within the keep?”

“She hadnae returned from her tryst with Martin Robertson when Farthing and the others rode back.”

“Bringing the Brodies with us,” mumbled Sine, and grimaced. “Do ye think she has been caught out on the enemy’s side?”

“I fear so. I sent two of my men-at-arms with her.”

“But they would prove little impediment to the Brodies’ twenty.” Sine peeked out of the spy hole. “And the Brodies are being verra slow to leave so we cannae begin a search just yet.”

“Do ye think Martin would turn the lass o’er to the Brodies to use against us?”

A sigh escaped Sine as she shook her head. “If he has any feelings for her, I would be inclined to say nay. Howbeit, are we yet sure that he truly courts the girl and isnae merely trying to spy upon us through her?”

“Nay.” Lord Thomas ran a hand through his hair and scowled at the sturdy, securely barred gates of Duncoille. “So there is naught we can do but wait and pray that, when the cursed Brodies leave, they dinnae carry off poor Margot with them.”

Martin cursed softly and tried to shift his prone body into a more comfortable position, but with Margot pressed close on his left and one of her guards on his right, he had little room to maneuver. He glared through the gnarled thorn bushes the four of them hid behind and tried to will the Brodies to leave. A sigh escaped him as he glanced at Margot’s sweet pale face then at the stern faces of the Magnusson men flanking them. He doubted he would ever see Margot again and this was not the way he would have chosen to spend his last moments with her.

“Why dinnae they leave?” whispered Margot, blushing a little when Martin put his arm around her. She did not protest the familiarity despite the frowns of her guards.

“I suspect they will soon. They are probably arguing amongst themselves as they try to decide upon some action besides ignominious retreat.”

“There is none,” muttered Angus, the guard on Martin’s right.

“Nay, there is none,” agreed Martin. “But ’twill take those fools time to concede.”

“And what will ye do when they leave?” Margot asked.

“I shall find my horse and follow them,” Martin replied, his voice flat and weighted with despair.

“Will they not ask where ye have been?”

“Oh, aye, but I can answer that satisfactorily. This confrontation between the Logans and the Brodies was unplanned. ’Tis no fault of mine that I wasnae present. Also, I am no soldier. I am a steward. They had no need of my services for this. I wouldnae be surprised to learn that they havenae e’en noticed I am missing yet. Dinnae fret o’er me, dearling. I feel certain I face no real danger.”

“Martin, why must ye follow them at all? Why not just join us here at Duncoille?”

“I cannae.”

“Why?”

“’Tis too difficult to explain. I am not sure I understand it myself.” He smiled at her, sadness tainting his expression. “I am a Brodie mon, lass. I have ne’er been anything else. ’Tis probably far too late for me to change.”

He touched her lips with his finger to silence her when she began to speak. “Nay, dinnae argue. I do what I must do. And, consider this—if I do decide to betray the Brodies and join with your side, would I not be of far more use if I was still deep within the lair of your enemy? Leave it be, lass. We must each meet our fate in our own way.”

“The Brodies are leaving,” murmured Angus.

After one look to be sure the man was right, Martin lightly kissed Margot on the lips. He slipped away to get his horse and follow the Brodies, yet felt torn by indecision each step of the way. Although his life in Malise’s service had never been happy, he had never before viewed it with such despair. He wondered if he was at some great turning point in his life and if he would have the wit and courage to choose the right path.

Sine continued to stare out of the spy hole long after the Brodies had disappeared from sight. She was faintly aware that Lord Magnusson was requesting a search for Margot. The guard informed her finally that she would have to move because they needed to open the gates. He was just about to help her down from the block of wood when she spotted three riders approaching. For a brief moment she feared that her enemies were returning to try some new ploy, then she recognized Margot’s rich, bright green dress.

“Lord Thomas,” she cried, hurrying over to the man, reaching his side just as he was about to mount his horse. “Margot is coming back. I just saw her and your two men riding this way.” A call from a guard upon the walls confirmed her words.

There was hectic activity as Margot arrived. It was several moments before they could all gather in the hall to actually speak with her. Sine sat near Lady Edina and Lord William. Across from her was Gamel, flanked by his three brothers and Sir Lesley. Sine finally had to turn away from Gamel’s steady, piercing gaze, only to catch Farthing scowling at her from where he sat with his father and Margot. She prayed that Margot had a great deal to say, for she knew she would face two extremely angry men just as soon as the meeting ended. She took a long drink of wine and wished that she could be as carefree as the twins, who were out in the practice yard gleefully wielding their wooden swords. Life was so much simpler for them, she mused with a twinge of envy.

“We feared Martin Robertson might hand ye o’er to the Brodies,” Lord Thomas said. “’Twould have brought him high favor.”

Margot patted the older man’s hand. “Nay. I dinnae believe he e’en considered it. In truth, I am sure of it. We were on our way back here and Martin had already started back to the village. He returned to warn us of the Brodies’ approach. If he hadnae done so, they would have caught us in the open land surrounding Duncoille. As it stood we barely had time to hide amongst the brambles at the edge of the wood.”

“So, the lad does care for ye,” Lord Thomas murmured.

A blush stained Margot’s cheeks as she nodded. “Aye, but not enough to leave the Brodies.”

“Lass, dinnae judge the mon too harshly because of that. He is nearly their bondsmon and there is also a blood tie. These arenae easy things to shake free of. Also he could feel himself such a part of their perfidy that he sees no other choice, simply cannae believe that he could find another place to go. Twice now he has risked his own life, even if in a small way—to save Sir Lesley and now ye. ’Tis a step forward.”

“I ken it, Cousin Thomas. I but wish he could leave them ere he loses his life. He did speak on the matter. He said he is a Brodie mon and has ne’er kenned another way. Howbeit, he said that if he does decide to betray them, it would be better if he was still within their camp. He could be of far more use that way.”

“’Twould be useful to have one of their own on our side,” agreed Lord William. “We cannae count on that though. Howbeit, I swear this to ye, lass—we shall give the mon every chance to save his own neck.”

“Thank ye, m’lord. ’Tis more than I have a right to expect.”

“Did ye tell him about Sine and the twins?” asked Lord Thomas.

“Aye.” Margot looked at Sine. “’Twas verra odd. He grew pale at first, but then he laughed.”

“Laughed?” Sine could see by their faces that the others shared her confusion.

“He said there really wasnae anything funny about it but I believe his delight was in the fact that Arabel and Malise have been thwarted. Martin also believes that ye will be the one to make them pay the penance they have eluded for so long. He believes that Arabel read her own fate in your eyes when ye were but a child.”

“Methinks the mon is a verra superstitious sort.”

Margot smiled and nodded, then quickly grew serious again. “He believes that Arabel’s vanity is a madness, that the woman sees ye as a witch who bleeds away her youth and beauty.”

“’Tis glad that I am not the only one who has had such thoughts about her,” Sine muttered.

More questions were asked which Margot did her best to answer, but Sine could see that the girl had little more information of any great consequence. In the hope of eluding a confrontation with either Gamel or Farthing, Sine waited until the men were deeply involved in discussing possible tactics to use against the Brodies before she slipped out of the great hall. She nearly made it to the safety of her chambers, but just as she reached out to grasp the door latch, someone grabbed her arm. When she was somewhat abruptly turned around, Sine was faintly relieved to find herself facing Farthing instead of Gamel.

“Ye forgot to explain to me why ye felt it was necessary to tell Gamel I was less than a mon.” Farthing crossed his arms over his chest and frowned down at her.

With a grimace, Sine slumped against her chamber door and eyed Farthing a little warily. “’Twas all I could think of to explain why I was an innocent when I was supposed to be your wife.”

“Could ye not have simply told him the truth?”

The anger was already fading from his face and Sine relaxed a little, offering him a weak smile as she shrugged. “’Twasnae the best time for thinking clearly. So too did I believe I would ne’er see him again, that all we would e’er share was that one night in the inn.”

“Fair enough. But why have ye left the lie to stand? Did ye ne’er think that he would discover the truth?”

“I honestly ne’er gave the matter much thought, quite forgot about my lie at times. And, mayhaps, I suffered a touch of cowardice. I kenned it would only make him eye ye with even less favor if he learned that ye were the fully able and licentious rogue ye are. Do ye think that Gamel is verra angry?”

“’Tis clear that he doesnae like being lied to, especially by you. Howbeit, that has surely been made worse by the discovery that he was the only one left to believe it.”

“Oh, sweet heaven, so now he feels the fool.”

“I fear he might. Not that he isnae one. Weel, whatever ye choose to do in the future, if ye must tell some lie about me, I should prefer it if ye would keep my monhood intact.” He smiled when she laughed softly. “I will leave ye now, for I can hear someone coming up the stairs and my guess is that it is your husband.” He kissed her cheek and started off toward his own chamber. “Dinnae let him badger ye into feeling ye are all wrong and he is all right.”

Sine nodded and quickly slipped inside her chamber. She had barely shut the door and moved away from it when it was thrust open so hard it slammed against the stone wall. Gamel stepped into their chambers then shut the door behind him with equal force. Sine was sure she heard the thick wood crack.

“Ye lied to me,” Gamel said softly as he advanced on her.

“’Twas but a wee lie,” Sine murmured as she backed up until she bumped into the bedpost.

“I dinnae think Farthing considered it was so wee. Why did ye lie to me?” He stopped just in front of her, the toes of his booted feet nudging the tips of her soft slippers.

“Weel, ye didnae really give me the time to prepare a reasonable explanation for why I was a virgin when Farthing and I were telling everyone that we were mon and wife. And when ye did press for an explanation, I wasnae really thinking verra clearly so uttered the first thing I could think of.”

Gamel stared at her for a moment, then sighed. “Fair enough. Howbeit, did ye have to let the lie stand? I was the only one who believed that nonsense. I look the complete fool. Aye, and a liar, for I told those MacDougals exactly what ye told me. Farthing probably did bed Sir Peter’s wife and Master David’s daughter.”

“I suspect he did. I am sorry that I ne’er told ye the truth. Truly, I am. But I am not sure ye would have believed the truth anyway. Despite the fact that I was innocent when ye took me to your bed, and e’en when ye thought Farthing unable to possess me, ye still eyed him and me with suspicion.”

“And why shouldnae I think it now?”

She shook her head. “Farthing and I have ne’er been lovers and ne’er will be. Aye, I love him and he loves me, but ’tis the love of close kin. How often must I tell ye that ere ye will believe me?”

He stared at her for a full minute before he sat down on the bed, put his head in his hands, and threaded his fingers through his hair. Some of the hurt he had felt when he discovered that she had lied to him was fading, but he still felt like an utter idiot. He also admitted to his own culpability. He had managed it all wrong from the beginning. He had once thought to woo her, but much to his annoyance, circumstances were making that difficult. Worse, he feared he could well be handling Sine all wrong now.

Sine cautiously sat down beside him. “I dinnae usually lie,” she murmured.

“I ken it,” he said, and sat up straighter, turning his head slightly to look at her. “And I ken that I havenae conducted myself weel in all of this.”

“E’en so, I shouldnae have lied. But ’twas no time to go into lengthy explanations, and when I told the lie, I did so believing that I would ne’er see ye again.”

Gamel suddenly turned, caught her up in his arms, and tumbled her back onto the bed. “’Tis done and forgotten. I should like to swear that I willnae watch ye and Farthing with suspicion, but I cannae. I find that I am a fiercely jealous mon.” He kissed her and was pleased when her response was as swift and fiery as always. “So, Farthing’s parts are still with him and working.” He slid his hand beneath her skirts to stroke her thighs above her gartered hose.

“Aye.” She gasped as she recalled what she and Farthing had been arguing about just before her lie had been revealed. “And he used those parts on Arabel—that traitor!” She tried to get up, but Gamel neatly pinned her to the bed with his body. “I have to go and speak with Farthing. He hasnae explained himself.”

“Aye, he has.” Gamel began to unlace her overtunic. “He told ye—he bedded Arabel because she is your enemy.”

“That doesnae make any sense.”

“It does. Ye just wish to be troublesome. Come, lass—think. Ye ken as weel as I do that many a secret has slipped from the lips of lovers. Farthing but hoped to seduce a few secrets from Arabel.”

“And did he?”

“Weel, nay, not many. He discovered a few names of people she held in her thrall. He also learned a great deal about how she entices men into her web. The woman kens how to flatter a mon, how to act so sweet yet fulfill his every lustful dream. That was helpful, and worth taking the chance for.”

“Aye.” She sighed and shifted her body so that he could tug off her gown. “’Tis just that…”

“Ye are jealous?” He skillfully stripped her down to her thin lacy chemise and stockings.

“Nay. Weel, aye, a wee bit, but certainly not because I wish to bed with him. ’Tis hard to explain.” She ran her hand down his broad back when he sat up to tug off his boots and remove her slippers. “I just dinnae like the thought of him with Arabel. Mayhaps I fear that she will entrap him as she has so many others.”

“Not Farthing. He did confess that she is verra skilled in the art of seduction, but he is probably as sly as she is. Yet he doesnae use that cleverness to do harm. No need to look so surprised,” he said as, having shed all his clothes save for his braies, he settled himself in her arms. “I may often have the urge to securely chain the mon in the pits of Duncoille, but I can still recognize his worth. I also ken that he would ne’er betray ye or the twins. He would cut his own throat first.”

“I ken it also, which is why I didnae tell him of my fears. ’Twould have hurt him deeply. I must also cease this habit of seeing Arabel as some omnipotent demon. She can be beaten. And I am sure that her ability to bewitch men isnae nearly as strong as I fear it is.”

“I wasnae bewitched by her.” Gamel untied her garter and began to slowly unroll her stocking.

Sine murmured her pleasure as he followed the descent of her stocking with light, teasing, yet arousing kisses. “’Tis chilling to see how alike Arabel and I are. ’Tis as if I am staring into a looking glass.”

“Ye arenae all that alike.” He started to remove her other stocking. “She is your dark reflection, no more.”

“My dark reflection,” she whispered, and inwardly shuddered.

She knew that Gamel had meant to ease her concerns, but he had only increased them. What if Arabel was the cursed image of herself? They shared more than looks; they shared blood. Sine suddenly wished she knew exactly when the evil in Arabel had begun to show itself. If she knew that, she might be better able to judge whether or not she too carried that bad seed.

Gamel tossed aside her stockings and began to unlace her shift even as he hungrily kissed her. Sine clung to him, seeking the power of desire to drive the troubles from her mind. Yet, even as she began to succumb to her passion, she began to worry about its strength, about her insatiable hunger. A small voice in her mind kept whispering that Arabel was a whore, that Arabel had that same insatiable carnal hunger.

With a small cry, Sine clung to Gamel even more tightly, hoping to silence the voices in her head. She did not want those whispers to steal the beauty from what she shared with Gamel. Her time with him could prove to be very short. For now she would savor every moment she could grasp with him.