'If you have any doubt, you must send me to sleep again, and tie me,' she had said humbly. 'Do not waste shields upon me that you may give to the little gryphons.' That last had won Treyvan; Darkwind was still not so sure, but his own misgivings were fading. She had given them an amazing amount of information about Mornelithe's stronghold; the problem was, the place was a miracle of defensive capability. Nyara bitterly attributed her easy escape now to the fact that her father had wanted her to get away. Extracting Dawnfire from that warren was looking more and more difficult.
Active discussion'ad died before the sun sank into the west.
But Elspeth was still thinking about the problem and not simply admiring the sunset. 'Darkwind, she's a bird, right? What about getting in, turning her loose, and making some other bird look like her?' Elspeth turned toward Darkwind as the last sliver of sun vanished. 'One person, maybe two, could get away with that.'
'Now that is the kind of sortie I know how to run,' the sword put in.
Darkwind looked pointedly at Nyara.
She coughed politely. 'This would be a good time for me to absent myself. Could I take a walk, perhaps?' she asked. 'Could someone go with me?' And she glanced significantly at Skif, who flushed but did not look as if he would turn down the invitation.
Darkwind found himself torn by conflicting emotions. He knew very well what was likely to happen as soon as those two found themselves alone, and while on the one hand, he was relieved that Nyara had found herself a safer outlet for her needs than himself, he also was unreasoningly jealous.
He didn't trust himself with her. He didn't trust her; she had already told them that Falconsbane had ordered her to seduce and subvert him.
Doing anything except exchanging pleasantries with her was the worst possible idea at the moment.
That didn't stop his loins from tightening every time she looked at him.
And it didn't stop him from being envious of anyone else she cast those golden eyes upon.
'I've done my share of breaking into buildings in my misspent youth,' Skif said hesitantly, with one eye on Nyara. 'But I have the feeling you're thinking of using magic, and that's where you lose me. I suppose we could go take that walk, out of earshot. If only one person goes in, I guess it wouldn't be one of us Heralds-so what I know is pretty superfluous.' Darkwind glanced at Elspeth; he thought he saw a little smile playing at the corners of her mouth, but the light was fading, and he couldn't be sure. He wondered if she would be so amused if she knew what he knew about Nyara.
But there didn't seem to be any reason to object. 'Stay within the ruins,' he said, curtly. 'Skif, I hold you responsible for this woman.
Remember what she's told us; she can't even trust herself.' Skif nodded, but he also rose to his feet and courteously offered Nyara his hand to help her rise as well. Nyara took it, though she didn't need it any more than Darkwind would have. And she held it a moment longer than she needed to.
I don't think he has any idea of what he's in for. She just may eat him alive.
He stopped himself before he could say anything. She isn't my property.
She's too dangerous right now for me to touch. It doesn't matter what I want. Acting on what you want is something only children think is an adult prerogative.
So he held his tongue and watched the two of them walk slowly into the shadows of the ruins, side-by-side, but carefully not-touching.
The sexual tension between them was so obvious that they might just as well have been bound together by ropes.
'I know I'm being incredibly obnoxious to ask this,' Elspeth said behind him. 'But were you two lovers?'
'No, lady,' he said absently, as he struggled to get his jealousy under control. 'No, we weren't. She has that much control of herself; her father ordered her to seduce me, therefore she would not. Otherwise-' he paused, then continued, sensing that this particular young woman would not misinterpret what he was saying. And sensing that he could somehow reveal anything to her, without fear of coming under judgment.' Otherwise we might well have been. She was created for pleasure, I think you know that, or have guessed. It drives her before hunger or pain. She is probably quite-adept at it. She has had most of her life to learn it, and practice.' Elspeth considered his words for a moment, as he turned back to face her. 'You aren't angry at Skif, I hope.' He uttered a short, humorless laugh. 'Angry, no. She cannot help what she is. Envious-yes. Much as I hate to admit it. Envy is not a pretty trait. And you?' Her soft laugh was genuine. 'I am so relieved that he has finally found someone to-well-'
'Drag off into the ruins?' Darkwind suggested delicately.
