Everlasting

turned to Zack and kissed him with a fierceness that startled him. “You take care of yourself. I want you back here safe and sound in an hour. And no more dodging bullets, do you hear?”

The slightest smile broke the gravity of his face. “Yes, ma'am. I'll try to keep that in mind.”

“See that you do.” She was blinking furiously as she jumped from the helicopter to the ground. She would not cry. Nothing could happen to Zack now. Surely the worst was over. Yet this self-admonition did very little to loosen the fear that was clawing at her, and she felt tears brimming in her eyes. She didn't want to be parted from him now, dammit. She had been so close to losing him in those woods tonight. All she wanted to do was run off with him somewhere. She wanted to hide and hold him until the realization finally sank in that he was safe and blessedly alive. No, that was a child's reaction and she mustn't give in to it. She must get on with her responsibilities and release Zack to do his.

She forced herself to smile and to lift her hand in a jaunty salute. Then she slammed the door and turned to walk toward Paulo and Marna. She heard the engine start, but didn't turn around to see the helicopter lift off.

Paulo's sympathetic gaze was raking her tense face and glittering eyes. “He's taking Karpathan to his men?”

She nodded silently.

“Nothing will happen to him. Zack is very strong and so is Karpathan.” His lips curved in a curious smile. “An interesting man, that Karpathan. I would like to go hunting with him sometime.”

She shivered. Karpathan would be the deadliest of hunters and the civil unrest in which he had involved himself would offer ample opportunity to display that lethal talent.

“You think he would have the qualifications you demand in your hunting companions?” Her voice was still a little ragged, despite her attempt at lightness.

Paulo tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. His big calloused hand was as gentle as his gaze. “I just might decide to take you along the next trip, little one. You have learned one of those qualities very well.”

“When to let go?” She shook her head. “I haven't learned it very well at all. I want to scream and stamp my feet and howl at the moon.”

“But you are not doing any of those things, and you did let him go. That is what is important.”

“What is important is getting Kira back to camp and getting her something to eat,” Marna said crossly. “And you are not to take her hunting, Paulo. You never know when to stop. You would have her starved and exhausted before you brought her home.”

“I'm afraid there won't be any hunting for anyone in the near future.” Kira was abruptly jarred back to the realities of the situation. “We have to pack up and move the tribe farther into the hills. Sandor said it would be very dangerous for you to stay here. There's going to be a war, Marna.”

“So? Will it stop the war if you do without dinner?”

Paulo's deep chuckle boomed out. “Give in, little one, we will go nowhere until she's satisfied.”

“But there's no time. How can you be so calm? The war will-”

Marna stopped her with an abrupt gesture of her hand. “There are always wars. Lands are invaded, old governments fall, new governments rise. Everything changes.” She tapped her breast with her fist. “Everything but us. We stay the same. That is our strength.”

Yes, that was the strength of her people, Kira thought, traditional values which didn't change with each waft of the wind, but stood firm through the centuries. Kira shook her head in resignation. “All right. While I eat, you pack. Is it a deal?”

“Of course.” Marna's brows lifted in surprise. “That is very sensible. When have I ever been anything but practical?”

“Never.” Kira stood on tiptoe to brush a light kiss on her broad cheek. Magic and strength and love. For Marna, these qualities defined practicality, and who was to say that she wasn't right? She linked her arm through Marna's and urged her gently back toward the encampment. “You're quite right. No one in the world is more pragmatic than you.”

TEN

KIRA LIFTED THE two-year-old back into his parents' wagon, pressing a kiss on the delicious chubbiness of his cheek as she did so. “Stay there,” she warned sternly. It was the third time he had crawled out of the caravan since they had started packing up and breaking camp. Chirak appeared to delight in getting underfoot, and she could tell by the gleam in his bright, dancing eyes that he would probably do it again as soon as her back was turned.

She turned around, her gaze raking the camp. It was almost done. The fire had been extinguished, the horses hitched to the wagons, and each family's belongings carefully packed in its caravan. Even the saldana caravan had been pulled over to join the others in the encampment. They were nearly ready for departure and still Zack hadn't come back.

Her worried gaze lifted to the moonlit sky. She had been working feverishly to try to block out the fear, and the moment she stopped, panic began to rise in her again.

“He will return soon. It has not been that long.”

Kira turned to where Marna was standing a few feet away. “Three hours. What could he be doing for three hours?”

Marna shrugged. “He will tell us when he comes back.”

If he comes b-No, she wouldn't think that. Marna was right, he'd be here any minute. “Are you ready to leave? Zack will want to take off again as soon as he arrives.”

Marna was silent for a long moment. “I am ready.” She paused again. “But I am not going with you.”

Kira wasn't even surprised. She knew that somewhere deep inside she had been half-expecting this reaction. “You never did intend to go, did you? From the moment we crossed back from Sedikhan you planned to stay with them.”

Marna slowly nodded. “I have a place with them.”

“You have a place with me.” Kira's eyes were glittering with unshed tears. “I love you, dammit.”

“But you do not need me. The mondava is completed. You are a woman now, in heart as well as in body.” Marna gestured, her hand encompassing both the camp and the people bustling cheerfully around them. “They need me. The times may not be good again for a long while. We will have to hold fast to each other.”

“That's what I want to do to you-hold fast,” Kira said huskily.

The tiniest smile tugged at Marna's lips. “But you will not do it. You have learned to let go, remember?”

Kira was silent, fighting tears. “No, I won't do it. Not if that's what you want.” She gave up the battle and two tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. “I love you, Marna Debuk.”

Marna's big hands cradled Kira's cheeks and she kissed her very gently on the forehead. “And I love you, Kira Rubinoff. You will always be with me.”

“I will always be with you,” Kira said softly. “As you'll always be with me.” She drew a shaky breath. “This is so stupid. We sound like this is forever. I won't accept a lifelong separation. Absolutely not. I'm going to find a way for us to be together, and not only in spirit, dammit.”

“We will see,” Marna said noncommittally. Her head lifted suddenly, her gaze on the sky. “He is here.”

“He is?” Kira's heart gave a leap of relief and joy. She still couldn't hear the familiar whir, but she didn't doubt the statement. “Oh, thank God.”

Marna released her and stepped back. “Go to him. I have work to finish.”

The helicopter was coming down as she reached the glade, and by the time she had run across it, Zack was opening the door. She leaped into his arms and held on tight. Her face was buried in his chest and her voice was a little muffled. “You're late. Why the devil are you so late? I was so scared, so worried…” Her voice trailed off. Oh, dear heaven, how she loved him. He was here. Safe.

“We ran into a little trouble.” Zack was smoothing her tangled curls with gentle hands. “Or I would have been back a long time ago.”