“He had to do it,” Gregor said simply. “I could not have stopped him. He held himself at fault for the boy’s capture.”
And she had reinforced that guilt. She had spit bitterness and spite at him and had not even bid him good-bye when they had parted. “Go after him. Help him.”
Gregor shook his head. “This is the way he wants it. We must continue with the plan. Besides, it’s too late. I would not get there in time.”
He meant that by the time he reached Pekbar, either Alex would be free or Jordan dead.
The terror gripped her, making her chest tight until she could scarcely breathe. “This was a mistake. Aren’t you supposed to take care of him? You should have told him to find another way.”
“If it is a mistake, then there is nothing to be done about it. If you wish to help Jordan, try to make sure Nebrov does not suspect he has reason to hurry back to Pekbar. His horses will be tired from the journey here, and he will not push them on the return without reason.”
And he would run those horses until they dropped dead in their tracks if he knew what was transpiring at Pekbar. “It still may not be enough time.”
Gregor’s eyes narrowed. “You are as pale as the moon. Why are you so upset? If Jordan dies, you will be free of him. Isn’t that what you want? Of course, we will have to find another way to rescue Alex. That will not be simple, but you know we will do it.”
She turned on her heel and went into her tent. She didn’t want to face even Gregor’s kindly inquisition when she felt this naked and vulnerable. Her limbs were shaking, and her stomach was churning with panic.
Jordan could die.
She had not let herself consider the threat to anyone but Alex. She had been so filled with guilt and anger that she had been unable to-
Guilt?
She closed her eyes as the realization struck. She had blamed Jordan because she had not been able to shoulder her own guilt. She had already admitted to herself that she had not been forced to go to Dalwynd. She had gone because she had been helpless to resist the power that had pulled her toward Jordan from their first meeting. She could have fought him, made an attempt to find where Gregor had taken Alex. She had done neither. If she had not given in to temptation, she would have been with Alex to protect him from harm.
If Jordan was guilty, then she shared his guilt as she had shared his lust.
No, for her it had been more than lust. Desire alone would never have led her to take such a step; it had only been the mask to keep her from looking deeper. What she had felt was far more than lust.
And she had not even told him good-bye. She had let him go without a word.
Steady,” Gregor murmured in her ear. “He cannot hurt you. I will be with you every minute.”
Marianna drew a deep breath as she watched the column of torchbearing riders approach. Soldiers had also carried torches that night Nebrov had come to the cottage. The light had illuminated Nebrov’s face, and her mother had recognized him and sent Marianna running to the forest with Alex.
Now he was coming again.
“You need say nothing,” Gregor told her. “I will speak for you.”
Nebrov was close enough now for her to see his face. He did not look like a monster. His features were delicate, his dark eyes large and almost soulful. His silky brown pointed beard made his triangular face appear longer and his thin lips fuller.
“Good evening, Damek.” He reined in his horse before them and slipped gracefully from the saddle. He was a small man, only a few inches taller than she, and meticulously dressed, from his shining black boots to the fur trim on his elegant gray cloak. His gaze went to Marianna. “This is the girl?”
“I’m sure you’ve had descriptions of her.” Gregor gestured to the tent. “Shall we go inside? It is a cold evening, and I would not want you to become chilled. Unless you have doubts about your safety?”
Nebrov took off his doeskin gloves and tucked them in his belt. “Why should I have doubts when I’ve given instructions that the boy dies if any harm comes to me?” He strode into the tent ahead of them, then turned to stare again at Marianna. “Actually she’s far more comely than I had heard. Draken must have enjoyed her. It’s always pleasant when one’s objectives provide alternate satisfactions.” He paused.
“The mother was quite handsome, too, but I was too angry to fully enjoy her. This one appears far more meek and pliable.”
A welcome anger poured through Marianna, melting the ice of fear that had held her silent. “We will not talk about my mother.”
Nebrov raised his brows. “Perhaps she has more spirit than I thought. Tell me, what tricks did His Grace teach you? Would I enjoy them?”
“You are here for the Jedalar,” Gregor reminded him. “Where is the boy?”
“Did you think I’d bring him here? I left him in a safe place in the foothills with instructions not to be brought to your camp until our negotiations have borne fruit.” He smiled at Marianna, revealing tiny crooked teeth. “I was delighted to learn that Draken had persuaded you to create a new Jedalar. It will save me time. Where is it?”
“Where is Alex?”
“I told you that-” He broke off, then went to the entrance of the tent. “Costain,” he called out, “go get the boy.”
Shocked, Marianna quickly looked at Gregor. Had they been wrong? Had Nebrov brought Alex to trade?
Gregor gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
A trick. He meant Nebrov had been prepared for the demand and was attempting to deceive them.
“Costain?” Gregor repeated. His expression hardened, and his scarred face was truly terrifying in the lamplight. “You should have invited him to join us. I have been eager to meet with him again.”
“Marcus told me of your wound,” Nebrov said. “You must have great stamina. He thought he’d killed you.”
“He tried diligently.”
Nebrov dismissed the subject as of no importance. “Well? I’ve sent for the boy. Are you going to continue to whine, or will you show me the Jedalar?”
“I’ll get it.” Marianna went to the table on the other side of the tent and drew from beneath it a glass panel depicting scarlet roses climbing a gray stone wall.
“Give it to me!” Nebrov had followed her and snatched it from her hands. He held it up to the lamp, his eager gaze raking the flowers, square stones, and labyrinth of thorny vines and leaves. “It could be…”
He had not been surprised at the smallness of the Jedalar, she realized with a sudden chill. He had expected it. Everyone else assumed the Jedalar was the entire Window to Heaven, but Nebrov had been aware the map required only one panel. It was clear he knew more than Jordan had known. But how much more?
“Or it could be of no importance at all.” Nebrov fixed his attention on her. “You could be trying to hoax me. Would you be that unkind?”
With effort she kept her voice steady. “And risk my brother’s life?”
“The reports I’ve received say that you’re a devoted sister, but Draken could be using you. Costain told me he had seduced you, and women have been known to choose a lover over family duty.” He pursed his lips, thinking about it. “Draken would not willingly give up the Jedalar. He is a trifle soft on occasion, but he is not a fool.”
“We are here,” Gregor said impassively. “He feels an obligation toward the boy. However, we do not promise not to take the Jedalar back from you after Alex is freed.”
“That would be a very complicated affair,” he said. “No, my guess is that Draken thinks that I will accept the Jedalar, give you the boy, and go my way. That will make the girl grateful, and she will be willing to cooperate and put Jedalar and Zavkov together.”
“Zavkov?” Gregor asked.
Nebrov raised his brows. “Draken didn’t tell you?” His glance shifted to Marianna. “But I’m sure you told Draken everything, didn’t you? He’s reputed to be adept at getting what he wants from women. Yes, he must have known. What’s a key without a lock?” His eyes narrowed on her pale face. “Ah, that frightens you. You did think to fool
