“Okay, I promise. What aboutErling? Is he still fighting King Zanton tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid so. I couldn’ttalk him out of it.”
“Koriann should throw KingZanton out of Jaipar instead of allowing a duel.”
“I’ll suggest that to her inthe morning. I imagine she’s trying not to antagonize Zanton anymore than he already is for political reasons.”
“True, but she must know hecan’t be trusted.”
Once Toemeka finished her soup,Michio set the tray on the nightstand. He took the pillows frombehind her, helped her lie down, then turned off the light.
“Don’t go!” Toemeka said.
“I’m not leaving.”
“I was scared I’d lose thebaby. I’d never forgive myself if I had a miscarriage because ofthat mission.”
He heard trepidation in hervoice. It was rare for her to admit vulnerability. “The baby’sall right,” he said, hoping to reassure her, “but you need totake it easy.”
“Come to bed. I want you nearme. I’m still in knots.”
He undressed and joined her inbed. “What has you in knots?”
“Everything. I’m worriedabout losing the baby and about Erling fighting a duel. On top ofthat, you’re mad at me.”
“I shouldn’t have gottenangry with you.”
“You have a right to be angry.I risked our baby’s life. Michio, I missed you terribly these lastweeks. It feels like part of me is gone when we’re separated. Ilove you so much.”
“I love you, too.” It struckhim that tonight her defenses were down and she was completely opento him. Perhaps in her exhaustion, her need for them to be close wastoo strong for her to hide anything. He drew her close and kissedher. “I hated leaving you and worried the training would take manymonths or even years.”
“I’m glad it didn’t takeany longer than it did.” They lay on their sides, facing oneanother. She lightly traced her fingers along his jawbone and thendown his chest.
He lifted her hand and kissed herfingertips, wondering when she’d be well enough to make love. Heached with desire for her after their long separation.
She ran her fingers through histhick hair. “Your hair’s gotten longer.”
“Most of the men wore theirhair long at the monastery, so I didn’t bother cutting it.”
“I like it. I like everythingabout you.” She yawned. “Goodnight, my love.”
“Goodnight.” By the light ofBorko’s double moons, he watched her drift off to sleep, cradled inhis arms. He’d never loved anyone with the depth and breadth thathe loved her. She was so perfectly formed—her features refined,complexion smooth and soft and her body exquisitely curved. But itwas what was inside, the connection they had at Soul level that madehim love her so deeply. He’d never loved her more and felt they’dtaken another step in their relationship, crossed a bridge to a levelof openness that wasn’t there before. She’d been hurt in the pastand now she was beginning to trust enough to expose her fragile sideto him.
His contentment faded as he felta shadow creeping across their happiness. Something dark lay in thefuture that he couldn’t quite bring into focus. He wondered how tokeep her safe and defend her from her impulsive, adventuresomenature.
Koriann pulled at the ropes thatbound her wrists. The more she tugged, the tighter they became. Herpanic mounted—Zanton would return at any moment.
She struggled into a sittingposition, intent on escape, and scanned the room for something shecould use to cut the rope. Maybe breaking a drinking glass and usinga shard to cut through the ropes would work. Then her eyes lit onZanton’s encased sword.
She scooted to the end of thebed, swung her bound feet to the floor and hopped to the dresser.Reaching it, she gripped the sword and pulled it partway out of itssheath. She slid the rope binding her hands back and forth acrossblade. One of the ropes fell away and she kept sawing, until finallythe bindings fell to the floor. She yanked the gag off her mouth anduntied her ankles, encouraged by her success.
She left the bedroom and went tothe sitting area, planning her escape. At the door to the hallway,she pressed her ear to the wood and heard Tyrin say, “I wonder whyKing Zanton isn’t back yet.”
A man whose voice she didn’trecognize replied, “Captain Orneil must not be cooperating.”
Thehall was out!She’d have to find another way. Perhaps she could escape by thebalcony. She stepped onto the balcony and her stomach flip-floppedwhen she saw how high up she was. Zanton’s room was on the fourthfloor; there was no way she could climb down the wall. She looked inthe direction of Erling’s balcony. She’d given him one of thenicer guest rooms, just two doors down from Zanton’s. Perhaps shecould make it to Erling’s room by using the balconies and walkingon the narrow ledge between them.
Butwhat if I fall? Yet wasn’t taking the risk better than staying? Herskin crawled as she thought ofZantontouching her. Her fear of heights competed equally with her hatred ofZanton.
Finally, she climbed over thebalcony railing and stepped onto the narrow ledge. She pressed hersweaty left hand against the side of the wall for balance and let goof the railing with her right. She thought of Erling as she eased herway along the narrow ledge. He said he loved her and told King Zantonhe was going to marry her. Her heart danced at the thought of beingmarried to Erling, replacing the heaviness she’d felt since she’dfirst agreed to marry Zanton.
She reached the next balcony,climbed over the railing and sank onto the balcony floor. With herknees drawn up to her chest, she took several deep, gulping breaths.Feeling calmer, she tried to open the balcony door to the guest roomand found it locked. She yanked hard, knowing it was pointless. Evenif she could get into the room, the guards in the hallway would seeher as soon as she left the room.
She crossed to the other side ofthe balcony. Erling’s balcony was just another six feet away.Footsteps sounded below and she flattened herself against the wall asone of Zanton’s guards walked through the palace grounds.
How had King Zanton been able todismiss all her guards and why would her men
