What could’ve gone wrong ontheir mission to Haklute? They’d disappeared just hours afterHendora had left them. He knew they didn’t have enough experiencefor the mission. But there hadn’t been anyone else to send and theyneeded to know King Zanton’s plans.
Over the roar of the sea, heheard someone approaching him from behind. He spun around, his handreaching for his blaster. Assassins could attack even on palacegrounds.
A small figure appeared out ofthe dark. Most likely, it was a woman from the size and way shewalked. As the person drew closer, he saw it was Koriann. Beyond her,keeping a discrete distance was one of her personal bodyguards. Herhands were stuffed into her jacket pockets and she’d put up thehood.
“Kori, how did you find me?”he asked when she drew closer.
“It’s no secret that you liketo come here to think.”
“The ocean restores me.”
“You hurried away so quicklyafter the meeting we didn’t have time to talk privately.”
“Sorry. You were talking toyour generals and I needed to get away.” His answer didn’t seemadequate, so he tried to explain. “When I was in Kumba, the warseemed distant, less pressing. It was tempting to remain there, awayfrom this terrible struggle.”
“Do you want to live at Kumba,away from the world and this life?”
“Part of me would. After allthe fighting and death I’ve seen, a quiet life has appeal. In Kumbathe people live in love and peace because they’re at a higher stateof consciousness.”
“I understand your feelings,”she said. “Sometimes I wish I could escape my duties. Are you sureyou don’t want to live in Kumba, rather than marry me and rule atmy side?” Her voice was filled with sorrow and resignation.
He shook his head. “No, Kori,Kumba is an amazing place where one can study and contemplate andrealign oneself. But I wouldn’t be happy there. I just needed totake time for myself to rebalance. Now it’s time to reengage andfight for what I believe in. The Master said Samrat Condor’s spreadof power must be stopped. He’s attempting to extinguish the SecretTeachings and knowledge of the Inner Worlds to thwart personalfreedom. If he wins, the dark powers will overbalance the positive inthis world. And if Samrat Condor conquers this world, The Temple ofKumba will be in danger. He will search for its location and when hefinds it, he’ll destroy it. He’ll hunt Master Bakka as well, andtry to kill him, too.”
Erling cupped his hand on hercheek. “But that is only part of the reason. The other part is morepersonal. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. My heart isyours, Kori. I love you.”
“Are you sure?” Her voicetrembled.
He drew her close and held her inhis arms. “I’m sure. I’ve been confused about many things sinceI nearly died. My love for you wasn’t one of them. You’re thereason I returned to my body instead of staying in the Inner Worlds.I came back out of love for you.” As he spoke he knew it was trueand his love for her filled him on a deep level.
Koriann tilted her head to lookup at him. “You may love me, but you’re no longer in love withme. The passion is gone.”
“That’s not true.”
“A woman can tell when a manwants her. You used to look at me with desire in your eyes, even whenI was engaged to King Zanton. I could feel heat radiating off youfrom across the room; I felt you watching me, even when I was turnedaway. I used to see love and longing in your eyes when you looked atme and I felt it in your touch. I don’t feel it anymore. I don’twant a passionless marriage. I don’t want you to marry me out of asense of duty.”
“I . . . ah.” he faltered,not knowing what to say.” She spoke the truth, though he didn’tunderstand it himself. “I almost died. Things shifted, changed inme. I’m still trying to put the pieces back together.”
“Do you think you’ll everdesire me again?”
“God, I hope so.” He buriedhis face in her silky hair breathing in the smell of lilacs. Theirlips met and he felt a quickening in his body, an awakening as iffrom a deep sleep. The part of him that didn’t want to be caught upin the physical world fought the sensation.
As they continued to kiss, Kori’slove poured into him. His heart opened and a haunting wind from thehigher regions of the Inner Worlds filled his being. He stoppedresisting the sensations building within and let himself enjoy thepleasure of her full lips on his and her breasts pressed into hischest. He remembered the Master telling him that the heart of a womancould lead a man to God.
Her cool hands slid between hisjacket and shirt onto his back. His breathing deepened and an achingfor her coursed through him. He slid his hand onto her breast,feeling its fullness through her jacket. She moaned and an answeringtremor of desire shot through him. Aware that her bodyguard wasnearby, he removed his hand and said, “Let’s go inside.”
“I don’t want to take thechance of you losing interest.”
He chuckled. “Kori love, you’vemanaged to awaken my interest with a few kisses. Imagine what youcould do in my bed.”
“Is that an invitation to yourbed?”
“Yours or mine. I’m notpicky.”
She pressed her hips against him.“You do feel aroused. Perhaps a warm bed would be preferable to asnow bank.”
“And more private.” He puthis arm around her and they started back to the palace. He was awareof her beside him in a new way and felt so close to her that hedidn’t want to let go. They entered the palace through the gardendoor and went to Erling’s bedroom.
“Someone lit a fire,” Erlingsaid, pleased to find the outer sitting room warm and welcoming. Helocked the door to the hallway, took off his jacket and tossed it ona chair, then helped Kori
