Past Betrayals, Past Loves

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “Santiago!” The cry came from strangers bursting into the square. Their shouts blended with the screams. The litter bearers tried to flee but there were too many bodies in the way. Coyllur watched the one holding the Inca topple. Her litter tilted and she slid toward the ground. She screamed for Coca.

  Someone grabbed her. Who? As she was carried into the shadows, she saw the Inca and Sumac being dragged to one of the houses.

  The man who held her lowered her so she could stand. She looked into the face of the man from her dreams.

  “Safe," he said. “Qhari friend.”

  She turned to look at the chaos in the square. “Coca, my friend. Where is she?”

  He shook his head and pointed to her. “You Coyllur. I Guerro.” He raised her hand to his lips.

  Coyllur felt threads of heat circle her heart. This was right and good. He pulled her into his arms and brushed her lips with his. His tongue slid along her mouth. She breathed in the scent of him and knew this closeness had happened before. His hands moved along her arms. She wanted him to caress her flesh the way he had in those dreams.

  “Qhari, come. Need words.”

  “I teach.”

  He led her to the house where the men had taken the Inca. While some of them tried to grab her, he pressed her against his side. He spoke and the men moved away. Coyllur saw her father and the Inca. She broke from Guerro and ran to the man she hadn’t seen for years. “Father.”

  “Coyllur.” He kissed her forehead. “Chaquira and Coca wait for you.”

  She turned to look at the Inca and gasped. What had these men done to him? His clothes were turn. Streaks of dirt stained his skin. His eyes were wary and haunted.

  She looked at her father. “What have they done?”

  “Made him a prisoner.”

  Coyllur sighed. The Inca was doomed. A condor could not live in a cage.

  Sumac rose. She grabbed Coyllur’s arm. “So your father betrayed him. For this you will die and so will he. Suka remains free to seek vengeance.”

  The Inca shook his head. “Take no action. Fate marked us for this event.” His smile reflected sadness. “I will offer them gold and silver if they will let me go.”

  Guerro pulled Coyllur toward the door. A group of men appeared. He pulled her into the shadows.

  The black-robed man headed the group. The ice in his dark eyes made Coyllur gasp. She clung to Guerro’s hand. Would the Inca die today and would she be one of the women to accompany him?

  The Inca rose. He nodded to Qhari. “Tell them of my offer. I will give them enough gold and silver to fill this room.”

  Qhari related the message. One of the men laughed. “I would see this done. Tell him he will live this day.”

  The black robe nodded and left the room. Guerro drew Coyllur outside.

  * * *

  Guerro didn’t like the way the other men had looked at Coyllur. She was his and not one to be passed around. He hurried her to the small house he shared with Qhari. Chaquira and Coca were preparing a meal. He left Coyllur with them and went to find a priest. He was delighted when he saw the secretary. The man would be a good choice for what was needed.

  “Can I help you, my son?”

  Guerro nodded. “I wish to wed one of the native women.”

  The priest frowned. “Why?”

  “To protect her. She is Qhari’s daughter. He has served us well. I fear when the Inca dies, the natives will kill the woman.”

  ‘Why would they do that?”

  “Their custom is to send virgins with the Inca when they die. “Also, she has an enemy at the Inca’s side. This woman threatened Coyllur’s wife.”

  The priest tented his hands and nodded. “She must convert willingly. If she agrees, come to the square near the building tonight.” He pointed to the Sun Temple.

  “She will agree.”

  “What will you do if my superior is angry? What about your family in Spain?”

  “Your superior should be pleased since I will not commit a sin by laying with a woman not my wife the way many of the other men have done.” Guerro hung his head. “I am the youngest son and my father cast me off when I decided to come with Pizarro. Please, Father, this must be done.”

  “Then I will.”

  Guerro returned to the house. Qhari was with the women. Guerro reached for a bowl of stew. “What is happening with the Inca?”

  “In the morning, he will send chasquis to begin the collection of gold and silver. Months will pass before the treasure is assembled.”

  “Then he will die,” Guerro said.

  Qhari nodded. “Before that day we must be gone. What of my child?”

  “I will marry her tonight. You must explain to her what will be done. Like you, she must swear to God and the Christ.”

  Qhari turned to the women and spoke. The priestess nodded and added words. Though Guerro understood some of the words, he waited for the interpreter to speak.

  “We will leave tonight after the ceremony. There is a place where we can stay until it is safe. Coca and my sister will go soon and gather the things we will need for the journey. I will stay to guide you.” He beckoned to Coyllur. “Come, daughter, I will tell you want you must do.”

  * * *

  Coyllur followed her father and Guerro. “What did you say to him?”

  “Tonight the Spanish priest will marry you and Guerro. Once this is done, you will lead us through the temple to meet your aunt and Coca.”

  She nodded. “I know the hidden way. All the temples have the same passage. Tell me more of what I must do tonight.”

  “The priest will ask you questions. You must agree to all he says.”

  She nodded. “But I don’t know their tongue.”

  “I will tell you what he says.”

  She heard a sound and turned. Guerro stood in the doorway. “Will you do this?” he asked.

  “I will be your wife.”

  After dark they left the house and made their way across the dark square. A figure slid from the shadows. “Coyllur.”

  She gasped. Suka stepped into view. He held a knife.

  “Coyllur, in the days to come, now or in the future, all you love will die and you will know when all I have done has come to pass. When you see an emerald in a cage of gold and silver, you will know. Stranger, I will find a way to take your wealth.”

  * * *

  Guerro thrust Coyllur into her father’s arms. “Who is he?”

  “Sun Priest. Enemy.” Coyllur’s whisper reached his ears. When the Sun Priest spoke again, Guerro cursed his poor understanding of the native language.

  “What is he saying?” Guerro asked.

  “He says, ‘Coyllur I have marked you for death,” Qhari said. “You will die with this stranger. He cannot win over what he has set in motion in the far past. Greed for wealth and power rule him now as then.”

  “Not so,” Guerro said. “I have no wealth other than love.”

  “Suka, Sun Priest.” Coyllur’s words came slowly. “You are the one who thirsts for power. You betrayed the Inca and your lover, Sumac. She will follow Atahualpa into death.”

  Though Guerro didn’t understand what she said, he saw the Sun Priest’s body tense and braced for an attack.

  “Do you think I care?” Suka ran toward Guerro.

  Guerro kicked the Sun Priest’s arm. The knife clattered on the ground. Guerro’s fist connected with the native’s jaw and knocked him backwards. His head hit the ground.

  “Bind and gag him,” Guerro said.

  “That is good,” the Spanish priest said. “I will take him to where the prisoners are kept.”

  Coyllur said something. Her father translated. “Put him with the Inca so he can spend his last days with the ones he betrayed.”

  The Spanish priest smiled. “A good move. Now for the ceremony. Kneel and take each other’s hands. I will hear your pledges.” With Coyllur’s father speaking the priest’s words in Quecha, the pledges were made. The priest drew them to their fee
l. “Go with my blessing. I will inform Pizarro you should have a few days with no duties.”

  Guerro gave the priest the gold cup he’d received from the Inca. “With my thanks, Father.”

  When the priest and his prisoner vanished, Guerro pulled Coyllur into his arms. He started to leave her to the house where he could feast on her body.

  Qhari touched Guerro’s arm. “We must leave now. Chaquira has found a change of clothes for both of you.”

  Guerro groaned. His time with Coyllur must wait.

  * * *

  Guerro groaned with frustration. Long days of travel with stops at the way stations had kept him from consummating the marriage. His companions didn’t seem to understand the necessity. Until he and Coyllur were united in body, the marriage wasn’t valid. If they had wed in Spain, observers would be waiting to view the stained sheet. He had other reasons to wish the union was complete. His desire for Coyllur grew stronger every day. He feared when they were finally alone, he would fall on her and satisfy his needs with no thoughts of her.

  They left the main road and traveled along a narrow trail into a high valley. When they arrived at a small village, most of the people were in the fields. An old woman greeted Chaquira and showed her two small vacant and ready to use houses.

  Chaquira sent Qhari and Coca into one. “I will join you after I have blessed this pair.” She stood in the doorway of their house and drew an emerald wrapped in a cage of gold and silver wire. “Though the evil Sun Priest said this bears a curse, he knows nothing of the gem.” She dropped the gem into Coyllur’s hand. “May the Sun and Moon bless your union. The emerald will bring you the fruits of the earth and preserve you forever.”

  “Thank you.” Guerro smiled. The days of travel had given him an understanding of the native language. He took Coyllur’s hand and led her into the second house. At last they would be alone. His body reacted to the thought. His engorged organ rubbed against the breechcloth. Eagerness for Coyllur warred with the need for care.

  Jut inside the doorway, he drew her into his arms and kissed her the way he had yearned for so long. He explored her lips with his tongue and ran his hands over her back until they reached her buttocks. He pressed her against his erection and urged her mouth to open.

  He thrust his tongue into his mouth. His hold on her tightened. The sweetness of her response urged him to rush. He couldn’t. He had to make this time a wonder. He explored her mouth and savored the timid touches of her tongue on his,

  When he freed her mouth, he sucked in deep breaths and stepped back. He drew his tunic over his head. She touched his chest lightly and smiled when his nipples tightened. Lightning shot to his groin. His penis throbbed.

  He opened her belt and tossed it aside. He slid his hands beneath the open sides. Her skin was smooth, silken.

  “Guerro.” She sighed.

  He smiled. “Soon you will be my wife by deed.” He slid the dress over her head and admired her body. Full breasts, narrow waist, flaring hips and the long legs he ached to have wrapped around him. “You are beautiful.”

  A flush spread over her body. “No man has seen me thus.”

  His smile broadened into a grin. “I like what I see.” He removed his breechcloth. His erection sprang free. The thick rod pulsed. He stepped toward her and ran his fingers over her breasts. The nipples tightened. He rolled them between his fingers and heard her gasp.

  “Guerro, what should I do?”

  “Come into my arms and touch your lips to mine.”

  She moved closer. He put his hands on her shoulders and drew her against his chest. Her erect nipples thrust against his skin. She opened her mouth to his probing tongue.

  His hands glided over her back, stroking and massaging. He wanted to lay her on the mat and thrust until his seed filled her womb. He couldn’t. To rush would cause her pain instead of the pleasure he wanted to bring.

  She raised her mouth from his. “I feel strange. Hot.”

  “So do I.” he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the mat. He lay beside her. His fingers grazed over her face and then he leaned forward to nip her mouth. When he turned on his side, he propped himself on one elbow. He cupped her breast. His tongue trailed from her mouth, across her chin and along her throat.

  Her sighs made him smile. When he lapped her nipples, she moaned and reached for him. “Guerro, please.”

  He raised his head. “Soon, my star.” He pressed his hands on the mat and rose over her. Her legs parted and he knelt between them. With hands and mouth, he explored her breasts and her abdomen. The sounds she made raised his desire to a peak.

  His fingers stroked the nest of hair between her legs. As he continued, he felt moisture flow. Soon she would be ready. He touched a spot making her move in a restless dance. He thrust a finger into her passage and then two and three making her ready to receive him.

  "Guerro, Guerro.” As she cried his name, she tightened on his ringers.

  He withdrew them and thrust into her. She gave a gasp. He caught her mouth in a fierce kiss and began to thrust and withdraw. She wrapped her legs around his hips and grasped his shoulders. As one they moved. He raised his head. The pressure built and erupted. “Coyllur,” he cried. “Mine before. Mine now. Mine forever.”

  She echoed his words and curled against him.

  * * *

  Astrid groaned. Her hand opened and something clinked on the floor. Where was she? She pressed her hands against a hard surface. Slowly, memories returned. The vault. She fought panic bordering on incoherence. Once her heart rate slowed and her breathing became less than panicked gulps, she wrapped her arms around her knees. Memories of the dream trip to Peru circled in her thoughts.

  We broke the curse from Egypt. Why did the trouble continue? She recalled the Sun Priest and his ravings. Years ago, Madeline’s father had been killed but not the others who were present in every incarnation of the past. What else had the evil man said? Wealth. Power.

  Clive wanted to bleed Duncan of his money through blackmail. That scheme had failed.

  What now? She needed to escape but there was no way to open the door from inside. How long could she survive in here? There was air but no water or food.

  She pressed a button on the side of her watch. Eleven fifteen. Had Jan arrived? Would she wait or leave? Duncan and her father could be here at any time. Would they come to the shop? She wondered if there was a way to let someone know she was here. Her cell phone lay on the parking lot ground.

  After feeling her way to the door, she pressed an ear against the metal. Oh for a stethoscope so she could hear if anyone was in the shop. She kicked the door and heard a dull thud. With renewed hope, she groped on the shelves for something to use to bang on the door.

  * * *

  Duncan reached the rehab center at nine thirty. Before going to the billing office, he loaded Lloyd’s suitcase in the trunk. The financial end was easily handed. Shortly after ten, he and Lloyd headed back to Rockleigh.

  “I will be glad to be home,” Lloyd said.

  “I imagine you will.”

  Lloyd heaved a sigh. “I have to ask you something.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “I know she’s an adult and it’s not my business but what’s happening between you and my daughter?”

  Duncan gripped the wheel. “Right now, nothing.” He sucked in a breath. “She says she loves me but she doesn’t want to see me.”

  Lloyd nodded. “How does that make you feel?”

  “Confused. If I’d met her down the road…”

  Lloyd leaned back. “I know how you feel. This happened with Sarah. Met her too soon after my divorce or so I thought. We settled for friendship but she never said how she felt about me.”

  “Astrid doesn’t mince words.”

  Lloyd chuckled. “Guess she doesn’t. Last night, I asked Sarah to marry me. She said she will. I think of all the time we wasted. Still, I can’t tell you what to do.”

  “And I don’t know.” Duncan glanced
at the older man. “Part of the problem is those dreams she’s been having. She thinks we’re fated to fall in love and die. Spooks me.”

  “Can’t say I blame you. Think on this. If you believe you would love her in a few years, why not now?”

  Duncan frowned. He had no answer for the question.

  When they reached Rockleigh, they parked behind the shop. Duncan frowned. “Why is Astrid’s car still here?”

  “Maybe she went to the city by bus or she would have gone with Sarah to do. She said she had some shopping to do there.”

  “Could be.” Duncan carried Lloyd’s suitcase to the apartment. “Do you need anything?”

  “Can’t think of a thing. Thanks.” Lloyd clasped Duncan’s hand. “We’ll talk about a bit of payback when I learn how much Clive siphoned off. I still can’t believe he’s a thief.”

  “Makes two of us. No hurry on the payback. It’s only money and I have plenty.”

  “Hope you didn’t say that to Astrid.”

  “I’m afraid I did.”

  “Then good luck in your chase.”

  “Right.” Duncan headed down the steps. As he strode to his car, he noticed a cell phone on the ground. He stooped to pick it up. As he straightened, Jan dashed around the corner. “Have you seen Astrid?”

  “No.”

  She frowned. “She was supposed to meet me here around eleven. I was delayed.”

  “Maybe she’s stuck in city traffic.”

  “She didn’t say anything about going there. The strange thing is the door of Antiquities is open and …the place doesn’t look right.”

  “I’ll check.” Duncan strode around the corner and stepped into Antiquities. When he looked around, he noticed the open cases and though he wasn’t sure there seemed to be pieces missing. He reached for his cell friend to call the police when it rang. “Garrett,’ he said.