A Fugitive's Kiss

by Jaime Clevenger

  “I’ll go get you dry clothes.”

  “Will you stay with me instead? I don’t want to be alone.” Darin’s voice faltered.

  Aysha glanced at the door and then back at Darin. Finally she sat down at the blanket’s edge. When Darin shivered, Aysha reached for her hand. Her fingers wrapped Darin’s, her palm warm and steadying. Darin closed her eyes, hoping Aysha wouldn’t let go. Some time passed before she felt Aysha shift. She opened her eyes as Aysha lay down on the blanket. Her heart thumped in her chest and she held her breath. Aysha curled her body against Darin’s and wrapped her arms around her chest. A heat burned through Darin at every point Aysha’s body touched hers.

  “Are you warm enough?”

  Darin shook her head. She didn’t want her to let go.

  “You can sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

  Sleep seemed impossible with Aysha pressed against her, but Darin closed her eyes. The dreams began almost instantly. Instead of Alekander or the river, she dreamt of kissing Aysha, moving from her lips to her neck. As she began to undress her, Darin woke with a start. She was flushed with the thought of what her body wanted.

  Aysha’s hand had shifted to Darin’s hip. Her breathing was uneven; she wasn’t asleep. Darin turned to face her and Aysha touched Darin’s forehead with a soft fingertip. “You’ve been dreaming.”

  “Of you,” Darin admitted.

  “Of me?”

  Darin pressed into her lips, savoring the scent of Aysha’s musk, the feel of her mouth opening to hers. She knew her desire was shared and longing pulsed in her own body. But when she started to push up Aysha’s tunic, needing to touch her skin, Aysha shifted away from her hands.

  “I can’t,” she said.

  Darin tried to hide her disappointment. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the dark rafters, wishing she could stop the throbbing between her legs. Never had she thought of making love to a woman, even as close as she’d been to Thea. Aysha’s hand touched her shoulder. Darin moved away from her and pulled the blanket up to her chin. It wasn’t anything she could explain. She craved Aysha—just the closeness alone left her chest hollow with want. But what she wanted made no sense. And Alekander was close. Too close.

  * * *

  Hours later, in the still, dark night, Darin awoke again. Aysha’s arm was draped over her side. When she turned her head, Aysha met her gaze.

  “Go back to sleep,” she said softly. “I’m keeping watch.”

  She rolled over and slipped into another dream. Aysha was kissing her lips, not pulling away…

  When she woke again she was alone. Aysha had left a bowl of barley mash near a folded pile of Darin’s dry clothing. Darin hugged the blanket close to her body and waited for Aysha to push the barn door open. She could hear her in the courtyard calling the chickens.

  Aysha came back to the barn some time later. She noticed that Darin was awake but didn’t say anything. After she fed the horses, she rinsed her hands and looked over at Darin. A faint smile edged her lips. It was only then that Darin saw the red line on her neck. She searched last night’s memory and suddenly felt her knife in her hand. The muscles had retained what her mind wanted to forget. She sickened at the thought of how her knife had slipped across Aysha’s neck and how easy it would have been to drive the blade deeper into her skin. Anything could have happened when her senses lifted.

  Aysha came to sit next to her. “I didn’t want to wake you. You’re a beautiful sleeper.”

  Beautiful wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She hated that Aysha could pretend nothing was wrong. The blade’s mark on her neck seemed to turn more red the longer she eyed it. “When I came in last night…I don’t remember what happened.”

  “You fainted,” Aysha said.

  “I cut you.”

  “You weren’t trying to hurt me. It was only my bad timing to catch you.” She reached for Darin’s hand. “Let it be.”

  “Let it be?” Darin pulled her hand back, shaking her head.

  “It’s what we say when you can’t change something. What happened last night…forget it happened.”

  Darin wondered if she meant only the knife. “I can’t.” Aysha wouldn’t forget either, no matter what she said.

  Darin exhaled and stood up, reaching for her clothes. She didn’t want Aysha to see her naked now. “Mistakes are something you always pay for. Where I’m from, people are enslaved for things their grandfather did. What if I’d killed you?”

  “You didn’t. And the mark will fade. Let it be,” Aysha repeated.

  “Some things you can’t let be.” She nearly laughed at the idea of telling Alekander to “let it be.” Nothing could stop his vengeance.

  “I brought you breakfast,” Aysha said, pointing to the bowl. “You should eat while it’s still warm. It tastes terrible cold.” She went to the door and then stopped before she’d opened it. “Will you be here later?”

  Darin nodded. She considered leaving, remembered Alekander at the inn, and then decided she was too numb to move anyway. Her thoughts were in a worse state. What had happened to the rich scent of desire wafting from Aysha that had drugged her before? Either she had found a way to disguise her scent or the desire was gone. Darin guessed it was because of her knife. “I’m sorry.” The apology wasn’t enough to undo the mark or the rent it left inside her chest.

  Aysha only nodded. “There was a bounty hunter looking for you…You’ve got to stay hidden. He’s asking everyone about you and he’s offering a reward.”

  “I don’t think he’ll stay in Glen Ore for long. I’ve only got to wait him out. But you can’t talk to anyone about me. Not even your brother. Alekander can hear whispers on the wind.”

  A man’s voice outside sent Aysha to the door. She left before Darin could say more. Darin hurried to finish dressing and then ate the barley mash. Before she’d finished, she heard footsteps and quickly hid in the far corner of the barn just as the door swung open. The neighbor came in whistling. He groomed and tacked Cobalt, whistling all the while. He took his time leaving but never once glanced in her direction.

  Hours passed in the quiet barn, and she wondered when Aysha would return. Somehow she needed to get news on Alekander, but she couldn’t risk leaving. Seeing him yesterday freshened every memory. But now thoughts of him were interspersed with thoughts of Aysha.

  Deciding she didn’t want to think at all, she finally set about turning a walking staff that she’d found among the tools in the barn into a spear. After carving the tip until the point was sharp enough to draw blood, she drilled with the weapon until sweat beaded on her forehead. The voice of the elite hunter who’d trained her echoed in her head: Parry a knife, stab a staff, sweep the sword… Fight your enemy, never their weapon. She lunged forward with the spear, then circled back and slashed the air with her knife, imagining Alekander’s chest ripped wide, his blood pooling on the floor.

  When she tired of fighting the feigned battle she knew she’d lose in reality, she rinsed again in Cobalt’s trough and dried off with the wool blanket Aysha had left. The scent of her musk was still on the fibers. She’d leave the spear for Aysha. Even if she didn’t know how to use the weapon, at least it was something she could grab if someone came into the barn.

  A flute’s sharp notes caught her attention and she peeked through the cracks in the barn door. The flute player must be Aysha’s brother. He shared her slight build, the same shade of light brown skin and same full lips. His brown hair was tied at the nape of his neck with a loop of leather—exactly as Aysha had worn hers when she’d been working in the fields. Even the almond shape of his eyes mirrored hers.

  Another man lounged in the grass next to him. Given his long blond hair and red cheeks, there was no doubt he had Northern blood. But his broad nose was a Southerner’s. He seemed relaxed in the courtyard and innocent enough, but when he smiled… Darin tensed. Something about him made her wary. She wanted to catch his scent alone, but the breeze in the courtyard mixed too many smells together.


  Aysha appeared with a basket of bread and cheese. She laid the basket in front of the men, squatted on her heels and bantered with the blond man about her brother. Pretending not to hear them, he finished his flute song, a beautiful haunting melody, then leaned over and kissed the other man’s lips.

  Darin surprised herself by gasping out loud. In the North, no man would kiss another man openly. But then she’d never thought of sleeping with a woman until she’d sensed Aysha’s desire. Even as she tried to dismiss her body’s longing, her mind obsessed with the thought of kissing her again.

  The wind shifted, bringing with it a strong scent of clove—and something else. Its source became evident when the front gate swung open and a beautiful woman with skin a shade lighter than Aysha’s strode in. Her eyes probed each of the faces in the courtyard before narrowing in on Aysha’s.

  The hairs on Darin’s neck raised as the scent of onion overpowered that of clove. Strong smells were more important. More ominous. The pungency of this odor made her step back from the door. She knew the scent of anger all too well.

  Darin didn’t need Alekander’s enhanced hearing to catch most of the conversation that followed. Aysha was this woman’s lover—or had been until last night. That much she understood quickly. What Aysha said was lost to the wind, though. Her voice was soft, and it was clear she was trying to diffuse the woman’s anger.

  Darin’s heart sank as Aysha pointed to the house and reached for the woman’s hand. She recoiled, raising her hand as if threatening a slap, but after a tense moment, she stepped forward into Aysha’s arms.

  The women disappeared inside the house, and Darin retreated to the tight but now familiar nook behind the tack, imagining Aysha kissing the woman and the soothing touches she might make to calm her. She squeezed her eyes tight to try to stop the thoughts that followed.

  Chapter Five

  Aysha didn’t cry until the door slammed behind Shawn. For too long she sat on the bench in the kitchen wishing the tears would stop. Shawn was selfish and emotional—she’d admitted as much herself. But she was passionate and loving as well. Tonight’s fight wasn’t their first. But now it would be their last. She’d finally let go of Shawn. Instead of feeling relief, she only felt emptiness.

  Ranik and Jenner came in, both glancing at her with kind looks. Jenner lit a fire and Ranik set about making dinner.

  “You know how I’ve always felt about Shawn,” Ranik said. “You could do better. She’s only interested in someone who’ll fawn over her. Like Callan.”

  Aysha sighed. “Don’t start, Ranik.”

  Worry lines creased his brow. “I’m only saying I want someone better for you.”

  “Can we talk about something else?” Aysha said.

  Jenner cleared his throat. “I heard a bounty hunter was in town. Big brute of a man. Everyone’s saying he looks half crazed.”

  Aysha kept her eyes down. The whole town was discussing the Northern bounty hunter and his reward while she had let herself become attached to his prey.

  “He’s already left,” Ranik said. “I saw him arranging for a ride on a wagon to Glen Roushe.”

  “At least he’s not asking for a riverboat,” Jenner said.

  Aysha stood up. She had to say goodbye to Darin. “I think I’ll take my dinner to the barn and let you two be alone. I’d like the company of a good horse or two tonight. They won’t mind my griping about Shawn.”

  “Take an extra blanket,” Ranik said. “There’s a cold wind tonight.”

  The sky had darkened to a dusty dark blue and Aysha shivered when she stepped outside. She hurried to the barn and then stopped short as she pushed open the door. Darin’s eyes met hers. She was wearing her cloak with the hood pulled over her head. In the shadowy light, it was hard to see her face.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “It’s after dusk.”

  “I thought you’d wait to say goodbye.”

  “I have been waiting,” Darin returned evenly.

  Aysha bit her lip. “He’s left town, you know. He’s gone to Glen Roushe. Ranik saw him arranging for a wagon ride.”

  “I searched for his scent, but I couldn’t tell which way he’d gone. Glen Roushe?”

  “It’s north of here. You must have passed through on your way to Glen Ore.”

  “He went north?” Darin shook her head. “That makes no sense.”

  “Unless he’s given up.”

  Darin was studying Aysha’s face. “You’ve been crying. What happened?”

  “Shawn and I…” Aysha stopped. Darin’s intense gaze made her lose track of her thoughts. She started again, “Shawn and I broke things off.”

  “Shawn?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” Aysha didn’t want to think of Shawn now. She stepped forward to close the distance between them. Darin’s lips were only inches from hers. But she stopped short of kissing her. Her knees went weak as she brushed her hand over Darin’s cheek. It was the softest place on her. Last night she’d taken a full account. Her jaw was as sharp as a knife. Her back and sides were covered with scars, her legs and arms peppered with bruises and scabs, and her hands and feet were calloused. She had no curves, only angles, and her gaze was piercing. Still, Aysha was more attracted to her than anyone she’d ever met. And now that she was close to her again, all she could think of was kissing her. When she couldn’t hold out any longer, she pressed into Darin’s lips.

  Darin gripped her hand as their kiss deepened. Aysha moved against her, wanting to feel her body as close as they’d been the night before, but Darin immediately stepped back. She shook her head. “I can’t stay…”

  If Darin could smell desire, she’d certainly know lust. Aysha couldn’t hide her emotions. She wanted Darin even if she’d never see her again. “There’s nothing I could say to keep you?”

  “The longer I wait to leave, the closer a bounty hunter will get to this barn. Alekander will have paid other men to hunt me down. It’s not only him I have to worry about.” She adjusted the pack on her shoulders. “And if you’re here with me when they come…”

  “I’d risk it,” Aysha said.

  “You haven’t had someone chasing you before.”

  Aysha couldn’t argue. She thought of the bounty hunter and how his voice alone had made her shake. If there were more than one of those men after her, she doubted she’d risk staying in one place for long either. And the last thing she wanted was Darin to be hurt. She sighed. “You’d travel faster with a horse.”

  “I was going to steal yours,” Darin admitted. “Before I knew you.”

  “Before you knew me? I’d rather you buy my horse than steal him—even if you didn’t know me. You could afford more than one. I saw your coin purse last night—I’ve never seen so much gold.”

  “I don’t want a horse now.” Darin walked over to Prince’s stall. He came forward, nosing between the rails for a hand out. She held out her hand, letting him sniff her. “I thought I could outrun Alekander with a horse. But I couldn’t risk buying one. Who could I trust not to say something? Northerner’s gold for a horse—anyone would tell the story. So I had to pick out one to steal…I watched you in the field that day. I’d already chosen this horse and I only had to wait for nightfall.”

  “What stopped you?”

  “I fell asleep.” Darin cocked her head. “Well, there’s more to it than that…After you went into the house for the night, I fed both of them an extra flake of hay and gave them grain to get used to me. They hardly needed it—either of them would go with anyone—but I didn’t know how long it’d be before another meal. Then I sat down to wait for them to finish eating. I was so tired. I laid down only for a moment. When I woke, it was dawn, or nearly, and you were here. There was something about you…”

  “If I knew I had that much power—”

  “You do,” Darin interrupted.

  Aysha felt a flush come up her neck. She glanced down at the basket of food she’d brought. “I brought food for you to take.”
<
br />   “I can’t take the fish—the scent’s too strong. But I’ll take some of the nuts and that dried fruit.”

  “I don’t know how you can smell the nuts over the fish.” Aysha reached into the basket, pushing aside the bread and the fish to find the nuts and the fruit at the bottom. She handed a sack of nuts and dried berries to Darin, then picked up an apple and held this out as well. “Does it ever get tiring? Smelling everything, both good and bad?”

  Darin unwrapped her cloak enough to pull her pack forward. She stowed away the nuts and dried berries and started to pack the apple too but then took a bite. “They say the lucky ones are born with each sense as strong as the other. None of them stronger. But I couldn’t bear to live without my stronger sense. It guides me.”

  “I have my eyes for that,” Aysha countered. “I know you’re hungry. Nuts and fruit won’t keep you for long. Stay and eat the fish and the bread with me. Then I won’t try and keep you.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a meal with anyone.”

  “Then sit down.” Aysha set out the rest of the meal. “If a hunter was close, would you tell me?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “You’re anxious. I can’t smell emotions, but some things are obvious.”

  “I can’t smell all emotions—only the strong ones.” Darin sat down on the hay, taking another bite of the apple. “And when I catch a strong scent, my other senses fade. I can hardly see what’s in front of me. I have to trust what I smell. I’m not anxious because of any hunter.”

  “What is it then?”

  “I’ve never met someone like you.” Darin looked over her apple at Aysha. She took another bite. “Your apples aren’t as good as ours. I have been trying to find something I like better about the North. So far, it’s only the apples.”

  Aysha held her gaze. She wanted her kiss again—and more. The look in Darin’s eyes made her certain that she wanted the same.