The sudden cessation of wind and snow left Raf strangely disoriented. Outside, the world churned white. Inside, it was dark and still. The odor of wood smoke, burning meat and hair hung in the air. Though still cold, the air no longer bit at his flesh.
Dale stirred in his arms.
"Where are we?” Her voice sounded husky.
"In a cave."
She straightened and pulled back from him. “I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
In the dim light he could see her frown. “It is my fault. You were suffering from the beginning of hypothermia. I did not pay attention to the weather and forgot you do not have my stamina."
Anger sparked in her eyes. Her body went rigid. “I'll have you know I..."
He stopped her words with a finger to her lips. “Shhh. Do not yell. We are not alone here. Listen. Look."
Over the stone muted roar of the storm, he could hear the sharp snap and crackle of a fire. The cave was a bit higher than his head. Several quinar lengths ahead it made a sharp turn. From beyond the turn came the reddish glow of a fire.
A low keening sound raised the quinar's heads. They tried to move backward.
"What is that noise?” Dale asked.
Raf lowered her to the ground. She wavered then found her balance. He dismounted and secured the nervous quinar to an outcrop of rock. “Shall we find out?” Gripping his sword, he crept forward.
Crystal snicked against leather as Dale pulled her knife. The skin between his shoulder blades tingled. He forced his doubts away. She would be foolish to kill him now. She needed him to survive. He refused to consider how right it felt having her at his back. Even if she was innocent of any involvement with Devros, she was still a woman. And women were not to be trusted.
"What are we waiting for?” Her words whispered across his cheek.
Hugging the wall, they moved forward. The glow from the fire grew brighter, illuminating the cavern, a fissure of solid crystal. Yellow flames reflecting off blue crystal gave the cave an eerie greenish hue. Heat washed over them.
At a glance Raf knew this was a natural cave. No man had mined this cave for its valuable crystal.
Like a mournful wind, the keening rose and fell in waves around them. Inhuman in its sound, it scraped Raf's nerves with its soul deep agony.
Dale's fingers closed around his upper arm. Her shudder raced through him.
Abruptly, the keening stopped.
"Do not hesitate, humans. Come join your comrades in death.” The voice, harsh and raspy with pain, came from beyond the flickering flames.
"We are not with those who raided your home. We come in peace. We mean you no harm.” Raf let the point of his sword dip toward the ground, a gesture of peaceful intent.
"Crat! Humans do nothing but harm.” A figure rose behind the fire. A Shakar. Soot and blood obscured the color of the creature's fur. Her eyes reflected the blue-green glow in the cave.
Before he could stop her, Dale darted from behind him. “T'Sela?"
The Shakar paused. “Who are you? T'Sela is dead. She died along with her child. Her body will soon become one with the fire. But first the Falin assisted me in seeing the killers received Shakar justice."
The smell of burning hair stung Raf's nostrils. T'Mal's children had perished, their small bodies consigned by their mother to Eternity in a cleansing flame.
Since the Shakar and Falin shared the same haunts, legend often linked the two. Apparently, this legend had a basis in fact.
"You're not dead,” Dale insisted. “Don't give up on life."
T'Sela stepped out from behind the fire.
"Dale. No.” Raf reached out to snag Dale's arm as she took a step forward, but she evaded his hand. Quick and deadly, a Shakar could rip a man—or a woman—apart in moments. Raf lifted his sword and swore silently. Dale stood between him and the Shakar.
"What do you know of loss, human?” T'Sela sneered.
"More than I'd like."
Raf barely heard Dale's whisper.
"My child is dead. What shall I live for?” T'Sela demanded.
"What about T'Mal?"
"T'Mal lives?” Hope sparked in the Shakar's eyes.
"Yes, and T'ala. They requested our help in searching for you."
"It matters not.” The light in T'Sela's aqua eyes faded. “My honor is gone. My body is broken. I am of no use to T'Mal. My death will serve him better."
"That's utter nonsense, and you know it. If your positions were reversed, would you want T'Mal dead? Is it so easy to find a mate?"
Raf tensed as Dale strode up to the Shakar. If the creature attacked, could he respond in time to save Dale?
"No.” T'Sela's shoulders sagged. “No matter what, I would wish T'Mal to live. Part of him is worth a hundred others."
Dale touched T'Sela's arm. “Then give him the same choice. Trust in his love."
How easily she spoke of love and trust. Could a woman of her courage and compassion be an accomplice of a man such as Devros?
Dale caught T'Sela as she crumpled. The Shakar's weight carried them to the cave floor. Harsh sobs racked T'Sela's slender body as she clung to Dale.
Raf sheathed his sword and turned away before he found himself unmanned by a woman's tears.
Should he leave Dale alone with T'Sela?
"Dale. I will see to the quinar. Be cautious."
Arms around the crying Shakar, she looked up with a frown and waved him away.
He found the quinar near the cave's entrance. They'd tucked themselves into tight balls of shaggy fur. Even a Falin's long teeth and claws would have difficulty reaching through their thick pelts. Quinar were gentle beasts, but their size and strength discouraged most predators. Moving quickly and with some effort, he located their reins, secured the beasts and collected their packs.
Outside, the storm still raged over the mountains. A maelstrom of white obscured his vision past a few feet from the cave's entrance. He did not venture farther. He saw no sign of the Falin or their prey.
Assured they were safe, at least for the moment, he hurried back to the fire. Without T'Sela to feed them, the flames had lost their intensity. The fire burned low and steady, spreading comforting warmth through the cave.
Dale met him as he approached. “Shh. She's asleep.” She tugged him toward the cave wall opposite where T'Sela lay curled.
Further from the fire the cave air was cool and damp, but Raf didn't object. Ravaged by anger and grief, T'Sela could not be trusted. In the morning, they would take her to the Shakar village. Then he could try and salvage his mission.
Could he yet track his former companions to Devros’ stronghold? Or could he somehow force Dale to reveal what she knew? What threat would unlock the secret he knew she kept? Could he bring himself to use force against her?
Like a swarm of angry honey bugs questions without answers distracted him. With sightless eyes he watched as Dale spread out their bedrolls and prepared a simple meal from their supplies.
"Quit looming over me. Sit down and eat something. You're making me nervous.” Dale reached up and grabbed Shadow's arm to pull him down next to her. Her tug didn't budge him. He looked down at her, and then he nodded and folded himself onto the bedroll.
A fall of thick black hair hid his expression from her as he stared into the fire. Though silent, his presence made her feel secure.
Her lack of fear of this intimidating warrior surprised her. But sometime during the last few days her fear had evaporated. Though he spoke little and told her even less, his actions revealed his true worth.
She didn't know exactly what he was up to, but despite his claim she no longer believed he was a slaver. The question now was could she trust him to help her? Would he believe that she came from another world or think she was crazy? What choice did she have? Without his help she stood no chance of finding her way home.
Ava squawked and wiggled to get free. Her sharp talons raked Dale's stomach through her shirt.
"Ouch! Hold on, Ava.” Dale
opened her jacket and released the bird.
The avari stretched her unbound wing and gave a hardy shake. A shower of tiny feathers floated in the air. Then she stalked to the edge of the blanket and proceeded to groom her ruffled feathers until they lay smooth and shiny once again.
Blood seeped from the shallow cuts Ava's talons left on Dale's stomach. She moaned as a throb of pain echoed the ache in her heart.
Shadow turned toward her, his gaze going to the rips in her shirt. “You're hurt."
She clutched her jacket closed.
"Let me see."
"It's nothing. Just a scrape."
His hand closed over hers and gently drew it away. The jacket fell open. She trembled as his fingers worked the fasteners of her shirt and pulled it apart. The material caught on her nipples, hiding them from his view. She had to stop him.
"What do you think you're do..."
Warm and slightly rough, his fingertips grazed around the scratches.
She caught her breath at his delicate touch.
His head dipped close to hers. “These need to be cleaned."
The warmth of his words in her ear sent a shudder through her. Her eyelids fell to half-mast.
He moistened a piece of cloth and gently wiped away the small bit of blood.
She struggled to find her composure, the strength to pull away from the appeal of his touch. “Thank you.” Her voice sounded weak and breathless. “I'll be fine."
Thought fled as his palm settled against her side and stroked upward. She arched her back. Her shirt fell aside revealing her breasts. Cool air swirled over her heated flesh. She shivered, and then gasped as Shadow's mouth closed over one tight nipple. Electric heat coursed through her, softening her bones. She gripped his shoulders as he eased her down beneath him.
If this was wrong, then why did it feel so right? From shoulder to knee their bodies fit together like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Her hands slipped inside his shirt to stroke the smooth skin of his back. Long suppressed desire flared to life inside her. Moisture formed between her thighs. She shifted restlessly, needing, wanting, but afraid to ask.
In the dim light of the fading fire, he undressed her, then pulled away to strip off his own clothing. As the cool air touched her nakedness, a brief moment of sanity intruded. What was she doing? This man was still a stranger to her, an unknown quantity in the strange and dangerous world she found herself in. Deep inside she knew that if she gave him her body part of her heart would belong to him as well.
She opened her eyes and her mouth to tell him that they had to stop. And she saw him kneeling above her, silhouetted against the flickering flames, his penis fully erect. Her mouth went dry at the power contained in his warrior body. Passion banished sanity to a dark corner of her mind.
His gaze locked on hers.
"Speak now or you are mine,” he rasped.
In answer, she smiled and held out her arms.
Chapter Nine
The strident cry of a snow cat sent a shiver down Raf's spine. What was he doing? How could he consider making love to this woman with T'Sela just beyond the fire?
His gaze settled on Dale. His doubt was reflected in her eyes, and her arms dropped to her sides. Without a word he grabbed up his clothing and moved toward the opening of the cave.
Cold and aching with unfulfilled need, he crouched in the dark. How had he allowed himself to stray so far from his goal? Lives rested in his hands. He had no time to dally with this woman.
Should he have ignored the plight of the Shakar to pursue a greater good? No. When he'd taken his oath to his friend, Ash, he'd vowed to always protect the innocent, no matter the cost.
But now his obligation to the Shakar was fulfilled. T'Sela was found. He would return her to her people and move on.
And what of Dale? Where did she fit? Was she Devros’ partner or his pawn? Or was she another innocent he was bound to protect?
He forced himself to relax. When the storm broke he would need strength to shepherd T'Sela home. He let the roar of the wind lull him into a warrior's sleep, body lax, but poised to respond, senses alert.
* * * *
"Shadow."
Raf came awake in an instant. Dale stood next to him. Concern etched a frown on her face. “What?"
"T'Sela's gone. I think she slipped out sometime during the night."
"Impossible. She could not have gotten by me or the quinar, they would have sounded an alarm.” Raf strode to the cave opening where the quinar still curled in slumber. The storm no longer blew, and an eerie stillness lay over the mountains. Moonlight peeking through a drift of yet dark clouds, glinted silvery blue on the blanket of unbroken white covering the rocky ground.
"Well, she's not in the cave. I've searched.” Dale trailed after him.
"Moon fire,” Raf cursed as he stomped out of the cave. Snow crunched beneath his feet, but there was no sign of T'Sela's passing. “How long has she been gone?"
"How the hell should I know?” Dale snapped back. “I woke up. She was gone. I looked, then I came and got you.” Her tone changed to concern. “Can we find her?"
"If she does not wish to be found, unlikely. These mountains are her home. She'll probably return to her village."
Dale shook her head. “I don't think she will."
Raf moved back into the cave. “Why not? Where else would she go? Surely she knows T'Mal will be waiting for her."
"The raiders killed her children, and they probably raped her. She'll feel she's failed as both a mother and a woman. She might feel unworthy of returning to T'Mal."
"What nonsense! No man worth calling himself such would fault his woman for the actions of others. Logic would tell her this."
The quinar, disturbed by the sound of his raised voice, lurched to their feet.
She moved to soothe the agitated animals. “T'Sela's not thinking logically right now. She's suffered physical and emotional trauma. Rage and grief are what drive her. We have to find her before she gets herself killed."
Raf groaned. Dale was right. He'd given his word to T'Mal, and he could not abandon T'Sela. “At first light we will try to follow her trail."
"But..."
He took Dale's shoulders in his hands and turned her to face him. His breath caught. Like a beacon to lead a lost soul home, longing shone out of her eyes. Memory of her, her body warm and naked beneath his gaze, stole the words from his mouth. Desire surged anew. His head dipped toward hers. “We are alone."
Dale's protest died. Since Steven, no man had touched the lonely heart she kept buried deep inside—until Shadow.
Despite what he claimed to be. Despite his deception. Despite the fact there could be no tomorrow for them, she wanted this man with a hunger she could no longer deny.
Though she knew she was opening herself to future pain, she wanted—needed—a memory of him to carry with her forever.
"You must say the words. I'll not take what is not freely given.” His warm breath brushed across her cheek as he leaned closer. “Say the words, sweet gift of the valley dweller, and release me from my misery."
She pressed herself closer, until their bodies touched from chest to knee. With one knee he eased apart her thighs and fitted himself there. Beneath his trousers his arousal rubbed against her, spreading liquid heat through her veins. His fingers tightened over her shoulders. “Say them.” The demanding desire darkening his eyes to fathomless pits belied his plea.
"I want you,” she whispered.
The touch of her lips turned his triumphant cry into a moan of defeat. He crushed her to him, and then pulled away. His fingers fumbled over the fastenings of her shirt and trousers, while hers quickly worked his free. Clothing fell unheeded to the cave floor, until they stood naked before each other.
Outside, the clouds parted. Moonlight streamed through the opening, bathing him in a blue white glow. For a moment he appeared like one of her metal sculptures, muscle and sinew rippling beneath a smooth, lifeless skin. Then he mo
ved and the similarity ended. Though her work was praised for its lifelike appearance, she'd never been able to capture such vitality and life force in cold hard stone or steel.
Behind them, the flickering fire cast reddish shadows on the cave's walls, giving a promise of warmth. A gust of wind sent a swirl of snow around their bare feet. She shivered.
Shadow scooped her into his arms. The heat of his body against her chilled flesh sent a tremor through her. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and buried her face into the hollow of his neck. His spicy scent stirred her senses. She didn't protest the feel of the cool, rough bedroll beneath her as he laid her down and covered her with his body.
The warmth from the fire couldn't compare to the blaze he set to burning within her.
"Sweet Eternity. You are beautiful.” His large hands cupped her face.
"As are you,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “Hardly."
Lost in passion's haze, she gazed up at him. His dark hair brushed her cheeks and throat. Desire set her blood to pounding. Eager to learn his secrets, her hands skimmed over his chest and up his arms. His flesh felt like warm, polished marble. She slid her palms down his back.
Her touch gentled as her hands moved over the vicious scars crisscrossing his skin. “Who did this to you? When? Why?"
He rested on his side and took one of her clenched fists in his hands. “It happened a long time ago. The who or why no longer matter."
"I hope you made them pay for what they did to you. No one has the right to cause such pain."
She started to rise, but he placed one hand gently on her shoulder to hold her still.
"Shhh. Be easy, little warrior. The guilty one will face justice. Now, if my scars do not disgust you, we have other matters to attend to."
She sat up and ran her fingertips along the ridge of one long scar. Someday, someway she would avenge this insult to his beautiful body. “These are marks of valor. How could they disgust me?” She brushed her lips along the same path her fingers had taken. He shuddered. The feel of his mouth nuzzling her neck banished further thoughts of vengeance. “Let me make love with you."
Shadow Moon Page 10