"The feeling is mutual."
"Spend time with him, then."
"I already have, and will tomorrow morn."
"Spend time with him tonight."
The slender shoulders stiffened. "He returns after the evening meal?"
"Nay. He wants you to--"
"Out of the question!" She spun around, swore, and started to limp over towards the table.
Within a few steps, Garret was beside her, his arm automatically curving around her waist. "Be careful, lass."
"I can manage." She pushed at him.
"Don’t allow your anger to overrule common sense." He supported her until she sank down onto a stool.
"I’m not."
Perching on the corner of the table, Garret took a sip of the water. "Who are you spiting by refusing to visit your brother--him, yourself or Diago?"
Eleven
"That’s unfair. You know my reasons."
"I do, and I understand them--"
"But you don’t support me in them."
"Steady, lass. I never said that. I support you in all your decisions when it comes to this."
She relaxed slightly.
"But it doesn’t mean I totally agree."
"I don’t need your approval, trader. This is my affair and I’ve made my decision."
"It’s also your brother’s. Have you looked at this from his perspective?"
"Damn it, Garret, this is not your business!"
One long leg swung lazily and she was conscious of the lean thigh not far from her elbow.
"Actually, lass, your brother made it mine. He asked me to speak to you on his behalf."
"What?" Hazel eyes flashed angrily. "Why didn’t he speak himself?"
"Because you wouldn’t let him."
"Ridiculous!"
"He wants you to join him at his home for a--"
"No!"
One brow raised knowingly.
Hell. She glared up at him and folded her arms.
"Hear me out, lass. He wants you to get to know him--"
"I do."
"Stop interrupting. You can have your say in a minute. Rominac wants you to see him in his own environment, to see him surrounded by his customs. Is that too much to ask?"
"Yes!"
"Why? It can’t be the slavery, for you’ve been to worlds where slavery was the norm. There is no fear of your being taken captive by the Northlanders, for I will be with you. You want to spend time with Rominac. What is one meal? Several hours at the most?"
"You expect me to sit in the house Diago built? Eat his food? Smile and be nice, the polite guest, the dutiful daughter? Forgive and forget?"
"The food is also your brother’s, as is the house. You spurn him as well, Dana."
"The man as good as murdered my mother!"
"You don’t go for him. You go for your brother."
"Diago--"
Garret leaned down on one elbow, bringing his face down level with hers. "Your talk constantly turns to Diago. He is the thorn in your side, lass, not your brother, yet because of him you refuse your brother’s hospitality. How can you get to know your little brother when you always overshadow him with the father?"
Emotions started to swirl through her. "I don’t need to go to his house to know him."
"Wrong, lass. That house is where he grew up. It’s full of his memories. You’re there not for Diago, but for Rominac."
"Diago’s presence is everywhere."
"Rominac is Diago’s son, Dana, just as you are his daughter. Northland is under his influence. Will you allow him to influence your bonding with your brother?"
A muscle ticked in her jaw and she looked away from the penetrating eyes. Was he correct? Was she allowing Diago’s presence to come between her and Rominac? Yes, he was correct. But to go into the house... Could she honestly sit there and eat the food, knowing her detested father was sitting nearby?
"You won’t be alone, lass."
Her gaze turned back to him, seeing the tender expression in his eyes. An expression that disturbed her. An emotion that wasn’t welcome at this time. "You’re coming?"
"If you’re going, aye."
"What if I wasn’t? Would you go out anyway, wenching? There’s a lot of pretty slaves out there, no doubt, ready to do a man’s bidding." Now, why did she ask that?
"I would never shame you so by doing that." The tender expression never wavered. "Besides, there’s only one lass I want, Dana, and that’s you."
This was safer ground, one that she could handle. "Lust all you want, trader. You won’t get bodily satisfaction from me."
"Who said it was bodily satisfaction only? There’s more between a man and a lass than that. Do you have any idea what it is I want from you, Dana?"
He wasn’t teasing her. Garret was deadly serious and it was... petrifying. She started to panic, not wanting to hear what she knew he was going to say any second if she kept on with this conversation. "I don’t know and care even less."
This was not the time to discuss this. He sighed. Nay, he had to keep on the subject of her blood kin. "Lass--"
"And about tonight. I’ll go. Satisfied?"
He straightened. "Only if you are."
"Isn’t that what you wanted?"
"It’s what your brother wants."
"What about you? Would you go in my place?"
"For you I would."
How could he make such simple answers sound so intimate? She stood up, gaze troubled, and chewed her bottom lip. Why did his words cause warmth to swirl deliciously through her, making her heart beat just a little faster?
Seeing the troubled gaze and mistaking the cause, Garret reached out and took her hand. "Lass, I think you need to spend time with your brother in his surroundings. He is a Northlander and you have to accept that. He is no longer your little brother, a young innocent. He is a man grown, with a man’s needs and desires cultivated through his customs. To love him, you have to accept, to a certain extent, what he is. Do you understand?"
"I hate what they do--"
"The Southlanders do the same, yet a friendship might have been possible between you and Zar. If you can imagine that, then it should be easier to bond with your brother in his city. There’s no danger for you here. Like it or not, the fact that Diago has given his word on it makes it so."
"I hate him, Garret." She turned her face away. "I hate what he did to us."
Gently he pulled her between his thighs. "What he did can never be undone, sweetheart. All you can do is go forward. There’s no going backwards."
"How can I go forward? Whenever I look at Diago’s face, I see my mother’s misery, her life draining out from her as surely as if he’d stuck a knife in her heart."
In a comforting gesture, he ran one hand lightly up and down her arm. "But Rominac didn’t and ‘tis he who needs you now. Will you continue to allow Diago to come between you and your beloved brother? After all these years, you are finally able to see and speak to him, to share memories and laughter. Don’t throw it away because of Diago."
For several long seconds she stared down at their clasped hands before asking quietly, "Will you support me if I say no, I won’t go?"
"I will." The response was without hesitation.
"Why?"
"Because the decision is yours. Because I care."
She looked up at him. "What time do we go?"
Garret smiled. "Your brother plans to take us for a tour of the city on horseback."
She tugged her hand away. "He has plans? You men are all alike, making plans behind my back!"
"He makes plans to keep you happy, lass. Don’t be so prickly about it all. Relax and enjoy his company."
Irritated for reasons she didn’t want to pursue, she shrugged and moved back carefully. "Very well, I will go, but don’t expect me to be polite to Diago."
"Don’t let your stubbornness ruin the evening."
She scowled. "You’re very opinionated, trader. I’d rather you keep them to yourself."
>
"’Tis impossible, I’m afraid, especially where you’re concerned," he returned cheerfully, standing up to leave. "Now, lass, are you going to rest before we join Rominac?"
"I’m not a babe."
"But you are injured." He swept her up into his arms. "Your cabin or mine?"
"Mine, of course, and I don’t need to be carried around. Put me down."
"In a fight, dear heart, I would win without trying. The shadows beneath your eyes are darkening. A rest will ready you for the evening."
She was silent while he carried her to her cabin, but as he placed her down onto the bunk, she said, "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"
The grin faded. "Carrying you? Aye. The reason? Nay. I would never see you hurt, Dana. You have no idea how I felt, seeing you being beaten." One large hand smoothed a glossy lock of hair back from her face. "I was nearly insane with rage."
Their gazes met and held, steady, searching, and it was she who looked away first.
"I guess I’m more tired than I thought. I think I’ll sleep for a while."
"Rest well, lass. I’ll come and awaken you."
After he left the cabin, she stared up at the ceiling, biting her lip. He was starting to mean too much to her. She valued his opinions too much. Why? Because I lov--
"Hells bells!" She cut the thought off immediately. "No, no, no! It’s not possible! It won’t be! I’m tired, that’s all!"
"Dana?" Red’s puzzled voice came through the doorway. "Are you all right?"
"Fine."
"Do you want me to get Gar--"
"Damn it, no! I just need some sleep, if you bloody men will leave me alone!"
"Oh." A sound suspiciously like a muffled laugh sounded. "My apologizes, lass."
With a sigh of exasperation, Dana rolled over, wincing, and buried her face in the pillow.
~ * ~
Holding the reins of the horses, Rominac watched his sister descend the ramp, leaning heavily on Garret’s arm. "Maybe you should carry her."
"I’m fine," Dana said before Garret could reply.
"You shouldn’t be walking on that ankle, sister."
"You’ve actually become a bit of a nag, brother."
"Still a bad tempered witch, I see."
"Still an interfering troll, I notice."
"Sibling love." Red grinned. "I know it so well."
"You have a sister?" Rominac asked, watching as Garret assisted Dana towards the pretty dappled mare he held.
"One. It’s enough, I assure you."
"She’s much prettier than you, too," Simon added.
Red turned a frown on him. "Since when did you notice that?"
"Since she asked me to take her for a walk the next time we’re home."
Cam laughed as the frown grew deeper. "Your little sister is not so little anymore, friend."
"Hells bells! You too?"
"Uh-uh, nay, not me. But surely you noticed that she’s more... er..."
"More what?" Red demanded.
"Ah... grown up."
"Shit." Red mounted a horse, a troubled look on his face. "I hope Mother can handle her, for Father sure as hell can’t."
"Thinking of doing the big brother act when you get home?"
"Someone has to! Delias has Father wrapped around her little finger."
"You’re not much good, either." Cam laughed outright. "Anything she wants, you get her. And it’s not going to change, I can tell you."
"Oh, aye, it will! That wench is going to the altar a pure lass. No man," Red glared warningly at Simon, "dallies with my sister unless he’s serious!"
"Mayhaps I am serious," Simon drawled. "How would you like me as a brother-by-marriage?"
Red nearly fell off the horse. Cam and Jase roared with laughter.
"I’m kidding." Simon clapped his shocked friend on the shoulder. "Delias is like my own little sister. I’ll keep an eye on her."
"Make sure that’s all you do!" Red retorted.
Grinning, Garret turned to Dana, and placed a hand either side of her waist. "Ready?"
"I can mount by myself." Those large palms seemed to be burning through her clothes.
"Then place your foot in the stirrup and I’ll boost you up--"
"No!" The thought of those hands on her behind... Ye gods!
"Lass, you can’t balance on your sore ankle, now, can you?"
"Oh, very well. I’m ready when you are."
"I’m always ready." Before she could even wonder if there was a double meaning behind the words, he added, "Do you want to sit before me on my horse instead?"
"What for?"
"You won’t have to do anything but lie back against me and enjoy the ride."
Was there a double meaning behind that, too? Dana was starting to wonder if she was seeing innuendos where there weren’t any. Mayhaps the mutant’s blows had scrambled her brains after all.
"Lass?"
"Ah... no. I’m fine. I can ride by myself."
"Come on, then, up you go."
He lifted her easily into the saddle, sliding her injured foot gently into the stirrup before mounting the horse beside her.
Smiling, Rominac fell onto her other side. "Ready?"
"As I’ll ever be."
"Good. Let’s start with a ride around the outskirts. It’s really a lovely city. Plenty of gardens."
"Who planted them? The slaves?"
He cast her a sidelong glance. "Some. We do have male gardeners, too, you know."
"I take it they organize the women?"
"Yes."
"Probably don’t do any work themselves, though."
"Are we sightseeing or spoiling for a fight?"
She met his sidelong glance with one of her own. "I’m not sure yet."
He laughed and several seconds later the sound of her laughter joined his.
Garret relaxed. Mayhaps this expedition would turn out all right after all.
They rode leisurely around the outskirts of the city, seeing the forests beyond, emerald green beneath the warm summer sun. The faint hum of insects and the chattering of day flyers sounded clearly.
Returning from the forests walked a woman accompanied by a young girl. Between them they carried a basket brimming with fruit. Beside them strode a man, conversing quietly with the woman. Dana spotted the slave bracelet around the woman’s wrist. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the same bracelet on the girl.
"Yes, they are slaves," Rominac stated quietly.
"Is she used by any man who fancies her?"
"Her master would kill any who tried."
Garret caught the distaste in his friends’ expressions before they hid it. Slavery was not a thing the Daamens approved off, but trading throughout the universe had taught them to tolerate the customs of others. Could Dana tolerate it from her brother?
"I can understand how slavery would disgust you," Rominac said. "Especially of women. The Reekas were enslaved when they were outlawed, too."
"And hunted," she returned. "Personally, I would rather be hunted and die than be enslaved."
"I can understand that." Remembering the slave cells in Southland, he shuddered.
She turned partway in the saddle to look at him. "How did you come to wander so far from safety? Surely you knew that you’d be a prize catch for Zar?"
"I guess I got caught up in my thoughts and wandered too far."
One fine brow arched skeptically. "Oh, of course you did."
"It’s not something I care to remember."
"It was careless of you."
"I had distractions," he returned calmly, his gaze ahead.
"A slave, mayhaps?"
"I’m a Northlander. What do you think?"
He was her little brother. The thought of him being intimate with a slave, possibly an unwilling one, was disturbing. Wanting to ask him, but strangely unable to do so, she set her jaw and faced to the front again.
Garret noticed that the girl had similar features to the man and deduced that it was his daught
er. The woman didn’t look too unhappy, conversing freely with him.
"His daughter," Simon stated the obvious.
Dana looked up at him. "Probably he will sell her one day."
"Not Hink," Rominac said. "He loves her."
"Love? How can he keep her as a slave and still profess to love her?"
"There are no free women here. If not his slave, then who’s? Who would care for her as he does?"
"But does he care for her?" Dana asked sharply. "Where does she sleep? A mattress on the floor? And what of the mother? How will she feel when she is separated from her daughter?"
"Why would she be separated?"
"Surely he’ll sell her once he tires of her."
Rominac observed her closely. "Not every man sells his women, sister."
"So where are your slaves?" She pinned him with a direct gaze.
"At home. You’ll meet them."
"Undoubtedly they’ll serve us at the table?"
"Yes." His jaw set. "But be careful what you think. You still don’t know me too well. That is the reason I wanted us to spend time together."
"Mayhaps we will ride off for a while and do some exploring on our own," Jase suggested.
"Aye," Red nodded. "Is there a tavern nearby?"
"Several. Follow that street there." Rominac pointed. "At the end is a tavern. There you can get drinks and..."
"Wenches?" Dana finished coolly.
He flushed. "It is a tavern."
"With slave women."
"I’ll not lie. Yes."
"It’s just the drinks we’re after," Jase said hurriedly. "What time do we meet at your home?"
"Just before sunset."
They nodded and wheeled their horses away.
When Garret went to do the same, Dana looked at him, startled.
He met her gaze steadily, reassuringly. "You need time alone with Rominac."
"You don’t have to go."
"I think I do."
But I want you here, she thought. I need you. Which was ridiculous, for this was her brother, not her father and she didn’t need protection from him. Besides, she could protect herself. She certainly didn’t need this Daamen to do it for her.
"I’ll see you at the house," Garret added.
"Before," she said without thinking.
He smiled slightly. "I’ll wait for you, lass."
She watched him ride away, tall and straight in the saddle, rocking easily with the motion of the horse. Turning back, she caught her brother studying her.
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