“There are more of them. We’ll have to devise a trap that gives us an edge.”
Khan tapped his chin with one finger. “You knew about my mother. That’s specific information. Or maybe a specific emotion. Did you get a picture in your mind, or a thought, or did you feel something?”
She tilted her gaze up and to the left. “Mostly a feeling—deep loss and loneliness. But then I caught a flash of a necklace of gold flowers set with red stones. You held it in your hand.” She turned his hand over, running one finger over his callused palm.
His fingers curled.
“Like this. Only your hand was smaller.”
Khan disengaged his hand and rose to his feet. Striding to the far wall, he rummaged to the bottom of his pack and pulled out the small bundle of his mother’s jewelry, still wrapped in the magenta and navy-blue scarf. Fishing through the shiny contents, he found the necklace Daria had described, and untangled the chain from the rest.
Khan set the scarf back into his pack and made his way over to Daria. He dropped back into the cross-legged position next to her, and spread the necklace over her leg.
Daria gasped. “This is the one I saw.”
“My mother’s. Her favorite. My father’s gift when I was born. After her death, he gave me all her jewelry. I remember holding this piece, crying. Amir…” The betrayal bit at him suddenly…and the hurt.
Daria looked at him sharply.
“Another story for later.” He shook his head to shake away the memory.
Daria traced her finger over the golden blossoms. “This is so beautiful. I’ve never seen stones like this.”
“They’re rubies. Here.” He picked up the necklace, then leaned over and fastened it around her neck, his face so close her breath whispered against his throat. “My gift to you,” he said gently. Breathing in the fragrant scent of her damp hair, he brushed the soft skin of her neck with his fingers. A pulse quickened in her throat; he longed to still the beat with a kiss.
To stop himself, he rocked back on his heels, admiring. “I think my mother would be pleased.”
Her hand covered the necklace. Tears glistened her eyes to emeralds. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’ll treasure it always.”
“I know you will, habibti.”
“Habibti.” She lifted one dark brow. “You’ve called me that often. What does it mean?”
My heart. “It’s an endearment. Doesn’t your culture use endearments between family or friends?”
“Yes, of course. And I’ve known it was an endearment. But what does habibti actually mean?”
Khan reached over and gave her wet braid a playful tug. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.” He fought the urge to linger in the moment, cherish the feeling of loving memories and new beginnings. But if they were to have any chance of that new beginning, they had work to do now. “We’re going to need to strengthen our othersense link.” He glanced around the room. “Shut your eyes. I’ll pick out an object I have an emotional connection with. See if you can pick up my thoughts or feelings or both.”
She closed her eyes, scrunching up her face.
He smiled, amused by her look of fierce concentration—tempted to drop a kiss on the wrinkle between her eyebrows. Instead, he stood and wandered over to his pack, untucking one of the flaps and removing his journal.
Khan ran a hand over the worn leather of the cover. The journal had been his salvation on many long evenings as he poured out his feelings of loneliness and bewilderment about his new life. He opened it up to the middle. The tiny writing squished across the pages, still legible enough to read, space saving so the book would last.
Khan glanced at the final entry, written several days ago. He had gloried in his happiness at the abundance of his garden, the first fruits—carrots and tomatoes—he’d tasted only that day. The journal also described other such satisfying moments, his accomplishments and descriptions of the world around him…his longings for Daria—even though at the time he didn’t remember her.
Daria spoke from behind him. “I see a book. But…” She paused, her tone sounding puzzled. “I couldn’t get an emotion. The feeling kept changing, first loneliness, but then something good.” She bit her lip. “Happiness? Then something sadder…longing?”
Yes. The word bubbled up from his stomach and burst from his throat. “Yes.” He shoved the journal back into the pocket. Taking two long strides over to Daria, he pulled her to her feet, twirling her around. “You did it.”
Her eyes sparked with enthusiasm, and she relaxed in his arms. “Maybe…just maybe….”
Khan lightly touched his lips to hers. “Yes, maybe.” He rested his cheek on her head, the posture becoming familiar. They held each other for a few precious moments before he stepped back and released her.
When he pulled away, she sighed.
He smoothed his finger across her cheek. “We have a long day tomorrow. We should get some rest.”
“More work.” She yawned and flexed her arm. “I’m building up my muscles again. But we’ll have plenty of opportunities to work on our othersense connection.”
“We will indeed,” he murmured.
She went upstairs, carrying her bedroll.
He gave her a few minutes of privacy before following. Crawling into his sleeping bag, he stretched out an arm’s distance from Daria. Within him, exhaustion battled excitement and won. But before the victor claimed him, the lightest of touches feathered across his forehead, sending him into slumber with a smile.
~ ~ ~
Daria sucked in her stomach, making sure to lift the jagged rock using her leg muscles and not just her back. Staggering over to the gap between two ruined buildings, she dropped her burden on the waist-high pile of rubble that closed-up the opening, and then paused to catch her breath.
Last’s night’s othersense experiments with Khan played thorough her mind. She wiped the back of her hand across her sweaty brow. In spite of today’s toil, she hadn’t lost her wonderment about their discovery, and the feelings had bolstered her strength for what needed to be done today.
Daria had worked all morning to fill this space, while Khan labored at the largest area, one hundred paces away and around a corner. For the ambush, they needed the illusion of impenetrable barriers rather than the reality. So at least the walls didn’t need to be too thick or stable. Once they’d filled these two places, they had five more to close or shore up. Then they’d have the perfect trap.
If my body survives the building process.
Shir and Shad flew tandem, carrying a brick between them and dropping it on top of the pile. Then both pointed one tail toward her and one at the fallen brick—an obvious ploy for praise.
Daria grinned, glad to comply. The two working together could lift a surprising amount, considering their slight appearance. Those fragile-looking wings were stronger than they appeared. And, with those fang-toothed gamin grins and intelligent, jewel-blue eyes, the monkey-bats made appealing pets. Although they’d allow her to hold them when Khan was beside her, neither had yet trusted her enough to come to her when she called. The fact that they’d chosen to assist her rather than Khan must mean they were growing more familiar with her.
She stooped, scrabbling her fingers under a wide slab. Dust rose, tickling her nose. She sneezed, reaching into the pocket of her trews for a pristine handkerchief. Before its emersion in the Goddess’s pool, the lace border had dangled from the scrap of dirty cloth in torn strips, and the green silk embroidery had faded. Issa would have been scandalized by the condition of Daria’s clothing. Daria could almost see her maid clucking in disapproval. Although the memory panged, the sting wasn’t as sharp as before.
Back to work.
A current vision flashed through her othersense of a huge egg-shaped stone wedged between two pieces of rusted metal. Khan’s frustration smoked around the rock.
Standing, she pressed her fists into the small of her back and stretched. Then she strolled over to Khan’s site. Sure enough, she found him
with his hands on his hips, staring at the stone in her vision, a disgusted look on his face. She laughed.
He raised his eyebrow in annoyance.
Startled, Daria realized that she hadn’t laughed in months. Until the last two days. Ready tears blurred her vision. I thought I’d never laugh again.
Khan must have sensed her emotion, because he half-smiled. “Glad to amuse you, my lady.” Undertones of understanding resonated in his voice.
She pushed aside her laughter, hurrying on to explain about knowing his dilemma with the rock.
He listened, thoughtfulness creasing the skin of his forehead underneath his headcovering. “A few minutes ago, did you watch Shad and Shir lift a brick?”
A thread of excitement wove though her sadness. “Yes.”
His dark eyes reflected her excitement. “Our othersense connection is growing stronger. We no longer have to concentrate to pick up each other’s thoughts and feelings.” Khan tapped the rock with his boot. “I’ll deal with you later.” He looked at her. “Almost our rest time.” He smoothed the hard-packed sand with the sole of his foot, and then pulled a sliver of metal from between two rocks. He handed it to her.
“What’s this for?”
“While you eat, I’m going for a walk. See if you can trace my movements in the dirt. When I return, we’ll see if you were right.”
Daria nodded, liking the idea.
Khan winked and started off, the monkey-bats accompanying him with excited squeaks.
Daria turned her back, reaching under an overhanging ledge for some of the strange produce Khan had grown and a flask of water. While she ate, she alternated between savoring the odd tastes and textures of the fruits and vegetables, and following Khan with her othersense. She traced his path in the sand and also sketched in symbols of the landmarks he passed, dropping stones to indicate buildings.
Khan returned in about twenty minutes. Sweat glistened on his brown face, and tiredness deepened the lines around his eyes. But he flashed her an impudent grin.
She couldn’t help but smile in return.
Khan stood over her map. He pursed his lips, his gaze following his trail. Reaching the end, he gathered her to him for a quick hug. “You did it.”
“We did it,” she corrected.
“We did it,” he echoed her.
She sank her head against his shoulder, for the first time allowing herself to hope. Maybe, just maybe….
~ ~ ~
Khan stood on the makeshift battlements, watching Thaddis and his men ride into their trap. He slung the bow over his head and shoulder and pulled the strap of the quiver full of arrows over the same shoulder. With his other hand, he hefted the ball-shaped weapon, twisting the tiny knob on the end in a one-quarter turn.
He lobbed it at Thaddis, then half-climbed, half-jumped down the crumbled wall. At the bottom, he turned and ran for his life. His heart thudded to the beat of his booted feet, and his bow thumped against his back. Faster. Faster.
To the left, he heard running footsteps.
Daria sprinted from her own position, her bow and quiver looped over her shoulder, her sheathed sword banging against her leg. He slowed to grab for her as they skidded around the corner to reach Nika and Teifa, saddled and ready.
He propelled Daria toward her horse, grabbed Nika’s loosely tied reins, and swung into his saddle. He dug in his heels, and the horse sprang forward, Teifa following. They galloped around another corner and down the open road. He leaned forward over Nika, his fast-as-the-wind mount pounding down the dust-covered pavement.
Teifa raced at Nika’s side. Neither Khan nor Daria spared the horses. They had only seconds to reach safety before the explosion rocked this part of the city.
A boom and a roar, familiar sounds from countless action movies, shook the world around him. Daria cried out, but stayed with him. He knew the blast behind them had killed Thaddis and his men and melted down the ruins of this part of the city.
As he and Daria galloped away to the safety of the shrine, he looked back and saw a malignant orange-and-brown cloud twist into the air, bisecting the arching lavender sky into halves.
With a gasp, Khan bolted upright, clutching his heaving chest, trying to still his knocking heart. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his brain of the all-too-real dream images. He tried to tell himself that he was in his familiar room, not in a frantic gallop for his life, but that didn’t calm his shaking body.
On the other side of the fire, Daria sat up. “The nightmare again?” Her voice sounded thick from sleep.
He swallowed. “Yes.” He reached for a nearby water container to wet his dry throat.
“The explosion?”
“Yes.”
“That’s three nights in a row.”
“I know.” His paralyzed vocal cords couldn’t seem to form any more words.
Daria crawled out of her blankets, dragged them closer, spreading them out next to his sleeping bag. Without a word, she reached for him.
Khan couldn’t resist the invitation. Falling into her embrace, he allowed her to pull him down. His head pillowed on her breast. He closed his eyes, listening to her breathing, and tried to match his ragged breath to her inhalation and exhalation.
At long last, his heart calmed, but he couldn’t bring himself to move away from the comfort she offered. Instead, he rolled onto his back, scooping her with him, until her head lay in the crook of his arms. Regardless of the consequences, he refused to let her go. Tomorrow would come the final battle. For tonight, they had each other.
~ ~ ~
Daria perched on a large rock on the edge of a pool, surrounded by a tropical forest. A waterfall ribboned over a small cliff, sending a rainbow into the mist. Two circles of white flowers floated on the surface. She caught her breath at the sight of a brilliant azure sky.
Her hair flowed unbound to her waist. She wore a tiny flower-printed garment made of stretchy material that barely covered her, leaving arms and legs bare. The outfit revealed more than what she usually wore, but instead of making her uncomfortable, the perfume-scented breeze caressing her skin gave her a feeling of languid sensuality.
Khan stepped through the broad-leafed trees, wearing only short, blue trews that reached halfway down his thighs. Dappled sunlight danced across his muscled brown chest. He smiled a welcome.
Her heartbeat quickened. “I think you’ve brought us somewhere special.”
“This is Hawaii, a group of islands I once visited.”
“It’s so beautiful. So different from Seagem.”
“From my homeland as well.” He took a few steps closer and climbed the rock to stand in front of her.
“Interesting outfit.” She tucked her fingers over the edge of the cloth, feeling the hardness of his stomach muscles under her knuckles.
He looked down and laughed. “We’re wearing bathing suits.” He gave her an appreciative look. “Very clever of me.”
The expression on his face warmed her, and she angled toward him, wanting to be touched.
Khan ran a tender finger down her cheek. “Sometimes I look at you and forget to breathe.”
She stared up at his beloved face, absorbing his very essence.
A colorful bird fluttered over the pool, cawing.
Khan broke eye contact to glance at the disturbance. He made an exclamation of discovery and jumped down. He waded into the water up to his knees, where he gathered the floral wreaths and strode back to her. “These are Hawaiian leis.” He held them up for her inspection.
Daria leaned over and breathed in the sweet fragrance.
Khan reached up and took her hand to help her down. “The natives wear them for special occasions, and they’re given to visitors when they first arrive. Like this.” He draped one over her head.
The wet petals dripped on her skin, making her shiver.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then the other. “Aloha.”
“Aloha,” she echoed. “What does it mean?”
“I w
as told it means hello, goodbye, and … I love you.”
Daria took the other lei and set it over his head. “Aloha,” she whispered to him before placing her lips on his cheek. Then she gave herself up to the energy racing through her body and pressed herself to him.
Khan’s hands slid up her shoulders, and he cupped her face, leaning over to give her a long and lingering kiss.
Tremors followed his touch. The warmth inside her heated, and her arms crept around his neck. Daria melted into him, becoming lost in a sea of sensations.
His arms dropped around her waist, pulling her even tighter. After a few moments, he broke the kiss, only to place his mouth against her neck and nuzzle her shoulder.
At the tickling sensation, her breath shuddered out. Although her body melted against him, a trickle of trepidation tickled her thoughts. “What about your Goddess?”
He lifted his head, taking a deep breath as if to steady himself. “I don’t know. I’d like to think we can love each other in our dreams. Come.” He took her hand. “There’s something I want you to see.”
Hand in hand, they strolled down the path through the foliage.
Daria relaxed, taking in the wonders of the island. She heard the roar of the sea before they emerged from the trees. But once they stepped out of the jungle, she stopped, the beauty of the scene rendering her spellbound.
A turquoise ocean, not unlike Seagem’s, sent waves curling to shore. But there the similarity ended. Sugar-white sand spread over a wide beach. The combination of blue sky and white sand made her want to dance down the beach.
Instead, she stooped, scooping some up into her palm, allowing the warm crystal grains to trickle through her fingers. A surge of happiness shot through her. “Come on.” She tugged on Khan’s hand, anxious to immerse herself in the exotic ocean.
They ran together, splashing into the tepid sea. The waves curled around their legs.
Daria halted, squishing her toes into the sand. “Most of Seagem’s coastline is too rocky to swim safely, although we do have a few places…. But not where we can play in the waves.”
“I swam here before, but the beach was full of people. This is much better.” He sent her a teasing glance. “Just us.”
Sower of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Page 25
