On Fire's Wings - Christie Golden [66]
There were moments when Sahlik wondered if conspiring with the two siblings was the right thing to do. They thrived on one another’s company as if the moments together were meat and drink to them both. They were intelligent enough to be discreet in their clandestine meetings, but the keenness of their desire for one another was almost overwhelming to behold. Sahlik was confident that nothing improper was happening between the two young people; although Kevla did not know her parentage, Jashemi did, and Sahlik trusted him to respect such a profound taboo.
Still, sometimes it troubled her. But then she thought of how miserable the two would be if she did not assist them, and all thoughts of abandoning them evaporated like water under the sun. Things were hard enough on the poor creatures. Let them enjoy what they had while they could.
Holding that thought, Sahlik said, “Kevla, we are out of fresh mint and parsley for the stew. Go and gather some from Maluu—from Asha’s garden.” Maluuk had died in his sleep a few months ago, and it was still hard for Sahlik to think of young Asha as the Clan’s healer.
Kevla kept her face neutral, but could not hide a brief flash of delight in her beautiful brown eyes.
“Yes, Sahlik.” With a rustle of cloth, she was gone.
Sahlik watched her go, and as she did every time she sent Kevla off to meet Jashemi, said a brief prayer for both children’s safety.
Asha had left several hours ago, when a falcon had come with a note requesting his aid. The Clan of Four Waters was spread over much territory, and Asha served all the Clanspeople. Jashemi didn’t know and didn’t care who Asha was assisting. He only cared that he and Kevla now had a time and place to meet.
He paced inside the little hut. Its familiar scents and decorations sang to him of the time when Kevla had first come through that door and he had taught her how to play Shamizan. He had the board and pieces now, just in case they had time for a game. He held it with hands that were sweaty, and he was aware that his heart was racing.
Was this how it was with other brothers and sisters? This sharp, almost painful pleasure? This anticipation that made one nervous and elated, made one’s throat dry and one’s palms moist? He could only guess. Perhaps the fact that he was forbidden Kevla’s company made their time together sweeter, but he could not imagine a moment when he would not be delighted to see her.
For the hundredth time, he peered out the window. This time he saw her, and his heart surged. She was coming up the little hill at a quick pace, not daring to run lest she draw undue attention. She carried a small scythe in one hand and a basket in the other.
Gathering herbs was the excuse today, then. They must make sure she did not forget.
She pushed open the door and then closed it. Her eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I encountered no one,” she said in answer to his unasked question.
“We should still keep away from the windows,” Jashemi said, placing a hand on her back and leading her to the center of the room. He gazed fondly down at her. She was wearing an older rhia today, one that did not fit her well, and as he stood close to her, still touching her back, his eyes traveled down her throat to her breasts. He was suddenly, sharply aware of the headiness of her scent, of the curve of her body beneath his hand, of his instinctive masculine response.
His fingers tightened against her back as heat flooded him, a fierce combination of desire and shame. Quickly, he stepped away, hoping she was unaware of what had just happened. Her own face was flushed and her eyes bright. She too seemed uncomfortable suddenly, and