LC02 Crystal Flame Read online

  “Tomorrow we leave,” he said flatly. “With or without the Sand.”

  “Yes, Ridge,” Kalena agreed with a meekness that must have astonished him. “Don’t worry about the Sand. The Healers have promised we can take as much as we can carry.” Kalena felt no need to argue. Ridge could not stay here. She knew that. There was no place for him in this valley. And she knew that she would leave with him. She could not stay without him. Tonight she understood at last that she and Ridge were bound together. The bonds might chafe at times, but they were as strong as life itself. She would no longer try to struggle against her destiny with this man.

  Ridge exhaled deeply and gathered her close once more. “Thank you, Kalena.”

  “For what?” she asked in quiet amusement.

  “For not fighting me.”

  “Were you afraid that if I did, you might lose?”

  He shook his head gravely. “I was afraid that if you fought me, you would lose, and then, perhaps, you would never forgive me. I don’t want that kind of victory, but I can’t let you stay here in this damn valley, either.”

  “Why not?” she asked with calm interest, although she had no intentions of staying. “You’ll have your Sand.”

  His mouth hardened. “There is more between us now than a shipment of Sand. You know that as well as I.”

  Kalena’s smile faded with his words. “I know it, Ridge. I just wish I understood what it is that binds us together.”

  “Why must women question and analyze everything that ties them to men?”

  “Perhaps we don’t like being at the mercy of things we don’t understand,” she suggested gently.

  His brows came together in a hard line. “You only succeed in making life more difficult for yourself when you fail to accept things as they are.”

  “I didn’t know you were such a philosopher, Ridge. Have you accepted things as they are, even though you don’t understand them?”

  He bent to nuzzle the curve of her shoulder, his teeth teasing her skin. “I accepted what the Spectrum brought me the day you handed me that trade marriage contract.”

  Kalena felt his lower body hardening against her once more, and reached out to touch him wonderingly. “Perhaps your way is best, Ridge.”

  “I know it is,” he told her as he eased himself down on top of her. “I’m your husband, Kalena. You must trust me to know what’s best for you.”

  Kalena wanted to smile at his blatant male arrogance. Ridge was so intently serious about what he said. But he was kissing her again and suddenly her mind was cleared of all things but the sensual demands he was imposing. Everyone seemed to know what was best for her. Olara had forced her to wear the mantle of House vengeance. The women of this valley were convinced she was destined to take hold of the mythical Light Key. Her husband decreed she belonged with him.

  Of the three options, Kalena decided as she gave herself up to Ridge’s lovemaking, her husband’s held the most allure.

  They left the valley at dawn the next morning. Ridge had the creets saddled and loaded with the sacks containing the Sands of Eurythmic before Kalena had finished eating the morning meal in the dining chamber. Ridge hadn’t been interested in sharing another meal with the valley women. He had helped himself to a wedge of cheese, a piece of fruit and a chunk of bread, then disappeared to see to the loading of the Sand.

  Kalena almost wished she could have joined him. She felt awkward sharing the meal with Valica, Arona and the others after having made it clear she did not believe in the destiny they saw for her. But no one seemed to hold her unwillingness to become involved with the Key against her. The morning meal was a cheerful, friendly affair. No one mentioned the previous night until Kalena rose to join Ridge.

  Valica came forward to take both her hands, kissed her lightly on each cheek and smiled comfortingly. “Do not worry, Kalena. When the time is right, things will happen as they must. You have not turned your back on us or on the Key.”

  “But I have,” Kalena protested earnestly. “You must understand, Valica, I am not the one you seek. The truth is, I’m not sure I even believe in the Key. But if it does exist, I want nothing to do with it.”

  “There is no need to talk about it now. The balance has not yet shifted far enough to force you to act.”

  “What balance?”

  “You know as well as I do that all the events of our world and our lives are strung out along an infinite Spectrum. When one thing happens, there must be an opposite action in order to ensure the balance. The balance in our world has begun to shift, Kalena. I can feel it. There have been times lately here in the mountains When there has been more Darkness than Light. Such a situation cannot last long. When matters have fallen too badly out of alignment, there will be a reckoning. When that time comes, you will be obedient to your destiny. Go now and think no more about it until you must.”

  “Valica, please, listen to me. I am merely the last daughter of a House that ends with me. I have failed in the one responsibility that was left to me. In addition, I have lowered myself to the station of a trade wife. I am not very important, Valica. Great destinies are not carved out for people like me. What’s more, we don’t particularly want them.”

  Arona came forward, her eyes gentle with understanding. “You want your freedom, not a preordained destiny. But you told me last night you aren’t sure if anything is ever truly free.”

  “I think I have a chance of building a life for myself,” Kalena said steadily. “It may not be memorable to anyone but me, but at least it will be the life I have chosen.” She stepped back, bowing her head respectfully. “You have been most generous with the Sand. I will see that it ends up in the hands of honest Healers.”

  Valica chuckled. “There you go, Kalena, taking on yet another obligation. Olara may have been misguided, but she did manage to instill a sense of duty in you, didn’t she? It is that integrity and sense of duty that has brought you this far. I think it will guide you the rest of the way. Go now, and good journey to you.”

  Kalena glanced around at the faces of the women who had gathered to say good-bye. She felt a curious burning sensation behind her eyes. With a tremulous smile, she turned away and hurried toward Ridge, who waited with the creets.

  He gave her a sharp glance as he tossed her up into the saddle. “Are you crying?”

  “Of course not.” She wiped the sleeve of her tunic across her damp eyes and glared at him challengingly. “I’m ready to leave.” He hesitated, one hand on her saddle. “Kalena, if those women have said or done anything to upset you, tell me about it.”

  “I’m fine, Ridge.”

  He appeared unconvinced, but was obviously more than ready to be on his way out of the valley. “The sooner we’re out of here, the better,” he growled, swinging into his own saddle. “Have you got your cloak within reach? It will be cold again as soon as we start climbing away from the valley floor.”

  She was mildly amused by his concern as she picked up her reins and urged her animal after his. “I have it within reach.”

  “We won’t be able to move as fast going back as we did coming here. I’ve got the creets fully loaded with Sand. But they’re good, strong birds. We’ll still be able to travel a lot faster than a regular caravan of pack creets could.”

  Kalena glanced over her shoulder at the bags of Sand slung across her creet’s rump. Her bird didn’t seem overly concerned about the added weight, but she knew the load would slow its pace. “Congratulations, Ridge, there should be more than enough here for you to finance your dreams.”

  “What about your dreams, Kalena?” he surprised her by asking.

  “I’m still working them out,” she tried to say lightly.

  “We will work them out together,” he told her.

  Their eyes met for a moment, and then Ridge flicked the reins. His creet started forward with its usual cheerful willingness. Kalena’s fell into step behind its mate. Once, Kalena glanced back over her shoulder and saw the women of the valley watchin
g their departure. There was no greater freedom to be had in this valley than what she would find with Ridge, Kalena thought with sudden certainly. It just took a different shape.

  Ridge rode in silence for a while, leading the way across the valley floor and up along the trail that led back through the mountains. Kalena knew he was turning something over in his mind, but she didn’t ask what it was. She had her own thoughts to occupy her.

  When she turned to reach for her warm cloak, a familiar, small pouch came briefly into view as she scrabbled around inside her bag. It was the packet of crushed selite leaves. Kalena’s hand stilled as she remembered she had forgotten to take yesterday’s dosage.

  “Kalena? Anything wrong? Ridge glanced back at her as his creet rounded a small bend in the trail.

  “No,” she called back, and then added under her breath, “at least, I hope not.” Desperately, she tried to calculate how long it would be before she knew for certain if she would suffer the consequences of last night’s unprotected lovemaking. The memory of her own burning passion was unnerving. But there was nothing she could do about it now. It would be some time before she found out if yet another fate had been bestowed upon her.

  Kalena sighed and told herself that the odds were in her favor. Surely she would not have to pay for one day’s lapse. She watched Ridge as he rode ahead of her and wondered what he would say if he found out he had fathered a child.

  But the answer to that was obvious. Ridge would assume his rights and responsibilities without a second’s hesitation. Kalena smiled to herself, wondering at her own deep certainty. For the first time since she had accepted the bonds between herself and Ridge, she began to think of what those ties would mean. She wondered if Ridge had given the matter much thought. It was odd to think of the trade marriage becoming permanent. After all, a real marriage to an aggressive ruthless Houseless bastard who was determined to establish himself as a House lord at any cost was not what she had set out to find when she had left the farm.

  To be perfectly fair, she probably wasn’t the kind of wife Ridge had undoubtedly anticipated being able to buy with proceeds from the Sand trade. He might be a bastard, but when he returned to Crosspurposes he was going to be a rich bastard. Respectable Houses would be forced to take him seriously if he courted their daughters.

  But even if she couldn’t offer him the economic and political connections that a Great House marriage normally involved, she could bring him all the skills, manners, training, and pride that came with a fine House heritage. Ridge had said that growing up without benefit of the traditions had only made him appreciate them more. She believed him. Ridge would found his Great House with the hard-earned profits of his own sweat, luck and skill. He would provide its economic base. But she could bring him the intangibles, Kalena thought. If he married her, she would make his Great House into a home.

  If he married her.

  Kalena smiled wryly as she realized where her thoughts had wandered.

  “The mist.” Ridge reined in his creet as he rounded another bend and found himself confronting the shimmering veil. “It hasn’t disappeared.”

  Kalena shook off her private thoughts and moved forward. “The Healers won’t remove it for a while. They’re worried.”

  “About what?”

  “They say there have been signs of Darkness in and around the mountains. They believe in the Light Key, Ridge. That means they also believe in the Dark One. They think the Dark Key has been found.”

  “Is that what they told you last night? I knew I should never have left you alone with those females. A bad influence. Now they’ve gone and filled your head with nonsense and old legends.”

  “Stop grumbling. This veil of theirs would make a fairly interesting legend itself. Not exactly the work of silly, story spinning females. Do you want to stand here all day telling me how full of nonsense the Healers are or would you like me to lead you through this mist of theirs that is strong enough to keep any mere male at bay?”

  “There are times, wife, when your tongue turns exceedingly sharp.” He dismounted. “Lucky for you you’ve got such a tolerant husband.”

  “Now that you’ve got your precious Sand, I expect a great deal of toleration from you. The way I look at it, Fire Whip, you owe me.

  He grinned wickedly. “I always repay my debts.” He held out his hand to clasp Kalena’s and stepped into the mist without any hesitation. A moment later, everyone, including the creets, was safe on the other side. Ridge glanced back speculatively.

  “I wonder how long they’ll leave that there. If no one but you can get through it, Quintel’s going to have himself a problem.”

  “An interesting thought,” Kalena said slowly. “The one who holds the secret of getting through that mist could name her own price.”

  “Don’t get any ideas of being too clever with the trade baron,” Ridge said as he realized what she was thinking. “He always gets what he wants. I know. I’ve spent a lot of years making sure of it.”

  “Then it is you and not Quintel I have to fear, isn’t it?”

  Ridge gave her an odd glance, but didn’t respond to the comment. Instead he asked, “Did the Healers tell you what they plan to do about trading Sand in the future?”

  “Not really. We didn’t discuss it. They’ve got other things on their minds at the moment. I think they fully intend to continue the trade, but it may be a while before they feel safe enough to remove the veil.”

  “If it’s safety they want, Quintel can provide them with an armed guard to watch the mountain pass.”

  “A force of armed men stationed at the entrance of their valley would not be very reassuring to the Healers.”

  Ridge’s mouth twisted. “I guess you’re right. They want nothing to do with men, do they?”

  “They don’t hate men. They simply choose to live without them. It seems to work quite well.”

  “It’s a good thing we didn’t stay any longer in that valley. Those women would have played tricks with your mind,” Ridge stated gruffly.

  For the first time since they had left the valley, Kalena found herself grinning. She was glad Ridge’s back was toward her.

  The trip back along the mountain trail was slower than the one into the valley, just as Ridge had predicted. Loaded with Sand, the creets simply couldn’t make good time.

  Dusk began to settle while they were still some distance from the shelter where Ridge intended to camp for the night. Kalena saw the last rays of the sun slip behind a snow-capped peak and realized she was shivering. She would have been warm enough in her fur-lined cloak, she thought. There was no reason to be so aware of the chill in the air.

  “The shelter is only a short distance away, Kalena. We’ll be there soon.” Ridge spoke reassuringly as he glanced back and saw her folding the cloak more closely about her.

  She nodded in response and struggled to hide her unease. There was an unpleasant feeling of early darkness. It was true that night fell quickly in the mountains, but surely there should be a reasonable period of twilight. The warmth and light of the day seemed to be disappearing far too rapidly. Huddled in the depths of her cloak, she let the creet pick its way around the next turn in the trail. When it came to an abrupt halt behind Ridge’s Greet, she lifted her head.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Ridge didn’t look back; he was studying something that lay ahead of him on the trail, something Kalena couldn’t see. “Nothing.”

  “Why have you stopped?” She jiggled the reins a little to make her creet move up alongside Ridge’s.

  “There a stream across the trail.” He leaned forward, his elbows folded on the pommel of the saddle.

  “We crossed no stream on the trip into the valley.”

  “I know.”

  “Then what—” Kalena stopped short as she caught sight of the foaming black water that emerged from the mountains on one side of the trail, crossed the path and disappeared into the canyon on the far side. Her breath caught in her throat. “Ridge,
what is it?”

  “Water.”

  “No, it’s more than that. It wasn’t here when we came this way the first time.”

  “It must have rained somewhere back in the mountains during the night. This is just the runoff. It’s not deep.”

  “I don’t care how deep it is, we can’t cross it,” Kalena whispered with absolute conviction. She didn’t know how she knew that for certain, but she did.

  “Of course we can.” Ridge straightened in the saddle and picked up the reins. “Let’s go.” He walked the creet to the edge of the swiftly moving stream. The bird hesitated, but under Ridge’s urging, it stepped into the current.

  “Ridge, wait,” Kalena called anxiously. “I think we should camp on this side. If it’s just runoff from a rain, it should be gone by tomorrow.”

  “It’s too cold to spend the night out in the open when there’s no need.” Halfway across the stream, Ridge turned in the saddle to regard her impatiently. “Follow me, Kalena.”

  Realizing he wasn’t going to pay any attention to her instinctive dislike of the black water, Kalena tried to make herself approach the stream. The creet lifted its head in a frightened gesture and Kalena knew the poor animal was probably just reacting to her tension. Kalena got herself and the creet to the edge of the water before she became aware of a vague nausea.

  The water wasn’t that deep where it covered the trail. She knew that. Ridge’s creet had only sunk into it up to the tops of its clawed feet. But one ought to be able to see the ground through water that shallow, and Kalena could see nothing but foaming black liquid. She halted the creet.“I can’t cross, Ridge,” she said quietly.

  “Damn it, Kalena, it’s getting late and I want to get to that shelter. What’s the matter with you?”

  “I don’t know. I just know I can’t cross it. I know it as surely as you know you couldn’t go through the white mist that guarded the valley.”