Darlei could locateDeathan nowhere. Though she walked the settlement while Orle finished packing, searching high and low while trying to pretend she did not, she caught no glimpse of him. Not on the walls where he so often shared the duty of keeping watch. Not over in the training field. Not on the shore.
She even walked a way up along the rocky trail beside the water, thinking he might have gone there ahead of her, and they might snatch a few moments alone.
The water was restless, dark blue flecked with green, like Deathan’s eyes. The seethe and pull of it matched the emotions that filled her.
He was nowhere, and walking back her heart broke all over again. They had so little time. She wanted only to see him before it ran out.
But ah, she lied to herself, for she wanted far more. She wanted to touch him. To lie with him once again.
As, if she could manage it, she would.
She did see Rohr in passing. He jerked his head away when he encountered her gaze and pretended she was not there. She might despise Deathan’s brother, yes, and had never wanted to wed with him. But better to accept even marriage without love than to be snatched away from this place where Deathan remained.
Why must life be so cruel? If she was indeed pinned to the wheel of fate, she wanted off.
Not until after she and Orle had shared a few bites to eat at noontime, sitting among their gathered possessions in Darlei’s chamber, did she go back out and catch a glimpse of the man she sought.
He was in the field where the Caledonians so often gathered and saw to their ponies. Indeed, when she caught sight of him, he stood speaking with Urfet in what looked like stilted conversation.
The emotions that filled her as she hurried thence made her breathless. Gladness—yes, gladness first. Great relief and joy at merely seeing him. Regret. Grief.
He looked round as she joined him and Urfet, and as swiftly away again. But she had seen, yes, seen the flare of joy in his eyes, the hope, the desire.
“Princess.” Urfet bowed to her.
As did Deathan. “Princess Darlei.”
And just the sound of his voice affected her right down to her bones. That soft voice in her ear as he’d caressed her. When he was inside her.
“I came to make sure there will be a pony available to me so I will not have to ride in the wagon all the journey.” It seemed like forever ago that she had injured Bradh in her futile attempt at escape. She added for Deathan’s benefit, “Father says we are to leave at dawn.”
“Yes,” Urfet said, “I have spoken with the king. It is why we are here. The ponies are in good condition and will be eager to leave.” As would he, his tone implied.
“Good, for we have very little time.” Darlei’s gaze stole to Deathan’s face, which looked like a mask. Gazing away at nothing.
“Leave it to me, princess.”
Darlei nodded, reached out to pat the nearest pony, and walked away praying Deathan would follow.
After several moments, he did.
She dawdled, abandoning her usual swift stride till he caught up with her.
“Darlei—”
“Where have you been? I looked everywhere.”
“There is much that must be done for your father’s party before morning.”
“I have to see you. Talk with you.” But that was not all she needed. She needed to touch him, taste him. Needed it with a raw kind of desperation.
He shot her one look that betrayed only a small measure of what he felt. “Aye. But ’tis impossible.”
“It cannot be.” She would not allow for it. She felt sick with wanting him.
“Darlei—”
“Take me for a sail. One last sail.”
