Von chuckled and shook his head. He headed for his tent set further from the others beside a cluster of thick shrubs and trees. Other than Elon, no one dared go near his tent. So, it surprised him when Len slinked out from behind the trees.
The girl halted at the sight of him. He caught the brief flicker of alarm before her expression smoothed. Len lifted the hood of her black cloak over her equally long black hair.
“What are you doing?” Von asked, glancing in the direction she came. Had she been in his tent?
Len widened her dark eyes innocently, and she canted her head as though she didn’t understand. The dusky skin of her soft features marked her as a foreigner as much as theXbrand on her cheek marked her as a slave from Versai. Tarn purchased her from the slave traders when she was a child but after ten years—although he’d never heard her speak—Von knew she understood Urnian when it was convenient for her.
“Report to Elon.”
Len ducked her head and darted away, moving swiftly through the shadowy corners of the camp. Another figure joined her, and they vanished into the dark together. She and Novo had taken to their spy training well. Elon may have taught them a littletoowell.
Von glanced around before continuing to his tent. The flaps of the entry moved gently in the soft breeze, carrying the scent of canvas oil and wild grass. He found it nearly dark inside. A single candle flickered atop a storage chest placed between two cots. To the right was a small wooden table and one chair.
“Yavi?” Von sensed her presence behind him before her arms wrapped around his torso, her cheek pressing against his spine. He placed the bowls on the table. “I’ve brought you supper. Eat quickly. The camp is moving.”
Her arms tightened. “I heard.”
“Did the tremor frighten you? It was only Benton having a fit.”
“I’m all right.” Something in her voice proved against it.
“What is it?”
“I … I have something to tell you,” she said, the airy words quivering.
He turned around to find Yavi’s hazel eyes puffy and red, tears glinting on her lashes. He immediately assumed the worst. “Has someone learned of us?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No one knows.”
Von exhaled, letting his worry wash away. Yavi was a secret, a sweet betrayal that could take both their lives. It was against slave edict for life-servants to have life-mates or family. They lived only to serve their master, but she had become his reason for living.
He gently cupped her slender face in his hands, adoring the light sprinkle of freckles decorating the bridge of her nose. Long auburn tresses of wet hair stuck to her temples from how long she had cried. He wiped her wet cheeks, delicately brushing a thumb over her lips. They were as pink as the dawn and soft as satin. His favorite part of her face.
“Who must I kill for causing my lovely wife to weep?”
He intended it as a playful question but he meant every word. The men knew not to touch her. They had seen what he had done to the last one who tried.
Her exquisite mouth tweaked in a faint smile. “No one today, my love.”
Von glanced over her kirtle to her bare feet.
“I’m not hurt,” Yavi reassured him. Her fingers brushed the strap of the cylindrical case on his shoulder. “You’ve brought me another Scroll …” she trailed off when she noticed the stains on his coat. “Is this blood?”
“Aye.”
“Von …”
“It was necessary.” He took her hand. “What troubles you?”
Yavi searched his face. There was so much passing over hers that he couldn’t guess what she was thinking, only that she was afraid. She closed her eyes and clutched him as though he might disappear. “You’ll send me away from you soon.”
Von sighed and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. “We’ve discussed this. It’s for your own good. I’ll find a way to gain your freedom before Tarn no longer has need of you.”
They were quiet, fearing that it would be sooner than they were ready for.
“Was Len here?” Von asked.
“Oh, um, yes.”
