Isdra smirked at him, and reached over to scratch him under the chin, her finger rasping in thehairs of his beard. "As you say."
Epor acted offended. "I must keep an eye out for the crazed one. What other reason would Ihave to watch?"
I had to chuckle, even as Isdra rolled her eyes. She rose, with a last look at the babe, andheaded for the door. But Epor did not move. I looked at him, curious.
He sighed, and lowered his voice. "Lara, I would ask for your token."
Startled, I fumbled in my pocket and pulled out a stone. He took it gravely. "I would speak atruth, Lara."
"I will hear your truth, Epor. And answer it."
He shook his head. "No answer is needed. This is a truth of our ways, that I would tell you, andhave you consider, yes?"
I nodded.
He focused on me, holding my gaze with his. "Bonding is not an easy thing, Lara. It takes a lotof work for a couple to maintain a bond." I nodded again, and he continued. "One of the thingsyou cannot do is lie to your bondmate."
I flushed, embarrassed, and looked away. I opened my mouth to retort, but Epor touched myknee and silenced me with his words. "I do not know your ways in this, for I have learned thatthose of Xy bond early, and for life. Maybe this is the way of your people. But Keir is of thePlains, and for us, the bond must come first, the bondmate being due your first thoughts, eh?"
I nodded, still looking down at my hands.
"So." Epor reached over and tucked the stone back into my hands. "I ask that you think on mytruths, Lara." He stood and stretched as I fidgeted with the stone. "Now I will go and watchIsdra's back, yes?"
I nodded again. He put his mask in place, gathered up his weapons and left without anotherword. I waited until he left to wipe my eyes. I'd been right to stay silent. If I'd told Keir aboutthe forty days he'd never have allowed me to enter this village, never have stopped on his wayto the Plains. I plucked at a rough spot on my tunic and tried not to hear the tiny voice in theback of my head, the one that was pointing out that I'd never given Keir a chance.
* * *
Once I'd checked everyone and set up my pallet, I realized we'd need more water. With emptybucket in hand, I eased the door open and slipped into the main room.
Shrines to the Goddess are designed with small, high windows to allow her light to shine within.
The moon was not full, but the soft beams of light filled the room with a silver glow.
The doors out to the square were open. I stepped out into the doorway, and stopped.
The same silver light made the square glow, casting faint shadows. Epor was seated on thewell, his club in one hand. The light made his hair seem an even brighter gold. He'd lowered hismask again, I could see the gleam of his smile.
Isdra was naked, a slim silver figure in the light. Her braid shone in the moonlight. She wasusing one of the buckets to splash water over herself. I couldn't make out what they weresaying, but Epor's eyes held a light that needed no explanation.
Captured by the sight, I watched as Epor stood, caught Isdra with his free arm and pulled herclose. She moved eagerly, plastering her wet body against his and pulling his head down tohers. Their kiss was long and deep and—
I stepped back and hid behind the door, embarrassed. A longing blazed within me, for Keir'sstrong body, for the taste of his lips in my mouth. I bit my lip. And took a step further awayfrom the sight, for I wished so very much that it was Keir and I by the well, in the moonlight.
Yet, here I was alone and by my own choosing. Events demanded that I do this and I had madethe right choice.
These people were ill, and needed my help. It had been the right thing to do, of that I wascertain.
The emblem of the Goddess gleamed on the far wall, the Lady's calm face serene in the light. Isent a silent prayer to her, for the lives of my patients and the people of this village. Legendhas it that the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon, is wed to the God, the Lord of the Sun.
Then-relationship is a fierce one, filled with storms and rumbles.
He'd been so angry. So furious with me. But I'd done the right thing after all. There was illnesshere, deadly illness and it could not be ignored. We'd help those we could, bury those wecouldn't, get the information we needed, stay isolated for the required period and then be onour way. All would be as it was before. Keir would forgive my actions. Wouldn't he?
I gnawed at my lip, suddenly filled with doubt. What had seemed like such a small thing beforenow seemed—
A sound came from the other room, and I hurried back to my patients.
"Those barbarians will kill us in our sleep."
