that all our actions, all of them, led us to this place and no one person bears the blame."
"Joden and Iften blame—"
"Iften would name the grass red if I called it green." Keir heaved a sigh. "Joden has come tome in honor and spoken his truths. He is a man that I respect and I must hear him and considerhis words carefully. He must make his own decisions and come to his own conclusions."
I rubbed my gritty eyes, and lay my head back down on his chest. "I don't understand, Keir.
How can Joden support Iften?"
Keir snorted. "Joden does not support Iften, Lara. Joden opposes me. There is a difference."
"There is?"
Keir's hand caressed my hair again, long, slow strokes. "Iften tries to undermine my authority,working in the darkness to turn my warleaders and my army against me. He treads a fine line,trying to provoke me into something stupid. Joden's opposition is honest and true, in the openfor the skies to see."
I drew a breath. "Xymund would have killed Iften."
That brought a chuckle from my Warlord. "Your brother did not listen to the counsels of men ofwisdom. He listened only to those who agreed with him. A fatal flaw in a leader. We of thePlains do not silence our opponents, for they keep us strong. It is the stone against the bladethat hones the edge. A good leader does not silence those in opposition; they listen andconsider. Sometimes they are right, yes?" Keir settled himself a bit more comfortably in ourbed. "Joden will tell me his truths and I will listen."
"Keir—"
"I am disappointed that you hid the truth from me, before you entered the village."
My breath hitched in muted sobs, my tears returned, and I raised my head to look at him,opening my mouth to respond. But Keir shook his head, stopping my words. "I am alsodisappointed in myself—that you thought it necessary. That is my failure."
He drew me in closer, and pressed my head to his shoulder. "Your brother's lies almostdestroyed us, but we won through together. We will work our way though this as well. AlthoughI confess that I did not think you one to manipulate people in such a way."
My throat was tight, but I managed a whisper. "I thought I was doing what was best."
"For our people, perhaps. But not for us. For what lies between us." Keir sighed, hugging metight. "Marcus warned me of this. Told me that bonding was harder than I realized, more effortthan 'throwing a woman over your shoulder and claiming her'."
I nodded. "Epor said the same. He told me that you were 'due my first thought'. Keir," Istrained my voice, trying to convince him with all of my heart, "I promise I will nev—"
"No." Keir shook his head. "Trust is not so easy to mend. It will take time and deeds on bothour parts, eh?"
I hugged him, nodding my head. My sorrow was still there, but there was a spark of hope aswell.
"Let us pledge that we will have faith in each other." Keir continued. "That will see usthrough."
"Oh yes, my Keir." I kissed him softly, and nuzzled his ear. He lifted my hand to his lips andkissed my palm. Wrapped in those blankets, both of us fully clothed, I some how felt moreintimate with him than if we'd been naked. "I could stay like this forever." I whispered.
"So could I." He whispered back. "Sometimes, I think of us taking two horses and riding away,as far and as fast as we can."
Surprised, I studied his face. He returned the look steadily. "We could run, Lara. Far and fastand free, with only the skies as a witness. We'd have each other, no worries beyond our ownneeds, no burdens, no—"
"No Iftens?"
"No Iftens." He growled. "It would be perfect."
"It would be."
He heaved a sigh, and we lay in silence for some time, until I shifted slightly and spoke into hisear. "But that is not who you are, Keir of the Cat, Warlord of the Plains."
I felt his head move, nodding his agreement. "It is not who you are either, Xylara, Daughter ofXy and Master Healer."
I nodded, but stayed silent.
"Now, Marcus will be worried." Keir smiled ruefully. "If I could, I would rise from this pallet,sweep you up and carry you to the command tent. But I fear that if I try, I will fall and take youwith me."
