She moved back toward him."I should be angry. You have not come to see me in a long time." Shesat down beside him on the bed, her middle finger tracing a line across hischest. "Why?"
"I was—" He brokeoff as her hennaed nail raked his nipple. "I cannot think when you dothat, and there is something I must say."
"I don't wish you tothink."
His hand covered hers on hischest. "I want to say goodbye."
Her head lifted. "You areleaving Kasanpore? When?"
"Soon."
"That is no answer."She was silent a moment, looking at him. "Take me with you."
His eyes widened."What?"
"I want to go withyou." She set her goblet on the floor beside the bed and leaned over tokiss his chest. "You know I please you and could make you happy. I'm wearyof these men who use me and then spit on me because of my birth. You do nottreat me this way."
"No." He felt a leapof hope as he gently stroked her shining black hair. The scent of jasminedrifted to him; he loved the way she always smelled of flowers and spices."I also have known that pain. You truly wish to go with me?"
"Give me a week to settlemy affairs here in Kasanpore and I'll—" She caught his expression."No?"
"Two days."
"It will rush me, but itcan be done." She threw aside the shawl and moved over him. "I wantyou again. We will talk of the details later. Yes?"
"Zabrie… " He closedhis eyes as her hand closed around him and he began to harden. Did he love her?At times he was sure he loved her. Certainly his body was enslaved by her."Yes, we will talk later... "
He was a fool, Ruel toldhimself as he glared at the door of Zabrie's pleasure house through the heavilyfalling rain. Not only was he a fool but would probably be a drowned fool if hedidn't give up this watch and go back to the hotel.
Li Sung walked out ofZabrie's.
Ruel warily straightened awayfrom the wall as he saw Li Sung cross the street and head directly to thealcove where Ruel was standing.
"You appear a littledamp," Li Sung said.
"I'm damn near floatingaway." Ruel grimaced. "You knew I was here?"
"I've grown accustomed towatching behind me in the last weeks. I suppose you had a reason for followingme?"
"Maybe I only felt liketaking a stroll."
Li Sung smiled derisively ashe glanced out at the driving rain. "It is an odd night for a walk. Areyou so fond of the rain?"
"I've forgotten it everdid anything else in Kasanpore."
"Are you going to answerme?"
Ruel shrugged. "I thoughtit wouldn't hurt to make sure you weren't surprised."
"Zabrie would notsurprise me."
"It's not wise to trustanyone too far, Li Sung."
"I thank you for youradvice."
"But you have nointention of heeding it." Ruel nodded. "I'm not good at taking advicemyself. Zabrie asked no questions?"
Li Sung glanced back at thehouse. "She wishes to go with me."
