She smiled slyly. "I was too weary to notice."
"You wound me." He brushed the hair back from her face with a gentle hand. "But, it's true, I did perceive a lack of enthusiasm in you. I thought I'd taught you that a woman must be as skilled as a man in this--" He inhaled sharply. "Will you--please remove--your hand?"
She squeezed. "Actually, a woman doesn't have to be so skilled. I've found you to be responsive to the simplest things."
"Simple?" He went rigid as her thumbnail caressed him. "If you don't wish to couple with me again in the next minute, I'd remove your hand."
She laughed and released him. "Not until I've had my supper." She swung her feet to the floor and stood up. "And afterward I wish a hot bath." She carelessly draped the length of blue material around her. Layla was right, this garment had many uses. She liked the feel of the softness against her breasts. Her body felt as sleek and silky smooth as the material. "And then I'll see what other simple things amuse you."
She could feel his gaze on her as she strolled to the window. Night had fallen hours ago, and the moonlight shimmered on the rectangular pool. So serene. She felt serene too. Only minutes ago she had been lost in the most frenzied of passions, yet now she felt as tranquil as that cool, still pool.
"What are you thinking?" Kadar asked.
"That emotions seldom remain the same for very long."
"Some emotions do." He paused. "Love. Hate."
"Yes, but that's not the same." She came back toward him. "And I don't want to think about hate right now." She knelt on the floor beside the bed and laid her cheek on his hand. "I do love you, Kadar," she whispered. "I've loved you for so long." She rubbed her cheek back and forth. She added haltingly, "I thought I could live without you. I thought I'd be fine. I was wrong. I have to be with you."
"Selene."
"So you have to take care of yourself," she said fiercely. "Do you hear me? I won't have you dying on me."
"You won't?" He turned his hand and cradled her cheek in his palm. His voice was uneven. "I'll try to oblige you."
"And you have to promise to love me forever."
"That's an easy task." He lifted her chin and gazed directly into her eyes. "I'll love you until the day I die, Selene."
"I like these vows far better than the ones we gave the priest," she said shakily. "I'll love you until the day I die too, Kadar."
An indefinable expression flitted over his face for only a second and then was gone. "I thank you." He bent his head and brushed her lips with his own. "I'll try not to violate your trust."
"You'd better not. I've just learned the way of it." She rose to her feet. "But I never do things in small measure. I'll trust you now no matter what you do."
"You will?" There was a strange note in his tone. "Are you sure?"
She smiled. "I'm sure."
"That makes everything much more difficult for me."
"I'd think it would simplify." She looked at him from beneath her lashes. "We've already established my liking for simplicity."
He moved his shoulders as if shrugging off a burden. He grinned. "God bless simplicity. Are you sure you need to eat now?"
"No." The folds of blue silk pooled at her feet. She stepped over it and moved toward him. "We've taken our own vows, and they should be celebrated in some way." She slipped into bed and into his arms. She whispered, "And it need not necessarily be a very simple way. You're very good at complications."
"I've been patient long enough." Vaden strode into Selene's chamber and slammed the door. "Out of bed and into your clothes."
Kadar sat up and quickly pulled the cover over Selene. "It's courteous to knock, Vaden."
"He doesn't know how," Selene said sarcastically.
"Would you have answered my knock? Tarik says you haven't been out of this chamber in two days. Coupling is all very well, but it can't interfere with the business at hand. Since I was the one who threw you into her bed, I felt obligated to allow you some extra time to enjoy her, Kadar, but I--"
"Allow?" Kadar repeated.
"Don't be testy. You wanted my services. You have them. I won't be kept waiting while you pleasure--"
