Page 57 of The Last Warrior

While he groaned, she said, “Come, you look cold, and I am warm beneath your blanket. Here, share the warmth with me.” Her smile was so alluring, he almost lost all his good intentions, right then, right there.

He swallowed. He stared at her.

When she continued to speak, saying, “I would love to return the favor you have done me. Indeed, I would seek to indulge you with those very secret seductions you have shown to me this evening…” Only the survival of his people and their destiny held him back from her. And even then…

“Come,” she urged again, and she patted the ground next to her. “Let us have more fun.”

He swallowed several times before he was able to find his voice. “What you suggest would be most pleasant, very much. But, we have managed to avoid detection thus far, and I fear if we stay here longer, we might risk others finding us.”

“Oh? There is reason for you to believe we are in danger of discovery?”

He paused while he debated if he could resort to the white man’s way and tell her a lie. He opened his mouth to do so, but discovered he couldn’t. He was not a white man, and lying to his wife was not a deed of honor. Alas, all he found he could say was, “No, we are not in imminent danger of discovery, but⁠—”

“Then please, sit beside me here,” she said with a sweet smile.

He paused a moment while he collected his wits. Could he distract her? “Ah… Do you hear the music?”

“Music?” She set her head to the side.

“Hau. Is not the Song Bird singing tonight? Perhaps it is her voice I hear.”

“Your ear must be quite acute then, for I detect nothing more than the drums from your encampment.”

“And yet, I think your grandmother is singing tonight. We should go back there now.”

She frowned at him. “You would rather return to the party and listen to Irena than to join me and…”

He knelt next to her and picked up her hand, holding it within his own. “Listen to me, my wife, for I must speak to you solemnly.”

“Very well. I am listening,” she purred softly, and brought up her hand to run her fingers down his cheek.

He inhaled sharply. “For reasons I cannot tell you, we must not repeat what we have done this night, not until I have finished the quest I am bound to do.”

Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t say a word.

“Perhaps it has been a fault of mine to not open my heart to you until now. From the start, it has been my intention to cause you to change your mind and take me for a real husband. That this requires intimacy is a circumstance I have desired. But this has been unwise, I fear, and I can no longer give you the familiarity a wife deserves…until…”

Her frown deepened. “Until…”

“You recall my informing you about my people’s misfortune?”

“Yes.”

“I have come to realize I must complete my mission. Only after I free my people will I be at liberty to make love to you again.”

“Oh?” She sat unmoving for a time, then said, “Indeed? And when will your mission be complete?”

“Very soon, I hope. But in truth, it could last my lifetime.”

“Your lifetime?”

“Hau. I fear it could be so. Do not fret overly much, however, for I believe I am close to solving the mystery which keeps my people enslaved.”

“Oh.”

“Will you wait for me?”

“I have little choice. As you might remember, I have my own problems, and keeping you as my husband is a good solution to them.”