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What the hell was that? He reached for her. Are you all right? Did you get
stung, too?
Tasi remained just out of reach. No. But if you don t release me again when I
ask, you might get worse than a sting next time.
Startled, Heddam looked back at his palm then at her again. You did that? But
how?
I m sorry, but you re so damned stubborn. Folding her arms, she rested her
weight on one foot. And you ask too many questions which aren t your business.
The sting was fading fast, but he still gave his hand a few shakes while
contemplating her. How had she done it, and what else could this wench do? What
was the purpose of her kyrat, apart from healing?
See? She shook her head. You don t know what you re dealing with and now
you re wondering.
Oh?
You re having second thoughts and that s a good thing.
He stopped shaking his hand. Tis right?
Yes, that s right. And that s good. Stay out of my troubles, Heddam, because
you don t know what you re messing with.
He arched one brow. Fascinating. So tell me what I m messing with, lass.
For two heartbeats she looked at him, a trace of sadness flickering briefly across
her face before calmness wiped it away. You want a future, trader. You want
someone to love and hold and to be there waiting for you when you get back from
trips away. You want children.
She knew him so well, but Most Daamen men do.
You won t find that with me. The words fell between them and lingered as
though they could be actually touched.
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He regarded her steadily, not reaching for her, knowing instinctively if he did
that she d move away again. Honesty was in her eyes and for a few fragile minutes
she was being totally candid with him.
I don t know that, he said.
I do.
Give me the reasons.
You know them.
You have a price on your head, but tis only from your own people. You re not
part of the IPC, so for them you are not an outlaw. Tis nothing stopping you
coming to my planet and being under my our protection.
Sooner or later the High Emperor will track me down, and then whoever stands
between him and I will die.
He wouldn t dare come to Daamen. If he attacked a planet under the IPC
protection, the consequences for Aora would be devastating.
And there you go, two good reasons not to go to Daamen. One, people not of
Aora will die. And two, Aora is... Her voice trailed off.
Heddam was instantly alert for any hints. Aora is what?
She shrugged.
Tell me. His gaze hardened when she didn t reply. Tell me or mayhaps I ll
have to start some serious questioning of people I know.
A shadow of a grin curved her full lips. If you could do that, I wouldn t have to
tell you, would I?
Don t play games
But games are so much fun.
Stars, how could the wench even think of laughing at a time like this? During a
conversation like this?
He refused to be beguiled by her humour, even though her eyes were starting to
sparkle with mischief. Aora is what, Tasi?
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It almost hurt to see the sparkle fade to be replaced with seriousness. She
regarded him steadily and he could almost hear the seconds tick past, but he had a
well of hope. She was debating something.
Silently he willed her to tell him.
Finally, she said, Aora is in a rebellion. My friends are waiting for me. I have
things I need to do for them. I can t tell you anything more, Heddam, other than
our paths are going separate ways.
It wasn t what he d wanted to hear. I can help you.
She gave him an odd look. Trust me, you couldn t.
If you d tell me
Let s not hammer at this. I can t and won t tell you, there s no need. This kind
of thing is something not for outsiders.
Outsiders. Heddam took a deep breath. It stopped being outsiders when
outsiders started hunting you, when the Aora High Emperor made you free game
for the bounty hunters and anyone else who wanted to collect that reward on your
head.
Rather stupid of them. She surprised him by nodding. But desperate, too.
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