VirtualHeaven Read Free Page B

appears wearing a talisman.”
    “The pendant?” Kered tried not to touch the woman’s breast
as he again lifted the necklace, holding it up for inspection. The dimming of
his vision was a painful malady he did his best to ignore—and hide from the
curiosity of others. “It is beautiful, but why do you think it a talisman?”
    “It bears the symbols of the ancient time. If you were a
believer, I would say it means you should make the ancient quest. Let her rest.
When she awakens she will tell us her purpose on my mountain and all will be
clear.”
    Kered raked his hair back from his face. “Will she awaken?”
He bent over her, adjusting the furs. Her skin was like new cream, her hair
glossy as a raven’s wing, her brows straight and patrician.
    “Oh, aye, when she is ready.”
    Because Nilrem said it with such confidence, Kered relaxed.
“Her master must have paid a fortune for her.”
    “All pleasure slaves are costly.” Nilrem sighed.
    “You think her a pleasure slave?” Kered turned over her
hand. “She bears calluses on her fingertips. Her arms are not soft; they show
strength.”
    “Aye. She has not the soft roundness of a pleasure slave,
but where have you ever seen such coloring? I have seen hair from the palest
silver to the muddiest brown, but true black? Never.”
    “Perhaps beyond the ice fields?” Kered thought of the subtle
fragrance that had teased his senses as he had carried her up the mountain. The
perfume alone should have told him she belonged in the pleasure realm. His
groin tightened. Her exotic beauty, her unusual coloring, and her strange, soft
garment served only to remind him that it had been many months since he had
taken any pleasure.
    Nilrem seemed to read his mind. “If you found no sign of her
master, perhaps she is a runaway. Claim her. I can step outside for the length
of time it will take you to use her, or better yet, I could bear witness!”
    “I need a lifemate, not another female slave. ‘Tis useless
to claim a woman who, by the most ancient of laws, may neither bear me heirs
nor bring me power.”
    “‘Tis true she could never lifemate with you, but surely
there is always room in a household for another female with such pleasurable
attributes?”
    “Perhaps in my kitchens?” Kered asked calmly. Nilrem loved
to goad him to anger. He would not be led. His purpose for visiting the wise
man could not be lost in side issues.
    Nilrem patted his arm. “Your responsibilities have made you
sour. What brings you here?”
    “The Tolemac border is again breached in two places. I must
earn a seat on the council and try to end this useless war.”
    Suddenly, the woman moaned, her breasts heaving with anxious
gasps. Kered kept a tight hold on her hand, clasping it to reassure her as she
flailed about on the fur pallet. Her moans became cries.
    “Soothe her.” Nilrem edged closer.
    Kered obeyed, murmuring nonsense, stroking her hands,
suddenly recalling phrases his mother had used to calm him when he was a child.
Fear possessed her. When her eyes opened, they stared wildly about, flitting
over the two men.
    A red flush bloomed on her cheeks. Kered leaned forward. He
watched in fascination as the red stain spread. He wished now he had stripped
her, for the color ran under the edge of her gown. His imagination painted it
across her small breasts.
    An exotic from some distant land. Worth a fortune.
    “Calm yourself, child,” Nilrem crooned. He shoved Kered
aside and made clumsy clucking sounds at her.
    She struggled up on an elbow. Her eyes skipped over Nilrem
to focus on Kered. “Oh, my God!” she whispered.
    Maggie stared as the poster came to life, the Tolemac
warrior rising abruptly to his feet. His head banged the rafters and he stooped
in annoyance.
    An old man bent over her. Maggie pressed back into the bed.
Her stomach rolled, and she shivered, searching the room for something familiar
to anchor her senses. Either she was dreaming, or the game was more
frighteningly