Whitefire Read Free

to show that it was a lone rider who approached. “Where there is one, there could be more,” he said softly to his men.
    Katerina stared intently in the last rays of the evening light. A camp with a fire. Food! Which Cossack tribe was it camped in the middle of the plain, and why? An uneasy feeling settled over her as the horse trotted closer and closer. Her eyes widened at the garb on the tall figure standing near a horse and the campfire, surrounded by men. Mongols! What would they do? Would they let her pass? Would they believe her when she told them she had Mongol blood in her veins? Not likely. She looked like a Cossack. Her shoulders straightened imperceptibly as she advanced to the camp. Deftly she reined in Bluefire and watched the man who appeared to be the group’s leader admiring her gelding.
    Neither spoke. Katerina waited. Banyen waited. The men waited. A worm of fear found its way into Katerina’s stomach and worked its way up to her chest. She swallowed and looked at the tall man, who was staring at her with bold, arrogant, lustful eyes.
    White teeth glistened in the dimness of twilight as Banyen smiled. “Prince Banyen at your service,” he said, bowing low with a flourish. His tone was cool, mocking, as he walked over to her placid horse. Katerina dug her heels into Bluefire’s flanks, and the gelding slowly backed away from the advancing Mongol.
    Katerina nodded. “What are you doing here? This is Don Cossack land.”
    At the sound of the soft, melodious voice Banyen’s face registered shock. A woman! “This is Cossack land?” Banyen mocked her words, straining to get a glimpse of her face. “As long as I’m standing on this land, it belongs to me—unless, of course, you would like to fight me for it. I see no Cossacks protecting it. You’re a Cossack, aren’t you? No one save a Cossack rides pure whites, especially a horse such as yours. Well,” he said harshly, “will you challenge me for this ground I stand on?”
    â€œYou can stand here till you take root for all I care,” Katerina snapped. “And, no, I have no wish to challenge you or your men. Others like the vicious Tereks will challenge you.”
    Banyen laughed, his head thrown back in merriment. “What others? There is no one on this godforsaken steppe except you, me, and my men,” he said, bowing again. “Come here, let me see what you look like,” he said, advancing. Nimbly, Bluefire again backed off a pace and then two more. “Please,” Banyen said, holding up his hand, “allow me to extend an invitation to dinner—roast rabbit, newly caught. I insist,” he said, lunging toward her. “Don’t make the mistake of refusing my generous offer.”
    â€œI’m not hungry. Thank you for the invitation, but I must ride on.”
    â€œPerhaps the cold has affected your hearing. I said don’t refuse my offer!”
    The clear amber eyes narrowed. “And I told you I’m not hungry!” Katerina’s foot came up and knocked his hand from her arm. Filled with panic, she lowered her head and grasped the gelding’s mane as her heels dug into the horse, spurring it on.
    A roar of outrage reached her ears as Bluefire raced through the snow. She knew in her heart she would be caught. The gelding was as tired as she was, but the Mongol prince and his stallion looked rested. Oh, God, what was she going to do? You were right, Father, you may yet find my frozen body, but it won’t be because of Stepan and Wildflower. Damn him to hell! Who did he think he was, ordering her to share his dinner? Cossack rabbits that were needed for her own people. As she urged the horse to do his best, she turned her head, and momentarily the noble animal was thrown off stride. The stallion was gaining on her. “O God, I don’t want to die!” she cried quietly to the shimmering stars.
    As she dug her heels into