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.To shake the hand of a stranger,embrace a loved one.To make children and watch them grow.For all his power, all his knowledge, he could give her none of those things.Allhe had left for her was the gift of freedom.To comfort himself, he pressed his face to Dilis's neck, drew in the scents ofhorse and straw, of oat and leather.How was it he could forget, each time forgetthe wrenching misery of these last hours? The sheer physical pain of knowing itwas all ending again.He was ending again."You've always been free.You know I have no claim to keep you here, shouldyou choose to go." He lifted his head, stroking the stallion's head as he lookedinto his eyes."Carry her away safe for me.And if you go beyond, I'll not countit against you."He stepped back, drew his breath.There was work yet, and the morning waspassing fast.When it was done, the last spell, the thin blanket of forget spread at the edges ofhis prison, he saw Kayleen in his mind's eye.She wandered through the gardens toward the verge of the forest.Looking forhim, calling his name.The pain was like an arrow in the heart, almost drivinghim to his knees.So, he was not prepared after all.He fisted his hands, struggled for composure.Resolved but not prepared.How would he ever live without her?"She will live without me," he said aloud."That I want more.We'll end it now,quick and clean."He could not will her away, will her back into her world and into life.But hecould drive her from him, so that the choice to go was her own.Taking Dilis's reins, only for the comfort of contact, he walked for the last timeas a man, for yet a century to come, through the woods toward home.She heard the jingle of harness and the soft hoofbeats.Relieved, she turnedtoward the sound, walking quickly as Flynn came out of the trees."I wondered where you were." She threw her arms around his neck, and he lether.Her mouth pressed cheerfully to his, and he absorbed the taste of it."Oh, I had a bit of work." The words cut at his throat like shards of glass."It's afine day for it, and for your travels.""For my travels.""Indeed." He gave her a little pat, then moved away to adjust the stirrups ofDilis's saddle."I've cleared the path, so you'll have no trouble.You'll find yourway easily enough.You're a resourceful woman.""My way? Where?"He glanced back, gave her an absent smile."Out, of course.It's time for you togo.""Go?""There, that should do." He turned to her fully.Every ounce of power he ownedwent into the effort."Dilis will take you as far as you need.I'd go with youmyself, but I've so much to see to yet.I saw you have one of those little pocketphones in your car.Fascinating things.I have to remember to get one myself forthe study of it.You should be able to use it once you're over the border.""I don't understand what you're saying." How could she when her mind hadgone numb, when her heart had stopped beating."I'm not going.""Kayleen, darling, of course you are." He patted her cheek."Not that it hasn'tbeen a delight having you here.I don't know when I've been so diverted.""Di& diverted?""Mmm.God, you're a tasty bit," he murmured, then leaned down to nip at herbottom lip."Perhaps we could take just enough time to& " His hands roameddown her, giving her breasts a teasing squeeze."Stop!" She stumbled back, came up hard against Dilis, who shifted, restless."Adiversion? That's all this was to you? A way to pass the time?""Passed it well, didn't we? Ah, sweetheart, I gave as much pleasure as I got.You can't deny it.But we've both got things to get back to, don't we?""I love you."She was killing him."God bless the female heart." And he said it with achuckle."It's so generous." Then he lifted his brows, rolled his eyes under them."Ah, don't be making a scene and spoil this parting moment.We've enjoyedeach other, and that's the end.Where did you think this was going? It's time outof time, Kayleen.Now don't be stubborn.""You don't love me [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]