It was Kalim… but not the fierce, stern Kalim she had come to know. He laughed boyishly as the two dogs launched themselves at him in joyous delirium.

Tess stiffened. "What's he doing here?"

"He lives here. This is the house I gave him six years ago when I brought him down from the hills after his father's death."

"That boy was Kalim?" She was astonished at how affectionately he regarded the dogs. "I would never have guessed."

"He's very conscious of his responsibilities. He was forced to become a man before he stopped being a boy."

"You like him?"

He nodded. "And understand him. I was only in my seventeenth year when my father died and I became sheikh of the El Zalan." He strode down the path toward Kalim. "Coming here was a mistake. Let's give Kalim our greetings and be gone."

The smile lingered on Kalim's face as he lifted his head to look at Galen. "I thought it must be you. Apollo tore out of the house like a—" He broke off as he caught sight of Tess. His smile vanished, and he bowed formally. "Majira."

She felt a chill go through her. "How do you do, Kalim? I must thank you for being so kind to Apollo and Daphne."

"No kindness was necessary, Majira. I am fond of them." He turned back to Galen. "Will you be needing me for the next few days? If not, I thought I'd ride into the hills to visit my great-uncle."

"Go, but be careful. A messenger arrived this morning with news of more raids on the Said Ababa border."

"I'm always careful." A warm smile lit his face as he gave the dogs a final pat. "As you've taught me to be, Majiron. I'll bring you back a true report on the raids by the week's end." He bowed to each, then hurried up the path to the house.

Galen watched him with a worried frown. "I don't like him going alone."

"You're truly fond of him," Tess said, amazed as he took her arm and guided her through the garden toward the gate. "I have affection for Viane and Kalim and Sacha and many people of whom you have no knowledge."

"But Kalim seems…"—she substituted a word for the rude term she meant—"cold."

"He's not cold. You just don't understand him.''

"It's not likely that I will. He resents me."

"Yes."

She had expected him to deny the charge as Sacha had done. "Why? Because you wed me?"

"Partly." He opened the gate. "But principally because you're of the West."

"I don't understand."

"He's been out of Sedikhan on occasion, and he realizes what a pull the West exerts."

She frowned in puzzlement. "On you?"

"No, not on me." He lifted her onto the sidesaddle. "Before my stepmother died, she arranged a marriage between Kalim and Viane. Their marriage is to take place next summer."

"With Viane's consent?"

His lips tightened as he mounted Selik. "I would not have sanctioned it otherwise. You persist in thinking me a tyrant. Some of the old ways are best, but I would not cage Viane any more than I would Apollo or Daphne."

"Where are we going now?" she asked, trying to keep up with him.

"Back to the palace," he said curtly. "I made a mistake, but that doesn't mean I can't set it right."

The golden palomino mare in the stall stood fifteen hands high and shone creamy gold in the sunlight.

"Her name is Pavda." Galen patted the mare's nose. "She's been ridden only by the grooms to exercise her. At one time I thought to give her to Viane, but she's afraid of her."

"Afraid of this angel?" Tess moved forward to stand beside Galen. "But why? Look at her eyes. Anyone can see she's gentle as a lamb."

"Tell that to the groom who rides her every morning."

"She doesn't like being cooped up." She shot him a glance. "I can understand that."

"Did I feel a barb hit home?" He made a face. "If you're in such sympathy with her, then you obviously belong together. I take it you'll accept Pavda?"

She gazed wistfully at the mare. "I like Viane. I wouldn't steal this beauty from her."

"You can't steal what has never been given."

"I can't believe it. You're really giving her to me?" Tess's cheeks flushed with excitement as she ran a caressing hand over Pavda's muzzle. "She's going to be mine?"

"Wasn't that part of our bargain?"

"Yes, but my father—" She stopped. "I keep forgetting you don't like being compared to him." as I that not many men keep honor with women."

"That's because we feel helpless before some of their weapons. "

"Nonsense, it's the men who hold all the power in the world." She spoke absently, her gaze on Pavda. "She's mine? You won't take her back? "

"She is yours." He added softly, "And you won't have to fight for her affection. She's had no mistress but you, nor will she ever."

Warmth rippled through her. "Mine," she murmured. "May I ride her now?"

"Not now. Tomorrow is soon enough."

"But I want to—"

"Tomorrow," Galen said firmly. "I have things to do for the next few hours and have no time for lessons. "

"Lessons?" she asked indignantly. "I ride very well. Better than most men."

"Sidesaddle." He took her arm and pushed her gently toward the door of the stable. "From now on you ride astride."

She gazed at him, shocked. "Like a man?"

"My mother was killed riding sidesaddle. A horse fell and crushed her," Galen said grimly. "I'll not have you mounted on one of those death traps any longer than I can help it." He chuckled as he saw her expression. "Why do you look at me like that? I would have thought you'd like the freedom."

"I never—I was always told that a woman must ride—" Her eyes began to sparkle as she began possible."

"Many things are possible in Zalandan that aren't possible in the rest of the world." He smiled faintly into her radiant face. "You just have to cast off the old ways of thinking."

"Yet you cling to some of the old ways."

"Choice." He didn't look at her. "Simply because a possibility exists doesn't mean we have to act on it."

"But you gave me no choice in what manner I'm to ride."

"That was different."

"A man's answer. No logic." Tess smiled joyously. "But since you've given me Pavda, I forgive you everything."

"I thank you." He bowed slightly. "Then I hope your indulgence will extend to accepting my guidance in choosing your wardrobe. The fabric vendor and the tailor will be in your chamber at two this afternoon."

"Oh that." She frowned. "I'd much rather go back to the stable and get better acquainted with Pavda."

"Indulge me," he said again.

She shrugged. "Oh, very well. I guess I do need something in which to ride. This habit is suitable only for sidesaddle."

He turned away, but not before she saw the faintest smile touch his lips. "Yes, riding is of the utmost importance."

* * *

After she left the stable, Tess immediately went back to the palace to seek out Viane, whose quarters were much like her own. There was one exception. Viane's terrace held a huge aviary with white lattice stone walls and occupied by trees, shrubbery, and a multitude of birds of varying types and hues.