Then Selik was drawing alongside her, and Galen was grabbing the reins.

"No!" she protested. "Not yet!"

She heard his low chuckle as he pulled Pavda to a trot. "Another two miles and you'd have been halfway to Said Ababa." His smile faded. "And you disobeyed me."

She laughed joyously. "Pavda wanted to run this morning." She patted the mare's neck. "And Selik was too slow."

"How odd that he still managed to catch you." Galen's lips tightened. "Never disobey me again, Tess. Particularly not when we're outside the city walls."

"There was no danger. We've ridden this road every day for the last week and never chanced on anyone." Tess gazed around the barren landscape to the green hills in the distance. "You see, there's no one in sight for miles. I told—" She broke off as she pointed to a tall round structure on the second hill she had never noticed before. "What's that?"

He glanced at the gray stone tower she had indicated, and his expression immediately became guarded. "It's a watchtower. It was built by my grandfather in order that the sentries could watch over the passage of the wagons carrying gold from the mines in the hills to Zalandan and prevent bandit raids. It's not been used for some time."

"Why not? Are there no longer bandits?"

"Yes, bandits aplenty. Some things never change."

"Then why isn't it—"

"It's time to go back." Galen turned Selik with an abruptness that startled her. "I've wasted enough time this morning."

Yet he had not considered it a waste until she had caught sight of the tower. "It looks… lonely. Pauline once told me a tale of a witch who imprisoned the daughter she loved in a tower to protect her from the harshness of the world and keep anyone from stealing her."

"An unlikely story to have attracted our lusty Pauline's interest."

Tess chuckled. "Not so strange. The daughter grew her hair very long, and let her lover climb it to reach her. Every night he would call, 'Rapunzel, let down your hair.’ Then she would loose her hair, and her lover would climb to the tower and spend the night with her. It's just the kind of intrigue that would appeal to Pauline."

"How did it end?"

"I don't know. Pauline was only interested in the part of the tale she told." She glanced curiously over her shoulder at the tower. "May we go see inside it tomorrow?"

"No!"

The harshness of his tone surprised her, and she looked at his face. She inhaled sharply, her hand instinctively tightening on Pavda's reins as she saw his expression.

"Stay away from the tower, Tess."

"Why?"

"Merde, isn't it enough that I tell you to do it?" he asked fiercely. "Must you question every order? Stay away from the tower."

"It's unreasonable of you not to tell me why," she said, stung. "If there is danger, tell me."

"There is danger." He enunciated precisely.

"Bandits?"

"No."

"Is the tower in disrepair?"

"I don't know. I haven't been there for years."

"Then I can see no reason—"

"You don't have to know the reasons." His eyes glittered in his taut face. "It's enough for you to know there's danger for you there."

"But if there are no bandits, I cannot—"

"From me." Threat vibrated in Galen's low voice. "From me, dammit."

He whipped Selik into a run and galloped away from Tess toward the gates of Zalandan.

"I saw a watchtower in the hills yesterday, Sacha. A great gloomy place." Tess kept her tone carefully casual as she glanced down at the chessboard. "Galen said his grandfather built it."

"Did he?" Sacha moved his knight.

Tess studied the board. "Why isn't it used anymore?"

"Didn't you ask Galen?"

"Yes."

"If Galen had wanted you to know, he would have told you."

"You're being most exasperating." She looked up and scowled at him. "Why shouldn't I know?"

"You don't have to know everything, imp." Sacha leaned back in his chair. "For the past week you've dragged me all over the city, gobbling sights and information like a greedy little girl."

"Zalandan interests me." She fingered the ivory queen in front of her. "I don't see why Galen must be so secretive about the tower."

Sacha's smile faded. "Stay away from the tower, Tess. You wouldn't like what you'd find there."

"Cobwebs and mice."

"And memories."

"Memories?" She looked into his eyes. "You do know something about it. Tell me."

He shook his head.

She muttered an oath beneath her breath. "Memories are no threat."

"Galen's memories could be."

"Why?"

"Because Galen's memories are bitterer and more savage than most."

"What memories?"

Sacha slowly shook his head. "Stop probing, imp." He paused before adding, "Galen has always been two men, and there's a struggle between them even now. As long as he keeps the memories at bay, he's no danger to you."

She made a face. "You exaggerate. Galen is always in control of his emotions."

Sacha smiled curiously. "And you want to prod the tiger."

"Certainly not. I'm just curious."

"And impatient," Sacha said softly.

She hadn't realized how transparent she had been. Dear heaven, she hoped Galen had not noticed. For the past week she had been aware that Galen had deliberately struck a balance between teasing affection and raw sensuality that continually kept her off guard. In the midst of a joke or discussion he would suddenly insinuate a glance, a touch, a word, between them that would send her flailing in the darkness of yearning. Tension was building in her; she waited breathlessly for his sweet, torturing words and looks. You would think she was eager for him to reach out a hand and take—

She flushed and quickly stood up. "I don't know what you mean. And I'm tired of this silly game. I think I'll find Viane and go to the aviary. Are you coming?"

He glanced down at the chessboard. "I think not. I'm leaving for Tamrovia this afternoon."

She whirled back to face him. "Why?"

"Galen wants to know the moment your father learns you've left France. I seem to be the logical one to be on hand when it happens."

"It's only been three weeks. He couldn't know yet, could he?"

"It's not likely." He pushed back his chair and stood up. "But Galen doesn't wish to be caught by surprise. "

She moved restlessly across the terrace to look out at the hills in the distance. "Belajo seems like another world. I like it better here, Sacha."

"So do I."

"At first I didn't think I would. Most of the people here seem so stern, but I'm very fond of Viane, and I like Yusef and Said and—"

"Kalim?"

"How can I like Kalim? He freezes me to stone when he looks at me." She grimaced. "I can't believe Viane is going to wed him."

"Neither can I."

The underlying bitterness in Sacha's voice made her turn and look at him. The expression on his face caused her eyes to widen. "Sacha?"

The vulnerability vanished from her cousin's expression as he made a rueful face. "Don't worry about it, Tess. I'll get over it."