"Viane?" She shook her head in bewilderment. "I don't understand. You're not at all alike."

"Perhaps that's why she touches me. It seems similarity is not a requisite for grand passions." He shrugged. "All I know is that I took one look at her and felt calmer and more serene than I ever had before in my life."

"Serene? You?"

"Perhaps that's what I've always been searching for."

She gazed doubtfully at him. Serenity and Sacha did not ride tandem, but who was she to know what would please her mercurial cousin. "Then you must have her," Tess said. "There should be no problem. You're far more charming than that scowling Kalim."

He chuckled. "You make it sound so easy."

"It is easy. We only have to think of a way to accomplish it. Galen would have no objection?"

"No, but Viane would."

She gestured impatiently. "We'll change her mind."

"You can't alter nature to suit yourself, imp."

"We can try. Viane is kind and clever." She frowned. "She lacks an independent spirit. I must try to instill that quality in her while you're in Tamrovia."

He shook his head. "Worry about yourself, Tess."

"But I want to help. ' She could feel the tears sting her eyes as she looked at him. "I have great affection for you, Sacha. '

"So you want to set the world right to suit me?" Sacha reached out a hand to gently touch a bright curl tumbling over her temple. "Viane belongs in this world, Tess. Her roots are here."

"And you do not?"

He wearily shook his head. "I'm not of the El Zalan, and they don't accept strangers readily. I don't belong anywhere."

And neither did she. Tess felt a curious pang. "You're a prince of Tamrovia."

"Which means nothing to the El Zalan. Kalim has more stature than I do here." He leaned forward and brushed a kiss on the tip of her nose. "I'm leaving within the hour. I'll send you a message when I reach Belajo. Keep well, Tess."

"I'll come to the courtyard to bid you farewell. God go with you."

At the doorway Sacha glanced over his shoulder. "Stay away from the tower, Tess."

He left and she shivered. She had no intention of pursuing her fascination with that dark, forbidding tower. Let Galen keep his secrets and his memories. She would only be here for a short time, and had no desire to knock down the barriers he erected against her.

Still, it would do no harm to make Viane see what a splendid husband Sacha could be.

Sacha. Husband. She grinned as she realized how foreign the two images were to each other.

However, if Viane was the woman her wild cousin wanted, then Tess had to help him win her.

Chapter 6

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An hour later Tess heard the sound of horses' hooves on flagstone and men's voices even before she reached the front door, and Sacha was riding out of the stable as Tess reached the courtyard where thirty or so robed, mounted men were milling about. Galen, mounted on Selik, walked the horse over to her.

"You're leaving too?" she asked, trying to keep the shock and disappointment from her voice. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't like farewells. I'm taking Said with me, but I asked Kalim to deliver a note to you later. "

"How kind."

Galen muttered a curse. "I'm only traveling as far as the border. I didn't like the report Kalim brought back from the hill tribes. Sacha's going back to Tamrovia on my behalf, and I must assure him safe conduct through Tamar's territory."

"You have no need to make explanations. I'm not arguing with you. I shall be glad to be on my own again." She lifted her chin. "I simply think it would have been courteous of you to tell me in person."

"I said I have no use for farewells."

"Nor for courtesy either." Her voice was faintly tremulous, and she steadied it before she continued. "We all must do things we don't like. Why else am I in Zalandan?"

"To plague and torment me? Very well, I was discourteous, but I had no wish to hurt you. Will you wish me good journey?"

"Certainly. Good and speedy journey, my lord."

He hunched his shoulders as if buffeted by a cold wind. "It's as well I'll be traveling in desert country." When she didn't answer, he went on, "If you have need of anything, go to Kalim. He'll be in charge during my absence."

"I'm sure he'll do very well. His arrogance almost equals your own."

"Tess, dammit, this is for the best." His dark eyes glittered in his taut face. "My patience is nearly gone. I need to be away from you for a time."

"And, naturally, the decision is always yours. You make me feel like a chess piece moved across the board according to your own rules." She gazed at him directly. "I think it's time we started a new game, my lord."

"Indeed?" He went still, and then recklessness suddenly flickered in his expression. "We'll discuss it when I return in a week."

She shook her head. "Impossible from Tamrovia. Why, it took us five days from the border to reach here."

"But I had no strong incentive then." His gaze narrowed on her face. "Now, I have every reason to hurry back."

Heat tingled through her, and her lungs seemed to constrict. "You do?" she whispered.

"Oh yes." His gaze held hers. "And do you know what that reason is?"

She was beginning to have an excellent idea. The tension with which she had become so familiar had returned, settling upon both of them like a sensual cloak. She realized with surprise that this was precisely the reaction she had wanted to stir in him. Perhaps Sacha was right, and she had wanted to prod the tiger. She swallowed, feeling the dark excitement envelop her as she looked at him. "I'm sure you're going to tell me."

"You're damn right I am. Shall I put it in your own words?" He smiled. "I'm done with dithering."

He and Sacha rode out of the courtyard then, the men following in loose formation. Her heart pounded, the exhilaration of the adventure to come making her almost dizzy with excitement.

She impulsively took a half-step forward and then stopped. She couldn't go after him. He would only send her back. She had to wait for his return.

Dear Lord, how she hated to wait for anything!

Well, she must resign herself to it and find some occupation to make the time pass quickly.

She turned and ran up the steps into the palace and then through the corridors until she reached Viane's chamber.

Viane was on the terrace, and looked up in surprise when Tess blew into her presence like a storm-driven leaf, cheeks ablaze, eyes sparkling.

"I've decided that we've been entirely too lax in our efforts with Alexander and Roxanne," Tess announced as she marched toward the aviary. "It's time we set our minds to teaching them their duties."

"Why can't you understand? I tell you I wish to speak to your—" Tess looked beyond the woman servant who had opened the door to see Yusef coming down the steps to the foyer. "Never mind. There he is." She brushed by the protesting woman and rushed over to Yusef, who appeared to be frozen on the third step. "I'm glad you're here. I couldn't seem to make her understand that I had to come in and speak to you. I was sure I'd have to—"

"Majira!" His open mouth shut with a snap. "I cannot blame her. Virtuous women do not pay visits to men in Zalandan."