Heart's Lair (14 page)

She rose to her feet, utterly depressed. Were they all doomed thenthe Cat People to annihilation, the Agrican planet to total subjugation and her own people to soul-rotting inhumanity? Her own problems and personal losses seemed inconsequential in comparison. Yet why did the sight of Karic, everytime she looked at him, tear her heart asunder, spilling out her life's blood until there seemed nothing in the universe more important than that pain?

Liane shouldered her pack. She was exhausted, but they were no longer safe here. She wondered if they'd ever be safe again.

They climbed for a few horas, Karic carefully covering their tracks by taking them over as much rocky terrain as possible. Once he was satisfied they had gained a safe distance, he found another sheltered area in which to rest. By dusk, they were once more on their way.

The journey through the mountains was treacherous, even with full moonlight. The triple moons had already moved slightly out of their perfect alignment, not to join again for another three cycles. Karic gazed up at them. If he'd had just two extra noctes he could have made it back in time. Only two noctes had stood between friendshipperhaps even loveand undying hatred. Angrily, he quashed the realization and strode on.

A distant peak came into view about midnocte. Liane instantly recognized it as the one from Karic's mind seek. When they paused for a short rest, she pointed toward it. "That is all I know of where your lair lies. That is all I could gain from you in that brief instant I slipped past your mind guard."

Karic frowned. "Then you knew more than you realized. Our lair lies in the valley at the base of that mountain."

She looked at him. "It doesn't matter. I would never have revealed even that."

He stared back at her, into eyes infinitely sad and tinged with regret. But regret for what? he wondered. For what had come between them, or for having ever had the misfortune of even knowing him? For her sake at least, it would have been better if she never had.

"You always had my people's best interests at heart," Karic rasped, in a pained voice. "I know that now. I'm sorry for my distrust, but I had to be careful."

Liane stared at him for a long moment, then motioned down the mountain path. "It's best we were on our way."

Karic strode out, knowing the time for further talk was over. There was nothing personal between them anymore; the common welfare of his people was now the only thing that bound themthat and the vow he'd made to protect her from the males of his lair.

Though he had promised her, Karic knew the vow would be difficult to keep. Survival of a race was a powerful force to contend with. For the Cat Men, even one extra female was vital. Liane would see that once they reached his lair.

There were almost twice as many males of breeding age as females. With her sensual beauty and alluring form, the desire for her would be strong, and now, after what he'd done to her, the option of Liane willingly taking him as a mate was no longer there. By right he had no further claim on her, for he'd never force himself on her again. But others would want to.

He'd have to see that never happened, and somehow, someway, bear the pain of unrequited love, a pain her presence would evoke for the rest of his life.

They reached the valley two horas after solrise. From their vantage point overlooking the lair, Liane couldn't discern any form of habitation. If not for the people moving to and fro, the children scampering about even at such an early hora, she'd have never known the valley was inhabited.

She turned to Karic. "How many of your people live here?"

A grim pair of eyes riveted on her. "All that are left of the Cat People. There are probably four hundred males, one hundred and fifty females, and about as many children. Of the females, less than one-third are of pure or half Cat blood. The rest are all captured."

"I didn't realize you had so few Cat Women."

"Only fifty Cat Women survived, out of over nine hundred, in that massacre thirty cycles ago," he bitterly said. "And even fewer children."

"I am sorry."

Liane couldn't bear the intensity of the hard gaze that held hers. She glanced away and gestured toward the valley.

"Where are your homes, your gardens? Surely you must grow food, yet I see no sign . . ."

He smiled and indicated the steep mountains that enclosed the little valley. "Our lairs are now caves, as well as our gardens. There is a special powder we add to the perpetual flames. It mimics the sun's light well enough to encourage our vegetables to grow indoors. Our fruit and berry orchards are planted outside, but in such a manner as to resemble the growth of wild plants so they draw no notice. It is the only way to hide our presence from the skim craft that constantly patrol."

Karic pointed out the guards, stationed high on the mountains. "We keep watch constantly. At first sign of intruders a warning, attuned only to our hearing, is sent out. Everyone, even the children, knows they must immediately take cover."

"A hard way to live," Liane observed.

He nodded. "Yes, but we must survive." Karic hesitated, eyeing her intently. "When we enter the lair the situation will be difficult. There may be things I say or do that might seem strange, even upsetting. I ask your trust in this."

Unease spiraled through Liane. He dare ask her to trust him after what he'd done? Yet what other recourse was there? She had agreed to come with him. For the time being at least, he was the sole conduit between herself and his people.

She exhaled a deep breath. "What choice have I? I must depend on you."

His eyes bore into her. "Everything I do is for your welfare. Remember that."

Liane nodded.

He hesitated again. "There will be times I must touch you."

She stiffened. "No."

"I must, Liane. For your safety, you must appear to be mine. If you don't, the other males will immediately begin to vie for you. I'm not asking anything except this outward sign of possession. It is for appearances only. Until I've had time to talk with my father and the Elders, it's the only way I can protect you."

She bit her lip, her anguish almost overcoming her control. So it begins, she thoughtthe compromise, the humiliation. Ah, but she was so weary of never having choices anymore! And Karic had done this to her!

Her gaze contemptuously raked over him. "I grow tired of your so-called protection but for a while longer, I will endure it. Just be careful how you touch me. I'll suffer no intimacies."

Though they shouldn't have surprised him, the words stung. He couldn't help it. The guilt at what he'd done to her constantly haunted him. He was exhausted from the sols of danger and endless travel. And he hurt. How he hurt!

"The intimacies, as you call them, will consist of little more than placing my arm around you and perhaps pulling you close. If you can, forewarned as you now are," he drawled sarcastically, "try not to look as though you despise me when that happens. It would help matters immensely."

She glared up at him. "Fine. That will be fine."

"Good," he snapped back at her. "Now, let's get this over with."

Liane watched Karic head out, his shoulders rigid with anger. Then, with a defiant toss of her ebony tresses, she resolutely followed.

A cry went up when they reached the valley floor. A large crowd swiftly gathered to line the path they were taking. As they passed them Liane shot quick, furtive glances at the people. In her heightened anxiety her only impression was one of the feline-flattened features and hirsute faces of some, while others bore appearances similar to that of Karic or herself. By the joyous looks, she could tell Karic's safe return greatly mattered. Though his mission, a mission she still failed to fully fathom, had been one of vital importance, she somehow sensed their relief stemmed even more from their love and concern for him.

She glanced at the man walking beside her. His eyes glowed as he scanned the sea of happy faces, waving to one, then shouting a greeting to another. The complexity of him unsettled Liane. He could be so warm, so loving when it came to his people and then in the next instant so savagely cruel to her. it tore at her heart to still be drawn to him yet know she could never trust him, never again bear his touch without fearing he'd turn into some wild, lust-crazed animal.

Rage grew at the realization she was weakening in her hatred. She was Bellatorian now, through and through. She'd irrevocably turned from the Sententian ways when she'd killed the Atroxes, for surely no true Sententian was capable of killing. But then Liane hastened to console herself that no Sententian had ever been forced into circumstances such as hers, either.

Confusion whirled through her. Karic was to blame for all of it, wasn't he? Or was he, too, an unfortunate victim of circumstance?

Liane fought back a spasm of panic. Now was not the time for doubts or hesitation. She was in the midst of the greatest danger of her life and needed all the strength of her convictions. And the one certainty was that Karic had brought her to this.

They halted before the opening of what appeared a particularly large cave. Anticipation trembled through Liane. Karic pulled her to him, his arm encircling her shoulders.

She tensed, then forced herself to relax when he gave her a brief, warning look. He smiled encouragingly, and she weakly smiled back.

A man walked toward them from the cave. Karic's smile widened into a grin, and the man returned it with one of his own.

He was tall and lean with a regal air about him. From the gray that heavily streaked his shoulder-length mane of dark brown hair, Liane guessed him to be in his late fifties. His eyes were green-gold and kind, and his features, though lined and much more feline, were still stamped with the look of his son.

Around his neck he wore a chain made from the precious, yellow-gold aureum, two large Cat's claws designed from that same metal dangling from it. About his shoulders was draped a cloak of royal purple. There was no doubt in Liane's mind who he wasKaric's father and Lord of the Cat People.

Karic released her and stepped forward. In one fluid motion he knelt before his lord and ruler, his tousled, sun-streaked mane bowed low. The Lord of the Cat People stepped forward and slipped a chain with one aureum Cat's claw over Karic's head.

''Rise, my son, and welcome home."

A wild cheer exploded from the crowd behind them. Karic stood up and clasped arms with his father, each gazing deeply into the other's eyes. Liane felt her throat tighten, for the love between father and son was evident. Somehow, the realization lessened her fears.

Karic pulled his father over to her. Liane instinctively tensed, her blue eyes widening.

"Father, this is Liane," his son began by way of introduction, his voice purposefully loud enough to carry to the gathering behind them. "Liane, this is my father, Morigan, Lord of the Cat People."

Karic gazed down at her, his arm once more possessively encircling her shoulders. "If not for her, I wouldn't have lived long enough to make it back to you. I ask sanctuary for her and permission to take her as life mate."

Liane swung horrified eyes to Karic, her mouth opening in protest. A sharp look and quick shake of his head silenced her. She forced a smile onto her face and turned her gaze to his father. Morigan could not help but notice the strange interchange. A small frown wrinkling his brow, he extended his hand.

"Welcome, Liane. Sanctuary and the shelter of my lair I gladly give you. The decision of life mates can only be decided at a later date, when the Council of Elders meets." He shot Karic a piercing glance. "As well my son knows."

Liane accepted his hand, her gaze squarely meeting his. "My thanks for your kindness, my lord. I pray that you and your people have patience with my ignorance as I attempt to learn your ways."

Admiration warmed his eyes. "As you must with us, femina. Our customs may seem strange at first, but in time I'm sure you'll understand the necessity for them. Survival can sometimes be a harsh ruler."

His gaze turned to Karic. "We need to talk about what you discovered, but first, what are your needs? Food, a bath, rest?"

Karic laughed. "All that and more, Father. But let me see to Liane first, then we'll talk."

He glanced at Liane, then gestured toward the cave. "This is our lair, where my father and I live. We'd be honored if you'd share it with us."

She followed him into the chamber. In the middle of the room, lit by several large perpetual flame boxes, was a round, stone hearth, not in use now in the heat of summer. Off to one side was a wooden table with six chairs. Behind it was a vast library of books, set into shelves carved into the long stone wall. Across the room along the other wall were several chests and an assortment of weapons, as well as some farming implements. Two tunnels angled off from the room at the far corners.

Karic's eyes followed the direction of her gaze. "Those lead to our sleeping chambers. One is mine, the other my father's."

He answered the question flickering in her eyes. "You will sleep with me."

Her mouth tightened. "Why? It's no longer necessary. I'm not going anywhere."

He cocked a dark brow. "Didn't you see the way the young males looked at you from the moment we first entered the valley?"