A Kiss of Fire (A Kiss of Magic #2)(35)

“Well the curtain—“ She gestured to the crookedly hanging rod.

“And this was so critical that it could not wait until I got back?”

“Well, I suppose when you put it that way it could have waited, but—“

“I’m going to wring your neck…provided you don’t break it all on your own first!”

He dropped her feet to the ground and she leaned her body weight against him, as if she was completely dependent on him for support.

“But first could you straighten the curtain?” she asked.

He gaped at her in disbelief. Then, after a moment, he chuckled. She smiled in response to the sound, her beautiful face shining brightly.

“You took ten autumns off my life. And Bess’s and Tudman’s. You ruffled Tudman. The most unflappable man on the planet! Do you know how frustrating you are?”

“You’ve told me so many a time. I, however, do not see it.”

“You wouldn’t,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Very well. Let me at this curtain. What do you want done with it?”

After she got him to straighten the curtain, she stood back and eyed their handiwork.

“Yes. That will do nicely,” she said.

“Good. Now…we have to talk. Come with me.”

He took her hand and led her through the adjoining door and into the master suite. He shut the door, giving them the privacy they would need.

“What would you like to talk about?” she asked as he led her to the bed and urged her to sit down. “Was it something to do with the triumvirate? Although…it can’t be called a triumvirate any longer can it? It’s more like a biumvirate. That is, until we get Ariana back. Are we any closer to getting Ariana back?”

“A bit. That’s what I wanted to discuss. We think Raja Sin took her.”

She gasped. “Raja Sin! But…how is that possible? Why would he do such a thing? Is he trying to start another war? What more could he possibly want than what he was already given?”

Her questions were rapid fire and he waited until she drew breath.

“I don’t think his intention is to start a war. In fact, I would say he doesn’t want war any more than we do. Two autumns ago the Sarens and the Kiltians were both in dire straits, teetering on the brink of failure. It was just a question of who would give out first. It was anybody’s game. The truce and land sale was a last gasp at saving both empires from total ruin. Neither can afford to go back to that.”

“Then…why would he take Ariana?”

“I think his reasons are much baser than they are a political machination.”

“Baser?”

“He wants her. He’s wanted her ever since they sat across the table from each other two autumns ago. I suspect that want has been at a slow boil these past two autumns. But something happened…something made him explode into action. It made him willing to risk everything.”

“He would risk everything…his people, his country, his peace…for a woman?” Yasra’s cool blue eyes looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”

“No. Not sure. Not yet. But we will find out soon enough.”

“And if he does have her? If not war, what will we do?”

“Take her back.”

“Just…waltz right into Kilt and take her back?”

“Just like they did here.”

“But it won’t be so easy. She is likely to be under guard at all times.”

“She was under guard here. It is all a matter of planning and having good men to do the deed.”

“And what will that require?”

“Men who have been to Kilt before. Who have been able to pass as one of them.”

“You mean like you did when you were a spy for—“ She broke off and her eyes went wide, her hand sliding over her distended belly in a reflexive protective gesture. “No! You promised me!”

“Yasra…”

“You said yourself you couldn’t go. They would recognize you now. They’ve seen your face and know you work for the triumvirate!”

“There are ways around that for a man of my skill. I could easily make anyone perceive me as looking different than I do now.”

“That takes constant effort! And what about when you sleep? You can’t keep up a disguise when you sleep!”

“It is possible I won’t even get close to anyone who could recognize me. I won’t know until I get there. Yasra, they need a man of my power there. I’m the only one who could get that close and go by undetected to any Jadoc looking out for a spy. All I would need to do is assume the identity of a servant and maneuver my way into wherever they are holding her. If I can do that, I can get her out.”

“If. That’s a very big ‘if’.” She frowned and rubbed her belly. “What about the baby? We need you here.”

“By the time we know for certain if she is there, the baby will be here. I will be with you for the birth. I promise.”

“Provided the baby comes on time,” Yasra said, anxiously biting her lower lip.

“Hush,” he soothed her, going to his knees before her, his hands joining hers on her belly. “All will work out well. I will not leave until the baby is born. I promise you that.”