She might not have even that long, Cassie thought with a pang. Soon events would be put in motion that would take her away forever. An intense wave of sadness washed over her. Of course she was sad, she thought hastily. Josette had become her friend and it was always sad to leave friends. She said impulsively, "Would you like to ride him today?"
Josette's face became luminous. "Could I? Do you think he's ready for me?"
"We could try. I'll stand at his head while you mount, in case he bolts."
"You know I'd love it. I've wanted to ride him since that first night." Some of the joy in her expression lessened. "Are you sure? You don't let anyone ride him. Not even Jared."
"Then it's time I was less selfish." She opened the door of the stall. "Lani says that to give a gift is always to receive a greater one in return." She grimaced. "It's the one island belief I find difficult to embrace when it comes to Kapu. But I'm not completely ungenerous-I do have reason to be careful. Kapu is dangerous. Lead him outside."
Josette grabbed the reins. "Come, boy," she crooned. "I'll be so good to you." She led him toward the door that opened to the pasture. "I thought I was going to have to settle for that gelding today."
Cassie suddenly realized Morgana's stall was empty. "Where's Morgana?"
"Jared must have taken her out. She was gone when I got here."
"We'll take the path through the forest." Jared always took the cliff road; if they went toward the forest, she wouldn't have to see him. "I'll saddle the gelding myself. Don't try to mount Kapu until I get back."
"You don't want to see Jared." Cassie nodded understandingly. "Was he very angry last night?"
"He wasn't pleased, but he was surprisingly fair."
"Jared's always fair."
"He blamed himself for misjudging Lady Carradine."
"What a stroke of luck. I was afraid he'd make us all apologize to the gargoyle."
"And he's not going to make you go back to her school."
"Really?" Her eyes lit with excitement. "I can stay here?"
"Presumably."
She dropped Kapu's reins, launched herself at Cassie, and whirled her in a giddy circle. "I knew when I saw you that good things were going to happen."
"Is that why you knocked me down?" Cassie asked dryly.
Josette waved an airy hand. "Only a minor error."
"It felt major." She paused. "Jared says he won't let you be hurt by what I did last night. I hope that's true. I couldn't let Lani-"
"Shh, I know. You warned me it might happen. I'd have done the same thing." Her expression was suddenly grave. "I can't convince Jared that none of those people are important to me. I'd die if I had to be penned up painting teacups, waiting for some gentleman to offer for me. I want more. "
"And what do you want?" Cassie asked indulgently.
"I want hundreds of horses. I want to go on great adventures. I want to see your island. I want to go to Sedikhan and find a Kapu or Morgana of my own. I want to do everything, taste everything, smell everything. I want to-"
"Wait." Laughing, Cassie held up her hand. "I think you'd better set limits. You're not going to have time in one lifetime to do all that."
"I'll squeeze it all in." She grinned. "Look at me today. I'm going to ride Kapu!"
So young and full of life and dreams. Cassie herself had only one dream, which made life much simpler. She would miss Josette. "Yes, you are," she said gently. "Now, grab his reins again before he decides to wander off, while I get that gelding."
"Cassie!" Jared banged forcefully on her door. "Let me in!"
Cassie had been removing her gown and tensed in midmotion. She had no intention of letting him into her bedchamber. She had been scrupulously avoiding him since last night and had even gone to the lengths of missing supper. "I don't want to see you. Go to bed."
"Open the door."
"I'm not dressed."
"Then get dressed." He threw open the door.
He was without a coat, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the throat. His hair was tousled and he was smiling recklessly, his appearance vaguely reminding her of that night of the storm on board the Josephine when he had come to help her with Kapu. She had been relieved to see him then, but not tonight. "I didn't invite you to come into my room."
"And you're not undressed. What a disappointment."
"I told the truth. I was getting undressed. I'd just started to undo my gown."
"Then I'll have to help fasten it again." He turned her around, his fingers deft and swift on the buttons.
She stood there, bewildered. She had not expected aid in putting on her clothes.
"There." He gave her a pat on her bottom, snatched her cloak from the chair beside the bed, and grabbed her hand. "Now, come on."
"I don't want to-" But he was already pulling her from her room and down the corridor toward the staircase. "Where are we going?"
"To expiate a wrong." He gave her a reckless smile over his shoulder. "And clear the way."
"You're talking nonsense. I want to go back to my room."
He didn't answer.
"Tell me what's happening!"
He had thrown open the front door and was pulling her down the steps toward the courtyard. "Where are we going?"
"The stable."
She immediately panicked. "Is something wrong with Kapu?"
"No. In fact, something is going to be extremely right with Kapu and with you." He dropped her hand and threw her cloak around her. "Now, will you stop arguing and come with me?"
She hesitated, but then started across the courtyard. "I don't see why you'd have any reason to go to the stable in the middle of the night."
"It seems more fitting. There are too many people around during the day."
She was growing more and more bewildered. "Fitting?"
"Well, I thought you'd think so. Personally, I've no objection to spectators." He opened the stable doors. "But you think that horse is human."
"Not human, but he has a great soul." She walked down the corridor toward Kapu's stall. "And if we're going riding, you should have let me change."
"We're not going riding." He stopped beside Kapu's stall and patted the stallion's muzzle. "But he is. Take him out of the stall and lead him to the south meadow."
She frowned. "Why?"
He met her gaze. "Because Morgana is waiting for him there."
She went still. "What are you saying?"
"Morgana is in season."
"You want a foal by Kapu?"
He grimaced. "I want something out of this for my own."
"You'll have a great deal-Morgana, and Kapu's foal."
He shook his head. "I'll have the foal. Morgana will be yours as soon as the foal is born."
She stared at him in shock. "What!"
"Reparation," he said simply. "Isn't that what you want most in the world? The fulfillment of your dream, a mare to match Kapu?"
"Yes," she whispered. "Oh, yes."
"Then Morgana is yours."
She couldn't believe it. "You mean it?"
"I don't lie, Cassie." His lips tightened. "And I'm not trying to trick you into getting a foal by Kapu."
She had not even considered that possibility. "I know you wouldn't do that. It's just… I never dreamed…" Morgana was his prize possession, and this gift was generous beyond belief. "Are you sure?"
"Reparation," he said again. "You're not the only one who believes that sins must be atoned. I'll have to find another way to make things right with Lani, but I knew this would probably satisfy you." He stepped back and opened the stable door for her. "Take him to her."