Suddenly, Castyll's mouth went dry. He felt shy and awkward, and judging by the flush in Adara's cheeks, she did as well. "True," he managed.
Her mouth opened, her small pink tongue creeping out to moisten suddenly dry lips. "Nightfall… is a long time away."
Castyll's heart began to race. No, Adara was no beauty like his beloved Cimarys. But she was brave, like Cimmy, and kind. And she was the Blesser of Love. To not lie with her tonight would be an insult. Besides, Castyll found that he was more than ready for her. Their gazes locked and he moved toward her over the soft bed.
"A very long time," he agreed. He gently pressed his lips to hers, felt the soft swell of her small breasts as she arched up toward him.
And for a time, all thoughts of flight were banished from their minds.
Castyll started awake much later. The room was completely dark. His jerky movements awakened Adara, who awoke with a gasp. "Castyll?"
"Shh, I'm sorry. I didn't remember where I was for a moment." She moved toward him, her skin soft as silk, her warm nakedness inviting him back to sleep-or sport. He placed a kiss on her hand and slid out of the bed. "It is time we were gone."
He groped about for his clothes as she rose to light the lamps. She moved gracefully, without embarrassment, as the lights revealed her nakedness to his eyes. Seeing her thus brought the image of Cimarys to his mind, and suddenly tears clouded his vision. He wiped at his eyes. At once Adara was there.
"What is it?" she asked, concerned.
He took a steadying breath. "It's just… forgive me, Adara. But lying with you only makes me want my Cimarys all the more. I miss her so much."
He had thought he would hurt her with the words, but instead Adara flung her arms about his neck. "Oh, Castyll, thank you!" Tears were in her own eyes. "This was my first… I was afraid I couldn't…" Seeing his confusion, she replied, "A Blesser hopes that the man she has initiated into lovemaking will take that skill to his own bed, share it with his beloved to their mutual joy. I am so happy that you are even more in love with your Byrnian princess after being with me!"
He grinned back at her and kissed her soundly on the lips. "Then know, dear Adara — that when your king lies with his queen, we will both think of you… and thank you. But we must hurry. I know not the hour."
Adara dressed quickly. "I have nothing but my Blesser's robes," she said apologetically. "Do you have a cloak?" She nodded. "Then wrap yourself in that. Be quiet-I'm going to take a look around first."
He went to the door, opened it and peered out. It was dark in the main room of the temple. But he couldn't just walk out. Castyll went to the window and gently opened the shutters. And stared, shocked, into the hooded features of a man waiting outside the window.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
What has a thousand faces, a hundred voices, the conscience of a cur, and the purse of a beggar? A thespian.
Swift as a thought, the dark-clad stranger seized both of Castyll's arms just as the king curled his hands into fists. Friend! Friend! came a cry, but not in Castyll's ears. It hammered in his brain with a truth that could not be denied. Even as his eyes recognized the face inside the cowl as a familiar one, the young king had already opened his hands.
"Good gods!" breathed Castyll. "Damir! What in the name of-"
"Trying to assist you with what you were obviously planning," replied the Byrnian ambassador as he climbed swiftly in through the window. He bowed toward the startled Blesser. "My apologies, my lady."
"Castyll… who…?" Adara's voice was faint as she glanced from youth to man. "He is a friend." Castyll flashed Damir a relieved grin. "A very welcome friend, at the moment. But Damir… how did you know what I was thinking? Where I was?"
"Your Majesty, when the king goes to become a man under the ministrations of the Blesser of Love, it's hardly a state secret. As for your state of mind-I've known you for some time now, and none of the recent behavior of your country's politics jibes with what I know of its king. But we must hurry. I have several men waiting in the garden area."
Castyll stared, open-mouthed. "But… there must be guards everywhere!"
Damir raised an eyebrow, and his thin lips curved into a slight smile. "I have several very good men," he amended. "We have not been noticed. Nor shall we be. My Lady Blesser," and again he turned to the young woman, "I'm sorry you had to get involved in all this."
Adara stuck her chin up in a gesture Castyll was coming to recognize. "I know what is right." "It's my fault," said Castyll. "I should have tried to steal away without compromising her." "I'm willing to go," insisted Adara.
"But you do not have to," said Damir. "Not if you trust me. I have mind magic," he added, seeing the confusion on her face. "I can make you forget what has happened-plant a false memory in its place. This way, when Bhakir brings someone in to mind-read you, you will have nothing to fear. You will be utterly innocent, and able to continue with your duties as Blesser."
"Can you really do that, Damir?" asked Castyll, somewhat dubious.
Damir nodded. "And more — if the lady will let me. She can help us, if she will, by following certain instructions not known to her that I will implant. But we must hurry. Every minute we linger increases the risk. Are you willing, lady?" Adara gnawed her lower lip, glancing from one to the other. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Excellent," said Damir. "Now, come, sit down on the bed, and close your eyes."
She did as she was bid. Damir seated himself next to her and placed the fingers of his right hand against her temple. His expression was composed, almost blank, but as Castyll watched, various emotions flitted about Damir's angular face. At one point, the older man's lips curved into a happy smile. Knowing that Damir was reading the Blesser's thoughts-and guessing at what the Blesser was recalling-Castyll blushed.
"Now," said Damir softly to Adara, "let us go back. Castyll never spoke to you of his plans. You talked for a bit, then completed the holy ritual. Then you slept in the king's arms. You will awake refreshed when the morning comes, and you will be as startled as anyone else that he has gone. Do you understand?"
Beneath her closed lids, Adara's eyes flickered back and forth. "Yes," she said softly. "Now, Castyll," said Damir, his eyes still closed, "do you yet have men loyal to you?"
"Yes," replied the king swiftly. "I hope most of them. Bhakir has been careful to keep my imprisonment a secret. I think most of the guards back at Castle Derlian in Jarmair are loyal to me." "That is hope speaking," reprimanded Damir. 'Tell me who you know to be loyal to you unto death."
Castyll licked his lips thinking hard. Unto death… "My seneschal. Lord Maren." "And who reports to him that you trust?"
"The Captain of the Guards-Kester."
Damir nodded and leaned over toward Adara again, whispering softly into her ear. Castyll couldn't quite catch the words this time, but it did not matter. Beyond all hope, Damir had come to help him escape.
Damir finished, and gently eased the girl back into her bed. "Help me remove her clothing," he said. When Castyll hesitated, overcome with a bout of shyness, the older man said sternly, "If we want this to work, she can't be found fully dressed in a traveling cloak, now can she?"
Castyll wordlessly conceded the logic of that, and together they removed Adara's clothes. The young king brought the blanket up to her chin, kissed the girl's forehead, and whispered softly, "I will remember." He straightened, and this time the redness on his face was from excitement, not embarrassment. "Let's go."
They extinguished the lamps and Damir went first. He looked around, then quietly eased himself out the window into the flower beds beneath. He helped Castyll out, wincing as Castyll loudly banged a knee against the wooden sill. At Damir's gesture, Castyll froze.