Текст книги "Wild Silver "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

6

A yellow satin gown was delivered to the stateroom by

Valentin shortly before six the next evening.

He stood in the doorway, the brilliantly colored garment

draped over his arm, a pair of yellow satin slippers in his hand,

and a faintly apologetic smile on his lips. „Nicky sent these.

He thought you’d be a trifle more comfortable at the dinner

table tonight wearing something more appropriate.“

„I’m not surprised he feels a whore’s gown more fitting for

me.“ Silver’s face was without expression as she took the

items from Valentin and tossed them carelessly onto the

padded velvet bench. „I’m to join all of you for dinner again?

I’m amazed Nicholas wants to chance my presence. I’ve not

seen anyone but Mikhail all day, and he vanished as soon as he

delivered my breakfast and lunch.“

Valentin made a face. „Nicky decided you needed time to

ponder and told us we weren’t to approach you.“

And a very clever move it had been, Silver thought. She

had nearly gone mad confined to this room all day with

nothing to do and nothing to think about besides Nicholas

Savron and her response to him last night. She had paced the

floor, trying to incite herself to an anger that would submerge

the tumult of feeling she was experiencing. Anger had not

come until now. She felt it sear through her in a furious tide as

she gazed at the yellow gown. By all that was holy, now it was

a silken gown! Damn Nicholas and his crystal chandeliers, soft

velvets, and fine damask tablecloths. How easy life was for

him. When she thought of the comparison between his life and

Etaine’s, she wanted to take a tomahawk to that arrogant

golden head. Etaine struggling desperately for breath; Etaine

forced every night into that hellish cage. And now Nicholas’s

actions were making life even harder for Etaine by preventing

her, Silver, from being close enough to help when needed.

„How kind of him to decide to permit the poor prisoner a brief

respite.“

Valentin was clearly troubled. „Tell him what he wants to

know, Silver. Nicholas can be very difficult. You’re going to

get hurt.“

„You think that if I tell him where Dominic can be found it

will be over?“ Silver shook her head. „You aren’t such a fool.

There is more between us than that.“

„I suppose you’re right. But don’t be so – “ He broke off

and turned to go. „It’s no use talking to you any more than it is

to Nicky. I’ll be back for you at eight.“ He looked over his

shoulder. „Wear the gown. Silver. Nick was adamant about his

wishes on that score. He said he was weary of gazing at a

frumpy schoolgirl at his table; he prefers you to look more

womanly.“

The anger Silver was feeling suddenly flamed higher. The

damnable arrogance of the man! „Oh, does he?“

Valentin sighed. „Hellfire! I knew…“ He was still shaking

his head as the door closed behind him.

Silver’s gaze swung from the door to the gleaming heap of

yellow satin on the bench. She was tempted to send word to

Nicholas that she would not only not wear the gown, she

would not join them for dinner. Yet she knew she couldn’t do

that if her attempt to escape was to be successful. She must be

out of this cabin and on deck early this evening when the Rose

veered toward shore.

She walked quickly to the window to look at the western

bank. Surely it was already a little closer. Robert was

beginning to change course to avoid the sandbars downriver.

Excitement and anticipation warred with the anger surging

through her. Soon she would no longer be a helpless prisoner.

She turned and glared fiercely at the gown again. She

would not give Nicholas the satisfaction of meekly obeying his

orders. This was the last time he would see her, and she was

determined that their final encounter wouldn’t be one he

would remember with triumph.

But Nicholas was no fool and there was no way that she

could think to do both. She quickly thought through the

possibilities but came up with no answer. Surely there must be

some weakness she could play on. Possessiveness? Valentin

had said Nicholas was very possessive of her and she had

noticed signs of that quality in him herself. Perhaps there

would be some way to use that fault to accomplish her own

ends.

Her gaze shifted abstractedly from the gown on the bench

to the bed. There had to be something… She froze, her eyes

widening, and then threw back her head and began to laugh in

sheer delight.

That was it! She had it!

Valentin looked at her warily. „You won’t need that cloak.

The saloon is quite comfortable tonight.“

„I felt chilled.“ Silver drew her dark blue cloak still closer

about her. „I’m ready to go.“

„Does the gown fit? Mikhail said you sent for a needle and

thread.“

„It does now.“ She held out her foot to reveal the dainty

yellow slippers with matching ribbons crisscrossing at the

ankle. „And the shoes fit well too.“

„I see that they do.“ Valentin opened the door and then

hesitated. Silver was glowing, blazing with vitality and an

excitement that made him vaguely apprehensive. „I’m glad

you took my advice.“

Silver sailed through the doorway, smiling sweetly at him

as she passed. „I think you’ll agree that I’ve tried very hard to

obey Nicholas’s command. May I have your arm?“ Her gaze

went to the far end of the saloon. The scene was much the

same as last night: Nicholas at the head of the table, the

musicians, the hovering servants, and chatting guests. She

glanced at Valentin as she slipped her arm through his and

started the long promenade to the far end of the saloon. „Do

you suppose he’ll seat me next to Mr. Bassinger again?“

„It’s not likely,“ Valentin said dryly.

„Then why don’t you take me to the head of the table at

once so that Nicholas can make his decision about which of

these gracious individuals he wishes me to get to know this

evening?“ Silver asked softly. „It will save time.“

Valentin looked at her suspiciously. „Silver – “

„Hush, Valentin.“ Silver didn’t look at him, her gaze on

Nicholas. He had just caught sight of her and he straightened

in his chair, his gaze raking over her slim form completely

enveloped in the blue cloak. „It’s too late now anyway. Take

me to him.“

„What the devil are you up to?“ Valentin muttered.

She didn’t bother to answer. They were only a few yards

from Nicholas now and Valentin would find out soon enough.

She stopped beside Nicholas’s chair and curtsied deeply.

„Good evening, your highness.“

The chatter of the guests suddenly dwindled and then

ceased entirely as everyone’s attention became centered at the

head of the table.

Nicholas’s gaze flicked over her once again, a smile of

satisfaction touching his lips as he saw the yellow satin

slippers peeping from beneath the hem of her cloak. „Take off

your cloak, it’s quite warm in here. I want to see how you look

in something besides that uniform.“ He smiled lazily. „I

thought yellow would quite wonderfully complement your

hair.“

She smiled back at him. „I’ve always been fond of yellow.

We Indians adore bright colors, you know.“ She shook her

head sadly. „Unfortunately, the gown didn’t fit as well as I

would have liked.“

He stiffened. „You’re not wearing it?“

„No, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.“ She smiled

brilliantly as her hand reached for the button at her throat. „I

believe you told Valentin you wished me to look more

womanly.“ With one swift gesture she slipped the cloak from

her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. „Now, what could be

more womanly than the woman herself.“

„Oh, my God,“ Valentin murmured, closing his eyes. „It’s

the bed curtain.“ Then he yielded to temptation and looked

again.

The sheer white batiste had been fashioned into a simple

loose Grecian tunic, leaving one shoulder bare and falling

straight to the floor. Silver’s smooth golden skin, taut pink

nipples, all the secret places of her body, were only lightly

veiled and could be seen in all their ravishing loveliness. She

looked as wildly beautiful and shockingly desirable as a high

priestess in the temple of Aphrodite.

„Don’t just stand there. Put that goddamn cloak around

her!“ Nicholas’s harsh voice pulled Valentin’s gaze from Silver

to Nicholas’s face.

He inhaled sharply and hurriedly picked up Silver’s cloak

from the floor. Christ, he’d never seen Nicky look like that.

White-hot jealousy, anger, and desire blazed from him in

waves that were nearly tangible. „I’ll take her back to the

stateroom, Nicky.“ He took a step toward Silver, intending to

put the cloak around her.

She had no intention of letting him accomplish his aim. She

backed away from the table, her gaze still holding Nicholas’s

with defiance. „You don’t look pleased, Nicholas. Why is that?

I certainly don’t look like a frumpy schoolgirl.“

„Damn you,“ Nicholas said with soft violence. „Put that

cloak on!“

She shook her head, a reckless smile on her face as she

continued to back away. „I’m not uncomfortable like this. I’m

Apache, remember?“

Nicholas stood up so suddenly that his chair crashed to the

floor behind him. „Then, by God, you’d better learn to behave

like a white woman. I won’t have you stripping yourself for

every man to gape at like some – “ He broke off, his chest

rising and falling with the force of his breathing. „Put on that

cloak or I swear you’ll regret it, Silver.“

She laughed, the sound rising to ring around the white and

gold of the ceiling. „You cannot make me regret anything. You

are nothing to me, your highness.“

Then she was gone, flying down the length of the saloon

toward the door leading to the deck, her straight dark hair

streaming behind her in a wild, shining banner. She heard

Nicholas call her name, but she ignored it. Fierce joy was

surging through her veins. She had done it! She had bested

Nicholas and now she would complete her plan.

Cool night air struck her hot cheeks as she rushed out on

deck and ran toward the stairway leading to the boiler deck.

She glanced over her shoulder. Nicholas and Valentin had just

emerged from the saloon and were running after her.

She should take off the slippers, but there was no time. She

glanced over the rail at the shore that was scarcely forty yards

away. She had reached the boiler deck, but she couldn’t jump

here. It was too close to the paddle wheel. She streaked across

the deck, climbed up on the rail, and then slipped onto the

narrow ledge hanging over the water.

„Silver!“ Nicholas shouted.

She glanced back over her shoulder. His face was pale in

the moonlight. Strange, he didn’t look angry now as he ran

toward her. If she didn’t know better, she would swear his

expression reflected panic.

„Good-bye, Nicholas.“ She waved mockingly and then

dove into the waters of the Mississippi.

The river was cold and for a moment she lost her breath

and felt frightened. Then she struck out with swift strong

strokes toward the shadowy bank.

„You’re going after her?“ Valentin asked as he watched

Nicholas jerk off his boots and toss them aside.

„You’re damn right I’m going after her.“ Nicholas flung off

his coat and threw it on top of his boots. „If she makes it to

shore, she’ll disappear before we can launch a boat and get to

the bank.“

If. The qualifier caused an icy chill to chase through him.

Silver appeared to be swimming with exceptional strength, but

he had heard there were many dangers lurking in the river.

Whirlpools, currents… He climbed over the rail, his gaze

searching the water. Now that she had left the glowing

perimeter of the riverboat s lanterns, he could no longer see

her. Where the devil was she? Then he saw a gleam of

moonlight shining on a seal-wet head and felt a relief so

intense it made him dizzy.

He balanced on the ledge, keeping his gaze fixed

desperately on Silver. „Tell Robert to wait until dawn to send a

rescue party after us. We don’t want any more people than

necessary blundering around lost in that damn forest.“ He

dove into the river and struck out after Silver, cleaving the

water with powerful strokes. His heart was pounding with fear

as his eyes strained in the darkness. Incredibly, he found

himself muttering a prayer beneath his breath.

She was almost to the bank. Relief coursed through her,

revitalizing her tired muscles. Another fifteen yards and she

would be safe. She wanted to hurry, to strike out with greater

speed, but she knew she must hoard her strength.

She swam steadily, drawing closer, closer still. Soon she

would be there. Stroke, breathe deeply, another stroke, breathe

deeply, str –

Blackness! A gnarled, scaly monster bearing down on her!

There were no river monsters, she thought wildly, no

monsters here.

The monster struck! She gasped as an avalanche of pain

tumbled through her head. Dizziness. Pain. Blackness. She

must keep moving. But she couldn’t remember what to do,

how to move her arms. Panic ripped through her. She was

going to die. She was going to be with Rising Star. Oh, God,

she didn’t want to die!

„No!“ Her arms began to thrash wildly. She wanted to live.

There was something wonderful waiting for her. Something

that was meant to be… Someone…

The blackness returned and she fought against it. She

wouldn’t die. She was strong. She wouldn’t be destroyed when

that wonder was waiting for her.

Then the blackness deepened and the waters of the river

closed over her head. She sank slowly downward, a silent

scream of protest resounding through every cell of her being.

Nicholas!

Nicholas’s face was intent in the firelight, a slight frown

knitting his brow. His golden hair was touseled and a little

damp and he was wearing no shirt. That was strange, she

thought vaguely. She had never seen Nicholas when he was

not faultlessly dressed. „Where’s your shirt?“

His eyes flew up to meet hers and relief flooded his face.

„I’m sorry to appear with such a shocking lack of decorum,

but I thought you needed it more than I did,“ he said lightly.

„Your gown may have been eyecatching, but it gave you little

protection from the elements.“

She looked down at herself in surprise. She was wearing

his shirt. The linen of his white shirt was no longer crisp, but

wilted and slightly damp. She was barefoot and she could see

the yellow slippers she had worn lying watersoaked and ruined

on the bank a few yards away. „Why are we wet?“

His smile faded. „Don’t you remember?“

She tried to think. Something wonderful waiting for her.

Someone… She suddenly sat bolt upright. „The monster!“

„Lie back down,“ Nicholas said, trying to push her onto the

bed of moss and leaves. „There was no monster.“

„There was.“ She dazedly lifted her hand to her head. „I

saw it. Black and scaly and – “

„It was a log being carried by the current,“ Nicholas said.

„No monster. It struck you a glancing blow on the head and

stunned you.“ His lips tightened grimly. „But it was enough to

have drowned you if I hadn’t been a few yards behind.“

„I thought I was dying.“ She suddenly began to shiver. „I

was dying. I was so afraid.“ Her voice held a note of wonder.

„I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid before. I thought my heart

was bursting and I couldn’t breathe and – “

„Hush.“ Nicholas’s arms were suddenly around her,

rocking her as if she were a dearly loved child. „Don’t think

about it. It’s over now.“

„No.“ Her words were muffled in the warm flesh of his

shoulder. „I thought I was strong enough to win over anything.

But I wasn’t.“ The shiver had evolved into shudders that

racked her slim frame. „I was so frightened.“

Nicholas suffered a poignant ache deep within him. God,

she was young. How long ago it had been since he had

believed he had the strength to win every battle, vanquish

every foe, even one as powerful as death itself. „It’s all right to

be frightened. No one expects a wo – “ He stopped. This was

not a comfort Silver would be able to accept. His hand gently

stroked the silky dark hair at her temple. „No one is strong

every moment of every day. Everyone is afraid at some time in

his life.“

„You?“

„Oh, yes, many times.“

She began to relax, the shivering gradually ebbing.

„Truly?“

He chuckled. „Truly.“

She lifted her head to look more directly at his face. „Why

are you being so kind to me?“ she asked haltingly. „You were

very angry with me in the saloon tonight.“

„I’m still angry with you.“ Something flickered in the

depths of his eyes and then was gone. „But I’ve never enjoyed

a battle against an unarmed opponent, and I believe it’s safe to

say you’re amazingly defenseless at the moment.“

She looked away. He was right. She had never felt weaker

or less sure of herself. She moistened her lips with her tongue.

„It won’t last.“

He laughed again. „I’m well aware of that, but for tonight,

at least, we’ll call a truce. I gave orders that a boat not be

launched until dawn, so we must rely on ourselves until then.

Lay down your weapons, Silver. I promise I’m no threat to you

and I’ll protect you from danger.“ His ebony eyes twinkled in

the firelight. „Including river monsters.“

How foolish she was being, clinging to him as if he were a

life preserver thrown to save her from the river. She released

him and edged backward. „I feel very stupid. I’ll try not to be

– “

He placed two fingers on her lips, silencing her. „Not

stupid,“ he said softly. „Now, lie back down and rest while I

see if I can find us something to eat. If you recall, we didn’t

have dinner.“

„I can help,“ she said eagerly. „Apache girl children are

taught exactly the same skills as boys until they reach the time

for the rites of womanhood. I can travel forty miles a day

through rough country. I can trap and hunt and fish and I was

the best tracker in the village.“ She frowned. „Though some of

the warriors wouldn’t admit it. I told them – “

„I’m sure you did,“ Nicholas interrupted, his eyes dancing.

„And I’m certain you’re as competent as you claim, but let me

be the provider this time. I may not have your qualifications,

but I have a certain amount of experience in foraging.“

„But you’re – “ She stopped.

He lifted a brow. „Yes?“

„You’re a prince.“ She scowled. „And I think I’m hungry.“

He burst out laughing as he rose to his feet. „I assure you,

my entire existence hasn’t been spent in marble palaces being

pampered by armies of servants. I’ll find you something to eat,

Silver.“ He glanced down at his bare feet. „Though I have no

intention of hunting or trapping tonight. I know what stones

and brush can do to unprotected feet.“

„But I still think – “

„No.“ He turned away.

She gasped, her gaze fastened in shock on the long line of

his back. White scars crisscrossed his flesh from his shoulders

to the base of his spine, scars that could only have been

inflicted by the lash of a whip.

He turned to look over his shoulder. „What’s the matter?“

Then, as he saw her face, a crooked smile lit up his face. „As I

said, palaces are not the full extent of my experience.“ Then he

faded into the dense forest shrubbery with a silent grace that

surprised her.

She sat frozen, staring after him in the darkness. She felt…

strange. What kind of a man was Nicholas Savron? She

couldn’t really know, since their every encounter had been

colored by anger, conflict, and lust. She had seen glimpses of

the character of the man in his relationship with Mikhail and

Valentin, but had been too wary to believe what she had seen.

Now her defenses were down and she was forced to accept

another Nicholas. A Nicholas who had held her and comforted

her with a tenderness she had never known, who had laughed

and teased her, who had made her aware he possessed a past

that could hold the same pain and humiliation she had known.

A Nicholas who had saved her life at the risk of his own.

He had saved her life! The realization came with the

shocking force of a blow. „No!“ She didn’t wish to owe

Nicholas Savron anything. He was the enemy.

But he had not been an enemy when he had held her in his

arms and told her it was all right to be afraid. He had permitted

her to lean on his strength and had taken nothing from her in

return. How would it feel to be able to lean on someone else as

Elspeth leaned on Dominic? Not that she needed support, she

assured herself quickly. But it would be pleasant to know there

was a hand to hold your own on a rough path. So pleasant…

Pleasant. It was not a word to describe Nicholas Savron. He

dazzled and wooed, he struck with the glittering sharpness of a

renaissance dagger and then danced, away to watch with an

entrancing smile as his opponent crumpled. Yet she had felt

something else in him tonight, a strongly anchored rock to

cling to in the darkness.

Oh, she just didn’t know. She was confused and weakened,

as much from that moment of tenderness from Nicholas as she

was from the blow on the head. She would think about it when

she was fully herself again. Tonight he had offered a truce that

she would gladly accept.

The warm night breeze gently touched her cheeks and

playfully tugged at her hair, bringing with it the pungent scent

of moss, river, and burning wood. She had been imprisoned in

cities too long. She glanced around her, curiously content with

both this place and this moment. Two huge weeping willow

trees showered veils of lacy fronds over the mossy bank, and

the moonlight on the Mississippi was breath-takingly lovely.

She could see the pale gleam of the riverboat hovering in the

distance, but both the Rose and her captivity seemed far away.

She drew closer to the fire, her gaze on the brightly

glowing flames. The night was warm and the fire was not

really a necessity but it would serve to finish drying her

clothes. She threaded her fingers through her hair, holding the

long straight strands out to let the heat flow through them. Her

hair was nearly dry. She must have been unconscious longer

than she had believed, yet the blow had been really nothing. It

was very puzzling.

Dear heaven, surely she hadn’t swooned? Indignation

surged through her at the thought. She couldn’t have been such

a ninny. She had been frightened but she did not swoon. It was

ridiculous and she – She suddenly began to chuckle. Perhaps

she had swooned. What difference did it make? She didn’t

have to be strong all the time. As Nicholas had said, no one

was strong every moment of every day….

„You have juice on the corner of your mouth.“ Nicholas

leaned forward to wipe away the • errant drops with his index

finger. „And you have raspberry lips.“

„So do you,“ Silver said placidly, glancing at his well-

shaped lips dyed red-purple by the same juice that stained her

own. „And you have some on your chin too. You look as if

you’re wearing war paint.“

Nicholas wiped the offending smudge away. „I’m surprised

you’re not complaining that I managed to grab a few handfuls

of your berries to stave off starvation. Do you always eat so

heartily?“

She nodded. „I like to eat. There are so many wonderful

tastes.“ She sighed blissfully. „Do you know that some flowers

have a lovely taste? When I was a little girl, there was a

honeysuckle bush beside the front door of the homestead at

Killara. I used to pull the blossoms and suck the sweetness. I

love to taste delicious things and breathe the scents of the earth

and the flowers.“ She inhaled deeply. „And woodsmoke. Is

there anything more wonderful than the smell of woodsmoke?

Tangy and rich.“

Nicholas gazed at her thoughtfully. Sitting there across the

fire, she was a wild, lovely pagan, completely at home in her

surroundings. She radiated a natural sensuality that formed an

aura of heat that reached out and touched like the warmth of

the fire itself. If she was so responsive to taste and scent, how

much more responsive would she be to touch?

But he didn’t want to think about Silver’s responses

tonight. He promised her a truce that was already proving a

difficult vow to keep. He asked abruptly, „Do you want any

more berries? There are plenty of bushes in that patch

downriver. I would have brought more if I’d had a bucket. All

I had was my handkerchief in which to carry them.“

„Are you angry with me?“ She suddenly looked like a hurt

child. „Did I truly eat more than my share?“ She jumped to her

feet. „Stay here. I’ll get you some more raspberries. Why

didn’t you tell me you were hungry?“

„Silver…“ His frown vanished and he began to laugh. „I’m

not hungry and I’m not angry with you. I was joking before.“

She gazed at him uncertainly. „You’re sure?“

„I’m sure,“ he said a trifle impatiently. „For God’s sake,

can’t you tell the difference?“

„No,“, she said simply. „Not always. I suppose I don’t

really have a very good sense of humor. No one has really

joked with me much.“

Poignant tenderness caused his throat to tighten helplessly.

Her answer caught him off guard and touched him with

unbearable intensity. Christ, why did she have to say things

like that? Wild child, lost child, fighting for acceptance with

every ounce of her being and nothing left over for laughter. „I

was joking,“ he repeated. „Now, sit down and finish your

berries.“

She dropped to the ground, her gaze fixed thoughtfully on

the fire. „Of course, my cousin Patrick sometimes joked with

me. Patrick laughs a lot, but it’s never unkind.“

„And was some of the laughter unkind?“

„At times.“-She lifted her gaze from the flames. „I am a

half-breed.“

The simple words hurt. He couldn’t stand it. He

deliberately shuttered his emotions and smiled carelessly. „So

am I. Serf and boyar.“ He continued lightly. „I never

understood why a pure strain was considered more prestigious

than a mixed. More is surely better.“

„Valentin told me your mother was not of the nobility.“

His lips twisted. „Much to her dismay.“ He shrugged.

„When I was a small child I tried to comfort her by telling her

about the firebird, but she dismissed it as foolishness.“

„The firebird? You called me that once.“

„Did I? I don’t remember. I recall thinking you reminded

me of a firebird the first time I saw you.“ His gaze gravely met

hers. „The firehbird is a half-breed too, Silver. Half diety of

the sun and half mortal bird.“

She smiled tentatively. „A fairy story?“

He nodded. „A fable. There are many stories about the

firebird in Russia.“ He turned away. „Lie down and try to

sleep. This moss won’t make too poor a bed.“

She lay down, curling up and laying her cheek on her arm.

„Tell me about the firebird.“

He gazed into the flames. „I told you, there are many

stories.“

„Tell me your favorite.“

He laughed softly. „My firebird isn’t a god but a goddess.“

„It would be,“ Silver said dryly.

„She was a creature so magnificent, no words could

describe her. Her wings were like flames and her eyes pure

crystal. She ate only golden apples and just one of her feathers

could bring light to midnight darkness and banish the fears of

the night.“

„Beautiful,“ Silver murmured dreamily. „She must have

been beautiful….“

„Yes, she was beautiful, but she was more. She was

magical.“ Silver’s eyes were shining in the firelight like the

shimmering crystal of the firebird, and for a moment he lost

track of what he was saying. Then he pulled his gaze away and

fastened it once again on the flames. „There was a mighty

Cossack warrior who lived in a desolate, barren land. He was

very ambitious and wanted to become a great leader. Then one

day the firebird appeared before him and he climbed on her

back and they soared away in a flare of flaming brilliance,

locked together in a secret world of radiance. The warrior had

never known such excitement and happiness, but in time he

yearned for the victories and glories of the mortal world. So

the firebird returned the warrior to his own land. She told the

warrior she loved him but would not hold him with her magic.

Instead, she gave him her magical blessing that insured he

would receive all he desired, and she flew off toward the sun.“

„Sad,“ Silver murmured sleepily.

„The warrior became a great leader and won riches and

fame. Many maidens wished to mate with him as the years

passed, but he found he couldn’t bring himself to marry. He

continued to prosper but gradually realized a great loneliness

was devouring his soul. Fame and riches meant nothing if he

couldn’t have his firebird. He offered his palace and all his

riches to any man who could lure the firebird back to earth and

capture her. Many men tried to win the prize and capture the

firebird, but to no avail. Finally, in great despair, the warrior

left his fine palace and journeyed back to the canyon where he

had last seen the firebird.“

„Was she there?“

„No, but he found one shining feather that had dropped

from her wing as she flew away from the earth toward the sun.

He picked it up and felt it throb as if it were alive beneath his

fingers. Then he heard the surging of her great wings and the

clouds parted and she landed beside him. She had felt his need

of her when he had grasped the feather and been summoned

back to him.“

„And they flew away together and lived happily ever after,“

Silver finished.

„Perhaps.“

„What do you mean, perhaps?“ Silver covered her lips with

her hand as she yawned. „How else could it end?“

„This is a Russian fable.“ Nicholas’s eyes twinkled.

„Which makes it more complex. There are two endings. In

one, the warrior mounted the back of the firebird and became

her mate forever. In the other ending, the firebird had been so

crazed by her grief that her heart now held only bitterness for

the warrior and she rent him to death with her talons.“

She scowled. „In this country we would never permit such

an ending. I’m convinced Russians must be a very peculiar

people.“ She closed her eyes and her voice, though drowsy,

was very firm. „The first ending is correct. I’m sure of it.“

„Then who am I to disagree?“ He settled down a few yards

from where she lay, his eyes dark with secrets as they

narrowed on her face. He didn’t speak for several minutes, and

when he did, his voice was almost a whisper. „And who

should know better… Firebird?“

Silver didn’t answer, and Nicholas saw that she was asleep.