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would do if they came.
A chill breeze gusted across the plains, making her shiver. She pulled her fur
lined cloak closer around her body. Her heart was a whirlwind of confusion. Could she
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really leave her people? Her responsibilities? She had been raised since early childhood
to be a princess. It was all she knew. To leave now would be like abandoning her entire
identity, her fate.
But had she been intended for that fate to begin with? There was little joy for her
in the thought of ruling a country, only a sense of duty. Perhaps she was meant for a
different path.
Kaila closed her eyes. Her mother had taught her that when she was in doubt,
she should seek the aid of the good spirits. Her father had later taught her to dismiss
the advice as superstition, but what was the harm in trying?
She looked up at the stars, strewn like bright jewels across the dark velvet of the
sky. Good spirits, if any of you are listening, send me a sign, I beg. Show me the path
my life was meant to take. She closed her eyes. At first, there was nothing. Then a
gentle breeze caressed her face, and with it came a scent she recognized, a scent that
reminded her of apples and springtime.
A voice spoke clearly in her head: What does your heart desire, child? There, you will
find your true path.
Her eyes snapped open. Mother? she whispered. But the voice and the scent
were gone. Kaila took a deep breath. Her heart was beating rapidly. A vision of Garou s
face, his golden eyes, filled her mind. There was no question about where her heart lay.
The good spirits had spoken. And Kaila s decision had been made.
Chapter Seven
Garou returned with a fat rabbit slung over one shoulder. This should be
enough to fill you, with enough left over for your friend, there, he said, nodding to
Shay, who was eyeing the rabbit with interest.
What about you? asked Kaila.
I ve already eaten.
She watched as he laid the rabbit on the ground and began to skin it. He looked
up. In the firelight, his gold eyes seemed to glow. Is something the matter?
No. I m just& thinking. Absently, she kneaded the thick fur of Shay s ruff. Do
you believe in the good spirits?
Well, I believe in demons. I d be a fool not to, with my heritage. I suppose if one
believes in creatures of darkness, one must also believe in good spirits. Two sides of the
same coin, one light, one dark.
I spoke to one tonight.
Garou froze. After a moment, he said quietly, And what did this spirit tell
you?
I asked for advice, and it& she told me I should follow my heart s desire.
He studied her face. Are you sure?
I know what I heard. And I know my heart s desire.
Garou was silent as he finished skinning and cleaning the rabbit, spitted it over
the fire, and then washed his hands in the nearby streamlet. Then he turned to her, his
face solemn. I don t think you understand what you would be getting into, and how
much you would have to give up. You don t even know who I am. You think you do,
but you don t. I am afraid, Kaila. The demon within me is something you can t
understand.
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How can you be so sure of that? Perhaps I understand better than you think.
And even you must admit that what we feel for each other is more than mere desire.
He took a deep breath. She was surprised to see that his hands were trembling.
I m not sure what I feel& whether to call it desire, or obsession, or simple animal
instinct. All I know is that when I see you, I ache to possess you in every way. The
thought of losing you makes me want to scream.
Then why do you want me to go back? I don t understand.
Because I would destroy you. I would consume you until there was nothing
left. His hands bunched into tight fists. Veins stood out in his muscled forearms. I m
half-demon. Nothing can change that. No matter what I do, there will always be a
darkness inside me that I can t escape.
Everyone has dark places inside them, Garou, she said quietly. You may have
demon blood, but you re a human man with a human soul. She stood and reached out
to take his hand. And you re desperately lonely. I, too, have been alone. Princesses are
not allowed to love. Once I was resigned to that fate, but that was before I met you.
Garou looked at her, but said nothing.
They sat in silence until the rabbit meat began to brown in the crackling fire, and
the smell signaled that it was done. Garou lifted the spit and handed it to Kaila.
Careful. It s hot.
Thank you. She ate delicately, turning the spit to nibble at the meat. When she
was full, she gave the rest to Shay, who snatched it eagerly and trotted off to eat it in
privacy, as dogs were wont to do.
Kaila smiled slightly, then her eyes drifted back to Garou, who sat nearby,
staring into the fire. He looked every inch the barbarian, with his long hair and sleek,
muscled body covered in hand stitched deerskin clothes. But she knew there was more
to him than that. There was a deep sadness in his heart, which he struggled to hide, a
yearning for love and companionship, forever at war with his dark, wild nature.
Garou? she whispered, and he looked up. A small tremor went through her.
Whenever he looked into her eyes like that, she felt as if he could see straight into her
Amanda Steiger Eyes of the Wolf - 61 -
soul. She wet her lips, aware of the pulse fluttering in her throat. Will you not even
consider letting me stay by your side?
It s not a question of what I want. His voice was heavy, his eyes shielded. If
you can t return home, then I will help you find another place, but for us to be
together& I m not sure it s possible.
Tears prickled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She would not be weak.
If this is to be our last night together, I would have it be a night to remember.
Garou stared into her eyes. Then, slowly, he leaned down to kiss her. Kaila
parted her lips and let his hot, wet tongue slide into her mouth. His hands framed her
face, stroking her cheekbones with his thumbs, then slid lower, over her shoulders and
back, until they were cupping the small, firm cheeks of her bottom. Kaila moaned softly
against his mouth. Her heart hammered as he lightly nibbled her full lower lip then
trailed kisses down her throat, over her collarbone, until she could feel his hot breath on
her heaving breasts.
You set my blood on fire, he whispered. He squeezed her rump suddenly,
hard, making her gasp. She could feel his hard cock through his trousers, pressing
against her thigh. His hands left her bottom. He undid the gold clasp of her cloak,
letting it slip to the ground then gripped her shoulders and pushed her down to lie atop
the makeshift blanket.
His fingers deftly unbuttoned the top of her dress. She was wearing nothing
beneath, since she d dressed hastily before fleeing the castle. He stared down at the pale
globes of her breasts, his eyes burning with need. He lowered his head to flick his
tongue against a jutting nipple. His mouth closed over it and sucked. Meanwhile, he
undid the jeweled belt at her waist and slipped a hand into her dress. She gasped softly
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