She wandered through the gardens toward the verge of the forest. Looking for him, calling his name. The pain was like an arrow in the heart, almost driving him to his knees.
So, he was not prepared after all. He fisted his hands, struggled for composure. Resolved but not prepared. How would he ever live without her?
“She will live without me,” he said aloud. “That I want more. We’ll end it now, quick and clean.”
He could not will her away, will her back into her world and into life. But he could drive her from him, so that the choice to go was her own.
Taking Dilis’s reins, only for the comfort of contact, he walked for the last time as a man, for yet a century to come, through the woods toward home.
SHE heard the jingle of harness and the soft hoof-beats. Relieved, she turned toward the sound, walking quickly as Flynn came out of the trees.
“I wondered where you were.” She threw her arms around his neck, and he let her. Her mouth pressed cheerfully to his, and he absorbed the taste of it.
“Oh, I had a bit of work.” The words cut at his throat like shards of glass. “It’s a fine day for it, and for your travels.”
“For my travels.”
“Indeed.” He gave her a little pat, then moved away to adjust the stirrups of Dilis’s saddle. “I’ve cleared the path, so you’ll have no trouble. You’ll find your way easily enough. You’re a resourceful woman.”
“My way? Where?”
He glanced back, gave her an absent smile. “Out, of course. It’s time for you to go.”
“Go?”
“There, that should do.” He turned to her fully. Every ounce of power he owned went into the effort. “Dilis will take you as far as you need. I’d go with you myself, but I’ve so much to see to yet. I saw you have one of those little pocket phones in your car. Fascinating things. I have to remember to get one myself for the study of it. You should be able to use it once you’re over the border.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” How could she when her mind had gone numb, when her heart had stopped beating. “I’m not going.”
“Kayleen, darling, of course you are.” He patted her cheek. “Not that it hasn’t been a delight having you here. I don’t know when I’ve been so diverted.”
“Di…diverted?”
“Mmm. God, you’re a tasty bit,” he murmured, then leaned down to nip at her bottom lip. “Perhaps we could take just enough time to…” His hands roamed down her, giving her breasts a teasing squeeze.
“Stop!” She stumbled back, came up hard against Dilis, who shifted, restless. “A diversion? That’s all this was to you? A way to pass the time?”
“Passed it well, didn’t we? Ah, sweetheart, I gave as much pleasure as I got. You can’t deny it. But we’ve both got things to get back to, don’t we?”
“I love you.”
She was killing him. “God bless the female heart.” And he said it with a chuckle. “It’s so generous.” Then he lifted his brows, rolled his eyes under them. “Ah, don’t be making a scene and spoil this parting moment. We’ve enjoyed each other, and that’s the end. Where did you think this was going? It’s time out of time, Kayleen. Now don’t be stubborn.”
“You don’t love me. You don’t want me.”
“I loved you well enough.” He winked at her. “And wanted you plenty.” When the tears swam into her eyes, he threw up his hands as if exasperated. “For pity’s sake, woman, I brought some magic and romance into a life you yourself said was tedious. I gave you some sparkle.” He lifted her pearls with a fingertip.
“I never asked for jewels. I never wanted anything but you.”
“Took them, though, didn’t you? Just as another took the sparkles from me once. Do you think, after having a woman damn me to this place, I’d want another around for longer than it takes to amuse myself?”
“I’m not like her. You can’t believe—”
“A woman’s a woman,” he said carelessly. “And I’ve given you a pretty holiday, with souvenirs besides. The least you can do is be grateful and go along when I bid you. I’ve no more time for you, and none of the patience to dry your tears and cuddle. Up you go.”
He lifted her, all but tossed her into the saddle.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt me.” She dragged the pearls over her head, hurled them into the dirt at his feet. She stared at him, and in his face she saw the savageness again, the brutality, and none of the tenderness. “You lied.”