"Where did you learn such magic tricks with your fingers?"

She noticed that he changed the subject. With fingers lightly curled on his throat, her thumbs drifted up and down the trapezius area of the neck with just the right amount of pressure. "I did this for my father many times. He took a bad spill from a horse that hurt his neck and back. Ma.s.sages helped ease the stiffness." She shifted the point of her efforts to the tense location a few inches away.

"You're a wonder, Jana Greyson, a sheer delight. The smartest thing I ever did was lay claim to you; the dumbest was to start off our relationship in such a bad way. I'm happy you don't hold that against me."

Jana was relieved her hands did not halt their movements and expose her reaction to those familiar words. The situation, the actions, the mood changes, and the conversation was reminiscent of- He captured her hands and stopped their work, but didn't release them or speak. He tilted his head and gazed at her, a long and searching look. He was tempted to pull her over the sofa and into his lap so he could cover her with kisses and caresses. He wanted to take possession of this G.o.ddess who was driving him mad with hunger. He was surprised he didn't moan aloud as flames licked without mercy at his loins. At the last moment for keeping a clear head and before yielding to his cravings, he was jolted to his senses. He let go of her hands, lowered his head, and mopped away beads of perspiration from his brow and upper lip. He tried to calm his rapid respiration. He could not permit his desires to run wild, not tonight and not soon, if at all during this ruse. Her touch burned like fire. Her gaze was almost hypnotic. Her feminine allure was powerful and enticing. He leaned out of her reach.

"Does that feel better?" Jana asked, noticing that he had broken their contact with swift abruptness. Do you hear the quavering in my voice? Do you feel the trembling in my hands and body? Do you read the desire in my eyes? Do you realize how you affect me, Varian?

He admonished his loss of control. She was too distracting. He must keep a tighter leash on his desires. He blamed his mood and weakness on the bad news he had received before leaving the complex. Canissia had eluded his man with a cloaking device and escaped. The ship following her had no choice except to return to its base on Cagaus nearby, from which Elite Squad member Kagan had summoned it earlier today. He wondered where Canissia had gotten the sophisticated, noncivilian equipment and from whom. From Prince Taemin or from Kadim Maal? Had he done or said something during her visit to expose himself? Was the redhead on her way to Maal's this minute to betray him in exchange for sanctuary? Should he cancel his trip there? Tell his grandfather about this possible kink in their plans? No, that would worry Tirol. He had to risk going to Androas to try to delay Maal's attack during Project Starguard. He had called Brec Sard and asked for security patrols to be increased along the galaxy's boundary. He had put out an alert on Canissia to Star Fleet commanders to have her observed and followed if she was sighted. That was all he could do at this time.

"Does that feel better?" Jana inquired once more.

Varian stood and flexed his neck. He drew in and exhaled several deep breaths, then smiled at her. "Wonderful. You'd better turn in. It's very late."

"I will. You should, too, Ryker. You must be exhausted."

"I am. Shut off the lights after you get your wine."

Before he could rush away from her, she told him, "I can't. Nothing responds to my voice commands."

He halted and turned. "Since when?"

"Either since I arrived on Darkar or awakened from my illness. None of the voice-activated mechanisms respond to me."

"There must be a glitch in the system. I'll have Griep repair it in the morning. You didn't have any trouble last week. I wonder what's wrong."

"I wouldn't know. I'm not proficient in computers and equipment."

"It will be functional tomorrow. Good night, Jana of Earth."

"Good night, Ryker."

By the next night, Jana had been given her inoculations again. That or placebos, she deduced. She tried to scold herself for having doubts again, but her chiding failed to make her dismiss them. Maybe she had not fallen for the charade at all, only told herself she had during rough moments. Besides the vividness of the hallucination, there were too many clues pointing to a ruse. Instead of trying to unmask Varian, she must attempt to discover the purpose of this crucial a.s.signment.

After dinner, Jana strolled around the living area. She pretended to listen and move to the soft music from concealed speakers. The alien who sat on the sofa with a gla.s.s of wine in his grasp watched her. She went to him and, while laughing merrily, took the gla.s.s from his hand and set it on a side table. She pulled him to his feet and suggested that they dance. "Please, Ryker," she coaxed when he seemed reluctant. "Come on. We should practice before we have to dance in public during our trip. We should see how compatible we are in all areas. Right?"

She had such an easy way of disarming and captivating him. She was in a capricious mood tonight. Her tone was seductive. Her eyes held hints of mystery and promise. "As you wish, my mischievous wife."

"Thank you, kind sir." She slipped into his arms and nestled close.

They moved in fluid unison in the romantic setting. One tune and dance drifted into another and another while neither spoke. With each one, their bodies gravitated closer and closer. His cheek rested against her fragrant hair with hers against his chest. Their eyes were shut and they allowed their senses to be consumed by the other's nearness.

Varian's fingers trailed to and fro across her back. They traveled upward to caress the soft skin of her neck. His fingers roamed through her radiant mane of wavy hair as golden as the sun. He longed to taste her sweet lips. He craved to possess her.

Jana swayed against his firm body. She flowed with him and the music. She gradually climbed a blissfully torturous spiral, as she had done long ago on his ship in the Stardust Room. It seemed as if her entire body was responding to his erotic messages. She floated between fantasy and reality, between ecstasy and torment. She wanted him so much.

Varian was aflame with burning desire. Jana's nearness unleashed the emotions he had been holding under tight restraint. His body could not help but react to her enticing signals. She was cuddled close to him and was happy, as she should be, as she shouldn't be ...

Jana smiled to herself. She knew she was getting to him, as she had planned. Obviously he avoided physical contact because he feared she would use her feminine weapons to penetrate the force shield around him, He was reluctant to kiss her, hold her, and make love to her in fear of exposing himself and his charade. But she knew this man was her love; she felt it with every fiber of her being. She must kiss him and prove it was true.

Jana lifted her head and leaned back a little to look at him. His gaze fused with hers. She smiled as her right hand left his so her fingers could touch his sensual lips. She let them trace the angle of his jawline and strong chin. She missed the cleft in it that added such character and a roguish touch to his handsome face. His eye color was different, but she read the expression of desire in those emerald "depths. Both hands grasped his head and, rising on her tiptoes, she sealed their mouths.

The kiss was tender and leisure. It explored and pleaded. It melted into one that became swift, pa.s.sionate, and urgent. Their dancing ceased. Their arms encircled each other and clung tightly and fiercely. His hands shifted to cup her face between them as his mouth worked hungrily at hers.

Varian scooped her up in his arms and without parting their lips, carried her to her bed. As he lay her down, he saw a questioning look in her eyes as they settled on his face and then one of resignation to surrender to ... Ryker, her husband. He realized they had gotten carried away, that hopefully she had forgotten whom she was with. He captured the hands that reached to pull him to her. He spread kisses over them before saying, "Not tonight, Jana. This isn't the time." "Is it me, Ryker? Do I displease or repulse you?" "Kahala, no. I desire you more than I've ever desired any woman. In truth, you're the only woman I've ever craved. I knew that the first moment I saw you. I just don't want to rush what will be a very special part of our relationship. We need to get better acquainted first, that's all. When everything is right, we'll share our first night together." Since weeks ago. "I'm sorry for being wanton. I do want everything to be right for us."

"It will be soon, I promise. Good night, Jana." "Good night, Ryker." Good night, Varian. No one could kiss like you. No one could dance like you.

Far away on the Moonwind, Canissia Garthon was trying to sort the truth from all the information she had been fed. She had contacted her father, who had related the incredible news of her imminent marriage to Varian Saar. Segall had sworn it was not a trick or a joke, and was in fact public knowledge. He had said Varian was looking for her so they could marry before he left on his next mission. Segall believed Varian desired the marriage to halt any gossip about his feelings for Jana Triloni. It was a known fact that a freed Jana had fled Tirol's keeping and married Ryker Triloni over two weeks past. To prevent further gossip and humiliation, Varian wanted to prove he didn't care by marrying her, and fast. Segall had entreated her to hurry home to plan the ceremony.

"If only you were here, Zan, to help me cull the truth. You and Father are the only two people who love me and trust me. I owe no loyalty to Kadim Tirol or the Alliance. They've done nothing for me and view me as debris to be jettisoned. If not for my wealth and Father's rank, they wouldn't be nice or even civil to me. If only Varian and Ryker weren't immune to Thorin, I would force the truth from them."

But she didn't know what the truth was. That could have been, she reasoned, Ryker on Darkar. He could have been faking ignorance to make her confess her deeds for a concealed recorder as she had done with others, collecting evidence to keep her mouth shut. Varian was a proud man and wouldn't want to be the b.u.t.t of jokes and gossip. They had been lovers in the distant past, and their marriage would be a perfect match. If only that alien witch hadn't come into her life and territory and spoiled everything! If Varian and Ryker were no longer available because of Jana, there was only one other choice for a husband and ally: a powerful protector who could provide sanctuary. With her immense value to him and her erotic skills, he would delight in having her. Should she test Varian's honesty and motives or call his bluff on charges against her? Should she return home and see if he would appear, and if he would marry her? Varian could not be impersonating Ryker without the Supreme Council's order or permission, and her father-a member-would tell her of such a matter.

She jumped up to pace her luxurious suite. There couldn't be any real evidence or witnesses against her to endanger her and prevent her from returning home to study this situation. If it was a trick, she could always claim that Ryker extracted his information from her through use of his powerful drugs. She could claim, if necessary, that Ryker had used mind controlling chemicals to force her to slay those men who were his cohorts. But there was the matter of her now-exposed alibi for Jana's abduction. She had claimed Zartiff Dukamcea was in bed with her. Drugged, he had confirmed her lie when they were both questioned. Even if she changed her story to say Jana asked for and received her help with escape, could they prove she was lying again? Would Jana challenge her word?

How dare you make me dependent upon you, you alien b.i.t.c.h! I should have slit your throat instead of taking you to Ryker. How did you convince him to marry you? How did you make Varian fall for your charms? Is my love finished with you now that Ryker's screwed you? Who else would Varian turn to except me? It must be true. If you're laying a trap for me, my handsome commander, you'll be sorry. I have ways of learning the truth. Soon, it will be mine. Then, either you'll be in ecstasy between my thighs or rotting in a grave somewhere beside Jana. Yes, that's what I'll do: go to the only person who can unmask a phony Ryker.

Jana and her love were packed to leave on their journey tomorrow. She was frightened and apprehensive. She knew she would locate the truth during the trek to Maal's. She was actually going to be shown off in public as Ryker's wife. Unless something happened to prevent the trip or her going along with him. Could Varian parade her around the galaxy as Jana Triloni? If the stakes were high enough, yes. Would Maal slay Commander Saar if he was exposed? Yes. Would the Androasian kadim kill her for being a part of it? Yes.

Her feet and hands felt like ice under the bedcovers. She shivered and trembled as if she were naked outside in the middle of winter. She was heading into ... only G.o.d knew what peril. Please don't let him be Ryker and please keep us safe. She began to cry in fear and panic.

The alien sat on her bed and pulled her into his arms to comfort her. "Don't cry, my love. Everything will be fine soon. You have nothing to fear."

Jana sought, found, and fused their mouths. She clung to him. He responded. They kissed and caressed, and pa.s.sions flamed. As he sank to the bed with her, she knew he would not refuse her tonight ...

Chapter Six.

Varian needed to have Jana completely and, he decided on impulse, the intrusive a.s.signment be d.a.m.ned for a while! This was one mission he could not abort, as an irresistible rendezvous awaited him. If anything went wrong in Androas, this could be his last chance to have her. He kissed away her tears and warmed her body with his heat. He could not let her suffer tonight, nor himself. He needed to be as close to her as possible, to be beside her, to be within her, to unite their souls and bodies as no other action except lovemaking could accomplish. He could say with his actions what his mouth could not at this point. His kisses were deep and hungry, exposing the depths of his emotions. When she clung to him and responded in like kind, his intense yearnings increased. She had captured him as no other force could do. For a time, duty didn't exist, nor anything beyond this room, this moment, this woman. For a time, he was entrapped in a spinning universe of heady desire with the Earthling he loved at its center. Pa.s.sion's fury blazed within his body and eternal love within his heart. His tongue explored the tasty recess of her mouth. His teeth teased at her moist lips. He felt her tremble with a mutual longing. She had woven her spell around him, and this bond, this union, this night were meant to be.

Jana clasped his head between her hands and held it while she almost ravished his mouth. A near desperation flooded her as she, too, realized this might be the last time she would have him, at least in the near future. It was exciting and stimulating to be in his arms and to have his full attention again. He was tantalizing and tempting her beyond reality, and she did not care. She quivered when his lips seared hot messages over her ear and she answered them with eagerness. She was a greedy sponge absorbing his touch, collecting memories for dry days ahead when her soul, heart, and body were athirst. Her arms slipped around his naked body, as he slept nude and his robe had been discarded.

Varian's mouth brushed over the shoulder he had bared to his questing lips. It traveled to the hollow of her neck and nibbled there. His hands wandered through her cascading tawny hair as they adored the silky texture. Her responses ignited the long-smoldering coals that roared into a blaze of urgency and formed an all-consuming force. He used long and deliberate kisses to tease, tempt, and heighten her desire, as if that was necessary. His mouth branded her face, neck, and satiny shoulders. A feverish mood ensnared them both. Love's deepest desire threatened to burst into instant full bloom and he tried his best to postpone its blossoming until the last moment.

Jana's fingers teased over his body of silk-covered steel. She loved every inch of him. She caressed familiar planes and curves. She journeyed over rippling muscles and hairy meadows. She curled the locks at his nape around her fingers. She was lost in the wonders of love and Varian Saar. He had captured more than her body that night on Earth. He had stolen more than her life there. He had won more than her submission. He owned her heart, soul, and body, forever.

Varian's mouth halted its trek down her throat to feel the throbbing of her pulse point against it. He kissed the line of her collarbone. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against him felt hot and firm, and he had to touch them, to taste them, to arouse their excitement even more. He moved down her cleft at a snail's pace as if he had a lifetime to journey through the beckoning valley. His stubbled cheek ever so lightly rubbed over her protruding peaks, and he heard her moan with delight and desire. With intoxicating leisure, he kissed every inch of each breast as his fingertips stroked up and down her sleek inner thighs, coming closer and closer to her most private region.

Jana quivered with antic.i.p.ation and pleasure. A heat hotter than any she had experienced before burned at the core of her being. She quivered and tingled and coaxed him for more. As her love caressed her most sensitive secrets, she kissed and caressed him eagerly. She had long awaited this heady episode. He would not walk away from her tonight, and perhaps never again. Surely after this fusion of their beings, he would confess the truth. She would be understanding and forgiving, and would a.s.sist his mission. Afterward, the beautiful life together he had promised her on his starship two weeks ago would begin. For now, all she wanted was to join her body and spirit with his, so she abandoned everything to his rapturous conquest.

She reveled in his firm, bronzed physique. Her hands found his flat belly, virile chest, and broad shoulders. Her palms roamed those stirring areas. Every part of her was sensitive and responsive, as every part of him seemed to be. Her nails gently raked over his torso, careful, even in her aroused state, not to scratch him. Her tongue danced over his ear, and slid down his jawline to savor his taste. She was charged with intense emotion. She was spinning carefree through outers.p.a.ce. She was aglow with need, as fiery as a blue star that was a thousand times brighter than the sun. A feeling of primitive wildness overtook her. She wanted, she needed, she must have him. She squirmed. She writhed. She groaned. She sighed. She pleaded without words. She took and she gave. With instinct and without words, she encouraged him to do as he pleased with her; and everything he did, pleased her. Only total fulfillment could be sweeter than this prelude.

Varian's breathing quickened. Her touch was as light and gentle as a summer breeze. Her kisses were delicious, some long and soft, and some short and almost savage. She trailed velvety lips over his face, throat, and shoulders. She snuggled against his stalwart frame. Forgotten were any reasons not to take what was his by right of conquest, by right of willing surrender. The sensations she sent coursing through his body and mind drove him wild. He had never possessed any woman to the limits of love and satisfaction until Jana. He had never shared himself fully with any woman except Jana. He had never attained such heights of pleasure except with Jana.

They were locked so tightly together that not even air could get between them. Fires raced through them and consumed any inhibition, reluctance, or denial. As if by cue, their bodies united as one. Uncontrollable fires leapt and burned, becoming brighter and hotter by the minute and with each thrust. Their faces touched and nuzzled. They reveled in their contact, in their shared pa.s.sion, in their enthralling love. His darting tongue was met by hers. His questing hands found and claimed treasures, as did hers.

Their tongues mated in an erotic dance that matched the one their bodies swayed to. As she arched to meet his motions, pa.s.sions soared to explosive levels, and still they labored with speed and skill. They felt weightless and free. Their velocity increased as they approached the boundary into bliss. Wits and self-control were things lost during their journey toward ecstasy's pinnacle. Their embraces tightened until they could wait no longer for their ultimate pleasure.

Afterward, they lay drowsy and entwined without speaking, only touching and feeling and sharing. They were together again and nothing else mattered. The agonizing weeks of denial and loneliness had vanished. No matter what the cruel future had in store for them, they had tonight; they had peace and each other, for a while.

When Jana was asleep, Varian eased from the bed. He stood over her, gazing at her, adoring her with his eyes, branding her his, memorizing every detail of her face for the thousandth time, as if he could ever forget any feature or inch of the exquisite Earthling! He was confused, vexed, and hurt that she hadn't whispered his name during the throes of her climax. It was him she had made love to, not Ryker, wasn't it? Though he had convinced her of the delusion, didn't she at least suspect she had been stolen from him? Didn't she know he would never give her away? Didn't she know he loved her and wanted her? Did she think him that cruel?

He knew for a fact that she had been coerced into marrying Ryker and had never slept with his treacherous and evil half brother. But he had awakened her pa.s.sions long ago, and he had aroused them again tonight. How could she have resisted such skills and desires? She had confessed her love that last time on his ship. Surely this was too fast for true and powerful love to die. Many times he had been forced to risk slaying her love for him, but he hadn't. Always she had retained those emotions. Always she had believed him and forgiven him. But his crimes against her were mounting: his resistance after her capture, the many difficult and demanding times along their route home, the humiliating auction he had put her through for her protection and that of his mission, and now this dark and dangerous ruse. Was it drawing her closer to his dead half brother? Was his ruse working too well? Was he slaying precious love and hurting her beyond repair?

You fool. This deed only makes things worse for her and for you. If you don't carry out the ruse, everything will be destroyed, including her. Even if you and the fleet remain here and allow Earth to be devastated, Maal and Taemin will still attack. An intergalactic war will cost too many lives. You have the power to make peace within your reach. The only price might be releasing Jana from your hand long enough to grasp it. Can you not risk sacrificing one love to save so many lives and worlds? Can you think about anybody except yourself and her? What kind of man would give up his honor and duty and allow such devastation only to have the woman he loves? Yet, what kind of man takes his love into the gaping jaws of death with him?

Jana stretched and yawned. She felt mellow and happy. She felt relaxed and calmed. She almost whooped with joy as she tossed the covers aside to greet this glorious morning. She looked up as the yellow-eyed android entered her suite. "Good morning, Ine. I feel wonderful today."

"Greetings. I was commanded to awaken you. You must bathe, dress, and eat. You must be ready to depart in three hours."

"Thank you, Ine. That's all. I'll be ready on time."

The monotoned and expressionless android left the room. Jana danced around her suite before grooming herself. There was no way, she told herself, that "Ryker" could convince her he wasn't Varian, not after murmuring "Moonbeam" in her ear last night. No doubt, in his ardor, he didn't even know it, but she had heard the favorite endearment. "That wasn't a delusion, Jana." But did Varian say it? her mind retorted; he isn't the only man who knows that word and murmurs it.

Jana sat in the living area to await departure time in one hour. Her love was busy with last-minute loading of deliveries to several planets along their route. A bundle of nerves and energy, she got up and approached the telecom, as it had been programmed by another android named Griep to respond to her voice commands. After obtaining what she wanted, she returned to her seat to view the news. Fifteen minutes later, she bolted up and went to stand within inches of the large viewing screen. It was Varian being interviewed "live" about his approaching marriage to Canissia.

"It was delayed because my fiancee hasn't found the wedding gown she wants," he answered the reporter. "She's been to every shop on every planet in the galaxy and has just returned. With or without her gown, the date is in two weeks."

"I'm sure it will be a grand occasion," the reporter said.

"No. Ca.s.s and I decided to make it small and intimate, just family and a few close friends. It's to take place at Grandfather's estate on Eire."

"What about Ryker and Jana Triloni? Will they be attending?"

Varian shook his sable head. "They were invited but turned down our invitation because of previous plans. Of course, they're newlyweds, too, so I imagine they are busy elsewhere."

"What about the recent reward and search for Dr. Greyson?"

"After she vanished, I thought she was in danger because so many men were eager to get their hands on that treasure, legal or otherwise. I felt it was my duty to look for her and to post a reward for her return. We all know now that she eloped with the Androasian prince. You can't blame Ryker and Jana for wanting to get her out of the limelight; she did cause quite a commotion after coming here. From what Ryker told me, they're happily wed. I congratulate Dr. Jana Greyson on her good fortune of becoming his wife and joint heir to the Androasian Empire."

"How could Dr. Greyson elope with Prince Triloni? A charl has no right to go anywhere without her owner's permission. That was you."

"Was me; that's the key word. Grandfather freed her after she saved our lives during an a.s.sa.s.sination attempt on Eire by a Captain Koch. She risked her life to save ours, so Grandfather rewarded her with her freedom. She had every legal right to leave without notice and to marry Ryker. If they hadn't been out of contact and had heard about the investigation into her disappearance, I would have been notified of her plans. In fact, she did send a departure message which I received when I returned home to Altair, so I called off the search.... Ah, here comes my fiancee now."

The camera panned to a smiling and radiant Canissia who waved at them and halted to speak with friends while they finished the interview.

"I suppose you two will be taking a long and romantic honeymoon?"

"Yes, we will. We-"

"Screen off!" Jana shouted, and was obeyed instantly by the system. How, she fretted, was this possible? Was it too coincidental? The first time she watches the telecom, she views this! As soon as they made love and she was certain of his ident.i.ty, this was used to change her mind! Yet, he couldn't have known she would watch the unit this morning.

The blond alien entered the room. He walked to her, smiling. As he caressed her cheek, he murmured, "I hope you slept as well as I did. It's a new beginning for us, Jana of Earth, one that will work."

Qualms, doubts, and fears a.s.sailed her. "I .. ."

His green gaze searched hers for a while until she lowered her lashes in guilt and confusion. "I know it was unexpected, but give it time. When it's right again, it will happen. Don't push yourself toward me until you're ready. At least we know one thing: we're very attracted to each other."

Was it a pretaped performance or live interview? "Ryker, I-"

He silenced her with his fingertips to her lips. He knew she was upset by the phony interview he had loaded into the system. If she had watched it yesterday, she wouldn't have surrendered to him last night. The signal on his remote communicator had informed him it was in use, no matter which station she had sought. He hated to do this to her, but a honeymoon would explain his lengthy absence to others. First, he had to get his hands on Ca.s.s and get her out of sight. "There's no need to say anything, Jana: no explanations, excuses, or promises. Let's leave it in the test tube and see what develops. It might become a priceless formula."

They were going out in public as a happy couple. Their marriage was legal. But was she Ryker's wife, or his widow and heir? "I just saw Varian on the telecom. He was congratulating us on our marriage and talking about his own big event in two weeks." She repeated what had been said. "I thought you freed me. Isn't that what you told me?"

"Yes, and I did free you, we freed you. The kadim or the Supreme Council are the only ones who can grant freedom. Such an action must be the result of unique service or courage that benefits Maffei: saving the ruler's life certainly fits into that category."

"But I didn't save their lives from Captain Koch. In fact, I almost botched a trap they had set for him. I got ... one of his men killed."

"You did try to save Varian's unworthy hide; he told me about it, so it made a good story to cover the truth."

"The truth!" she sneered from frayed nerves. "Is it legal, even for the kadim and an Elite Squad member, to deceive the citizens of this galaxy? Perhaps I should tell them about the perils of Watergate and Iran-Contra affairs to show them how dangerous government lying can be. Why didn't Tirol and Varian tell everyone the real truth, that an insignificant alien slave saved all of them by being sacrificed to their worst enemy?"

"Do you want me to say it again, woman?" he almost shouted.

Provoked and hurt, she asked, "Say what?"

He captured her flushed face between his hands and stared into her glittering eyes. "That you're the only possession Varian owned that would be of value to either of us. Do you like hearing he wanted you and despised giving you to me? Does that make him less of a monster in your eyes?"

Jana ignored the way he forced those words from between clenched teeth. "He didn't want me. Nothing could have forced him to give me away if I meant anything to him. The same is true of you, Ryker Triloni. Neither of you fear anything or anyone. It must run in the blood you two share."

"Are you saying we're more alike than in looks?"

This time, Jana noticed the chilly look in his eyes and in the tone of his voice. He was angry and challenging, and she was acting stupid. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so cold and cruel. Of course you're nothing like him in personality and character, thank goodness."

She flattened her palms against his chest and gazed into his eyes. "How would you feel if you were pa.s.sed around like some unfeeling object, if you had no control or say over your life? Don't you see, Ryker, it doesn't matter to me if he wanted me as a possession? It doesn't matter to me that he didn't want to part with a pleasing slave so soon. It doesn't even matter that he considered me so valuable that I could be used as his peace token, his only peace token. What matters is that I was kidnapped and turned into a slave. That my freedom, pride, and life were taken away. That I was so unimportant, I was handed over to a foe who might torture or kill me. I made friends with them, Ryker: Varian, Tris, Nigel, Martella, Tirol, Draco. I trusted them. I obeyed them. I worked hard and learned everything they tried to teach me. I finally accepted my fate as a charl. I bent, yielded, and surrendered like a coward or weakling. For what? To be betrayed? Even if I'm only an alien captive, they owed me more than that. I thought it would be different, better, here with you. Now, you've lied to me."

"How so, Jana?" he asked calmly.

"You said you freed me."

The tape had been a grave mistake. He had no choice now except to lie. "I am responsible. After you were given to me and I decided to marry you, I requested your liberation. They used that incident with Koch as a reason the public would understand and accept. It would serve no good purpose for the citizens to hear the truth, and you don't want anyone to know how you got here. If Ca.s.s had kidnapped you, Jana, she wouldn't be floating around the galaxy a free woman; she would be a hunted criminal. Everyone knows you're married to me and you're living here. If a crime was involved, we would be under attack for your rescue and my punishment."

Why mention her delusion about Canissia's abduction? "No one would dare attack here or harm you, even if you had kidnapped me."

"That's true, but I didn't. On the other hand, I couldn't leave my stronghold if it would risk my capture, could I? Away from Darkar's defenses, I'm as vulnerable as any other man."

"That's true," she agreed, but didn't believe it. "I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I turned on the telecom to try to pick up some interesting bits of information to use in conversation along our journey. I never expected to see that snake and his slithering companion congratulating my good fortune. I'm sure they would be delighted if you destroyed me for them."

"You have to put them out of your mind, Jana. Don't let them hurt you or embarra.s.s you again. Remember who you are now."