Why didnt you tell me sooner that my father was forced to leave my mother? Zia asked, sniffing back her tears. I would have looked for him.

That was exactly why I didnt tell you. You would have insisted on searching for him, and that would not have been good for you or for him.

If he loved my mother, surely my father would have been overjoyed to learn that she had given him a child, Zia said, fighting back the tears that refused to remain locked away.

I have no doubt he would have, for he loved your mother very much.

She certainly must have loved him, to die of a broken heart. A tear slipped free and ran down her cheek.

Bethane reached out and took her hand. Dont think for one moment that your mother didnt want or love you. She knew she carried a daughter and spoke of you often to me. It was just that she lost her pa.s.sion for life when she lost your father.

Zia nodded, slowly wiping away her tears. I never truly would have understood that if I had not fallen so deeply in love with Artair. I dont shed tears for myself, but rather for my mother and the love that was stolen from her"not only my fathers love, but mine.

You are much like your mother, and she would have been proud of you.

That means a lot to me, Zia said, her eyes drying. Im curious, though. What has changed that led you to tell me all this now?

Bethane gripped both her hands tightly. The Bishop Aleatus, the man sent to judge and condemn you, is your father.

Zia shook her head slowly. The bishop? My father?

Bethane nodded.

I cannot believe Zia continued shaking her head, astonished by what she had heard. The man who would decide her fate was the man who had given her life.

I know this is hard for you to believe.

Are you sure? Zia asked, thinking it must be a mistake.

Yes, I am certain. I learned several years ago that he had become a bishop.

And you didnt tell me? she asked, not angry with her grandmother, but rather, disappointed.

What good would it have done? Even now you must be very careful what you do with this knowledge, for it can be more dangerous than claims of you being a witch.

Do you think if he knew who I was, he would want to do me harm?

Bethane pressed a gentle hand to her granddaughters face. I believe he would love you immediately, for you look exactly like your mother.

Zia gasped with the realization and jumped out of the chair. Then I surely must stay out of bishops way until She shook her head. Eventually, the bishop will insist on speaking with me. What then?

You will know what to do, Bethane a.s.sured her.

Zia collapsed back into the chair. This news stuns me, but what could happen because of it startles me even more. The only thing I know for sure is that I will not see my husband" She shook her head, correcting herself. I will not see Artair suffer because of me.

To you, Artair is your husband. You need no doc.u.ment to prove that to yourself. Follow your heart, Bethane advised. You cant go wrong when you follow your heart.

Zia looked after Honora and the babes, and later that day realized she wasnt needed. Both Honora and Addie had the situation well in hand, and Cavan too. He visited with his wife and sons as often as he could.

She wished she could leave the keep for at least a short while, just to breathe the cold autumn air, feel it fresh against her cheeks. She recalled her visit to the battlements, and grabbing a wool cloak from her room, hurried up the stairs, rushing to taste the joy of a moments freedom.

The cold air stung her cheeks and whipped through her hair and she stuck her chin up enjoying the invigorating a.s.sault. She hugged the cloak around her and couldnt help but think of her father.

Was he still the man who once loved her mother, or had he become cynical and indifferent to others because of what had been done to him? And did she dare take a chance and find out?

It wouldnt be only her life she placed in danger, and she couldnt live with the possibility of being the cause of the Sinclares suffering because of her. What choice did she have then?

You frightened the h.e.l.l out of me!

Startled, Zia swung around to see Artair descend on her. He looked in a rage, and grabbed hold of her and gave her a shake.

Dont ever frighten me like that again, he ordered sharply.

What have I done? she asked, perplexed and concerned, for she had never seen him so upset. His dark eyes glared and he actually looked pale.

He shook his head and then rested his forehead to hers. I couldnt find you, and feared the bishop had sped off with you when I wasnt watching.

You mean my father. She almost said it aloud, but the words were so foreign to her that they never reached her lips.

I would fight like a wild animal if anyone tried to take me from you, she said with a soft kiss to his flushed cheek.

I would kill anyone who tried.

She thought she heard him snarl, and shivered at the thought of the animal inside him that could materialize when necessary.

Youre cold, he said, and scooped her up in his arms.

She wanted the crisp air to sting her cheeks and shiver her flesh, but she could get the same from her husband, and much preferred to do so.

Make love to me, she whispered in his ear.

He laughed. You read my mind.

That is because we are one and will always be.

He stopped abruptly before going through the arched doorway. Promise me that. Promise me we will always be one no matter what.

I promise, she murmured against his lips and then let him have his way with the kiss and he took it. Instead of quenching her l.u.s.t it ignited it and shivered every inch of her flesh.

You are cold, he said, hurrying to take the stairs down to their bedchamber.

I am hot, she teased with a nip to his ear.

I intend to make you hotter.

Then hurry, for I am already near boiling.

He laughed. This will be a night you long remember.

How appropriate that the day remained consistent, for it surely was a day she would never forget.

Zia stretched her naked body along the bed, arching her back to welcome Artair deeper inside her. They had wasted no time in divesting themselves of their clothes and falling on the bed together. And she had wasted not a moment of getting him inside her.

She needed him and the satisfaction he would bring her, though he would take none himself, not yet. He would wait and bring her to pleasure over and over, making her body squirm with his intimate touches and breath-stealing kisses.

It was a dance of sorts, and one she never tired of. And how could she when he would sweep her off her feet with a new step or two and in no time have her groaning, whimpering, pleading, and crying out in pleasure?

You are the witch, she breathed heavily as his mouth tormented her nipples with the most delicious swirl of his tongue. You bind me with a wicked" She gasped as he plunged into her suddenly and steadily.

They both were soon lost in a maze of lovemaking, twisting, turning, grasping, gasping, as they made their way through the tormenting maze that took them ever deeper into the center, the apex of it all. When they could no longer contain themselves, they burst like a torch ignited and allowed the fire to consume them and the maze.

After her sanity returned, Zia bounced up, crawling over Artair to slip off the bed.

Im starving, she said, and went straight to the table where hours ago platters of food and pitchers of wine had been left for them. Once there, she munched on a hunk of cheese and reached for a slice of black bread.

You should eat while naked more often, he said sitting up to rest against several pillows he piled behind his back. I enjoy watching you.

With a start, while still munching, Zia hurried into a soft green silk robe Addie had given to her recently.

I am so hungry that I forget myself, she said with a grin.

Forget yourself all you want. I love seeing you naked. You are beautiful.

For that, she said raising a finger, I will bring you food.

I feared you would let me starve.

Never, she said hurrying over to him with one of the smaller platters of cheese, to which shed added cold mutton and bread.

Mother tells me that you had time to speak with your grandmother today, Artair said while digging into the plate of food.

Zia knew it appeared a casual question, but it was far from one. And she would give him his answer ifAsk me directly what you wish to know and I will tell you.

But would she? She had given thought to her grandmothers warning, and knew that Bethane was right. The information could prove more harmful than helpful to far too many people. With that in mind, Zia had decided that for now her fathers ident.i.ty would continue to remain a secret.

Did you discuss Ronan? Artair asked anxiously.

Zia shook her head. But then, that wasnt really your question. You think my grandmother and I keep something from you about your brother.

Do you?

I have confided everything to you except one thing. I gave my word to someone and I cannot go back on it.

Artair rubbed his chin and nodded.

Zia knew he would remain calm and think over her response. He was and would no doubt always be a sensible man, except when it came to her. She almost sighed at the beauty of it.

Does this promise interfere with me locating my brother?

No, it would no way impede your search for Ronan.

He nodded again. What of Bethane? Does she know more than she tells me?

Zia sighed and dusted her hands over the plate. I truly dont know. I was surprised when we returned to my village and found Ronan gone.

What you tell me is that it would have been difficult for him to leave your village without someone knowing of his departure. You said so yourself when you told me and my men about the posted sentinels.

Youre right. Someone would have seen him, Zia confirmed.

Or helped him?

Zia nodded.

And you know who that is?

As do you, she said.

Bethane.

Again Zia nodded. She had to have given her word if she has not confided this to you.

Which means"

She will not tell you why your brother left or where he goes.

Chapter 33.

You know I will need to tell Cavan of this, Artair said with a sense of betrayal that disturbed him. Either way, he felt as if he betrayed someone with his decision. If he didnt confide in Cavan, he would betray his brother, and if he told Cavan, then he felt as if he betrayed Zia. He did not like the position he was in and would not tolerate it.

I a.s.sumed you would, but then I believed you and Cavan already had plans to speak with my grandmother, Zia said, gathering up morsels of the food that fell on the blanket, to place them on the empty plate before bouncing off the bed to take it to the table.

I would have spoken to you first.

Zia turned, slipping her robe off and walking toward him. I know that.

Artairs loins tightened rock hard and his mind began to muddle with each lazy step she took toward him. I"I"

Want me, she said, her voice dripping with a sultry pa.s.sion.

Or was it simply what he wanted to hear? Artair shook his head.

You dont want me? she asked, pouting as she stopped by the bed.