“Oh, my darling, you should have told me your fears. They are not unknown to me. The Melissa conveyed the same message to me, not half an hour ago. This is not a matter of finding a solution, but rather of finding a way in which to make that solution acceptable. There is no doubt in my mind, and has not been for some time, that whatever comes to pass will see them side by side.”
“I have faith in you,”
Agnes said, her love and relief clearly felt through their bond.
“Will you join us at Maratebo with a list of those you feel should be at the conclave?”
“I will indeed, and I will arrange for the Melissa to join us. When will you arrive?”
“We will fly out at noon tomorrow. Before sunset, we will be at the estate.”
“I will be there when I can.”
“That is all that can be asked of you.”
“I have missed you, my darling. I have been so afraid… for both of you.”
“I have missed you too, and I cannot lie and say that I have not been afraid. But that is past now. We are all safe, and we will be together very soon.”
A N
IGHT
IN
THE
D
ESERT
A
S
THE
sun began to fall and the temperature cooled, the boys stirred and sat up to rub their eyes.
“Where are we?”
“About three hundred and fifty sand dunes out from the city, fourteen since the last cactus, and three away from the basking iguana.”
Astrin laughed at his father’s humor. “In the middle of the desert, then?”
“That’s about it, yes.”
“I’m starving and so thirsty, I think my mouth has turned to dust.”
“Astrin, you are always hungry, but thirsty—that I can understand. Here.”
Hersten handed his son a canteen filled with the coolest, sweetest water he had ever tasted. When he had sated his thirst, he handed the canteen over to Rowan, who drank no less thirstily.
“What time is it?”
“Just after nine.”
“When will we get there?”
“Where is there?”
Neo turned in his seat and grinned at the boys, his smile all the brighter in the gathering darkness.
“We will rest for the night very soon. Tomorrow you go on into the desert to meet the plane.”
“Where will we rest? In the bus?” Astrin’s voice betrayed the fact that he really did not see that as a pleasant proposition.
“No. You will see… soon.”
With that cryptic comment, Neo would not elaborate any further.
It was about fifteen minutes later, when the sun was low on the horizon and the light fading rapidly, that they crested a sand dune and looked down on a scene of wonder. Lamps dotted the area like vast fireflies and harnesses jingled in the still air. They could just make out the shapes of many tents—a village of canvas and cloth.
“Wow.”
“The desert dwellers are gathered here at the request of Neive. I shall take my leave and return to the city. You will be safe here, and they will make sure you arrive at the plane in good time tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving?”
“My presence would be missed. There is no need to alert anyone of your passing too soon. I don’t think your tracks could be traced out into the desert, but it’s wise to take no chances. I will report to Neive tomorrow and will be at work as normal before you fly. No one need know that I have been gone.”
“We’ll miss you.”
“And I, you. Your company has been most pleasant. Now hold on tight, as this dune is a steep one.”
“What…?” Rowan began, then bit on his lip to stop the scream as the bus tilted almost vertically and began to speed toward the tents. It seemed that the bus would actually plow into them, but Neo swerved at the last moment and skidded to a halt close to the edge of the camp.
As they gathered their scattered wits, a figure detached itself from a group gathered around the fire and approached. He was a tall man, swathed from head to foot in billowing robes of blue and green embroidered with gold thread. He bowed and addressed Neo in his native tongue. Neo responded, then, grinning, shook hands with the four dazed travelers, got back into the bus, and sped off into the night with no further ado.
The desert dweller remained silent for a time while they stared after the disappearing bus, then he addressed them courteously and fluently in the language of the West.
“My lords, may I offer you the hospitality of my fire? You must be hungry and thirsty. Please, come and sit with us.”
Somewhat surprised by the unexpected turn of events, but gratified by the prospect of good food and comfortable beds, the four followed their gracious host toward the fire. They were given seats of honor on bright cushions made of silk with tassels of gold and served plates of fragrant meat and root vegetables with gourds of strong wine.
While they ate and drank, the desert dwellers entertained them, and themselves, with music played on strange melodic instruments, accompanied by songs sung by men with voices as deep as the desert and women who offered notes to the wide open sky.
Before very long Astrin was nodding off again. Rowan was convinced that, no matter what Astrin said, he had not recovered his strength and was easily tired. The wine had helped. As soon as he felt Astrin’s head begin to grow heavy on his shoulder, Rowan politely requested their hosts to show them where they would be sleeping that night.
The smiling man, who’d been introduced as Attayak, gestured toward the tents. Rowan helped a somewhat dazed Astrin to his feet, and they took their leave of Charles and Hersten, who were in deep conversation with some of the older men of the tribe and seemed set to continue for some time. Rowan wondered why they both frowned so deeply when they looked up to say good night. His stomach fluttered a little, knowing they must have been talking, or at least thinking, about their future.
Attayak led the boys to a small tent near the edge of the tent village, hard against a sand dune and in an enclosed and protected spot within the circle of lamps that marked the outer edges of the encampment. The lights stretched for a distance of maybe ten feet beyond the closest tent so nothing could approach the camp without being clearly seen. Although they’d not been explicitly told, nor had they seen any signs of movement, they knew the perimeters of the camp were guarded by sentries, most of them up on the dunes. When Neo told them they’d be safe here, he hadn’t been exaggerating.
Attayak lifted the flap of the tent and motioned the boys inside. “This is yours for the night. You will be alone and undisturbed. We will call you when it is time to break your fast and begin your journey home. May the Gods of the Desert bless you as you sleep, and may you have sweet dreams of wide horizons.” When he finished speaking, he bowed low and withdrew, letting the tent flap fall behind him.
Left alone, the boys looked around, and Rowan gave a low whistle. Light was provided by lamps dotted around the room, their light muted with shades of many colored silks. Their flames cast flickering shadows on the walls. Intricate tapestries hung from the poles that formed the frame and were surmounted by more silk, tented into lush folds overhead. The floor was covered with thick carpets and there were mounds of silk pillows for reclining. All in all, the effect was luxurious and comfortable—far more than they had expected.
Two beds had been made up at the far side of the tent, consisting of deep, thick sheepskins, covered with woven blankets. They would be glad of those since the night had grown cold.
Rowan spotted a low table where water and wine had been laid out in delicate glass bottles, surrounded by glasses and bowls of dried fruit and nuts. With a sigh he sank onto the cushions and poured himself a glass of wine. Astrin did the same and drank deeply.
There was a companionable silence for a while as they both munched on the snacks and pondered the journey that had led them to this incredible place. After a time Astrin reached for the wine again.
“Are you sure you want to do that? You’ve had quite a bit already, and you know what happened the last time you got drunk.”
“No. What?”
“You almost seduced me.”
“Almost? What
was
I thinking?”
Suddenly something changed. It was oh-so-subtle but startling nevertheless. Astrin laid down his glass and stared at Rowan. His eyes glittered darkly in the dim light. Rowan blinked, confused by the sudden tension in the air, and stared as Astrin slipped from the cushions and crawled over to him.
Taking the glass from his hand and replacing it on the table, Astrin reared up and pressed himself against Rowan as he took possession of his lips.
Taken somewhat by surprise Rowan gasped and rested his hands on Astrin’s hips. Astrin drew back slightly, his eyes flickering with the light of the lamps, as he gazed at Rowan.
“We’re alone,” he whispered. “And there are only two beds.”
“I don’t….”
“No one is going to come in here tonight. We don’t have to worry about anyone interrupting.”
“You’re drunk.”
“Maybe.” For a moment longer, Astrin stared deeply into Rowan’s eyes, then threw his body at him so he fell back, off the cushions and onto the floor. Astrin followed and landed on top of him grinning.
“Whoa… take it easy. You are not going to get anywhere if you break my ribs.”
The grin faded from Astrin’s face to be replaced by the most intense look Rowan had ever seen there. “And what if I don’t?” he whispered. “If I don’t break your ribs. Will I get anywhere, then?”
Rowan’s smile faded too, and he reached up to lay his hand against Astrin’s face, stroking Astrin’s cheek with his thumb. “Anywhere. Anywhere you want to go.”
Astrin smiled and lowered his head to kiss Rowan again, sliding down so he was lying completely on top of him. Rowan threw his arms around him and thrust his head upward to meet the kiss, desperate and hungry.
When Astrin raised his head, there were tears running from Rowan’s eyes.
“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? Is this not what you want?” Astrin moved as if to roll away, but Rowan wouldn’t let him go.
“No. No, nothing like that. I was just thinking how much I love you and how close I came to losing you. Even though it’s over now, just the thought of what could have happened scares the hell out of me.”
Astrin smiled and wiped away the tears with his fingers. He nodded. “I know. It scares me too. That feeling of the darkness seeping into me and taking over.” He shuddered. “I will never forget that you came for me, that you saved me. I will never forget how I felt in that moment I took your hand. I trusted you absolutely… and I still do.”
They searched each other’s eyes and found only love and absolute trust. Both smiled.
As if acting on an unspoken agreement, Astrin climbed to his feet and Rowan followed. They moved over to the sheepskin beds and pushed them together. Tentative and shy again, the two boys stripped to their shorts and were quick to huddle under the sheepskins, escaping the chill.
It wasn’t the first time they had lain together, skin to skin, but it was the first time it had meant so much. Very gently, Rowan drew Astrin’s trembling body to him and held him close. Astrin burrowed into the crook of his neck, hiding his face in Rowan’s hair.
“Are you okay?”
“No.” The response was almost inaudible.
Rowan tried to pull away, but Astrin wouldn’t let him. “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“But you said….”
Astrin raised his head and looked up at him. “You asked me if I was okay,” he purred. “And I’m not. I’m wonderful, excited, awed, inspired. I feel invincible.”
Rowan kissed him and that was answer enough.
The skins under them were soft, and they sank into them, feeling as if they were floating. Astrin lay on his back, staring into the shadows of the tented ceiling above him. Rowan, propped up on his elbow, absently stroked Astrin’s soft skin as he stared into his face. He thought he had never seen anything so lovely in all his life.
Letting his fingers trail upward, Rowan touched Astrin’s face, tracing the lines of his cheekbones and brushing over his soft full lips, which opened and took his finger inside.
Flicking the finger with his tongue, Astrin sucked on it, making Rowan feel a strange fluttering in his stomach as his body took on a life of its own, tightening and tingling almost unbearably.
“Oh fuck, you’re beautiful,” he gasped.
Astrin smiled, releasing his finger. “You’re biased because you love me.”
“So what? I don’t care what anyone else thinks. To me you’re the most beautiful creature in the whole of creation. I… I can’t believe that… after everything that’s happened, everything we’ve been through, it’s… incredible that we are here, now, together.”
“Why do you keep looking back? What’s gone is gone. What happened, happened. We’re here, now, together. Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, but tonight….” He smiled and reached up to run his hand over Rowan’s shoulder, making him shiver deeply. He smiled.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
“What do you think will happen now?”
“I don’t think. It scares me to think. Let’s not think. Let’s just be together.”
“You’re right. Just be together.” He leaned down and kissed Astrin, a kiss that made him shiver and swept him away on a tide of feeling that was so completely outside his experience that it overwhelmed him. Rowan tightened his arms around Astrin with a certain desperation in the embrace. Astrin clung to him too, until a combination of wine and exhaustion relaxed his body into sleep. Rowan lay awake for a while, watching, then laid his head next to Astrin’s on the pillow and, making sure Astrin was warm and comfortable in his arms, he followed.
That night in the tent under the stars, they slept a deep, untroubled sleep.