Allan COLE - Wizard of the winds

But all he could say was, Nerisa, my little Nerisa."

He kissed her hair, her cheeks, the tears flowing from her eyes, crushing her against him as if the tightness of his embrace would keep her from turning into a ghost and wisping away.

Then their lips met and the embrace become something else altogether.

It happened so abruptly there was no time for questioning, much less surprise.

Nerisa melted against him, weeping and murmuring his name. She was in a dream, an old sweet dream, and her Safar was holding her close, kissing her, whispering endearments. Passion firing them both beyond control.

She opened her eyes and saw her major domo's shocked face reflected in the glass of verandah doors. But she didn't care and she waved a curt dismissal just as Safar swept her off the floor.

And she said, Yes, yes, please, yes, and somehow she directed him to her rooms.

Then they were in the big soft bed, tearing at each other's clothes.

"After I fled Walaria, Nerisa said much later, I became a caravan lad."

She smiled at the memory, nestling deeper into Safar's arms. I always did play a good boy."

Safar gently caressed her. You wouldn't have such an easy time of it now, he said.

Nerisa giggled. Actually, it became a problem fairly quickly, she said. I suddenly bloomed, as the old grannies gently put it. One day my breeches didn't fit over my hips. The next, I was bursting the seams of my lad's shirt. I had to bind myself down and get looser clothes."

"Did no one ever suspect? Safar asked.

She shook her head. Never. Oh, I got a few odd looks once in awhile. But that was the extent of it. Second glances, nothing more."

Safar said, That leaves a great leap from caravan lad to the rich Lady Fatinah."

"I suppose it does, Nerisa answered. Although it didn't seem like it at the time. I had some money. The gold you gave me. I invested a little of it in some of the caravan goods, made a good profit and invested more."

Nerisa laughed. I found I had a talent for merchanting. All those years as a little thief served me well when it came to picking out bargains and quality goods.

"After a time I had enough to become a minor partner of a very wealthy caravan master."

"Lord Fatinah, by any chance? Safar asked.

Nerisa made a face. It's true he was named Fatinah, she said. But he was no lord. He was a merchant, nothing more. Old, fat and kindly. At least I thought he was being kindly. He treated me like a son."

Another laugh. As it turned out, he merely had a weakness for handsome boys."

Safar stirred. You mean, he…?"

"He… nothing, Nerisa said. Fatinah was an honorable old man. He believed it unseemly to take advantage. I never even knew his feelings toward me… or the boy he thought I was… until just before he died. Then he confessed all. Swore he loved me. And handed me a will, saying I was to inherit all."

"That's when I became a woman… and his widow. The will would never have stood, otherwise. No one would understand, much less believe, that he'd give such a fortune to a mere boy. So I invented our marriage. Paid certain sums to certain people to draw up the necessary documents. No one ever questioned an old man would be fool enough to give his money away to a grasping young woman.

"Even so, the rumors started that I'd killed him. Especially after I purchased the necessary background to make him a nobleman."

"No one ever questioned that? Safar asked.

Nerisa came up on an elbow, that crooked grin of hers playing on her face. A smile that brought a pang of love to Safar's heart, rather than its lesser cousin, Fondness.

"If you play the royal, she said, and you play it well, no one questions anything. Especially if you have money.

"Besides, in these times there's so much chaos all of Esmir is turned upside down. I took advantage of that chaos, running caravans into places no one else dared go. I suppose I made a profit on the troubles of others. But I brought them what they needed. Bought what they no longer had use for. And consoled myself with the thought that I'm Misery's child.

"I believed I had a right."

"I suppose you do, Safar said. Once I'd have said otherwise. She smiled at this. But there are so many greater thieves in this world, thieves who will steal dreams. Thieves who break you. Thieves who would kill all you love, require you to watch, then kill you as well.

"And then steal your heart out of your body to make a sorcerer's meal."

Nerisa embraced himtwining arms and legs about him. Made her body as soft as she could for a shield that would protect him and comfort him from all the devils tormenting him.

She was Nerisa, the thief of Walaria, and she would allow no man she loved to come to harm.

Later she took him into the nursery to meet Palimak. The child was awake, hazel eyes reflecting the candle she carried.

Nerisa picked the child up, wrapping his favorite crib blanket close around him. He was a tubby little thing with dark hair, olive skin and pearly milk teeth.

"This is Safar, she said to the child. The one I've been telling you about all these months."

She made a nervous smile at Safar. This is Palimak, she said.

"My son."

Palimak turned his chubby little face to look at Safar. He kicked his feet in delight and smiled.

His eyes lit up and with a shock Safar saw the hazel turn to a glowing yellow.

Demon yellow!

Nerisa's heart plummeted when she the look on her lover's face.

Safar managed a faint smile and held out a hand. Palimak grabbed his foremost finger and squeezed.

"He's strong! Safar said, dredging a compliment from the depths of his confusion.

Nerisa turned her face to Palimak, hiding her feelings. Of course he's strong, she said. Aren't you strong, my Palimak? The strongest little boy in the world!"

The child gurgled pleasure. Then he threw up, soiling himself and Nerisa's sleeping gown.

"Oh, you bad boy, you! Nerisa scolded. Here I'm trying to show you off and you play the little pig."

Then she burst into tears.

Safar sat beside her, putting his arms around both of them.

"Why are you crying? he asked. Children make messes. That's what they do! Besides making you love them, of course.

"Ask my sisters what a mess I was! No. Come to think of it, don't. They will tell you in excruciating detail what a dirty little boy I was."

Instead of calming her, the words infuriated Nerisa.

"That's not why I'm crying! she said. As you know very well!"

She reached into her gown, drew out an object and threw it on the bed.

"Here! she said. Here's your damned old knife."

Safar stared at it. It was the silver dagger Coralean had given him long ago.

Nerisa wiped her eyes, pulling herself together. That's why I came here, she said. To return the dagger. It's yours. It was wrong of me to keep it. And I was a fool, a stupid, weak fool, to deliver it to you myself instead of sending a messenger."

Palimak stared to cry, which made Nerisa angrier. There, you see what you've done!"

Safar was confused. What have I done?"

"I saw that look on your face, Nerisa said. You think he's a monster! A half demon, half human freak.

"Well, be damned to you. I've had my pleasure. I've had my girlish dream. Safar Timura, my great ideal. The man who had so much kindness in him he could understand anything and anyone. She laughed bitterly. I should have known better. And it's a good lesson for me.

"Now Palimak and I will be on our way. And to the Hells with you! And to the Hells with me for letting you make me into a fool!"

Safar started to get angry himself. This is hardly fair, he said. The least you could have done is warn me. At least you could have"