A Warrior s Desire - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,31

well so far."

"I knew how to get in, but I haven't been here since I was a child.

All I know is that at some point the mine tunnels open into large caverns that extend through the center of the mountain.

I believe there are other ways out on this side, but I don't know where they are."

Charlie reached around her waist, tying the rope like a belt.

"I can't be your guide, Charlie, only your companion, and now that I'm enslaved, I can't be even that.

I'll be your death."

He didn't seem to be listening.

"Sorry about the leash, but I don't want you getting away from me if he calls you again."

As he glanced at the floor, his brows drew together.

"What did I do with my bow and quiver?" "I took them off you when you fell asleep on the path."

Charlie groaned.

"And I never picked them up again.

I heard you scream and never looked back.

At least we've got yours.

Let's go."

He gave a small tug on the rope, rose to a hunch, and lit another small dot of light.

"You go first.

If you've been here before, your subconscious probably remembers more than you think it does."

"Charlie..." She tried to stop the forward movement, desperate to make him understand, but he just gave her an amused look and a small push.

She glared at him.

"You're going to get yourself killed over an inappropriate sense of loyalty.

I'm a slave.

I've never been more than that.

I can never be.

It's my fate.

It's my purpose."

"It's nobody's purpose to be used and abused by another.

You're too smart to believe that."

"You're not hearing a word I say."

She felt a tug on the rope, stopping her, felt his hands cup her shoulders as he pulled her back against him.

"I've heard every word you've said.

I just don't happen to agree with them.

We're going to get through this together.

I'm not letting you go back to that.

Ever.

" His words, velvet-coated steel, filled her with as much fear as relief.

He was endangering himself.

But, oh, how she loved him for it.

She lifted her hand and pressed it against his cheek.

"Then we can't fail.

I can't watch you die."

"We're not going to fail."

She felt his lips against her temple then a gentle push with his hands.

"Now quit arguing with me and get moving, woman."

The gentle affection in his words warmed her, nearly tugging a smile from her despite the direness of their situation.

Inside, her heart filled, expanding with a pressure that was almost painful as she fell in love more deeply than she'd ever thought possible.

Charlie Rand was strength and courage, kindness and tenderness.

And by far the finest man she would ever know.

For a moment, she pulled his protectiveness around her like a soft fleece blanket and tried to believe that he could really get them out of Esria.

But the fear in her heart wouldn't be appeased.

"There's been no sign of the Esri for more than an hour," Charlie said, miles later.

"Do you think we could have lost them? Could the bond be weakened through distance like this?" Tarrys glanced over her shoulder at the top of Charlie's bent head as he walked, hunched over beneath the low ceilings.

"I think they're taking breaks.

They're probably hating these low ceilings as much as you are, but the Esri have little tolerance for discomfort."

"I hope they take a long... break...this time.

I've got to..." Tarrys whirled, catching him around the waist as he slammed into the wall, lighting the space bright red, releasing the faint scent of fermenting fruit.

"Tired," he said.

His knees buckled and she managed to get him onto the floor without banging his head.

By the time she laid him out, he was already asleep.

Fear hammered in her chest as she brushed his cheek with her fingers.

Something was very wrong with him.

She knew just enough about human illness to know he needed help.

And she had no idea how to offer it.

He looked tired.

Unwell.

He looked... A chill traveled over her skin as she caught the sight of something on his neck.

A greenish marking.

She reached for him and pulled back the edge of his tunic.

Mottling.

The green mottling of trimor poisoning.
Chapter 11
Charlie blinked, waking slowly to the sight of a tiny red night-light.

No, he realized.

Not a night-light.

A glowing spot of crystal wall, illuminating Tarrys.

She sat beside him, her arms wrapped around her up-drawn knees, her chin on her arms as she watched him with worry-filled eyes.

Charlie pushed himself up until he sat beside her.

"What happened?" He vaguely remembered feeling tired.

Tired, hell.

More like someone had hit him over the head with a baseball bat.

"You fell asleep," Tarrys said softly.

If