A Warrior s Desire - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,34

mate for life as humans do."

Charlie scoffed.

"Believe me, humans don't mate for life."

A frown crossed her pretty face.

"Jack and Larsen promised to forsake all others when they married.

Do you think they lied?" "No.

They meant it.

But despite the good intentions, I've never known a marriage to last."

"None? Truly?" "Well, I've known some, but they're the exceptions, not the rule."

"Your parents'?" "My parents' lasted long enough to produce two kids.

Then dear old Dad rode into the sunset with a younger model and never looked back.

But we weren't talking about my messed-up family.

We were talking about yours.

So, you didn't know who your father was?" "No.

Among races who rarely conceive, choosing a single mate is neither necessary nor particularly wise.

A female increases her chances of finding the most compatible male for conception if she doesn't limit her number of partners.

There were only eight men among the fifteen Marceilian miners.

Any one of the eight might have sired me.

But it didn't matter.

All treated me as a daughter.

All the Marceils raised me those first nine years."

"What happened when you were nine?" And why did he get the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer? "The Esri found out about me."

"They didn't know there was a kid in here for nine years? " "The Esri rarely came far into the mines, disliking the low ceilings as much as you must.

They don't need to be present to control their slaves.

The Marceils dug for crystals and turned them over to the Esri because they had no choice.

If the Esri had known my mother was pregnant, they would have taken me and sold me the moment I was weaned.

As it was, I had a chance to know freedom...and what it was like to have a family to love me."

Her words trailed off with an ache of loss that pulled at something deep inside him, something he didn't want anything to do with.

"So the Esri finally caught you?" "It was my fault.

The others had told me stories of the outside, stories of winding streams, colorful birds, and a golden sky.

I wanted to see them for myself."

Such a simple thing, curiosity.

He found himself tensing, suspecting the tragedy that followed.

"Over and over again, I begged my mother to take me outside, but she always refused.

She explained why, that there were bad people out there who would steal me away.

But I'd never seen an Esri, of course.

Even they sounded fascinating, in a way.

One night I was feeling particularly willful.

My mother had scolded me for something - I don't even remember what, now.

But I was angry and wanted to get back at her."

Her words fell silent.

If there had been light, he was certain he'd find tears in her eyes as she remembered the small rebellion that had cost her everything.

"You left and they caught you," he said quietly.

"Yes.

Just as my mother warned, one of the Esri guards saw me and snatched me.

I never saw my family again."

He squeezed her hand.

"I'm sorry, Tarrys."

And he was.

He couldn't imagine... No, maybe that was the problem.

He could imagine.

He'd lost his dad just as completely.

And though his mom hadn't physically left, she might as well have for all the mothering she'd done after his dad took off.

"Is this the first time you've been back in the mines?" "Yes."

"I'm sorry.

This has to be hard for you."

She lit a dot of light, then glanced back at him, her eyes sad but not damp, a melancholy smile lifting her lips.

"I was never happier than those years.

Being back reminds me of that.

Of the laughter.

Of being loved.

But it also brings back the harsh regret I've lived with every day since.

I keep thinking I'll hear them, that I'll see my mother's face around the next bend, even though I know this mine has been deserted for years."

"Why? It's still full of crystal."

"Crystal, yes, but not light crystals."

"I thought these were all light crystals."

"No, we have to touch these to draw the light.

And they provide no warmth.

The crystals the Esri seek provide light and warmth without touch.

When I was here before, these caves were never dark.

The light glowed in rainbows of color all the time.

I never realized how beautiful it was until I'd lost it."

They fell back into silence as they continued through the dark labyrinth.

At every bend, Charlie prayed for a glimpse of russet or gold sky, or any sign at all that they'd found the way out.

Though he tried to ignore his constant thirst, it was starting to drive him crazy.

As he pulled out his canteen, his hands shook like a drunk who had had