He did not even have to ponder her question. "No spell moved me," he admitted, giving her the truth at last. "But my own reaction you your desire. I would feel the same no matter where we might be."
"Truly?" Stretching against him, she sighed. "I have felt the same for many days now."
"I might search the world over," he told her, placing a gentle kiss on the soft curve of her neck, "and never find one so precious to me as you."
She went utterly still, no longer murmuring wordless endearments against his chest, and tried to back away, out of his embrace.
"For some reason my words have displeased you?" Refusing to let her go completely, he kept hold of her arm.
"Yes." Her voice sounded sad. She did not resist when he drew her back to him, embracing her again, pushing her long hair away from her face. To his shock and disbelief, he felt the wetness of tears on her cheek.
"Why do you weep?" he asked, wishing he could see her, but knowing she was probably glad now of the darkness.
"No reason." Her answer sounded curt. Then, softening her tone, "Or at least there is no explanation that I can say to you."
He could hear the rustle of her clothing as she sought to adjust her torn gown. Without the benefit of light, she would have no way of knowing how she looked. Nor, he reflected with a wry smile, did he.
"Come, little dancer," he said, knowing she would tell him when she was ready. Deliberately making his tone light, he took her hand. "We have an amulet to find."
* * *
Love. At last she could put a name to the feelings that Egann evoked in her. And, though she knew he did not mean to do so, his words had made her hunger for the promise of a future together. Their lovemaking in the utter darkness had been a sensual experience, yet full of emotion as well. And, while she did not fully understand the ghostly touch that had so aroused her, she somehow suspected it had been but a manifestation of Egann's magical mind.
Was it possible he loved her?
Truly, she knew not how to take his words. He had already made certain that she knew that, once his tasks had been completed, he meant to go roam the world alone. To be rootless, completely without ties, such was his fervent desire. For only then did he believe he could experience the dubious joy of freedom.
Would he never understand that true freedom came from within? Since she had only just arrived at this conclusion herself, she knew it was not something that she could simply tell him. No, Egann would have to learn this truth himself, in his own way and time.
Yet knowing this did nothing to ease her aching heart.
She loved him and she knew she would forever. Such a thing came but once to the life of a Shadow Dancer. `Twas a pity she had given her heart to a man who existed in sunlight, a man who was not mortal, and a man who would leave.
The dry taste of ashes in her mouth, she curled her fingers around his, ready to let him lead her forward.
"Odd, but I sense the amulet no longer," he said.
"Ah, the amulet." She shook her head, wondering if the dratted magical talisman would
ever
reveal itself fully to them. "Do you still sense its presence?"
No answer. And his hand no longer held hers.
"Egann?" Nothing. She felt the blackness closing in on her. She found it hard to draw breath.
"Egann?" How her voice wobbled, trembled, hinting at the rising terror that she would not acknowledge.
No response. She would not panic, could not afford such foolishness, not now.
Raising her voice, called again. "Egann."
Knowing he would not willingly leave her did not help allay her rising panic. Remembering his warning tale of madness, she took a deep breath and tried to collect her thoughts.
Yet the fact remained. Egann was gone. She was alone.
Utterly, totally alone.
She had a choice to make. She could turn back, make her way up the steep path, until she emerged into the mouth of the cave. Beyond that the sea and what passed for her as the normal world waited. Now
that
would be true madness. She nearly laughed out loud.
Of course she would not. Truly, she had no choice, no other option. She would continue down into the earth, alone for now, to try and find Egann so they could face whatever fate awaited them. Together.
Resolve set, she took a tentative step forward. Then another. How she wished she had enough magic to be able to call forth a small fire to create a torch so she could see.
Her stomach clenched. Even Egann, who truly
had
magic, had told her that his magic vanished when under the earth.
Except in this enchanted cave
.
Deirdre spun around, hating the utter lack of sight. The voice had come from nowhere, yet seemed to echo everywhere. Was this perhaps the shadowy spirit who had stroked and aroused her earlier?
Even the amulet is powerless here
.
Mayhap this was the madness Egann had spoken of. Never before had she heard voices, even in her dreams when the visions came to her.
She would not let such a thing sway her. Determined, she continued to move forward and downward, always downward.
Your power has grown
. The insidious whisper continued, volume rising to an echoing hiss.
For you are a child of the darkness, and should be truly at home in this place
.
At that Deirdre faltered, though she quickly recovered her stride. She would not dignify the presence by responding to it, especially when it baited her with half-truths and lies.
Your power truly has grown, mortal woman. Perhaps your Prince Egann will have need of you after all
.
This nearly gave her pause. After all, Egann
had
said the cave was known for revealing truths. What if –
She shook her head, setting her jaw. How easily she had nearly been seduced by the mere temptation of power. As if a cave-spirit could bestow such a thing, merely by speaking it.
Especially now
, the whisper turned malicious, so loud it carried a faint echo.
When it did not finish, she knew the thing waited for her to ask the question, but she would not. Her footsteps sure and steady, she continued her progress and pretended she did not hear.
Especially now
! The whisper became a roar, and Deirdre fancied she actually felt the earth tremble. How powerful
was
this spirit, that its voice could make the ground shake.
If the walls collapsed she would be trapped here, buried alive beneath tons of dirt and stone, with no hope of ever seeing the sunlight, or of touching Egann's beloved face once more. Her stomach clenched. No! Twas another trick. She would not allow the fear to claim her, nor sway her from her path.
Do you not want to know the answer?
Once again the voice turned soothing, sly. Though she did want to know, quite badly in fact, Deirdre clamped her lips together and held her breath, waiting silently.
His seed grows within you, Deirdre of the Shadows. You carry a child of light and of darkness, both of Rune and of earth. You carry Prince Egann's child.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Of all that the voice might have said, this was the one phrase guaranteed to stop Deirdre in her tracks.
Truth or falsehood? Reality or the beginnings of a slow slide into madness? She knew not which. And truly, it did not matter. Whether she actually carried her and Egann's child or not, she would always feel bound to him, for she loved him.
Though she stumbled in darkness, pursued by some malicious spirit, she thought only of him. His golden presence would be her light, guiding her out of blackness. She must find him, whether he needed her help or not.
This time, she believed, he
would
regain the amulet. That, more than anything else, was what really mattered.
Giving herself a mental shake, she forced herself to take one step, then another.
"Deirdre, what is it? What is wrong with you?"
Egann's voice, full of concern. And right beside her, so close that his breath tickled her ear. She became conscious that in truth, her hand still rested in his larger one.
Had he never truly vanished?
"I—" Relief flooded her, closing her throat and rendering her unable to speak.
"Are you all right?"
She managed a nod and then, realizing that he could not see her in the inky blackness, squeezed his hand. "I think so, now. Some enchantment took me and I thought you had gone."
"Left you? Not likely." He muttered something else, too low for her to hear.
"It seemed as though I was alone. And something spoke to me…" Letting her words trail off, she knew she could not tell Egann what the voice had said. He had enough weight on his shoulders, broad though they were. She would not add another burden without first ascertaining the truth of it.
"You went somewhere," he sounded grim, "and left only the shell of your body here with me. You would not move nor acknowledge my touch and though I called your name many times, you would not answer."
She shuddered. "I know not what happened, but it seemed to me that I searched for you, walking alone in the darkness and calling out for you as well."
"I never let go of your hand."
The air around them stirred, though no wind from out side could enter the narrow passage.
"You have my thanks for that," she said. "I believe it was your touch that kept the restless spirit who haunts this place from succeeding in driving me mad."
"What happened to you?"
About to answer, she was interrupted by a sharp cry. It sounded much like the dying wail of a wounded beast and came from the depths below them.
"We'd best hurry." Glad that this distraction would prevent Egann from wanting an answer, she tugged at his hand. "I have a feeling that the amulet is very close."
He allowed himself to be led for only a few paces. Then he moved ahead, squeezing her hand lightly. "I have this sense as well," he told her. "Though I know not why we cannot hear her voice."
As they rounded a sharp curve, the darkness seemed to lessen. Gradually, the blackness began to lift, until Deirdre could see plainly the chiseled features of Egann's beloved face. Her heart swelled with emotion, causing her throat to close and her eyes to tear. Since she could not share all the feelings the sight of his face evoked in her – longing, joy, love and, yes, regret – she swallowed. To distract herself, she concentrated on the rosy quality of the illumination.
"This glowing light is like the faint awakening of the day, before the sun has fully risen, is it not?" She knew she sounded wistful, yet could not summon up the strength to mask this particular sentiment.