Fire Angels

Chapter 10 Reconciliation?

I hid away in the bathhouse, which was deserted at this time of day, but it did not take Shad long to find me.

"Dion," he said softly. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," I said unable to look at him.

"Did you believe what your brother said? About my being after your power? Dammit I never gave you any reason to think such things of me."

I did not want to talk about this. I knew I would not be able to bring myself to believe any protests of innocence and sincerity.

"You have no business suspecting me so," said Shad, calmly though there was an undertone of anger in his voice.

"No. No. Of course not," I said. I schooled my face into calm mask. "I'm sorry. It was nothing. Please forget about it. And forgive my brother's rudeness."

"Of course," said Shad looking slightly bewildered.

"I must go and speak with Tomas," I said pushing past him. He caught me round the waist and pulled me back against him. His chest pressed against my back.

"Dion, I never wanted any woman as hotly as I want you."

The way his lips pressed against my neck, the feel of his strong arms around me, and his hard body pressed against mine - I felt heat sliding with sharp hunger through my loins. I turned in his arms and caught him in mine, kissed him, made love with him there on the floor of the bath house, body straining again body, teeth biting flesh. Afterwards it seemed to me that I would be a fool to give up such wonderful lovemaking, when all I needed to do was keep a small secret part of myself watchful and cautious. Thus I did not go to placate Tomas.

The next day Tomas amazed me by coming to apologize. This gave me a wonderful opportunity to say reproachfully "You said you never interfered in your sisters affairs."

"But you're different," said Tomas. "You are powerful and men will try to use you for that power." How well he spoke.

"Do you really think Shad is that kind of a man?"

"I can't say. How can we know what kind of ambitions lie beneath that pleasant exterior? I mean, what is he? A nobody, a woodcutter's son with Wanderer blood. You could give him everything, Dion. You could make him a great man. Can't you see what a temptation you must be for him?"

I could.

"You're taking it too seriously Tomas. It's just a physical thing. A passing thing."

"Well," he said with a big relieved sigh, "I am pleased to hear that. Because really Dion you could do so much better for yourself. Although too many of these little affairs and too obviously will not improve your chances. Not everyone is as broad minded as I."

I stared at him. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"You could make a really good match. Don't throw it away on some entanglement with a handsome nobody."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This was too ridiculous.

"Don't be insane Tomas. Who'd want to marry me?"

"Plenty of people. You're the most powerful mage in Moria and you're good looking and a pleasant person. Through me, you have powerful friends and if you play things right with the Duke this time, because he'll want your help, no doubt about it, you'll have something to offer as a dowry too."

"That wasn't what I meant. Toms I have no intention of marrying. For Gods sake I'm not the kind of woman men want to marry."

"Why not? Because of your power? A powerful man will not care for that. And don't worry that you're not a virgin. If a woman has enough to offer, people will overlook that especially in a second wife."