Part 44 (1/2)

Either they were playing ill-timed jests, or-

Conan was standing on the edge of the pool when Illyana burst from the water. She rose half her height out of it, like a water sprite seeking to fly. Her arms wrapped around Conan's knees and she flung herself backward.

She might as well have tried to upset the Lord of the Winds. When she realized her mistake, Conan had already gripped her by the shoulders.

He lifted and she rose, until her long legs were twined around Conan's waist. She lay back in his arms and smiled invitingly. His lips crushed hers.

For a long moment nothing existed for the Cimmerian, save Illyana in his arms, naked, wet, and beginning to writhe in pleasure. Pleasure was not a sufficient word for what he felt. Madness would have been closer.

Even when Illyana untwined her legs and stood, she pressed against Conan. His hands ran down her back, pressing her tighter. He felt her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest, as delightfully firm as they had seemed-

”No,” Illyana said, or rather gasped. Her voice was husky with desire.

She stepped back, forgetting that they were on the edge of the pool.

With a splash and a shriek she plunged into the water again, to come up coughing.

Conan helped her out of the pool, careful to grip only her hands.

Illyana herself kept a pace away from him as she began to dry herself with her clothes.

”That is not a no for all time, the Jewels-the G.o.ds willing. It is only for now, that we cannot-” Her voice was still unsteady, and her eyes seemed glazed. The desire was leaving Conan, but he still judged it wise to turn his back until Illyana was dressed.

It was not until Conan had finished his own bathing that he had a chance for words alone with Raihna.

”Are my wits straying, or was your mistress trying to make me desire her?”

”Trying?” Raihna's laugh was harsh, both frightened and frightening. ”I judged she was succeeding admirably. That's as well. The G.o.ds only know what she might have done, if she had thought she was undesirable.”

”If she ever thinks that, I hope some man will have a chance to prove how wrong she is!”

”Not you?” Raihna asked, with a twisted grin.

”I think I was safer as a thief in the Tower of the Elephant than I'd be in Illyana's bed. Less pleasure there, but less peril.”

Raihna stood close against him, and ran one hand lightly down his back.

”But she did make you want a woman?”

Conan did not need the message carved in stone. He returned the embrace.

”Yes. I hope it also made you want a man!”

Raihna's happy cries echoed from the walls of the valley. Nonetheless, Conan could not shake off the memory of Illyana's eyes and voice, still less her mention of the Jewels.

Twenty.

THEY REACHED THE Valley of the Demons so early in their last day's march that Conan ordered them back.

”We want a place beyond the reach of Eremius's scouts, to lie up for the day. Everybody should try to sleep.”

”Indeed. It may be our last,” Ma.s.souf said. He sounded rather as if he welcomed the prospect.