Willing Sacrifice by Gloria Oliver

Author:Gloria Oliver [Oliver, Gloria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC009000/FICTION/Fantasy/General
Publisher: Zumaya Publications LLC
Published: 2007-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

“La’tiera!”

Dal hesitated, watching her run from him, not sure how or if he should make her stop. Feeling guilty, he bent to retrieve the discarded satchel that had caused all the trouble.

When would he stop being such a bungler? And why did she always have to misunderstand everything? He kicked at the soft ground with his foot.

“Lover’s spat?”

He spun around. Shierla stepped out from behind a tree, hands behind her back.

Damn, how much did she hear?

“It was a misunderstanding, actually.” He glanced over his shoulder and sighed, seeing that La’tiera had reached the cornfields. Maybe if he gave her a little while. She was in no condition to tell anyone anything if she stumbled across someone there.

“Guess I won’t be getting my portrait done today.”

Shierla sidled up to stand very close to him. He noticed her hair was still glistening from being freshly washed, and that her clothes were fancier than the usual village day wear. Somehow, he doubted she’d gone to all that trouble for a portrait.

“I really should go after her.” He turned to go.

“Wait!” She grabbed his arm, pressing against him. “The Time of Trial is almost here.”

Dal tried to take a step back, but she only clung to him harder.

“I know it’s rather forward of me, but not that many men come around who aren’t either farmers or toothless. I know I’m not a charming beauty, but I have brains, unlike some, and I work hard to please.” She rubbed against him. She was shaking. “If the world is about to end in a few days, I’d like to have done something worthwhile.”

This attitude hadn’t been covered in any of the histories, that he knew of, dealing with the Time of Trial. Though a part of him was definitely reacting, he gently but forcefully pushed her away.

“I–I’m sorry. Tempting as the offer is, I can’t.”

“I know a very private place! No one need ever know.” She pressed in on him again.

Dal moved her away once more. “I really can’t. I’m very sorry.”

Her smile turned into a sour pout. “I can do much more for you than she can.”

Like save the world from the demon hordes? He made himself say nothing, only shook his head. His duty had always been clear. Circumstances just kept making it more difficult than it had to be.

“Again, I’m sorry.”

Shierla shrugged. “Well, if you change your mind…” She walked away with a pronounced swing to her hips, as if showing him what he was missing.

Dal swallowed hard then shook his head, sure none of the others would believe him if he told them.

He suddenly realized it was growing dark. The darkness got very dense out here away from the city. Though he knew there was nowhere for La’tiera to go, he would feel better knowing where she was. He doubted she’d ever been outdoors this long alone before. Now if he could only figure out how to stop offending her.

Her satchel slung on his shoulder, he headed toward the fields, the color draining from the land as the sun completely disappeared behind the horizon.

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