Obsidian Eyes (17 page)

Friday, 19
^th
August.

llie pulled aside the fine muslin protecting her face from the sand and let the sun trail a heated caress over her skin. She slid off the back of the sleek gelding, leaving the reins around his neck, knowing he would not wander. She shielded her eyes against the harsh sun for a moment, scanning the desert. The shimmer rising off the sand could disguise movement, making it hard for the eye to locate a shadow. Relived, she found no signs of anyone following, so she turned and walked toward the ancient pyramid of Giza.

Hakim leaned against the roughened side. The sandstone blocks soared above his head and reached to the very heavens. Interlocked by some unknown fashion, the sheer face had withstood the attack of the centuries with only small patches crumbling under the weight of their eternal duty. Thieves long ago stole the golden cap that once rested at the apex and spoke of the fortunes controlled by pharaohs of old.

Arms crossed over his chest, Hakim was tall and broad with a closely shaven head and strong, square jaw. The soldier’s dark skin was polished by oil and he gleamed like an obsidian jewel, drawing Allie to him. She halted a pace away, her throat dry but not from the parched surroundings. Nerves sucked the moisture from her mouth.

“Is it true, are you really leaving?” His low and sultry voice washed over her.

Goosebumps raced along her flesh to quickly disappear under the sun’s constant assault. Her heart thumped and her tongue touched the edge of her lip, but had no moisture to offer. “Yes, I am to go to school in England. Are you really joining the Sultan’s personal guard?”

His black gaze roamed over her face. “It is a high honour to protect the Sultan and his women.”

“But, you will be—”

“Gelded?” He chuckled at her concern, he exuded the confidence gained in his twenty years on this earth. “Not for a few more years yet.”

Bridging the distance between them, he drew his fingertip down the side of her face. She closed her eyes to hide the jumble of emotions. The women of the harem laughed and teased. They said Hakim was a fine choice, to be the one―her first. Inside she recoiled, not ready.
Too soon
, her body whispered.
Not right
, her brain replied, even as she knew only a few days were left to them.

“You have only to ask, if there is anything you want me to teach you.”

This time when he asked, something inside her clicked. This time, her body relaxed.

Yes, teach me.
She sighed and then frowned. Since when did Hakim have a Scottish burr? Her eyes flew open to meet an amused grey gaze. She had fallen asleep, lulled by embrace of the deep sofa.

Jared nodded to the book in her lap, Xenophon’s
On Horsemanship.
“We take our horse training very serious in the Highlands. Have you read Baucher’s
Dialogues sur l’équitation
? His teachings are quite controversial. I don’t agree with his harsh methods but he has an interesting insight into poll flexions.”

“I’m not familiar with him.” Allie shook her head, trying to dislodge the daze of her dream, laughing black eyes replaced by serious grey ones. “I leave dressage to the nobles, my riding is more practical; go, stop and jump.”

“Don’t underrate yourself, you have a good seat and soft hands.” He dropped into the opposite wingchair and draped his long legs over the side so he could rest his head on the arm. His elegant fingers wrapped around
Art of War
.

A few short months ago, Allie thought all she ever wanted resided in Egypt. Then her world was shaken and now, she didn’t know. The occupant of the chair opposite caused her body to thrum in a new and alien way.

Jared lowered his gaze to his book and engrossed himself in the open pages. They avoided being alone together since their almost kiss two weeks earlier. Allie spent the time chastising herself for letting Jared under her skin. Jared disappeared from her training sessions, leaving her to practice with only Duncan and Marshall. She missed his presence and his easy friendship even as her body struggled with an ache for physical contact.

Their exchanges become perfunctory as they handed over Zeb and ensured that at least one of their other friends was present. Allie didn’t know what their embrace meant, but she caught her breath whenever she remembered his touch. She couldn’t get her head around how foolish she was being. It didn’t matter that he talked to her like an equal, he was far above her position, not to mention contracted to Madeline.

They read in silence for half an hour when Zeb arrived, tailed by a reluctant Duncan. Weasel gave a hiss, jumped off the sofa and hid underneath.

Duncan always entered the library as though he expected to burst into flame on stepping over the threshold, or anticipating that the books would rise up and avalanche upon him. Zeb took the remaining wing chair, while Duncan brushed Allie’s feet out of the way so he could sink into the sofa.

Zeb cleared his throat to attract attention. “I have to go to Leithfield this weekend to see the blacksmith, he has completed a commission. I assume you will be accompanying me?” He regarded Jared over the top of his glasses.

“Yes.” Jared closed the book and tossed it on the floor, dropping the pretence of reading. “Although given Duncan is grounded he won’t be coming.” Jared glared at his cousin, who slunk down further in the cushions.

Allie stifled a laugh. The whole school knew Duncan was caught trying to sneak into one of the girl’s rooms. She couldn’t resist the opportunity to increase his discomfort. “Given you’re the tallest boy in school, what on earth made you think you would be mistaken for a girl and let into our wing?”

Duncan threw his hands up in the air. “I thought I was on a promise.”

Allie abandoned her book, curious to hear his version of the full story. She leaned in closer to him, dropping her tone to a more conspiratorial one. “Is it true you were angling to get into Abigail’s room?”

Duncan pulled his brows together, trying to identify who Allie meant. “No, well, yes. But only to see her roommate, Beth.”

Allie gave a snort of laughter. “Well, you seriously misread those signals. You’re not her type.”

Duncan looked hurt. “How do you know? Most girls find me irresistible.” He gave her his best winning smile and ran his hands over his expansive chest. Allie had to admit most of the girls carried a soft spot for Duncan.

“I know because I’ve already had to diplomatically turn her down.” Allie gave Duncan a wink as his jaw dropped open, but she refused to elaborate.

Duncan sat upright, more interested in the conversation. “We are definitely coming back to that story later, in full graphic detail please.”

“Actually you’re not having a good year are you?” Allie continued. “I’m beating you in Weapons training and now I’m beating you to the girls. Have you thought about taking up needlepoint instead?”

Duncan narrowed his eyes, the smile dropped from his face.

“Perhaps you could try it over the weekend with Eloise, you could help her stitch up frogs while I go with these two to Leithfield.” Allie gave him a wink.

“It might not be safe,” Jared said.

Allie held his gaze. “I think I can handle a ride in the countryside, don’t you? And I do believe I am the disposable one.”

She lifted her feet back up on the sofa just to annoy Duncan, who stuck out his bottom lip at her. She pulled her knees up close under her chin so all of her would fit on the small space he left unoccupied. She recognised it would be futile to try and push him off, he was twice her weight.

“You know I am useful with a weapon, and for other reasons.” She turned to catch the frown on Jared’s face. “If you keep scowling, the wind is going to change on you one day and you’ll be stuck like that forever.”

Jared changed his scowl to a raised eyebrow, but he stopped arguing with her. “We’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” He gave Allie a fixed look. “Be prepared.”

Saturday, 20
^th
August.

Just as the first tendrils of daylight snuck across the horizon, the boys waited in the stable courtyard. Jared’s large gelding snorted and pawed at the ground in impatience. Jared sat the horse with an easy grace, a soft but restraining hand on the reins. The horse knew it wouldn’t be long until he could stretch his legs after a night in the stables. Jared’s coat draped over both sides of the horse’s flank, keeping some of the early chill off both of them. His katana nestled against his back.

Zeb had somehow found a saddle and girth long enough to encompass the expanse of Thumper’s rib cage. He looked pleased with himself, being in control of a mechanical, rather than natural, mount. There was nothing natural-looking about his dinosaur. He pulled a scarf tight around his neck and his top hat firmly over his ears. His fingers wrapped around a strange control protruding from Thumper’s short neck.

Soiron waited for Allie and snorted when she saw her approaching, dancing away as far as the groom’s grip allowed from the metal beast beside her. The horse lowered her head and Allie moved her hand higher and gave a quick scratch behind a fluffy ear. Their greeting over, she finished putting the soft leather gloves over her slender fingers.

“When you’re ready, Miss,” the stable boy said as he interlaced his fingers and stooped over, making a platform for Allie’s foot. She picked up the hem of her pin-stripe skirt in one hand and placed her foot on the offered palms. She rested her other hand on the top of the saddle for support and gave a nod. As he straightened his back and lifted, Allie gave a jump and he easily put her up on the saddle.

She hooked her right leg around the upright pommel and felt the warmth of the mare under her right calf as she settled her leg against the safe and the horse’s shoulder. The groom placed the left stirrup on her foot and she quickly arranged her skirts and checked that her long jacket sat properly. The groom passed up the reins and Allie felt the weight of them in her hands. The mare pricked her ears in anticipation.

“Ready girl?” Allie whispered. The mare adjusted her weight and sat back on her hocks, poised, but waiting for a signal from her rider.

“If you’re ready?” Jared asked.

In reply, Allie touched the mare with her left heel and at the same time rocked her seat as though starting the forward stroke on a swing. The mare leapt forward in a canter and danced past the gelding and Thumper.

“Come on then,” Allie called back over her shoulder, glad of the opportunity for a run after the summer rain confined them all inside for long days.

“C’mon,” Jared yelled to wake Zeb, as his own horse sprung forward as soon as his rider shifted his weight. There was a clatter and screech as four shod hooves and two metal claws scrabbled over the cobbles and under the courtyard arch. The cobbles gave way to packed earth as they moved beyond the school grounds and took the southern road. The two horses cantered alongside each other as the road opened out, letting Zeb stay in front. Thumper needed the extra space for its awkward gait and they wanted to keep the horses behind, least they think they were pursued.

Their ride soon developed its own rhythm, periods of canter for the horses to stretch out their legs followed by a resting walk. The horses lost their nervousness around the dinosaur, and allowed Zeb to ride between them, although still a little forward.

Allie used the lull to throw a question at Jared. “Why do you prefer a katana?”

He glanced over at her. “Why do you do Tai Chi with a jian?”

Allie considered the question. Although schooled with many weapons, some became extensions of your body, and not pieces of metal. Her mind had an affinity for the small jian, she couldn’t imagine not having the double edged blade in her hand.

“Because it resonates with something deep inside me.”

His eyes widened for a moment, and he worked his jaw back and forth. Twice he opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Then he nodded and just said, “Yes.”

He turned his gaze back to the path and Allie decided to quiz Zeb about Thumper.