The Tiger Prince

  It was as if he hadn’t heard her. “And I should have been more careful getting him out of the wreck.”

  “You saved his life.”

  “I crippled him,” Ruel said fiercely. “I ruined his life and then I brought him here to die.”

  She had never dreamed he could harbor this agony of guilt. Yet she should have known. Ruel never did anything in half measures. His emotions and reactions were always stronger, deeper, and more intense than anyone else’s. And she was partially responsible for his guilt, she suddenly realized. He loved her and wanted to exonerate her, to shoulder her guilt himself. She had to do something. That was an easy decision, but what was she to do? Arguing would only make him more stubborn.

  “All right, it is your fault.” She went on, feeling her way. “But it’s my fault too, and you forgave me. You have to forgive yourself.”

  He shook his head.

  “Listen to me. Ian loved you. He wanted you to be happy.”

  He didn’t answer.

  “He died to help you and Margaret and Kartauk have the good life he wanted for you all. Are you going to let him die for nothing?”

  She thought she felt a slight easing in those painfully knotted muscles, but she couldn’t be sure.

  “How can you be so stubborn? He wanted—” She stopped as she felt something warm and damp on her temple. “Ruel?”

  “I love you,” he said unevenly. His arms tightened around her. “God, I love you.”

  Now she could let her own tears come. Her last resistance to him flowed away with them. Life was too short to be afraid, love too precious not to risk everything to hold it. “I believe you.”

  “You do? It’s about time,” he said huskily. He was silent for a long time. “It … hurts, Jane.”

  “I know.” She brushed her lips along the line of his cheek. She knew his moment of weakness would not last, but she felt a surge of fierce maternal protectiveness. She wanted to shelter and keep him from all harm. For the first time she realized the true power Ian had wielded over Margaret. A man who needed you was the greatest mandarin of all. “But we’ll share it and soon it will get better for us. It has to get better.”

  “Aye.” His arms tightened around her. “It will get better, love.”

  Margaret, Kartauk, James Medford, and his people arrived at midafternoon the next day.

  “Where’s Ruel?” Medford asked Jane as soon as he stepped off the bridge.

  Jane nodded to the south. “Downriver with Li Sung and Dilam. Abdar?”

  “We sighted him starting down the canyon trail before we left,” Medford said as he set off in the direction she had indicated. “Six hours.”

  As usual, Medford’s conversation was blunt and sparing, Jane thought as she-turned back to watch Margaret, closely followed by Kartauk, cross the final few yards to the bank. She had thought Margaret looked bad the night she had arrived at their camp, but now she was shocked at the tragic difference she saw. Strong, vibrant Margaret appeared almost fragile, her face pinched and pallid, great dark circles imprinted beneath her eyes.

  “Hello, Jane.”

  “You know how sorry I am,” Jane said gently. “Is there anything I can do?”

  Margaret shook her head. “There’s nothing anyone can do.”

  Jane gestured to the campfire in the middle of the encampment. “You must be tired. Why don’t you go sit down by the fire and get some rest?”

  “If you like,” Margaret said dully.

  Jane gazed worriedly after her as the other woman moved toward the campfire. Ruel had said Margaret was numb, but she had never dreamed to see her this lacking in vitality.

  “Do not comfort her.”

  She turned to see Kartauk gazing after Margaret.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. “She’s suffered a great loss. Of course I’m going to comfort her.”

  “She does not need time to dwell on it. Give her work to do. You have to make her come alive again.”

  “I can’t perform miracles,” Jane said wearily. “If you know how to accomplish it, perhaps you should make the attempt.”

  “She has said scarcely two sentences to me since I woke with a raging headache at Medford’s camp.” He smiled crookedly. “She cannot even look at me. I betrayed her.”

  Her eyes widened. “How?”

  “I told her to trust me and then I had the bad judgment to underestimate Ian. It’s not a mistake easily forgiven when it means a man’s life.”

  “Margaret told me you meant to stay in his place.”

  “But I didn’t.” He shrugged. “Which makes the situation complicated.”

  “She would never have wanted you to sacrifice your life, Kartauk.”

  “I know. But she has more conscience than is good for her and she’s not an easy woman.” His gaze lingered on Margaret for a moment longer before he looked away. “I cannot help her this time,” he said gruffly. “You will have to do it. Help her to heal. Keep her busy. Make her work so hard, she doesn’t have time to think.”

  Why, he loved her, Jane realized suddenly. She remembered Margaret’s frantic anxiety about Kartauk’s safety. Love there too? How could they possibly sort out the guilt and love and sorrow. A complicated situation indeed, she thought sadly. Why could nothing in this world come easily?

  “I’ll keep her busy,” she promised. “We need all the hands we can get to help form the barriers.” She changed the subject. “Ruel is downriver and wishes to speak to you right away. He has a plan and needs your help.”

  “He has it.” Kartauk smiled crookedly as he started off along the riverbank. “God knows, I need to keep busy too.”

  The last of the canoes and rafts were brought across the river to the new encampment, and Jane supervised the destruction of the hanging bridge. The brush barriers were completed by sundown and there was nothing further for them all to do but wait.

  Near eight o’clock they saw the flare of torches of Abdar’s soldiers coming down the trail from the direction of the canyon wall.

  “Well?” Ruel asked Li Sung. “Time’s run out. For God’s sake, give me an answer.”

  “You have prepared the instruments?” Li Sung asked.

  “Aye.”

  “Dilam believes there is worth to your idea, but there will have to be a distraction.”

  “Abdar will be distracted,” Ruel promised grimly. “I’ll take care of that.”

  Li Sung smiled. “That is all I ask.”

  “Ready?” Kartauk asked Ruel, his gaze on Abdar’s encampment across the river. During the past three hours a sprawling military camp had mushroomed with a multitude of tents dotting the bank. Torches on tall iron stands lined the shore, casting fiery reflections in the dark waters.

  Ruel nodded as he walked around the brush barrier and strode to the edge of the riverbank. He sent his voice echoing over the expanse of water. “Abdar!”

  No answer.

  He shouted louder. “Abdar!”

  It was Pachtal who appeared on the bank, illuminated by the pool of light formed by the torches.

  “Give it up, MacClaren,” Pachtal called. “Cannot you see you are defeated?”

  “I want to talk to Abdar.”

  “He’s in the tent, meditating.”

  “Get him.”

  “Why should I disturb him when I can accept your surrender?”

  “I am here, Scot.” Abdar suddenly appeared at Pachtal’s side.

  Hatred rushed through Ruel as he stared at Abdar’s smooth, bland face. Control it, he told himself. Think. Don’t feel. “We have things to talk about. Will you honor a flag of truce if I come over to your encampment?”

  “Why should I do that? In a day or two we will be able to launch rafts and crush you.”

  “I’m not a fool, Abdar. It’s clear you’ve won the game, but I can make it hard or easy for you. Let Kartauk and me come over and we’ll—”

  “Kartauk?” Abdar interrupted, interest flaring. “Kartauk will come?”

  ??
?Kartauk has an excellent instinct for survival, and he’s aware that we need to negotiate.”

  “He should have negotiated three years ago if he wished me to be merciful.” Abdar’s pleased laugh rang out. “But come ahead, Scot, I will listen to your pleas.”

  “This is a mistake,” Pachtal protested. “It could be a trick. We have no need to—”

  “Do not question my wisdom,” Abdar snapped. “It is you who have become prone to mistakes. Call me when they arrive.” He whirled and vanished from the pool of light.

  “Success,” Kartauk murmured when Ruel once more stepped beyond the barriers. “The first step.”

  Ruel nodded grimly. “I hope it’s not going to be our last. Let’s get over there before he changes his mind.”

  “No one told me you would be going too.” They both turned to see Margaret standing a few feet away, staring incredulously at Kartauk. “Why? There is no need for both of you to go.”

  Kartauk shrugged. “Abdar enjoys my company, and Ruel is only a puling Scot. He needs my help.”

  “Don’t joke about this. It’s not enough you tried to kill yourself before. Now you must complete the task.” She drew her shawl closer around her shaking body. Then suddenly her eyes were blazing at him. “Well, go! I don’t care. It is nothing to me if that monster draws and quarters you. I hope he does. It would serve you well for being so foolish as to—” Her voice broke, and she was running away from them.

  Kartauk gazed after her with a curious expression on his face.

  “She didn’t know what she was saying,” Ruel said quietly.

  “Margaret always knows what she’s saying.”

  Kartauk was now smiling faintly, Ruel noticed. “You don’t appear upset.”

  “I’m not upset. She’s coming alive again.” Kartauk turned away. “Let’s go.”

  • • •

  Jane was waiting at the canoe when Kartauk and Ruel approached it five minutes later. “I’m going with you.”

  “No,” Ruel said. “We don’t need you.”

  “You do need me. You need every distraction you can muster. Abdar regards you only as an annoyance, but he has a personal animosity toward me for depriving him of Kartauk.”

  “But he will have me,” Kartauk said. “Such a prize should be enough. Stay here, Jane.”

  Jane ignored him as her gaze met Ruel’s. “I either get into that canoe with you or I swim across. Take your choice.”

  Ruel stared at her in frustration. “Dammit, what are you trying to do to me?” he said hoarsely. “I can’t lose you too.”

  “Do I swim?”

  “Damn you.” He grasped her waist and lifted her into the boat. “But you’ll leave Abdar to me and obey instructions. Do you hear me?”

  “I hear you.”

  “You notice she doesn’t say she will obey,” Kartauk said. “I consider that a significant omission.”

  Ruel didn’t answer as he picked up the paddle and dipped it into the water.

  Pachtal, Abdar, and a guard of ten soldiers stood waiting on the bank when the canoe reached the opposite shore.

  “Ah, what an extraordinary pleasure,” Abdar said as he saw Jane in the canoe. “I was not expecting you. Kali has given me good fortune.”

  “Why all three?” Pachtal asked slowly. “I have no liking for this, Your Highness. Why should all of them be so willing to risk their lives?”

  “They could not help themselves. I told you, if I drew power from my masks, all would come to me.” Abdar smiled. “And so you did, Miss Barnaby. You may think you came to help your friends persuade me to spare you, but it’s not true. Kali called you.”

  “Kali does not exist,” Jane said.

  “Be quiet,” Ruel said harshly. “Do you want to make things worse for us?”

  Abdar’s attention shifted to Ruel. “You were always the clever one, Scot. Under other circumstances Kali could have used your services. You are far more sensible than your brother.”

  Ruel shrugged. “He was always a fool.”

  “Yet we have heard that you have cared for that crippled fool for three years,” Pachtal said.

  “Our God promises paradise for such acts. It cost me little and I thought it worth the chance.” He met Abdar’s gaze. “You should understand that.”

  Abdar laughed. “Oh, I do. Gods may be manipulated as well as manipulate.”

  “May we get out of this boat?” Kartauk asked. “Or are we to conduct this entire conversation in these uncomfortable circumstances.”

  “Arrogance.” Abdar’s smile faded. “You’ve learned little, Kartauk.”

  “I’ve learned I like life.” Kartauk paused. “And I’ve learned that sometimes I have to make certain concessions to keep it.”

  A flare of interest touched Abdar’s face. “Indeed? Then by all means we must talk. Come to my tent.” He turned and walked toward a large tent several yards from the bank. “Search them for weapons and bring them, Pachtal.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Pachtal’s gaze was on the opposite bank. “I do not like this. It is most strange …”

  “That we come to bargain for our lives?” Ruel asked as he got out of the canoe and lifted Jane onto the bank. “Not against these kinds of odds.”

  “Perhaps.” Pachtal’s comely face lit in a vicious smile. “But I doubt if your bargaining will do you any good. His Highness has every intention of having you join his collection. He believes you will add great power.” He turned to Jane. “And you will join him there after you have provided us diversion.”

  “I promise I will be very diverting,” Jane said. “Perhaps too diverting for your taste.”

  “Oh, you intend to fight? That is always very exhilarating.” Pachtal quickly searched them before turning to an officer. “Watch for other canoes being launched from across the river. This is too easy.”

  “Do you see any canoes?” Ruel asked. “Unfortunately, you caught us off guard.”

  “I suppose it is possible.” Pachtal gestured toward the large tent. “His Highness will grow impatient.”

  “We wouldn’t want that,” Ruel murmured. He took Jane’s hand and moved toward the tent. His touch felt warm and comforting, dispersing some of the chill creeping through her.

  Even that warmth was banished when they entered the tent.

  White candles in tall golden stands lit the dim interior, their light falling on Abdar, who sat with legs crossed on an enormous white satin cushion, and shimmering on the multitude of gold masks on the ground surrounding him in an obscene circle.

  Jane gasped, her stomach clenching as the impact of the horror and pain of those masks struck her.

  “Steady,” Ruel said in an undertone, his grip tightening on her hand.

  She swallowed and pulled her gaze from the masks. Dear God, she had never been aware of Abdar’s full malevolence until this moment.

  “Power,” Abdar said softly, and she became aware of his gaze on her face. “You feel it, don’t you?”

  If evil was power, then she did feel it here. “No.”

  His lips curled peevishly. “You lie. You must feel it.” He threw out his hand to the ground before him. “Sit.”

  When they sat down, the masks were only inches from her knees, gleaming gold and tortured in the candlelight. She tried not to look at them.

  “Benares’s work is not nearly as fine as yours, Kartauk.” Abdar picked up one of the masks. “You would have done great things with this subject. She had great life force.”

  Zabrie.

  Jane had thought her horror complete, but it was even more terrible to recognize someone she knew among those tortured spirits.

  “He was always too impatient in the final stages,” Kartauk said without expression. “It is a common mistake.”

  “One you never made.”

  “But then, I am superb.”

  “True.” Abdar put the mask down. “But can I trust you not to run away again? That is the question. I do not like to be disappointed.”

&nbs
p; “Can we dispense with this talk of masks and discuss terms?” Ruel asked.

  “You appear a trifle irritated.” Abdar smiled slyly. “Were you not pleased with the mask I sent you? Pachtal assures me it was one of Benares’s best efforts. I was very disappointed I did not get to see it myself. Perhaps you will return it to me for my collection?”

  Ruel’s face remained without expression. “I think not.”

  “Why did you not see it?” Kartauk asked suddenly. Jane noticed his gaze was fixed on Pachtal, and for the first time she became aware of the curious tension of Pachtal’s demeanor.

  “I misunderstood His Highness’s orders and sent the mask without letting him view it,” Pachtal said stiffly. “He was right to be angry with me.”

  “Terms,” Ruel prompted Abdar.

  “I will choose the time for such discussion,” Abdar said haughtily. “You have nothing with which to bargain, or you would not be here.”

  “That’s not totally true. You need gold and I have the trust of the Cinnidans. For a percentage of the profits I could run the mine and deal with the Cinnidans for you.”

  “I do not need the Cinnidans. I understand my grandfather found them surly and uncooperative. I will bring my own people from Kasanpore.”

  “But that would mean a delay you don’t want. Together we could—”

  “What was that?” Pachtal asked, his head tilted, listening.

  Abdar frowned. “I heard nothing.”

  “There was … something. A sort of whoosh … like water or …” Pachtal strode out of the tent. “I’ll return shortly. I’m sure I heard—”

  Unearthly screams filled the air.

  Abdar jumped to his feet and ran toward the tent entrance. “Pachtal! What is it?”

  “Stay here.” Ruel told Jane as he followed Abdar. “Keep her here in the tent where she’s safe, Kartauk.”

  She ignored him and ran out of the tent. She had known what to expect, but the sight that met her eyes was still astounding. All along the shore, elephants were surfacing from the river, leathery coats gleaming wetly, like nightmare creatures from the deep. The riders on their backs were almost naked, carrying only spears and the reed pipes they had used to breathe underwater as the elephants had swum beneath the surface from downriver.