Page 25 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure
Annani shook her head as she sat on the couch next to Syssi. "Even so, they needed the right circumstances and a scapegoat to cover their tracks, and we played right into their hands."
"Some futures are set," Syssi said quietly. "And no matter what we do, they are going to play out the same way. This was a major fork in the history of Earth, and it was inevitable. The Fates knew what was coming, and they did their best to mitigate it. They saved you, and they saved Khiann."
Annani let out a breath. "You are right, and I owe the Fates a huge debt of gratitude. I just wish they had made it a little easier for us to find him."
8
AREANA
Areana watched Navuh slice into his perfectly prepared lamb, noting the relaxed set of his shoulders and the absence of the perpetual furrow between his brows. Such moments of peace were rare enough to be treasured, even if they were as fleeting as morning dew in the desert.
"The wine is excellent," she said, lifting her glass to admire the deep burgundy color. "From the new shipment?"
"A 1947 Château d'Yquem." Navuh's lips curved in satisfaction. "Sahid outbid three collectors for the entire lot, with my approval, of course." He leaned toward her and took her hand. "Nothing but the best for you, my love." He kissed the back of her hand.
"You spoil me." She smiled.
"It is my pleasure to do so."
It was, but only on his terms.
Areana took a sip, letting the complex flavors bloom on her tongue. After five thousand years, few pleasures remained thatcould truly surprise her palate, but Navuh's dedication to acquiring the finest of everything for her occasionally yielded gems like this.
"Speaking of acquisitions," she said, setting down her glass, "I wanted to discuss something with you."
His hand paused halfway to his wine glass. "Oh?"
The single syllable carried a weight of suspicion that would have silenced most people, but Areana had not survived five millennia as Navuh's mate by being easily cowed. She had mastered the art of navigating his moods, like a caravan leader deciphering wind patterns. She knew when to adjust her course, when to capitalize on the prevailing winds, and when to patiently endure the storm until it subsided.
"There is a new resident in the harem." She cut a delicate piece of asparagus. "Well, not really new since he has been there for the past eighteen months, but he is relatively new. His name is Elias."
Navuh's shoulders tensed, the moment of peace evaporating like smoke. "What about him?"
"You should permit him to interact with the ladies." She kept her tone light, conversational.
"No." The word came out sharp and final. "He does not look enough like me to be allowed to father their children. How do you even know of him? His instructions were to stay away from you and my concubines, like all others who do not bear any resemblance to me. "
Areana smiled, the expression both gentle and knowing. "My darling, you should know by now that nothing happens in theharem without my knowledge. I know everything that goes on within these walls."
"Apparently." His dark eyes narrowed. "But as you mentioned, he has been in the harem for eighteen months already, and he has only now come to your attention. How did that happen?"
"Elias has been treating the human staff with his herbal remedies, so of course, the rumors about him spread. He's quite skilled, from what I understand. The servants call him their shaman." She paused to take another sip of wine. "Which brings me to another related matter—we desperately need a proper physician for the clinic. Sonja and Mariam are expecting, and we don't even have a midwife. I can probably manage, but I would prefer to have a qualified medical professional on hand for when their time comes."
She knew she was sealing some poor physician's fate by asking, but there was really no way around it.
"I'll arrange for someone to be brought in," Navuh said. "But that doesn't explain how you became interested in Elias and why you want him mingling with the concubines."
"Tony mentioned him," Areana said. "The ladies were intrigued by someone whom the staff refer to as a shaman. They crave someone new and exciting who can actually engage them in conversation and alleviate their boredom. No offense, but the males you bring for them to play with are not intellectually compatible with ladies who have lived for over five thousand years and used that time to acquire the knowledge of several scholars. Good-looking lovers are just not enough to satisfy them."
"They have Tony for conversation," Navuh pointed out.
Areana laughed. "Tula has claimed Tony entirely for herself, and she's not sharing him."
"Then I'll bring in more men." Navuh's jaw set stubbornly. "Men who resemble me and can carry on an intelligent conversation."
"Right." Areana put down her wine. "That is going to be extremely difficult, my love, since you are one of a kind and no other flesh and blood male can resemble you both in looks and brains."
That got him to smile. "I agree. So, what is the solution?"
