Page 8 of Married By Wind
I stared at him in surprise, and something between a snort and a sob rose in my throat. I pushed down that emotion because I had to be strong. He was Vinn, but he was an immortal god. The gulf between us widened because I was only a mortal, as the goddess in the mountain has said repeatedly. It would be easier if he were indifferent or hostile, but kindness would shatter me. “I was prepared to sacrifice myself if needed, but you should know I’ll do whatever it takes to complete the task the gods have given us.”
His face went hard, and he moved to the ledge.
Snatching up the lamp, I hastened after him, confused because there was a sense of warmth and camaraderie followed by a cold tension. Why had he asked that question if the answer angered him? Was it because I’d mentioned the gods?
The silence stretched between us until we were outside in the blazing sunshine. It was hot and bright, and relief flooded me, for Nika was still tied up, munching on dried grass. It was only with a pang I realized what I had to do. Facing Vinn, I announced, “We have to return to my tribe. I want to tell my family goodbye.”
Vinn moved to Nika’s side and scratched the side of her neck. “Is that wise?”
My words came out in a rush. “I don’t know how long our journey will take, and I don’t want them to worry. I only planned to be gone for a morning.”
Vinn nodded. “Ulika, how do you intend to explain my presence at your side?”
I chewed my lower lip as I studied him. Taking Vinn back to my tribe carried some risk, for we only had three months together. No more. After he conquered the sand devils, he’d return to his life as the wind, and I’d return to my tribe. It would be wiser if we went straight into the desert right now. When I reappeared three months later, no one would know what had happened. But I couldn’t imagine doing that to my family. They’d worry, search for me, and assume the sand devils had killed me. I could not inflict that grief and sorrow on them.
Vinn’s second question broke through my thoughts. “How would you react if someone told you they’d brought the god of wind to help them fight sand devils? Would you believe them?”
“I…” My lips were dry again, but his intense stare made me self-conscious about licking them. “I suppose.”
He shook his head, making his tousled hair dance. “No, there’s a reason I never shared the truth about who I am. I’ve watched many from above, seen their actions, listened to their conversations. Yes, I know more about mortals than you would imagine.” He tented his long fingers together, a sudden hardness crossing his angular face. “Mortals are full of words, but they don’t truly believe in the gods, or have faith in them. Do yourself a favor and don’t tell them who I am.”
I frowned, crossing my arms. “I can’t lie to my family.”
“Who said anything about lying?” He drew closer, a finger resting on my shoulder as mischief flitted across his face. His voice dropped as he added, “We are bound together. At first I was angry but the gods are correct: I should have stopped you from entering Fae Mountain. But it was you, and I was astonished and curious as to why. I’ve never seen you travel so far from your tribe. Tell them I’m returned to marry you. And then we’ll leave.”
With each word, he drew closer. Dumbfounded, I tilted my head to stare up at him as he invaded my space. He’d returned to marry me. Could I sell that story to my family, my tribe? It would be easy. I tried not to let my gaze linger on his broad shoulders, his naked chest, or his arms bulging with muscles. But I couldn’t ignore the way his hand rested on my shoulder, for it was comforting and hinted at something sensual. His dark-brown eyes darted to my lips before his gaze bored into mine. The idea bloomed before me, marred by what had happened last time. He’d left me before, and he would do so again. I jerked away, crossing my arms over my chest as though that action would protect my heart. “This is my tribe, my family. I care about them and what they think, and you have no one and nothing.”
My harsh words made him flinch. He stepped back and squinted at me.
I brought my hands up to stop him. “I didn’t mean it like that, only we don’t have everlasting life like you. This small moment in time might seem insignificant to you, but to me, it means everything.”
He turned away from me, and I twisted my fingers together. I’d said the wrong thing. Why couldn’t I hold my tongue?
“It’s true, I don’t have what you have, and it might appear that I have nothing, no one I care about,” he said, his voice rough. “But I have power and immortality, and if I help you, the spirits of Val Ether will give me blessings. So you see, there’s something in this for both of us. If you wish to go to your tribe, we will go, and I will be your husband, as the gods commanded.”
A thread of doubt snaked through me as Vinn turned to Nika. She knelt, allowing us to mount, and we started across the desert, back home.
11
Vinn
When the white tents of the camp appeared, I slid off the camel’s back. Ulika looked down at me, a quizzical expression on her face as she tugged on the reins. I hadn’t wanted to see this ruin of her people, or feel the guilt that slithered through me. The once clay homes were gone, replaced with scattered tents. Even though the campsite was by the river, they’d moved further south to where caves jutted out of the ground, providing shelter against the wind.
The caves were damp and wet—unlike my dry mountain—with nothing more than bats and beetles. Now and then I’d seen a glint of light, as though the walls hid jewels, which wasn’t uncommon. Occasionally, a tribe stumbled across a stream of gold, or found diamonds in the sand. It was rare, but the desert held treasure, and the idea of it was tempting. But what would I do with treasure?
An undercurrent of despair and dejection hovered over the camp, and it was quiet, with only the indistinct murmurs of conversation. The cry of a young child occasionally split the air and then, in the distance, the sound of a stringed instrument being played. The air was still, and that was when I recalled my winds could no longer blow across the desert.
I crossed my arms as Ulika dismounted and gathered the reins. She’d mentioned that one of the sand devil attacks had stolen most of their livestock. All but a few camels remained.
“It’s different from when you were last here,” Ulika explained, leading the way into the camp. “Do you hear the music? Each afternoon when the sun is hot, the bard sits by the river and plays. The water carries sound so all in the camp can hear it. It’s healing, helps soothe the children, and during the hottest part of the day, we usually sleep.”
I fell in step with her. “So everyone is sleeping?”
“Not everyone. Usually someone keeps watch up on the rocks.” She pointed, then waved at a figure in the distance.
Sure enough, someone sat in the shade of the rocks over the caves. They waved back, but I couldn’t make out any distinguishing features.
A moment later, a whirl of white hurled toward us, and a young woman launched herself into Ulika’s arms. “You’re back. Finally! Did it work?” When our eyes met her grin widened. “Vinn! You’ve returned.”
