Page 75 of Sun Warrior

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely. I want it to be good for you—reallygood for you—andI know that has a lot to do with myprowessin bed.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh. “And that’s pressure, which makes me nervous. Hey! Let’s make a pact. How about I swear that when you start feeling nervous, all you have to do is just tell me, and I’ll stop whatever I’m doing?”

“But what if I’m always nervous?”

Nik laughed a little. “Well, then I haven’t courted you properly and I’ll go to Sora for advice.”

Mari giggled so hard she snorted. “She’d love that. I can hear her now, giving you a bunch of questionable advice on purpose, just so that she could dissolve into hysterical laughter when I report everything to her.”

“Bloody beetle balls! You’re going to reporteverythingto Sora?”

“It’s possible.”

“Come here, you. How about we just cuddle tonight and worry about sex and changing the world tomorrow?”

“Do we have toworry aboutsex?” Mari said.

“No. Or at least, you don’t. Let me do the sex worrying.”

“Does that mean I have to do the changing of the world worrying?”

“That’s the deal,” Nik said.

“I’m not sure I’m getting the best part of that deal,” Mari said.

“And that’s why I have some worrying to do.”

CHAPTER 18

Dead Eye found he needed less and less sleep. After he made love to Dove and then feasted with the People, he and Dove retired to their part of the God’s chamber. Dove had immediately fallen asleep in his arms, her naked body pressed trustingly against his. He’d expected to sleep, too. But the solace of dreams eluded him, and within a short time he had gently disentangled himself from Dove and made his way to the Balcony of the God.

“Champion, may I bring you something?” asked the young Attendant whose turn it was to be sure the firepots remained lit all night.

“My only requirement is solitude,” Dead Eye said without looking at her.

She backed soundlessly from the balcony.

Dead Eye went to the edge of the balcony and studied the scene in the courtyard below. There the firepots were smoldering and going out. The scent of succulent boar meat still lingered. As did several of the People who had gorged themselves so much that they had fallen asleep in little groups around the spit that still held a haunch of meat.

He shook his head in disgust. He shouldn’t have had to tell them that leaving meat out would draw insects—and worse.

“Attendant!” He pitched his deep voice so that he wouldn’t awaken his sleeping Dove.

“Yes, Champion. What is it you desire?”

He did look at her then, carefully schooling his face so that she would not see the disgust her cracking skin made him feel. Yes, she was young and just barely infected, but if things did not change he could foresee that she would go the way of the old Watchers of the God. She would be a diseased hag, driven insane by the poisons within her body.

Dead Eye was not going to let that happen.

“What is your name?” he asked.

“Lily, Champion.”

“Lily, wake as many of the other Attendants as you require and go down to the courtyard. Rebuild the firepots and add always keeping them lit to the Attendant’s duties, just as you keep the God’s firepots lit here on the balcony and in the God’s chamber. Then bring the leftover meat into the Temple and begin drying and smoking it. And wake the People who are sleeping below as well. Tell them I command they assist you. They must learn that if they wish to rid their lives of poison and disease they must change their behavior.”

“Yes, Champion.” She bowed low.

“And do not wake Dove.”