Rigid, he fought a silent battle ... and prayed that he would lose it.
Why did he hang back? How could he doubt her?
But in his heart he knew the answer to all his questions.
This woman whose touch made his heart beat faster was more than merely woman. She was Sais herself, Ktar Wassreck's daughter.
Once, that had been a bond between them.
Now it rose like a cold stone wall, setting them apart. Because now, in spite of himself, in spite of loyalty or duty, he doubted Wassreck....
A Pervod's drunken laugh drifted to Jarl, dull and muffled. The faint, alluring scent of mafrak reached his nostrils.
Sais' fingers brushed his throat.
He could stand the strain no longer. Twisting, he pushed her back. "Sais...." Even in a whisper, his voice was raw and rasping.
He could feel her body stiffen. "Yes, Jarl...?"