razorsedge by Lisanne Norman Page A

pendants."

"You have enough people here today," said Lijou. "Kha'Qwa preferred to remain at Stronghold in the hope she could visit you another time under less formal Üxwcircumstances."

"She's welcome any time, Lijou," said Carrie.

Lijou inclined his head. "I'll pass on your invitation, Carrie," he said, as he moved away to rejoin the rest of the guests.

When she looked back at Kaid, Carrie saw he was still holding the pendant clasped within his hand. Don't feel compelled to wear it, Kaid, she sent, handing him the box. Keep it in here.

Silently he accepted it from her, but, surprisingly, he put it in his pocket. I'll wear it for now. Opening the catch, he reached up and fastened the pendant round his neck, letting it drop down to lie on the breast of his tunic. That done, with a nod to them both, he turned back to his unconscious surveillance of the room.

What's up with Kaid? Kusac's sending was concerned.

I think the past's catching up with him. Then the time for any private communication was gone as she saw Tutor Sorli advance on them.

Glancing at Kusac for permission, he crouched down at Carrie's feet so his face was level with her cub's.

He reached a tentative hand out toward the infant, his expression hopeful. "May I?" he asked.

She nodded, watching him carefully as he reached toward Kashini. The little one grasped the proffered finger with both hands, extending her claws to get a better grasp, and pulled it toward her mouth.

"She's like your bond-mother," he said, mouth opening in a small grin. "And yourself," he added. "You're as fair as she is."

Carrie smiled. "You're the first one outside our family to notice," she said.

"I've been keeping up to date with Physician Kyjishi's work on genetics," he said. "It's different for you, though. Your daughter is the first cub born to a Human mother. Our Sholan genes might be dominant, but Kashini's adaptation to your body has been different from Marak's. His mother is Sholan, after all."

He stopped, looking up at her. "But you don't care about any of that for now, do you?" His grin became deeper. "All you care about is that you have her safe in your arms. And what else should concern a new mother? May she bring blessings to your Clan, Liegena Carrie," he said, extricating his hand and getting to his feet.

"About time!" came a voice Carrie knew well.

Noni came limping over to stand beside Sorli. "About time you left," said Noni tartly. "Look at her! Carrie's almost asleep where she sits! Kusac, send for the nurse for your daughter," she ordered. "And Tallinu," she said, fixing Kaid with a glower, "carry the Liegena upstairs to her room. She needs to rest. She can come down and join us later," she said, forestalling Kusac's unspoken objection.

     
    * * *
     
    Carrie could feel the tension in his body as Kaid carried her upstairs. She knew she was partly to blame. "Tallinu, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to pull away from you during the ceremony. It just took me by surprise."

"It's nothing to worry about, Carrie," he said. "It wasn't important."

"It matters to me. I don't like feeling you so distant. You're treating me almost as if I were a stranger."

"Things are different now," he said quietly, stopping at the door into Carrie's and Kusac's old suite. "We're home. We've done what we set out to do. You have your En'Shalla Clan, and your cub— and I've got to pick up my life again." He took her through the lounge to the bedroom. "I've asked Father Lijou to let me return to Stronghold for a while. He's agreed. It's time I began to study how to use my Talent properly."

"You're leaving?" The news stunned her. It was the last thing she'd anticipated.

"In a few days," he said, laying her gently down on the bed. "You've got Dzaka and T'Chebbi to guard you, you don't need me, too." He stood up, not looking at her. "I need time to make sense of what I've been through, Carrie. Time for meditation."

"You might not return." She could feel the thought there on the edges of