Page 96 of Escape Velocity

Chapter Twenty

Amber had been counting on spending the remaining time before the assault with Max, in a private hut where they could make love. Now she gave the head man a confused look. “I should be with Max.”

“No. You will be with the women.”

Her mouth had gone dry, but she managed to ask, “Why?”

“To make sure everything goes as planned,” the chief said, his voice edged with iron.

Because you don’t trust us, she silently translated, knowing there was no point in arguing.

He pointed toward where Camille was waiting at the edge of the council area. “Go with her. We will call for you when we are ready for you.”

Her gaze swung from the woman to Max.

“It will be okay,” he said in a low voice, and she wondered if she believed it. She had wanted to feel safe in his arms for a few hours longer. That option had been yanked away.

On wooden legs, she walked toward the head man’s wife.

“We will take care of you,” Camille said.

She bobbed her head, knowing she must comply with the rules of this strange tribe if she wanted their help in freeing herself from slavery.

Camille led Amber through a group of huts to one that stood apart from the others.

“Climb up,” the head woman said.

Amber climbed the ladder and then through the door. Inside, she found herself in a room like the one where she and Max had retired the night before. But this chamber was more opulent. There was a fur rug on the floor, the bedcovering was silky and decorated with intricate embroidery, and the windows were screened with draperies that filtered out much of the light. To compensate, a small lamp burned on a stand in the corner, sending a spicy fragrance into the air.

“What room is this?” she asked.

“It’s a room the newly married can use for their wedding night.”

“Too bad you’re wasting it on just one occupant.”

Camille smiled. “It won’t be wasted. It’s a good place for you to retire where you won’t be disturbed. Turn around and let me undo your hair.”

Amber turned and felt Camille remove the hair ornament she’d given her earlier. After the woman had set the sheathed knife on the table beside the bed, she said, “You must sleep now. And when the men are ready to leave, you will wish them the blessings of the gods on their mission.”

Amber looked from Camille to the bed and back again. “I don’t think I can even relax. I feel like one of those child’s toys where you wind up a spring, then watch it turn in circles on the floor.”

“I knew you would say something like that.” She picked up a flask from the table. “This drink will relax you and clear your mind.”

Amber eyed the small bottle. “What is it?”

“I suppose you could call it a sleeping potion. It won’t harm you, and it will help you slumber.”

She might have refused, but she knew Camille was right. She would be better off not lying in the bed and worrying about Max and Rafe going off with the raiding party.

“All right,” she agreed, taking a cautious sip from the narrow opening at the top of the flask. The liquid inside tasted a little sweet and a little sharp.

While she finished the draft, Camille turned back the bedcovers.

“Lie down now.”

Amber was already feeling a little light-headed as she swayed on unsteady legs.

Camille guided her to the bed, and she plopped down heavily.

---