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exertions, as he entered the cave and made his way to his bed of moss. Covering his face with his hands, he could see her still, so very beautiful, and knew what torture it would be from now on to keep from touching her—making love to her.
    If only I could stay here forever , he thought sadly. Woo her and take her back with me . But  he knew that he could not. Wynne was not a woman who would be happy to be a concubine or camp follower. Instinct told Valerian that she was pure. No doubt that is why she reacted to him as she did that first time he kissed her. No, he must leave the girl untouched so that she could go about her life once he was gone, marry, and mother many fine sons. Yet the thought of her bearing another man’s children caused an ache in his heart. He closed his eyes against the irrational jealousy, forcing himself to remember that she was not Roman born.
     
    Wynne quickly gathered up her garments and dressed. She felt calm, serene, and very happy. Was it because she would soon see Valerian? She knew the answer was yes. The handsome Roman made her feel giddy and lighthearted as none of the young men of her tribe did. Always before now the young men Wynne kept company with had been like brothers. She rode with them, fished with them, and frolicked with them, as if she too were a young man. When one of them tried to caress her or touch her in any way, she promptly scuffled with the bold aggressor to teach him that she was his equal and to keep his distance, but now she felt differently. The Roman made her feel soft, feminine. She did not want him to be her brother. She longed for something else, for him to look at her again as he had when first he had opened his eyes and gazed upon her.
    Your father has betrothed you to Edan , she thought, the reminder troubling her mind until her rebellious nature pushed aside the guilt. My father is giving me to Edan without any thought to my feelings. I am not an object to be given away! I should have some say in who I take to my bed. Yet such was the custom of her tribe.
    “I don’t want Edan……”  But she did want the Roman.
    Wynne thought about the ceremony she had just performed. She had purified herself in much the same way a young bride would before joining with her chosen husband. T he thought of belonging to the Roman made her blush with pleasure. She had thanked the goddess of the Waters for the Roman’s life and for her own strength in rescuing him, but it was much more than that. Now their spirits were joined together as one. She had offered herself to the goddess in exchange for Valerian in the ancient way. Yet, the goddess had let her live, surely a sign that she had found favor with the Mother of the Water of Life, that although the Roman did not believe in her gods, he was still worthy.
    Wynne made her way through the trees, tingling from the lake’s icy water. Her mind was filled with dreams of the Roman’s touch, his nearness, but when she arrived he was fast asleep. Little did she know that he was only feigning slumber, afraid of what he might do if he set eyes upon her tonight.
    Walking quietly over to him, Wynne was filled with the urge to reach out and touch him , waken him, cover his mouth with hers as he had done to her. Even at the lake she had felt the strange sensations flood over her as she had thought of him. She reached out her hand, but in sudden fear pulled it back again. She did not want to waken him, to risk angering him. Disappointed, she placed the food she had brought with her and her father’s garments on the floor of the cave and tiptoed out into the darkness of the night.
     

    Chapter Five
                 
    Wynne awoke the next morning before the rays of the sun touched the earth. She had spent a sleepless night, tossing and turning upon her bed —troubled by visions, wishing with all her heart that she had been able to spend the night again with the handsome stranger. She knew this was impossible, however.