Free High Sorcery by Andre Norton

the dust of the last charge is laid. She is his by shearing, but she is no meek ewe to come readily under any man’s hand.”
    Takya did not appear the next day, nor the next. And Craike made no move to climb to her. His companions elaborately did not notice her absence as they worked together, setting in place fallen stones, bringing the tower into a better state of repair, or killing deer to smoke the meat. For as Jorik pointed out:
    â€œSoon comes the season of cold. We must build us a snug place and have food under our hands before then.” He broke off and gazed thoughtfully down stream. “This is also the fair time when, countrymen bring their wares to market. There are traders in Sampur. We could offer our hides, even though they be newly fleshed, for salt and grain. And a bow—this Kaluf of whom you have spoken, would he not give a good price for a bow?”
    Craike raised an eyebrow. “Sampur? But they have little cause to welcome us in Sampur.”
    â€œYou and the Lady Takya, Lord, they might take arms against in fear. But if Zackuth and I went in the guise of wandering hunters—and Zackuth is of the Children of Noe, he could trade privately with his kin. We must have supplies, Lord, before the coming of the cold, and this is too fine a fortress to abandon.”
    So it was decided that Jorik and Zackuth were to try their luck with the traders. Nickus went to hunt, wrecking havoc among the flocks of migrating fowl, and Craike held the tower alone.
    As he turned from seeing them away, he sighted the owl wheel out from the window slit of the upper chamber, its mournful cry sounding loud. On sudden impulse he went inside to climb the stair. There had been enough of her sulking. He sent that thought before him as an order. She did not reply. Craike’s heart beat faster. Was—had she gone? The rough outer wall, was it possible to climb down that?
    He flung himself up the last few steps and burst into the room. She was standing there, her shorn head high as if she and not he had been the victor. When he saw her Craike stopped. Then he moved again, faster than he had climbed those stairs. For in that moment the customs of thisworld were clear, he knew what he must do, what he wanted to do. If this revelation was some spell of Takya's he did not care.
    Later he was aroused by the caress of silk on his body, felt her cool fingers as he had felt them drawing the poison from his wounds. It was a black belt, and she was making fast about him, murmuring words softly as she interwove strand with strand about his waist until there was no beginning nor end to be detected.
    â€œMy chain on you, man of power.” Her eyes slanted down at him.
    He buried both his hands in the ragged crop of hair from which those threads had been severed and so held her quiet for his kiss.
    â€œMy seal upon you, witch.”
    â€œWhat Tousuth would have done, you have accomplished for him,” she observed pensively when he had given her a measure of freedom once again. “Only through you may I now use my power.”
    â€œWhich is perhaps well for this land and those who dwell in it,” he laughed. “We are now tied to a common destiny, my lady of river towers.”
    She sat up running her hands through her hair with some of her old caress.
    â€œIt will grow again,” he consoled.
    â€œTo no purpose, except to pleasure my vanity. Yes, we are tied together. But you do not regret it, Ka-rak—”
    â€œNeither do you, witch.” There was no longer any barrier between their minds, as there was none between their bodies. “What destiny will you now spin for the two of us?”
    â€œA great one. Tousuth knew my power-to-come. I would now realize it.” Her chin went up. “And you with me, Ka-rak. By this.” her hand rested lightly on the belt.
    â€œDoubtless you will set us up as rulers over Sampur?” he said lazily.
    â€œSampur!” she sniffed.