"When the streets are strewn with rose petals." His voice was very deep, with a hint of humor. She saw his eyes gleam in the dark.
"Yes, thousands of rose petals. It seems extraordinary to sacrifice so many flowers in a place where it must be so hard to grow them."
His low chuckle filled the car. "Perhaps the roses are the lucky ones, to participate in such a joyous occasion. You know it's a festival of love?"
"Yes. A group wedding ceremony. I did as much reading as I could about it." Which wasn't much. This region was both obscure and impenetrable due to geographical isolation behind several intimidating ranges of mountains. Which only made her more excited to explore it for herself.
"We take love seriously here in the high country. Most of our songs and stories address it. Our world is harsh and demanding, and the choice of your life's partner is the most crucial test." His low voice crept into her ear.
"A test? I've never heard it described that way before." Allan piped up from the back seat.
"Absolutely." He fixed his gaze on her, which was disconcerting, even in the dark. "Choosing the wrong partner brings the worst kind of bad luck. Some believe that our ancestors will come back to haunt us if we make a poor choice."
"I suppose it's all about picking someone who can be fruitful and multiply," muttered Sam. Traditional cultures sometimes set her teeth on edge. At least this region didn't seem to believe in more barbaric rituals like clitoridectomy.
"Of course." She saw the glimmer of white teeth. "Continuing the family line is
of paramount importance."
"What about companionship?" she protested.
"Essential." He held her gaze just long enough for her to become self-conscious about her breathing. This man made her very uncomfortable. A kinder person would try to put two stranded strangers at their ease, not stare at them until their pulse rate doubled while lecturing them about choosing their mate.
She wondered if he knew Allan was her boyfriend. Fiancé really, but she didn't wear a ring because they were both concerned about avoiding blood diamonds and hadn't decided what to get. In fact, Allan had never actually proposed to her, but they'd discussed marriage and decided to go for it, so since then she'd considered them officially engaged.
A glance at the speedometer alarmed her. The car was doing nearly seventy on this desert lane in pitch darkness. Osman Al Kilanjar must know the road well, as little of it was visible even with the high beams on. The desert stretched out all around them, dark and empty. She knew the ever-present mountains were out there, too, shrouded in blackness. "How far away do you live?"