Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  Alex stood up, swaying for a moment. Her eyes flashed with worry, but she hesitated to step forward and when his balance was solid, her features became blank. “Aye, I do need to talk to you. Please come in and shut the door.”

  She turned and shut the door. “What do you need to talk to me about?”

  Chapter 27

  Lily stood near to the closed door of his room wearing a half sleeved red tunic, blue pants and boots. Both of her swords hung to each hip and were perfectly symmetrical to her straight and curvaceous body. Her pure white hair that reminds him of the pure, reflective light of the moon hung loosely and close to her shoulders. Her natural beauty sent his heart thrumming and his senses scattered to the four winds while trying to find a way to get his foolhardy plan started and not wind up in pain again. The orange glow from the lit lamps seemed to make her image flicker in the most sensual ways.

  She sighed and looked defeated after the question left her lips.

  “We need to talk about last night.” He retorted evenly.

  Her eyes flashed in recognition to his empty words, but she guarded her voice. “What about it? Are you going to make jokes at my expense or tell me that I’m not good enough? Do you like leading women on?”

  Pity flared into his emotions for her, but he somehow managed to neutralize the sound of his voice because the next plan was more dangerous than fighting Gyro. “It is difficult to walk over to you, so will you please come over here so I could defend myself. Please?”

  She studied him for a moment before sighing, seeing how he still had a difficult time remaining standing. She walked up to him with a fire in her eyes and an unbreakable will, sensing a trap. It wasn’t a good kind of fire and getting rolled over by Gyro again seemed like the better alternative. She stopped about two feet away as she looked him straight in the eye. The swiftness of her movements sent her scent around her body and all over him. “Say what you have to so I can leave!”

  Lily was just close enough and he put his heart on the line for her.

  Before she could react Alex quickly stepped forward, slid his right arm around her lower back, reached his left hand behind her head and did the most suicidal experiment in his entire life.

  Alex placed his lips upon hers.

  Her full lips were more enchanting than he could have ever imagined. They were soft, firm, but most of all, they belonged to the one woman who he desired more than any other. She was startled at the action and her breath entered his in a sharp gust. Alex tasted her breath and it was sweeter than any fruit or sugar, like honey and sea salt. Her lips were wet as they parted effortlessly and instinctively for him, but neither knew how amazing the experience could be. It was as if their mouths were made specifically for each other. She seemed to like it as well.

  A strong pressure on his chest gave a moment of pause and Alex realized it was the palms of her hands. Their lips disconnected and were being pushed away. Knowing this reaction all too well from her, his arms fell away from embracing her until they hit his sides. Alex took a step back, but couldn’t because she had a fist full of his tunic in each hand. Her grip had stopped him from going anywhere.

  With the very last of his fading courage he looked into the most beautiful eyes in anticipation for rejection and sudden physical pain, but he wasn’t prepared for what his eyes catalogued. Her complexion alternated between pale and blushing red. It was difficult to keep up with her shifting expressions; jealously, joy, rage, fearful, hope, rejection, spite, horror, danger, pain, misery, shyness, realization, surprise, passion, love. Her expressions changed faster than he’s ever seen a person do before and then she shut her eyes and began breathing slowly in order to calm herself. She dropped her chin to her chest and breathed slow and deeply through her nose, but her firm grip on his tunic didn’t relax by any measure. He couldn’t help himself as he watched her chest swell and sink with each calming breath. She did this for a minute before her eyes opened and met his. Now her eyes were confused, but a small spark of happiness could be seen deeper within.

  “Alex, what did you do that for? Be very careful how you explain yourself.”

  He couldn’t hold his smile back any longer. “I finally did what I’ve wanted to do since we first met. You were the first person who accepted me and kissing you was the best way I knew how that I could express how I have accepted you. You are a woman unlike any other and I’m completely in love with you and…”

  She immediately pulled on his tunic, their distance closed instantly and she brought her lips crashing onto his. This kiss was far greater than when he kissed her in ambush. His hands wrapped around her again and her hands released his tunic. Both of her arms wrapped around his neck in a hold like she never wanted to release him. Her wet lips parted again and a very womanly moan escaped her lips. All of his cells began vibrating in the most pleasurable way. She didn’t stop kissing him and he showed her that he didn’t want her to stop either. Their lips moved in perfect synchronization like they’ve kissed each other this passionately their entire lives. Her smell was intoxicating and only adding to the pleasure that they were sharing. They have finally closed the strained friendship to a deeper relationship.

  This is the one woman his could spend the rest of his life with and many future images sprang forth on what that said future might be like.

  His heart was beating and his skin was almost shocking from where they touched. She felt the same way. His lips felt complete with hers connecting with them. Her breasts were pressing into his chest painfully, but finally showing her his honest and pure love was winning the battle over the pain.

  There was a new sensation that quickly became worse. Her fingers dug into his back and the pain became unbearable.

  Alex went completely rigid as he sucked a deep breath through his teeth. She heard it and felt his tension and pulled away in shock. “What is it?”

  “My. Back.” He said through the teeth grinding pain.

  She realized what she was doing and her fingers removed their hold. “I’m so sorry. I forgot you were still hurting…”

  He quickly pressed his lips to hers quickly and she stopped talking while he wrapped both of his arms dropped to her lower back. “Do not feel bad. I am happier than I’ve ever been. You have made me feel whole for the first time.”

  She smiled and kissed him softly again. “You have done the same for me. I too feel complete.” She looked over his shoulder and smiled pleasurably. “You need to lie down. You still need rest.”

  Before any disapproval could be uttered from his lips she wrapped her arms around his hips and began walking him backwards. She walked to the side of the bed and twisted him in such a way so that his body had no choice but to collapse in the bed. Lily knew how the body works and reacts and she forced his body to work in her favor and made him rest. She still stood and suddenly glanced at the door.

  He smiled from the bed and said “Don’t worry about Shade coming back. He has made himself scarce so we could spend quality time together.”

  Lily looked back to him with an honest smile. “So we will be alone for the entire night?” He nodded with his own smile of happiness. “I hope you don’t have any assumptions about us being intimate tonight? If you did, think again. You are in no condition to be with me like that tonight.”

  “I know that, but we can still be close to each other.”

  A wry smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I wouldn’t mind having you kiss me again.” She slid off her items and laid them by his staff.

  In answer Alex lifted his hand and she grasped it. He drew her down to the bed and grasped her hips. With a little effort he rolled her across his chest and placed her beside his left. He then rolled to his side. She grabbed his head and pulled him down to her perfect lips again. This kiss lasted for several minutes and she went easy, but they both wanted more.

  When they parted she looked so enchanting. Lily’s head laid comfortably on his outstretched left arm. Alex laid on his back while his head was turned to watc
h her in a new light. She still laid on her side and he could see her true sensuality she hid behind being a warrior. Her body curved in the most perfect of places. When her shoulders sloped down to her waist it showed the flair of her hips all the more. She then began lightly touching the scars on his left arm, where Shade’s uncle bit him in their first encounter. The pain subsided as his focus remained on his Lily.

  After they looked at each other for an hour in a calm, content silence she finally spoke. “Can you tell me something?” She looked away from his intense focus and began staring at his scars again.

  “Anything, my Lily.” She smiled at his honesty, but didn’t look away.

  “Actually I was wondering about today. Last night I gave my confessions and this morning you were…distant.” She wanted to say something else, but didn’t want to spoil the mood that they both enjoyed. “You spoke to me like nothing was said between us, like it never happened. I thought you might have forgotten because of all the situations you have been dealing with. I didn’t like the way you looked or spoke towards me and I’ve had a painful feeling in my stomach all day. Could you please tell me what was going in inside your mind?”

  “Of course you can know. I was just showing you what it was like from my perspective.” His calm voice made her eyes lock onto his. “Do you remember that night when you crawled up and slept next to me?” Her eyes became too distant so his story continued. “When you awoke, the first thing you saw was me. And the first thing you did was strike me with your knee.” Now she remembered the past with perfect clarity. “I rolled away in pain and your unconcerned tone hurt more than the kick ever could. And when you touched me I walked away.”

  “You’re confusing me. Can you simplify it?” She moved to lay on her elbow so she could look down into his face. Lily still was on her side though.

  “The night before I was trying to tell you something and in the morning you too became distant. The physical pain I could deal with, but your uncaring attitude did the most damage.”

  She was quiet as she watched his calm expression. “How about we make a deal? I’ll try to never do that again and you do the same. I never want to experience that feeling of helplessness again. Not speaking like this was fraying my nerves like I was going crazy. Do we have an agreement?”

  She offered her left hand, but Alex shook his head. She frowned until he said “I think if we seal the agreement with another kiss, it will strengthen the bond.”

  Lily gladly accepted the compromise and sealed the agreement.

  “We need some sleep. Don’t you agree, my Alex?” She made him smile.

  She drew herself closer and rested her head over his heart. Her breasts pressed into his ribs, but her body item wasn’t uncomfortable. And before he knew it she was fast asleep with him trailing not far behind.

  Alex finally awoke at his normal time and saw Lily had stayed the whole night with him. Her short white hair spread over his chest, but she had two differences. First her arm was gently laying in the center of his chest. Secondly her leg was tossed over his thigh. Then there was something different about himself. His body wasn’t in any more pain. His chest and shoulders were easy to rotate without disturbing Lily. He felt completely healed; physically and mentally after the night. Niranene and Allahandra had a point that was made clearer this morning, his healing was quicker than normal.

  With his left arm free, Alex used it to awaken the woman who requited his love. He began running the tip of his warm fingers along her clothed waist and hips. She reacted to the sensual touch by pulling herself closer, clutching him closer. He didn’t stop caressing her until she finally awoke.

  Her head pulled back as she slowly looked up at him. Her eyes were already awake as was her voice. “Good morning, my Alex.”

  He showed her a good morning with a kiss. She initiated the next three.

  “Lily, I have to show you something.” She reluctantly leaned away.

  Alex flipped out of bed with ease and stretched out all of his stiff muscles. “I’m no longer in any pain. Nothing hurts anymore.”

  “Let me see for myself. Take off your tunic.” She smiled as she began scuttling out of the bed.

  It wasn’t a stretch to know what she really wanted to see. Quickly and effortlessly removing his tunic, the only thing touching his chest was the flesh warmed medallion.

  She walked right up to him and felt the faint pink scars on his chest from the injury. She then looked at his back. During this whole time she was feeling all of the contours his muscles had to offer. Her simple touch felt wonderful despite her calluses, but it was part of her and he loved everything she could offer.

  Then she began wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. She then immediately began caressing his neck and shoulders with the gentle brush of her lips. He tried turning around.

  Before anything further could happen, the door to the room was nudged opened. Lily’s hands disappeared from his neck just as Shade walked in.

  Shade saw Alex and grinned. “So how did it go?”

  “It was perfect, but we didn’t do what you were thinking. She has accepted me as I have with her.”

  What happened next stunned both Shade and Alex. Lily walked around and quickly kissed his lips. “It’s no use trying to hide that we are together. I’ll see you in a few minutes. I’m not the only one who needs to freshen up.” She turned around and quickly exited their room, patting Shade’s flank on her way out.

  The foster brothers stared at each other in stunned silence. Shade’s bottom jaw was hanging by their hinges and his golden eyes were wide. Suddenly he twitched and fell to the floor laughing. He barked a laugh and Alex’s laugh mixed with his. Neither could stop himself from laughing for over a minute. Once Shade managed to calm himself, he laid on his elbows and looked at Alex with a congratulatory smile. “It seems my intervention with her seems to have paid off for the both of you.”

  Alex walked to the closet and grabbed a new tunic and pants. “It seems I must thank you for your help, little brother.”

  He grinned approvingly. “It would have happened even without my aid. You two were made for each other. All I did was finally force one of you to take a leap to the other. I’m happy for you both though.”

  Alex patted his furry shoulder and began washing up. While putting his clothes on he asked “By the way, where did you go last night?”

  Shade stood up as Alex went to grab his staff. “I went by the barracks and freed Clift. We went to the arena and fought for a little while. We drew quite a crowd, even at that time of night. Someone new thought I was trying to kill Clift again, but he pushed them back and fought me surprisingly well. They realized that he was learning how to be a warhorse. It was an exciting night for us.

  “Once we finished sparring we walked around the city by ourselves. The people on the street were frightened until they saw it was only me. Oh and one small female fed me a candied apple. I ate it in one bite which made her giggle… oh don’t look at me like that. I could smell if it had even the faintest trace of a poison. But it was a good night.”

  “It was for me as well.”

  “It looks that way.” He couldn’t erase his toothy grin.

  Shade and Alex made it into the council chambers first and it was empty. He laid down in his usual spot, directly to the throne’s left. Alex took his seat and waited.

  Lily arrived soon after and had a joyful smile once she found him. She wore a pink sleeveless tunic and black pants. Her movements were graceful and lithe as she crossed the room. She pushed her chair closer to his before she sat down. Her right hand found his left under the table and they laced themselves together. She was so beautiful that he was grateful that they could be this close after all this time. They enjoyed their new relationship that much more.

  While they waited Alex told her about Shade’s night and she had him ask what he did during the sparing lesson’s with Clift. At some points the three of them laughed even more because of the details he neglected to tell A
lex earlier.

  “Well it’s about time!” All their heads snapped to the back door. Marlin stood there with a proud grin. “You two finally made it to the next step. Even from here I can see the tension between the two of you has all but vanished.”

  Lily turned red and pushed her shoulder into Alex’s. She asked “Are you saying it like it’s a bad idea or…”

  “No, no, no. It is a really good thing. I’m happy for you both.”

  Soon he sat down with the new couple and they were talking like old times, but times were changing. Even Allahandra noticed about Lily and Alex the very moment she entered the room. She actually squealed ‘Congratulation!’ and hugged Lily like a girlfriend and not as the queen. That hug was the only time Lily’s hand left his in the war room. Once the embrace was completed and released, their hands reunited.

  Niranene appeared from the door at the back and she was even more shocked by his recovery. She lifted the restriction for him to stay up here for the next day, but she said he couldn’t have any strenuous exercise for awhile.

  “Do you feel like having a morning meal with everyone down in the main hall, Alex?” Allahandra asked calmly. “I think it would do some good to see other people for a short while.”

  “A change of scenery will be a good thing. I’m in.” Allahandra smiled and Lily squeezed his hand affectionately.

  Allahandra took the lead going down the stairs while the rest followed. With the staff in his right hand and Lily in the left, Alex glanced over his shoulder to see Marlin and Niranene holding hands too, but they were whispering something that he couldn’t hear clearly. Shade playfully smiled at all of them as he walked the rear, tail wagging in contentment.

  The ruckus from everyone in the main hall was difficult to miss. That was until they arrived. The filled room quickly silenced once they saw their queen. She moved to the side and everyone’s eyes zoomed in on Alex.