Pendragon's Princess

by Kara Griffin

  “Being there, by the sea was enthralling. I wasn’t fearful or bothered. Please, worry not.”

  He rubbed the pad of his thumb over the delicate skin of her hand. “One day you will be comfortable enough to tell me your worries.”

  “Mayhap and one day you will tell me yours.”

  Rhyder lifted her chin with his fingers and set his lips on hers. She had the softest lips. He caressed her face and tried to soothe her. Katy lay too rigid in his arms. She continued to be coy, perhaps not of him but of the sex act.

  Rhyder sat up and discarded his breeches. He lay upon the bed and pulled her atop him. She sat astride his thighs. The sight of her there effectuated hardness between his legs. His intention to give her the upper hand was going to be difficult if he responded to her as an untried lad did to a virgin.

  He held her hip and reached to remove her robe. The fabric nearly as soft as she fell from her shoulders. He groaned at the sight of her lovely breasts and body. Rhyder was fast losing control. He wanted to take his wife and damn wooing altogether. But he found a bit of restraint and relaxed back on the bedding.

  “I want you to touch me, Katy. Aye, and to rid yourself of this shyness with me.”

  She swallowed and her throat moved with the force. “If you wish.”

  At first, she timidly touched his shoulders and each tortuous moment she grew bolder. Her fingers grazed his abdomen, and he groaned aloud. He hoped she was brave enough to go lower.

  “Aye, you make me want you,” he grated out the words.

  She smiled. “I want you, too. Tell me what to do.”

  “Whatever you desire, sweet lass.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him. Their kiss turned torrid. Rhyder couldn’t wait to be inside her, to settle within her femininity, and be as one with her. Gently, he forced her onto her back, and used his leg to keep hers open. As he kissed her, he guided his hand to her womanhood to ensure she was ready. Both panted from the intensity of their kisses and desire.

  Rhyder leaned against her. “Tell me you want me. I need to hear you say the words…”

  She moaned and pulled his shoulders. “Can’t you tell how much I want you, Rhyder? You kiss me so passionately… I want your lips on mine.”

  Her soft voice and plea sent his blood rushing through him. He kissed her and kept their mouths fused when he joined his body with hers. As much as he wanted to be gentle, he became insatiable for her. He drove forth and couldn’t stop himself from the maddening clash of their bodies.

  “What you do to me… I want to bury myself in you.” He kept to the pace of his thrusts, mindless of his need and only wanting to make her come undone in his arms. Her sweet moans and gasps kept him focused on his mission. He settled his head on her shoulder and suckled on the soft skin of her neck. God, how pleasing she was.

  Rhyder felt the tightening of her womb around his erection. She shook beneath him and yelled out in bliss. Her legs anchored him against her and she yelled her pleasure to the rafter. The climatic end taunted him and he joined her in surrender. All that he was in that moment strained to keep a single thought. His climax took him to the brink and his heart raced madly. Rhyder shouted his release and couldn’t stop from shaking. He took a long moment to regain his breath. Loving Katy was going to kill him. He kissed her long and hard and rolled next to her. Once again, he took her in his arms again and his contentment relaxed him.

  After a few minutes of silence, he leaned over her body and grinned. “You’re beautiful when you come undone. I like watching you.”

  Katy’s face brightened. “I like watching you as well. You’re quite handsome when you smile. You should smile more often.”

  “If you keep loving me like that, I shall.” To appease her, he grinned. Rhyder lay back, and she snuggled next to him. He held her and when his heart calmed, he pressed a kiss on her lips. “I wish to hear more tales of your childhood.” He chuckled and thought it endearing that she and her siblings jested about dragons.

  Katy settled her leg over his and caressed his chest, pressing her fingers over the image he’d had etched on his chest. Her touches distracted him. If she continued to taunt him, he might have to take her again. Yet he didn’t want to hurt her or cause her discomfort.

  “Why would you etch yourself with the image of a dragon if—”

  He kissed her and hoped to get her to cease her questions. Yet he had to give her an answer. “The etching is a replica of our crest, the same as what is on our banners.”

  “It’s a beautiful etching.”

  He needed to divert the topic of their discussion. “Tell me more about the dragons your sister teased you about.”

  “My sister was a great jester. She tormented me when we were children and scared me half to death with her teasing. She said dragons ate people and eyes were the dragon’s favorite. I admit she frightened me for years with those tales.”

  “When did that change?” He gently squeezed her hand, wishing he’d had siblings who teased, but his sister was born years after him and raised by a nurse when his parents died.

  “When I received the pouch… Ah, I mean when my mother sat me down and explained. She told me siblings like to tease and I should make up my own horror stories to tell Mali.”

  Rhyder rubbed her shoulder, grinning at the sound of her winsome voice. “What horror story did you come up with?”

  “I told her dragons preferred brown-haired, blue-eyed lasses.”

  He laughed, delighted by her tale. “And did that stop her from scaring you?”

  “Oh, aye. She and I became close after that and she no longer teased me. I love my sister dearly. What of you and your sister. Are you close?”

  “She was born when I’d already taken to training. By the time she was old enough to talk, my parents died, and the kingdom held most of my attention. I’ve spent little time with her.”

  She leaned across his body and touched his face. “I’m sorry about your parents. I was young and didn’t remember them. My father greatly admired your father and mourned him when we received the news of his death.”

  “As did my father, revere yours. He wanted our kingdoms united. It’s why he proposed the treaty…why you were betrothed to me.”

  “How did your parents die?” she asked, her touch continuing to soothe him.

  He took a moment to gaze at her face and wished he hadn’t. Katy saddened at their discussion. “They were killed on their way home from a meeting with…it matters not. It happened a long time ago. Let us rest. I will be gone most of the day tomorrow.”

  She settled next to him. “Where are you going? You’ll be safe, won’t you?”

  “I will be with Sawyer. There’s no need to worry. Now get some sleep.” Rhyder retreated from the bed and doused the candles and stoked the fire. He should continue reading the missive he’d written in response to a neighboring kingdom and intended to send at first light, but his yawn stopped him.

  He returned to bed and settled next to Katy. Her soft breathing allayed him. It had been years since he’d felt such contentment. Rhyder envisioned Katy as a wee lass fearful at her sister’s stories, her beautiful blue eyes wide with fright. He grinned at the idea of dragons eating lasses with brown hair and blue eyes. His wife had such an imagination.

  He’d have to set her right one day–dragons didn’t have a preference of hair or eye color.

  Chapter SEVEN

  Katriona awoke and found herself alone. She expected to see Rhyder at his tables, but he wasn’t in the chamber. Then she remembered he’d said he would be gone most of the day. She wrapped herself in her robe and rushed from the chamber. In the hall, a man blocked her path, and she crashed into him.

  He took hold of her arms to keep her from falling. “Milady, good morning. Are you alright? I didn’t mean to…”

  His aura was good-natured, and she smiled to assure him she was unharmed. He was as tall as her husband and his hair much lighter. His eyes a merry blue, and he seemed a likable sort. “I’m sor
ry, sir. I wasn’t expecting to find anyone in the hall. Did I hurt you?” She gripped her robe, ensuring she was well covered.

  His expression told her he thought her question absurd. Given he was quite tall and muscular; she doubted she could hurt him if she tried.

  “Not at all, Milady.” He bowed and turned his attention on the hall.

  She entered her chamber and closed the door. “Oh, sweet Freyja, I forgot about Wynn.” Katriona opened the door quickly and almost bumped into the soldier again. She gasped, not expecting to find him lingering in the hall. “I need to get my dog.”

  “His Grace took the dog with him, Milady. He won’t return until supper.”

  “Oh.” She closed the door again and groaned. Wynn was indeed a traitor.

  Katriona dressed and readied for the day. She opened the door, slowly this time and didn’t find the man there. Hunger rumbled her stomach, and she rushed to the great hall. At the bottom of the stairs, the soldier dawdled as if he guarded them. She quickly passed him and entered the hall, hoping to find something to abate her morning hunger. There wasn’t a soul lingering in the main chamber. It was discouraging, the fact that none were there at such an early hour. At home, her father’s hall was filled with gaiety and busy most of the day. People loitered and food replenished throughout the day.

  Rhyder’s hall boasted no adornment, not even a sword, ax, or shield, to show he lived there. Papa’s walls filled with battle gear, most given to him at the death of his soldiers, any weaponry that wasn’t buried with their owner. Some swords held in celebration at a fete or extreme courage during warfare. Not only did the walls bespeak the wealth of the lord, but it also lent to intimidate visitors. She wondered why her husband refrained from displaying his weaponry. Perhaps he didn’t need to intimidate?

  A sound jarred her from her thoughts and she turned to find the man from the upstairs hallway entering.

  “Are you following me?”

  He lowered his head. “Aye, M’lady, I am.”

  “Why?” She was astounded by his honesty.

  “Because His Grace bid me to.”

  Katriona wanted to be angry with the man for following her, but it wasn’t his fault for he was only doing his duty. When Rhyder returned, she’d have a thing or two to say to him about his distrust. She was about to demand he go away when Merrion entered. The woman ignored her and retrieved a pitcher from the stand near the buttery.

  “Good day, Merrion. Will the morning fare be served soon? I made certain I arrived early enough.”

  Merrion rounded the table and slid her fingers over the wood. She scoffed and finally answered. “The cook has the day off. He’s gone hunting. I cannot abide by the filth on this table. I shall have it scrubbed again. My brother, His Grace, likes a clean hall.” With that, she paraded off and said not another word.

  “Freyja, help me understand that woman,” she said under her breath. Since when does a cook have the day off or do the hunting? At home, her father bid the soldiers to see to the task. But her father’s home was no longer hers. There wasn’t a single thing in similarity to her beloved home. The lack of hominess saddened her.

  Her stomach rumbled again and reminded her of the need to eat. Katriona knew where she might beg a meal. She retrieved her cloak and hurried outside. The weather warmed and the sun shone. The hamlet bustled with people attending their chores. It was the first time she’d noticed the children playing near the courtyard. She smiled and hoped to find them there when she returned.

  Father Matthew spotted her and sprinted in her direction. He moved fast for an elder man. Katriona pulled up the hem of her frock and rushed to avert him. The clergyman was intent on questioning her and she wasn’t willing to divulge the wedding ritual she’d insisted upon. It was mostly her grandmother’s doing. Her grandmother pledged to the Goddess Friege that all the girls in their kingdom would be wedded with those words.

  Katriona veered around a cottage and startled when the man from the hall rounded it.

  “Milady, where are you going?” the man followed.

  She stopped and frowned at him for he stood close. “I’m avoiding Father Michael.”

  “Why? He likely wants to hear your confession for he makes all confess daily.”

  Katriona laughed to herself. That couldn’t be the reason for the Father’s persistence. She wouldn’t find out though and would avoid the man at all costs. “I’m off to get something to eat. You should go about your duties.”

  “I am, Milady. My duty is to see to your protection.”

  She sighed. “I don’t need protection, but very well, just don’t get in my way.” Katriona reached Luella’s home and found a long line outside her door. She stepped in the line and waited like the rest of them. The man, her guard, disappeared. Her stomach groaned, but she waited and smiled as the soldiers passed with bowls of delicious smelling pottage.

  The man returned to her side. “Milady, come. Luella wants you to come inside.”

  Katriona didn’t want to leave the line and lose her spot, but she didn’t want to disappoint Luella either. She entered the woman’s home and expected to find the dear woman at her pots, but what she found was disorder.

  “Milady, come and eat your fill. Lloyd told me you were waiting outside. My son is proud to be of service to your husband and to you.” Luella pushed back the wimple on her head and dabbed at the moisture of her forehead.

  “You’re Luella’s son?”

  He nodded and handed her a bowl. “Lloyd, Milady, at your service.”

  She sat on a stool and took the bowl offered and quickly ate. When she finished, she pushed up her frock’s sleeves and left the stool. “What can I do?”

  Luella clicked her tongue. “I’d be grateful for your help, but you’re our lady and shouldn’t do such tasks.”

  “Nonsense. At home, my mama always helped cook. My sisters and I often cut up vegetables and such. Mama always said cooking calmed her when Papa irked her and right now I’m about as irked as I can be with my husband.” Katriona gave a quick glance at Lloyd and took the spoon Luella held and set about stirring the pot. She didn’t like that Rhyder left her alone for the day, although she understood he had duties as the ruler of the kingdom. What irked her was the fact that he hadn’t explained why he’d assigned Lloyd to follow her.

  “You shouldn’t be irked with him, Milady, for he only wants to ensure your safety.” Lloyd hefted a large pot onto the fire and returned to her side. “With the murders…and His Grace doesn’t yet know why or who is behind them.”

  Katriona’s shoulders sunk. “When you put it like that… I am grateful for the protection, Lloyd.”

  Throughout the morning, she helped Luella serve the morning meal. She enjoyed meeting many of the men of the hamlet. They spoke of their families and their devotion to Rhyder. With the hamlet’s main cook gone for the day, most counted on Luella’s offerings. When the last person was served, Luella finally sat down and appeared exhausted.

  “Where did they all come from? Malin is counted on to feed many. I usually don’t need to serve more than a few soldiers. I must start on supper soon. I’m not sure what I will serve, but I shall come up with something that will feed many. Go and rest, Milady.”

  “Why would the cook go hunting? Doesn’t he have men to hunt for him? At my father’s home—”

  Luella folded a drying cloth and sat beside her. “It is odd. I’ve known Malin a long time and I’ve never heard him say he’d hunted. He’s a squinter and can barely see. Usually, he cannot be kept from his duties and mostly directs the kitchen helpers. Och, I must get the kitchen cleaned before I begin supper. Go on, Milady, there’s no need to stay.”

  But Katriona didn’t want to leave. She enjoyed herself and the woman’s company. Being there made her feel not so alone and helping gave her something to do. “I shall stay and help. My mama was a great cook, and she taught me how to feed many. What we’ll need is…”

  Katriona spent the day with Luella. Being with the dear w
oman brought forth memories of happy times spent with her mama. She smiled and finished cleaning the last bowl. A crash sounded behind her, and she closed her eyes when the aura came. Stinging warmth throbbed her fingers and the mark on her wrist burned with pain. She drew a startled gasp and rushed to Luella’s side.

  “You’ve hurt yourself. The burn is going to blister.” She took a drying cloth and wrapped her hand and pressed it to keep it from being too painful for the woman to bear.

  Lloyd stood next to them and frowned. “She needs to put it in water.”

  “No water only irritates the burn. Go to my chamber and bring me the small black satchel next to my bed. Be quick.” Katriona unwound the cloth and assessed the burn before rewrapping it.

  Lloyd left them and returned swiftly. He’d only been gone a few minutes and his gaze odd when he handed her the satchel. Katriona unbound Luella’s hand and gently applied the salve. The woman huffed at the pain and irritation. As much as it pained her as well, she held back the need to huff.

  “I’m sorry it will sting for a while but the salve should ease it. You’ll need to rest a bit. Why don’t you lie down? Lloyd will help me prepare supper.” After insisting the woman heed her, she tidied the kitchen and started on making food.

  Earlier, she’d sent Lloyd to find as many fish as he could. She made a thick broth and cooked the fish over the fire before cutting it up and adding it to the pot. Many came for supper that night and once all were fed, she and Lloyd cleaned the kitchen. She readied the morning meal and ensured there was little for Luella to do.

  Night fell and Katriona was beyond exhausted. But it felt good to do something for others and she suspected she’d be fast asleep as soon as she got in bed. She pulled her cloak over her shoulders and said goodnight to Luella. “Get rest and be careful of your wound.”

  Luella inclined her head. “I will, Milady, and thank you. On the morrow, I’ll get help. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come this morn.”

  “I was glad to help. You only need to heat the pottage in the morn. I’ll come by to make sure you don’t need help for the midday meal. Good night.” She left Luella’s home and the night air was brisk.