by Laura Kaye
Before she could protest and lock her ankles around his back again, he rolled her to her stomach and drew her up onto her hands and knees, drawing her against him. Her blue-black hair spilled across her back, the sight purely erotic. He slid into her and buried his cock to the hilt. A groan ripped from his throat. Ravyn cried out and pushed against him.
He gathered her hair and leaned over her back to thrust. “Look up.”
Ravyn lifted her head. Their image stared back at them from the large mirror on the front of his wardrobe. He’d never seen anything so beautiful. Their skin glistened blue in the moonlight. He hunched over his lover and grasped her hips, plunging in and out. With each withdrawal, he pulled out to the tip and slowly eased back into her. Ecstasy, torture, slick heat. Ravyn’s body tightened around him and pulsed. She stared into the mirror, her gaze locked on him as he thrust into her. He couldn’t look away and couldn’t stop driving into her taut sheath.
One hand wound under her body and cupped her breast to tug and roll her nipple. Her eyes closed and she gyrated against him, spreading her legs wider. The sight of her lost in the pleasure of his touch pushed Rhys past the point of control. He needed to find his release and needed Ravyn to find hers.
Slick folds spread to his touch as he glided his fingers across her sex and circled her wet nub. He worked her passion higher, dragging moans and gasps from her with each flick and caress.
“Look,” he whispered, “look at the mirror.” His breath rasped from his throat. “Watch as we both find our pleasure. Watch as my cock fills you.”
Ravyn’s moans quickened as his fingers and shaft worked their magic. Her muscles tightened around him. For a second time, she cried out, her sex pulsating against him. Spikes of pleasure flared and vibrated up his length. He thrust into her velvet grip and stiffened. His orgasm erupted, filling her, and holding him captive until finally quieting.
Rhys draped his body over Ravyn and buried his face in her hair. Shudders continued to tear through his body. Without releasing her, he lowered her to the bed and covered her body with his. He held her tight, their gasps and pants slowing to deep breaths. With a measured turn he rolled them to their sides and eased out. They lay quietly, settling back to earth.
“Did I hurt you?” He brushed the hair off Ravyn’s cheek. From the smile on her face, he was sure he hadn’t. Much.
“No.” Ravyn sighed.
“Any regrets?” Though he didn’t want to hear her answer if she did, he had to be sure.
Her voice took on a serious edge. “I’ll never regret tonight, no matter what happens from here.”
Rhys reached for a cashmere blanket and pulled it over them. His arms circled her waist and he snuggled against her, relishing the feel of her naked body next to him. Even at the inn, there had always been clothing or a blanket between them. Now it was flesh against flesh.Ravyn’s breathing slowed and deepened. Rhys inched his mouth close to her ear. “Ravyn?”
Barely audible, she answered, “Hmm?”
He paused. What had it cost her to come to him tonight? Everything. What would it cost him now? “I love you.”
He waited, but only her soft breathing answered him.
Chapter Eighteen
The smell of coffee and hot bread guided Ravyn from her blissful sleep. She cracked open her lids and smiled. Nattie bustled about the room, setting up the breakfast tray between the two large chairs by the fireplace. The bedding cradled Ravyn in a nest of soft warmth and she snuggled deeper, savoring Rhys’s strong arm draped across her waist.
Rhys’s strong arm? Nattie?
Ravyn gasped and threw the covers over her head, burrowing into the lush linens.
“There’s no use hiding,” chastised Nattie. “I know you’re in there and probably as naked as the day you were born.”
Ravyn groaned. Didn’t anybody knock in this place? Her face flushed and a deep rumble of laughter echoed next to her. Rhys tugged her close and threw his leg over her thighs, the coarse hair rubbing her sensitive skin. Sainted Ones, the things he had done to her last night. With each movement, her muscles rebelled.
He tugged the covers lower but she fought the exposure and wrestled the edge up again. The shushing of curtains whispered near the windows seconds before a million needles of sunlight attacked her eyes. She pulled her hair over her face to fend off the onslaught of sunshine.
Every inch of her skin hummed and all she wanted right now was sleep, but it appeared Nattie had other plans. So much for being a guest.
“Nattie,” Rhys said. “You seem very efficient this morning.”
She walked to the edge of the bed and glared at them. Ravyn peeked over the covers, cowering from the older woman’s censure.
“I’m always efficient,” she snapped. “The same can’t be said about you two layabouts. The final cargo is being loaded. I suggest you haul your lazy bodies out of bed or you’re going to miss the tide.”
“We’ve plenty of time.” Rhys caressed her back. “Nattie, get out of here. I need to wake Ravyn up properly.”
Heat infused Ravyn’s body, mainly from embarrassment, but a little from his suggestion.
Nattie scowled. “Get up or I’ll toss a bucket of cold water on you two. Luc and the others are finishing up breakfast.”
“Harpy,” Rhys mumbled.
“So I’ve been told.” She walked to the breakfast tray and stopped. “You have half an hour. If you’re not downstairs I’m sending Luc up.” She smiled wickedly. “We had quite a tussle over who would bring the tray. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to retrieve it for me.”
The threat of Luc worked. “We’ll be down,” Ravyn said.
Nattie nodded. “Thank you, Ravyn. See, now that wasn’t so difficult. Perhaps some of your cooperative nature will rub off on the men around Alba Haven.”
Rhys snorted. “Don’t count on it.”
Nattie stuck her nose in the air and marched to the door. “Half an hour.”
The room shuddered from the slamming door. He yawned and threw back the covers, walking gloriously nude to the tray Nattie had left.
Ravyn gasped. It was the first time she’d seen him naked in the light of day. He faced her and smiled. “Are you turning shy again or am I more spectacular by daylight?”
“No,” she said. “I mean…”
His eyebrows rose in question.
Ravyn pointed at him. “What is that?”
He leered at her and ran his hand down his semi-awake penis. “After last night I thought you’d know exactly what that is.”
“Not that.” She jabbed a finger at his privates. “What’s on your back?”
All traces of amusement vanished as he helped himself to the tray. “It’s a tattoo.”
Ravyn slipped out of bed, dragging the top sheet with her, and stopped several inches from Rhys. Delicate lines ran from his left hip to his right shoulder and twisted to form a dragon in flight.
“It’s beautiful.” She placed her finger on the tip of the creature’s spiny wing. A tremor of fire raced up her arm as she traced the webbed arc across his shoulder. He shivered under her delicate caress, which sent an almost lifelike ripple along the scales of the dragon’s back. “It’s amazing.”
He set down his plate. “It doesn’t repulse you?”
“Repulse?” She knitted her brow and shook her head. “No, I think it’s stunning. Where did you get it?”
“Let’s just call it a gift.”
He skirted her query, so Ravyn redirected her question. “How long have you had it?”
“Since I was very young.”
He said no more and she didn’t press, even though a dozen questions danced on her tongue. She changed tactics. “It’s rather…” She hugged the sheet around her and bit her lower lip. “Sexy.”
The tension in his shoulders eased. “Is it?”
She gave him a shy smile. “Yes.”
With tiny steps, he corralled her toward the bed.
“Nattie will send Luc up,” she pr
otested weakly. He ran his hands over her shoulders and pulled the sheet from her grip. “We should… uh… he’ll be…” Rhys cupped her breast, strumming his thumb across her nipple. “Oh, that’s nice.”
He smiled at her an instant before his mouth covered hers. What had she been saying?
…
The line of horses and loaded carts rumbled to a stop. Ravyn’s mouth hung open, her eyes tracking upward to the towering masts.
She pointed. “Is that yours?”
“Yes.” Rhys dismounted and scratched Sampson’s ear. “Be good while I’m gone.”
The horse whinnied and pushed his nose against Rhys.
“I’ll take good care of him, my lord,” said a young groom.
Rhys handed him the reins. “Thank you, Jimmy. Don’t let him bully you.”
The young man smiled. “No, my lord.”
Rhys helped Ravyn from her horse. She smoothed her hand down Sampson’s mane. “Good-bye, boy, maybe you can keep Beacon company.”
The horse answered with a flick of his head. She’d miss Sampson and Beacon, both already members of her little family.
“Shall we?” Rhys asked.
He guided her up the ramp and onto the polished deck. Men scurried about, unfurling the sails and readying the vessel for sea. The smell of tar and seawater seemed to permeate everything. Creaking leather straps and timber droned in the background of the activity.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve never even been on a boat before, let alone a ship.”
He led her up wide stairs and into an enclosed room made mostly of windows. It provided a clear view for anyone steering. A large wheel as broad as her arm span stood front and center, and a rectangular table positioned in the middle of the room held a colorful map. Arrows and curly lines spread across the large expanse of blue, commanding most of the chart’s surface.
“The Sea of Alba.” Ravyn ran her hand across the glass covering the map. “It’s so large.”
Rhys joined her at table. “Not really. Only a day’s journey if the winds favor us. Come, let me show you the ship.”
He explained the large brass compass and how the wheel guided their direction, but her favorite item was the tall copper and wooden spotting scope perched on the bow of the ship. Through it the world looked so different. With one of these, she might actually see the danger coming.
When departure time came, they headed back to the glass room, where, from high above the ground, she watched the launch process. Men on the dock shouted and waved, signaling to the crewmen they were untied and cleared. A thrill of excitement raced through her as the ship creaked, the sails billowing like gigantic kites pulling them into deep waters.
Leather and wood groaned. Ropes strained. Ravyn grinned at Rhys. They were on their way. A new adventure. A new experience.
Once at sea, duty called and Rhys placed Ravyn in the enthusiastic hands of Luc. With his usual flair, Luc introduced her to each crew member, making sure he stated names, ranks, and any unsavory information he had on them.
The crew was courteous and respectful. Since none of the sailors had given her a second glance when she boarded decked out in her black leathers, she figured the men must have been warned about her. They included her in conversations, spoke and joked with her, and after the first hour, Ravyn relaxed.
She and Luc approached a young lad, who sat coiling rope into a neat pile. His beautiful green eyes and delicate features made him almost pretty. Prickles skittered along Ravyn’s skin. Her pace slowed. She rubbed her arms and glanced at Luc, but he seemed oblivious to any discomfort. The boy glared, his eyes fixed on Luc, but when he noticed Ravyn staring at him, he cast his gaze back on his task.
“And this fine lad is…actually, I don’t know who this fine lad is,” Luc said.
He reached to grab the boy’s shoulder but the young man moved with lightning speed and ducked away from Luc’s touch.
“Jaden, sir.” Though the boy spoke quietly, Ravyn swore she heard a hint of malice in his answer. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t touch me. My pa used to touch me.”
Luc pulled back his hand, red coloring his cheeks. “I understand. You’re safe here, Jaden. There’s no need to be afraid.”
“That’s what my pa used to say,” the boy spit out.
Ravyn stared at Jaden. Her vision wavered and senses shifted. Pain and anger swamped her. The boy’s solid form changed and brightened to brilliant blue, except for the heavy black border surrounding his aura. The biting sensation increased. She knew this blackness. Remembered its crushing heaviness from when she’d embraced Angela’s dead body. Remembered the way the evil serpent snaked through Powell’s aura.
Anger and disgust swept through her. Was nothing sacred to the Bane, even a young boy? No, they were monsters, every one of them. She pulled back and reinforced her mental shields. This boy held darkness, and she couldn’t take a chance on her powers flaring to life as they had the night Icarus had attacked. A large, wooden ship and uncontrollable firepower was not a good combination.
She forced a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“My lady.” Jaden tipped his hat, the warmth in his voice taking her by surprise. “It’s an honor.”
She let her smile stretch into something more genuine. “Thank you. Perhaps later you can teach me how to coil a rope.”
He peeked out from under his wide-brimmed hat. “If you wish.”
“Carry on,” Luc said.
He grasped Ravyn’s elbow and led her away. She glanced back at Jaden—the boy’s gaze bored into Luc’s back.
“You have an ardent admirer,” he teased.
She looked away from the boy. “Watch him.” She lowered her voice. “I see darkness around him. The kind I’ve come to associate with the Bane.”
He gave a quick nod but didn’t glance back. “I’ll see to it personally. We can’t afford to have a Bane minion on board.”
“I pray he isn’t tainted. I pray I’m wrong,” she said.
She spent the rest of the day being lectured on the basic tasks of running a large ship. Rhys explained how to maneuver the craft, and for a short time let her steer. She learned to not fight the wheel, and to give the ship enough freedom to use the wind and waves for maximum speed. The large vessel and the fresh air invigorated her. What independence this ship could provide. A means to travel the world. See things she’d only read about. The endless expanse of blue stretched before them. Clear skies and smooth sailing—what could go wrong?
The ship skimmed across the water as the sun sank beneath the horizon and the stars speckled the darkening sky. The bustle of activity quieted, and the men settled into relaxed conversation. She stood at the helm, guiding the ship, Rhys’s hands covering hers. With his persistent reassurance, she’d found her sea legs and could now confidently walk around, but stayed cautiously away from the sides.
She scanned the lower deck and found Jaden sitting alone on a barrel away from the circle of crewmembers. “I’ll be back.”
As she approached, Jaden glanced up and smiled. “Evening, my lady.”
“Good evening.” She watched his fingers deftly work a long piece of rope into a knot. “Why don’t you join the other men?”
He kept his attention on the rope. “I try not to mingle. I just do my job and get my pay.”
She leaned against a large barrel and crossed her arms. The slight pinching of needles tingled along her forearms, but she resisted the urge to scratch. “They seem like a friendly lot. I know Lord Blackwell is a fair man, and there’s no one friendlier than Luc.”
His brow crinkled, and he sneered. “Him? I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.” His gaze slid from Luc back to her. “You’d do well to remember that…for your own good.”
Ravyn flinched from his vehemence. “What has he ever done to you?”
The boy jumped off the barrel, his eyes burning bright green in the lantern’s light. He tossed the rope. “Ruined my life.”
A chill ran across her
shoulders as she watched him stomp into the darkness. She contemplated going after him, but before she could follow him, warm hands slipped around her waist. Rhys’s solid chest pressed against her back and chased away the chill. The way he touched her body put everything right with the world.
His breath brushed her ear. “Anything wrong?”
“Not now,” she said.
She turned and smiled at him. Maybe she could talk to Jaden in the morning. Though the boy hated Luc, that wasn’t a crime—luckily. She twined her arms around Rhys’s neck.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he said.
They’d made love the last two nights but she still wasn’t used to open displays of affection “Won’t the crew riot?”
“I’ll chance it.” He lowered his head, his lips brushing hers. All thoughts of Jaden and Luc disappeared. His tongue swirled against hers and she moaned. This was where she belonged. He slowed the kiss, nipping at her bottom lip.
His hand crept over her ribs and rested just beneath her breasts. With great strength of will, she broke their kiss. “We need to stop before we make a spectacle of ourselves.”
He groaned. “I don’t think I care.” After another quick kiss, he stepped away from her. “Come. I need a mug of wine.”
The dull ache that she’d become accustomed to over the past two weeks stirred within her. The man need only touch her and she melted. She brushed her braid over her shoulder and sighed. “Lead on.”
Rhys led her to the congregation of sailors lounging on the deck and took a seat on a bench. Gem, a short, round man with a large gold hoop in his ear, produced a flute and began to play. The hauntingly beautiful notes drifted through the night and lulled Ravyn. Curled next to Rhys, she snuggled closer and drifted into a light doze.
In her dream, she floated in an expansive black sea. The warm water welcomed and caressed her, enticing her to stay forever. The sea’s beguiling song grew louder and wrapped around Ravyn. The gentle brush of a tail or the tickling of a fin swept along her leg. She reached to touch the long, blue strands of hair, but missed. The mermaid glided by. Their songs beckoned her into the dark depths, promising she’d be happy in their silent, watery home.
