Guardian's Challenge

by Green, Bronwyn

  Looking up from the woman lying in his arms, Asher recognized the ship’s captain trudging toward them, followed by several soldiers on horseback. The colors of the Pryderi warriors were unmistakable. Asher rose, and Neeve woke in his arms. Noticing the approaching riders, she struggled to get to her feet. He reluctantly lowered her to the ground but kept his arm around her.

  She seemed so weak, he wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to remain standing.

  The haggard looking captain gestured to Neeve. “This is the healer Maelgwn sent.” The bitterness in the man’s voice was unmistakable.

  One of the warriors nudged his mount forward and addressed Neeve. “Our lords command your presence. You will return with us now.”

  Before Asher could respond, Neeve’s chin rose slightly as she held the other man’s gaze. “Of course. My mates and I would happy to accompany you. I assume you’ve brought mounts for us?”

  Asher bit back a smile at her tone while she watched the man expectantly. They stared at her for a moment before turning to bark out orders to his troops. Two men dismounted and brought their horses to the front of the line.

  The warrior who’d been speaking to them nodded toward the animals. “Mount up and follow us.”

  Asher helped Neeve onto a horse’s back and climbed up behind her while Joseph smothered the fire. He quickly mounted, and they followed the contingent of Pryderi soldiers up the rocky incline, away from the shore.

  * * * *

  Neeve bit her lip. The jolting of the horse beneath her jarred every painfully sore muscle in her body. If Asher and Joseph were as miserable as she was, they didn’t give any indication. Asher kept her snugly between the cradle of his thighs while both men scanned the soldiers and the countryside.

  She felt the tension in Asher’s body. He wasn’t any happier with their escort than she was. The sooner she healed the rulers’ children, the sooner they could leave this place and the better she’d feel.

  “Faster!” the warrior who’d first made contact with them bellowed. He galloped to the rear of the party. “We’ve wasted too much time searching for you. Our lords await the healer.”

  “The ship sank,” Joseph began. “That can hardly be considered our—”

  “Ride faster.”

  Asher took a breath as if he would speak, but she laid a hand on his thigh. “Don’t fight it. The sooner we get there, the quicker we can leave.”

  And she’d return to her home among the Hafan people, leaving Asher to his post in Maelgwn. She closed her eyes against the pain that thought brought her. Leaving him the first time had been heartrending. She wasn’t sure she’d survive it a second time. She swallowed past the thick knot in her swollen throat.

  Asher snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her to rest against his chest as his lips brushed her ear. “I’m worried about you. You’re in no condition to heal anyone.”

  Truth be told, she was concerned that she might not be able to summon the power as exhausted as she was, but what choice did she have? “I’m fine,” she lied. “Just a little tired.”

  “Close your eyes and rest as best you can. I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

  She doubted it would do any good, but she lay back in his embrace and allowed her eyelids to fall closed. The rhythmic sway of the horse was almost relaxing, lulling her into a near hypnotic state. But the clatter of hooves on stone quickly drove away any sense of rest. The sound grated against her ears, reminding her of what was at stake. The realization that all of her carefully gathered supplies were ruined by seawater and likely lying at the bottom of the ocean hit her. She hoped the keep had a fully stocked storeroom. And plants she recognized.

  The party raced under the arch leading to the keep, heedless of the people traveling on foot. The drawbridge had been lowered, and the horses sped across it, the clomping echoing against the stone walls.

  Several people paced anxiously in front of the heavy wooden doors that led through the interior wall surrounding the keep. As the horses slowed to a halt, two huge men scanned the riders before heading directly toward her. Worry tightened her belly into a knot.

  “Stay on the horse,” Asher murmured in her ear as he dismounted, blocking the men’s way.

  The larger of the two men stepped forward. “This is the healer?” he asked no one in particular.

  Before she or Asher could answer, a chorus of, “Yes, m’lord,” went up from the warriors surrounding them.

  Asher faced the man, meeting his gaze. “I would request some time for my mate to recover before attempting to heal—”

  The other man shook his head, interrupting. “There is no time.”

  With a frown, Asher turned and lifted her from the horse’s back as Joseph dismounted as well. With both of her “mates” flanking her, she followed the leaders through a warren of brightly lit passageways into the heart of the keep and a dark, windowless room heavy with the sour scent of sweat and sickness.

  She turned to the man who’d first approached them in the courtyard. “My supplies went down with the ship. I’ll do what I can now, but later, I’ll need to check your storerooms for anything useful. For now, I need fresh water—both hot and cold, clean cloths and more light.”

  The man barked orders at the attendants in the room, and they scurried to do his bidding as he knelt between the two pallets in the center of the room. Two little boys, maybe nine or ten, lay pale and listless on sweat soaked sheets. He spoke to them in quiet, soothing tones. Her heart ached at the anguish in his voice.

  The second man from the courtyard turned to Neeve, blocking her view of the others. “You have to save them.”

  Nervousness tightened her throat, but she forced herself to speak. “I’ll do my best.”

  He nodded his head toward the other man. “Tyr has barely left their bedside.”

  Neeve studied the man before her. He looked just as exhausted as Tyr. “I’ll do everything I can.”

  “Thank you,” he murmured. “I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  Wishing she’d at least had been able to wash, she tried to put aside her discomfort, approached the children and began to examine them. “What can you tell me about their illness?”

  Tyr looked at her, his gaze worry-shadowed and weary. “They became ill around the time of the last full moon. Both boys got sick at once. At first, Alarik thought they’d eaten something that had gone bad,” he said, nodding toward the other man. “But instead of getting better, they only got worse. It’s already taken their mother.” He swallowed past his grief. “Please, we can’t lose them, too.”

  As the man talked, Neeve assessed the children. They were both dehydrated and running high fevers. It was hard to see in the dim light, but both boys’ skin tone looked almost grayish. Closing her eyes, she laid her hands on the center of each child’s chest and expanded her awareness out of her own body and into theirs.

  She recoiled immediately at the energy from the poison that permeated their little bodies. “Is anyone else in the household sick?” she whispered to Tyr.

  He shook his head.

  She closed her eyes and placed her hands over them again. Dropping her guards, she let her energy flow from her body to the boys’. She heard the man next to her gasp. She knew what he saw—a golden glow flowing from her hands into the children’s chests and spreading along their limbs. The pure healing energy slowly absorbed the toxins eating through their insides.

  Pulling it out of the children, she drew it into her own body. She had no idea how long she worked on them. It might have been mere moments or perhaps hours. But eventually, she pulled all of the contaminants from their bodies.

  Already weak, the poisons coursing through her veins weakened her further. She placed her hands on the floor and released the toxins into the hewn stone. Slowly, it drained from her body, but the residue left her exhausted and shaky.

  Lifting her head, she met the man’s gaze and whispered, “Your children are being poisoned.”

 
; His eyes widened as the realization that his mate had been murdered sank in. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she laid her hand on his arm.

  “Please don’t say anything yet,” she murmured. “There’s a chance that whoever did this will try again.”

  His lips drew together, and he looked as though he might explode in rage, but fear lurked beneath.

  “Is there anyone you can think of who’d want to harm your children…and your mate?”

  “There are always enemies, but none who would have access to them.”

  “The easiest way is through food and drink. You’ll need to be especially vigilant. Only let your most trusted people near their food. You may even want to see to it yourself.”

  His expression of shock and disgust told her all she needed to know. He might love his children, but he thought himself above such menial tasks.

  Both boys stirred, drawing their attention.

  “Papa?” the smaller one asked, his voice wavering.

  “I’m here,” Tyr murmured, relief evident in his expression as he smoothed the boy’s sweat-matted hair off his forehead.

  Neeve filled a cup with water and held it to the other child’s lips, propping him up to help him drink. “Not too much,” she said as he greedily swallowed the fluid.

  Within a few minutes of the healing, both boys were sitting up and looking almost as if they’d never been sick. Only the dark circles below their eyes and their general pallor indicated they’d ever been anything less than healthy. They certainly didn’t look as though they’d been at death’s door.

  Tyr clasped her hands in both of his. “What can I give to you? You’ve saved my heirs. Whatever I have is yours.”

  “Honestly, I just want a bath, dry clothes and sleep.” She glanced at Asher and Joseph’s haggard faces. “For me and my mates.”

  Tyr smiled. “It is done.”

  Chapter Five

  Asher pulled Neeve closer as he woke, watching as the late evening sun slanted across the room. He had no idea how long they’d been sleeping, but he was fairly certain she’d fallen asleep before she’d finished lying down on the huge bed Tyr had provided for them. She’d bathed, scrubbing the sea salt from her skin, then collapsed on the bed while he’d quickly washed himself. He’d been so exhausted, he didn’t even remember Joseph climbing into bed with them.

  Joseph still slept, pressed to Neeve’s front, his hand resting possessively on her hip. Asher’s cock thickened at the sight of the other man’s hand on her skin. She was bruised nearly everywhere. Hell, they all were. Between the sinking ship and floating amid the debris, there wasn’t a single place on his body that didn’t hurt. But none of that really mattered—not when he had Neeve.

  She stirred slightly in her sleep, pushing back into his groin. He closed his eyes at the sensation of her naked warmth sliding against him. When he opened them, he met Joseph’s hungry gaze. Need brightened the blue of his eyes as they swept down Neeve’s sleeping form. Sighing, Asher rolled onto to his back and stared at the ceiling.

  He heard the other man’s thoughts as clearly as he heard his own.

  I know we shouldn’t wake her, she’s been through so much, but by the gods, it’s tempting.

  Asher smiled in response. I understand. My common sense seems to vanish when she’s near.

  A subdued knock sounded at the door before it creaked open and several servants entered carrying laden trays. One contained food, and the other looked to bear clothes and some other interesting items. He exchanged a look with Joseph after the other man eyed the small bottle of oil and jewelry items. After setting their burdens on a table near the bed, the attendants left, the door protesting loudly in their wake.

  Neeve stirred at the noise, stretching languorously between them.

  Asher knew the moment she felt their erections. Her eyes fluttered open, and a sleepy smile curved her lips. Reaching around her, he cupped her breast. Her nipple immediately beaded into his palm. A breathy murmur escaped her as she arched into his touch and pushed back against his erection. He thrust against her, dragging his cock along the silky cleft of her ass. Joseph thrust against her groin, and a streak of possessiveness shook Asher. If this were a permanent relationship, he might be able to share her fully, but knowing it wasn’t—that it never would be—heightened the tight feeling of jealousy in his chest.

  I’m not planning to take her from you, or take more than she wants to give. I just want to give her pleasure.

  Asher nodded, not sure how much more pleasure giving he could stand. He buried his face in the scented warmth of Neeve’s neck, dragging kisses along her sensitive skin while she squirmed between them.

  Joseph pushed aside Asher’s hand, exposing her breast to the chilly morning air. As he watched, it crinkled tighter. Joseph leaned forward and closed his lips around the peak, drawing it into his mouth.

  Asher’s cock jerked against her. Despite his misgivings, there was something highly erotic about watching the other man work her body into a frenzy.

  Neeve shoved her fingers into Joseph’s hair, tugging him closer and whispering, “More. Suck it harder.”

  Joseph released the flesh with an audible pop and shoved her onto her back. She wasted no time wrapping her arm around Asher’s head and pushing him toward her still damp nipple. Ignoring her urging, he trailed his fingertip around the berry-brown areola, watching it contract at his touch. She arched her back, pushing upward into his hand, urging more contact and whimpering in frustration when she didn’t get it.

  The other man met his gaze, and together they descended, each taking a nipple into their mouths. She sighed in pleasure as they sucked in unison. Her hands convulsed in Asher’s hair as he scraped the swollen bud with his teeth.

  Continuing to draw on her, Asher trailed his hand along her ribcage and over her stomach, pausing to circle the shallow indentation of her navel. His touch drifted lower as he continued his exploration, carefully avoiding the discolored and raw areas. He skimmed the outer curve of her hip, then her inner thighs eliciting a moan as he avoided her pussy.

  Her disappointment was a sharp groan. “Quit teasing and touch me already.”

  “You’re not ready, yet.”

  She practically growled as she strained between them. “The hell I’m not.” She tugged firmly at his hair.

  Asher untangled her fingers and pinned her wrist to the bed above her head. He grinned at Joseph. “It seems someone needs to learn a lesson in patience.”

  The other man returned his smile as he secured her other arm to the bed. “I believe you’re right.”

  Asher transferred Neeve’s wrist to Joseph’s hold as he shifted to straddle her prone form. His cock bobbed heavily against her rapidly rising and falling chest, leaving a smear of pre-cum across her golden skin. Her breath caught in her chest as he dragged his fingertip through the wetness, tracing patterns over her sternum. Lifting his finger from her breastbone, he brought it to her lips. Opening her mouth, she drew the tip inside and sucked rhythmically at it, holding his gaze—part challenge and part plea.

  He pulled his finger free and slid down the length of her body until he was between her legs. Shouldering them farther apart, he bared her cunt to his gaze. Glossy with arousal, her lips were pink and puffy. Drawing a finger along her cleft, he almost groaned as her juices coated his skin.

  Asher sank to his elbows and draped her legs over his shoulders, pushing her thighs wider. He spread her silky folds with his thumbs, exposing her swollen clit. She whimpered with need, begging him to fuck her. The kind thing to do would be to suck her clit between his lips and make her come immediately.

  He wasn’t feeling particularly kind.

  Instead, he licked a path around it, tasting every inch of her pussy while carefully avoiding the tiny bundle of nerves that would push her over the edge into orgasm. He wanted to keep her hovering on the brink as long as possible until she was delirious with need for him—for both of them.

  Delving lower, he da
rted his tongue inside her quivering opening, and her body practically arched up off the bed. He splayed a hand over her stomach and held her to the mattress while he gathered her juices with the opposite hand and teased her nether hole with the pads of his fingertips.

  A tight, keening cry left her lips as he continued to drive her need higher. Still pinning her wrists to the bed, Joseph used his free hand to torment one of her nipples then the other.

  Asher glanced up the length of her body. Her golden skin was tinged pink with arousal as she writhed against their restraint. Her nipples jutted upward, tight crinkled flesh crowning the trembling globes of her breasts. Her eyes were closed, and her lips parted as she whispered his name over and over.

  His cock jerked against the sheet at the sound of her pleas. He wanted to be inside her already, losing himself in the tight slickness of her pussy, but he needed her release almost more than he needed his own. When this was over, when they returned home, he wanted there to be no question in her mind that they belonged together. He wanted to imprint himself on her—body and soul—the way she’d done to him.

  She opened her eyes, pinning him with her deep brown gaze. He’d been a fool to think he could simply fuck her and get her out of his system. She was written on his heart, carved into his soul. Now, he needed to convince her that they belonged together. Just the two of them. Forever.

  He glanced briefly at Joseph, who met his gaze, merriment in his bright eyes.

  You’re thinking loudly, my friend.

  Asher raised his brow at the other man.

  I’m not looking to steal your woman from you or be a permanent part of your lives. I know this is temporary.

  The tight grip of worry faded, and Asher felt himself relax. His eyes fell to Neeve who watched him anxiously. Holding her gaze, he lowered his head and dragged the flat of his tongue through her folds. Her body arched, but Joseph kept her tightly pinned to the bed.

  He bent down to murmur in her ear while Asher continued to lap at her dripping flesh.