by Devi Mara
She raised an eyebrow. “Is it?”
He shook his head and led her to the shimmer in the air. “Not quite.” He showed her a black square that fit in the palm of his hand. “It tears a temporary hole to the preprogrammed location.”
“Like super advanced GPS?”
“Exactly.” He motioned for her to go ahead of him and she stepped into the portal.
The trip was as breathless as she remembered, but the end point was completely different. Where the Ghadrikan portal opened onto an avenue full of shops, the Dorn was at the entrance to a huge palace made of black stone. It was day and night. She only had a few seconds to look around before the Dorn king arrived with his guard.
He pushed the large double doors open and strode down the statue-lined corridor, pausing at another door to look back at her.
“Please follow me, Miss Ashley. We have much to discuss before my son arrives.” A flash of something crossed his face. She thought it was concern.
She hurried down the hall and followed him into the next room. It was a throne room. Not as large or bright as Loreet’s, but no less impressive. It was decorated with weaponry and statues of scowling Dorn warriors. She looked back at Gol to see him settled on his throne.
“Come. Stand next to me, where he can see you.”
She did as he asked. She had just opened her mouth to question him, when the doors slammed open. Her head whipped around to face the sound. Edric stalked into the room, all fury and darkness. She watched him spin to face her.
…
He charged into his father’s throne room and froze. His heart seized violently.
“Abby,” he breathed.
She stood to the right of his father’s throne, wearing his family colors. She gave him a tremulous smile.
“Hello, Edric.”
He drifted across the room without a conscious thought. Vaguely aware of climbing the stairs, he stopped when she was within reach and gently touched her face. Her skin was satiny smooth beneath his fingertips, warm and alive. As he looked into her tear-filled eyes, she raised her hand to his cheek.
“Don’t cry, Edric. I’m here now.”
“Abby,” his voice broke and he let her pull him into her arms, burying his face in her hair.
He took deep lungfuls of her scent needing to know she was real and in his arms again. He needed to hold her more than he needed his next breath. Because there was no life without her. He pulled back to look at her face. It was free of bruises, free of scratches. He frowned.
“You are uninjured?”
She nodded.
“You are not in pain?”
She shook her head and gave him a soft smile. “I’m fine.”
“But, how—”
She placed her hand against his lips. “I want to speak with you. Privately.” She looked over her shoulder at his father and received a nod. She turned back to him with a smile. “Come with me?”
Anywhere. “Of course.”
She led him from the throne room and down a side hall. He was not sure if she knew where they were going, but he took advantage of the time. She looked thinner and tired. It did nothing to take away from her beauty, but the past days had obviously taken their toll.
“Abby,” he called quietly.
She paused after opening a random door and looked over her shoulder at him.
“What happened? I tried to find you. I asked everyone, sent everyone. Please believe me. I—”
“I know.”
He stared into her gray eyes and saw sincerity and something else he could not name. “I have missed you. I can’t tell you how much I lo—”
“I know.” She gave him a secretive smile and turned back to the room. “This should work.”
He let her tug him through the doorway and watched her shut the door and bolt it. When she turned back to him, she gave him a slow once over. Her lips twitched.
“Nice armor. Have I ever told you that?”
He shook his head mutely. Her behavior was sending certain signals and he was not sure if he was imagining it. He must be.
“I have plans for us, Edric,” she said. He barely suppressed a pleasant shiver at her use of ‘us’. “We need to discuss a few things, then we are going to do a few things.” Her voice took on a husky purr on the last sentence and parts of him took notice.
He blinked at her. “Alright.”
The humor in her eyes faded. “But first, we have to talk.” She tugged on his hand and he followed her over to a nest of pillows set in the corner. “What is this room, anyway?”
“For guests,” he said roughly.
She nodded. “Perfect. Now,” she nudged him down to the pillows and knelt next to him. “In the past couple days, I’ve been banged up, kidnapped, knocked around, kidnapped, and sold at auction.”
He could feel himself shaking with rage, but he tried to keep it off of his face. She did not need to see that. Not after everything she had been through.
“It’s alright. I’m fine, now.”
“It’s not alright, Abby,” he said. “I should have been there. I should have—”
“Stop it,” she cut him off. He looked up to see scowling. “I will not let you take any responsibility for what happened. You hear me? Not a bit.”
He started to open his mouth and she shook her head.
“Hush or I’ll make you hush. Then, we’ll never get to the talking part.”
His eyes widened. “I do not think that is a good—”
She climbed onto his lap and pressed her lips against his in a chaste kiss. “Shush.”
He found himself leaning forward to follow her lips when she sat up straight, again. He nodded.
She licked her lips and it was very distracting. “As I was saying, none of what happened was your fault. It was not the most pleasant experience, but I’m fine and here and you’re here, so…”
His eyes rose from her lips to her eyes. “So.”
“What did you do to Jackson and the president?” she blurted.
He internally winced. “I…”
She cocked her head to the side. “Which one and how many?”
He looked away, scanning the plush fabrics and heavy furniture just to keep from meeting her gaze. “Jackson and about two hundred.”
She was silent for a moment, then, “Armed?”
Her tone gave him a glimmer of hope and he looked at her. “Yes, all of them.”
For a breathless moment, he thought she would stand and walk away from him. Leave him alone in that room and in life. Then, she nodded once.
“I would have done the same. Had our positions been reversed.” A smirk tugged at her lips. “And I had an army like yours.”
She would have an army like his. The secret made him smile softly. “I’ll see what I can do.”
She raised one eyebrow. “See that you do, sir.”
He smiled. “Yes, my love.”
Her eyes lit up. “Again,” she said leaning forward until her lips were brushing his.
“My love,” he breathed, closing his eyes at the feel of her teeth nibbling at his bottom lip.
“That may have to be a permanent substitute for my name,” she murmured, before she sat back to look at him. “You look like you’ve been up to no good.”
“Completely debauched?”
She smirked. “Not yet.” Her eyes drifted over his face and down his torso. He felt the gaze like a warm caress. “But, before we get to that, we need to talk about Caern.”
A low growl rumbled up from his chest before he could bite it back. He met her gaze quickly. She simply nodded.
“My thoughts exactly. I think your dad is planning to do him in.”
Edric snorted and looked away. Unlikely. The man may have retrieved Abby, but that did not mean he had suddenly changed.
“Your dad kind of saved me, you know. He seems like a decent guy.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Which is why my army is outside and not burning his palace to the ground.”
Abby surprised him by grinning. “That’s very nice of you.”
He hummed. “Yes. I thought so.”
She leaned into him, pressing her chest against his. “I think the talking part is over.”
“Is it?” he mumbled against her lips.
She nodded. “Yes. Definitely.” Her hands wandered over the front of his armor, unfastening the clasps and she went. “I think I want some armor, too.”
He nodded. “Anything you want.”
She pulled back to look at him, her face serious. “Are you sure I’m your arammu?”
He smiled gently. “Yes.” He cradled her face in his hands. “And I love you, and only you, until my death.”
The uncertainty faded from her eyes. “Charmer.” She freed the last clasp on his armor and lifted it over his head.
He sat still and let her look him over. Beneath his armor, he wore a thin tunic and pants similar to the ones worn for hunting. Abby grabbed his shirt and tugged it up over his head until he was bare-chested. He watched a slow smile spread across her face.
“All mine,” he thought she murmured, before she ducked her head and licked his collarbone.
He jerked at the shot of pleasure and let his head fall back to allow her free access. “Whatever you want.”
She paused and then kissed his jaw. “I know.”
His chuckle turned into a groan, as she lightly bit his neck. “Abby.”
“I know. You’re okay.” She eased off of him to remove the armor plate from his legs. Once they were free, she wasted no time removing the tight pants.
He frowned when she simply stared at him with raised eyebrows. “Are you okay?”
She looked up at his face and her lips turned up into a lopsided grin. “I’d say so, yes.”
He watched her give him another once over, before she shrugged out of the oversized robe. He immediately realized why she was wearing it. The minuscule amount of clothing beneath revealed far more than it left to the imagination. He did not realize he was starring until her movements paused.
“You okay?”
He smiled. “Most definitely.”
“In that case, help me with this would you?” She leaned into him and put her face against the side of his neck.
He could feel the heat of her body through the thin garments. Without the robe, her bare thighs bracketed his naked hips, making his hands shake when he reached up to untie her top. He took several breaths to calm himself.
“You smell fantastic,” she murmured, her lips moving against his skin.
He swallowed hard and quickly untied the fastenings. “Thank you.” Only her sarong remained and he hesitated.
“Go ahead.”
His hands were past the point of shaking. He could barely hear her soft breathes over the pounding of his heart. He was sure he had never craved anything before, certainly not with the soul-deep yearning he was feeling. He slowly slid away the remaining fabric and there was nothing between them.
She scooted forward on his lap. “Kiss me, Edric.”
“With pleasure,” he said and pressed his lips to hers.
Her mouth opened immediately and he deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his. When she started to rock her hips, he nearly choked. He could feel her smile against his lips. Before he could draw in a decent breath, she was drawing him into her body.
“Perfect,” she whispered in his ear, beginning to move.
The world faded to the sound of her quiet moans and sighs in his ear and the feel of her hips beneath his hands. She was beautiful, perfect. He watched her in awe, her head thrown back as she moved. A light sheen of sweat glistened on her skin, wisps of her dark hair clinging to her shoulders and neck.
He leaned forward to lick the base of her throat. “Perfect.”
She huffed out a laugh. “And all yours.” She did something with her hips and he had to bite back a loud groan.
She suddenly rolled them over and he was looking down into her bright eyes. Her hands clutched at his back as he started to move. He bent his head to kiss her deeply. She gasped, her breath coming faster.
“Edric.”
He reveled in the feel of her nails on his back. Her entire body tensed beneath him and he watched the surprise and pleasure fill her eyes, before her eyelids fluttered closed. He released his tight rein on his control and followed her. When he came back to himself, his head was on her shoulder and her fingers were gently combing his hair.
He raised his head and looked her in the eyes. “Are you…” He blinked at the brightness of her smile.
“Perfect. You?”
“Beyond perfect.” The weight on his chest gone, he kissed her lips. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Yes. Just give me a second.”
He smiled widely. “Not that. Unless…”
“Edric,” she said, shaking her head and scowling playfully.
He gave her a put-upon sigh. “Maybe after I ask you to bond with me.”
She froze. “What?”
He looked into her wide eyes. “Abigail Ashley, will you life bond with me? Be my arammu?” Tears began to fill her eyes, and he clamped his mouth shut.
It was too soon. He should have waited a year or two or ten. After everything she had been through, he was foolish to think she would want to bond with him. Her excited squeal jerked him out of his morose thoughts.
“Yes!”
He blinked at her in shock. “What?”
“Yes! Of course. Why wouldn’t I? Yes!” She pulled his head down to place a kiss against his lips. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“I…” He looked at her beaming face and shook his head.
She sighed. “You’re ridiculous.” She placed a gentle kiss on each cheek, before she whispered in his ear. “Don’t you know I love you?”
His vision became blurry. “Thank you.”
She ducked her head to look at his face. “For what?”
He had to clear his throat several times before he could speak. “For loving me back.”
Chapter Fourteen
Intimate Desires
“No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.”
-Julius Caesar
She sat at the window on the small, cushioned ledge and watched him sleep. The scrap she had worn as a skirt covered him below the waist, leaving his chest bare to the bright sunlight. She smiled to herself. His shirt was a little big on her, falling to her mid-thigh and slipping from one shoulder, but it smelled like him.
As she admired him, his eyes shot open. He looked toward the place she had been laying and sat up when he did not find her. She waved.
“I’m over here.”
He visibly sighed. “What are you doing,” he asked, voice rough from sleep. It sent a delicious shiver through her.
“Thinking.”
“Oh?” He rose onto his hands and knees and prowled toward her. “About what?”
She watched the play of light on his muscles as he moved closer. “You, mostly.”
He stopped in front of her and rose onto his knees. “Only good things, I hope.” He lightly trailed his fingertips over the smooth skin of her legs.
“Naturally.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “And in these good thoughts of yours, what am I doing?”
She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I’m pretty sure you’re kissing me.”
Edric grasped her hips and she scooted forward to allow him access to her mouth. “I should do that, then.”
She giggled as he playfully nipped her earlobe before kissing her. When he pulled back they were both breathing hard.
“I expect King Gol will have news for us,” Edric said, while staring at her lips.
“We should get dressed.”
At the mention of clothes, Edric’s gaze fell on the scraps of cloth lying on the pillows. “I will find you something suitable.”
She grabbed him before he could stand and placed a chaste kiss to his lips. “T
hanks, babe.”
The smile he gave her was full of surprised pleasure. “I like that.”
“Noted.” She rose to her feet and followed him over to the bed of pillows. “How long will it take to find Caern?”
Edric paused in fastening his boots and glanced at her. “Not long.” He finished with his boots and turned to look at her. “My shirt, my love?”
“But then I would have nothing on.”
His eyes wandered over her slowly and his lips quirked up. “I fail to see the problem.”
She snorted. “Here.” She pulled the shirt over her head and reached for the robe, feeling his eyes on her.
She took longer than necessary to wrap the fabric around herself. When she turned to face him, he had moved closer. He bypassed the shirt she held out to him and stepped into her space. His chest pressed to hers, one of his hands flat against her back to hold her in place.
“Are you teasing me, my love?”
She smiled at the growling tone. “Maybe. Is it working?”
His answer was to swoop down and press his lips to hers, until she was breathless. He pulled back and gave her a wicked grin.
“Your clothes will be here in a moment.”
She was still staring at him when he left the room. The soft thud of the door closing snapped her out of it and she glanced around. She had not taken in much of the room the night before, her mind focused on other things. She smiled to herself and wandered the perimeter of the space.
It was awfully grand for a guest room. The sumptuous fabrics, all in jewel tones, stood out brightly from the black stone walls. The space should have felt dark and forbidding, but the large windows lit the gold veins in the stone and made the room look like a treasure trove. She had just moved to stand next to the window when someone knocked.
“Come in,” she tossed over her shoulder, turning to face the opening door.
Nitya stepped inside, cloth draped over her arm. Desta followed behind her and closed the door firmly. Before Abby could open her mouth, the two women saw her. A look of relief filled the blonde’s face and she hurried toward her, Desta walking behind her at a more sedate pace.
“I am so pleased to see you well,” Nitya said, smiling brightly.
Abby nodded. “Thanks. It was touch and go there for a little bit, but I’m fine.”
