And it began again, the power rising anew, as it had five times before over the long centuries. Trust melded to desire and then both melded to joy.
Lyon’s callused hand gripped hers. He slid away her heavy shirt and then her boots. Maddie’s eager hands joined the work of his.
In seconds she wore only cool air and a faint, awkward smile. Lyon's heart trembled at the slender glory of her body. Light glinted over her skin, gathering force until he was almost blinded.
Until he was lost, well and forever lost in the certainty of his love for her.
His fingers move to his own garments, so awkward in this modern age. Maddie was faster, stripping away the fastenings that were so strange to him. When she pushed the garments free and dropped them on the floor, her eyes savored the look of him in turn, and her longing was the greatest compliment Lyon had known.
He held their linked hands tighter, slid one arm around her waist, and brought their aching skin together, feeling her fit against him.
He laid her on the old Persian rug, drew her down against him and whispered the oldest vow.
"Before the dawn three times I thee bind;
Before the dawn three times am I bound in turn.
Hand-to-hand, skin to burning skin, so it begins.
By stone and swan and sword, so may it be."
Maddie almost fell into the depths of his eyes.
Her arm and chest ached but all she felt was the burning force of Lyon's eyes. There was no shrinking and no uncertainty.
So many scars she saw. So much strength.
“I will be bound by you,” she answered. “And I bind you to me in turn."
She watched emotions play over that face –the hard, uncompromising face she had come to love so well. Her heart raced in the knowledge that the joining had begun.
Not that Maddie had a clue about what was physically involved, beyond the normal kinds of intimacy, taken and being taken in turn. But instinct whispered that there would be nothing normal about this night.
"Lyon, not to be unromantic, but there is a lovely bed next door. Why the floor?"
He pulled her down until she rested against his chest and powerful thighs. "Because this is a spot of power. This tower is the oldest part of the abbey, a place I remember well. It will share its power with us tonight.”
Maddie started to question, but she let the uncertainty go. If Lyon told her, then it was so. In truth, she could feel that power now, running deep within the old stones, a hum against her skin.
Lyon unfolded a linen cloth taken from his clothes. He took out four stones, which he placed around them, one in each direction. Pale green light floated up and Maddie remembered how he had cast the same stones to save her life back in London.
"What are they, Lyon?"
"They are born of the power of a Rose, my sweet. Guard them well, for they are treasures earned with pain. If you welcome them with full heart, they will guard you and all that you love."
More riddles. More doorways to a new world that Maddie struggled to understand. But because this was Lyon, she believed, storing this new fact away in her memory.
And then although she expected speed and raw strength, he brought her the drugging brush of his mouth over her body and after that the slow, exquisite search of his callused hands. Wherever he touched, she burned until her rosemarks danced, skimming along his body, circling them both.
Her body was pliant, aching, sweet and liquid beneath him as she rose over him and shifted to find his heat. Slowly she slid astride him, forcing him closer.
Lyon whispered her name roughly. Then he brought their bodies together, with hard thighs sliding deep to claim her. Maddie felt the engorged shaft part her until it could press no farther. She felt a sharp, exquisite burning.
And then she rocked against him, thigh to thigh. There was only the power and heat of him, scarred hands buried in her hair, his mouth at her cheek, whispering raw, hungry words in a language she could not understand.
He guided her body down to meet him, watching her face in awe. Maddie felt her heart tremble while love danced fiercely and joy took flight.
On a raw breath she gasped his name. Her nails raked his back as she opened to all he gave.
Loving him.
Binding him and herself by that love.
With his name on her lips Maddie arched against him. The climax built, surging up as she felt Lyon tighten deep inside her. Then desire broke in a blinding wave, and light broke free around her. She locked their hands and gripped him—and fell forever.
Knowing he would catch her.
Slowly her tremors calmed.
With a sigh she fell back against his chest, anchored in his arms. A tear slipped down her cheek.
Lyon caught it on one finger, raised it slowly and blew against it in a soft breath. Maddie blinked to see a glowing stone appear on his palm, this one lilac and not green. "And so your tears are treasures, my heart. And so we are bound, first in three."
The stone burned almost as bright as his desire when Maddie pulled him above her. "Show me the rest," she whispered.
Her marks danced through the darkness, lighting the path as Lyon rose against her, drew her legs around his waist and claimed her.
Until she shuddered and took his pain and his hunger and all his love while he drove into a blinding release.
A bird cried somewhere out in the darkness. The air filled with the hint of roses.
And the old stones seemed to whisper in echo beneath them.
Lyon's face gleamed silver in the light of Maddie's drifting marks. His breath was rough as he gathered her against his chest. “You can feel the stones hum beneath us?"
"All of that and more. How old is this house anyway?"
“You wish a history lesson, my heart? Now? While your thighs grip my waist?"
Maddie laughed, dizzy with happiness. When had she ever felt so much peace as this?
When had she ever been happy?
Never.
"You've made me interested, that's all. Stop teasing me. I’m starting to have an interest in history. Besides, I can feel this is no ordinary house.”
"Its guardian ghost would swell with endless pride to hear you say so."
Maddie frowned. “Maybe he is listening. Being a ghost and all.”
“No. I sent him away. We are to be given our privacy this night.”
Maddie trembled, as Lyon ran one hand along the warm curve of her hip. The sudden force of her physical joy was almost more than she could bear. Everything was the same – the gatehouse, the old Persian rug, the drifting scent of roses.
And yet everything was forever different.
In Lyon's arms she felt strong, yet infinitely pliant. Wise with age, yet filled with innocence. Somehow Lyon had done this.
She sighed when his scarred fingers opened on her shoulder and he leaned to kiss the curve of each sensitive breast, whispering against her still aroused skin. Beside them the light of her purple stone glowed, and Maddie realized that it beat in time with her own racing heart.
Strange, strange world.
She pushed up onto one elbow. Her eyebrow rose. “Fine. No history lessons. But as I recall, you said there were three bindings to come between us tonight, Crusader."
Her smile gleamed, soon reflected in Lyon's keen eyes. "So I did." He ran his hands through her spiky hair. "Such an odd style of dress you have, my Rose. And yet I believe it begins to grow on me." He pulled her up, settled her against his thighs.
Then his humor faded. "Two more bindings must come before the dawn. That will seal the oldest vows. You are ready?"
Maddie raised their linked fingers and kissed the scars along his palm and wrist. “More than ready."
Lyon nodded. From his nearby clothes he pulled out a folded silver cloth. When he opened it into the air, it gleamed like hammered metal though it weighed no more than a feather. At its center a swan seemed to move, drifting against fast water.
It was a work of great skill – and
greater magic, Maddie sensed.
Lyon tossed the silk up and watched it slowly drift down across their bodies. Wherever it touched, their skin seemed to hum and draw on its power. Maddie fingered the feather-light weave, amazed to see the design tremble with life. “Lyon, what is this thing?”
"I found it in the sands beyond Acre. It is finest imperial silk from the great country of Chin, I was told. But I think it is far older than anyone knows. It defects harm from whoever wears it, Maddie, and it is my gift to you. From this night on, keep it close.”
Maddie did not understand. She wasn't even sure if she believed. But because her Crusader believed, she nodded.
Their bodies rolled over the carpet, thigh against hard thigh. As they slid together, the swan seemed to dance, crossing silver waters.
Lyon’s eyes narrowed with sudden hunger. He kissed his way down her chest and settled his mouth against the dark curls at her thighs, showing her new pleasure until Maddie gasped beneath the stroke of his tongue and lips, stunned and half lost in a haze of desire.
Still trembling, she locked her hands on his shoulders and pulled him up. Quickly she straddled him, urgent and hot.
Before the dawn, three times I thee bind.
Before the dawn, three times am I bound in turn.
Once by stone and now by swan. Sword is yet to come.
Hand to hand, skin to burning skin, so it begins.
Lyon whispered the words as he entered her slowly, with maddening skill. Beneath them the silver cloth rustled, almost alive, agleam with old powers. Then for a second time they were bound, their bodies fierce and fearless and driven.
Blindly they fell.
It simply wasn’t possible.
How could you be bone tired and fiercely awake at the same time? Maddie shook her head, staring at the hard lines of Lyon’s chest.
Her body was stretched out against his, beautifully stated. She traced his chest and drifted, caught in images that might have been memories. O maybe they were dreams, part of a new future taking shape.
"There is a third joining yet to come, you said?”
Lyon’s lips brushed her hair. Maddie heard him chuckle. "So greedy you have become. But yes, there is yet a third." He would have pulled her against him, but Maddie wriggled free, catching the silk around her.
Lyon lunged and caught her leg so she tumbled down against him. While their laughter echoed, they rolled over and over across the old rug.
“Impossible creature. Once my strength returns, there will be a third joining.”
"I'd say your strength has returned. Or is that something else I feel, there against my hip? Your sword?”
His eyes raked her body as Maddie reached low, circling him with her hands. Desire raced back to life and she marveled at the beauty of his chiseled body. Would it always be this way between them?
Across the dark hills a bird called shrilly. Lightning branched through the sky, and a drop of rain struck the balcony doors.
Lyon pushed up onto one arm, glancing through the trees. His body tensed.
"What is it, Lyon?"
"Only lightning. So it seems,” he said thoughtfully.
Maddie frowned as he pushed to his feet. Naked and magnificent he walked to the balcony. Drawing back the French doors, he searched the stormy night, motionless and intent.
Uneasy, Maddie gathered up the silver fabric and followed. Then she watched in turn beside him.
On the far side of the valley lightning flickered. Just lightning, she thought. No deadly fog here. They were safe.
She rested her head against his back, kissing the old scars, angry at the pain he must have endured. But now he would never be alone, she swore.
Something moved through the dark sky. Aeryx looped down to perch on the balcony railing. "A storm builds. There is lightning…and perhaps something more. Crusader, do you join me? Your eyes are strong."
Lyon's fingers tightened on Maddie's waist. For a moment she tasted the bitterness of his regret. "I will join you, my friend. Give me a moment. "
The dark head bowed. Wings furled, Aeryx rested on the railing, waiting impatiently.
Lyon found his clothes and dressed quickly. He sheathed his sword and then pulled Maddie close. "You are changed, my heart. We both are changed, but there is far more to come. I will be back once we have made our inspection of the grounds. Wait for me here.”
"Hurry." She managed a shaky smile. “I’ve discovered how very impatient I can be.” Maddie released his hand and took a step back. She gripped the gossamer silk as Lyon crossed the balcony and was caught up on Aeryx's powerful wings.
The room seemed empty and far too cold when he had gone.
More lightning cut the sky above the distant valley. Maddie sat on the old rug, his silk draped around her shoulders and one purple stone gleaming in her hand.
Minutes crawled past.
Thunder growled and rolled. And still he did not come.
Wings crossed the balcony.
As they passed, a cold wind gusted through the open window.
"Rose," a deep voice whispered. "Your Guardian calls to you from the far woods."
"I heard nothing." Maddie jumped her feet, scrambling for her clothes. "Is something wrong, Aeryx?"
“He is…weak, Rose. He bleeds most badly. His skin is torn, but he ordered me away, too proud for your help. So I come for you. Will you fly and join me? Or…are you afraid?”
“Of course I’ll go. Wait there. I’m coming.” Maddie jerked on her clothes and searched for the gleaming stones.
“Leave them, Rose. There is no time,” Aeryx murmured.
“I’m almost done.” Maddie stuffed the stones into her pockets and then knotted the silver web of silk tightly around her. “I’m ready. Take me to him now.”
“You are certain?” the voice probed.
“I’m certain. Hurry.” Maddie was furious with impatience. “Do it now.”
“As you will.”
A sound like wind through heavy grass filled the room. Maddie shivered and climbed onto the cold railing. When she reached out, stepping onto the dark wings, the powerful body swayed.
“Hurry, Aeryx.”
“We fly, Rose.”
Wind slashed at Maddie’s face as they shot upward in a dizzying sweep. She closed her eyes, caught by a wave of sudden nausea. The ground fell away beneath her, and Maddie leaned closer to the dark head. “Aeryx, what happened to him? Did the things—did those creatures—find him? I have to know.”
“Then I shall tell you, Rose. All that you wish to hear—and far more that you do not.” The voice changed, hardening in an angry laugh.
The air around Maddie’s head seemed to burn, charged with sudden electricity that made her flinch and draw back.
Too late she understood.
This was not Aeryx beneath her. This was no friend.
She was betrayed.
Fog swirled up beneath Maddie, piling over the ground, rising in cold waves.
Too late.
She slid trembling fingers into her pocket, feeling something foul burn at her skin. “Who—are you?” she whispered.
“You have called us, Rose. You gave us free invitation. Fool,” the voice rumbled, eager and hungry. “Through your wish we have crossed the portal.” The voice grew, awful in its power. “You invited us to come. Now we will feed well. On you and on those you love.”
Maddie understood now that a fierce intelligence had been at work. But this disguise they made–how was it possible?
There was no time to think about it. A leathery arm stretched toward her and narrow claws emerged. Maddie battled terror and nausea. This was no flight as Aeryx had given. Now they rocketed straight up, then fell with dizzying force.
The only thing that kept her sane was the possibility that they had lied about Lyon. She had to believe that he was unharmed.
She sent out a fierce call of warning to Lyon, to Aeryx, and to the abbey ghost. Then she eased her fingers around the stones hidden in
her pockets.
The leathery arm reached back and gripped her leg. With a gasp Maddie wrenched free. The creature swooped higher. Its claws slashed toward her in a vicious strike and then another.
The last drew blood.
Maddie looked up and saw the air around her full of writhing shapes. Wings pounded and hammered as they followed hungrily.
More claws slashed toward her. A smaller figure raced above her head, dropping to snap at her arm. Maddie threw a stone and drove the creature back.
“She is no Rose,” the deep voice beneath her mocked. “Her fear burns clear.” Laughter rumbled and more claws struck. Maddie was tossed sideways, falling free for long seconds, dangling from the edge of a leathery wing.
She forced her eyes away from the other forms around her and dug another stone from her pocket. With all her force she hurled it at the dense, circling center of wings. A vicious cry tore through the air. Two of the creatures plummeted downward.
Dizzy with pain, Maddie found another stone. Another leathery form attacked her legs, and she flung out the stone. Chattering in fury, the creature burned in a flare of silver light, slashing Maddie’s arm from shoulder to wrist as it fell. The air was thick with acrid smoke and more forms gathered, hissing in delight as blood oozed down her bruised arm.
Suddenly Maddie tipped sharply. Her captor sailed high, then closed its giant wings around her, forcing out light and breath, crushing her slowly.
She searched for another stone, only to feel it slip from her trembling fingers. Four gone. Only one was left.
Her own.
Lyon?
Here. Very close. Fight them!
Maddie felt his strength burn through her as Aeryx shot over the high trees, with Lyon on his wing.
But the creature beneath her reached out to grip her neck, forcing the air from her lungs. Blindly Maddie gripped her last, precious stone and drove it with all her might into the suffocating wings, up through leathery arms and into the looming face. A raw cry of fury filled her ears as the body tipped and rolled sideways, losing control.
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