by Morgan Henry
“Don’t belittle yourself. I do think you’re beautiful. You are beautiful in many ways—your intelligence, your kindness, your caring. I’ve done a poor job of courting you, dragging you across Kerban, but I want you to know I love you. I’m not giving up on us.”
Aenid seemed to be taken aback by his words. She was silent for a few moments. “Merrin, I don’t think I can be the person you want me to be.”
“I don’t understand. I don’t want to change anything about you.”
“Yes you do. You want me to…be more obedient,” she finally finished.
Merrin laughed. “I want you to be safe, not blindly obedient. I want you to stop acting with total disregard for yourself so that our children have their mother as they grow up.”
He took her hand. “Aenid, you are so good at what you do. It would be a shame to deprive Clawynd and Kerban of your talents. Don’t throw all that away for a foolish notion that to be the head of a holding, you must lead the charge into battle.”
“I concede that you’re right about that. But then I think about what might have happened if I hadn’t rushed in to pull the arrow from your chest. How could I not come to your aid?”
“I can’t deny I’m grateful for that, but at the same time I want to put you over my knee and spank you for getting captured. I would rather have died than have you collared in Torquin,” he finished fiercely.
“And I would rather be collared than have you dead,” she returned.
“So there’s no answer we can agree on, but that’s life, my sweet.” Merrin shook his head. “We won’t always agree, but I want to be there for the argument.”
Aenid gave him a little smile then, and he knew she hadn’t totally given up on him.
“Come to bed,” he pleaded, standing and holding out his hand to her.
Chapter 23
Aenid put her hand in his and said “Yes.”
Merrin sighed in relief. She wasn’t going to make a fuss about sharing the same bed. He certainly had hoped not. He had plans to entwine her lovely body with his under the covers.
He pulled his lover to her feet and embraced her ardently. He knew it was partly that his blood was running hot from the battle and subsequent rescue, but he wanted her fiercely. He would have to gain some measure of control over his desire so he could love her slowly and make her first time pleasurable.
He tilted her head back and kissed her. His lips pressed against hers and his tongue came out, urging her to open and accept him. She did and he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, twining it with hers and tasting her thoroughly. She was rich with the flavors of dinner—wine, cheese, the sweetness of dessert and something uniquely Aenid. It was heady stuff.
He broke the kiss and drew her to the bedroom. The servants had the covers on the bed pulled down and pillows piled high. A fire as well as a lamp was lit, casting a low glow about the room. There was a bench at the bottom of the bed and Merrin threw his robe on it, and undid Aenid’s robe, slipping it off her shoulders and piling it on top of his.
He kissed her bare shoulders as her hands came up to his chest. He reveled in her caresses of his pectoral muscles, her touch lighting a fire deep within him.
“Make no mistake, I want you tonight, Aenid, my love. If you let me in your bed, I will make love to you.” Merrin looked into her eyes, wanting to be sure she was willing.
“Yes, I want you, too,” she whispered. “I love you, Merrin.”
She had finally said it. Part of him had known she loved him, but to hear her say it caused a surge of wonderfully mixed emotions through him. Love, pride, desire, and delirious happiness roared through him like a phalanx of chargers pounding into battle. He could barely keep from shouting the joy of his conquest to the world.
Merrin trailed kisses down her body through the flimsy fabric of the nightgown. He leaned down and grasped the hem, pulling the sheath over her head and off her body, leaving her deliciously naked before him.
He groaned at the sight. His tongue trailed pathways down her collarbone to her nipple, sucking it in his mouth. She gasped and arched her back, forcing more of her breast into his mouth. Her hands cupped the back of his head, her fingers combing through his hair. He switched to the other breast, not wanting it to feel neglected, and tasted his fill of it.
He leisurely traced his way further down to the brown thatch of hair between her legs. He inhaled her scent of arousal and darted his tongue out to taste her and was rewarded with a little moan. He decided he couldn’t do enough with her standing.
Merrin stood and guided Aenid backward to the bed. As the back of her legs bumped against it he leaned her back, carefully lowering her to the bed. He placed her ass at the edge of the bed and opened her legs.
“Merrin,” she gasped.
“Shhh, let me pleasure you.” He caressed her moist lips. “And myself.”
He knelt in front of her and opened her outer lips so he could see her soft petals better. Her clit was swollen and pink, begging for his concentrated attentions. He leaned forward and licked her slit. She writhed for him and he held her legs apart gently but firmly. He licked and sucked her sex until her soft cries filled his ears and had his blood boiling.
His cock was now so hard that he was almost in pain. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her and not come out for days. He had to retain enough control to take her virginity gently.
He slid a finger inside her. The muscles of her pussy drew him in, sucking his finger as he slowly thrust in and out while licking her clit. She was involuntarily moving her hips to impale herself deeper on his finger. He reached up to put a hand on her pelvis to still her.
He moved his thumb to pull up on her lips and expose her clit further. He moved his finger a little more vigorously as he pulled her clit into his mouth. He sucked rhythmically on her pearl and she climaxed for him. Fluid gushed from her slit and he lapped it up, savoring the wonderful taste, so rich and salty. He drew out her pleasure as much as he could, delighting in her body’s response to him.
He stood and quickly removed his loose trousers. His cock stood out from his thatch of dark hair. It felt like his balls were almost ready to explode. He tugged on them hard enough to hurt, so that the pain caused his urgency to recede a little.
He crawled up onto the bed and drew Aenid further up with him. Her soft skin was against his and the sensation of it almost made him dizzy with pleasure. He let his body drop onto hers, not allowing his full weight to crush her. Aenid’s curves fit against him as if they were made to.
He let his hard cock slip between her closed thighs. He rubbed it against her clit and slit, the slick heat of her giving him intense pleasure. A fleeting thought crossed his mind that if rubbing her clit felt this good, it might kill him when he finally was inside her.
Merrin kissed her again, slowly, languidly, as if he wasn’t completely crazed to get deep inside her. He broke the kiss and nuzzled her cheek, peppering kisses down her face and neck, slowly reaching her lovely breasts again. The faint flush from her previous orgasm still stained her chest. Her nipples were rosy brown, plump and pointing up, ready for his mouth.
He sucked on each nipple, loving the way she moaned and enjoyed his touch. He reached down and found her pussy slick again. He palmed her thighs and eased them apart, kissing his way lower and lower. He swirled his tongue around her navel and she gasped in surprise, jerking her hips a little. He licked lower and tasted her. She was slick and wet and ready for more.
* * * *
Aenid was lost in the sensations of lovemaking. Every bit of Merrin that touched her brought her pleasure. The feel of his rough palms skimming over her skin made her shiver. The hard planes of his body pressed on her curves with satisfying weight, the strength in those planes exciting her. The crisp hairs on his chest abraded her nipples in a way that had her aching for more.
She couldn’t believe how good it was to climax from his mouth and fingers. And now his heavy body was looming over hers, her legs apart to welcome him. Mer
rin kissed her lips gently and whispered to her.
“Open your eyes, my sweet. I want to see you.”
Aenid obediently opened them to gaze into his. The desire, caring, and love that she saw almost took her breath away. She felt the tip of his cock at her wet entrance. He slowly eased into her, the feeling of fullness growing as he pressed forward. She panted as the pressure grew.
“Easy, my sweet. This will pinch a little now,” he whispered to her.
He paused for a second then slid forward, breaching her for the first time. Aenid gasped at the burning pinch and twisted her body a little, trying to get away.
“Breathe, Aenid. It will ease in a second, I promise.”
She whimpered as she did as he asked and in a moment the pain did ease, replaced by a wanting, a need deep inside her. Merrin withdrew a little then thrust back inside slowly. It didn’t burn as much now, it felt right. She wanted more. Aenid whimpered and moved her hips, trying to find Merrin’s rhythm.
“I’ll get you there, love.”
Merrin began a slow rhythm, one hand grasping her hip and guiding her thrusts to match his. Aenid’s eyes rolled back into her head and she moaned. He felt so good. She tried to move faster and harder. Now she heard Merrin’s groan as he obliged her and picked up his pace.
Aenid could feel his thrusts driving her higher and higher. There was no pain now, only a soaring pleasure and desperate need. Both their breathing was harsh and rapid. Aenid could feel an orgasm looming close. It felt dangerous, like it would shatter her if she allowed to be released. Just as she began to try to back away from it, Merrin reached between them and pressed on her clit.
She felt as though an erotic fire raced through every nerve ending. She writhed under Merrin and every thrust of his sent smaller shocks of fire spurting though her nervous system again. Just as she started to recover, his thrusts became erratic and suddenly he was crying out in pleasure, his cock jerking as he filled her with his seed.
They stayed like that, together for a moment—Merrin’s heavy body on hers, his slowly softening cock still inside her. She felt so good, her body was limp after the pleasure he had given her and she felt safe, warm, loved.
Finally, Merrin carefully eased his cock out of her and Aenid moaned a little, both from the loss of him and because it stung a little. He eased onto his side, cuddling her for a brief moment, before getting a wet cloth. She felt him use kerfios to heat it then he was cleaning her with the warmed material.
He tossed it aside and crawled back into bed with her, pulling the covers over the two of them as he gathered her in his arms.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly.
She gave him a little smile. “Good. Very good. It hurt less that I thought it might.”
He smiled back at her. “I’m glad. I never want our lovemaking to be unpleasant, and it will only get better from here.” He pulled her closer to him, rolling on top of her and caging her in with his arms. He looked deep into her eyes. “I love you, Aenid. I want you in every way a man can take a woman, and then some. I want to hear your cries of pleasure each and every time I get you bare. I want you to want me just as desperately. Do you hear me, Aenid? I will say it again. I love you.”
“I care about you as well, but I still worry about how we could live with each other,” she said hesitantly.
Merrin shifted onto his side again, pulling her over with him so they could face each other. “We haven’t done too badly careening across the country, living in tents and sleeping on the ground.”
“We’ve fought, been angry with each other, and both of us have nearly been killed at one point or another.”
“And yet, we’re still here, talking and loving.”
Aenid was silent at this. He did have a point.
“Why don’t we see how we do when things aren’t so dangerous and demanding?” Merrin asked. “I’ll still make sure you’re protected, of course. That’s my job and you’ll have to get used to it. If it’s any consolation, His Majesty calls me overprotective, too,” he added with an impish grin.
Aenid couldn’t help but laugh at that. Merrin did seem to have it ingrained in his makeup to protect those he loved and respected. She snuggled down beside him, suddenly drowsy from the events of the day and their exertions.
Hmm, loved and respected. She would have to consider that more.
Chapter 24
Aenid finished healing the last of her patients for the day. The last two days she had been caring for the people of the village at the base of the keep. King Graydon and Duke Arto had sent their Healers to the outer villages to look after Dyfal’s people. Aenid was asked to look after anyone locally, which she was happy to do. This last patient has rushed in just as she was about to leave for the day.
She smiled at the young man who had injured himself while working as a stonemason. He had crushed two fingers into a meaty pulp, but they were now whole and functional.
“Thank you so much, My Lady,” he said fervently. “I would not have been able to work for months if you weren’t here.”
“You are most welcome,” Aenid said gently. “I’m sure the guilds will return as Dyfal gets back to normal. King Graydon has already sent messages to them, letting them know it is safe again.”
“My Lady, I know you have said you don’t wish payment, but—”
“I don’t. Dyfal has been through hard enough times. My services are given at the request of His Majesty, and I am happy to assist the people. I insist that there is no need for payment,” Aenid said firmly. “You need to rest for the remainder of the day to allow your body to replenish its strength from healing. Now be off with you.” This last was said gently, but was a command nonetheless.
Aenid stood and stretched, her muscles were stiff from sitting. She gathered her shawl and pouch and left the small building she was working in. Her horse and guards were waiting. She had conceded to Merrin’s insistence that she be accompanied at all times.
Merrin had chosen several protectors from his own men. He made it clear that they were his men and answered to him alone. She did chafe at this but understood his reasoning. The last time Merrin used Aenid’s men to guard her she had dismissed them.
They rode back to the keep at a leisurely pace. Aenid looked around the village and was pleased at the progress she saw within a few days.
Shops had reopened and people were out again. There were men and women repairing the minor damage done by the conflict between Graydon and Bruson. Children were running around the green spaces.
King Graydon had pardoned most of the soldiers that had served Bruson. She had used her ability to truthsay for him to ascertain their oaths were genuine. The few that were true supporters of Bruson and were found guilty of crimes against the people were executed.
The king now had missives sent to the Healer, Enchanter, and Mage guilds to return to Dyfal. The other craft guilds would return too now that the area was stable again. Graydon, Merrin, Aenid, and Arto were administering the day-to-day matters of Dyfal. The other nobles and their soldiers were sent home.
The question of the successor to Bruson was tricky. Graydon had spoken privately to Aenid. She was the next closest relative to Bruson, and should be Duchess. However, Graydon had a policy of not combining noble seats unless there was a very strong reason to do so. He felt that trying to look after too large an area often resulted in the general welfare of the larger territory suffering. Aenid agreed with this. Privately, Aenid thought that having too large a territory gave a noble ideas about taking over Kerban, but she didn’t voice this to His Majesty. Graydon gave her the option of becoming the duchess of Dyfal and relinquishing her seat of Clawynd, or conceding the duchy and remaining Baroness.
Aenid had asked who would be Duke if she refused, and Graydon would not say. He did assure her that it was someone trustworthy. He said that though the man had little experience with the complexities of looking after a duchy, Graydon felt that he would learn quickly and do right by his people. He asked th
at Aenid assist the man if she chose to remain Baroness.
Aenid had thought long and hard about this. In the end, she had decided to refuse the duchy. She loved Clawynd and felt a deep bond to her people and the land. Though it would be a huge step up in the noble hierarchy to become a duchess, she felt the bond between her and her people took precedent to power. Certainly, it helped to know that the king trusted the unnamed successor to do right by Dyfal. There was still a little kernel of uncertainty in her mind, but she would keep Clawynd.
On returning to the keep, Aenid went in search of King Graydon. She was directed to the small study where he had been working from of late. As she approached the room, she could hear his voice through the open door.
“So, you think the baroness will refuse Dyfal?” the king asked.
“Yes,” replied a voice that could only be Merrin. “She loves her home and has a deep bond with her people. She would find it hard to leave their welfare in someone else’s hands.”
“And does this bother you? That she is not ambitious enough to rise up the ranks of nobility.”
Merrin laughed. “You know me better than that. I admire her because she takes her duties to her people seriously. I think she wants to see Dyfal properly administered and its people prosper.”
“I agree. So if she does not become a Duchess, you will still propose?”
Merrin snorted. “What do you think?”
Aenid was surprised at the conversation. She wasn’t sure what to think. Did this mean Merrin only wanted her if she became Duchess? She wasn’t sure if she believed that, he never seemed interested in her rank before.
She retreated back down that hall. She didn’t want them to know she had overheard their conversation. She needed to think about this later, privately. She restarted down the hall, purposely making some noise so they would be warned of her approach.
