Cerise swallowed the tears that had thickened her throat. She nodded once and raised her hands to gently frame his face.
Lexin lowered his head to meet her and kissed her softly until she sighed and leaned against him. He scooped her up and took her to the bed, laying her down and removing her shift. He undressed himself and stood and let her look at him when she bade him wait.
Cerise rose to her knees on the bed and touched the hardness of his hairless chest, following the shadows cast by the single candle lit by the bed. His hair was loose and she brushed it back over his shoulders, letting her fingers glide softly along his neck. As she explored him, he trembled under her touch.
Cerise’s hands roamed, feeling the strength of the solid muscles of his shoulders and arms. Her touch went from powerful biceps to lean ribs and over his flat belly, feeling the smooth muscle there.
Lexin hissed in a breath when she leaned lower as her hands went down his hips to reach around and cup his firm buttocks, her breath caressing his erection. Her hair fell over him as her hands went from his rump to caress the hard muscles of his thighs.
When her fingers trailed up the sensitive area of his inner thighs, he let his head drift back at the unexpected sensation. He lowered his gaze again when her hand cupped him.
Lexin moved as if to push her down on the bed but she stopped him, wanting to continue her exploration. He closed his eyes, and let her touch him as she wished. He began to sweat as his body throbbed and he prayed that he did not lose himself in her touch.
He felt her lean in again and this time her lips brushed him. No woman had ever touched him so personally and a strained moan escaped him.
She withdrew. “Did I hurt you?” she whispered, concern in her voice.
“Oh no,” he whispered back. “That was…I have never…please, Cerise.”
“Please, what?”
“Touch me thus again.”
She smiled at his words and repeated the kiss and he moaned once more. When she deepened it, taking him into her mouth, he thought his knees would buckle. Intense pleasure shot up his spine. One of his hands fisted in her hair as she moved over his manhood. He moved experimentally and knew if she continued much longer he would be finished before laying a hand on her. His testicles began to tighten and he pushed her away then with a strangled sound.
She lay down and opened her arms to him. “Take me now, Lexin. Let me give you what you want.”
He hesitated and she took his hand, guiding it so that he could feel for himself she was ready.
Lexin moved between her thighs then and let her guide him, slipping into her heat. He clenched his teeth and struggled for control. Cerise moved under him and pulled him closer with her hands and legs.
“Don’t wait, Lexin. Let me take you to the end.”
Her words encouraged him and he moved strongly in her. She continued to urge him on, selflessly giving of herself. He took her by the hips and thrust hard, wanting to lose himself in her. He felt tears at the back of his eyes burn and he pulled her closer. It was as if he wanted to enter her womb, to be sheltered safe from outside hurts.
Cerise whispered words of love and comfort to him as he moved faster, his mind growing blank to everything but the building white hot pleasure she gave him. When it finally washed over him, he cried out and buried his face into her neck, holding her tight against him as he spilled deep inside her.
A moment later, awareness returned and he realized that he had not given her a woman’s pleasure. He also realized that all his weight rested on her and he moved his arms so that he took his weight on his elbows. Cerise stroked his back in soothing strokes, her eyes closed and a half smile on her lips.
“I am sorry, little one that I left you behind. That was wrong of me,” he stated next to her ear, his voice tired and slightly hoarse.
“Don’t be concerned,” she whispered back. “Go to sleep. I think you could use the rest.”
Lexin yawned then and moved over to lie on his back, pulling her against him. “Give me a few minutes to recover and I will give you pleasure.”
Cerise moved in his hold until she could look up at his face, touching him softly on one cheek. “Lexin, sometimes love can be given without wanting or needing anything in return, given just for the sake of love or pleasure itself. Sleep now. I won’t leave you.”
Lexin returned her look, his eyes feeling suspiciously moist. He did not speak but tightened his hold.
Cerise burrowed her head on his shoulder, feeling him relax as sleep claimed him.
Chapter Fifteen
Lexin stood on the foreword deck of the Kestrel, a large, three mast Baris ship. He had his arms in front of him, hands palm up, waist high. He had never been further than Trevess and had never traveled on open sea. He stood in deep prayer and asked Arahtok to guide him and protect those that went with him on his quest. He added a quick prayer to Tala, Arahtok’s mate and the goddess of women and children, thanking her for blessing him with a woman who obviously cared for him, perhaps even loved him.
Lexin lowered his hands and his head, deep in thought. He felt the salt spray-filled air against his skin as the ship moved out of the harbor, heading for the open sea. The morning sun was hot upon his head and the breeze that lifted the sails tugged at his loose hair. The sky was clear but for a few wispy clouds, and the sea birds that cried out noisily. Deck hands called to each other as the sails were raised and the Kestrel picked up speed. The ship rolled beneath his boots; he felt as if he stood on a living thing. The Kestrel fairly flew across the water.
Lexin thought more about Cerise as the sails snapped and popped and then strained as wind filled them. Something hurt in Lexin’s chest, but it was a pleasant hurt, as if something was expanding inside of him. He wanted her, desired her as he had not lusted over any other woman, but there was more growing there.
Lexin turned and watched Trevess grow smaller as the last of the sails went up and caught the morning air. He felt now that if Greer still lived, they would find him. When they did, Lexin had another confession that would have to be given at that time. One that meant the group might return and leave him behind, unable to bare the hurt and censure.
He now realized that his three companions were a gift from the gods. Merrick was a good man, and becoming a good friend as well. Cearan was a part of him that went beyond being brothers and Cerise, beautiful Cerise. He smiled as he watched the port city disappear.
Lexin turned once more to the bow of the ship and the open sea. He stood quietly for a long time and felt the rise and fall of the deck as the wind whipped at his hair. He breathed the sea air deep into his lungs.
Sometime later, Cerise came to stand beside him and he slid an arm around her waist. It was hot and Lexin had shed his mail and wore a sleeveless tunic as had the other two men, but all still wore their weapons.
Soft curves pressed against him and he looked down at her, giving her a purely carnal smile
“Oh it’s like that, is it?” Cerise commented drolly, her eyebrows slightly raised.
“Yes,” he replied seriously. “I wish I could lay you down here, in the sunlight, and worship you as a goddess. I hunger to hear your greedy cries as I make love to you.”
Cerise felt a flush rise on her cheeks. She was remembering the night before when Lexin had brought her release over and over before taking his own.
Lexin seemed to follow her thoughts and squeezed her tighter. “Later, little one.”
“Cearan sent me to tell you the horses have settled well in their stalls in the hold. He also said to tell you if food becomes scarce, Marlhowh is the first horse to be sacrificed.”
Lexin laughed at that. “I would wield the blade myself.”
Cerise looked up at his words. “Why do you keep that horrible horse?”
“He is very brave in battle and carried me safely through Hopa. As time goes by however, I find my loyalty fading.”
Just that morning, Lexin had dodged
a vicious kick that, if it had landed, would have broken several ribs.
“How long before we reach Raparia?” Cerise asked, leaning into Lexin, enjoying the happier man he was today.
“The ship’s master says with fair wind and weather, four seven-days, perhaps a day or two more.”
“That is a long time on board a ship without much to do,” Cerise remarked and studied her fingernails on one slim hand. “I can feel the boredom building already.”
“Did I not love you well enough this morn, my lady, that you cannot wait ‘til nightfall?” Lexin replied with mock severity.
“You were most thorough, my lord. But knowing what I have to look forward to makes the wait that much harder. I don’t think you’re totally immune either,” she said, glancing down at him.
Without his mail shirt and having his linen shirt tucked into his tight breeches, it was hard to hide the fact he was semi-aroused.
“Behave wench,” he scolded softly. “I promise you the wait will be worth it.”
Cerise returned his smile and then looked at the sea. “Oh look!” she exclaimed and pulled him by his hand closer to the rail.
Dolphins swam by the ship, playing in the wake. One turned onto its side and seemed to be looking back at her.
“The sea people believe in the water goddess Saiwez, and these are her handmaidens,” Lexin informed her.
“Dolphins,” Cerise murmured in reply.
“What?”
“Where I come from, we call them dolphins,” she told him. “I got to swim with a pair when Drace and I went to Hawaii.”
Lexin leaned onto the high rail, salt spray dewing his hair. “Where is Hawaii? Tell me of it.”
Cerise looked at him. “It’s hard to explain. It’s not here on your world… I don’t think.”
Lexin turned slightly, leaning on one elbow. He ran his other hand through his hair when it blew across his face. “You wondered at how to pass the time on board this vessel. Tell me of Hawaii.”
He took both her hands in his. “I want to know more about you.”
Cerise smiled then, a radiant smile that took his breath away and made the pleasure and pain expand more into his chest.
He led her to a crate by one of the masts and they spent the remainder of the day talking of tropical beaches, volcanoes and colorful sunsets.
After one seven-day, the three warriors were getting cabin fever. For entertainment, they began to spar on the forward deck.
To the unknowing eye, the three appeared to be trying to kill each other. This resulted in an assortment of minor nicks and bumps for Cerise to administer first aid.
The men’s favorite sport was to wrestle. Cerise took a secret pleasure in watching, for these warriors were very fit and muscular individuals. The various scars each bore were visible when they stripped down to their breeches, and proved that they were each blooded in battle.
It was the beginning of the third week and Cerise had taken her customary perch on a large coil of rope while Cearan and Lexin strained to pin each other, with Merrick offering loud encouragement.
Cearan managed to catch Lexin across his hip and flipped him to the deck. Lexin landed heavily on his back and the air whooshed from him.
Lexin lay there staring at the sky, trying to suck air into his lungs when Cerise’s concerned faced popped into his line of vision.
When Lexin got his wind back, he grinned up at her and started laughing. His expression rapidly turned puzzled when Cerise went white and her eyes rolled back in her head. Cearan managed to catch her before she hit the deck and Lexin rolled over quickly to kneel beside her.
“Cerise! Cerise, ehmar,” he exclaimed, taking one of her hands.
Merrick squatted next to the other two men. “What has happened? Is she alright?”
Lexin’s face was almost as pale as Cerise’s. He muttered something rapidly in Werren.
“I can’t understand a word you’re saying,” Cerise whispered and her eyelids fluttered open. “What happened?”
Three pair of concerned eyes studied her. “You fainted,” Cearan said plainly. “Are you alright?” He shifted her so she lay against his chest, setting her more upright.
Cerise lay there, a hand against her forehead. “I don’t faint.”
Lexin took her hand in his. “Well, you did this time.” A thought suddenly occurred to him. “Ehmar, I must ask a delicate question. Are your flux cycles regular?”
Cerise blushed. “Yes, almost like clockwork.”
Lexin did not know what that meant exactly, but it sounded like she was regular to him.
Her face whitened once more and she looked up at him with startled blue eyes. “I hadn’t thought about it. So much has been going on.”
She looked down at her lap and the three men could see her calculating. Finally she looked up with a hesitant smile.
“Well?” Lexin asked impatiently as something flickered hopefully inside him
“I’m at least a week late, a seven-day. Do you think…?”
He nodded and a smile bloomed over his face.
Pregnant. Cerise put a trembling hand to her mouth and tears started to fall down her cheeks. Pregnant was something she had almost given up hope of ever being.
Cearan looked over at Lexin and Merrick. “I just found out I have a brother and now I am to be an uncle again. The gods shine down on us, eh, Merrick?”
Merrick grinned widely himself. “I would be a second uncle to your child, my lady, if you would have me.”
“Of course Merrick, you would be wonderful,” Cerise answered him and tried to rise. Three hands shot out to halt her.
“Perhaps you should take her below, brother. Cerise could use a rest after scaring us all,” Cearan suggested.
Lexin’s hand shook as he wiped his face with it. “I think I need to rest too. You frightened me, ehmar.” He offered a hand and eased her to her feet and then lifted her into his arms.
Suddenly, he spun her slowly, tilting his head back and roared a lion’s roar. All hands on the deck halted what they were doing to look at the warrior and his woman.
“I am going to be a father!” he yelled for all who listened and turned her once more then disappeared down the steps into the ship. Applause and calls of congratulations followed them down below.
Merrick and Cearan stood and watched them go. Merrick snorted in amusement. “I would not expect them to the evening meal. Perhaps a request for a tray sent to their quarters, yes?”
Cearan laughed and nodded, “Merrick, ’tis you and I now. Think you can pin me?”
Merrick flexed his shoulders and growled low in his throat. “It would be my pleasure, my lord.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lexin lay on his side on the narrow cabin bunk, one hand lying on Cerise’s flat belly. Sweat dewed both their skin from their lovemaking. Their cabin was small and while the little windows let in some of the sea air, it was still warm inside.
“I take it that you’re pleased with this news?” Cerise said softly, threading her fingers through his.
Lexin nuzzled her neck then looked deeply into her eyes. “I am very pleased, ehmar. More than I can say.”
“I’ve heard you use that word several times. What does ehmar mean?”
“It means my love.” Lexin continued to gaze at her. “And that is how I feel for you, Cerise.” He knew that the words he spoke were true, not just the product of mating. The last few days the feeling had continued to grow and it was more than the news of a babe that had made it very clear to him.
Cerise’s eyes filled with tears at his words.
“Do not cry, Cerise. Please? I did not mean to upset you.”
“It’s not that. I think I’ve loved you almost from the first time I saw you, when I met you on the plains.” She gave a low chuckle and idly drew on Lexin’s bare chest with the tip of her finger. “After I got over being scared to death, that is. I thought you and Cearan were going to mau
l Drace.”
Lexin smiled in remembrance. Drace and Cerise had come across the two Werre men as they were hunting in lion form. Cerise had gotten a good scare and then had been prickly on the ride to Oralia.
He gave a sniff of amusement. “I was not sure then that you even liked me.”
“I wasn’t sure either. At first I thought you were a bit overbearing and arrogant. I’ve come to realize that it’s the warrior nation that you belong to. Every man is that way.” She rolled onto her side to face him. “I’m older than you. Does that bother you?”
“It has been quite an ordeal to make love to such an old crone as you. I do not know how I manage.”
Cerise pushed at his chest. “You are incorrigible,” she said with a laugh and then sobered. “Say it again.”
Lexin smiled at her. “Old crone?” Her looked at her and ducked. “Oh, I see. Hoy wi bahsalteh eh ka ehmar hoy.” He leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers. “You are beautiful and I love you.”
“Oh Lexin,” she said with a watery sigh, reaching to pull him down into her embrace once more.
Merrick’s words proved true as Lexin and Cerise did not reappear until the next morning.
Two days out of Raparia, a summer storm hit. Unable to outrun it, the Kestrel dropped some of her sails and prepared to ride it out. Lexin went on deck to help if he could, leaving a sullen and nauseous Cerise in their quarters.
She had been ill the last two mornings, adding confirmation to her pregnancy. The pitching of the ship had her turning green. She tried to rest quietly on the bunk and struggled not to think of the story about the one warrior lost in a storm when Greer was taken. Worry made it difficult to lay still.
Two hours passed and the storm worsened. Each time the ship rose and fell down a wave, her stomach went with it.
Another two hours passed and Cerise had almost ceased to care if Lexin and the others were alright, she was so ill. There was nothing but bile left in her stomach and the room started to spin in her vision.
Lexin's Quest (Knights of Kismera Book 2) Page 11
