PARADOX III

by Paradox III (anthology) (lit)

  "Did you enjoy your bath?" Nik's voice was velvet over steel, igniting an ache in her breasts.

  "Yes." Her gaze flicked over his damp hair. "I see you've had one yourself."

  "There are community baths on the lower level." He removed his jerkin to reveal a cream-colored shirt shot with pale silken strands of white. He tossed the jacket over a chair and began unlacing the shirt.

  Li forced herself to look away. Fixing her attention on the tray, it was all she could do to not wolf down the contents. Roasted chicken, fresh goat cheese, and thick bread were offered along with a bowl of fresh greens. Li picked up a chunk of meat and could scarcely contain her hunger when she bit into it.

  Once she'd tasted the food, all decorum was lost and she concentrated on eating as much as she could possibly hold. Within a short period of time the tray was decimated and her belly was full.

  She reached for the bottle of wine, surprised to see quite a bit of it was gone. She wasn't used to drinking spirits but she found she quiet enjoyed this wine. She poured herself a final glass. Her head was fuzzy when her attention returned to her companion.

  Nik had removed most of his clothing and now stood beside the bed clad only in his cotton underdrawers. The impressive ridge of his manhood stretched the material, clearly delineating every delectable inch. Her throat went dry as she imagined the press of his steely flesh against her. A wave of arousal washed over her.

  Nik reached down and her eyes widened when she realized he was reaching for the covers. Stunned, she grabbed the blankets and pulled them up to her chest.

  "Surely you don't mean to sleep here, with me?" she gaped up at him.

  He snorted. "Of course I do; we only have one bed."

  She clutched the blankets tighter. "There are chairs over there." She nodded toward the fireplace.

  He cast them a disdainful look. "And if you think I could fit in those, you're mistaken." He pulled the blankets from her numb fingers. "I am the crown prince of Riverhaven. I command thousands of elves in the royal army, and I will someday rule the lands that my family has held for thousands of seasons. I don't sleep in chairs or on the floor." He sat on the edge of the bed and presented her with his broad back. "If you are so disturbed by my presence in bed, you may sleep in the chair."

  * * *

  CHAPTER SIX

  Li shifted in the bed and Nik gritted his teeth. Her lush buttocks pressed against his groin, causing a rush of lust so hot that stars swirled before his eyes. They'd been in bed for several hours, and at first Li had pressed herself against the wall as if she feared he would leap upon her. Exhaustion finally took over and they'd both fallen asleep; only he'd awoken a few minutes ago to find Li's soft curvaceous body pressed into his.

  He inhaled the scant floral fragrance of her hair, and his cock hardened in response. The bed, which had seemed more than adequate a few hours ago, had shrunk to infinitesimal proportions.

  She made a soft noise in her throat and her hips shimmied against him. He sucked in a noisy breath. Sweat beaded his lip and his fists clenched. Lying next to her, touching her yet not touching her, was exquisite agony.

  Closing his eyes, he recounted the time during his military training he'd been forced to lie in the mud for hours at a time. Bugs had crawled over his skin, biting and stinging, yet he had been unable to make a sound or he'd have given his position away to the enemy team. Slowly, the lust began to recede and his heartbeat slowed. When it was close to normal, he opened his eyes.

  His gaze focused on the soft curve of Li's cheek in the faint illumination of the fire. Her lashes created inky crescents against her cheek and, as if she knew he was looking at her, they fluttered. Li rolled onto her back, her sleepy dark eyes opened. She blinked several times before she focused on his face. Her lips were lush, and with that sleepy sexy look on her face, he knew no matter how hard he resisted, he would kiss her in the next few moments.

  "Nik?" Her voice was thick with sleep. Her gaze dropped to his mouth and her tongue swept over her lower lip.

  He groaned and dropped his head, his lips meeting hers. For a moment she was still and held her breath. Encouraged, he opened his mouth and his tongue snaked out to taste her. With a soft moan, she opened for him and he moved inside. Her taste was liquid heat, hot and sweet; their tongues slid over one another as the seduction dance began.

  He'd only intended to kiss her--one kiss to determine if her taste was as sweet as he'd imagined. Instead, he tumbled headlong into a maelstrom of sexual need that threatened to steal his breath. He wasn't prepared for the surge of heat that flashed between them as their mouths mated. He went deeper, losing himself in the lush heat of her mouth. His heart pounded and his blood grew thick in his veins when she made a soft sexy sound of acquiescence.

  His hand slid down her lush curves to rest on her hip, giving it a gentle squeeze. She arched into him, her breasts tight against his chest. He abandoned her hip to cup one plump mound.

  Li broke the kiss, her eyes wide and her lips rosy from his touch. Her gaze flicked over his face, and it felt as if he'd been caressed by a butterfly.

  "I want you." Her voice was husky and the images her words evoked threatened to steal his breath.

  "My future is uncertain. I cannot offer you anything more than what we would have here tonight." He touched the soft curve of her lovely face.

  She gave him a soft smile and reached for him. Her slim palms cupped the back of his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. "Sometimes we have to take a chance and grab life where we can." Her breath was hot against his mouth.

  Their lips met and he lost himself in her. His hand slipped beneath her nightgown, seeking out the softness of her flesh. Their legs tangled and she opened her mouth to him and took him deep. She suckled his tongue; their kiss became greedy as they ate at each other's mouths. A low moan sounded from her throat and she nipped at him, driving sensation directly to his throbbing groin.

  Her palms were hot against his chest, her talented fingers teasing his nipples. Almost out of his mind with desire, he caught her hands, rolling her until she was beneath him. Her thighs parted and his cock pressed into her woman's mound. He felt as if he couldn't get enough of her. Like a starving man, he wanted to strip her naked and spread her across the bed to feast on her sweet flesh.

  His hands cupped her ample breasts; his thumbs zeroed in on her nipples. She moaned and he continued his caresses before lowering his head and taking her into his mouth. He suckled her erect flesh, eliciting low earthy moans from her mouth. He suckled her nipple and she bucked beneath him.

  It had been too long since he'd found release, and if he didn't take her soon he knew he'd disgrace himself. With all haste, he removed his underdrawers and flung them to the floor. Kicking back the covers, he reached for her, parting her heated flesh. His fingers slid into her dampened core. Parting her nether lips, he positioned himself at her entrance.

  "Nik," she moaned, her hips lurching upward as he moved into her.

  Together they held their breath as the reality of their joining hit them. She fit him perfectly, her body tight and lush around him. She lifted her thighs to embrace his hips and he sank in further. His heart stuttered at the sheer perfection of their joining.

  Unable to restrain himself, he caught her hips. Catching her clitoris dead on, he caused a breathy sigh to break from her lips when he began to move. His teeth came together with a sharp click when her thighs tightened around him. She met him, thrust for thrust. The wet pressure on his cock was heady, and he picked up the pace, thrusting in even strokes.

  Their breathing deepened as they soared to the peak. Her body tightened around his hips. She buried her face in his shoulder as she screamed out her satisfaction.

  Nik felt his balls tighten; release was just moments away. His gaze swept her beautiful face, a study in satisfaction. Her lashes fluttered and she opened her eyes.

  "Come for me, Nik. Let me feel you," she whispered.

  After seeing that look of contentment, her
soft words and gentle caresses were enough to send him over the edge. His hips jerked as wave after wave of sensation tore through his body. His back arched as he emptied himself into her.

  Sated for the moment, he collapsed over her, barely able to comprehend the magnificence of their joining. After a few moments, he rolled to the side, tucking her against him. Now that he'd had her, would he be able to let her go when the time came?

  * * *

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Thick, angry clouds were roiling overhead when Nik exited the inn. The wind tore at his cape, sending it flying out behind him while the first drops of rain began to fall. Would this cursed rain never end?

  The wind carried the faint sound of an Elven spiritual chant. The haunting tune was both familiar and sad. He'd grown up singing that very same song on days of worship. While he and his siblings had longed to run and play on the castle grounds, his mother had been just as determined they be raised in a civilized fashion. He smiled at the thought of his large family. He couldn't wait to see them, to hear his sister's musical laugh, and to pound on his brothers once more.

  Galvanized by the thoughts of his boisterous family, he quickened his steps toward the stables, anxious to gather their horse and get on the road.

  A quick glance told him that Li had fallen into step at his heels. His gloves dwarfed her slender hands. She clutched her cape tight to her body, and her hood was firmly in place. His gut tightened at the thought of her warm body wrapped in yards of cloth. Taking her, entering her body, and holding her as she sought her release had been more satisfying then he'd dared to believe possible. He didn't know what it was about her but he felt this odd sense of connection, a level of comfortable familiarity that he'd never experienced with a woman before now.

  "Nik."

  He turned. Li stood near the fountain, still shrouded in her cape.

  "I'll wait here." Her voice was muffled in the thick folds.

  He glanced around the empty square. She'd be safe enough for a short period of time. "I won't be but a moment."

  She turned away, the sturdy line of her back clearly outlined by her cape. Memories of last night swamped him: the taste of her flesh; the soft noises she uttered as she came. Heat burned in his gut. At first light he'd awakened, hard and ready to take her beneath him again, but he'd resisted. They had one more day of riding ahead of them, and the trip thus far had been difficult for her. Once they were in Riverhaven, once they were alone, together they could sort out what had occurred between them.

  The scent of warm hay and horseflesh greeted him as he entered the shadows of the stables. It took very little time to retrieve their horse in exchange for a silver coin. When he led the beast outside, Li was still standing near the central fountain. She stared in the direction of the sanctuary on the opposite side of the square. The double doors stood open and the villagers were exiting the house of worship.

  Even from this distance, he could tell she was searching for someone, something. Her posture was straight, her shoulders tight, and her hood still shielded her face.

  Curious, his gaze moved over the throng. There were any number of families walking toward the fountain. Couples walked hand in hand as children raced past, screaming and laughing as only a child could after being released from hours of forced quietness.

  Leading their mount, Nik walked toward her. Villagers passed, offering cordial smiles to him. He returned their silent greetings with a nod.

  "Are you ready to leave?" he spoke when he reached her side.

  Li didn't respond for a moment, and he was about to repeat himself when her shoulders slumped. Her head bowed. She gave a tentative nod, then turned toward him. As she did so, the wind picked up and tore the hood from her head.

  The look of horror on her face was immediate and he braced himself, wanting to know what had frightened her so. He reached for his sword while she scrambled for the errant cloth.

  "Li! It's Li, Li, it's Li! She's come back."

  Nik relaxed his grip when a young boy darted toward them. His wind-ruffled hair was dark brown and his eyes were alight with glee as he stared up at Li. Nik glanced at her. Her hood forgotten, the look of longing in her eyes was unmistakable.

  The child shrieked her name again when a big man darted out of the crowd and caught him. The giant scooped the boy into his brawny arms and held him tight. The man's gaze was sharp, and when it landed on Li, his face went blank. Fury ignited in the depths of his eyes and he clutched the wiggling child tighter. He scowled at Li and let loose with a torrent of angry words in a dialect Nik didn't understand.

  Around him, people slowed then stopped, heedless of the rain. They sensed something interesting was about to happen, and they didn't want to miss it. Their rapt gazes were focused on Li and the big man who now faced her. Even the rambunctious children had fallen silent to watch the unfolding spectacle.

  As if a curtain had fallen, Li's face had gone blank, her gaze flat. A single tear slipped over the pale curve of her cheek. Though she showed no other emotion, he couldn't mistake the pain he felt radiating from her body.

  Sensing a threat toward Li, Nik stepped toward her, his hand resting on his sword. "What does he say?"

  She gave a slow shake of her head.

  He touched her shoulder. "You will tell me. What does this man say to you?"

  With an effort, she dragged her gaze from the stranger's, then met his. Her eyes were empty.

  "He says that I am dead to him and the village." Her tone was wooden.

  Nik's fingers flexed around the hilt of the sword. "Why would he say such a thing to you?"

  He was aware of the rustlings throughout the crowd. To his astonishment, people began to turn away, presenting them with their backs. In the Elven world, it was the ultimate insult.

  "Because I am." She stepped away from him. "I grew up in this village and I was banished four seasons ago. I am truly dead to these people."

  "Why did this happen?" He looked into her pale blank face. "Why were you banished?"

  "It doesn't matter." Her voice was faint.

  "It does matter," he said. "Why would these people turn against you?"

  "I'm not one of them." Her voice shook. "I'm half-elf and half-mortal, yet I was accepted by neither. I asked to be released to the mortal world, and instead, I was banished from this one. My wings were torn away and I was declared dead to them in this very spot." Her gaze swept the frigid crowd. "They turned their backs to me then too."

  She was half-elf?!--he'd assumed she was human. He'd had no idea she was of his own kind. Then, through his initial surprise, he heard the pain in her voice and he felt bad for her. Banishment was more common in the smaller Elven communities where the old ways were employed more often than not. To have her family and her town turn against her was obviously painful for her. It would be for anyone, especially for one as young and vulnerable as she.

  The only way to undo the banishment was to pay a hefty sum into the village till, and the supposed sin would be erased. It was hypocritical, in his opinion, and she was better off without these people.

  Anger churned in his gut at the mishandling of this woman at the hands of her townspeople. Those who should have loved and protected her had both physically and emotionally wounded her before casting her out into the wilderness.

  It was wrong.

  Before he could voice his displeasure, a small figure darted out of the crowd and ran toward Li. At first he thought the child wished to greet her, but that idea was dispelled when the boy, his face contorted with anger, withdrew his fist and flung a rock at Li.

  The small stone struck her on the cheek. Stunned, she rocked backward, placing her hand over the wound. The child vanished into the crowd. Blood seeped from beneath her palm and for a moment, shock replaced that horrible blank look in her eyes.

  The man who'd denounced her began walking away, his child still in his arms. When the youngster realized he wasn't going to see Li, he began screaming her name at the top of his lungs. He ki
cked at the man's beefy chest while he struggled to free himself.

  Straightening her shoulders, Li dropped her hand and moved around Nik. She headed toward the lane leading out of the village. As she neared, people moved away from her as if they might be contaminated should her cape touch theirs. Those on the fringes of the crowd turned their backs as well, forming a silent wall of sodden Elven capes and disapproval.

  Nik grabbed the horse's bridle and vaulted onto his back. Deliberately wheeling the massive creature around, he forced the villagers to grab their children and scatter. Mutters of disapproval rippled through the crowd.

  His horse nudged the shoulder of the big man who'd denounced Li. He glared up at Nik, the screaming child still locked in his arms. His gaze was bold until Nik nudged the horse toward him. The other man stepped to the side and Nik caught the flash of fear in his eyes.

  Nik pulled a thick gold deuce from his pouch and held it up so the villagers could see it. He dropped it into the mud at the other man's feet. That one coin was payment enough for his daughter's redemption. He hoped they choked on it.

  Quelling a surge of anger, he wheeled the horse around and headed for the slim figure moving slowly down the lane. Her pace didn't alter as he approached. Only when he moved in front of her, cutting off her path, did she come to a stop.

  "Come," he commanded.

  Li tilted her head back; her hood slid away. Her emerald eyes were awash with tears and streaks of blood stained the perfection of her cheek. His heart constricted in the face of her obvious pain. He would do anything to remove that look of loss from her face.

  He leaned down and held his hand out.

  "Come with me." His voice was gentle.

  Her gaze was glued to his hand. He could see her uncertainty, her fear, and he didn't blame her one bit. Her village had just turned against her for the second time. Trust would be a hard-earned gift from this woman, but he had the feeling it would be worth the wait. He didn't move; he barely dared to breathe as he waited for her.