Every Good Boy Deserves Favor

by Treva Harte

  “What do you think you’re doing, young man?” Maryam sounded as fierce as Jewel feared she would.

  Jewel’s eyes darted around the room looking for some kind of escape before Maryam began to call for help. If she made a leap from the bed in time…

  Mio’s chuckle startled Jewel into an undignified squeak. The man had gone mad. How could anyone laugh at a time like this?

  “Hello, Mother. You know exactly what I’m doing.” Mio said behind her shoulder. “Curse it, I never could get away with anything while you were around.”

  “If anyone but me finds you here, you’ll both die. Especially now that we know the keep was invaded once.” Maryam’s voice wasn’t threatening now. It was afraid. “And you stop to--to--”

  “I didn’t come here to have sex with Jewel. Well, not exactly. I came to warn her. You. Everyone. The keep is still my home, even though I had to leave it years ago.” Mio sat up. “Mother, you must know none of your children would betray you.”

  “Of course I know that.”

  “Any of your boys would know the keep’s exit and the alarm system. Curse it, any boy who grew up in any of the keeps would know everything about the keep as well as they know the back of their hands. We don’t tell. We never tell.”

  “I know. Though that’s one reason we send you off before you’re full-grown men. We hope you’ll forget.” Maryam sniffled. “Oh, Mio! I’m so happy and so terrified to see you again, son. You must be nineteen now. Twenty? Oh, Goddess, how could I forget? You were so tiny when you left the keep.”

  Mio sat up fully and beckoned. Maryam ran to the bed. He probably would have leaped over to Maryam except that he was buck-naked. Instead Jewel watched her male embrace his mother while he was pressed up against her naked back.

  Jewel tried to make herself shrink. Maryam wasn’t the intruder right now. She was.

  This was so--so beyond any of the rules. Grown men never saw their mothers. Never hugged them. Certainly never ignored their temporary mates to talk to them. Should she, as his temporary mate, feel outraged? Embarrassed? Left out?

  Jewel just thought the two of them together were sweet. After all, everything about Mio was beyond the rules. And often sweet, besides.

  Maryam emerged from the crushing hug with wet cheeks. She ignored her tears and Mio. She turned to Jewel.

  “We do need to make plans. Very quickly. I don’t trust what security we have here anymore. Once other men find out where our exit is, we will never be safe.” A smile, suddenly as delightful as Mio’s, crossed her face. “But I can talk about that a bit later. I won’t disturb you anymore tonight.”

  “Thank you,” Mio murmured.

  The smile disappeared. “For Goddess’ sake, be careful. I don’t care where Mio actually is, but I don’t want to see him in this keep again. It’s too dangerous.”

  Chapter 9

  “Are you sure we have to do this?” Leesha almost whimpered. “We can’t even bring all our favorite romance books on our puters this way.”

  Another romance book addict! What was wrong with these women?

  “KarLa is preparing everything for us at Castle M’Cee.” Jewel tried to sound patient. How many times was she going to have to answer all the complaints and whining? “There are books and puters there. But if we can’t carry your computers, we can’t. They’ll have to be destroyed before we leave. We can’t let males discover we still use them.”

  How she was going to shepherd this keepful of less than enthusiastic females back, she had no idea. She hadn’t let them know--except for Mio’s mother, of course--that a male was going to accompany them on the way. She didn’t even want to contemplate the wailing and terror that announcement would cause.

  “I’ll take care of that,” the Eldress spoke up calmly.

  Jewel frowned. Something wasn’t right with the Eldress. After a moment, Jewel realized the problem. “Where is your travel bag?”

  “I’m not going. You needn’t say anything. I’ve made up my mind.” The older woman looked around. “I’d be useless at any other keep. They already have an Eldress at M’Cee. That’s all I know how to do. Be an Eldress in my own home. So. I’ll stay that way.”

  “No!”

  “Yes. I’ll keep the males at bay as long as I can here.”

  “You can’t!” Ara gripped the Eldress’ hands. “How will we go on without you? How could we leave you behind?”

  “You have Maryam and Jewel and yourself to tell you how to go on. I’m more useful this way.” The Eldress looked suddenly wiser and older than she ever had before. “I’ll be happier.”

  Jewel turned her back as the murmurs from the others began. This was a matter for the women in this keep, not her. She had enough to do. She frantically tried to sort out the necessary from the just plain stupid as she stared at the luggage the other women proposed to cart with them. What could be left? More importantly, was anything missing?

  “Come join us again, Jewel. We’ve resolved our issues.” Maryam spoke at her shoulder. There was a trace of tears in her eyes. “You were welcome to be there anyhow. We think of you as one of us.”

  Jewel shook her head. “No. I didn’t want to be.”

  “No?”

  “They drive me quite mad, you know.” Jewel whispered it, as if it was the most shameful of secrets. Perhaps it was.

  “Who does? Them?” Maryam nodded toward the women who were picking apart the clutter before them.

  “Yes. Not just them. Everyone. Sometimes I can’t bear to be cooped up in the same world with women. Their world is nothing but endless chatter and silly fears and petty arguments.”

  “Yet you’ve risked your life for them, feeling that way.”

  “But that’s what is expected. They’re my sisters. You must save another sister. Besides, I didn’t mean to risk my life. I thought everything would be simple.”

  “Not everyone could do what you’ve done for us, Jewel. Not everyone would be expected to. Of all the women in M’Cee, you were the one chosen for the task.”

  “Yes, but…” Jewel kicked at a small pebble below her. “I don’t know what to say to that. I don’t have words. Not like everyone else does. All the other women talk. All the time.”

  Mio had words, too. He could make her feel beautiful. Your skin sparkles here…that must be why you’re called Jewel… He could terrify her with how he made her go weak inside when he spoke.

  “Most women like to talk. We’re not afraid of words.”

  “I’m not most women.” Words were powerful, but most women used them too easily. “I don’t chatter like most females do.”

  “You don’t need to say anything. Your actions speak for you.” Maryam’s hand rested for just a moment on Jewel’s shoulder. “I understand.”

  She couldn’t think about what Maryam was telling her, what Maryam understood. Not now, when they had so much to do. Jewel blinked as a thought hit her.

  “Do any of you have any weapons?” she called to the rest, suddenly realizing a grave lack.

  “Like…like what?” Reina’s eyes were wide.

  “Knives? Bows and arrows? Something! What did you use for your drills in case of emergency?”

  The women all looked blankly at her. When was the last time they had such a drill? Within their lifetime?

  “There are some kitchen carving knives,” Ara offered. “I’m not sure if they’re sharpened.”

  Goddess, what was wrong with this keep? Did they have no sense of self-preservation at all?

  “Get them!”

  When the others scrambled away, Maryam lingered. Jewel braced herself. The conversation wasn’t over. She somehow knew Mio’s mother would want to talk to her privately. She didn’t have energy for this--but it had to be done.

  Maryam wasted no time. “Jewel, despite your own doubts, I’m sure you’re a courageous woman. I know you’re an attractive one. Mio loves you.”

  “You think so?” Jewel heard the sudden hope in her voice as clearly as Maryam must have.
Maryam smiled at her before Jewel dropped her gaze.

  “Mio risked his life to warn you. He wasn’t in the least ashamed of having his mother find him in bed with you. He beams at just the mention of your name. I haven’t seen my son in a very long time but I know him. I’m sure he does love you.”

  “Oh.” Jewel fought back the words she wanted to say. What she didn’t want to say. I love Mio, too.

  What did she know about such things? Mio was the first man she’d seen for longer than a few days. This wasn’t a romance novel. But she still very much wanted to tell his mother how much she loved him. She wanted to badly enough that her eyes watered when she fought to keep still.

  “But that’s not why I wanted to speak to you.” Maryam’s voice cooled.

  “All right then. Why did you?”

  “I’m Mio’s mother. He’d never blame you for leading him into danger, but if he’s hurt because of you, I’ll see to it that you regret that decision for the rest of your life. However short it may be.”

  “I’d never willingly lead Mio into anything where he’d be hurt.” Jewel tried not to think about stab wounds and mewt attacks. “I can’t promise he’ll never be hurt while I’m around, though. I realize my previous assumptions about my trip here and back were very wrong.”

  Maryam’s eyes narrowed.

  Jewel pushed her way on before she lost the courage to finish…and before Maryam hit her. “But if he is hurt, believe me, I’ll be bleeding right there with him.”

  “I…” Maryam paused. “That wasn’t the answer I expected, but it’s still a good one.”

  “Why hasn’t the alarm rung?” Jewel changed the subject. She needed to talk about anything else--and this was a good topic. “They must have found the exit by now.”

  “I don’t know.” Maryam glanced toward the stone wall that hid the passageway outside. “The alarm appeared to be functioning.”

  What if it wasn’t? What if it malfunctioned and stunned the lot of them as they headed away? What if the women were all picked off by the enemy, by beasts of prey or--

  That’s why she was here. To keep that from happening. Goddess help her, that’s what Maryam was trying to tell her. Everything depended on her.

  “We have to go.” Jewel spoke aloud for herself more than an audience. “It’s our best chance.”

  “I know that.” Maryam picked up the bundle at her feet. “We all know that. We may not like it, but we’ve accepted it. We trust you, Jewel.”

  “We have them.” Ara skidded to a stop next to the two of them. “Leesha took a scythe as well. All our working electronic stunners are part of the alarm system. We aren’t sure we can use them without being stunned ourselves.”

  “It doesn’t matter. If we don’t know how to use them, they’ll do more harm than good.” Jewel fought back a sudden terror. They were all looking at her as if she had the answers. Even Maryam. She was on her own.

  No. Mio. She had Mio. She wasn’t sure where he’d slipped away to, but he was waiting for her. For them. She could rely on him.

  She hoped.

  “Eldress--you know you can come with us. We want you to. M’Cee expects you.” Jewel held the older woman by the shoulders.

  “I know I can. But I won’t.” The woman smiled back at her. “Goddess speed your journey, Mistress Jewel.”

  The time for argument and debate was over. Jewel nodded at her.

  “Thank you.”

  She heard someone sob softly behind her. But all the women picked up their luggage. They were going to follow her--her!--to the outside.

  “I’ll go first. The next person follow in five minutes.”

  “Will you e us to tell us it’s safe?” Ara asked.

  Jewel thought of her portable unit, kept safely inside her pack. She shook her head.

  “If anyone is watching us, I don’t want them to see me with a puter. Just keep your eyes and ears alert for anything as you go.”

  “Alone? In the passage?” Reina’s voice began to shake.

  “I’ll go with Reina,” Leesha spoke up.

  “We’re not scared, you know,” Reina whispered, eyes wide. “Just--cautious.”

  “I like to know what’s going to happen next. How are we going to know what happens next in the outside?” Leesha whimpered.

  Jewel shut her eyes. Counted by threes. Opened them again.

  “Fine. Ladies, I’ll go out first. Wait five minutes,” she whispered back into the tunnel. “If you hear no alarm raised, the next one--or two can go next and so on. Goddess be with us.”

  “Goddess be with us,” a small shaky voice echoed her own.

  Mio was nowhere to be seen. Of course he wouldn’t be. Jewel was sure he’d follow the rest of them out. After that--well, they would find out what happened. She walked into the darkness of the tunnel.

  The passageway looked eerie. Dangerous. Jewel ignored the prickling on her neck. The women behind her had likely infected her with their terror. It was just a passage. She’d made it inside. She could make it out again. Freedom waited. Mio waited. She was sure of it.

  She wondered what the crowd behind her would think when she produced Mio as their guide. Maryam would help when they all clucked in terror. Maryam knew them and must know how to soothe them.

  Jewel scowled. Unless the women were much too impressed with a male guide. Mio had best keep his eyes and hands away--

  “Jewel?” The whisper echoed through the darkness.

  Jewel reached out. “Mio?”

  His arms were around her, his heart beating hard under her ear. “I scouted earlier. It all seems quiet enough outside.”

  “I don’t like seems.” Jewel thought of her knives, tucked back in her boots. “There are too many of us for seems.”

  “I saw no one. That’s the best I can offer you. We have to go. Now. The longer we wait, the more danger there is the route will be discovered by the enemy. They aren’t fools. It’s a small keep. Eventually they’ll find the spot.”

  “No doubt.”

  “But how are we going to get back safely?”

  For just a half second more, Jewel let herself rest her head against Mio. Let herself hear his heartbeat. Safety, strength, support. Love. He was giving her all those things.

  She straightened and smiled. “How do we get back? How should I know? That’s why I have you as our guide. To figure out those little details.”

  She thought she heard the faintest whisper of a chuckle as Mio settled back into the dark.

  Jewel turned hard on one heel.

  Well, she’d wanted adventure. They’d manage this insane journey somehow. Jewel whispered a short prayer to the Goddess and pulled open the hidden door to the outside.

  The world waited for her. For all of them.

  Treva Harte

  Treva Harte read far too many romances for far too long. One day the inevitable happened. She started writing her own brand of romance. She claims taking care of the family's neurotic miniature dachshund and raising two elementary school age kids is a full time job itself, but in addition she works as an attorney in a city with many other attorneys. She and her husband both like writing in whatever time they have left, so they often fight over--sorry, since they are attorneys they NEGOTIATE--keyboard time.

  You can visit Treva on the web at www.trevaharte.com, or email her at fanmail@trevaharte.com.

  * * * * *

  Read on for a tantalizing glimpse of

  For the Heart of Daria

  by Doreen DeSalvo

  Coming soon from Loose Id

  For the Heart of Daria

  Gentle fingers sifted through his hair, curved around his neck, and stroked down his arms. Her warm body, her petting hands, sent little tingling pulses over his skin. Was it the sonic wave, or merely her touch? No matter. Whatever the source, she made this shower seem more erotic than any experience he could recall.

  The tingling centered in his chest, under the heat of her stroking fingers. He felt as if every hair, every nerve en
ding, strained toward her hand.

  She pulled her head away and watched her hand move on him. As if she’d never touched a man’s chest in her life.

  Sanwar, he was a fool. She’d probably touched hundreds.

  Fortunate that he’d never been a jealous man. Nor was he now. There was no cause to be jealous of men who paid her for pleasure. She’d wanted none of them…not like she wanted him. She was here with him willingly. Giving him pleasure willingly.

  He lowered his head and caught her mouth in a kiss. She tilted her face up, moving her lips on his. Not just willing--eager. Without thought, he pulled her close. Her fingers curled in the hair on his chest, and she murmured against his mouth…something unintelligible.

  “I hope that was more,” he said. “Or yes.”

  She smiled against his lips, then leaned back to look into his eyes. “Maybe.”

  The teasing light in her face drew a smile from him. He’d tease her in turn. With his body, not his words. “Lift your arms.”

  She lifted her elbows, keeping that tantalizing hand on his chest. The skin under her arms felt unbelievably soft. Soft and hairless…exotic silky skin, tender and bare under his hands. Like her legs. His knees grew weak, and he had to lock them to stay upright.

  “Are you sure we’re getting clean?” Her voice sounded husky, needy. As if she didn’t care about bathing at all.

  His hands drifted over her collarbones. Gods, how he hated seeing her in this torn shirt. If he’d waited even one more tick before leaving the ship, he might have been too late.

  “The shower works best if you’re naked.”

  She blushed, just a hint of delicate color. With a coy little glance, she turned her back to him. The shirt came off over her head and fell to the floor.

  He reached around her and cupped her breasts. She gasped. His fingers wandered upward, finding her peaked nipples. His cock, already hard, grew to full length.

  “You see?” he murmured against her neck. “Now you’re getting clean.”