Taking Karre

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “What are you hiding?” He didn’t let go of her.

  “Nothing.” It took all her power to keep the innocent look on her face and she wasn’t sure she was even successful. “There is nothing to tell.”

  —

  Vidar studied Karre’s blank expression. The king had ordered him to learn of his wife, but every time he tried, she distracted him with her amazing kisses and lush body. Now, as she artfully avoided his direct questions, he became concerned. Perhaps there was something she wasn’t telling him. The faint hints he had were disconcerting—such as how she claimed to have been delivered against her will.

  “I know you planned a trip,” he stated. A maid found her bag filled with trinkets from the fortress. All were things he’d freely give her, had she but asked. “Your bag had supplies for travel.”

  “You went through my room?” She frowned, narrowing her eyes as all pretense of the smile left her.

  “Tell me why you chose to come here.” He didn’t let go and she didn’t fight him.

  “Who said I chose it? You picked me, remember?” She didn’t move from her spot, didn’t cringe or back away.

  “Why will you not answer me? Who are you, Karre? One minute you’re meek, the next bold. You never speak of your homeland or how you’ve come to be with me.” It took all his willpower not to kiss her, not to let her tempt him with her perfect mouth and pleasing ways.

  “I thought you said it was the gods who brought me here.” She tried jerking her hand away. He kept her in his grasp, afraid she might run if he let go. “Apparently, it’s as simple as that. Perhaps you should ask them how I’ve come to be here for I don’t know the answer.”

  “Who are you?” Vidar yelled in frustration. His words echoed around them.

  “I don’t know anymore,” she answered, just as loudly.

  That surprised him. “You lost your memories?”

  “No.” Her pull on her wrist weakened as she stopped fighting his restraint. She studied his face, as if trying to decide her next words. “I-I scrambled my memories.”

  He tilted his head, studying her in confusion.

  “But I still know which are mine. I know who I am. I just don’t know who I am in the larger sense of the word. I’ve been…” She made a weak noise and shrugged, still not making any sense to him.

  “You are my wife, Karre. I do not know if you understand fully what that means. Whatever it is you are running from cannot hurt you.” Lifting his hand to her cheek, he ran his fingers along her jaw. “I will protect you.”

  Her gaze fell at his touch. “And what if you fall by the Caniba’s hand? What then? Will you come back from the grave to protect me?”

  “Then I will die with honor and make you proud.”

  “Proud?” Her eyes shot back up to meet his. “How is your death supposed to make me proud? I’m not a monster.”

  “The pride should come in my honor and in a good death.”

  “That brings me back to—how the hell are you supposed to protect me when you’re dead?” She jerked her hand. He gripped harder until she stopped.

  “Should that day come, another will take you under his protection.” He hated to think it and refused to imagine her with another man.

  “Passed to another husband? You mean I have to go back to the ceremony?”

  “There are other ways. You could take…” He couldn’t say it.

  “Another husband while you’re still around?” she finished astutely. “No, thanks, warrior. I think one is more than enough. I would hate to see the havoc two of you would wreak on my life.”

  He relaxed. Without realizing it, a knot had formed in his stomach. It now eased its hold, allowing him to breathe. “The Caniba will not harm you. Every man in Staria would give his life to make sure of it. I understand that you do not know our ways, but you are Starian now. We do not run from danger.”

  “All I do is run.” She sighed. “Let go of my arm.”

  “Only if you promise to tell me how you came to be here.”

  “That’s simple.” She laughed, though the sound didn’t hold any pleasure. Then, as if coming to a decision, she said, “I got caught and Divinity sent me here as my punishment.”

  “Caught? Doing what?” As promised, he let her go. She rubbed her wrist as she backed away from him. He widened his stance to block any retreat out of the dead-end hall.

  Her mouth trembled before she answered, “Stealing documents from one of their safe houses.”

  Vidar’s hand flexed. It was as if he could still feel her pressed into his palm. “A thief?”

  “A very good thief,” she corrected, “despite being caught.”

  He studied her face, waiting for her to smile, to laugh, to indicate she was joking. Instead, she merely looked at him, her expression guarded and closed. A thief? His wife?

  “Honestly, my getting caught was dumb luck on Divinity’s part.”

  “How so?”

  Again she looked at him as if she decided whether or not she could trust him. “I knew the security risk was great, but how could I pass it up? It was a safe house.”

  “And?” he prompted.

  “I went in smart. I met someone who brought me a briefcase full of security codes and a map. Getting in was easy. My only mistake was not having the right layout of the mansion. The architects forgot to mention the secret Divinity tech room behind the nursery mirror. Figures the one place I think to hide my wrist portal is on the door to a secret room. My misfortune and Divinity’s dumb luck.” She sighed, running her hands into her hair and shaking the locks. Muttering, she said, “I don’t even know why we’re talking about this.”

  He opened his mouth, but he didn’t know how to answer. His wife was talking about infiltrating enemy territory. Such things were not easy or for the weak of heart. As if seeing her for the first time, he looked at her face, her cunning eyes.

  “Sorry you pried? It’s not the answer you were looking for, was it?” She walked past him, turning her shoulders so they didn’t touch. “Too bad. It’s the only answer I have.” She made it around the corner before he could even think to stop her.

  No, it wasn’t the answer he looked for.

  —

  Karre hurried away from Vidar. What had she been thinking? Did she really expect him to react any differently? He tried to hide it, but she saw the disappointment in his eyes, the silent retreat of his emotions. She had tested him, not telling him anything Divinity didn’t already know until she knew how he would react. Well, she’d gotten her answer. It was right there in his beautiful eyes.

  Fool. Stupid idiot. I should have kept my mouth shut.

  She didn’t know where she was going, only that she had to keep moving, had to keep taking turn after turn, through endless passageways until she was sure to be lost—which was hard to do when she knew her way around. When she finally stopped moving, her hands shook and her knees wobbled, forcing her to the ground. She pushed into a small alcove, pressing her back to the hard stone as she drew her limbs into her chest. Her eyes stung and she realized that tears ran down her cheeks.

  Stupid fool!

  —

  The hall was eerily quiet as Karre made her way up to the head table to dine. The knights studied their meals, muttering in low tones that blended together to make one giant murmur of incoherent sounds. Nervously, she found Vidar. He’d sent a maid to command her to the hall to join the meal, which seemed strange since he’d not really spoken to her for the last couple of days. They didn’t even share the same bed. She never thought she’d miss the feel of someone next to her as much as she did.

  Karre’s blue linen skirts felt abnormally heavy as she made her way to the head table. The darker blue of the corset pressed her stomach into her spine, but Jordinne insisted on tightening it—something about bolstering the recently low morale of their leader. Maybe if she passed out from lack of air, Karre wouldn’t have to see his questioning gaze.

  “What has happened?” Karre asked, taking a seat
by Vidar. His hand paused in the process of lifting a two-pronged fork to his mouth. “Is it the Caniba? Do they attack?”

  “I wished for you to join us, as is your duty.” He placed the meat into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “Your absence has been felt.”

  “Oh?” She watched his face.

  “By the hall,” he added. “The people have asked after you.”

  “Did you tell them?” Karre looked over the hall, to the rows of long tables filled with knights and their women. Several stared back at her. “About me?”

  “I saw no need to announce it,” he answered, frowning as he stabbed a vegetable with a little too much force. His words didn’t really bring her any comfort.

  “Then why is everyone so…” she paused, trying to think of the right word, “tame?”

  “Magda’s scouts were killed near the border, not far from here. It is beginning.” He didn’t even try to shield her from it, not like before when she had to pry information out of him with her seduction.

  “Are you leaving to fight?”

  “Not yet, but soon. The king promises reinforcements. I’m to wait here for them to arrive before riding out to engage the sorceress before she and her armies pass into our borders.” He didn’t look at her as he continued to dine.

  A maid brought her a trencher of food, causing Karre to jolt in surprise as it was set before her. She nodded her thanks and forced herself to eat, though in the end she rearranged the food more than consumed it. All her attention focused on Vidar. A cold chill worked over her from him. She hated him for it and hated herself for having told him even the smallest grain of truth. Lies always suited her purpose so much better.

  “Have I made a long enough appearance?” Karre placed her fork on the trencher and reached for her goblet. The food might sit on her stomach like a rock, but the liquor would calm her nerves and hopefully numb her brain.

  “If you’re ready to go, I will escort you.” Vidar took his goblet and finished off his drink.

  “Why don’t you just have the maids and knights trail me?” Karre muttered bitterly. “Or did you think I would not notice they have been keeping an eye on me the last couple of days?”

  “You’re paranoid.”

  “Uh-huh,” she said dryly.

  “The maids serve you and this castle. The knights are protection,” he elaborated. “There is a threat nearby. I would think you liked the extra security. You seem to doubt my ability to protect you.”

  Feeling bitter, she let her hand brush up against the knife along her thigh and mumbled, “Don’t worry about me. I will see to myself. Stay here in your hall.” Karre stood, wondering if he would follow her but unsure if she wanted him to.

  —

  Vidar waited until Karre disappeared through the arched doorway before standing to follow her. It had taken all he had not to go to her the last couple of days, but he needed time to process what she said. She admitted to being a thief. He resented her for it, even as he was drawn to her. A thief? Why had the gods tempted him with a thief? His family honor reeled at the injustice of it. What if the others discovered the truth? What if she left him, as she was surely going to do the night he came home from the marshlands?

  Walking faster, he let his feet hit hard upon the floor. He shouldn’t have to occupy his mind with Karre, not when there were more pressing matters of war. The people of Spearhead depended on him to protect them. The people of Staria needed him to maintain the borders. Magda was one of the most formidable foes they’d seen in a long time and she was planning an attack in his territory.

  A woman is a woman, Vidar had told Oskar the day before his wedding. The gods will give me what they give me. The king showed me the trade agreement. The women must be able to bear children, be in good health, able to do their duty and will know their place. What do I care if they are born in Staria, are brought through the fairy rings from distant lands or are traded for with Divinity aliens from another plane of existence? So long as she is not our enemy.

  Now he knew his mistake. Vidar should have demanded the king be more specific with his future, like the brides should not have a criminal past. Instead, all he could think about was finding a bride for sexual release, a soft, sweet body to slake his desires in. Karre did do that for him. His breathing deepened and his cock hardened until his pride warred with desire.

  When he caught up to her, he wasn’t sure if he would pleasure her or punish her. His hand wrapped around the back of her arm and he tugged her with him to the nearest door. With the hour being so late, no one occupied the sewing chamber. He let go of her and shut the door.

  “Afraid I would run off?” She arched a brow, the sourness of her mood still apparent in her tone.

  By all the bloody swords, she was still beautiful—even angry.

  He didn’t answer, at least not with words. Vidar grabbed the sides of her face and crushed his lips to hers. He needed to taste her, feel her. Her soft lips parted and he slid his tongue between them. In that moment, he didn’t care what she had been before coming to him. Right now, she was his.

  The pressures of his life faded, replaced by her mead-laden kiss. She moved against him, running her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer as if she needed him as badly as he needed her. What was it about this woman that made all logic fade?

  He turned her, walking her past the large weaving loom toward the long sewing table. When the back of her thighs hit the tabletop, he kept kissing her, leaning her back until she was forced to crawl on top. Bolts of material cushioned her head as she stretched out before him like a feast of the flesh just waiting to be unraveled and eaten. Vidar fully intended to dine.

  —

  Karre moaned softly, wet with anticipation as he slowly undressed her—loosening her corset, pulling her garments over her head. No torches burned in the sewing chamber. Blue moonlight shone over them, streaming in from narrow windows to illuminate his face with an unearthly glow.

  Vidar leaned over the table as he stood beside her, looking down at her naked form stretched out before him. He ran his hand over her breasts, brushing the nipples lightly so they peaked into hard buds. Not answering their aching call, he instead ran his hand along her ribs. She reached for him, but he pushed her arms away. Understanding his game, she lifted her arms over her head and didn’t move.

  Karre closed her eyes, following his playful touch with her mind, wondering at the change in him. It was as if he tried to learn her for the first time. The nerves tingled wherever he touched, sending out signals to her pussy until cream nearly dripped from her sex. Sensations skimmed along her toes, her calves, up her outer thighs and hips. He crossed her waist, circling her breasts before tracing the line of her arms. By small degrees his touch became firm as he retraced his original path, endlessly traveling over her body. By the time he made it back to her breasts and squeezed them in his palms she was writhing on the hard wood.

  She couldn’t take waiting any longer and reached between her thighs to rub her swollen clit. It felt so good she cried out softly. Vidar took her breast in his mouth, aggressively sucking the nipple. His hand covered hers over her pussy. As she worked her clit, he slipped a thick finger into her slick sex and wiggled it around. Another of his fingers pressed down between the cleft of her ass, rubbing along the rosette of her anus. She rode their combined hands, sliding her finger into her pussy to join his. He went much deeper and the pressure of their combined fingers worked pleasurably against the sweet spot hidden inside her cavern.

  Karre met with release, rewarding their efforts with a flood of cream. Breathing hard, Vidar crawled onto the table, drawing up between her thighs. Her ass rubbed against the hard wood as his weight pinned her hips down. He’d loosened his pants and now brought his thick, hard cock to claim his prize.

  He thrust his hips forward, filling her to the brink. Wildly, he rode her, pounding and gliding in her wet pussy. Lighter tremors worked over her and she climaxed once more. Vidar grunted, suddenly stopping as he, too, met wi
th release.

  Pinning her to the table with his weight, he pressed his nose to hers. Karre’s legs fell along his sides. Their breathing mingled as he looked deep into her eyes. She waited for him to speak, but instead he pushed up and crawled off the table. Karre was slower to get up, sitting naked on the table as he dressed. When he finished, he turned to her and sighed heavily.

  “Is this goodbye?” Her jaw tightened. Why else would he look at her like that?

  “I had hoped you would come back to our chambers with me,” he answered. “A bed would be much more comfortable.”

  Karre exhaled in relief. Giving him a small smile, she said, “Then hand me my gown. I have no wish to run naked through the halls.”

  Chapter Eight

  Because right now, in this moment, Karre needed to confess everything, even if it was to a sleeping man.

  For the first time since she had left her home world, Karre felt as if she might actually stop running. Sure, she knew the feeling might be fleeting, knew that tomorrow she might not be able to stop herself from going, but right now, as she looked at Vidar’s sleeping face, she could actually imagine what it would be like to never jump to another plane. The idea terrified and exhilarated her because right now, in this moment, Karre needed to confess everything, even if it was to a sleeping man.

  Karre sat on the bed, her legs crossed as she leaned her elbows onto her knees. Her sated body should have forced her to sleep, but her racing mind refueled her with a nervous energy. If she decided to stay, then the Caniba would become her enemy. She would have to face the fear and learn to live with their constant threat. However, before that, she would have to convince Vidar that she should stay for something other than duty and the will of the gods. Maybe she even needed to convince herself. Or maybe there were gods watching them, moving people around at will because of some great, incomprehensible plan.

  Confusion filled her, causing her thoughts to swim around in her head.

  “I have been searching for a plane like this,” Karre whispered, reaching to push a lock of hair off Vidar’s forehead. “A low-tech place off the grid with very little inter-dimensional traffic. A person could disappear here. You have no idea how valuable that is. Divinity only wants your mineral water and perhaps to use you as a dumping ground for those they want to keep out of the main system—like me. They don’t even have this world listed in their primary database. I have been thinking about that a lot. I memorized all four-hundred-thirty-six so-called known dimensions, so I would know which ones to avoid and which to be careful on. Even that other prisoner bride at the ceremony said this place was uncharted. It means they don’t have any use for it beyond what they’re already trading. Once they have their fill of the water, they’ll most likely never come back. I’ve seen it many times. With infinite worlds, they don’t pay attention to all of them. They take what they can use and then they go.”