by Daisy Banks
She relaxed and stretched out her toes toward the other end but couldn’t reach. The warmth from the water soothed. She opened her eyes in surprise when he climbed in, too.
“Sit up, Sparrow, here is wine to drink.”
Warm water cascaded from her hair as she struggled to sit, and he passed her a cup. She sipped the sweetened wine, and once more tasted the herbal tinge. “I don’t need this.”
“I think you probably do.” He sipped wine, and lay back opposite her. His feet lodged behind her.
A giggle escaped. “No, I am well, better than I’ve been in ages.”
“In truth?”
“You’ve forgotten the healing, haven’t you? There is no pain.” She leaned forward and traced her forefinger over the spirals on his wrist.
For a moment, astonishment filled his eyes. “Yes, I had forgotten. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m certain.”
His enticing smile and intake of breath made her stomach flip.
“So, this morning I can begin to make up to you for last night?” He took another sip from the cup, but his gaze, darkening with desire, did not leave her.
“Should you wish.”
“No, my love, should you wish it.”
She sipped her wine, unable to speak, heat flooding through her in anticipation of his touch. She nodded. He twisted, reached to put the cup on the floor, and took hers. “Then come here and let me hold you.”
She moved onto her knees, and he pulled her against him to lie with her breasts squashed wet against his chest.
“I love you,” he murmured. He stroked his open palms over her rear so she shivered, even in the warmth of the water.
She twined her fingers through the silk of his hair. Angling her head against his shoulder, she feathered kisses across his jaw and down onto his neck. She licked at his skin. His delicious taste only increased her hunger. She squirmed against him as he rubbed scented soap over her skin. The calming lavender failed to ease the growing need for more of him.
The catch of his breath was loud in her ear when she tilted and wriggled her buttocks against his groin. He clasped her waist and slid her over his body so she lay with her back to his chest. He wrapped one thigh around hers holding her in place, and caught her hair up in one hand. Hot, soft, and teasing, he roamed his mouth over the back of her neck. Her nipples hardened and ached for him to touch them.
He rolled one between his fingers. She bit back a hungry groan.
His erection throbbed against her, hotter than the water, and he massaged her breast so she whimpered. She rested on him, skin to skin from her toes to her shoulders.
Her hair trailed in the water, her back warmed against his chest, and she groaned when he cupped both her breasts and squeezed them gently together. He ran his thumbs over her nipples and sucked at the flesh where her neck joined her shoulder until a deep pulse of need throbbed inside her.
The teasing way he caressed between her thighs caused a delicious wave of pleasure. She moved against him, and longed for his hard length to seek its home between her legs. He slid a questing finger inside her, and she gasped. Instantly, he stopped the tantalizing caresses.
“Don’t stop, please.” She needed his touch.
“I won’t hurt you ever again.”
She craned her head, and he stroked over her hair.
“I think it best we wait a few days.”
“Don’t be foolish—you’re not hurting me.” She dragged his hand back. The water sloshed when she slipped into the crook of his arm. She probed his mouth until he captured her tongue.
He caressed again between her parted thighs. She latched one leg over his, spreading her thighs so he could stroke where he pleased. The pleasure continued to swell, until arching against him, she whimpered. He dipped a finger inside her.
The water was cooling, but her flesh blazed. Each strum of his fingers more powerful than the last, he took her toward the summit of pleasure. She remembered the sweet sensation from before their journey into the flames, but this time it was better. There was no hurry, and he did not stop.
He captured her mouth with his when her body went into spasms. The pleasure peaked, and she was beyond all awareness but the hard fast pulses inside her, and the power of his mouth on hers.
When her body slowed, he scooped her up and stood, stepped out of the water, and laid her on the bed. He settled beside her. In one fluid movement, he pulled her above him so her hips straddled his and her hands had the freedom to touch where she willed.
She let her fingers roam over him. For months, she had wanted the liberty to caress him. Today, his glorious body was all hers. Thrilled by his responses, she stroked the outline of the tattoos and palmed her hands over the smooth muscles of his chest until he gritted his teeth.
When she ran her fingers over the velvet flesh of his erection, he groaned. A second later, he moved her hand away, and unseating her, he sat up. “Too many of those caresses, and I won’t last long enough to love you as I should.”
She didn’t understand, but before she could frame a question, he pulled her forward and licked down her throat. Wet and warm on her cool damp flesh, his mouth teased at her skin, sucked hot at her neck. He moved so she slipped sideways and down, then he slithered beside her. She pushed one breast toward his lips so he could capture the nipple in his hot mouth. She cried out as he sucked hard.
She clasped his damp hair to cradle his head at her breast. When his teeth grazed against her taut nipple, she couldn’t hold back the cry, “Thabit, now please, I want you.”
When he lifted his mouth from her breast, she pushed him back, moving up to straddle his hips. “Please,” the low moan escaped her. “I want you now.”
Nothing marred the sensations he created as he pushed his erection into her.
“Oh, yes!” Her cry echoed around the room.
His rigid heat stroked every nerve as he pulled back, and when she slowly sank down onto him, more pleasure rippled through her in waves.
Supporting herself on fingertips, she lifted herself up along his length and sank back with a soft cry. He smoothed his hands over her breasts. Deliberate and wicked, he rolled and squeezed her nipples until they ached between his fingers. He echoed each sigh she made, but she wanted more.
His gaze did not leave hers. He searched her face with each gentle movement inside her.
“Please, Thabit, I need you. I want it all.”
He smiled in answer and slid his hands to her waist again. Clasping her hips tight, he increased the pressure of each descent onto him. His eyes closed when she gave the first loud cry of pleasure. She gasped and moaned at each thrust and slow withdrawal.
Their breathing grew swifter, matched in intensity. Tension built through her body while she concentrated on giving herself to him.
The rhythmic surge of his body into hers commanded all thought. She ached for each return. The pace of their movements increased. Each thrust made the universe complete and took her closer to the peak. “Thabit!” Pleasure engulfed her, and her body clenched tight to his while spasms rocked deep.
The world dissolved, and this time it was the greatest of joys. This was surely magic, for her bones melted under the barrage of his long strokes. Her cries echoed the pulsing tempo of her flesh. He held her firm while she writhed, arching her back, lost to delight.
“Yes, my love, that’s good. That’s how it should be.” He pulled her to lie down on him, her breasts flattened onto his chest, his rigid length still lodged inside her. He stroked up her back and into her hair to cradle her head as he kissed her.
He rolled her over onto her back while her flesh contracted against his. When the pulses faded and her breath slowed, she stared at him, awed. “There is no magic more powerful than yours.”
She reached up to kiss him, and he settled over her. “And now, can you do that one more time for me?”
He moved again, thrusting with slow, deep plunges inside he
r.
She locked her thighs around his waist and closed her eyes. Her heart thumped swift to match his powerful movements. Her gasps, like each lunge, grew closer together, and she pushed up to him to return the pleasure. The rhythm increased and she tightened her thighs around him. Sweat sprang on his brow, and he pounded into her.
Never did she want this to end. The summit they strove for grew nearer, one of total bliss. The first pulses began and she moaned, clutching him to her. “Yes, oh, gods, yes.” Each forceful stroke took her closer and closer to this new pinnacle.
“Now, with me,” he groaned.
The rush of his seed filled her. Rapture stole her breath with the deep contractions within her body. He lay over her until the thudding beat of his heart against her breasts slowed and his body stuck damp to hers. She wrapped her fingers in the long length of his dark hair.
“I love you,” he murmured against her cheek.
Love with him was more beautiful than she had dreamt it would be.
He rolled onto his side with her clasped to him. His gaze searched hers. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Gasping still, she shook her head. “No. That was—” She inhaled sharply when he withdrew, alone once again.
“Wonderful,” he murmured and stroked over her cheek. “You are perfect.” His lips were warm on her face, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head because mundane things like food didn’t matter, not when his body rested against hers, not when every muscle was drained of strength, and she could hardly lift her head from the pillow.
“Well, you should be.” He dragged the bed cover over them.
Wrapped in his arms, her limbs loose and pliant, she slept. She only woke at the mutters of the servants taking out the bath.
Thabit yanked an arm across her and pulled the tapestry curtain so they lay in a timeless darkness. “I am going to spend the whole winter like this with you.”
She relaxed against him in silent agreement, and the anticipation of more lovemaking settled into her thoughts.
Chapter 27
The delight of her embrace surrounded him. Her soft breaths blew warm and sweet on his throat. She slept still, and so he could drink his fill of the beautiful being she had become. The rise and fall of her breasts enthralled so that he stared at the ruby-tipped flesh while it gently moved.
She is lovely.
He moved a stray golden strand away from her lips and dismissed the memory of her spinning like a fiery wheel. The adventure had been full of pain for her. He wished it had not been so, but she met the danger face on, her determination astonishing.
He smiled in contentment. The joy of her body was his for however long they shared their lives. No other had captured him in the way she did. His need for her swelled through him natural like breath, but not again, it was too soon for her. He settled back with one arm behind his head.
Cassandra would probably have guessed the outcome of their journey, but still, he wished to speak to her of it. To confirm the danger was gone and the coming spring would be one of hope for the people.
Nin turned in her sleep, and he admired the dip of her waist and the curve of her buttocks beneath the cover. His woman and his love. He softly kissed her shoulder. The new name he wished to give her sprang into his mind.
“Wake, my love,” he whispered, and she whimpered. A flash of amusement came with the memory of her first days at his tower. She never liked being woken. “We must get up. We cannot lie abed all day.”
“Please, just a little while longer, Thabit.” She buried her head into the pillow.
“No, we have things to do.” He threw the covers back to rise, but she rolled over and his gaze devoured her long slender thighs, the gilt curls, the soft round of her stomach and her luscious breasts.
“If you won’t get up now, we will be here until nightfall,” he whispered over her skin. He bent and kissed first one nipple, followed by the other, so they both gleamed, raspberry bright.
She smiled and yawned before she closed her eyes with a sigh of pleasure. “I don’t mind.”
I’m lost to her spell.
He forced away the ache to have her again. “Later tonight, my love. We must go and speak with Cassandra.”
The light spilling across the floor showed it must be noon, at least. Her stomach rumbled as he trailed his fingertips over it. “And you should eat. So, get up.”
He forced himself to rise. Their clothes sat folded on one of the chairs, and he brought the blue gown to her before he donned his black robe. She dressed, but gave him the pout he was powerless to ignore. He kissed her long and deep. The tingles of need rushed through him. Her tongue swept over his, demanding attention. She ground her hips against his erection, robbing him of his will to do anything but stand here and let her lead the pace.
I thought the desire would be easier to control once I’d taken her, but the craving’s worse.
He lifted his lips from hers and edged back a little. That way he could achieve some control. They couldn’t spend all day in bed, not with so much momentous news to share. “I promise we will return to bed as soon as we can.”
She smiled. A light he was getting to know appeared in her eyes.
“You’re a wanton, and I didn’t know.” He buried his face in the sweet smell of her hair, and she laughed. He tore himself away from her and slipped her fingers through his. “We will go and find Cassandra.”
They strolled down to the great hall. He waved to Rollo, who lounged feet up on one of the tables. Cecile hovered close by with a cup in her hand.
Cassandra sat at the end of the table and was busily adjusting a sling for one of Rollo’s companions. She beckoned Tab, who took over the task, and came to them, her smile full of joy.
“I feel like I missed the handfasting ceremony looking at the pair of you.” Her kiss on his cheek was soft and her hug for Nin expansive. “We will go down to the workroom to talk in private.”
Cassandra led them through the corridors and the large doors into the workroom. They sat at the table. Nin’s hand remained in his, and his thoughts strayed while Cassandra presented wine.
He accepted the offered cup, and so did Nin.
Cassandra raised her goblet. “A toast, to you both. Many thanks for your skill and courage in defeating this threat. Long may we all live in peace.”
They all drank. Cassandra put her cup down and waited.
“Do you wish to tell the story?” he asked. Nin shook her head, and he admired the way her unbound hair shone and rippled around her. “Then I’ll tell the tale.”
He told Cassandra of their journey as briefly as possible, skirted over the worst of the pain Nin had suffered when Cassandra blanched at his description of the fiery plane.
Nin clutched his hand tight, her fingers twined around his. This could not be easy listening for her. The pain had been real, even if it did not return with her.
Cassandra nodded when he finished the story, and in an effort to lighten the mood, to give joy to his love, he turned to her. “And so, my Sparrow, you have earned a new name, one to reflect the power you wield, the strength you have shown.”
She shook her head and widened her eyes.
“Yes, my dear, you can’t be priestess Sparrow, and I am afraid Nin simply won’t do,” Cassandra said.
“Oh, I didn’t know.” She clutched his hand tighter. “So what’s it to be?” She looked up at him. The way she bit her lip, he longed to take over, to kiss it, and take command of her mouth.
“Thabit?” Cassandra’s voice reminded him he should speak.
“You are Tara, Keeper of the Flame, Tara, the Brilliant Star, the Tower of Strength.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“A very apt name,” Cassandra agreed.
She shook her head. “I’ll never remember all of it.”
Cassandra and he laughed.
“Don’t worry,”
he whispered, “I’ll remind you every day.”
“So, it is over, and we can expect some kind of normality next spring. I hope the fears the sickness generated will dissipate as the snows melt,” Cassandra said.
“Yes, the people can return to their villages whenever you wish.”
“No, not until after Yule, and even after the villagers depart, I fear my brother may keep the rebels imprisoned.” Cassandra tilted her cup, swirling the wine around for a moment.
“Did they arrive yesterday?”
“Yes, a few rebels marched across the green, but we did not even need the troops. The villagers here took over, infuriated by their bluster and lies.
“We have half a dozen sorry souls under lock and key, two who were injured in the infirmary, and the rest joined the villager’s camps. I am trying to work on Ranulf to release the prisoners when the others leave. He is spending a great deal of time writing to the Magean council regarding the placement of one particular prisoner.”
“Oh, of course, Alicia,” Tara whispered. “I hope something can be done for her soon.”
He glanced down at her soft words, and a beguiling flush of color tinged her soft cheek at his look.
“Ah, my woman, you are beautiful.”
“Yes, Tara, my dear, my brother is most anxious for Alicia to be placed out of our lands.” Cassandra took another sip of wine.
He failed to ignore the spark of mischief in Tara’s eyes as she glanced up.
She gave his hand a squeeze when she sent the thought. “You promised, soon.”
“Cassandra, why do you wish the people to remain until Yule when the roads will be bad for traveling?”
“Why, for the ceremony, of course. I have sent to my sister, Nadira, and her consort, Conran, Rollo’s parents. You will need officials to perform the handfasting ceremony. I cannot. It is not my role,” Cassandra explained.
“That will be wonderful,” Tara murmured, and again he kissed her fingers.
“Very well, but it is only a ceremony. Tara is linked to me already. All will know it.”
