“I can’t say Milo’s request is abnormal. Word Dandelion was vulnerable would have reached every vulture in the Northern Territory and eventually there would have been others besides Lord Drackett who would have tried to overrule Milo’s home. Secure his wife in the bargain, especially since there is no heir. We know their King is lazy, and would have done nothing for the Lady Saxby once Milo died. His request seems reasonable.”
“Milo is not on his death bed as I believed.” This got a reaction from Tavian. He studied Juden for a long minute, eyebrow lifted quizzically. Juden provide Tavian the explanation he wanted to hear. “Milo is scheming…” His voice trailed off.
“Care to elaborate?”
Juden wasn’t aware his thoughts wondered. He faced Tavian. “Milo asked me to get his wife with child for her protection.” Before Tavian could ask, he told him the entire plot Milo concocted that involved getting Saxby with child. About Lord Drackett’s nefarious intentions, the reason Faison wed Carline, everything he encountered since he arrived at Dandelion except he coveted his brother’s wife. He conveniently evaded disclosing some information. He didn’t have to hide anything from Tavian. The reluctance to reveal everything came from finding it difficult to explain a situation that still perplexed him.
Until he met Saxby, his life was simple, his actions unquestionable, and he accepted things as they were. Never second-guessing himself, he felt comfortable in the neat world he immersed himself in. Now, Saxby turned everything upside down. Try as he might, he worked at convincing himself it was her undeniable allure and striking beauty holding his attention. When he was alone, submerged in his thoughts, he admitted she became important in his life.
Saxby was like a breath of fresh air, added brightness where he walked in dark. His existence finally had a reason. A damned good one. She made his world better.
“The lady is with child?”
“I believe so.”
“Then you have done an honorable thing.”
“Perhaps, but I have also been foolish,” Juden said and enlightened Tavian concerning his thoughts. He told his brother how he felt about Saxby, what he wanted, and more importantly what he intended when he returned to Dandelion.
Tavian did not judge him. He knew his brother wouldn’t. Offering his two cents of conscience was another matter, which Tavian did, and he listened. Tavian deserved consideration. That didn’t mean he agreed with anything he said. “Since Milo is not likely to die anytime soon, short of killing him, the lady is not yours for the taking. I know you know this. Have you considered the consequences of your actions if you do what you intend? The lady’s reputation will be ruined. The King could have her exiled from the territory. The church would even turn a blind eye, and she’d be crucified by her peers, family…” Tavian’s words sunk in deep. He continued, saying, “‘Tis what she is willing to accept?”
It piqued him he couldn’t answer with a resonating yes. He could go out on a limb and make an assumption to what Saxby wanted, but he had to admit his prejudices for what he needed drove his belief.
“I cannot say for sure what the lady wishes, except she eagerly seeks me for her bed.” He was chagrined about the thought. When he dissected matters closely, he admitted Saxby’s willingness to find pleasure in his arms could be purely selfish, for satisfaction and protection of her home. Could she have been willing to do anything?
Before Juden answered his own question, the ground started to shake, and the sound of a stampede rumbled in the distance, heading straight in his direction.
Selwyn brought up his horse and kept pace with Juden. “Ciperians are coming.”
Chapter 29
They travelled a good distance and crossed into the Ciperian’s boundary a few miles back. Aware of this, Juden remained alert, while wondering what delayed the barbarians from converging on them before now.
The clan lived in the area were known to be particular, and quick to retaliate against those they considered trespassers, anyone who was bold enough to breech the area they patrolled. An expanse of rough terrain ran north and south from the base of the mountains, past the valley, and forged through the dense foliage that made up the landscape.
Juden moved his men to the brush line where the cluster of trees began, an entrance to the mouth of the forest, signaled to halt, and waited.
The deafening noise of the horse’s hooves escalated with the furious pace as the riders grew nearer. The ground quaked under the pounding, soil and debris scattered, and cast a cloud of dry earth into a dust bowl. The haze of thick smoke rose and filled the rugged scene like an eddy, as the liege of Ciperians beat a path toward Juden and his men. The leader and his warriors kept coming, charging forward, and abruptly came to a stop in front of Juden. So close, one gallop further, and Juden risked being trampled to death. Juden didn’t move a muscle or bat an eyelid. He remained stoic and stared with a perceptively calm demeanor.
The Ciperian leader was burly, thick in the neck with a mane of red hair all over his head and beard. Translucent eyes, beady as a rodent’s, assessed Juden. His wide, flat nostrils flared, making the snout more prominent. A beefy hand balanced a cudgel he pointed at Juden. The man said, “There’s not many with your audacity to enter my domain. I want to know the name of the man who dares so much.”
“Juden VanZandt.”
“Damn it all, ‘tis the Black Bastard. Your reputation precedes you, as mine should. I’m Dorph…why are you here?”
“I and my men are on our way to Behrhause.”
“You can get to Behrhause by the trail and bypass my borders.”
“I know the territory well. I chose this direction because it saves me time. Something I don’t have much of at the moment,” Juden said, unapologetic.
“You pay a heavy toll for your foolish actions. You don’t think an extra day or two ride is worth your life?”
The threat was clear. One Juden took exception to. He gazed at Dorph, an unforgiving glint in his eyes. “As I said, I don’t have time to waste. That includes spending the energy to battle with you. For that reason and that reason alone, I feel benevolent. What is it you want?”
Dorph’s eyes flickered about his men, settled on one rider, before shifting to Juden. A pudgy finger motioned toward Viola. “I’ll take the female.”
“No,” Juden said empathetically. He removed the pouch from his waistband and tossed it at Dorph.
Dorph caught the bag mid-air. He ripped the leather tie with his tiny, jagged teeth and yanked it open. He looked in the container and faced Juden. “Nice baubles. I will take the jewels and the girl, too. Then I consider your offense for trespassing satisfied.”
“That is nonsense.”
Dorph scoffed, eyeing Juden with contempt. “You’re a cocky bastard. ‘Tis true.”
“I’ve heard the attribute attached to my name a time or two.”
The blubber in the man’s belly folded when he leaned forward and jabbed the wooden block in a threatening gesture. “I’ll take off your head before you can blink.”
Juden didn’t respond, an offense in itself.
Dorph raised his arm in a wide arc, swung forward—
Juden ducked, withdrew his small blade and flung it hard.
The Ciperian leader gasped, clutched his neck, blood seeped from his throat, and ran between his fingers. He wobbled on his mount, struggled to right himself and fell to the ground.
He struggled to his knees, signaled with his bloodied hand. His voice a croak, he said, “I want blood,” setting his men to converge on Juden and the others. Swords drawn, Juden forged into the Ciperians when they attacked. He led the battle, fighting fiercely with his men at his back. Tavian and Jilst surrounded Viola protectively, while Juden and his warriors cut down the offenders one by one. When only a cowardly few remained and sought to escape, the guards hunted each down and massacred each one. The clash of swords against wood thwacked, blades drove into flesh sending sprays of blood to fill the air, screams ensued, shrill sounds of slaughter as
the violent assault commenced until all of the Ciperians lay on the ground dead.
Juden marched over the mound of bodies to where Dorph lay. His stare unwavering, voice tight, he said, “You would have done well to take the jewels and leave well enough alone. You’re a foolish man. Albeit a warrior, you deserve an honorable death.”
“You are curd, a bloodsucking bastard!”
Juden’s eyes darkened briefly. He moved in a flash, sending his sword into Dorph’s neck and separated it from his head.
Chapter 30
Juden stepped from the river, shook the access of water from his body, ran his hands through his braids, and squeezed until only droplets fell on his shoulder. He walked toward where he left his clothing on a nearby bush.
He saw movement out the corner of his eye, a flicker of something shadowy. He spun around and grabbed Viola before she pounced.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his eyes void of light, darkened marginally. He wondered what the imp had up her sleeve.
Viola struggled wildly, sank her teeth into his arm, and shoved him hard.
“You’re a little she-devil!” He released her. He ignored the imprint of teeth marks and dots of blood.
Viola smiled slyly, laughed, and threw herself into his arms. “I missed you, Juden.”
He ignored her remark, pried her hands from around his neck, and set her back. “You play a dangerous game, Viola. Give a care,” he said, reaching for his shirt and pants. He tugged the shirt on, bent, and stepped into each leather pant legs, roughly jerked on the bindings. He didn’t bother to lace it. He grabbed his belt of weapons and boots tossing the items over his shoulders.
His expression was unapproachable. “I told Artamine to get you under control. Apparently, he has not heeded my advice.”
Viola giggled, licking her lips. Her eyes roamed over Juden suggestively. “Do you not miss me to?”
“No,” he said. He started up the incline through the maze of trees, toward the area where he and the others would rest for the night.
She walked behind him, skipped to keep up with his lengthy stride. Viola grabbed Juden’s arm. He stopped abruptly and glared down at her. The hard affect of his gaze apparently did not faze Viola.
Viola was persistent if nothing else. Never the shy one, she stalked him like a hunter and forced him to face a situation he’d rather not. He could tell she bathed. Her skin glistened with moisture, the blouse she wore clung and revealed the outline of her small, upturned breast.
He concentrated on something besides the sight of alluring rigid nipples. “There is time to catch up to Tavian. ‘Tis not too late, I could send you with the protection of men.” The remark, intentionally harsh, was meant to intimidate. A strong consideration he held even while he watched Tavian and his men leave and head toward Dandelion. “
“You will not send me away, Juden. You cannot,” she said, brazenly outlining her lips with the tip of her tongue. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “Would you, Juden?” She dared him.
“Don’t push my hand, Viola.” He turned and stalked away.
The perfumed soap she bathed in a prevalent scent amongst the pine teasingly invaded his nostrils, making him keenly aware she was beside him, keeping up with his pace.
“Who is this Saxby? I overheard you speaking to Tavian about her.”
“It’s called eavesdropping. Have you added nosiness to your repertoire of unlady-like attributes?”
Viola burst into laughter, a light, fluttery sound that was contagious. She tsk-tsked, saying, “She is your brother’s wife, isn’t she? Do you think what you do is wise?”
Juden stopped cold, grabbed Viola by the arm, and yanked her up against his chest. The swell of her breast pressed into his shirt, ripe nipples burned him, striking an abrupt and urgent lustiness to shudder through him. Disappointed in his lack of control, he let Viola rile him like he was some untried pup, his tone came out sharper then he intended. “Tomorrow we ride fast and hard to Behrhause. If you can’t keep up, I swear I will leave you behind. Understand?” He released her. He shot her a warning glance when she approached. “I mean it, Viola. Don’t test me.”
* * * *
A moan escaped Juden’s lips. He arched and dug his fingertips into the soft wisps of hair that caressed his stomach, making his muscles clench, feeling the heat of moist lips travel downward between his thighs. Juden made an odd sound and firmed his hold, a beat passed…then satiny lips enclosed around his cock.
He flexed his hips, impaling his hardened length repeatedly into the succulent mouth. He listened to the slurping sounds that heightened his arousal, as the fiery mouth sucked, interchanging between slow and fast vacuum motions before he felt the entirety of his cock swallowed completely.
The constant hedonistic rhythm made him delirious. His mind floated between bliss and more bliss, as the lips worked wickedly over his cock, the intent to drain him obvious, and welcomed.
Juden’s entire body stiffened, as hard as his cock, and he shuddered and an animalistic sound erupted from his lips as a wave of shimmers rushed up his stalk. “Ah—Saxby,” he groaned, just before he released and spilled his seed.
Chapter 31
With dawn came brute reality.
Juden awakened when the faint light of the sun rising above the mountaintops warmed his face. He sat up, worked his muscles, and glanced around. When he looked between his legs, an eerie sense settled deep, seeing his pants shoved low on his hips. His cock flaccid lay in the thatch of dark hair, with remnants of milky crust evident.
It was a dream?
Viola stirred beside him.
“Damnit,” he cursed low beneath his breath.
He jumped to his feet, fastened his clothing, and nudged Viola awake. She murmured, reached out for him, he swatted her arm away. She came awake, glared at him smugly. Her voice terse, she said, “What is it, Juden?”
“What the hell did you do?”
Knowingly, her eyes travelled below his waist. Viola smiled insolent. “Are you angry because you succumbed, enjoyed it, or both? ‘Tis not like I forced you.”
Juden swore in five dialects. He was at his wits ends with Viola’s antics. Instinctively, he considered packing her up and sending her away with a troop of men for protection, who could escort her to Dandelion. As soon as the asinine thought surfaced, he dismissed it. Viola had an innate knack of getting into trouble. She was trouble. Common sense told him not to be hasty making a decision he might live to regret.
There was unrest at Dandelion. More importantly, he had to think of Saxby. Without him available to arbitrate, should Viola attempt to single-handedly wreak havoc and try to make Saxby miserable, the probability was very likely. The importance of the two not crossing paths was obvious. For his sanity, Viola would remain with him.
“Get up. Get dressed. Get moving. We ride out in ten minutes with or without you,” Juden snapped, with firm instructions.
Juden intentionally kept the speed vigorous. They rode over the flat terrain, driving their mounts, setting a fast gallop and allowed them to cover a lot of land in minimal time. When they reached the passages tunneled through the mountains rocky surface, mostly slated rock shifted beneath the weight of the horses, Juden slowed the pace. The going was tedious. Carefully executed, to manage the narrow pathways, one by one, horse and rider, rode single file through the high-rise cliffs.
He motioned for his men to halt. He stood at the precipice overlooking the vastness of the land below. Nudging his mount closer to the edge, he observed the drastically sharp decline that went straight down. One misstep would send a man to his death. His men were skilled riders. Their horses trained well, were just as disciplined, and not a concern. He glanced over his shoulder at Viola.
“Viola should ride with me.” Jilst said. He maneuvered his horse beside Juden.
“Are you asking or giving me an order?”
“I’m requesting Viola ride with me to keep her safe.”
“You think I would not?”
“You can protect Viola, Juden. I know this.”
“Then answer my previous question.”
“‘Tis what I wish,” Jilst said. Then added, saying, “If ‘tis all right with you.”
“What am I missing here? I have the impression you wish to say something.”
Jilst shifted uncomfortably on his mount. His lips pursed, creating a thin hard line across his face.
“Speak freely, Jilst and be quick about it.” The impatience he felt sounded in his tone.
“I want her,” he said, noncommittal.
He needed to understand more. “Artamine is a good friend of mine. I feel ‘tis my duty to act as Viola’s guardian since her father is not here. You will explain yourself more clearly. I don’t care to attempt to solve puzzles. Not in my current mindset.”
“When we returned to Duns Laire I intended to ask Artamine to marry the girl.”
Never one easily caught off guard, a gust of wind could have bowled him over, hearing Jilst’s confession. He thought his guard would rather eat his sword than be joined to a woman. He hid his surprise well. Focusing on the terrain, he stroked the after-five shadow on his chin, and contemplated. Jilst wanted to marry Viola? The admission was stunning. “I have always known you to be sensible.”
Jilst smiled slightly, aware Juden gave him an underhanded compliment. Something that Juden didn’t do freely. “I am sensible and aware of Viola’s, ah, shall we say untamed nature to do things regarded as immature and foolish. I could continue with a list of things that would make Viola unattractive to some, but to me her positive attributes outweigh the negative.”
Barbour, Carolina - Watch Me, Desire Me (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 19
