by Shea Godfrey
“Will you always be like this?”
“Like what?” Jessa said.
“This.” Darry leaned back from her. “All possessive and scary Vhaelin Priestess. Because if you become upset every time someone kisses me and whispers obscene suggestions in my ear, I’m not sure that we should share the fun of being hunted down and slaughtered together.”
Jessa grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her onto the bed. Darry laughed happily as Jessa climbed astride her body. “You are shameless, Akasha,” Jessa said, unable to keep the love from her voice. She reached down and opened Darry’s pants. “Were his words obscene?”
“No,” Darry answered, hearing the threat within Jessa’s voice. Her jealousy sent a pleasant thrill along Darry’s spine. “They were merely off-color.”
Jessa tugged on her trousers and Darry gasped as the seam pressed against her swollen flesh. “What did he say?”
Darry moved her hips slightly. “Oh, well…that’s not really an incentive to making me talk, my sweet.” She gave a hiss as Jessa pulled again. “A bit to the left, my lo-oh…yes, right there.”
“What did he say?”
“Tell me what Akasha means and I will answer.”
Jessa laughed. “Never!”
Darry cupped a breast in each hand and toyed with Jessa’s already-rigid nipples as Jessa dissolved into the touch. “Tell me, Akasha,” she said in a seductive breath.
“He said that my breasts were—”
Jessa pushed Darry’s hands away and her right palm landed flat between Darry’s breasts, stilling her words. Slowly, she trailed her touch downward. “What did he say to you?”
Darry thought her bones would melt. “He said that he had never danced the Mohn-Drom with a more beautiful partner.”
“At least he’s not a liar.” Jessa gave a sensual smile. “I will let him live.”
Jessa rose on her knees and yanked at the waistband of Darry’s trousers. She lifted her hips and Jessa shifted to the side and pulled the pants free as Darry bent her knees. They were thrown to the floor as Jessa sat on Darry’s right thigh.
Darry dropped her head to the mattress, smiling and catching her breath at the fingers that slid between her legs.
“You’re very wet,” Jessa purred with wonder and lust. “And I think it’s time…” She moved her fingers in the heat and her own passion flared with a need that made her hips push against Darry’s muscled thigh. “That I start learning what pleases you, yes?”
“If you say.”
Jessa smiled at the sudden need in Darry’s voice and tightened her fingers along the tissues beneath her touch. She felt the hardness and the pulse of Darry’s want and saw her eyes go dark. Darry’s breathing quickened and her breasts were flushed as she pushed against the caress, her nipples stiff and raised.
Jessa moved smoothly, lying along Darry’s body and lifting her right thigh. Her breath caught at the spirit against her skin. Darry welcomed the touch and Jessa pressed high and hard against her sex as she took a ripe nipple in her mouth. Darry arched into her, her hands in Jessa’s hair, and pulled her closer. Jessa obeyed the silent plea and sucked harder. She brushed her teeth against the taut flesh, quite certain that she had never tasted anything so splendid. She brought her right hand up and took the other breast with moist fingers, rolling the nipple between them as she feasted.
“Jess?”
“Yes, love?”
“That…pleases me.”
The muscles of Darry’s throat tightened when Jessa pinched the raised flesh between her thumb and forefinger. Darry’s hips jerked against her thigh. “That pleases me as well.”
Darry closed her eyes and let out a breathless laugh as Jessa’s right hand slid down her stomach. “Blessed Gamar.”
Jessa’s fingers caressed and Darry’s hips answered their call. “What do you want, Akasha? Tell me. Tell me now.”
“Right there.” Darry’s voice broke as Jessa’s touch worked the swollen tip of her arousal.
Everything became hard and Jessa explored, sliding along the stiff length of tender flesh and squeezing, dipping in the hot spirit and drenching Darry’s flesh with it. She increased the pressure and returned to the place Darry had named, then smiled when Darry shuddered and jerked. Jessa found it hard to breathe as Darry rose toward release. She could feel it in Darry’s flesh, in the way her legs tightened, and in the way Darry pushed into her hand. “More?”
“Put…put your fingers…inside.”
“Please?”
“Please.”
Jessa obeyed, letting Darry move against her hand. Her own spirit flowed in response and she felt her need in a wash of heat. She was aching fiercely and wanted to come. She had never seen anyone so completely beautiful before and it sent her reeling. She began to stroke with her fingers, wanting to make her come. She wanted to make Darry spend, not just allow it. She wanted Darry to feel her and to know that it was her. That you are mine now, Akasha, and only mine. Jessa thrust her hand with more authority, unable to curb her need for complete possession.
The scent of Darry’s spirit flooded Jessa’s senses and she leaned closer. The sound of her fingers stroking sent her own need beyond her ability to call it back. “Are you…are you going to come?” She pressed her thumb hard and circled as she lifted her fingers, and Darry’s entire body reacted. “Please, Darry, give me your spirit.” Jessa moved and then moaned at the press of Darry’s thigh between her own. “Only for me.”
“Kiss me,” Darry pleaded, and was given her wish.
Jessa had never thought it possible to feel so much for one person, to be so captured by another soul that all of her former life drifted as but a shadow and faded in the brightness of love. And as Darry moved beneath her, their bodies together, their flesh married in the intimate dance of need and desire, she understood at last what she had never been able to comprehend before. As she came against Darry’s leg, unable to stop her own excitement as Darry stiffened and cried out beneath her, she understood what the Vhaelin had promised her.
Jessa understood freedom.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jessa stood in the sun of the solar dressed for riding and waiting on the Queen. The request had come just after dawn, and though Jessa felt a great affection for her, she understood the positions they were both trapped in. And beyond that, she knew what Cecelia had done to her daughter. Though perhaps more than Darry could ever comprehend, Jessa was now in a unique position to understand why Cecelia had done it. Jessa knew she would do anything in order to keep what she now had.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the light, remembering the night before and how she had parted from Darry. She remembered the tender words and the strong hands that had touched her face.
“I would awake with you in my arms,” Darry whispered. “For the rest of my days I would know the sweetness of your body against mine as I open my eyes to the world. And with the strength that such a gift would bring me, I would ride out upon your magnificent horse and conquer that world.”
Jessa’s heart skipped. “And what would you and my horse do with that world?”
“We would lay it at your feet, where you could choose what things pleased you and which did not.” Darry kissed her, tender and slow. “And then we would sit in the sun and watch you with your treasures, wondering what next great feat we might accomplish in order to prove our love to you.”
“You needn’t prove anything to me, Akasha.”
“Perhaps not.” Darry smiled in agreement. “You said you loved me.”
“I do, I love you, Darry.”
Darry kissed her lips. “And that makes me want to, I don’t know. I want to sail into the deepest waters and find you pearls. I want to knock down mountains and bring you gold and jewels, then pick you flowers on my way home after such a long day.”
Jessa laughed softly, looking into a gaze that held its colors despite the shadows they stood within. “No one has ever made me laugh so much before. I had no idea how s
uch a thing would please me.”
“The sound of your laugh makes my spine ache and I become desperate to kiss you. There’s no great mystery why I seek to provoke it.”
Jessa pressed her face to Darry’s and put her arms around Darry’s neck, holding tight. Darry pulled her close and her desire, still so near to the surface, heated Jessa’s blood anew. “I’m not sure I can look at you without everyone knowing how I feel. Without them knowing what I want.”
“But we’re friends, are we not?” Darry asked beside her ear. Her lips pulled gently on Jessa’s earlobe. “And so we shall continue to be. We must go with great care is all, until our plans are made and the tournament is over.”
“When may I have my hands on you?” Jessa slid her cheek back along Darry’s until their lips met. “I must know when I might touch you next.”
Darry’s mouth clung to hers and then she pulled back, a shrewd smile upon her face. “I’ve discovered your secret.”
“What secret?”
Her hand moved in Jessa’s hair and she pulled forth a thin braid. She drew her fingers along its length until she held its end, a small but plump round seed woven within the strands. Darry brought it to her nose. “Jasmine.”
“You’re too clever for your own good, Akasha.”
“I’ve been told that before. Usually right before someone hits me on the head.”
Laughter bubbled into Jessa’s throat and she tried to push it back down.
Darry kissed her. “You see?”
“I’ll not hit you on the head.”
“How lovely.” Darry grinned. “It shall be a pleasant change.”
Jessa moved her hand down the front of Darry’s tunic, pulled it open, and pushed her hand within. She glided her fingers on the skin of Darry’s stomach. The muscles quivered beneath her touch.
“When, Akasha?” Jessa pushed her arm deeper beneath the shirt as they kissed. She moved her hand up the small of Darry’s back and dipped low beneath the waist of her trousers. The feel of Darry’s flesh incited her lust and she pushed farther, grasping and pulling her closer. Darry pressed her to the wall, her hands strong as she held Jessa’s hips and rocked against her. Jessa moaned and dragged her mouth away. She let her face brush against the soft skin of Darry’s neck and took in her scent, feeling wonderfully lost. “When?”
“Tonight. When the moon reaches Attia’s spear. I’ll wait for you.”
“Jessa? Are you well?” Cecelia asked, smiling at the expression upon Jessa’s face. It was a mixture of many things, but mainly she recognized the heady look of desire. I was right. Are you my daughter’s lover, Jessa? Is that what I see in your eyes?
Jessa’s thoughts cleared as she pushed her hair back over her shoulder. “Yes, I’m fine, my Lady,” she said. “Are you sure you’re well enough to ride?”
“More than well enough, Jessa, and aching to see a bit of country. Let us go, shall we?”
“Yes,” Jessa said, and followed.
“You enjoyed your walk in the gardens?”
“Very much, my Lady. Its beauty is a gift. In my country such excess is not permitted.” They passed beneath the arch and into the great hall. “The ground in Lyoness can be bitter and many flowers do not like its taste.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way before.”
“I like your foxglove very much, and your Fallon-oosh? The purple flowers that flourish within the rest?”
“Periwinkle.” Cecelia nodded.
“Yes, they do not grow in Lyoness.”
“They’re Darry’s favorite. When she was a girl I would go into her room and find them everywhere. Petals and flowers strewn about the bed and chairs. I would ask her what she was doing, and she would always say that she was making a garden.”
Jessa laughed. “She is fond of the gardens, yes.”
“Has she shown you the maze yet?” Cecelia asked as they passed through the patio doors and onto the lower balustrade.
“Yes. And I’ve never seen before, what I saw within.”
“Owen’s great-great-grandfather Boris was a sorcerer of sorts, or so they say. I’ve seen enough within that bloody maze to believe without a doubt.” Cecelia’s tone was rueful. “It contains dangers as well as beauty. I almost lost one of my children there once, to one of his…well, I’m not sure what to call it, but I was not well pleased.”
Jessa’s heart beat fast in remembrance of Darry’s Cha-diah mother, feeling again the weight and size of the panther and Hinsa’s purr vibrating into her bones.
As they neared the stables Bentley came forth leading two steeds that were saddled and ready to be ridden. One was a magnificent white mare that was the Queen’s own favorite named Dancer, and the other was Vhaelin Star.
“Bentley Greeves.” Cecelia greeted him with a knowing smile. “Is this not a bit early for the likes of you?”
He bowed his head as she neared. “Times have changed as of late, my Lady,” he said, without a hint of his usual charming smile.
Cecelia remembered his words and his expression of betrayal and outrage as he had confronted her. She took the reins with a pang of regret. “Thank you, Bentley.” She rubbed Dancer’s soft pink nose and the mare huffed at her and pushed forward.
The filly pulled suddenly at the reins and Bentley was forced to let go. Vhaelin Star stepped to the side with a wild toss of her head.
Jessa stepped forward without pause and held out her hand. “Barrosha!” she said, and the filly stretched out her neck, her nose blowing as she took in the scent. The animal stepped forward and lowered her head. Jessa smiled at the greeting.
“She cannot ride her, Bentley,” Cecelia said. “She is but green broke and needs to be ridden more. She’s too wild yet for—”
“She may ride whom she pleases,” Darry said, walking from the stables. “She’ll always be wild, my Lady, but she gentles to a hand she trusts. She would run into the ground for that hand unless she be mistreated.”
Jessa’s heart doubled its beat as Darry approached. She could see the struggle at once. Darry’s eyes were hard upon her mother with a look that Jessa had never seen from her before, a violent anguish that Darry seemed to be trying very hard to hide.
Cecelia rubbed at Dancer’s nose, Darry’s words striking true. “Then we shall have a spirited ride.”
Bentley moved about the beautiful mare and held his hand out. “Let me help, Mum?”
Jessa gathered the reins and moved to the saddle as Darry neared.
“You don’t have to go with her.” Darry spoke for her ears only.
“I would not have said yes, Darry, if I did not wish to go. A hand, if you please?”
“Of course, Princess, my apologies.”
Jessa accepted the lift and dropped into the saddle, then reached back down to adjust a stirrup that needed no adjusting.
“Anything else, Princess?” Darry said.
“I’m sure I will think of something.”
Cecelia looked down from her saddle. “We will see you at lunch, Darrius?”
Darry spared her but a cold glance. “I practice with the spear. Some other time.”
“I will expect you for dinner then, Darry,” she responded, a flare of frustration tainting her words. She regretted it instantly. No, Cat, don’t.
Darry turned on her and Bentley stepped smoothly in between. “I will see that she’s not detained, my Lady.”
Cecelia held Darry’s furious gaze and some part of her reacted instinctively as the mother she was.
Darry pushed Bentley aside. “Is there something you wish to say, my Queen?”
Cecelia was suddenly trapped and she knew it. “Please don’t take that tone with me, Darrius.”
“Or what?” Darry said. “You’ll take my sword away next?”
Vhaelin Star screamed at the scent that filled her nose, and Jessa maneuvered her to the side with an expert hand. Dancer shied as well and Cecelia pulled the reins as they backed away.
“Will you tell your husband I’ve been
a disobedient child?” Darry said, Hinsa’s blood rushing within a heartbeat. It was heady and dark, and it felt clean and right. It was as if she could wrap her arms around the world and crush it if she wanted. “Perhaps he can think of a more fitting punishment this time for his deviant offspring, yes? Lock me in the dungeons until I go blind and swear to change my ways? A marriage to some weakling Lord? Perhaps all I need is the prick of a man’s cock, yes? Perhaps he can fuck me into being who you want!”
Bentley pulled Darry away from the mare. “Ride,” he ordered Cecelia in a hard voice.
Cecelia jerked the reins and Dancer obeyed, spinning to the left and then bolting at the touch of a heel. Bentley turned but Darry was walking along the barn, yanking her jacket off as she went. He looked up. Jessa was tense in the saddle as she watched Darry round the corner of the stables and disappear.
“You must go with the Queen, my Lady.”
Jessa studied his face, his hand on the stirrup. “Where is Darry going?”
“The yards. She’ll try to stop it, but most likely it’s too far gone. I’ve never seen her so easily pushed before, my Lady. She’ll have to fight it out.”
They stared hard at one another and Jessa saw his absolute devotion to Darry. He, in turn, clearly saw all of her passion. Neither could hide even the smallest part of their affection nor deny their love in the presence of the other. Without a word their bargain was struck.
“If I find but one fresh mark on her body, Bentley Greeves, you will answer to me,” she said with confident menace. “Do you understand?”
Bentley smiled at the threat. “I shall do my best, Princess. I swear upon my love for her. Or should I swear upon yours?”
Jessa saw the true depth of his famous charm. “Either will do,” she answered, and turned Vhaelin Star. The filly jumped forward in compliance.
*
Cecelia walked among the grove of poplars as a pleasant breeze washed over her. Jessa strolled behind her at a short distance, seemingly content at the silence between them and occupied elsewhere. She would kneel in the tall grass and study the wildflowers that bloomed. Or she would walk off to the side, intent upon some goal that Cecelia could not fathom. When after a time Cecelia sought her out, she found her sitting with her back to one of the poplars, gazing up into its foliage.
