Brin murmured, “Turn around.”
Slowly, Anje shuffled back to face him. His onyx eyes were fixed on hers, hard and inscrutable. “Lufra is the goddess of the Feolin people. You haven’t heard of Her?”
Feolin. She knew little of them, though they were counted among the Ten Nations. She shook her head. “The world is full of minor deities.”
“True.” Brin inclined his head, not at all disturbed. “But Lufra is known through all the lands of men. She is the Lust Dragon, the desire at the core of flame. There’s not a man alive who doesn’t dream of Her, long to worship between Her thighs. For we of the Feolin, she is mother, lover and protector among the pantheon of gods. Our patron.”
Anje shrugged, using the movement to test her bonds. Damn him, he knew what he was about. “So?”
Graceful as a dancer, Trey moved forward. He cocked his head to one side, his attention focused on her left breast. Infinitely slowly, he raised one finger and stroked the pad across her nipple, featherlight. Anje gasped and her nipple budded.
Had he come, out there on the rock?
Oh, this was insane!
She took a step back, but Trey followed. He glanced at his impassive companion. “What do you think, Brin?”
“I think we’ve found her.” The dark warrior grasped her chin in hard fingers and lifted it. He stared into her face, his gaze traveling from her eyes to her mouth. There was a flush on his high cheekbones, a curve of satisfaction to his lips. “Now I can sleep in peace.”
“Sleep? What—”
“I’ve dreamed of you, your face, your body.” He touched her lower lip with his broad thumb, very gently, and she shivered. “Every night for a month. The Goddess has led us to you. You’re Lufra’s Gift, the salvation of our people.”
A cold, gray void blossomed beneath her breastbone. She could barely breathe. “You’ve lost your mind! I’m no one’s gift!“
Without releasing her from his stare, he growled, “You’re the poet, Trey. Tell her about the Goddess.” His eyes were enigmatic, compelling, sucking at her soul, her self-possession. Despising herself, she squared her shoulders and fought to keep her nerve.
“Silver flames burn white-hot in Lufra’s violet eyes,” said Trey. The way he spoke weighted the words with the cadence of poetry. Or a hymn. “The man who feels Her perfect mouth on his cock may die, but he gives up his soul with joy. There have been poems written solely for the clouds of Her hair, spun of the night.”
Brin sifted long fingers through the dusty tangle of Anje’s braids. When she jerked her head aside, his lips twitched.
Trey pressed his warmth against her side. He smelled clean and masculine. “Her neck is like the stem of a flower and Her breasts…” His knuckles glided over Anje’s collarbones and for a moment, words seemed to desert him.
She clenched the whimper behind her teeth. It must be some kind of magic. The richness of his cool, sweet voice was like a sensual spell.
Holding her gaze, Trey drifted a fingertip to her areola and circled. Anje flinched. “She has broad dark nipples, like yours. And when She is brought to arousal, they stand long and proud and they beg.” He glanced down again and one corner of his luscious mouth kicked up. “Like yours.”
“I’m frightened, you fool. What did you expect?”
“That’s as may be.” Brin’s deep voice was dry. “But I wonder how much is fear and how much fury?”
Anje’s eyes flew to his and for a second, she let her rage slip the leash and burn, clear to see. Brin looked pleased.
“Mmm.” Trey made a noise of appreciation deep in his throat. Slowly, he ran both hands over her ribs and her hips and a tingling wave of sensation followed his touch. “The curve between Her waist and Her ass is like music.”
He moved behind her and cupped her buttocks in his hands. When his thumbs ran down the soft cleft, she jerked away, only to collide with the warm wall of Brin’s body in front of her. His eyes gleamed, almost as if there were flames hidden in the black depths. “Nothing is forbidden to Lufra,” he rumbled in his dark baritone. “Nothing.”
Anje dragged in a breath. Her heart thundered. “So what?” she said. “You can buy a Lufra any night in the Pleasure Quarter of Mother’s Hearth.”
Brin stared at her in silence. Then he bowed his head in an oddly respectful gesture. “I’m sure you’re right, Child of the Mother.”
Gods, she hadn’t meant to give so much away! Anje clamped her lips together. She’d never been a diplomat. Action was more her forte—direct, violent action.
Trey broke in. “But there’s more. You have…” The words dried up and he pointed, hazel eyes wide and unblinking.
Brin said, “Lufra carries the mark of the dragon on Her body, the shining wings.” He laid both broad palms over the notches where her thighs met her pelvis. His touch burned.
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re birthmarks.”
He stroked and tremors ran up and down her thighs as nerves fluttered beneath the skin. “Unusual to have a matching set, don’t you think?”
“No! Yes!” Her nerve broke. “Stop it!”
“Here, let’s get rid of these.” Brin tossed her ruined trews aside and threw a heavy arm across her shoulders. “You smell revolting,” he said amiably. He turned her toward the pool and gave her a gentle shove. “What is it? Swamp mud for the bitemes?”
“Yes.” Anje shut her mouth hard.
“You’re a scout, aren’t you?” They’d reached a patch of sand, washed by golden-brown water.
It was true. A scout was what she was, through and through. The very best among the Children, the Matriarchs had told her. She was content with her own company, a superlative tracker, a hunter cunning as a ghost.
Tucked safely away at the bottom of her pack in a hide cylinder was the map she’d risked her life to make. It was marked with the whereabouts and movements of every Hssrda raiding party she could track.
When the Hssrda launched their summer raids, her people, the Children of the Mother, would need that information for their very survival. The knowledge that the hunter was now the prey was bitter indeed. Her carelessness had been unforgivable.
Anje folded her lips into a thin line. “What are you going to do?”
Brin’s dark brows rose. “Nothing very terrible. You’re Lufra’s Gift. First, we’re going to get the mud off. Then we’re going to fuck you.”
Chapter Two
Drown me in your night-dark cloud,
Drown me, drown me, drown me.
And I’ll be glad to go,
Wrapped in your hair, my silky shroud.
Ah, softly, softly, softly.
“Lufra’s Cloud”, Song of the Feolin (trad.)
A gentle fist took Anje’s loins and squeezed. Holy Mother, she’d never had a man Brin’s size! Two heartbeats later, the full sense of what he’d said caught up with her and for an instant, all the strength leaked out of her knees. She stumbled and Brin steadied her.
“We?” Her voice cracked. “What do you mean, we?”
“Exactly what I said. Ah Trey. Good.” Trey laid a rough bar of soap and a clean shirt on the rock. Brin moved behind her and untied her hands. Over his shoulder, he said to the other man, “You start at her feet. I’ll meet you in the middle. And scrub!” He sounded amused. “How long since you had a bath, scout?”
“Look, you wouldn’t—” Anje lunged away in mid-sentence. Two steps later, she was sprinting. The forest was the Mother’s. It would hide her.
But before she could really hit her stride, a long arm snagged her elbow and spun her around to smack into Brin’s powerful chest. Clucking his disapproval, Trey knelt and grasped her ankles, fumbling with the laces on her boots. He was bare already, the sunlight sparkling cheerfully on the knobs of his spine, on firm, creamy flesh.
Ah, Mother help her! Anje kicked hard with her heel, putting all the strength of thigh and hip into straightening her leg and catching him viciously on the collarbone. He disappeared with a muffled curse
and a splash.
Abruptly, her legs were swept out from under her. She landed in the shallows with a tremendous, smacking splash and a mountain fell on top of her.
She swore, bucking like a fellwolf in a trap, squirming against the weight of Brin’s body. He had her caged, pressing her into the soft sand, his chest spreading her breasts beneath him. His huge hands were wrapped around her throat, the fingers set firmly against her thundering pulse. The threat was clear, but the pressure was not at all uncomfortable.
“Listen to me, scout.” He trapped her legs under his, the wet leather of his trews slick and slippery on her thigh. He wasn’t even breathing hard. “I may have been a little blunt.”
“Blunt?” She glared, wondering why the heat of her rage and terror hadn’t boiled the blood in his veins.
Inky lashes swept over his eyes. When he looked up, she lost her train of thought for a second. “We won’t hurt you, I swear. We can’t. Lufra’s Law does not permit it.”
The water lapped cool over her limbs, kissed the back of her neck.
Trey’s voice came from beside her, cajoling. “Think how good it’ll be to be clean. Come on, sweeting.”
“Lufra’s Law?” she croaked, her gaze still tangled with Brin’s.
Slowly, he peeled his body away, his dark face impassive. But she thought he was well pleased with himself. “Show some sense, scout. You’re more than outnumbered and I’ve given my word we won’t hurt you.”
“Gods! How stupid do you think I am?” Her face twisted with scorn, while her heart galloped like a runaway vran. She’d never felt so small, so helpless.
So very, very female.
“For the last time, we won’t rape you!” Brin’s lips thinned. “What is it about Feolin honor you don’t understand?”
“Feolin honor…?” Words failed her. Carefully, she sat up.
“Lufra’s Law does not permit a woman to be taken against her will.” Brin showed his teeth. “Lufra is a goddess of pleasure, of love. The use of force in the act of sex is sacrilege to the Feolin.”
“But you said you were going to…” She had to drag in a breath. “Fuck me.”
The tension went out of his shoulders. He enveloped her wrist in one hand and carried it to his lips. “And we will.” His tongue drew tiny circles over the flutter of her pulse. “With great pleasure. Yours too.”
“But you said—”
“Without before within,” said Trey. He rubbed his shoulder against hers, like a temple cat.
“For the Mother’s sake, speak plainly! What do you mean?”
“Plainly? Very well,” said Brin. His voice was deep and dispassionate. “The Law of Lufra states that no man may take his pleasure inside any part of a woman’s body, unless she has offered to the Goddess first. Each time, every time. Without before within. You see?”
“Offered to the goddess?” Anje stared. “Oh.” Comprehension dawned. “You mean if I don’t come, you can’t fuck me?”
“Crudely put, but true. Lufra cares only for pleasure, freely given.” This time, he did smile—a crooked smile, true, but devastating for all that. She wondered if he knew what a lethal weapon he had. Hah! Of course he knew, the calculating bastard.
Anje looked from one grinning face to the other. The tide of her panic receded slightly, allowing her to breathe. Inside her, a sliver of dark arousal tangled with the fear and fury. Ruthlessly, she stamped it out.
The arrogance of them, the smug, unmitigated… To hold a Child of the Mother and expect her to— Men serviced her, not the other way around.
“Go to hell!” So furious she was panting, she snatched up the clean shirt.
Brin actually chuckled, a dark and wicked sound that made her belly clench. “Mind you, the Law of Lufra is not fussy as to ways and means.”
He lunged.
The scuffle was short and sharp, and she had the satisfaction of hearing him grunt when she elbowed his inner thigh, perilously high. But the end was inevitable.
“Come on, scout.” She ignored the seductive whisper. “You’re safe as long as you control your…urges. I give you my word.”
Trey scrambled closer and took her hands. “You might as well get clean, darling. We aren’t letting you go.”
Brin stood and tugged at the laces of his trews. Anje looked away, but not before she caught a glimpse of a nasty bruise, riding low on one hard hip. He chuckled.
Trey removed her boots and pulled her down until she was reclining on the sandy shelf. As he arranged her feet on his thigh, she heard splashing and Brin settled behind her. A big, muscled arm slid beneath her neck. “Lean your head back, scout.”
For an instant longer, she held firm. Ah Mother, Trey was right, it would be wonderful to bathe properly. Among the Children, a warrior’s word was her bond. Why it should be she couldn’t fathom, but instinct told her she could trust the Feolin to be no different.
She knew she couldn’t expect them not to push Lufra’s Law to its limit—and hers. Gods there wasn’t anything she’d put past them! Nonetheless, this body was hers to control. She could be strong.
And after she was clean and fed—it had been hours since she’d eaten—she’d be on her way with the precious map. They had to sleep sometime. Through half-closed eyes, she caressed Trey’s shoulders with her gaze. She might even arrange a meeting later, on her own terms, between clean sheets.
But which man? How…piquant.
Feeling confident for the first time since Brin’s hard hands had grabbed her on the hilltop, she relaxed and let herself be held.
The water felt wonderful on her scalp, Brin’s fingers unraveling her braids and swishing her hair back and forth, sifting and stroking. The soap smelt spicy, astringent, a masculine smell. She liked it.
“Good?”
Anje groaned. Trey rubbed the soles of her feet and worked lather between her toes.
She allowed herself to drift. Ah, Mother of the world, she was tired. Three months was a long, lonely time. The relaxation pulled her under, turning her limbs to honey. A warm mouth whispered over her cheek, traced her eyebrow.
So very tempting. No pressure. As long as she didn’t climax, she could relax and enjoy being pampered. The Children had no time for pampering. What utterly wicked luxury.
“What’s your name?” Brin murmured in her ear.
“Anje,” she said and groaned again, this time with disgust at her own stupidity.
“We haven’t finished telling you about Lufra.” His powerful fingers were on her scalp, circling, massaging. She’d been wrong about Brin, she thought muzzily, he’d make a superb pleasure slave.
“Don’t bother.” She could scarcely form the words.
“But this is the best part.” There was a smile in his voice. “Well, from the male point of view.” Meditatively, he ran his tongue around the shell of her ear. Her flesh was cool from the water and the caress felt shockingly hot. His hair swung forward, brushing her cheek. “Finish it, Trey.”
Trey ran hard thumbs along the arch of her foot and up to her ankle. “Lufra’s divine cunt is soft as velvet and strong as a fist. All pink and wet, like a jungle flower. Always ready.”
Brin cupped water in his free hand and rinsed her hair. She felt the clean mass of it float out behind her. “You have lovely hair.” One broad thumb stroked water across her cheek, toward her lip. Her head began to turn, like a baby seeking the breast, before she stopped herself with a smothered oath.
“Good muscle tone.” Trey had reached her calves. “You’ve worked this body hard, haven’t you, Anje? What’s this?” He licked the scar puckering the flesh above her knee.
She hadn’t known the nerves there were still so sensitive. “Hssrda arrow.”
“Impressive.” Trey nibbled around her kneecap and her inner thighs quivered.
“Wait for me.” Brin ran soapy hands over her breasts and she yelped, rearing out of the water.
Her eyes snapped wide open. His face hung over hers, focused and intent. Someone had broke
n that arrogant nose for him, there was a small bump on the bridge. Fiercely, she wished it had been her. His black hair was loose about his shoulders and his eyes glittered. Maddeningly slow, maddeningly light, his thumbs rasped across her nipples.
“Stop,” she croaked, clamping her hands over his.
The devilish gleam deepened. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, scout?” His lips curved, taunting her. “You don’t think you’re strong enough.”
What, did he think she was stupid? She’d have to be, to fall for a jibe like that.
Wait a minute. Strong fingers massaged the muscles of her thigh and she glanced at Trey’s merry, confident face. Anje bit her cheek to keep the smile on the inside. Over their years together, she’d tussled with Deklan for sexual domination and mostly, she’d won. His voice would be hoarse with begging before she’d set that sturdy cock pounding inside her. And he’d never been able to make her come without her permission.
What a wonderful way to serve them out. Their balls would turn blue with frustration. And she? She’d take care of her own needs later. It would be a small price to pay.
How very satisfying.
“Mmm.” Closing her eyes, she turned toward warm questing lips. They rubbed lightly across hers, to and fro, to and fro, sending tiny tingles down her spine. Sweet.
Calloused fingertips moved over her collarbones, drew tiny patterns on the upper slope of her breast. A hot, firm tongue slipped into her mouth and caressed, finessed. She sighed with delight. She’d had erotic dreams that weren’t as good as this.
Brin’s hand shifted to stroke the underside of her breast. Her flesh swelled, the nipples lengthening, stiffening.
Begging.
But that was fine. Trey hadn’t even arrived between her legs. It was as well. She could feel the juices trickling down her thigh, warm against water-cooled flesh. Trey stroked her stomach, making the nerves flutter and twitch like drunken flutterbyes.
She was hot, her labial lips swollen and puffy, but she was safe. No need for self-discipline yet. Just enjoy the heat, the spreading heat.
Gift of the Goddess Page 2
