Laurel brought her face in close to his again, her lips searching for another kiss. Hal gave it to her. Her hand ran over his crotch, and it was only when her fingers made contact did he realize that he was hard. He wanted her, and not just to hold and kiss.
They fell back on the bed together. Hal found the bottom hem of her tunic and pulled it up and over her head. She was naked underneath, and he noticed the way she resisted the urge to cover herself. She watched him as he looked her over, his eyes hungry.
Laurel’s breasts were small, but well-formed, and perfectly proportional for her slender build. Her nipples were pale and pink, and they pointed upward at a slight angle instead of directly out. She was smiling, and Hal realized he’d spent a few tense seconds just staring at her naked chest, like some hormonal teenager looking at his first pair.
“You still have your ruby on,” whispered Hal, noticing the brooch around her neck.
“I haven’t had many chances to fill it,” said Laurel. “You can keep your gem on, too.”
He smiled and gave a small nod. The encounter was slowing down, and he could see the impatience on Laurel’s face. He pulled his own shirt off in record time, along with his pants. He enjoyed his own moment of exhibition as Laurel’s eyes took in his cock. He slowly turned in her direction, letting it point her way, basking in a sort of lewd confidence of his own creation.
She leaned back on her elbows on the bed and Hal climbed on top of her. She still had her leather leggings on, but he pretended as though she didn’t, kissing her deeply and letting his tool poke and prod at the place where he was planning on putting it.
The trick had the desired effect. Laurel’s breathing intensified. Hal groped at her breasts, feeling aggressive, feeling like he needed to hold himself back. He kissed her neck, and let his thumb and forefinger gently roll one of her nipples back and forth.
Her breath was shaky as she reached down and attempted to wiggle out of her tight leggings. A hint of embarrassment touched her cheeks as it became apparent that it would be tricky, with Hal straddling her, as he was. He lifted her up, his cock passing directly in front of her lips and mouth, and then seized her pants by the waistband and roughly pulled them down.
Laurel kicked them across the room with a frantic movement of her leg. Hal pressed himself down on her again, kissing her lips, his hand brushing across her forehead and cheek. He pulled back slightly, making eye contact with her. His shaft probed in between her thighs, running up the length of her folds, feeling her warmth and wet readiness. He held her gaze, giving her one last chance to come to her senses.
Laurel nodded. Hal pushed his hips forward, letting out a low sigh as he felt his cock entering her. How long had they both been waiting for this? Had he even realized how badly he’d wanted it? How badly he’d wanted her?
He wanted to be slow and gentle with her. His body wanted something else. Hal thrust forward, pushing half way in, and then all the way. Laurel was tight, but not too tight. He held her body and repositioned her on the bed, making sure her head was clear of the wall as he began to move faster, and push harder.
The bed shook with a surprising amount of noise. Laurel’s body seemed to shiver in response to each movement. Hal kissed her deeply and constantly, both of them only pulling their lips apart when they needed to come up for air.
Her small breasts bounced with cute, circular motions. Hal cupped his hand over one of them and smiled, meeting her eyes. She was blushing and biting her lower lip, but her eyes were happier than he’d ever seen them before.
For all the tenderness they reserved for each other in regular life, the sex was primal, and rough. Hal thrust into her harder, his hands groping her butt. Laurel began to let out passionate moans and cries, and buried her face against his shoulder, biting into the skin there to stifle them.
They built to a pace that tested the craftsmanship of the bed. Hal slammed himself into her, as though it might be the first and the last time. The pleasure of her petite, slender body was so much more than he’d been expecting, a hidden secret underneath her chaste, girlish exterior. He could barely control himself, and he could only hold out for so long.
“Halrin!” cried Laurel. “Oh, by Mystra! Hal!”
Her hands tightened through his hair, and her back arched, legs opening as wide as they could go. Hal wrapped a shoulder around her and thrust fast and hard, building with an accelerating rhythm, until he was about to explode.
“Laurel!” He unloaded in her, gasping for air at the pleasure of it. Laurel didn’t stop him or complain. She just breathed, her body soft and sweaty underneath his.
CHAPTER 10
Neither of them said much in the aftermath. Laurel found a sheet to pull over them, and Hal let her cuddle against his shoulder. The fire in the hearth was dimming, and they both stared up at the shadows dancing across the ceiling.
What just happened between us?
The way the previous few hours had played out had thrown Hal’s reality out of kilter. He’d just bedded Laurel. He still remembered the way Zoria had joked about them. The way the innkeeper in Lorne, Meridon, had been suspicious of them. So many months of platonic friendship, and the whole time, it was leading up to this?
He wondered if it was an accidental result of his own dry spell, amplified by the aborted encounter with Rei just before he’d left the homestead. It was possible, but still, Laurel had kissed him first. Maybe he’d just showed up at the right, or wrong, time, and her womanly emotions had gotten the better of her.
She was a lady of Maxim’s court. They’d been over this before. She was destined to eventually marry a lord, and bear children who would inherit land and titles. She was a lady of Maxim’s court, and neither Hal nor her had had the sense to bring their heated encounter to a safe ending.
And who was he? Hal, in the context of Krestia’s Cradle, was nobody. He’d owned half the homestead, which was now a pile of ashes and cinders. Other than the heartgem, his pistol, and his sword, he had nothing of value to his name.
This will never work. And we’re probably fools to think otherwise.
“Laurel…” Hal said, his voice a sad whisper.
“I know,” she said. “I just… am glad that we could have at least one night.”
He could hear the disappointment in her voice, and it broke his heart as much as anything could. He let his arm give her a reassuring squeeze.
“The homestead,” he said.
“What?”
“I think it should be twice as big when we rebuild it,” he said.
Laurel turned her face so she was looking right at him and blinked a few times.
“You… want to rebuild it?” she asked.
“We have to, if we want to keep our claim to the valley,” said Hal. “Right?”
“Yeah, you’re right,” said Laurel.
“So once all this settles down, and you aren’t needed as desperately here in court, we head back and rebuild it,” said Hal. “And I think I want my room to be bigger than it was before.”
“Just your room?” asked Laurel.
“Of course,” said Hal. “You have your chambers here, so yours will be the same size.”
“Hey!” Laurel smiled and pinched his shoulder.
“Karnas, though,” said Hal. “Now he is definitely going to need something bigger. We’ll have to build him some type of huge… barn, or something.”
“A barn?”
“A dragon barn,” said Hal. “Yeah. I like the sound of that.”
“You are ridiculous,” said Laurel.
“I’m being completely serious,” said Hal.
“Well, I think I will have to go to rebuild with you,” said Laurel. “If only to keep your ridiculous ideas in check.”
Hal gave her another squeeze and felt her settle her head against his shoulder again. Her breathing slowed, and both of them fell asleep.
***
Hal woke up to the sound of Laurel getting dressed the next morning. He felt a little out of pla
ce as he remembered where he was. Sitting up, he felt a stab of pain as the newly formed scab over his back wound shifted at an odd angle.
“Good morning,” said Laurel.
“Morning,” said Hal.
He started to climb out of bed, and then realized that he was still naked. Laurel had folded his clothes and set them on the ground nearby. He pulled them on, feeling an awkward silence settling in between them.
“I had a servant bring some food to the room, if you’re hungry,” said Laurel.
“I’m starving,” said Hal. He walked over to the table shirtless, picking up some type of breakfast cake and taking a satisfying bite out of it.
“Hal?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you…” Laurel hesitated, clearing her throat. “I was planning on giving Busher the day off today. Would you want to fill in for him? If it’s not too much trouble…”
Back to being her bodyguard? I can live with that.
“Of course,” he said. “What’s on the agenda for the morning?”
“Maxim Cedric will want me to stop by and check in with him,” said Laurel. “He’s been… sick, as of late. But he’s still as sharp as ever. Just not in a position to be up and about as much.”
Hal frowned. “He doesn’t seem like the type of leader to let a sickness get him down. Even given his age.”
“It’s part of the reason why I’m here,” said Laurel.
Her expression took on a pensive, almost worried quality. Hal started to go to her, to pull her into a hug, and then stopped himself. He wasn’t sure what was appropriate between them, anymore. They’d taken a step forward last night, but he wasn’t sure if the change was permanent.
He pushed through his hesitation and hugged her anyway, and from the way Laurel leaned her body into him, he could tell she appreciated it.
“Can I eat first?” asked Hal.
“As long as you make it fast.” Laurel stepped back and cleared her throat. “You are my bodyguard, after all. I’ll expect you to play that role, while we’re in public.”
Hal nodded, holding her gaze. He stepped forward until only an inch or two was separating their bodies.
“While we’re in public,” he said, smiling a little. Laurel blushed.
Busher was waiting directly outside Laurel’s chamber when they left. He’d already opened his mouth to say something to her when he saw Hal, following in her wake. His expression immediately turned sour.
“Ambassador Ancina, is there something I should be aware of?” asked Busher.
“No,” said Laurel. “Go visit your family, Busher. Halrin can handle your duties for today.”
Hal saw anger flash across the burly man’s expression, but it was quickly suppressed. Busher nodded, glared at Hal briefly, and then turned and walked off. Hal wanted to ask about his reaction, but Laurel was already headed off on her way.
CHAPTER 11
Maxim Cedric’s audience chamber was on the lower level, but Hal and Laurel were headed to his private chambers. Laurel led him up flight after flight of stairs, until they finally reached a door near the top of the castle, guarded by two large men wearing chainmail and longswords.
“Ambassador Ancina,” said one of the men, nodding to her. “The Maxim is expecting you. He’s feeling quite well this morning.”
“Thank you,” said Laurel.
The guards opened the door, and Hal followed her inside. The chamber wasn’t that different from Laurel’s, slightly bigger, but with no balcony.
It’s probably too dangerous for the Maxim’s room to have a direct opening to the outside.
Maxim Cedric was in bed, but he was sitting upright, on top of the sheets, fully dressed. He was gaunter than Hal remembered. His skin was pale, and combined with his white-grey hair and beard, it made him seem far older than he truly was.
His body was thin, and the regal black and gold outfit he wore seemed baggy on him. He smiled when he saw Laurel, and Hal noticed that the sharp awareness in his eyes was still there. His sickness appeared to be one of the body, rather than the mind.
“Ambassador Ancina,” said Maxim Cedric. “Thank you for gracing me with your presence. And you as well, Lord Halrin. How are things in Emerald Valley?”
Hal wasn’t sure what surprised him more: the fact that the Maxim remembered his name, that he’d been addressed as a lord, or the mention of “Emerald Valley.”
“I should have told you earlier,” whispered Laurel. “The Maxim renamed the valley in order to help dispel some of the old perceptions of the area.”
I kind of liked Fool’s Valley? Oh well…
“Uh… thank you, milord,” said Hal.
He gave an awkward bow, unsure of what was appropriate. He fought the urge to correct the Maxim, to tell him that he wasn’t really a lord. But then again, he was, in a sense. He owned half the homestead and tended to the valley. Perhaps that, along with the right assumptions and demeanor, was all it really took.
Maxim Cedric shifted on the bed, grimacing slightly as he moved himself to sit on the side of it, feet on the ground. Laurel hurried to his side, helping him as much as she could. Hal’s sympathy must have shown on his face, because Cedric chuckled and raised a reassuring hand.
“It’s alright,” said the Maxim. “I haven’t been poisoned or infected with anything. It’s a disease in my bones. Unfortunate, but not unexpected. My father also died of it.”
Maxim Cedric glanced over at Laurel. A look passed between the two of them, full of emotion, sadness, and resolve.
“I am pressed for time this morning, as you can imagine,” said Maxim Cedric. “Ambassador Ancina, I have an assignment for you, if you are willing.”
“Of course, milord,” whispered Laurel.
Maxim Cedric took a deep breath. “There have been reports of a party traveling through the Woodsman Forest, west of Meldence. One of them claims to be a representative of the Collected Provinces.”
Both Maxim Cedric and Laurel shot a pointed glance in Hal’s direction.
She must have told him about where I came from.
“It is certainly a sign of good fortune that you arrived when you did, Lord Halrin,” said Maxim Cedric. “I must ask a favor of you. Would you be willing to accompany and assist my ambassador on this assignment?”
Hal hesitated, but not out of reluctance. The idea that someone from the Collected Provinces had traveled to Krestia’s Cradle made him stop and question what he truly wanted out of his future. He could still go back, if he decided to.
He’d considered it, after riding Karnas for the first time and experiencing the speed that a dragon could travel at. It would have been easy for him to ask for a ride home, or even just to head back for a quick visit for a few days.
He’d been afraid to do it. Afraid of what he would find, or rather, what he wouldn’t. There was nothing left for him in the Collected Provinces. And yet still, the idea of meeting with someone from his homeland, of speaking with them and learning what had transpired in his absence, was extremely seductive.
“Lord Halrin?” queried the Maxim.
“Yes,” Hal said. “Of course. I can help Laurel… uh, your ambassador, with this.”
“Thank you,” said Maxim Cedric. “The party was last seen three days ago, on the edge of the forest, not far past the main bridge leading across.”
“That was before the attack,” said Laurel. “Are you sure that they’ll still be there?”
Cedric chuckled. “Not at all. But we need all of the allies we can get. If there’s any way for you to convince them to lend their aid, or perhaps to even send word back to the land they hail from for help, please do so. Do not be afraid to offer them any amount of gold in return.”
“Of course,” said Laurel. “I’ll take care of it, Lord Maxim.”
Maxim Cedric opened his mouth to say something else, but broke into a fit of coughs instead. He waved Laurel away as she moved to his side to help him.
“I’m fine,” he said. “You may go, Amba
ssador Ancina. I wish to speak with Lord Halrin alone, for a moment.”
Laurel looked back and forth between Hal and the Maxim. Her expression was odd, a touch fearful, with an edge of worry. She nodded after a couple of seconds and left the chamber without another word.
“Hal…” said the Maxim, in a tired voice. “Do you mind if I call you Hal?”
“Everybody else does,” said Hal, smiling at the man’s sudden familiarity with him.
“You’ve done more for me already than I’ll ever be able to reward you for,” said Maxim Cedric. “But I must ask for one more favor.”
“You’re speaking as though you expect something dire to happen in the near future,” Hal pointed out.
“Perhaps I do,” said Maxim Cedric. “Though, nothing in this world is certain.”
Hal walked over to the bed. He dropped to one knee, feeling as though it was the appropriate thing to do, though he wasn’t entirely sure why.
“What is it you’d have me do?” asked Hal.
“Protect Laurel,” said Cedric. “Please. See that she comes to no harm. Much of the realm’s future rests in her decisions.”
In Laurel’s decisions? What does he mean by that?
“Of course,” said Hal. “I would have done that, regardless.”
“That’s why I’m asking you to do it,” said Maxim Cedric. “You’re a good man, but you’re too hard on yourself. You’re allowed to let go of the past and focus on the present. Don’t forget that.”
“…Right,” said Hal. “You’re right.”
The Maxim chuckled. He waved a hand toward the door, and Hal took it as a dismissal. He considered helping Cedric back into a resting position on the bed, but decided against it. There was still pride in the Maxim’s posture, he wouldn’t be the one to take it away from him by offering help where it wasn’t needed.
Laurel was waiting right outside the door. She waited until they’d made it down the stairs and into an empty hallway before looking over at him and raising an eyebrow.
Eternal Palace (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 4) Page 6
