by Glenda Diana
Justin nodded. "I believe, one day Thomas will gain enough courage to lower his shield."
"Yes. Unfortunately, Mrs. Reed will likely skewer him when he does."
"True." Justin laughed. "I'll be going now. Enjoy your meal and I will see you both tomorrow."
Arysa waited until the door closed behind Justin. Coming to her feet she held out her hand to Zebual. "Come, let us journey into my room for a few stolen moments before our dinner arrives."
"Your room?"
"Would you rather go to your room?" she asked teasingly.
"What I want does not require a bed, Madame."
That gave Arysa a slight pause. "Really?"
"Most assuredly," he murmured, settling back against the settee.
"Do we have time?"
"Lock the door and she'll leave the cart out in the hallway."
Without hesitation, Arysa crossed the room and turned the lock. When she turned around it was to find Zebual behind her. "What's that gleam in your eyes for?"
He shook his head. "I'll not say ... but I will show you."
Arysa's heart gave a double beat. "Hmmm, I await your pleasure."
Zebual laughed at her playful words. "Take your clothes off for me."
"Right here?"
"Here and now."
Arysa laughed. "My, we are being forceful tonight, aren't we?"
"I could always remove them for you."
"No, I'll do it." Arysa tossed her robe to the side, before letting the straps of her nightgown slide down her arms. The soft satiny material pooled at her feet leaving her bare to his sight.
Zebual let his fingertips move over her neck and shoulders before making a tantalizing path to her eagerly awaiting breasts. "Your skin has a pale luster to it." His gaze moved upward, to clash with her green eyes. "Have you been unwell?"
At that moment, Arysa wanted to get her hands on Mrs. Reed's neck. "No."
"Arysa, I know your body better than my own. You have been sick. Your skin is pale."
Looking down at her body, she shook her head. "I look no different than I did last night or the night before that," she grumbled. "Just what has Mrs. Reed been tattling to you?"
Cupping her face, Zebual scowled. "I've not talked to Mrs. Reed today. What can she tattle about?"
Arysa could have bitten her own wagging tongue. Taking a step closer, she rubbed her body against his. "Nothing," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Look whose talking about appearances ... you are still much too thin. Tonight we shall make sure you eat a good meal and then I'll rub your back ... and whatever else might need my attention."
"You'll not lead me from my course, my dear." Zebual let his hand move from her hip down to the rounding of her bottom. "Tell me," he murmured.
"It was just a dream. Nothing at all to be concerned with, I promise. Now, make love to me, Zebual," she sighed.
"Lean back against the door," he directed, in a whisper. "Now hold still. Spread your legs. That's it, just a little wider."
Arysa blushed when he knelt in front of her. "Zebual, not here. Mrs. Reed will hear us."
"Then be very silent," he whispered against her woman's mound.
Silent? Was he insane? How could he expect her to be silent when he was doing such exquisite things to her? Intense heat swirled within her. The longer his mouth made love to her the more intense the heat grew, up into her stomach, her breasts, until it was consuming all of her.
At her soft whimper, Zebual raised his head. The sound of the dinner cart wheels could be heard coming down the hallway toward them. Arysa's eyes opened and she gasped when Zebual gave her a teasing smile before resuming his loving.
The aurora of secrecy and the tension it brought on was a potent stimulant to her senses. Knowing that she had to hold back her moans, that Mrs. Reed was just outside their door, that Zebual was tormenting her with his provocative loving had her shaking so badly she wasn't sure she could stand.
"Easy," he breathed against her wetness.
The sound of Mrs. Reed's footsteps moving away from the door did nothing to lessen the agony she was experiencing. She trembled as a fine sheen of sweat broke out over her body. She was going to lose the battle. She couldn't hold back.
Zebual sensed the breaking of her control. Easing his body up, he kissed her as his fingers continued where his mouth had left off. He swallowed her scream and held her trembling body as waves of pleasure washed over her.
"Shhh, love," he murmured, at the whimpering against his lips. For several long minutes he held her, soothing her through the after-waves.
"Now would you like me to take you to my bed?" he whispered.
Words were beyond her ability so she nodded her head.
"Come love, I have a need for more you."
With his arm around her, he led her to his bedroom. "Lie back for me."
She did as he directed.
Zebual climbed up on the bed and situated himself between her legs. His light blue eyes moved up her length. He could feel the stirring inside him, wakening to be fed. "Can I have all you, Arysa? Will you surrender to me ... giving me everything that I require?"
"Yes," she whispered reaching out to touch him. "Anything and everything I have is yours."
Zebual smiled softly. "Thank you, love," he murmured, as he slowly lowered his lips to hers. Her taste was alluring and unique. The longer and deeper the kiss became the more her blood boiled. He could feel it palpitating through her veins. She moved restlessly against him. He was greedy, he wanted all of her. Slowly he slid into her wet heat. Her inner walls encircled him and with just two thrusts he was pouring his hot seed into her welcome haven.
Arysa drifted on the soft waves that gently lowered her to the earth. She lay sprawled on her stomach in Zebual's bed. A new tingling sensation made her squirm. She tried to roll over to see what Zebual was doing, but he placed his palm in the center of her back to stop her movements.
"Be still, my love," he whispered.
Whatever he was doing was sending a sting of pleasure through her. It was a new feeling, one that she didn't dislike for it was Zebual gifting her with it. "Let me love you," she murmured and then moved suggestively against him.
"Soon. How do you feel, love?"
"Wonderful," she moaned when she felt his lips against the back of her leg.
"Let's go eat our supper and then you can love me."
"I want you now."
Zebual trailed his lips up the rounding of her bottom, pausing long enough to enjoy her taste before moving up to place kisses along the back of her neck. He stared at the small birth mark on her right shoulder for a moment before licking it yet again. "I want you to wait. I want your hunger for me to be consuming."
She felt the tingling sensation again and moaned. "It is."
"Nay, not yet, but it will be."
Rolling to her side, Arysa stared into his eyes and felt her love for him grow. "I hunger for you now. Right here." Taking his hand she placed it on the rounding of her stomach. "It's a gnawing feeling that frightens me and yet I crave to feed it."
Zebual kissed her lips, breathing in her panting breaths of air. "Soon, I promise."
Before she could protest more, Zebual got up and held his hand out to her. His skin was dry beneath her hand and yet it sent a thrilling shot of desire through her. She stood in front of him, staring up, mesmerized by his love for her.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he guided her into the sitting room. "I'll get the tray," he whispered, brushing a kiss to her temple.
Arysa's cheeks heated when Zebual opened the door and pulled the dinner cart inside. He smiled at her embarrassment. "Did you think that Mrs. Reed would be waiting outside to get a look at this skinny carcass of mine?" he asked. "I would likely give the woman nightmares if she by chance seen me in such a state."
Arysa's eyes narrowed. "Most likely, you would be giving her substance for the most tantalizing dreams of her life, so please refrain from letting her view you. You belon
g to me, Sir Knight."
"Possessive?"
"When it comes to you, yes. Nothing but you matters to me."
Zebual felt his chest expand at the expression on her face. If he ever doubted her newfound love for him, his doubts were laid to rest. "It is the same for me, Arysa. You are all I need. Not this Manor, not any riches, just you and your love."
"I want to be with you forever."
Moving the cart aside, Zebual went to her and enfolded her into his arms. "And I you," he whispered.
"Sometimes I get so frightened."
Her words were said softly and he could hear her fear. "Don't be ... I will never let any harm come to you or to us."
"Yes, but what if something were to happen and we became separated? What if ... "
Zebual covered her mouth with his and devoured the rest of her words. He didn't want her to voice them aloud. He didn't need to hear them to know that her fears were the same as his. Raising his head, he placed his finger to her lips. "No more, love. We are together forever and nothing shall separate us." Not ever again, he wanted to say, but held the words deep inside him.
Arysa kissed his chin and smiled. She turned to search for her discarded nightgown, but Zebual placed his hand beneath her chin and drew her gaze back to him. "Leave it. I want to see you as you are."
"And what of you? Will you stay as you are? Will you let me look upon you?"
"To your hearts content," he murmured with a smile.
"My heart will never be that content, for I will always want to look upon you."
Zebual guided her to him, giving her a lingering kiss. By the time the kiss ended Arysa was breathless and craving more of him. "You had better eat good tonight," she murmured softly. "For after we're done I want you at my mercy."
"Arysa, my love, I've been at your mercy since before my eyes had seen you."
Zebual listened to the sound of Arysa's even breathing, as his hand lovingly moved over the silky crown of her head. He felt stronger tonight then he had in many centuries. The nourishment that his body had craved for so long was finally being granted ... but at a price. His arms tightened around her wishing he could absorb her into his own body and shelter her from the pain and sorrow that she would have to face soon.
The enemy had not yet made himself known. The storm had been the only sign of his arrival. Zebual knew this enemy well and knew that this time of quiet was nothing more than a biding of time. It was a production for his own enjoyment that he played upon their lives. But this was the final act. The house lights would grow dim and the curtain would fall. The only question left unanswered was just who would be taking the bows.
If only he could gain back his strength more quickly. If only Arysa had wakened sooner. But all the 'ifs' in the world would not change things. He had to concentrate on what strength had returned and hope that between now and the final bow he would be strong enough to do what needed to be done.
Arysa stirred at his side. Softly he murmured to her. He did not question her about the dream that had frightened her. There was no need to, he knew what she had dreamed. This was one of the signs he had been watching for ... another scene which they must play out for the benefit of their enemy.
"I love you, Zebual."
Her words sighed out against the side of his neck as she drifted in her sleep. "And I love you, Arysa," he whispered in return. She was his life, his heart and his very soul. He would give his life to keep her safe and he may very well have to before this play was through. But for this moment in time, he had her at his side and her love was more glorious than anything he had ever experienced before.
Though some may say that the price was by far too high ... he did not think so. It was a price he would pay gladly. His soul could be cast into eternal damnation and yet he would take his punishment with a smile on his face, for he had tasted the forbidden fruit of love. The heat of passion had singed his wings and his ring of light had darkened with the bewitchment of ecstasy.
Chapter Fourteen
White mist surrounded her, obscuring her vision. A low growl vibrated around her, making her senses come alive. She slowly turned in circles trying to detect the area from which the sound came. But no matter which way she turned the sound seemed to follow her, staying at her back.
The ground beneath her feet shifted. Every muscle in her body tensed for the coming downfall. Each beat of her heart was like the dull thrust of a knife to her breast. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks unheeded. The sound of her name echoed through the white mist. It was a faint call, yet it seemed to mingle and combine with the low growls.
Deep inside she knew she had brought herself to this point. How? If only she could remember! Keeping her body as still as she could, she moved her head to survey the small area around her.
A shattering scream burst from her when a hand appeared on her right side. The fingers were long and they clawed at her, trying to catch hold of her. Instinct made her move causing the ground beneath her to shift yet again. Frantically, she turned to her left only to be met by the white claw of the wolf. Another scream came from her, piercing the white mist drowning out the growls and whispers.
Sleep fell from Arysa as she sat up in bed. It took her several minutes to realize that she was in her room and not out in the darkness filled with white mist. She clutched her pillow to her and took several deep breaths. It was only a dream, she whispered to herself. Only a dream, but one that filled her with fear.
Her gaze moved over to the doorway to Zebual's room. The last thing she remembered was Zebual waking her in the dark of morning. His lips had moved over her, tantalizing and torturing her with sweet passion, bringing her to a release that had drained her of all senses. She didn't have to test the door to know that it was locked ... it was always locked, but today that would change. Today they would exchange joining vows and tonight she would spend the entire night next to him, waking beside him in the bright light of day.
She had much to do today and little time to do it all. Thomas would be the first visitor Syra had received since she had awakened to this mysterious and unknown world. Arysa scrambled from her warm bed. Her old world might be unknown to her, but this new world was less mysterious now that she had Zebual and his love. Oh, she knew without a doubt that he loved her, she had know that from the moment she had opened her eyes and saw him hovering near her bedside. It had taken her time ... she had to get to know him, to feel at ease in his presence for her love of him to surface. Now, she couldn't imagine existing without him or his love.
She paused when she saw the red rose on the chest beside the bed. A folded paper lay beneath it. Picking up the rose, she inhaled it sweet scent before reaching for the note. A smile came to her face as she read it. "Soon ... for all of eternity." Tears prickled her eyes as she held the rose to her lips.
Just weeks before finding the secrets to her past had been foremost in her mind, but not any longer. She would still dearly love to recall all the details of her life in whole and yet their importance had dimmed ... replaced by Zebual. It was he who came to her mind each morning and it was with him where her thoughts stayed until sleep claimed her. Today they would join together, whether it be the first or second time didn't matter. Though it frightened her a little, Zebual had become her life, her focus and her purpose for existing.
Within an hour, Arysa was descending the stairs. She had taken the time to pamper herself with a hot leisurely bath before dressing in a gown of black silk that whispered with each movement she made. She left her hair loose and flowing down to sway against her hips. In her right hand she carried the red rose. She would have Mrs. Reed find a vase for it, before it wilted and died.
Voices from the dining hall greeted her. She recognized Justin's voice, but not the other. Curiosity had her approaching the room. As soon as she peeked around the corner Justin noticed her and excused himself. Arysa's gaze stayed on the stranger. To say the man was homely was offering him a compliment, she thought as she studied him. Long
gray hair framed his wide face and fell limply on his shoulders. His nose could only be described as bulbous and his amber eyes peered out from beneath bushy gray brows and above fluffy cheeks. When he smiled, she noticed that his teeth, though slightly crooked, were startling white. It was his smile that held her attention the longest. It seemed to change his whole appearance, from homely to handsome.
"Arysa, how good to see you again," Thomas said in his booming voice as he made his way to her. "I can't blame the old man, no sir, certainly can't fault him. Why if I had a wife as lovely as you, I would have the joining vows repeated everyday. I'm sorely tempted to steal you away myself."
Arysa blushed at the wink he sent her. No matter what his looks might have consisted of or lacked, his personality made up for it. She liked him immediately. Holding out her hand, she greeted him. "Welcome to Syra, Thomas."
Thomas took her hand in his. "Aye, I almost forgot what your voice sounded like. It truly matches the beauty of its beholder."
Justin rolled his eyes and removed her hand from the overzealous man. "Just remember to whom she belongs."
"As if you would let me forget," Thomas grumbled and then smiled again. "I look forward to seeing Zebual again. It's been overly long since I've seen him last. Speaking of renewing old acquaintances, I've not seen Mrs. Reed since my arrival. But from the delicious aroma floating about, I would say she's been quite busy. She has to be quite the best that I know."
"I'm going to tell her you said that."
"Bite your tongue, lad." Thomas scolded. "Why you'll end up taking all my fun away."
"There's the baiting and teasing that Zebual and I mentioned last night," Justin whispered to Arysa. "Sometimes they can be rather rude and if so, just ignore them. Though we have tried to curb both of their bad attitudes toward one another, we have failed repeatedly."
Thomas wiggled his bushy gray brows. "That's the way we like it, lad. The best advice I can give you and the rest of Syra is to leave us be."
