Caelan's Captive (Limani Warriors Book 1)

by Faye Avalon

  Caelan waited for his doubts to surface again, but could find only a curious desire to offer Lahna what he had never given another.

  Himself.

  “Of what would you wish us to speak?”

  She raised her head, her expression lighter now. Hopeful. “Of personal matters. Things that are important to us.”

  “Like what? Do you want to know about my birth? My childhood? My father?

  She hesitated, then drew in a breath. “Tell me more of your father,” she said softly. “What sort of man was he?”

  Caelan sat back, his own soup ignored. Instead, he reached for his wine. “A good man. My father ruled by tradition and a desire to ensure his people were treated fairly. He was perhaps not a visionary, but he was at heart a good leader.”

  “Are you?” she asked, lifting her own wine. “A visionary?”

  It was his turn to hesitate, still not entirely comfortable with such deep conversation about his innermost desires. “It is essential to be such if I am to lead Limani into a safe and prosperous future.”

  “Yes. I know little of you, but I know you have the wellbeing of your people at heart.”

  She said it with such certainty that he couldn’t stop a smile. “Do you now?”

  “I have seen your interaction with them. The way they respond to you. It is hard to refute that.”

  “The welfare of my people is everything to me. I would do anything to ensure their happiness and safety.”

  “I understand that desire. I felt it for my own people, but life on Zomotia is harsh and uncompromising. I fear for my friends, and only wish I could have done something to help them live happier lives.”

  “You miss them?”

  “There were few left to miss really. I had little in the way of family after my parents passed, and several of my friends had already been taken to the palace.”

  She didn’t have to say for what purpose. The sadness and regret in her expression spoke more than words.

  “There is little that one woman could do against a tyrannical ruler.”

  She smiled, so sadly that his heart clenched. Her beauty was undisputed, her manner amiable and demure. But beneath the softness lay a heart as strong as any of his warriors.

  “I know you didn’t believe me,” she said, her gaze firm and unyielding as she met his. “When you found me, you thought the king had sent me as a spy.”

  He sat back, his eyes wide. He could add perceptive to his growing list of her admirable qualities. “It was hard to imagine a woman risking her life on treacherous seas rather than submit to a life of luxury and—”

  “It would not have been such a life,” she said sharply, her chin rising up, eyes fierce. “The king is a cruel and vicious man. To perish on the seas would have been a preferable fate.”

  “Lesser women would not think it so.”

  He saw that he’d surprised her, but his compliment had been doubled-edged. Not only had he meant to imply that he saw Lahna as a woman of principle and determination, but he had sought to slander his stepmother with his words.

  “You honor me with your praise.” Lahna bit her lip. “But there is no strength of will attached to my actions, only desperation.”

  “And yet some women would find it hard to resist the bounteous offerings available to members of the king’s court. Especially to those who agree to do his bidding.”

  Hurt filled her eyes. “You still distrust me? Is that why you are having me guarded?”

  “No.” Caelan surprised himself by the speed at which he answered her. “I meant only to state a point. I have firsthand knowledge of women who are swayed by such temptation.” He hesitated for only a heartbeat, wanting both to allay the sadness in her eyes and to share the treachery of his stepmother’s actions with her.

  “My father married again,” he said, biting back the venom that threatened to spill from his chest. “She was as different a woman from my mother as night is from day. I fear in his dealings with this woman my father was swayed by her beauty while remaining oblivious to her duplicity. She cared only for her own interests.”

  He drank long of his wine, taking a moment to salve his throat, to quieten the sadness that filled his chest. “My father refused to see her shortcomings, even when they were pointed out to him both by me and members of the court. The elders went to great lengths to persuade my father not to amend laws and rulings that she would have him alter to her advantage.

  “For most of that time, I was away, engaged in military conflict with our allies. But during my brief visits home I saw through her manipulations and was able to counsel my father.” He took another drink, held fast to Lahna’s gaze. “It was during my last absence that she became ensnared by the king’s malevolent plans to regain Limani and its territories and place them once more under Zomotian rule.”

  “She betrayed your father?”

  Caelan nodded. “She betrayed my lands, my people. The king offered her great riches if she would poison my father, and while he lay dying trick him into signing over our lands.”

  Lahna covered her mouth, her eyes wide. “I cannot believe anyone could be so wicked. She killed your father?”

  Again, Caelan nodded. It was hard relaying events that had caused him so much pain. “Thankfully, she did not live long enough to enjoy the results of her sedition. When it was discovered what she had done, a member of my father’s guard killed her.”

  Lahna’s mouth went into a thin line. “I am glad,” she said fiercely. “Such a dreadful act, such an awful person deserved such an ending.” She hesitated, then reached a hand across the table and covered his. “I am so sorry for the loss of your father, and in such a painful way.”

  He turned his hand and clasped her fingers with his. “Never a day ends when I have not thought of him. When I have not mourned his loss.”

  “I understand. It is the same for me. My parents passed from this world by natural means, and it is hard to bear. I cannot imagine how painful it must be for you when your father was taken so tragically.”

  He looked down at their joined hands. “It is a double tragedy. Losing my father and losing our lands to the likes of a despicable ruler and by such cruelly deceptive means.”

  She was silent then, gazing at their hands in the same way that he had. Caelan took the opportunity to watch her, to ponder on why he felt lighter for the telling of his painful past. He had the insane urge to talk more, strange as he was usually a man of few words, preferring action to dialogue. But Lahna pulled something from him.

  “There is something I would ask you,” he said at length, deciding to voice the niggle that would not quite disappear. “You bear no mark of the king’s, despite being condemned to his harem. Why?”

  “I escaped the night before it was to be placed on me. I had no choice. To be truthful, I did not stop to consider much of anything but my freedom. The following morning, I was to be taken to the palace and marked. I decided that was not going to be my fate.”

  “How was it you were not discovered? Surely after being chosen by the king you would have been guarded.”

  “I was able to hide in a cave by the sea. I’d known about it since childhood and used to play there with my friends. It was only reached by foot and when the tide was out. Thankfully, that night the tides were on my side.”

  Admiring of her courage, Caelan raised the joined hands and placed a kiss on the back of hers. “The fates were indeed favorable to your plight.”

  “I want to ask you if you have plans to make Limani independent again, but I will not as I know it will be hard for you to tell me. Impossible almost. All I will say is that I hope someday you will succeed.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Perhaps I have come to share an affection for this land, for the people. Despite hardships undoubtedly caused by the demands of Zomotia, the people here are happy, content, and they respect you. That respect is born of love, not fear. They would do anything for you. I think you must be a much better leader than the k
ing.”

  A warmth spread across his chest. “You have learned much about me and my island in a short period of time.” Caelan waited for the nudges of doubt to assault him, for the voice inside that had told him to be circumspect in his dealings with those who would draw information from him. But no such doubts about Lahna’s nature materialized.

  Yet another, more insidious uncertainty refused to be quieted. “It pleases me greatly to know that you have a growing affection for Limani and its people,” he said truthfully. “In time, I hope you will come to share such affection for your husband.”

  Her eyes held his, and he glimpsed sadness there, resignation. “I will do my duty.”

  Not exactly the answer he’d been hoping for, but at least she had not told him outright that she would forever dislike him. Perhaps it was a sound enough foundation from which to begin a marriage.

  As was the lust that simmered in him for her. At times, it rose fiercely and he would crave her more than his next breath. Other times the simmer bubbled softly but no less forcefully in its intensity, making him crave not just her body but her company. Her considerable ability to force him to judge himself both as a man and a lover. No other woman had forced him into such territory before.

  “May I be permitted to venture out tomorrow?” she asked at length. “Even if I have to be accompanied by guards?”

  It was hard to ignore the disdain in her tone. “You’ll have enough to keep you occupied here.”

  “Not all day, surely. The maids have told me there are forests to the north which have the most wonderful wildlife.”

  The north, Caelan thought. While the area was indeed brimming with interest, the principal reason travelers took that route was to visit the Doe Park. It was impossible to avoid passing the Park, and because of that he thought it an inappropriate journey for the woman who would become his princess.

  He nodded to a servant who appeared to clear their largely untouched soup. “Perhaps you would prefer a trip to the eastern cape. I think you would enjoy the views across to the mountain range. It would require that we camp out overnight before heading back the following day.”

  Since the official announcement of their betrothal would be made next morning, Caelan knew that the trip would require separate camps for him and his intended, plus a number of attendants and guards. But he would enjoy showing her more of his island, enjoy showing her off to his people along the way, even if he was to be temporarily denied the pleasure of her body. Besides which, he relished overnight camps away from the royal residence. It gave him the chance to live simply, without the pressures and annoyances of the court.

  “I would enjoy that,” Lahna said, offering her thanks to another servant who placed a plate of assorted meats in front of her.

  When they were alone again, Caelan couldn’t deny himself the chance of a little teasing. “There are many waterfalls along the route.”

  In the midst of selecting a thin slice of venison, Lahna looked up. A pinkish tinge speared delicately across her cheekbones, which only deepened when he smiled.

  She lowered her eyes, but her lips moved. Spurred on, Caelan sat back. “Some of those waterfalls are exceedingly private, but perhaps you will remember to have your maids pack suitable attire this time.”

  He knew the moment she realized he was teasing her. Her chin rose as if she refused to be affected by his goading, and she remained focused on slicing her meat. But a smile lifted the corners of her very tempting mouth. “I will indeed remember to do that, my lord. It will be my priority.”

  Lifting a hand, Caelan stroked his jaw and watched her, unable to contain his pleasure at having his good-natured provocation directed back to him.

  His hearty laugh had Lahna looking in his direction, moving her eyelashes at him in that way that made his brain switch off and his manhood take up the mantle.

  “You are playing a dangerous game, my princess,” he said as his cock lengthened and throbbed. “I am not to be toyed with in such a manner.”

  She gave a little shrug as if it didn’t matter and focused on the food again.

  But Caelan was too far gone now, the thought of food driven from his mind as he noted Lahna’s nipples poking hard through the delicate fabric of her gown. Her breasts, he also noted, rose and fell, subtly inviting him to sample an entirely different kind of sustenance. He stood and moved behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

  “You are not hungry, my lord?”

  The gods, but she pushed his limits with her mock innocence. With such an intimate knowledge of his body, in the same way that he had known hers, she surely understood all too well that he was primed and ready to have her.

  He leaned down, pushed the gown from her shoulders, baring her breasts. “Yes, I am hungry,” he said, and bit lightly against her earlobe. She gasped and leaned her head back, placing her hands over where his lay on her shoulders. “But my appetite is for you, my princess. Only for you.”

  He slid his fingers down, down, until his palms cupped her breasts. He squeezed her sumptuous flesh, continued to bite gently into her tender neck. She wriggled a little in the chair, and her fingers dug into his upper arms.

  “The servants will be worried,” she said breathily as her breasts rose and fell against his palms. “They will think we are displeased by our meal. It is such a waste.”

  “They will serve it up cold for their supper,” he grated. “Or feed it to the dogs. It will not go to waste.”

  He released his hands from her naked breasts and slid them down the front of her body and onto her thighs. Slowly he drew her gown up until her legs were bared to his gaze. He massaged her thighs, pleased when she dropped her head back against his chest and moaned softly.

  “I fear this is inappropriate,” she said softly. “Someone may well come into the room at any moment.”

  He slid a finger up into her slit, rubbed slowly along its wet length.

  After only the briefest hesitation, her arms came up to circle his neck, her breasts lifting and the soft globes full and tempting as she snatched breaths. Caelan loved hearing her when passion took her over, loved the way her body reacted so readily to his touch.

  He angled her head toward him until his mouth could claim hers. One touch of her tongue and he pushed his finger deep inside her. His cock throbbed in time to the rhythm of the long, slow strokes into the welcoming heat of her femininity.

  Little mewing sounds emanated from her as he took her up further, as his strokes became deeper, slower, harder. He felt her convulse around his finger, felt moisture spread over the tip of his cock. Seconds later, she froze, held her breath, and he knew he had brought her to climax.

  When she went limp, he withdrew from her, shoved her chair around and lifted her from it. Striding through the dining hall, he hooked the door open with his foot and with her in his arms made for the privacy of his temporary quarters.

  Frantically, Lahna pulled her gown back in place as they went. Several servants stood back, lowering their heads. A couple of the maids giggled softly. Caelan spared them little thought, except to excuse them their surprise, seeing as the prince striding purposefully to his bed with a woman in his arms was not a common sight.

  Inside his quarters, Caelan kicked the door closed.

  “My lord, you’ll have the door off its bearing,” Lahna said, breathless. “And what will people think?”

  “I care nothing for doors or for what people think,” he growled as he all but threw her onto the bed. “I care only to have you. Now.”

  ****

  Lahna hiked herself up onto her elbows. She couldn’t believe what had happened in so short a time. She had been desolate on discovering that she was to receive a twenty-four-hour guard, and when the guard had escorted her to the dining area, she had felt so discouraged, so bereft of hope, that she felt herself sink into the depths of despair.

  But then Caelan had started to talk to her. Really talk to her. And for some reason that despair had slowly lifted. And now here s
he was, relishing the thought of a night with Caelan. Could things change? Could she chance that staying on Limani was the right thing to do?

  Perhaps here she would always be safe. Perhaps Caelan would keep her safe.

  She watched as he unbuttoned his belt and stripped out of his tabard. His cock sprang free. Long, broad, and hard. He stood, feet apart and planted, his hands on his hips, gloriously naked. She licked her lips, drew her gaze to hold Caelan’s, and slowly sat up.

  Watching him, she pulled her gown up over her body and threw it onto the floor.

  On her knees, and with a slight smile on her face, she beckoned him forward.

  He narrowed his eyes. “You would tempt me like a siren?” he teased. “You would dare to offer something you think I cannot simply take?”

  She drew her shoulders back, faced him with a confidence she hadn’t realized she possessed. “You would not simply take,” she said. “You are too honorable a man to do such a thing.”

  His cock bobbed, but he stood his ground, feet astride and his hands placed on his hips. “You think you know me.”

  “In this respect, I do. And in others too, now that we have begun to speak of more personal matters.”

  “It pleases you?”

  “Yes.” She held out her arms, meaning to show him just how much. “It pleases me greatly, my lord.”

  He moved then, placing a knee on the bed and sliding an arm around her waist. Supporting her, he eased her back onto the bed and slid over her. “I believe I am forced to exact punishment on you.”

  “Punishment?”

  He nodded, grinned. “Indeed. Every time you continue to defy my order and address me as ‘my lord’ I will do this.” With which he tossed her over until she lay face down on the bed.

  Lahna gasped, the wind knocked out of her both with the action and with surprise.

  Behind her, Caelan knelt up and placed his knees either side of her thighs. With one hand he hiked her hips up, with the other he slapped her backside lightly.

  Lahna jerked, gasped again. “My—”

  His hand came down again, a little harder this time. “So quickly you forget,” he said, but she heard the smile in his voice. “Am I to assume you enjoy my punishment?”