Caelan's Captive (Limani Warriors Book 1)
Page 15
“It is unfair,” Lahna said, playing along. “You call me ‘my princess’ and yet I seek no such punishment from you.”
Another light tap on her backside. “I am the prince,” he said with such arrogance Lahna wondered if he was only half teasing her now.
“And I will soon be your princess. Do I not warrant pardon for such a minor transgression?”
The tap came a little harder again. “All transgressions must be punished. But I am wondering if this particular penalty is perhaps a little too much to your liking.”
He whipped her over again, drew her legs wide with his knees. Using his thumbs, he spread her feminine folds and ran a fingertip lightly down the center. With a wolfish grin, he lowered his head.
He took his time. And goodness, his tongue was very adept at such pleasuring. He seemed to know exactly what she wished for, whether to press harder, lighter, slower, faster, deeper. He seemed to know.
No time passed before she felt the stirrings that would ultimately bring about the release that made her head spin so wildly. As if he knew too, Caelan withdrew his tongue and sat up. He held his manhood with one hand and supported himself against the mattress with the other. Pressing forward, the tip of his erection touched her hot folds.
How easily he filled her this time, both in length and breadth, yet still he took her breath away.
He moved steadily until her body tightened—pulsed—and her climax came as Caelan filled her with his own release.
As much as she enjoyed the heady feeling that came with their lovemaking, Lahna loved this new lying together afterward. So different from how it had been at the waterfall. Caelan’s arms felt wonderful wrapped around her, her breasts crushed to his chest, her head against his shoulder. She loved the feel of their nakedness, their heat. She loved Caelan’s scent—a mix of the forest, the sea, and something uniquely him. She loved the way his chest rose and fell as he regained his natural breathing after their exertions, and the steady beat of his heart beneath her hand.
She feared she was beginning to love it all. And most of all she feared she was beginning to love Caelan.
The thought brought her up short. She had never thought to love. And never to love the prince of this land. They had not spoken of such a thing.
Despite that she had made advances in getting Caelan to talk of things other than the trivial, she knew he was a guarded man. That he most likely would always be such. But he had been sympathetic to her desire to know more of him, and had seemed pleased that she had told him of her growing affection for the land and its people. Perhaps that would be enough. She would learn to live at the periphery of his life. As his consort she would support him and in turn he would offer her safety and security.
It was so much more than she had hoped for when she first found herself on Limani, and was more than many women could ever hope to enjoy. Could she be content with that? Content that she had found a husband who lived with honor and integrity?
Indeed, it was far more than many women had. If her husband could offer her little in the way of love, of genuine affection, she would put these things from her mind.
Maybe, just maybe, she could be content here.
Chapter Ten
Lahna woke in Caelan’s bed alone. She was hardly surprised. No doubt he always rose early to attend to matters of royal consequence.
Drifting in a half sleep she replayed their night together, and gave thanks for the tiny crack in Caelan’s armor that had enabled him to share something of his past with her.
She thought of the woman who had been his father’s wife. Of the woman’s dreadful treachery. Lahna’s heart ached for Caelan. Such a tragic experience had undoubtedly given Caelan reasons not to trust. Was it any wonder he had thought Lahna capable of duplicity?
Stretching, Lahna opened her eyes fully and noted that sun streamed through the window openings, and outside she heard the scurrying of the servants signaling that the day was well underway. How was it that she had slept so late?
About to get out of bed, the door opened and one of the maids came in with a tray.
“Good morning, my lady. I hope you are well rested after a good night’s sleep.”
It was hard to ignore the way the maid tried not to smile, or the way her eyes would not meet Lahna’s.
In turn, Lahna refused to feel embarrassed at being caught in Caelan’s bed. “I slept very well, thank you.”
“I have a meal to end your fast, my lady. I was told you ate poorly at supper last night.”
Again, the hint of smile, the lowering of her gaze.
Lahna refused to be intimidated or to be drawn into explanations. “Yes, I find myself hungry this morning. Where is Prince Caelan? Has he eaten?”
“The Prince ate very early, my lady. He said not to disturb you and to allow you to wake naturally. He was required to be present for the official announcement of your betrothal, after which he seemed very eager to begin his journey.”
“Journey?” He hadn’t mentioned such a thing last night.
The maid set out milk, bread, and honey on the side table. “He and Lord Kassaro rode out before sunrise. They are not expected back before sunset. Your seamstresses will arrive at midday in order that you may be fitted for your wedding gown and other new clothes.”
Disappointment skittered through Lahna. She had hoped for the trip east he had mentioned, and the camp out by the sea with the view of the mountains, but she knew his duties came before her pleasure and she could not find it in her heart to be disappointed for long.
The maid handed over her gown. The one Lahna had discarded while in the throes of passion. “Would you prefer me to fetch your morning gown from your room, my lady?”
“No. Thank you. I will eat here and then return to my room to bathe.”
Ravenous, no doubt because of that skipped supper and other diversions, Lahna ate her meal with gusto.
The maid waited and escorted Lahna back to her room.
“Where is the guard?” Lahna asked as they approached. “I thought they were assigned to me round the clock.”
“Since you will be engaged with seamstresses for the day, the elders have had the guard reassigned.”
Lahna’s heart skipped, but as soon settled again. Had Caelan instructed the elders to dismiss the guard? Had he decided, finally, that he could trust her? She couldn’t quite believe that her primary thought wasn’t to try and escape while she had the chance. For some reason, it didn’t seem quite so imperative, besides which there were likely no boats available since the fishermen would all be at sea.
After she had bathed and dressed, Lahna looked out the window and drew in a lungful of air. It was a beautiful morning, and she could not bear to be shut inside the royal quarters waiting for seamstresses who would fit her for new gowns when the ones she had already been given were perfectly acceptable. What harm could there be in strolling around the grounds for a little while?
Since it felt as if she and Caelan had reached a new level of understanding last night, she was sure he would not object to her taking a walk within the royal walls.
Her maid accompanied her, and Lahna enjoyed taking in the pretty gardens with their abundance of color and texture. Soon the sun began to take its toll and the maid hurried away to fetch water for them to drink.
Lahna hadn’t planned it, but the beauty of Limani seemed to beckon her and she felt an overwhelming desire to explore. She could have waited for her maid to return, but the taste of freedom was too tempting. Nobody stopped her as she made for the archway that led from the royal grounds and out into the open.
The path down to the sea was just as beautiful in daylight as it had been that night she had snuck out to investigate a potential escape route. The difference was that in the light of day she could see just how hazardous some of the route was, and marveled that she had been unscathed by her adventure apart from a small cut when she’d freed the rabbit. Briefly, she wondered if the little thing had made it and was now happily running fr
ee. She very much hoped so.
It was strange, she thought as she admired the vista of the clear blue sea and sky before her. It seemed such a long time ago that she had made her escape from the clutches of the Zomotian king and been swept ashore into the arms of the Limanish prince. How fascinating that one had brought her to the other. Had she not found the courage to escape from Zomotia, she would never have drifted ashore in Limani and would never have enjoyed the safety of Caelan’s arms. And she did feel safe, she realized. Safe and ... happy. She and Caelan had found a balance. Now that he had opened up to her a little, and they had shared more than their bodies, Lahna believed she could be satisfied with that. While he would never declare affection, she knew that Caelan held her in a certain regard.
When she reached the shore, Lahna took off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the sand. She walked, enjoying the coolness of the water against the rising heat of the day.
As she neared the small fishing port from where she had planned to make her escape, she turned a corner and overheard voices at a nearby tavern. She loved hearing the laughter, the gentle banter, and the voices raised in song. Despite the loss of their independence, the people of Limani certainly seemed to make the best of their lot.
About to turn and make her way back to the royal grounds, Lahna stopped in her tracks when she heard the men discussing Caelan.
“He might be a prince, but he’s a man first.”
The chorus of ribald laughter had Lahna backing up against the wall to keep out of sight.
“If they’re going to insist on tradition and that the prince stay away from his lady now that the bans have been posted, it’s inevitable that he’ll make alternative plans.”
Lahna strained to hear when the man who spoke lowered his voice. Had she heard correctly? That she and Caelan were to be kept apart? And what were the alternative plans?
“Aye. From the betrothal to the nuptials is a long time for our virile prince, so it’s only fitting he sink his cock where he can. And he’s certainly never had any trouble finding a willing wench to service him.”
More bawdy laughter.
“I’m told young Tavi is desperate to have the prince in her bed again. Perhaps he plans to enjoy some lewd and inventive moves with her before he has to act in a more fitting manner in the marriage bed.”
Lahna’s heart beat like a drum, her stomach knotting in a sick twist. She didn’t want to believe that Caelan would consider lying with another woman when he was about to wed her.
“I heard he’s gone north, visiting the Doe Park. No doubt wanting to enjoy himself while he still can.”
Unable to stand hearing any more of the laughter or the taunts, Lahna turned so fast that she lost her footing for a moment and had to secure herself by thrusting her arm out to the wall. She drew in long breaths until she felt steady enough to continue on.
Away from the port, she slumped down on a rock and placed her pounding head in her hands. Her stomach swam with nausea, but her mind was sharp enough.
It hurt so much to think that Caelan wanted to find relief with another woman, especially after what they had shared. Lahna couldn’t imagine being with another man in the same way she had been with Caelan, but then men were different, weren’t they? She remembered what the old women of her village had told her when she was a very young girl. That men would take their pleasure where they fancied, and it was for women to simply accept that was the case and allow them to do so.
Surely it wasn’t that simple. Otherwise why would her head be throbbing so painfully, her stomach twisting so violently, and her heart hurting so badly?
She wasn’t sure how long she sat on the rock, staring out to sea and contemplating her future with a man who could so easily break her heart. When had she let her guard down so that this could happen? Only recently she had been plotting her escape from the man, and now here she was, miserable because he might seek the attentions of another woman.
Her thoughts turned to leaving again, to escaping. For how could she live with a man knowing that he would never share her affection? That he would desire other women, that he would be with them.
It made her position even more untenable. She could never be happy knowing that Caelan thought so little of her. Knowing that he would have no compunction in seeking satisfaction elsewhere if he was so inclined. And what of the future? Would he grow tired of her? She didn’t want to think of the implications that could have.
The sun beat down and she thought briefly that her maids would be frantically searching for her, but she could not bear to return to the royal pavilion and go through the charade of being fitted for her wedding gown. How was she supposed to accept her role as princess of this island now? Knowing that the man she had given her heart to had little care for her feelings, for her happiness.
She headed along the shore, trying to make sense of her scrambled thoughts. But soon another thought joined them and refused to be silenced. Her request to visit the northern part of the island, and the way he had persuaded her that a visit to the east would be preferable. Was that because he had been planning to travel north to the Doe Park this day? That he intended being in the arms of another woman? This Tavi that the men at the tavern had mentioned. The woman who was eagerly awaiting the prince’s arrival.
Would Caelan do to this woman what he had done to her? Would he slide his hands over her body, telling her that she was beautiful and desirable? Would he cup her breasts, draw his thumb over her nipples? Would he pleasure her with his tongue, his teeth? Drive his manhood deep inside her until she…
No! Lahna shook her head, drawing a halt to her hectic thoughts. This was a sure way to drive herself insane.
Oh, if only she had the courage to leave him, to simply grab a small boat from the harbor and sail away from him. Surely if she wanted it enough, she would find a way. But was that the problem? That, despite what she had learned about Caelan from those men at the tavern, she didn’t want to leave him?
If that were so, she was an extremely foolish woman. But foolish or not, one thing was certain. She would guard her heart. Never would she believe she was anything more to Caelan than a useful tool by which he could better rule his land. She would give him her support and she would give him her body. But she would never, ever, give him her heart.
She walked until her legs ached, until her chest was tight from exertion. Allowing herself only brief respite—since, when she sat, her thoughts would circle chaotically—she continued to follow the coastal path.
It was only when the sun began slowly dipping to the west that Lahna realized how far she must have walked. Fatigue had quelled the worst of her despair, and the tears she had been unable to entirely dispel were at last spent.
Deciding to take a moment’s refuge on a small rocky promontory ahead of her before beginning back, Lahna glimpsed several small boats heading toward the shore. Instinct had her dipping behind the rocks so as not to be seen. There were no fishing villages in the vicinity and huge jagged rocks littered the sea at this point, making it a treacherous passage for unsuspecting sailors. At a loss to understand why the boats would be heading for shore at this desolate part of the island, Lahna decided to investigate.
Making sure not to be seen, she hurried up the rocks to gain a higher viewpoint. At the top, she slowly raised her head above the parapet and her insides took a desperate dive to her knees.
A Zomotian ship had moored off the hostile peninsula, carefully camouflaged between two high cliffs which boasted tall pine trees and dense shrubbery. Frantic, Lahna glanced around. Why was the ship here? Undoubtedly for ill-gotten purposes or it would surely have sailed into the main harbor.
Keeping her head down, she peeked over the rocks again. The small boats were almost at the shore now, one having capsized on the ragged rocks and its inhabitants being hauled to safety aboard another.
Lahna counted about a dozen men and all in civilian clothing. An ominous dread assailed her.
She had to tell Caelan.
Once out of sight of the ship, Lahna ran as fast as she could, following the coastline by the fading light of the setting sun. Her lungs screamed, her grazed legs ached, and her feet throbbed as she ran as fast as she could manage.
She had no idea where the small boats were now, and didn’t stop to find out. She only knew that for the ship to be moored in such an unforgiving part of the island, and the furtive manner in which the men in the small boats were coming ashore, something really bad was taking place.
She ran hard, barely able to catch her breath. How had she not realized she had journeyed so far away? Perhaps because her thoughts had been so desperate after what she had overheard in the village.
Lahna stopped running, unable to move another step until she found her breath again. She bent over, placing her hands on her thighs and heaving in air.
The sun set and, as always seemed to happen on the island, night came rapidly. Clouds had gathered, but a humidity settled over the land.
Lahna had lost count of the times she needed to stop and gather her energies. She had no idea how much vital time she had lost in doing so, but her whole body ached with her exertions and she had no option but to admit that she was hopelessly lost.
A couple of miles back, believing herself on the outskirts of the village, she had turned north in the hope of joining the road that she hoped would lead to the Doe Park and to Caelan. Her instincts screamed that she had taken a wrong turn, for no road greeted her, and she was cutting her way through what was fast becoming dense forest. The only light came from the intermittent glow of the shrouded moon.
Why hadn’t she gone straight to the royal pavilion? She could have asked to speak to a member of court, or one of the guards, and they could have alerted Caelan. But she couldn’t bear for anyone else to know that he had frequented the Doe Park. That he had deserted his future bride in favor of another woman. She refused to consider that most people likely knew anyway.