"I am not hungry for food.” He took her hand and placed it at the apex of his thighs. His cock sat hard and ready for her.
"Before dinner?” She could not keep the shock from her voice. “It is still light outside."
"Yes, it is.” His gaze roamed her body again. “Such a beautiful new kirtle and shift. It would be a shame to ruin all your hard work so quickly. Take them off."
He practically growled out the last words, and Syndra nibbled on her lower lip, her heart racing. “'Tis unseemly, milord, to engage in carnal acts in the middle of the day."
"I will give you ten seconds, and then I lay rent to all you have done today. I want you naked. Right now.” He took one step back and gave her a stern look. “I am waiting."
This was a side he hadn't shown her last night, and it thrilled her, making her nerves jump with pleasure.
"One."
Her hands trembled as she lifted the kirtle, setting it aside carefully.
"Two ... Three..."
"You are counting too fast."
He licked his lips as she lifted the shift, and the wonderful place between her thighs tightened in anticipation. She could feel wetness forming in her folds, preparing the way for her to take him inside her. Again.
"Four ... Five ... Six. You had better hurry. I am not a patient man, and my cock grows weary of waiting for you."
She let go of the shift, letting it drop back down into place, then gave him a coy grin. “And if I do not hurry?"
"Cheeky little chit, are you not? Do not make my deadline and find out what happens. Seven, eight, nine, and ten."
Fear of her new clothing going the way of her old, she lifted the shift again and pulled it over her head, dropping to the floor.
"You disobeyed me. Wives should always obey their husbands."
She ran her hands down her sides, caressing her thighs. “But I am naked, as you asked me to be."
"Not quickly enough, though. Come with me, wench.” He walked toward the bed, and she fell into step behind him, excitement coursing through her. He stopped at the corner, putting his hand on the bedpost. “Come here."
The deep timbre of his voice should have made her nervous. Instead, it ran through her like wildfire, exciting her senses and making her want to obey his every command. She stepped right next to him, and he took her hands, placing them on them on the bedpost high above her head.
"Keep them here until I say otherwise.” His breath tickled her ear.
"Yes, Keran."
"How should I punish you for making me wait?” He ground his hips into her, the leather soft against her naked flesh, the outline of his hardness pressing against her buttocks.
"Oh, I..."
"Perhaps I should make you wait, as you made me wait.” His lips were on her ear now. “I could excite you, then make you get dressed without bringing you to climax. You would sit through dinner, wanting me. Needing me."
Her mind reeled at the thought. “But you would be unsatisfied, too. Punishment for you also."
"Who said? I can satisfy myself and make you watch, make you see what you will have to wait to enjoy."
"No,” she moaned. “Please, Keran, I will move faster next time."
"Do I have your word on that?"
"Oh yes.” She leaned back into him, putting her head under his chin. She almost let go of the post in process, remembering at the last minute to keep her hands in place. She loved this game of his. Her nipples were hard as little pebbles, and her juices coated the insides of her thighs.
His hands caressed her hips, sliding back to her buttocks and down to her thighs. The heat of his touch against her bare skin made her shiver with delight. He slid his hands up her torso and cupped her breasts, and she moaned softly. His fingers tweaked her nipples until the little pebbles grew even harder.
"Keran."
"Tell me how you feel."
"Wicked, wonderful, and in need of you. Please."
He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her back just a little. “And your quim, is it sore my pet?"
"A little, but it does not hurt badly, if that is what you are worried about."
He nibbled at the spot where her neck met her shoulder, the tiny bites sending sensations of sweet pleasure down her back. “I will admit I was a little worried, but I am happy to hear you are not in much pain still."
"I will be if you make me wait much longer.” She looked over her shoulder to grin at him, laughing at the look of surprise on his face.
"Someone is very cheeky."
He took a step back, standing up to his full height. She looked up at him, her heart racing, wondering if she should have teased him. He looked stern, and a little angry. And then, she saw a twinkle in his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards before he caught it and frowned. He was laughing at her.
"Do I need to count to ten?"
He took another step back, and this time there was no hiding the smile on his face. “I have unleashed a monster."
"You have indeed, milord. That means you need to soothe the beast, before she loses her temper."
"No, it means I will have to tame the beast.” He smacked her bottom and she jumped.
"Ouch!” She started to turn, but he pressed against her, putting his hands over hers.
"The only counting that might be done is by you, as you list the number of smacks to your bottom.” He slapped her bottom again.
The sting spread through her and she gasped as another one landed. She expected a fourth, but his hand was soft again, caressing the spot he had spanked. He trailed his fingers over her hips and down to her quim.
"Give me your hand."
She dropped her hand to his. When he moved her fingers toward her quim, she shook her head. “No, I could not."
"You can, and you will. I want to hold you while you pleasure yourself."
"Keran.” She tried to move, but he pulled her close, keeping her body pinned between him and the thick bedpost.
"Allow me to teach you, sweet one. Do not worry, it will be fine."
"But I cannot touch myself."
"Shush.” He guided her hand down her belly, pressing her fingertips into her soft curls. “You do not know how much it will please me to see you do this. And it will please you, also. Just follow my lead."
Syndra nodded as their joined fingers dipped into her wetness. The mixture of his large hand and her smaller one, brought a great deal of pressure to her nub, and she gasped loudly, arching herself back into him.
"That is it, allow yourself to feel the pleasure.” He put her finger directly on the spot and pressed down, moving it in a slow circle. Her quim tightened under the sensations. He removed his hand from hers and whispered, “Keep moving it, my pet."
She nodded, varying the pressure and the speed of her fingers, closing her eyes to let the vibrations float through her body. She had no idea how long she stood there, one hand on the post, the other exploring herself before he whispered, “You have no idea how beautiful you look right now, head tilted back, eyes fluttering, your hand working hard toward your goal."
"Keran.” She opened her eyes to find him standing next to her naked; she had not even heard him take off his clothes, so entranced was she in the feelings spreading through her body.
He stepped up behind her, his hands on her hips. “Open wide for me, and keep playing, my pet. It excites me so."
"Excites you?” She leaned her head against the post as he slowly slid into her, her quim tingling as it stretched around his girth. Her senses stirred inside her as he slid in and out of her warmth, and she could feel the buildup to the peak that he had brought her to yesterday.
"Keran, I am ... going to..."
"Yes, do it.” He thrusted harder, the sound of their bodies hitting together echoing in the chamber. “And when you have climaxed, keep moving your fingers. You can do it again, and again. I want to feel it while I am inside you."
His hands left her hips and circled her body, finding her breasts, his finge
rs expertly working her nipples. The combination of his hands, her hands, and his cock sliding in and out of her drove her higher until she hit the top, her body feeling as if it would burst open. She screamed out his name, and before the feelings faded, a second climax took hold of her, this one racing through her at the speed of a shooting star.
Keran's arms were around her waist now, holding her close to him. She felt him pulse inside her and she knew he had spent also, giving her everything he had.
He held her close, their breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. Syndra's legs felt wobbly, and she was thankful for Keran's firm grip. He was still buried deep inside her, his head resting on her back. They stayed this way for a few moments, joined, neither of them speaking nor moving.
She had never felt so close to one person in her whole life. She wanted to ask him what he was feeling as they stood there together, both of their bodies still flushed with the aftereffects of their lovemaking.
When he kissed her neck, then licked her lips, she knew he felt exactly the same way. “I will have food sent up. Get into bed and wait for me, and whatever you do, do not put any clothes on."
"What if someone comes in the room besides you?"
"Shoo them out and tell them not to come back until tomorrow morning. We shall be very, very busy."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eleven
Syndra put aside her sewing and looked around the great hall. She would rather be in her own salon, with Alma at her side, but Keran worried that her spending too much time cloistered up there would raise suspicions, so he had her come downstairs as often as possible. He and his men had been here almost two weeks now, and things were going beautifully, as far as Syndra was concerned. She knew he kept a careful watch of Elizabeth's warriors as they trained in the glen, and her stepmother was blissfully ignorant of the fact Keran knew of their existence.
Syndra reported to her twice a day. She loved it that Elizabeth's nerves were on edge. Still, confined to her room, she paced like a wild animal when Syndra came in. And she still used Alma as a threat, though the young woman was no longer under her control. Syndra fought hard to keep her emotions in check when her stepmother brought up her friend. It would not do to let her know Syndra knew she was lying.
Twice a day she fed her the information Keran provided. Things were fine. He was visiting the sheep herds, getting an idea of his new holdings and making sure things ran correctly. And, she had to say, just yesterday that yes, he was still planning on marrying Leora, just as the king ordered.
The words almost stuck in her throat, but she knew there was nothing for it. If Elizabeth did not believe that Keran still thought Syndra was nothing more than a servant girl he had chosen to bed, things would come to a head rather quickly, probably with disastrous results. Still, thinking of him marrying Leora hurt, especially after everything they had shared. Their lovemaking now took place twice a day, before the evening meal, and after they had retired for the night.
She loved the way he made her feel, both physically and mentally. He always made sure that she climaxed, something Alma told her did not always happen. When she had asked her friend if Brody made her climax, she had just blushed and nodded.
Aside from the physical part, though, was the emotions that came with Keran's touch. When they were done loving, he would close his eyes for a few moments. The first night she had thought him asleep, but then he ha opened them and turned to her, and they had talked until the small hours of the morning.
He told her about being the youngest of seven boys, how his brothers would tease him and beat up on him, until he started to grow.
"I am taller than all of them now,” he said proudly. “It happened when I was about fifteen. The teasing and beatings stopped around that time."
Then he had told her how he and Patrick had met at court, when Patrick had been caught trying to bed another man's intended. Keran had come to his aid and they had been friends ever since.
"He was the first person I went to when the king gifted me with Mardoon,” Keran had said last night, putting his arms behind his head. Her head had been on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “First he told me I was crazy, but he came around. I hope he enjoys it enough to stay."
"I am sure Tillie does, too.” They'd both laughed until tears streamed from their eyes.
When he had asked about her childhood, she did not have as many nice things to say as he did. “Elizabeth was hateful, as was Leora. My father tried to ignore me as much as possible. Leticia was nice, when her mother was not around. I cannot blame her for that, though. If her mother had caught her being polite to me, she would have punished her."
"Elizabeth will be sent to court when this is all over,” Keran said. “The king will decide what to do with her."
"What's she has done is treason. Will he condemn her?"
"Would that bother you?” He stroked her hair, and she lifted her gaze to his. “She has never given you a nice thought in her life."
"Yes, but I do not want her dead, just gone."
He had studied her until she grew nervous, then he kissed her forehead. “You are too good, my wife."
After that, they had made love again, slowly and gently until she was wiggling in ecstasy.
Now, she was mending one of his shirts. They had ripped it the night before in their hurry to couple after dinner. She smiled to herself as she traced the stitching she had done to repair the rent. It looked almost as good as new.
"Well, are you not the dutiful wife.” Leora sat down across from her, setting a book on the table. “Except you are not, are you? You are just the whore. You know, I have given this some thought, and I think it is better this way. You get a taste of what you will never have again. Of course, he will not be my husband for long, but before I am widowed, I plan on lording it over you."
"Tell me, Leora, how will you explain the lack of blood to Keran on your wedding night? When he finds out you have been rutting with another man, he may well ask the king for a divorce. And I think it would be granted, since you are the whore."
Leora stood quickly, pulling her hand back as if to strike Syndra.
"Go ahead,” Syndra said, her calm voice belying the nerves rampaging through her body. “I am sure your future husband will be thrilled to know you have a violent temper, just like your rotten mother, who is nothing more than a witch."
Syndra could see the differing ideas passing through Leora's mind. On one hand was the desire to strike her half sister; on the other was the knowledge that if she did, it would get back to her future husband, and her mother. And while Elizabeth would probably laugh and pat her daughter on the back for a job well done, she would not want to deviate from the course they had laid out. Leora was to marry Keran and gain a stronger foothold on the keep, and then he would die sometime after the wedding, very soon after.
Elizabeth probably planned to marry Leora off to Nathaniel soon after Keran's planned death. That way her stepmother's lover would have control of the keep, until the king took it away from him.
"What are you waiting for? Do it.” Syndra stood and leaned over the table. “You don't have the strength. You are a big chicken, admit it."
They were attracting attention now, people stopping to watch the sisters argue, something they had never seen before. Syndra never talked back. She always nodded and did as she was told. Years of being yelled at, or slapped, taught her to keep her mouth shut. But not anymore. Her time with Keran had done exactly what Leora had said, it had given her a taste of the good life, and she would not allow her half sister to threaten it, even if Syndra knew it was just words that would come to nothing.
"Go on, hit me.” She held her hands away from her body. “I know you want to. You will never marry him. Never. He is in love with me and will not give me up. I can promise you that."
The room was deathly silent, people rushing in from other areas of the castle to watch. Syndra did not care who saw. She was tired of being bullied by her “fami
ly,” and intended to let them know it. Leora balled up her fist, and for a moment, Syndra braced for a blow. But it never came. The younger woman stood up straighter, gave her a smirk that made Syndra want to smack her, then turned and left the room at an even pace.
A smile broke out on Syndra's face. She felt as if she'd just won a huge battle, actually standing up for herself instead of backing down. She wished Alma were here, or Tillie, so she could share the victory with them.
But Tillie was working, and Alma was hidden in Brody's room, coming out very little to lessen her chances of being seen. She needed to find Keran, to talk to him and share how she'd stood up for herself.
She went first to his rooms. Not finding him there she checked the great hall, where she had just left. The people there were still buzzing about the confrontation she had just had with Leora. Nerves gripped her, and she hurried toward the training grounds where men sparred with each other.
The sounds of sword hitting sword hit her ears, the smell of sweat permeated the air. She searched the men's faces, more than a dozen of them labored at honing their battle skills. She saw Patrick, wielding a sword with expertise. Toward the side stood Brody, watching them with interest.
When he saw Syndra he nodded almost imperceptibly, a look of concern on his face. She could not ask him where Keran was, because she was not supposed to be close to the men, just Keran. She turned without acknowledging him and heated toward the stables. Her feeling of euphoria was waning, and bragging to Keran seemed to be a childish idea now. She should not have allowed Leora to goad her into a fight in front of everyone.
What if he heard about it and was angry with her? He'd told her several times they needed to keep up the appearance she was nothing more than a bedmate. And now she had blurted out that he loved her, that he wanted her.
Dread gripped her stomach as she wondered about his reaction. What would he say? Would he banish her back to her tower room until their reinforcements came and they took care of Elizabeth's warriors? Worse yet how would he react when he found out she'd called Elizabeth a witch in front of everyone?
A Dusting of Syn Page 8
