"Keeping people from opening the door. The whole castle thought you were killing her, or beating her, from the way she screamed. But I knew better. Screams of pleasure are much different from screams of pain. Well, most of the time."
Her blush spread to her cheeks.
"Elizabeth came out to listen for a while. She called you a name I shan't repeat, Syndra, and then she stalked back to her room. I swear I could see steam rising from her skin."
"Good.” Keran took her hand and they started down the hallway, Patrick falling into step behind them.
"Do you think it wise to antagonize her so much?"
"When I think about what is sitting in the field not far away, yes."
"Ah yes, but they still outnumber us. Do not forget that."
"Not for long.” They were in Keran's rooms now, the door shut behind them. “Tell the men we fight in three days time. The king's soldiers will be here in two days. Have them camp far enough away from the castle that Elizabeth and her pitiful band do not see them. We will wipe them out, and Mardoon will be loyal to its king again."
"The keep is already loyal,” Syndra said. “You are Mardoon."
He kissed her hand, his tongue sliding over her knuckles. “We are Mardoon."
Warmth suffused her body. This man, whom she'd known for such a little amount of time, made her feel as no one ever had before. It was not just the lovemaking, it was a closeness she would never think to have with a man.
Sometimes she could imagine he held her heart in his hand, clasping it tightly and then kissing it before putting it into his own chest, as if their hearts would beat together, making them one person instead of two.
There was a knock at the door, and Tillie entered at Keran's command. She nodded nervously, then sent a lusty smile Patrick's way. He winked at her, and then she took a deep breath.
"The priest is here; and Lady Elizabeth knows and is with him right now."
"Hell and damnation,” Keran said, releasing Syndra and running his fingers through his dark hair. “Did I not order his presence to be kept a secret?"
"You did, but it seems Leora and her lover were outside the gates when the priest came up. She ran to tell her mother."
The room grew silent, and a look of astonishment came over Keran's face that made Syndra laugh. “Her what?"
"Her lover, milord.” Tillie's saucy smile grew wider. “She has been spreading her legs for one of Nathaniel's men for some time now."
"Good. Then he can marry her.” Keran sat down and stared at the wall.
Syndra wished she could see inside his mind, see what he was planning. He sat for some time while they all stood, waiting.
Then he stood and crossed to Patrick. “Go and see where the men are. Push them to arrive here tomorrow if possible. If not, then the next morning.” He turned to Tillie. “Tell the Lady Elizabeth I will marry her daughter tomorrow at sunset."
"What?” Syndra felt as if her heart had been pulled form her chest and thrown to the ground.
"Shush. You must trust me."
Tears filled her eyes “But..."
"Syndra, hush. By tomorrow evening you and I will be wed. I promise. But, we must play the charade out to the very end to give us more time. If we let on now that I know about you, it could be disastrous. Please understand that."
She wanted to believe him, she truly did. After all, he had professed his love for her. But, he had done it while in the throes of passion. Tillie said men said anything while they were inserted into a woman and close to climaxing. She had to believe in him, though. But in her heart it hurt to hear him say he would marry Leora.
Still, this man had not led her down a wrong path yet. She would trust in his lead. The king trusted him, and that was good enough for her.
"I understand. And I trust you."
The look on his face made her heart swell with joy. “Good. You and Alma, and Tillie, make a kirtle for your wedding tomorrow. Make it blue, a beautiful dark blue."
"Yes, milord."
"And whatever you do, stay away from Elizabeth and her daughters."
* * * *
"I really must insist you kick the whore from your bed."
Keran turned to Elizabeth, who stood in the doorway of the great hall. It was almost time for the evening meal, and the place was full of people. Everyone had been talking and laughing, getting ready for tomorrow's wedding.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “May I ask who gave you permission to leave your rooms?"
She ignored his question and ran her hands down her skirt. “Now that the priest is here, I simply cannot allow you to embarrass my daughter any longer. You should marry her tonight, not tomorrow."
"And you do not embarrass her by talking about private matters in front of everyone?"
"You mean everyone who did not hear Syndra cry out like the slut she is? You have caused shame to be heaped upon my daughter's head with your actions. If I thought it would be allowed, I would petition the king to have you removed from Mardoon."
Keran grabbed hold of his anger, and then he laughed, loving the red flush of anger that rose in Elizabeth's face. “I will not be dictated to by you, or anyone but the king. When you show me a royal seal, you may tell me who I can and cannot take to my bed. Now, scamper back to your rooms before I decide to postpone the wedding another week, or a month."
"My daughter will not accept her bastard."
Keran's blood froze in his veins as gasps filled the hall. Did Elizabeth know something he did not? Had he planted a child in Syndra and she had not told him about it? Surely not. She would have said something. Besides, it had only been a few weeks. What were the chances that she was already breeding?
Could that be the reason for her behavior earlier today? He knew women sometimes were emotional when they were with child. Of course, it could just be seeing him with Leora really did upset her. Whatever the cause, he needed to ask her, tonight.
He turned back to Elizabeth and squared his shoulders. “Your daughter will do as I say, no matter what. You will not run this keep, and neither shall she."
"I insist you send the whore away. Tonight. At least give my daughter that amount of respect."
He wanted to tell her that her daughter's lover, who he found out was called Thomas, would give her all the respect she deserved when he married her tomorrow. Instead, he just smiled. “Go back to your rooms, milady, before I have you escorted back."
For a minute, he thought she would argue. And then, she turned and walked calmly away, her hands down at her side.
Patrick came up behind him and chuckled. “I would like to see her in the tower before this is all over. Or should we just dispatch her here and save the king the trouble?"
"No, she will be sent to London. The king will decide her fate.” People had started to talk again, and Keran wanted nothing more than to have Syndra at his side. She had been working on her kirtle for tomorrow for a few hours, though, and he missed her more than he thought possible.
The vile words spewing from Elizabeth's mouth sickened him and made him want to take Patrick's advice, just try her, convict her, and have her executed here, in Mardoon. But, the king would not take kindly to that, so he would do his duty and deliver her traitorous behind to the king.
The urge to see Syndra grew. Patrick was now talking with Brody, who looked, like Patrick, to be enjoying country life despite the fuss both of them had put up about leaving London.
Of course, he was too, and the reason was sitting upstairs in his chamber, sewing a garment for her to wear for their wedding tomorrow. His cock stiffened at the thought, and he stepped closer to his friends.
"I shall take my meal in my chambers. Please watch things here carefully."
"Enjoy yourself,” Patrick said with a grin. “Should I post a guard to keep away the curious, or will she not be screaming this time?"
"She will indeed,” Keran said. “And much louder than before."
* * * *
Syndra set aside her sewing, pic
ked it back up, then put it down again. Tillie and Alma had not allowed her to work on her kirtle for tomorrow, saying they wanted it to be a surprise. They had taken it with them and left several hours ago. She had done some mending on Keran's clothing, then paced the chamber for a while, knowing it was in her best interests to stay inside and not stir things up downstairs.
She was bored, though, with both her friends gone and most of the mending done. There was not much else she could do. She crossed to the desk and looked at the sheets of parchment lying there. She picked one up, frowning at the letters. She forgot much from when she had tried to learn her letters. She recognized the ., because Leticia had showed it to her once, saying it was the first letter in Syndra's name.
The rest looked like a big jumble of lines, things she could not make any sense of. Should not the lady of a castle know how to read? Keran had said he would teach her, but then things had heated up with the discovery of Elizabeth's use of the land, and he had not mentioned it again. Maybe she should mention it to him. After tomorrow. After the wedding.
The idea of him taking her to wife sent a thrill through her, just as it had earlier. She put her hands on her stomach, wondering if a child were growing inside her or if it were just wishful thinking on her part.
"Is there something you want to tell me?” She turned to Keran, who stood in the doorway.
"No. I was just looking at the things on your desk."
"Snooping?” She could hear the laughter in his voice.
"How can it be snooping when I cannot understand the missives?"
"True.” He stepped aside as two men entered carrying trays of food. “I thought we would eat upstairs tonight, just the two of us."
"Thank you, milord.” She blushed, and when the men were gone he turned to her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not for food.” She ran her fingers over her breasts, loving the intake of breath that made his chest tighten.
"Naughty wench. Perhaps I will make you wait.” He crossed to the desk and picked up a piece of parchment. “But then again, perhaps I will work on keeping my promise to teach you to read. To do so, you will need to undress."
Her eyebrows shot up. “I have to be undressed to learn to read?"
"Yes, you do. Take off your kirtle and shift."
Desire ragged through her as she followed his command. He watched her carefully, making her nipples tighten and wetness flood from her quim.
When he spoke, his voice was tight with need. “Now, I shall teach you a few basic words first.” He sat down the parchment, took a quill, and dipped it in the ink. Then he started to write. She watched the letters appear, her gaze following his hand, amazed by it.
When he was done, he sat down in the chair and patted his lap. “Sit here."
"Should you not be naked, too?"
"Later. Right now, I want you naked in my arms and ready to learn."
She sat on his thigh, bringing her legs up to shield herself in case someone should walk in unannounced.
"Now, this letter here is an .."
"Leticia taught me that one."
"Good. This is an ., and this an .."
Syndra tried to keep all the letters straight in her mind as he showed them to her, wondering how she would ever learn which went where, and which ones formed which words.
"I fear it may be too much for me, milord."
"Nonsense. This word is your name, Syndra.” He went through each letter, pointing it out to her. She snuggled down into her chest as he showed her the words England, king, Edward, Keran, Mardoon, London, court, Tillie, Patrick, Alma, Brody and castle.
"There are so many."
"There are a few, yes, but these are the important ones in your life. Now, which one is England?"
She pointed to a word starting with the letter ., and he nodded his approval. They did it several times, going over the words until she thought she knew each one. When he took a knife from the desk, she inhaled sharply, watching as he cut the words apart.
"Now, I will hold up words for you to see, and you will tell me what they are. This will mix them up a little, so it will show if you really know what they are, or if you have just memorized their place on the parchment."
"Trying to trick me."
His grin made her nipples grow tighter. “If you are right, you will get a reward. If you are wrong, you will get a punishment.” He patted the edge of the desk. “Sit here please, just on the edge."
She moved into the spot he indicated, gazing down at him. “Punishment? I am not sure I like the sound of that."
"You will like it. Spread your legs very wide."
Desire ripped through her as she opened for his view. His hand went between his legs, stroking his cock and she licked her lips.
"Very nice.” He held up a card. “What is this word?"
"Syndra."
He turned the sheet and looked at it. “Very good.” He leaned forward, then placed his head between her legs, his tongue parting her curls and finding her hard nub. He licked gently, her flesh quivering under his touch.
"I like that."
His reply was muffled, then he looked up at her. “Your reward.” A few more licks made her wiggle, and then he stopped and sat back.
"More."
"Shush.” He held up a card. “What is this word?"
"King.” This time she arched into his tongue, pushing herself against him without abandon. The pleasure spread to her stomach, running up to her nipples, which tingled and drew together without being touched.
"Keran.” Her fingers were in his hair now, pulling him closer as his tongue flicked around the bud, keeping her just on the edge of release. “Please, push in the center, make me spend."
"Not yet.” He sat back and licked his lips. “You pleasure is at my discretion tonight and will depend on how well you remember your words."
She got two more right, Keran and Alma. Her reward kept her dancing on the edge or orgasm, her body tingling as if she were standing in the middle of a fire. And all the while, when he would sit back and lick his lips, she thought he looked more pleased with himself than he ever had before.
"You are torturing me,” she muttered.
"You will thank me afterwards, my love, I promise."
When he held up the next card, her mouth went dry. “Um, I ... castle?” Syndra bit her lower lip when he looked at the card, and then shot her a stern gaze.
"No. Try again."
She shook her head. “Alma?"
"You just did that one. This is court.” He stood and kissed her forehead. “Stand and turn."
He took her hands placed them on the desk, then stepped behind her. “How many letters in the word? Count them."
She studied it, her hands shaking. “Five."
"Very well, five.” And he struck her buttock. It was not a hard strike, just enough to burn. She gasped as a second one, and then a third one fell. The last two made her wiggle.
"Five swats for five missed letters. Now, what is the word?"
"Court."
He kissed her shoulder. “Very good."
Within seconds, another card appeared before her eyes. Without being asked, she said London. He kneeled down behind her and licked. This time his tongue pressed into her opening, sliding into her until she cried out. He slid it back and forth, stretching her just a bit, wiggling his tongue until she stomped her feet and struggled to stay in position.
"Keran, please!"
He stood, placing his lips next to her ears. The smell of her quim drifted over her as he licked her cheek. “Just a few more words."
"No, please!” She thrust back, her bare behind coming into contact with his cock, still encased in his breeches.
"Syndra.” There was dangerous desire buried in his words. “Behave yourself and do as I ask."
She nodded, fighting the need to tear him from his breeches and push herself down on him.
He continued the game. She got his name and Tillie right, and then missed England and Ma
rdoon. By the time she had been licked and spanked several more times, she knew she could not stand it anymore. The spanking did nothing more than fuel her need for him, fan the flames of the fire that now burned brightly in her quim. She turned to him, pushing him into the chair.
"Please, please, Keran, do not torture me anymore, I am begging you."
He arched his eyebrows at her, then gave her a look as if she were a piece of meat on his dinner plate.
She dropped to her knees and put her mouth on his cock, which throbbed under his clothing. Her hands fumbled with his stays, and his deep laughter created chills inside her.
"Eager, are you not?"
"You are evil.” She freed him, then licked her lips, lifting her gaze to him.
"Go ahead, my love. Taste me."
The most wonderful of temptations was before her eyes. Her mouth watered, and her hands shook as she traced his length with her fingers.
"Yes, my love. Show me how much you desire me. It cannot be half as much as I desire you."
She lowered her head, her tongue out and ready, licking at the slit. The juices that hit her tongue were salty, and tasted exactly as she thought they should. Musky, with a taste of masculinity that made her shiver.
She repeated the action, her tongue sliding over his slick skin, the hardness pulsing under her. Keran's moan let her know she was doing the right thing as she flicked her tongue down his length and back, tracing a vein that ran along the backside. He shivered, his hands weaving into her hair as hers had done with his.
When she opened wide and took the tiniest part of him into her mouth, she knew this felt as wonderful for him as his tongue had felt for her. She tightened her lips around him, sucking as hard as she could.
"Oh Syndra, you will be the death of me, and what a sweet death it will be.” He pulled her head up and kissed her, his tongue licking her teeth.
"Come to the bed my wicked one."
He undressed as he walked, leaving bits and pieces of clothing lying around. When he climbed onto the bed and lay on his back she frowned, not certain if he wanted her to mount him as she had done the first night she had taken him inside her.
Instead, he crooked his finger and patted the space next to his face. When she was near him, he kissed her gently. “Lower your quim onto my face, then lean down and take my cock in your mouth."
A Dusting of Syn Page 10
