Enata's father looked sour. "And they may be conceived right here before us. The guy had his hands on my daughter's derriere, and I know that glint in his eye."
Even more blood surged to Enata's cheeks. She glanced back at Barton whose gaze had fixed on her.
Barton stared at the woman before him, the only woman he'd seen when he'd walked into the room. His fighter's sense — and other senses, like smell — had told him two other women were in the room. He also knew that three men impinged on his space when he'd entered: Saille T'Willow, friend; the adventurer and an older man. None of them could take him.
Now Walker had pushed Barton into trouble with his less-than-smooth words, making it sound like he didn’t want his lady. Dammit!
Barton's beloved stared at him with anger and hurt in her eyes. The bond between them that had been so open and warm — hot with pleasurable sensation — constricted. Her admiration of his form, her delight in his poetry, and her gratitude at having a wonderful match — those feelings slowed. Because he hadn't wanted a woman in the past, had fought the matchmaking.
He sidled a half-pace toward her, gave her his most winning smile, the one showing the crease in his left cheek.
With his most sincere look, one that came from his heart, he said, "I had my doubts. Before I met you." Reaching out, he grasped her hand. Oh, yeah! That crackle of energy between them triggered more aching desire. Made him want something more than sex, true bonding with this one woman. He needed her, now. Needed to be in her now, especially since she'd drawn away from him.
He scanned the room, spotted the long couch. Another pace and he had his arm around Enata's waist and quickening passion filled him. Her body became supple under his arm and she moved with him as they danced, touching, retreating, touching longer and harder, toward the fulfillment of desire.
That couch looked exactly right. He drew her in that direction.
Saille Willow stepped in front of him with raised brows and a smirk. "Your brother is here. And Enata may wish to introduce you to her Family."
Barton jerked to a stop. Brother. Walker. Barton could take Walker, lay him out and Saille, too, just as long as he got to that couch with his lady.
But she'd stiffened and a curse rose in his brain.
Family, the word whispered from her mind to his. He vaguely recalled that not only Walker and Saille were here, but a couple of females. Who, though he'd like to get rid of, he couldn't actually force to leave. And that would take time and break this wonderful spell he tightly held on to.
"Barton!" Walker's tone of command, which Barton ignored. Saille T'Willow stayed in front of him. Hell. Didn't sound like he and his woman were getting horizontal on that couch.
"Enata!" Another command tone in an older female noble accent and the last of the pliancy of his lady in his arms vanished.
He looked down at her, squeezed her waist. The more he touched her, the more he liked it. From the feedback through their newly formed bond, the more she wanted him to keep his hands on her. He could do that. He liked how their link expanded, strengthened, tightened, settling deeper into both of them, the longer they connected physically.
But she was ready to step away and others circled around him, blocking him, them, from the couch.
Chapter 5
With a thump of breath exiting his lungs, Barton relinquished the immediate satisfaction of sex and began to think. As lust fog cleared, one name anchored into his brain. "Enata?" he asked.
She reacted to her name on his lips, shivered with heightened sexuality. Too damn bad they weren't alone. She shifted from foot to foot, a bad habit. Yeah, unfortunately he was thinking again.
"Enata Licorice, FirstLevel Librarian," she said, her wide pupils showed against emerald.
"A name as beautiful as you." Still holding her, he gave her a half-bow. "Barton Clover, your future husband."
"Chief of Security for the Clover Family," Walker said.
A spark of knowledge in her brain filtered to Barton — Chief of Security, fighter, explains muscularity, graceful movement, complete manliness.
He grinned, really wished the room was only theirs. Espec-ially when an older man, obviously a nobleman and Enata's father, took the matchmaker's place in front of them.
"Greetyou, Barton Clover." T'Licorice bowed, and his bow said a lot of things. He was an older GrandLord acknowledging a younger man. And that younger man, Barton, was brother to a GrandLord but did not have a title himself.
"Papa!" Enata scolded, so Barton got the idea that T'Licorice didn't usually act so formally.
Evidently the guy didn't like him. Probably thought he and Enata moved too fast. This was a matchmaker's office, and they'd brought their daughter in. What had they expected? And nothing and nobody's opinion and actions except Enata's would stop Barton from being with her, claiming her, sweeping her off to his house.
But his neck burned in embarrassment that his standard quick thoughts had mired in passion, and his physical reflexes stalled. He returned the bow. "Greetyou, T'Licorice." Reluctantly he slipped his arm from Enata's waist to grasp her fingers and make a deeper bow to Enata's mother who he recognized as the holder of the Licorice title. "Greetyou, D'Licorice." Enata appeared to take after her mother more than her father in coloring and manner. A stiffer, more logical, less affectionate woman. Give Barton and the Clovers a few weeks and she'd loosen up.
"Hey, brother." Walker buffeted Barton on his shoulder, leaned down and kissed Enata's cheek. "Welcome to the Clover Family, Enata Licorice. Call me Walker."
So now Walker went all smooth, but he also spread an aura of approval and satisfaction that encompassed them all. Most of them smiled. Not to mention Walker streamed warmth and affection and excitement from the whole Clover Family because Barton had found his wife.
That had Enata relaxing, sensing through her bond with Barton all the love that bound his Family together.
Walker glanced around at everyone, paying more attention to them than Barton. His focus remained on his Enata. "All of you, call me Walker, it's easier."
"A spouse found for my Enata so quickly," plainted Enata's mother.
Barton wouldn't let the tiniest objection stand. He angled toward Enata, and his gaze caught on the beauty of her again, the narrow face with big deep emerald eyes, the red-auburn hair, her elegant, supple body. Her intelligence and honor. Yes, he sensed those, too.
He sent his wonder at the whole of her along their link, rubbed his chest. "You're here. You're just here, already in my heart. It only needed seeing you."
She blinked away tears. He understood the emotions she received from him through their instant bond filled her, easing some inner loneliness and emotional ache. He squeezed her fingers, still linked with his as their other connections continued to develop.
"I think the potion had something to do with having Barton fall in love with Enata immediately," Jace Bayrum, the adventurer, muttered. Barton hadn't forgotten the guy was in the room, but had discounted him. Barton swung around to snap at him and stopped at the sight of people standing in the hallway. A couple wore Willow livery, but he swallowed as he saw his parents. Either Walker had brought them or they’d heard the news and come on their own. Dammit.
They beamed love and pride at him, though his mother wept. He'd be the last of her five children to marry. He winced inwardly at the pain he'd caused her. Done now.
Enata had turned with him and she gave a little gasp. Your parents! What if they don't like me?
He heard her mental voice clearly and tightened his grip on her fingers. Like my brother, they already accept you as part of the Family. He paused, glad he could speak with her telepathically so quickly and easily. Now, on the other hand, your folks don't like me too much.
Papa? Mama? he heard her send to her parents . . . so Barton and she were that close already . . . if he didn't love her so much, he'd be wary. Especially since he'd begun to link with the rest of her Family.
The older man's face relaxed into more amia
ble lines. He offered his hand. "Welcome to the Licorice Family, Barton Clover. Enata is our heir. She will be D'Licorice one day. Should you wish to live with us, our Residence is available."
T'Licorice continued to poke at Barton. He was the Chief of Security, and had to live in the Clover Compound.
And, yeah, the Clovers had the unique Compound, row houses around three blocks, all accessed from the courtyards, but the Licorices had an intelligent Residence. An intelligent house spoke of the Family's longevity. Barton thought the PublicLibrary was self-aware, too. It'd be another hundred and fifty years before the original Clover house could think for itself.
"You can be the Licorice Head of Security," D'Licorice offered and Barton didn't know whether she was being snide or not.
He coughed gently. "I have my own personal house in the Clover Compound."
Enata glanced up at him, brows down. "A whole house? For yourself only?"
Swinging her and catching her other hand, he smiled down at her. "For you, too, and our children."
Her eyes glazed a little.
"There are plenty of Clovers. We don't have to start our own personal family too soon. Plenty of time for loving before children."
"I . . . that sounds wonderful," she whispered.
Barton began to feel more in charge. He dropped her hands, set his arm around her waist, picked her up and set her so their sides touched and they faced her parents, couple to couple. He met their eyes, nodded to them both. "And there are how many of you?"
"Four," T'Licorice said.
"Four," Barton said flatly. He pivoted in place and looked at every member of her Family. "There are nearly two hundred Clovers." He glanced at Walker who just raised his brows, like he expected Barton to deal with the living arrangements situation.
A very touchy conversation that affected Enata's future, his future, the future of both Families. "The numbers of my Family make my responsibility to them weighty." And the images of Savi and Balansa, who'd he'd continued to look for, and whose disappearance still haunted him, rose to his mind.
Enata wrapped her arm around his waist, sent him comfort through their connection.
"I need to be at the Clover Compound for now." He looked down at Enata. Yes, she would be a helpmeet and a partner. "My lady must stay with us, too."
"I agree." Enata stuck her chin out. "For the first month perhaps. Then we can consider alternating our living arrangements. Like many other noble homes built soon after colonization, D'Licorice Residence has plenty of space," she said aloud. Privately, and not looking at him, she said, Living with only you is an odd notion. I've always lived with my Family.
He replied mentally, I lived in my parents' house until I chose my own and we finished it. There are several new homes if you would prefer a different area. He didn't care for that idea since he'd chosen his house for the best placement to oversee the security of the Family, particularly Walker. Or you — WE — can redecorate my — OUR — home. As her mind shadowed with doubt, he grasped for a lure. You know my cuz is the best interior designer in Druida City. I've saved my gilt, spend whatever you want.
She sniffed. We are not a profligate Family.
You must feel at home in my house, he sent. Intelligent Licorice house or not, he wasn't going to spend a lot of time there. Would not move into rooms there. The Clover Compound was his home and responsibility and he wouldn't give that up.
"Enata is my heir," her mother repeated and Barton got emotions from D'Licorice through her bond with her daughter. D'Licorice felt a near desperate fear of loss, a determination to fight anyone and everyone for her child, for the PublicLibrary legacy. And she felt great pride in Enata that wrenched at his love's soft heart.
Barton's gaze arrowed toward the sister standing with her HeartMate by the door. He said, "You have another child."
"You have many other guards," D'Licorice snapped back.
"I like my job," Barton said.
"I do too," Enata said. She straightened tall beside him. "We Licorices have a duty to the people of Druida City, to Celta itself."
Oh, yeah, he experienced that complete dedication from her.
He and Walker grunted at the same time, acknowledging the point.
Mixed loyalties. Barton gritted his teeth. They could work through that. Conflicting loyalties that tore them from inside and out would be more difficult.
The sister, Glyssa?, pronounced, "I cannot become D'Licorice. I will not be remaining in Druida. The community at the excavation of Lugh's Spear calls us."
Enata stared at her sister, believing her. Now that she'd focused on something other than her developing bond with Barton, she could sense all the other ties to her in the room. Her sister no longer considered Druida City her primary home, and Jace Bayrum, Glyssa's HeartMate, definitely wanted to be on the eastern frontier.
Which meant Enata would be the future D'Licorice, a title that had never, quite, felt within her grasp.
Walker Clover's aura seemed to expand throughout the room, touching them all. And Enata understood another essential fact. Walker, Barton, and the whole Clover Family had the ultimate goal of ensuring Walker became Captain of AllCouncils.
Enata's ultimate goal was different. Like every librarian on the planet, she was charged with preserving information for their descendants. Those goals might not be mutually exclusive, but she would not relinquish the primary objective of her life.
She felt a welling of . . . love . . . could it truly be love so quickly, at first sight? . . . from Barton. He dropped a kiss on her head.
Yes, the more they touched, the more concrete the bond set between them and the deeper the link sank into her inner self.
Still emanating authority, Walker said, "We can work all this out later. I'm sure some of our Family would like to apprentice themselves to you – and when Barton and Enata have children, you might choose one to follow you rather than Enata." Walker spread his hands. "The options are many."
"Yes, this can all be worked out later. Now we should celebrate an excellent match!" said the Willow housekeeper from the doorway. She brought in a tray of fizz-wine and flutes. The older Clover couple (who must be Barton's parents because he looked a little like both of them) scrutinized Enata, then beamed at her.
The Willow housekeeper poured the drinks and passed them around.
"To Barton and Enata!" T'Willow, the matchmaker, toasted.
A great wave of good wishes washed over her, through her, and Barton, too. Enata swallowed tears.
Everyone drank. Naturally the fizz-wine was top-of-the-pyramid. Since she still experienced a giddiness from the blue potion she'd drunk, Enata took only a sip.
This event had wrenched her life – her Family's lives – into changes she hadn't imagined, and so very rapidly. When she'd hoped GreatLord T'Willow would find her a match, she'd gauged that would happen from a month to a year, or longer. Not a few minutes after she'd arrived for the appointment. She glanced at the wall timer, less than seventy minutes, a septhour, had transpired since she'd walked through the door!
So very much change. The Licorices, in general, didn't roll very quickly or gracefully with great change.
After they drank, T'Willow bowed to Glyssa, then the older Licorices. "I believe you have a connection with GreatCircle Temple?" he asked.
"Yes," Glyssa replied. "My friend, Tiana Mugwort, is a priestess at GreatCircle Temple."
"You might scry her to arrange a wedding—" T'Willow began.
"Good, the marriage ritual can be tonight." In a quick move and with easy strength, Barton scooped Enata into his arms. Her nearly-full glass tilted and splashed down his chest and onto the thick Chinju rug.
Everyone laughed and Enata flushed again. Some of the heat on her cheeks even came from embarrassment. Mostly, being held and enveloped by Barton had desire surging through her body. She wanted those big hands running along her bare skin.
Barton said a couplet and his shirt warmed and dried beneath her. Walker took her glass and
set it aside.
"A wedding ritual tonight!" her father protested, frowning at Barton holding Enata. “Usually engaged couples wait for a while—“
"No reason to wait, is there?" T'Willow asked gently. "The match is exceptional, the pair ready to bond, and the Clovers act expeditiously. I'm sure both Families have very efficient ladies who can organize—"
"The women–" Walker and Barton said together. They almost shuddered in unison, too. Enata felt the ripple of Barton's body against her. Nice muscles. Then she saw the jut of his chin. "I want to be married tonight. We do have a lot of women who can organize this."
"I must scry Tiana Mugwort," Glyssa said faintly.
"For sure," Barton said. He smiled with glee at Walker. "You alert the Clover women, Head of the Household. Make it happen."
"Yes, and you alert all the guards who will be needed tonight at GreatCircle Temple, providing we get that venue," Walker shot back.
Barton shook his head. "Nope, you, Head-of-the-Household-who-set-this-all-up-for-my-own-good, contact my second in command. I'm not working today. I have another major priority. One that you wished for me." He jiggled Enata a little.
Kissing her temple, he said, "Say good-bye to your Family." He grinned, but she felt a blazing heat through their bond, a red haze of desire that had her sex dampening. "We have a personal link to cement."
"No." Walker Clover walked up to stand close before them. "If you want a good Marriage Ritual tonight—
"Simple ritual," Barton muttered. "Make it short, not a dam— not a three septhour ceremony."
Walker's brows rose. "A formal Marriage Ritual is a major event."
Barton rocked back and forth on his heels. "Short and simple." He gestured with his chin. "Great party later, at the Temple and Clover Compound."
"I note your request," Walker replied. "As I was saying, if you want a potent Marriage Ritual tonight, you should do the cleansings and meditations to prepare for it. Noonbell hasn't struck, you have time for the traditional preparatory septhours to ensure a powerful Marriage Ritual tonight."
Lost Heart: A Celta Novella (Celta HeartMate Series) Page 4
