She shared everything with him, her heart, her body, her soul, and rather than feeling scared or vulnerable, she felt safe and loved.
The heat rose and grew, pooling like liquid fire in her belly then radiated outward. She climbed, reached, and finally soared over the cliff, shattering as waves of golden pleasure flooded her.
Marcus gripped her as she climaxed. He clenched his jaw as wave after wave rippled through her, then with one final thrust, he lost himself inside of her.
Collapsing on the bed beside her, Marcus gathered her into his arms.
Yes, she thought as their bodies intertwined, exhausted and sated, this was how it was meant to be.
The gift of the Twins.
Chapter 55
The fire had burned to embers, and darkness shrouded the room when Brelynn awoke. The moon had already set, but the sun had not yet risen.
Joy effused her as she snuggled closer to Marcus, his arms wrapped around her, strong and protective, as he slept beside her.
The golden bliss they’d shared still warmed her when a whisper of cold screamed past her, freezing the room and making her breath puff around her.
Lucky nudged her hand, his eyes shining gold in the darkness as he positioned himself between her and the dark presence.
She thanked her dog and rubbed his ears.
Loved and happier than she had ever been, Brelynn would not let Arch-Grimveldt Korvar steal it from her.
Calling on her magic, she let it flow through her, its warmth filling her and pushing back the cold. The dark magic screamed and clawed against the gentle heat, fighting against her, but she would not be bullied.
Expanding her spell, Brelynn wrapped the entire room in the same protective embrace she felt around her.
The darkness shrieked as it melted into the warm magic.
Lucky thumped his tail and curled back up on the floor.
Marcus stirred beside her, his arms tightening protectively around her. “Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“You’ve given me everything and more.” She touched her lips to his. “By the Twins, I love you.”
He gave her his happy lopsided grin, then rolled her beneath him and took her again.
Chapter 56
Brelynn conjured the same disguises to deflect attention in the next several towns, allowing her and Marcus to enjoy their last few days alone together. They were a few sunrises away from Aerius when a sliver of worry crept into Brelynn’s thoughts and had her awake as stars still twinkled on the horizon.
Marcus still lay beside her, his chest hard and broad against her back, his arms still around her.
But for how long?
What would King Eli and the Knights of Valor do when they learned of her and Marcus’s promise before the gods? Would his church allow Sir Marcus to stay married to her? Or would they toss her out of Aerius for corrupting their Lich Slayer?
Marcus kissed her along her neck and shoulders. “What’s bothering you?”
She tipped her head to the side, giving him better access to her. She considered lying to him, but that’s not what she wanted between them. “What happens when we get to Aerius?”
“We’ll see King Eli and let him know you arrived safely.”
“And then?”
“Not sure if he’ll have you meet Prince Dylon right away or not, but I’ll be with you the whole time. After we’ve dealt with that, we’ll go home.”
“Home.” She inhaled the rich scent of him. He smelled crisp, like an autumn day, as he had in Eskara. Hard to believe how much had changed since then. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me now. Your husband and all. Should’ve warned you before we said our vows that I’ve been known to go on long, dangerous quests.”
“Husband,” she breathed. “I never imagined I could love someone as much as I love you, married or not.”
“We made our vows before the gods and…” He blushed and nibbled her shoulder. “And consummated them. Repeatedly.”
“Well then, as your wife, know that all that dangerous questing business ends right now.” She turned in his arms and poked a finger in his chest. “Now that we’ve found each other, I have no intention of losing you.”
He kissed her. “Retirement is looking better and better.”
“Your formidable aunt will not be pleased with you.”
“She’ll adjust, and she’s wanted me to get married for a while.”
“She wanted you to marry a nice Tamarian girl.”
“I fell in love with you.” His hands stroked up her body and palmed her full breasts as he teased kisses along her bare neck and shoulders. “Dealing with Aunt Matty should be easier than a lich, especially with the promise of babies for her to spoil.”
“Babies?” Brelynn swallowed.
“A house full of them. I have a dragon line to carry on, remember?”
Words abandoned her as Marcus teased his fingertips over the swell of her breast and down the curve of her waist. Her thoughts scattered as his sword-calloused hands caressed her body and his rigid shaft pressed against her stomach.
Brelynn wriggled against him, smiling as he groaned.
He nipped her shoulder. “We should set out soon.”
“Mmmhmm.” She purred as she arched her back and filled his hands with her pert breasts.
“We really should…”
She silenced him with a long slow kiss.
Marcus draped her thigh over his leg and slid into her.
She moaned as he stretched her, filled her, and touched her very core. His hands skated over her smooth flesh, touching and caressing, stoking the flames of desire as he teased the curve of her breasts, the swell of her hips, and the indentation of her waist before dipping lower and finding her hidden nub.
Words faded to whimpers as she clung to him, surrendered to his questing hands and embraced the desire stealing through her. Marcus held her against him as he nibbled her soft flesh, teasing her swollen breasts then capturing a nipple between his thumb and forefinger while he continued to move inside her.
It was strange and wonderful to feel so protected and yet so vulnerable.
Marcus thrust into her, filling her, gentle but forceful, giving as he took.
The golden glow of pleasure heightened, intensifying as his hands danced over her. As she met and matched the rhythm of his body.
Heat sizzled through her, building, pooling, growing until it was almost too much to bear. She pushed her hips against him, taking him fully as pleasure exploded through her.
Brelynn cried out as wave after wave of rapture flooded her, inundating her senses until she was swept away and could do nothing but give herself over to raw feeling.
With one final thrust, Marcus lost himself in her, filling her as he held her tightly against him.
They eased back to the bed together, and she nuzzled his cheek as he wrapped his arms around her. “Let’s leave a little later today.”
Marcus kissed her softly, gently as he gathered her close and nodded. “Retirement is looking a whole lot better,” he whispered against her hair.
Brelynn grinned and gave herself over to the contentment flowing through her.
Chapter 57
Brelynn left the inn late with Marcus, the sun warming them as they followed the King’s Road north. Birdsong filled the air, and the rich scent of ripening crops teased their noses. The green hills rolled around them, dotted with the occasional copse of trees or small forest.
Brelynn hadn’t understood the concept of home or how much she wanted one. Not until she’d fallen in love with Marcus.
Now she wanted one with him.
She’d fight Sir Leopold for him, and his Aunt Matty. Not even the Dragon Church would stop her from giving Marcus, from giving them both, the chance at true happiness.
Sir Marcus glanced at the sun. “Doubt we’ll make it to Aerius tonight.”
“Must’ve been that late start.”
H
e gave Brelynn his lop-sided smile. “Worth it.”
“Absolutely.”
He paused. “I wonder how the Tribunal went.”
“Not for you to worry about. Sir Leopold will handle it.”
“You’re right. At the rate we’re going, he might even make it back to Aerius before us.”
“There’s not as many people that want to shake his hand,” Brelynn said. “And I doubt he got married along the way.”
Marcus’s smile returned. “He’ll still be angry.”
“Worth it.”
“Absolutely.”
They rode side by side, talking and laughing as they enjoyed the warm afternoon sun. They would be in Aerius soon, and for the first time since Brelynn had started the journey, she wasn’t afraid.
She smiled at Marcus. She really was going home.
The thought evaporated as a whiff of cold scented with death assaulted her. A spell, she was certain, powerful and cast recently.
Lucky’s hackles rose, and he barked at the chill wind that blew past them.
“You feel it?” Marcus asked.
Brelynn nodded.
“Calmont’s dead,” Marcus said. “I destroyed him myself. Could Korvar still be after you?”
She bit her lip as she remembered banishing Arch-Grimveldt Korvar’s spell. “Even if he is, it would take a lot of effort to get this far into Tamryn lands. It doesn’t make sense to spend that much magic for me, especially after losing Mokkar Calmont.”
“Do you recognize the spell?”
She shook her head. “Just that it’s strong.”
“An ambush?”
“Sloppy if it is,” Brelynn said. “We can feel the spell.”
“So they want our attention. A trap, then.”
“I don’t know Arch-Grimveldt Korvar that well, but it makes sense.”
“Probably to separate us.” Sir Marcus nodded towards the road. “Feels like the spell came from ahead of us.”
“If he was desperate enough, he could have teleported someone here. But without a mage circle on this side, it’s a costly spell.”
“Big enough for what we’re feeling?”
“Maybe.” Her fists balled around the reigns. “If I had more training, I’d know.”
“Whatever it is, the spell’s recent. Magic like that will have the Knights of Valor and Crown investigating.”
“We could try to go around.”
“They may anticipate that, and I’m not taking any chances with your safety.” Marcus reached into his pack and withdrew a slim vile. Cracking it open, he pulled out a strip of paper, requested help, then tore the paper in two. It disappeared.
“What do we do now?”
“Ride back the way we came,” Marcus said. “And warn anyone heading this way. The Knights of Valor should have a squad here quickly.”
“You sure?”
“This close to Aerius? I’m sure.”
As they turned around, seven dark riders appeared on the road and galloped toward them. Lucky growled but stayed close to Brelynn.
“We waited and waited, but you did not come to challenge us,” a tall, gaunt man at the back of the group hissed. “Cowardice is not what I expected from a Knight of Valor. No, not at all. Your reputation is overstated.”
Three men in robes flanked him, and men dressed in heavy armor rode in front of them. Their horses pawed the ground and danced nervously.
“They stole the horses,” Brelynn whispered. “Spell would’ve been even bigger to teleport seven horses.”
“You know them?” Marcus asked.
“I know Kaiden, the one in the back. He’s one of Arch-Grimveldt Korvar’s most promising apprentices.”
“Ride back the way we came,” Sir Marcus said as he put himself between Brelynn and their assailants.
Her magic flared, stronger than ever as fear and love fueled it.
Sir Marcus drew his sword and shield, and she called on her magic to protect him, to safeguard him. For the first time, she understood the true power of the Twin’s gift and the willingness to sacrifice everything for another.
She would rather die than lose Marcus.
Kaiden started casting a large and powerful spell while the three heavily armored men rode toward Marcus. As they closed in, Sir Marcus bolted forward on Bastion, using his horse’s strength and speed to frighten their untrained mounts and scatter them.
The riders dismounted, and the horses escaped back down the road.
Dark bolts of magic struck Sir Marcus’s chest. He ignored them.
Turning Bastion, his sword flamed brilliant white as he sliced through one of the armored attackers. The other two closed in on him, and Bastion lashed out, his rear feet connecting with an attacker and sending him sprawling back.
The third pulled Sir Marcus from the saddle.
Marcus parried a blow as he came down and rolled away from the armored assailant. The man Bastion had kicked slowly pulled himself to his feet, flanking Sir Marcus as the mages arrowed fire spells at him.
Before the fire could reach Marcus, Brelynn dismounted and called the fire spells to her, then turned them back against the mages. The moment before the spell hit, she fueled it with her own magic, enlarging it and sending the flames higher and brighter as they crashed over the casters and stripped away their protective wards.
“How?” Kaiden’s gaze flicked from Sir Marcus to Brelynn.
The armored men closed in on Sir Marcus, studying him as they looked for an opening in his defenses.
One of the mages cast a spell into the ground beneath Sir Marcus’s feet. The earth trembled, and the other two acolytes added their magic to fuel the spell.
The ground swelled then cracked. Sir Marcus fell as the earth crumbled beneath him. A moment later, the ground began to close and swallow him with it.
“Brelynn, run!” Sir Marcus shouted as he parried a blow from one of the armored men even as the ground surged up and encased his legs.
“No!” Brelynn screamed.
She couldn’t lose him, not now, not like this.
She clenched her fists at her side as she called her magic, raw emotion pouring into it as fear, love, and loss almost overwhelmed her.
Falling to her knees, she opened herself and let the magic flow freely through her.
Sweat beaded her brow, but the magic answered her command, throwing Marcus back up out of the ground and then heating the earth, molding it into twin spikes that impaled the armored men who threatened the man she loved.
“You were kept drained and never taught to use your magic. How…” Kaiden narrowed his eyes at Sir Marcus. “The Twin’s curse. Especially powerful in sorceresses. Arch-Grimveldt Korvar will be most displeased with you.”
Climbing back to his feet, Sir Marcus charged the closest acolyte. The mage threw spell after spell at him, but Marcus shrugged them off as his sword flamed white and he drove it through the mage.
The other two retreated from him and aimed their spells at Brelynn.
“Kill her and you face worse than death,” Kaiden shouted. “Destroy the Knight!”
The remaining two mages began casting as Brelynn pushed herself to her feet. She tottered as the magic swelled around her, and her bone-deep need to protect Marcus fueled her.
A ball of fire shot from her fingers and swallowed the mage closest to Marcus, incinerating the mage’s screams as the inferno of heat and light devoured him.
As the third acolyte shielded himself from the fire, Sir Marcus struck, slicing through him.
Sir Marcus then turned to Kaiden.
Kaiden only smiled as he spread his arms wide and finished his spell. He took a step, disappeared, then reappeared at Brelynn’s side.
Before she could move, Kaiden clamped an arm around her and pointed at the ground with his other hand.
He unleashed his second spell, and a teleportation circle formed under their feet.
Sir Marcus’s eyes widened, and he roared as he sprinted towards the wall of magic.
“All magicked out?” he purred against her ear. “I shall enjoy watching you sacrificed.”
Lucky leaped at Kaiden and lunged for the necromancer’s throat.
The teleportation magic flared as Kaiden loosened his grip on her enough to defend himself from Lucky.
Brelynn sucked in a breath. Agony cut into her as she called more magic, but she would rather die fighting than be Arch-Grimveldt Korvar sacrifice to the dark gods.
She slammed her hands against Kaiden’s chest, her fear amplifying the last shreds of her magic into a vortex of black fire.
She blasted the magic into Kaiden, and the ebony flames engulfed him.
Kaiden’s eyes widened, his screams shattered by the black fire as the teleportation circle opened beneath them.
Brelynn tried to escape the circle, but Kaiden pinned her against him even as the flames consumed him. The circle’s magic flared into a brilliant glow as the spell completed and blasted a wave of magic through the air.
“No!” Sir Marcus cried as his long strides devoured the last few yards to the cone of magic, but the light engulfed her before he could reach her.
Brelynn screamed as she reached for Marcus.
Chapter 58
The magic ebbed, and the light faded.
Kaiden dropped Brelynn, and she collapsed against the ground.
“Brelynn!” Marcus fell to his knees beside her. He lifted her into his arms, holding her against him as he peppered her with kisses.
Confusion followed by blinding relief coursed through Brelynn. She wrapped her arms around Marcus and buried her head against his chest, basking in the comfort of him and glorying in his protective embrace.
She’d escaped.
Brelynn had no idea how, but she was still alive, and so was Marcus. And they were still together.
She whispered a prayer of thanks to the Twins and the Holy Trinity.
Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor Page 23
