by Olivia Ash
She hated that they were slowly revealing themselves to her on their dates, but she had to keep the most important parts of herself secret. What was going to happen when she truly found the other piece of her soul? Would she be able to reveal herself even then? Would her soul be instantly repaired, and she could finally take her place among society? She could find a small apartment above a shop to live in, and a job as a blacksmith or a stable hand, although she didn’t think those were occupations for women, and the three men could continue to court her. She shook her head, knowing that wouldn’t likely ever happen. She had too many questions still. She wished the oracles had been clearer about her fate.
While she was preparing to do some spinning lunges with her sword, the battle horn of Nighthelm sounded. Its mournful cry reverberated over her, even as she ran toward the city gate. As she crested a turn in the path, she found a full-on battle raging barely two-hundred-feet from the gates. The soldiers from the walls fought a herd of minotaurs. Her blood ran cold. These creatures never came so close to the city and, even on her patrols, she had no indication they were heading this way. Had she been so distracted she missed some sign?
Sophia never made mistakes, especially not mistakes this big. Something was wrong here, but she didn’t have time to figure out what it was. She had to help the soldiers, but she could already feel her power returning, wild, untamed, getting frighteningly close to the surface. She pushed it down as she was in better control of it than she’d been in years past. She knew she could keep it at bay… for a while.
Too involved in the fight, no one saw her approach the field of battle. As she grabbed a dead soldier’s bow and arrows, she prepared to help from afar without tapping her magic too much, preventing anyone from tying her to the magical episode from before. In the fray, she spotted Edric fighting a minotaur entirely on his own, away from the others. The beast had obviously lured him away from his squad.
Her mind blanked. All she could feel was the utter compulsion to protect him. Not the other soldiers, not the city of Nighthelm and its people, but him.
Still unseen, she drew her sword and joined his fight. She lunged at the beast, cutting it off from advancing on Edric. It swiped at her, its claws cutting into her shoulder. The pain was instant but didn’t slow her down. As she positioned herself to advance again, she was careful not to use her magic. She wouldn’t allow an episode so close to someone she was beginning to care so much about.
Edric gaped at her as she sliced at the minotaur’s back leg, hoping to fell it, but missed and nearly received a back hoof to the head for her efforts. She was lucky it hadn’t turned and tried to gore her with its horns.
“Sophia! What are you doing? You must run and hide! It’s too dangerous here!”
She refused to waste words as the beast charged at Edric again, probably thinking he was the biggest threat in the field.
Stupid choice, Sophia thought.
Edric feinted to the right, then brought his sword up to strike, but Sophia saw how the minotaur was going to veer and come along Edric’s flank. He would be gored by the beast’s horns if she didn’t act fast.
She ran to Edric’s side and swung at the beast. Her blade slashed across the minotaur’s belly, gravely wounding it. This gave Edric time and the opportunity to advance toward its head. With a deft hand, he sliced open a gaping gash into the beast’s neck. The minotaur stumbled, listing to the right then falling to its side. Blood pooled around its body, and Sophia knew it wasn’t getting up again.
More fighting raged on nearby. The minotaurs were overpowering the soldiers. There were several dead castle guards scattered across the battlefield, their bellies and necks slashed open by claws and teeth. While Edric ran to help his fellow soldiers, Sophia moved to the cover of a few trees. Using her procured bow and arrows, she shot several of the beasts before they could advance to the city gate. With the element of surprise on her side, she took down a couple of minotaurs that had been charging toward the walls without anything in their way, turning the battle into victory.
After Edric took down the last beast, he sheathed his sword then returned to her side, as no one else had yet taken notice of her. But that wouldn’t last long. Soon she would be spotted and her presence questioned. Women were not soldiers and were not supposed to be on a field of battle.
“What in seven hells are you doing, Sophia?” He looked her over, his gaze fierce, his frown deep. “This is no place for a woman! You could’ve been killed.”
She bristled at the fury coming off him. She couldn’t believe he would admonish her after she just saved his life. “I wasn’t killed, and if I’m so bold to say: neither were you, thanks to me.”
He huffed in frustration, but she could see his face soften a little. “This makes no sense.” Pacing, he shook his head and rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin. “How did you…?”
“My uncle hired trainers for me when I was young. I’d always been precocious and he liked that about me. But instead of having me underfoot all the time, he set me out in the training field and put a sword in my hand, hoping I’d expend all my energy whacking at wooden dummies and padded men.”
He stopped pacing and his eyes narrowed. “That’s surprising considering what I know of Lord Oxford. He’s never seemed like a patient man, and definitely not a man who put any value on a warrior’s way of life or a woman’s.”
Bloody hell, she needed to do some fancy word dancing. She didn’t like that suspicious look in Edric’s eye. “My uncle is an enigma, to be sure. He hides many things from people. He doesn’t like how the other noble families scoff at such things. That’s why he’s kept my training secret.”
She took a step toward Edric and placed her hand on his arm. “And I’d appreciate it as well. I wouldn’t want others to look down on me for my secret love of swordplay.” She gave him a flirty smile. “What would the other young ladies of society say?”
He sighed heavily, and then nodded. “Of course. I’ll keep your secret.”
“Thank you, Edric.” She lowered her head demurely.
His gaze on her was no less intense, but she didn’t think it was full of suspicion any longer. She’d placated him. For now.
Then he flinched and his frown deepened. “Your shoulder.” He reached for her. “You’re hurt.”
During the battle, she’d completely forgotten she’d been injured. She looked down at the tear in her shirt and the blood staining the fabric. “Oh, yes. I guess I am.”
With gentle fingers, he pulled the hole in her shirt apart to inspect the wound. “It’s not bad. Just needs to be cleaned and bandaged.”
She was surprised he hadn’t commented on her entire state of dress. She wore her training clothes, of leather jerkin, suede pants and tall boots. And everything had dirt and grime on it. Not a very appealing look for a high society lady.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll take care of it,” she said. She rolled her shoulder, not planning on telling him she’d had worse. Way worse.
“You’ll do no such thing. After I check on my men, I will come for you and tend to you myself.” He gestured to the far side of the wall. “Wait there and I will sneak you into the barracks.”
He returned to the field, then as if remembering something important, he came back to her, cupped her cheek with his hand and pressed his lips to hers. Then he was back, jogging toward his wounded men.
The kiss was quick, but no less potent. The feel of his mouth burned on her lips, sizzling of want, desire, and possession. And she liked that a lot.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sophia
True to his word, Edric had returned for her after checking on his men. He snuck her through the city and into the barracks through a secret gate in the wall. One that only the leaders of the castle guard knew about. Sophia secured the location in her memory, just in case she ever needed to use it.
Once at the barracks, he quickly escorted her to his room before any of the soldiers could see them. He locked the door, an
d pointed to his bed for her to sit. Sophia wanted to argue but the stern look in his eyes told her that it wouldn’t be a great idea to do so. So, she sat on the edge with a harrumph.
While he went into his storage cupboard to retrieve bandages and an antiseptic, she surveyed his room. He had modest living quarters; she suspected they were a bit bigger than other soldiers, as he was the commander. He had a bed, desk and chair, cupboards, and a small counter with a wash basin and mirror on the wall. He returned to her with cloth bandages, and a small bowl full of tepid water.
His eyes narrowed as he studied her shoulder. “You’re going to have to take off your jerkin and shirt so I can properly tend to the wound.”
The cut along her shoulder was just a scratch in her opinion. She’d had worse injuries, but it was obvious he wanted to patch her up. So, she indulged him.
“Turn around so I can,” she said.
He did, and she untied her leather jerkin, took it off, and then pulled her shirt up over her head. She winced at the sharp pain when she moved her arm. After tossing her clothes to the floor, she pulled at the bed sheet over her and wrapped it around her breasts in her best attempt to be modest, given the circumstances.
“Okay, you can turn back around,” she said.
When he did, his lips parted in awe. She wasn’t sure if his surprise was at her oozing wound—it did appear to be worse than she had first thought—or because she sat there virtually naked, wrapped in a sheet. His sheet. Covered with his scent.
He crouched next to her then gently wiped the blood away from around the gash. She watched him as he worked, noticing how he swallowed and licked his lips with each tender stroke of the cloth. She liked the way his jaw clenched, and she had an urge to trace her fingertips along the muscles on his chin and jawbone.
Once the gore was wiped away, Edric dabbed the wound with a gel made from the aloe vera plant that grew in various places in the woods. She used the same antiseptic ointment at home when she got injured. Then he slowly and gently wrapped her shoulder with the soft cloth.
With each turn of the cloth, his fingers brushed against the side of her breast, and tender jolts of desire shot through her each time. By the time he was done, Sophia was biting on her bottom lip. It wasn’t because she was in pain. Quite the opposite. Ribbons of pleasure seared her with every warm touch of his hand.
After tying off the ends of the cloth, Edric lifted his head and met her gaze. His fingers lingered on her shoulder, the tips brushing lightly on her skin. The muscles along his jawline twitched, and this time she didn’t hold back from reaching out and tracing her fingers across his stubble.
His eyes darkened to a stormy blue, as if in that moment, he had lost his final ounce of control He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. She sighed, her lips opening a little, inviting him in. Edric cupped her cheek with his hand and deepened the kiss.
Her whole body buzzed as he slowly pushed her back onto his bed, crawling on his hands and knees until he was entirely on top of her. Sophia let go of the sheet covering her breasts and reached up to bury her hands in his hair, bringing him closer, kissing him hard.
Her very soul ached for him.
She needed him.
Now.
They kissed until they were breathless, then Edric pulled away and looked at her. With her hands on his chest, she felt his pulse thumping hard against her fingertips. She reveled in the fact that she’d made his heart race. Hers was going as fast as a jack rabbit.
“Once we start, I won’t be able to stop.” His voice was gravely, hoarse with desire.
“Then don’t stop,” she panted and brazenly pulled the sheet away from her body.
Edric made a low groan in his throat as his gaze traveled over her breasts. Her nipples hardened into tight buds as he shamelessly studied her body, taking in her every curve. He pushed off the bed and tore at his clothes, until he was left in only a pair of cloth breeches that did nothing to hide his erection.
She drank him in. His strong, muscular body, the light sprinkling of hair that lined his sternum. There were scars along his arms—one thick white one stood out—and a couple over his stomach. They held the appearance of knife wounds. He stood like a warrior, battle ready and battle scarred.
Edric was the most powerful man she’d ever seen. And he was all hers.
Not wasting a moment, he returned to her and untied her pants, then yanked them off, until she was naked, trembling with lust and need, her legs parted, waiting for him to take her on his bed. His gaze devoured her whole. Though she ached for him, she still fought off the unconscious impulse to cover herself. She had never been in this position before, never had the chance to give herself to a man before, and trace hints of her nervousness fluttered through her chest.
But there was no room for modesty now.
In seconds, he was beside her again, capturing her mouth with his, kissing her until she was languid, half-drugged with desire and open to his touch.
He moved his hand down her body, softly caressing every crest and valley. He went slowly with his surprisingly gentle touch. Molding a breast with the palm of his hand. Gently rubbing a nipple. Fingertips feathering over her rib cage. A firm palm over her belly as he pressed hot kisses to her chin, and then nuzzled into her neck.
It was a slow, loving preparation of what was to come.
Sophia gasped as his hand pressed between her thighs, opening her up, and his fingers sunk into her sex. He only explored her for a moment but it was enough to set her body aflame. He pulled his hand away, and then was on his arms, hovering over her, as if he was trying to decide which part of her he wanted to taste first.
Impatience won out, and he nudged her legs apart with his knee, then settled between them. She didn’t mind. She liked that he hungered for her and wanted to take her quickly. He yanked down his breeches, and guided his cock to her opening. She was hot and wet for him, ready to be filled. She sucked in a breath as he pressed into her.
Being as this her first time, she suspected this would hurt, that the thrust of his cock would bring her pain and blood, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was Edric inside her. She burned for him. Inside and out. She never thought she could ever feel this much for one person.
His arms shook with exertion as he slowly sheathed himself inside her. With every inch, she moaned as her body adjusted to him. He filled her completely, stretching her, the two of them connected in the rawest sense of the word.
Reaching up, she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. She wrapped her arms around him and bowed her back as the first pinch of pain needled her deep between her legs. Then he was fully seated, and hot, pulsing pleasure erupted from within.
His movements were slow at first, and she knew he restrained himself for her. So he didn’t hurt her. But she didn’t want slow. She wanted fast. She wanted primal and raw. Giving herself entirely to him, she dug her nails into his back, and wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him with the press of her heels on the backs of his legs.
That was all the encouragement he needed.
He moved faster and harder over her, in her, through her. Sophia dug her fingers into his back and held on as wave after wave of heat and pleasure surged over her. She didn’t know that sex could feel this way.
So fevered.
So intense.
So beyond reason.
How could she have known what she was missing, when she’d been a virgin? When she never thought any man would want her enough to try.
Their sweat mingled as their bodies intertwined. The smell of it filled the air. Sophia drew it all in, reveling in it. She gasped as her pussy contracted around Edric’s cock. Her orgasm hit suddenly, powerful and hard, and she tightened her thighs around him. She moaned, leaning into him, trying her best not to scream his name.
After all, these walls weren’t very thick.
With a long, loud groan, he buried his face into the crook of her neck. His hands sunk into her hair and he pulled on it a littl
e as his body quickened. She felt all his muscles bunch, and then he bit down on her flesh like an animal and then came in a hot, heady rush.
“Sophia,” he said with a rasp.
She hugged him tight to her body, loving the feel of their combined muscle spasms and the sound of their twin heartbeats. He shuddered once more, then rolled over onto his back, rolling her with him so she was snuggled on top of his chest.
She could barely catch her breath as she lay across his hard body, listening to his heart hammer inside his chest. His one hand swept into her hair, and the other caressed her arm, careful not to jostle her injured shoulder.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, his voice low; a loving murmur.
“No.” She smiled against his skin.
“Good.” He pressed a kiss to her head. “I never wish to hurt you, in any way.” He nuzzled her closer to him, as if he couldn’t bear to ever lose her.
Sophia drew her fingers up and down the smooth, hard plane of his chest. How could one man be rough and dominating one second, but sweet and endearing the next? It baffled her, but she was slowly coming to realize that was just Edric. Her beautiful contradiction.
“Next time it shouldn’t hurt at all,” he said, “then you can fully experience all your pleasure.”
“It can feel even better than it did?”
He chuckled, sweaty and exhausted. “Just wait, darling. Next time I will make sure that you orgasm harder than me.” His hand stroked over her ass, and little flicks of heat ignited deep inside her again.
She pressed a kiss to his chest, astonished at what she’d just done, but not for even one second regretting it. There were plenty of plants in the woods that acted as birth control, and she would brew a tea from one later when she was back home, just to be safe. She’d never thought she would need one.
