Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas Book 2)

by N. J. Walters

  Yes! She allowed the fantasy to consume her for a brief moment of madness. Their tongues tangled—exploring, tasting, sharing, and taking. She burrowed closer, drawing his heat into her chilled body.

  He lifted her right off her feet and stepped toward the bed.

  “Stop.”

  He halted, still holding her.

  “What are we doing?”

  “I would have thought that was obvious.” His sexy smile went straight to her core, bringing with it an aching need.

  “The sex was great.” Understatement of the millennium. “But it can’t go beyond that, so why bother?” One of them had to keep their head.

  He heaved a sigh and set her down on the bed, going to his knees in front of her. “Why can’t it go beyond that?” He fingered one of her curls before combing it behind her ear. “You told me you loved me. I didn’t imagine that.”

  Just lie. She opened her mouth. Then shut it.

  He lifted one of her hands and pressed it against his chest. “Kismara,” he began.

  “What does that mean?” She knew it was some form of endearment.

  “It means heart. You’re my heart, Delphi.”

  No, she couldn’t listen, couldn’t start to believe. “I know you think that now, truly believe it. But once you’re home, you’ll realize it was only sex. Yes, you care. You’re a good man. But you didn’t have any memories and I was there.”

  The muscles under her hand turned to steel. “So you’re saying it was only proximity? Or maybe the moment? You don’t love me?”

  “It’s not about me.” She withdrew her hand and peered over his shoulder at the wall. “It’s about you not knowing who you were.”

  “So you think I’m weak.”

  Startled, she jerked her eyes back to his face. His nostrils flared as he took several deep breaths. “No, you’re not weak at all. You’re strong. You survived. You saved me in the end.” And she would never forget it.

  He nodded. “So that’s why you told me you loved me. You were grateful.”

  “No!” She shot to her feet. “Don’t put words in my mouth. Don’t tell me how I feel.”

  “Why not? You’re doing it to me.” The softly spoken words hit her with the force of a laser cannon. She sat down hard on the bed. Was he right?

  “I’m trying to do what’s right. You’re a prince of Gravas. I’m no one, an assassin with no home, no last name. Look at me.” She waved her hand in front of her. “I’d never blend on your world, always be an outsider.”

  “Then we won’t live on Gravas.” He said it so matter-of-fact it struck deeper than if he’d made an impassioned plea.

  “You can’t mean that.” Her throat ached. “You have a family. Obligations.”

  “I can visit my family. And I’m gone a lot on missions. My life wouldn’t change much, except I wouldn’t be alone.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I’d have you. The woman I love. It’s not gratitude or because I didn’t have any memories and you were there. It’s you, Delphi. It’s your loyalty and confidence, your kindness and determination, your protectiveness. Your spirit burns so bright it’s blinding.” He gave a rough laugh. “I even love your stubbornness.”

  “You can’t talk,” she was compelled to point out.

  “See, we’re good for each other. You’re the first woman I’ve ever met who sees my being a prince as a drawback instead of a lure. You’re special.”

  Could she believe him, trust him not to change his mind?

  “What about your father, the king?”

  One corner of Ivar’s mouth kicked up in a grin. “He has my mother.”

  That surprised a laugh from her. Only Ivar made her want to laugh and cry at the same time. “Be serious.”

  “I am. He has my mother and my other brothers and their children. Since the day I was born, it was drilled into me that much was expected. I’ve given it my all for the thirty years I’ve been alive, spent the past decade away from home to serve. I can keep doing that, but I can’t do it alone. Being in captivity, facing my death made me think about things. I want more than duty and obligation. I need you.”

  She peered into his eyes and saw the same longing, the yearning that existed inside her. Like him, she’d known duty and obligation. Understood expectations. Like him, she had family, but had still been alone.

  “You really love me?”

  He captured her hands and brought them to his lips, brushing his lips over them. “I do. And I’m in this for the long haul. I don’t want to scare you, but I want forever. We can take it however slowly you want, but I’m not going anywhere.”

  Forever. It echoed in the lonely chambers of her heart. Dare she take the risk?

  “What if your father, your king, forbids you from being with me?”

  A look of sheer stubborn determination came over him. “If it comes to that, we’ll leave. Spear will help us.”

  She shook her head. “My brother is still on Gravas. Sass is with Spear. I won’t put their lives in danger.” Not after spending all these years protecting them.

  “Then face my father with me. He’ll not harm your family because of something we do. That is not his way, not our way. And Spear would not let anyone harm Sass. I’ve never seen him show affection to anyone before. He’d destroy entire worlds to protect her.”

  That much was true.

  Hope burned in her soul. She’d let him go once, or tried to. Whatever happened, their destinies were entwined.

  Leaning forward, she kissed him.

  ****

  The sheer terror that had gripped him bled away. Her entire face softened, her eyes warmed. And then she kissed him. It was soft and sweet, their lips barely touching.

  “Tell me you love me.” He needed the words.

  “I love you.” Worry bled away. Whatever came, they’d face it together. And as they’d already proven, they were a formidable team.

  “Kismara.” He took her mouth, feasting on the taste of her. The ordeal was finally over. Balthazar had escaped, but there were assassins already on his tail. Their part in this was over. The loose ends could wait. Making love to Delphi could not.

  Desperate to touch her, he undid the fasteners of the fitted top she wore, peeling it down her arms. She was bare beneath it, her breasts small but perfectly shaped, her dark skin smooth and warm, her nipples large and light beige. “Exquisite.” He grazed them with his thumbs and hummed with pleasure when the tips became more prominent.

  “Ivar.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer. Smiling, he took one pert bud in his mouth and sucked. His erection tented the front of his pants, but he wanted to taste her first, hear her cries of pleasure as she came.

  He’d almost lost her.

  If he’d been a second later…

  “Stop thinking.” She dug her fingers into his shoulders, massaging the tense muscles. Standing, she shimmied out of her pants and underwear. Gloriously naked, she reclined on the bed and opened her arms.

  He scrambled up beside her and kissed her. Delphi wore no perfume, used no scented soap, but smelled better than any woman he’d ever known—fresh and clean. They were breathing heavily by the time he pulled away. Her eyes were closed, her head slightly tilted back as he worked his way down her neck, leaving biting little kisses along the way.

  Palming her breasts, he shaped and licked and sucked until she was writhing beneath him. Control shredding, he left off and kissed a path down her torso before settling between her thighs.

  “Look at me,” he ordered. She raised her head, her eyes slightly glassy with desire. “See me.”

  “Only you.”

  His balls squeezed, his dick throbbed. This was a woman whose word was golden, her honor deep. He could trust her, now and always. She’d always put his safety above her own, which was a problem. But since he planned to watch out for her from here on, he figured it evened out.

  He licked the spicy essence from her core. Her hips arched up and she moaned. His scalp burned when
she tugged on his hair. He’d have to grow it longer to give her something to hold on to.

  There was so much they still didn’t know about each other. The joy was in the discovery.

  She was wet when he pressed a finger deep into her sheath. Her sweet moan had him clenching his jaw to keep from coming. He pressed the flat of his tongue against the bud at the apex of her thighs, smothering a laugh when her knees pressed against his head, locking him in place.

  It only took a few more strokes of his finger, flicks of his tongue. She cried out, frantically pumping her hips.

  Ivar shoved down his pants and surged up and over her, fitting the head of his cock at her opening, and thrust forward. Her sheath rippled around his shaft. His eyes rolled back in his head.

  Sucking in air, he held himself still, torturing himself with the final contractions of her orgasm.

  Her slow smile was that of a well-satisfied woman—sleepy and pleased. She twined her arms around his neck, wrapped her legs around his flanks, and tilted her pelvis upward. “What are you waiting for?”

  Like a laser fired from a blaster, he exploded. Hips pumping, he drove deep and hard, sliding in and out of her wet, warm core. She moaned, her fingers digging into his nape. “Yes. Harder.”

  The slap of flesh against flesh, low gasps, and long moans sang in the air. Now! He drove home one final time. His release shot from his cock. They’d made love before, but this was more intense. This time he knew exactly who he was, exactly who she was.

  “Kismara,” he groaned, thrusting a few more times before collapsing. Lungs heaving, he managed to roll off her, but pulled her with him, keeping her tucked into his side.

  Peace settled over him, something he’d thought he’d never have again. He owed it all to the woman beside him. Not only had she rescued him from prison, but she’d also filled the empty voids in his life.

  He pushed her damp curls from her forehead and pressed a kiss there. “You okay?”

  “Mmm.” She snuggled closer and sighed.

  Ivar smiled and drifted off to sleep with the woman he loved in his arms.

  ****

  Delphi slipped from beneath Ivar’s arm and padded to the bathing chamber. She stifled a yawn as she entered. She had no idea how much time had passed, how long she’d slept, but she felt better than she had in days.

  She was also sweaty and sticky. A quick turn in the gel-cleansing unit took care of that. Refreshed, she grabbed a cleansing cloth and went back into the sleeping chamber. Ivar was sprawled across the bed, still sleeping soundly.

  He really was a superior specimen. After only a short time, he was looking so much better, his body beginning to fill out from the weight he’d lost. His hair was tousled, likely from her tugging on it. The scar on his face was faded but remained.

  She lifted the covers back, exposing the rest of him. He truly was fine. His broad chest tapered down to a narrow waist and hips. His cock stirred.

  “You’re awake?” She’d really thought him asleep.

  “I could feel you staring.” His lids were half-open, his eyes dark with desire.

  “I figured you were done.” Taking advantage of the situation, she knelt on the bed and ran the cleansing cloth over his shaft. It was thick and long, the head wider than the rest.

  He sucked in a breath. “Not done. You inspire me.”

  Pleased, she continued to stroke the cloth over him. He rubbed his hand over her leg, drawing her attention.

  “Everything will work out.”

  “You can’t promise that.” When he frowned, she added, “But I’m in it with you.”

  “Together. By the gods of Gravas, that feels good.”

  He hadn’t been shy about exploring her body. Now it was her turn. “Bet it can be even better.”

  His deep laugh sent shivers of longing through her. “I don’t doubt that for one second.” He reached up and tugged on a curl. “I’ve fantasized about your hair.”

  “Really?” She tossed the cloth onto the floor. “Do tell.”

  “It’s so soft, so alive. I’ve wondered what it would feel like stroking over my skin.” His cock flexed, as if to agree.

  Emboldened, she tilted her head to one side and leaned down until her curls feathered over his lower abdomen. “Like this?”

  He sucked in his stomach. “Yes.”

  She moved upward, keeping low enough that her hair dragged over his chest and flat nipples.

  “Delphi.” His hands were fisted in the covers. It was so he didn’t reach for her, giving her time to explore at her leisure.

  “Maybe I should go lower?”

  “Gods, yes.” The sheer desperation in his tone made her laugh. “Think that’s funny, do you? Remember, payback’s a bitch.”

  “I’ll risk it.” Sliding down the bed until she was kneeling by his thighs, she turned her head so several curls stroked his shaft.

  “Fuck me.” Rip! The covers were shredded. His chest was expanding and contracting with each deep pull of air into his lungs.

  She dragged the flat of her tongue over his erection from base to tip. He tasted slightly salty and warm. Fitting her mouth over the tip, she sucked.

  He cursed, every muscle in his body becoming as hard as titansteel. It was fun to play, but there was an unexpected side effect. In trying to arouse him, she was arousing herself.

  Her core ached, becoming damp and soft.

  When she took him deeper into her mouth, he groaned. “I won’t last. Delphi. Kismara.”

  Needing him, she straddled his hips, took him in hand, and pressed down over him. His eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. His hands were hard on her hips, holding her in place.

  “I love you.” The words sprang from her heart, the part of her she’d managed to shield from the nastiness of her life.

  “I love you.” His gentle smile settled everything inside her. “Now get to work.”

  Laughing, she did just that, pushing until they both flew over the edge, lost in their passion.

  Chapter Fifteen

  They’d walked straight off the ship to a waiting escort and were now on the way to see his father, the king.

  Ivar strode down the long corridor beside Delphi. She was dressed all in black, the perfect professional assassin. Her expression was blank, her steps confident. Only someone close to her would notice the stiffness in her gait, the way her eyes took in everything without seeming to.

  They’d spent most of the trip to Gravas in her chamber, only leaving long enough for him to speak with his parents—promising details once he was home—forage for food, and when their siblings had demanded their company.

  They’d talked for hours, lying in bed sated from lovemaking. She’d shared her horrific childhood—the murder of her parents, she and her twin being left to fend for themselves on an unknown world, being found by Artemis, a woman who took in children to train them to become assassins to do her bidding.

  If Artemis wasn’t already dead, he’d have hunted her.

  But in an odd twist of fate, if none of that had happened to Delphi, they’d have never met. Life was fickle, but he believed they’d have found each other somehow.

  He wanted to tell her not to worry, but she wouldn’t appreciate that. Not with an armed honor guard surrounding them and with Spear and Sass right behind them. Image was very important to Delphi.

  Ivar was eager to see his parents and the rest of his family. The guards outside the large door to his father’s office pulled the door open as they approached.

  They’d barely stepped inside when his mother was racing toward him, arms wide. “Ivar.” Steffa el Gravaso still appeared young and vibrant in spite of having five grown sons, and six grandchildren.

  “Mother.” He swept her into his arms and whirled her around.

  “You’re safe.” She ran her hands over his face and shoulders, as if to assure herself of what he’d already told her.

  “I’m fine.” His mother was strong, but she wasn’t a warrior like Delphi. Knowing th
e details wouldn’t change anything and would only hurt her.

  He gently set her aside and gave his father a short bow. “Your majesty.” Delphi was quiet beside him. Spear and Sass had moved off to the side to join the other members of his family who had assembled. Roman was there with his wife and children. Vaden was there with his wife. Only Marcus was missing. As a commander in the Gravasian military, he was likely on a mission.

  A huge dark-skinned man stood off by himself, glaring at Ivar. That had to be Zaxe. He looked as hard and lethal as the weapon he’d been named for.

  “You have returned.” Agman el Gravaso stepped out from behind his large desk. “Leave us,” he ordered the guards. When the door closed behind them, his father wrapped him in his arms and pulled him close. “My son.”

  Ivar swallowed heavily. Gravasian warriors tended not to display emotion outside their families. But family was the bedrock of their society, along with honor. He clutched his father’s back before patting it and taking a step back.

  His father turned to Delphi. “You have done everything you promised. We are grateful for your courage and honor. You will forever be a friend to Gravas. There is a ship at your disposal. It is yours and your brother’s. It is the best the Alliance produces, not Gravasian. We cannot allow our tech outside Gravasian hands.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, your majesty.”

  It sounded like a dismissal to him. When Delphi started to go stand beside her brother, Ivar grabbed her hand, keeping her beside him, ignoring her glare and the subtle tug.

  His father looked pointedly at their joined hands and raised an eyebrow. “Anything you need to tell me?”

  Before he’d been captured, Ivar had always deferred to his father. There’d been no need to do otherwise. Being imprisoned and losing his memories had changed him in ways he still fully didn’t understand. He’d been stripped to his core and now had to rebuild himself, deciding who he wanted to be going forward.

  “Delphi is mine.” He swallowed a smile when her fingers stopped trying to pull away from his and instead squeezed them to the point of pain. Yeah, he was going to pay for that one, but it was best to put things in terms his father would understand.