“Did you enjoy making me feel foolish?” Her voice trembled and two large tears swelled and bubbled over her lashes. She reached to swipe them away, but he grabbed her hand before she had the chance.
He heard her gasp. They were inappropriately close, but he couldn’t help himself. He wrapped her hand within his and held it against his chest. With his other hand, he brushed the tears from her face, letting his fingers linger on her silky skin.
He reacted without thought when he saw her tears. His only aim to somehow right the wrong he’d committed against her and to atone for the embarrassment he had caused. But as soon as he touched her, an unyielding attraction crashed through his body. Her parted lips and the wide-eyed expression dancing across her face enticed him. She didn’t pull away or shrink from his touch, which made him want to do what he could not—kiss her.
He inhaled the night air deep into his lungs to cool his heated blood and took a safe step away. Mira bumped his elbow, demanding attention. The Criton’s loyalty to Carina was undeniable—a silent guardian protecting Carina’s back. He, on the other hand, had betrayed Carina the first moment he saw her. “I didn’t tell you because I was selfish,” he confessed.
Carina’s teary eyes were like red-hot branding irons burning his skin, reinforcing his need for her forgiveness. He couldn’t part on bad terms. “I wanted to enjoy your company and our conversation knowing you were with me as a man, not as a king. Will you accept my apology?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” she answered obligingly without emotion.
Marek stared at the stubborn woman who rode a Criton better than most men. His eyes locked onto hers, willing her to feel the desire racing through him that he couldn’t share; to hear the words he wanted to say, but remained silent in the back of his throat; and to see the emotion she could elicit from him with a simple blind touch. She blinked and faltered, but held his gaze.
“Will you please forgive me?”
She matched his stare, but he refused to yield until her penetrating glare crumbled and she looked away. After a long exhale, she whispered, “Your Majesty, I forgive you. You wanted to be someone else for a short while. I understand, because I too want that at times.”
He grinned as the tension ebbed from his body. But a minor detail needed fixing. “I have one more request.”
Her eyebrows raised in question.
“You once called me, Marek. I would ask that you do so again.”
Her contagious smile blanketed him like a warm caress. “Very well…Marek.” She giggled, then bit her bottom lip and focused on Mira.
He leaned against a pasture fence post so he could watch Carina. She was petting her Criton with an undying vigor, and if not mistaken, blushing. He stifled the smile threatening his lips.
“What do you think Mira will look like after she transitions?”
He glanced over his shoulder to look at the animal whose eyes were closed because of Carina’s devoted touch. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said, settling his gaze on Carina again. “Sometimes the changes are significant and sometimes you can hardly tell.”
“I think she’ll be very special.”
“She already is. She’s special to you.”
Carina tilted her head as if weighing his comment. “Yes, she is.”
A cool breeze whistled through the silent night, swirling the strips of fabric around Carina’s legs in an alluring dance. “It’s late. I should go inside,” she murmured.
He untied his cape and placed it over her shoulders before extending his arm. Her dazzling smile stunned his senses. And when she wrapped her hand around his arm, a sudden rightness swept over him as if she had reached out and soothed the unease troubling his body.
“You’re leaving tomorrow?” she asked as they retraced her path across the lawn to the main house.
“The weather is turning faster than I thought and we must cross the Arrakans before the heavy snows begin.”
“Oh,” she mumbled and glanced away.
He stopped at the large, front door to the castle. Two flickering lanterns hung in metal casings on each side of the fortified entrance throwing dancing shadows against the walls. He reached for her arm, enjoying the soft feel of her velvet dress. She quivered at his touch and his body jerked in response. He also noticed her bicep muscle and smiled. Arms had to be strong to handle a Criton, even a small one like Mira.
“Will you promise me something after I leave?”
Carina pressed her lips together and regarded him with wary eyes. “Tell me what it is.”
Marek frowned, knowing that she wouldn’t blindly agree, but wishing just the same. “Although I now realize it would be unfair to ask you to stop altogether, I’d like you to avoid riding alone near the border.” What he hoped would not happen, happened. Carina’s spine stiffened, her chin lifted in a stubborn tilt, and her eyes narrowed.
“I never said I was the rider you chased.”
“Nor did I. But if you were to ride Mira one day, remember it’s too dangerous for an unattended female to ride by herself so far out.” His jaw tightened. “So, promise me.”
Carina shook her head. “I cannot,” she said with a defiant edge.
“I could tell King McKay what I saw yesterday. Perhaps he’d know who the rider was.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened before she snapped it shut. She yanked her hand off his arm and spun for the door, but he grabbed her by the wrists and pinned her lithe body against his. She smelled like honeysuckle and the fresh promise of early morning dew. He fought the urge to bury his head in her hair so he could memorize her scent.
“Promise me,” he ordered in a rougher tone than intended, but he couldn’t leave her knowing she would continue to risk her life. “If you agree, I know you’ll not break your vow.”
Carina’s face crumpled and tears rimmed her eyes. The tremor in her voice tugged at his resolve.
“You might as well ask me to stop breathing.”
His gut twisted. He had hoped she wouldn’t be so resistant. He loosened his grip and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, comforting her against his chest. “You can ride closer to home,” he whispered.
She raised her head and stared at him with sorrowful eyes. “I would get caught flying closer in. Please, don’t ask this of me.”
“Father, where is he?” Marissa’s high-pitched voice floated through the heavy door just before she flung it open, rattling the iron-ring accoutrements decorating the outside wood. Carina pulled out of his grasp, but not fast enough.
Surprise flitted across Marissa’s face an instant before her eyes tunneled into Carina. “What are
you
doing?”
“Ahh, King Duncan, there you are.” Regin appeared in the doorway, his wide frame blocking the light inside from spilling into the night.
Marek noticed Regin’s eyes drift to the cape draped across Carina’s shoulders. Although the smile never left his face, Regin’s eyes darkened. Marek tensed with regret. Not wanting to get Carina into trouble, he reached for the cloak.
“I was checking on FireStrike when I saw Carina and insisted she take my cape.” Marek stood tall, ignoring the stunned expression on Carina’s face.
Regin smiled. “That was a kind honor you bestowed. Carina, say thank you and go upstairs.”
With a noticeable sigh of relief, Carina curtsied and muttered a quiet thank you before turning toward the door. She paused at the threshold. Her inquisitive eyes swept over him. Pinned by the intensity of her gaze, her sadness drilled a hole through his chest. Just as quickly, she released him and disappeared inside, leaving him cold, alone, and in the dark.
“You too, Marissa, up to bed. King Duncan and I have much to discuss.”
“Father, please—” Marissa choked on her words when Regin held up his hand.
“Don’t argue, daughter.”
Marissa’s bottom lip jutted out. “Yes, Father,” she grumbled and stomped into the house.
With a sweep of his hand, Regin motioned toward the open door. “Shall we?”
Marek strode past Regin into the castle. “Aye, we’ve much to discuss.”
8 – BREAKFAST NEWS
She surmised he landed on the roof and used a rope to scale down the outside wall to sneak into her room. Exhausted from his midnight escapade, he slept beside her under the thick blanket, his head resting against her shoulder with an arm and leg wrapped over her. His weight comforted her while his body kept her warm.
Following his example, a cooling breeze crept through the now ajar window, stirring the faded curtains in a soft, billowing wave. Except for his boots, he still wore his jerkin and leggings, and smelled like finely cured leather.
They were playing a dangerous game cuddling together, but she couldn’t stand the idea of waking him. She stared into his face, his breathing quiet and deliberate. His disheveled hair gave him a boyish appearance, yet he was all man. He looked peaceful, beautiful. With a delicate caress, she laced her fingers through his hair trying to tame those wild curls, but his long, brown eyelashes flew open at her touch. Her breath caught when his emerald eyes latched onto her.
He smiled seductively, wickedly. Like a large cat, his lean body stretched on the narrow bed and his muscular arms tightened around her, pressing her against the steel wall of his chest as he nuzzled her neck. His breath tickled, fanning heated chills up and down her spine.
“You should go,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. Her statement lacked conviction because she didn’t want him to leave.
“Are you sure?” he murmured before kissing the curve of her neck. “Because my plans would require I stay.” He shifted above her and nibbled kisses along her jaw before biting her earlobe.
She whimpered at his touch. Despite herself, she grabbed his waist, securing his body against hers, the thin fabric of her nightgown sandwiched between them. “Maybe you could stay a little longer.” She moaned as his hand traveled down the outside of her thigh.
Featherlight kisses brushed over her eyes. His hand cupped her breast and an uncontrollable shudder slammed through her body. She was drowning, losing herself to the sensations crashing around her. She slipped under the surface and relinquished herself to his every touch as he fed a rising ache that throbbed low in her belly.
“Carina, I’ll never leave you.” Marek’s voice rumbled before he plundered her mouth.
A rapid knock on the door woke her with a start, her heart hammering in her chest. “What?” she snapped.
Milly bustled into the room and rushed past her to the small, alder armoire located in the corner, opposite her window. If Milly noticed her flustered state, she blessedly did not say anything as she rifled through the sparse wardrobe.
“Come dear, you need to get out of bed right now.”
Carina threw an arm over her face and groaned. “Why are you making such a fuss?”
“The king has demanded you eat with the family this morning. King Duncan dines as well.” Milly smiled. “This is your chance to say your farewells.”
Carina yawned. “Marissa could care less if I say good-bye. It’s cold, just let me sleep.”
“No, silly. I’m not talking about Marissa, but
King Duncan
.” With her head buried inside the closet, Milly mumbled something unintelligible before pulling out a light blue sundress. “This will have to do.”
Carina frowned. She had mixed emotions about seeing Marek again. The daring part of her, treasuring the dream she’d just experienced,
really
wanted to see him. The practical side, however, that remembered the promise he’d wanted her to make last night, thought it best to avoid him. But what she wanted didn’t matter. Father had summoned her, so she had to go. She would just avoid being alone with Marek to ensure he couldn’t force her into any promises.
She sat up and arched her back with her arms stretched overhead while glancing at the window. A breeze had blown it open because she had forgotten to latch it. Heat flooded her body and a tingly sensation spread through her limbs. She shook her head to clear her mind from the scandalous remnants of her dream and swung her legs off the bed. When her feet touched the floor, she gasped and gathered them back underneath the covers.
“The floor is freezing,” she hissed. “And that dress you want me to wear is for summer.”
“Well, aside from work or riding clothes, you’ve nothing befitting a formal meal and I don’t have the time to create another masterpiece.” Milly stubbornly held out the dress. “Now, hurry up so I can brush your hair and get you downstairs.”
****
Carina burst into the dining room to find everyone seated. Morning sunshine streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the grand banquet hall in natural light. There were no shadows or darkened corners where she could hide. No throng of dining revelers that she could lose herself among. Only three other people sat at the end of a large rectangular table covered in white linen and Father’s best tableware, waiting for her.
Her throat tightened in embarrassment. She had really hoped to just slide into her chair unnoticed. She grabbed her courage with a forceful hand and stepped into the bright, revealing rays. Marek stood as she entered and grinned, causing her heart to somersault.
“Lady Carina.”
His voice tumbled through her like a raging river, which reminded her of the indecent dream she’d just had with the man now seated across the table from her, spurring inappropriate thoughts for the suddenly crowded room and spearheading the blush burning on her cheeks. She hoped no one noticed the telltale sign, but the small smile dancing across Marek’s lips indicated otherwise.