“Let me win? I beat you quite often. You should win once in a while, considering you’re on the field every day and I haven’t as much time for practice while handling affairs of state.” Honey Wine tried to jerk her hand from
Torn’s
grip, but he held fast and kissed the back of it.
“Excuses, excuses,” he quipped.
“I’m sure the two of you don’t bicker.”
Mahir
winked at Lily and Crag.
They exchanged glances, and she said, “I believe we argued within hours of meeting.”
“Well, don’t expect it to end,” Honey Wine told them. “It only gets worse.”
“But other things get better.” Torn glanced at the Mistress from the corner of his eye. She didn’t speak, but her smile revealed underlying passion.
“Let's begin,” Sir
Mahir
stated, “before all the food is eaten.”
Lily and Crag stood in front of him, Blaze, Honey Wine, and Torn behind them.
Mahir
began, “We’re here to witness the union of Crag and Lily. They’ve been joined by the Spirit and have accepted that joining. With the strength of the Spirit, I bless them as husband and wife. Crag, do you promise to be Lily’s husband until the Spirit reclaims your soul?”
“Yes, I promise.” Crag’s voice was as firm and reverent as when he’d accepted his Knighthood.
“Lily, do you promise to be Crag’s wife until the Spirit reclaims your soul?”
“Yes, I promise.” She looked up at Crag, and he cast her a loving smile.
“I,
Mahir
of the Ruby Order, stand as witness and mediator between your souls and the Spirit. You are, from this day forward, husband and wife.”
Crag placed a gentle hand behind her neck and kissed her, a soft, chaste kiss, but heated with the underlying promise of what was to come later that night, when they were alone.
Honey Wine hugged Lily, and Blaze and Torn offered their congratulations.
“I hope you both realize the jewels you’ve uncovered,” Blaze said to Crag and Torn. “True love is rare. I almost envy—”
“I’ve told you for years to look for a wife.” Torn grasped Blaze’s shoulder and gave him an amiable shake.
“With so many spirits sharing their thoughts, it wouldn’t be right. I’m a madman, they say, for more than choosing the way of the green sash.”
“They don’t know everything,” Crag told Blaze.
“I fear matrimony shall not enter my circle.”
“You never know,” Lily told him. Surely some woman would be taken with Blaze’s gentle heart and large blue eyes which knew everything yet observed with innocence and honesty. He was a good man, and Lily knew the right woman would count herself lucky to win Blaze’s heart.
* * * * *
Crag and Lily remained in the great hall for a short time, not even bothering to eat. Unnoticed, they slipped upstairs to his chamber and locked the door behind them. While he kindled the fire, Lily turned down the sheets and undressed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she brushed her hair and watched as he shed his uniform and draped it over the chair by the fire. Her heartbeat quickened at the sight of his broad shoulders and lean, muscled body. His thick, curly hair hung loose down his back and firelight reflected off the muscles in his long legs as he approached the bed.
He took the brush from her hand and ran it through her hair. Lily closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the brush interspersed with his stroking fingertips. Finally he put it aside and lifted her hair over her shoulder. She tingled as he pressed his lips to her nape.
He kissed down her spine while his hands stroked her ribs and hips. When he reached her lower back, he guided her to her stomach and knelt beside her. Using his palms to caress her buttocks, he continued covering her back with kisses.
Lily sighed, lost in sensation. His hands and lips felt so warm and gentle, yet she felt consumed by passion.
Crag's kisses covered the backs of her thighs and traveled down one of her calves until he reached her foot. Taking her foot in his hand, he massaged, his thumb caressing the arch while his other hand warmed her buttocks.
"Turn over," he said in a husky voice.
She did as he asked, watching through half closed eyes as he stretched out by her hips and guided one of her legs over his shoulder. He cupped her buttocks as his head dipped between her legs. Lily gasped when his tongue lapped her slit, slipping inside her and exploring with warm, tender strokes. Threading her fingers in his hair, she moaned, urging him on with husky words of desire.
He laved her clit, using the tip of his tongue to tease the side of it. Tension built deep inside her until she exploded beneath the rhythmic probing of his tongue. Crag continued his carnal exploration, drawing out her passion until she lay still, except for the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing returned to normal.
Stretching out beside her, Crag drew her body close as his stiff, velvet-skinned cock slipped inside her. Lily opened her eyes, staring into his as their legs entwined. She noticed the spark of passion beneath their calm depths and her belly tightened.
"I love you so much, Lily," he whispered, stroking her hair with one hand while caressing her shoulder with the other.
She swept her palm over his hip and kissed him. "I love you, too, Crag."
Their bodies moved together in a slow yet perfect rhythm. Both kept their eyes open, holding each other's gaze even as desire grew. Through her own passion-glazed stare, Lily noted his eyes becoming soft and dark as his orgasm neared. Her own was seconds away, yet she forced her eyes open as long as possible, reluctant to look away from the perfect male beauty of her lover's face.
Just before she exploded, he rolled onto his back, his hands clutching her hips, his cock never slipping from her sopping pussy. She straddled his waist, her palms gliding over hard pectorals and his flat, tight belly. Slipping downward so they were pressed, breast to chest, her legs extended and her toes wiggled against his.
Suddenly his hands slipped under her arms, and he guided her back to straddle atop him. His hands caressed her breasts, then grasped her hips as his own lifted to match her rhythm.
In a fluid motion, he switched their position, pinning her beneath him. She gasped, her heart pounding, teetering at the edge of her control. She briefly wondered how she'd lasted this long. Crag grasped her wrists and held them above her head as his lean hips thrust against hers. His mouth absorbed her gasp as his steely cock drove her to orgasm.
Even after he released her hands, she clung to him tightly as his tantalizing rhythm continued, pushing her toward another peak. His hands slipped beneath her and cupped her buttocks, one finger stroking and pressing the tender flesh between her bottom cheeks. Lily’s heart raced as she exploded in another magnificent climax. At her moment of crisis, his breath rasped in her ear and he gasped her name as his body surged into hers.
Across the room, the fire burned low, and there was a chill in the air, fended off only by the warmth of their entangled bodies. Cuddling close, they drifted to sleep.
Several months later, Crag and Lily were stationed in a village called Marin Point that had been nearly destroyed by a storm. A message had been sent to the Order explaining that most of their people had been killed or wounded and their food supply dwindled. They begged for assistance, and
Mahir
placed Crag in charge of the rescue mission. He and Lily filled a wagon with food and healing supplies. With four Knights apprentice, they headed south.
After several days of hard travel, they saw what looked to be ruins along the coast. Several tents and lean-tos were assembled, as were two large funeral pyres. Handfuls of men, women, and children wandered about, looking thin and gray from exposure and lack of food.
All eyes turned to the party as they approached, though only a few neared the wagon.
A bearded man of medium height, his clothes dirty and torn, strode toward Crag. The man’s dark gaze swept the group, and his stern face grew even colder.
“We’ve come from the Ruby Order,” Crag explained as he climbed from the wagon. Lily and the trainees stood with him as he turned to the villager. “I’m Crag. This is Lily, Sand, Wade,
Lot
and Starr.”
“That’s all? Four of you and a woman?” The man, apparently in charge of Marin Point, curled his lip. “And only one of you is a real Knight?”
“Are you the leader here?” Crag asked, completely ignoring the man’s insults.
“I’m called
Phillipos
, and yes, this village is my responsibility.”
“Where are you keeping the injured and what repairs are already underway?”
Phillipos
scoffed, “Injured are everywhere. Our healer was killed during the storm. As for repairs, we’re still trying to clear away the wreckage.”
Crag glanced at Sand, Wade, and
Lot
. “You three organize the repairs.
Phillipos
, introduce them to your able bodied workers so the rebuilding can begin right away. Starr and Lily, come with me so we can set up the infirmary.”
Crag moved forward, but
Phillipos
placed a rough hand on his chest. “Wait a minute. Who do you think you are? These people are under my care. They’re not going to take orders from you.”
“I’m not giving orders. I’m stating facts. My direction is necessary to get this village on its feet. You sent a message to the Ruby Order, did you not?”
“Yes, but—”
“We’re here to help, as you asked.”
“Great!”
Phillipos
tossed his hands in the air. “They send a woman, four trainees who look like they’re scarcely out of swaddling, and a supposed Knight who doesn’t even carry a sword.”
“My faction of our Order has forsaken the use of weapons,” Crag replied. Lily marveled at his calmness. His experience in
Tanek
had taught him the value of patience and self control.
Beside him, she clenched her fists and willed herself not to give
Phillipos
a piece of her mind. They’d traveled to help his village, and now he was arguing with Crag? Instead they could be spending time with people who’d appreciate their help.
“Wonderful,”
Phillipos
muttered. “Our village is in ruins. Most of our warriors are dead. We needed the protection of the Order as well as repairs! What happens if we’re attacked?”
“Then we’ll deal with the situation. Right now, we need to—”
“
Phillipos
! The Knights have arrived?” A young man, his leg bound with a bloody rag, limped over.
“One Knight, Randal.”
Phillipos
looked disgusted. “One who doesn’t believe in fighting.”
The youth tossed a curious glance at Crag. “But Knights of the Ruby Order are known for their strength in battle.”
“Right now it looks to me like you need healers and builders.” Lily could no longer keep silent in the face of such ungratefulness.
“Why exactly are
you
here?”
Phillipos
raised an eyebrow at Lily. “I didn’t realize the Ruby Order accepted women.”
“They don’t. I’m Crag’s wife.”
Phillipos
slapped a hand to his forehead. “His wife! Wonderful. Just what we need. Another useless mouth to feed.”
“Since we’ve brought the food, it shouldn’t matter to you,” Crag told him.
“Food?” Randal stared at the wagon that stood in the center of the village. Several people had already started unloading the food supply.
“Lily’s a midwife,” Crag continued. “Her skills will be useful.”
“Midwife,”
Phillipos
muttered under his breath.
“Where’s your well?” Crag asked.
Phillipos
glanced at Randal. “Show him, will you? I have work to do.”
“This way.” Randal limped across the rubble.
“I’ll take a look at that leg for you,” Crag said.
“Thanks. I was in one of the houses when it collapsed,” the young man explained. “This is the worst storm we’ve seen since I was a boy. Don’t mind
Phillipos
too much. He was expecting more Knights.”
“Our troops have been spread thin since the war with
Zaltana
. Many villages need assistance.”
“So you really don’t carry a weapon? Must make it difficult in battle.”
“Crag’s one of the Order’s finest in hand-to-hand combat,” Lily stated.
Randal raised an eyebrow. “We could use some training like that here. We lost our best fighters.”
“Martial training will be included in the rebuilding,” Crag told him. “We have no intention of leaving until your village is self-sufficient and stronger than it was before the storm.”
The youth laughed. “You’re asking for a lot.”
“Nothing’s impossible.”
Crag’s eyes met Lily’s, and she smiled, remembering Sir Wood had once said the same thing to a certain doubting trainee. Nothing
was
impossible. She knew that better than anyone. Not even a year ago, she never thought she’d marry and have children again. Now she had a husband whom she loved deeply, and in a few months would have another child. She hadn’t told Crag yet, fearful that he’d have insisted she remain behind while he was stationed in Marin Point, but she planned on telling him soon.