With the aching weariness sweeping through his muscles, he closed his eyes and relished her soft moans and yielding body. Though just a fragile female, she had acted as courageously as any of his warriors. She’d be a challenging wife full of surprises, and he was looking forward to every one of them.
* * *
Wrapped in Ulrick’s strong, protective arms, Ailith let out a long, exhausted breath and gratefully surrendered to sleep. It seemed only a short time later she was woken by his urgent thrusting, but light coming in through the small window told her the sun was up.
“Soon we will be on the open ocean,” he declared, abruptly slipping from her depths and shifting her onto her hands and knees. “You must do exactly as I say,” he continued, delivering an unexpected volley of hard swats. “I spank you now to save you from yourself.”
“I’ll be good,” she wailed, his fierce slaps stinging her sore backside. “Please, Master, I will.”
To her great relief, he stopped swatting and slid back inside her, and with slow, measured strokes, her cries of pain became gasps of pleasure.
“Ah, yes, servant girl, you love my big cock,” he grunted, slipping his hand to her breasts to tweak her nipples.
“Ow, oh, I do, Master,” she squealed. “So much...”
He increased the force and speed of his thrusts, occasionally backing off and teasing her, then continued until he was vigorously pumping. She was nearing her moment when she felt his hand leave her hip. A moment later, he was suddenly rubbing her clit. Squeezing her eyes shut, she chased her looming orgasm.
But he slowed his strokes.
Hearing a low, deep groan, she guessed he was near his climax.
“Rub yourself,” he ordered huskily, dropping his fingers away.
As she threw her arm under her body, his large hands clasped her waist.
“Now I will fuck you hard,” he exclaimed, abruptly plundering her pussy with abandon, “and you will have your orgasm.”
Barely able to balance on one hand, she was about to drop down on her shoulders when she suddenly felt her climax building. Letting out a cry and arching her back, she held her breath, waiting for the explosion.
“You are mine,” he growled, unexpectedly shoving a finger in her dark hole. “Your body is mine, and you will have your moment now.”
Seized by the sparkling sensations firing through her body, she wailed uncontrollably, then gasped for air as they began to wane, but his pounding cock demanded more.
A second wave of convulsions took hold, and as they shuddered through her body she could hear his loud groans, then his strokes slowed, and with a long, low moan, he slipped from her depths. Breathlessly collapsing on her stomach and surrendering to the tingling bliss, she was vaguely aware of him falling next to her.
“I must go,” he panted. “Stay here and rest.”
His lips pressed against her cheek.
The brief kiss had been surprisingly tender, and smiling a soft smile, she drifted back to sleep.
* * *
Ulrick had once again found his coupling with Ailith intensely passionate. He wanted nothing more than to doze next to her, but the matters at hand couldn’t wait. Quickly dressing and quietly leaving the room, he stood on the deck and looked across at the beach. His warriors were moving slowly after their festive night. Glancing across at Ekrem’s boat, Ulrick saw no sign of him.
“Probably still asleep,” he grunted. “Lucky devil.”
Though the water was still high, it was subsiding. Climbing down the ladder and striding ashore, he headed for the cavern.
His thoughts were consumed with Gander.
The traitor had tried to steal Ekrem’s chest of gold and hijack his fighters. If Ekrem asked to take Gander back to his country to face justice, Ulrick would be hard pressed to say no.
It was a problem.
Ulrick wanted to present Gander to the clan, make his sins known for all to see, then pass sentence.
Hoping Magnus would be able to advise him, he moved through the boulders and into the huge, empty space. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw Gander lying on his stomach with his ankles and wrists tied together. He would have had an extremely uncomfortable night.
“Gander,” he barked, marching over to him and giving him a swift kick. “Time to wake up.”
There was no response.
His heart racing, Ulrick leaned in closer.
Gander’s neck had been broken.
“Ekrem?” Ulrick muttered under his breath, “did you take matters into your own hands?”
Quickly straightening up, he hurried to the alcove against the far wall.
“Magnus,” he exclaimed, bursting into the small cave. “Gander’s been killed, and this time, he really is dead.”
“Good morning, Ulrick,” Magnus said calmly.
“Didn’t you hear what I said? Gander’s been killed. Where’s Varig? He might have heard something. Did you?”
“He’s collecting the horses from the pasture,” Magnus replied. “Ulrick, sit down.”
“Why do I think you know what happened?” Ulrick asked solemnly, wishing his heart would stop its wild pumping.
“As soon as Varig left this morning, I took care of Gander. I had no choice, and it’s something you can never speak of. His death must remain a mystery.”
“Magnus—I don’t understand,” Ulrick sputtered.
“Ulrick, tell me what you know about Ekrem.”
“I believe he’s sincere and I’d like to develop a friendship.”
“As I suspected, you know very little,” Magnus murmured, nodding his head. “He’s a Moor of high rank, though I don’t know the region he’s from. They are extraordinary people. They have talents far beyond ours.”
“What are you getting at?”
“He would have asked you to turn Gander over to him.”
“I was worried about that. I was going to ask your advice.”
“If you had turned him over, you would have spent countless hours wondering about his fate and regretting the decision. Gander may have betrayed you, but he was still one of your clan. If you had refused, a man who could have been a potential ally, and a powerful one, would have been lost.”
“How do you know this?”
“Ekrem is polite and considerate. He’s almost deferential, but it’s clear he comes from a wealthy, probably noble family. People don’t deny him.”
“You’re right,” Ulrick muttered. “He would have been offended.”
“Gander’s death was the only answer,” Magnus said gravely, “but this must remain our secret. It could be misunderstood by the clan, and if word ever reached Ekrem he’d be furious. Tell him it must have been one of your warriors in a drunken rage over Gander’s treason.”
“Magnus, my dear friend, how wise you are. Thank you.”
“You have done far more for me,” Magnus said with a twinkle in his eye. “You allowed that pretty girl to turn your head, and I think she saved my life with those berries.”
* * *
Slicing through the ropes holding Gander in the ungainly position, Ulrick hurried from the cavern and strode quickly down the beach. As he approached Ekrem’s boat, he spotted him standing on the sand barking orders to his men. Though slight of build, he stood tall and straight, and his authoritative manner belied his size.
“Ah, Ulrick,” he exclaimed, striding across to meet him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Ekrem. With your precious coins back in your hands, I’m sure you were able to sleep well.”
“For the first time in weeks,” Ekrem replied. “Come on board, I have something for you, and am I wrong, or do you need to speak with me?”
“You’re not wrong.”
“As you can see, the ladder is now at the back of the boat over the sand.”
“I must devise a system like this,” Ulrick muttered. “I hope you don’t mind if I study yours.”
“Of course not. I’ll show you how it works.”
/> Quickly climbing up and onto the deck, Ekrem led Ulrick to a grand cabin at the very front of the ship facing the ocean.
“This is where I spend most of my time,” Ekrem said as they entered. “Please, sit down. I’ll give you a cup of a delicious drink made from beans. It’s bitter, but it gives you energy. I can’t start my day without it.”
Pouring the dark liquid into a small mug, Ekrem handed it to him.
“I have another gift for Ailith. That rolled-up item over there is a soft pad for sleeping or relaxing. It feels like the bed she liked so much, but, Ulrick, what is it you need to tell me?”
“I’m not sure if this is good news or bad,” Ulrick began. “When I walked into the cavern this morning to wake Gander, I found him with his neck broken.”
Watching the dark frown cross Ekrem’s brow, Ulrick knew Magnus had been right. Ekrem had wanted to take Gander back with him, and Ulrick suddenly realized he would have refused.
“Any idea who did this?” Ekrem asked grimly, fixing Ulrick with an inscrutable gaze.
“It would have been one of my men furious over Gander’s betrayal,” Ulrick replied, holding Ekrem’s eyes. “There was a feast on the beach last night, and a lot of ale was swilled,” then pausing, he added, “We’re very lucky we found your chest before he was killed.”
“Yes!” Ekrem exclaimed, rising to his feet. “Try the drink. I’ll only be a moment.”
Though he felt great relief as Ekrem left, Ulrick didn’t change his expression. Ekrem had boasted about his ‘spy ship.’ It was possible he was watching. Sipping the warm, dark beverage, he focused on the taste, not the many thoughts racing through his head. The drink was bitter, but not unpleasant, and the more he drank, the more he liked it.
“This is for you,” Ekrem declared, returning to the room and handing Ulrick a leather pouch. “Inside is the reward Gander would have received if he’d found the treasure, and what I paid him when he was hired. You’ll find it’s a hefty sum. There is also a ring.”
“A ring?” Ulrick repeated.
“Whether it’s Ailith you choose as a wife, or another woman, give her the ring and her heart will be yours forever. It’s been blessed. In the center is a sparkling stone of blood red. I’ve also made you a map,” he continued, lifting a scroll from his desk. “This will show you how to reach my shores. You will always be welcome in my home, and I hope you’ll make the journey one day very soon.”
“Ekrem, it’s been an honor to have fought beside you,” Ulrick said soberly, rising to his feet. “I promise Ailith and I will visit your land. We’d both love to see it.”
“I hope so. I know how to find you, and in the days ahead, a ship will arrive with more gifts for Ailith. We are truly in her debt.”
“Ekrem, I do have one question. You said Gander intercepted your messenger. Can you tell me more about that?”
“Ah, you’re wondering how he knew about her. We’re not exactly neighbors,” Ekrem remarked. “Our world is shrinking, Ulrick. Ships are faster, roads are longer, and there are more of them. It’s not uncommon for people of means to explore places that were once considered too far away. It was no secret my family was searching for the lost chest, and I was interested in Ulrick, the great warrior leader across the ocean.”
“So... someone of means was on a journey, learned of these things, and passed the information to Gander.”
“That would be my guess. It would have been a person attending gatherings of the ruling classes. It might take some thought, but you should be able to find out who that was.”
“Yes,” Ulrick murmured. “I’m sure I’ll think of a way.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The warriors were ready to set sail.
Before boarding the boats, Ulrick had gathered the men on the beach, and without mentioning the box of gold coins, he’d delivered the startling news that Gander had faked his death, but was then killed in the cavern. Rather than mourn his passing, the throng cheered.
Traitors were unforgivable.
Gander’s body had been wrapped in a cloth, then loaded on Ulrick’s ship to be dumped at sea.
Ekrem had stopped by to say a final farewell to Ailith and Varig, promising their heroic deeds would never be forgotten, and more treasures would be arriving from his family.
Glad to be returning home to their loved ones, the warriors’ moods were buoyant as they manned the boats and took up their oars. Though the water was calm as the ships glided from the cove, the ocean breeze allowed Ulrick to do what he loved—work alongside his men to master the massive sail.
As they headed out to sea, Magnus noticed Ailith on the steps leading to Ulrick’s cabin hugging her knees to her chest. Ulrick was busy, and with no duties of his own, Magnus strode down the deck and sat next to her.
“Ailith, you don’t look very happy.”
“I’m not,” she muttered, turning to face him with a worried frown. “I wanted to go below, but Ulrick said the conditions are perfect for getting over my fear, and I should enjoy the fresh air and the thrill of moving through the water.”
“But you’re afraid,” Magnus murmured knowingly. “It’s extremely unlikely you’ll fall overboard on a day like this, or any day for that matter, and from what I understand you’re a strong swimmer. Even if you weren’t, Ulrick and his men would be over the side to save you in a heartbeat.”
“I know all that,” she exclaimed, continuing to stare back at him, “but, uh... no, I can’t say it. You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“Ailith,” he said, lowering his voice, “I was very sick, and thanks to you and those berries I recovered. Now it’s my turn to help you. I insist you explain why you’re so scared.”
“I don’t think anything you say will take away this dread,” she murmured with a heavy sigh, “but you want to know, so I’ll tell you. When I first came on board I absolutely loved it, but then, I, uh, I had this horrible feeling...” Unable to finish, she dropped her head in her arms.
“What was the feeling?” Magnus asked firmly.
“That I would die here,” she whispered. “Right here. Right on this deck. It goes away when down below, but up here it’s overwhelming. Do you think I’m crazy?”
“Not for a moment.”
“It was especially bad when I looked at the bay as we left. I almost begged Ulrick to take me back, but I want to be with him, though I won’t be if something horrible happens.”
“I see. Ailith, give me your hand.”
Wrapping his fingers around hers, he held it tightly and closed his eyes. A warm energy flowed from his comforting grip, traveling through her hand and up her arm.
She let out a relieved sigh and sank into the moment.
He was searching for information in the same mysterious way she did. Though she didn’t know how it happened, the sounds around her would melt into a single drone, all thought left her, and a warm, invisible vapor cloaked her body. Sometimes she would see images, other times she’d just suddenly know the answer.
“Ah, yes,” he finally mumbled, nodding his head, then opening his eyes he smiled at her. “You said you felt you were going to die here. The message was correct, but you didn’t understand it. You won’t physically die on this deck, but your life will... or rather... your life is dying here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Forgive me, I should have said, your old life,” he said hastily. “Leaving this area is far more traumatic than you realize. It’s the place you grew up, where you explored and played and learned about your specialness. You’re heading into a world you don’t know, with a man who captured and claimed you. The fear you feel is the fear of the unknown, as one life dies away, and a new, uncertain life is born.”
A chill pricked her skin.
Tightening her fingers around his, though she couldn’t speak, she nodded her head.
“Stand up with me,” he said gently. “Stand up with me and look back at the beach.”
“Magnus, I don’t think I can,” she sta
mmered. “Every bone in my body is quaking.”
“Trust me. This will help. Stand up and wave goodbye to the life you knew. Say farewell to your village and the people you’re leaving behind. The smells and sounds. I’ll be right beside you, and I promise, nothing bad will happen.”
Though keeping her eyes lowered, and leaning against him, she slowly rose to her feet.
“You possess a keen sensitivity,” Magnus said softly. “I understand it because I do too. Events, places, things, they grab hold of us and we feel them, we experience them. We don’t just listen and watch.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “It’s terrible, but it’s wonderful too.”
“Lift your eyes and say goodbye, Ailith. Let your old life pass away.”
Daring to stare back at the beach, heat suddenly flamed in her throat.
She could see her dear, departed parents in their hut, hear the many sounds of creatures of the forest, and smell the floral bouquet of the abundant foliage. Tears flooded her eyes, and as they spilled down her cheeks, she raised her free hand and waved.
“Now turn around,” Magnus said gently. “See and feel the life waiting for you.”
With his comforting hands on her shoulders, she pivoted on her feet and looked at the horizon. Suddenly the fear became joy, a smile curled her lips, and her heart raced with excitement.
“It’s wonderful, simply wonderful,” she exclaimed. “Magnus, how can I ever thank you?”
“Ailith, you just did.”
* * *
The wind had caught the sail. Shifting his gaze, Ulrick noticed Ailith was no longer curled up on the steps, but was standing next to Magnus facing the open ocean. Her arms were raised above her head, her blonde hair tossed by the strong sea breeze. Taken aback, and not sure how his beautiful girl had gone from terrified to triumphant so quickly, he hurried across the deck to join them.
“Ailith,” he called, walking up behind her, “are my eyes deceiving me, or are you enjoying the ride?”
As she turned, he was elated to see her smiling happily with her eyes brimming with merriment.
Rough Warrior Page 17