by Vela Roth
She had learned in his arms there was no limit to how much they could hold. For when they had their fill, more pleasure came.
Tears coursed down her cheeks, redeeming all the nights when she had cried without him. He was so full inside her, made thick by and for his feast on her. His hard, slick fangs swelled in her neck and their points penetrating deeper.
Tears slid into her mouth, trails of salt on her tongue. She could hear her own breathing, fast and shallow. Then another sound, unfamiliar. A voice, uncontrolled, inelegant. It uttered sounds somewhere between a moan and a cry. That was her voice.
Only Lio to hear her. His veil covered them. His power hid her safe in the darkness.
Cassia called out again and again, begging and triumphant. The pleasure was so powerful under her skin, she could not keep it inside. It felt so good to cry out. So good to move her hips against his and clutch him within her.
Darkness hazed her vision, but she felt full of light and compelling, harrowing heat. That heat was building. So high. Almost there. He must taste in her blood how close she was.
When it came over her, she didn’t try to be silent. She shattered the quiet. The ship lifted them up again and brought them down, and she rode the tide that had overtaken her body. He rode it down with her and penetrated her deep, now pouring more than pleasure into her.
Sensation swallowed her sight, then her hearing. All that remained was touch. Pleasure dragged her under, deep into darkness.
Words Unspoken
Cassia roused to find him holding her. He arranged them on their sides on the bunk and dried her tears with one of his silk handkerchiefs, and she let him. For so long she had cried alone and been denied the simple pleasure of him holding her. She would never get enough.
“I never meant to make you faint again,” he said.
“No matter. It is natural for ladies to faint at the sight of Hesperines.”
“You must be as steadfast as you say, for you had to see quite a lot of me before you succumbed.”
She wriggled closer against his body. “It’s also natural for ladies to faint at the sight of a male’s endowments, especially if they are impressive in proportion.”
“Am I to take that as a compliment?”
“Oh, yes.”
She felt his chuckle in his chest.
“Thank you very much.” His voice lowered to a purr. “I would say I never meant to make you weep. But there is one occasion when I cannot regret making you cry. I shall not apologize for tears of pleasure.”
She was glad her face was hidden against his chest. She had not only cried, but also cried out, just like last night. Had she really made all that noise?
She lost track of time as they lay there together, trading caresses and reassurances. She never lost track of time.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said after a while, resting his chin on her head.
“You can feel it. The Blood Union is telling you that you are a lover beyond compare, and your share is so satisfied she cannot stand.”
He laughed again, warming her all over. “But I’ve missed hearing you put what I can feel into words. Goddess knows I’ve missed talking to you.”
“You smell so good,” she obliged. “Your skin feels so good against me. All of you feels wonderful against me.” She let out a sigh and kept confessing, letting him hear all the dangerous, vulnerable thoughts inside her. For he would not use them against her. With him, no confession was weak or shameful. “When I lay here like this with you, I feel…safe. Like all will be well.”
His long hand caressed her head, gentle and eager at the same time. “Yes, Cassia. All will be well. I will take care of you.”
Take care of her? She had not even thought of it that way. She had not come here for that.
“Don’t tell me I shouldn’t,” he said softly. “You’ve fought so long and so hard.”
“I have,” she whispered.
He sighed into her hair. “My weary warrior. You’ve earned the right to come home from the field and let your lover comfort you.”
“And all along I thought I was comforting you, my starving Hesperine.”
“You are. We take care of each other.”
He had never held her quite like this, as if he were making some kind of declaration. He had never spoken of looking after each other. The words satisfied something inside her, like food that nourished, and only in tasting it did she realize she had been hungry. There hadn’t been time for such things before.
“Lio, I have an important question to ask you, and you mustn’t deflect. As you say, we are taking care of each other.”
His speed and grace could still surprise her. In one motion, he took hold of her and rolled them over. Cassia found herself atop him, her head on his chest and his hands in her hair.
“Do you hear that?” he asked.
She pressed her face closer to him. His body was so warm, the texture of his chest hair against her cheek so pleasing. And there beneath his skin she heard it, the powerful beat. “Your heart.”
“That’s your blood pumping through it.” His voice grew quiet. “Your blood keeping my heart beating. Do you not think that gives you the right to ask me any question you will?”
Cassia’s breath caught. “Is that how you feel?”
“Of course.”
She lifted her face. He smiled at her, one hand propped behind his head, the other now trailing down her neck and shoulder. He was the picture of relaxation. And she had just heard his strong heartbeat for herself. He seemed a different Hesperine than the one who had thrown himself upon her wrist and her mercy last night. She knew it was because of her blood.
And yet even after last night’s thorough feast, he had been unable to make it from Waystar to Selas without another.
“Lio, why were you so ill when I arrived?”
He sighed and let his head fall back, looking up at the ceiling. “I was hungry.”
“No, I thought you’d caught the sniffles. Why haven’t you been getting enough to drink?”
“The quantity of my sustenance has not been at issue.”
“Of course it wouldn’t be, here.” Her jealousy and frustration reared their ugly heads. “Lio, I am trying to ask you about this in the most diplomatic way possible, and you are not making it easy.”
“What could you possibly mean by that?”
”There are some questions I am determined not to ask you, for it would not be fair. But I think shall have to. Who has been providing for you since we parted, and what possessed her to fail you so utterly?”
He met her gaze again. The corners of his mouth twitched. “Don’t be too hard on her. She means well, but deer aren’t very bright.”
Cassia let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. “You’ve taken the Drink from nothing but deer? All this time?”
“Yes. I have thoroughly worn out my welcome among the Queens’ herds.”
Cassia’s mouth dropped open. “But you’re not supposed to have to do that here in Orthros! I saw the toll it took on you to make do with animals during the Summit.”
“And you provided the cure then, as well.”
“You had to wait half a year for it this time. No wonder you were ill.”
His brows drew together. “Cassia, are you about to cry again…or smile?”
She hid her face against his chest once more so he would not see her do either. His heartbeat pulsed under her cheek again. Her blood in his heart. No one else’s. She shouldn’t be so glad. “Why didn’t you take better care of yourself?”
“I didn’t want anyone else.”
Cassia lay there and held him, the way she would hold those words. I didn’t want anyone else. She took long, steady breaths to keep the tears at bay, drawing his wonderful scent into her. When they were together, she wore no armor. There was nothing to mitigate the effect those words had on her.
“And when I know what I want,” Lio added cheerfully, “I am more stubborn than my mild manner would lead you
to believe.”
Now she could no longer keep the smile from her face, and she grinned foolishly for his beating heart. “I told you, you are too passionate to be a diplomat.”
“But that leaves me rather well suited to perform in other capacities, I hope.”
She indulged the urge to place a slow, open-mouthed kiss on his chest above his heart. “Your other capacities…” Oh, but he tasted good. “…I am always astonished how well you perform in them…”
“My lady’s vote of confidence has been noted.”
She laughed and kissed him again, working her way upward, feasting in her own way on the taste of his skin. When she got to his lips, he was waiting for her, and his tongue slid warm and smooth inside her mouth.
When she paused to draw breath, she rested her forehead on his. “You will want for nothing now. I will give you all that you need.”
“Cassia.” He let out a long, deep sigh. A sound of profound relief.
“Now tell me truly. Will our feast just now sustain you until veil hours?”
“I believe so, although I can no longer delude myself that once a night is sufficient. I…I don’t know how long it may be before we have made up for lost time.”
“I rejoice to hear it. For I so dearly need to make up for lost time.”
“Cassia.” There was hesitation in his voice now.
She frowned. “Yes?”
“Am I correct in taking your words last night regarding Flavian to mean his courtship was one-sided?”
She lifted her head too fast this time, and it seemed to float. “You actually thought there might be a possibility it wasn’t?”
“You actually thought there might be a possibility I drank from someone besides deer.”
“I didn’t take anything for granted. It wouldn’t have been wrong of you. I have tried so hard not to be jealous.”
“Nor would it have been wrong of you. I didn’t take anything for granted either. As for striving not to feel jealous, I have failed utterly.”
“You have no cause for envy, none at all. Flavian’s courtship is not even one-sided, for he has no interest in me, either. The time he and I have spent together has been a matter of duty.”
Lio pulled her face down to his again and feathered kisses over her eyelids and nose and cheeks. “I am still jealous he got to spend any time with you at all.”
“It was just horseback riding and talking about dogs. Nothing special.” Cassia straddled Lio. “Nothing like the time I spend with you.”
His hands tightened on her waist. “Merciful Goddess, when Basir and Kumeta came back with news of the Autumn Greeting…”
“You must have known it was all politics.”
“The Master Envoys brought home a thorough account of the event, down to the last detail of gossip.”
Cassia’s heart sank. “Oh, Lio.”
“Knight wasn’t there to defend you. Flavian dragged you into the woods. Alone. I had no way to know if that bloodless vulture coerced you, or if—”
“I dragged him into the woods—to talk with him. About Sabina.”
“Sabina?” Lio frowned. “Of Hadria?”
“Indeed. Their fathers will never know it, but Hadria has long since conquered Segetia. Sabina set her sights on Flavian three years ago, and ever since, Tenebra’s most illustrious skirt chaser has given up the hunt. He only danced the Greeting with me to fulfill the expectations of his father and the king. I took the fool aside that night to talk some sense into him about how he’s breaking Sabina’s heart. Tenebran men can be so blind about women.”
“In that case, I shall let him live for Sabina’s sake.”
Cassia laughed. “Such violent urges, Sir Diplomat.”
His humor faded. “As you well know, my commitment to diplomacy stops short of men who threaten you.”
She caressed his forehead, trying to drive away the haunted look in his eyes. “What men? I see none here. I have escaped with my Hesperine.”
45
Nights Until
WINTER SOLSTICE
Finally, each King of Tenebra, upon his accession to the throne, is to reconvene the Summit and reaffirm this Oath with the appointed representatives of the Queens of Orthros.
—The Equinox Oath
Harbor
“Do you think you can walk?” Lio asked, his smile teasing.
Cassia propped her chin on her hands, not moving from upon him. “I haven’t been on my feet much since we left Waystar last night.”
“My lady’s health has benefitted from spending most of the voyage in her cabin.”
“I see that the Ambassador’s health has benefitted from spending no time in his cabin at all. Must we really leave my bunk now?”
“We shall arrive in Selas at second moon. There is a welcoming ceremony as soon as we land. You could stay right here until it’s time to disembark, but you might want to consider getting dressed.” He ran a hand down her back to cup her buttock.
“Hm. It might not be appropriate for me to attend a formal event as I am, certainly.”
“Save your current attire for the ambassador’s banquet late tonight.” He nibbled the tip of her nose.
“I can hardly wait. I have enjoyed the appetizers so much.”
“Mm. So have I, my rose.”
Cassia had never been impressed by the overly sweet names the strapping heroes in ballads called their overly perfect ladies. Flavian’s incessant “my dears” always grated on her ears. But the moment Lio called her his rose, warmth flushed her cheeks, and she was unable to keep from smiling.
Lio meant endearments, as he meant everything he said. He was a real hero, and he did not expect her to be a flawless lady in a song. She must ponder what endearment she might call him that would possibly do him justice.
“If you do feel inspired to dress now,” he invited, “and come out onto the deck, you can enjoy a truly spectacular sight as we make harbor. I don’t think you’ll want to miss it. I have to confess, I’ve been looking forward to showing you this.”
“In that case, I shall gladly find the strength to stand.” She sat up and paused on the edge of the bunk. She treated herself to an eyeful of Lio sprawled there, nude and satisfied. “Especially since I shall get to enjoy the view before me again later.”
He tickled her knee. With a chuckle, she shooed his hand away and stepped out of reach. But his cleaning spell tickled her all over.
Lio swung his feet over the side of the bunk. The wrinkled heaps of his formal robes picked themselves up off the floor, and his medallion of office untangled itself from her gardening satchel. As his ambassadorial attire flew into his hands, Knight startled awake, lifting his head from his paws.
Lio chuckled and began to dress in haste. “My apologies. I shall gather all evidence of my presence and vacate your lady’s cabin.”
“And the lady shall endeavor to choose the right dress without her handmaiden’s direction.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
“Certainly. What do you deem appropriate for the event, Ambassador?”
“Do you have anything purple?”
She raised an eyebrow. “The color of royalty?”
“And betony flowers.”
She smiled. “Thank you for your expert advice.”
Tousled but clothed, he planted a parting kiss on her neck. “I’ll see you on deck.”
She restored some order to her cabin, then reached under her bunk and braved her clothing trunk. Once she was confident in her appearance, she bundled herself up again and left her cabin. She decided not to drop in on Perita, in case she was feeling so much better that Callen was busy checking on her as Lio had Cassia.
Cassia came out on deck, one gloved hand on Knight’s back, looking all around her for Lio. He was nowhere in sight, although Benedict and Eudias were already on watch. Had those mother hens gone below to get any sleep, or had they patrolled the deck all through veil hours?
Then motion on the next ship over caught her ey
e, and she saw Lio stroll out from below decks and pause near the helm to say something to Komnena. Then he stepped to the deck of his and Cassia’s ship.
Benedict startled, spinning on his heel, his hand going to his belt where his scabbard usually hung. Eudias just looked uncomfortable. Lio lifted both hands in a placating gesture and showered them with gracious apologies.
Cassia clucked her tongue at Knight. “Haddan.”
His tail stilled, and he stood at attention. They strolled to join the others, and Cassia reluctantly positioned herself at the rail nearer to her two escorts than Lio.
“Lady Cassia,” Lio greeted her first. “I hope you are feeling better.”
“I am entirely rejuvenated, I assure you. The time in my bunk has worked wonders upon me.”
She took comfort in the veiled remarks she and Lio exchanged and found humor in Eudias and Benedict’s innocent responses. But it was as hard to stand this far away from Lio now as it had been last moon hours when they had left Waystar. It was alarmingly difficult to keep her face blank when she glanced at him and keep her tone from growing too warm.
She had to do better than this. The skills that had kept her alive and successful at treason must not fail her now. She must not let a little pleasure dull her blades. Well, it certainly hadn’t been a little. But even so.
She scanned the horizon for the view Lio had promised her. But all she saw was the sea. In every direction, there was nothing to be seen but endless ocean, black as the black sky above. She was floating on night itself, drifting between the water and the sky, or perhaps sailing on the sky with the water rippling above her.
She did not feel lost. Not with the Goddess’s Eyes above her, which she had seen all her life, which looked upon her the same no matter where in the world she was. The host of stars overhead was better than a map, for she knew every single one was a familiar friend to the Hesperines who guided the ships.
“Do you have different names for the stars than we do in Tenebra, Ambassador?” she asked.
“Some of their names we carried with us out of Tenebra in the Great Temple Epoch. Others gained new names and new lives, as surely as we did when we came to Orthros.”