Aragon slammed down his teacup and glared at his mother. "Who cares about rumors at court when the black witch is free?"
The duke narrowed his eyes at Aragon. "We all realize the black witch is more grievous, but rumors shall matter once he's captured, so we must address them now."
When Aragon stiffened, Selena ached to touch his knee and comfort him. He was just concerned for her and didn't deserve to be scolded.
She was about to defend him when the duke shook his head and added, "Besides, all the precautions you arranged shall protect Selena from the black witch until the magic marshals recapture him, so we can concentrate on rumors at court instead of the black witch."
Aragon inclined his head. "I'll allow you and Mother to handle any rumors." He finished his breakfast and rose. "I'm off to visit the magic marshals to check their progress hunting the black witch and update them about Midor. I'll return soon."
Downing the last of her tea, Selena leapt and hastened after him. She must persuade him to make love to her. 'Twas the only way to permanently escape the black witch. "Aragon, wait!"
Aragon halted in the entrance hall and arched his brows.
She flashed a coy smile despite her quivering stomach. "Now that we've eaten, we should continue our discussion upstairs."
Aragon scowled at her. "I'm not discussing that again."
Selena's breath stilled. He'd never been so disobliging before. Why now when 'twas imperative? She licked her lips. "But, Aragon..."
Aragon jerked around and bolted toward the door. "I must go."
Her heart twisting, she stared after him as he left. Provoking his jealousy had driven him to flee. But how else could she induce him to make love to her? Perhaps she should try kissing him first? That had almost succeeded at yesterday's picnic. She retreated to her art room and spent the next couple hours sketching. She'd just finished her third sketch when Aragon knocked and entered.
Selena dropped her sketch journal and darted over to him. Her chest lightened. He'd returned at last. "How was your visit to the magic marshals?"
Aragon grunted. "Unproductive. Master Marshal Thurston and his people have been unable to find the black witch. When the black witch escaped, he destroyed any physical remnants, like hair or blood, that could be used to trace him. And although the magic marshals recognize his magical signature now, he's not used magic strong enough to trace."
She shivered as a chill prickled her skin. If the black witch had vanished so completely, how would the magic marshals ever manage to discover him? "Have they attempted tracing Uncle Adan instead?"
Aragon grimaced and grasped her hand. "Once I mentioned Midor had also vanished, Thurston sent people to fetch physical remnants from your uncle's townhouse, but Midor also left none behind to trace."
Selena tensed. Doubtless the black witch had told Uncle Adan exactly what to destroy. And her uncle wasn't a witch, so he'd no magic to trace.
His jaw taut, Aragon drew her into his arms. "But I told Thurston to use me to lure the black witch from hiding if they don't unearth him by today. The black witch swore to seek vengeance when I helped capture him, so he shan't be able to resist."
Her heart swelled as she stared up at Aragon. Goddess, he was so dedicated and brave—the finest gentleman she'd ever known. She flung her arms about him and kissed him.
Aragon returned her kiss for a moment then wrenched back his head. "Practicing kissing again?"
Dazed, Selena blinked at Aragon. No, she'd kissed him because she loved him more than a griffin loved her lifelong mate. However, she forced a coy smile and replied, "More practice is always beneficial."
Aragon snorted and strode from the room.
She whisked after him into his chambers. Heat surged in her veins. She must convince him to make love to her. He was the only gentleman she wanted, and she must lose her virginity to escape the black witch.
Aragon frowned at her, his hands twitching. "Selena, you shouldn't be here."
Selena licked her tingling lips. "But where else can we discuss kissing that your mother shan't overhear?" And that was so near a bed?
Aragon crossed his arms. "Fine. Say your piece. Then leave."
She gulped a breath and smoothed her raspberry gown. "There's only one way I can escape the black witch."
His jaw twitching, Aragon drawled, "Disposing of your virginity. So you said at the brothel."
Selena swallowed and nodded. "And since I've abandoned the brothel scheme, I need a husband, or at least a betrothed, for that. But none of my suitors have proposed." Not that she wanted them to when she loved Aragon. "Perhaps they might if I kissed them the right way." She tilted her head. "I need you to teach me. Like you taught me about kissing at the brothel."
Aragon snorted. "You were a remarkably quick pupil. After that lesson, your kisses have been fine. Surely your other suitors haven't complained."
Her chest squeezed at his calm reference to her other suitors. "Well, no, but Mr. Gernand never bothered to kiss me, and Lord Ravenstone only kissed me once." But more importantly, Aragon kept denying their attraction. "I must be doing it wrong."
Aragon's jaw tightened. "Trust me, you aren't."
Warmth supplanted the ache in her chest. Their kisses must enthrall him too. So how could she tempt him to kiss her again? "I can't be. I must learn more about kissing."
Aragon blew a sigh. "Fine. I'll fetch a book about the erotic arts that gentlemen pass amongst themselves. I believe Hawke has one."
Selena gaped at him. There were books about that? Astonishing. She made herself shrug. "Books are very well, but kissing is a physical skill and requires manual instruction."
Aragon grunted. "This book shall instruct you plenty."
She tilted her head to feign considering it. After a moment, she pursed her lips. "I doubt it. Although since Hawke has the book, perhaps you should fetch him instead." Would mentioning his brother finally goad him into acting?
Aragon stiffened as a flush stained his face. He didn't like that idea. But he didn't move to kiss her.
Selena sighed. She'd failed again. And she couldn't even maintain the pretense of kissing Hawke—he felt too much like a younger brother. "Or perhaps not. I'd feel guilty kissing Hawke when Wren is so clearly in love with him."
Aragon relaxed, and his flush faded. "I'll fetch the book then."
"Don't bother." She studied Aragon through her lashes, her heart fluttering. "I want manual instruction, and you're the only gentleman I trust." Or wanted kissing her.
Aragon glared at her. "I'm no kissing tutor."
Selena tensed. Why was he being so obstinate? Another gentleman would have already kissed her. But she'd one more trick to play. She licked her lips. "I've decided what I want as my boon from our race yesterday."
Aragon's eyes darkened as they dropped to her lips. "Oh?"
Her pulse leapt at his obvious fascination. She licked her lips again to tempt him further. "I want you to practice kissing with me. And more. I don't want to be surprised when one of my suitors goes beyond kissing."
His eyes narrow, Aragon strode over and jerked her into his arms. "Fine. But you don't know what you're asking."
Her heart galloped as she lifted her chin to meet his gaze. He'd succumbed at last! Thank the Goddess. "I know enough." And wanted to know more.
Aragon snorted then swooped like a hunting roc and seized her lips in a fierce kiss.
Chapter 28
His pulse pounding, Aragon seized Selena's lips in a punishing kiss. He'd show her not to torment a suitor by compelling him to teach her how to kiss others.
Selena flung her arms about his neck and parted her lips to return his kiss with equal hunger.
For the first time, he dropped his gentlemanly restraint and unfettered his hunger for Selena. Tingling warmth swamping him, he devoured her lips as he steered her toward his bed. How convenient she insisted he kiss her in his chambers. Still kissing her, he tumbled her onto his bed and sprawled atop her.
Yet Sele
na didn't stiffen or attempt to push him away. Instead, she wrenched off his cravat and yanked on his waistcoat.
Aragon shoved her hands aside to tear open his waistcoat. Then he began unlacing her gown, although with much more care than he'd taken with his own clothes.
Selena sighed and burrowed her hands beneath his shirt.
He shuddered as fire blazed where her hands caressed his bare skin. He groaned and reared back to shrug out of his coat, waistcoat, and shirt all at once.
Her hair tousled, eyes black with passion, and freckled skin rosy, Selena breathed, "Oh my."
The fire inside Aragon flared at her dazed yet wanton appearance. After he finished removing her gown and his clothes, he'd make love to her and ruin her for anyone else. Then she'd never speak of other suitors again.
He stiffened at his feral thoughts. What was he doing? 'Twas wrong to ruin Selena and steal her choice of husband. He'd allowed his hunger and jealousy blind him to her feelings—again. She deserved to love her chosen husband, and she'd never said she loved him. She just wanted to escape the black witch. He lurched off her and stumbled across his chambers.
Selena blinked and licked her lips. "Aragon?" She sat up and clutched her gown as it slid off her shoulders. "What are you doing?"
His body painfully hard, Aragon shut his eyes. His restraint wasn't strong enough to resist the spellbinding picture she made. "I was just asking myself that."
Selena sighed. "Come back here so we can discuss it."
He shook his head, his eyes still squeezed shut. "No, I can't trust myself near you." He kept acting like a degenerate rakehell. Not even Hawke would seduce an innocent lady seeking a husband.
Selena's skirts rustled as she slid from the bed. "I trust you."
When her refreshing lymon scent reached him, Aragon tensed, and his pulse surged. Goddess, she was tempting. He retreated until his back touched the wardrobe. "You shouldn't."
Selena rustled closer. "But you were finally showing me more."
He clenched his closed eyes, his breath quickening. And he burned to show her even more. Which was why he'd halted. "If I continued, I'd be unable to stop. I'm a mere man, not a god."
Selena caressed his bare chest. "Would not stopping be so bad?"
Her touch fanning his hunger, Aragon shuddered and shoved her hand away. 'Twould be glorious, but wrong. "I'm not making love to you so you can learn how to seduce your other suitors."
Selena inhaled a sharp breath. "Aragon..."
"No," he growled while blood pounded in his ears. "Get out!"
Selena rustled away, and the chair before the bed creaked as she sat. "What if I said I care nothing about other suitors?"
Aragon's eyes sprang open as his stomach spasmed. "What?!"
Her shoulders hunched in her half-undone gown, Selena nibbled her lip. "Neither Mr. Gernand nor Lord Ravenstone are still courting me, and I was relieved when they ceased."
Tingling surged in his chest, but his head swirled. She no longer had other suitors? Since when and why? And why had she pretended she did moments ago? He swallowed and crossed his arms. "Then what was all of this about?"
Selena smoothed her sandy-brown hair. "Because I wanted you to make love to me."
Aragon shut his eyes again and sighed. "To escape the black witch." She didn't truly want him. Not the way he wanted her.
Selena's chair squeaked. "No... Yes... Maybe..."
He opened his eyes and glared at her. Couldn't she answer?
Selena swallowed. "Fine. I pushed for you to make love to me now because the black witch escaped. But I needed it to be you because you're the only gentleman I want."
Aragon studied her, his stomach twisting. Could he believe her after everything she'd said since the black witch had escaped? Or was her admission just another ploy?
Selena lifted her chin. "Say something, will you?"
He choked back a strangled laugh. "What would you have me say? Thank you for tormenting and deceiving me because you want me?"
Selena winced, her gaze darting away. "I shouldn't have done that. But you always withdraw after you kiss me, and I was desperate. This was the only way I could think of to goad you past your sense of chivalry."
Aragon swallowed as heat skittered across his skin. And she almost had. Fortunately, his jealous thoughts had halted him. Jealousy was no reason to make love to someone. He sighed and shook his head. "You'd best return to your chambers and repair your disheveled appearance."
Selena leapt upright and began toward him. "But Aragon..."
He clenched his jaw and flung out a hand to halt her. "Selena, please. I need some time alone." He couldn't think with her near.
Halfway toward him, Selena drooped. "Very well." She turned and drifted to the door. She glanced over her bare shoulder and murmured, "I'm sorry."
After she left, Aragon stumbled over to the chair she'd vacated. His body aching, he ran his fingers through his hair. 'Twould be so easy to follow her and continue making love. Selena wouldn't stop him. But that didn't mean 'twas right.
He sighed and rubbed his face. He needed time to consider everything. A brisk ride would clear his head and keep him away from Selena. So he stripped off his trousers and donned riding clothes then strode downstairs.
Mother intercepted him in the entrance hall. "Aragon, where are you going?"
Aragon shrugged despite his prickling shoulders. Hopefully, his perturbation wasn't obvious to his perceptive mother. She'd attempt to help if she knew, and he didn't need her interfering in his relationship with Selena. "Riding."
Mother's brows arched. "What about Selena?"
His temples tightened as he suppressed a wince. He mustn't reveal his perturbation involved Selena. Or Mother would definitely interfere. He scowled at her. "Selena must remain here while the black witch is free."
Mother tsked and pursed her lips. "Obviously. But aren't you going to stay to help protect her?"
Aragon shrugged, struggling not to blush. Except he must escape Selena. If he stayed to protect her, he might seduce her instead. Especially if she kept goading him. "As Father said, my precautions shall protect Selena if she stays inside the townhouse. My presence shan't provide further protection."
Mother narrowed her eyes with a long hum.
He forced a shrug. "And I require some physical exertion to relax. I'll not be gone long." So Mother didn't decipher more than she already had, he turned and strode outside.
Energy burning in his veins, Aragon saddled his bay mare and trotted through Ormas then urged his mare to a gallop after the eastern gate. The fields passed in a green blur, and he was soon riding amid the thick boughs of the royal forest.
He slowed his winded mare to a walk, his chest twinging as he patted her shoulder. "Sorry for the strenuous ride. Escaping dangerous desires. You know all about those when you go into season. We'll keep to a more sedate pace for the rest of the ride."
As Aragon rode through the royal forest, he frowned and clenched the reins. How could he have allowed jealousy to goad him into almost making love to Selena? His uncontrollable desire made rational thought arduous around her.
He sighed, warmth suffusing him. Since the night Selena had smashed her lips against his, he'd desired and wanted to court her, but what else did he feel besides desire and jealousy? Her bravery, candor, and sketching impressed him. And her love of country life and beliefs about lovemaking and society echoed his own. He enjoyed giving her gifts to elicit her adorable dimple. He yearned to protect her from all threats, and he longed to hold her and never let go. And he hungered to do the same for the rest of their lives.
Tingling flooding his chest, Aragon grinned and halted his mare before the clearing at the heart of the royal forest. By the Goddess, he loved Selena. And as soon as he returned home, he'd tell her. Unlike seducing her, confessing his love couldn't be deemed stealing her choice of husband.
His stomach fluttered as he drummed his fingers against his thigh, staring at the melissae and their cottag
e. Despite loving Selena, he'd repeatedly withdrawn to avoid exploiting or rushing her. So she'd not believe him if he simply told her he loved her, especially after their quarrel earlier. He must prove his love, but how?
A sudden gust flooded Aragon with Selena's lymon scent. His heart quickened. But the refreshing scent was from an herb beside the melissae's cottage, not Selena. He tied his mare to a tree and eyed the bushy herb with wrinkled leaves and white flowers. Selena would adore having one, and a melissa plant would be the perfect gift to prove his love.
Moving cautiously and watching the melissae, he found a digging stick and flat rock then dug up a lymon-smelling herb. His pulse skittered as he worked—'twould be deadly to anger the melissae. He only relaxed once he wrapped the herb's roots in his pocketcloth and mounted his mare.
Aragon grinned as he inhaled the fragrant herb on the ride back. He couldn't wait to give Selena her gift, confess his love, then beg her to marry him. If she accepted, he could make love to her like she wanted. Unlike jealousy, love was the right reason. Plus, she'd be useless to the black witch afterward, so he'd cease hunting her.
Aragon swallowed as he emerged from the royal forest. Would Selena accept him? She'd said she wanted him to make love to her, but she'd never admitted she loved him. But neither had he, and his fury might have kept her from confessing her feelings. His heart squeezing, he patted his mare. "Up for another gallop?"
When she tossed her mane, he chuckled and urged her faster. He rode as swiftly as possible without crushing the melissa plant. Selena was waiting for him.
Chapter 29
Her face buried in her pillows, Selena winced at a knock on her locked door. If anyone saw her half-undone gown, disheveled hair, and ravaged face, they'd know she'd attempted to seduce Aragon. His tight expression during their quarrel blazed in her mind again. Using jealousy to goad him into making love had hurt him. She'd allowed her fear of the black witch to blind her and leapt without thinking. Tears burning her eyes, she remained silent. Perhaps whoever knocked would leave her alone if she didn't respond.
The Spellbinding Courtship: Calatini Tales Book 0.5 Page 17