Fabric of Fate

by N. J. Waters

  “You and your brother do all that?”

  He laughed at the amazement in her voice and reached out to tuck a lock of her curly hair behind her ear. “No. We are the lords of the keep. We have many families that live here and we all work to bring prosperity to the land.”

  “Wow.” She frowned and he rubbed the lines between her eyes. Her eyelashes fluttered downward when she blinked and he admired her long lashes. “Your world seems much like mine about six hundred years ago, except for the lack of women, that is.”

  He did not wish to talk about this barbaric world she hailed from any longer. Heroc could not imagine any man letting his woman work herself into ill health or allowing her to end up homeless or hungry. Unthinkable.

  The time had come for action, not talking. Heroc shifted Audrey, turning her so she was facing him, her legs straddling his lap. She clutched his shoulders for balance as he untangled the blanket from her lower body and tossed it to the floor.

  “Let me love you. Let me show you what it could be like if you stayed.”

  Audrey didn’t know what was real anymore. Abrah was a thorough lover who seemed to know her body better than she knew it herself. He was a driven lover, but self-contained, intense. Heroc was more open, easier to talk to. She’d found it easy to answer his questions and found they’d prompted some of her own.

  It had become more apparent with every passing second that this world was indeed real. There was no way she was in a dream this long and vivid. Perhaps she was in a coma but she honestly didn’t think so. However it had happened, she had to accept the fact that she truly was in this strange world of Javara with these two incredible men.

  Heroc trailed his hands over her back, bringing her attention back to the here and now. The new position in which she sat exposed her totally to his gaze and his roving hands. She was naked. Again. That seemed to be the norm since she’d arrived here. She should feel awkward at best, outraged at least, but strangely enough, it was starting to feel normal.

  The warmth of the fire penetrated her back and buttocks and the heat radiating from Heroc warmed her front. He ran his fingers through her hair, watching it twine around his thumb.

  “Your hair is beautiful. Alive.”

  It had always been the bane of her existence, especially when she was a teenager, but there was no doubt that Heroc thought it was special.

  “Thank you.”

  She felt suddenly shy with him and lowered her gaze. She wasn’t used to getting compliments and certainly not while she sat naked on a man’s lap. He was still totally dressed, garbed in what she was coming to think of as his usual garb of leather tunic, pants and boots. That seemed to be what men wore here, much like they’d wear jeans and a T-shirt back home.

  “What is wrong?”

  He was attuned to her change of mood and rubbed his hands up and down her arms in an attempt to comfort her. He really was quite an amazing man.

  “I’m naked,” she blurted out and could feel her cheeks heating. She’d thought she could be mature and blasé about the situation, but obviously not.

  “You are self-conscious?”

  She nodded.

  He smiled. “Then we will fix that.”

  She assumed he would put her aside and find her something to wear, or at the very least snag the blanket from the floor and wrap it around her. Instead, he leaned back and grabbed the hem of his tunic and yanked it over his head.

  His chest gleamed in the firelight. Like his brother, his stomach was flat and hard with ridged muscle running down each side. His biceps were enormous.

  “Better?” He caught her hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing one finger after the other until he’d covered them all.

  Flutters began low in her belly and her skin tingled. “Much better,” she assured him. How could it not be better for her to see all that prime male flesh?

  Audrey had made love to Abrah not long ago. Last night both men had touched her intimately. She knew she was going to make love with Heroc too and that didn’t seem as strange as it would have only a short while ago. This world was different from her own, the expectations totally skewed.

  Why shouldn’t she enjoy it while she was here?

  Because you are getting too attached to the Dannon brothers and allowing them to become attached to you. Audrey ignored the voice of reason when it piped up. She’d been reasonable her entire life, not making waves at work, doing what was expected. And where had it gotten her—a panic attack and a midlife crisis.

  She was going to go with the flow and do what she wanted to do for a change, consequences be damned. She’d almost died in that storm last night. Now she wanted to live, to taste life at its fullest.

  Heroc cupped her nape and kissed her, holding her steady as he ate at her lips and tangled his tongue with hers. The man could certainly kiss, and he explored her mouth thoroughly, leaving no crevice untouched. She tightened her thighs around his, losing herself in his taste, his growing passion. She ran her hands over his shoulders, arms and chest, feeling the taut muscles, the tension.

  Her hands slipped lower and she traced a finger along the waistband of his pants. He groaned into her mouth and pulled away, his chest expanding and contracting quickly as he sucked air into his lungs. His eyes weren’t truly green like Abrah’s, but more a bluish green that reminded her of the ocean off a tropical island. There was such heat in those eyes that she felt scorched by his gaze.

  “Touch me lower.”

  She knew what he wanted and obliged. There was no mistaking the hard, heavy bulge pressing against the placket of his pants. Even through the material she could feel the heavy pulse, the heat, the sheer power of him.

  He plucked at the laces and quickly freed himself. His cock fell into her waiting hand and she marveled at the length and girth of him. He and Abrah were certainly impressive. Her experience might be limited but she knew superior male flesh when she saw it. Or, in this case, held it.

  She wrapped her fingers around his erection and pumped.

  Heroc groaned and quickly tugged her hand away. “Too much.” He shifted his legs, widening them. The action threatened her balance and she fell back. He caught her easily and gave a low, rumbling growl as he leaned down and captured one of her nipples between his lips.

  Oh, the heat from his mouth was marvelous. His tongue lapped at the straining bud and teased the area around it. She gripped his hair in her hands and tugged him to her other breast, wanting to feel the wonderful sensations there as well.

  He laughed, a low sensual sound that made her pussy clench. What was it about these brothers that turned her on so quickly? She’d been without a man for years and honestly hadn’t missed it. But Abrah and Heroc seemed to know exactly what to do to turn her on. Or maybe she was simply different here. More relaxed. Focused on herself and not on work.

  Heroc licked the underside of her breast and nuzzled her cleavage. She was breathless with growing need. “The bed,” she gasped.

  “Too far.” He tunneled one hand between her thighs, touching her intimately. She was wet, her folds slick and plumped. He gave a hum of approval and worked two thick fingers into her core.

  She cried out and grabbed his shoulders for support, digging her nails into his muscled flesh. He tightened his arm around her back while he explored her sex with the other. His thumb pressed against her clit and she cried out. Her pussy tightened around his fingers, trying to draw them deeper even as he withdrew them.

  “Heroc,” she wailed. She wanted him. Didn’t want to wait any longer.

  He lifted her easily in a display of amazing strength and positioned her over his waiting cock. “Guide me into your body.”

  She gripped his shaft and positioned it against her opening. He lowered her and his cock head pushed inside, stretching her. But there was no time for her to become accustomed to him. Heroc didn’t stop lowering her until he was all the way inside her.

  “So tight,” he groaned, burying his face in the curve of her nec
k. She agreed with him but couldn’t manage to talk.

  She panted and waited for her body to accept him. He nibbled at her neck and she arched her back when he hit a particularly sensitive spot. The action drove her pelvis against his and her clit rubbed over his taut flesh. Audrey moaned and did it again.

  Heroc sat back, gripped her hips and began to lift her. He raised her several inches before pulling her back down onto his swollen cock. It felt incredible. This position kept her open and vulnerable and left him totally in control. Audrey didn’t care. She closed her eyes and focused on the hard thrust of his cock surging into her pussy, the flutter of her inner muscles as he withdrew and the tightening as he pushed inward again.

  She balanced herself as best she could, using his shoulders for support. He angled her body and her clit rubbed against his pelvis every now and again, the uneven rhythm maddening.

  Heroc’s thrusts got faster, his breathing harsh. She could feel him swelling inside her. She leaned inward, rubbing her breasts against his hard chest, the slight smattering of chest hair tickling her nipples.

  Her lower body clenched hard and she cried out. Her orgasm swept over her and she rode it out, savoring every stroke of his cock. Her pussy spasmed, clutching at his shaft. He yelled her name and came, the hot pulse of his release flooding her core.

  Audrey collapsed against his chest and he banded his arms around her, holding her upright. Both of them were breathing heavily and her heart was pounding. She concentrated on taking one deep breath after another.

  Her release had taken everything out of her and she was content to loll against Heroc, nestling closer to his warmth. Her skin gradually cooled and she shivered.

  Heroc stood and his cock slid from her body, leaving her with an empty feeling she didn’t particularly like. He lifted her easily into his strong arms and carried her to the bed. She didn’t protest when he set her on the mattress and disappeared into the bathing chamber only to return moments later with a warm, damp cloth. He cleaned between her thighs, but she was beyond being embarrassed and allowed him to have his way.

  The weight of the journey, her ill health, her mental exhaustion and her physical encounters with both men had left her feeling like a wrung-out dishrag. She tried to open her eyes but found it difficult. He was frowning down at her. “Sleep.”

  There was nothing else she could do. She still had so many questions she wanted to ask him. And she wanted to see beyond the walls of this room. And she would. After she’d rested for a few minutes.

  Chapter Nine

  Audrey lay in bed and listened hard, trying to figure out what was different. Silence. That was it. The wind was no longer a low moan, beating at the shutters trying to get in.

  She sat up and groaned as her body protested. She felt stiff and sore all over, from both her struggle in the storm and her unaccustomed sexual activity. She frowned when she noted she was alone and wondered how long she’d been asleep? She had a vague memory of two hard bodies snuggled up on either side of her, of waking once to use the bathroom and stumble back to bed and into a pair of waiting arms. But she’d lost all concept of time.

  She threw back the cover and slid her legs over the side of the bed. The floor was cool against her toes as she stood and padded to the window. It took little effort to open the shutters. The sun was high in the sky but clouds obscured it, giving the day a gray appearance.

  What shocked her most were the people. She’d gotten so used to it being just her and the Dannon brothers that she’d almost convinced herself there wasn’t an entire world out there. She heard the bleat of a sheep and the moo of a cow. A dog barked and a man called out to another one.

  Audrey yanked the shutter closed, slammed the bolt home and leaned her forehead against the smooth wood. Everything was real, this world and the people in it. There was no denying it any longer. And that meant she was on a time limit. She had no idea how long she’d slept but was filled with a sudden sense of urgency. She had to find Abrah and Heroc.

  But first she needed to use the facilities. She went to the bathing chamber and almost groaned in pleasure when she discovered a tub of steaming water waiting for her. She had no idea who had filled it, but she was grateful all the same. A thick washcloth and a bar of sweet-smelling soap sat on a ledge above the tub.

  She climbed in and sat back, taking a moment to let the warmth of the water sink into her skin. Bruises still dotted her body, some worse than others, but overall she felt good and rested.

  As much as she wanted to, she didn’t linger in the bath, but washed quickly. The scent of the soap reminded her of lavender and she breathed in the wonderful scent. By the time she was done she felt refreshed, her muscles not quite as sore.

  There wasn’t much she could do with her hair but she picked out the tangles with a wooden comb she found on a shelf. The curls were wild, as always, but she found she really wasn’t worried. She didn’t have to present a business-like appearance here.

  She tossed the comb back on the shelf and made her way back to the bedroom where a bundle of clothing sat on the table next to a jug of water.

  There was no underwear among the clothing and she had no idea where hers were. “You’re going commando today.” She laughed at the sheer idea of it. Life here was certainly different.

  She shook out the first piece of clothing, curious to see what it was. The pants were similar to the ones the brothers wore and she slipped them on, pulling the laces tight in the waist to keep them from falling over her hips. A long-sleeved tunic, which fell almost to her knees, followed.

  There was a pair of boots with soft soles that laced up to her knees. They reminded her of moccasins and were incredibly comfortable. When she was fully dressed, she went to the door and hesitated only a moment before opening it.

  The walls of the corridor were about eight feet high and made completely of stone. She marveled at the idea that she really was in a castle. She ran her fingers over the smooth stone as she made her way down the winding, narrow staircase. The place was like something out of a fairy tale book. As she made the last turn, the sound of male voices reached her.

  She paused at the entryway to what could only be the great hall. Heroc and Abrah were there but they were not the men she’d come to know. Gone were the two lovers and in their place were two warriors.

  Both men were stripped to the waist. Thick bands covered their forearms from their wrists to just below their elbows. Another wide band wrapped around their biceps. With their long hair flowing down their backs, they were wild and untamed. Sweat made their skin glisten as they circled one another in the center of the room.

  But it was the heavy swords in their hands that held her spellbound. She’d seen Abrah take one from the wall when he’d stomped out of his room yesterday, but she’d never really imagined him actually using it. The darn things had to be at least four feet in length. And they were deadly sharp. Abrah brought his blade down toward Heroc. Audrey wanted to scream but was afraid to distract them. At the last second, Heroc raised his blade and Abrah’s skated over it. Sparks flew and metal clashed.

  She sank down on the bottom step and wrapped her arms around her legs at the shocking reminder of just how different this world was from her own. The skill and athleticism both men displayed as they fought were breathtaking, their movements fluid and quick, their swords an extension of their arms.

  This was a wild and vastly untamed land. Heroc had mentioned something about being isolated so they didn’t get many threats from others, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have to be prepared for attack.

  She couldn’t imagine the brutality of having to fight another man with a sword, what it would feel like to drive a blade into another man’s body and watch him bleed to death. The cold from the stone leeched into her body and she shivered. This was a primitive world.

  But how was that truly any different from the wars of her world? Men killed one another with guns and knives all the time, and sometimes over the stupidest of things. If anyt
hing, killing someone in her world was much more impersonal. You had to get up close and personal to hurt someone with a sword. No, when it came down to it, this world wasn’t much different from hers. Violence existed everywhere. It was simply that she’d never been this up close and personal with it before.

  This was obviously a practice session but it didn’t look like one. Both men were deadly serious as they swung at their opponent. Several times she buried her face in her lap, unable to watch. But she’d always have to peek again to make certain neither of them were hurt.

  A loud woof came from the far end of the room drawing her attention. Audrey couldn’t believe the size of the shaggy, gray beast galloping toward her. She’d seen him before on the night they’d found her. Carn. That was his name. Personally she thought Goliath would be more fitting. The closer he got the bigger he seemed. He was the size of a small horse and showed no intention of stopping.

  Audrey jumped to her feet and held her hands out in front of her. Not that she could hope to hold off a beast that size, but she had to try. She prayed he was friendly. She was so focused on the dog’s approach she didn’t realize both men had spotted her and stopped fighting until she heard a shrill whistle.

  The dog skidded to a stop, landing on his butt in front of her. His huge head came to the middle of her chest and his tongue was hanging out of his mouth in what she hoped was a doggy smile. He thrust his head beneath one of her hands so she petted him, the dark gray fur rough against her palm. “Nice dog.”

  “Carn won’t hurt you.” Heroc, blade resting against his shoulder, strode toward her. Abrah shoved his sword into a scabbard and set it aside before joining them.