by Teri Barnett
“This storm is mild compared to some we’ve had,” Bethany said, tying her shawl snuggly around her waist. “You should be here when we have a real one.”
“I hope I am.” Connor’s gaze was warm with the fire’s glow.
Bethany gave him a shaky smile. The prospect of spending the night with him in such close quarters left her trembling from head to toe. “I’m going to see how it looks outside.” She walked over to the door and pushed it open slightly. The sky was a deep green, the horizon tinged with purple and she could see no end to the storm. Bethany pulled the door closed with a sigh, standing with her back against it. It looked like they would be there for a while, maybe even longer than just one night. Will I ever find my child? she wondered as a chill went through her body.
“How’s it look out there?”
“Not good. I don’t know if we’ll be able to travel tomorrow—” she whispered in a broken voice. She took a deep breath. She ached with the need to hold her baby girl.
I need to be strong. I will see Sarah again.
She glanced at Connor. He sat with his profile to her, studying the flames as they shot out of the old shale hearth, dancing with a life of their own. Could she believe him where Elizabeth was concerned?
Bethany turned to the wooden counter next to the door, careful not to lean against it, for any pressure would surely send it crashing to the floor. Slowly, she began to assemble the food they had gathered after arriving, before the storm hit. She needed something to do that would force the haunting thoughts away from her mind.
Pulling a simple tin tray down from the shelf over the work area, she smiled, thinking of Connor’s reaction to the different creatures living in the woods around the camp. One animal in particular, the doha, had caught his attention. Typically a domesticated creature, this one had apparently gone wild and wanted nothing to do with either of them. He kept comparing it to something called a ‘horse’. Horse. What a silly name. She couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s so amusing?” Connor asked, walking over to the small rickety table where Bethany had placed the tray of food.
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of you trying to ride the doha this afternoon. How is your backside?”
Connor puffed himself up. “It’s just fine, thank you. By the way, why’d you lead me to believe the damn thing wouldn’t mind being ridden?”
Bethany shrugged, her expression innocent. “Well, they usually let you. I guess this one just wasn’t feeling too accommodating.”
He came to her, smiling in spite of himself. “Why don’t we sit by the fire while we eat. I’ve already spread out a few of the blankets,” Connor said. “You look like you need to warm up.”
Before she could answer, Connor took the tray from her and placed it on the floor in front of the fireplace and sat on the blanket. “So, tell me what this food is.”
Bethany sat down cross-legged next to the tray. “Well, the green leaves are called mellet. You take one and put some of these brown seeds—they’re called plankas—on top of the leaf and roll it up. Then you eat it,” she explained, popping one into her mouth.
Connor did likewise. “Not bad. Tastes a little nutty, like fried corn,” he commented. “What are those?”
“Hmm. I’m afraid to tell you.”
“Why?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “Do they have a strange name? Or just a bad taste?”
“No, they’re actually quite good.” She held one of the large juicy red berries out to him, between her thumb and forefinger. “Here, try one. They ripen with the first frost.”
He hesitated for a moment then leaned in, taking it from her with his mouth, his lips touching her fingers as he did so. “You’re right. It does taste good.” He winked at her.
“And you’re incorrigible.” Bethany smiled, leaning back on one elbow. She stretched her legs out, kicking off her kidskin boots in the process and warmed her bare feet near the fire. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in a soft golden cloud.
“You didn’t tell me the name yet,” Connor said, popping another sweet berry into his mouth.
Bethany stared into the fire as she spoke. “They’re called Paran’s Love.”
“Isn’t that the name of your town’s founder?”
“Yes. It was named for him. You see, according to legend, when Paran lost his wife, he cried without end for three days. On the fourth day, a bush sprang forth from the ground that had been soaked with his tears. On it grew these berries, full of the sweetness of his love for her.” She rolled onto her stomach, her eyes catching Connor’s. “The Mother of All was so moved by the intensity of his emotion, She returned his wife to him, saying She had never seen such depth of love and it wasn’t right that they should be parted. It’s traditional for a husband to share these berries with his wife on the anniversary of their marriage.”
“Did your husband share these with you?”
Bethany nodded. “As I said, it’s a tradition. A way of renewing your feelings and commitment to each other.”
“You must miss him a great deal.” He reached out and pushed her hair away from her eyes. “Did someone heal you when he died?”
“Grief is a part of life, Connor. I would not be cured of it. It’s made me stronger and more appreciative of what I do have,” she explained quietly. “Joseph was a good man and I loved him deeply. At the time of his death, I never thought I’d be able to love anyone like that again. I didn’t want to.”
“And what about now, Angel?” Connor asked, his voice moving through her like a warm wave.
“I do.” Bethany watched as Connor’s eyes grew even darker and she realized that it was these eyes that held her captive. His gaze touched her, made her feel as if she’d known him across lifetimes.
Perhaps Zachariah was right. Maybe the Mother of All has blessed me.
Not knowing what lay ahead and needing someone other than herself for strength, Bethany pushed aside her worries and fears about the future. “Listen…The storm is over,” she whispered.
Connor touched her lips with his fingertips. “No, it’s just beginning.”
Chapter 22
Connor picked up a Paran’s Love and offered it to Bethany. “Will you accept this from me?” he asked softly, his voice expectant.
Bethany considered him for a moment as her heart spoke to her, then smiled. She held out her hand to take it from him.
He shook his head. “Uh-uh. Open your mouth.”
She complied and he placed the berry on her tongue, his fingers lingering. She bit into it and the delicious warm juice ran down the sides of her mouth. She giggled, wiping at it with the back of her hand.
Connor moved closer to Bethany, his eyes focused on hers. Moving closer still, he caught her mouth in a deep kiss. Gently, he urged her lips apart, probing until their tongues touched.
Bethany sighed and the kiss deepened, his scent filling her senses. Connor wrapped his arms around her and she reveled in the strength of his embrace. Rolling her onto her back, he licked at her chin until the juice was gone. Then, their mouths locked together in another kiss.
Bethany reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders and ran her hands over the thick fur of his chest, feeling his muscles contract as he raised himself, kneeling above her.
Connor removed his shirt and tossed it aside. He reached down and unfastened the ties of her long blouse. Bethany shivered.
“Are you cold? I can put more wood on the fire,” Connor offered, his voice thick and low.
Bethany shook her head. “It’s not the cold that’s making me shiver.” She smiled, nudged him onto his back and straddled him.
Connor arched a thick dark brow, and chuckled. “Another one of your ways I should get used to?”
She nodded and giggled. Moving her shoulders in a circular motion, Bethany let her blouse slide off her shou
lders. Connor’s gasp filled her with pleasure. She grazed her breasts against his chest, enjoying the rough texture of his wiry hair against her soft skin. “Perhaps you’re used to taking virgins,” she teased. “They usually lie back without knowing what to do.” She pushed herself up lazily and stood, untying her leggings. “Of course, if you think I might be too much for you, we can stop now.”
Bethany let the loose pants drop to the floor and kicked them away. Connor sucked in his breath. Bethany knew she had him. He held out his hand to her. “There’ll be no stopping tonight, Angel. Come to me and take what you will. I’ll give it gladly and take what you offer in return.”
Clasping his hand, Bethany allowed herself to be pulled down on top of him. She smiled seductively and started to remove his pants.
“Let me.” With a swift motion, he unbuttoned the heavy denim trousers and removed them. She lowered herself back down, squeezing his trim hips tightly with her thighs.
“You’re so beautiful, Angel,” he whispered against her neck.
His mouth found a tender spot behind her ear and sucked at it gently, sending shivers of delight through her body. “Mmm, that feels nice,” she purred, her voice low and hushed. She tilted her head to the side, baring more of her neck, and her hair fell about them like a golden blanket.
Connor moved his lips along her collarbone, leaving a wet line of kisses. “I love the taste of you,” he murmured.
Bethany gazed into his eyes and saw a hunger there that matched her own. He ran his hands down her back, lightly strumming her spine. His hands came to rest on her hips, urging her to move up slightly. As she shifted, Bethany’s mouth came down hard on his in a demanding kiss. “You feel wonderful against me,” she whispered.
“Angel.” Connor rasped, as they kissed again, letting his hands explore every soft, warm part of her. He ran his fingertips along her sides in one long caress, then over her chest, stopping to massage the small round breasts. Raising his head slightly, Connor took one nipple and then the other into his mouth, slowly running his tongue over the tips, teasing them into hardness.
Bethany looked down at him, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?”
“Do you want me to stop?” He lay poised, ready to take the peak again.
She shook her head and lowered herself slightly until his mouth was on her breast. “We don’t do this here,” she whispered as he suckled. “Only babies.”
“Our babies, too.” He nuzzled his face between the smooth yielding mounds. “And during lovemaking.” Connor moved his mouth downward, forcing her to shift with the pressure of his kisses. He gently pushed her shoulders until she was sitting up, straddling his chest. Connor ran his hands down her back and cupped her buttocks. With a gentle pressure, he urged her forward still.
Her eyes caught his and darkened. Slowly, she moved until her thighs rested on either side of his face, his whiskers rubbing against the delicate skin.
Tenderly, Connor spread open the soft, damp flesh with his fingers. He closed his eyes and ran his tongue over her in one long caress. Bethany gasped and arched toward him as he found her sensitive core.
Connor continued to tease and lick, relishing Bethany’s moans of pleasure. She clutched his head, holding him tightly between her legs. He answered Bethany’s need by probing her deep sweetness with his tongue, darting in and out faster and faster until the spasms of her release throbbed against his tongue. She called out his name over and over, as though it were a mantra as he continued to massage her through her release.
“That was heavenly,” she sighed. Bethany raised her arms and lifted her hair, letting it fall a little at a time as she stretched. Slowly, she let her body glide downward, dragging herself against him until her mouth found his. “I want you now,” she whispered.
“Take me then,” Connor moaned. His strong hands massaged her buttocks, guiding her to his hardness. Bethany lowered herself onto him and began to move her hips, undulating against him. The wetness he had created with his kisses surrounded his erection and welcomed him wholly. Moving slowly at first, Bethany increased her tempo, caressing him from within using short, tight squeezes.
“My God,” he breathed, his words catching in his throat.
He fought to hold on, to make her pleasure last longer, but when she leaned close to his ear and whispered her encouragement, he was lost.
“Let go, Connor. Love me…Love me.”
“I will love you, Angel.” He grasped her waist and moved faster, driving her up and down with the force of his hips. She braced her hands against his chest and matched his rhythm.
She placed her fingertips against Connor’s lips. “Make them wet for me,” she bade. He began to suck her fingers, licking and nibbling them. Pulling her hand away, she placed it between her legs, massaging the soft tender mound of flesh. She threw her head back and screamed his name as her muscles tightened and contracted around Connor. “Now, Connor,” she gasped. “I want to feel your release, deep inside me.”
Connor continued to move with full penetrating strokes, his hard shaft thrusting in and out until she sang out his name once more. Another deep stroke and his own shouts of ecstasy joined hers.
After a few moments, he opened his eyes and his breath caught—he was in complete and utter awe of Bethany’s glowing beauty.
He wrapped his hands in her hair, pulling her to him for a tender kiss, no words were spoken.
No words were needed.
Chapter 23
Bethany awoke just before dawn. She lay still, her head in the crook of Connor’s arm, savoring the warmth and closeness of his strength. Through a crack in the side of the cabin wall, she watched the sun begin its ascent in the gray sky. The fallen ice shards that clung to the trees outside glittered in the early morning light.
She murmured her morning prayers, asking the Mother of All for aid and protection for what lay ahead.
Connor stirred, and she lifted herself on one elbow. “Peace to you, Connor Jessup,” she bade him, brushing a wisp of black hair out of his eyes.
“Good morning, Angel.”
“Why do you call me that? You have to know I’m not an angel by now.”
Connor grinned. “But I like ‘Angel’. It’s what I thought you were when I first met you. It’s how I’ll always think of you.”
“Mmm…” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Absolutely none.” He pulled Bethany to him, his mouth touching hers in a light kiss. “Are we heading to your home today or do I have to stay cooped up with you here?” He rolled his eyes in an exaggerated show of mock dismay.
“No, I think you’ll be safe from me today. I was watching the sky before you woke up.” She pointed toward the slight opening in the wall. “As long as it’s not storming, we should be fine.”
Connor stood and pulled Bethany to her feet. The blankets fell away as he did so. He scooped one up and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling it together in the front and sighed.
“What is it?” Bethany asked.
“You’re so beautiful.” He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. “I find such peace in your presence, Bethany. A peace I never knew was possible. I want you to feel this, too.” He held her at arm’s length, his strong hands cupping her cheeks.
Tears welled in her eyes. “My daughter is my peace, Connor. Until I know what’s become of her, there will be none for me.”
Connor pulled her close again. “We’ll find her. If not today, then the next. This is my promise to you.”
As Bethany gathered up the remaining food, Connor brought water into the cabin with a wooden bucket he’d found under the counter. He washed quickly, for the water was cold. Then dressed and fetched more water for Bethany.
Pulling on his boots, he watched Bethany intently, noticing fresh tears. “Are you going to be all right?” he asked.
/>
Bethany didn’t answer right away. She took a deep breath. Picking up the shawl full of food, she tied a knot in the material and secured it to her belt.
“Bethany?”
Bethany’s eyes met his, her bottom lip quivering. “It’s all right.” She folded a blanket over her arm and handed it to Connor. “Here. This should help you keep warm until we reach Papa’s house.”
Connor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If someone questioned his appearance word might get back to the High Priestess of their location and who knows what would happen then. They needed the element of surprise when they returned to the Kiyolo of the Night. “Do the people of your town look and dress like you? Are they fair-haired?”
Bethany looked down at her clothes. “Yes, for the most part. Except, of course, for this big coat of yours. Our coloring runs from light blonde to dark red. Why do you ask?”
“I imagine I’ll look a might out of place, then, don’t you think?”
Her eyes widened. “I hadn’t considered the possibility of someone questioning your appearance. Bethany took the blanket from him and draped it over his head and shoulders, covering his dark hair. “How about this?”
“Fine, but what about my beard? I could definitely use a shave.”
Bethany turned to the shelf over the old counter. Taking down a small wooden box, Bethany handed it to him. “Here.”
Connor opened the container to find two pairs of silver tweezers, one smaller than the other. “What are these for?”
“To remove the hair from your face.” She picked one up and plucked a hair off his chin, showing him how they worked.
He yelped.
“Of course, our men don’t have nearly as much hair as you do,” she said with a giggle. “You’d definitely create a stir in Paran if they saw it.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed as he rubbed the sting away. Damn silly way to shave. He’d have to find a proper razor somewhere after all this was over. “I think I’ll just hold the blanket over the bottom half of my face when we reach town, if it’s all the same to you.”