by Wend Petzler
"George, what news of Richard and England?"
"The news I bear is bad, my lord. Richard was captured by Leopold of Austria. The Duke holds him in retribution of the mistreatment he endured when he fought in the Crusade along with the King. Prince John is required by law to negotiate a ransom, whenever one is offered to obtain Richard's freedom. Imagine my surprise when I saw the Prince here, rounding up common thieves."
"Well, the good news never ceases.” Lucian scowled at their predicament. “The priest you escorted here has delivered a letter informing me of my father's death.” His tone was flat, lifeless. His mind shied from the dead bastard who was his sire. However, grief would not allow it. Bastard or not, the Duke had been his father, his flesh and blood. And the loss took him by surprise.
Derrick looked about for the words to comfort his friend. Finding none, he asked, “Do we stay or go claim your heritage?"
"It depends how the morrow goes. Prince John wants something from me, and the information imparted by a friend speaks ill of our future here in England."
"What does the Prince want with us?” Derrick asked worriedly.
"Prince John wants us to pledge our swords to him."
"We would be traitors to our own sworn word to Richard!"
"Any suggestions?” Lucian asked dryly, looking at his friends when he suddenly felt a presence beside him. He looked down and saw Eiry. Lucian was alarmed he had not heard her approach. She displayed a stealth most men did not possess.
"My lord, I believe the time is at hand for you to meet some friends of mine. Mayhap they can help you better decide what you wish to do."
"What do you propose?” Lucian asked, suspicious of her motives.
"I am merely suggesting you see the real toll of what Prince John's taxes have levied upon us. You need to personally see the vast destruction of what Lord Robert has caused in doing his duty to the Prince.” Eiry defiantly met his glare, not backing down to the amazement of his companions. “I want you to meet a man called Robin of the Hood. He is the only one who can help us now."
"Us or your friends? Your liaisons have placed me in a serious bind. What makes you think I won't turn the thieves in and collect the rewards? What keeps you safe from me making a deal with Prince John? What keeps you safe from my wrath?” Lucian shouted, more furious than he had ever been in his whole life.
Tilting her head to the side, clearly unafraid, Eiry replied, “What keeps me safe from harm is your word to a little girl whose family was murdered by a greedy tyrant."
Dropping his head in defeat, Lucian groaned at her words, reminding him of his oath to Lilia. “Do you think it a wise course of action meeting with the very thieves the sheriff and his men are searching for?"
"I have a responsibility to those men and women who were arrested today. I can't let them hang for doing what was necessary for us to survive."
Stunned by her admission, Lucian felt she was holding back, about what he was unsure. “When do you propose we ride out and meet with your friends?"
Eiry waved to Tom who was hovering nearby, ready to come to her aid. “Tom, can you take us to Robin?"
Surprised by her request, it took him a minute to respond. “Yea, I can take you. You realize Lord Robert's men will be watching us, waiting to see if we will go to our friends? We'll be leading them to straight to our lair,” he warned.
"What think you?” she asked Lucian.
"If it's just the three of us, we might be able to sneak out after dark."
"Eiry, are you certain about this? We can't afford any more mistakes. I counted fifteen taken in the sheriff's custody so far. Who knows how many more will be arrested by the end of the day. We need to be thinking about rescuing them before Lord Robert starts torturing them for information."
Lucian offered a solution. “Derrick can take several of our men and help Tom round up families who need our protection. Bring them to Sanctuary. The new wing can shelter them, plus the two stables. They will be safe here until we can figure out what to do."
"Truly? Can you do that for us, Lucian?” Eiry asked, hopeful again.
"Aye, but we must be about it quickly. Derrick, see to it personally for me. George, tell our men to make camp here in the courtyard. I have it on good authority all hell is about to break out around here. Make sure the guards are on high alert. We might encounter some mischief from our dear sheriff."
Glaring at Eiry, Lucian grabbed her arm roughly. “We need to have a little chat, you and me.” He practically dragged her past the front gate.
Eiry picked up her skirts in order to keep up with his long strides. When they were far enough away from the castle, he turned to her. “Eiry—” Lucian didn't have a clue where to begin. He knew she was in danger if Louie talked to save himself. How was he going to save her if he did not ask what role she played in the robberies committed around Derbyshire and Castleton?
"In order for me to better protect you and Lilia, you must trust me. Can you?” He held his breath when she appeared unsure.
"Lucian, are you certain you wish to trust me? I am not someone whom a duke associates with."
Folding his arms in front of him, he arched a brow at her. “Why do you not let me be the judge of that? The time for the truth is at hand, tell me all."
Her head hung dejectedly, her long brown hair fell forward, covering her face. When she lifted her face to look at him, he saw tears glistening in the silver-gray depths. “When I returned from Wales, I found my home was in the process of being given back to the Crown, if the taxes weren't paid immediately. So, I devised a plan to rob the rich. In no time, we had enough money to save the castle. Next, Robert tried to run us out by stealing the livestock, took most of the sheep, all for taxes he said were still owed. I stopped him from taking our home, yet it wasn't enough to stop the greedy bastard from taking everything else."
Casting her a wary, distrustful look, Lucian asked, “You devised all? I was under the impression Lady Thief was leader of the Peake Forest outlaws?"
"Are you sure you wish all the truth? If I tell you everything, you will be in a dire position of choosing to turn a blind eye to who I am, or worse, be forced to turn me in."
"Woman, you have already placed me in an intolerable situation. On one hand, I am bound by my oath as a knight to turn you over to the sheriff. On the other, I can understand why you committed these acts of thievery.” Lucian ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated by the situation he was in. Worse, the position Eiry was. If he did not help her, she would be hunted down and hung. If he did help her and her friends, he would be marked as a traitor to England when he openly defied Prince John.
"I know, but if you were in my shoes you would have made the same decisions as I have done.” She squared her shoulders, determined not to cry.
Resigned, Lucian took her hand in his. He absently played with her long fingers. “We must speak of another matter. My mother requests I return to Normandy and claim my rightful heritage."
Surprised by his confidence in her, Eiry asked, half-afraid of his response, “Will you return to Normandy?” The frightening possibility of being alone again, helpless to stop the ever increasing tide of tyranny in England, nearly undid her. Helpless to stop the ache in her heart, the terrible thought of never seeing Lucian again choked the air out of her lungs.
He smiled ruefully, squeezing her hand gently. “It's tempting. I am duke to a land rich and peaceful in a country vastly different from England."
Nodding in understanding, Eiry envied his opportunity to leave and seek a new life. “What a wonderful dream to live somewhere without having to be on guard all the time or live with the knowledge I could be arrested and hanged at anytime.” She sighed wistfully as they walked along the ghostly shade of the slumbering apple trees.
"You could come with me?” Lucian spoke softly, tenderly tucking a stray lock of her brown hair behind her ear.
Smiling sadly, she answered, “You know I cannot leave, not while my friends are in the sher
iff's custody. They face torture, humiliation, and in the end a public hanging. I must stay and try to find a way to rescue them."
He slowly traced her arm with a light fingertip. “Perhaps your friend, Robin Hood, can take them in and protect them."
Shivering, Eiry tried to concentrate on his words, but her body was growing alive. His featherlike touch sent ripples of desire shooting through her. She could not help herself, needing to feel the thrill of his kiss once more, wanting to be in his arms forever. “Would you really want me and Lilia to come with you?"
The right corner of his firm lips curved upward at her hopeful question. “Yea, I want you to come with me.” He bent to kiss her, frowning when she pulled away.
"Can we take those who wish to leave England?"
"What? Do you know what you ask of me?” he demanded, incredulous she would dare ask such a think of him.
"Can you?” she persisted.
Thinking over her request, he replied hesitantly, “It might be possible. I have a large vessel, able to hold at least a sixty to seventy people, harbored in London. But, before I commit myself, we will meet with your friend. Tonight, we find out what he knows.” Lucian paused, as if in an afterthought, and swooped down and captured her soft, parted lips, devouring her sweetness. His hands reached for her shoulders and drew her flush against his unyielding body, letting loose the emotions he held in check for so long.
Shock melted into raw need. Eiry clung to Lucian's broad shoulders, drawing him closer, loving his rough touch, wanting him to make love to her. When he reluctantly withdrew from her, Eiry's brow furrowed in confusion. “Have I done something to displease you?” she whispered, searching his eyes, those wonderful hot orbs burned her with an inferno of raw desire.
Groaning in sheer, sweet agony, Lucian cupped her beautiful face in his hands, kissing again those sweet, lush lips. Forcing himself to withdrawal to a safe distance, Lucian had to stop before he acted upon his lust to have Eiry Savoy. “Woman, you send me to my knees with want of you. But, I will not dishonor you. Never upon a woman as you. God help me, I want you. In fact, I need you. But, I will never make you less than a wife. And in all truth, I cannot offer marriage either. Eiry, you are special, all that is good and bright in a world of darkness and blood. I could never taint you with my accursed life. You deserve better than I.” Lucian turned on his heel and left her, heaving a heavy sigh. He could never be the man she thought him to be.
Eiry was stunned by Lucian's self-loathing admission. She who was a condemned thief, a woman who broke the English Law more times than she cared to count, was too good to be with a magnificent knight called the Butcher? Determined, she lifted her skirts and ran after him. Grabbing his arm, she forced him to look at her.
"Just what the hell do you think you are doing?” she demanded breathlessly.
"What do you mean?” Lucian shot back, glaring at her.
"You can't actually believe all you spout, do you?"
Blinking at her in confusion, he realized Eiry was angry at him. She defiantly placed her hands on her shapely hips, glaring back at him. Taking an intimidating step toward the fiery beauty, Lucian knew he must frighten Eiry from her course. Leering at her, his voice raspy with the fierce desire he refused to hide from her, “You play with fire, young lady. Do you wish to test the will of the Butcher? Do you wish to become victim to a man whispered by innocent virgins as the Beast?"
A small, amused smile upturned the corner of her mouth. Eiry took the next step, pressing flush against him. “Aye,” she replied, boldly meeting his startled eyes. “Aye, I want to know the Beast for the Butcher has given me a glimpse of the real man who lay beneath such rubbish. I know what you are and an animal you are not."
Indecision warred inside Lucian. His hand actually shook as he caressed her soft cheek with the back of his knuckles, gradually sliding his fingers through the silky tresses of her unruly mane. “Eiry, do you know what you ask of me? Or what you will be called if you make yourself mine?"
A bright, reckless smile flashed on her lovely features causing his heart to clench tight with the sheer beauty of it. “Lucian, do you really think you are less than I? I am a thief, condemned by my own country. As I see it, we are a perfect match."
Laughing at her gallant words, he grabbed her shoulders and drew her upward until their mouths almost touched. “Woman, you shall be the death of me,” he whispered against her sweet mouth.
"Never, Lucian Martine! I shall be the very life burning inside you,” Eiry hoarsely replied. Slipping her arms around his neck, she pressed her body hungrily against his, kissing him with all her love and worth.
Lucian crushed her to him, enclosing her within his powerful embrace. Leaning her against the worn trunk of an old apple tree, he protected her slender back with his arms. He meant to scare her away. Instead, it sent her meeting him head on. On fire, his fingers slowly drew the hem of her skirt upward, moving the material out of his way, seeking the smooth flesh along her inner thigh. His mouth slanted over hers, deepening the kiss, using his tongue to initiate Eiry into a world of pleasure and heat.
Gasping as lean fingers caressed her skin with such familiarity, Eiry gazed up at Lucian's handsome visage, shocked by the stunning transformation as desire engulfed them. Breathless, she felt her body being lifted, his hand curved behind her buttock, urging her to wrap her legs around his lean hips. She should have stopped him, instead Eiry eagerly pressed forward, throwing caution to the wind, wanting Lucian Martine with all her heart and body.
Eyes blazing hot and molten, Lucian forced her to look at him. “If we continue, I won't be able to stop. Do you understand me?” His voice was rough, harsh with the fires burning at the feel of her naked flesh against his hand, his fingers curving along the tight muscles of her buttocks.
Her answer was to lift the edges of his tunic upward, urging him to rid it from him. Bracing her against the tree with his hips, breathing hard, he complied, jerking the garment over his head, knowing he was forever lost. Eiry's eyes darkened to pewter as she ran her hands over his exposed, smooth flesh. Her fingers caressed the crisp, dark hair sprinkled over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the unleashed power and strength under the sinews and muscles. Awed by his strength, she shivered when her womanly center came in contact with his growing manhood, feeling what torment her touch caused him.
They cared not if anyone saw them as he braced his hips against hers, whipping off her dress and shift, growing harder as he viewed soft, rounded breasts, berry hard nipples ripe and ready for his sampling. Lowering his head, his hot mouth captured a rosy nipple, swirling his tongue over the hardening bud, suckling it deeply within his mouth. A rush of intense pleasure washed over her. Gasping in delight, she clung to him, holding his dark head tight with the sweet madness he invoked with his hot mouth upon her sensitive skin. Throwing her head back at the unbelievable feeling of Lucian's mouth on her flesh, her hands curled in the satin softness of his thick hair, holding him close as he nursed her hot flesh. She did not care what a sight they made, only knowing she ached for him, needing to feel him around her—inside her body. Lucian growled deep in his throat. He bent low to grab her dress and spread it out with one hand. Lowering her onto the soft material, he rose to his towering height. Untying the laces of his braises, he drew the tight hose down his powerful thighs and his hot, rampaging flesh sprung free. Holding her with his fierce gaze, he watched her reaction.
Swallowing back the sudden fear, she tried not to think she might not be woman enough to accommodate a man as big as Lucian. He must have seen the fear. Drawing off his hose the rest of the way, he lowered his big body next to her smaller one. Caressing the soft curves of her softly rounded breast, his mouth leisurely moved over her parted lips. He played with her until she relaxed in his arms again.
Heartened, Lucian felt her lean into his heat, touching him as he touched her. His hand glided down the flat of her stomach, wandering aimlessly over the curves of gently flaring hips until his fingers sk
immed lightly over the nest of sparse, tight curls at the apex between her clenched thighs. A devilish smile twisted his firm lips as he took his time playing with her young body, encouraging her to open her legs for his exploration. By her shyness, he knew she'd never shared her bed with Louie, pleased she never shared her lithe body with anyone. Dropping a soft kiss here, there, until his mouth hovered over the soft down between her legs.
Lifting his gaze to her shocked one, he demanded gruffly, passion burning dark in his eyes, “Do you trust me?"
Trembling with the fever he inflicted, Eiry nodded eagerly. “With all that I am."
"Open your legs,” he ordered huskily.
Hesitant to do as he requested, she let her knees fall a bit, trying to think what Lucian was up to, gasping when his hand caressed her down there! Teasing back the moist petals with the tip of his calloused finger, he shifted his body down between her legs, drawing her knees over his broad shoulders. Before she guessed his intent, his mouth lowered to her exposed womanhood. Warm, firm lips placed soft kisses along her quivering thighs, taking his time in getting to know her intimately. Stiffening in shock, she held her breath until the first sweep of his tongue and then she was lost. Panting, she was held a willing prisoner while he leisurely tormented her offered flesh. Thrashing her head at the wild pleasure of his hot mouth feasting upon her, Eiry buried her fingers in his hair, her hips instinctively pushed against his hungry mouth, needing release as he plunged deeper with his tongue. Torment gave way to ecstasy. Back arching, she convulsed with rapture, his strong hands held her hips captive as she rode wave after wave of pleasure sweeping her along. When she calmed, Lucian rose above her, resting his throbbing rod along her stomach, staring down at her with such brutal intensity.
"It will hurt at first, but I promise to make it better.” He barely managed the words out when she drew her smooth legs up along his own, urging him to do whatever he willed. Staring into her wide eyes, Lucian positioned himself to her weeping center, his big body trembling with anticipation. Bracing his hands to level some of his heavy weight off her, he drove his shaft deep inside her, breaking past the flimsy barrier, making Eiry his forever.