Echoes of Magic

by Donna Grant

  He never asked her, but he assumed the herbs she had boiled were to help the pain from riding. He was glad he had gone to the village and bought the mare. His grey could have carried both of them, and he would have liked to hold Adrianna against him, but it was more prudent for each of them to have a mount. His mind turned to Dirkshire. If they left soon, they could make it by dark. To ensure the disguise Adrianna wanted to portray, she would be presented as his wife.

  Strangely, that notion appealed to him in ways he had never expected.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Adrianna slowly opened her eyes. Already she could feel the herbs and her magic working to loosen her aching muscles. In a few more moments, she’d be ready to climb back on the mare.

  She found Grayson with the horses. He stroked the black and spoke in a soft, even tone. Adrianna couldn’t discern his words, but the horse seemed to welcome them. She stood with her eyes half closed while his hands rubbed her sleek neck and head.

  Adrianna found she quite liked watching Grayson. For such a tall, muscular warrior, he moved with grace and speed she hadn’t seen before. She could only imagine how beautiful he was with his sword in hand and facing a foe.

  “You’ve a way with animals,” she said when he glanced at her.

  He shrugged. “I’ve always loved horses. Anytime Drogan got one that needed to be broke, he gave me the job.”

  “I see why. The horses respond to you, almost as if they understand you. You might even call it magic.”

  He patted the black and chuckled as he moved away. “Magic. I think we can safely say I’ve none of that.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Magic comes in all forms. Love is magic. A newborn entering the world is magic.”

  “And your magic?” he asked. “What would you call it?”

  Adrianna rose to her feet without any pain. “I would call it deadly. We all know what happens when the word witch is said. I’d rather not be burned at the stake.”

  “You may call it deadly but, for those who don’t fear you, they could call you an angel”

  A smile pulled at her lips. “I’ve been called many things, Grayson, but never angel.”

  “There’s a first time for everything.”

  The devilish glint in his silver eyes held her in thrall. “So I’ve heard.”

  “I gather the herbs worked?”

  She nodded. “With a bit of magic.”

  “Do you use magic in everything?” he asked as he doused the fire.

  “Not if I don’t have to. Magic shouldn’t be abused.” She bent to gather the bowl and cup and walked to the mare. “It’d be very easy for magic to rule everything in my life.”

  He came up behind her, his hands on her waist. “What would happen if you gave in to temptation?”

  For a moment, Adrianna couldn’t breathe. She wasn’t sure if Grayson was asking about her magic or the attraction between them. She turned and looked at him over her shoulder. His eyes blazed with desire.

  “I don’t know,” she finally answered.

  A slow smile formed on his handsome face before he effortlessly lifted her atop the mare and handed her the reins. “You never know when temptation will get the better of you.”

  He had no idea how right he was, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. With one word, one motion, Adrianna could let him know of her hunger. Temptation would be the least of her worries after that. For she knew to give into the lust thrumming through her would only complicate matters.

  And he needed a clear head when he faced the evil.

  The last thing he needed to do was worry over her, which is what would happen if they shared their bodies. Yet it didn’t stop her from imagining what it would feel like to step into his arms as they enfolded her in their strong embrace, to lift her face and accept his kisses.

  Grayson didn’t bother to hide his desire from her, so it was up to her to keep things as they were. She had to stay strong and remember the curse and the evil. If they survived the battle ahead, she would give in to his pull.

  He mounted and swiveled his head to her. “Ready?”

  “Aye,” she murmured but didn’t meet his gaze. She feared if he saw into her eyes, he would know she fought a losing battle.

  Grayson hadn’t tried to seduce her, but it wouldn’t take much to send her over the edge. Already her body hummed with need, her sex clenching at the thought of his cock sliding into her, stretching her, filling her. Stroking her.

  She bit back a moan and licked her lips.

  With a tap of her heel, she put the black into motion behind Grayson. She inhaled a shaky breath. It was going to be a long day.

  * * * * *

  Grayson halted the grey outside of Dirkshire.

  “What’s amiss?” Adrianna asked as she came alongside him.

  He shook his head. “Nothing that I see.”

  “Were you expecting something or someone?”

  “I never know,” he said and looked at her. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Agreed.”

  Without another word he rode into the sleepy village. He made sure Adrianna kept close. The village was of decent size with the inn toward the edge of the town. He turned the grey toward the tavern, his gaze scanning the area.

  “Do you smell anything?”

  Adrianna snorted. “Rotten meat, foul body odor, urine and vomit.”

  Grayson chuckled. “I meant the other.”

  “Nay.”

  He let out a breath, pulled his mount to a halt in front of the inn, and dismounted. When he turned to help Adrianna, he found her already off the black.

  “You feel better?” he asked.

  She smiled brightly. “Much.”

  He glanced at the darkening sky. Once the horses were seen to, Grayson offered Adrianna his arm before they walked inside the inn. The main room was crowded with diners as every eye turned to them as they entered.

  Adrianna stiffened. He leaned down so his mouth was near her ear and said, “Many travelers stop in Dirkshire.”

  She gave him a small nod of understanding before he walked to the bar where a balding man with a thick, gray beard watched them.

  “My wife and I need chambers for the night,” Grayson said.

  Just as he expected, her nails dug into his arm. Thankfully, she didn’t call him a liar.

  “I only have one chamber left,” the owner said.

  He had no choice but to accept. Adrianna’s gaze fairly burned him as he pulled his bag of money and paid the owner.

  “Where did you get the coin?” she whispered.

  He grinned and winked. “How do you think I paid for your mount?”

  They said nothing more as the owner showed them to their chamber. Grayson couldn’t decide to be excited or angry that they were sharing a room. It was hard enough being around her during day.

  But to spend the night in the same chamber? It was going to be pure torture.

  “Shall I have your supper brought up?” the man asked as they walked into their chamber.

  Grayson looked to Adrianna.

  She smiled. “That would be lovely.”

  The owner nodded and closed the door behind him as he left. Grayson immediately checked the door. When he turned around, Adrianna had her hands on her hips.

  “The coin?”

  Grayson chuckled. “I told you I couldn’t sleep. So, I went back into the village and gambled.”

  “Gambled? With what?”

  He wished she hadn’t asked, but now that she had there was no way not to tell her. “I borrowed a few coins from you.”

  “I told you we could use what money I had.”

  “I know, but I didn’t feel right doing that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And what if you’d lost?”

  “Not possible,” he said. “I’m rather lucky when it comes to cards. I never lose.”

  She rubbed her eyes and leaned against the wall. “You’re confident.”

  “If there was a chance I’d ha
ve lost, I would never have borrowed your coin. Nor did I cheat,” he said before she could question him. “As I said, I’m just lucky.”

  She motioned to the bag at his waist. “So all of that are your winnings?”

  “Aye. I replaced the coin I borrowed from you and planned to use the rest for anything we need.”

  Their gazes locked, the air sizzling with desire. She was across the chamber from him, but she could have been across the world for all the chance he had of holding her in his arms.

  Yet, there was something in her pale blue gaze, something that simmered just below the surface as if she too felt the pull of attraction. Did he imagine it? He didn’t think so, but neither was he ready to close the distance between them and test her.

  His balls tightened as his cock hardened. Saints, he wanted her as he had never wanted a woman before. She was like a crown jewel sparkling in the sun, begging to be seen and caressed, but only by a man worthy of her.

  As much as Grayson liked to think himself worthy, he knew better. No man who held as many secrets as he could expect a woman like Adrianna to even glance twice at him. But he knew how she felt in his arms. He knew the soft smell of her skin and her sensual curves. He knew exactly how she molded against him, which made it all the harder to stay away.

  Adrianna could not look away from Grayson if her life depended upon it. It became difficult to breathe as the desire flared in his silver gaze.

  Her lips parted just thinking about him kissing her, and she glimpsed his hands fisting at his side. She recalled all too vividly the heat and strength and hard muscles beneath her hands.

  Someone knocked on their door.

  “Enter,” Grayson barked roughly.

  Despite the entry of the young girl with a tray of food, neither Adrianna or Grayson broke eye contact. It was only after the food had been set on the table near the window and the girl closed the door behind her that Adrianna took a deep breath and turned away.

  She brought a shaky hand to her throat and struggled to breathe. Since entering the chamber, the bed near Grayson had been ever present in her mind.

  “It’s better to eat while the food is still warm.”

  Adrianna jerked around to find Grayson at the table. When had he moved?

  She licked her lips and took the chair closest to her. The table was small and when Grayson sat, his knee brushed hers. The touch was like lightning that burst through her. How a simple touch could send her body reeling, she didn’t know.

  Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of her hunger, but she was starved for more than just the delicious roasted meat before her. As edgy as Grayson made her feel, she liked being with him. He made her feel protected, safe, something no man had ever done for her.

  When he had told the owner of the inn they were husband and wife, a small thrill had shot through her. It didn’t seem so far‐fetched to be his wife, and she could only imagine how decadent it would be to lie in his arms night after night enjoying his kisses and caresses.

  In truth, no sane woman would pass up such a chance.

  It was almost enough to make her forget the curse and take a chance. Then she remembered the evil chasing him and her glimpse of his future. His chance of survival was in question and, regardless of whether she gave her body to him or not, losing Grayson would hurt as much as when her son had died.

  It was a pain Adrianna prayed never to feel again. How she could feel it for a man she barely knew, a man she hadn’t given her heart to, worried her. Knowing what she did, it made her rethink keeping her distance from Grayson.

  She reached for the goblet of wine the same time he did. Their hands brushed, the heat from his touch scorching her skin.

  “After you,” he said.

  Adrianna lifted the goblet to her lips and drank before she handed it to him. Her breath left her in a whoosh as he turned the goblet and put his lips where hers had just been.

  Had he guessed? Did he know what lurked in her lusting heart?

  Chapter Fifteen

  A meal had never been so seductive and, somehow, Adrianna survived without throwing herself at Grayson. She rose from the table and walked to her bag on the bed, a bed she couldn’t seem to stop seeing Grayson in. After retrieving her comb, she loosened her braid and began to comb her hair.

  “Take the bed, Drina,” Grayson said after he finished the rest of the wine. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  She didn’t know whether to be grateful or disappointed that he hadn’t sought to seduce her. When he sat back against the door, she grabbed one of the pillows and a blanket and brought it to him.

  “Thank you,” he murmured.

  It took all her will to turn around and walk back to the bed. She blew out the candle, casting the room in darkness before she pulled off her gown and readied for bed. She crawled beneath the covers and stared at the canopy. As Grayson shifted to lie down, she imagined his body against the hard planks of the floor trying to rest.

  Adrianna closed her eyes begging for sleep. In the silence of the room, she heard every breath Grayson took, every movement of his body. His sword was lying beside him, ready in case of an intrusion.

  She’d seen how his large hands had grasped the pommel, the strength in his long fingers evident. She imagined those hands cupping her breasts, his thumbs moving over her nipples. Her breasts swelled and her nipples puckered at the thought as her sex clenched greedily. Would he stroke her, his fingers parting her curls to tease and tantalize the sensitive flesh of her sex?

  Adrianna squeezed her legs together as her sex pulsed with a need that grew with each breath she took. She rolled onto her side, determined to push thoughts of Grayson from her mind.

  Grayson closed his eyes and evened his breathing, but he wasn’t asleep. How could he sleep with Adrianna so close? Though he had slept in her cart with her, it was different now. There wasn’t a gypsy leader ready to take his head off for looking at her too long.

  He had eaten the food placed before him, but he hadn’t tasted it. He’d been too intent on Adrianna. His cock had been hard since her eyes had flared when he’d drunk from the same spot she had.

  Since then, it had taken every ounce of his control not to toss her on the bed and ravage her beautiful body until she screamed his name, begging for release.

  He had no idea how long he lay awake before he finally dozed. It seemed he had just closed his eyes when Adrianna jerked up in bed.

  Instantly, he was on his feet, his sword in hand. “What is it?”

  “They’re here,” she whispered.

  Grayson strode to the window and glanced outside. “Who?”

  “The men. Can’t you smell their evil?”

  He glanced at her, the moon shedding enough light for him to see her outline on the bed. “Nay. Are you sure?”

  “Aye.” She threw off the covers and walked to him. “Grayson, they don’t know we’re here.”

  “They will soon enough. Where are they?”

  “Outside, near the inn.” She laid a hand on his arm. “You can’t mean to fight them?”

  “I most certainly do. I’ll use a surprise attack. Can you tell how many there are?”

  She lifted her head and closed her eyes. “No more than three. One is alone.”

  “Good.”

  Her eyes opened. “Let me help.”

  “I cannot fight them if I’m worried over you. Stay here. If I lose, get on the horse and ride for Wolfglynn as fast as you can. Drogan and Serena will protect you.”

  He turned and walked to the door. As he reached for the handle, Adrianna gripped his arm.

  “I could help.”

  He cupped her face in his hand. “Battle is no place for a woman. You’ll be safer here.”

  “I’m safer with you,” she argued.

  He put his thumb over her lips. “Not this time.”

  His gaze slid to her mouth. As much as he knew he needed to walk away, he couldn’t. Not without a taste first. Before he changed his mind, he pulled her against him f
or a quick, hard kiss. He turned and left the chamber before he bedded her instead of finding the men who attacked him.

  Grayson walked quietly down the stairs. When he stepped on a board that creaked, he halted, waiting for someone to appear. When no one did, he continued. He walked over bodies lying in the dining room floor and slowly opened the door.

  He moved outside and closed the door behind him with nary a sound. The moon, a sliver in the night sky offered him the protection of darkness. As he changed from shadow to shadow, it didn’t take him long to see the two horses in the stable. They were lathered from a hard ride and being cared for by the same stable lad who had taken his horse.

  The men’s mounts were here, but where were they? And what were they doing in Dirkshire if not for him?

  Grayson crept out of the stable and looked at the village. Only the sounds of the night met his ears. A field mouse raced across the road as an owl swooped down to catch it. He stayed as he was, waiting for any sign of movement or sound. The men were around somewhere, and Grayson was going to find them.

  And then a shadow moved near the inn.

  Fear for Adrianna sunk into his chest and around his gut with iron claws. Grayson wasted little time in following the man.

  As they moved around to the back of the tavern, Grayson realized the man had sensed he was near. Thankfully, the knight wasn’t in armor this time. He waited until the man knelt near the building as he inspected something on the ground before Grayson moved behind him.

  He lifted his sword over his head, ready to strike when the knight jerked around to stare at him.

  “Ready to die, you bastard?” Grayson growled as he charged the man.

  * * * * *

  Adrianna paced the chamber. Her lips still burned from the kiss Grayson had given her. It had been wonderful, if too short. She wanted more of him.

  But that would have to wait to see if he survived the battle he was charging into. She had no doubt it wouldn’t take those men long to realize Grayson was in Dirkshire, and he had a small advantage of finding them first.