Shaking her head, she fastened the last clasp on her vest. Regardless of her desires, she could no longer betray her husband. What she felt for Wosen was primal: a lustful hunger that she had to suppress.
Wosen came up behind, pulling her tight against him, and kissed down her neck. His arousal was obvious as he continued rubbing against her back. She didn’t remember how many times they’d made love that day, or any day for that matter. It was continuous, and neither of them grew tired of pleasing each other.
Thalassa closed her eyes, feeling his rough hands stimulating her. She reached around then, clawing at his arse, and pulling him in closer. Their lovemaking had been so intense, so raw, and her body craved their closeness more than she was willing to admit.
She bit at her lip, fighting against the urges igniting within her. She prayed for strength, inching away from her young lover.
“We—we need to dress before someone finds us here,” she breathed, still feeling his fingers joined with her.
“No one is coming, not this day.” He spun her around, forcing her arms behind her. The predacious look in his eyes caused her excitement to rise. She wrenched an arm free, grasping a handful of his hair, and pulled him down to her. They enjoyed the taste of each other as he lowered to the floor, drawing her down on top of him. Thalassa wasted no time joining her eager body to his.
“I need all of you,” she said, moving his hands to her hips.
He grinned, clutching her waist and raising her up, eagerly following her commands. Each time her body slammed atop his, she groaned from not only the pain, but also the pleasure.
After feeling the heat of her satisfaction, Wosen rose up, never separating himself from her. As he stood, she repositioned her legs over his shoulders, locking her ankles behind his neck.
He moaned, controlling her every movement. When she felt his knees tremble, and his efforts increase, she roughly kissed his lips, biting at his tongue.
Wosen called out, staggering against the wall. “That was the best yet,” he said, raising Thalassa higher and removing himself from her.
She smiled, kissing him again as he lowered her to the floor. He could’ve taken her again, and his body spoke the same.
Thalassa tossed him a towel, admiring his nakedness. Once he’d pulled on his trousers, she cleaned herself and began to dress.
Wosen face scrunched, as he winced, inserting his fingers into his mouth, noting the familiar metallic taste. When he pulled them out again, he raised them up, smiling at Thalassa.
“You’ve drawn blood again,” he said, licking the remains from his fingers.
“Mayhaps you shouldn’t please me so well, young Wosen. I lose myself when we’re a part of each other,” she purred, moving away.
“I’d have it no other way. Blood is of little consequence when the pleasure is so profound.”
Thalassa winked, playfully, until considering what he’d said. Her brow creased as she turned, staring into his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “It was merely a jest. I relish when you take control and handle me as you please.”
“No. It isn’t that.” She fastened her vest, pacing in front of him. “The full moon, it’s on the morrow?”
“Yes. Is it Jahno? I know that he’s due to return this evening. Don’t worry, Thalassa, I’ll keep my distance. He’s your husband and I—”
“No,” she interrupted, pulling on her boots.
“Then what? Have I upset you?”
She forced a smile. “I doubt that you could ever do so. I just need to prepare for Jahno’s arrival. I should take a bath and get something to tend these new bruises.”
“Indeed. I still have welts on my back and wrists. It’s good that everyone knows you sometimes fight with a whip.” He teased. “Elsewise how could I explain these wounds?”
“Wosen, we can’t do this anymore. I want it as much as you do, but we must stop. Never have I felt so free and uninhibited, and I admit, you satisfy me like none other. Desires I didn’t know I had, you’ve managed to sate.
“But once Jahno returns, all of this is over. He’s my husband, and I can’t face him knowing that I’ve been with you. It’s a betrayal that I’d never have thought myself capable of committing.”
“Isn’t that what you’ll do when he comes? Hells, I can’t even count how many times we’ve enjoyed each other this day alone?”
“I know, and I hate the thought of it. But this will be the only time that I’ll have to do it.” She sighed, caressing his face. “I’d never tire of the way my body feels when we’re together, but we both knew this would have to end. I’ll miss being with you, Wosen. You’ve awakened something inside of me, something that must be fed.”
“Then how can you deny that hunger?” he said, sliding her hand down to his groin. “My body does this for you alone. It’s always ready to take you whenever you’d have it, and it doesn’t calm until we’re parted. If your desire is as overwhelming as mine, how can you not come and use me as you will?”
She enjoyed the feel of him, not releasing her hold. He was right, and she both loved and hated that about her young lover. He knew the power he held over her—the thirst that only he seemed to quench—the power of which she had to regain control.
“I won’t deny that,” she admitted, stepping away from him. “But you can’t deny what I’ve said, either. We’re both married to people we love, Wosen. We’ve been selfish beyond reason, and Jahno and Hibret deserve much more than we’ve shown them.
“Everyone in Nazil talks about honor above all. We need to regain that honor, and respect our spouses and ourselves.” She shook her head. “We’ve made love for nearly a full moon. We must stop. It might already be too late.”
He tied his laces, considering what she’d said. He didn’t want to think of Jahno or Hibret when he was with her. This time, they enjoyed separate from that part of their lives. Here, in the practice chamber, they could unleash everything that was within them. Neither judged the other, yet let them express their passion uninhibited. The time he spent with Thalassa only enhanced the lovemaking he offered his wife.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
“Is this the only reason?” he asked, replacing his weapons.
When she met his eyes, he noticed the tears lining hers.
“I didn’t mean to push,” he said. “I’d never force anything that you didn’t want. I love you, and you’ll forever be a part of me.”
“You don’t understand, Wosen. I—I love you, too, and mayhaps it’s always been this way. But admitting that doesn’t change the love I feel for Jahno.” She turned, collecting her weapons. “How could I give into this. How? And now…” Her head lowered.
“Please, Thalassa, tell me what I’ve done. I’m sorry. Please.”
“It isn’t what you’ve done. It’s what I’ve done. The fault is mine.”
“What fault? You resisted in the beginning, but I wouldn’t relent. If there’s any fault at all, it belongs to me.”
“No, Wosen, in this, I must admit my weakness and my negligence. You didn’t force me to do anything I didn’t want, and I gave no thought to…to.” She paused again, trying to contain her emotion.
“I’m still nursing Suravi and…and my mother believed that it would be some time before Jahno and I could conceive again. That’s the way it’s been for most of the women she’s tended.”
His head snapped up. “Conceive?”
“I pray that my husband’s seed found my womb before he left Nazil.”
“Jahno’s seed? Are you pregnant?”
“I don’t know. My time has come and gone with no show. It should be nearly at an end with the full moon, but it never began.”
“Do you believe that I could be the father?” he asked, finally understanding.
“I pray that I was pregnant before our time together.”
“How could this be?” He paced the room, running his hands through his hair. “Hibret and I have been trying for seasons
and she hasn’t become pregnant. I—I thought it might be due to my mistreatment, but with the Guardians’ healing…” He looked at her both bemused and unsettled. “It can’t be. I couldn’t have gotten you pregnant.”
“I pray your words are true. If my time is merely delayed, I’ll give thanks to the Guardians and never betray my husband again.”
“But what if it’s not? What if the baby is mine? What would we do?”
“Don’t speak of it as if it’s a possibility. Even if I were pregnant, it wouldn’t change anything. Whatever child I birth will be Jahno’s. I’d never hurt him or Hibret speaking otherwise. Nothing would be gained by doing so.”
“Gain? If I have a child, I want to know. The babe would deserve a father.”
“It would have a father: Jahno. Whatever child I have will be his, Wosen…his. There isn’t any other way. Don’t you understand that? Return to your wife. I need to get ready for Jahno.”
“What about us?”
“There is no us , not anymore. There’s only you and Hibret: your wife who loves you more than anyone else in all the lands.”
With that, Thalassa kissed his cheek, leaving him alone.
After ensuring the corridor was empty, she closed the door, falling back against the wall. Thoughts swirled through her mind, nearly causing her to swoon.
Thalassa rubbed her sore chest, wincing and thinking about the man who’d inflicted such pleasurable pain.
“Forgive me, Jahno,” she said, hastening to her suite. When she passed her brother’s room, she stopped. Thalassa tapped on his door, thinking of what to say, and more importantly, what not to.
“Thalassa? What are—” Thalassa gripped Hushar in a tight embrace, stealing the breath from her.
“Tha—lassa,” Hushar said, regaining her balance. “Are you well?”
“Yes. I—I’m fine.” She lied. “I just wanted to see you before getting ready for Jahno’s arrival.”
“That’s right,” Hushar said, motioning into the room. “Jahno should be back in Nazil soon.”
Thalassa stopped, seeing the children playing across the room.
“Again, Mother?”
“Some time ago,” Hushar said, closing the door.
“How old are they now?”
“Ayrmeis is eight and Tardison is ten.”
Thalassa forgot everything that she wanted to say, walking over to her nephews. She hadn’t seen them in weeks, and was shocked at their appearance.
“Aunt Thalassa,” they shouted, rushing to hug her.
“How—how are you?”
“Tardison hid my ball, and won’t give it back,” Ayrmeis accused, slapping his brother on the shoulder.
“No, I didn’t! He lost it and blamed me,” Tardison said, pushing him aside.
“There…there now, enough of this,” Hushar said. “We’ll find what’s been lost. Go now and play. I’ll be along in just a bit.”
They raced to the adjoining chamber, continuing the argument as Thalassa sat across from her mother.
“It’s natural to them; the progression.”
“Just as the AsZar said it would be. Their intelligence and abilities seem to continue as they would naturally. It’s amazing to witness such miracles.”
“What about Raithym? Is he the same?”
“Yes. It’s easier on Zeta than Brahanu. Not in the beginning, but Zeta accepts Raithym as he is now, and spends as much time with him as possible.”
Thalassa nodded, thinking about her own predicament and the foolishness that caused it.
“Are you certain that you’re well?” Hushar asked, touching her forehead. “You seem a bit warm to me and your skin—” she examined her more closely. “Thalassa, is there something you need to tell me?”
“No,” she offered, quickly. “I—I’ve just been training too much, I fear. Wosen is more skilled than I believed. I didn’t think he could ever land a hit.” She rubbed a bruise on her arm. “I was wrong.”
Hushar winced. “I’ll give you a poultice for that. You need to be more careful, Thalassa. Symeon has been pushing Wosen hard and he’s much improved.” She smiled. “You’ll have to remember that you’re no longer in the mountains. You’re the wife of the Chancellor of Treasury, and mother to my only grandchild.”
Thalassa feigned a smile, hugging her again. The sting of that reminder nearly caused her emotion to come forth. “That, I’ll never forget, Mother. When Jahno returns, I won’t train so often. Symeon needs my help with the guards, but I think my sparring sessions with Wosen are at an end.” She stood, adjusting her baldric. “I need to go and change now. Jahno doesn’t like to see me in my leathers.”
“No. He prefers the softer side of his beautiful wife.”
“And that’s exactly what he’ll have.” She kissed Hushar’s cheek, and then returned to her chambers. After asking for the tub to be filled, Thalassa slipped from her clothes, staring into the mirror.
“I could never conceal so many,” she said, looking at the bruises covering her body.
After pulling on her robe, she sat at her dressing table, releasing her long braid.
The attendants moved in and out of her room, filling the tub while she brushed her hair, not truly noticing them.
“You needin’ anythin’ else, Lady Ishida?”
“No. Thank you, Ceron, and please, call me Thalassa.”
“Yes’m.” Ceron smiled. “I left some sweets on the table, too. Raithym was wantin’ some cookies so I baked some for him.”
“You spoil him too much, Ceron. He loves you and your sweets.”
“Thank you, milady. I love my little Rai-Rai, too,” she said, moving from the chamber.
Thalassa added some lavender to the water and then slid beneath its warmth. Inhaling the sweet scent, she smiled, thinking about Jahno.
“It can’t be,” she said, dunking her head into the water, and held there a few minutes before coming up again.
She couldn’t remove his image from her mind, or the way he loved her. His words kept repeating, causing the ache in her heart to increase.
“I’ve prayed for it, Thalassa. To know when you came to me. The Guardians know my heart and sent you to me as a comfort. Do I not bring the same to you?”
She sighed. “You’ve always comforted me, Jahno. From the very beginning.”
Thalassa closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the tub and the warmer memories of Jahno.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Thalassa’s eyes blinked open, and she smiled, vaulting up from the tub.
“Jahno!” she said, leaping into his arms. “You’re back!”
“Oh, I’ve missed you, Thalassa,” he said, bringing her in for a kiss, feeling her trembling against him. Jahno held her tighter, grazing the water’s surface with his fingertips.
“Your water has gone cold,” he said, grabbing a towel and drying her off. He carried her to their bed, tucking the cover around her.
After adding wood to the hearth, he disrobed, walking to join her in bed.
How? she thought, unable to understand her betrayal.
“You’re shivering,” Jahno said. “How long were you sitting in the tub?”
“I must have fallen asleep,” she said, resting her head on his chest. “I’ve been training too much, but now that you’re back, I plan on enjoying more time with my husband and daughter.”
“You want to enjoy your husband?” Jahno smiled, lifting her face to his.
She caressed his hand, looking into the dark almond-shaped eyes she loved. “Always.”
“Then allow me to give you what you desire,” he said, sliding beneath the covers, and kissing down her abdomen.
The Trap
“Are you certain that the report is accurate?” Hosdaq asked, rising from his seat.
“I am. My cousin arrived not long ago with the news. He’s a guard in the village and involved in all aspects of the search.”
“Caretaker,” Kuhani began, interlacing his thick fingers. “Javyn has never brou
ght a false report, and those reports arrive ahead of the birds from Yarah. Lord Swayne may delay sending word, but Javyn’s resources don’t.”
Hosdaq nodded. “I don’t doubt your words, Javyn. Of all those in Spero, your loyalties are never in question,” he said, extending a coin pouch to him.
Javyn glanced down. “I need no coin to do my duty.”
“No. But your efforts are greatly appreciated, and I’d see you well compensated.”
“I do this for the good of Faélondul, Sir Neufmarche. Never have the lands been freer than they’ve been under the Benoists’ rule. Many agree with me, yet won’t admit that truth openly. They thrive now where they merely survived before. I don’t turn my back on such blessings, or ignore those who caused them to be.”
Hosdaq’s smile increased, proffering a respectful bow. “Then allow me to offer you my gratitude instead, and a place on our council. The Zaxson will know of your continued assistance and loyalty.”
“Thank you, Caretaker, I’m honored,” Javyn said, returning his bow.
“Would you have me send a missive to Nazil now?” Kuhani asked, once they were alone.
“It would be prudent to do so. This new information could be most significant. With the warm season fully upon us, there might be others who come forward.”
“Yes. The fact that no one else has been harmed is also of interest. Molag and his followers have kept to the shadows of late. The move against Eithrig may have been a step too far.”
“I thought much the same, Kuhani. He’s well known and respected in the village. The fact that Molag violated such a prominent denizen is more than many will tolerate. Eithrig is of high birth, and Molag is far from it. That fact alone is pertinent to some.”
“Do you believe Molag’s support might lessen?”
“That’s my hope. Will your brothers grant Aronin’s request?”
“That isn’t certain,” Kuhani said. “The Zaxson would rather the Jasiri not go to Yarah. He feels their presence might undermine our efforts to apprehend Molad.”
“Do you agree with his assessment?”
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 152