by E. A. James
Huen nodded. The idea of only getting to spend five hours with his precious books was upsetting, but he knew it was better than nothing.
“I’ll lock you inside, and fetch you when it is time to leave,” Aerdan said. “Aine, do you have sleeping arrangements for the night?”
Aine shook her head. “I was going to walk home,” she said softly.
Aerdan nodded. “Perhaps I can have someone make a bedchamber for you,” he said. “We’ll discuss it later. The clock is running, time to go.”
Aerdan led Huen and Aine through twisted passageways and halls that Huen couldn’t ever remember seeing. Despite being a royal cousin, he hadn’t spent as much time in the castle as he could have. When he and Aerdan had been growing up, the boys had preferred to spend most of the time outdoors. And bedding women wouldn’t have been a good idea in the castle – Huen had personally gone to bed with most of his wenches outside, under the stars, or concealed in a pile of hay at the stables.
"Here we are," Aerdan said. He reached for the handle of a broad wooden door and pushed it open before leading Huen and Aine inside.
Aine gasped. “Oh, gods,” she said, covering her mouth with both hands and looking around. “This is the most beautiful room I have ever seen!”
Huen nodded his head in agreement. Aerdan shut the door and locked it behind them. Huen stepped forward with a torch in his hand, unable to tear his eyes away from the shelves. It was all so beautiful – he’d never seen anything like it. Tall bookshelves lined each wall from floor to ceiling, filled with books. The spines were all different shades – ebony, crimson, cobalt, emerald – and the gold lettering sparkled and shone in the light of Huen’s torch.
“It’s incredible,” Aine said softly. She stepped forward and ran her finger down the spine of a book. “Huen, what are you going to look for? I’m going to look for magic books,” she said absentmindedly, taking a torch of her own and striding slowly down the aisle.
Huen reached for a book on Zhekan history – it had to be at least five hundred pages long. With a sigh of excitement, he sat down in a leather chair and began flipping through. The text was accompanied by beautiful illustrations in the margins.
Aine sat down in the chair opposite from Huen, her dark eyes glowing. She proudly showed him a book with strange symbols.
“This is from Glasule,” Aine said excitedly. “Perhaps I can learn about my people’s history.”
She looked so beautiful and happy just then, practically glowing in the torchlight. Huen felt something stir inside of him. When he looked back down at the book, the margin illustrations were nothing compared to the beauty of Aine’s face.
“Aine,” Huen said softly. “Thank you.”
Aine gave him a strange look. “Now you are thanking me and I have not done anything,” she said softly. “Huen, I do not think I will ever understand you.”
The way Huen’s name sounded in Aine’s voice made his cock twitched with desire. I want her, he realized. And somehow…it’s different.
Huen stared at Aine, locking his warm brown eyes with her dark ones. She licked her lips and the sight of her pink tongue stirred powerful lust in Huen’s body. Without breaking eye contact, he set his book down on the floor and got to his feet, walking to Aine. She didn’t move, or blink as Huen moved closer.
“Aine?”
“Yes, Huen?” Aine’s voice was soft and low. It sent a thrill of arousal through Huen.
Huen didn’t reply. He gently took the magic book from Aine’s hands and set it on the ground, then took her by the chin and lowered his mouth to hers.
For a moment, the kiss was nothing. But after a second, Huen’s lips warmed to Aine. Aine sighed softly as Huen slipped his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. Huen’s desire grew as he pulled Aine out of her chair. Without breaking their kiss, Huen gently pulled Aine to the ground. She lay on her back and he crawled between her legs, his cock throbbing with lust.
“Aine,” Huen murmured softly in Aine’s ear, biting at the delicate skin. Aine moaned with pleasure, arching her back under Huen. Her breasts pushed against his chest and Huen groaned. He slid his hands down her body, pushing her skirt up to her waist.
Aine flushed. “I’ve never done this before,” she whispered softly. “Does that matter?”
Huen shook his head and kissed her again, nibbling at her lower lip until Aine moaned with pleasure. He could see a faint sheen of sweat glistening on her olive skin and he brushed her curly fair hair out of her eyes as he kissed her deeply. Aine wrapped her arms around Huen’s neck, spreading her thighs wide. Huen reached between their bodies, fumbling with the leather ties on his breeches. Aine ran a hand through his close-cropped hair and sighed with happiness.
With shaking hands, Huen plucked and pulled at Aine’s dress until the bodice was loosened. When the silk material fell away from her breasts, he lowered his head to her chest and took one of her stiff brown nipples in his mouth, flicking his tongue over the sensitive skin. Aine moaned again, arching and writhing beneath Huen as he pleasured her. Huen slid a hand up Aine’s bare thighs, rubbing her soft, creamy skin with his fingers. A musky scent filled the room and Hen realized it was the scent of Aine’s arousal, flooding his senses. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as his fingers inched closer and closer to the fork between her legs.
When Huen stroked Aine’s slippery flesh, she moaned and squirmed like a fish. She pushed her hips forward, obviously eager for more pleasure. Huen’s cock was throbbing so hard he could barely stand it. Desire was tightly coiled in his stomach as he pulled his leather trousers down his muscular hips and positioned himself between Aine’s legs.
Aine’s face was scarlet and flushed as she shivered and cried out with pleasure. Huen braced himself with a hand on her hip and pushed forward.
“This may hurt,” Huen whispered. “Tell me if you wish me to stop.”
Aine nodded. She sighed and pulled Huen close as he slipped inside of her for the first time. Aine tensed, Huen could tell it was painful for her.
“Do you wish me to stop?” Huen whispered in Aine’s ear.
“No,” Aine replied softly. “I want you to keep going.”
Huen stayed like that for a moment, locked inside of Aine. Then he began to rock his hips, shifting and twisting back and forth. After a second, Aine relaxed in his arms and he could tell by the soft, whimpering sounds coming from her mouth that she was enjoying herself. Huen moved faster and faster, filling Aine with his manhood as each thrust cascaded into her. Aine arched her back and moaned softly, her hands gripping Huen by the shoulders. She began rubbing her body against his, wrapping her long, tanned legs around Huen’s waist.
Aine cried out with pleasure. Huen could feel her pulsing and her pussy gripped his manhood. The delicious sensations set him off, and soon his own orgasm washed over him like a great wave. Huen gasped and groaned, burying his face in Aine’s neck and inhaling her sweet scent.
Huen reached for Aine’s hand and tangled his fingers with hers.
“Aine,” Huen whispered.
“Yes?”
“I was simply saying your name…it’s beautiful, you know,” Huen said quietly. He slid out of Aine and pulled his trousers up but didn’t fasten them. Then he pulled Aine’s skirt back down over her legs and lay down, resting his head on her warm chest.
Aine yawned. “That was amazing, but now I am feeling tired,” she said with a giggle, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around Huen.
“I, too,” Huen said, yawning until his jaw popped. “We’ll just close our eyes for a few moments before returning to the books.”
And just like that, they fell asleep.
“Huen! Huen! Get up!”
Aerdan’s voice seemed unnecessarily loud and harsh. Huen sat up with a jolt before reaching down and shaking Aine.
“Aine, wake up,” Huen said quickly. “It’s time to go.”
“No,” Aerdan said, shaking his head. Now th
at Huen was properly awake, he could see his friend looked exhausted and terrified. “Something’s happened,” he said. “Get dressed, follow me.”
“What?” Huen blinked. “What is going on?”
“I do not know,” Aerdan said. “But friend, there is danger afoot. You must take Aine home,” he said. “Away from the castle, far from here.”
Aine got to her feet, looking nervous but strong. “Are we in danger?”
“I do not know, lady,” Aerdan said. “It is best if you both leave, as quickly as possible. Come, with me!”
Huen reached for Aine’s hand, pulling her close as they followed Aerdan out of the library. The halls of the castle were packed with people, all shouting, and pushing. It was like being in the midst of a herd of cattle, and Huen’s heart began to race.
“Aine, this way!” Huen yelled. “Follow close behind me!”
Aine nodded. Her face was white with panic, the sweaty afterglow of love all forgotten.
Huen pushed against the crowd, trying to find a way out of the castle. Everyone was streaming in front outside, pushing and shoving and shouting obscenities to get their way. Huen was nervous as he tried to lead Aine to safety.
Whatever has happened, it’s not good, Huen realized. A stab of dread pierced his chest and he shivered. What could have possibly happened? In his thirty years, Huen had never seen anything like this before. Zheka had always prided itself on being a peaceful nation of calm – but nothing about this mob was calm.
Someone shoved into Huen and he stumbled, losing his footing. In an effort to stay upright, he pulled his hand away from Aine.
“Huen!” Aine screamed. “Help me!”
A crowd was pushing her farther and farther away. Panic flooded Huen’s brain as he tried to push through the mass of people, but Aine was moving further with each heartbeat.
“Aine!” Huen yelled. “I promise, it will be okay!”
As Huen tried to shove his way through the stampede, an elbow swung through the air, connecting with the back of Huen’s head. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
“Huen!” Aine screamed. “Huen, wake up!”
But no matter how loud her cries were, Huen did not awake.
CHAPTER SIX
Aine
Aine walked for most of the night. The crowd had ripped and torn her dress at the skirt and sleeves, but she attracted little attention as everyone seemed to be in the castle. It was dawn by the time she arrived home.
“Aine! In the name of the gods, where have you been?” Mie demanded, putting her hands on her broad hips. “What has happened to you?”
“I’m fine, Mother,” Aine said. She yawned. “I…I was at the castle, Huen invited me there as a favor for saving him.”
Aine could tell by Mie’s expression that she didn’t believe her daughter.
“And then what, he tore at your dress?”
Aine flushed. “Since I did not have anything appropriate to wear, this was lent to me.” She looked down and sighed at the tattered skirt. “I will mend it before returning it,” she added.
“Well, it’s a miracle you made it home,” Mie said. “Glasulian warships sailed into the harbor of Zheka last night. Your father came home to inform me.”
Aine swallowed hard. “Glasulian warships?”
“Yes, child, do not be so thick,” Mie snapped.
“Are we now at war with Glasule?”
“No one is certain of anything,” Mie said. “And it would do you well to stop being so impertinent. I’m very hungry this morning, cook me something to eat.”
Aine nodded miserably. She was exhausted – the two hours she’d spent curled up on the library with Huen seemed like a lifetime ago. She changed her into own clothing, tied an apron around her waist, and got to work at the hearth.
Aine couldn’t understand what was going on – why had Glasule suddenly decided to come to Zheka? She hadn’t heard anything about it, and she was sure that Huen would have mentioned it if he’d known.
Huen. Just thinking about his name was enough to send a stab of pain and sorrow through Aine’s heart. She’d looked and looked for him, but the mob had pushed her out of the castle and she hadn’t been able to re-enter, even with Angelica’s fancy dress and her feigned manners. I hope he does not think I have abandoned him, she thought. And then, more nervously: and I hope his wounds are not bothering him too terribly! Aine shivered. Anything could have happened to Huen – he could have been trampled, or killed in the mob.
Perhaps he will send word when he recovers, Aine thought, trying to distract herself as she put together a meal of stew and bread for her mother. When the food was ready, Mie offered her some stew but Aine found she had no appetite. How could she eat when Huen may very well be dead?
“There was a mob at the castle last night,” Aine said as she placed the loaf of bread in front of her mother.
“You should not have been there,” Mie said, raising an eyebrow. She tore a chunk from the bread and dipped it in the stew before chewing with her mouth open. “That is not a place for someone like you.”
Aine narrowed her eyes. “Mother, what do you mean?”
“You are not to get ideas above you,” Mie said. “This is your life, Aine. You are a peasant, like your father and I.”
“I do not have ideas above my station,” Aine said, feeling hurt. “Huen merely…invited me as a courtesy.”
Mie shook her head in disbelief. “And calling a royal cousin by his first name! You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” she said. “Do you want to be executed? How do you think you will feel when that man settles down with a wife? A wife who was bred for him – the kind of woman he deserves to be with!”
Tears stung Aine’s eyes and she blinked so her mother wouldn’t see that she was about to cry.
“It is better to be grateful for what you have,” Mie said. “You have become an expert with needlework, so you will always be able to afford food and a shelter.”
Aine frowned. I don’t want those things, she thought. I want to learn spells and healing. I want to read and become educated. And I want Huen. She closed her eyes and thought back to the previous night when she and Huen had been tangled up together in the library. It had been Aine’s first time making love, and yet none of the things she had heard were true. It had only been painful for a second or two. Huen had been loving, kind. She’d felt comfortable showing her true self to him.
“Aine? Are you listening to me?”
Aine flushed. “Yes, Mother,” she said.
“Clean up this mess, and then there is a pile of sewing that calls for your attention,” Mie said. “Although you may want to start with that gown.” She raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t want anyone from the castle coming to put you in chains because of a torn dress.”
Aine sighed “Yes, Mother,” she repeated. She took the plate from Mie and took it outside, washing it in the flow of the spring water. The cold water felt soothing on her hands and she wiped her forehead, enjoying the refreshing sensation.
"Mother," Aine said once she was back inside. “Why is Glasule feared? I am from Glasule, and I would like to think that I am not fearsome.”
Mie shook her head. “Child, there is much you do not understand.”
“So, then tell me,” Aine said. She settled down by the hearth and took Angelica’s dress in her hands. Aine was dismayed to see that the hem was torn and muddy. It might be ruined, she thought as she examined the rips and tears.
“No,” Mie said. “That is for idle tongues, not working children.”
Aine frowned. Suddenly, she remembered how fearful Angelica had looked when Huen had mentioned that Aine was from Glasule. There must be something horrible that I do not know, she thought, biting her lip until the salty taste of blood filled her mouth. Still, Mother is right. I need to mend Angelica’s gown. Perhaps if no one from the castle comes, I can return it myself and check on Huen.
Aine kept one eye on the door as she worked, desperately
hoping that every sound of the world outside their hut was Huen, coming to tell her what had happened. Instead, there was silence. It was eerie – somehow, the lack of sound filled Aine’s head and made her paranoid. Her hands were shaking by the time she’d finished with the dress.
At mid-day, Mie sent Aine out with a morsel of bread for Thom. Aine looked for her father with a heavy heart. When she did not find him after an hour of searching, she pulled the bread from her pocket. Huen isn’t going to come, she realized. If I want to make sure that he is well, I will need to go to him. Her back ached from hours spent hunched over the fabric, but Aine felt a wave of determination pass through her body. She began to walk faster, towards the castle, looking everywhere for Huen.