Bay of Fear (Battle Lords of de Velt Book 3)

by Kathryn Le Veque

  “Are you well, child?” Mother Angel demanded quietly. “They would not let me go to you, not all day. Have your needs been met? Are you comfortable?”

  Annalyla nodded. “I am fine,” she said. “Tomorrow, I leave with my husband for his new post. I will not see you again.”

  Mother Angel sighed sharply. “He told me,” she said, her voice low. “You must demand that I accompany you. It is crucial.”

  Annalyla shook her head. “It was I who told him to send you home,” she said, watching the old woman’s features tighten. “I am a married woman now, Mother Angel. I no longer need your guidance, though I appreciate what you have done for me.”

  It was a gracious lie, for the most part. She didn’t appreciate the pressure and manipulation the old woman had heaped upon her. But to be pleasant, she lied. She watched Mother Angel’s eyes widen.

  “Are you mad?” the old woman hissed. “You know nothing. You need me, child. Don’t be stupid!”

  Annalyla could see that this was going to deteriorate quickly. Letting out a breath, she took a step back, moving away from the increasingly angry old woman.

  “I do not need you and I do not want you,” she said clearly. “Return to my father and tell him you have completed your duty. You have delivered me to my husband, who is now in charge of my welfare. And you can also tell my father that I told Tenner everything. He knows there is no more money. He is aware that Father tried to deceive him.”

  Mother Angel’s mouth popped open in outrage. “What did you do?”

  “I told you. My husband knows that my father lied about the money. He knows there is nothing but the good St. Lo name.”

  Mother Angel lashed out a hand, grabbing Annalyla by the wrist. But the moment she did so, Tenner was there. He reached out and grabbed the old woman’s arm, squeezing so hard that bones cracked. As Mother Angel screamed and let go of Annalyla, Tenner pulled his wife back, out of the vicious old lady’s grip.

  “Your days of being cruel to her are over,” he growled at Mother Angel. “Be grateful that I did not rip your arm from its socket. Return to Roseden and tell Lord Cain that his daughter is now in good hands, with people who will treat her with kindness and honesty. And if I ever see you again, run the other way. You will not like our encounter. I showed restraint just now. In the future, I shall have no such reserve.”

  With that, he took Annalyla by the arm and escorted her from the hall, leaving Mother Angel weeping over an injured arm, and the hall in general confusion. Some men were looking at the old woman curiously, while most of them were thinking they should follow the newlywed couple to the keep. Their enthusiasm for their wedding night was not dampened.

  Tenner, however, had other ideas. He held out a hand to them, basically stopping them from following, but that didn’t prevent them from shouting husbandly encouragement to him. He would have been amused by it had he not been so angry with his new wife’s former nurse. The idea of anyone putting a hand on Annalyla in anger did not sit well with him. As he helped her put on her cloak before they headed out into the storm, he was surprised when she suddenly put her soft hands on his forearms.

  “She did not hurt me,” she said steadily. “Your defense of me was quite noble, but she did not hurt me, I promise.”

  He eyed her, feeling her warm hands on him like branding irons. He thought it rather intuitive that she could sense his protective anger. “But she has done that to you before. I could tell.”

  Annalyla didn’t lie to him. “She was always quick with a switch or a slap if she was displeased. It is simply her way.”

  “And you were forced to tolerate it.”

  She didn’t say anything; she simply looked up at him, a thin smile on her lips, and that was answer enough. It made Tenner’s blood boil, what he knew of the nurse and his new wife’s father, to think of that pair manipulating and abusing her. He didn’t know all of it. In fact, he really didn’t know any of it, but he would. In the days to come, he would. And he swore she would never know such exploitation again.

  His brave, truthful lady would know peace.

  It was still raining outside as they crossed the bailey to the box-shaped keep. Annalyla clutched Tenner as they moved through the mud, and he finally bent over and picked her up simply to keep her skirts dry. He was ankle-deep in the mud and didn’t want her getting too wet or too dirty if he could help it, so he did the gallant thing and carried her straight into the keep.

  Once inside the door, he set her to her feet.

  “My thanks,” Annalyla said, brushing bits of mud from the bottom of her cloak. “That was very kind of you.”

  He helped her brush off some of the dirt from the bottom. “It was nothing,” he said. “You are as light as a feather. How can I show you my amazing strength if you do not weigh more?”

  She laughed softly. “I apologize,” she said. “Remind me of this moment in years to come when I am round and ungainly, and you are old and feeble. I shall expect you to carry me everywhere.”

  It was his turn to laugh as he turned her towards the stone steps that led to the floor above. “I can only imagine that you will always be young and beautiful in my eyes,” he said. “Is that what a husband is supposed to say?”

  “A smart one does.”

  He continued to snort all the way up to her small, borrowed chamber, which would become his, at least for what they were about to do. He intended to consummate the marriage immediately and then return to his duties of organizing the army that would march forth into Cornwall on the morrow. Even now, Arlo was heading out to start the process while Graham had been instructed to see to the St. Lo escort before going to help Arlo.

  In truth, Tenner wasn’t thinking of the escort being assembled, or anything else at the moment, other than the lovely creature he’d married earlier in the evening. It was true that he could wait to consummate the marriage, but he honestly didn’t want to. Perhaps that was selfish of him, but the lady had intrigued him since he’d met her and he wanted to get his hands on what now belonged to him. He saw no reason to wait unless she seemed particularly upset about it. If that was the case, then he would wait until she was comfortable.

  But it would surely test his patience.

  As they entered the small chamber, it was dark and somewhat cold. Tenner went to stoke the fire as Annalyla removed the heavy green cloak and hung it on the peg. The storm outside was blowing chilled wind through the gaps in the oil cloths, and she rubbed at her arms, suddenly feeling self-conscious now that they were out of the hall and away from the crowd. It was just the two of them and she knew what needed to take place.

  Annalyla wasn’t totally naïve of relations between a husband and wife. She’d first caught wind of the ways of men and women at Netherghyll from giddy maids, and then from Mother Angel once she’d returned to Roseden. Mother Angel had instructed her to simply lie still, spread her legs, and let her husband do as he pleased. It had been a crude but somewhat honest explanation.

  It was advice she intended to follow.

  Oddly, she wasn’t afraid. She was actually quite curious. Tenner had been kind and gracious from the start and she expected this to be no different. She was his wife now, and consummating the marriage was expected. He’d accused her of being brave and, in this case, she would make sure she didn’t disappoint, even if the anticipation of the unknown was doing flip-flops in her belly.

  Near the hearth, Tenner crouched down as he put peat upon the embers. Annalyla’s gaze drifted over him; he was still in the pale tunic and leather breeches he had on when she first met him, and she could see his broad back as it strained against the tunic. Big arms, big muscles… everything about him was big, and oh-so-beautiful.

  Her husband.

  She could hardly believe it.

  Thinking she should probably undress, she unfastened the ties of the pale blue dress and loosened it enough to pull it over her head. She had a lamb’s wool sheath on underneath, and she kept it on as she headed to the bed, all the while
watching Tenner as he built up the fire into a nice blaze. By the time he stood up and turned around, she was already climbing into bed.

  “I can imagine it has been an exhausting day for you,” he said, simply to make conversation. “I fear tomorrow will be a long day as well.”

  Annalyla pulled the coverlet up to her chest, clutching it against her body. “How long will it take for us to reach Baiadepaura?”

  He moved to the bed, loosening his tunic in preparation for removing it. “At least three days,” he said. “In this weather, we will move slowly. I do not want to bring a carriage, so you will ride a palfrey. Or you can ride with me. It is your choice.”

  Of course, she could ride her own horse, but riding with him seemed so much more… agreeable. She wanted to be close to him. Still, she didn’t want to come across as helpless.

  “I am sure you do not wish to have my burden upon your horse,” she said. “I can ride a palfrey if you wish it. It may be better for you if I do, considering how bad the weather is.”

  He pulled the tunic over his head, revealing a muscular chest and arms, and a beautifully trim torso. In fact, Annalyla looked at him with some surprise because she hadn’t much exposure to men being naked from the waist up, and certainly not a man who was standing so close to her. It brought home the reality of what they were about to do.

  Now, the nerves came.

  “I am comfortable either way, although you may be more comfortable on your own animal,” he said. Looking up, he caught the expression on her face as she looked at his nude torso, and he fought off a grin. She looked a bit like a startled deer. “You do realize that we are speaking of everything but what we have come into this chamber to do. God help us, we are speaking of the weather and riding palfreys.”

  Annalyla tore her eyes away from his smooth skin, seeing that he was trying very hard not to smile. They were really being quite ridiculous, each one trying to avoid the subject at hand like it was nothing of consequence, and she started to laugh.

  “Forgive me,” she said, feeling silly and embarrassed, “but this is all quite new to me. I have been told what to expect, but… well, I suppose I am doing what I think I am supposed to do. I am supposed to get into bed, am I not?”

  He snorted. “Aye,” he said. “That is usual.”

  “You have done this before, then?”

  He looked at her in shock before his grin returned. Now, he was feeling embarrassed. “You are making assumptions.”

  “Not really. I am hoping you know what to do, because I certainly do not. If we both do not know what to do, then this evening may end very quickly.”

  His laughter returned, for she was quite humorous in her observation. “That is quite true,” he said. “But have no fear; I have asked around. I know what to do.”

  “Then you have not done this before?”

  He sighed, a sign that he was reluctant to answer her. “Do you truly wish to speak of this now?”

  Annalyla shook her head. “I just want to make sure you are not expecting me to take the lead.”

  “I am not expecting you to take the lead.”

  They looked at each other and started laughing all over again. It was a charming moment, one that loosened Annalyla tremendously because it seemed to her that he was possibly nervous in all of this, too. Sitting down on the bed, Tenner proceeded to remove his boots, followed very shortly by his breeches. Annalyla was watching him until that point, but when she saw him slide his breeches down, she began to panic a little. Then, she pulled the coverlet over her face to block the rather shocking view. She could hear him chuckle.

  “Is it that bad, then?”

  She was growing increasingly anxious. “Of course not,” she said. “I was simply giving you some privacy.”

  The coverlet abruptly yanked back, off of her face, and there he stood, as naked as a newborn infant. Annalyla couldn’t help but look at his flat belly and the dark growth of hair around his groin. She was nearly at eye level with it. His male member was already semi-engorged, which made it look rather massive to her.

  The humor fled as she looked up at his face. He seemed to be looking at her rather seriously, too. But without a word, he climbed into bed and pulled the coverlet up around them both.

  For a moment, they simply lay there, looking at each other. They were beyond the laughter, now, the jesting to lighten the mood. Now, the moment was upon them and there was nothing funny about it, only intense and unadulterated curiosity and attraction. When Annalyla smiled timidly, he smiled in return.

  “May I proceed, Lady de Velt?” he whispered.

  All Annalyla could do was nod. With his wife’s permission, Tenner leaned forward, capturing her sweet lips in his own for a gentle kiss. It was only meant to be an introduction, a foretaste of what was to come. But the moment he touched her, it was as if something in him snapped and he slid forward to pull her into his arms. Body to body, they touched, and his kisses increased in intensity as he embraced her tightly, feeling her warmth in his arms with the greatest of pleasure.

  But he needed more. It wasn’t long before his grip on her loosened, and a hand moved down her arm, to her torso, and ended up on her belly. Her skin was like silk. As his lips continued to suckle hers, acquainting her with not only his kisses, but with his touch, the hand on her belly moved to the underswell of her breast.

  Annalyla gasped softly as she felt his hand against her bosom, pulling back to look at him. There was some fear in her eyes. Tenner gazed back at her before dipping low to gently kiss her cheek, wordlessly easing that fear. As he nuzzled her soft skin, his hand moved up and fully enclosed her right breast against the palm. He squeezed gently, fondling her, and Annalyla’s initial resistance was quickly stilled when she realized how much she liked it.

  Tenner heard her groan and, quick as a flash, he pulled her shift over her head. Now, it was her naked skin against his, and his kisses resumed. The hand on her naked breast grew bolder. Soon enough, Tenner’s mouth was on her soft white cleavage and his palm fondled her naked breast. A taut nipple rubbed against his hand, and when he could no longer stand it, his hot mouth descended upon it, suckling furiously.

  It was a sensation beyond belief. Annalyla cried out softly as his hot, wet mouth pulled at her nipple. In the process, he had managed to wedge himself in between her legs, his big body overwhelming her. Everything he was doing was new and wonderful and wicked.

  She wanted more.

  So did Tenner. He was in haze of lust and attraction as he felt her respond to him, her small hands in his inky hair. Her flesh was sweet and he nursed hungrily at her breasts, first one and then the other. He’d never been so wildly aroused in his entire life. Had he done this before? Of course he had. But not like this.

  Never like this.

  Moving down her torso, he dragged his tongue across her soft flesh. He could smell the delicious musky scent of her woman’s center and there was nothing stopping him from reaching that forbidden fruit. It belonged to him now, and he would have it. Grasping her buttocks with both hands, his mouth descended on the pink folds between her legs.

  Annalyla shrieked softly as Tenner’s tongue forged into virgin territory. Shocked, the words of protest died on her lips when she quickly realized how pleasurable it was. He was stroking her with his tongue and Annalyla was overcome with it. She squirmed beneath him, becoming acquainted with Tenner in a way she could have never imagined. It was all so new and naughty but, in the same breath, she had never known anything so wonderful existed.

  As Tenner suckled her tender folds, Annalyla could feel something building in her loins, something that promised utter pleasure should she only submit. All she knew was that Tenner held the key to whatever it was she needed, and she was completely submissive to his desires.

  She was a willing captive.

  Then, that marvelous release began. She could feel it starting deep in her loins, something pulsating and warm. Tenner could feel the start of her climax and he lifted himself up, thrus
ting his manhood into her wet and warm passage. She was so primed for his body that there was very little pain when he breached her maidenhead. More than that, there was instant pleasure as the stimulation of his entry threw Annalyla over the edge and she experienced her first climax.

  Somehow, the brave and honest little woman turned into a wildcat with her first coupling. Annalyla’s climax had her screaming into her hand, opening her legs wider for him as he began to thrust into her in the primal ritual of mating. It was an intense experience for her as well as for him. The moment he entered her, he could feel her release, and it didn’t seem to stop. Her entire body convulsed as he thrust into her repeatedly, something that drove him into the abyss of ecstasy until he released himself so hard that he bit his cheek. It was glorious. Her wet heat throbbed around him, pulling at him, milking him for his seed.

  It was a powerful moment, something Tenner had never experienced in his life. Even though he’d spent himself, he couldn’t stop moving within her, feeling her body contract and convulse. The more he thrust, the more she twitched and groaned, and his lips claimed hers once again. He held Annalyla’s pelvis against his, his fingers in the crack of her buttocks as the moisture from his body dampened her flesh. It was mating beyond his wildest dreams and, at some point, he could feel himself grow hard again. Soon enough, another climax washed over his body as beneath him, Annalyla gasped for air. Wave after wave of rapture coursed through her.

  Finally, his movements slowed and the only sound that filled the small chamber was that of Annalyla’s heavy breathing. As he lay on top of her, still joined to her body, he could hardly believe what had just happened. He’d been aroused in a way he never knew possible, married to a woman who already made his blood boil.

  He’d never known anything like it.

  “Are you well?” he whispered.

  In his embrace, he could feel her nod. “I am,” she murmured.

  “Are you certain?”

  “Positive. May… may I say something?”