“Mistake? Are you certain?”
Irritating man. She itched to slap that disbelieving smirk from his face. “Once again, I assure you I had nothing to do with this.” She swept her arm out to indicate his position on the floor of her temple and the discarded chains, her face flaming in humiliation. She ground her teeth at his implication, sheer emotion pushing her to reveal more than intended. What about this man struck such a profound chord within her?
“Yours is currently the only Office at risk.” The deep, accusing rumble of his voice reverberated through her body as he taunted her. Poking at a raw wound she’d no way to heal.
“I am aware of that. The gods know I’ve been informed more times than I care to remember. I, too, fear the Federation gaining sole control of this planet. The Standard puts the well-being of the citizens above all else, but the Federation sees them only as a means to power. We’ve maintained peace since the Great Wars by working with our gemstones to anticipate conflict and deflect it and also to ease hardship. We provide an invaluable service and balance the heavy hand of the Federation. Though founded on the most idealistic of principals, over the decades the Federation has become corrupt, cruel, and I fear its leaders lack the vision to protect us from our enemies.”
His sensual voice taunted her as it turned coaxing. “The Oracles have maintained peace for centuries with their wise oversight of the Federation, perhaps with the exception of the regrettable massacre at Sydney. You can’t wish to be the single weak link that brings down our world’s system of government, our strongest defense. Rulers of other planets would be snapping like the ancient crocodiles to gobble up the riches of Earth.” He glanced with a raised brow at the gems adorning her. “Particularly the gemstones of the Oracles.”
She bristled at the implication of Oracle culpability. “How dare you. Neither the Oracle Standard nor any of its Offices is in any way responsible for that terrible event. You needn’t remind me of my duties either, or my failure to fulfill them. It is something I live with every day.”
“Are you aware the people believe the Oracles ordered the slaughter at Sydney? The Federation has sworn testimony from Sydney citizens who witnessed an Oracle arrange for those investigating allegations of Oracle corruption and their families to be slaughtered?”
Shocked at the hateful nature of his accusations and the palpable anger bombarding her, she stood stunned a moment before responding. “I knew a few Anti-Oraclists believed that and attempted to spread the rumor to damage our reputation. However, it is completely false. We are held accountable to the highest standards of ethics. If we are not true of heart, the gems will no longer share their power with us.”
A sneer marred his face. “Ah, and who decides if Oracles are ‘true of heart’? The Oracles?”
“I just told you. The gems decide.”
His mouth dropped open.
“You are aware the gemstones possess a power of their own? It is only unleashed and channeled by the hereditary Oracles. We work in concert with each other and with the gems. You seem to know so much about the Oracles, but you understand so very little.” She placed the hurt away to examine later. “Perhaps I’ve been too sheltered on the island, too unaware of the currents of opinion swirling around the globe. The people have always loved and respected the Oracle Standard. Or, so I’d thought. This is no doubt the work of the Federation, trying to blame the Oracles for a massacre they committed at Sydney when hungry refugees massed at Federation headquarters and demanded assistance. The government met them not with compassion, but the cold, bronze blades of Federation troops.” She shuddered, haunted by the pain of innocents cut down with such ruthless disregard.
He considered her words, weighing their worth, no doubt, then stood, rising to his full height, head and shoulders taller than she. “Why is it that you’ve yet to find a consort?”
Swallowing, surprised by his change in demeanor, she stepped back a pace. As he came closer, she knew she’d let loose a powerful force of nature she might not be able to control. Perhaps unlocking the manacles hadn’t been the wisest move. Her heart sped up in a curious mixture of fear and arousal. “Are you trying to persuade me that I should be interested in taking you as Consort?”
His widened eyes and slack jaw betrayed his surprise. “I’m doing no such thing.”
“Excellent. In that case, we’ll deal very well together until the acolytes return with the ship to take you back to…wherever you wish.” She clasped her hands together to still their sudden trembling. “You sailed alone?”
“Yes, it’s a small ship. I planned to do some spice and mineral trading, no farther than Old Asia.”
“What is your home country?”
“I’ve never declared one. My parents moved around quite a bit. I kept up the tradition.”
A restless soul. That didn’t bode well. An Oracle’s Consort must remain with the Oracle at the site of the temple. She stopped that line of thinking for this man had no interest in her. “Does that sort of existence not become lonely?”
“I enjoy my freedom.”
“I’m sure you do.” She couldn’t keep the tart edge from her reply. “A young man such as you no doubt has a beautiful woman in every town.” The sour bite of jealousy stabbed her gut.
His frown and glance to the side confirmed her guess. How foolish to let this stranger affect her this way. She must regain control at once. “If you’ll excuse me, I must get to my morning divinations.” She stalked off to the private portion of the temple, leaving her guest to find his own way to his apartment.
“Wait.”
She continued walking, reaching out to clasp the edge of the door to the sanctuary and pulled it shut as she passed. The heavy bronze portal closed behind her with a solid clang.
* * * *
Tallon Sinclair stared after the woman in frustration. The precious topaz-studded girdle and necklace of her office had gleamed yellow, amber and brown fire in the reflected glow of the torches, outshone only by the vibrant, searing golden bronze of her enormous, almond shaped eyes—the precise shade of her gemstones. The brilliant sight of those hallowed stones alone brought many a supplicant to their knees. Her delicate features, lustrous black hair, and the diaphanous white robes rustling about her, emphasizing more than they concealed—a bounty shapely enough to stir a eunuch—which he was not. He willed his raging erection to quiet so he might think.
She hadn’t even told him her name, damn it. He knew her title, but he wanted to know the name of the woman. Blast! His well-orchestrated plan fell by the wayside. For some reason, from the moment he’d seen her, everything had gone out-of-control. He’d abandoned his original purpose, lost his rage, and his quest for vengeance. He admitted that to himself and accepted the potential consequences. They would be worth the risk to possess this woman so different from the Oracle he’d expected to meet.
He stalked toward the ornate door beyond which she’d escaped, and pulled it open, stepping without thought into the temple’s holiest sanctuary—according to legend amongst the populace, a place no man had ever set foot through its centuries of existence.
She looked up from the tray of polished, faceted topaz stones she’d been studying as she knelt before a bronze brazier. Her kohl-lined eyes matched the gems she held with eerie perfection and the lancing pierce of her angry gaze stopped him where he stood. If she’d been beautiful in the antechamber, in the Holy of Holies, her element, she brought him to his knees. Her smooth, cream silk skin, the elegant curve of her cheek and jaw, and the sensual fullness of her lips made him long to caress her and kiss that ripe mouth. The sweet, musky scent of sandalwood incense filled the small room, clouding his brain with erotic images of them writhing upon a silk-draped bed, limbs entwined, and bodies straining together. He shuddered in want at the thought, blood engorging his already erect cock.
She wore nothing but the topaz gems of her station. Her long dark hair draped her naked back and curled about her rounded breasts. Her rosy nipples tightened with awa
reness as she stared, transfixed at his obvious erection pushing up the white linen of his kilt.
He lowered his gaze to the elaborate jeweled girdle, highlighting a small waist, sweetly curved hips, sleek legs and her sex, crowned by a triangle of dark, curling hair. Desire swept through him with the intensity of one of the sand storms in the desert across the sea, shifting aside all sense of duty, of mission, of vengeance.
Perhaps she noticed something in his expression. Concern furrowed her brow as she watched him watch her. She tilted her head, pausing a moment as if she sensed his inner turmoil, even reaching out a hand to him, before shaking herself back to reality. She rose to her feet, attempting to cover herself, eyes widening in alarm as the implications of his presence hit her. “You mustn’t be in here. For centuries, only Oracles have entered the inner chamber of the temple.”
He shrugged. “I’ve come to discuss an important matter with you. I’ve changed my mind. I wish to claim you, Oracle.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock. “You cannot.”
“A sincere candidate for Consort may attempt the test at will. Isn’t that true?”
“Well, yes, but you’ve already declared you’ve no interest in me. I mean, in the position as Consort.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, ‘no’? This Office is in dire need of a Consort. I am a sincere candidate. You cannot refuse me.”
“I won’t be made sport of by a young man desiring only a moment’s amusement before moving on to a younger, more suitable girl.”
He frowned. “Why do you keep implying you’re too old for me?”
“I am older.”
He advanced, smiling like a predatory lion. “Perhaps in years, but not in looks and most certainly not in experience.”
She flushed. “You must get out at once.”
“No.” He’d veered off course from his original purpose in coming to the island and he knew it, yet couldn’t help himself. She in no way resembled the evil manipulator he’d been paid to seek out, and against whom he’d sought vengeance. Perhaps she possessed the power to fade those thoughts in his mind and draw him to her. Perhaps he didn’t care. He clasped her wrist and drew her to the back of the shrine, to the silk pillows strewn about the floor. He imagined she meditated every day on that spot. The idea of filling her future meditations with thoughts of him pleased him. “You must give me a chance to pass the test. Is that not the tradition?”
“Yes.” The strangled word emerged from her unwilling lips.
He felt her tremble as he lowered her to the soft makeshift bed. Her breath came in audible little soughs. “Are you afraid I’ll pass the test?”
“Not at all.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “Several have tried, but none have passed.”
“Only several?” He couldn’t understand why men hadn’t overrun the island vying to be her Consort, yet fire burned in his gut at the thought of any other man with her. Touching her. He’d gone from competent, emotionless professional to possessive lunatic in less than half a day. He didn’t plan to let that stop him, though.
“Three.” She finally offered, her soft voice a mere squeak.
Caught up in the feel of her breasts pillowing his chest and the floral scent of her hair, it took him a moment to process. “Three failed to pass the test? Only three have made the attempt?”
“Yes. You don’t understand.” Her brow furrowed and her voice quavered. “I’m afraid it may not be possible for any man to pass the test. Even those three barely managed to…qualify for testing. In fact, they did not.”
“They did not even qualify to take the test?”
“No. I must…uh, wish for them to proceed once they begin the test.”
“Ah…So they must inspire desire, or they may not complete the test?”
“Yes, but I feared there would be no more Candidates. I thought to take the test to the next level regardless, hoping…”
“You feigned desire so they could continue?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to let the Office down. But my efforts failed in the end.”
“I don’t wonder. I forbid you to ever feign desire or completion with me.” He lowered himself down atop her and could feel her heart beating like a drum in her chest. The pulse in her neck fluttered, and those beautiful eyes dilated as they gazed up at him. She wanted him, she just didn’t know it.
“Swear it.”
Voice trembling, barely audible, she complied. “I swear.”
All thoughts of the test, of his mission, vanished as he lowered his mouth to hers, taking her in a kiss that scrambled his brain as she returned the caress with untutored enthusiasm. They learned the contours of each other's mouths, exploring with lips and tongues as he slid his hand up her sleek thigh and back down, gradually working his way upward until he brushed the underside of her breast. She broke away with a gasp.
“Shh. Let me.” He gazed into her eyes, dark with passion, searching for any sign of reluctance or resistance.
“I’m sorry. I’m just…”
“Frightened?” He guessed.
“Afraid I’ll displease you.”
He smiled. “You’ll never need to fear that.” He resumed the kiss and this time, cupped her breast, lifting it and flicking her distended nipple. Her gasp of surprise and delight rewarded him. Breaking from the kiss, he bent his head to take that succulent nipple into his mouth. Her reaction swift, she moaned, the sound echoing off the bronze walls as she clasped his head to her breast with a grip that surprised him.
“Ahh. Don’t stop.”
“You like that?”
“Oh, yes.” Her breath came in quick pants as she writhed on the pillows beneath him. “More.”
“Yes, there is so much more…” He resumed pleasuring her breast then switched to the other, affording it the same delights, until she begged.
“Please, please, Tallon.”
He knew she’d no idea what she begged for, but fortunately for them both, he did. He would bring to her the sublime physical release she needed. He pulled himself up and kissed her deeply once more before trailing kisses along the side of her face to her vulnerable neck. He licked and teased the sensitive spot on the slender column. “I’m about to pass the test, beautiful Oracle.”
“No. No one has.” Her breathless reply, tinged with fear and need, floated into his ear.
“Shh. Don’t worry.” He lifted his kilt out of the way, taking his cock into his hand, to guide it to her virgin cunny, as the blood pounded in his temple in time to the frantic beat of his heart and the pulse in his shaft. “I will, little Oracle.”
Chapter 2
“Stop.” The furious bellow from the doorway froze them both, and they turned as one to view the huge, angry man who stormed into the sacred shrine. He grabbed Tallon by the arm and hauled him away from Ankhet to toss him to the floor. Holding out his arm, he assisted her to rise from the pillows. “My lady Oracle, please return to your quarters while I deal with this intruder.”
“Danar, no.” She looked to him in humiliated entreaty. “His ship ran aground on the sandbar. The acolytes imprisoned him, hoping to force him to take the test…”
“Ah, and he seems to be objecting most strenuously. I don’t believe his story. How do we know he’s not an agent of the Federation sent to harm you?”
“I don’t think he means me harm, Danar. And he has…I…Well, he has declared his intent to apply as Topaz Oracle Consort, and I must permit him to attempt the test of worthiness.”
“Must permit? My lady, do you mean he has…?” At the realization, the hardened warrior reddened in the face, in anger or embarrassment, she couldn’t be sure. Perhaps both. He looked to Tallon, as though the man might attack at any moment.
Heat crept up her neck. Danar served as her Personal Guard, her friend, her constant companion who accompanied her everywhere, even to her baths. Yet, somehow, the fact that a man had stimulated her sexually seemed too intimate for him t
o know, perhaps because she remembered her hopeless schoolgirl infatuation with him. A thought occurred to her. “Where have you been, Danar?”
He never took his eyes off their guest. “Bah! Damned acolytes drugged me and restrained me in the Guard’s Quarters. It’s taken me this long to escape. I should have suspected when they turned pleasant. The Standard should try them all for treason.”
“Danar, no! I’m sure they meant well.” Conviction of treason could lead to the death penalty.
“Intentions do not keep the Oracle safe. I do.” Hand clasping the sword at his hip, dark brows drawn together in a frown, Danar questioned Tallon, “Who are you and what are you doing here? The truth.”
A lesser man would have cowered before the ferocious guard. Tallon stood his ground and the younger man held his hands up in appeasement. “I am Tallon Sinclair, a nomad trader. As I sailed for Old Asia, my ship wrecked on the sandbar during the storm. As the Oracle said, her people forcibly brought me to the temple and chained me to the wall, which is where she found me.”
Danar looked to her and she nodded in confirmation. “It’s true. Sarri, my handmaiden, told me what the acolytes had done. I came upon him manacled in the vestibule and…” Her voice trailed off as the heat of a flush swept up her naked body. How to explain to him how after all these virginal years, she’d wound up naked on the floor of the Holy of Holies with a young, handsome stranger about to penetrate her?
Her frustrated libido tortured her further as she looked at Danar. The situation titillated her in its own bizarre way. Danar always would be the most magnificent of men. Eyeing his sculpted, sun-bronzed torso visible through the open vee of his garment and the long, muscular legs revealed beneath the hem of the short, white tunic, she sighed at the loss of something she’d never had, never would, and could never get over.
Danar remained her first and only love, though she never told him. First as her father’s loyal captain, then a declared asexual who took the role of her Personal Guard, she could have no relationship with him. Such a relationship would be treasonous for Danar. The position of Personal Guard bestowed great honor, but only asexual warriors qualified. The basic precepts of the Standard and roles such as Personal Guard were taught around the globe from childhood. Certainly she knew the rules. Fortunately, he saw her only as a friend and Oracle. Her body reacted as it always did around him, as it had with Tallon earlier. Her nipples grew hard again and moisture coated her aching woman’s slit, preparing her for nothing but painful disappointment.
The Topaz Embrace Page 2