“Six,” Christina managed between bites.
Kathryn shook her head in amazement. “If I hadn’t had chocolate in that long, I’d probably be doing the same thing.”
“The only thing that came with me when the tapestry brought me was the nightgown I was wearing.”
Kathryn thought about that for a moment. “I had my purse slung around my neck and shoulder.” She shrugged. “Maybe that made the difference.” She paused as she examined the fit of the tunic. Long-sleeved, it came down to her butt and had two deep pockets. She liked it. The dark brown looked good. “Although the guns that Tienan and Logan had in their hands disappeared somewhere along the way.”
“Maybe it’s technology that doesn’t travel,” Christina surmised. “We have leather and medicine and basic tools here, so maybe that’s why your purse made it.”
“Guess we’ll never know.” Reaching under her purse, she pulled out the journal and tucked it in her pocket as Christina munched on the final square of the chocolate.
She had to find the time to read it later. She had a feeling it wouldn’t have traveled through time if it weren’t important. Not for the first time in her life, Kathryn was thankful for the fact that she could speed read and she had a photographic memory.
While Christina finished the last piece of the chocolate, Kathryn strode back into the bathing chamber long enough to grab her shoes. Socks or no socks, she had to wear something on her feet. She pulled them on, grateful that they were flat with rubber souls and laces. They were sturdy and comfortable. Perfect shoes for working in the lab all day. They’d do.
Christina was crumpling the paper when she returned and staring longingly at the wrapper. Giving it one final look, she turned to Kathryn. “If you’re ready, I can take you to them.” Standing, she wiped her hands together.
The tension was back. There was something the other woman was keeping from her. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I didn’t want to tell you this. Not right away.” She met Kathryn’s gaze squarely.
This was so not going to be good. “There is a crowd here at the moment to celebrate the birth of our latest child. A girl—Allina.”
“Congratulations.” Kathryn knew what a big deal the birth of a girl was here in Javara.
“Thank you. But there are families here. Families with unmated males.” Kathryn took a step back, then stopped. “You mean…” She broke off, not quite sure how to put it.
“They all want you. You’re a potential tapestry bride and a healer as well. That makes you doubly valuable in their eyes.”
“Of all the archaic bullshit!” She’d barely escaped from one group of maniacs. She didn’t want to fall in with another. “Can we just say that Tienan and Logan are my husbands?” They’d fall in with that if she asked them.
Christina shook her head. “Someone already asked Logan if you were married and he said that you weren’t. They all know.”
“Damn.” She’d known that this was a possibility but she’d hoped to avoid it. After all, she only had to get through another two days, less than that really, and she’d be on her way back to her own planet and time.
“There are five families who want to challenge for the right to have you.”
“To have me.” Anger filled her. It was all fine and good to read about the customs of a land, another thing altogether to experience it firsthand. “I’m not some object to be passed around. A toy that they all want.”
“I know.” Christina reached out her hand and placed it on Kathryn’s shoulder.
“You understand how things are here. You know they all honor and respect you.” She shook her head. “How can they? They don’t even know me.” Marc knows you, a little voice in the back of her head spoke up. She shook her head again. “I want to see Tienan and Logan.”
“Of course.” The other woman looked worried but she said nothing more as she led Kathryn out of the room and down the hall.
Kathryn could feel the weight of the journal in her pocket and hoped she’d find some answers there. Regardless, the tapestry would be back tomorrow night and she, Tienan and Logan would leave. She ignored the pang in her chest at the thought of leaving Marc behind. Maybe he could come with them. The tapestry had allowed him to travel through time and space once before. Why not again? It was something to think about.
Kathryn tucked all such thoughts away as she followed Christina into Tienan’s room. Logan was sprawled in a chair, his long legs stretched forward, his hands clasped on his flat stomach. Tienan was lounging on the bed, looking remarkably fit for a man who’d had surgery the day before. You’d never know there was anything wrong with him except for the heavy bandage wrapped around his shoulder. Genetics and his strong will made all the difference in his fast recovery time. Both men jumped to their feet when she entered.
“Are you all right?” Logan wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly.
“I’m fine.” She buried her face against his chest, seeking his familiar scent. When she pulled away, she offered him a smile. “You?”
“Good.” He glanced over at Tienan, who was waiting impatiently. “We passed an uneventful night and have bathed and eaten. Christina made sure we had everything we needed.” He offered a smile to the other woman who stood quietly watching them.
It was then she noticed that they were both dressed in the same garb as Marc—
leather pants and vests, although neither of them wore armbands. They also wore their own boots.
Tienan’s patience was obviously at an end as he dragged her into his arms. She felt his lips against the top of her head. “Thank you,” he whispered. She knew he was thanking her for operating on him last night.
“I see you are all up and ready.” Marc’s tone was hard and cold, his words clipped.
Kathryn jerked away from Tienan’s embrace, feeling as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. Which was ridiculous. Tienan and Logan were her friends. Marc was… Well, she wasn’t quite sure what he was. Her lover for sure but any more than that was impossible.
He strode forward, looking impossibly large and handsome. His long brown hair was tied back at his nape, making his rough-hewn features appear even more severe.
But his golden-brown eyes were warm. No, they were hot as he reached her. His hand snaked around her waist, tugging her from Tienan’s embrace and pulling her against his chest.
She knew she should object to such high-handed actions but she couldn’t get a word past her lips. Before she could even think of what to say, his head swooped down and he captured her mouth with his.
Heat flooded through her as her body remembered last night. She felt the crotch of her panties getting damp and her breasts swelled. She didn’t have to look down to know that her nipples were hard and pressing against the soft cotton tunic she wore.
His tongue leisurely claimed hers, twining around it. She moaned slightly, going up on her toes so their bodies were positioned better. His hand slid downward, cupping her ass and pulling her closer. She could feel the hardness of his erection against her mound and tilted her hips inward. The motion rubbed her nipples against his chest, making them ache.
“Ahem.” The heavy male voice was tinged with amusement.
Kathryn pulled away, gasping for breath, suddenly aware of the silence around her.
Ohmigod, what had she done? And in front of Christina, not to mention Tienan and Logan, no less.
She closed her eyes and sought control. Her hormones were raging totally unrestrained, demanding she find the nearest bed and drag Marc there with her. Heck, they didn’t need a bed. They hadn’t managed to use one last night and he’d given her three orgasms. And those kinds of thoughts weren’t helping her calm down one bit.
Marc slid his hand up her spine, bringing it to rest against the back of her neck. “I trust you slept well.”
Oh, there was a wealth of innuendo in his words. She could almost see the testosterone filling the room as he laid claim to her. Why didn’t he ju
st scream, I fucked her last night. The effect was the same. Kathryn pulled back her foot and kicked him in the shin.
He grunted but didn’t even move. Totally pissed off, she drew back her foot again.
Before she could kick him, an arm wrapped around her from behind and she was lifted off her feet. Without thinking, she kicked backward, striking Logan in the shin. He had the audacity to laugh at her.
“Put. Me. Down.” She said each word slowly. She was beginning to wish she’d never left her room this morning. Maybe she’d go back there and stay until the tapestry came for her.
Logan dropped a kiss on her cheek as he lowered her to her feet. “There’s no need to be upset, Kathryn,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re a beautiful woman. If I’d had you to myself last night, I would have done the same thing that Marc did. I would have claimed you.”
Heat rushed through her and not all of it was from embarrassment. She could feel Logan’s erection pressing against her back. This was simply too much for her to take in at once. Men had never been interested in her and suddenly she was a femme fatale wanted by two men. She glanced at Tienan and there was no mistaking the heat in his eyes. Okay, make that three.
She rubbed her stomach, which was begging to ache. Maybe she shouldn’t have had that cider. Too acidic for her sensitive tummy. If Christina was to be believed, there was a large group of men waiting downstairs as well. It was just too much for her to take in.
“Your stomach is paining again.” It was almost an accusation.
She glared at Tienan. “Given the events of this morning, is there any wonder?”
“What is wrong with her stomach? Are you ill?” Marc’s arm came around her and his palm settled gently over her tummy.
“It’s nothing,” she began only to be interrupted by Logan.
“We think it’s the start of an ulcer.”
Christina stepped forward. “There’s some goat’s milk in the kitchen and I’m sure that Mara will have some kind of tea that might help.” Logan sent her a grateful smile.
“That’s all well and good,” she began, feeling the anxiety rising within her once again. “But what about all the men downstairs who want to claim me.”
“Over my dead body,” three male voices spoke in tandem.
Chapter Eight
Marc kept his eye on Kathryn as he led her down the winding staircase to the great hall below, closely followed by Tienan and Logan. Christina had gone on ahead, giving Kathryn time to compose herself.
He felt anger at himself that he hadn’t known about her illness. He should have known. Hadn’t he thought she was too thin, like someone who has been sick? Christina had taken him aside and told him exactly what an ulcer was and that the cause was usually stress. He realized then that he had no idea exactly what kind of life she’d come from. What little he’d seen hadn’t been good.
He’d staked his claim in front of the other men as soon as he’d walked into the room. Mostly because a bolt of white-hot jealousy had hit him when he’d seen her in another man’s arms. These men had a history with her that he did not, a connection that was obvious to anyone who watched them together.
Once again, Marc felt as if he were on the outside looking in.
It hurt when it was his brother and Christina. With Kathryn, he felt a devastating sense of loss. At least he and the other two men were in accord. They would not allow Kathryn to be taken from them. Marc would fight everyone and anyone to keep her with him. They were meant to be. He only needed the time to convince her of that.
Time. Time was the enemy. There was only today and tomorrow left before the tapestry would return and the day was almost half gone already. “Do not be afraid,” he whispered. “I will be beside you.”
She glanced up at him but said nothing. He wanted to carry her to his room, strip off the trousers and tunic she wore and love her until she screamed with pleasure.
Kathryn was an enticing combination of shyness and boldness. One moment she seemed embarrassed that people knew they’d spent the night together, the next she was kicking him in the shins. She was unpredictable and the more he learned about her the more he wanted her.
It had been hard to leave her side this morning. He’d watched her in the early morning sunlight, loving the way her red hair shone. The strands seemed almost alive as he’d gently combed them over his pillow. And soft, ah, her hair was so soft against his cheek. He’d buried his face in the mass and inhaled her unique essence.
His cock had been fully erect and aching from the moment he’d opened his eyes.
But he’d seen the dark shadows under her eyes and known that she was unused to late-night sexual activity, on top of everything else that had happened, so he’d left her to sleep. Now, he wished he’d stayed and awakened her properly, licking her soft skin from head to toe before sliding into the moist warmth of her sheath and rocking both of them to completion.
His cock jerked and he swore under his breath. Now was not the time. He discreetly adjusted the bulge in the front of his pants. Luckily, Kathryn didn’t seem to notice his discomfort. Even though she was right beside him, she seemed far away at the moment.
He knew she was worried about what was to come.
Annoyance ate at him. Did she think he would let them just take her? Didn’t she have any faith in his skills?
How could she, he reminded himself. She knew almost nothing of his skill with weapons or in battle. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, his fingers wrapping around it. He glanced over his shoulder and met Tienan’s gaze. Both men were now armed with swords as well and Marc had no doubt that they could use them. They handled them with a familiarity that bespoke experience.
The noise below reached up the stairs. All were gathered for the midday meal and for a chance to see Kathryn. She hesitated. Marc paused on the stairs beside her, not wanting to rush her. Squaring her shoulders, Kathryn continued down toward the waiting crowd.
Pride filled him to bursting. With her red hair gleaming, her chin tilted upward and her expression determined, she looked like a queen. “I will lead you to the head table where you will be seated between Jarek and myself. Everyone will know that you are under the protection of the House of Garen.”
“Fine. But I plan to set everyone straight about the situation immediately. I am not some object to be fought over and claimed. I am a woman and I make my own choices.” Marc inclined his head, all chance for further conversation gone as they entered the room. As their appearance was noted the voices dropped away until silence reigned. All eyes were on Kathryn and the two men who’d arrived with her. All the unmated men in the room would covet her, while being suspicious of Tienan and Logan.
By now all had heard about their arrival and how Kathryn had performed surgery on Tienan. Her shoulders were set back squarely but her hand shook slightly as they walked toward the head table where Jarek stood waiting with Christina by his side. He squeezed her fingers lightly and was pleased when she returned the gesture.
Mennoc Fairmount stared at her with open lust in his gaze. Marc shot him a glare but it didn’t deter the other man. The Dannon and Nardor families, as well as the Forrester and Hunter brothers all looked on with interest. Marc knew they all had unmated brothers who would want the beautiful and skilled woman who walked by his side.
Every muscle in his body tightened in protest and he had to force himself to relax and keep his expression impassive as they finally gained the head of the room. The tapestry had brought him to Kathryn. If she belonged to anyone, it was to him.
Marc seated Kathryn and waited until Christina sat before taking his chair. Logan and Tienan sat to his left, Kathryn to his right. Immediately a voice rang out, breaking the silence. “I challenge for the woman.” It was Mennoc Fairmount. The man didn’t even have the decency to wait until after Jarek spoke.
Marc began to rise but his brother beat him to it, surging to his feet. As the eldest, it was Jarek’s right to speak first but the need to claim Kathryn as his own burned
in his gut.
Jarek was wearing the family torque, proclaiming his power and authority to all.
“Kathryn Piedmont is a guest of the House of Garen. As such, she is under our protection.”
“You already have a woman,” another man shouted. Marc’s eyes narrowed as he recognized Brand Forrester. There were three Forrester brothers and they had no woman.
“The tapestry has brought her here for a reason,” Jarek began, only to be rudely interrupted.
“She was brought here to be a bride to one of us.” The four Fairmount brothers all jumped to their feet. Not to be outdone, the Forrester brothers stood and pushed their claim. The Nardor brothers quickly joined in the fray, arguing with the other two families. The two Hunter brothers appeared more amused than anything else, while the Dannon brothers appeared disgusted by the outbreak.
The Bakra brothers sat with their wives and mother, watching the scene unfold.
They had already told Jarek that they would support the House of Garen whatever decision they made.
The room was fraught with tension as the arguments mounted. The men’s voices rose with each passing second. “She belongs to us!” Mennoc bellowed.
Kathryn was watching it all with wide eyes. Her hands were wrapped tight around the arms of the chair, her knuckles white. Logan and Tienan shifted restlessly beside him. Enough was enough. Marc pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.
Kathryn beat him to it. Jumping up, she grabbed her goblet and flung it at Mennoc’s head. The man yelped and jumped back as liquid splashed over his chest. Luckily, the goblet itself missed his head, although not by much. All eyes fell on Kathryn.
“Enough!” she yelled. She stared at them all, disdain in her eyes. “I am not some cow to be bartered over at market.”
Mennoc started to speak but she held up her hand to silence him. “You’ve had your say, now I will have mine.” He nodded abruptly and she continued. “You all argue and speak as if your words matter.” She rested her hands on the table and Marc could see the fine quivering that shook her arms and shoulders.
Threads of Destiny t-4 Page 9