by Hannah888
She would not deny it; there was no use pretending that she did not want him. The knowledge that he had found his intended mate had enraged her, broken her especially after all she had shared with him. He hadn't been her first but Hadaen was sure one hell of a great lover. She remembered how he used to give her finale after finale, fucking her just how she liked it: hard and fierce.
And now...she longed for him to be on top of her, behind her or whatever as he drive her over the edge. And if her mind continued on this same track, she'd build up enough wetness to smother the darn fire before her!
When her head turned back, Sienna's eyes clashed with those of her most attentive of spectators. Esyth. She only returned the icy glare and smiled before bidding the other women a good night.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said, pushing to her feet, her bottom still numb from where she had sat on the log. She then chuckled and gave Marla a pointed look. "Don't go wringing any man's balls while I'm not around."
Marla tipped her cup up and gave a semi-intoxicated grin. "I wouldn't even dare!"
And with that Sienna stormed off, fully conscious of a certain pair of eyes watching her every move.
The night smelt of damp wood, mud and fresh dew.
All in all, not a very romantic atmosphere but she had seen worse. Besides, she hadn't been the type to wallow in silly dreams and fantasies; she saw what she wanted and went straight after it. It was precisely what she had done the very first time she had gotten within ten feet of His Lordship, Hadaen Maruj.
She could remember that night as clearly as if it had just happened……..
It was the annual Spring Ball thrown by the nobles for the Marujan dynasty. She had been excited--giddy, really--to meet Hadaen Maruj in the flesh. She'd been only seventeen years old but quite worldly underneath it all. Perhaps it was because of those adult books Nanny Fariah had kept hidden in her closet.
Sienna knew that she was beautiful, everyone told her so. So when she had arrived at the ball in her red silk gown, all eyes were turned on her, focused and unwavering. Women batted grudging lashes while the men stopped whatever it was they were doing and simply stared.
She had loved the attention completely.
Two hours into the event, Hadaen Maruj had arrived at the ballroom, of his own palace, behind his two brothers. Sienna never really liked the youngest one. Gideon his name was--that one had always found it amusing to make her look like a fool. And Faolon, no one ever saw much of him. People said he was the quiet one.
But either way, she hadn't cared about the rest. Her interest was with Hadaen Maruj. To think of the things that could happen if he were to take her as his wife. Oh, she would have gotten a brain-ache just thinking about it.
Luckily she had known his cousin, Halise, a girl her age from all the dance classes she'd been taking since they were children.
"Introduce me to your cousin," she had whispered, fixing the neckline of her gown so it showed a bit more cleavage.
"Why?" Halise was sipping on her wine and admiring the dapper gentleman, Noble Kitson Marage.
"Because I said so. Now make an introduction." She was so eager, she was sure sweat was pouring down her thighs.
Halise gave a discreet dreamy smile to Kitson and he tilted his head slightly to the side, desire evident in his eyes. "Ohhh," she'd purred. "Isn't he the handsomest man you've ever seen?" Sienna rolled her eyes and jabbed her in the side. "Ouch! Have you gone daft?"
"And have you gone mad? Drooling over that man like a ninny. I said, introduce me to your cousin now."
"Which one?" Halise had sighed, never breaking gaze with Noble Marage.
"Lord Hadaen, you dimwit! Who else could I possibly want to meet?"
"Well, there's Gideon, he is charming and so very humorous." She actually giggled. "And Faolan is an amazing--"
"Go do it now before he leaves. I hear His Lordship hates these social gatherings."
Halise nodded. "I daresay, it would have looked extremely bad if he hadn't shown up at all. But my cousin hates balls. Especially being introduced--"
"If you don't do it, I'll talk how you've been kissing Noble Marage in the gardens!" she hissed.
The girl spun around immediately, almost spilling her wine, and her eyes wide with shock. Blush burnt a deep crimson over her neck and cheeks.
"You wouldn't. You promised you wouldn't tell."
Sienna raised a brow at her. "Don't be so sure. Now go make that damn introduction. There's only so long that a girl can wait..."
Halise released a gasp and then spun away, making her way past the many noblemen and women and across the room towards her cousin.
She saw Halise whispering something in her cousin's ear and he started to frown, shaking his head slowly. Then the girl rest a hand on his shoulder, her expression truly forlorn and his gaze shot up immediately to clash with Sienna's.
Turning around immediately, she grasped a glass of wine from a serving tray, her heart hammering in her chest. The silly girl had actually done it. Ha! The power she had over so many but one too less.
"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
The deep silky voice came rushing over her, Sienna had almost melted at his feet. She turned around ever so slowly, her brows raised as if she was surprised.
"My lord. What a surprise--"
"Don't play innocent with me." He fully faced her, blocking the view of anyone who might be able to read his lips. "I know who you are. Noble Rally's eldest daughter."
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "I see you've done your research, my lord." She was flirting with him and she loved it.
He looked down at her, eyeing her with an intense stare. "Hardly," he replied dryly. "Gossip has its way of reaching even the most uninterested of ears."
She paled immediately, her pupils shaking. "Surely, my lord, you cannot mean to im-imply that I'm some common strumpet."
He shrugged. "Of course not. Implications are quite unnecessary when you know the truth." He stepped nearer and she cowered. "But since you've given me reason to believe it all just now with that act you've pulled with my cousin, I suggest you don't tarry with lifting those lovely skirts of yours."
Sienna gasped—she didn't know why. Perhaps she should have been ecstatic that she was getting what she wanted but she'd had no idea His Lordship was so very...forward.
"My-my lord," she sputtered, eyeing around them to see if anyone was listening in on their conversation. "You must not--"
"Meet me by the gardens at midnight--"
"Midnight?" Such a time was sure to scandalize her family’s good name.
"--and do not keep me waiting." He then flashed her a devilish grin. "I shall give you whatever it is you are...craving for."
And he walked away, leaving her sweating like a hog beneath her dress and gripping her glass as if her life was depending on it.
Sienna moved through the bushes, frowning when she didn't see any sign of Hadaen. She was sure she had just seen him go that way--
"Following me again, are you?"
She pivoted so quickly she almost tripped over her own feet. "My-my lord..."
Hadaen stared down at her. "What do you want this time?"
You. Pounding deep inside me like a sex-craved lunatic! Sienna gulped. "Just enjoying the night."
Hadaen didn't so much as blink. "You were always a terrible liar."
Sienna returned his gaze and shrugged. "You're right. I followed you here. Only because I was concerned. You looked very upset."
"Save your concern for someone else," he said in a pained groan and moved around her, leaning against a tree.
"It's her, isn't it?"
She noticed how he stiffened at her words, turning to face her with dread in his eyes. "Do not speak of Amelia. Ever."
"That's kind of hard to do if she's my...student."
"Not anymore." And he closed the distance between them. "Her training lessons with you are officially done."
Sienna smiled before she even thou
ght of doing so. "My lord, you insult me."
"I don't trust you around her. Not now. Not ever."
She looked up at him and drank down the rest of her beverage, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Do you trust me around you then?"
Hadaen's teeth clenched hard. "I can read your thoughts as if they were written on your forehead, Sienna. Do not try me."
"Well, then. I suppose I know rejection when I feel it." She then reached a hand to his shoulder, feeling every muscle in his body going suddenly rigid. "But the things we could...do together. To each other."
"Remove your hand. I don't hit women. Do not make a liar out of me."
The woman shrunk back immediately. "Surely you do not expect me to just forget what had happened between us!"
"Yes. And do it now. Before I do it for you."
"B-but, my lord. I gave you my all and now you treat me as I don't mean a thing to you? What kind of--"
"Stay away from me, Sienna." He gave her a dark glare that made her want to run screaming for help. "That's your final warning."
And he walked away.
Sienna flung the mug down and stomped her foot hard into the thick mud.
"Damn you!" she shrieked and wiped away a tear quickly. She stood there for a good two minutes, seething.
Tsk tsk tsk. The mocking sound came from behind her. Sienna faced her recent stalker and scowled.
"I knew something was up with you," Esyth murmured, arms crossed. "I just couldn't figure it out."
"Mind your own fucking business."
Esyth stepped closer to her, her eyes glowing deep green. "In case you haven't noticed, I am Amelia's Protector. She is my responsibility and therefore anything that pertains to her is my fucking business."
"Right. What Hadaen and I have--"
"Had."
"--is too valuable to give up. And I won't."
"Listen to me." Esyth stepped up to the woman, her lips curled into a sneer. "I don't like you. Lord Hadaen clearly doesn't like you either. Are you that shallow you didn't notice? Pushing yourself on him--which I'm very sure he will always resist--is toying with Amelia's intended. And I won't allow it."
Sienna moved closer. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Anything I might have to."
Esyth eyed her one more time and then headed back in the direction of the tents.
If Sienna thought she was going to mess with fate...
then she had another thing coming.
Chapter Fourteen
The following morning, before most of the villagers were up or anyone else was out to cause him any delay, Gideon headed into Esyth's tent without even announcing his arrival. He immediately caught the fresh scent of soap and the loveliest naked back he had ever seen. Something snapped within him and his cock squirmed in his pants.
"You're up awfully early," he said after shaking clear the cobwebs in his head.
Her harsh gasp split the air as Esyth reached for a robe and yanked it on.
"G-Gideon... What are you doing here?"
His gaze travelled lazily over, her long golden hair damp, those sharp emerald eyes seductively captivating.
"You've been scurrying around this damn village like a madwoman lately and I thought it was my duty to come and inform you that I won't allow you putting off these feelings any longer."
Esyth flinched and almost stumbled across the floor. She cleared her throat. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"The hell you don't!" Gideon marched over to her and grabbed her by the arm. "My patience has been worn thin, Esyth."
She literally shook in his hands, her mouth moving but no words coming out. Gideon chuckled inwardly, thoroughly enjoying how much she squirmed.
"We cannot be..." She shook her head.
"And what brought you to that stupid conclusion?" he laughed. "Surely you don't think I'm here out of mild curiosity. I'm a grown man, woman. I know when I see something that I seriously want." He looked her over again and inhaled deeply.
"You must truly be a fool then!" she almost shrieked, her eyes wide. "You can't possibly be thinking clearly."
Gideon gave her a bored look and sighed dreadfully. "Come here, Esyth." He ushered her to a table and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit down and allow me to explain things to you 'cause I think you're the one who hasn't been getting things clearly." Gideon eyed her as if she was some dimwitted child. "Now...listen to me carefully. I...want you. It's as simple as that. And after we finish this business with Deorci, I plan to take you--yes, you--back to my palace and ravish you endlessly."
Esyth turned her face away. "You don't mean that. And you shouldn't. You're a third of the Marujan dynasty. I'm just a-a...Protector."
"The Protector to my eldest brother's intended; the true wife of the Marujan ruler!" Gideon almost shook the life out of her. "If that isn't one of the greatest jobs right now to have, then I don't know what is."
Esyth stood and walked to the far corner of the tent, further away from him. She knew the attraction that sparked between them but she also knew the danger of it. Gideon Maruj was no doubt a gorgeous man, she'd noticed that much since the very first night he and His Lordship had come bustling into her apartment. His warm gray eyes and easy-going smile were the first of his attributes she had noticed about him.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she could feel the warmth of her energy flowing through her veins. She refused to open her eyes for she knew only too well that her hair was currently glowing bright green. It always did whenever Gideon was near her and she still was trying to figure out why. She could not indulge in this man's advances. Especially now when they were but time away from having to face Deorci. She didn't know what the future held but she knew that the intense longing she felt for him was no short of driving her crazy. Of course, she wanted him.
Would it hurt to indulge this once and never again?
Esyth opened her eyes and looked at him, the desire whirling in his own, crackling like lightning around him.
"I do want you," she whispered. "Damn! Isn't it obvious?" Esyth pointed to her glowing hair. "But—"
"There are no buts in desire, Esyth. It's either you want me or you don't."
"I do. It's just that--" Gideon sighed and had such an odd look on his face, she had to stop talking and just stare at him. His expression was truly one to make one stop whatever they were doing and feel like an idiot. Heck, she almost believed that she was an idiot. "What?"
"I don't know, Esyth. I just don't think that you understand the level of the condition I am going through right now." He sighed again and shook his head. "I might fucking die by the end of the day if you don't stop talking and kiss me right now."
"What...you...I don't..." Everything she could think of saying came stuttering out in phrases. This man surely had an effect on her.
"Okay. I might have to take things in my own hands." Gideon widened his legs, the bulge of his erection evident. He then pulled her into his lap and turned her to face him. "Kiss me."
"I don't think we should do this."
"Fine." And he slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her gently and teasing her to submit to him. Her fingers tensed on his shoulders for a while before she melted like butter in his arms. Gideon chuckled against her mouth and slid the tip of his tongue inside her mouth, licking the insides of her lips. Esyth moaned, holding on tighter and kissed him back, sucking hard on his firm seductive lips.
God, he tasted good!
"Wait, wait wait.." she pulled away and sucked in a breath as if she had just emerged from underwater.
Gideon leaned in and kissed her again. "I just need one more--"
"I have a q-question." Esyth yanked her mouth from beneath his once more.
"God, woman!" he groaned as if he was in physical pain. Or perhaps he was. Gideon glanced at his erection. "You can't give a man a taste then expect to--"
"Oh shut up, will you!" Esyth brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Now... My question."
"What will happen after this?"
His gaze quickly averted to hers, a grin forming across his lips. "Well, I would carry you off to that bed right there and--"
"Not after this, you fool!" she snapped. She then lowered her voice. "I mean after this... We know Deorci will come soon and Amelia--poor Amelia--she hasn't a clue yet of how to destroy him for good."
A dark look passed over Gideon's face and he blinked, nodding quickly. "I'm sure we will figure it out."
Esyth eyed him curiously and touched his cheek. "Is something wrong?"
"No. Of course not. Why do you ask?"
"I just... Never mind. If something was troubling you, you wouldn't hide it from me, would you?"
Gideon's eyes blazed intently. He them smiled widely and kissed her lightly. "Of course not. So when are you going to give me a bite of your cookie?"
Esyth laughed and shook her head. "Just a bite?"
"Fine!" he grumbled, looking truly distraught. "I want the whole damn jar."
Esyth giggled and slipped out of his grip, running towards the far end of the tent. "Only if you can catch--" Her mouth fell open as she noticed her robe dissolving swiftly, revealing her naked body. She glowered across at him, blush heating her entire physique. "That's cheating."
Gideon flung his head back and grinned. "I've never been a fair player, Esyth. Get used to it."
* * *
Amelia stood at the edge of the cliff, the heavy winds bustling through her windbreaker and slapping hard against the back of her thighs. Her ponytail blew forward and over her shoulder as she gazed down, overlooking the village. The tents looked like small white boxes from where she stood, the few villagers moving around like insects. She had to defend them against Deorci’s hand; save them, for it was her duty.