Song of Desire

by Marilyn Lee

  To Sierra’s surprise, Aquee had not been displeased at the news. If the Goddess was kind, Aquee would relent on her insistence on Sorenia taking Jador as her consort and allow her to take Ren, who clearly loved her, instead.

  Sierra suppressed a wave of sadness and turned her attention back to the ceremony. By her right side, Drakon stood. Caronae stood in front of them, holding Sierra’s right hand in hers. She inclined her head to Drakon. “Lord Drakon, it is my pleasure to present Lady Sierra Leoned, heiress to the throne of Bluhari.”

  “I’ve heard joyful rumors. Have you any festive news for me, Mistress Caronae?”

  “I do, My Lord. It is my pleasure to inform you that not only is Lady Sierra amply prepared for mating, but she is even now carrying, not one, but two royal offspring.”

  Someone shouted ‘an heir and a spare’, and applause and cries of delight echoed around the large chamber at Caronae’s news.

  Drakon, a tall, fair male with blond hair and blue eyes, turned to look at Sierra with a surprised smile of delight on his handsome face. “Joyful and most welcome news, Caronae.”

  Looking into his eyes, Sierra saw relief before he turned back to face Caronae for the remainder of the Surrender Ritual.

  Caronae extended Sierra’s hand to Drakon. “Will you accept my lady as your bond mate, My Lord and vow to be her consort?”

  Drakon inclined his head. He took Sierra’s hand between both of his. “I will.”

  Smiling, Caronae turned to face the daises. “Highnesses and honored assembly, it is my pleasure to present to you Lady Sierra, Her Highness in waiting and her new consort, Lord Drakon. Her Highness is even now carrying she who will one day rule our united peoples and her second.”

  Drakon looked at Caronae. “Both are female? But this is too delicious!”

  As a new round of applause broke out, Drakon squeezed Sierra’s hands and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “There will be no need for us to share a bedchamber.” He caressed her stomach, which had a noticeable swell. “I can continue to sleep with Lexar and you may bring whomever you please to our palace as your lover.” He bent his head toward hers.

  As she accepted the chaste kiss he pressed against her lips, a faint, elusive memory of another pair of lips, fuller and druggingly sweet brushed across her mind. Then, as the import of his words sank in, she offered a silent prayer of thankfulness.

  Hawk. She could take Hawk with her and they could raise their children together. The Goddess be praised!

  After the ceremony, when she had settled into Drakon’s palace…no…into their place, she would question Caronae about the sire of the babies she carried.

  For the life of her, she could not remember the name or appearance of the rutter who had prepared her for mating and bonding. She frowned. Sometimes, though, she dreamed of a tall, sweet lover whose touch, kiss, and cock sent the fire racing through her entire body.

  But had she ever met such a lover, she would surely not have allowed him out of her sight. Caronae would have the answers she sought. But first things first. She would finish her latest composition, called Song of Desire, set against the back drop of forsaken lovers who were torn apart by circumstances neither could control. Her music first…questions about sweet dream lovers later.

  After the successful debut of Song of Desire, with Hawk’s arm around her and his warm lips whispering words of congratulations in her ear, Sierra returned to the palace she was slowly coming to think of as home. With Hawk by her side and sharing her bed at night, and with all the delights of motherhood to discover, she was far happier than she’d ever dare hope she’d be.

  Drakon had all but abandoned the palace to her, Hawk, and the girls in favor of traveling around the desert with his lover. When he did return, it was to visit the girls, of whom he was very fond of. While in residence, he was always a gracious host who spent most of his time spoiling the girls.

  Sierra and Hawk immediately went to their girls’ bedchamber on entering the palace. After their nannies left, they stood gazing down at the sleeping girls. Both had long, dark hair and skin like their mother and blue eyes like their father. No one looking at either girl could doubt Hawk was their sire.

  Sierra frowned, and yet once, she had feared the rutter who had prepared her for commitment had fathered them. Although she still couldn’t remember him, occasional errant memories plagued her.

  Satisfied the girls slept soundly and peacefully, she and Hawk went into their adjourning chamber and undressed. She tumbled into bed and eagerly parted her legs to welcome his cock inside her body. As he fucked her to a sweet climax, she clung to him and whispered she loved him and always would love only him.

  Several months after leaving Sierra, Thorn stepped out of a portal and was surprised but pleased to find himself back on Bluhari. The urge to seek out Sierra mounted with each step he took. His hunger for her grew until it became a constant struggle for him to press on with his search for Joshli.

  Two days later, he walked into a desert cafe and found a smiling Joshli seated at a table for two.

  Tears of relief welled in his eyes. “Joshli!”

  “Ruthledge!”

  Joshli rose and the two brothers rushed forward to embrace each other.

  Clutching his younger brother close, Thorn closed his eyes. He’d found Joshli and once he made sure all was well with him, he’d be free to see Sierra.

  He and Joshli retired to the chambers Joshli had rented to talk late into the night.

  “What do you remember, Joshli?”

  “All healers and priests were in a weakened state after Heoptin disappeared. The so–called Goddess Caldara took advantage and misused her power to disburse us and cloud our memories. We were destined for the breeding mills of Telmira when Valmra helped us escape through the Cave of Journeying.”

  Thorn nodded. “What happened to Valmra?”

  Joshli sighed. “Her crystal cracked. She couldn’t hold the jump and neither of us had retained enough skill to ensure a safe trip. We were all injured and we were separated. She and I landed on Aeolia Prime, where she died in my arms. Our abilities as healers saved us. I didn’t know who I was but soon discovered there was an...underground market where my talents were in demand.”

  “You were a rutter?”

  He nodded. “And you?”

  “It’s strange that we should both have had the same fate on different planets, Joshli.”

  “But with a different prospective.”

  Thorn arched a brow. “How so?”

  “I actually enjoyed it. Does that shock you?”

  “No. A healer with an impaired memory and no contact with his clan can never be a good thing. While I didn’t enjoy rutting, I did lose my heart.” He told Joshli about Sierra then listened in silence as Joshli gushed about Kallena.

  “We’ve both fallen short of our oaths,” Thorn said.

  “Do you think He’s...dead?”

  The question troubled Thorn. He shook his head. “No. If he were dead, we’d know because of the feeling of emptiness we felt. Heoptin is alive, whenever he is.”

  “Then what should we do, Thorn?”

  “I’ve tried several times but couldn’t access a portal to take me home. In the absence of access to The Falls and any other healers, I believe we have a certain amount of...largess. What we chose to do with it is a private manner.”

  “I’ve fallen too far, Thorn and I’ve enjoyed it. I’m no longer...I no longer have a will to be a healer. I’m going back to Kallena. What about you? What are you going to do about your Sierra?”

  “She’s not mine. She belongs to Hawk now. I’m going to see her...them, but I’m a healer. If they can accept me into their lives for the month of the Feast, so be it. If not, I’ll spend my time in seclusion trying to regain the...piety and sense of purpose I’ve lost.”

  Joshli paled. “Your devotion to duty, shames me.”

  “No!” He reached across the table to grip Joshli’s hand. “There is no need for shame. Heoptin�
�s fall from grace began with his attraction to a woman. He was not a God who would expect more from his servants than he was able to achieve himself. Wherever he is, he is still forgiving. If your soul song no longer hungers to heal, go find happiness with your Kallena.”

  “Are you sure you want to continue healing, Thorn?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I have a hunger for Sierra, but my need to heal still drives me. During my search for you, I encountered many in need of help. The passion to heal is still alive in me.”

  “You were always the most devout healer in the family.”

  A life without healing was too foreign a concept for him.

  “Will you come meet Kallena?”

  “Yes...after I’ve seen Sierra.”

  They spent the next two days together before they said goodbye at the entrance to the Bluhari portal.

  “May Heoptin grant you ever greater skill to heal those less fortunate, Ruthledge.”

  Thorn held Joshli’s hands in his. “Until we meet again, live, love, and stay free, Joshli and may Heoptin smile upon your union with Kallena.”

  After a long embrace, he watched Joshli step into the portal. When it closed, he turned and walked away. Finally it was time to see Sierra again.

  Epilogue

  Sierra woke with a start and lay listening to the sounds of Hawk’s deep, even breathing. There were few other sounds that could account for her abrupt awakening. What had disturbed her sleep? She slipped from bed and walked to the girls’ bedchamber. Both were sound asleep. Everything appeared normal. After several minutes of quiet, she returned to bed.

  Even in the comfort of Hawk’s arms, sleep eluded her. When she finally slept, she tumbled into a sensual dream world where she had two lovers—her beloved Hawk and her elusive rutter whose face she could neither forget nor remember. The two of them loved her together...cherished her girls and then, the rutter left, taking a part of her heart with him.

  She watched him go with tears in her eyes, but hope in her heart. For she knew he would be back. And when he returned, he would find a warm welcome in her arms and in her bed.

  Sierra woke alone in bed the next morning. After bathing, she found Hawk pacing in their private garden.

  “Hawk? Where are the girls?”

  He turned to face her. “Drakon arrived early this morning with so many presents in his private transport; he had to sit on Lexar’s lap. They’re in his chambers being spoiled beyond repair no doubt.”

  She frowned. “I thought you liked that Drakon and Lexar are so fond of our girls.”

  “I do.” He swung away from her.

  She followed, placing a hand on his arm. “What’s wrong, Hawk?”

  He took a deep breath and finally turned to face her. “You might as well know. He’s here.”

  “He? Who?” But even as she asked the question, her heartbeat increased and she moistened her lips. She didn’t know who this ‘he’ was...and yet she did. She recalled her early morning dream.

  “Knightrose.”

  “Knightrose?”

  He touched her cheek. “Rutledge Thorn Knightrose. The rutter who won your heart.”

  “My heart belongs to you,” she whispered, determined to chase the miserable look from his eyes.

  He shook his head. “He found his brother. Now he’s back wearing healer’s garb with the intent of taking you and the girls from me.”

  “That’s not why I returned.”

  The sound of the warm, deep baritone sent a chill of delight dancing down Sierra’s spine. She closed her eyes and the memory of the feelings and emotions he’d awakened in her rushed over her. He was back! Her Thorn had returned. Her soul song soared as her heart raced with joy.

  She swung around.

  Thorn stood in the entrance to their bedchamber. Instead of the healer’s robes she’d expected, his suntanned body was bare. He was fully, gloriously aroused.

  The sight of the cock which had given her so much pleasure sent a surge of heat flashing through her body. She suppressed the instinct to rush back inside and toss herself into his arms, and turned to slip an arm through Hawk’s instead. “You were the first to master my soul song.”

  “But not the only one.”

  She couldn’t deny that. “No one can take me from you,” she whispered. “No one.” Not even the rutter for who her heart would always ache because she knew it would ache even more if she was bereft of Hawk.

  “Even if I could, I wouldn’t attempt to take you from him.”

  She tingled all over as Thorn walked into the garden and stopped next to her and Hawk. “I’m a healer. Not a rutter.”

  She bit her lips before she released Hawk’s arm and turned to face him. “You’ve resumed your healer duties?”

  “I will very shortly.”

  “Is that what you want, Thorn?”

  He nodded.

  “Then why have you returned?”

  He touched her cheek. “The Immaculate Feast of Bliss and Conception started last night.” He looked at Hawk. “It’s the only time when a healer is free to...indulge his passions. I came hoping I might find some welcome in your arms.”

  Sierra had never wanted anything more. But she was not willing to risk her relationship with Hawk for a brief time with Thorn. She shook her head. “I belong to Hawk now and only him.”

  Thorn sighed and then looked at Hawk. “Heoptin has favored you. Your daughters are beautiful.”

  “They are mine.”

  Thorn nodded. “I know they are. You have them and you have the love and devotion of the most incredible woman I’ve met. May Heoptin continue to smile on you all. If there ever comes a time when any of you are ill and require a healer, call out to me and I’ll come.” He stroked Sierra’s cheek. “Be happy and may Heoptin continue to grant you and those you value favor.” He turned and walked away.

  Sierra sucked in an aching breath and turned her face against Hawk’s shoulder.

  He put an arm around her briefly before he stepped away from her. He studied her in silence.

  She bit her lip in an effort to stop the steady flow of tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “You want to go with him. Don’t you?”

  “I love you,” she sobbed. And she did and if she had to choose between the two of them, she’d choose Hawk every time. But a part of her would always regret and long for a relationship with Thorn.

  “But you also love him?”

  She nodded. “Yes, but I can’t have you both.” She gripped his shirt. “And I love you more...far more than I love him.”

  He caressed her cheek, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You mean that?”

  “Yes! Oh, yes, Hawk.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I do have feelings...real feelings for him, but they’re not stronger than those I have for you. I’d never choose him over you but I am choosing you over him.”

  He engulfed her in an embrace so tight, it hurt. “I love you more than you can imagine, sherica.”

  “I know and I thank the Goddess for your love every day.”

  “I’m going to show you how much I love you.” He kissed her hair and stepped away from her.

  She tilted her head. “Hawk? What are you plotting?”

  “You’ll know soon enough. We’d better hurry. Come on!” He grabbed her hand and urged her inside their chambers.

  “Thorn! Wait!”

  About to step through the portal in the desert, Thorn swung around.

  Sierra, dressed in a sedate traveling suit alighted from a small transport. She rushed across the sands.

  He watched her approach, his heartbeat racing. She looked more beautiful each time he saw her. Each time he did, he fell a little more in love with her. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  She paused in front of him for a moment, and then flung herself at him. “I’ve come to spend the first week of the feast with you.”

  He engulfed her in a warm embrace and then pulled away. He glanced toward the hovering transport. “Where is
Hawk?”

  “He’s at the palace with the girls.”

  “Does he know you’re here?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I thought my heart would break when you left the palace, but I wouldn’t have come after you without his approval and blessing. He loves me and he knows I love him...and you.” She linked her arms around his neck. “I have his blessing to spend the next week with you and then he wants to join us and you can both love me.”

  He caressed her breasts. “We both do love you.”

  “Show me you do and that you can accept knowing he’ll be joining us in a week.”

  “I can accept his joining us in a week, but until he does,” he swept her up into his arms. “You are all mine.”

  She stroked her fingers through his hair. “All yours.”

  He pressed a long, warm kiss against her sweet lips and then walked toward the portal.

  “Where are we going?” She asked.

  “I’ve managed to access one of the portals close to home. Once we arrive, I hope to be able to get home to the Blue Desert. I want to introduce you to the joys of mating in the moonlight on the warm desert sands.” He slipped a hand down to palm her ass. “And on our last night alone, I’m going to introduce you to anal sex as only an Heoptin Healer can perform it.”

  She trembled in his arms. “I’m looking forward to belonging to you, heart, body, and soul, Thorn,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his chest. “Take me to your Blue Desert and show me how deeply you love me.”

  “I love you now and always, sherica.”

  “Sherica?” She lifted her head to look up at him with a look of wonder on her beautiful face. “Did you say sherica?”

  He nodded. “Yes, sherica. Does that bother you?”

  “Does having two handsome males consider me their sherica bother me? I’ll learn to live with it.”

  “How often will you spend part of the feast month with me, sherica?”

  “Forever.”