Catching a whiff of the scent Ki had applied, Drace knew it was going to be a long night. He tucked the heavy shawl around her arms and whispered in her ear, “My Lady, no queen could compare to you tonight, you are stunning.” He turned her around to face him, bowed over her hand, and kissed it. He then placed her hand on his arm and escorted her out the door to the waiting carriage.
Drace had hitched Pride to a carriage, and the black stallion stood waiting, mane and tail brushed long and flowing. The men helped the ladies into the carriage, Drace took the reins while Cearan and Ka’ Ril rode their own horses along side.
They traveled to a large, well-lit house in the oldest part of the city. Drace helped Ki down from the carriage, catching a glimpse of stocking clad ankle, and felt his blood pressure raise another notch. They followed Ka’Ril and Vashti into the house, Cearan bringing up the rear.
A servant greeted them at the door and escorted them to a central hall. There were several skylights and plants lined the walls. There was a long table at one end and several chairs and couches situated around to make a comfortable visiting area.
An older, dignified looking elf dressed all in gray, greeted them. “Lady Ki, you are looking exceptionally beautiful this evening,” he took her hand in his and brushed a light kiss over it.
Ki nodded elegantly in reply, “My Lord, thank you.” She turned to Drace. “Drace, this is Liege-lord Len Ra.”
“And this must be Lord MacKinnon,” Len Ra spoke as he took Drace’s forearm in greeting. Drace returned it in kind.
“My Lord, I’m pleased to meet you. Ka’Ril and Vashti speak highly of you.” Drace said with a small bow of his head.
The older man gave a wide smiled. “They should. Ka’Ril is my son,” he said, leaving Drace to absorb that information while he turned to Cearan.
“Lord Cearan, it is so good to see you again. How are the horses?”
“Father,” Ka’Ril interrupted, “You can discuss horses later. Cearan and Drace shall show you Drace’s stallion that is on his way to the stable as we speak. But yes, Drace, this is my father, Lord Len Ra, liege of Ferndale.”
Drace nodded his head in respect once more. “Again, it is a pleasure, sir.”
A servant came from a side door and spoke quietly with Lord Len Ra. “Ah, Ka’Ril, your mother will be down in a moment and then dinner will be served. Shall we be seated in the meantime?”
The group was soon all seated among the chairs and sofas. Drace sat with Ki on a comfortable sofa, taking care not to sit on her skirt.
“Lady Ki, what brings you to Ferndale this time of year?” Lord Len Ra asked.
“Father,” Ka’Ril reproached gently.
“Ka’Ril,” Ki said, “I understand his asking. It is the beginning of harvest and I would not normally leave Oralia this time of year,” she explained for Drace’s benefit. “We have been asked by Nimbus to have armor and weapons made for Lord Drace and his stallion. Any later in the year travel may become hard. If we waited until spring it might be too late and run into what Nimbus has foreseen.”
Ka’Ril had already briefed the elven Lord, so he nodded in unders- tanding.
At that moment, all the men stood as an elegant lady entered the room. Ka’Ril was no doubt her son. She was tall for an elven woman with long dark blond hair and eyes the color of rich chocolate. There was no gray in her hair, unlike Len Ra’s salt and pepper locks.
She approached the group, stopping to kiss her husband’s cheek in passing.
“Marion, you are lovely this evening. Please, greet our guests.”
Introductions went round again and she ended with Drace. She looked up at him. My Lord, you certainly are a big fellow,” she observed with a smile.
“Ma’am,” Drace replied with a smile of his own, taking her hand and kissing it, “My height gives me greater advantage to see your beauty.”
“You are a charmer I see. Please, shall we retire to dinner?” She turned and took Lord Len Ra’s arm.
“Well said, my Lord,” Ki whispered as she took Drace’s arm with pride. A thrill ran through her at the intense look he gave her before they followed the others to dinner.
“Well,” Ki began as she and Drace retired to their room later that night, “I had fun tonight. I normally find social engagements boring and tedious.” She went to Drace and slid her arms around his waist. “I have you to thank for an interesting evening.”
“Me?” he returned, amused, “I didn’t do anything spectacular. I can think of one thing that might have made it a better night.”
“What would that be?” she asked, looking up at him.
He smiled, “To have danced with you. People do dance here, don’t they?”
“Of course, and before you ask, I can dance, I just do not have many opportunities.”
“Wait a moment then,” Drace instructed. He lit a few more candle and moved a chair and small table out of the way.
Drace came to back to stand in front of her, gathering her into his arms. He thought for a few seconds then with a satisfied nod he began to hum a waltz. It took Ki a moment to get the rhythm, but she only stepped on his foot once. Drace tossed his head back with a laugh as he spun her around. He picked another waltz and continued to whirl her around the room. When he stopped, they were both out of breath.
“That was wonderful. I never would have guessed you knew how to dance like that,” Ki commented, resting her forehead against his wide chest.
Reluctant to let her go, Drace wrapped his arms around her. “I have my mother to thank for that. She felt that I should be well rounded,” he pulled her closer. “Now this I learned in high school.” He remembered a slow song, singing in a pleasant baritone, humming the parts when he couldn’t remember the words. Ki swayed with the motion of his hips as Drace held her tightly.
“You’ve got it,” he complimented, and continued to rock slowly with her. Finally he stopped and just held her for a moment. Ki felt him take a deep breath.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing, darlin’—at this moment everything is wonderful.”
She felt his hands searching on her back. “If I can figure out how this dress fastens, it will get even better.”
Ki laughed and turned away from him, showing him her back. “If you do not figure it out, I may be in trouble as I cannot do it myself.” Drace had found the hidden hooks by then and was making rapid work of them.
“You look very handsome tonight, my Lord,” she told him, taking in the sight of him in his finery. He could have been in rags and still looked handsome to her. He constantly took her breath away.
“Thank you,” he said, “But no one compared to you. You were captivating.”
Drace moved away from her as he went to blow out all but the candle on the bedside table. He closed the drapes and returned to her, removing his belt as he walked. “You know, the current Lord MacKinnon, if there is one, may take offense to you giving away his title,” he commented, laying the belt in the chair he had moved. His shirt followed. Drace then sat and removed his boots and stockings.
When he stood, Ki was still standing as he had left her, clutching her dress to her bosom. Drace removed her hands from the dress and let it slide to the floor. He helped her step out of it and then dropped soft kisses along her shoulders.
Her ankle length white shift was made of a silky material and the front closed with a tiny ribbon. Drace pulled the ribbon loose, keeping his eyes on hers.
“That was a beautiful dress, Ki, but it made me want to see what was underneath so badly,” His thumb traced a line along her throat while his other hand moved the thin strap of her shift from her shoulder. He did the same with the other strap as he replaced his thumb with his mouth on her neck.
Ki tilted her head back as he used his tongue and lips on her sensitive skin. She was so immersed in sensation she did not feel when her shift followed her dress until she felt Drace’s hands cupping her bare breasts. Ki moaned with pleasure and put her hands on his chest, sp
reading her fingers to enjoy the sheer strength of him.
Drace’s hands moved to cup her bottom and lift her. She could feel his arousal as he carried her to the bed. Laying her down, he removed her slipper then the garter that held her stocking. When he rolled the stocking down he let his fingers trail over her flesh, enjoying the feel of the hard muscle of her leg and the softness of the skin covering it. He watched her face as he repeated the gesture with the other slipper and stocking.
Drace followed the path his hands had taken with his mouth and tongue, causing Ki to move restlessly. She could feel her pulse throbbing at the center of her and he came within a breath of that center each time. She reached for him to go higher.
“Oh no, my love, not yet,” he denied her.
His hands moved to her stomach, lightly touching and she gasped; not realizing such a simple thing could be so exquisite. “Please Drace,” she begged, the light drag of his hair on the skin of her belly sent fingers of sensation to flood her senses.
Again he said, “Not yet,” and stroked his tongue along her hipbone.
Ki arched up with a gasp, calling his name, her eyes closing with pleasure that was almost painful. Drace continued his task, kissing and touching along her sides and ribs. When he cupped her breasts and rolled her nipple between his thumb and index finger, she pleaded for more.
Drace moved to take her mouth in a deep kiss, stroking the inside with his tongue, as it mated with hers. He moved his head back to whisper, “You have awesome breasts, absolutely awesome.”
He began the trek downward again, intent on her pleasure, wanting to truly make love to her this time. He took his time as he stopped along the way to taste and tease.
Ki was on fire and when he dipped his tongue into her navel, she begged him to fill her, but still he refused. He traced his thumbs along her concave belly.
Finally, he moved one hand down and barely touched her center. She gasped with the shock of it. Drace moved her legs more apart and knelt between them on the floor. She looked so erotic sprawled on the bed, eyes dazed as she lay on the brink.
At last he leaned in to taste her over and over until her hips bucked in his hands as she cried out, his name a moaned sigh as she climaxed. Drace felt her tremble with the force of her release.
He stood between her knees and removed his pants and drawers, kicking them to the side. Time and again he teased and aroused her, taking his time in pleasing her over and over. “Ki, I could die like this, loving you,” he gasped, watching her as he finally let himself build towards his own end.
Ki threw her head back and her legs tightened around him, pulling him deeper. When she spasmed hard around him yet again, he was lost and in a few powerful strokes he found his own release, coming deep inside her, his big hands gripping her hips hard.
He was still for a moment then he stroked the high bones of her hips as he caught his breath. “God, Ki. I love you,” he whispered after he had lay down beside her and gathered her in his arms
He felt something damp on his shoulder. “Hey, what’s this?” He moved to prop on an elbow and tipped her chin to see tears sliding down her cheeks. A spear of panic shot through him. “Ki, hon, did I hurt you?”
Ki closed her eyes and sniffed. “No, you did not hurt me, although the pins in my hair are stabbing my scalp.”
“Baby, I didn’t think,” he sat up and helped her to pull out her hairpins. Her hair cascaded down and Drace knew the tangles would be hell to deal with tomorrow.
They lay back down and Drace held her close. ”Okay, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” He rubbed her back in a soothing manner.
“I am sorry to worry you. I think I weep with happiness. It is just that,” she placed her hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat, “I have been so confused over my feelings for you. It is a feeling like none I have known before. Then, tonight, just now, something happened here and I just knew,” she touched her own chest over her heart. “I never thought to have someone like you and then you said…,” she hiccupped through her tears. “You loved me.”
Ki began to cry in earnest and Drace smoothed her hair. What do I do now? Ki is emotionally involved too. What’s the right decision? The thought of leaving her made his chest hurt and he felt the burn of tears behind his own eyes. He felt a surprising surge of anger at Nimbus for putting the two of them in this emotional tangle. “I love you, Ki Lionblade, and I don’t have a clue what our future holds right now, but as long as you’re with me it will be alright.”
Ki laughed and wiped at her tears, “I hate to cry,” she admitted and gave him a lopsided, watery smile. “It pisses me off.”
“My, such language from a lady. I see I’m a bad influence on you.”
Ki gave him serious look, “Drace, I do love you as well. When did you know?”
“Yesterday on the trail, right before I saw the unicorns. They were like some kind of sign, saying it would be alright.”
They lay quiet for some time, savoring their new emotions. Then Drace remembered something he had wanted to tell her. “I have to take Pride over to Lord Len Ra’s tomorrow. He has two mares in season that he asked to be bred to Pride. He paid me a stud fee in silver for the both. So, my dear, I am now a man of means, although poor Pride may die of exhaustion if I want to be rich.”
Ki made a noise and Drace looked at her, “That was a giggle. I can’t believe I heard that from you.”
He tickled her to hear it again and soon they were wrestling around in play. Sometime later they lay in exhausted contentment after play turned into loving.
“Do we have to get up early tomorrow?” Drace asked with a yawn.
“Pride needs to be measured for his armor some time tomorrow, but you can do that on the way to Lord Len Ra’s There is no set time for that, why?” she replied sleepily.
“You’re wearing me out is all, but it’s worth it, darlin’, it’s so worth it.”
Ki let Drace go for his appointments by himself. He rode bareback, his saddlebags slung over Pride’s shoulders. His stops included Jaron’s for Pride’s measurements, the tailor’s to pick up his clothing, and Lord Len Ra’s for Pride’s task.
He left the elf leader’s home on a tired but happy stallion. Riding through the village he stopped to ask someone for a jeweler and made one last stop. He left the shop whistling and returned to Vashti and Ka’Ril’s house in good spirits.
Drace was in the stall with Pride giving him a good brushing when Ki found him. She leaned against the stall door, crossing her arms over the top of it.
Drace looked over Pride’s back and winked at her, continuing with his brushing. He hummed under his breath as he worked.
“You seem to be in a wonderful mood this afternoon,” Ki commented, watching him work, “Quite happy indeed.”
“I am,” he answered, not slowing his brush strokes.
“And why is that?” she asked, laying her chin on her crossed arms.
“I have a good horse, a good woman, and some money. What else could a man want?”
“I see I rank behind the horse,” she complained then smiled.
“I just happen to be standing next to the horse. You’re way over there,” he teased.
“Where I intend to stay as you happen to reek of the horse,” she retorted. “I take it you boys had a big day.”
“It was good. I have something for you.” He walked behind Pride to the stall door.
“And what would that be?” She straightened and looked up at him.
Drace gave her a quick but fierce kiss then released her to exit the stall. “It’s a surprise. You’ll just have to wait, my dear.”
Much later, after Drace had bathed and the group had gathered for supper, the pair retired to their room. They sat cross-legged on the bed, after a playful bout of lovemaking. Drace was braiding a lock of her hair. “I find myself in a bit of a dilemma,” he said, keeping his eyes on the braid.
“What is that, my Lord?” She leaned back on her hands to look at him.
&n
bsp; A section of his dark hair fell over his eyes and he peeked at her through it then dropped his gaze. “I know how I feel about you, and if I were in my own world…I think…no…I know, how I would go about this relationship.”
“Oh?” Ki noticed a slight, nervous tremble of his hands. “How would you proceed?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
“Well…,” he began. He picked up another lock of her hair and started a second braid. “I would date you…I mean court you,” he corrected “…and I would jump your bones every chance you gave me,” he confessed.
“What is ‘jump my bones’?” Ki asked. She moved the hair from his face to better see his eyes.
“Make love to you. Mate, if that pleases you. I would make you fall in love with me so deeply that you couldn’t stand it. Then I would ask you to marry me.” He let go of her hair and leaned back against the headboard. “I would then hope with everything in me that you would say yes. Then we’d move to my farm, have a couple of kids, raise some horses, and grow old together.”
“I do like this story however…I do sense a but…. Pray, do go on.”
Drace smiled wanly. “Yeah, I’m afraid there is a ‘but’,” he admitted. “But…I’m not in my world and I may have to go back there when this, thing, is done. I have family there…and the farm. It’s a bit complicated…but I honestly don’t know what to do about it.” He looked at his fingers steepled between his bare knees and slowly raised his gaze to meet Ki’s.
She caught her breath at the confusion and pain in his eyes.
“I love you, Ki and I’d like to be…,” he searched for the words, “…I’d like to be bonded to you, but I don’t know if we will be able to have the forever that I wish for.” Frustrated, he ran a hand through his tangled hair. “Christ, I’m blowing this,” he grumbled. He leaned over to the nightstand, opened a drawer, and pulled out a cloth bag.
Ki sat up straight, wondering what the bag held.
Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera Page 12