Besides, he was already taken as far as she knew. No man would be up day and night searching for a woman the way he did, if he didn't love her. She wanted Malakai, and damn it, he had her panties in a storm over it.
Ignoring the fleeting winks the baldheaded bartender sent her from across the counter, she brought the bottle to her mouth again and took a hefty swig. Without even looking up, she felt someone occupy the stool next her. A raw masculine scent blew up around her, intoxicating and somewhat overdone. Then the person slid a small folded note next to her bottle and slipped away so quickly, she couldn't even make out the movement between the huddle of patrons in the crowded bar.
Heart now hammering in her chest, she swallowed and looked around her cautiously before picking up the note. Unfolding it carefully, she read softly, "'Meet me at the table in the corner to your far right. Hurry.'"
Immediately, she looked up and slid from the high stool. Her gaze found the table almost instantly and she pushed through the crowd to get to it. She stopped in her tracks and stared. At the table she saw a cloaked figure, too slender to be a man. The head was bowed low. "Sit. I don't have much time." Yeah, it was a woman all right.
Mia frowned and sat, trying to see the woman's face but she only pulled the hood lower.
"Who are you?"
"No time. I need you to deliver a message to Gideon Maruj." A small hand came up, shoving a slip of paper towards her. "These are coordinates for the exact position he needs to meet me. The day after tomorrow at noon. No sooner. No later."
"Why don't you give him yourself. I can go—"
"No! You don't understand. I cannot. Do only this." There was a pause. "I beg you. Tell him it's crucial. His destiny depends on it. Tell him...it's about what he's looking for."
"Okay." Mia eyed the note and slipped it hastily into the inside pocket of her vest. "How did you know I was--"
"I have to go now!" The woman was on her feet and turning away.
"Wait." And the cloaked woman ran from her view, hidden beyond the crowd.
It was then Mia realized the sound of tables toppling over, the gasps of terrified people...and the itch of danger crawling down her then perspiring neck. She swallowed just in time to find herself being yanked up from her seat by her collar. She fought wildly, arms and legs flaying around in the air helplessly.
"Who was the cloaked figure?"
Mia blinked wildly to come face to face with the ugliest man she had ever seen. She couldn't miss the steely hardness in the man's eyes no matter how well he tried to mask it as anger. She'd seen it before. A Kankul soldier. Whoever the woman was, they must have been after her or something. She could barely think, could hardly come up with words to say. But when she opened her mouth, hoping for the lie that would save her life, a wrenching scream escaped her lips, deafening even to her own ears. The giant beast of a man winced and scowled, releasing her like a heap on the wooden table.
Another beast of a man next to him stepped forward and sighed, "Who is she?"
Cursing brutally, he observed her clothing with a swift sweep of his gaze, taking in her loose-fitted skirt and tiny vest. At that moment, more than ever, Mia was happy she had changed from her regular unconventional leather pants and boots. The man then spun fiercely from her. "Just a fucking loudmouth barmaid!"
It hadn't taken long for the patrons to settle back to their own businesses. Mia scrambled off the table with the help of shaking limbs and was surprised she could even stand after what had happened. She moved swiftly through the crowd, around the bar and headed straight for the staircase that would lead to the rooms. One foot on the first step, she saw Gideon and Malakai rushing down towards her.
"What happened?" Gideon almost shouted.
"Shh," Mia shushed him, glancing anxiously behind her. "Don't make a scene. We should leave. Now."
"What is it?" This time, Malakai reached out and grabbed her by the arm, almost shaking her bones loose.
"I have a message for you." She looked directly at Gideon and shook her head, not even bothering to shake Malakai off. "Some-Some woman left. Said it was important. Let's go. There are fucking Kankul soldiers down there!"
Both men tensed. "She's right," Gideon said. "We shouldn't cause a scene. We'll leave now. As soon as we're a mile out, I want to hear everything about that damn message." And he moved past them, edging for the door.
Malakai chuckled, staring down into her sparkling eyes. "Good job, Mia. Good job."
And she frowned up at him, wondering really if he was mocking or complimenting her.
They didn't stop moving until Almahill was out of their sight and looked barely larger than a tiny spec of light blinking in the distance. Malakai shoved a bottle, he had pawned just before fleeing the village, at Mia who grabbed it gratefully. Wrenching off the cork, she gulped down the crystal water and sighed. It tasted heavenly. Flinging herself down on the ground, she leaned against the thick trunk of a tree and blew out an exhausted breath. She was dog-tired, while the two men did not look as if they'd even broken a drop of sweat.
"Okay." She heard Gideon's voice hiss down at her. "Time to talk about the message."
Mia rolled her eyes and retrieved the note, slamming it into his palm. "Those are coordinates for the location you're supposed to meet her."
"Her? Since when was it a woman?" Malakai questioned, stooping before her.
"Does it matter?" she almost screamed, trying desperately to catch her breath. "And yeah, it was a woman. She kept her face well-hidden under a hoodie too."
Gideon stared down at the set of coordinates scribbled on the paper. The bright moonshine provided him with just enough light to see the numbers clearly. Frowning, he handed the paper to Malakai. He hadn't a clue where that position was.
"It's the location of the old dungeon." Malakai stared down at the numbers a second time.
"Are you sure?"
“Yes," he drawled, glaring at Gideon. "I couldn't forget even if I wanted to. I know that place better than my own mother."
"You have a mother?" Mia stared up at him, looking utterly appalled.
Malakai glared at her. "It's a fucking expression, woman." He shook his head and sighed. "Anyway, the dungeon must be well guarded so we'd better be prepared to kick more asses than you can even think of."
Gideon smirked. "Like that'll be a problem..."
"Wait, there's something else." Mia groaned as she rose to her feet. "She said specifically that you should meet her there the day after tomorrow. At exactly noon. 'No sooner, no later'."
Gideon began to pace. He spoke directly to Malakai, "You think it's a trap?"
"I'm positive it's not a trap. Deorci would never put such faith in a woman. For Kankuls, there is a caste system and women are at the bottom of it. They are used for breeding and as energy concubines. Deorci feeds off their energy. Which is why he always snatches a few on raids."
Gideon was silent for a moment. Glancing at Mia, he then looked to the starry sky and sighed. "Mia, maybe you should turn back to your group. Things might get a little dangerous."
"Like hell I will!" Mia stared at him as if he had suddenly sprouted another head. "I am not going anywhere. The least you could do--both of you--is thank me for delivering this damn message."
"You could be killed, woman!" Malakai snapped, advancing on her with a murderous glint in his eyes.
"Since when does a man of your ancestry give a damn?" she countered, eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as she met his gaze head-on.
"So help me, I will kill you my fucking self if you don't grow some sense quick!"
Gideon stared on at the two and shook his head. He was surrounded by two lunatics, he was sure of it. Two lovesick lunatics! He sighed. What he'd give to at least have argument with Esyth again. "You two look just about ready to jump each other. Just get at it already so I can have some damn peace and quiet."
The look Mia gave Gideon reminded him of the old stray cat he'd caught thieving scraps from the kitchens while he was a boy. S
he was about ready to take off like a wild feline. Malakai, on the other hand, sneered at him but not before giving Mia his warning. "Stay out of my way!" he almost barked.
"Gladly!" she screeched back, turning on her heels to put sufficient distance between them. Oh, how she wished she could just dig his eyes out and feed them to the vultures in the morning.
Chapter Fifteen
Lavender!
Damn, he was getting tired of this. Esyth was...far out of his reach and yet he could still smell her as if she was right there in his arms. He knew, perhaps, that he should have looked a bit more desperate and withered by frustration and heartache. In truth, he was. He was feeling so many emotions at the moment he worried immensely if he could contain them all. He'd been trying his best to remain as optimistic as he could. He would find her. And even though, in the current moment, his body still fighting hard against the sting of tears behind his closed lids, he could not allow them to be shed. He was less than ten feet from one of his greatest enemies, for The First's sake! He would simply have to put his emotions aside, keep them in check and protect his pride. Vulnerability was not an option; at least, not until he'd accomplished his goal: reuniting with Esyth.
Gideon shifted on his makeshift bed, an itchy weathered blanket he had taken from the inn in Almahill. Crossing his arms, he sighed deeply and squeezed his tears away, however it pained him to. But a much deeper pain made its way past his self-inflicted barriers and into his mind. He could see her more vividly now. Long tresses of glossy blonde hair curved the frame of her beautiful face...and those eyes... Those green eyes that forever seemed like liquid serenity whenever he gazed into them. He'd missed such serenity.
Across from him, maybe some five feet away, Mia lay sound asleep on her side, facing towards his direction and a thick blanket tossed over her. Malakai Baamel sat next to her, a tree supporting his back as he dosed soundlessly. They had no fire as that would only draw enough attention that they surely did not need. But the air was chilly--cold, really--reminding Gideon of the familiar warm embrace he missed so much and hadn't had the chance to thoroughly enjoy.
Yes, three years ago his friends and acquaintances probably would have laughed at how lovesick he had become; and he would have felt heavily defensive over his pride. But now, he didn't give a shit what they would think. He loved that woman and he would not stop until he got her back and personally saw to Deorci releasing his very last stinking breath.
Shaking his head forlornly, Gideon eased himself up and immediately met Malakai's alert and scrutinizing glare. "Nature calls," he murmured loud enough for him to hear and walked away. Baamel did not follow but merely went back to sleep, likely keeping one eye open. Neither men would ever grow to like, much less trust, each other. Gideon knew that much for he surely had no yearning for any friendly truce either. The raw hatred between them had been bred in their blood for generations, brewing a never-ending war between the Marujan and the Kankul kingdoms. They were each journeying together for one purpose alone. Gideon knew what his prize would be; he saw flashes of her stunning face every second. And Malakai would be content with beheading his former ruler and sporting his head for a trophy. Then they would part ways.
Flexing his slightly paining neck, Gideon made his way towards a reasonable spot while unzipping his pants to take a well-needed piss. He could feel the light breeze blowing through the overgrown hair at the back of his neck and tickling his nape. He chuckled to himself and blew out a breath. Who knew taking a piss could feel so good? More like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
"You've grown..." The words came so softly, so sweetly he'd almost thought his mind had been playing tricks on him. Gideon pivoted immediately, his flaccid cock hardening almost instantly as his gaze clashed with two very green and very familiar eyes. His heart lurched in his chest, almost finding its way to his throat. Or maybe it had, for at the moment he somehow could not summon the strength or the will to speak. He was simply too...stunned. Gideon opened his mouth to say something but only ended up groaning as his cock began to throb with a need he had never felt before. His startled eyes scanned her completely, taking in the thin black fabric of the lacy dress that met her only mid-thigh. His astonishment immediately turned to anger as recognition dawned on him. She was dressed as a common whore. "Sssh," she coaxed, moving closer to him as if she'd read his mind. "Don't be angry. Right now I need you, Gideon."
"Damn, Esyth. Where...? How...? I've been looking everywhere for you!" He rushed over to her, his hands shaking as he cupped her face, thanking The First for the warmth he felt in her cheeks. "I don't understand..."
Tears surfaced in her eyes and glistened beneath the moonlight; her eyes now like glossy emeralds in the night. "I promise I'll explain it all to you. I just... I need you now, Gideon. We can talk all you want later. I promise. I just...want you inside me. Now."
Gideon swallowed deeply, staring down at her as if he'd never seen her before. Pure elation, gladness and relief washed over him like a cool breeze in a scorching dessert. His hands immediately went searching, checking for bruises and broken bones. "Are you okay? Where's Deorci? HOW did you get here?"
Esyth playfully swatted away his hands and placed a finger across his lips. "I'm fine. Really. I'm not hurt."
"Fuck!" he groaned as he grabbed her up in his arms. Never had he felt so happy in his life. She was here. Esyth...was here! "I need to go tell the others!" His grin was so wide, it bared two rows of glistening white teeth in the darkness. He then squeezed her closer, burying his face in her neck. "You smell...the same. Fuck, Esyth. When you disappeared, I thought my life had ended. I wanted to die. Maybe later I'll spank you for it... oh god, I want you! Shit, I love you." Gideon eased her back only a bit so he could stare into those eyes he loved so much, wet with unshed tears. "I love you. You know that, don't you?"
She smiled, the tears now spilling over her cheeks. "I know. I love you too. So much. Thanks for coming for me."
Gideon felt his cock twitch with excitement as he ground his hips into her, his fingers squeezing her ass eagerly. "Damn. The first priest I find, I'm going to make you mine, you hear that? But now..." He swallowed thickly as his gaze swept her bare throat and fleshy firm breasts, the paleness of her skin seductively erotic against the dark lace. "Now, I'm going to fuck you senseless."
Gideon reached for her, tugging at the gem of the flimsy dress. His heated when his palms made contact with the creamy soft skin he had become to know those three years ago. Just the feel and scent of her made him want to come there and then.
Esyth swatted his greedy hands away, batting those sexy lashes at him. Twisting out of his grip, she took one delicious step back and planted on hand on her right hip, regarding him. The way she stood, staring at him like she'd eat him any minute, gave Gideon a shudder as a hot and cold sensation shot up his spine. He was sure of it; Esyth would be the death of him.
"We've got all night, babe. And an eternity after that," she said softly, a small pink tongue jotting out to moisten her juicy lips. For a moment, Gideon wished he were those lips. Her gaze raked over him hotly, landing on the fly of his pants. Gideon felt his cock lurch in response. "But for now..." Her gaze lifted back to his eyes. "I want to taste you."
The muscles around his groin tightened at the sound of her lustful proposition. Gideon didn't know if he'd last the night much less a minute with his cock in her mouth. He'd probably come the moment he felt her hot breath on the tip of his dick.
Gideon swallowed as Esyth lowered herself to her knees before him, her hand working swiftly at his belt and zipper. He ran his hand over her long bountiful hair, his nails grazing her scalf gently. "That's it, baby," he groaned, sucking in a breath as she took his cock in her hand. "Fuck me with that sexy mouth."
Esyth gave him a delicious smile and winked up at him before running her tongue over the tip of him. Gideon stiffened, his fingers clenching in the thickness of her hair as he threw his head back and moaned.
"Look at me, babe,"
she said. "Watch me while I suck your big hard cock."
His balls tightened at her words. Gideon had never heard Esyth talk so dirty before. The whole sentiment of it all was so damn erotic, he couldn't do anything love the sound of it. It was as if The First had created her just for him.
Her sweet hot mouth took him in inch by fucking good inch, sucking him slowly, her head bobbing back and forth on his rock-hard dick. Gideon clenched his teeth, guiding her head as she sucked him hard and deep. It felt so damn good he didn't know if he'd last long enough to give her the pleasure he'd had in mind. But then she took him in much further, he head of his cock touching the back of her warm throat.
"Oh fuck!" he gasped, his hands shaking. He could already feel the buckling of his knees. Hissing out another expletive, Gideon gently eased her away and yanked her up against him hard and fierce, slamming his mouth down against hers. He could taste the intense taste of him on her lips and his nose flared at the eroticism it gave.
His tongue jotted forward, plunging deep inside her mouth, tasting and savoring her sweetness. Her arms circled his neck, fingernails biting into his flesh but he didn't give a damn.
He was going to fuck till she couldn't walk for a week.
Gideon held her tight against him, moving forward until he held her firm against the support of a large tree. His blood was racing in his veins as he snatched her dress up and stuffed the hem up beneath her bra. Ripping away her panties, Gideon let out a feral groan as his fingers made contact with her pussy.
"Damn! You're so fucking wet for me," he grunted, slipping on finger deep inside her weeping cunt. Esyth moaned as she bit down hard in his shoulder. "Mm, you love that don't you?" And he slipped another finger in, teasing and tempting her, his thumb occasionally rubbing hotly over her hardening clit until she writhing uncontrollably against him. "God, I love how you make me so damn hard for you, babe!"
Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two Page 10