Wind and Fire

by T. J. Michaels

  Soon they would all settle into an easy camaraderie, with quietly told stories, laughter and plenty of good natured ribbing. But enough was enough. A few more minutes and she’d fall face first into what was left of her dinner.

  She stood and stretched, then handed her plate to Brita. After a big jaw-cracking yawn, she said, “I’m not up to socializing tonight, RuArk. I’m going to bed.”

  RuArk’s gaze took her in from head to toe, his expression a mix of blatant heat with a dash of humor. A quiet ahem reminded her of her challenge-imposed “yes, RuArk” days. Shit. She was supposed to be asking, not ordering.

  Bleh.

  His annoying gesture of raising his left eyebrow a good inch conveyed a wealth of meaning. Good grief, she’d only taken two steps. Surely that didn’t count as a breach of promise, right?

  “Uh... I mean... oh, never mind,” she grumbled, thankful none of the warriors visiting around the low-burning fire paid any attention as she tried to ease her sore butt back down, but couldn’t quite manage it.

  RuArk chuckled. Rhia glowered. Sharyn frowned as she watched from beneath the shadow of a nearby tree.

  “RuArk, I’m tired. I’d like to retire now. May I pleeaasse go to bed?” Hands clasped in front of her and eyelashes fluttered outrageously.

  “Sarcasm does not become you, Rhia. Perhaps you would care to try again?”

  “Oh come on, you know this is killing me,” she gritted through clenched teeth.

  “All the more reason to do it correctly the first time, then the killing of yourself could be avoided.”

  “You unmerciful, blasted... All right, all right, fine!”

  As soon as RuArk stood, the warriors closest to him left their places around the fire and backed up a few steps. Sharyn stepped out from under the dark shadows of the oak with a grin as wide as the Coalrado River. As quickly as her mate had risen, he was seated again with such fluid grace he seemed to melt onto the log.

  Damn it, now she really was on the spot and immediately mad at herself for it. Nobody had paid the least bit of attention to her conversation with RuArk before. Now, everyone listened. Her cheeks blazed as if the heat of the campfire had jumped from the coals and given her a hot kiss. When would she learn to control her tongue? Right now, it seemed the answer to that question was never. Head lowered, teeth gritted, she tried one more time. Sincerely.

  “RuArk, husband, I’d like to wash and head to bed. Do you mind?”

  He rose again, slowly this time, and took her hand to plant a gentle kiss in the center of her palm. She met his gaze and the awareness hit her again squarely in the solar plexus.

  Emotions that had seeped through their bond all day swirled around them so thickly, she expected it to solidify and hide them from the world. All the longing of his soul washed over and through her, the will to please her yet take her in hand if needed. And he was thinking about... spanking? God, it was an aphrodisiac to the senses.

  Yep, I’ve lost it. I’m insane.

  He leaned in, cupped her cheek in the hollow of his palm, and gave her the gentlest of kisses. So at odds with what she knew he felt, it was impressive he controlled it all.

  “You may go, but not to sleep. I will join you shortly. There is something I wish to share with you.”

  And based on last night in his arms, she could just guess what that was.

  Her stomach did a giddy little twirl and her gaze slid away from him as she tried to hide the excitement that lit her up from head to toe.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  When he joined her a few minutes later, he walked straight to the bed and began to expand on the sensual experience she’d endured the night before. Oh, he was so wonderful at pleasing her. He left no part of her body untouched, feasted on her breasts until she arched up off the soft, silken bedcovers. The man knew just how and where to touch. His fingers, followed by his mouth, relished every inch of her body until the very hair on her head seemed electrically charged.

  Her breath whooshed from her chest in sharp pants, and her body shuddered when his teeth came into play, nipping her here and there. Everywhere. Kisses rained on her neck, down her back and along the tingling globes of her butt cheeks. From her eyebrows to her toes, he kissed, nipped, sucked and played her like the finest antique stringed instrument. He hovered at the juncture of her thighs, and blew over the damp skin.

  “RuArk. Please.” She rolled her hips. “Please kiss me there.”

  Her wish was his command. Her sighs filled the space, followed by desperate moans when suddenly, she felt what he felt, wanted what he wanted. Saw how her pleasure made him wild, and knew the more he gave her, the more he wanted to give.

  “Not fair,” she gasped the moment their newly forming bond flared to life.

  “Can’t help it.”

  He was pouring himself into her, and it was nowhere near enough. The merging of their inner selves needed a conduit. Rhia’s moan became raw, wild screams as she yelled his name, uncaring of who might hear.

  She begged him to surge inside her wet, willing channel, and end the sumptuous torture. Her body anticipated the moment when his hard length would stretch and fill her until she saw stars.

  “Please!”

  Instead, he rapidly circled her clitoris with the tip of his tongue, and then outright feasted on that little bundle of nerves.

  After a shattering climax, she lay sated and trembling in his arms. When her wits returned, it was morning and she didn’t even remember falling asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Rhia was surprisingly well rested, even though she’d spent each night in RuArk’s arms, panting and writhing until the early hours of the morning. He’d stroked her until she melted in sweet release, but she still burned with the need to be filled. And after pleasuring her to the brink of insanity, RuArk had held, soothed and comforted her until her eyes drifted closed. God, she hoped she hadn’t snored like a horse with a bad cold.

  It amazed her how his assurances that he’d never take her until she asked, freed her to enjoy learning his body and allowing him to learn hers. Too bad asking the man to forget the ‘honorable’ business and get on with taking her wasn’t an option. Tempting, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Besides, a soldier and Blademaster wasn’t supposed to be this damn gaga over anyone. It was ri-goddamn-diculous.

  Peeling her gaze away from RuArk’s handsome, strong profile, Rhia marveled at the rugged mountains ahead to the West. The terrain had become noticeably steeper a couple of days back, but the peaks towering before her seemed to pop up out of nowhere as if the legendary Breaking that formed them so long ago had indeed broken the world.

  Off in the distance to the west, a huge gated archway was set into a forty-foot high stone wall. That arch marked the end of Draema province. The farther one traveled from the High City, the more rural and natural the land appeared. Even the well-worn trails and wide pathways crisscrossing this part of the province didn’t tame the beautiful wildness of this green and lush place. It only gave it a bit of an uncivilized order.

  “Wow,” Rhia breathed in awe. Amazed at the bare, sharp mountainous cliffs that soared above the sparse tree line, she asked, “What’s out there on the other side of the outer wall?” Emotions high, a mix of excitement and uncertainty trickled down her spine. She had a feeling that anyone with common sense would know to be careful of what lay over those mountains.

  RuArk rode to her side and spoke into the silence. “That’s the Borderlands. It’s a wild and untamed place, windswept and barren. Mostly sand and rock.”

  As they rode closer, Rhia took in the myriad browns and reds, so vivid the landscape appeared painted.

  RuArk pointed toward the soaring rock she was staring at. “Up here, the Land Bridge juts out from those cliffs and crosses high over the river to the north where the Borderlands continue on the other side. The vast lands of Gaia also begin there. Over the mountains to the west, is the sea,” RuArk said, his voice low, deep with what seemed a certain respect. Per
haps even awe.

  “Through the western arches, can you see where the land slopes downward? It’s a break in the peaks that forms a natural gateway where the sea flows into a sound. It’s the beginning of the River Dee. From there, the waters run upstream into the harbors at Province Springs, our new home.”

  “So why does the land fall away like that?” Rhia asked, holding up her hands to shield her eyes from the early morning sun.

  “From this distance it appears to be a sheer cliff, but it’s really a steep slope that leads down to a flat, sandy beach.”

  “You’ve seen it before?” She now realized how sheltered her life in Draema Proper had truly been. She’d never seen anything like this, yet here it was, just outside of her own province.

  “Many times. The waters are deep and wide and the beach is a wonderful place to play in the water.”

  “Play in the water? Why would anybody want to do that?”

  “Because it’s fun, Rhia,” he teased, with that damned dark eyebrow winging its way up his forehead. She wanted to smack him. “Can you swim?” he asked.

  “Of course I can swim,” she sniffed. Yeah, in the bathtub. “I just haven’t done it in a while. It’s not one of the things I spent a lot of time studying while growing up.”

  “I am fully aware of how you spent your time growing up.” The words tickled her ear as he moved in so close he may as well have been on her horse with her. “Fighting, training, followed by more fighting, Rhia. But I will enjoy teaching you to simply enjoy being a well-loved woman.”

  Heat rushed into her cheeks.

  “I love the way you blush. It turns your cinnamon skin into a burnished brown, like melted caramel over red apples. Delicious.” It was said with a purr that sent a flash of warmth through her stomach to set the butterflies playing there on fire. Rhia nudged him away with a slight lift of her shoulder. Why did he have to go and mention loving?

  “After we settle in, we can ride down to the beach if you wish.”

  “But that’s outside the province. Is it safe to pass through the arch into the Borderlands?”

  There went that brow again, rising at what he’d obviously thought was an insult.

  “RuArk, I didn’t mean to imply you can’t keep me safe. I haven’t been outside of my own lands since I was too little to even remember the experience. I’ve read about the oceans, but I’ve never seen one. Harbor Station leads down to the ports where you can sail out of the bay, and then out to sea, but I’ve never done it. Never needed to.”

  “You’ve had more than enough of your share of duty. Time you learned to play, love.”

  There went that blasted blush again as her head tilted in wonder at the endearment. A big palm reached out and gently teased her cheek. Her eyes closed briefly at the caress and her mind drifted to all the ways that particular hand had stroked and teased her until her skin crackled with anticipation.

  Both the touch and the twinkle of RuArk’s silvery, gray eyes conveyed a wealth of meaning that she couldn’t quite deal with in the light of day. Instead of falling into the depths of his gaze, she squashed her feelings and pulled an attitude around herself like a cloak.

  RuArk’s hand fell away as Sharyn and Linc approached. The warmth of his fingers was immediately missed.

  “Scouts report the way is clear all the way to the gates of the township, Wind Storm,” Linc reported brusquely. But the man hadn’t spared RuArk a glance yet. Linc’s gaze remained glued to Sharyn while he spoke to RuArk, but Sharyn ignored him and gave all her attention to Rhia instead.

  Interesting byplay between the two First Commanders.

  RuArk nodded at Linc, and the warrior kicked his mount into a gallop and thundered away. Yet Sharyn stayed behind, speaking softly with Rhia and Brita. Something was obviously up. She’d be sure to needle Sharyn about it later.

  Their party reached a crossroad and turned East, heading away from the Borderlands. As they approached the entrance of Province Springs, Rhia noticed that a few Draeman soldiers were on duty, but the rest of the patrol was made up of huge, hulking, giants—Gaian warriors. Hell, anyone would think twice about storming this place.

  The epitome of calm, Rhia discretely admired the picture they made standing up on that wall and suppressed a shiver as every one of their handsome almond-shaped gazes plastered themselves on her.

  Then she had something else to marvel over. After the initial creak and groan, the gigantic gates eased silently apart and disappeared into the very stone with nothing more than a slight hiss.

  Do these people do everything in silence?

  Even the gates of the High City, the most technically advanced spot in the region, sounded like amplified claws scraping over hammered metal when they hadn’t been moved in a while.

  Once through, their large party traveled well-groomed roads with views of rolling meadows dotted with clear green ponds. Row after row of towering trees dressed with amazingly long branches spread over them in a living canopy. They were still somewhat bare because of the high altitude, but the last remnants of ice had melted and the small buds that would become leaves, flowers and fruit were growing rapidly. It would be a lovely grove come late spring.

  Other than traveling to Harbor Station to see her brother every now and then, Rhia hadn’t been out and away in a long time. She’d forgotten how beautiful and lush the land was. The budding trees and the wondrous signs of the coming season reminded her how abundant and prosperous her homeland truly was.

  A half dozen honed and devilishly handsome warriors rode to meet them. Each golden-skinned male sported dark locks from inky black to chestnut brown, their bodies covered in leather. Amazing. Leather, real leather made up their buckskins and tunics, either sueded in a natural golden color, or dyed in the color of their houses.

  RuArk seemed to be the exception as far as height and brawn went. Both taller and wider than his kinsmen, he was certainly the biggest warrior Rhia had seen so far. All sported strong, angled features and straight, white teeth. But RuArk’s smile was more charming. While the Draeman had eyes that spanned the colors of the rainbow, Gaians had eyes of the deepest, darkest brown to the lightest, golden amber... just like hers. But RuArk? His eyes could only be described as stormy gray. An enchanter’s eyes.

  The leader of this drool-worthy pack of masculinity was obviously a kinsman of RuArk’s. Rhia was quickly introduced to RuArk’s cousin, Drefan, then the two men slipped into the Gaian tongue, sharing an easy camaraderie. Sharyn had already taught her a few words as they’d ridden, but she was nowhere near fluent enough to keep up.

  She watched Drefan’s expression grow more and more bemused as he listened to what she assumed was a short accounting of RuArk’s journey. It was obvious the man couldn’t believe RuArk had taken a lifemate because he kept looking from RuArk to Rhia and back, with both eyes and mouth wide open in what could only be described as shock.

  Well, Rhia had her day’s quota of being gawked at.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen. It’s rude to speak in a tongue unknown to your guests.” The much-too-sweet smile plastered on her lips faltered when forty mouths snapped shut. Every face became a blank mask as hardened warriors turned all their eyes on her.

  Great, just what I didn’t want.

  “Why didn’t you kick me before I opened my mouth?” she whispered to Brita.

  “What? And miss all this?”

  “You are a wicked, wicked woman, Brita Shae.”

  “Payback for making me ride until my ass feels like it’s going to fall off, Rhia Greysomne.”

  “You’re a damn medic who’s been stitching me up forever. I know you have an ass repair kit in your gear somewhere.”

  Rather than answer, Brita winked, then bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  RuArk spoke in perfect, sarcasm-laced Draeman. “Drefan, this is my lifemate, Rhia Greysomne, First Heir to the Province of Draema. Though she is half-Gaian, she is in need of lessons in proper Gaian etiquette. I am sorry, but she simply does not know an
y better.”

  “What? Excuse me...”

  “Come again, Rhia? Were you going to say something?” RuArk asked, with the smirk from hell firmly in place.

  Rhia gritted her teeth as the stony expression fell away to reveal an unashamedly huge grin. Even his eyes dared her to respond. Too many days of cooperation remained on her challenge loss, and the last thing she wanted was to add more time to her “Yes, RuArk” days. Lowering her eyes in a manner she prayed was demure, Rhia gritted her teeth, clasped her hands in her lap, and said not one blasted word.

  Obviously satisfied that she wasn’t going to open her mouth, RuArk nodded his head at his cousin. Drefan and his fireteam escorted them through the township, clear to the other side. As they rode, he reported the goings on in both Province Springs and the Realm of Gaia. Or at least that’s what Sharyn whispered her way since the boneheads spoke quietly in Gaian again as they occasionally cast winks Rhia’s way.

  Blasted men.

  Blasted gorgeous, charismatic, too-everything, men.

  The township was much larger than expected. In fact, it felt more like a full-blown city, just without the polish and gleam. More natural, untouched, and to her surprise, cleaner. Rhia was immediately at home as they passed through the bustling town center where the people went about their business. She admired the balanced mix of paved and graveled roads, and vast parks full of evergreens and grassy clearings. There were neat rows of homes, shops and Societies all along the way, and not a speck of dirt anywhere. She hadn’t expected to see so many buildings in the traditional white stone this far from the High City. The place was absolutely thriving.

  They passed through an open gate set into low walls, then up a cobbled path into a courtyard at the bottom of a gracefully sloping hill. RuArk dismounted and handed his reigns to a smartly dressed Groomsman. He stepped over to a still mounted Rhia. She didn’t need help dismounting, but when her husband reached for her, she was certainly smart enough not to gainsay him.