Serenity was swept up in a wave of longing. His fingers were swirling around her clit, then thrusting inside her, teasing her and bringing her closer to her climax, then suddenly she felt the head of his massive cock at her entrance.
"Now, my beauty, you will know what it is like to be taken by a barbarian."
His husky promise was like kindling on a fire, and letting out a cry she tried to elevate her pelvis to meet him, but he had her legs pinned with his, and taking hold of her wrists he moved them over her head, holding them in place with one of his massive hands.
"Do you know what it is to be fucked into glory?"
"No," she whispered, "I've never heard of such a thing."
"You will be sore tomorrow."
"I don't care."
"I will start slowly, but it won't be that way for very long, and I will not stop until you are screaming your joy."
Gently he pushed deeper, then pulled back, then pushed in again. He felt no resistance, no trepidation or worry, and with a few more strokes he was buried, then he laid still, letting her feel him.
"You are filling me," she panted, "you are filling me completely."
"Now you must relax and let yourself go. Can you do that, Serenity?"
"I can, I will, I am."
Killian began to slowly stroke. His member was rubbing against a magical place deep inside her, and as he accelerated he generated intense pleasure. She was gasping and moaning with every thrust, and when he saw her ball her fingers into fists, he knew she was nearing her moment. She had done so quickly, but he wasn't surprised. He hadn't slowed or backed off, and as her body stiffened and she held her breath, he pumped faster, sending her forward into her orgasm.
He hadn't been close to his climax, but hearing her joyous wail sent fresh energy through his cock, and as she continued to spasm, he closed his eyes and let the glorious feelings sweep him up. She was in the throes of her last convulsion when he erupted inside her, and groaning deeply he rode her with fervor, until drained and spent he slipped from her depths. Her chest was scarlet, her breathing was ragged, and dropping down next to her, as he tried to calm the pounding of his heart, he smoothed his hand across her face.
"Killian, I'm floating," she murmured, rolling on to her side and curling against him.
As he brought an arm around her, he was overcome with a need to protect her. She was immensely brave, but her courage could put her in danger, and she was clever, but her sharp mind could cause her to say and do things others might find insulting. She was a villager, and she would have to watch her tongue around his tribe.
"I love your bed, I love this room, I love this castle," she said softly. "I love the secret staircase too. Will you show me the others you've found?"
"When this fighting is over, of course I will, but Serenity, now that you mention the hidden stairway, how did that Phelan find you? Or did you come out?"
"No, I didn't come out. I was too scared, and when he came in I thought it was you. I was shocked when it wasn't."
"I don't understand. How did he know you were there?"
"He said he watched you go in and out of the wall, and that's when I made up the story that I was just a slave. I didn't want him to use me against you, but it didn't stop him from tying me to that bedpost and holding a knife to my throat."
"Then he must have been hiding in here. I wonder why he didn't show himself and fight, and how did he know this was my chamber?"
"Killian, that's a very good question," she said thoughtfully, coming out of her euphoric state, "and something just occurred to me."
"Your heart still pounds from our lovemaking, and yet your mind is working?"
"It's my brain, it's like that. It never lets me rest."
"What is your thought, my beautiful girl?"
"You said that brute who attacked you probably found that room by accident. What if he didn't? Trebor knew this was your chamber. How?"
"Serenity, are you saying there's a traitor in my tribe?"
"Is there another explanation?"
He paused, processing the grim notion, then propped himself up on an elbow and gazed down at her.
"I can't think of one, and again you have shown how clever you are. I must speak to my father about this at once."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Killian found his father in the dining hall. A meal had been prepared, and the tribe were gathering to sit down and eat. He was surprised the women had been able to lay the tables so quickly, then he saw the sun had lowered and night was falling. He had been dealing with Trebor and laying with Serenity longer than he'd thought.
"My heroic son," Bastian declared as Killian approached. "I was about to send for you."
"I had no idea the day had passed. I must fetch Serenity for the meal. She's waiting in my chamber."
"In your chamber? You've been with her all this time? Is she all right? Did that Phelan intruder Trebor harm her?"
"No, but father, I must speak to you urgently, and in private."
"Come, the alcove in the great hall is empty."
"Are there guards patrolling the grounds?" Killian asked as they left the dining area and walked to the private nook.
"Of course. After we eat and darkness falls we'll put your plan into action. Tell me, what is so pressing?"
"I believe we have a traitor."
"NO! It cannot be! What makes you think such a thing?"
"The brute I killed, how did he know where we stored the weapons?"
"He probably just stumbled upon it."
"That's what I thought, but Trebor was hiding in my chamber. How did he know it was mine?"
"You're right, he must have been told, but why didn't he attack you?"
"That's the question still to be answered, and why was he there?"
"He had little to say when I spoke to him. We must interrogate him further and find out who gave him the information. Good thinking, Killian."
"I cannot take the credit," Killian said solemnly. "It was Serenity."
"Again? That slip of a girl is quite remarkable. Best fetch her so she can join our meal, and I'm going to make sure everyone knows she saved your life. They will treat her and Layla better if they're told."
"Yes, father, I'll collect her right now."
But as Killian turned to leave, a breathless young man came running towards them.
"One of the runners is back!" he exclaimed. "He's injured, but not badly."
"Which runner?" Bastian asked urgently.
"Sirus. He's over there being tended to," the scout said pointing across the great hall.
Moving swiftly from the alcove, they hurried to the young sprinter and found him covered in scrapes and bruises, gently being nursed by his mother and older sister.
"Sirus, what happened to you? Why so many cuts? Tell us everything."
"I look worse than I am, and I have good news. I know two of the others made it over the mountain. I saw Boris and Yetlin scattering in opposite directions being chased by Phelans. They're fast, I doubt they were caught and they'll probably show up soon, but I definitely saw the other two at the top."
"That is excellent," Bastian said nodding this head. "The Alamans will be here tomorrow and we will be rid of the Phelans, but how did you get so many injuries?"
"I'm ashamed to say I was half-way up the mountain when I slipped. I fell all the way back down. The bushes saved me, but when I finally reached the bottom it took me a while to get up. Then I had to creep back here. The Phelans were wandering around the outside of the compound."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of. You and the other runners are brave souls," Killian said gratefully. "Thank the angels you got here safely. Father, I'm going to fetch Serenity. I'll be back shortly."
Bastian watched his strapping son march away, and after a few parting words to the wounded runner, he headed back to the dining hall. The invaders would be tending to their injured men and nourishing their bodies as well, and Bastian doubted they'd attack overnight, but Killian's p
lan to have watchers in the trees and men hidden in the great hall was clever, and he knew he would sleep better because of it.
When the battle was over, he and Dolan, his distant cousin and the leader of the Alaman tribe, would have serious talks about Soraya and Killian. They had decided during their last meeting that a marriage of their offspring would strengthen their alliance. Bonded together by such a partnership would create a powerful force in the region, one that would prevent attacks like the one he was weathering that very moment. It was time for Killian to release his women, join with Soraya, and take over the leadership of his tribe.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Killian entered his room, he found Serenity still naked on his bed with her eyes closed, and as he approached he discovered she was sound asleep. It was understandable. She'd suffered through two extremely traumatic events, and had then surrendered to him. Her orgasm alone was enough to send her into the land of dreams.
"Should I wake you?" he whispered, loving the sight of her. "You are so peaceful. You need rest more than you need food. I'll bring something back for you."
Gently placing the pelts back over her, he kissed her forehead, but she didn't stir. He would explain to Layla that she'd collapsed from exhaustion and shouldn't be disturbed, but as he turned to leave he paused, the question he'd asked his father still bothering him. Why had Trebor been lurking there? What did he own that Trebor could possibly want?
Killian had several chests in which he kept his belongings. One contained various articles of clothing used during the snowy months, but under the heavy fur capes was a treasure.
"Surely Trebor wouldn't dare attempt to steal that. How would he even know about it," he mumbled as he walked across the room. "It would be of no use to him."
Raising the lid, he stared down at the contents. Had they been disturbed? It was hard to know, he'd not looked in the trunk for a while, but he knew exactly where the item was. Moving the heavy garments aside, he spotted the rolled up white fur cap, and lifting it out he carefully opened it up. There it was, shimmering up at him. His most precious possession, and though he wasn't surprised it was still there, he was relieved. It would one day be a gift to the woman he chose to be his life partner, and shifting his gaze to the village girl on his bed, an epiphany rattled through him.
Sweet, bold, brave, and sometimes foolish, Serenity was the one.
Feeling slightly unnerved, he carefully rolled it back into the fur, placed it at the bottom of the trunk, moved the clothing over it, then ambling to the side of his bed he stared down at her. He owed her his life, but that was not why he loved her. He didn't know why his heart was melting as he watched her sleep, it just was. How had she captured him?
He had been sharing his bed with several women in his tribe, and had enjoyed females from other tribes as well. He knew each of them was hopeful they would become his life partner. He was the son of Bastian, a powerful and mighty barbarian, and the leader of the Bathus. Killian was expected to take over when his father saw fit to step aside.
Why was it a simple village girl who made his heart sing? Why had he been so drawn to her when he'd first seen her standing in front of his father in the gardens? Why had she haunted him every moment after she'd stormed from his chamber? Even when Biddie was devouring his cock with her marvelous mouth that very same night, Serenity had been dancing in the hallways of his mind. Why was she the one?
There were no answers. He felt what he felt. Serenity had him in her clutches just as surely as his hand had gripped her wrists and held them above her head just a short time before. His father had told him the choice of a wife was the most important decision he would ever make. Now he understood why. The intense feeling stirring his soul was like a spell. He wanted her, but more than that, he needed her.
He didn't want to leave, but he knew he should eat, and there was much to discuss over the meal, but as he left the room he realized he felt settled and at peace. It was a subtle shift in his being, but it was there. He was happy. Not happy the way he was when he drank the fermented berry drink, or when he had a superb kill that would feed the tribe for many days, but happy inside himself.
Trotting down the stairs, he could hear the meal had already begun, and moving swiftly across the great hall, he entered the dining hall. He was the last to arrive, and taking his seat next to his father, he picked up his goblet and took a long swallow. Bastian had ordered the fermented berry juice for everyone. It would ease the nerves of the men, and calm the worry of the women. Even the children would be given small sips to settle their fretting. Glancing across at Hermione's table, Killian saw Layla and sent her a smile and a nod to reassure her that Serenity was safe. Layla smiled back, clearly relieved.
"Now that my son has joined us, I can begin," Bastian declared rising to his feet. "We must first say goodbye to our fallen brothers. They fought and died for us, and we must raise our drink and thank them. We take comfort in knowing they are still among us, though their physical being no longer carries their spirits. Samuel and Jonah, we wish you a safe journey to the angels, and we know you will be watching as we claim victory over the Phelans tomorrow."
Killian could hear sobs from the women's table. The two men had been married, and Jonah had a young daughter. For the men, battles were hard to fight, but for the women who lost their sons and husbands, even harder to live with after the fight was finished. The tribe solemnly raised their goblets and drank, then Bastian began again.
"As you can see, Sirus made it back here, and he brought good news. Lambert and Jared made it over the mountain. The Alamans will already be on their way. Once they arrive the Phelans will be quickly defeated, if they dare to even fight again. I see no point for the Alamans to return home, only to come back for the celebration, so we will have it early."
There were murmurs of concern. The men needed to hunt to bring in enough meat, the gardeners were required to harvest the fruits and vegetables, and the women were charged with making sure the accommodations were ready, and the produce was prepared for cooking.
"I know there will be much to do, but it will only be a small number arriving for the battle. The rest of the Alamans will follow when the fighting is done. Now on to something else. As you know, Killian made the difference today. His sneaky brand of surprise and attack is something we must study, and he has a plan to keep us safe overnight, but before I give you those details, you all need to know, he was almost killed by a Phelan today."
Among mutterings of surprise, there was a flood of angry cries calling for vengeance for Samuel and Jonah, and for almost taking Killian, the much admired son of their leader.
"Hush and prepare yourselves. He was saved by a very courageous young woman from the village. Her name is Serenity. The attacker caught Killian by surprise, and this young woman drove a knife through his back."
There was stunned silence across the room. The idea that a slight, short, village female killed one of the brutes who had invaded the compound was impossible to imagine.
"The body you removed from outside the weapons' room is the man she killed. We see the villagers as talented crafts people, but weak and feeble. This news was just as shocking to me as it is to you. She was then captured by Trebor, the son of the Phelan's leader, but Killian rescued her. I assume she's not here because she's resting. Trebor is the prisoner in the room at the top of the stairs. I haven't finished with him yet, and none of you must visit him. He is going to be leverage for us with the Phelans. I need him to remain unharmed, at least for the moment. Does anyone have any questions?"
"This village girl, she must be rewarded," one of the women called out.
The sentiment was heartily supported, and after reassuring everyone she would be, Bastian sat down, a signal that the meal could begin.
"Thank you, father," Killian said as they began to eat. "You were right, it's important that the tribe knows what a truly special woman Serenity is."
"Yes, yes," Bastian nodded as he took a bite of meat, "but she mus
t return to the village as soon as the Phelans have gone."
"I don't understand."
"Soraya," his father replied, lowering his voice.
"What about her?"
"You and Soraya are to be married. The union will join our two tribes and we'll be able to extend our reach beyond this valley and mountain. It could be the beginning of an empire. You know that has always been my vision."
But Killian had heard nothing after, you and Soraya are to be married.
CHAPTER NINE
When Serenity felt Killian's warm body snuggle next to hers, for a moment she thought she was dreaming, but when his arms came around her and he nuzzled her neck, a sleepy smile curled the edges of her lips. It was no dream. She and Killian were together. In her falling-in-love fairytale she had never imagined her hero would be a barbarian, especially not Bastian's son.
"I love laying naked with you," she purred, her heart so full she thought it would burst. "I want to be with you like this all the time, but I couldn't bear to share you. Did you mean what you said about not being with other women? Am I saying too much?"
"No," he whispered. "I love what you're saying, and you are the only one I wish to be with."
But his head was swimming. She felt as he did, that they were meant for each other. How could he tell her their future looked to be impossible? He would talk to his father, but he doubted it would do much good, and just the thought of the conversation filled him with dread. The ambitious union with their neighboring tribe was of huge importance. How could he reject Soraya? The merger would secure the future of his people and that of the Alamans, and if he blatantly refused he'd be seen as selfish, virtually a traitor, his father would probably never forgive him, and he might even be cast out.
"How long will I be staying here?" she asked, interrupting his heavy pondering. "When will it be safe for me to go home and let my family know I'm safe?"
"We have the tribe from over the mountain arriving tomorrow, and the Phelans will probably leave when they see them coming. It would be suicide for them to try to take the compound once the Alamans are here."
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