Curse of the Lost Isle Special Edition

by Vijaya Schartz

  “Don’t stop,” she begged, “please, don’t stop.”

  A devilish idea crossed Sigefroi’s mind. Aye, she was begging.

  “Why did you choose me?” he asked inexorably, still laving her breasts but not hard enough for fulfillment. His lower caresses elicited slow spasms of desire that remained unsatisfied. “Answer me and I will fill your need.”

  “Please...” She arched under his expert hand, in a futile attempt to find release.

  “It will get worse until you tell me.” He smiled, enjoying his power over her. The tip of his fingers circled the soft petals of her slick womanhood.

  She gasped. “I had a dream that foretold we are destined to a great future together.”

  His tongue stopped exploring her perfect navel and he glanced up at her. “Indeed?” Sigefroi remembered dreaming of her, even before he saw her naked under the bridge. He studied her flushed face. “Who interpreted the dream?”

  “My spiritual mother...” Melusine hesitated. “She said it was written in the heavens.”

  Suddenly Sigefroi needed to believe her. What was happening to him?

  While he’d tried to convince himself that he only played a game, he truly wanted to seduce her, please her beyond his own satisfaction. He realized with a start that he sought her unconditional love, not for sport, but to feel complete. He wanted to share his life with her as an equal loving partner. So what, if they met under strange circumstances? Beyond reason, he trusted her to be his perfect mate.

  “How’d you know I was the man of your dream? Did you see my face?” he asked thickly.

  “No. I heard your name.” She arched against his still palm begging for his caress, breathing fast. “Sigefroi...”

  “Aye?” He grinned and resumed the light stroking. “I like the way you say my name.”

  She stretched as if to expose more skin to his hand. “When I heard Gunter call you under the bridge, I knew you were the one.”

  The sweet fragrance of her hair enveloped him. Her arousal drove him wild with lust. “And what were you doing under that bridge, besides spying on me?”

  “Bathing, my lord.” Her head fell back, exposing a tender throat to his kiss.

  “Aye. I noticed you like water... icy cold or steamy hot. Perhaps I’ll take you to the Imperial baths in Trier, my little nymph.” He suddenly remembered the angelic melody he’d heard from the rampart the day he first saw her. “I’d wager you sing like one, too.”

  “Aye.” Her legs parted to better accommodate his hand. “I love to sing.”

  Releasing her, Sigefroi pulled off his tunic then tugged at the legs of his chausses. Stark naked, he knelt on the bed in fully erected glory and gazed down at her. “Then sing for me, my sweet.”

  * * *

  Melusine never thought she could yearn for a mortal’s touch, but this splendid naked man drove her to the edge of insanity. She never suspected her duty to give Sigefroi a Fae heir would prove so pleasurable. Dear Goddess! But he was huge.

  She didn’t resist when he took her hand and laid it on the silky head of his manhood. She felt him shudder under her touch. How strange that something so hard and big could feel velvety and warm as it throbbed under her caressing fingers!

  Heat suffused her nether parts and she felt her face flush with heat. Although she’d spied on mating couples through the divining basin, Melusine understood little of the strange ritual.

  “Teach me,” she whispered in a ragged breath.

  “Aye, my sweet.” Sigefroi slid a fur pillow under her head, then stretched beside her.

  The shifting candlelight revealed ghastly scars on his chest and muscular thigh, but far from spoiling his looks, they contributed to make him formidable and dangerous, even in the nude. Melusine shuddered as his warm body brushed against her skin, hard all over, so strong.

  She locked her gaze upon his feral eyes and for the first time found softness there. She saw tenderness in his smile. Dear Goddess! How easy it would be to love him. But although the Goddess wanted her to love him, such weakness would lower her defenses and place her in mortal danger. For now she would submit to him. Later, perhaps, she might love and trust him.

  “Easy, now,” Sigefroi whispered in her ear.

  His tongue teased her earlobes, driving her wild with need.

  “Trust me, my sweet.” He lowered his weight upon her.

  Far from crushing her, it heightened Melusine’s desire. Trapped under him, entirely at his mercy, part of her wanted to trust while the other still feared him, but she couldn’t ignore her need.

  Responding to his lust, her body moved of its own volition, begging for a stronger contact. Deep in her womb, obscure forces stirred, conspiring to make her want this splendid animal, this fierce mortal who made her feel so vulnerable. His caresses unleashed a crescendo of sensations too much to bear.

  “Take my maidenhood,” she pleaded. “Even if it hurts, I want this.”

  “Are you certain?” His breath grew shorter.

  She realized that he, too, wanted her very much. It pleased her that he didn’t take her quickly but took his time.

  Strong hands parted Melusine’s thighs, then the pressure of his chest forced the air out of her lungs. Hungry lips locked on her mouth as his tongue dove deep into her throat, depriving her of breath and of all willpower.

  The engorged head of his shaft now pushed at her virginal gate, seeking entry. Too big, she thought. But her wanton body kept moving in rhythm with his, in a desperate attempt to accommodate his manhood.

  Hard fingers clenched her buttocks then his powerful thrust ripped her asunder. Deep inside, pain seared. Melusine cried out, but far from shying away, she met Sigefroi’s thrust and dug her nails in his square shoulders. Why did he stop? Desperately, she moved her hips around his impaling sword, throwing herself against him.

  As if spurred by her boldness, Sigefroi unleashed upon her a savage assault, tearing at her repeatedly, deep and forceful. Then he slowed his thrusts but went deeper. The powerful strokes made Melusine forget there ever was any pain.

  She focused on the place in her womb battered with excruciating precision by his manhood. The growing sensation mounted to become almost intolerable. Sigefroi swelled inside her, filling her, pounding her slowly, with inexorable strength and endurance.

  “This is too much,” she pleaded between ragged breaths. Certainly this wild raking would damage her body, but she went on moving with him.

  “No, my sweet,” he panted. His grip tightened on her hips. “We can’t stop now. I want to hear you sing.”

  Panic invaded Melusine’s mind, but her body kept crashing and ebbing out of control. Surely, she was going to break if they didn’t stop!

  Instead, Sigefroi heightened his fierce tempo.

  Heat engulfed Melusine, as if her entire body was melting. She wiggled in an attempt to evade his wild ramming, but he held her so tight that she couldn’t move an inch.

  Melusine heard a low moan that grew to a roar with each of his mighty thrusts. Then she realized the sound came from her throat. Wave after wave of exquisite pleasure washed over her, eliciting screams she never thought herself capable of. Her body undulated and shook in tremulous throes.

  Over a century of pent up passion surfaced and swirled, drowning her in a sea of new sensations, all wonderfully pleasurable, all strong and magnificent, all thanks to the splendid Sigefroi of Ardennes.

  Just when she thought she might faint, he sped up, heightening her ecstasy if it were possible. His face contorted as if with pain, and she felt him tighten and discard all control as he ploughed into her with unrestrained violence. He groaned and faltered. The erratic rhythm of his final thrusts brought forth a tremendous release that rippled through both of them. They shuddered together then lay very still.

  “Jesu!” he exhaled, kissing her hair. “You are magnificent.” He glanced down at her and frowned. “Are you well?”

  Melusine chuckled, weightless, as if relieved of a burden. “You did
n’t lie, my lord, you made me enjoy it.”

  “I always keep my word.” He eased himself to the side, but his arms still enveloped her possessively. “Are you comfortable?”

  “Aye.” She’d never felt this wonderful. “What now?”

  Sigefroi smiled mysteriously. “Now is the time for truth.”

  “Truth?” Melusine should have been scared, but somehow, she felt safe in the knowledge that he truly cared about her. Why otherwise would he have bothered pleasuring her?

  “Aye. It is said that during this special moment after lovers had their pleasure, they can’t help but tell the truth. I want to know the truth, my sweet.”

  Relaxed and confident, Melusine placed both hands under her head. “Did you like it too?”

  He exploded in a laugh that vibrated through the bed posts. “Like it? That’s not a strong enough word, my sweet.”

  Melusine allowed herself a smug smile. She’d been right. He not only cared, but he’d known pleasure with her. “What would happen now if you had found me repulsive and wanted out of your oath?”

  The amusement left his eyes. “I would kill you and keep the treasure.”

  The steely edge in his voice told her he would have done it without a second thought. The cold comment sobered Melusine who shuddered in retrospect. She’d taken a terrible risk.

  “I appreciate your frank answer, my lord.”

  Rising on one elbow, Sigefroi scrutinized her face, his brow setting in a familiar scowl. “My turn to ask.” He cleared his throat. “During that fight ten days past, how did you manage to defeat me?”

  She traced the contour of his smooth jaw eliciting a smile. “It was the sword, my lord.”

  “The sword?” Sigefroi seized her caressing hand and kissed her fingers, but his amber gaze never left her face. “Pray tell.”

  “The fine blade you so admired is no ordinary weapon, my lord.” Melusine traced a long scar across his chest. A battle wound, perhaps? “It’s an ancient heirloom that has been in my family for centuries.”

  “In truth?” He frowned. “It’s a fine weapon. I’ve never seen the likes of it. Not Saracen steel... yet it shines like no other. The point even damaged my chain mail. I had to have it mended. No ordinary sword can do that.” His eyes shone in the candlelight.

  “It is said to have been forged in the otherworld.”

  “You could have killed me with a feather push of that deadly blade.” He twisted his neck as if remembering the sensation.

  “Aye.” Melusine smiled lazily. “But I never intended to kill you, my lord, or you would be dead. The blade makes the bearer invincible.”

  Sudden interest lit his amber eyes. “Do you have the sword here?”

  “Of course, my lord.” Languidly, Melusine rose and walked loosely toward the chest where she had stored the weapon. Surprisingly she didn’t mind walking nude in front of Sigefroi who watched her every move.

  She opened the chest, picked up the scabbard and drew the blade with a flourish. “Behold Caliburn...” A blue glimmer played on the steel. “A sword of great power.”

  * * *

  Sigefroi stared at the blade in Melusine’s hands. He could sense its power, like he felt the ancient power seeping from the cliffs of the Bock, and oozing from the surrounding forest. In retrospect, he had felt the mighty sword during their short battle. He could not deny what he felt. It had to be the truth. How could he explain his defeat otherwise?

  Even the Church recognized miracles, and holy relics had been known to cure diseases and protect lives. So, why not a miraculous sword?

  “Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal it while you sleep and kill you with it?”

  A clear laugh answered him. “Caliburn would never hurt my lineage, my lord, I am its keeper. And only if given freely can Caliburn protect another.”

  “You plan to give me that sword?” The words had escaped him before he could think.

  Frowning, Melusine dropped the bejeweled scabbard inside the open chest but still held the blade. “Your ability to guess is uncanny, my lord.” Carrying the sword with great care, she walked up to the bed. “Aye. It is your destiny to wield the sword of power... in exchange for a solemn promise.”

  “Another promise?” He cast her a mock glare, all the time aware of the effects her naked body had on his manhood. “Woman, you annoy me. I’m accustomed to dictate my will, not to obey wenches.”

  Melusine stood near the bed but out of reach. She cut a lovely picture in the nude, with that smug smile, even while holding a dangerous sword. “Think of the power it represents... invincibility in battle for a knight certainly is worth a small promise!”

  Indeed, if the sword could do what she said, and he’d seen enough to believe it, Sigefroi must consider taking that oath. With such a blade he could carve his future kingdom.

  He sat up on the sleeping furs, crossed his legs, and faced her squarely. “What promise do you want from me?”

  She held the sword up high, as if it weighed nothing. Was she threatening him? “The first Wednesday of each month,” she said slowly, as if measuring her words. “From eve to sunset as we count the days, I will disappear from these walls.”

  The words registered in his mind. “What? You can’t... This is ludicrous.” Surely the little minx was trying his patience. “The lady of my domain has to be available at all times to run this household. You can’t just disappear for an entire day each month!”

  She leveled the point of the blade to his throat. “I am not asking permission, my lord.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “I’m telling you I will.”

  Sigefroi swallowed hard. The sword point grazed the kin of his neck and he remained very still. He’d seen the blade in action and didn’t want to repeat his shame.

  Exerting control over his anger, he opted for diplomacy. “All right. But that’s not an oath. What do you expect from me?”

  Her arm remained steady as she kept the sword point to his throat. “I want your solemn promise that you will never try to find out where I go or what I do when I disappear.”

  This couldn’t be. Sigefroi grabbed at straws. “It’s not safe nor proper for a noble lady to run about day and night without an escort.”

  Melusine snorted but her sword arm did not waver. “I can take care of myself, my lord. Besides, for all you know, I could be reading ancient scrolls, praying at a nearby convent, visiting a relative, or simply taking a long bath. I just don’t want to be questioned about it.”

  The little vixen was enjoying this. “You offer me power in exchange for one day of unrestricted freedom each month?” But even with a sword at his throat, Sigefroi found it difficult not to react. “What if I grow tired of your little secrets and break that promise?”

  Melusine shrugged with a dismissive sigh and lowered the blade. “You have much to lose in the bargain, my lord. Your honor, your wife, Caliburn, the riches I brought you, as well as your zest for life.”

  Sigefroi knew that power always came at a price. Indeed, it must be paid, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of victory, not yet anyway. “How can I possibly explain my wife’s regular disappearances to my vassals?”

  “Doesn’t a lord make the rules in his house?” The naked little witch chuckled. “I’ll go along with whatever you choose to tell the others.”

  What she proposed could work, but Sigefroi kept quiet.

  “Besides, why shouldn’t a woman have a day of freedom?” Even in animated argument, even as she humbled him, Melusine remained oh-so desirable. “Mine is the first Wednesday, and I insist upon it... Or should I rescind our wedding arrangement?”

  Jesu, how he wanted her right now. He sighed, letting his shoulders fall. “Is that why you made me change our wedding day?”

  She flashed a devilish smile. “I could leave now and free you from our betrothal vows.”

  Did she know he valued her more than the riches and the power she offered? His voice came as a harsh whisper. “You’re not leaving me.”

  �
��That is not for you to decide, my lord.” She brought the sword point up to his throat again.

  Sigefroi glanced down at the blade then gently pushed it aside, feeling no resistance. “I will abide by your conditions, but I want your assurance that this is the last of your unreasonable requests.”

  “Aye, my lord. It is the very last.” She seemed elated as she presented him with Caliburn flat on her extended hands.

  Sigefroi met her gaze. “Then I do solemnly swear, on my honor as a knight, never to try to find out what you do when you disappear on the first Wednesday of each month.”

  She slid the blade onto his open palms and a shiver spread from his arms through his entire being. The power of the sword. This miraculous weapon was his!

  He bowed slightly but remained seated on the bed. “I thank you for the boons you bestowed upon me, Melusine. I am the luckiest man alive right now.”

  She smiled sweetly, fetched the bejeweled scabbard and handed it to him. “I hope this happiness lasts you a lifetime, my lord.”

  After sheathing the sword, Sigefroi rose from the bed and hooked the weapon to his leather baldric hanging from the bedpost.

  Then he swept Melusine up in his arms. “We must seal this deal properly.”

  He took her mouth then dropped onto the bed with her. They rolled in the sleeping furs. When he came up for air, she chuckled.

  He pushed away an unruly strand of hair and gazed into her eyes, the color of a clear stream in summer. “I want to hear you sing again.”

  Chapter Six

  By the time Melusine awoke, the embers had cooled in the hearth. They had made love all night and spent the day in bed, dozing then reigniting their passion for each other’s body. Lust had flared and waned in relentless waves, leaving them more exhausted each time.

  A familiar pang tugged at Melusine’s mind. Almost sunset! Soon Tuesday would end, and it would be Wednesday’s eve. She had to leave now, before her body changed shape. She glanced at Sigefroi who snored softly, as vulnerable now as a sleeping babe. She regretted leaving him like this, without a kiss or a tender word, but she could not chance any delay.