Desires Promise

by Desire's Promise (NCP) (lit)

  Her voice wavered. "Please … stop … milord."

  "Why? You are enjoying it, are you not? I want you to have a taste of things to come."

  Before she could say anything, he took a pillow and placed it under her belly. What was he doing?

  He said nothing as he spread her resisting legs wide so that her knees hugged the edges of the cot.

  "What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice cracking with terror.

  "You will see, my dear. Be patient."

  She felt him rise from next to her and move to the end of the cot. Oh, Jesu, he was going to ravish her. "No, please do not do this! I am an innocent girl!"

  "Not when I get through with you."

  Air seemed stuck in her chest as the fear and panic took over, her heart pounding relentlessly. Before she could protest more, she felt his hands massage her buttocks and flow downwards, his thumbs scraping her backside opening intentionally. For a moment, he pondered there, caressing the delicate fold of tissue as if he would penetrate her there. Fright and panic ran rampant along her veins, freezing her system completely. What was she to do?

  With a gentle nudge, he placed her on more pillows until she was almost on her knees. Terror gripped her. Now she knew he was going to ravish her. There was nothing else left.

  She steeled herself for the entry, knowing how much pain there was going to be with this first coupling. Never would she cower before this man no matter what he did to her.

  Up and down he massaged her thighs, gripping her legs and making sure they stayed apart. "You are true perfection, Isabeau," he murmured as his fingers trailed up her legs, "in every way."

  "Pl ... ple ... please do not do this!"

  "This is something you crave, Isabeau whether you wish to admit it to yourself or not."

  "I thought you said you would never ravish me and now you are going back on your promise."

  He laughed softly. "I never go back on any promises I make so take comfort in that."

  With that, Kendrick toyed with her fleecy private hair for a moment before going for what he really wanted. She felt her nether lips part as his fingers swept up and down their length, her hips instinctively moving. He slipped in, her opening tight against his fingers. "I see you are a virgin, Isabeau," he murmured as he stroked her. "I promise I will be most gentle with you when the proper time comes."

  With that, his strokes became more urgent, inciting her body to make the necessary fluid for him. In and out he stroked all the while his thumb caressed her swelling nub. She drowned in the ecstasy he provided, arching her back slightly as if to offer herself more to him. Heat crept into her cheeks as he manipulated her and cries of unabashed desire escaped her throat. He moved faster, exploring every inch of her inside. She could feel her juices spilling out of her and running down her legs. Suddenly, a great wall of emotion swept over her and she cried out, nearly screaming uncontrollably. She shuddered. What had just happened?

  She heard Kendrick laugh softly over her shoulder. "I can see you enjoyed yourself immensely."

  "I ... I ... did not," she gasped, trying to regain her composure but it was useless. He knew the truth.

  "Aye, you did so do not lie. Now if you like this taste of what I have to offer you, Isabeau," he murmured seductively in her ear. "Then you will obey me without question."

  Her chest heaved as she tried to regain her breath. "Why did you do that to me?"

  "This was part of your punishment, Isabeau. Just as you took me to the brink of madness, I will take you there and back. The other part," Kendrick stated in a warm tone he rose from behind her, "is that you will stay here with me tonight."

  "Wh … where … will … I … sleep?" she rasped as the pain in her chest flared up from fighting to try and breathe properly.

  "Next to me," was his answer.

  Angry tears threatened to form underneath the velvet blindfold but she held them back. "I thought I was to sleep with the servants."

  "I have changed my mind for tonight. If you are a good slave, then perhaps I will have you sleep in my chamber on a more permanent basis." She heard his heavy booted footsteps come over to the head of the cot. First the blindfold was removed. Under the hardened wooden plank, she saw the tips of his boots. Bending down, Kendrick unlocked the shackles, letting the manacles fall to the floor with a dull clank.

  Isabeau went to rise from the cot and all too quickly remembered her naked state. She lay back down. "Will you please turn around, milord?"

  "No. Get up."

  "Nay, I will not! I am not in the state for you to see me…." Before she could say anymore, Kendrick bent down and picked her up, setting her on her feet. Instinctively, she covered her breasts and womanhood with her hands.

  Kendrick drew them away, staring at her with a sharp, dark eyed intensity. "You are truly a beautiful woman, Isabeau. Never hide your beauty. Now, ‘tis time for bed."

  Her lower lip trembled at the thought of sleeping next to such a large and overpowering man. "But I thought…."

  His mirth filled the room as he read the terror stricken thoughts of her mind. "Do not fear, Isabeau. I will not ravish you tonight or anytime. I will wait for as long as it takes for you to give yourself willingly to me." His velvet-encased arms drew her into a tight circle and placed the lightest of kisses on her forehead. Bending down, he cradled her in his arms and laid her on the bed, covering her up almost like a parent putting a child to bed.

  She shivered slightly as he knelt next to the bed, smoothing the damp tangles away from her face. Was he lulling her into a false sense of protectiveness before he took her against her will? "Why do you treat me this way, milord?"

  A boyish grin covered his face. "There are many reasons for what I do, Isabeau. Someday I will tell you about them but not now. Now go to sleep." Another feathery kiss went to her forehead.

  Isabeau lay there and shivered for a moment as the ache of the day slipped through her body like a raging river. Why could he be so tender and gentle one moment then a devil the next? With methodical movements, her eyelids fought the battle against sleep but lost ground fast. Suddenly, the world seemed to slip away and Isabeau gave herself over to sleep without further struggle.

  * * * *

  Kendrick watched over her for a moment as her eyes closed. With a slight chuckle, he pulled the covers a little closer to her chin then kissed her again. How like an angel she seemed, even in her sleep. Perhaps that is why I feel so protective of her because she seems too fragile. He shook his head. It was a silly notion. What other woman would have the nerve to lead her army against England and win at least one battle. At least no one he knew would.

  He stood up and moved over to the armature, removing the armor as quickly and as quietly as possible. Now that she was asleep, he could breathe a sigh of relief. After what he did to her, it was all he could do to control himself. That was not his wisest move. When he entered the chamber and saw her there, naked and perfumed, he could not help himself. With a swift motion of his head, he had bid the servants to leave. Apparently, Isabeau had been none the wiser. The only time she had questioned the ministrations is when the blindfold slipped over her eyes. He should not have taken such liberties with her. She was no wanton harlot like Bregonia.

  Kendrick stole a look at her. She slept on her back with her hands up around her head and curled like an infant’s. A smile crept across his lips. Perhaps their children would look the same way....

  He bathed himself quickly with the clean water in the basin that one of the servants had left and slipped a tunic on, settling into a chair next to the bed. He stared at the beautiful naked creature lying there, as vulnerable as anything else on earth. If it were any other woman, he would most assuredly be enjoying her body right now. With this one, he was willing to wait until the end of time if he had to. Why?

  * * * *

  A hushed murmur went through the crowd as she emerged from the balustrade of the battlements. Isabeau looked down and saw her people waving cheerfully and wishin
g her long life as well as reign. She looked down only to see her belly was quite large. Suddenly, tanned hands came around and caressed her swollen abdomen with loving strokes. "I cannot wait for the birth of the child," the husky masculine voice whispered in her ear.

  "Neither can I, my love," she murmured quietly.

  Isabeau looked over the balustrade only to see Gardana standing at the bottom of the drum tower with the most hideous look on her face. In her hand was a bow along with a packet of arrows. Without a word, Gardana raised the bow, equipped with arrow and fired. The arrow hit her square in the chest. Pain radiated outward from the wound….

  Her screams brought her back from the depths of the dream. Out of the shadowy recesses of the nightmare, Isabeau felt two strong hands grip her upper shoulders, shaking her gently to awaken her. "Isabeau, what is the matter?"

  Ragged breaths whistled out of her mouth. "I … had … a … bad … dream," she gasped as she clutched onto Kendrick’s arms for support. Was this an omen?

  Genuine concern crossed his face. "What was it about?"

  Isabeau buried her face in his neck as his arms folded around her. Feelings of complete safety surrounded her like a blanket. "It matters not, milord. All I know is that I cannot go back to sleep." Tears that she had refused to shed throughout her ordeal now flowed readily down her cheeks. They fell into his hair, making the silky strands damp. His arms tightened around her as sobs racked her body.

  His hand stroked her head gently. "Shhh, Isabeau. Everything is all right. You have been through so much these last few days. I am going to let you sleep tomorrow. You need it. The duties can wait. I will have your meals brought here. In a day or so, you will be ready for the kitchen."

  She sniffed slightly. "I can take care of…."

  His long finger tilted her chin up. "You can say that all you wish but we both know the truth. You may be strong but you do need someone stronger than yourself. Come, now lay back down." With a soft hand, he urged her back down amongst the pillows.

  He went to rise but she halted him by the desperate clutching of her hands on his arm. "Please do not leave me! I could not bear it if the dream comes back!"

  Swift kisses on her forehead sent waves of reassurance through her body. "I am not going anywhere, Isabeau. I am merely going to get into bed then I will hold you all night long if you wish." With that, Kendrick moved to his side of the bed and stripped the tunic from his body. In the dim moonlight, she made out the shape of his heavily muscled body. The sight sent shivers of anticipation running throughout her.

  Lifting up the sheets, Kendrick slipped in and drew her into the wide circle of his arms. He nuzzled her hair with his freshly shaven cheek. "Does that feel better?"

  She nodded lightly. "Aye, milord." The feel of his silky naked flesh enthralled her to no end yet it also frightened her. Here she was, lying naked in a bed with a man that was not her husband, albeit against her will. My soul is damned, she told herself, and I must save myself. Against her buttocks, she could feel his manhood pressing, alive and rigid. He could take her anytime against her will yet he chose not to. Why? Most men would have ravished her and been done with it. Why was he so different? He was the most notorious womanizer in all of the Isles!

  She shivered slightly at the thought. Kendrick drew her in tighter. "Are you cold, Isabeau?"

  "No, milord, I am just still trembling from the dream."

  He caressed her hair. "Do not fear. The dream will not come back with me here. From now on, nothing will ever harm you while I am around." His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek, sending tremors of desire coursing throughout her veins. He planted a kiss, as soft as a feather on her cheek then lay down behind her. Strangely, those words were the most comforting of all.

  * * * *

  Soft coos of the morning doves wafted through the air, kissing the gentle curve of her ear. Isabeau opened her eyes, blinking away the blessed sleep from her eyes. Rays of sun streamed through the window, bathing the room in its golden light. Dust motes danced on the sprays of light and swirled in lazy patterns. She stared at the bright light filled window as her mind stayed on one thought. What happened last night? Was it all a dream and was she was really ravished?

  Isabeau sat up in bed and covered herself modestly with the coverlet. No, she was not sore or bruised. In fact, it was the first decent sleep she had in a while. She glanced with a fluid motion over to Kendrick’s side of the bed. It was empty. Where did he go?

  Brushing stray tendrils from her face, Isabeau glanced around the room in search of any sign of him. There was none. His armor glistened on the armature, glimmering like a bright beacon in a dense fog. Coffers, of varying sizes and degrees of ornamentation, decorated the room as well as the many brilliantly colored tapestries. With the splendor surrounding her, she could do nothing but sigh heavily. What was to become of her now?

  The creak of the door drew her attention away. Gardana entered the room with a tray of food and a petulant scowl on her face. "Here," she growled as she slammed the tray onto the table with a resounding thud, "is your food." Most of the contents spilled from the trencher and landed on the table before scattering in a few different directions. Then, as if an afterthought, Gardana threw the brown coarse gown draped over her arm into the available chair. "Here is your new clothing as well."

  Her anger bubbled beneath her serene surface. "Do not speak to me in such tone! I am the Queen of Castile and I demand the respect I am entitled to!"

  Gardana’s deep, wicked laugh echoed throughout the tiny room. "I care not what you are or were! Here you will be nothing more than the rest of us. I will tell you this, wench. Relish the time in his bed for it will not last long. I will retain my rightful place."

  Fury filled her as she rose from the bed and wrapped the sheet around her. She was a Queen and not about to be treated like a common gutter rat! Blushes of hot anger burned across her cheeks. "I would take that back if I were you, Gardana," she hissed through clenched teeth, "or else you will find yourself in a much worse situation."

  Gardana’s face remained staunch, as the evil smirk became broader. "’Twill be you who will find yourself in a worse situation. You scare me not, wench."

  Isabeau’s brows knitted as she tried to understand the onyx haired woman before her. Is there nothing that frightened the woman? "Very well, then. You may have the Duke if you so desire. I want him not. I will give you this warning. If you do not leave me alone, I will speak to the Duke and have you sent away."

  Gardana paled a little under her olive skin as her hands planted themselves on her hips. "What makes you think he will listen to you?"

  Isabeau tossed her tangled hair casually over her shoulder. "You would be amazed at how convincing I can be. Tell me, are you willing to take the chance?"

  Gardana’s glossy black hair, as well as the rest of her, shook with a hateful determination. "Just get dressed," she snapped and left the room. The door swung behind her and locked with a loud ring, piercing the once peaceful silence

  Isabeau was now truly alone with the exception of the remorseful thoughts running through her mind. How could she act like this? Kendrick was not her husband yet she allowed him liberties afforded only to that one man. Would it be possible he was that man? Nay, he could not be! He was wild and free, not bound by any woman. Besides, she vowed long ago never to give her heart to any man. The late King of Castile had tainted that view for her by parading his many mistresses in front of her mother, causing her death from a broken heart. She vowed never to let that happen to her. Her word was her bond.

  * * * *

  Gardana leaned against the cool exterior of the door, letting out a sigh of relief. Isabeau was stronger than she’d thought, far from being the virginal woman she saw in the water. I must weaken her somehow, she told herself. How was she do it without arousing suspicion upon herself? Pushing the few stray strands of pitch-black hair from her face, Gardana smoothed her hand over her yet to swell belly. I will consult your father little one
and within a few months we shall have all we are entitled to.

  With that thought in her mind and a wide smile on her face, Gardana pushed away and went to search of Halden.

  Chapter 9

  Isabeau’s time of relief passed with an alarming speed. She did not see Kendrick for most of the day. She frowned. What was reason for aloofness?

  Darkness shrouded Kent in the mysterious blackness, burying the land in a welcome, warm feeling. The countryside turned to a soft gray as the moon began to rise over the tops of the silver-coated trees in the forest. Puffs of the cool night air wandered in and out, peppering the chamber with the cloying scent of honeysuckle. Isabeau drew in a deep breath and held the sweet perfume before exhaling in a remorseful sigh. The honeysuckle would be missed once the snows came.

  Isabeau continued to stare out the window, letting her mind be consumed with the wondrous beauty before her. Perhaps if she could have been introduced to Kendrick in a different manner ... the clicking of the lock tumblers behind her jolted her out of the dream. She spun toward it. Her golden braid fell over her shoulder, tickling the brown belt cinching the coarse wool of her dress. The pain in her chest from the erratic beating of her heart increased with each passing moment. If that were Kendrick behind the door, what would she say to him?

  The door swung open as the groan of the hinges pierced the still air. Kendrick entered the room with a mocking grin on his face. He was dressed in a short, dark leather tunic that deepened his golden glow. The hem brushed of the top of his strong, breech clad well-muscled thighs, and raven’s wing hued hair swept across his bronze brow, framing his exquisitely handsome face. A smile spread across his full lips the moment his gaze captured hers.

  "I see you are well rested, Isabeau," he murmured as he turned and locked the door.

  She nodded slowly as the thump of her heart increased. "Aye."

  Kendrick walked with a purposeful stride over to a chair and settled his large frame in it. His stare locked onto her. "Then you will not be too tired to help me undress."

  Panic rose in her body as a lump formed in her throat. Though she felt his body next to hers last night, she never actually saw him naked. Just outlined in the moonlight. Inwardly she trembled. "W ... why … milord?"