by Donna Grant
He had always thought the tower perfect in its simple elegance, but maybe she saw it as austere, unadorned—savage. He, like his father before him, preferred a simple style. There were no statues of marble or adornments of gold in his tower. That was saved for another chamber, one he used only when another king visited.
The tapestry above the hearth had been made by his mother. The weapons on the walls were from each king that had ruled Kellian. There were a few luxuries to be seen, such as the rug he’d had imported from Pereth and the silver trenchers from Shadowhall. Even the candelabras, though made from simple iron, held candles scented with sandalwood and spices.
“Where is your bed?” she asked.
An image of him gazing down at Linarra with her tawny hair spread around her as he thrust deep inside her hot sheath flashed in his mind.
Falcor cleared his throat as his cock swelled. “My chambers are above us.”
She looked at the ceiling then at the door they had come through. A smile pulled at her lips. “I see. The stairs stop at this chamber so anyone who comes to see you must go through here before your chamber.”
“Exactly. We Kellians like our privacy.”
She laughed, the sound completely unexpected and musical. He suddenly wanted to hear more of it.
“Why did you bring me up here?”
“I’m not in the habit of receiving women as gifts. Though you are very beautiful, I must return you to your king. I didn’t wish to do that in front of a hall full of my people.”
Her eyes widened at his words. “You wanted to save me embarrassment?”
“Aye. I will take you to your guards in the morning. It isn’t safe to travel the jungle by night.”
“My lord, I don’t think you understand. King Usotae didn’t send me to you for a bride. I am to be used however you see fit.”
Falcor’s fury roared to life. “Your king cares so little for your wishes that he would give you to me to turn you into a whore?”
Her hands clasped together in front of her. “I am a gift, Your Highness. It is rude to return a gift.”
“It’s rude to return a rug. A woman is something entirely different.”
“Nevertheless, I cannot return.”
In truth, Falcor was ecstatic to hear it, but deep in his heart he knew no good could come from her being in Kellian. She was an outsider and from Aldvale. Not a good combination.
Yet, his body wasn’t listening. All he cared about was the beautiful specimen standing before him, offering herself to him. No man with a pulse could have turned her away. And Falcor was very much alive.
3
Linarra didn’t quite know what to think of the ruggedly handsome king of the Kellians. Falcor wasn’t what she expected, that was for sure. His regal bearing collided with his simple soft leather pants and dark red tunic.
Long, straight, flaxen hair was pulled away from his face and tied in a queue at his neck. Gray eyes similar to a turbulent winter sky seemed to peer into her very soul and call to her again and again.
His face was all hard planes and angles, giving him a potent, powerful look. He had a straight, narrow nose, strong jaw, and wide mouth. His full lips, tilted in a slight grin, looked as though they knew how to kiss.
Linarra shook herself. Only one man had ever tried to kiss her, and Usotae had made a muck of it. So why was she suddenly thinking of kissing now? And the enemy, no less?
Could it be because of Falcor’s wide shoulders or his thickly muscled arms and chest? Or the way his eyes looked her over from head to toe, as if he contemplated devouring her.
Falcor exuded command and excitement, sensuality and passion—a heady combination, to be sure. Her stomach flipped and her blood heated as his hungry gaze swept over her again. Usotae had wanted her, but he had never looked at her with such…craving…as Falcor did.
To help dispel images of Falcor kissing her—touching her—Linarra turned and licked her lips. “Please, King Falcor, do not return me to Aldvale.”
She was prepared to beg, to do anything to make sure she stayed in Kellian. When Falcor didn’t answer, Linarra made herself face him. His stormy gray gaze caught and held hers, seeking the deepest recesses of her mind. She stood straight, refusing to bend under his stare.
“Something tells me you aren’t being completely honest with me, Linarra of Aldvale. Why should I allow you to stay?”
“You might find me entertaining.”
He chuckled. “I’m king. I have plenty of entertainment in my castle. What makes you so different that I would give you access to my castle and my people?”
This was the time for her to begin her seduction. If she didn’t say something quick, he would send her back to Aldvale and Narune would be lost.
Think!
“You may have plenty of entertainment, Your Highness, but trust me when I say, you’ve never had anything like me.”
For a long moment he stared at her, as if contemplating her words. Finally, he nodded. “I’ll let you stay, but don’t do anything foolish like try to spy for Usotae.”
Linarra’s blood ran cold at his words. How could Falcor already know why she was sent? She let her fingers caress her thigh before she rested her hand on her hip. “Do you really think he would send a woman to spy?”
“I don’t put much past Usotae. I’ve already caught four of his spies over the past month. Now he sends me a very lovely, very enticing present as a peace offering.” Falcor shook his head slowly. He dropped his arms and moved toward her. “Now do you understand why I think he’s up to something?”
Linarra couldn’t believe how easy it was to act the seductress. Of course it helped that Falcor was so devastatingly handsome. She held her position, eager to feel his touch and at the same time wanting to run away.
Falcor was dangerous, more dangerous than she could have imagined. She silently cursed Usotae for his stupidity. If Falcor had caught four spies, he would be on his guard against anyone, including a woman meant to seduce him.
He stopped a foot from her. “I will protect you while you are in Kellian, but if you try to spy for Usotae, or worse, try to murder me or another Kellian, it will be my sword you feel. Do you understand?”
Linarra nodded woodenly. Now both kings had threatened her. One with her sister, the other with her life. Though, to be fair, she’d do the same in Falcor’s position. A king had to protect himself and his kingdom.
“I will have your guards return to Aldvale and have a servant find you a chamber,” he said and started to turn away.
Linarra reached out and touched his arm. He froze then turned back to her. She swallowed to work up the courage that had deserted her. A separate chamber would not get her the secrets she needed.
“Do I not please you?”
His gaze once more raked over her, sizzling her with its intensity. “You know you do.”
“Then why don’t you want me?”
“It’s not a question of want, Linarra.”
Her name on his lips made her heart quicken. Her name had never sounded so sensual, so beautiful, as it did at that moment.
“I will see to your chamber. I gather you brought no more clothing?”
She glanced down at the black silken skirt. “Nay. I was told I wouldn’t be wearing much once I arrived.”
A smile pulled at her lips when Falcor’s gray eyes darkened. She had to seduce him, and it was easier to do now that she had seen him, had felt his heat, fleeting though it had been. She didn’t know why he hadn’t sent her away. All she could do was be grateful she had the chance to carry out what Usotae wanted.
There was one thing she knew for sure: She would have no problem making herself kiss the handsome warrior king. In fact, she yearned to feel his mouth on hers. His nearness caused her breath to quicken and her blood to race. What would it feel like when he did kiss her?
“You caused quite a stir dressed as you are. I cannot allow you to wander the castle like that. The men will come to blows fighting over you.”
>
She laughed. “Not if they know I’m yours.”
He motioned to the left with his head. “There’s a door that leads to my private bathing chamber. Feel free to use it while I see about a chamber and clothes. Are you hungry?”
“Aye, thank you.”
He nodded and walked from the chamber.
Linarra let the smile drop and released a long breath. Falcor was cautious of her, which was going to make him difficult to seduce. Even more so because she liked him. There was something about him that seemed decent and fair. He didn’t deserve Usotae’s tricks.
But Linarra had to think of her sister.
She walked to the door he had motioned to and opened it. Pleasure erupted in her as she stepped into the lavish bathing chamber. The same black stone that the castle was built from was also in the chamber. Every shade of red could be seen in the chamber, from the lavish rugs of varying sizes scattered throughout to the vibrant flowers whose scent filled the air to the wide chairs that were placed near the windows.
Her gaze turned to the tub, though in truth the sheer size of it made it almost a small pool. It stood in the center of the chamber, about three feet high. Upon closer inspection, she saw that there was a pattern to the black stones that made up the tub. Every fourth stone had a beautiful design painted in a deep red.
Unable to resist the call of the water any longer, Linarra swiftly undressed and climbed into the steaming water. She let out a sigh and sank to the bottom.
The hot water soothed her muscles, which she had kept tense since leaving Aldvale. Gradually, she began to relax. The tub was so big she could literally swim back and forth in it if she so chose. She sank under the water to wet her head. When she surfaced, she wiped the water from her face and smiled.
She could get used to such splendor. No one in Aldvale, not even Usotae, had anything so marvelous. Linarra found a seat in a corner and sat.
The exhaustion of the day had taken its toll on her. She rested against the side of the stones and closed her eyes. But all she saw were incredible gray eyes darkened with desire. Her lips parted as she imagined him kissing her, holding her. She bit her lip as her nipples hardened, and she yearned to have his hand cup her breast.
A sound made her eyes fly open as her stomach clenched with fear…and excitement. The prickling of her skin made her aware she was being watched.
Linarra turned her head to the door and saw Falcor staring at her. He stood motionless, his gaze unreadable. And she found that she ached to touch him, to seduce him. A man she didn’t know, a noble king she shouldn’t believe, yet her body wanted him, knew him…trusted him.
And that’s when she realized she was in danger of losing more than just her life.
Desire had never rushed into Falcor’s body so swift and true as it did when he saw Linarra in his tub. Her bronzed skin, heated by the warmth of the water, glowed as droplets ran down her body.
Her golden eyes were riveted on him, waiting to see what he would do. But he didn’t sense any fear. Instead, he sensed…desire.
Falcor inhaled deeply as he tried to calm his racing blood and a need so great, so intense, that it blinded him. Many women had turned his head, several had even held his attention for a while, but none had ever made him wild with such need.
None had ever made him…hunger…for just a taste of her.
The urge to feel her skin, to sample her lips, to claim her, was so powerful that he took a step toward her. The corners of her mouth lifted in a smile that was pure delight.
Who was the bigger fool? A man who sent such a woman as a gift? Or the man who received such a gift and turned it down?
Falcor had always thought himself able to see through deceit, but with Linarra, all he saw was the promise of pleasure beyond his wildest imaginings.
His feet moved slowly to the edge of the tub, his fingers just grazing the top of the black stones as he stopped. “Are you enjoying your bath?”
“Truly. I’ve never been in a tub so large or so beautiful. There is much about the Kellians that isn’t known.”
“Aye. We aren’t the cruel barbarians people would believe us to be.”
With a little push, she glided toward him, her magnificent tawny mane floating elegantly behind her. Long, slim fingers gripped the black stone and pulled her forward. Her gaze moved over him until she returned it to his face.
“Not a barbarian in the least, my king. I see before me a grand king, handsome and wise and powerful. A man that could have any woman in his kingdom but sleeps alone.”
He didn’t know how she knew he slept alone, and it didn’t seem to matter. Not when she was so close to him and his need was so great. All he could see, and feel, was Linarra.
She stood, droplets rushing over her luscious breasts and down her flat stomach to the water below. Falcor lowered his gaze to stare at a body most men only dreamed about, a body that stood before him, asking—nay, begging—for him to take her.
Falcor considered himself to have a will of iron, but it was crushed when faced with the beauty before him. He desperately wanted to touch her, to run his hands along her skin and learn each curve of her body.
“Tell me, King Falcor,” she said, her voice husky and seductive. “Why is it you are alone?”
“No woman has yet claimed me.”
She smiled and ran a finger over his jaw. “Foolish women.”
He was unable to stop his hands from reaching for her. The instant his skin made contact with hers, he felt a jolt of something raw and primitive move through him. Her eyes widened a fraction, but she said not a word.
With his hands on her waist, their bodies were mere breaths apart, separated only by the black stones and water. Water ran over his hands from her hair, teasing him to touch more of her, to feel more of her.
Her gaze lowered and her lips parted. Chills raced over her skin as her head lifted toward his. And for the life of him, Falcor couldn’t think of a reason not to sample her full, ripe lips.
The first touch of her mouth against his was like the rays of the morning sun after a long, dark night. It beckoned him, urged him to taste more of her. Falcor ran his tongue over her lips, learning her, savoring her.
He took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of lilies, orange-wood, and sensuality. Scents he would forever associate with the wildly exotic woman in his arms, a woman whose very essence pulled at his soul.
His hands moved around her waist and up the delicate arch of her back. Strands of long hair clung to his skin as if seeking to mold him to her. But Falcor didn’t need any assistance; he had already given in to the temptation she offered.
While his mouth and tongue learned her lips, her hands circled his neck and her fingers worked loose the queue to free his hair.
Just the feel of her nails raking over the skin of his neck sent chills down his spine. He could stand it no more. He slanted his mouth over hers as his tongue slid between her lips to mate with hers.
A small moan left her lips as she melted against him, her wet skin dampening his tunic. The more he kissed her, the more he wanted her. He deepened the kiss, urging her to give all she had.
She moved to kneel atop the stones, molding her body to his. It was too much for a man who was already on the edge. Falcor gripped her hips, rubbing his straining cock against her. She broke the kiss and leaned back to look at him. Her chest heaved with her erratic, labored breathing. Her gaze searched his, as if she hoped to find something in his depths.
“What are you looking for?”
She licked her lips. “Nothing.”
Falcor let her lie, for he needed much more than explanations right now. “You taste extraordinary.”
“Do I? Since we are confessing, let me say you are the first man to kiss me so wonderfully.”
Falcor couldn’t have been more shocked. “Usotae sends a woman to seduce me and she hasn’t kissed properly before?”
“You won’t be disappointed in me, my lord. I was given instruction on how to pleasure you
.”
Falcor closed his eyes as he imagined her mouth on his cock. He swallowed and forced open his eyes. “I should send you to another chamber.”
“But will you? Even an inexperienced one such as I can feel our mutual desire. I’m yours to take,” she said, and she guided his hand to cup her breast.
One feel of the exquisite weight of her breast and her dark nipple hardened. It undid Falcor. Without another word, he lifted her in his arms and turned from the chamber.
4
Linarra wrapped her arms around Falcor’s neck as he carried her to a hidden set of stairs that took them to his private chambers.
The room was massive in size, with every luxury a king could want. A large bed stood against a far wall. Columns of black stones stood at the four corners of the bed and were draped in silky gauze of black and red. Pillows of every size and shape littered the black bed covering, each pillow covered in black and red.
He didn’t slow as he took her to the bed and gently laid her upon it. Linarra tried to recall the training she had received before leaving Aldvale. But all she could think about was the man standing before her, a man with desire and need shining boldly in his gray eyes. Her lips still throbbed from his kiss. That kiss had curled her toes and made her stomach clench in anticipation of what was to come.
His hand caressed her hips before moving upward to stop just short of her breasts. Her nipples hardened and her breasts swelled at the thought of him touching her. Her heart raced and her blood pounded in her ears while her body screamed for him.
She had been more than bold when she had moved his hand to her breast in the bath, but she didn’t regret it. Even now, remembering the way his nostrils flared and his eyes heated sent shivers of delight over her skin.
Yet, instead of cupping her breasts, Falcor plucked a strand of her hair from her chest. He rubbed the strand between his fingers before he brought it to his nose and inhaled.