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Skree honored his declared lifemating with Taun, when it would have been easier for the sea-mage to have gone home than to have borne the suspicions and outright cruelties of the landsmyn. Taun felt suddenly dirty, talking about honor. "I could never never have it the way you and Skree do." I'm not strong enough. "You have ethics," Aejys said, "it is almost the same thing, but maybe better, because when you make a mistake you can go a different direction. When I take a direction, commit myself to an action, I must continue to the end even when I realize later it is the wrong direction." "Are you saying you have taken the wrong direction... with this vow?" "No," she said, a sad edge entering her voice, "I'm saying that I have in the past and the people who suffered were the ones I loved best. This new vow is merely a turning in the right direction, an atoning for having allowed the situation to get this bad in the first place." "I'm sorry." "Don't be," Aejys forced a smile. "That's my job." * * * * Three days later Aejys sent for Josh. The nightmares still crowded in around her, especially at night and in still moments during the day; but she tried hard to do without him as much as possible, to try and deal with it alone. When the nightmares were intense enough to wake her screaming, he always appeared at her side, holding her, driving them back with his touch. She decided she needed to tell him about this and more: exactly how she felt about him, for Josh would never broach the subject himself. Page 61 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html "Lock the door," Aejys said. She sat on the couch in the parlor as Josh came in. At his questioning look, she added, "We need to talk and I don't want to be disturbed." "Did I do something wrong?" He locked the door as she had asked. "No. This isn't exactly about you. Well, it is somewhat. But it's mostly about me." She patted the couch. "You remind me of Brendorn. I never realized it until I started seeing you sober..." Josh blushed as he settled next to her. "He was a good mon." "Yes," Aejys said softly. "I loved him very much. Even when I abandoned him for what I thought were very good reasons his safety. It was a mistake I will regret as long as I live. I'm not making that mistake again." Josh dropped his eyes, uncertain of where this was going and beginning to feel uncomfortable. "Josh, you saved my life. You called me back from the dead. Why? This is more than just a devoted friendship. I saw it in your eyes the day you called me back. I saw it again in your mind when we melded in Shared Life. So just say it." Josh looked as if his heart would break from fear, but he said it. "I'm in love with you. For four years now. Ever since that day on the bluffs..." "Josh, it took a return trip to hell and back to recognize you for what and who you are, but since that day I woke in your arms in Rowanslea I've felt the same." She leaned into him, brushing her lips across his. "Now help me back to bed and climb in with me." "Are you sure?" "Yes. Must I make it an order?" Josh blushed so bright that he could have given a ripe cherry competition. He slipped an arm around her and she leaned part of her weight on him as they moved to the bed. She could feel his heart hammering with excitement as he settled her in the middle. Her splinted hands were no help, so Josh had to undress them both. She watched the way his hands trembled as he revealed first himself and then her. Josh was satisfyingly well hung, sending a tingling eagerness vibrating in her loins. Josh kissed both her breasts, being especially tender and careful with the scarred right nipple. Then he moved down to her feet and began systematically kissing and licking each and every scar, working his way up to the ones on her face and kissed her deeply. By then she was shivering and trembling with need. She was not well enough to participate as actively as she wanted, but Josh was making up for both of them with his passionate thoroughness. Then he entered her, filling her completely. She moaned, wrapping her legs tight around him, pressing him deeper. Josh began to move, pumping gently at first, then seeing that he was not hurting her, harder and faster and deeper, ever deeper, questing for the place of passion deep within her. He found it. Aejys cried out in ecstasy and his seed exploded within her. * * * * "They've been in there a long time with the door locked," Taun said, Page 62 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html frowning. "What do you suppose?" Becca shot him a lecherous grin. "What do you suppose ... he's in love with her." Taun flushed and fled, believing he himself had set this in motion. Becca went downstairs to let Molly know that there was no longer a need for anyone to stay in the parlor at night. CHAPTER SIX TRAITORS They fled due north for a time, then west with Margren again wrapped in the blanket. She had lost consciousness with the dawn: this stage of her undeath would pass eventually. By the time they reached Danae after four days, she looked passably human and rode beside them. They entered the capital city of Dovane the night before solstice, riding through streets of brightly lit houses. It was a time for visiting and sharing the season's cheer. People were out and about in large numbers. Margren hissed whenever anyone came too close, clearly disturbed, and hungry. Bodramet frowned at Mephistis. "Don't worry," Mephistis said. "She's on a tight leash." They drew rein before a large, elegant mansion. Mephistis knocked on the door [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |