Angie Arms - Flames series 04 (35 page)

With the sudden confusion of loosing Garrick’s support leaving him
, his mind immediately filled with the thought of Alena again.  “What of Alena?”

“What of her?” Garrick asked
, taking his seat again.  He wanted to ask Garrick why he sent her to him to bed her.  What did it matter to him?  But he still held everyone’s attention, so the words froze before he could ask.

“This
doesn’t affect Alena,” Garrick said offhandedly.  “Not really.  With the rest of us settling into our own lives, I think we all know we have no place for a woman like Alena.  I wish to reward Otto, my armorer for his service, and he has agreed to take Lena with him to the piece of land near the Cotswolds.”

“But that land has no structures, it is nothing but woods and marsh,” Marcus stated, unsure how the piece of property could be useful to anyone.

“It will be useful for the timber.  Otto, will build himself a little dwelling there.”

A picture of Alena’s future flashed in Marcus’s mind.  Otto was a big burly man with a temper.  He did so well as the armorer because everyone who worked under
him was afraid of him.  He lay a poker up beside one of his young apprentice’s face when he dropped the sword he was moving from the fires to be honed, onto the stone floor, making it necessary to restart the process.  He was also a filthy man, who despite his hours among the hot fires needed to ply his trade, did not see the necessity of a bath.  Marcus thought by the smell of him permeating his shop it was indeed never.

“You truly mean to marry her to Otto?”

“Goodness no.  Everyone knows who Alena was before she came here.  She is only the reward that makes the property more appealing.  Once he tires of her it will be up to her to do what she wants.”

“Has she agreed to this?” Marcus asked
, knowing Alena would not agree to such a thing. 

“Hardly.  We are talking about Otto, but he can control her.”

Marcus doubted that, no matter how big of a brute Otto was.  Marcus hesitated a moment before standing.  Alena asked him into her bed.  Not really the way he imagined it in his own head, but he supposed the end result was the same if one took out the romance and love.  He couldn’t just take her to his bed, that was how bastards were made.  He knew what a stigma that was, and he would not have his child carrying it.  He stood and left the room. 

He found Alena in the room she shared with the other women.  She sat alone, curled in a chair next to the fire, the warmth appeared close to making her doze off.  As he entered her head snapped around and she glared at him.  “Do you not know how to knock?”

“I do, but I thought you might refuse me entrance.”

“Why would I do that?”

Marcus shrugged as he moved toward her.  Her place by the hearth brought the memory of him leaving her behind at Kinsey rushing back on him, with it came the unknown, and he hesitated in mid stride, stopping a couple paces away from her.

Alena looked puzzled, slightly annoyed
, but she unwound her legs and stood.  The green blanket draped about her shoulders deepened the green of her eyes, the fire lit her glowing black hair as if it was on fire.  “What is wrong?” she finally asked.

“Garrick has given Kinsey back to me.  King John may even grant me my title.”

“That’s wonderful,” Alena declared, her face lighting with her genuine joy at his fortune.

“I came to take you up on your earlier offer.”  She stared at him for a moment, her eyes moving over him.  Slowly she let the blanket
slide from her hands and to the floor.  Beneath it she wore a plain tunic, but its dark color only deepened the shadows of her face, her eyes, and her lips. 

It took all his control to keep himself where he was.  “I must marry you first.”

“Why?” she asked.  Her direct, bold gaze made him nervous.

“I will not have my child a bastard.”

“All those times I was with Ghalib, he never got me with child.  I may not be able to have any.  He fathered many on his other women.”

Rage jumped into his heart for the man who touched her before him.  “It does not matter.  There is still a chance.  Even without children
, I would marry you.”

“I am offering no such commitments.”

Marcus stood straighter, “But I am demanding them from you.  I already love you, but can still walk away.  If I take you, I will no longer have that ability.”

Alena stood watching him for a moment before she bent and grabbing the bottom of her tunic
, she lifted it over her head.  He concentrated on her face, even when the material blocked it from him as she drew it over her head, he refused to waver.  He knew she stood before him nude, he could see it, though he tried desperately not to.  Her body was so flawless, it made him want to weep in the presence of God’s perfection. 

Alena walked forward, making Marcus tilt his head to look down at her
in order to retain his gaze locked to her face.  Desire like he never thought possible slammed through him, and he suddenly understood the men who raped.  The only think that held him back was the fear she would run from him afterward.  Despite her boldness now, she needed gentleness, a lifetime of it, and he could not give it to her if she took him to bed only this once.  Once he felt her arms wrapped around him and himself embedded in her, he would never be able to look back.  He would be forever her pawn, and it would only be acceptable if they were a united team with an unbreakable bond between them.

She lifted a hand to reach for him.  He took a sudden step back on an intake of breath.  He turned away quickly, close to exploding with a desire that was quickly turning to rage.  “Dear God Alena!” he yelled at her
, as he crossed to the other side of the room.  “I am only a man!  What is wrong with you?”  His voice suddenly changed to pleas as he turned, his hands held out, palms up, as if he was ready to beg her understanding, “Do you not get that?  I am but a man.”

“I’m sorry Marcus,” she whispered.  He strained to hear her.  Despite the logic thundering for notice inside his head
, he moved toward her.  “I don’t know, I just don’t know.  I was broken and I don’t know if I will ever not be.”

“Why won’t you marry me?” he stopped, still out of her reach
, but he could not pull his eyes from her in all her glory.  The fire glowed off her skin and he fought the desire to close the distance.  He watched her swallow, and he wanted to kiss the delicate skin at her throat.

“You scare me because you love me so much.  How can I possibly return something so strong?”

Marcus moved swiftly toward her.  He took her bare arms in his hands, pinning them to her side as he brought his lips down on hers.  He did not demand, but caressed her soft lips gently, allowing the tip of his tongue to caress the crease where her lips pressed together.  She gasped and he sealed his lips over hers, demanding another gasp, as he suckled her upper and lower lips alternately.  His tongue felt the soft fullness of her lips as it caressed in and out, stroking her lips to expel another gasp, followed by a moan, as he released her arms and gently wrapped his around her waist.  He did not crush her, but he caged her, his arms he would not yield if she wanted away from him now. 

He felt the softness of her ribcage as his arms wrapped around her.  She felt far smaller wrapped in his arms than she did with her proud stance, the way she carried herself with such confidence
.  Feeling her frailness now, was as surprising as the first time he held her.  It suddenly occurred to him she still did not answer him.  He wanted an answer.  He convinced himself he needed an answer before he had her, but it did not matter now.  He would forever belong to her, if she wanted him or not. 

He raised his arms so he could plunge his hands into her hair
, while still holding her against him.  His fingers closed over a handful, gripping gently, adding firmer friction, his teeth now gently nibbled and as another gasp escaped her he pulled her head back, released her lips, and suckled her neck.  Her hips swayed into him, and suddenly he felt he lost control of the situation.  His hand left the back of her head to land on her hips, pulling her closer.  He quickly moved her backward so her legs collided with the bed.  She fell backward and he was ready, coming down on top of her while using his strength to pull her upward, until she was spread across the bed. 

His lips hungrily moved downward
, and clamped over a nipple.  She bucked against him, her fingers digging into his scalp as she tried to pull him away at the same time she writhed under him.  She was fighting what he was making her feel.  She was not frightened entirely, but he felt the tenseness returning to her body.  He let go of her nipple long enough to take both her hands and gently pen them beneath him, before running his palm across her nipple.  She stared at him until the friction of the action made her hips buck upward slightly.  He bent his head and as he took the breast in his hand, his mouth closed back over it.  His tongue caressed the tip before he sucked it into his mouth.  She moaned loudly, writhing more. 

It was not enough.
He wanted to go slowly.  He imagined this day for so long he dreamed of patient control, but he found it abandoned him.  In a frenzy he pulled his clothes off, flinging them away as he quickly parted her legs and moved between them.  She lay on her back, her green eyes half closed with desire as she stared up at him.  She did not fight, she was his for the taking.

“Say you’ll marry me.”

He was so close to plunging into her.  He could feel her heat as he pushed himself against her entrance.  How sweet it was going to be.  Her answer could not stop him, no matter what it was.  But he had to hear it.  It was maddening as he waited just outside the gates of heaven, as she stared up at him.  He ran his hands up her calves to her knees, and spread them wider, positioning himself to plunge in.  He was on the precipice, nothing was stopping him, and nothing could stop him.

“Yes,” she panted
, as her eyes fluttered closed and her hips rose up off the bed, sliding herself up around him.  He fell over her and drove himself to the hilt.  It was all he imagined it would be, and more.  He pulled out and plunged in again.  Alena wrapped her long legs around his waist, and locked her heels behind his back, her arms came around his shoulders, and her nails dug into his back as he pulled out only to plunge back in.  He sat a mad rhythm that sent him exploding over the edge when he felt her orgasm release around him.  He spilled his seed deep in his wife.  She may never bare him children, but it would never stop him from enjoying the ecstasy he found in her arms.

Roland gently climbed from the bed, leaving Emma snoring lightly in it.  She spoke a little about the baby, she was obviously happy about it.  Yet, she spoke nothing of their future together.  There was no insinuation they would be married and live happily ever after.  Despite Roland’s relief, he felt he was disturbed by this.  He didn’t know what he wanted to do with Emma.  He wanted her with him, but he didn’t want another wife.  He wasn’t sure how he was going to mend the rift between him and his current children.  He had to do something, not only did he suddenly feel as if he was dishonoring Lillian, but he could never have a relationship with Emma’s child if he did not have one with his first children.

He dressed and left the chamber.  The hallways were dark as he made his way to the front of the Manor.  As he stepped into the courtyard he looked first to the gate, it was closed tightly.  Then his eyes went to the shadows around the courtyard and up to the wall.  Nothing was out of place.  No threat lurked.  On the wall he recognized the silhouette of Damien.  He knew it was the older brother for he stood taller, without the bent of pain Cyrille had when he was watching upon the wall.

Roland debated on leaving the man alone with his thoughts, but the door behind him opened and Garrick stepped out. 

“What brings you out this night?  I thought you would be basking in the glory with your wife,” Roland said, hoping to get a note of teasing in his voice
, but it fell short. 

“Doesn’t it scare you to death?”

“What’s that?” Roland asked, as Garrick joined him and his gaze went to the wall where Damien stood.

“Being a father?”

“I guess I hadn’t given it much thought.”

Garrick studied him for a moment
, before motioning him in the direction of Damien.  The man turned his head and nodded at them, before turning his gaze back to the landscape, as they joined him. 

“Do you think more trouble is coming?” Garrick asked
, his eyes scanning the landscape as well.

“I hope the only trouble coming our way is those children of yours.” Damien said with a chuckle
, turning to lean against the wall.  “I was just wishing I had some of my old land back with my title,” Damien said, looking at Roland.  “I always thought when this day came I would be able to reward you with another piece of property.”

Roland stared at his lord for a moment
, before clapping him on his shoulder.  “It does not matter.”

“Did you have property before?” Garrick asked, his gaze falling on them
, before going back to the landscape.  Roland wondered if any of them would ever get rid of the need to always look over their shoulder.