Blaze (3 page)

Blaze ruffled leaves and made extra noise as he approached the water's edge.

The couple glanced at him.

"Sorry we missed the second half of the Green Sash exhibition," Lock said. "But we wanted a few minutes alone before the rest of you joined us."

Sparrow blushed and playfully smacked her husband's arm. "Lock!"

"No need to explain." Blaze undressed to his loincloth and waded into the water. He ducked under and surfaced, running a hand through his drenched hair.

With no sign of their characteristic stealth, several members of the Green Sash faction burst into the clearing. Jade, Court, and Crag along with Lily approached. While the latter pair simply waded into the water, the former immediately joined Blaze.

"So," Jade grinned, "tell us about this Dame who has captured your interest."

Lock raised an eyebrow in Blaze's direction. "What Dame? You been hiding a woman on us?"

Sparrow cast her husband an irritated look. "Lock!"

"She's quite attractive," Court added.

Blaze resisted the urge to snap at his companions—something he rarely did. Their invasion of his love life was beginning to frustrate him. "Since when is greeting a woman grounds for matrimony?"

"Nobody said anything about marriage." Jade winked. "Vows or no, there are many pleasures to be found between a man and a woman."

"I wonder how you discovered that I said hello to a Dame?" Blaze cast an accusing look toward Crag and Lily.

Crag held up his hands in defense. "Wasn't us."

"This is senseless!" Blaze continued washing while trying to ignore the others.

Impossible when Lock waded over with a stupid grin on his face and the devil in his eye. "First thing, Blaze, you got to show her how manly you are. Keep your shoulders back and chest out. Like this."

Blaze wrinkled his nose in Lock's direction. "If you put on such airs with your bride, I’m surprised she consented to a permanent union."

"So am I," Sparrow teased, ducking Lock's playful splash.

"Silence, woman! I am trying to teach this shy one the ways of SothSea romance."

Court laughed. "He wants to get the woman, not scare her off, Lock!"

"Just listen to me," Lock continued. He wrapped an arm around Sparrow's waist and held her to his chest while gently burying his hand in her hair. "You hold her close, like this. You gaze deep into her eyes, but you only gaze this long with a woman who sets your heart on fire. You don't want to give other bitches that kind of incentive. You kiss her brow and her cheeks."

The Knight tenderly brushed his lips over his wife's face.

"Then, when she knows she means more than just a roll on the beach, you kiss her mouth. Like this."

Lock kissed Sparrow, holding her close. Her arms slid around his neck and her eyes slipped shut.

When the kiss broke, she wore a slight blush and a smile on her lips.

"That might work." She pushed away from Lock, but cast him a flirtatious look before ducking underwater.

"That will work if the moment is right," Crag said. "But sometimes it takes more than a look or a kiss. "

Lily wrinkled her nose at her husband. "Since when are you an expert on women? You weren't exactly a dream lover when we first met, you know."

"But I've learned much since. For instance, if she's had a long, hard day—"

"Then give her a long, hard night." Lock grinned wolfishly and rubbed his hands together.

Crag flung him a disgusted glance. "No. Prepare a bath for her. When walking home, stop along the way and gather flowers for her. Arrange for an evening alone every once in a while with no children and no responsibilities."

Smiling, Lily took his hand. "Crag does do those things."

Blaze strode out of the water, torn between amusement and aggravation. Did they think him a fool or a young boy who had no idea what to do with a woman? Yes, Blaze might have upheld his vows

for the past twenty three years, but that didn't mean he was ignorant in the ways of love. He had methods of his own—old methods tested and proven worthy by the most magnificent lovers of the ancient world. His old mentor from the east, Master Etah, had not only instructed him in the fighting arts, but in the ways of love. Using scrolls passed down through the generations among his people, he had shown Blaze supreme methods of arousing and loving women. Though the Knight

had studied the teachings with interest, he vowed never to use them until he found the right woman. When the time was right, he would know how to pleasure his chosen mate, and he hoped no one need instruct him in sensitivity. Blaze enjoyed seeing others happy, which was why he took such pleasure in being a Knight and helping people. All his life he'd longed for a woman of his own to love and care for. Something told him that he'd finally found her in Melody.

* * *

Melody sat under the willow tree and wondered where her appetite had gone. She glanced at the partially eaten slice of blueberry bread. Usually she would have devoured it and already been on her second piece. At the moment, her stomach fluttered and her pulse raced.

You know what it is.

Melody smiled at the sensation of the spirit voice in her mind.
Where have you been, Tara?

Oh, here and there. Back to the important matter. You know why you're not hungry. It's that Knight.

Blaze?

I cannot believe you're trying to play dumb with me. I know your every thought and feeling, Melody.

You picked a good one—even though he'll make life difficult for me until you accustom yourself to his manner of speaking.

He is a bit confusing, but I'm told it's the spirits who've made him unusual. Now how could that possibly be true?

Enough of your sarcasm, Dame! I'll translate his words for you. You won't even notice I'm around.

I'd better not, because if you're going to constantly interfere as you've done so often throughout my life, I'd rather figure out what he has to say on my own.

Goodness, how rude! Just for that I ought to leave you on your own, but I'll stay around for his sakemore than yours. He's a good man. A real catch. The others speak highly of him.

The other spirits?

No, the Hog Wrens nesting on Nalmar.

Melody resisted the urge to continue the argument. All her life she'd been plagued and blessed by Tara. The spirit had always been with her, talking, guiding, annoying…

Don't worry, Melody. Other than subtle translation, you won't even know I'm around.

I've heard that before.

Here he comes!

Melody's pulse raced and she lifted her chin, straining to see through the crowd a short distance away. Then she saw Blaze's auburn hair, wet from his swim and gleaming in the sunlight. The tall, lean Knight wove his way around people and approached the tree. Smiling, he gazed at her with angelic blue eyes.

She returned his grin and was about to stand, but he joined her on the grass, his shoulders leaning against the tree and his legs stretched out in front of him. The hard muscles of his thighs and calves curved beneath his black trousers and matching tunic belted at his waist with a green sash.

"I got you a piece of blueberry bread." She reached into the cloth bag beside her and held out a slice of bread wrapped in a square of white cloth.

"Ah. My favorite."

"Mine, too."

He glanced at her scarcely touched slice. "But you haven't finished yours."

"I don't know what's wrong with me. Usually I eat like a pig."

"You hardly look it."

"Thank you."

He's noticed my body. Is that good or bad? My breasts aren't big enough. I know that. I—

Will you stop with the insecurity and flirt already?
Tara's thoughts struck Melody hard.

"Will you shut up already?"

Blaze's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

Heat rose in Melody's face. "Not you. I was talking to my—It's hard to explain, but if the stories I've heard about you are true, you'll probably understand better than anyone."

"And what stories are you speaking of?"

The expression in his eyes revealed that he already guessed what she was about to say.

"That you communicate with the spirit world."

"It is true. I haven't the right to chastise the Spirit for bestowing such insight upon me, yet I must be honest, Melody. Most find me hard to communicate with. Even now, you probably can't follow what I'm saying—"

"I understand you very well."

His brow furrowed. Inside, Melody tingled. His every expression and movement seemed directly linked to her heart. Her legs felt so weak with desire that she was almost grateful to be seated.

"I have a link to the Spirit world, too. Her name is Tara. A single spirit who has been with me since I was a child. She's translating your words for me, though in such a way that I wouldn't even realize she's here, unless she deliberately makes a personal comment."

"Tara—I cannot see her, yet I must admit that several of the spirits have warned me of another presence accompanying you."

"She likes to hide, then pop out at the most annoying moments."

You little brat. If it wasn't for me helping you with this guy you'd need six years to carry on a conversation!

"That's enough, Tara! I'd rather have you disappear for a while than interfere in such a way!"

Sorry. He's a nice man. I won't ruin it for you, brat.

Well thank you very much.
At least Melody remembered not to speak aloud that time. Poor Blaze looked torn between confusion and amusement.

"Would you like to take a walk?" he asked.

"That's a good idea."

He stood and offered her his hand. His fingers closed around hers and the warm, callused surface of his palm prompted thoughts of how his caresses would feel on her breasts and inner thighs. In

spite of the gentleness of his grip, his strength, both physical and spiritual, seeped into her body.

Never in her life had Melody known a man quite like this. He was the perfect combination of innocence and sensuality. Why couldn't she stop thinking about tearing off his clothes and hers and melting into his flesh? She had no doubt that the sensation of his tall, sinewy body wrapped around her would be the ultimate pleasure.

Did he feel the same? If the look glistening deep in his pale blue eyes was any indication, he was as attracted to her as she was to him, yet this was not a man who flaunted his sexuality or wantonly fulfilled his desires. One had only to speak with Sir Blaze to sense his respect for all living things.

Goodness, Melody. You're making him out to be some kind of god, some perfect specimen of manhood. The hero every woman dreams of.

Melody might have expected such fantasies from someone else, but not herself. She was a Dame of the Opal Order, not a young girl to fall hopelessly in love with a Knight, even an adorable, kind, sensual one who shared her connection to the spirit world.

She and Blaze exchanged glances and nervous smiles before each simultaneously took a bite of his bread.

"How long have the spirits been with you?" she asked, her gaze fixed on his finely-shaped lips as he finished chewing.

"As long as I can remember. Though I sometimes complain, I can't imagine what life would be like without them."

"Yes. When Tara goes away sometimes, I miss her."

You do?

Yes. Now keep quiet, Tara.

"What I like most is the comfort I can sometimes bring others by sharing messages from loved ones. It's rare that anyone can lie to me. The spirits tell me what people are truly like. Sometimes

that's a gift, but other times I think I'd rather not know."

"I can see how that might be difficult."

"You're the first person I've ever met who fully understands what my life is like. That's a precious thing, Melody." He squeezed her hand.

"Yes, it is. I’m glad we met, Blaze."

"As am I."

Suddenly the noise of the fair faded. Blaze bent towards her and she stood on tiptoe to reach his lips.

"Blaze!"

They parted suddenly and faced a tall, black-haired man and an attractive woman with dark blond hair.

Melody's pulse raced. If they hadn’t been interrupted, they would have kissed.

"It's a great turnout this year," the man stated, his gaze sweeping the crowd.

"The exhibition was very well done, Blaze," the woman said, then turned to Melody. "Hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Honey Wine and this is Torn."

Blaze explained that Torn was his foster brother as well as second in command of the Ruby Order.

Honey Wine was his wife and leader of the neighboring kingdom of Sophianna. The last Melody heard, Sophianna was ruled by nasty Mistress Alva, but it seemed much had changed in the ten