Dragonfyre (8 page)

Kyndra, however, seemed to be adjusting well. There were times she fisted her hands as she if she compared their situation to how it would be if she had her magic. Yet she never complained. So far she had kept a level head. Aimery didn’t think he could say the same. With the lust burning his blood for her and the frustration of his loss of magic, he was on the raggedy edge. Not a good place to be in their present situation.

“Will it ever end?” Kyndra whispered.

Aimery looked into her eyes, her face in an orange glow from the torch held near her.

“Soon enough.”

Her brows furrowed and, her fear of the lift forgotten, she placed her hand on his chest as she faced him. “Are you all right?”

Nay.
“Aye.”

She stood up on tiptoe until her mouth was near his ear. Aimery bit back a groan and fought to keep his hands at his side instead of wrapping around her.

“It’s the magic, isn’t it? I need you, Aimery. I can’t do this alone.” He clenched his jaw and breathed in her scent of jasmine and sunlight. As he parted his lips to answer her, he caught one of the guards giving him a knowing look. Something in Aimery snapped. He stepped toward the guard, causing the lift to rock and Kyndra to yelp in fear.

“Easy, Fae,” the guard said.

Aimery leaned until he was nose to nose with the man. “Don’t look at her again. Do you understand me?”

The guard nodded, and Aimery returned to his spot beside Kyndra.

“What was that about?” she demanded as she looked from the guard to Aimery.

Aimery’s gaze met the guard’s before he turned to her. “A small conflict that has been seen to.”

She rolled her eyes and turned away from him, but she kept her hand near his. A small sigh escaped her parted lips when the lift began to slow. Aimery’s looked away from those plump lips that he imagined sliding over his cock. His rod swelled with a hunger only Kyndra could quench, a hunger that grew with each beat of his heart.

“We’ve arrived,” another guard said.

The lift came to a halt and Aimery stared at the yawning corridor before him, ablaze with light from candelabras hanging from the ceiling and walls. Lining the walls were giant tapestries of vivid colors, the artwork some of the best Aimery had ever seen. Of everything he had imagined Eldar’s castle to be, this certainly wasn’t it.

He stepped off the lift and held out his hand for Kyndra. Once she was beside him, he heard her gasp as she took in the splendor.

They had made it to Eldar’s castle.

Kyndra lounged in the massive bathing tub. It wasn’t as nice as what she was used to on her realm, but it was a bath with hot water, which was enough for her. She had washed the sand and sweat from her body three times and washed her hair four times.

She smiled as she thought of Aimery. He had been indignant that Eldar hadn’t seen them immediately. The only thing that had calmed Aimery down was Eldar’s promise that he would see them in a few hours.

It had been enough for her. The thought of a room to herself with food and a bath had been all she needed to hear. Yet when Aimery had discovered their rooms weren’t near each other, she had thought she would have to restrain him herself.

Something had happened to Aimery. She still couldn’t believe his reaction on the lift.

What had come over him to get in the guard’s face, and what had he growled at the man? Kyndra was likely never to know. What she did know was that Aimery wasn’t handling the loss of his magic well. He had hid it from her well enough, but she knew.

She knew because she felt it herself.

It would be so easy to give in to the fear and anger at the loss, but she couldn’t. She fought it every waking moment. She should have listened to Lugus better, taken to heart his words of caution and control. All she had now was Aimery. The thought of losing him left her gasping for breath.

“Kyndra.”

She jerked upright at the sound of his voice in the hallway. “I’m here.” Before she could tell him she was at her bath, the door to her chamber opened, and he stepped inside. She forgot all about her nudity as she looked at him. He wore a tunic of black, accented with cream thread, and black breeches that molded to his muscular legs. His hand was on the hilt of his dagger, and she glimpsed the pommel of his sword over his shoulder. His hair hung loose about his shoulders, the ends still damp.

Then her gaze met his. The stark hunger blazing in his eyes made her heart skip a beat and her stomach flutter. She gripped the tub and started to rise before she knew what she was about. At the last moment, she stopped herself, wishing for the first time since she had become a priestess that she wasn’t bound by her vows.

She wanted to touch, Aimery, to kiss him, caress him. Love him. She wanted to feel his hard length against her, to know what it felt like to have him lie atop her, thrusting inside her.

“I wanted to make sure you were all right, that Eldar was treating you well.” Kyndra smiled at his words. He was always thinking of her. “Aye. I’ve already eaten my fill and then some. I see you have new clothes.”

He grimaced and shrugged. “I came out of my bath to find my clothes gone and replaced with these.”

“They left your weapons at least.”

“Aye.” He moved to her bed and chuckled. “Looks as though you’ll be wearing something new as well.”

Kyndra sat back in the water, letting it cover her breasts. She should be ashamed to have Aimery with her as she bathed, but it made her feel decadent and aroused. “I admit it is odd to see you wear anything other than blue, silver and white.”

“Do you not like the black?”

She liked it a lot. Too much. “It looks good on you.”

He glanced at the bed. “I cannot wait to see you in this gown.”

“What color is it?” Part of her was hoping it was black as well. She’d never worn such a color. To a Fae, black signified evil and death. Yet, seeing it on Aimery, watching how the tunic moved across his thick chest and arms made her appreciate the hue anew.

“You’ll see.”

The water began to cool, but she was hesitant to get out with Aimery in her room. Yet she didn’t want him to leave. How she had become so mixed up she wasn’t sure. Aimery turned her about, kept her off kilter until she forgot everything but him.

Before she changed her mind, she stood and reached for the towel. She was too embarrassed to meet his gaze, but she felt his eyes on her. She wrapped the towel around her and walked to the bed and the gown that waited for her.

“Cream,” she said and touched the soft material. The gown was simple in its elegance and so different from anything she had ever worn. “I like it.”

“I want to see you in it.”

The harsh croak of Aimery’s words jerked her gaze to him. If she had thought his gaze burned her before, she might go up in flames now. There was no doubt he wanted her. How she wished he would take her in his arms and kiss her again. She wanted him with a desperation that frightened her.

But she didn’t want to have to choose him.

If he took her, she could always say it had been the loss of her magic that had made her turn to him. Though she knew that wasn’t fair to Aimery, it was the only way she could have what she wanted.

He walked to her and lifted a wet strand hair from her shoulder. He leaned toward her, his mouth near her ear. “Don’t go anywhere without me,” he whispered. “I don’t trust Eldar.” She forgot to breathe as he turned his head until their mouths were breaths apart. All she had to do was lean forward to touch his lips with hers, to feel again the thrill of his kiss, the way he made her body throb with desire.

But she couldn’t do it.

“I’ll be right outside your chamber,” he said before he turned on his heel and left.

Kyndra waited until the door closed behind him before she let out her breath she’d been holding. If ever there was someone who could make her throw away everything she had worked toward, it was Aimery.

All Fae were sensual creatures, but Aimery held an essence of wildness about him, a streak of uncertainty that called to her on a level she hadn’t experienced before. And, oh, how she wanted to experience more of the thrill that raced through her whenever he was near.

With a sigh of regret, Kyndra dropped her towel and reached for her new clothes.

* * * * *

What kind of idiot stayed in her chamber when she was bathing? It was an enticement he didn’t need, one he couldn’t ignore. Every fiber of his being told him to leave, but his mind couldn’t make his body work.

Instead, he had soaked up her beauty. Her hair was slicked against her head from the recent rinsing, and beads of water clung to her skin as if they desired her as much as he did.

When she had risen from the tub, the glimpse of her body had made him break into a cold sweat.

Ripe, full breasts that tapered to a narrow waist and flared hips to her long, luscious legs that he wanted wrapped around his waist as he buried his cock inside her.

She had surprised him by getting out of her bath, and few people did that.

He needed to tell her to stay with him, to be careful, but when he had whispered in her ear, he had smelled her fragrance of jasmine and sunshine, and all thought fled. Then, she had met his gaze, her lips parting.

She had wanted his kiss. Of that he was sure. Yet, he couldn’t do it. He knew deep in his soul that if he took Kyndra, he could never let her go. And if she accepted him, it would only be for a moment in time.

One or the other would be hurt if they gave in to the desire. Which is why he intended to stay strong and resist her lure.

Aimery blew out a breath and forced his attention away from Kyndra to Eldar. He had managed to hide Theron’s missive with his weapons that he kept near him while he bathed. He wouldn’t put it past Eldar to try and take his weapons as well. They were so near to gaining a great advantage over Isran that Aimery could hardly contain himself. It was eating away at him that he had to wait to speak to Eldar. All the time wasted, when they could have readied the castle.

He paced the hall in front of Kyndra’s chamber. At least he had managed to have their rooms near each other. Eldar had wanted him across the castle from Kyndra, but Aimery refused.

Time crawled at a snail’s pace until Kyndra’s door opened and she stepped through.

Aimery was struck anew at how stunning she was. Her dark curls, unadorned, floated about her shoulders. The cream gown hung to her slippered feet and hugged her slim frame. The material was gathered at her shoulders and held together by gold bands. The front draped becomingly down her front, giving a hint of the swell of her breasts.

He smiled and motioned her forward. Then stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at the back of the gown. She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, and his balls tightened.

The gown bared her back with the material draping below her waist, giving any one who looked a glimpse of her hip.

“Isn’t it lovely?” she asked and spun around. “I feel…wicked.” She looked good enough to eat. Aimery licked his lips. “No man will be able to keep his eyes from you.”

“Just because of what I’m wearing?”

“Whether you know it or not, men watch you. In that gown, they’ll devour you.” She tilted her head to the side and regarded him. “Has a woman ever held such power over you before?”

Only you. “Nay.”

“Maybe it will help us convince Eldar.”

Aimery grunted and walked to her. “Only if you want to become his concubine.” She shivered and fell in step beside him. “I’d rather not.”

“I didn’t think so. Just make sure we are always together. Don’t leave your chamber with anyone but me.”

“I am a warrior, Aimery. I can take care of myself.”

“You haven’t seen what they do to women they take captive, Kyndra. If they want a woman, whether she wants to go or not, they will have her.” Her steps faltered. “Should I wait in my chamber?”

“Nay.” Aimery steadied her with a hand on her back. As soon as he touched her bare skin, he wished he hadn’t. Her skin was soft, warm, and he wanted to feel more of her.

“Whatever happens, stay with me.”

“I don’t have my weapons. I didn’t even think.”

“That’s what Eldar wanted you to do. Few women can pass up a beautiful gown, even one where wearing their weapons is impossible. If it comes down to it, I’ll toss you one of mine.

Stay alert.”

She nodded. “Where are we going?”

“To the great hall. We’re to stay there until Eldar summons us.” The music he had heard whispering through the castle grew louder the closer to the great hall they ventured. Guards were placed at every entrance, and Aimery was sure if he tried to go anywhere but the great hall they would be stopped.

He and Kyndra followed the corridor down several flights of stairs to another hallway.

The beat of the music filled the castle, echoing off the stones. The music was soft, erotic, as it washed over him.

“Aimery,” Kyndra murmured as she leaned against him. “The music. It has magic in it.”

“I know.”

He stopped her before they entered the great hall. “Be careful, Kyndra. For me.” She swayed with the music before she rose up on her toes and placed her lips against his.

“I’m glad you’re with me.”

Aimery held himself still, the feel of Kyndra’s soft curves brushing against him was the worst kind of torture. She ended the kiss with a seductive smile before she turned her back to him. His gaze lingered on the small of her back where the cream material of her gown moved with her skin, tantalizing him, urging him to brush his fingers against the spot.

He took in a calming breath and followed Kyndra into the great hall and down the long rows of tables. Fortunately, she sat near the end, leaving the end seat for him. He slid onto the stool and gazed at the abundance of food that covered the table. From whole roasted boar, various birds, boiled potatoes and cabbage, fruit and bread, it was a feast for a king.