Goddess of the Sea (39 page)

The shoreline bent to the east, then it curved back abruptly to the west. In the middle of the bend was formed a shallow cove that was littered with large, smooth rocks. The water there was more tamed than the wild waves that jarred the shore beneath the monastery. CC pulled her skirts up a little higher and walked out into the cove, climbing easily up on the rounded top of the nearest rock.

“Undine, those rocks are slick with sea water,” Andras said.

“Oh, they're really not very slick. See?” She tapped the sand-colored rock with her toe. “The tide is out and the top is dry.” She smiled at him. “Andras, would you say that the stones from which Caer Llion was constructed are the same color as this rock, or do they look more like the gray stones of the monastery?”

Andras rubbed his chin, pondering rock colors and shades of his beloved Caer Llion. CC stepped to the next rock. By skipping from rock to rock she had traveled well out into the cove and was four stony mounds away from the knight before he finished the description of the wall surrounding Caer Llion.

“Undine, perhaps you should return to shore now.”

CC glanced over her shoulder at him. He had walked closer to the waves and was nervously watching the water. This time CC didn't stifle her grin.

“Andras, can't you swim?” she asked.

The knight stuck out his well-defined chin. “No. I cannot.”

CC's laughter danced across the water. “You really should learn—it's a lot of fun, not to mention excellent exercise.”

“I have no desire to engage in such barbaric behavior.” He took one step closer to the water. “You should return now, Undine.”

Before she could answer him, a flash of brilliance caught the corner of her gaze. Her heart thumped wildly as she saw a familiar golden shadow just below the surface of the water. It was gliding toward her rock.

“I think I'll sit out here a little while,” CC said quickly. Gathering her skirts she sat on the smooth, cool surface of the rock. Her legs dangled down into the water, which covered her feet and calves. “I think I am a little tired. I should rest before I try to climb back to shore.” She gave him an apologetic look. “I guess you were right, again.”

“I will come to you.” Andras's voice was curt as he put one booted foot into the edge of the waterline.

“No!” she shouted. The knight paused, and CC continued in a more controlled voice. “I'll be fine in a few minutes, and I wouldn't want you to fall into the water. I'm pretty sure that it's well over your head out here.”

Andras gave the waves a distasteful look.

A few yards from her rock the water flashed golden.

“I'll just sit here,” she said. Then she looked down at her legs. Widening her eyes, as if noticing for the first time that she was showing so much skin, she squeaked a little gasp of shock. With what she hoped was maidenly modesty, CC shifted her seat until her legs were facing seaward, their partial nudity hidden by the bulk of the rock. She twisted at the waist to look back at the knight. “How foolish of me to get into this situation. And I certainly didn't realize I was being so immodest.”

“It is just the two of us, Undine.” Andras's voice deepened suggestively.

“And what a relief that is to me!” CC said, filling her voice with naiveté. “I'd be mortified if anyone else knew. I hope I can trust you not to mention this to my father.”

“Your honor is safe with me, Undine.” The look Andras sent her was long and intimate.

“Thank you. Now, I'm going to sit here and rest for a little while. Why don't you continue with your description of Caer Llion? You haven't told me yet about your personal chambers.”

“I would rather that you visited those chambers yourself someday, Undine,” Andras said.

“Why don't you whet my curiosity with a description?” she said quickly.

As Andras launched into another lengthy description, Dylan's head broke the surface of the water near her feet. His body was shadowed by the rock, and as long as he remained on the seaward side of it he would be shielded from the knight's vision.

“Is all well, Christine?” The merman's whisper was strained and his eyes were dark with worry.

“Yes. But don't let him know you're here.” CC glanced nervously over her shoulder and nodded attentively at the knight's description of the tapestries that covered the walls of his bedchamber.

He holds you prisoner?
Even inside her head the words sounded fierce.

Not really. He is just escorting me on a walk.
CC sent her thoughts to him, pouring all the love she felt for him through her eyes.
Lir has sent word to Gaea that he will be in these waters tomorrow night. She is sure that he will bless our union and tell Sarpedon to back off. Tomorrow night I can return to the water and to you. Forever.

Dylan reached out and with one strong hand he stroked her right calf with a slow, sensuous touch. CC shivered at the current of desire that traveled up her leg to nestle, pulsing with heat, deep within her.

It seems an eternity from now till then
. Within her mind his voice was a seductive lure.

You did say you would wait for me for an eternity
, she teased.

And I shall, Christine. I shall, my love
.

“Undine, have you recovered your strength enough yet?” Andras's voice cut into their thoughts.

Dylan's jaw clenched.

He is nothing to us
. CC sent the thought to Dylan before calling over her shoulder to the knight.

“Almost. Just another few minutes. Your chamber sounds lovely. Why don't you tell me what a normal day is like at Caer Llion.”

“For whom? Caer Llion and its grounds are home for hundreds of people,” he said with easy arrogance.

When CC turned her head and answered the knight her face was a mask of innocent curiosity. “Start by telling me what you do. Then I would love to hear what the ladies of the castle do to keep themselves busy during the day.”

Andras's chest swelled. “Being the eldest son, my duties are extensive and they begin at daybreak . . .”

“The warrior wants you to belong to him.” The softness of Dylan's voice did nothing to disguise his anger.

“It doesn't matter what he wants. I could never belong to him,” she whispered urgently. “Please believe me, Dylan. I want no one except you.”

“Did you say something, Undine?” Andras shouted.

CC swiveled at the waist. “I was just commenting on how interesting all this is becoming to me. I'm sorry to interrupt, please continue.” She turned back to Dylan as Andras resumed his description of castle life.

I hate that you must endure him
. Dylan's thought entered her mind.

He's really not that bad; he's just not the man for me. And anyway, it won't be much longer now
.

One moment without you is too long, my love
. The merman pulled her leg to him and gently kissed her calf.
Your legs are such soft, wonderful
things
. With light kisses his mouth moved down the shapely swell of her calf, burning a trail of erotic heat.
I admit that I shall miss them
.

His lips found the delicate arch of her instep. While his mouth possessed her, his hands caressed the sensitive area behind her knees, then moved down to her ankle and back. When he moved to her other leg CC couldn't hold back the moan of pleasure that escaped her parted lips.

“Undine! What is it?” CC could hear the splash of the knight's boots as he plodded awkwardly into the water.

“Nothing! Nothing!” she yelled, looking back in time to see him floundering up to his knees in the surf. “No need to come out. I'm rested and ready to leave. Just let me make sure that I am presentable,” she said, fussing with her skirt.

She turned back to Dylan, sending her thoughts to him.
Tomorrow night, my love. Wait for me tomorrow night
.

Reluctantly, the merman took his hands from her leg and began to sink beneath the shimmering surface.

For an eternity, Christine. I will wait for you for an eternity
.

Then he was gone. CC swallowed hard, fighting against an almost overwhelming desire to leap into the water and swim after him.

No, she told herself firmly. I have to wait on the timing of the goddess. I've come too far to mess it up now. It's just one more day.

But as she stood and began her rock-skipping trip back to the restlessly waiting knight she felt empty, like her soul had followed Dylan out to sea, and she had been left with only the shell of her body.

Reacting to the bereft expression on her face, and her sad, lethargic movements, Andras began his lecture as soon as he had helped her down from the last rock.

“Perhaps next time you will remember that it is wise to listen to me, especially in matters of your safety.”

Dylan's absence filled her with sadness, and her shoulders slumped as she muttered a quick, “You're right, next time I'll be more careful.”

Andras gave her a self-satisfied smile. “I am pleased to hear you say so, Undine. I understand that you are a princess, but even a princess must take counsel from those who are wiser and more experienced. But please, there is no need for you to look so sad. I am here for you.”

Andras took a step closer to her. Before she could protest, he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. Thankfully, the kiss was short, but he didn't let go of her hand when he had finished. Instead he stepped even closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. They were rough and heavy, and CC felt their weight as if they were shackles. A tremor of fear mixed with loathing traveled through her, and she tried to pull away from him.

“Do not be frightened.” His voice was husky. “You must know my intentions are honorable. I plan on speaking to your father as soon as he arrives.”

“About my ransom?” she asked, still trying to pull away.

“It is little wonder you tremble if that is what you believe!” Andras said heatedly. “You may be assured, Undine, that I am not the type of man who would use a maiden lady and then send her back to her father soiled. Your honor is safe with me.”

“So are you saying you'd only use a woman who you didn't consider a lady?”

Andras's brow furrowed as if he couldn't decide if her question was naive or impertinent. Remembering her reaction to discovering she was displaying an immodest glimpse of her legs, the knight realized that Undine must have meant the question in simple naiveté. He smiled indulgently at her, and his voice took on a fatherly tone.

“What I am saying, my beautiful one, is that I intend to ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

“But I thought you said that beauty needs to be guarded against,” she blurted, scanning his face for the telltale signs of Sarpedon.

Believing her breathlessness was a result of joy at his announced intentions, Andras freed one of her shoulders so that he could cup her chin within his hand.

“Not if the beauty has proper guidance. As your husband, I will provide you with that guidance.” His voice deepened and his eyes gleamed with a light that caused her stomach to clench. “Consider us betrothed, my beauty. You belong to me.”

The knight's grip on her tightened, and he bent his head down to her. CC couldn't breath. She was trapped, overwhelmed by his size and strength. What would happen if he kissed her lips? Intuition told her Sarpedon's influence would flare to an uncontrollable level. She had to do something that would break his desire for her without making him angry. Fighting panic, she forced herself to think rationally. And a single idea came to her, ironically born from something Andras had said. Suddenly she wanted to laugh aloud in glee.

Instead she drew in a deep breath, as if she was readying herself for an underwater dive, and the instant before Andras's lips touched hers, CC sneezed. Violently.

The knight jerked back from her.

“Oh, my goodness!” CC covered her nose with her hands and sniffed. “I'm so sorry.”

When she lowered her hands from her face, Andras took her forcefully back into his arms.

“It is of no matter, my beauty,” he murmured, bending again to her lips.

“
Ahhh, chew!
” This time CC opened her mouth and managed to actually rain spittle onto the knight's face.

He let loose of her so quickly that she staggered forward, causing him to back away from her.

“
Ahhh, ahhh
. . .” CC gasped, waving her hands in front of her face. “
Chew!
”

CC rubbed at her nose. She was pleased to feel it getting hot and red under her rough handling. Andras was looking at her as if he was afraid she might begin to indiscriminately release any number of bodily functions. All traces of glowing silver had left his eyes.

“It looks like you were right, again,” she said, giving her voice a nasally twinge. “I must have caught a chill out there on that wet rock.”

“We should return,” Andras said.

“You are so wise,” CC said, ending her sentence in a barking cough.

As she followed the knight up the path that led from the beach, CC was sure she heard Dylan's deep, male laughter mixed with the rhythmic music of the surf. She disguised her answering giggle in a phlegmy cough.

 
 
REENTERING the monastery grounds, CC was relieved to see Isabel's silhouette in a nearby hall, obviously keeping watch for CC's return.

CC coughed and sneezed almost simultaneously.

“You, there!” Andras yelled at Isabel. “The princess has taken a chill. What herbal remedies have you?”