Irish Seduction (11 page)

“Stay still,
mo ghra,”
he whispered when she made to turn over to him. Placing his hands on either side of her, he dropped his head to run his tongue down her back. He moved slowly, caressing her butt before sliding his hands under her body. Jasper lifted her slightly, one hand holding her, the other parting the soft hairs at the junction of her thighs.

He teased the small nub of flesh, flicking it with his fingers. Leona mewled in pleasure and wriggled her derriere under him. Sliding further down, Jasper lifted her hips higher so that her moist center was exposed to his hungry mouth.

With his tongue, he teased the small hard pebble of flesh, drawing it out of its hood as her body started to convulse. He gripped her hips tighter, plunging his tongue into her wet pussy, lapping as the juices started to flow.

She pushed against his mouth, hungry now for her release. Crying out his name, Leona shuddered, her muscles contracting with each spasm. Jasper worked her until she dropped to the bed, spent.

He lay with her, watching her in the dim light. Her face was relaxed and she looked like a woman well pleased with life. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Thank you, my love.”

“There is no need for thanks between us,
mo ghra.”
Jasper lifted his hand and ran a finger down her cheek. “I will give you my body and all I have. We are wed now, you are my wife.”

She rolled over onto her back and beckoned him with her smile. Jasper lifted himself on one elbow and touched her budded breasts. He ran his fingernail around the hardened nipples and his body responded instantly. Lying between her legs, he eased his cock into her body. Resting on her, he closed his eyes and relaxed.

She wrapped her arms around him, sliding her hands down to his butt. Leona cupped his cheeks in her palms, pulling him deeper to body. Slowly, Jasper withdrew and entered her again. They matched their rhythm, building up to a joined climax.

Chapter Seven

Jasper reached for her when he woke, his head telling him she had gone, his heart wishing that it were not so. The pain in his heart all but rendered him frozen in his bed. How was he going to be able to cope with her out of reach until Helan accepted what he was going to ask for this day? Would he ever? Jasper wondered. He had not thought what would happen to their marriage if the gods retaliated and never let another god join with a human. His new wife would be trapped in her world while he stayed below, pining for a life that had for a short time seemed within their reach.

Jasper lay tangled in the sheets, face down, hugging the pillow to his body and taking in the smell of her. He stayed that way for most of the morning, ignoring his valet when he came to help him dress. Stubbornly, he refused to budge until his mother came in and sat on the edge of his bed.

Gently, she stroked his hair from his face, soothing sounds coming from her. It was some time before he let go of his pillow and reached for her hand.

“I don’t know how I will bear it, Mother,” he whispered in a ragged voice. “What if I never get her back? I will have known her for such a short time and that is not enough for me. I want her back and soon.”

“I know that, my son. But this was the agreement you made with her,” Lady Ellen said. “You must pull yourself together and make your way to Upper Therrus to put forward your request. If you fail at this, you will fail her and your people.”

She sat back on the edge of the bed and waited for Jasper to sit up. Grudgingly he did so, rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair. His mother continued to watch him with a steady gaze. He threw back the covers and, wrapping a sheet around his hips, stalked to his wash basin. When she was sure that he was preparing to ready himself for his meeting with the gods, she moved to leave him.

“I will be down in the library, Jasper, when you are ready to leave.” She closed the door quietly behind her.

He stood at the basin, leaning on the dresser with both hands, his head hanging over the cold water. His emotions were scattered. Lifting his head, he gazed into the mirror in front of him, searching for the answer in his reflection. His eyes were tortured; even to himself he could admit that. The sadness must be replaced with steely determination if he was going to secure the request he had decided upon. Jasper could not let anything stand in the way of his wife taking her place by his side. He would put aside his grief until his visit was over. Then it was a matter of time until she was returned to him. This he would repeat to himself until he believed it.

Jasper splashed water on his face and ran it through his hair, trying to bring it into some semblance of order. When he washed his body, he closed his mind to the joy they had given each other last night and quickly dressed. Looking toward his dresser, he reached out and picked up one of the silver bands he had charmed. Jasper checked the inscriptions before he slid it over his wrist and pushed it all the way up over his elbow. When it was tight against his forearm, he pulled his shirt sleeve down to cover it. He pulled on his boots and made his way down to the kitchen for food. When he had his fill, he went to the library where his mother waited patiently for him.

“I realize your dilemma, and my heart aches for you. But you must give this all of your attention,” she said. “You cannot afford to fail. Make sure you make it clear to Helan what you are asking. Remember, they cannot deny you.”

“Aye, Mother, I know.” Tightening his resolve, he straightened his back and stood proud. “I will not fail my people. This I promise you.”

“Just do not fail yourself, Jasper,” she replied. “Now go, it is time. I will wait for your return.”

His anger fueled him. They all had much to lose by this request and he was not prepared to back down from their wrath. He would maintain control of his senses and stand his ground.

It was not long before he found himself in front of the thrones that Helan and Elena sat upon. Elena welcomed him warmly, but her husband was obviously not in a good mood.

“I bid you welcome, Jasper.” Elena kissed both of his cheeks before resuming her seat. “I do hope that you have given much thought to my offer.”

Jasper gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. “I would ask that you refute the law that says gods cannot marry my kind,” Jasper spoke. “If we can die for you and your mistakes, we should have the chance to love and marry into your world.”

“No,” Helan roared pushing himself out of his chair. “Never.”

Jasper watched the god bellow and carry on, distancing himself in his mind to a faraway place, away from the fray. He knew he had overstepped the boundaries and regretted it the moment the words left his lips
. I should have known how they would react but I could not resist
. He watched from his half-closed eyes while Elena tried to calm her husband while giving Jasper furtive glances. Was she trying to figure out the obvious female he had his sights on? The question was in her eyes but he looked away.

Leona and Mari slipped out from behind the curtain and, holding hands, they snuck along the side of the wall to stand away from the commotion. Jasper watched them, saddened beyond belief, and wondered if it would be the last time that he saw her. Her father was bound to banish him from teaching her, assuming that he thought that it was Leona that he was interested in.

He listened to Elena trying to contain her husband. Seeing no point in standing ignored, he walked away and stood by the doorway, overlooking the tranquil gardens.

He felt her approach. Turning, he looked into her concerned eyes.

“Jasper, forgive him,” Elena said. “He is set in his ways and does not want to see change in our world.”

“But it is not change, Elena. Surely you can see that. For centuries, your people have come down and cohabitated with humans, only they did it in secret. All I ask is that they be open about the relationship and afford those that they love their protection. Is that too much to ask for after all that we have done for your people? We have died for you, surely a little honesty is overdue to my people.”

“He is right, Mother. You know he is,” Mari said coming toward them. “If Father won’t grant this, then I shall. It is my right to grant whatever I so desire.”

“You cannot rule yet, my girl,” Helan yelled, storming over to stand in front of his daughter. “I am still king and while I rule, I will deny the request.”

“You cannot deny them, my love,” Elena said, her hand on her husband’s arm in an attempt to restrain him. “I gave my word and we will abide by it.”

“You’ll not marry one of my daughters, Jasper, if that is what you are after. That I can promise you.” His face was now a mottled angry red. He shot glances toward Mari and back to Jasper. Helan was on the wrong track, but Jasper was not going to correct him while his new sister-in-law stood up for him.
I will take all the help I can get.

“I am not asking for that honor, Helan,” Jasper said.
For I already have my wife.
“I have asked for honesty and protection from your kind when they partner with my people. That is all that I ask of you.”

“It shall be, Jasper,” Elena promised him. “Perhaps it would be best if you left now. I will be in touch shortly.”

Jasper bowed his head in acknowledgement and left the room, his eyes locking onto those of his new wife. Her lips quivered and he could see the tears in her eyes starting to well. He gritted his teeth, drew a deep breath, and strode away from her.

***

Elena found him later that day on the hill above the ocean. He rose when she approached, but he was not able to hide the anguish that he felt.

“Jasper, I am sorry. I had thought to mend relations between us with my offer. All I have done is anger my husband and put you in a difficult position.”

“Does that mean that your husband will honor my request?”

“Yes, he will. But I would like to ask you something, Jasper. Between the two of us, are you looking at anyone in my world for your mate? I ask this only for my own insight,” she said, rushing on, seeing the reaction that she got with her question. “It seems such a strange request for a human to ask for.”

“Strange? I think not,” he replied. “What is strange about wanting the best for your people? It is fine for you and your kind. You sit up in your world, untroubled by the likes of Edrith O’Reilly fighting and pillaging your homes and livestock. For years we have put up with this treatment whilst those that live amongst us sit back and act like they’re human. They have the powers to help those that they live with. Instead, they hide who they are, even when it is obvious. How can they stand by and watch those they live with get slaughtered? All for some misguided sense of secrecy. No more, Elena. Now you will stand accounted for and provide for those that harbor you and yours.”

She stood quietly and let him rant and vent his anger. “I am sorry if my question causes you discomfort, Jasper. That was not my intention,” she replied. “It is obvious that your people mean a lot to you and that I can understand. Perhaps it would be best if you postpone your next visit to us until Helan has calmed down and come to accept the truce between us.”

She stepped forward, noticing the stricken look in his eyes.

“She is a lucky woman, Jasper,” she said softly. “I bid you farewell for now.”

She quickly kissed his cheek and left him alone on the cliffs over the ocean. He stood frozen. She knew. By the gods, what was he going to do now? If Helan found out, he was lost. He ran his hands over his hair, gripping the sides of his head, the realization sinking in. He dropped to his knees, crouching over with his head on the grass. His heart felt as if it had dropped to his feet and ceased beating. What had he done? The grief poured out of him in an unearthly howl of pain. The storm that brewed around him only added to the misery and he felt too bereft to push it away. Instead he lay crouched on the grass, the rain falling around him.

***

The weeks passed with no word from Leona or Elena. Each day, Jasper rose and performed his duties, but without the usual joy he had previously had with his life. Each night he slept alone in his bed, unwilling to believe that she may never return. His mother and Richard tried to get his spirits up, but even they gave up when he growled his displeasure at them.

All he wanted was for his wife to return to his side or to be left alone. It was simple in his eyes.

The time came when Edrith O’Reilly tried once again to force his tenants from their land. Jasper had Richard order the men to prepare for battle and with a heavy heart, he bid his mother goodbye.

They rode for most of the morning before her castle came into view. Jasper called a halt to his men and dismounted. They drank and ate their early meal while plotting their moves against her. This time, Jasper had promised himself that he would not back down. He would fight to the finish. And if he lost his life in the process, so be it. They mounted up and headed off to battle.

It was evening before the sounds of battle quieted. The smell of burning timber filled the damp air. Tiny flickers of dying flames that had engulfed the castle still glowed in the darkness. The chill of the night descended around the battle-weary bodies of Jasper and his men.

Jasper was startled out of his dreaming when Richard clapped him on the shoulder. He was standing over the body of a young soldier. “What were you thinking, Jasper? You were miles away.”

“I regret giving the woman so many chances. We should have attacked her before now. She had the time to escape and took it.” He shook his head, sighing. “I have let my people down by not taking her life when I could have.”

“No, you haven’t, man. You gave her the opportunity to make it right and she chose to turn her back on the idea. Killing and plundering people is in her blood. I’m afraid she will never change, Jasper. But don’t blame yourself for being kinder than she could ever be. Why don’t you tell me what really is making you so despondent? I’m thinking there is more to this mood of yours.”

“I was thinking that my life is worthless without her, Richard. I feel that my body has no more life than his,” he said, pointing his sword to the body at their feet.