Tapestries 04 - Threads of Destiny (19 page)

He looked relaxed and content. It was the first time she’d seem him like that.

Usually, he was guarded and in total control. Tienan stared at her for what seemed like forever. As uncertainty began to take hold, he opened his arms to her.

She crawled forward, falling against his chest. It wasn’t as wide as Marc’s but there was undeniable strength there. His lean build was deceptive. Tienan was more than capable of killing a man with his bare hands.

But when he touched her, he was nothing but gentle. Gripping her shoulders, he eased her back so that she sat on her haunches between his spread thighs. His fingers played lightly over her face before angling down her shoulders and across her collarbone. “So delicate, yet so strong,” he murmured as his fingers flowed between her breasts.

He rested his hand on her tummy and then sifted his fingers through her pubic hair, touching the sensitive flesh beyond. “So wet and hot and ready.” He met her gaze, his green eyes practically glowing. “Will you let me have you?” She knew what he wanted. Last night could be brushed aside as in the moment of passion. This morning was deliberate.

She sensed that Tienan needed this from her and she wanted to give it to him.

“Yes.”

Marc watched as Tienan lifted Kathryn easily and lowered her onto his waiting erection. He couldn’t look away as Tienan’s cock disappeared into Kathryn’s hot, tight pussy. Jealousy clawed at him but he shoved it away. This was what had to be. He wanted Kathryn to be sure when she chose.

But it was hard to watch his woman pleasure two other men.

Yet, there was a difference this morning. Sadness. Almost a finality, as if they all knew that this would never happen again. Marc felt it too. All his life he’d been a warrior. He’d faced death many times but this—this scared him to his very core. It felt almost as if Kathryn were saying goodbye to all of them.

Her hair flowed down her back, ending just above her heart-shaped ass. Tienan’s face was buried between her breasts as he licked and sucked the tip of one and then the other. Kathryn’s moan of pleasure swirled around him, pushing him over the edge.

Marc had to touch her.

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Coming up on his knees, he moved into position behind her. He didn’t touch her, though. Not yet. As if sensing his presence, Tienan raised his head and glared at Marc before giving a sharp nod.

Marc placed his hands low on Kathryn’s hips and pressed his erection against her supple spine. The heat of her body flooded through his cock and his balls drew up tight.

Tienan positioned his grip above Marc’s and began to lift and lower Kathryn. Marc caught the rhythm and together the two men began to move her up and down.

Kathryn’s head fell back on Marc’s shoulder and he turned her head, capturing her lips. He kissed her long and hard, all but devouring her as Tienan continued to fuck her hard. Shifting his hands from her hips, Marc cupped her breasts high and offered them to the other man. He felt Tienan’s mouth brush Kathryn’s tight nipples, licking, sucking and tugging gently on them.

Marc’s cock was one huge ache as he pressed it against Kathryn’s back. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold out this time, knew he would spill his seed. But he didn’t care. Tienan might be the one inside the tight clasp of her pussy but Marc was the one kissing her soft lips.

She tore her mouth from his and screamed. Marc could feel the orgasm take her.

She stiffened and then her body began to quiver. Tienan thrust several more times and then yelled Kathryn’s name. Marc wrapped one arm around her waist as he felt his own need rising. Burying his face in the curve of her neck, he gave a muffled cry as he came all over her back. He pumped his hips, pressing his cock as tightly to her as he could.

When he was done, he slumped back, their bodies making a sucking sound as they parted. Kathryn laughed and then groaned.

Tienan lifted her off his softening erection and she slumped against him. “I’m a mess,” she grumbled. All three men laughed. Kathryn raised her head and glared at all three. “I want a bath and some food.”

Logan reached over and ruffled her hair. “I heard someone in the bathing chamber a few minutes ago. I imagine there’s a fresh tub of water.”

“Oh great.” Kathryn buried her face in her hands. “Now everyone will know what we were doing.”

Marc rolled off the mattress and reached over to tug Kathryn out of bed. “They already knew.” He held her hand until he was certain she was steady on her feet.

“That’s just great.” Taking several steps away, she propped her hands on her hips and glared at all of them but he could see the glint of humor in her eyes. “I’m taking a bath.” She paused for emphasis. “Alone. Then I’ll need some food.” Concern began to nag at Marc. They’d worked her body hard last night and again this morning. Plus, she hadn’t eaten last night. He wasn’t taking very good care of her.

“Hey.” While he’d been castigating himself, Kathryn had come up beside him. “I know what you’re thinking and you can stop it right now.”

“And what am I thinking?” He was surprised by the fervor in her voice.

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“You’re thinking that maybe I pushed myself to much physically and that I need taking care of.” He cocked an eyebrow at her but didn’t deny it. She nodded decisively.

“I knew it.”

She poked her head around him so that she could see Tienan and Logan. “Tell him I can take care of myself.”

“She needs a keeper,” Tienan growled.

Logan rubbed his hand over his chin as if in thought but Marc could see the barely suppressed laughter on the other man’s face.

“Men,” Kathryn muttered, whirling around and stomping away. “I’m having a bath. I’ll eat when I’m ready.” They all watched as she strode off to the bathing chamber, completely unconcerned by her nudity.

As soon as she disappeared from sight, Marc turned to the other men. “I will take care of her.” It was a pledge and a promise. Tienan and Logan stared at him as if testing the depth of his word. He met their gazes unflinchingly.

“We need to talk.” Logan rolled from the bed and stretched.

Grabbing up his pants, Marc shoved them on. “We can bathe and talk down in the guest room. I expect Kathryn will be a while.”

The three men left the room, each of them casting a glance toward the door of the bathing chamber and the sound of water splashing.

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Scrubbed clean from head to toe, Kathryn felt better than she had in months, though her muscles ached and she had twinges in some strange parts of her body. All the unusual activity, she surmised as she walked down the stairs.

Thankfully, some kind soul had left her a clean pair of pants and a tunic, as well as a pair of short leather boots, so she hadn’t had to put on yesterday’s soiled clothing. She wasn’t wearing any underwear though. Both her bra and panties had been in need of washing, so she’d cleaned them as best as she could in her bath water and left them hanging to dry. It felt odd to be bare beneath her clothing.

She’d been sorely tempted to stay in her room but this was her last day here. If she didn’t look around the castle today she’d lose her chance and she so wanted to see everything. She was nothing if not curious.

Her booted feet made hardly any sound as she went down the stone stairs. She rubbed her hand along the wall, marveling at the building techniques. The castle was very well made. When she reached the bottom, she steeled herself before poking her head around the corner. The large room was almost empty. Many of the tables from the day before were gone and only a few remained.

Mara was busy at the head table but raised her gaze and glanced toward the doorway. “Come in, child. You must be hungry.”

Kathryn went forward, purpose in every step she took. “I could manage a bite.” In truth, she was famished for the first time in recent memory.

Laughing, Mara shooed her into a chair. “I’ll get you something.”

“You don’t have to wait on me.” She felt uncomfortable letting the older woman do for her when she was quite capable of getting her own breakfast.

“Of course I don’t have to.” Mara patted her shoulder. “But you’ve been through a few stressful days. Let someone else take care of you for a change.” Mara disappeared down a short hallway before she could protest. Relaxing in her chair, she looked around the room. A huge fireplace dominated the center of one wall.

It was so big that several people could stand upright inside. The walls were all made of thick stone but the room was fairly well lit from windows near the top of the ten-foot walls. Most of the windows were made of plain glass but there were several with colored glass. The sunlight shot through the stained glass windows, creating cheerful patterns on the walls.

Above the fireplace several large swords were crossed and mounted, the jewels in their handles glinting. The wall opposite the fireplace was filled with a variety of very 103

large tapestries, some of them at least four feet tall and even wider. The scenes on them varied from battles to daily life. All in all, it had a homey feel for a room so large.

Mara bustled back into the great hall carrying a tray with a steaming hot bowl of something that resembled oatmeal, some brown bread, thick slices of white cheese, a small bowl of berries and an apple. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I brought a bit of everything.”

“You certainly did.” Kathryn inhaled as the food was placed in front of her. The mouthwatering smells of fresh bread and honey made her stomach growl. Wasting no time, she dug into the bowl of hot cereal. It tasted nutty and was flavored with honey and, if she wasn’t mistaken, cinnamon. “Delicious,” she told Mara between mouthfuls.

“Good.” Mara settled in the seat beside Kathryn.

“Where is everyone?” She barely stifled a groan of pleasure as she added a handful of the tart red berries to the bowl and helped herself to another mouthful. She couldn’t remember when food had ever tasted so good.

“Jarek is out at the stables and Christina is still upstairs with the children.” Kathryn rested her spoon in the empty bowl and exhaled. She was pleasantly full but she still had room for a piece of the fresh brown bread. Maybe with a slice of the cheese. Helping herself, she bit into it and the flavor exploded in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed and then had another bite.

“Everyone else packed up and went home,” Mara continued. “After what happened yesterday, no one wanted to tempt the ire of the sorceress.” She paused, tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair. “Or you.” That surprised Kathryn. In spite of what had occurred, she hadn’t thought that the warriors would step back from the challenge. She guessed that she’d underestimated the power of the tapestry. Of course, she still couldn’t quite believe that she’d seen what she’d seen either. It had been an incredibly powerful moment.

She studied the woman sitting patiently beside her. She wore an ankle-length dress made of a sturdy fabric that had been dyed a flattering green. The bodice was embroidered with threads of different colors, their pattern a profusion of flowers. A belt that matched cinched the waist. Mara’s long gray-black hair was coiled on top of her head and her blue eyes twinkled with a combination of warmth and humor. But there was both wisdom and compassion in those eyes. Kathryn looked away, suddenly uncomfortable beneath Mara’s knowing gaze.

“I know this has been difficult for you,” Mara began.

“Yes, it has been.” Merely thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days was enough to make her breakfast churn in her belly. She took a deep breath and turned her thoughts away from it. She wanted to concentrate on the here and now, not on the past or the future.

“But the tapestry has brought you here for a reason. You are one of the few women who could thrive here. One who could make a difference.” 104

“What do you mean?” Kathryn was curious to get the other woman’s perspective.

“She means that with your skills and training you could benefit people from all around and not just those in this castle.” Christina had come up beside them while they’d been talking. She was dressed similarly to Mara, in a dress dyed a deep, earthy-brown, her long blonde hair captured in a thick braid that hung to her behind. “And that’s not to mention the fact that you’re a descendant of the sorceress who crafted the magical tapestry and you have the knowledge to bring it forth.”

“Yeah, well, that was pure luck.” She felt the need to tell these women the truth.

“When I did what I did yesterday, I had no idea if it would work. I mean, the chant is only words, right? There really isn’t any such thing as magic.” Except yesterday there was. The more she thought about it, the more confused Kathryn was by everything.

“Sometimes you simply have to accept the fact that you can’t explain everything.” Christina leaned against the table, crossing her arms over her chest. “Some things are just meant to be.”

“I’m a woman of science, not magic. I believe in what I can test and see.” And the fact that she couldn’t figure it all out was frustrating her.

“Then how do you explain Marc traveling to your side to save your life and the tapestry bringing you all here?” Christina’s voice was sharp, her irritation clear.

“I don’t know.” Exasperation rang in her answer.

“Don’t fret.” Mara patted her arm. “Know that you are here for a reason. It is up to you to find it and decide if it is worth staying. In the meantime, why don’t I show you my herb garden?” Pushing back from the table, she stood.

Kathryn took a deep, calming breath and allowed her attention to be diverted. “I’d love to see your garden. I have some questions about several of the plants that were in the salve you gave me to put on Tienan’s wound.”

“I thought you might.” Mara started for the door. “Christina?”

“I’m coming.” Christina pushed away from the table and followed them but she stopped when she came alongside Kathryn. “Please don’t break his heart. Marc’s already been through so much.”

Jealousy, anger and pain all shot through Kathryn at the possessive tone in Christina’s voice. Marc had slept with this woman. Granted, Christina was Jarek’s wife and she and Marc hadn’t slept together in a while but still it made Kathryn’s gut burn.