Blade Heart

  “I want you so badly, Cara.”

  His taut features expressed even more longing than his words. Brutally reminded of the wizard’s final interpretation of the prophecy, she rebelled at the thought of telling Morgan the truth she hadn’t yet accepted.

  How could she announce to this fierce, loyal warrior that she had been ordered to have sex with someone else? That even if her mind stayed with him, her body would be stroked and taken by another? That she would carry a child he hadn’t fathered? More to the point, how would he react to the news?

  As she watched his need for her blaze in his eyes, Cara realised he’d never tolerate it. He wouldn’t let another man touch her, not even a prince. He’d rather forsake his beliefs and let his world fall into chaos than allow a stranger to caress her. And she’d reject her destiny just to be with him.

  He must have perceived her troubles because he looked a little concerned as he gently smoothed stray hair from her brow.

  “What’s wrong?”

  The moment of truth had come. Staring into his passionate gaze, Cara took a long breath and summoned her courage.

  “Morgan, there’s something you need to know about the prophecy.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “I’m listening.”

  Sure he was, but in spite of getting herself all worked up, she didn’t have the heart to tell him. Not yet. Not now. The words refused to come out of her mouth—she offered him a tender smile instead.

  “Caius has got the prophecy right, but we’ll talk about it later. Hey, look!”

  The wizard was running across the courtyard. As he raced through the gates, a troop of unscathed soldiers rounded the corner of the nearest houses. Breathless, Caius ran past while motioning both of them to hurry.

  Right on his heels, they made it to the waiting dragon. The three of them climbed on his back and hastily fastened the straps. The improvised system wouldn’t sustain a full attack but should get them home safely.

  While reflecting on where home was now that she had sealed off her way back to New York, Cara observed the countryside below. Luscious lands and pastures quickly turned to abandoned crops and destroyed villages. Down there, people didn’t live anymore—they merely survived the day. If nobody stopped the king of Agravar for good, the Four Kingdoms were bound to utter ruin.

  What if Caius’ foretelling turned out to be true, and the prophetic child was destined to save them all? The son she hadn’t yet conceived—the heir to the throne of Palance. Did she really have the right to condemn everyone and everything out of selfishness? Would she bring a whole world down just because she wanted to keep her man?

  Although she didn’t view herself as an altruist, Cara nonetheless began to doubt. Such a decision appeared impossible to make, yet she’d soon have to settle the argument because she had the distinct feeling Caius wouldn’t let her linger.

  The dragon landed in front of the wizard’s house. As Cara extracted herself from his spinal bones, renewed aches shot up her limbs. She tried to hide her pain, but Morgan noticed her strained expression.

  “Caius, take care of Cara, will you?”

  The wizard nodded. Like he had done when she had been shot with an arrow, Morgan swept her into his arms to carry her into the house. Mindful of her aching body, he laid her down on the guest bed.

  Now that they were in a secure environment, he seemed to realise the extent of the damage. He turned and stepped away from her while Caius sat down beside her and rolled up his sleeves. Then Cara started when Morgan struck the wall with the flat of his hand.

  “I should have killed Devlyn when I had the chance. If not for all of us, at least for what he did to you.”

  She couldn’t stand the sight of his guilty frustration. The wizard applied his palms on her brow, but she stared at her lover.

  “You did what was right and I’m glad you aren’t a murderer. True justice is brought upon people by righteous leaders, not by assassins and betrayers. Why do you think so many faithful combatants follow you?”

  His angry frown subsided as her words hit home. Above her, Caius raised his eyebrows with tacit corroboration.

  “I couldn’t have put it better myself.”

  His magic flowed into her and she forgot all about the king of Agravar. The pain vanished and a warm sensation filtered through her body. She sighed with contentment. Although she felt kind of weary from the magic at work, the wonderful feeling gave her strength and stamina.

  Having brought a bowl filled with water, the wizard wiped Devlyn’s blood off her cheek. His hands left her just as a brown horse trotted past the window. When she recognised the rider, Cara’s heart sank and the bubble of happiness she floated in popped.

  The Amazon queen steered her mount towards the front door. Looking proud and noble astride her horse, she was clad in a tight leather outfit and her flaming red hair billowed with the breeze. Why was she here? Had she come to take Morgan away from her? Probably, given that he was already on his way to meet her. Watching her approach through the closed window, Caius frowned.

  “It’s Siobhan. Something must have happened.”

  “Something always happens here.”

  He smiled at her evidently bummed face. “I wish to thank you for getting my powers back. I don’t know how you pulled it off, but I’m glad you did.”

  “It was nothing really. I played him.”

  Brow wrinkled with amusement, he chuckled and his smile deepened. “I didn’t believe anyone could trick Devlyn. You’re much more than meets the eye, Cara, and I owe you more than you can imagine. Anyhow, what you did means a lot to me and to all the people who depend on me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Unsure if her cheeks warmed because of the magic or due to the unexpected pleasure of listening to his expression of gratitude, she nodded as she was reminded of her own satisfaction at enraging the king of Agravar.

  “I enjoyed fooling him, you know. After all he did to me, it was a small compensation. Besides, he had it coming.”

  “I agree with you and I’m certain Devlyn will be beaten at his own game someday. But for now I’d like you to take some rest. You’ve been through a lot lately and whatever Siobhan has to say, I guess it won’t concern you.”

  No, but it would be about Morgan, and the beautiful Amazon queen would lure him away. And she’d entice him into her place with one excuse or another. And he’d make ravishing love to her because they were alike… And she’d better stop the nonsense right now or her jealousy would definitely turn into obsession.

  So engrossed in her conjectures, Cara blinked when Morgan entered the guest bedroom without her hearing the sound of his boots. He didn’t look upset or annoyed as he beckoned to Caius, who stood.

  “There’s been a fight ten leagues from here. The Amazons prevailed, but some of them are in dire need of your care. Do you mind?”

  “Not at all. I’ll go with Siobhan right away, I just hope we’ll get there on time. In the meantime I want you to let Cara rest. And if you don’t know what to do with yourself, why don’t you cook us a meal?”

  He burst out with laughter when Morgan grimaced. Happy with his sense of humour, Caius left the room to join the Amazon queen outside and follow her to the battlefield. Alone with her warrior, Cara watched him come to her. She propped herself up when he unfastened the weapon belt to make her more comfortable.

  “Here, let me help you with this.”

  He took off her boots while she wriggled out of the long cloak. But when he moved his hands to her waistband, she stopped him.

  “Caius said I should rest until he gets back.”

  She yearned for Morgan’s touch, but the fate of the world weighed heavy on her mind. She was a breath away from kissing his attractive lips, yet she reined in her selfish impulse. A whole universe depended on her. But as he brushed her belly with his fingers she couldn’t help inhaling sharply and a familiar light twinkled in his eyes.

  “I know, I’m just making you feel at ease. Tr
ust me, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”

  Pinned by the intensity of his gaze, she let him remove her jacket and pants. With only her shirt on, she rested her head on the pillow while he pulled the covers up like a perfect gentleman and looked at her with a satisfied air.

  “See? That wasn’t so bad. How about some tea?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. Had they been alone near the gate tower, he’d have taken her right there and then. Now that she lay half naked in a bed, he planned on making some tea? Despite her newfound resolve to resist his charm, a pang of disappointment grazed her. She mastered it.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  He went to the main room. She heard pots banging, the crack of a flint and some rummaging in the wizard’s cabinets. She’d have to tell him about the prophecy as soon as he came back. She couldn’t stall any longer—she feared her silence might make things worse than they already were.

  So why did she feel disappointed with his sudden proper behaviour? Because the demonic little voice in her head said he’d rather sleep with the Amazon queen? Or because he had always seemed a strong, single-minded leader and she wasn’t used to him obeying the wizard’s orders?

  Her train of thoughts scampered off when Morgan appeared in the doorway. He had taken his boots and cloak off. Cara felt a shiver of excitement as she observed his lithe movements. He sat on the edge of the bed to hand her a mug. Its steam drifting up towards the ceiling, the hot drink smelt like autumn berries. She took a sip.

  “Thank you. This tea is very good.”

  He didn’t reply, nor did he look about to leave the bedroom. Instead he regarded her in silence and her stomach fluttered under his scrutiny. Abruptly feeling self-conscious, she emptied a good half of the mug.

  He slid one hand under the bedspread and seized her nipple. She jolted. Straightening the mug at the last second, she put it down on the nightstand while her mind raced with pleasure. Breath caught in her throat, she could feel the arousing caress of his fingers through her clothing. His gaze riveted on hers he pulled the covers off as if time belonged to him. When he lifted her shirt to touch her bare flesh, she exhaled heavily.

  “Morgan, what are you doing?”

  He enclosed her erect bud between thumb and forefinger. Eyes glinting with mischief, he rubbed her flesh until she panted.

  “Making you feel at ease.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  When he used his free hand to enfold her breast, the fate of the Four Kingdoms went down the drain. He nudged one nipple with the flat of his palm while twirling the other one.

  Her thighs twitched uncontrollably as a torrid wave ran through her. She didn’t mean to spread her legs, but she did because in a blinding instant all she could think of was Morgan’s caresses on her famished body, Morgan’s voice whispering to her.

  “Are you comfortable?”

  She had rarely been so at ease. A firm pillow under her head, fresh linen ready to be rumpled, desire heating her up more efficiently than a fire while he stroked her most sensitive parts.

  “I am. This is even better than your tea.”

  “But not quite right. You’re so tense, you need to unwind.”

  Bending over her chest he sucked a nipple into his mouth. Between her thighs the door to heaven opened up. He darted his tongue back and forth across her erect bud. Each brush made her sigh, each lick brought her close to whimpering.

  When he pressed her tit tightly between his lips, she jerked and grabbed both sides of his face to keep him against her breast, to cherish the source of her enjoyment.

  He acknowledged her gesture by increasing his speed. The suckling sounds arousing her as much as the flicking of his tongue, she gripped his untied mane as a long moan linked her to the man’s ministrations.

  But he moved onto her other breast. While she locked her fingers into his hair, he fondled and nibbled the upright flesh with his lips. She had to let go of his head as her arms lost all vigour.

  With a last twirl, he kissed the hollow between her breasts before glancing up. Although half-crazed with desire, she noticed his little grin.

  “Do you still feel nervous?”

  While looking at her with an expression of feigned innocence, he pinched both her buds with his fingers. The touch made her quiver.

  “Actually I do. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the gesture, but these things take time, you know.”

  “I imagined it so. Let’s see what else I can do for you.”

  He straightened up to scoot over to the end of the bed. With the utmost care he folded her legs up and knelt between them. He grazed her thighs from knees to buttocks before he hovered over her pussy.

  “From the look of it, this place is very tense. I believe it needs some tenderness. May I help you with that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Her stomach jingled with anticipation. He hadn’t touched her yet, but she felt her muscles strain towards the pleasure to come. And when he did touch her, a powerful longing took possession of her.

  The word tenderness danced in her mind while she pictured his deft fingers dipping into her moisture, penetrating the heart of her body and kneading till excitement got the better of her. As she let out a murmur, his eyes gleamed and he disappeared from view.

  The door to heaven widened to a portal. When he parted her lips with the tip of his tongue she purred. Arms resting on the mattress, hands flat on the linen, she stared at the ceiling without seeing it. He licked her and the background faded away.

  Her legs buckled. Without ceasing his delicious sweeps he seized her ankles to keep them up. When she thought that surely such delight couldn’t get any better, he inserted his hungry tongue into her. She let loose a gruff moan.

  He tightened his grip on her, shifted his lips and sucked her essence. Struck by sheer happiness, her whole body quivered. Surrounding and commanding, his mouth turned her pussy into a temple of raw pleasure. Long, husky pants came out of her throat, but she barely heard them. The fire inside her obliterated everything else.

  He withdrew his tongue and she lifted her pelvis towards it. His voice pierced through the blissful overlay enveloping her.

  “Do you feel more relaxed now?”

  Quite the opposite. Inner flames seemed to suck the very air she needed to breathe, her muscles strained from the heady sensations he had elicited and her cunt throbbed with uncontrolled want.

  “Not really.”

  “Good. Because I’m getting tense.”

  She propped herself up on her elbows to look at him. She grinned as his features tautened with desire and his excited gaze shone bright.

  “Maybe I can help you with that.”

  He was out of his pants before she could count to three. He grabbed her hips while positioning himself between her splayed thighs. When she saw the size of his erection she realised he had passed the ‘tense’ stage a good while ago. Aimed at the centre of her folds, his long, hard manhood captured her attention.

  His proud shaft made her heart tumble and the pink, puffy crown had her drenched pussy calling for penetration. She stopped breathing when he placed it between her wide open slit and asserted his hold on her waist.

  “I do believe you can.”

  He drew her around him. A brief cry slipped through her lips as his cock entered her and she shivered from the overbearing sensation. Although only halfway in, his cock filled her with love. She needed to scream but she kept the impulse in check as he pushed himself into her. The passion she experienced seemed mirrored in his eyes.

  Yet as he began to move his dick in and out she sensed something else in him. As she submitted to the dominion of his long and slow thrusts, she perceived the true nature of the fighter behind the man. The tough, relentless warrior whose will prevailed over whatever obstacle was thrown at him and who had lived so long in the midst of war.

  Letting instinct guide her, she clenched her stomach muscles to slide her hands behind his back. She raised herself to eye level w
hile the uplifting movement brought her down on him. She huffed at the hardness of his shaft. He moaned and she kissed his lips.

  “I love you.”

  He didn’t say anything when she drew back. Free from her tight hole, his erection glistened with her juices and the sight quickened her pulse. She knew what they both wanted. She had to become prey to the hunter, slave to the master. And, God, didn’t she long for that!

  Flipping over, she came to rest on all fours. Hands flat, knees digging into the mattress she pushed her ass towards him. The low excited sound he made ignited a new wave of moistness. Taut with anticipation, cunt on display, she cast him a glance over her shoulder.

  “Make love to me like a warrior.”

  A wild light crossed his gaze. She’d believed he’d rush to her. She’d figured he’d bury his cock into her without a second thought. So when he simply looked mesmerised by her wet pussy she felt even more aroused—and unable to take her eyes away from him.

  He raised a thumb up and placed it on her sultry lips. A shudder ran through her expectant limbs. He moved his finger slightly from left to right and her clitoris awakened. Like it had a mind of its own the sensitive bud sprang up at the man’s touch.

  With her muscles weakened by jolts of pleasure and unable to sustain the twisted position of her neck, she was forced to break eye contact. Head heavy, she stared at the linen and panted.

  He caressed her clit. In seconds his thumb had reduced her to a quivering mass. Guts writhing from the ceaseless stimulation, she couldn’t prevent her limbs from shaking.

  Goose bumps broke all over her body. Dizziness clouded her vision as she panted, vibrated, and whimpered from joy. Although focused on a single point, his finger seemed to be everywhere at the same time. And when it picked up speed she lost her mind.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Thighs as hard as stone, she stretched her spine to its limit, and opened her mouth to inhale the harsh breaths searing her lungs. Then she closed her eyes as the most powerful sensations raced to her pussy. Nothing existed anymore. Nothing felt real but the fire raging in her cunt, the swirl of his finger raking her thumping clit and the orgasm coming for her.