She expected another of his proclamations about the supposed nature of men and women. Instead he said, “When I behaved as he saw fitting for his son, he spent more time with me.
She knew nothing of his father except stories she had heard in Aronsdale, which all painted him as a brutal man. “Did you like to be with him?
“Of course.
“You said before that he was harsh.
“You have to be, to rule this country. He slid one of his hands inside her halter and fondled her nipple. “But even the harshest kings need succor.
“You cant buy succor, she said. “No matter how much you pay the TAmbera.
“Yes, I can. He unfastened the halters clip between her breasts. “I own you. Thats just how I want it.
“I cannot even begin to tell you, she said, “how unromantic that sounds.
Markus pulled off the halter and dropped it in a glittery pile on the ground. As he petted her breasts, he murmured against her ear. “Youre not telling the truth. Your nipples are so hard, theyre saying, Markus, kiss me, please, now.
Oh, honestly. “It sounds to me like theyre saying, Cover us up. Were cold!
He laughed softly. “You dont fool me. Youre mad with desire for my incredible body.
Allegra snorted. “Matched only by your incredible modesty. He was teasing, though. She had felt the truth earlier tonight in her spell; he had no idea how beautiful he looked. How would he know? He spent all his time around soldiers, and they were hardly about to tell their commander he was sexy. Not even Ardoz.
“Markus?
“Hmm? His calluses rasped on her skin as he caressed her.
“Isnt Ardoz young to be a general? Hes not even as old as Colonel Bladebreak.
“True. But Ardoz is a notorious warrior. And strategist. Thats why I promoted him.
So Markus had given Ardoz his rank. “Is that the only reason?
“What other reason would there be?
“Friendship.
She thought he would ask what the hell that meant, or tell her military ranks had nothing to do with favoritism. Instead he spoke quietly. “Sometimes friendship turns onto unexpected paths. You may soon turn back and leave that path, which isnt for you, but that doesnt mean you regret it. He pressed his lips against her temple. “My path is with you, night bird.
Saints above. He knew how Ardoz felt. She felt certain of it. She doubted he would tell her more, but she would always wonder now if what she had seen in Ardozs mind had been memories.
“What about my path? she asked.
“You were lucky. It led you to me.
“Oh, for saints sake.
He kept caressing her. “You like being here, this way, with me. I can tell.
“Only because Id freeze otherwise. In truth, she did like the way he stroked her. But this morning, even with the miradella, she had needed to see him with another mans face before she could enjoy his touch.
Markus tugged at her skirt. “The TAmbera claimed this comes off the chainah, there. He pulled away the silk, leaving her naked except for a jeweled chain around her hips. His hand roamed between her thighs, leaving no hidden places. “Youre not fighting me tonight.
“Its too cold. After what had happened this morning, she felt tuned like a string on a harp, ready for him to play. As the miradella wore off, it actually became more effective because the sensations were no longer so intense that she felt overwhelmed. She didnt want to encourage him, but she was too aroused to ask him to stop, either, so she just sat and let him do as he pleased.
He sighed. “Someday, Allegra, you will say to me, Markus, come here, I want you. And Ill fall over in shock.
She couldnt help but smile. “That would be a sight.
“Why dont you try saying it and see what happens?
She didnt answer, but she curled closer against his chest.
“Hmm. He kept stroking her, but he took it slower, his attentions less demanding than this morning.
After a few minutes, a man said, “Prince Markus?
“Gods, Markus swore. “Dont they ever go away?
“That sounds like Izad, Allegra said. “You asked him to come up.
“Oh. Yes. I did. Markus raised his voice. “Here.
“Wait! Allegra splayed her hands against her breasts and pelvis. “Not yet.
“I wont let him see you. He shifted her weight and stood up with an ease she envied. She gasped when icy air blasted across her bare skin and she curled into as tight a ball as possible.
Markus stopped and said, “Oh. He unfastened his jerkin and pulled it off, leaving only a dark red undershirt. His arm muscles bulged. With his broad chest, narrow hips and long legs, he was a sight well worth the look. Kneeling down, he put the jerkin around her shoulders. “There. Ill be right back. Then he quickly left the hollow.
Relieved, Allegra pulled the jerkin closed with her arms inside and inhaled its leather smell. Cold air leaked in through the armholes, but the garment came down past her hips. The intricate fastenings baffled her, all beautifully woven loops with ties to thread through them. She left them undone and overlapped the jerkin across her front for an extra layer of warmth. She tried to put her skirt back on, too, but she couldnt figure out how it attached.
When she finished bundling up as best as she could, she explored the hollow. Near the edge, the wind picked up. The Anvil dropped down from her feet, and the moonlit desert lay far below, rolling to the horizon. The scene reminded her of Markus, starkly beautiful, often too hot, sometimes icy, and at its best, just warm enough. She returned to the back wall, which hadnt lost the days warmth, and huddled against it, trying to soak in leftover heat.
Markus appeared around the edge of the hollow, silhouetted against the stars. “You look scared, all curled up like that.
“I am scared, she admitted. “Of you. She tilted her head in the direction his bodyguard had gone. “Of him.
“But why? Kneeling down, he laid a blanket over her body. With its pattern of light and dark splotches, it did look like an ocelot pelt. A rich scent of animal hide surrounded her.
“My bodyguards protect me, Markus said. “So they protect what belongs to me. He would never hurt you.
Her face burned. “I was naked.
“Youre wearing a lot. My jerkin.
She didnt argue. She was too cold. Maybe in Jazid, people considered this a lot of clothes for a woman.
Markus rolled several rocks toward the edge, then swept away the pebbles in front of them. “There. That should be better.
The blanket was beginning to warm her up. “For what?
“Us. He tugged the blanket away and spread it on the ground. She shivered as he laid her out on the pelt. She curled up on her side for warmth, but he rolled her onto her back and unfolded her arms. When he opened the jerkin, the cold seared her skin.
“Dont be scared, he said, his voice softening. He stretched out on top of her, offering the warmth of his body. “I wont let you freeze. He kissed her, teasing her mouth open so he could go more deeply with his tongue. It wasnt the first time he had done it, but it confused her. She hadnt known men and women kissed that way, and it sent heat through her body.
He murmured against her lips and he rolled the chain around her hips. “This is sexy.
Allegra didnt feel sexy, just uncomfortable. “Your clothes are scratching me. Too late, she realized he might mistake her words for an invitation to undress.
His tongue flicked over her lips. “Youll get used to it.
Used to it? That made no sense. “Dont you undress when youre with a woman?
He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Never.
“But why?
Instead of answering, he slid down her body, licking her neck, breasts and belly. Then he went all the way down and kissed her between the legs.
“What are you doing? Mortified, Allegra tried to roll away.
He gently held her in place, his large hands gripped on her hips. “Relax, night bird. I want you to enjoy it.