Part 5 (1/2)
Rhiannon nodded, fleeing to the stars, catching Driscoll and Brody's gaze and sending them a worried look. Siobhan's plan would not work, she thought, climbing the staircase. He was prepared to force submission, then give their lives over to the king, without regret, without a shred of conscience. 'Twas times such as this, Rhiannon thought, when she wished she could not feel another soul's thoughts and emotions. For in the PenDragon, she felt only emptiness, dark pain and a spark of longing he tried to hide, even from himself.
Gaelan handed Reese the stained armor, bid him clean it, then find his way to the hall and partake of the feasting. The lad nearly tripped over his own too large feet in his haste to be done and gone. Gaelan curried Grayfalk, then stripped down to his braies and washed, slipping a loose lawn s.h.i.+rt over his head, his belt about his Waist. He was just securing the fastenings when an infant lamb trotted in to the stable on wobbly legs, looking at him before scampering pell-mell into the corner.
Sweet Jesu, I scare even animals, he thought, disgusted. Was Raymond the only one to match him?
A moment later, a cloaked figure darted inside, calling softly for the lamb.
”You've named your livestock?”
Siobhan spun about, her hood falling back as the air left her lungs. Why was he not in the hall?
His brows shot up. ”You!” Gaelan half smiled, moving toward her.
She darted out of his reach, deciding escape was better than capturing her son's pet. But he was fast for such a large man, catching her about the waist and slamming her against his bulk.
Instantly, Siobhan shoved at his chest, kicked his s.h.i.+n.
He squeezed. ”Cease. I will not harm you.”
”Hah.” Oh sweet Mary mother, let none see me like this. ”You are the PenDragon.”
His expression turned sour with irritation. ”Why does everyone mutter my name like a prayer to Satan?”
”It bodes ill for those you destroy and conquer.” She wiggled, groaning at the effort, then sagged miserably and met his gaze through a curtain of hair. ”Well.” She hung against him like a limp rag. ”You have proven yours is the greater strength. Do you wish to crush my ribs too?”
Smiling, he eased his hold a bit, noticing her hair was damp and curling. ”Nay. I would keep you this time.” With the backs of his knuckles, he brushed her hair off her shoulder, his gaze scanning her beautiful features, remembering her fire, the heat of her mouth. ”You escaped.”
”Was I captive?” She arched a tapered brow. ”I did not know. Not after your man clubbed me.”
His expression softened. ”He was punished.”
”'Twas an accident!” She could only imagine what form of castigation he'd inflict.
Surprise slapped him. Another woman would be demanding Owen's head, or at least coin for her trouble. ”You live here?”
”Aye.”
He grinned hugely. He would take this wild creature as his mistress, he thought easily. ”You were a long way from home, girl.”
She scoffed, shoving uselessly at his big chest. ”I am no girl, m'lord.”
”I know.” He ducked his head.
She slapped a hand over his mouth, her sharp eyes warning. ”You would shame me?”
He peeled her hand off. ”Nay, sweetling-” He lifted her, carrying her to a more secluded spot. ”I would pleasure you.” Falling back against the wall, Gaelan released her legs and instantly pressed her to him, letting her feel her command over his body. Only this woman made him hunger to join with her so deeply, he could not think clearly. And this night was one in which he needed all his faculties. But right now, he wanted only to feel.
”Unhand me this instant.”
Her tone was so imperious, he had to smile. ”For a kiss.” He leaned.
She shoved. ”Is everything a bargain with you, mercenary?”
”With you, I fear, it must be.”
He ducked, covering her mouth with his, and though she flattened her hands on his chest, she did not push, still as gla.s.s in his arms. He felt her battling her own response and nurtured her lips, his pulling softly at her lower lip before he ran his tongue over the lush outline. Once, twice, he dipped his tongue between and for an instant, hers chased his. Her shudder tumbled into his mouth, her lips worrying his, her fingertips digging into his chest with a restrained power he wanted to release all over him.
He drew back a fraction, meeting her gaze. ”Give to me, la.s.s.”
”Nay.” But oh, when he looked at her like that, like he wanted to devour her, Siobhan's knees went soft as goose down. And her will turned to water.
His lips curved at her rebellion, a look of dark sensuality in his eyes as his hand slid down to the base of her spine, pressing her to his thickening groin. Her eyes fluttered closed, a sweet invitation she was unaware of offering.
Then he kissed her, his mouth molding warmly over hers, his hands driving up her slender back and sending the bells to tinkling. The sound spun through his heavy heart. And when her arms wrapped around his neck, arching her lush body to his, Gaelan felt his dead soul fracture. His kiss intensified and her tiny fingers slid softly into his hair, stroking delicately, and he moaned his pleasure.
The rich sound rumbled against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, spiraling heat and energy through her blood. She felt his strength surround her, hard muscle and man, magnificent power restrained in a gentle touch she'd never expected from the PenDragon. Pa.s.sion, sultry and burning, broke inside her, and though she knew he was the wrong man, the worst man to find it in, his touch left her powerless and when she was hungry for more, she knew she could never have it. The denial of it drove suppressed desire to the surface and her hands clawed down his chest, and dove beneath his s.h.i.+rt, molding the contours of his skin, stroking his nipple, and his pleasure came in a tighter embrace, his thickening groin ... his tongue wildly stroking her mouth and making her come apart inside her clothes.
No man had ever done this to her, made her feel this desired, this sensual. And he was her enemy. He was here to conquer, to hold her people in bondage to the English king, to make her his leman, if he chose. She could not bear that.
She tore her mouth away, her breathing harsh on his lips as she met his gaze.
”Gaelan,” Raymond called, his voice near.
Siobhan shoved out of his arms, and this time he let her go. She ran, brus.h.i.+ng past the knight and heading toward the tunnels.
Raymond glanced at the empty doorway, then to Gaelan. ”The creature from the forest?”
Gaelan smiled, straightening uncomfortably. ”Still with plenty of fire.”
”And speed, I see,” Raymond said, chuckling. He eyed his friend, not bothering to disguise his awareness of their tryst, but gentleman enough not to mention it.
Gaelan turned toward his garments laid across the stall and donned them carefully.
”You are coming inside?”
”Aye.” He reached for his sword, strapping it on. ”I have wasted enough time-”
”Not from what I saw,” Raymond snickered from behind. Gaelan stilled, smiling to himself, then turned, positioning the sword. ”If the lady princess is not awaiting, we return to camp and lay siege.”
Chapter 6.
The impertinent woman was not waiting.