Mica (39 page)
“Yes. I can’t wait to tell him about the wedding and ask him to give me away.”
“I hope he’ll be pleased,” Mica said.
Sun smiled. “I know he will. He’s been trying to pair us off for months. The thing about Blaze is he’s always a matchmaker but when it comes to romance for himself he’s too elusive for his own good.”
“Just wait until he finds the right woman.”
“When he does she better be good to him or she’ll have to answer to me.”
Mica laughed. “The poor woman.”
“Should I make you pay for that comment?”
Mica dragged her to his chest and kissed her. “I certainly hope you’ll try.”
* * * * *
“My daughter.” Blaze smiled, embracing Sun tightly. “I wish you and Mirrored Rock a lifetime of happiness.”
Sun kissed Blaze’s cheek. She’d never dreamed of finding a man as kind, gentle and strong as the auburn-haired Knight. Now she had Mica. “You knew all along didn’t you?”
The Knight shrugged. “The spirits speak.”
“Did they tell you about Mica’s decision?”
Blaze turned a questioning gaze to Mica.
“He wants to join the Ruby Order.” Sun slipped her arm through Mica’s, pressing close to his side.
Blaze’s smile broadened. “Perfection. I will speak with our leader of swords and sewing needles. I’m sure he will agree to the mission and the man best to lead it.”
“Excellent.” Sun glanced up at Mica. “He’s going to speak with Sir Mahir who runs the Ruby Order.”
“You will come to us with vast knowledge,” Blaze told Mica. “I need not tell you about the hardships of Knighthood. Similar trials you’ve already endured. Once your two years of training are complete I am certain you will be stationed here.”
Sun looked worried. “Now if I can convince Dame Neila to do the same for me.”
“Fear not,” Blaze said. “The spirits speak well for you.”
“Lock’s ship leaves the day after tomorrow,” Sun told Mica. “You’ll be joining us then?”
He nodded, his arm tightening around her. “I will. Unless you prefer otherwise, I would like to marry you before we leave.”
Sun embraced him tightly, her stomach fluttering with happiness. “I can scarcely wait.”
That evening High Advisor Kado married Mica and Sun in the great hall at the palace of Ademene. The emperor, his daughter, Knights and several Priests bore witness. In the tradition of Sun’s culture Sir Blaze gave her away.
After the ceremony Val offered to watch Ebony Starr so Sun and Mica could enjoy their wedding night.
As they stepped into Sun’s chamber Mica swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. She grinned, hugging his neck.
He smiled and kissed her, placing her on the bed and unraveling the ties on the front of her billowy shirt.
“You’re so beautiful, Sun. I love you more than I can say.”
“Then show me,” she whispered against his lips.
His mouth claimed hers, his tongue teasing and tasting while his hands tugged off her shirt. Warm palms cupped her breasts, kneading them. His thumbs caressed her nipples before he swept his hand across her ribs and abdomen. He slid down her body, pulling off her boots and trousers, until she lay naked on the bedcovers.
Mica quickly shed his clothes and joined her on the bed. Sun turned to him, her fingertips drawing random shapes across his chest, loving the sensation of hard muscle beneath smooth skin. She touched one of his nipples and caressed the circle of dark brown flesh.
With a tender smile on his lips he mimicked her motion, stroking one of her nipples to a hard, sensitive peak.
Edging closer he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Sun.”
“I love you too, Mica.” She tightened her arms around him and slipped one of her long, smooth legs between his, relishing the warmth and hardness of his body.
Touching him felt marvelous.
Burying his face in the hollow of her shoulder, he breathed deeply, his warm breath fanning her skin. Nearly overwhelmed by pleasure she edged even closer. The pressure of his steely cock against her ignited her passion. She wondered if she’d ever grow tired of him. Doubtful when she loved him more with each passing day. They would grow old together. As fabulous as the passion between them was, it had already blossomed into emotions even deeper and more exciting.
Rising to his knees, Mica moved to the end of the bed and parted her thighs. He stroked the golden flesh over lithe muscle.
“On the day we met, Dame Sun, I believe you stole a piece of my heart. Now it is completely yours.”
Pouring all her love into a single look, she said, “As mine is yours, Mica. All my life I’ve tried to believe that nothing is fated and everything is decided by our choices but I was wrong. I wanted to hate you yet I couldn’t. Not once I discovered the kind of man
you are.”
“My love,” he whispered, his hand trailing between her breasts, down her belly and sifting through the thatch of dark blonde hair between her legs.
He cupped her pelvis and kneaded gently, using his palm to apply subtle pressure to her clit. His free hand closed over one of her breasts, squeezing and stroking tenderly. Using his thumb and forefinger, he pinched and rolled her nipple, sending little ripples of passion through her entire body. Beneath his caress her clit ached. Her pussy grew wet with need that he increased by sliding one long finger into her slit. The teasing finger explored, rubbing and stroking her soft, damp flesh. Another finger joined that one then another.
Sun’s eyes slipped shut and her breathing deepened. Her nipples, taut with desire, strained for his caress. If only these moments with him could last forever.
“Oh, Mica. Oh,” she gasped, her body aflame. His fingers slipped out of her and he ran one up and down the side of her clit, evoking almost unendurable pleasure. More than anything she wanted his thick, velvet-skinned cock buried deep inside her.
As if sensing her desire, he grasped her hips and tugged her closer. Sun moaned as every delectable inch of his erection slid into her with frustrating slowness. Was it possible that she felt every ridge of flesh, each swollen vein beneath his big, pulsing cock? Yes it was. He was deep inside her now, buried to the hilt.
Sun arched her head into the pillows and thrust her hips, crossing her ankles behind his back. Her pulse thundered in her ears as he rubbed her clit with one hand while keeping a firm grip on her hip with his other.
“Yes, Sun. That’s it, my love. You look so gorgeous with your lips parted and your breasts quivering.”
“Mica,” she gasped.
“I’m here.”
The pleasure was almost overwhelming. “I can’t take much more.”
“I know. I want to see you come. Come now, Sun. Come with my cock hard within you and my thumb teasing you.”
Sun stroked her nipples and wiggled her hips. Her clit pulsed in time with her heartbeat. Closer, closer. Tighter, tighter.
“Oh by the Spirit, Mica. Yes, oh yes.”
With a cry of utter fulfillment she came, shaking and writhing from head to toe, her breathing raw and her heart pounding out of control.
* * * * *
Two years, three months later
The desert of Upper Kenna
“You’re going to what?” Sun curled her lip at Mica from where she sat on the floor of the tent they called home. Ebony Starr and their foster son Sansom played with wooden blocks while Sun crushed herbs for storage.
They’d been permanently stationed in the Kennas almost since Mica entered the Knighthood. The first several months of his basic training had been spent in Rubyshire then he’d fulfilled his duty in the company of the Knights sent on their mission to the Kennas. Dame Neila had agreed that Sun should accompany the Knights to Ademene and remain there with her husband as a representative of the Opal Order.
Several months ago she, Mica and their children had traveled to Rubyshire for Mica’s dubbing. Afterward they returned to their home on an oasis several miles from Ademene. Mica and Sun had taken over the mission. Each year several Knights and Dames would serve in the Kennas then be replaced by fresh recruits. Lock and Sparrow docked in the Kennas as often as they could, always stopping to visit and bring messages and supplies from Travelle.
“We’re going to teach dance for the next two weeks Lock is here. We’ve blended traditional Kennian dance with SothSea movements. If we can keep clothes on Lock everything should work well.”
“The two of you can’t spend a moment together without fighting.”
“We won’t argue.” He grinned and added, “Much. Here. Lock brought this for you.”
He handed Sparrow a folded piece of parchment.
Sun looked up as she took the letter from him. She gazed at his tall, lean body draped in the traditional black tunic of a Knight, a circle of red thorns embroidered around a ruby over his heart. He was the most striking Knight she’d ever seen.
Turning her attention to the message, she broke the seal and glanced at the bold, familiar writing spread across the page.
Smiling she glanced at Mica. “It’s from Blaze. You’ll never guess what happened.
He’s getting married.”
“Really?” Mica stooped behind her and tugged her to his chest. “To whom?”
“A Dame of the Opal Order. Her name is Melody.” Sun’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know her. She must have been stationed outside of Travelle for a long time.”
“I’m pleased for him. Blaze deserves a companion.”
“Yes. She’d better treat him well. I wish him all the happiness that I’ve found with you.”
Cupping her face in his hand, he gazed deeply into her eyes. “Then you are content with our life, Dame Sun?”
“I have everything I’ve ever wanted and never imagined possible. I am more than content, Sir Mica.” She kissed him.
“I’ll do all in my power to keep you so.”
“Being with you is enough to make me happy forever.”
“I love you, Sun.”
“And I love you, Mica of Ademene.”
It seemed so long ago Sun had traveled to the Kennas to destroy a man she hated.
Instead she’d found her truest friend and her greatest love.
About the Author
Kate Hill is a thirty-something vegetarian New Englander who likes heroes with a touch of something wicked and wild. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in publications both on and off the Internet. When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out, and researching vampires and Viking history.
Kate Hill welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502.
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