Whimsy (11 page)

 
“I
wasn’t––“

 
“Your
breathing has gone shallow and your nipples are peaked. You want me.”

   
Whimsy
didn’t bother to deny it. She rolled out of bed. Her gown was on the floor
where he’d tossed it while attempting seduction. She picked it up and pulled it
on, fastening it briskly.

 
“I will
arrange for you to have a tour of the castle today.”

 
She
turned to him in surprise.
“Really?
Why? I thought I
wouldn’t be allowed to leave this room until…“

 
“We both
could use some time apart, even if it is for only a few hours. There will be
objections to breaking tradition. This is but a small deviation.”

 
She bit
her lip. “I-I’d like the tour.”

 
He arched
one jet black brow. “You sound less than enthusiastic.”

 
Whimsy
shook her head. She was hesitant to say why. He rolled out of bed and strolled
over to her. He cupped her shoulders in his big hands. She averted her gaze so
as not to see his nudity.
 
She had
observed that he knew no shame of his body, rarely covering up when it was only
the two of them. But then he had no reason to be coy. . He was beautiful. He
chucked her chin so that her gaze met his deep blue one. His soft smile made her
stomach clench.

 
“Dessert,
I do not wish to be without you. But you need to be away from me for a while.”
He smoothed the hair back from her forehead and kissed her lips lightly. He
groaned and then kissed her again before putting distance between their bodies.
“And for my peace of mind, I need some separation from you. I want to be able
to continue heeding your wishes when you ask me to stop loving you, a task
which becomes more difficult each day.”

 
“I will
bathe.” She glanced down at the gown. “Um, do you have something a bit more
concealing that I can wear?”

 
“The gown
you wear is a mark of honor. No one will touch you.” He paused. “But perhaps
for your comfort, we could provide you with a cloak.”

 
When the
servants arrived to assist her with her bath, he requested that she be brought
a cloak. It was only as she was donning the covering that
Gaedrian
announced Dark would be escorting her, as unfortunately, he could not join her
due to the unsettling effects of his scent on women.

 
 
“Dark gives me the creeps,” she objected with
a shiver.

 
“He is
but a child.”

 
“His eyes
are like ice. And I don’t just mean the color.”

 
“He is
loyal. And he will keep you safe.”

 
“Do you
think you could at least get him to use the door like a normal person?”

 
Gaedrian’s
castle was a blend of the opulent splendor of a
palace, with oversized yet comfortable furniture and decorative baroque
touches, combined with all the modern conveniences. Whimsy’s home on C7 had
been all modern clean lines, glass and steel. Compared to this place her home
was cold as ice.
Gaedrian’s
home was earthy and warm.
She peeked out of the corner of her eye at her tour guide. Dark would fit in
well on C7.

 
“I
wouldn’t.”

 
She
whipped her head around to look at him. “Excuse me?”

 
He held
the door to the outside open for her. Guards at the door watched them both
suspiciously. She noted that their expressions held distain for Dark. He didn’t
appear to notice.

 
She
turned to question him again about what he meant but stopped with a gasp. The
garden was the most beautiful place she had ever been. Flowers of all types and
colors bloomed around her in curved rows. She’d never seen anything like it.
They simply did not have the space for such luxury as this at home. Stone
benches, statues and water fountains were interspersed amongst the shrubbery,
making the garden a spot to linger and enjoy. Whimsy wished
Gaedrian
could be here to experience this with her.

 
She
wondered where
Chaldor
was. Even though he would have
put pressure on her to give in to
Gaedrian
, he would
have made a better tour guide. Dark had merely led her from room to room,
offering little commentary and the briefest of responses to her questions.
Currently, he stood, appearing bored by their fragrant surroundings.

 
His icy
eyes met hers and he raised one sinfully arched brow. In the sunlight, his eyes
appeared practically colorless. She shivered involuntarily. And then she
remembered. “You used a contraction before!” She’d noticed that
Gaedrian
and the others did not and wondered about it. She
hadn’t brought it up, because it would have been rude to dissect their pattern
of speech.

 
“Here, it
is considered vulgar by the royal family to use contractions. They call it
common. On my home planet, it was not.”

 
“What did
you mean when you said you wouldn’t?”

 
“I
wouldn’t fit in on C7. I’m not a virgin.”

 
“But
you’re a child!”

 
“Twenty-one.”

 
She
sputtered. She was only twenty-four. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

 
“I read
your thoughts.”

 
“Be
serious.”

 
“I’m not
exactly given to making jests.”

 
She
stared at him and unconsciously backed up a step. He was at once the most
beautiful man she’d ever seen and the most terrifying.

 
“I’m
sworn to protect you,” he reminded her. His voice was flat and devoid of any
emotion.

 
“You read
minds.”

 
“Among other things.”

 
“The way
you enter rooms…”

 
“I can
enter any room where there is a shadow.”

 
She
covered her mouth to hold in a gasp. Myrna, what was he?

 
“
Gaedrian
explained. I am a prince of Dark Sphere. We’re
hated, feared, reviled. Guess it’s a good thing that I’m the last one, huh?”

 
“Your
home planet…
?“

 
“Don’t
you have something else you’d rather ask me about?”

 
She
realized how rude she had been, asking him such personal questions. His tone
was suddenly so knowing that she allowed him to change the subject. But Whimsy
remained curious about him and his home world.
“Such as?”

 
“Your future.”

 
“You can
tell the future?” At his nod, she asked, “And do you know my future?”

 
“I can
access it.” His silver eyes left hers for a moment. “But knowing the future…can
be dangerous.”

 
Though
tempted to know her future, she decided to heed his advice. If Dark called it
dangerous, then it truly must be. He didn’t seem to fear anything or anyone.

 
Whimsy
sat on one of the benches to soak in the sun. It was another novelty for her.
C7 was lit by a man-powered solar substitute. On the positive side, they had
twelve hours of sunlight each day year round. Again, she longed for
Gaedrian’s
company. She wanted to share this warmth with
him. “Would it be possible to take some of these flowers to
Gaedrian
?”

 
“Yes.”

 
“I need a
basket, or a––
“ She
broke off with a strangled gasp as
a wicker basket appeared in his hands.

 
“One of
the other things,” he said humbly, handing her the basket.

 
She
snapped her mouth shut and accepted his magically produced gift. Inside was a
pair of shears to cut the flowers. There were so many from which to choose.
“Does
Gaedrian
have a favorite?”

 
“He’s a
man,” he said, stating the obvious. She narrowed her eyes at him and he
continued, “I’m sure he will appreciate the gesture no matter which ones you
pick. This was one of his favorite spots before his condition set in. He
requested that I end the tour here.”

 
Her heart
squeezed with appreciation for
Gaedrian’s
thoughtfulness. “I wish things were different,” she whispered.

 
“You are
very strong-willed,” he observed. “None has ever resisted the temptation of
fate
this long.”

 
“I can’t
give in. I’m betrothed. I know you don’t know what that means.”

 
“I am
also betrothed.”

 
“Then you
can explain it to
Gaedrian
,” she said excitedly. “I
told him and he didn’t seem to understand.”

 
“It
doesn’t matter here. Tradition is a powerful thing here on Spectra. It’s how
they keep order.”

 
Whimsy
gave a frustrated sigh. Someone should have come for her by now. It had been
too long. Maybe
Serri
had never made it home? Myrna,
what if something had happened to him?

 
“You love
him.”

 
“
Serri
?
Not really, but we are
friends.”

 
“No.
Gaedrian
.”
She started to deny it and Dark arched a perfect brow. Myrna, could she be in
love with him? He was kind to her. He made her feel desired and attractive in a
way she never had before. His will was as strong as hers. He was noble and
honorable. She trusted him. She was attracted to him. Even now, while not in
the presence of his pheromones, her body thrummed at the thought of being with
him.

 
Whimsy
cut stems for a bouquet quickly, mixing orange blossoms with blue. Once her
basket was full, she stood. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Twelve

 
She
caught her breath as she reentered
Gaedrian’s
chambers.
The wall of pure sexual heat that hit her was staggering. Her eyes met those of
Gaedrian
and her knees went weak. She tightened her
hand on the basket handle.

 
It was
true. She loved him.

 
He smiled
and held his arms open to her. She dropped the flowers and ran to him. His lips
covered hers, his tongue thrusting deep. She moaned, her hands clenching into
fists at the base of his spine. She didn’t object as he backed them to the bed.
He lifted her and placed her on the mattress, easily removing her gown and
cloak. Their separation had been brief, but to Whimsy it seemed like forever
since he had touched her this way. He squeezed her breasts in his large palms,
his thumbs flicking her tight nipples.

 
She
kissed him back, sucking his tongue. He groaned into her mouth before pulling
back to follow his hands down her body. He licked each of her nipples and
suckled on them. Each tug of his lips on the sensitive tips made her pussy
clench and gush with hot liquid.

 
He slid
his hand between her thighs and she parted them eagerly for him. His fingers
skimmed her moist nether lips.
Gaedrian
growled
against her bosom as he circled her wet clit. “Have to taste you,” he said,
making his way still further south.

 
“I missed
you so much,” he murmured before kissing her pussy, his tongue swirling around
her clit. He sucked, and she arched with an animalistic cry as the pleasure
singed her nerve endings. He forced her thighs farther apart and cupped her
bottom as he plunged his tongue deep into her cunt.

 
“Myrna!”
She gripped his thick hair, making no attempt to stop him from tongue fucking
her pussy. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo inside her chest. She twisted and
arched beneath him. She half expected him to stop, but he didn’t. He continued
until her body closed around him in the clenching waves of her orgasm. When he
lifted his head, a smile graced his sexy lips. Dear God, she loved him.

 
She
embraced him as he made his way back up her body. His cock was hard and pulsing
against her belly. He separated her legs so that her thigh was over his hip and
his hot erection nestled between her folds. Her body throbbed for him and she
wanted to sacrifice all for just one moment of having him inside her body.
Tears burned the back of her eyes.