Marked For Magic (27 page)

Never did she want this to end. The summit they strove for grew nearer, one of total bliss. The first pulses began and she moaned, clutching him to her. “Yes, oh, gods, yes.” Each forceful stroke took her closer and closer to this new pinnacle.

“Now, with me,” he groaned.

The rush of his seed filled her. Rapture stole her breath with the deep contractions within her body. He lay over her until the thudding beat of his heart against her breasts slowed and his body stuck damp to hers. She wrapped her fingers in the long length of his dark hair.

“I love you,” he murmured against her cheek.

Love with him was more beautiful than she had dreamt it would be.

He rolled onto his side with her clasped to him. His gaze searched hers. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Gasping still, she shook her head. “No. That was—” She inhaled sharply when he withdrew, alone once again.

“Wonderful,” he murmured and stroked over her cheek. “You are perfect.” His lips were warm on her face, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head because mundane things like food didn’t matter, not when his body rested against hers, not when every muscle was drained of strength, and she could hardly lift her head from the pillow.

“Well, you should be.” He dragged the bed cover over them.

Wrapped in his arms, her limbs loose and pliant, she slept. She only woke at the mutters of the servants taking out the bath.

Thabit yanked an arm across her and pulled the tapestry curtain so they lay in a timeless darkness. “I am going to spend the whole winter like this with you.”

She relaxed against him in silent agreement, and the anticipation of more lovemaking settled into her thoughts.

The delight of her embrace surrounded him. Her soft breaths blew warm and sweet on his throat. She slept still, and so he could drink his fill of the beautiful being she had become. The rise and fall of her breasts enthralled so that he stared at the ruby-tipped flesh while it gently moved.

She is lovely.

He moved a stray golden strand away from her lips and dismissed the memory of her spinning like a fiery wheel. The adventure had been full of pain for her. He wished it had not been so, but she met the danger face on, her determination astonishing.

He smiled in contentment. The joy of her body was his for however long they shared their lives. No other had captured him in the way she did. His need for her swelled through him natural like breath, but not again, it was too soon for her. He settled back with one arm behind his head.

Cassandra would probably have guessed the outcome of their journey, but still, he wished to speak to her of it. To confirm the danger was gone and the coming spring would be one of hope for the people.

Nin turned in her sleep, and he admired the dip of her waist and the curve of her buttocks beneath the cover. His woman and his love. He softly kissed her shoulder. The new name he wished to give her sprang into his mind.

“Wake, my love,” he whispered, and she whimpered. A flash of amusement came with the memory of her first days at his tower. She never liked being woken. “We must get up. We cannot lie abed all day.”

“Please, just a little while longer, Thabit.” She buried her head into the pillow.

“No, we have things to do.” He threw the covers back to rise, but she rolled over and his gaze devoured her long slender thighs, the gilt curls, the soft round of her stomach and her luscious breasts.

“If you won’t get up now, we will be here until nightfall,” he whispered over her skin. He bent and kissed first one nipple, followed by the other, so they both gleamed, raspberry bright.

She smiled and yawned before she closed her eyes with a sigh of pleasure. “I don’t mind.”

I’m lost to her spell
.

He forced away the ache to have her again. “Later tonight, my love. We must go and speak with Cassandra.”

The light spilling across the floor showed it must be noon, at least. Her stomach rumbled as he trailed his fingertips over it. “And you should eat. So, get up.”

He forced himself to rise. Their clothes sat folded on one of the chairs, and he brought the blue gown to her before he donned his black robe. She dressed, but gave him the pout he was powerless to ignore. He kissed her long and deep. The tingles of need rushed through him. Her tongue swept over his, demanding attention. She ground her hips against his erection, robbing him of his will to do anything but stand here and let her lead the pace.

I thought the desire would be easier to control once I’d taken her, but the craving’s worse.

He lifted his lips from hers and edged back a little. That way he could achieve some control. They couldn’t spend all day in bed, not with so much momentous news to share. “I promise we will return to bed as soon as we can.”

She smiled. A light he was getting to know appeared in her eyes.

“You’re a wanton, and I didn’t know.” He buried his face in the sweet smell of her hair, and she laughed. He tore himself away from her and slipped her fingers through his. “We will go and find Cassandra.”

They strolled down to the great hall. He waved to Rollo, who lounged feet up on one of the tables. Cecile hovered close by with a cup in her hand.

Cassandra sat at the end of the table and was busily adjusting a sling for one of Rollo’s companions. She beckoned Tab, who took over the task, and came to them, her smile full of joy.

“I feel like I missed the handfasting ceremony looking at the pair of you.” Her kiss on his cheek was soft and her hug for Nin expansive. “We will go down to the workroom to talk in private.”

Cassandra led them through the corridors and the large doors into the workroom. They sat at the table. Nin’s hand remained in his, and his thoughts strayed while Cassandra presented wine.

He accepted the offered cup, and so did Nin.

Cassandra raised her goblet. “A toast, to you both. Many thanks for your skill and courage in defeating this threat. Long may we all live in peace.”

They all drank. Cassandra put her cup down and waited.

“Do you wish to tell the story?” he asked. Nin shook her head, and he admired the way her unbound hair shone and rippled around her. “Then I’ll tell the tale.”

He told Cassandra of their journey as briefly as possible, skirted over the worst of the pain Nin had suffered when Cassandra blanched at his description of the fiery plane.

Nin clutched his hand tight, her fingers twined around his. This could not be easy listening for her. The pain had been real, even if it did not return with her.

Cassandra nodded when he finished the story, and in an effort to lighten the mood, to give joy to his love, he turned to her. “And so, my Sparrow, you have earned a new name, one to reflect the power you wield, the strength you have shown.”

She shook her head and widened her eyes.

“Yes, my dear, you can’t be priestess Sparrow, and I am afraid Nin simply won’t do,” Cassandra said.

“Oh, I didn’t know.” She clutched his hand tighter. “So what’s it to be?” She looked up at him. The way she bit her lip, he longed to take over, to kiss it, and take command of her mouth.

“Thabit?” Cassandra’s voice reminded him he should speak.

“You are Tara, Keeper of the Flame, Tara, the Brilliant Star, the Tower of Strength.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“A very apt name,” Cassandra agreed.

She shook her head. “I’ll never remember all of it.”

Cassandra and he laughed.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I’ll remind you every day.”

“So, it is over, and we can expect some kind of normality next spring. I hope the fears the sickness generated will dissipate as the snows melt,” Cassandra said.

“Yes, the people can return to their villages whenever you wish.”

“No, not until after Yule, and even after the villagers depart, I fear my brother may keep the rebels imprisoned.” Cassandra tilted her cup, swirling the wine around for a moment.

“Did they arrive yesterday?”

“Yes, a few rebels marched across the green, but we did not even need the troops. The villagers here took over, infuriated by their bluster and lies.

“We have half a dozen sorry souls under lock and key, two who were injured in the infirmary, and the rest joined the villager’s camps. I am trying to work on Ranulf to release the prisoners when the others leave. He is spending a great deal of time writing to the Magean council regarding the placement of one particular prisoner.”

“Oh, of course, Alicia,” Tara whispered. “I hope something can be done for her soon.”

He glanced down at her soft words, and a beguiling flush of color tinged her soft cheek at his look.

“Ah, my woman, you are beautiful.”

“Yes, Tara, my dear, my brother is most anxious for Alicia to be placed out of our lands.” Cassandra took another sip of wine.

He failed to ignore the spark of mischief in Tara’s eyes as she glanced up.

She gave his hand a squeeze when she sent the thought.
“You promised, soon.”

“Cassandra, why do you wish the people to remain until Yule when the roads will be bad for traveling?”

“Why, for the ceremony, of course. I have sent to my sister, Nadira, and her consort, Conran, Rollo’s parents. You will need officials to perform the handfasting ceremony. I cannot. It is not my role,” Cassandra explained.

“That will be wonderful,” Tara murmured, and again he kissed her fingers.

“Very well, but it is only a ceremony. Tara is linked to me already. All will know it.”

Cassandra smiled again with a nod. “I think, Mage, people only need to see you together to know. Will you stay here until Yule or return to your tower? Tara, what of you? Would you wish to continue your studies with me here or return with the Mage?”

“Tara will come home, I hope. I do not wish to live any other way than with her beside me, but, of course, the choice is hers.” He slipped his arm around her.

“I will go home, Cassandra, if you have no need of me, as long as I can come back to see you, Tab, and Cecile.”

“Of course you may come and see us. Come and study some days should you wish. You can return whenever you want.” Cassandra patted her hand. “Now, I have a small gift for you. While you were gone, I came upon this, and thought it suitable.” Cassandra opened the small pouch she wore at her waist and took out a pendent on a silver chain. She handed it to Tara, who held it up to the light. “A symbol of what you have become, my dear, of who you now are.”

He smiled at the colors of the moonstone reflected in the afternoon sun, a translucent shade of blue with a sliver of the crescent moon shimmering in one corner of the stone. “Here, allow me.” He took the necklace from her hand, and draping it around her smooth throat, fixed the clasp under her hair.

She lifted her palm and covered the stone. “Thank you, Cassandra, it’s beautiful.” Tara leaned across and kissed Cassandra’s cheek.

“You have my gratitude and that of the girls. I will not tell them the entire tale if you don’t mind. I think they would be frightened and angry, and neither emotion will help them grow. When will you go back to the tower?”

“Tomorrow, if you are sure you have no need of either of us.”

“Of course, Mage, you have done all that could have been asked. We have more than enough herbals, I am certain. Tonight, in your honor, we will feast if I can persuade the kitchen to produce enough.” She smiled. “You will join us?”

“For a time, yes,” he nodded, and once more Tara’s small palm rested in his. She put her other hand to her mouth and yawned, taking on the sleepy kitten look that always entranced him.

“Yes, I am sorry,” Cassandra said. “You must both still be tired. Go and rest, and I will send Tab to call you when it is time to dress and come down to the hall. I am so proud of you, my dear.” Cassandra moved from her seat and gave Tara a hug. She turned to Thabit and brushed a light kiss on his cheek. “Go and rest well,” she whispered to him before she left.

He turned to Tara, who now wore an enticing, impish, small smile. “
You are becoming a very skilful little witch.”

Her answering giggle was a delight. He scooped her up into his arms. His body thrilling with anticipation, he covered her mouth, and their first afternoon kiss began.

“Tara, keep still. If you don’t, I’ll never get these laces done.” Tab kissed her cheek. “I can’t understand it. The gown seems smaller, and we were all certain it was perfect.”

She did try to still her fidgets and trembles, but couldn’t help her smile. Only Thabit knew the reason she had changed shape in the last month, and he was, like her, happy about it.

Gray eyes widening with a smile, Cassandra grasped her hand. “Is it so? A babe?”

She nodded, and Tab and Cecile shrieked at the news.

Cassandra pulled her into a hug. “When will the child be born?”

“Early autumn, I think. When the leaves are ready to fall, perhaps a little before.”

“You will send for me and the girls when you need us, won’t you?” Cassandra stood back, offering her a huge smile before she leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“Yes, I think it will be best if you help. I don’t want Thabit to deliver the infant I think he would be too worried about me.”

Cassandra hugged her again, and made way for Cecile and Tab, who smothered her in their embraces.

“Well, we’d best finish dressing,” Tab said. “This handfasting best be done properly.”

All of them laughed, and Tab pulled on the laces of the gown. The ribbons ran down her spine from her neck to her hips, pulling the gown tight about her. The bodice clung, and because her breasts had begun to swell with the coming child, the soft, silky fabric strained. When she stroked over a fold of the smooth skirt, the pale, iridescent lilac shimmered. Tab and Cecile had spent hours embroidering the skirt. They had covered triangular sections from the hem to her hips with tiny slivers of mother of pearl.

Like the bracelet she still wore, sections of the gown reflected the light. The embroidered love knots around the hem and panels, at the wrists, and around the scooped neckline, must have taken her friends many hours of work.