Mica (12 page)

Mica glanced at the moon. “I hope I’m not late for the ritual dance. Telling the High Advisor I missed it because I was off fighting isn’t a good excuse.”

“What is the dance like? May I watch?”

“I don’t see why not. Sometimes the Priests dance publicly but I’m sure no one would mind if you observed the ritual.” His gaze flickered toward her.

“If I learn more about your religion it might help me understand your desire to be gelded.”

“You’re obsessed with castration, aren’t you?” He tossed her a look that bordered on annoyance.

“I don’t know why a man like you would do such a thing.” She edged closer to him.

“Especially a man with such talent for kissing.”

Mica chuckled. “I think I like the sound of that.”

“Well don’t get used to it if you plan on going through with the sacrifice for Priesthood.” She flung him an almost taunting look.
“I like the work I do as a Priest. I enjoy helping people.”

“Not that you would be accepted but you might try to become a Knight. That way you could fight and heal and most important, keep your balls intact.”

Raising his eyes to heaven, he sighed. “You like being crude, don’t you?”

“It’s like Milady said, why not be blunt?”

“I’m almost glad you’re only staying for one night. I can’t imagine what you and Milady might do if you spent any length of time together.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Let’s hurry.”

When they reached the palace, Mica and Sun rushed to the lower levels. Instead of heading for the bathhouses they turned down another corridor in the opposite direction. More paintings of the Goddess covered the walls. Chants wafted through an open door to their left. Sun followed Mica into the room where several Priests dressed in robes of various colors gathered in a circle, singing. Others stood or sat along the walls.

Sun glanced at Blaze who sat beside a slender Priest. She approached, her arms folded across her chest, and whispered, “I thought you were so old and feeble that you needed to get to sleep early?”

Blaze stared at her with wide blue eyes. “It was my intention, however the High Advisor traded stories with me and—”

“No excuses,” Sun teased, sitting beside him. Mica had disappeared into an adjoining room. Moments later the group of chanting Priests melted against the wall, leaving one in the center of the floor. He was slim and smooth-shaven. In a lovely voice he began a solo performance. Sun guessed he was a eunuch, castrated as a boy in accordance with the old customs Mica had spoken of. She was glad that tradition had changed. It was bad enough some men chose to mutilate themselves without destroying an innocent child against his will.

Two Priests dressed in black robes with silk swathed across their faces, leaving only their eyes exposed, began dancing. Their motions reminded Sun of seaweed swaying beneath crystalline water.

“Too bad Lock isn’t here,” Sun whispered to Blaze. “He’d love to see this.”

Lock in spite of his gruff manner had a passion for dancing. Having learned to perform as a youth in the Archipelago, he was one of the best dancers Sun had ever seen. Though tall and well-muscled, Lock moved with grace unexpected in such a large man. His dances were a personification of male stamina and beauty.

When the two finished dancing a Priest with a flute and another playing drums accompanied the singer. A robed man stepped through the door and Sun recognized High Advisor Kado’s sapphire hanging against the silk robes. His dance was an exhibition of quick, flexible movements. His robes swirled about the room, the jewel glistening in the torchlight. He was even more skilled than the Priests who had
performed first.

“Mate of the Key would indeed appreciate this form of prayer,” Blaze said. “One day he must visit—”

Sun touched Blaze’s arm and jerked her head toward the center of the room. The High Advisor had finished his dance and was replaced by another robed figure. In spite of the billowy blue fabric draping his tall form and the cover across his face Sun immediately recognized Mica. The music began, a slow, sensual rhythm that he mimicked with spinning, swaying motions of his long-limbed body. Though Sun didn’t understand the words of the prayer the eunuch sang, she felt their meaning through each of Mica’s movements. It amazed her that a man covered from head to foot in yards of fabric could arouse such feelings of sexuality.

“I think he’s as good as Lock if not better,” Sun whispered.

Blaze raised a finger to his lips, his gaze focused on Mica.

Entranced she watched him glide across the floor in low stances. His arms stretched above his head, he turned with a warrior’s precision and an eagle’s grace. At the thought of watching him perform the dance naked, Sun’s clit tingled and her pulse raced. The idea of his sinewy body moving so sensuously, his dark skin bathed in firelight was enough to turn her pussy to liquid and her nipples to hard peaks of desire.

Only when the music ceased and he paused in front of her did she notice the teasing gleam in his eyes. She snapped awake from her daydream, annoyed and aroused at the same time. She would have him tonight. One way or the other Mica’s fine, powerful body would be hers.

He joined the other Priests who had walked to the center of the room, leaving only Sun and Blaze seated by the wall. The holy men chanted for several moments before dispersing.

Mica unraveled the silk from his face and approached his guests.

“An experience of fascination.” Blaze nodded.

“Thank you.” He turned to Sun. “What do you think of our ceremony?”

“I’ve learned something new about an unfamiliar culture,” she said.

“That’s usually considered good.”

“You dance well.” Sun moistened her dry lips. If Blaze wasn’t standing beside her she would have used the opportunity to lavish more attention on this man she sought to seduce. Her foster father knew her too well though. He would sense her desire and probably end up talking her out of it. The less Blaze knew about her plans for Mica the better.

“She is stingy in her praise,” Blaze commented. “You are a master.”

Mica grinned. “I wouldn’t go that far but it’s an enjoyable form of prayer.”

“Better than other methods of showing your piousness,” Sun commented.

The High Advisor joined them, exchanging greetings with Sun before turning to Blaze. “If you would like to continue the tour of the palace I would be glad to guide
you.”

“I would.” Blaze bid Sun and Mica good night and left with the High Advisor.

“If you like, I’ll walk you to your room,” Mica said.

Sun accepted the arm he offered, squeezing his hard biceps. “I would like that very much.”

Mica raised an eyebrow. “It seems rules are made to be broken—providing your mentor doesn’t find out.”

“Blaze doesn’t need to know about us any more than you’ve gone singing to your High Advisor about our attraction—”

His eyes gleaming, he smiled and said, “Then you admit it. Somehow I thought you’d be more stubborn about it.”

“After what we shared in the shrine how can I deny it?” Sun’s belly tightened with arousal. She wished her words were only part of a lie created to lure him to her bed but to her frustration they were true. She was very attracted to him.

“The High Advisor invited us to break our fast with him, the emperor’s daughter and Milady tomorrow,” Mica continued.

“Good. I’m looking forward to talking with Milady again. Maybe we can visit each other in the future.”

“I would like to travel to both your lands but—”

“Let me guess. You’re going to die here.” Shaking her head, she thought he really played the martyr role to the hilt.

“Most likely.”

“Only you can change your future, Mica.”

“I’ve tried to do that.”

They made their way up the narrow staircase to the upper palace and paused in front of Sun’s room. He stood close, the warmth of his body seeping into hers, the expression in his eyes embracing her soul.

“I’ve enjoyed this time with you, Dame Sun.”

“So have I.”

Nodding, he brushed her lips with a chaste kiss and turned away. She caught his arm.

“Mica.”

He turned, placing his hands on her waist and speaking against her lips, “By the Goddess, Dame Sun, I don’t want to leave you tonight.”

The warmth of his hands against her made her heart flutter, or was it simply knowing she was about to succeed in her seduction that made her pulse leap?

One of her hands curved around the doorknob and the other around his nape. “I don’t want you to leave. Mica, this might be the only chance we have.”
He cupped her face in his hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb while gazing deeply into her eyes. “Do you do this with every man you want?”

“No,” she lied, for the first time ashamed of her promiscuity. She quickly shrugged off the guilt. Sex play shouldn’t matter—or at least it never had before.

One night, Sun. You can spend one night with him and walk away in the morning.

“Don’t go, Mica.”

By the expression in his eyes, she knew he was fighting an emotional battle. He drew a deep breath and released it slowly. She sensed he wanted her but the Priesthood and redemption struggled against his physical desire.

Leaning a bit closer she kissed him, a mere brushing of her lips against his before she whispered, “I won’t ask again.”

Mica’s hand closed over hers on the doorknob and turned it. No sooner had they stepped inside than he dragged her into his arms and covered her mouth with a kiss that sent waves of volcanic passion crashing through her body.
Chapter Six
Closing the door, Mica pressed Sun against it. His eyes slipped shut and he ran his tongue over her lips then thrust it into her mouth. Hers met his with warm, sensual strokes. Nestled between their bodies his cock swelled. Never in his life had anyone made him feel as thrilled and aroused as this tall, voluptuous warrior. Mica was no stranger to women. In his youth he’d claimed more than his share and enjoyed every moment. He had thought those times were long past. Each day he awoke healthy and useful was something to be thankful for but making love with Sun was something he hadn’t dared hope for. To find a magnificent woman who was only passing through his homeland and wished for a single night of pleasure was like a fantasy—a temptation.

Perhaps if he was the true Holy Man he aspired to be, he would consider her offer a test of his spirit.

He drew back slightly, knowing he should walk away for both their sakes.

Sun held his gaze, her fingers massaging his shoulders and back. She pressed closer to his body.

“I thought you left your regrets outside, Mica?”

He brushed a wisp of blonde hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek with his fingertips, relishing her soft skin.

His lips hovered over hers and he whispered, “I did.”

Sun’s grip on him tightened and he kissed her deeply. His lips moved to her neck where he licked the tender flesh. Her taste and scent filled him, arousing him even more. She uttered a soft moan of desire as he untied the front of her vest, freeing her warm breasts to his touch. Gazing at her taut pink nipples, he brushed his thumbs over them. His desire for her seemed to turn him into a creature of pure sensation, with no thought to the pious lifestyle he’d cultivated over the years. The muscles of her sleek abdomen tightened and she thrust closer so her pelvis pressed against his cock. He rubbed his aching staff against her and drew a deep, cleansing breath.

Sun shrugged off her vest and tossed it onto a nearby chair.

His hands roamed over her bare torso. He wanted to touch every part of her magnificent body at once. Well padded in places but with hard muscles beneath the soft skin, she looked and felt like a woman from his dreams. Touching her sent an erotic thrill through his entire body. His cock twitched and swelled even more. Damn, he hadn’t grown such a desperate erection since his first woman. With Sun everything felt new. Being with her aroused him not only because he found her incredibly attractive but because he enjoyed her company. Maybe having her even once was a mistake. He could easily fall in love with her and that would be a disaster.
Did she care for him as well or was this night just to indulge their physical attraction? If she cared for him—no. He wouldn’t think of it. Tomorrow she would be gone and Mica would go on to become a Priest.

He swallowed hard and reached down to adjust his aroused cock and balls. This would be his last time with a woman. He nearly panicked at the idea of being castrated.

His heart said yes but something deep in his soul shrieked.
No. No. Not on your life.

Sun tugged at his robe. “Take this off. I want to see you, feel you.”

He stepped back and undressed while she kicked off her boots and trousers. Mica drew a sharp breath, his pulse racing as she approached the bed. Flinging him a lustful grin, she sat on the bed and beckoned him with a finger.

Mica placed his boots and clothes aside and walked to her. Grasping her waist, he tugged her onto the mattress beside him.

They lay close to one another, her breasts flattened against his chest and their legs entwined—hers pale and smooth, his dark and hair-roughened.

“Mica,” she murmured, her hand sweeping down his lean waist and curving around his buttocks. She moved back just enough to reach between their bodies and curl her fist around his cock. Though her palm was rough from years of practicing with weapons, her touch was gentle and he loved the contrasting sensations.

Mica almost closed his eyes with pleasure as she stroked and pumped him.

“This staff is much finer than any at the Circle.” She grinned, giving the velvet shaft a final stroke before pushing him onto his back. Her brow furrowed as she fingered the small gold ring piercing one of his testicles.

“What is this for?” she asked.

“It was a rite of manhood in my father’s tribe.”

“I think I like it.” She tugged very gently on the ring.

Pleasure flooded his groin, making his cock swell even more, the skin stretched to bursting over muscle and veins.

“Hmm. You enjoy this?” Her lips lifted in a grin as she tugged a bit harder on the gold ring.