Mica (13 page)

“Yes,” Mica gasped with desire.

He grasped her shoulders but she slid from his grip and knelt between his spread thighs. Clasping the base of his staff in one hand and his balls in her other, she took his bulging cock head between her moist lips. Her tongue swirled over the sensitive flesh while she sucked. Mica groaned, his heart slamming against his ribs, his muscles tense and toes curled. He clutched her head, loving the sensation of her soft blonde hair between his fingers. She sucked deeply. His cock brushed the back of her throat and pure lust ripped through him. “By the Goddess, woman, you’re going to kill me.”

It was probably true. Such excitement was unadvisable for him but he didn’t care.

Fighting in the Circle might have been a mistake as well but he was tired of caution. In the end it wouldn’t matter anyway so he must take advantage of pleasure while he
could.

She sucked harder and his coherent thoughts vanished. His balls tightened and his cock felt ready to burst from the ministrations of her beautiful lips and wondrous tongue.

She pulled back, her lips glossy and parted, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. Desire and excitement glistened in her eyes. Her nipples hardened, little bumps of pleasure rising on the areolas. Seeing her so aroused spurred his desire.

“You are so beautiful.” He reached for her, tugging her atop him. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she straddled him and clasped his cock, guiding it slowly into her pussy.

Groaning, he enjoyed the tight warmth of her slick passage.

Suddenly he tensed, staring into her eyes. “What if there’s a child?”

“There won’t be.”

“You can’t be sure of that.”

“Yes. I can. I take herbs to prevent it.”

Mica nodded. He knew of such herbs and had she not admitted to using them he would have offered her some from his medicinal supply.

His rod disappeared completely inside her. He relaxed, breathing deeply, and looked at the joining of their bodies. The sight of her pale hair mingling with his dark thatch stoked his passion even more. He placed a hand on each of her hips and stroked upward, tracing her ribs and outlining her navel while she rocked upon him.

He rolled his thumbs over her nipples then pinched them gently. Sun moaned. Her head arched back and she quickened her pace. Pleasure built deep inside Mica. How he longed to close his eyes but he couldn’t bear to shut out the sight of her gasping and writhing, her beautiful body controlling their pleasure.

Sun’s pulse raced and her entire body tightened and tingled with need. Her plan to seduce Mica had certainly worked but not without a price. Never in her life had she felt such pleasure with a man. This experience awakened a part of her she never knew existed. The way Mica looked at her and touched her, the way he spoke to her with his deep, gentle voice caressing each endearment was like nothing she’d ever dreamed of.

Years ago men had destroyed her ability to experience pleasure. No matter how she tried facing her fears and overcoming the past, a barrier had been erected around her heart. She’d mastered many men in her lifetime, had held their pleasure in the palm of her hand but never had one breached her heart or provided the marvelous, breath-stealing lust she experienced now.

His chest heaving with pleasure, Mica arched his body beneath her.

Her heart raced out of control and her clit ached in pleasure. In spite of her real motives, she couldn’t help enjoying the sensations he evoked in her.

“Oh, by the Spirit,” she gasped, the red-hot pleasure in her pussy almost
unbearable.

“Yes, Sun, tell me,” he panted, his fingers playing with her nipples. He cupped her breasts, squeezing and massaging. The man seemed to know just how to touch her to bring forth the greatest pleasure.

“Mica, oh.”

“Sun.”

One of his hands left her breasts and rubbed her clit as she rocked faster. Sobbing with ultimate pleasure, she exploded in a mind-shattering climax.

With a raw cry he lunged upward several times and burst inside her.

Mica lay on his back, his eyes closed and breathing ragged. Sun rested atop him, her head buried in his shoulder. He gently stroked her bare back, loving the sensation of her tender skin.

“Mica,” she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his neck. Desire shot through him even from such a simple kiss.

He tightened his arm around her, unwilling to release her just yet. An odd feeling settled in his stomach and weighed on his heart. Never had he experienced such pleasure with a woman or had he seen a woman express such delight while making love. Her every breath and cry revealed her unabashed passion. It had been a beautiful experience mostly because he had somehow grown to care for her during the short time he’d known her.

Perhaps it had been a mistake after all. If he cared for her then there was a chance she cared for him as well. He should have been honest about his situation. He should have—

“Are you going to leave?” Sun lifted her head from his shoulder, the coldness in her expression taking him by surprise.

“Excuse me?”

“Are you leaving? I’m tired. Blaze and I will be going early tomorrow.”

“Yes, but—”

“Seems I was right about you after all.” She rolled away from him and raised herself onto her elbows. Her lip curled with contempt. “If you break your Priestly vows while still in training then why should anyone believe you’re not the same murdering, torturing villain as when you rode under your father’s command?”

Coldness and disgust seeped into Mica’s heart. The entire night had been a charade.

He should have known a woman who despised him yesterday couldn’t like him today.

He was more enraged at himself than at her. Had he become so desperate that he’d fallen into her trap this easily? Perhaps he’d been affected in body and mind more than he realized.

“Speechless, Mica? That’s unusual for you.”
“Nothing about you could leave me speechless, Dame Sun, including your

lovemaking ability. Have a pleasant journey home.” He stood and reached for his clothes. Flinging her a cool gaze, he pulled them on and left her room without looking back.

* * * * *

Sun spent a restless night thinking about Mica. To her horror she missed the warmth of his skin and the sound of his voice close to her ear. If only she was back home where she could relieve her frustration with a workout in the field outside the Opal Order’s fortress. Knowing she’d allowed Mica to reach her disturbed her deeply.

Her only consolation was in hoping he might feel the same. She had wanted him to feel hurt, angry and used. Now that her plan had worked she still wasn’t satisfied.

She rolled onto her side in the enormous bed and stared at the moon outside her window.

Her sleep was brief and restless. When morning came Sun’s stomach churned at the thought of facing Mica again. At least it would only be for a short time then she’d never have to look at his face again, unfortunately she would forever possess the memory of his kisses, his whispered words and his velvet-skinned cock filling her so perfectly.

Gritting her teeth with fury, she washed and dressed then stepped into the corridor.

A servant boy waited to guide her to the High Advisor’s chamber.

Her gaze fell on Mica who sat with Blaze and Kado on one side of a rectangular table. He didn’t so much as glance at her. A glare or a look of longing would have been preferable to such disinterest.

A dark-haired young woman who Sun guessed was the emperor’s daughter sat near Milady. A tall, curly-haired man who looked about Blaze’s age sat opposite them.

Valor stood several feet behind Milady, his arms folded across his chest. The Nalmite’s expression was stern. His silver eyes observed every corner and crevice of the room though they continually returned to his charge. She wondered if Milady was ever annoyed by the man hanging over her like some tremendous statue.

“Dame Sun.” Kado smiled at her in greeting and she returned the gesture. The High Advisor continued, “I don’t believe you’ve met Princess Nan.”

“Princess.” Sun bowed to the young woman.

“And this is Zareb, a Messenger of the Goddess,” the High Advisor continued.

“A Messenger?” Sun took the seat beside Zareb, noting he was quite attractive though not as striking as Mica. “You’re similar to Priests, are you not?”

“We’re of the same religion and do the same work but there are some differences.”

A quirky smile played around Zareb’s mouth and his eyes glistened with mischief.

“Mica told me so much about you last night that I wanted to meet you for myself, Dame Sun.”

“Last night?” Sun questioned, anger sparking at the thought of their gossip.
“We’re assigned to the same chamber here at the palace.”

In the moments she’d observed Zareb she guessed he and Mica were friends. They seemed to possess the same sense of humor and flirtatious behavior.

“Don’t believe his lies.”

“He said you’re one of the finest fighters he’s ever seen,” Zareb continued.

She glanced at Mica, surprised he’d kept their lovemaking a secret. “Then that much is the truth.”

Grinning, Zareb added, “He said he’s known goats less stubborn.”

The High Advisor shot him an irritated look. “Zareb.”

“Forgive me.” Zareb bowed his head though he didn’t look at all sorry.

“Zareb is a rare Messenger who prefers starting trouble to soothing it,” Mica said.

The Princess took a sip of tea and said, “I think we should engage in more polite conversation. Don’t you agree, Milady?”

“It would be proper,” Milady glanced at Sun from the corner of her eye, “but incredibly boring. If we must speak properly then I would like to hear more about your religion, Mica. The ritual dances you described sound very interesting.”

“I wish I could stay longer to tell you more but I must ask one of the Messengers to answer most of your questions. Unfortunately I must leave the city this morning.”

Blaze glanced at Mica. “You return to the desert?”

“Yes. The emperor has sent foot soldiers to search the area for signs of my father’s followers, however I’m traveling farther away. I’m concerned with a settlement several days’ journey from here.”

“My father doesn’t believe the corpse you found could have come from there,” the Princess said. “However if you feel you must go we trust your judgment.”

“I’ll go with you,” Zareb said. “It’s a long journey to make alone.”

“I always travel alone. You must visit the Bedouins for me. Some of them will need more medicine.”

“I know he’s right. Into solitary heat invites death,” Blaze said but everyone stared at him in confusion especially since he’d spoken to an empty space beside him.

Only Sun realized immediately he was conversing with spirits. She noticed Mica relax after a moment and guessed he remembered Blaze’s oddities. The others tried to appear composed but only the Nalmite succeeded. Blaze turned to Mica. “Lone travel can be dangerous. I will accompany you.”

“Blaze,” Sun snapped. The last thing she wanted was to spend more time with Mica. The faster they parted, the better.

“I will.”

“Then it looks like I’ll have to go too.” Sun sighed, furious with her mentor. She wanted to leave Ademene and return home.

For the first time Mica looked at her. He wore a strange expression, neither hateful
nor gloating. Her hands tightened on her knees and her heartbeat quickened. Why did his eyes seem to penetrate hers?

“No need,” Blaze said.

She cast him a knowing look. “Just like there was no need for you to follow me here? I’m going.”

“This is unnecessary,” Mica stated. “I will go alone.”

“Let them go if they want to,” Zareb said.

“It might be a wise idea,” Kado agreed.

Sun could scarcely believe what she was hearing. Why were they so concerned with Mica—a former combat general—carrying a message to a group of people in the desert?

Sun had often traveled alone for weeks at a time through dangerous, unknown country.

She’d seen Mica fight. He could take care of himself if he ran into trouble.

“When should we go?” Blaze asked.

“I’m leaving right after the meal,” Mica said.

They finished eating quickly. The Princess was quiet and reserved and Sun wondered how she and Milady had become friends. Milady kept the conversation lively with stories about her homeland and questions about the many places her companions had visited. This was her first trip away from the Unownland. Sun’s tales of battles and Zareb’s stories of the exotic places he’d visited during his work as a Messenger seemed to fascinate her.

Though she knew a man of his reputation must have had many adventures Mica spoke little about himself. They also avoided speaking to each other and for that she was grateful. Perhaps they wouldn’t talk for the entire desert journey. The thought of traveling with him made her ill, mostly because she still desired him. She couldn’t stop thinking about making love with him again, of his cock filling her and his kisses stealing her breath.

Throughout the meal Blaze tried engaging in the conversation but in his enthusiasm his speech become so eccentric that the others could scarcely follow his stories. Finally he gave up. Sun always felt a little sorry for him when his communication with the spirits hindered his relationships with regular people. She often tried translating for him but sometimes his words confused even her.

Finally Mica stood, bowing to the Princess and the High Advisor. “Thank you for your hospitality but I must go.”

Sun and Blaze excused themselves and followed him out the door.

“There’s really no need for you to come with me.”

“It is our pleasure, Mirrored Rock.”

“Speak for yourself, Blaze,” Sun said.

Mica glanced at her. “You seem angry again, Dame Sun.”

“I’m not angry. You seem to have had a nice long talk with your friend Zareb. I can
imagine what you said about me.”

“I said nothing you would be ashamed of.”

“All men talk about things women are ashamed of, except Blaze.”

The Knight’s gaze darted from Sun to Mica. “This seems to be private conversation.”