Mica (22 page)

Dames also led hectic lives of service but Sun didn’t seem to mind. She looked as comfortable fighting in the Circle as she did comforting a child.

He approached and rested a hand on her shoulder. “We should get some rest too.

I’ll put her back to bed.”

He touched the toddler’s hair. Though he cared for all the Bedouin children he couldn’t help feeling closer to some than others. At first he’d tried not to become too attached to any of them or allow them to depend on him too much. He was dying of bog tremors and most of them had already lost too many people they cared about.

Unfortunately life didn’t work the way he intended. Maybe some people could keep a safe distance from those they aided but Mica found it impossible. This little girl was one of his favorites. Her father had been killed in a riding accident a week before she’d been born and her mother had died in childbirth. Several women had cared for her but Mica had taken on most of the responsibility since he was living with the Bedouins at the time.

Watching Sun with the girl inspired a fantasy of them together as a family. The thought of marrying Sun and raising children appealed to him all too much.

Stop being a fool, Mica.

“She’s so cute,” Sun whispered, passing the girl to Mica. “What’s her name?”

“Ebony Starr.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“I think so. That’s why I chose it.”

Sun looked surprised. “You did? You better not tell me she’s your daughter.”

“Her parents died before she was given a name. I’ve helped care for her. No I haven’t any children of my own. Yet.”

“What do you mean yet? Won’t castration make such plans
difficult
?”

Heat rose in Mica’s face. What had made him say that? “I meant once I’m a Priest and stationed among the Bedouins permanently they’ll all be my children.”

Sun stood, her arms folded across her chest. “You’ve done much for these people yet Arsha seems ungrateful.”

“You don’t fully understand the Bedouins. They’re proud.”
“That doesn’t excuse thanklessness.”

“No. I suppose it doesn’t.” He placed Ebony Starr in her blankets. This time she remained asleep. He glanced at the other orphans before taking Sun’s hand and walking toward their blankets.

“I thank
you
for all you’ve done.” Mica hoped his expression conveyed his gratitude and growing affection.

“It’s part of being a Dame.”

“You find it difficult to accept gratitude—or compliments for that matter.”

“I don’t expect either.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“You love to annoy people, don’t you, Mica?”

“Some more than others.” He grinned, pausing beneath a tree and tugging her into his arms. He took her chin in his hand and tilted her face upward. Long lashes cast shadows on her smooth cheeks. “I’m going to annoy you more. You are so beautiful, Dame Sun.”

“Mica—”

He grasped her shoulders and silenced her with a kiss.

Sun’s hands slid up his back while her tongue met his in sensual battle. Mica’s arms tightened around her, holding her warm curves closer. The kiss deepened and his body responded to hers in a manner that demanded satisfaction. His cock pressed thick and hard against her belly.

“Maybe I should sleep under another tree,” he murmured.

“Maybe we can find one a little more private?” she asked hopefully.

A slight smiled touched his lips and he grasped her hand. “Come with me.”

The full moon shone through the trees, dappling the pathway leading to the pool of water that kept the oasis green.

“It’s lovely here. Secluded,” Sun said, gazing at the dark water surrounded by trees, plants and flowers.

Mica grasped her arms and turned her to face him. Tugging her close, he covered her mouth with his. Goddess she tasted so soft and sweet. His eyes slipping shut, he kissed both corners of her mouth.

Sighing with contentment, she slipped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers through his hair. For a woman who wielded a sword with such power, whose hands possessed strength many men would envy, her touch was gentle, affectionate and feminine.

He sank to the ground with Sun wrapped in his arms, his lips never leaving hers.

“Mica,” she breathed between kisses. “What if someone finds us?”

“They won’t.” He ran his lips down the side of her neck and inhaled her arousing scent. “The Bedouins use the water on the other end of the oasis. I need to feel you,
Dame Sun.”

He tugged off her robe and trousers, baring her long, smooth legs rounded with muscle. Starting at one hip, he kissed her entire leg down to her ankle. By the rhythm of her breathing and the tensing of her muscles he sensed her excitement.

“Oh, yes. Mica, it feels so good.”

Laughter rumbled in his throat. He loved hearing such encouraging words. He rolled her onto her stomach and lapped her ankles then ran his tongue up her calf.

Using the tip of his tongue, he caressed the back of her knee. Cupping her firm yet prominent buttocks, he squeezed and kneaded the enticing globes while his tongue slipped down the indentation between her cheeks.

The pleasure of touching her was almost too much to endure.

Grasping her waist, he guided her to her knees and loomed over, sliding his hand beneath her vest and caressing her breasts while his steely erection brushed her back and buttocks. To his delight her nipples were already hard. He rolled the sensitive nubs and she moaned softly.

“It’s so hard to keep quiet,” she panted, her hips squirming in a manner that drove him almost insane with desire. “But the others still might hear us.”

“Consider it a challenge to your self-control,” he teased, his hand leaving her breasts and sweeping over her back and ribs. He knelt behind her. Parting her cheeks, he gently blew against her anus. His thumb stroked the soft, quivering flesh.

Grinning wickedly, Mica lay on his back and slid beneath her, grasping her hips and tugging her lower half to his lips.

“Oh, Mica.” She panted, her knees and hands supporting most of her weight while he used his tongue to circle the outermost flesh of her pussy. The taste and aroma of her soft, warm skin aroused him to incredible heights.

His tongue thrust deep inside her, swirling and exploring. At the same time his fingers applied steady pressure against her sphincter. Sun gasped, her breath coming in short, hard pants. The sound of her excitement and the tensing of her muscles beneath soft, warm flesh ignited Mica’s passion even more. His cock swelled, longing for the embrace of her damp pussy.

Lifting his head slightly, he lapped her clit, using the flat of his tongue to lave the sensitive tip in a fast, steady rhythm.

“Mica,” she gasped, struggling to keep her voice to a whisper. “Oh, Mica, don’t stop.”

He had no intention of stopping. While his tongue licked and stroked her clit his fingers prodded her bottom. Such a tender, passionate torture.

Her breathing ragged she wriggled and rocked her hips.

Sun exploded, panting hard, her flesh throbbing against his fingertips and tongue.

Before the last ripple ran through her Mica pushed her higher and mounted her from behind. His steely cock slid into her wet, clenching pussy. Each velvety squeeze
against his cock drove him toward perfection yet he forced himself to remain in control.

He clenched his teeth and arched his neck, his heart throbbing madly.

“Mica. Yes. Oh by the Spirit.”

Her fingers sank into the ground, clutching plants and dirt as her hips matched his rhythm. Her second orgasm built quickly. The marvelous pulsations flared up Mica’s cock and tightened his balls. He rammed deeper inside her and joined her in bliss.

Both collapsed onto the ground, panting and laughing with pleasure.

When his breathing slowed Mica raised himself onto his elbow and gazed at her. It seemed he couldn’t stare at her enough. The woman fascinated him completely. She smiled, staring at him from where she lay on her side, her cheek cushioned on her bent arm.

“Wait a moment.” He stood and approached the water.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her gaze following him.

Squatting, he examined several plants before plucking a leafy, dark green one.

Kneeling beside her, he removed a leaf and ate it then plucked another and held it to her lips.

She glanced at the leaf. “What is it?”

“It’s called jewel. It enhances pleasure.”

“I’m having a fine time without it.” She shrugged but licked the leaf from his fingertips.

His belly tightened at the sensation of her lips against his flesh and not just from the aphrodisiac though it had already begun to work. His erection was once again steel hard, the bulbous head aching for her lips or her warm, wet pussy.

As her gaze flickered to his cock a lustful smile curved her lips.

“On your back,” she ordered. “It’s my turn to show you how hard it can be to keep quiet.”

“I know how hard it is.” He smiled. “When I came inside you I wanted to roar like a mountain cat.”

“You might yet, Mica.” She straddled his thighs and massaged his smooth, sleekly muscled chest. By the glimmer in her eyes he knew the jewel was working on her as well. Her beautiful nipples swelled, tiny bumps of pleasure rising upon the areolas.

Mica couldn’t resist caressing the tempting little beads. She drew a sharp breath of pleasure.

“I see I have to work fast,” she said, slipping farther down his body and pushing his thighs apart.

She grasped his balls, massaging with enough pressure to arouse while her other hand clamped the base of his cock. Her tongue ran up and down the length of the hard, straining rod. When she used the tip of it to tickle the underside and trace the shape of a particularly thick vein he thought he’d explode then and there.
Mica’s fingers sank into the ground and he gritted his teeth against raw pleasure-pain. Perhaps the jewel hadn’t been such a good idea after all. Such pleasure would surely kill him. His heart pounded, its throbbing filling his ears. His face and neck felt hot, the veins and tendons tight. By the Goddess he couldn’t take any more of her soft, wet tongue on his cock.

“By the Spirit, Mica. I can’t stand it.” She gasped, straddling him again. This time she guided his cock deep inside her, her slick flesh enfolding him.

He raised his hands so she could entwine her fingers with his and lean into him while gyrating upon him.

Within seconds she exploded. Mica released the fragile hold on his passion and lunged upward, driving his cock even deeper into her quivering pussy.

I love you, Dame Sun. I love you so much.

One day he would tell her aloud.
Chapter Eleven

At dawn, Mica, Sun and Zareb led the first group of Bedouins to the safety of the temple. The children required frequent stops throughout the journey. Sun and Mica’s horses pulled the wagon filled with some supplies and several passengers. Sun, Mica and Zareb each carried a child in a backpack as did several of the women who accompanied them.

Mica glanced skyward during a short water break. “At this pace it will take two days to reach the temple.”

“Then we’ll have to go back for the others. At least we’ve narrowed it down to two trips.” Zareb dusted off the clothes of the five-year-old girl who had stumbled. She looked as tired and miserable as most of the others forced to travel in the desert heat.

“If we want to reach the caves by nightfall we have to get going.” Mica stood, adjusting the plump boy on his back.

Sun returned Ebony’s Starr’s grin before picking up the girl for the journey. Ebony was feeling much better than the night before. Her joyous manner was infectious. Sun could without doubt see Mica’s influence on the girl. She knew when Mica returned to the Bedouins permanently he would be a wonderful father to Ebony Starr.

Mica turned to her, winking a gleaming blue eye. “Ready, Dame Sun?”

“At such a nice, slow pace I think I could walk for a month in this desert and actually enjoy it.”

“We can’t have a forced march with children and pregnant women, can we?”

She laughed. “I guess not.”

He whispered close to her ear, “Between you and me I don’t think I’m quite ready for a forced march either.”

Sun touched his face. Though not usually a doting person, she couldn’t help worrying about him. “Are you feeling all right?”

“Yes. I like having your concern though.”

“I thought you hated it?”

The group moved onward, Zareb leading, Mica and Sun following up the back.

“I don’t hate your concern. What I hate is feeling weak.”

“It must be hard for you. By looking at the way you fought in the Circle and hearing about your reputation as a warrior you must have led a very active life.”

He nodded, his smile fading.

“Once Blaze gets the portia and is able to treat you—”

“I won’t think about it until it happens.”
Sun studied his profile, wishing she could cure him instantly and ensure that he would lead a full, healthy life—maybe even with her.

At dusk they set up camp inside a large cave. Most of the children fell asleep immediately, exhausted by the day’s travel, while others stayed awake to eat a meal.

Mica and Sun tended windburns and blistered feet. They also examined a few of the women who were about to deliver any day.

“Why don’t you get some rest?” Sun stooped beside Mica who was bandaging a woman’s foot. “I can finish here.”

He shook his head. “I’m nearly done.”

While he completed his task Sun cleared away the herbal paste he’d used to treat the patient’s foot. Afterward they settled on their blankets in a corner of the cave.

Mica yawned. “At least it will take us half the time to reach the oasis. Then two more days to bring the next group here. After that it’s back to Ademene.”

“I wonder how Blaze and the others are doing?”

“Planning for war. You know how that goes.”

Sun rested her head against Mica’s shoulder, marveling at how easily she touched and talked to him now.

“May I ask you a personal question?”

He smiled. “You may ask but I may not answer.”

“Before you became a Priest in Waiting did you have many women?”