Mica (34 page)

“It is better that he know now what he wants before the ritual, is it not?”

A smile tugged at Sun’s lips. “I think so.”

“If Mica was born in your land he might have made a fine Knight, would he not?

Though the men of the Ruby Order do similar work to our Priests they fight more often.

In spite of Mica’s devotion to the Goddess and to peace violence is still a part of him.”

“He’d make a magnificent Knight.”
Imagining Mica’s gorgeous body in the uniform was enough to quicken her heartbeat. He already possessed the qualities of Knighthood—strength, courage, honor and compassion.

“It’s getting late,” Naja said. “Perhaps you’d like a tour of the mountaintop before retiring?”

“Very much.”

Together the women left the hall.

* * * * *

Toward early afternoon Sun waited for Mica at the top of the steps leading to Goddess Peak. All morning she’d anticipated seeing him again. Each time she thought of his embrace and the sound of his voice her pulse raced.

To keep from going insane with longing Sun practiced with her sword.

She paused, her blade thrust forward, her legs in a low stance, and listened to the sound of footsteps. The pace was steady and amazingly fast for someone who had climbed the staircase from the base of the mountain.

Mica?

Sheathing her weapon, she stood at the top of the steps, her pulse quickening at the sight of him. A thin shirt of blue fabric and matching trousers clung wetly to his perspiring body, revealing every hard curve and plane of muscle. He held a fighting staff firmly in both hands. A glossy black goatee rimmed his sensual mouth. His blue eyes seemed to glow against his dark skin. Upon seeing her, his expression looked as startled and passionate as she felt.

He continued running up the last steps to the top, the muscles in his long legs straining against the sweaty fabric of his trousers.

“Dame Sun.” He stood so close that she saw the rise and fall of his chest and heard his panting breath. Moisture streaked his face, matted his long eyelashes and glistened on his beard. Heat radiated from his body or was it her own?

“Mica—”

Shrill war cries interrupted her as a group of Priests, staffs in hand, surrounded them.

“Dame Sun.” High Priestess Naja stood atop the bolder. “Join me. You cannot interfere.”

Glancing at Mica, Sun did as the Naja asked. She watched, her fists clenched at her sides while the group of ten warrior Priests, all powerful, young and skilled, attacked Mica. He must have been tired after climbing the steps yet his pace had been much faster than hers when she’d reached the top. By the way he fought he possessed enough energy to defend himself against the onslaught—better than defend. He was winning.

He blocked and attacked, wielding his staff powerfully. One by one he knocked several
Priests onto their backs and claimed the weapons of others. Moments later only Mica stood, his chest heaving, his weapon poised and his eyes gleaming with battle lust.

Sensing Naja’s gaze upon her, Sun turned to the High Priestess.

“He is not as you remembered him, is he?”

Sun shook her head. “I knew about his reputation but to actually see it—”

“Mica is powerful. How do you feel about him now, Dame Sun?”

“I feel he’s going to win your Blood War.”

“That’s not what I meant.

“I don’t know you well enough to answer that, Naja.”

The High Priestess smiled, climbing down from the bounder. “Join him. I’m sure you have much to talk about.”

Naja and her Priests disappeared, leaving Mica and Sun alone. He sat on the steps catching his breath. She joined him.

“What are you doing here, Dame Sun?”

“I thought you’d be glad to see me.”

He cupped her face and kissed her. “I am glad to see you. Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you? How’s Ebony Starr?”

“She’s well. I saw her before I left. Prior to that I hadn’t been in the Kennas for months. Zareb and some of the Priests were taken during a coastal battle and sold into slavery.”

He drew a sharp breath, his expression concerned. “Slavery?”

“Some died but we recovered the others. Zareb is fine. He’s married.”

A look of surprise crossed his face. “Married?”

“To a woman who bought him. He’s very happy.”

“He always wanted to get married.”

Sun drew a deep breath and released it slowly. She hadn’t come to discuss Zareb’s marriage, but a less pleasant subject. “He told me about the Blood War.”

“I have to do it, Dame Sun.”

“I know. You’ve changed, Mica.”

He stroked her face, sadness in his beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry.”

His words shocked her. “Why?”

“Because I’m not the man you knew. Because I’ve had to become as I used to be.”

“You aren’t the same General Mica who fought in the false emperor’s army. Just because you’re strong enough to ram a cactus up Karlus’ ass doesn’t mean the most important part of who you are has changed.”

He grinned. “Ram a cactus up his ass, huh?”

“And if it doesn’t go against the rules of your Blood War I want to be there to see it.”
Though part of Sun was terrified at the thought of Mica fighting Karlus to the death she knew it was important for him to realize how much she and his people believed in him. Prior to traveling to Goddess Peak she’d doubted his ability to defeat Karlus—now she knew it was more than possible.

“Everyone will see it. The Blood War must take place in public and on the traditional ground.”

“Where is that?”

“There’s a tiny island between the Kennas. Twin Snake Island. Since the beginning all Blood Wars have taken place there. Both emperors must be present and anyone else who wishes to watch.”

“When are you going to issue the challenge?”

“I was planning to return to Ademene by the end of the week.”

Sun took his hand, entwining her fingers with his. He tightened his grip and tugged her closer. “May I stay here and travel back with you?”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Sun slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

In a fluid motion that took her completely by surprise he swept her into his arms and walked to the temple.

“Mica. Put me down. I’m much too big for any man to tote around.”

“Nonsense. The bog tremors are long gone, Dame Sun. I’m a man again.”

“You were always a man, Mica.” She gazed into his eyes, her expression serious.

“You have the heart of a Knight.”

“From you I’ll take that as the ultimate compliment.”

“If I don’t tell you after all this is over, I’m proud of what you’ve done.”

“That means more to me than I can express in words.”

“Then find another way,” she whispered against his lips.
Chapter Seventeen
Inside the temple Mica walked down an empty corridor to the sparsely decorated chamber he’d been given. The setting sun shone in through a single tiny window. He placed her on the bed then lit the candles on the round wooden table while Sun undressed and tossed her clothes onto the trunk at the foot of the bed.

While tearing off his clothes he gazed at her. “Goddess you’re beautiful.”

Sun’s pulse raced at the sight of his smooth, dark skin over chiseled muscles.

Looking at his rock-hard shoulders, powerful chest and thick biceps made her heart pound. She gazed at his granite thighs and well-defined calves, her nipples tightening with desire. Her clit tingled so much that she pressed her thighs together in a desperate attempt to appease the passion building inside her. Only one thing could truly do that and Mica sported it thick and proud between his legs.

Covering her body with his, Mica braced his forearms on each side of her head and playfully brushed his nose against hers. “I’ve missed you, Dame Sun. So often I longed to hold you in my arms.”

“I’ve missed you too,” she admitted, torn between utter happiness at being with him again and concern about the coming Blood War.

There had been times when her need for him was almost painful. How many nights had she lain in her bedroll gazing at the moon from the deck of
The Sparrow Song
or from a camp on some unknown shore and touched her body while imagining it was Mica caressing her? His hands had cupped her breasts and teased the stiff, aching nipples. His fingers had slipped inside her wet sheath then stroked her clit until it seemed to burst with pleasure.

She ran her palms up his back and clasped his nape. His neck was so strong just like every other part of him. He radiated power and she relished it.

“Dame Sun.” He covered her mouth with a fierce kiss, almost savage in its intensity yet underneath it was still Mica, still the gentle, good-natured man she’d fallen in love with. This was just another part of him, a domineering and strangely satisfying part. “I want to take you. I want to feel your fingers driving into my back. I want to hear your moans of rapture but I will never take such pleasures unless you wish it, Dame Sun.

You are too precious to me.”

Sun’s face heated with lust and a touch of embarrassment. She’d never been a woman to dream about a lover to slay her dragons or treat her like some fragile maiden but with Mica she became someone else. When he kissed her and spoke softly in her ear, her legs turned to water and she almost forgot all the proud vows she had made to herself.
“Take me, Mica.”

She could never fear him, never hate him again. This man was incapable of harming her, of that she was certain. It struck her that she trusted him implicitly. He might not have killed his father and he hadn’t even been able to stop their torture at the hands of their mutual enemies but he
had
slain her dragon. Other than Blaze he was the only man she had ever bared her heart and soul to. In the midst of the world’s horrors, in spite of the violence, greed and pain surrounding them, some men could be trusted and Mica was one of them.

“I want to feel you deep inside me. I want you so close that I don’t know where I end and you begin.”

“Sun,” he breathed, gazing into her eyes with passion and affection that warmed her very soul. Grasping her wrists, he used one hand to pin them above her head.

Burying his lips in her neck, he licked and kissed her tender flesh, his goatee tickling it as much as his fluttering tongue.

His engorged cock rubbed teasingly over her clit. Sun was so wet and needy that she could scarcely wait to feel him inside her.

“Yes, Mica. Fill me now. Deep, deep inside.” During their separation she’d dreamed of being with him, but even the dreams weren’t as wonderful as this reality.

He groaned, shifting his hips and circling her slick entrance with his cock head before sliding in oh so slowly. Partway in he paused and covered her mouth with his.

While his tongue rimmed her lips he slid his cock out almost to the tip then impaled her with a slow, tantalizing thrust.

Sun’s heart pounded. She wanted to gasp but his mouth still covered hers. His hips moved in a sensual rhythm, driving her higher and higher as he licked and explored every corner and crevice of her warm, wet mouth. Unable to endure another second she gasped, wrapped her legs around him and rode his long, powerful thrusts. He broke their kiss and licked her ear, his fingers gripping her wrists in a gentle yet unbreakable hold.

Pressure built deep in her pussy. Her swollen clit ached with pleasure. The relentless rubbing, thrusting and licking drove her straight into an orgasm so powerful that for a moment the world turned black.

Sun moaned in protest, reaching for Mica. He pulled away but she needn’t have worried. Kneeling, he grasped her hips and hauled her close, one of her legs on either side of his waist. She gazed at him through half-closed eyes, relishing the sensation of his steely cock sliding inside her again. While he teased her with slow, short thrusts he circled her clit with this thumb.

“Umm.” She smiled, stroking and pinching her nipples.

“I love watching you touch yourself.” The lustful gleam in his eyes reinforced his words. “Run your thumbs over your nipples. Yes. Just like that. So beautiful. Cup your gorgeous breasts and squeeze gently. Ah yes.”

Following his commands, Sun held his gaze. Another orgasm built deep inside her,
making her tingle from head to toe.

Grasping her hand, Mica guided her fingers to her clit. He clutched her hips and said, “Stroke yourself while I thrust.”

She did as he asked, circling and rubbing her clit faster as passion grew. His thrusts followed the speed of her hand. With a satisfied cry Sun convulsed, her neck and back arched and her finger madly stroking her nub. He continued thrusting until the last quiver ran through her pussy.

Sun opened her eyes to find him stretched out beside her, gazing at her with passion and his cock harder than ever.

A smile touched her lips as she curled her fist around his thick erection. “Do you ever plan on joining me?”

“When the time is right.”

“Well.” She grinned, stroking his velvet-skinned shaft. “Just how many times are you going to please me?”

“How many times do you want me to?”

A giddy feeling swept through her entire body. “I like your confidence.”

“How many, Dame Sun?”

“I’d like five,” she cupped the back of his head and pressed her body close to his,

“but I’ll be satisfied with three.”

Grasping her thigh, he hauled it over his hip and shifted closer, thrusting into her.

He reached between their joined bodies and ran his fingertip up and down her clit.

Extremely sensitive from the previous orgasms, it took only the lightest touch to stimulate her though this time the orgasm took longer to build.

While he thrust and stroked he kissed her. Not just average kisses but deep, slow, tender kisses that touched her heart and aroused her body. He tugged gently on her upper lip. Using the tip of his tongue, he traced the delicate shape of her mouth and gently bit her lower lip.

Sun swept her hand up and down his back and over his buttocks that was harder and firmer than ever. His entire body felt like a chiseled mountainside covered with smooth flesh. His scent—herbs and raw, sensual male—tantalized her. He took his time making love with her, allowing her to fully enjoy each kiss and caress.