Mica (36 page)

By the enthusiastic cheers Sun guessed the people of Lower Kenna were grateful to be rid of Teman and Karlus.

Lock pointed to Mica. “Somebody better throw him a rope.”

Sun and Lock stepped down from the platform and climbed the ropes to the top of the tall rock. There they tossed another rope to Mica who secured it and slid across to join Lock and Sun. She threw her arms around him and held him tightly. His heart pounded beneath her cheek. Enveloped by his hard, sweaty body, she thanked the Spirit he was alive. Never had she felt more grateful for anything than at that moment with Mica in her arms, alive and victorious. She glanced at him and saw love for her gleaming in his eyes, filling her with warmth such as she’d never experienced.

“How bad is the wound?” she asked.

“It’ll be fine,” Lock stated, examining the cut. He used a bandage from the pack slung across his shoulder to bind the injury.

“Would you like that staff fight we discussed earlier?” Mica smiled. “I’m ready for it now.”

Lock chuckled. “Do I look crazy? You have a few tricks with that weapon I’ve got to learn first. Then we’ll talk about a match.”

“You did it, Mica.” Sun embraced him again. “You’ve brought peace to the Kennas.”

“I love you, Dame Sun,” he whispered close to her ear.

“Let’s get down from this stupid rock and plan our future.”

“I can scarcely wait.”

* * * * *

It was nightfall when
The Sparrow Song
docked in Upper Kenna. Mica and Sun had traveled aboard Lock’s vessel. To Sun’s surprise the former pirate and the Priest in
Waiting avoided any semblance of an argument. Mica even invited Lock and Sparrow to observe the ritual dance the following evening in the palace at Ademene.

“I’ve been curious to get a look at the dance since Sun’s been praising it,” Lock said over a meal of fruit and flatbread.

The group ate on deck, cooled by a mild breeze while watching the beauty of churning waves.

“Sun speaks of your talent,” Mica said. “Perhaps you would like to join us in ritual one day?”

Lock snorted with laughter. “My kind of dancing has nothing to do with religion but I’ll bump and thrust at a social gathering any day.”

Sparrow raised her eyes to heaven. “Lock, must you be so crude?”

“Sorry, girl.” Lock wrapped an arm around Sparrow and cuddled her against his chest. “She hates it when I speak the truth.”

Mica looked about ready to reply with a comment that might start yet another war but Sun cast him a warning glance. Instead he closed his mouth and offered a patient smile.

Though she wished Mica and Lock would truly get along she doubted it would ever happen. They were as opposite as they were similar—a bit like her and Mica had been when they’d first met.

It seemed so long ago that she wanted to kill him. She could never imagine hurting him now nor had she ever imagined loving a man this much.

Perhaps in spite of all that was against her she could still hope for marriage and a family.

* * * * *

When they reached Ademene the following day Mica and Sun were eager to see Ebony Starr. The child was in the care of Zareb and his new wife who lived with the Bedouins.

“Now we can return to the desert,” Arsha said. “Would you like Ebony to go with us?”

Mica and Sun exchanged glances. He knew by her expression the family he dreamed of would finally be his.

“No,” Mica replied, kissing the top of Ebony’s head from where she rested in his arms. “From now on she’ll be with us.”

“You’re going to marry then?” Zea grinned.

“Zea,” Arsha snapped at his wife. “There has yet to be a formal announcement.”

“But I get the feeling there will be soon,” Zareb murmured.

Mica and Sun simply smiled at each other. With Ebony Starr tucked against his chest the three headed back to the palace.
* * * * *

When they arrived at the palace Sun took Ebony Starr and joined Sparrow in the courtyard where they watched servants and Priests prepare for the ritual dance and feast that night.

“Have you and Mica decided when the wedding will be?” Sparrow asked.

Sun shook her head. Smiling, she watched Ebony Starr chase after a bird and tumble onto her backside. She offered a steadying hand as the girl pushed herself to her feet. “Haven’t talked about it yet. I’m still getting used to this mother role.”

Grinning, Sparrow said, “I’ve got news for you. It’s not a role. It’s the real thing.”

“I still can’t believe it. How could I go from hating a man to loving him all within a few short months?”

“Don’t question it. Just enjoy it. Finding the love of a good man is a wonderful gift.”

“I know. And speaking of gifts yours is walking this way.”

Lock approached, dropping a kiss across Sparrow’s mouth before flopping onto the cobbled ground at the foot of his wife’s chair. “Had a few issues on the ship but I’m glad I didn’t miss the beginning of this dance ritual.”

“The crowd’s gathering,” Sparrow observed.

People filled the courtyard, leaving a wide circle in the center where the Priests would perform. Drummers, flute and tambourine players and several singers practiced with bits and pieces of songs Sun recognized from her time spent in Upper Kenna.

Tables filled with food and drink were set up closer to the palace. Robed Priests stretched and limbered their bodies in the prayer hall.

After a brief speech from the emperor and High Advisor Kado, the Priests, Messengers and Priests in Waiting entered the courtyard.

The music began and the first group of Priests performed a ritual dance.

Next two Priests danced with grace and skill. Last Mica performed. Sun stared at him, entranced. If possible his movements were even more powerful than before. His every step and pose spoke of strength yet gave depth and meaning to the prayer sung by a slender eunuch draped in a pure white robe.

Mica also wore a robe with black trousers and a hood that draped all but his eyes.

As he danced the fabric flowed and snapped in the warm evening breeze. He dropped to his knees, leaning backward until his shoulders brushed the floor then he rose, his arms lifting in worship of the Goddess.

Sun’s pulse raced just from watching him, knowing that beneath the flowing robes was a powerful body of pure male perfection. Her nipples tightened and clit tingled as she imagined running her hands over his chest, hot and damp from the dance. How good it would feel when his thick, velvet-skinned cock thrust deep inside her, filling her, teasing and loving her.

He spun to his feet and continued with faster steps, finishing on bended knee.
When the ritual ended the crowd dispersed, eager to begin the feast.

Mica joined Sun and her companions, his headpiece dangling from his hand, his face misted with sweat. He tugged her close to his side and Sun slipped her arm around his waist.

Lock folded his arms across his chest. “Well, Sun, it was no lie. He’s one of the best I’ve seen. Somehow I thought the ritual would have been much different than SothSea dancing.”

“It’s similar?” Mica asked.

Lock nodded, grinning. “Most of those moves every Archipelago whore learns from they minute they step into the brothel.”

The rage in Mica’s eyes concerned Sun, but she should have known he wouldn’t start a fight at such an inappropriate moment. Instead, he explained, “This ritual has nothing to do with whoring.”

“I just said it looked similar—except it must be hard to learn to dance in all those robes. If you got yourself a good leather loincloth—”

“Sir Lock, this is not an auction block for flesh peddlers. Maybe if you stopped thinking with your loins you might discover something useful about a culture different than your own.”

Flinging Mica a challenging look, Lock said, “If you want to call a man ignorant you can do it with a few words rather than a lecture and if I was to pick a religion to study it wouldn’t be one where you have to hack off your balls to join.”

“Lock!” Sparrow said through clenched teeth.

Two Priests talking nearby paused in their conversation to stare at Lock with wide eyes.

“No offense intended.” Lock waved to the Priests. They turned toward the tables laden with food, whispering and casting odd looks in Lock’s direction. He glanced at Mica. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’ve always thought of dance as a way to enjoy myself and I have trouble considering it an expression of religion.”

Mica’s body relaxed against Sun’s. “I enjoy dancing very much.”

“You have some interesting moves. I’m guessing it would be against your religion to teach me a few of them?”

“On the contrary we encourage the dance as a form of communion with the Goddess.”

“I don’t know about any Goddess but I’ll give it a try.”

“Perhaps I could learn from your SothSea arts as well—without the loincloth, that is.”

Sun gazed at him through her lashes. “I think I like the loincloth idea.”

The thought of watching him dance in nothing but the tight slip of black leather melted her heart as well as her pussy.
Mica whispered in her ear, “Keep that in mind for later.”
Chapter Eighteen
Before retiring that night, Mica and Sun stood watching Ebony Starr sleep.

“I never thought I’d have the chance to watch her grow up,” Mica said, slipping his arms around Sun and tugging her against his chest.

She squeezed his forearms lovingly. “She’s a wonderful child.”

“Yes she is.” Mica kissed the top of Sun’s head and guided her to his room. Since Zareb had married, Mica had the room to himself.

He kicked the door shut then kissed Sun with all the passion he felt. Looping her arms around his neck, she parted her lips, her tongue fencing with his.

When the kiss broke she opened her eyes and held his gaze.

“I love you, Dame Sun.” He kissed her temple while his hands caressed her waist, warming her through her clothes. “I can hardly wait to see what our children will look like.”

Sun froze. “Children?”

“Yes. They usually come after marriage.”

“What about Ebony Starr?” she asked softly, a numb feeling spreading through her.

“I’m sure she’ll like some brothers and sisters.”

Sun jerked away from him and sat at the foot of the bed. Why had she tried to convince herself this conversation wouldn’t come? She’d hoped Ebony Starr would be enough—now Mica was talking about having more children.
Their
children.

“What’s wrong?” Mica sat beside her, his expression concerned. “Sun?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t think about having more children.”

“Don’t you want any?”

Want any. She’d love to have Mica’s children. But it could never be.

“You do?” she asked.

“Yes, I would like more but not if you don’t.”

Sun held his gaze for a long moment, resisting the urge to slip into his arms, confess her darkest secret and still have nothing change between them.

“Sun, please talk to me.” This time when he reached for her he didn’t allow her to pull away.

“You want the truth?” When he nodded she steeled herself and continued, “All right. The truth is I don’t like children. Never did.”

Mica smiled. “You don’t lie very well. I saw you with the Bedouin children.”

“It was my duty as a Dame to aid them. The truth is the less I see of the brats the
better.”

“Sun, what’s wrong with you?”

She stood and paced the room. “You asked for the truth. If you want children, Mica, you’re with the wrong woman.”

“Sun, I don’t need more children. I don’t understand this sudden change.”

“It’s not sudden.”

Gesturing helplessly with his hands, he began, “But—”

“I’m going to my room.”

Mica stood, grasping her upper arms and tugging her close. “You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s troubling you.”

“You have about two seconds to get your hands off me before I finish what Karlus couldn’t.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded, looking frustrated.

Sun knocked his hands away and headed for the door. She sensed rather than heard Mica following her and turned, her fists clenched at her sides. “Do you mind? I’d like some privacy.”

“We can talk more after you calm down.”

Sun turned on her heel and stormed out of the chamber, slamming the door behind her.

* * * * *

Mica spent a sleepless night thinking about Sun. What was wrong with the woman?

He couldn’t understand why she’d been upset. Her refusal to speak to him confused and hurt him more than he imagined possible.

Even before sunrise Mica sat in the corridor outside Sun’s door, eager to make amends with her the moment she woke.

At dawn the door opened and she stepped out looking as emotionally weary as he felt. Hopefully she was ready to discuss whatever had incited her anger the night before.

He pushed himself to his feet.

“Mica, what are you doing out here?” Her tone and frigid expression didn’t look promising, but he ignored them, needing to uncover the root of the problem between them.

“Waiting for you. About last night—”

“We need to talk.”

He smiled, relieved. “Yes. Are you hungry? We can talk over the morning meal.”

Mica reached for her but she brushed him away. “No. We can get it over with here.”
“Over with?” His brow furrowed, his stomach clenching. The situation appeared to be getting worse instead of better.

“About us getting married—”

“When do you want the wedding? I’m sure the High Advisor would perform the ceremony or maybe the High Priestess. Unless you’d rather someone from your homeland marry us.”

“I can’t marry you, Mica.”

He stared at her for a moment, swallowing the lump of dread sticking in his throat.

Finally he demanded, “Why?”

“Because I’m not the marrying kind.”

“I love you, Dame Sun, and you love me.”

“Not enough.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Last night when you brought up children the seriousness of your proposal struck me. I realized I can’t do it. I enjoy my freedom. I don’t want to be tied.”

“Tied? Am I some kind of dragon that you think I’d try to hold you prisoner?”