TheRedKing (12 page)

What if Areus didn’t feel as strongly about her? If a year
from now she wasn’t carrying his child, would he discard her? It would be his
right.

“Delia,” he said in a husky whisper as he nuzzled her neck.

“Areus,” she murmured, holding him tighter.

Reaching between them, he caressed her soft mound. His
calloused hand gently stroked and rubbed her. A long finger swept over the
cleft between her legs, then slid into her damp pussy and explored.

She moaned and wiggled beneath him.

“You like this,” he stated.

“Spirit, yes.”

He chuckled softly, a masculine sound that sent thrills of
delight through her. Another finger eased into her pussy, then he withdrew them
and rolled them over her clit. The sensitive flesh tingled and her pussy ached,
longing to be filled with his hard cock.

Delia reached between their bodies to clasp his shaft.
Already thick, it swelled even more in her grasp. She slid the tip of her finger
under the foreskin and he drew a sharp breath. She gently explored for a
moment, then pushed down the foreskin and swept her thumb over the head,
catching the drop of moisture that beaded at its tip and spreading it over the
velvety flesh.

Groaning, Areus licked her neck. He gently pressed his teeth
against her shoulder, then licked the same spot. He kissed her ear and teased
it with the tip of his wet tongue. It tickled and she shivered and writhed
while he continued rubbing her clit. It felt so good, the wonderfully
frustrating sensations were almost too much to bear.

Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he covered her
body completely with his. He slid his knee between her legs and she spread them
wider, welcoming him. Slowly he filled her with his cock. Delia grasped his
bottom, loving the way the hard spheres tightened and flexed against her hands.
She ran the soles of her feet along his hair-dusted calves.

“Areus, I couldn’t stop thinking about you today,” she whispered
close to his ear. Her breathing and heartbeat quickened and her hips lifted to
meet his thrusts. He moved in a steady rhythm, teasing her stimulated clit and
pussy. She wanted him so much and knew it wouldn’t take long for her to climax.

“You too. You always seem to be in my thoughts now.” He
paused, his breathing ragged, and said, “Look at me.”

She opened her eyes to meet his beautiful green gaze.
Usually Areus disguised his feelings well. Now, so close to physical release,
she realized he’d dropped his guard, if just a bit. She saw passion in his eyes
and a bittersweet joy, but she also saw a hint of confusion or disbelief. Was
he as surprised by their connection—this unexpected affection blossoming
between them—as she was?

He kissed her again, closing his eyes. His tongue and cock
thrust into her. Delia’s hips lifted, matching his rhythm for a few moments,
until his pace became so fast that she could only wrap her arms and legs around
him and hold on for a wild, wonderful ride.

Her body caught fire and she burst in a breath-stealing
climax.

“Areus. Oh Areus,” she gasped, holding him so tightly that her
arms ached.

Moaning, he thrust a few more times and came hard, surging
into her and filling her with his seed. He relaxed onto her, shifting slightly
to the side so that she wasn’t burdened by his full weight.

Delia’s arms loosened around him and she slowly stroked the
back of his neck. Her legs still entwined with his and as she drifted to sleep,
she hoped that she had conceived the heir that would bind them forever.

The hooves of Hypatios’s blood-bay stallion, Notus, crushed
the wet grass on their way across the small village on the west coast of
central Zaltana. The villagers he passed, going about their daily tasks,
stopped and bowed their heads, but he scarcely noticed them. His thoughts were
filled with plans for the coming battle. It was one he’d anticipated for over a
decade.

Nearing the small stone house on the very edge of the
village, almost into the woods, he caressed Beauty who was coiled loosely
around his neck. Her tongue flicked out, caressing Hypatios’s gloved hand. His
scaled companion sensed his anxiousness, or rather his eagerness. He had no fear
of the battle to come. Some concern, but certainly not fear. Few things
frightened Hypatios.

Without even the slightest tug on the reins, Notus stopped
outside the house. Animals had always understood Hypatios and he understood
them.

He dismounted swiftly, approached the cottage and tapped on the
door. Moments later a woman of late middle years, her severely scarred face
shadowed by her hooded cloak, opened the door and smiled at him.

“Hypatios. You’ve finally come to visit. I thought you’d
forgotten about me.” She grasped his hands and he gently squeezed them.

“How could I ever forget you, Cassandra?”

“Come in. You can stay for a while?” She stepped aside for him
to enter.

“Only a short time.” He strode in and glanced around the
familiar house. A fire burned in the hearth, warming the main room. A black pot
of simmering stew hung above the flames. There was a table upon which rested a
basket with fresh rolls. Their scent as well as that of the stew and the aroma
of flowers and herbs floated on the air. Two chairs stood in front of the fire.
Books filled the wooden shelves toward the back of the room. He knew those
books well. When he was a child, Cassandra had educated him. She’d arrived at
his father’s palace when he was eight years old, a prisoner in his own
chambers. What else could be done with a mad prince?

Soon after Cassandra convinced the king to allow her to
tutor Hypatios, he had responded to her, probably because she was the only
person who didn’t seem to fear him. She understood how much he wanted to be
part of the world from which his “gifts” had separated him.

King Hippolytos had allowed her to move south with the young
prince and continue his education here. A few years later, the king sent
soldiers and advisors not only to teach him the fighting arts, but how to lead
men. By then he had mastered his strange gifts enough to survive among other
people, though he knew he would never be one of them and not simply because he
was the future king of Zaltana.

“Not another battle,” Cassandra said, her smile fading. He
knew she hated what he did. She understood so much about him, but she had never
been able to accept his duty to Zaltana.

Or maybe she did. Perhaps she suspected that he didn’t fight
for Zaltana strictly out of duty, but because he wanted to. If he couldn’t be like
other people, then he would rule them. They had learned to respect and fear him—a
necessity for the future king of Zaltana.

He removed the helmet that shielded his face from view. Like
Cassandra, he had terrible scars, most of which he’d won in battle. However the
hideous scars covering half his face were self-inflicted—a disgraceful reminder
of the weakness he’d suffered much earlier in life.

He turned to her with a wicked grin. “Yes another battle. A war
actually.
The
war. Father has sent for me. He needs me.”

Cassandra didn’t return his smile and her concerned
expression deepened. “For what?”

“To claim the rest of the Western Continent, of course,
starting with Lortia. There’s nothing left to conquer here in the south, but
King Areus has held off his generals in the north. Incompetent fools. We’ll
bring him Areus’s head on a pike, won’t we, my Beauty?” Hypatios again caressed
the snake. This time the creature’s tongue slid over his scarred cheek like a
kiss.

Cassandra stepped closer and took his hand. Staring up at
him, she said, “Hypatios, find another way. Don’t fight King Areus.”

He laughed. “Why not?”

“You want to stick this man’s head on a pike and you don’t even
know him.”

“Exactly. You get to know the people you’re to kill and you
might not want to kill them. On the other hand you might want to kill them even
more…but then it’s personal, so either way it’s a bad idea.”

“This whole thing is a bad idea. Why can’t you try to
convince your father to call a truce? Hasn’t there been enough bloodshed?”

“There’s never enough bloodshed. It’s said that Zaltana is built
on the bones of the conquered, that for over a thousand years our rivers have
run red with the blood of our enemies. Do you honestly think I want to be the
one to end the family tradition?”

“Stop it, Hypatios. There’s more to you than…than this.” She
gestured toward his armor and the hilt of the sword that was sheathed at his
back.

“I’m a Zaltanian warrior. There’s nothing except battle
until we rule everything.
Everything
.”

Cassandra shook her head. “Doesn’t life mean anything to you?
If not the lives of others then at least your own? Areus is different than the others
you’ve met in battle.”

“I know. He’s sent my father’s northern army running off
with their tails between their legs, as they say. I told Father that I should
have taken the north sooner. For some reason he wanted me to stay away. Do you
have any idea how frustrating it’s been, knowing I can crush Areus and Urion
and the few other pathetic rulers still clinging to plots of land smaller than a
training field? Father always doubted me, ever since I was a child and
frightened him with my powers. It’s true.”

“You frighten most people, but yourself most of all I think.”

Rage shot through Hypatios. “I’m not afraid of myself. Not since
you saved me, Cassandra.”

“That had better not be sarcasm I hear in your voice.”

His anger faded. Cassandra was the only person who had ever
been able to make him relent. She was the only person he’d ever been able to
truly love. His first nurse—the one who had reared him after his mother died in
childbirth—had tried to understand him. She’d been kind, but terrified of his
gifts.

His gifts had probably killed his mother, the king had often
told him while growing up. His gifts made him a natural warrior—a born killer.
Those powers would enable him to be a great leader, providing he kept them
under control.

At times they were difficult to manage. The voices in his
head were sometimes deafening, but he had learned how to quiet them—how to
quiet his own mind. Cassandra had taught him that. Unfortunately it didn’t
always work.

“You know what I am, Cassandra. You know what I’m destined
to become.”

“I don’t know anything. Unlike you, I don’t have any special
gifts so I can’t predict the future and unless things have changed drastically,
you can’t see the future either.”

“I don’t need to be a seer to know that I’ll defeat Areus
and claim his kingdom.”

“He’s a powerful warrior.”

“And what am I? A kitchen maid?”

“You’re deliberately misunderstanding me and I don’t want to
argue.”

“Neither do I.” He took her hand again. “I came to say
farewell. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to come again, but I will as soon as
the north is secure.”

“What can I say or do to make you think about this? You don’t
want to fight Areus. Believe me, you don’t.”

“Now that’s a challenge if I ever heard one and you know I
can’t resist a challenge.”

“Hypatios—”

His dark humor faded and he held her gaze. “This is my duty,
Cassandra. I can’t shirk it because the King of Lortia frightens you. Do you
prefer I leave now, or will you spend at least some time with me before I lead
my army north?”

“Of course I want to spend time with you.” Though she didn’t
add
because it might be the last
, he knew she was thinking it. The
voices in his head were growing louder and Beauty slid restlessly around his
neck, over his shoulder and down his arm. She wound herself around his wrist
and he scolded her, “You’re too heavy for a wrist cuff. Up.”

The snake hissed and moved back to his neck.

“If anyone should be afraid, it’s Areus. Not just human
warriors compose my army and I trust the beasts far more than I trust any man.”

“Then I pray they keep you safe,” Cassandra said. “Maybe
they can bring you to your senses, because I can’t seem to.”

She strode to the table, picked up a roll and tossed it to
him. “Eat that while I get us some stew.”

“I’ll miss you while I’m gone, Cassandra.”

She met his gaze, a faint, sad smile on her lips. “I know
you will.”

* * * * *

Over the next two weeks, while Areus awaited word from Urion
and the kings of Fernhill and Drakesglenn, Delia saw little of him. He rose at
dawn and went straight to the training field. The rest of his time was spent in
meetings with his advisors, generals and Captain Etor. His regular duties and
the impending threat of war with Zaltana devoured his time. It was often close
to midnight when he slipped into Delia’s bed, too tired to do anything but pull
her into his arms and sleep.

She wondered why he came to her bed instead of his own when
he had no intention of coupling with her. Did he care about her as she had
already grown to care about him? What other reason would he have for coming to
her simply to sleep?

Delia didn’t care how late he came. Even if he woke her, she
welcomed his presence. With him beside her she felt safe and content in a way
she had never imagined.

On the third night, long after supper had been served, Delia
and Echo sat by the hearth in the great hall. Just about everyone in the castle
had already retired for the night, but Delia wanted to work a bit longer on
this particular sewing project. When Areus inevitably left for battle, she wanted
to give him a memento.

While Delia stitched, Echo talked softly about Seth and the
stories he’d told her about healing tricks he’d learned on the battlefield.

Delia’s attention drifted across the room as Areus entered
the hall. He looked distracted, but upon seeing her a faint smile tugged at his
lips. She smiled back and placed her sewing aside as he approached.

“Good evening,” he said, towering over Delia’s chair, his
hands clasped behind his back.

“Sire.” Echo rose and curtsied.

He nodded at the maid but his attention quickly returned to Delia.
“What are you working on so late?”

“Just something to pass the time.” She lifted her gaze to
him.

He looked so handsome. His black tunic and trousers
accentuated his tall, lean build and the darkness of the fabric somehow made
his beard look redder.

“How go the meetings?” Delia asked.

He offered a wry smile. “Long.”

“Are you finished for tonight?” she asked.

“Not yet. Soon.”

“Will you be retiring before midnight?” she ventured.

“I hope so, but if I don’t I’ll go to my chamber so as not
to disturb you.”

“You don’t disturb me. Please come.”

Areus’s expression warmed and he bent to brush her mouth
with a kiss. “I will. I’ll leave you ladies to your sewing.”

He strode off, heading back toward his meeting chamber.

Delia gazed after him with longing. He hadn’t even left for
battle yet part of him was already far from her reach.

She and Echo remained in the great hall for another hour
before retiring. After changing out of her dress and into her nightgown, Delia
lay in bed for a while. Unable to sleep, she rose, pulled on her robe and
headed toward the library. If she read for a time, she might grow drowsy enough
to sleep.

The library was in the same wing as Areus’s meeting chamber.
On the way, she passed Simon who lumbered down the corridor, yawning.

Upon seeing her, he bowed his head. “Good evening, ma’am.”

“Hello, Simon. Is Areus still in a meeting?”

“No. We finished about half an hour ago. He and I stayed
late to discuss a few things. I believe he’s still in the chamber, if you’re
looking for him.”

“Thank you. Sleep well.”

“I wish I could,” Simon said softly.

She nodded in understanding. “These are dangerous times. We
all have much on our minds.”

“True, but I’m confident in Areus. He’s strong and wise
beyond his years and he is a true warrior.”

She didn’t doubt Simon, for she trusted Areus as well.

Instead of continuing to the library, Delia diverted to the
meeting chamber. A young servant stood outside. He greeted her courteously then
knocked.

“Enter,” Areus called.

The boy opened the door and said, “Queen Delia, sire.”

“She may come in. Close the door, Douglas, and you may
retire for tonight.”

“Yes, sire.” The boy bowed and held the door for Delia. As
ordered, he closed it directly behind her.

Areus sat alone at the head of a long, oval table in the
spacious room. The fire had burned low, but a lamp on the table cast enough
light for Areus to study the maps he’d been poring over. He leaned back in his
chair and gazed at her.

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” Delia said. “But Simon told me
you were here alone and your meeting had ended, so—”

“I was just going over some details again.”

“Do you prefer I go?” she asked. Truly she hadn’t wanted to
bother him, not when he had so much on his mind.

“No. I’d like you to lock the door.”

His answer surprised her. Then she noticed the aroused
expression in his eyes. Her stomach tightened and her heart skipped a beat. A
smile tugged at her lips and she turned to follow his command.

Once she’d locked the door, she sauntered toward him. He
slid his chair back from the table, unfastening the codpiece on the front of
his trousers. His cock tumbled into his hand and he stroked it a few times. The
sight of him caressing himself while staring at her with lust in his beautiful
eyes sent shivers of desire through her. Her clit and pussy ached and she felt
moisture between her legs.