Chapter 19
Evening shadows clung to the corners of the Great Hall, the last of the supper dishes cleared away. Declan and Aura had done their best to keep a careful distance all through the meal, moving with a strange awareness of one another that no one else seemed to notice.
Declan was at a safe distance, speaking quietly with Hamish when Cleric William approached the dais where Aura lingered. His expression was polite, but there was caution in his eyes that set her on guard.
“My lady,” he began, folding his hands before him, “what I witnessed earlier… it could bring danger to your door. More danger than you may realize.”
She kept a pleasant expression. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Perhaps. But appearances carry as much weight as truth. If you value your place here, take your marriage vows seriously. Serve your husband as a wife should and rid yourself of any thoughts of… other pursuits. Leave the knowledge of plants and such things to those who will not be suspected for it.”
“I cannot forsake gaining knowledge that helps others and that I find such enjoyment in,” she said firmly.
A shadow passed over William’s face. “Pride is not a virtue before God.”
“Pride in my wife is something I will not apologize for.”
Aura turned to see Declan standing at enough of a distance from her so he would not fall, his gaze hard, his voice carrying to every corner of the hall.
“Her knowledge has healed more than your prayers have reached, and I’ll see that she continues what brings her joy and helps others.”
William’s mouth pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing more, stepping back with a stiff nod.
Aura exhaled slowly. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, inclining her head. “It’s been a long day.” She left the hall without looking back, heading for their bedchamber.
Declan left Hamish to settle William for the night and followed a short time later, closing the door behind him when he entered their bedchamber.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her dark hair unbound, the lamplight glinting in the loose waves. He got the sudden urge to run his fingers through her hair, grip the back of her head and plant a kiss on her lips she would not soon forget. And the thought that he could not do that fired his blood.
“Cleric William is right about one thing,” Declan said, trying to keep his anger at bay. “This will only grow worse if we don’t end it. And there’s only one person who can confirm we deal with a warlock…”
“The witch,” she said quietly.
He gave a sharp nod, frustration tightening his features. “I can’t touch you, Aura. I can’t kiss you. I can’t hold you without feeling my legs go weak. I’ve fought battles with better odds than this.”
A slow smile curved her lips. “Unless I’m already on my back,” she murmured, her gaze turning toward the bed.
For the first time that evening, his mouth twitched with a hint of a grin. “Temptress,” he said under his breath, though the longing in his eyes was sharp.
She hurried to stretch out on the bed.
He stepped toward her, testing the distance—and felt it again, the faint tremor building in his legs as he got near her. With a muttered curse, he let himself drop on the bed beside her.
“Bloody hell,” he cried out when he was unable to take hold of her hand.
Aura went to move away.
“Nay!” he snapped. “Don’t move away from me. I can at least feel your warmth and take in the addictive scent of you.”
Aura cuddled against him, slipping her hand in the opening of his shirt and caressing his chest as she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
He mumbled several oaths, anger sparking in his eyes.
But Aura also spotted passion flaring there and when she moved her hand off his chest to explore lower…
“Don’t,” he snapped again. “Whoever cursed me made sure my limbs did not work when I was close to you, but it does not prevent my manhood from responding to your touch. I am truly cursed and when I get my hands on whoever did this, I am going to—”
Her lips landed on his lips in a forceful kiss, and he returned it, relieved he could at least do that, though he ached to take hold of her.
He closed his eyes and his jaw tightened in anger when she moved off him.
He was furious and if he had control of his limbs, he would take his sword to the practice plank until there was nothing left of it.
He forced himself to calm down. Aura shouldn’t be made to suffer for his anger. He opened his eyes ready to speak calmly to her and his mouth dropped open.
She stood beside the bed naked.
He went to speak and stopped when her hands went to work to remove his plaid.
“I will have you naked when I mount you,” she said.
His manhood definitely wasn’t affected since it turned rock hard.
“You don’t need to do this,” he said, though another part of him hoped she would.
“I do need to do this since I have a thirst for you that must be quenched.” She cast a glance at his manhood, stiff and proud. “And I believe you feel the same.”
“Aye, I won’t—can’t—deny that. But—”
“Nay,” she said, leaning over him, her breasts brushing his chest. “You will not deny what we both want just because I must take the reins.”
“I do not mind you taking the reins, but I do mind not being able to participate.”
She smiled. “I’ll find a way.” And she brushed her nipples across his lips.
He went to grab one with his lips and missed. “Bloody hell, Aura, you will pay for this when I am once again myself.”
“Promise?” she teased with a chuckle as she untangled his plaid and stripped it off him.
She stood back and stared at him for a moment.
“Leave my shirt. It will be too difficult to get off me,” he ordered.
“Naked. I want you naked,” she reminded and hurried out of his view and when she returned, it was with his dagger in her hand. “You have other shirts.”
“Cut this off me and so help me I will rip one of your garments off you when I am able to,” he threatened.
She grinned and once again said, “Promise?”
Then she proceeded to cut his shirt off him.
And damn if it didn’t excite him.
Once done, the pieces of his shirt tossed aside, she stood smiling. “Now I’ve got you where I want you.”
“And where is that?” he challenged.
“Ready to make love,” she said and got on the bed to straddle him.
He thought she lowered herself to kiss him, but her lips settled on his chest, and she playfully teased his nipples with her tongue and teeth as he had often done to hers.
He couldn’t stop from groaning, it felt so good, though he managed to demand, “I get a turn.”
Aura obliged him once she had satisfied herself, bracing herself so that her breasts dangled in front of him. And he took full advantage of it. It was her turn to groan, and she did as his lips and teeth captured each nipple to tease and torment. Until finally, and with reluctance, she moved away.
“You must tell me if I hurt you,” she said as she repositioned herself so that his shaft could slide easily into her, but when she took hold of it, it felt so silky smooth that she found herself stroking it repeatedly and, without thought, she brushed the tip of it across each nipple, sending gooseflesh spreading over her, her passion soaring, and moans of pleasure spilling from her lips.
“Enough!” he demanded. “Or you will feel my seed in your hand.”
Aura stopped and hastily moved to adjust her position, shifting until his manhood slipped easily inside her. And she groaned with pure pleasure as she sunk his shaft into her.
Declan groaned at the snug fit, and he ached to grab hold of her bare bottom and help her ride him. But he had no control. It was all up to Aura.
She didn’t waste any time. She began to move up and down on him, leaning forward, her hands on his chest, then leaning back, then getting to her knees, until finally finding the right position that let her ride him with ease.
His hands itched to grab her backside and help with the thrusts that started slow and easy and now were building in a potent rhythm.
Next time, he’d have his hands on her, for he intended there to be a next time she rode him.
But right now, he simply enjoyed the feel of her, the ecstatic look on her face with every bounce that grew deeper and harder, the way her dark hair fell wildly around her head, and how her breasts bounced up and down.
She was absolutely beautiful, and this night would live long in his memory.
“Declan,” she moaned and cast an anxious glance at him.
“I’m ready, love, let go,” he ordered, and she did, and he joined her.
His groan echoed off the stone walls along with hers as they exploded in fiery passion that took hold and refused to let go, until exhausted Aura collapsed on top of him.
Her hair tickled his nose as her head lay on his chest. He could feel her chest heaving and his chest did as well. It was a mind-shattering climax, the last of it just ebbing away.
She lifted her head, her look anxious.
“That was fantastic, and you are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he said, wishing he could hold her.
She grinned, pleased. “I so enjoyed that, perhaps you wouldn’t mind if we made love like that from time to time?”
“I insist on it and I will join in and help make your ride a bit less strenuous.”
“I look forward to it,” she said and kissed his lips lightly.
Aura reluctantly moved away from him and off the bed. She pulled the blanket over him and went and grabbed her nightdress.
The distance allowed Declan to move and, relieved to have control of his limbs, he turned on his side to watch her.
“I prefer to feel you naked against me,” he said, as she slipped her nightdress on.
She smiled. “I love feeling your warm nakedness as well, but I am not going to sleep here tonight with you.”
“What?” he demanded, throwing the blanket off him and swinging his legs off the bed to sit.
Aura held up her hand, warning him to remain where he was.
“Don’t be angry with me, Declan. You know it’s for the best. You cannot move when I am close and that is no way for you to be, especially all night long.
I will sleep in the chamber I slept in before now.
Tomorrow we can go into the woods and see if we can summon the witch. ”
“How? She appears when it pleases her.”
“I know an incantation that might help summon her, though I have been warned against using it. But we must take the chance.”
“If it may bring you harm, I won’t have you take the chance,” he insisted.
“You would rather keep things as they are?”
He mumbled several oaths.
“You would do anything to end this madness and so will I.”
“Aye, I cannot abide keeping a distance from you,” he said, his heart already aching that she would not share his bed tonight.
“And I you. Get some sleep and we will tackle this in the morning, together,” she said, and feeling tears swelling in her eyes, she hurried to the door, calling out as she did, “I love you, Declan.”
“Aura!” he cried out, stopping her abruptly. “Look at me.”
She turned slowly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Bloody hell,” he said, standing, his hands clenched at his sides, his heart aching, and his anger simmering.
“Stay where you, Declan, please,” she pleaded.
“I have never seen you shed tears and the first time that you do, I cannot even hold you and comfort you.” He released an angry growl, then shook his head and calmly but firmly said, “I love you with all my heart, Aura, and I promise I will make this up to you.”
“Nay, there is no need to. You have given me everything I need… your love.” She rushed from the room, her tears growing heavy.
Declan rushed to the door, calling after her. “Forever. I will love you forever.”