Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Sierra
We docked at the small port of Utilla after breakfast. In contrast to Port Minerva, it was a very underwhelming place, only a hub for docking and undocking. The sparse town only offered minimal accommodations, with two eating establishments and a few three-room inns. There were no shops, no vendor stalls, and its lighthouse looked like the abandoned child of the one in Port Minerva, whose majesty was far more grand in both scope and aesthetics.
Lucius had hired two carriages: one for the two of us, along with Ander and Pateus; the other carriage would carry the servants and guards Lucius had brought along. The crew of the Freedom would stay on, waiting for word from their chieftain whether or not we’d travel to Odessia by water or by horse when it was time to leave Ghypsom City, which was at least an eight-hour ride east.
However, once we arrived in the exotic textiles city, it was past midnight, and I was haggard with exhaustion. I knew from my envoy days after leaving Providence that sitting in a carriage for more than an hour was brutal. At some point, after a hasty dinner of cheese, bread, and cold potatoes on the side of the road in the waning light of day, I had fallen asleep on Lucius’ lap, curled into a tight ball. Thankfully, the weather in this part of the land, which was generally flatter than most places on Titus, was not as cold. With four people in a small space, the warmth was perfect.
The carriage had blessedly stopped. Lucius cupped my check. “Little dove, wake up. We’re here.”
I opened my blurry eyes and sat up, wishing I had done so slowly. My neck and legs felt like they’d been wrung out by sadistic hands because of my position in the carriage. Groaning, I looked out the window and got my first glimpse of the city at night.
Torches burned bright from decorated poles set in the hard-packed dirt road. What I could see of the buildings were several stories of brightly painted wood in an array of colors with canvas awnings and flamboyant bunting.
A shadow fell over the window, blocking my view, and the carriage door opened. A heavy-set man with a red cap smiled at me a few feet away holding the door, and on stiff legs, I got out.
“Welcome, Lord and Lady Dega. Come this way please.” He held out a stocky arm and escorted me and Lucius inside a well-lit foyer with latticed walls in a pale wood. Potted plants and rich tapestries in orange and blue decorated the entry, leading the eye forward to a beautiful staircase made of a rich auburn wood sculpted in some ornate design. The area smelled like almond oil and cognac, a pleasant combination that complimented the colors around us.
Even though I was weary and dragging my feet, the sight of the lovely space woke me up a bit. Everywhere was color and texture.
Up the stairs, the man showed us to our room, still smiling broadly. “My name is Willow, Lady Dega, and I’m the house regent here. If there is anything you need, please let me know by pulling the bell in your room. Breakfast will be ready at seven. I’ll have your things sent up as soon as possible, my lord.”
“Thank you, Willow.” Lucius touched my back and guided me into one of the most beautiful rooms I’d ever seen.
As soon as I stepped in, the scent of bergamot and rich tea leaves greeted me. I noticed right away that the room only had two walls—the one behind me and the one on my right. Where the two other walls should have been was simply open space, revealing more plants, a rock fountain where a trickle of water fell, and one that led to a covered balcony that overlooked the city proper. A wide wooden pillar decorated in inlays of vines and flowers separated the two points, wide enough for two people to hug without their hands meeting.
The floors were a burnt sienna terracotta, the furniture made of smooth and shiny material that reminded me of what pan flutes were made of but much thicker and wider. Gauzy fabric in rich jewel tones draped the high canopy of the biggest bed I’d ever seen, and more hung from the thinner pillars that were on the perimeter of the balcony.
In the middle of the room and set into the floor a few feet deep, a fire burned in a square pit that was bordered in glass, of all things, and was keeping the room pleasantly cozy. Several rugs blanketed the floor, their colors and intricate stitch-work stunning.
There was so much detail around me, so much color and texture, it would take me hours to take it all in.
“I see you like my villa,” Lucius said, coming up behind me and putting his arms around me.
“Lucius. It’s… beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you, my white dove.” He nuzzled my neck and swayed me gently, then ground his pelvis against my bottom with a groan. “I know you’re tired but— Gods, I need you right now.”
A knock on the door had him growling, but it was almost like an automatic reaction in him now when it came to me. I patted his hand with a smile, and with great reluctance, he went to get the door. Meanwhile, I went straight to the gorgeous bed and fell back on it, lifting my feet in the air to remove my boots, which I tossed to the floor haphazardly.
Not too long after I closed my eyes, I felt Lucius crawl on top of me. His hands swiftly went up my skirts, where he found my underthings and pulled them off before settling between my legs, thrusting his cock gently inside me. I arched my back and sighed with content.
My mate was insatiable, never able to wait. I cupped his jaw and pulled him down to me and took his mouth in mine, kissing him with lazy tenderness.
Without breaking the kiss, he pulled up and began undoing the laces of my bodice. He grunted when he found my breasts were easily accessible. I wore no shift underneath my gown.
“Fuck, you drive me insane,” he husked. “Fifteen hours in a box on wheels, not able to touch you like I wanted.” He took my breasts and pushed them together, then his mouth took turns with each nipple, tasting, biting gently, sucking, licking. My body was lost to all the sensations swirling around, and when I cried out, he groaned deeply. “Yes, baby. Come on my cock.”
His words unleashed the flood of pleasure, and I surrendered to it, arching my neck, which he took full advantage of. His fingers wrapped around it, my osnat between his palm and my throat, as he met his own pleasure inside me, locking us in with that relentless knot that drove my sex wild.
Once we’d caught our breaths, Lucius kissed my claiming mark and gently eased out of me. He removed my gown, my stockings, and the pins in my hair, and then, with a warm wet cloth, washed away our lovemaking between my thighs. I was languid, smiling with my eyes closed as he tucked me in bed, covering me with the softest sheets ever, sheets that smelled of lily of the valley and childhood dreams.
“Sleep well, little dove,” he whispered against my head before kissing it.
I mumbled something and then knew no more.
The villa was even more stunning in the daylight.
After a luxurious bath, Lucius and I had breakfast on the balcony. He had coffee served for both of us, and I found to my delight that I loved the rich beverage. Not only did it help restore my energy, but it also rivaled tea for my favorite drink. Apparently it was a city staple. Lucius had already had some delivered to Odessia for our stay there.
“I have a short meeting in the city. After that, I plan on spoiling you.” He placed his cup down and leaned back into his chair. He was shirtless, and that chain around his neck was way too distracting. His tan skin, those tattoos, the way his dark hair tickled against those toned shoulders…
“Oh? Tell me more.” I blew on my coffee as my toes curled inside my slippers.
“Not a chance. It’s a surprise, but you can count on not coming back to the villa until late this evening. Tomorrow, Ander and one of my guards will be taking you shopping. He says he wants you to see the silk factory? Something like that.”
“Yes, he and Pateus mentioned wanting to show it to me. When is your big meeting?” I dug into a luscious piece of cantaloupe, piercing the candied-orange flesh. Lucius paused as he watched me place the juicy melon in my mouth. His eyes darkened.
He cleared his throat. “Um. In two days.”
I pretended I didn’t see the effect I had on him as I pierced another chunk and licked the juicy piece off my fork, sucking on it between my lips. “Will it be all day?”
“In two days,” he said absently, watching my tongue.
I giggled. “Yeah, you said that part already.” I popped the chunk into my mouth and chewed slowly, waving my fork in the air. “And we’ll be—”
And just like that, he was on me.
“You tease.” He gripped my jaw and explored my melon-filled mouth with his tongue. We didn’t get far, though, because Ander walked onto the balcony, clearing his throat.
“Sorry. I knocked over and over but… yeah.”
Lucius ended our kiss and glared over at Ander, who came to the table and picked up a muffin.
“Morning, Ander,” I said with a grin. “Everything all right?”
“How come you two got all the goodies, but Pateus and I just got oatmeal and honey this morning?” He eyed the spread of fruits, scones, muffins, and jams. I swore I heard his stomach growl. But that could also have been Lucius.
“What do you want, Ander?” Lucius asked with a groan as he went back to his seat.
Ander chewed his muffin and made a face of pure delight. “Wow. These are good.”
“Trajan,” Lucius warned.
“Fine. Ongar, you remind me of Fadon sometimes,” he said under his breath. “Pateus had someone send this to the villa.” He pulled out a scrap of paper from his vest pocket and handed it to Lucius, who took it with impatience.
“Pateus isn’t here?” I asked.
Ander shook his head, finishing the last of his muffin in one giant bite. “Errands.”
I watched as Lucius read the note, and I saw that his jaw had tensed. “Bad news?” I asked.
Slowly, he pocketed the note and rearranged his expression before taking a sip of his coffee. “Not at all. Ander, I have something to see to, but would you mind taking Sierra somewhere?” When Ander nodded, Lucius smiled at me. “I’m afraid I’ll have to meet up with you later, little dove. I won’t be gone too long, though.”
“Where am I taking her?” Ander asked around a mouthful of food.
Lucius stood and tucked in his chair. “To Epsom Hall.”
Ander made a face, as if that were the last place he’d rather be. “Fine. But you better not be long, Lucius.”
I laughed. “What’s the face for?”
“You’ll see.”
Isaw what he meant when we entered the establishment.
Epsom Hall was a theraspa, one of those places Mother used to beg my father to take her to. The building was in the shape of a semi-circle, tucked away in the corner of a busy street. Three stories of white walls and floor, with a white staircase that led to the many rooms that featured everything from nail art to body massage.
When we approached the counter in the vast waiting area, a woman with the lightest skin I’d ever seen greeted us with a smile on her painted red lips. “Good morning, Lady Dega. Please have a seat and Hannah will be with you in just a moment to take you upstairs.”
Behind me, Ander grumbled. I smiled at the pale woman and nodded my thanks before taking a seat by the window, a petulant Ander following me.
I let him grumble some more as I looked out the window and to the street, where there were so many things to see. Most of the people walked on foot so that the street was kept clean and easily accessible by the shoppers. And there were so many shops.
Clothing, coffee, teas, and jewelry, but mostly flower stands displaying flora I’d never seen before, in colors that would make the flowers in Providence weep in envy.
My eye caught a young woman in purple, who was standing directly across from me on the other side of the street. I swept my gaze past her, but something made me look again. She was staring straight at me. She wore a strange headpiece in her dark piled-up hair. The adornment looked like little flags, as if her hair were a map of Titus.
My breath caught, and suddenly the sights of Ghypsom City seemed to dim as my enthusiasm waned. A familiar sense of wariness came in its wake as I remembered what the Sapera had told me that night in the kitchens, about a woman who had something to give me.
I turned away, hoping the woman wouldn’t come barging in here. Gods, why did I even agree to that Delphos rite?
“What’s wrong?” Ander whispered. All around us patrons waited patiently for their names to be called. Ander was the only male, and even though he wore gentlemen’s clothing and looked nothing like an Ongahri warrior, his bulk and height gave him away. The effect had drawn every eye in here.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
I waved him away and forced a smile. “Just looking forward to whatever Lucius has planned here for me. My mother always wanted to visit such a place.”
“Sure that’s all?”
“Of course, Ander. I’m fine.”
He frowned. “If you say so.”
“Lady Dega?” A lovely woman around my mother’s age came up to us and touched my shoulder. Her skin was a lovely shade of sienna, and she smelled of sandalwood and cedar. Her eyes were large and almond shaped and so filled with kindness I wanted to hug her.
Seeing that woman across the street must have really affected me, I thought, as I said goodbye to Ander and followed Hannah up the stairs, where for the next five hours I was waxed, plucked, brushed, bathed, and oiled.
Five hours of both pain and bliss and embarrassment—I had no idea that women did such things. But the result left me feeling like I’d donned new skin, a new me, plucked like a ripe fruit and polished, dipped in the essence of flowers.
When I came down the stairs, the effect left me with a surge of desire and longing. My eyes immediately found Lucius, who through the bond was letting me know he more than approved of what he saw.
Hannah and her handmaidens had outfitted me in a flowing gown of the softest silk I’d ever felt. Layer upon layer of delicate color in every shade of pastel. My long hair had been left down in a cloud of moonlit curls, swept away from my lightly painted face.
I glided down the stairs feeling like a queen, Lucius’ queen. By the time I stood at his side, I was panting with the need to be alone with him.
“You look…” His throat bobbed, his pulse at his neck drumming against the skin. He wore a brocade tunic in crimson, which made his sable locks and silver eyes look even more exotic.
“Take me to the villa, husband. Now.”
Lust simmered at the surface. “Let’s go,” he growled.
I heard several gasps around me, felt the tension in the room pick up as the women realized a predator was in their domain.
Before I could wave a goodbye, Lucius grabbed my hand and pulled me into the waiting carriage outside that took us back to the villa, where he ravished me the rest of the day and night.