Demetrius (Brethren Origins book 2)
“he asked.“Nay.” She shook her head and peered at Isolde. “If thou wilt give me but a minute to compose myself, Lady Isolde, I should be too delighted to assisted ye with whatever thee dost require.”“Nonsense.” Like the mother she had become, Isolde stacked the clothing and walked to the flap. “Get beneath the covers, before ye dost take ill, and I shall return with thy sup.”“By thy command.” Athelyna bowed her head. Alone with him, she wiped a stray tear. “I have brought shame upon ye, a...nd I apologize.”“The shame is mine.” Wherefore could he not reconcile himself to his fate, given he spoke the vows? Mayhap Arucard employed the right approach, and Demetrius would do well to trudge the same path, yet something inside him resisted what everyone thought inevitable. “Now do as Isolde bids, before ye get us both in trouble, as she is formidable, especially when crossed.”“But I heard what ye said, and I would make ye proud.” Given the distressed look on her face, he could have kicked himself. “As thou hast asserted, I am thy wife. Regardless of my previous wishes to join the convent, I am married and must honor my vows.” When he drew back the covers, she hesitated, frowned, and shuffled beneath the blankets and animal skins. “Despite what happened today, I swear I am no delicate flower. If thou wilt but give me a chance to prove myself, I can be of use.”“The fault is mine for thy deteriorating condition, as I should have insisted ye ride with me.” Indeed, he had considered the option but decided against it, as he did not want her so near.“In that, we are in agreement.” Bearing a tray with a large bowl, a trencher filled with chunks of bread and strips of dried beef, and a steaming mug, Isolde sniffed in unmasked reproach and then deposited the items on a small table. “Thither is enough food for both of ye. Now I should retire, as Arucard grows impatient.” At the flap, she halted and pointed. “Also, I brought ye a small container of yarrow salve, which thou should rub onto Athelyna’s cheeks, as it will soothe her wind burned flesh.”“Gramercy, good lady.” Clutching the blanket to her chin, Athelyna wiped away another tear. “I am in thy debt, which I shall repay in full at the earliest opportunity.”“Pass a pleasant night, get plenty of rest, and remain in satisfactory health, and we shall consider the debt paid.” Isolde offered his wife a gentle smile. “If thou dost take ill, thou wilt delay my return home, and I long to see my daughter.” She strolled to the exit but halted. To Demetrius, she said, “Secure thy humble abode, as the storm grows strong, and I fear the gale would threaten thy temporary quarters, despite my husband’s adept anchoring.”“Then I will spare not a drop of the broth, and I would follow any suggestions ye might have to avoid sickness.” He favored Athelyna’s uncommon logic and acquiescence, when she could have protested. “Again, I offer my gratitude, Isolde.”“And I wish ye uninterrupted sleep, my lady.” After she departed, he tied tight the flaps of his double belled wedge tent and turned to his bride. “Now, I must feed ye.”“But I am quite capable of managing myself.” Athelyna shifted and grimaced. “First I should remove one of my gowns, as it is a tad restrictive.”“Hither, I should assist ye.” Moving swift and sure, he eased back the pelts and covers. “Permit me to loosen thy laces.”“All right.” In seconds, he swept off the heavy wool surcoat and then slackened the cotehardie. “Oh, that is much better. Thank ye.”Rather than carry his wife to the food, he lifted the tray and dragged the table to a convenient position beside the bed. A large chunk of bread beckoned, and he tore a smaller piece, dipped it in the hot broth, and brought the morsel to Athelyna’s mouth. For an instant, she just stared at him. Then she covered his hand with hers and ate from his grasp.The subtle brush of her flesh to his gave him a strange sensation, not altogether unpleasant, and he smiled. “Careful, else thou wilt take another bite of my finger.”“I am sorry about that.” Despite her apology, she grinned, which he decided he liked. “But, in fairness, I knew not what to expect of ye, and I was afraid. Art thou truly a virgin?”“Aye.” And it unnerved him more than he wanted to admit. “As I explained, my conviction is such that I have abstained from all carnal activity. Thus I benefit from our deferment, too.”“Art thou anxious?” She sipped the steaming brew and licked her lips, a heretofore-innocuous affectation he found suddenly appealing, and he could not explain the peculiar stirrings below his belly button. “Because I must confess I am terrified by the prospect of the consummation.”“It would seem we are a pair, as I, too, am anxious.” Then it occurred to him that he had access to an ally. “Mayhap thou might discuss the matter with Isolde, as she faced similar circumstances, not so long ago, and she seems quite happy with Arucard. Thither art no signs of permanent damage.”“What a wonderful idea.” Then she quirked her brows. “Thou dost not suspect Isolde will be offended by queries of such a personal nature?”“Given the noises originating in their tent, at this moment, I think not.” As usual, Arucard and Isolde played a painfully familiar tune, which bespoke their felicitous union.“Is that what that is?” With an expression of wonder, Athelyna blinked. “I thought some poor wounded beast had wandered into the encampment.”A particularly lusty howl, human in origin, rose above the wailing winds, and his wife flinched. In silence, of a sort, they finished their meal, and he removed the table to its previous spot, along with the dishes.And so he confronted the moment he dreaded. The tiny frame of his traveling bed was about half the width of the luxurious four-poster they shared on their wedding night. After removing his boots and tunic, he sat on the opposite side of the mattress. As before, his bride gave him her back, and he stretched long and did the same.A half-smothered shriek had him glancing over his shoulder, only to discover her gone. “Athelyna, whither art thee?”“I fell to the ground.” She popped up, and he reached for her.“Art thou injured?” Once he resituated her, he scooted closer to the edge of the mattress.“Nay, my lord.” She fluffed her pillow, and he returned to his prior orientation. Their precarious perch shook, as she shuffled beneath the sheet. When she bumped her bottom to his, he toppled to the rug.“Oh, dear.” His lady sat upright, and he noticed the brooch pinned to her bodice. “Husband, perchance we should face each other, as we rode atop thy destrier?”“Of course.” He nodded, but inside he trembled at the thought, so he sought distraction, as he maneuvered next to her. “Thou dost wear the bauble.”“Aye.” As he wrapped his arms about her and pulled her close, her hand brushed the ridge of his man’s yard, and jolting heat shot through his crotch. “Thy gift is precious, and I shall treasure it always.”“Hast thou had any visions, in keeping with the lore?” Nay, he had no interest in the jewel, and he placed no credence in such folly, but he craved diversion, as she flexed her fingers, extending an innocent but nonetheless potent caress that animated his one-eyed horse with a vengeance.“Some,”MoreLess
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