Bakra Bride (16 page)

Zaren sat in front of the fireplace in his room and stared blindly into the flames. Picking up the mug of ale, he took a sip. The brew tasted bitter in his mouth as he swallowed. His fingers tightened around the mug, clenching it so tight that it was a miracle it didn’t shatter in his in hand. Muttering an oath, he flung it towards the stone. The wood splintered and ale flew everywhere. Raking his hands through his hair, he tried to steady himself.

Maybe Bador was right. Maybe he should admit to Jane how he felt about her and beg her to stay. NO! He had done the right thing in letting her go. He had to believe that or else he would go mad.

Jane was sensitive and giving. Yes, his mind whispered, but she was also stubborn, determined and courageous. Finding herself in a strange world might have frightened another woman, but Jane had done her best to learn all she could about life here. Sarena had told him how she’d taken the time to talk with the other woman and the interest she’d shown in the workings of the castle.

He’d been so proud of her when they’d arrived at Castle Garen. Although she’d been in pain, she had uttered no complaint. She’d been gracious to their host, open and friendly with his mother and friends and had even brought about a change in Jarmon’s condition. Her resilience amazed him.

Hadn’t she bested a murderer in her own time, seeing him brought to justice even at the expense of her own home and job? She’d been left destitute and homeless but unbowed and undaunted. Yet she’d never mentioned a word about it to him or Bador. If he hadn’t eavesdropped on the conversation between the women he would never have known.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized just how perfect she was for him. How well suited she actually was to life here. And he had let her go. Practically thrown her out of his home and told her to leave.

Bador was right. He was a coward.

And now it was too late. The night was almost over and she was surely gone. He had lost her. Bador had lost her as well. They would all feel her loss.

The door opened behind him, but he didn’t bother to look and see who it was. He’d known his brother would come and tell him when she was gone. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes wearily. “So it is done.”

“Not quite yet.”

Zaren’s head snapped around, unable to believe his eyes. Jane. She was still here. His euphoria was short-lived as he noticed the tapestry she held clutched tight in her arms.

“You came to say goodbye,” he said dully.

“If that’s what you truly want.” She chewed on her lip as she scuffed her bare foot against the stone floor.

He noticed then that she had changed her clothing and was now wearing the silky pajamas that she’d had on when she arrived. The thin shoulder straps exposed her milky white shoulder and he could just see a hint of the swell of her breasts where it dipped down in the center. His body clenched and tightened immediately in response to her.

“It’s probably for the best.” He wanted to rip the tapestry from her hands and toss it into the flames, but he was afraid of what the outcome of that might be. He forced himself to remain seated even though every instinct he possessed was telling him to grab Jane and hold tight to her.

“Are you sure about that?” She offered him a gentle smile as she padded across the floor towards him. “What if what’s best for me is you?”

“But you were afraid of me, Jane. Afraid of what I’d done.” Zaren could still feel Jane flinching away from him. He’d replayed the event over and over in his mind all night long.

“Not of you. Never of you, Zaren.” Her small hand cupped his cheek and he turned his head and kissed her palm. Her touch was a healing balm to his troubled soul. “I was upset because you’d had to kill two men because of me. No,” she put her hand over his mouth before he could speak. “Because they wanted me, they attacked you. I brought this violence to your land simply by being here. And I’m sorry for that.”

Zaren couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Nor could he bear the forlorn and lost look on her face. Scooping her off her feet, he cradled her in his arms. “Jane, it was not because of you. The Craddock brothers have always caused trouble. They are greedy, always wanting what other men have and never satisfied with what they do have. They would not stop at murder to get what they want. It was them who ambushed and attacked us on Bakra land. That was their doing, not yours. They deserved to die and I do not regret killing them to protect you.”

A light began to glow from the tapestry and he knew that time had run out. Standing quickly, he stood her on her feet and backed away from her. She shook out the tapestry and stared intently at the design.

He’d never seen the tapestry before. None of them had, even though all knew the legend. He found himself mesmerized by the sheer beauty of it. The colors were vibrant and the scene looked alive. He recognized the castle immediately and was startled to realize that it was Bakra Castle. As he watched, the picture shimmered and changed. The light grew brighter and Jane closed her eyes tight and hugged the tapestry to her chest.

Zaren shielded his eyes as the light flashed so bright it almost blinded him. When it faded, he slowly lowered his arm.

Jane stood solemnly before him. Oh, God, it hadn’t worked. Part of him wanted to shout in victory, but another part of him was angry on her behalf. “I’m so sorry, Jane, that it didn’t work.” He didn’t know what else to say to comfort her.

A small smile played around the corner of her mouth before spreading into a wide smile. “Yes, it did.”

It took a moment for her words to make sense to him. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared deep into her eyes to see the truth. “You chose to stay?” He still couldn’t believe it.

Walking up to him, Jane shot him a saucy grin, went down on one knee before him and took his hand in hers. “Zaren Bakra. Will you marry me?”

Jane’s heart was beating so hard her chest hurt. She’d just taken the gamble of her life. The lifeline back to her own time and her own world had come and gone. But she couldn’t find it in herself to regret her choice. She had chosen love and that could never be wrong.

Zaren dropped to his knees in front of her, bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart. “You are the heart that beats in this chest and in this home and if you would take me for husband I will give you my love, loyalty and devotion for as long as I live. With me, you gain the love, loyalty and devotion of my brother as well, who will be lover to you, and would also be your husband should I die before you. In return, I ask for your love, loyalty and devotion and any children that the gods see fit to gift us with.”

Tears welled in her eyes at the formal declaration, but she blinked them back. “I asked you first.”

He raised his head, his eyes solemn. “I accept your proposal. You have given up much for me and I will never forget it. But I still wanted to ask you in the formal way of my people.”

“It’s a beautiful pledge and I accept.”

Cupping her face in his hands, he gently skimmed her lips with his. “You will never regret it.”

“Zaren, this was my choice.” She needed him to understand. “Yes, I could have returned to my own time and have rebuilt my life and had a long and happy one. But I’ve discovered that what I’ve been looking for all my life is here.” Lifting his hands from her face, she laid them over her heart. “I’ve always wanted love, acceptance and a family of my own. And I can have that here. With you.”

She laughed. “Yes, you can be stubborn and maddening at times when you get that stern ‘nothing really affects me’ look in your eyes, but deep inside you is the man I’ve come to love. A man who loves his brothers and family. A man who takes care of his land and his people. A man who protects those weaker than himself and does not abuse his power. And a man who, when he lets down his guard, will laugh and smile and love.”

Pushing away from him, she stood. Ever so slowly, she inched her pajama top over her head and dropped it at her feet. Then she skimmed the matching pants down over her hips and legs and kicked them aside.

“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” There was no mistaking the reverence in Zaren’s voice. Jane felt herself responding to his praise. Her shoulders straightened, thrusting her breasts forward. They were high and firm and her nipples were puckered. Already, she could feel the cream between her thighs.

She’d never felt sexy or quite so sensual in her life until she’d come here. Something about the place and this man in particular made her feel like a goddess. With Bador and Zaren, she had finally discovered and embraced her own sexuality in a way she’d never dreamed possible.

Naked, she knelt in front of him once again. He looked like a pagan god with the firelight shimmering on his tanned skin. His long blond hair looked golden and his chest gleamed. The muscles in his arms rippled as he clenched and unclenched his hands at his side. It was obvious that he was letting her take the lead. Her hands itched to touch him, to claim him as hers.

When her hands went to the laces in the front of his pants, he sucked in his stomach. Jane undid the laces and pushed the leather plackets aside. His cock sprang from a nest of golden curls, thick and hard. The long blue vein pulsed, and as she watched, a pearly white drop seeped from the tip.

Licking her lips, Jane lowered her head and licked the top, swirling her tongue around the bulbous head. “Jane.” His voice was hoarse as he gripped her head and held it steady in his hands. She knew what he wanted. But she wasn’t ready to give it to him. Not yet.

Gripping the base of his cock with one hand and cupping his testicles with the other, Jane used her hand to pleasure him. At the same time, she licked her way down the length of his penis and back up again. His fingers tightened. His grip almost stinging.

“Jane,” he groaned again. This time she gave him what he wanted. Opening her mouth wide, she took him as deep in her mouth as she could. Then she started to move.

Sucking her way to the top, she plunged her mouth back down over his cock, taking it as deep as she could. Zaren held her head steady and began to thrust his hips back and forth, fucking her mouth. Jane gently squeezed his balls.

He startled her when he pulled away from her. Tumbling her back on the fur spread in front of the fire, he spread her legs wide and plunged his cock into her pussy. He felt so huge that she had trouble taking all of him at first.

She tried to wrap her legs around him, but he wouldn’t let her. Instead, he hooked his arms under her knees and planted his hands firm on the floor by her shoulders. The movement opened her completely to him and left her vulnerable to his thrusts. He was in control now.

Pulling back until only the head of his cock was still inside her body, he thrust forward. It was too much. It wasn’t enough. She wanted all of him. “Harder!” she cried. “Oh, harder!”

Zaren’s thrusts got quicker and deeper until he was hammering into her. His hips pumped as his cock plunged all the way to her womb. It was incredible. Her vaginal muscles were clamping down hard with every thrust.

The fire crackled and the air was filled with the sounds of their heavy breathing and the slap of skin against skin as they fucked wildly. The air smelled of sweat and sex as Zaren drove both of them higher. There was no finesse, no technique, no gentle caresses or stimulation. This was mating at its most basic. Sex to sex, driving hard for completion.

Jane could barely breathe. She was so close. Lights seemed to flash in front of her eyes as she came. Spasms shook her as her release gushed from her depths. Zaren yelled and continued to pump into her as she felt the hot spurt of his cum deep inside her.

When it was over, Zaren slumped on top of her, burying his face between her breasts. At first, she didn’t hear him because she was panting so hard for breath. But as her breathing calmed she could make out his words. “I love you,” he repeated over and over.

Using one hand, she cradled his head tight to her. “I love you too,” she whispered back.

Silence fell between them, but it was a comfortable one. Jane didn’t think she could move, but Zaren was getting too heavy for her. Finally, she poked at his shoulder. He raised his head slowly, looking like a sleepy, sated golden lion. And when he made a rumbling sound low in his throat, she laughed.

He grinned at her as he carefully withdrew his softening penis and dropped to the fur beside her. “We have to go and tell Bador.” Jane was starting to feel guilty for not telling him right away.

“I think he already knows.” Zaren captured her chin in his hand and turned her face towards the bed. There seated at the end of the bed watching them was Bador. Naked, he pumped his swollen cock with his hand as he stared at them.

Jane groaned and closed her eyes. Her sense of humor began to get the better of her and she began to giggle. Her giggles soon became uncontrollable laughter. Zaren smiled indulgently at her. Bador scowled at her, but she could see the laughter in his blue eyes.

She looked at Zaren and knew he understood what she was asking him. In answer, he leaned over and kissed her. It was a long, lingering kiss that curled her toes. “I love you, Jane.”

“But you’ll stay,” she whispered. Now that she was committed to Zaren, it was harder to think about being with Bador without him there.

His smile warmed perceptibly. “I’ll stay.”

Nodding, Jane turned back to Bador who was now sitting as still as stone. All signs of humor were gone and his hands were clenched on his knees.

Smiling, she held out her hand to him, remembering the lost and lonely look on Marc Garen’s face. She never wanted to see that expression on Bador’s face. In her own way, she loved him. Not in quite the same way as she did Zaren, but it was still love. “Come here, Bador. There is always room for you with us.”

The shadows left his eyes as he stood and walked towards them. He sought his brother’s face and what he saw there must have reassured him because the corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

He stretched out alongside her, supporting himself on his forearm as he leaned over her. “Thank you, Jane.”