Desire and Duty (5 page)

“I’m fine. I know you’ll be
gentle,” she said, wanting to feel him deeper inside her.

****

Orman didn’t feel as if he could be
gentle, but he knew he had to be. His previous lovers hadn’t been virgins, and
he didn’t want to hurt Gwynn for even a moment. He slid his length in and out,
giving a bit more each time. She gave a little cry when he pushed deeper, but
he massaged her clit as he kissed her to take the sting away. She clung to him
as he began to move deeper, and he slowly felt her body relaxing.

Being inside her made it hard for
him to think. He moved carefully to try to find that special spot deep inside
her, and soon she began to thrust up to meet his strokes. He panted above her,
not sure how long he could hold on. He’d loved making her come earlier, and he
wanted to bring her pleasure again. Her grip tightened, and her fingers dug
into his back.

He looked into her eyes, and she
yanked him closer for a kiss. He quickened his pace as her body tightened
around him, and she cried out when she came a second time. He drove deep and
said, “You’re so beautiful like this. I love you so much.”

Her eyes widened, but then her gaze
softened as she ground her body against his. He came then and captured her lips
as he spilled into her. They both shook as they came down, and everything but
the feel of her body fell away. He’d been unable to hold the words back, but he
felt her acceptance as she caressed him and they settled into the twisted
covers.

She sighed and patted his arm. “Thanks.
Been meaning to take care of that little matter.” She sat up and began to get
out of bed. “Must be off. Best of luck to you.”

He grabbed her around the waist and
yanked her back into his arms as she dissolved into a fit of giggles. “You’ll
pay for that,” he said before kissing her long and hard.

“Maybe I was angling for that
reaction,” she said with a grin.

Ha laughed. “Why should I believe
that?” he said, loving the teasing look in her eyes.

“You’re laughing. You know you
thought that was funny.”

He drew her closer and locked his
fingers behind her. “What if I’d believed you? Break a man’s heart like that.”

She put one hand on his chest, just
over his heart. “I’d never do that. Never.”

Sighing, he said, “I meant what I
said. I am in love with you. I’ve spent years thinking only of others. Putting
myself last and focusing on my duties and responsibilities. What I do is
fulfilling. Rewarding even. But it never really became a joy until you came
along. I wanted you and kept telling myself to wait. It was stupid to ignore my
desires. I know you need time, but I want you to know how serious I am.”

“And you think I’m not?” She
smiled. “Gods, you worry so much. I know you meant those words. You wouldn’t
just say that to a girl.” She met his gaze with an earnest expression. “I did
the same thing, you know? Just pushing such thoughts away and getting lost in
my work. I think I love you, too. I admired you, and I think it was turning to
love without me even knowing it. And now? Well,” she smiled again, “I wormed my
way into your bed, didn’t I? I’d say I’ve fallen under your spell well enough.”

He laughed. “Fallen under my spell?
I love the sound of that.”

“Oh, I’ll bet you do.” She rolled
over so they were in a spooning position and then pulled his arms back around
her. “Now, go on back to sleep. You’ve worn me out, and I need some rest.”

“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.” He
snuggled as close as he could and buried his face in her hair, her scent
surrounding him as her gentle breathing lulled him to sleep.

****

Gwynn left Lord Vane’s room, glad
he seemed a bit more chipper today. They hadn’t had any word from Ash and Locke
yet, but Vane’s improved temperament was still something to be happy about. She
went to Orman’s study to check in, but he wasn’t there. His desk was very neat
except for a stray piece of paper in the middle of the desk. It was a note that
read “Come to the fountain”. No one except her and Lord Vane came into Orman’s study
when he wasn’t there, so this had to be for her. She left the room and found
the closest mirror, giving her hair a quick check before heading outside. She’d
never fussed over her appearance before, but it honestly seemed that the fact
she cared meant more to Orman than her appearance itself did. She smiled as she
made her way to the fountain. The suns had both sunk down low enough that a
pink glow filled the sky. She stopped short when she came in sight of the
fountain.

Candles lined the edges all the way
around, and the water was full of flower petals. Putting her hands on her hips,
she walked over and looked into it. When she felt someone come up behind her,
she turned around and said, “Must be something special going on to waste all
those pretty blooms.”

Orman replied by kissing her
soundly. When he finally let her go, he said, “Yes. Something special indeed.”

She knew what was coming, yet her
throat still constricted when he actually went down on one knee and drew out a
gold ring. Five small diamonds dotted the band. She gazed down at him, unable
to do anything else.

“Gwynn, will you marry me?”

To try to maintain her calm, she
said, “No grand speech then? Hmmm, I don’t know about this. You’re usually so
thorough.” Her heart pounded as she said the words and gazed down at the
delicate ring.

He took her finger and slid the
ring on anyway. “You aren’t one for grand speeches. You want action.” He stood
up. “And if you come inside with me now, you’ll get just that.”

“Don’t you need an answer before
you haul me off for ravishment?”

“Ravishment? Is that a word?” he
asked with a chuckle.

“Yes. It means very forceful sexual
conquest.” She gazed down at the ring, running one finger over it. “And … to
overwhelm one with emotion.” She smiled. “I was a very fine student, thank
you.”

“Then what is your answer? If it’s
yes, I’m going to carry you inside and show you how happy I am.”

“And if it’s no?”

“If it is, then I’ll toss you over
my shoulder and do pretty much the same thing. Just with more vigor to convince
you to change your mind.”

“Hmmm.” She put a finger to her
lips. “I’m thinking of changing my answer then.”

He drew her into his arms. “You
going to make me wait until I’m even more ancient then? How cruel.”

She slid her arms around his neck
as best she could. “It’s yes. What in blazes did you think I’d say?”

“You’re unpredictable at times. One
of the things I love about you.”

“What else do you love about me?”
she whispered.

“Come inside and let me show you.”

She gestured to the fountain. “What
of this beautiful display my darling lover set up? Shouldn’t we enjoy it?”

He bent and tossed her over his
shoulder. “I’ll have someone paint a picture for you.” He proceeded to carry
her into the castle.

“If you don’t put me down, I’ll
change my answer,” she said.

“You do and you won’t be able to
walk tomorrow.”

Gwynn looked up just as two maids
froze in their tracks in the hallway. For good measure, she smacked him on the
ass. “I can give as
good
as I get, you know.” She
noticed they were taking a back way, so those two startled girls were likely to
be their only audience. He’d still done it on purpose to vex her, she knew.

“I know you can. Why do you think
I’m doing this?” He set her on her feet outside his room and then pulled her
inside. “Forgive me? You’ve got me feeling a bit too vigorous, I guess.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” she said
before pushing him down onto the bed and climbing on top of him.

Epilogue

Gwynn stood in the corridor waiting
on Orman. She glanced at a nearby clock. They’d said nine. Where was he? She
knew he could get tied up at times in the mornings, but she’d thought he would
be extra anxious to join her so they could tell Vane about their engagement.
She’d been unwilling to take her ring off, so they wouldn’t be able to keep the
secret much longer. She glanced out the window and watched everyone milling
around.

The sound of running caught her
attention soon enough, and she turned around to see what was going on. Orman
came barreling around the corner, and Gwynn hurried toward him, wondering what
might be wrong. Orman didn’t typically get in a hurry, so his haste meant
either something really good or something really bad. He beamed at her as he
waved a piece of paper in her face.

“What is going on?” she said,
trying to snatch the paper from him. She finally managed to grab it out of his
hand.

“A message dated day before yesterday.
The courier rushed here on Ash’s orders. They’ve found him! And he’s coming
here. They probably set out yesterday. He agreed very quickly, Ash says.”

“And what of the poor courier?” Gwynn
very quickly scanned the letter.

“Oh, he’s being taken care of.
Become a bit of a celebrity, everyone was so happy when he said why he was
here.”

“Amazing. So if Vane can just make
it another day or two, it should all be fine, right?”

“Probably. Vampires who can drink from
their fated mates almost always recover.”

“Then let’s go tell him! He’ll be
so happy.”

Orman put his hand on her arm to
stop her. “Perhaps we should delay our news. There’ll be much to do, plus you
know Vane will be anxious about seeing Arion.”

“Why would we do that? I mean, if
his mate had just arrived, I’d say so, but he’ll give us that look if we hide
it now. Come on!” She grabbed his arm and dragged him to Vane’s door. She
knocked and then threw the door open.

“Gwynn, I’m not sure—” Orman said
before she cut him off.

She held up the letter and said, “They’ve
found Arion. He said yes right away, and they’re on their way.” She dragged
Orman to the bed, handing over the letter and then holding out her hand. “And
Orman asked me to marry him. I said yes.”

Vane stared first at her ring and
then at the two of them. Then he looked down at the letter, his expression
unreadable as his eyes moved back and forth. He sucked in his lower lip. Gwynn
came to sit beside him and pointed to the line that had caught her attention.
“See what Ash says. ‘Arion
became
distressed
when he heard you were sick, and he agreed to come right away.’
He cares. I know it might be awkward, but I don’t think it will be as bad as
you were thinking.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Naysay all you want. I’m so
happy.”

Vane folded the letter and laid it
in his lap, his expression still a bit stunned. “This is no time to talk about
me.” He looked up at Orman and then back at her. “I’m not surprised, but I
didn’t expect it this quickly.”

“Neither did
I
!”
Gwynn said. She looked at her ring. “Right size and everything. Sneaky man that
he is.”

“Sneaky? Hardly. Hopeful, perhaps.
The diamonds were from a necklace that belonged to my mother. After our picnic
went so well, I had the jewelry maker set them in a ring for me. I thought I’d
be hanging on to it for a while, but…” He shrugged.

“I crept into his bed. The poor
thing felt honor bound,” she said, grinning at him and winking at Vane.

Orman grinned back and crossed his
arms. “You said yes, so tell people anything you damn please.” He looked at
Vane. “Tell me where you want a room made ready for Arion, and we’ll get on
it.” He held his hand out to Gwynn. “I still have a castle to run, and I’ll be
needing my best helper.”

“Aye, we need to get on that.” She
wanted to insist that Arion sleep in the adjoining chamber, but she held her
tongue, waiting to see what Vane would say.

“Perhaps across the hall,” Vane
said.

“Actually, they’re still working on
the window. The hail damage last week. The new panes of glass only arrived
yesterday. Even if they finish in time, the room will smell of paint. Very
unpleasant. But he should be kept close so you won’t have to send servants for
him.” He nodded to the next room. “Perhaps the secondary bedroom in your suite?
It just needs fresh linens from when I slept in there the night you first fell
ill.”

Vane hesitated and then nodded.
“Yes, you’re right. He can’t just sit around waiting for me to need blood, and
there’s no use sending a maid back and forth at all hours.”

Orman bowed and then linked his
hand with Gwynn’s. “We’ll see to it right away.”

As they left the room, Gwynn looked
back at Vane, who was unfolding the letter and reading it again. Once they’d
closed the door, she pulled Orman down into a long kiss.

“What was that for?” Orman asked.

“Being perfect.”

“I’m just good at what I do.” He looked
at the closed door a moment. “And I don’t know what Arion’s situation is, but
if there’s any chance he and Vane could work this out, I’m going to do all I
can to help, just as he did for me.”

“Yes, we must thank him especially
at the wedding reception.”

He kissed her quickly. “I intend
to.”

They walked down the hall hand in
hand, hope and the promise of new beginnings filling Gwynn’s heart.

The End

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Other Books by Marie Medina:

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