The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 (8 page)

   Dominic straightened his spine and slowed the pace. He didn't see a need to tire his horses any more than necessary. It would take them several days to reach Devizes in the Wilts, the town that lay on the border between the sovereignties of Dewhame and Firehame, where the exchange of the king was to be made. For now the general fully intended to take advantage of the peaceful countryside to calm the anger his wife had managed to provoke by almost getting herself killed.

   He loved the land. The rolling hills and green meadows and quiet ponds. Although he knew that when the elven lords had chosen and conquered each of their sovereignties they had altered the land with their magic, he could still see the original beauty of England beneath the huge elven flame trees with fire red blooms that dotted the green swards of Firehame. Dewhame, where the elven lord Breden ruled with the magic of sky and water, boasted hidden grottos, natural fountains, and enchanted lakes. The eastern sovereignty, where Mi'cal ruled with his green scepter, sported tracks of barely impenetrable forests with a wealth of plants that defied description.

   Dominic hadn't visited the remaining four sovereignties but supposed he would fight battles within them some day. His curiosity about them could wait. He hoped he would still be able to recognize the original countryside of England within them, though.

   For now he avoided the pockets of flame that shimmered among hill and vale, taking the road less traveled, bringing their party through silent forests and sleepy meadows. The preautumn leaves almost rivaled that of the elven lord's flame trees with their tints of red and orange color. Dominic allowed the beauty and peace to settle over him, storing it up as usual for when he would need to call on it within the palace walls of Firehame.

   By the time he found a good place to stop for the night he felt saddle weary but calm. He chose to camp near a small stream within a circle of flame trees, their fire red blooms lighting up the area within and around the clearing. The glow from the blossoms should discourage any surprise attacks.

   He signaled for his men to help the ladies—and more than a few gentlemen—to dismount. Each time they had rested the courtiers had scrambled from the saddle with increasing stiffness. If his men hadn't aided them now, they would be sprawled about the ground in all their silks and satin.

   His men pitched their tents, including his, the largest of the lot, and built the fires to prepare the meal. Dominic washed up with the other male courtiers at the far end of camp, allowing the ladies some privacy for their own ablutions. His camp cook must have planned for guests for the stew tasted better than usual. Mor'ded did not join them. Ador could fly far faster than the swiftest horse could gallop, and the elven lord would sleep in his own bed tonight back at Firehame Palace.

   Dominic hadn't looked at Lady Cassandra the entire day, yet he knew exactly where she rode in their column, knew right now her position around the campfire. He supposed she hadn't thought to bring a tent and he would have to invite her into his. His heart soared at the thought and then he stilled. Granted, he enjoyed bedding her. But he'd never felt such anticipation for a woman before and feared where it might lead.

   "Why, General Raikes, I do believe you lost half the court on purpose."

   Dominic didn't know whether to feel relief or dismay at the sound of Lady Agnes's whiny voice. "My intention had been to lose them all."

   As usual, Aggie laughed, ignoring his cold demeanor and tone of voice.

   Few dared approach him. Two of his lieutenants sat next to him but the rest of their party gave him a wide berth.

   Lady Cassandra seemed content surrounded by the rest of his men, avoiding the company of the courtiers, who either had the tendency to ignore her or treat her with indifferent disdain. Dominic knew he was to blame, for the dunderheads took their cues from him. He tried to ignore a sudden wash of guilt.

   Agnes sat in his lap. "Oh la, it appears that I forgot to bring a tent." She leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "Would you perhaps have room in yours, my champion?"

   Dominic winced. He hated when she called him that. In one smooth movement he picked her up and rose, then set her on her feet. "I'm sorry, my dear, but I have a duty to perform."

   Agnes glanced over at Cassandra and frowned. "It's a sad situation, sir, to so deny your pleasure for duty, but I suppose it can't be helped. I'm sure I will find another tent with a bit of room." She smiled coyly at that, her eyes roaming the officers, and then sighed. "Not a one of them could compare to you. If you should need some… comfort during the night, you have but to ask."

   Dominic bowed. "I will endeavor to keep that in mind." And then he headed straight for his wife. Discussion stilled when he approached and by the time he reached her side, complete silence reigned among the previously boisterous group. He said nothing, only held out his hand. She looked up at him, those soft brown eyes wide with surprise, and placed her hand in his.

   "We have a duty, madam," he said. "Surely that is why you have so inconvenienced me this day." The courtiers overheard. Several of the women gasped and more than a few men snickered. His soldiers just looked at him with dismay.

   Cassandra's brilliant eyes dulled but she allowed him to lead her to his tent.

   "Even though you may feel I am only your duty," she whispered, "must you say it in front of everyone?"

   The sadness in her voice managed to bother him and his words came out harsher than he intended. "I have no feelings, Lady Cassandra. I thought I had made that obvious. You must cease in this ridiculous tendency to be hurt by that fact."

   She ducked inside the tent, and he tied the flap closed, shutting out the glow of the fire. He could just make out the outline of her delicate nose, the gleam of her large eyes.

   "But you do take pleasure with me," she said, keeping her voice low, knowing those outside could hear everything within their shelter. "What have I done for you to treat me so coldly?"

   "I told you not to come.
You
chose to ignore my wishes. You must accept the consequences of your actions."

   "Oh." Her voice shivered, sounding very small.

   Devil a bit, he felt no sympathy for her. That horse could have killed her. "Come here."

   Her skirts rustled as she moved closer to him. At least she had dressed more sensibly than Aggie, wearing petticoats instead of hoops. Dominic grabbed her shoulders and roughly kissed her. Damn, he had wanted to do that all day.

   She melted against him and despite everything, his kiss turned gentle. He brought his mouth to her ear, speaking in nothing but a breath of sound. "It's just fortunate for you that I happen to honor my obligations."

   "What…?"

   "Your dance, my lady. It brought me satisfaction and yet you had none of your own."

   Her breath caught. He laid her down and pulled up her skirts before she had a chance to reply. Her legs shone whitely against the dark rug blanketing the floor of the tent. Dominic ran his hands up and down that smooth skin, pulling down her stockings in the process, until she quit trembling. When had he ever been so concerned about the satisfaction of his bed partner? And yet he could not shake the longing to see her face glowing with pleasure.

   Dominic lowered his head and kissed a knee.

   She jumped. He kissed the other knee, then began to trail kisses up her thighs, first one, and then the other, until he reached the dark triangle of hair between them.

   "You… this… it's shocking."

   He smiled and continued his explorations, finding the little nub nestled in her hair, flicking it with his tongue until she started to pant. Dominic raised himself up and picked up her hand, looking at her wedding ring. The petals of the rose had bloomed wide open, and he raised a silver brow at her. "Have I shocked you enough?"

   "I don't… I don't think so."

   "Excellent." He kissed the tip of her nose and slid down her body and resumed his ministrations. When he suckled her she cried out, and he distantly became aware that the conversation outside had ceased. Well, he was known for his prowess as a lover so he saw no harm in continuing.

   She squirmed and cried out again. When her body loosened into spasms, the sounds of pleasure his wife made stirred his rod into painful hardness. But he had resolved not to take her. To deny himself, thereby proving he had nothing to fear from her.

   When Lady Cassandra finally stilled, Dominic pulled down her skirts and gathered her into his arms. She lay quietly for a few moments and then said, "What about your duty, sir?"

   He smiled for the second time that night and quickly wiped the expression from his face. He would have to be more careful, lest he betray himself that way when others were looking. "I don't feel the need."

   "But…" Her hand brushed the hardness within his breeches.

   "Hush, go to sleep. Haven't you caused me enough trouble for one day?"

   Thank the devil, she listened to him. He felt sure the long ride contributed to her quick obedience to his words, for he soon felt the even rhythm of her sleep.

   But sleep eluded him for a long time, and when he awoke the next morning he felt as if he hadn't slept at all. He saw to the disbandment of camp, his words surlier than usual. His men avoided his eyes but the courtiers watched him with eager speculation.

   That day the journey seemed twice as long as the day before. He forced himself to ignore Cassandra, for if he looked at her, his groin quickly stirred to life. It made him even more determined to deny the ridiculous attraction he had for her and he took refuge within the elven side of his nature.

   But damn his human passion, he could not stop thinking about her and chose a camp for the night before the sun had even passed below the horizon.

   Dominic ignored the curious glances of his men, the whispered comments of the court while they made camp, and he used his magic to light the fires. He washed quickly, wolfed down his food, and went to her before she'd eaten half of hers. But she didn't protest as he dragged her into the tent.

   They sat on the rug facing each other, an undeniable chemistry crackling between them.

   Daylight flooded their small chamber and he looked his fill of her, from her soft brown eyes to her mahogany hair, until she blushed and looked down at her skirts, which puddled about her hips as she sat on the floor across from him.

   She looked stunning, a mix of innocence and fortitude that made his desire for her uncontrollable. He'd never lost his control over a mere woman before. Had never felt the urge to possess her mind as well as her body. Had she thought of him today as he'd thought of her? Had
she
come to him out of duty?

   Dominic unbuttoned his breeches and reached for her. Shoved her skirts up her thighs. Pulled her toward his kneeling legs.

   "I've been thinking about what you showed me last night—" she started.

   He kissed her, trying to devour her.

   "—all day—" she managed.

   Dominic plunged his tongue inside the sweet softness of her mouth, trying to still her tongue with his own.

   Again, she managed to pull away and speak. "I should like to try—"

   Dominic covered her lips again, holding her with one arm while his hand quested with the other. He quickly found her hot opening and groaned with relief. Wet. Ready for him. Physically, at least, she wanted him, and he should not have felt so grateful. With his elven beauty he'd yet to find a woman who could resist him. And yet that didn't seem quite enough. Dominic wanted more from her, wanted her spirit as much as he needed her body… and cursed himself for the mere thought. He could not have such a void inside of him that needed filling. He
would
not.

   He grabbed her bare bottom with both hands and pulled her onto his lap. A bit higher and the tip of his shaft met her soft flesh. He groaned.

   Cassandra spoke no more. She clutched his shoulders and pulled herself closer to him, fully encasing him within her. His fingers tightened on her buttocks, and he rocked her back and forth on his lap, the pressure of her weight on him pulling him deeper inside her than he'd ever dared. She threw her head back, the velvet skin of her throat bared to him. Dominic buried his mouth in that softness as he set a rhythm that had her panting his name.

   He sucked at the skin of her neck, trying to smother his own groan of release as his body exploded. He was just as unsuccessful as Cassandra as her own climax quickly broke.

   His foolish attempt at denying himself the day before had only made his want of her even stronger. Dominic didn't even try to suppress his groans when he took her the second time that night. And late into the morning, the third. And when he stepped out of the tent, he knew he'd made a mistake.

   Aggie studied him with shrewd eyes. He had never made such sounds of pleasure with her. His officers quickly hid their grins but the nobles felt no such compunction, jabbing each other with their elbows and snickering behind their hands. He could imagine their gossip—a woman had finally snared the elven bastard. Could he be more human than elven after all?

   For the entire day a trickle of worry kept him even farther away from Lady Cassandra than usual. But he noticed a few of the male nobles rode alongside her, trying to engage her in conversation and curry her favor. Fortunately the women stayed huddled around Lady Agnes, continuing their cold treatment of Cassandra but now occasionally throwing her looks of disgust.

Perhaps he hadn't blundered too badly, then.

   Still, Dominic breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the town of Devizes. Despite the lateness of the day the market bustled with activity. It distracted the courtiers and fortunately his wife as well. They passed stalls and tables of every cloth imaginable, draped to show the sheen, arranged to reflect the softness of the weave. He did not stop and did not concern himself with the nobles who chose to linger in the marketplace. Lady Cassandra stayed with his troops.