The Lord of the Clans (17 page)

Cameron tightened his fingers into fists. Although he kept his hands under the desk, she caught his sudden tension and had to bite the inside of her cheek to refrain from grinning. His scar paled.

“I see.
Poor Kelton!”

How did he do that? She had the upper hand but, with a few words, he managed to turn the situation to his advantage and make her the harlot of the play. Refusing to let him win, she retaliated.

“There’s no need to involve him, so I’d ask you to leave my promised out of this conversation.”

“Why? He’ll be the only one to suffer. By the way, does he know you start squirming whenever there’s a cock around?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

The viciousness of the insult cut through her soul. A wild desire to lash out jolted her insides as she stared at him. He couldn’t have said that. The man who had made her vibrate with passion just two nights ago would never treat her with such contemptuous rudeness. Choking on the urge to claw at his scar, she shot him a revolted look.

“At least I’m not a rat.”

The pettiness darkening his eyes turned to disbelief while he shifted his body to confront her.

“What in ether’s spirits are you implying?”

“I saw you at the brothel. You accepted money from a man, and now I hear you’ve been blabbing around for a long time. For someone who’s supposed to be impartial, isn’t this called informing?”

“And instead of spying on me, you never stopped to wonder if there might be another reason.”

“Seems pretty clear to me.”

He grabbed the pitcher and poured water into a glass. When he didn’t drink, she got the impression he used the diversion to cool off.

“You’re a funny creature, Ariana.
Eager to trust everybody and his brother, and so quick to condemn those who actually care for you.”

Did he care for her? She might be misreading him again, yet the idea sent her heart keeling as he observed her.

“I lent a fair sum of money to a clan leader last fall, after his tribe’s dwellings were destroyed by the armies of Borgom. His second in command met me at the brothel to pay me back, so I instructed him in how to proceed from then on. But whatever you think, I’m not and never will be, a rat.”

She felt like blushing, and hoped she didn’t. How could this perfect man be attracted to her when she'd been born with so many flaws? Stifling a swell of confused emotions, she looked him in the eye.

“And I’m not a harlot.”

A softer expression crossed his face. He took the glass this time and drank a few sips of water.

“I’m sorry. I might have been a bit harsh with you.”

A blatant understatement to say the least, yet she accepted his apology with a nod. Should she make excuses for calling him a rat? She wanted to, but he looked at her with a very different expression on his face.

It seemed her mention of a harlot put ideas into his mind. The veiled lust glowing in his eyes triggered her desire as she watched the full lips that had kissed and fondled her wet folds. The tantalising sight of his mouth made her wonder. If men licked pussies, did women also suck cocks?

The tent belonging to the leader of the resistance was the wrong place to inquire about such private matters. They were alone, for the time being, and she’d never been one to wait for the right thing to say at precisely the right moment. Fretful with the need to know, she tilted her head.

“I’d like to ask you something before he comes back.”

“Go ahead.”

“I was wondering if women also...huh, well, you know...if they also licked men’s private parts.”

His face appeared to freeze. His sudden stiff posture made him look like an ice statue and spurred in her mind the vision of his long, rigid cock. How long did they stay silent? When he didn’t seem about to give her an answer, but just sat there like a frozen war god, she began to worry.

“What? What did I say?”

He finally expelled a long breath. Then he squared his shoulders and cleared his throat before dropping a hand over his lap.

“You said too much, given that we can’t act on it. You’re betrothed, yet you mate with me. Then you won’t touch me, but you keep turning me on with your questions. What do you want, Ariana?”

He sounded cold and hot at the same time, ready to slap her and on the brink of crushing her against him.

“I don’t want anything. I’m just asking.”

“Well, stop, because next time I might not be so patient with you.”

The leader of the resistance barged into the tent. He came back to the bench without giving any sign that they both looked awkward, and spread a parchment over the desk.

“Forgive me. I hope we won’t be interrupted anymore because I’d like you to take a look at this chart.”

The map of the Four Kingdoms.
Back to reality, she leant forward when he indicated a spot situated in the top half of the crude design.

“We’re here. According to my wizard, the Darkening will happen over there. Fortunately, it’s an unpopulated area.”

He moved his finger toward the top edge of the map, over a vast expanse that she had no name for. Cameron brought the chart closer to him.

“The North?
Are you sure?”

“Yes. I also thought it strange when my wizard told me because there’s nothing there, except freezing weather.”

“That’s the right place.”

Once more, both men swivelled their heads toward her when she spoke, their intrigued gazes studying her.

“I felt a terrible coldness in my dream. That’s where I have to go.”

An ominous silence lengthened between the three of them until the leader of the resistance finally nodded.

“Lady Ariana, whatever you need is yours. I shall accompany you on this dangerous path with as many of my men as you deem necessary.”

His genuine and vibrant offer moved her. Although a simple healer, she now possessed the power to dictate the fate of a whole band of warriors, including their leader. Still, she sensed he could do nothing for her, even though the visions of annihilation settled at the far back of her mind.

The Darkening was waiting for her. She alone had the means to fight it, providing she had them at all.

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

“As you wish.
If you change your mind, the offer still stands.”

“I’ll remember that.”

She cast a glance at the Lord of the Clans. As his cold face didn’t betray any of his thoughts, she wondered if he’d take her north after the weird scene that had just passed between them.

She couldn’t succeed in her quest without him, yet she wouldn’t beg. His eyes set on his war
ally,
he stood up as if an urgent call required his attention.

“We’d better leave before sundown.”

His sudden move startled her but didn’t seem to surprise the leader of the resistance, who also got to his feet.

“I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet today, Lord Cameron. If we survive this Darkening and you ever need the resistance, my men and I will be in Palance for the next moons.”

“I won’t forget.”

He circled the bench before tilting his face with the expression of a man who had just recalled an important detail.

“Have you heard of a village called Frahern?”

“We went through that place yesterday. It lays just a few leagues west. You can’t miss it. I’d say less than two hours ride.”

The leader led the short distance to the entrance of the tent. Before letting them out, he inclined his head slightly.

“Farewell, Lady Ariana. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, and may the Mighty Gods keep you safe.”

“Thank you. It’s been a real pleasure to meet you.”

She wrenched her gaze away from the mesmerising green eyes and got out of the tent before her tendency to drool got the better of her. Their means of transportation waited just outside, tied to a post. While she went to unfasten the bridle of her horse, she cast a glance back toward the tent.

The Lord of the Clans and the leader of the resistance clasped forearms. So strong, so reliable, they roused in her the image of two
titans
intent on saving the world. Then Cameron called him the something of Palance, but she didn’t catch the name with the hubbub from the camp.

Fingers tangled in her horse’s mane, she took one long, last look at the gorgeous man who had just placed his trust in her. If it wasn’t already the case, he’d make a special woman very happy someday.

Cameron joined her as soon as she mounted and headed for the heart of the meadow, away from the camp.

“Come on, Ariana. We can be in Frahern by nightfall.”

He set a trotting pace and they rode abreast without exchanging a single word, given that he didn’t appear in a talkative mood. Was he still sulking over her so-called inappropriate question? She couldn’t dwell on that now, but needed to reflect on everything she had learned. The Darkening was real, and the time to face her nightmare knocked on her door. Would he stay with her?

The thought of going north alone dried her mouth and drained her of courage. She wasn’t brave. She'd agreed to throw her life away because they believed her to be the great power and, also, to impress them. Now that show time was over, dread seeped in her bones to leave her weak and scared.

She wanted to ask him before they reached Frahern, even though she sensed he wasn’t in the mood for any more of her questions. The words wouldn’t come out, in spite of her resolve.

“Cameron, do you have any idea why the leader of the resistance kept calling me Lady Ariana?”

Her inquiry brought a subtle air of relaxation to his face. Reins in one hand, he cast
her a
brief glance.

“Because he assumes we’re married.”

“Oh!”

The unexpected explanation sped up her pulse.
Married to the Lord of the Clans.
To the man who had given her the orgasm. She tightened her thighs to squash the exciting pictures filling her mind, but the abrupt movement confused her horse. Taking her cue, he careered down the meadow.

Hair flying, she felt propelled backward. A cry passed through her lips. Hanging on to the reins, she clenched her muscles to straighten up and find her balance again. She heard Cameron gallop after her. When he caught up with her wild horse, he seized the bridle, and brought them to a halt.

“I’d never have imagined that the notion of being married to me could cause such a strong reaction.”

Damn him and his sense of humour. Yet as much as he annoyed her, she was overjoyed to see the familiar merry twinkle back in his eyes. She breathed hard and raised a hand to her pulsating throat.

“I twisted my foot in the stirrup, nothing more.”

“I understand. These unfortunate incidents have a way of happening when you least expect them, don’t they?”

He eyed her hair in disarray, then the irregular rise of her chest. Sticking her chin out, she took hold of the leather straps again.

“Let’s get to Frahern.”

When he clucked his tongue, she wondered if he was voicing a command to his horse or inwardly laughing at her. The beautiful meadow soon gave way to flat grounds, and still she hadn’t asked the question.

While he fixed a point ahead, she realised stalling would only distress her even more. Perhaps even taint her days and nights. In spite of the pain, she’d rather endure a clean, deep cut than a suppurating wound.

“I’ll be going north as soon as I've ascertained that my aunt is well. I’d have been lost without you, and I appreciate everything you did for me. Obviously, I wish you to be my guide to wherever I’m supposed to go, but I understand you have other responsibilities and not much time to spare.”

“True enough.”

Not the answer she badly needed to hear. Palms damp around the reins, she tried to sound anything but desperate.

“Does it mean you aren’t coming with me?”

“And miss out on all the fun? I don’t think so. Like it or not, Ariana, you’re stuck with me until the end.”

The end of their
quest,
or the end of their world? She didn’t care right now because he’d escort and protect her. More to the point, she wouldn’t be alone. He’d stand by her, however frightening the quest turned out to be. Spirits higher, she trotted alongside him.

They reached the outskirts of a village a while later. With the last of daylight, the place seemed already quiet.

As they advanced toward a pretty fountain, she spotted a middle-aged man shuffling along the street with the aid of a very long walking stick. She slowly pushed her horse toward him.