TheRedKing (27 page)

Closing her eyes, Delia opened her mouth to his tongue. Hers
danced with it and she moaned with pleasure. Areus’s hand strayed from her
breast to her soft mound. She parted her thighs so that he could easily stroke
her pussy and clit.

“You’re certain this is fine?” he asked.

Delia opened her eyes and gazed into his wide green ones.

A smile tugged at her lips. “I’m sure.”

He nodded and slowly kissed his way down her body from shoulders
to belly. When he guided her legs over his collarbone and covered her clit with
his mouth, she moaned again and smiled, closing her eyes and surrendering
completely.

It seemed forever since they’d pleasured each other like
this. She had been so happy that he was alive and so concerned about his
recovery that she hadn’t realized how she had pushed aside her own physical
needs.

Not that Areus hadn’t been affectionate, kissing and holding
her every night since he’d returned from Fernhill, but they hadn’t shared
passionate moments like this in too long.

Areus licked and sucked her sensitive flesh while his strong
hands kneaded her bottom. His fingertip lightly teased her sphincter, making
her shiver. A few more delicious upward strokes and Delia quivered and gasped
as she came. The wonderful pulsations coursed through her. Still in the midst
of a perfect orgasm, she moaned again as Areus covered her body with his and
slowly thrust his rock-hard cock into her drenched pussy.

“Delia,” he breathed and kissed her again, his hands braced
on either side of her head, supporting most of his weight.

“Oh Areus,” she murmured, weaving her fingers through his
hair and tilting her head to the side as he nuzzled her neck.

Faster than she’d imagined possible, those climactic
sensations rekindled. After several enticing thrusts, she came again, clinging
to him hard.

His breathing ragged, he thrust faster. Every muscle in his
whipcord body tightened and he moaned as he came. When he finished, he rolled
onto his back and tugged her close. Her cheek against his chest, she listened
to his heartbeat slow.

“Want that bath now?” Delia asked, lifting her head to gaze
at him. She wrinkled her nose and teased, “You actually do smell worse than
your horse.”

He chuckled. “I told you.”

“Last one to the tub buttons my dress.” She leapt up, dashed
across the room and sank into the water.

“Unless you grow another pair of arms, it’s going to be
either me or Echo regardless of who reaches the tub first.”

He rose slowly and stretched, raising his arms overhead. Delia
stared, moistening her lips. It seemed she’d never grow tired of admiring him.

Delia gazed at him through her lashes. “Are you going to
join me or stand there posing like your handsome stallion, you handsome
stallion?”

He smiled, his eyes glistening with good humor. Areus adored
compliments as much as any man and with him there was a great deal to
appreciate.

A moment later, he sank into the tub and ducked under,
wetting his hair.

“It’s almost as curly as the hair in your nether regions,”
she teased.

He raised an eyebrow and snorted. “Thanks for noticing. Come
here.”

Areus took her hand and tugged her close to kiss her again.

The rose-scented water soothed them and after washing, they
cuddled for a while. Delia sat between his legs, her back against his chest and
his arms wrapped loosely around her.

“Have you thought of any names for this baby?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. Have you?”

“How about Damon, after my father?”

“Or Areus, after
his
father. And what about if it’s a
girl?”

“Chara.”

She turned to glance at him. “That was fast. Why Chara? She
wasn’t a former lover, was she?”

His brow furrowed and he laughed. “Of course not. I just
like the name.”

“It’s too soon to think about names. I’m scarcely showing
yet.”

His hand drifted to her stomach and he caressed the slight
mound.

“I wonder if—” he began, then stopped abruptly.

“You wonder what?”

“It’s not important.”

She sighed in exasperation. “If you don’t tell me it will just
prey on my mind.”

“I was just wondering if it might be two, since my mother
had twins. I’m sure it’s not.”

“I suppose it’s possible.”

“It’s not. Why would I even think about what happened to her
right now?”

She took his hand and stroked his fingers absently, noting
how long they were compared to hers.

“Probably because you still haven’t told her about
Hypatios.”

He sighed. “After dinner.”

“Would you like me to go with you?’

“It’s not necessary.”

“I know it’s not necessary, but that’s not what I asked.”

“If you like.”

Delia nodded. That was about as close to admitting he’d like
her company as she would get.

“I’ll go,” she said softly.

He wrapped his arms around her again and she closed her
eyes, resting against him.

That evening after dinner, Areus and Delia visited Cosma’s
chamber to tell her about Hypatios.

Cosma was sitting alone by the fire when she called for them
to enter. Delia joined her while Areus remained standing.

“I’m sure you want to know this, so I’m telling you Hypatios
is alive and well. He returned to his father’s palace weeks ago. I received a
report about it this afternoon.”

Cosma’s eyes blazed. “And you waited until now to tell me?”

Areus stared at her coolly. “In case you’ve already forgotten,
he nearly killed me, not to mention I have duties and couldn’t drop them all to
tell you that your favorite son survived his attack on my people.”

Cosma’s initial anger faded and she said, “You’ve forgotten
that they’re my people too.”

“No. You forfeited that claim when you faked your death and
deserted us.”

“Areus, don’t,” Delia insisted. “On our way here, I said I
would be glad to tell her myself, if it upset you—”

“It doesn’t upset me, but this family is poisonous. At this
moment there’s no doubt that Hypatios and his father are strategizing to
conquer and destroy us. This time they might succeed.” He stared at Cosma. “You
said you came here to stop a war. Is that still true?”

“Yes, of course. I—”

“Then tell me Hypatios’s weakness. Tell me how to best him.”

She held his gaze. “You want me to tell you how to kill my
son.”

“I’m asking you how to stop further bloodshed and suffering.
I want only to stop Zaltana and protect my people. If I can spare Hypatios’s
life in the process, I swear to you that I will. I’m sure that’s a better
bargain than you’ll get from him. If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have come here at
all.”

“You’re asking a lot, Areus,” Cosma said softly.

“So did you when you came here.”

Cosma drew a deep breath and released it slowly. “If Hypatios
has a weakness on the battlefield, I’ve yet to hear of it.”

“I’ll meet him toe-to-toe in battle anywhere and at any
time.”

“Areus—” Delia’s stomach clenched at the thought of him
meeting Hypatios in battle again.

“
If
he doesn’t call upon his beastly minions,” Areus
continued. “Let him fight me man to man.”

A long silence stretched between them. Finally Cosma said, “The
snake. Since he was a boy she has been a shield between him and the spirits of
the dead. She helped him focus. Separate him from the snake and he might become
confused, or at least that’s how it used to work when he was a child. His
control over his powers has strengthened since then. He might not need Beauty
any longer.”

“Yet he still keeps her close,” Areus mused. “Either way the
snake means a great deal to him. Thank you, Mother.”

She curled her deformed lips and shook her head. “Some mother
I am. My sons are trying to destroy each other. I nearly lost you both the last
time you met. I don’t ever want to experience that again.”

“You clearly love him. I’m surprised you haven’t tried to
return to him already,” Areus said.

“I would be questioned about my whereabouts. With all
Hippolytos’s connections, I wouldn’t be surprised if he knows I’m here. If
that’s true, then even Hypatios wouldn’t be able to save me.”

Areus held her gaze for another moment, then turned to Delia.
“Are you ready to retire?”

“In a bit. I’d like to speak to Cosma alone first.”

Areus nodded and left.

Delia leaned closer to Cosma and said, “I know Areus wasn’t
keeping the news about Hypatios from you to be cruel. He wanted to talk to you
after he’d gotten his anger under control.”

“I realize that.” Cosma closed her eyes for a moment and
sighed. “They’re both so stubborn. When I came here I hadn’t considered that Areus
would be as ruthless as Hypatios, but he didn’t succeed in holding back Zaltana
for all these years without a backbone of iron. I truly fear that he and Hypatios
will destroy each other.”

“So do I,” Delia murmured. Thinking about the next battle
upset her so much that her stomach hurt.

“Are you all right?” Cosma touched Delia’s knee. “You look
pale.”

“I’m fine. I just—I hate this. I hate these battles and I
even hate Areus’s attitude sometimes.”

“He took after his father for that. Living with Damon had
its challenges, but I wouldn’t have missed a moment of our days together. I
would give almost anything to see him again.” Cosma smiled sadly. “Leaving him
and Areus was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, alongside leaving Hypatios in
Zaltana.”

“I don’t know if I’d have the strength to leave my baby
there,” Delia admitted. “I think I might have killed him first.”

Cosma nodded. “That thought crossed my mind, but when I had
the chance, I couldn’t do it. Now both my children are paying for my weakness.”

“No,” Delia said firmly. “Hippolytos is the only one to
blame for this and for so many other atrocities. He’s a tyrant and a rapist.
You and Areus are victims and in a way I guess Hypatios is too.”

“I know neither you nor Areus want to hear it, but Hypatios
does have a good side.”

“I’m sure in your eyes he does, but when I think about what
happened to Areus, I can’t do anything but hate him.”

“I understand. Thank you, Delia, for welcoming me into your home.
I’m not sure I ever said that.”

“This is your home too, Cosma. No matter what Areus said
tonight in anger, he knows this is your home as well.”

* * * * *

The snake handler’s house was warm, even in the dead of
winter. A fire blazed in the hearth that took up almost an entire wall. Two
cauldrons bubbled over the flames—one with stew and the other with hot water
that he used to fill the clay pots resting in the many crates in the central
room. In each crate two or more snakes lounged, some with their long bodies
distorted by their recently swallowed lunch of rats or mice.

Old King Damon had often used the snake handler’s talents,
taking venom from his more dangerous pets to anoint the arrowheads of the royal
guards. Zaltanian soldiers sometimes used poison arrows as well, depending on
the part of the kingdom from which they came. Several years ago, Lortia had
discovered the antidote to the poisonous Zaltanian arrows and all soldiers kept
a supply on their person. Not that Areus doubted Hippolytos had foul chemists
working on new poisons, but lately Zaltana hadn’t bothered anointing their arrows,
not wishing to waste their poison on well-prepared Lortian warriors. Lortian poison
was equally useless to Zaltanians, so Areus had retired the snake handler, at
least regarding the use of his venom.

He still had much work in the kingdom during spring and
summer, however, when many of the wealthier residents called upon him and his snakes
to rid their homes of pests. The handler’s snakes were well fed and happy and
the residents of Lortia relatively rodent-free.

Standing in the snake handler’s house early one morning, Areus
glanced at the variety of snakes and recalled the feel of Beauty wrapped around
his body, squeezing. Crushing. Stealing his breath and nearly his life.

The snake handler, Orrin, a wiry man of average height with
amber eyes nearly as piercing as those of his snakes, studied Areus carefully.
His brown hair was bound loosely at his nape, a few silky strands falling over
his bony face.

“Greetings, sire,” Orrin said in a soft, smooth voice. He
bowed deeply, though kept his gaze lifted to Areus’s. Respectful yet proud. And
quiet yet possibly as dangerous as his snakes. “To what do I owe the pleasure
of this visit?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard about Hypatios’s snake.”

A faint smile tugged at Orrin’s lips. “Yes. From what I’ve heard
she’s a powerful, magnificent creature.”

“I suppose, as far as you’re concerned. To me she’s an enemy
whom I know too little about.”

The snake handler’s eyes brightened. “You wish to learn
about snakes, to arm yourself with knowledge.”

Areus held the man’s gaze. “Yes.”

Orrin looked hesitant. “Do you want me to teach you how to
kill her?”

“I want you to teach me how to defend myself against a new
breed of warrior.”

Orrin’s smile broadened. “You’re a wise man, sire. And
you’ve come to the right place. I don’t pretend to control these magnificent
creatures, but I pride myself in understanding them as much as a mere human
can—except perhaps for Hypatios himself. I envy him. It is said he actually
speaks to them.”

“It’s true,” Areus stated coolly. “I’ve witnessed it.”

“Tell me about her—the snake.”

“She’s about that thick.” Areus held up his hands, forming a
circle with them. “Black and red. Her name is Beauty.”

Orrin smiled, looking almost snakelike himself. “That’s not
the name of a warrior. It’s a lover’s endearment.”

Areus curled his lip. “Trust me. She’s a warrior.”

“I will help you. As my king you have the right to demand it
and as your subject I willingly serve you, but may I be so bold as to ask a
favor of you?”

“What is it you want?”

“Should you kill Hypatios—and I have little reason to doubt
you will defeat him—and you manage to spare his snake, I should like to give
her a new home here in Lortia.”

Areus’s lips twisted into a wry smile and his gut clenched.
“You ask a lot, Orrin.”

Bowing his head, Orrin said, “Of course I’ll teach you
regardless of whether you agree to my request.”

“If I can capture her, she’s yours,” Areus stated.

“Thank you, sire. When do you wish to start your lessons?”

“Immediately.”

Orrin slinked toward one of the crates and squatted over it.
He lifted a green snake and it curled around his forearm. Speaking softly to
the snake, he rose and approached Areus.

“As you said. You’re learning to understand a new breed of
warrior. You must listen. Observe. Control your fear and depend on your
reflexes.”

“It sounds much like battle.”

“For beasts, life is always a battle, isn’t it? Survival of
the fittest.”

“It’s the same for men.”

Orrin smiled. “Well, we are beasts, aren’t we? Probably far
worse than other species. They fight to survive. We fight for power. Land.
Gold. For them it’s all about instinct, but are we not supposed to be better
than that?”

Areus hadn’t expected to debate philosophy with the snake
handler, yet he couldn’t deny the man had a point.

Stepping nearer, Orrin held out his arm, offering the snake
to Areus.

“Be gentle,” Orrin said. “Ambrose only wishes to welcome you
to his world. Later, I have others far more prepared to do battle. You might
sustain wounds during training, sire, but when it’s complete, you will know how
to catch a snake before it strikes. You will know how to kill one if necessary,
even one as powerful as Beauty.”

It wasn’t that Areus wanted to kill Beauty, but his only
hope of defeating Hypatios, short of killing the bastard, was to separate him
from his snake.

* * * * *

Weeks ago, Hypatios had arrived at his father’s palace
exhausted, his wounds still healing. Hippolytos had looked at him in disgust.
The king had ranted for half an hour, venting his rage over the northern
kingdoms still maintaining their freedom.

From where she curled around Hypatios’s neck, Beauty hissed
in the king’s direction. Sensing his reptilian friend’s rage, Hypatios caressed
her scales, feeling her muscular body tense and relax beneath his fingertips.

He’d questioned Hypatios about the white warrior, asking if
he still appeared to him or if, due to his weakness, he had lost the guidance
of the powerful Zaltanian spirit.

“I’ve seen many spirits of late,” Hypatios had replied
coolly. “They speak often of the future of Zaltana.”

“And what do they say? Is it worth giving you another chance
to defeat Areus of Lortia, or will you compensate for the shame you’ve brought
to our kingdom and our bloodline?”

“I promised you Areus’s head on a pike and I will deliver.”

“So you’ve said.” Hippolytos’s icy-blue eyes swept Hypatios
from head to toe.

When he was a child, such a look from his father would
strike fear in Hypatios. It had been a long time since he’d felt anything
except anger and disgust toward the king. He counted the days to his death so
that he could change several of Zaltana’s archaic laws.

If not for Cassandra, he probably wouldn’t have seen the
wrong in rape and the torture of peasants. She had been raped as a young woman,
she’d said. He’d asked if that had been in the same attack that had left her
burned. She had told him yes, in a way, but she preferred not to discuss the
details.

When she had taken him from the castle, to the freedom of
the beautiful coastline, for the first time in his life he had played like a
normal child. He had interacted with the villagers and learned that they
worked, played and felt the same as anyone else. That had been the happiest time
of his life, but all too short. His father had sent instructors soon after. Warriors.
Scholars. He had rebelled against some of their violent teachings. The warriors
had tried to beat him into submission and the scholars had tried to humiliate
him. Only when Hypatios had turned his animal companions against them did they
learn to respect him. Beauty had been his greatest protector then.

Hypatios’s first swordmaster had eventually tried to cut off
the snake’s head. Before he landed the blow, Hypatios had driven his own sword
through the warrior’s back. After that his other instructors were more cautious
around him.

Hypatios had been a strong boy. He endured physical
punishment with scarcely a blink, but he refused to allow anyone to threaten
either his animal companions or his old nurse.

“Are you listening to me, you damn fool?” Hippolytos had
growled, interrupting Hypatios’s thoughts.

“No sir, I wasn’t,” Hypatios replied coolly.