The Night Bird lc-5 Read online

  “Why do you stare at me so oddly? he asked. “You look as if Ive sprouted dragon wings.

  She rubbed the small of her back, which ached from all their horseback riding. “Dont you ever slow down?

  “What for?

  “Youre exhausting.

  “Im not tired.

  “I wasnt referring to you.

  “Oh.

  “Oh? Thats it?

  “What did you expect me to say?

  She glowered at him. “How about, Im sorry for dragging you all over creation, and Ill attempt to be more aware of your needs in the future.

  “Men dont talk that way to women. He crossed his arms. “It is your pleasure in life to serve my needs, whatever they may be, however it pleases me. Thats why you exist.

  “Well, goodness me, she said. “I cant imagine why women dont want to immigrate to this lovely country.

  He lowered his arms. “Allegra, I dont want to argue. He held out his hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something. A special place Ive always loved.

  Again he caught her off guard. When he cleared his throat awkwardly, she flushed and took his hand. He started off again, this time at a more moderate pace. It felt odd holding his hand, more like something she would have done with an Aronsdale boy. She had no doubt that if Yargazon showed up, Markus would drop her hand as if it were an ingot in a furnace. Even so, it was nice.

  “Where are we going? she asked.

  “Its called the Anvil. He indicated a place up ahead where darkness blocked the stars. “There.

  “What about the men sleeping in your tent? she asked.

  His laugh was low and satisfied. “Theyll be fine. And if Im gone when they awake, they cant ask me questions.

  She doubted they would find it so amusing, but she was glad to be away from them. Although in military terms, Ardoz was probably the most violent, he didnt frighten her like the others. She had absolutely no idea what to make of his interest in Markus, though. She had never known a man could feel that way about another man.

  They were approaching another rock formation, this one taller than the others, at least the height of ten people. It jutted up from the desert like, well, a huge anvil, impressively massive, blocking the rich canopy of stars.

  Markus turned to the three guards. “Two of you wait here. When Izad returns, send him up.

  The men bowed. “As you wish, Sire.

  The hike up the Anvil was steep, and the path wound into the formation rather than around it, which relieved Allegra. She didnt want to be on an edge, in the dark, so far above the ground. The walls on either side rose up until they met overhead and formed a tunnel. The path was too narrow for more than one person. Markus went first, she followed and his third guard came after her, his tread heavy in the inky darkness. Rocks poked her feet through her flimsy boots. With no light, she had to feel her way along with her hands on the walls.

  They came out onto the flat top of the Anvil under the icy stars. Far below, the desert stretched in plains of sand and distorted shadows, all etched in silver by the moonlight. To the east, the Fractured Mountains rose in broken spires against the sky.

  “Saints above, she breathed. “Its incredible.

  “Worth the walk? Markus asked.

  “Itits A gust of wind hit her, and she gasped from the chill, wrapping her arms around herself. She had never thought before that peoples teeth really could chatter, but hers were doing it.

  “Eh. Come here. Markus drew her against his side, folding her in his arms. Even through his shirt, his body felt like a furnace. She pressed closer to his warmth, her arms between their bodies, her cheek against his chest.

  “Thats why you wont give me clothes, she said. “So I have to do this.

  “I like to look at you. He stroked her back. “To touch you. Everywhere. Youre so soft.

  “You shouldnt freeze me just because you like my body. She could hardly get out the words, she was shaking so hard.

  “By the dragon, he growled. “Youre as bad as my mother.

  “You froze your mother?

  “No! She was always telling me such things, about being considerate. My father told me not to listen, that she was just a woman and I could do as I pleased.

  “Oh, well, theres an example of fine parenting.

  “My father was a great man. He rubbed his hands up and down her bare back. “You really are shaking.

  “Im cold!

  “I can help. Markus glanced over her head at his bodyguard. “Wait here. This is the only access to the top.

  “Ill send Izad up with the blanket when he arrives, Sire, the guard said.

  “Excellent.

  Markus led Allegra to an edge of the Anvil where a small half dome of rock faced the desert. As they stepped within its shelter, the wind eased. He drew her to the back wall and sat down, settling her between his legs with her back to his front. He bent his legs on either side of her and enfolded her in his arms, surrounding her with the warmth of his body.

  “Better? he asked.

  “Much. She turned sideways so she could burrow deeper in his arms. “Youre like a campfire.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Its another of my plots, to make you behave as if you want to be with me.

  That gave her pause. Beneath his joking, it sounded as if he cared how she felt about him. Maybe that wasnt so surprising. Most people wanted their lovers to like them. Given his lack of remorse for what he had done to her, though, she hadnt expected it to matter to him. Probably she was reading too much into his tone because she hoped it would make her situation more bearable. And yetthe tenderness toward her that she had felt in his mood tonight had been real. He could be far more appealing than he had any right to be, given his life, and if she were being honest, she had to admit his mischief made her smile.

  In his arms, she continued to warm up. After a while, when her shaking stopped, she said, “You should have listened more to your mother and less to your father.

  She expected another of his proclamations about the supposed nature of men and women. Instead he said, “When I behaved as he saw fitting for his son, he spent more time with me.

  She knew nothing of his father except stories she had heard in Aronsdale, which all painted him as a brutal man. “Did you like to be with him?

  “Of course.

  “You said before that he was harsh.

  “You have to be, to rule this country. He slid one of his hands inside her halter and fondled her nipple. “But even the harshest kings need succor.

  “You cant buy succor, she said. “No matter how much you pay the TAmbera.

  “Yes, I can. He unfastened the halters clip between her breasts. “I own you. Thats just how I want it.

  “I cannot even begin to tell you, she said, “how unromantic that sounds.

  Markus pulled off the halter and dropped it in a glittery pile on the ground. As he petted her breasts, he murmured against her ear. “Youre not telling the truth. Your nipples are so hard, theyre saying, Markus, kiss me, please, now.

  Oh, honestly. “It sounds to me like theyre saying, Cover us up. Were cold!

  He laughed softly. “You dont fool me. Youre mad with desire for my incredible body.

  Allegra snorted. “Matched only by your incredible modesty. He was teasing, though. She had felt the truth earlier tonight in her spell; he had no idea how beautiful he looked. How would he know? He spent all his time around soldiers, and they were hardly about to tell their commander he was sexy. Not even Ardoz.

  “Markus?

  “Hmm? His calluses rasped on her skin as he caressed her.

  “Isnt Ardoz young to be a general? Hes not even as old as Colonel Bladebreak.

  “True. But Ardoz is a notorious warrior. And strategist. Thats why I promoted him.

  So Markus had given Ardoz his rank. “Is that the only reason?

  “What other reason would there be?

  “Friendship.

  She thought he would ask what the hell that meant
, or tell her military ranks had nothing to do with favoritism. Instead he spoke quietly. “Sometimes friendship turns onto unexpected paths. You may soon turn back and leave that path, which isnt for you, but that doesnt mean you regret it. He pressed his lips against her temple. “My path is with you, night bird.

  Saints above. He knew how Ardoz felt. She felt certain of it. She doubted he would tell her more, but she would always wonder now if what she had seen in Ardozs mind had been memories.

  “What about my path? she asked.

  “You were lucky. It led you to me.

  “Oh, for saints sake.

  He kept caressing her. “You like being here, this way, with me. I can tell.

  “Only because Id freeze otherwise. In truth, she did like the way he stroked her. But this morning, even with the miradella, she had needed to see him with another mans face before she could enjoy his touch.

  Markus tugged at her skirt. “The TAmbera claimed this comes off the chainah, there. He pulled away the silk, leaving her naked except for a jeweled chain around her hips. His hand roamed between her thighs, leaving no hidden places. “Youre not fighting me tonight.

  “Its too cold. After what had happened this morning, she felt tuned like a string on a harp, ready for him to play. As the miradella wore off, it actually became more effective because the sensations were no longer so intense that she felt overwhelmed. She didnt want to encourage him, but she was too aroused to ask him to stop, either, so she just sat and let him do as he pleased.

  He sighed. “Someday, Allegra, you will say to me, Markus, come here, I want you. And Ill fall over in shock.

  She couldnt help but smile. “That would be a sight.

  “Why dont you try saying it and see what happens?

  She didnt answer, but she curled closer against his chest.

  “Hmm. He kept stroking her, but he took it slower, his attentions less demanding than this morning.

  After a few minutes, a man said, “Prince Markus?

  “Gods, Markus swore. “Dont they ever go away?

  “That sounds like Izad, Allegra said. “You asked him to come up.

  “Oh. Yes. I did. Markus raised his voice. “Here.

  “Wait! Allegra splayed her hands against her breasts and pelvis. “Not yet.

  “I wont let him see you. He shifted her weight and stood up with an ease she envied. She gasped when icy air blasted across her bare skin and she curled into as tight a ball as possible.

  Markus stopped and said, “Oh. He unfastened his jerkin and pulled it off, leaving only a dark red undershirt. His arm muscles bulged. With his broad chest, narrow hips and long legs, he was a sight well worth the look. Kneeling down, he put the jerkin around her shoulders. “There. Ill be right back. Then he quickly left the hollow.

  Relieved, Allegra pulled the jerkin closed with her arms inside and inhaled its leather smell. Cold air leaked in through the armholes, but the garment came down past her hips. The intricate fastenings baffled her, all beautifully woven loops with ties to thread through them. She left them undone and overlapped the jerkin across her front for an extra layer of warmth. She tried to put her skirt back on, too, but she couldnt figure out how it attached.

  When she finished bundling up as best as she could, she explored the hollow. Near the edge, the wind picked up. The Anvil dropped down from her feet, and the moonlit desert lay far below, rolling to the horizon. The scene reminded her of Markus, starkly beautiful, often too hot, sometimes icy, and at its best, just warm enough. She returned to the back wall, which hadnt lost the days warmth, and huddled against it, trying to soak in leftover heat.

  Markus appeared around the edge of the hollow, silhouetted against the stars. “You look scared, all curled up like that.

  “I am scared, she admitted. “Of you. She tilted her head in the direction his bodyguard had gone. “Of him.

  “But why? Kneeling down, he laid a blanket over her body. With its pattern of light and dark splotches, it did look like an ocelot pelt. A rich scent of animal hide surrounded her.

  “My bodyguards protect me, Markus said. “So they protect what belongs to me. He would never hurt you.

  Her face burned. “I was naked.

  “Youre wearing a lot. My jerkin.

  She didnt argue. She was too cold. Maybe in Jazid, people considered this a lot of clothes for a woman.

  Markus rolled several rocks toward the edge, then swept away the pebbles in front of them. “There. That should be better.

  The blanket was beginning to warm her up. “For what?

  “Us. He tugged the blanket away and spread it on the ground. She shivered as he laid her out on the pelt. She curled up on her side for warmth, but he rolled her onto her back and unfolded her arms. When he opened the jerkin, the cold seared her skin.

  “Dont be scared, he said, his voice softening. He stretched out on top of her, offering the warmth of his body. “I wont let you freeze. He kissed her, teasing her mouth open so he could go more deeply with his tongue. It wasnt the first time he had done it, but it confused her. She hadnt known men and women kissed that way, and it sent heat through her body.

  He murmured against her lips and he rolled the chain around her hips. “This is sexy.

  Allegra didnt feel sexy, just uncomfortable. “Your clothes are scratching me. Too late, she realized he might mistake her words for an invitation to undress.

  His tongue flicked over her lips. “Youll get used to it.

  Used to it? That made no sense. “Dont you undress when youre with a woman?

  He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Never.

  “But why?

  Instead of answering, he slid down her body, licking her neck, breasts and belly. Then he went all the way down and kissed her between the legs.

  “What are you doing? Mortified, Allegra tried to roll away.

  He gently held her in place, his large hands gripped on her hips. “Relax, night bird. I want you to enjoy it.

  “No! This morning she had been half-asleep, affected by her dream and warm in his tent. None of that was true now, and without his body covering hers, the cold came back with a vengeance. “II dont want to do this.

  He came back up her body until he was covering her and looked down at her. “Whats wrong, kitten? Dont cry.

  “Im n-not. She wiped away the tear on her cheek.

  “Allegra. He sounded bewildered. “What do I have to do to make you believe I wont hurt you?

  “Let me go.

  “I cant do that. Awkwardly he said, “I am becomingfond of you.

  “You hardly know me.

  For a long moment he looked at her. Then he said, “Suppose I were to agree you will no longer be my pleasure girl. Would you consent to love me then? No fighting or crying?

  She was so startled, she almost said, You would really let me go? Then she felt like a fool. Of course he wouldnt. “Dont play with me. If we have to do this, just get it over with.

  “Get it over with? Thats terrible.

  She had no argument there.

  “I want you to enjoy yourself. He brushed his lips over hers. “Tell me. Would you consent if it meant you would no longer have to be my pleasure girl?

  “Does that mean you would let me go?

  He exhaled. “If you mean would I help you to leave me, then no. I wouldnt. But I would give you legal documents that made it clear you were no longer a pleasure girl.

  She clenched the blanket under them. “Why do you say pleasure girl? Do you think calling me that instead of slave makes it all right? Because it doesnt.

  “Im not lying. I mean what I say. Pleasure girl, slave, whatever you want to call it.

  “Im not even sure what youre saying. Youre offering to free me, is that it? But you wont help me leave this camp.

  “Yes.

  So she would still be trapped with him. They were deep in an arid, barren desert where she wouldnt last a day without supplies. Only the legalities of her situation would change. Butif she found a
way to escape, he would have no claim on her. In fact, it would dilute his control so much, she didnt believe he would do it. She wanted to hit him for offering her hope when they both knew he would never willingly allow her to leave.

  “I dont believe you would let me go, she said.

  He moved his hands up her sides and grazed his roughened thumbs over her breasts. “I want to have you of your own free will. Its worth a lot to me, even as much as I paid for you. If freeing you is what it takes to win your consent, Ill do it.

  “Youre just saying that.

  “I keep my word. His voice cooled. “If you think otherwise, you know nothing about me.

  Well, she didnt. If she had learned anything, though, it was this: he had far more depth than she had believed in that excruciating moment when she had first seen him. The brutal killer she expected had never appeared; instead she faced a complex man who had a great deal of good in him, even greatness. She felt out of her league with Markus, faced with a powerful leader in a culture so at odds with her own, she could barely deal with it, let alone judge the nuances of his attitudes.

  She spoke carefully. “If you have documents that say you own me, will you have new ones drawn up saying youve freed me?

  He didnt hesitate. “Yes.

  “When?

  “As soon as we go back to camp, Markus said. “When we reach the base, Ill ask the atajazid to approve them.

  “What if he says no?

  Markus scowled at her. “Hes nine years old. Hes not going to tell me what I can do in my personal life.

  “Are you sure?

  “No, he admitted. “But it would be as out of character for him as it would have been for me to tell my father such things when I was nine.