A Hint of Frost: Araneae Nation ( Book One) (15 page)

I braved step after step until I ran out of ladder and Mana reached for me. I tried letting go, I did, but nothing happened. I froze when Rhys covered my back, stretching until he pried my fingers free and shoved me toward Mana, off the ladder. I landed in a sprawl across Mana.

“Excuse me.” I sounded oddly dignified considering where I sat. “I’m unused to heights.”

Scrambling backwards, I collided with Rhys.

“You use ladders at home.” Why did he sound so amused?

“They’re in tunnels. You go…well, up, to the ground. Not…” I pointed at the sky, “…up.”

He leaned in as though to kiss my cheek, and I flinched.
Please, not in front of her
.

Frowning, he straightened. “We’ll keep this visit short. Then we’ll see to food and rest.”

“Bathing is my first priority.” I marveled my smell hadn’t driven him to keep a discreet distance. “I’d rather spend another night in the saddle hungry but
clean
.”

This time, I failed to dodge the press of his lips to my throat. “As my maven wishes.”

Tingles spread through my neck, down my center, sparking in my toes.

“Come.” He guided me by my elbow through the nearest doorway.

Light graced the small room through slats in the roof. Seated upon two woven cushions was a lovely female with inky black hair and harsh green eyes I recognized as Sikyakookyang. To her right, Chinedu, a dark-skinned man with nut-brown eyes, appraised me. I’d thought Rhys familiar when I first saw him. Now I knew why. His eyes peered out from the maven’s face.

How was this resemblance possible?

Rhys addressed the pair in their native tongue, and I wished I understood even a hint of what he said. Whatever he told them made their eyes darken with what struck me as concern.

“Hoya says he is bound to you.” The maven folded and refolded her hands.

“I’m unfamiliar with Hoya.” My skin tightened. Was that a short form of what Old Father had called Rhys? They shortened Kokyangwmana to Mana and now Kookyangwhoya to Hoya?

“Forgive me.” Her expression shifted yet again. “
Rhys
says he is bound to you.”

“He is.” I reached for him instinctively.

He captured my arm, threaded our fingers and brought my hand to his lips.

Mana stood behind him. I didn’t want to think how his gesture affected her.

“Good.” A smile ghosted Sikyakookyang’s mouth. “Yours is a good match. Our hospitality is yours for as long as you like.” She paused. “I would speak with you on another matter—”

A rumble of sound from Rhys made her pause.

“It can wait. You have traveled far and encountered much danger. We will speak tomorrow. First, eat and rest.” She smiled. “Bathe, if Hoya—
Rhys
—is to be placated.”

“Thank you.” I glanced between them, but their conversation excluded me. Manners prevailed, and I swallowed my annoyance. “You are true friends to the Araneidae and are always welcome in our home.”

Sikyakookyang made a shooing motion. “Go. Rest.
Talk
.” Shifting on her pillow, she snuggled against Chinedu’s side, which I understood as an emphatic hint they wanted privacy.

Once we ducked outside, I squinted into the sun, casting a wary glance down the ladder.

“I’ll go first, to lead you.” Rhys got settled and extended his hand. “I won’t let you fall.”

He guided my foot in that first backward step into nothing. His solid presence at my back calmed me. Closing my eyes, I blocked out the world except for the hard male coaxing me down.

When my unsteady feet hit dirt, Rhys scooped them from under me. I let him, knowing I stank and uncaring because he held me. His arms steadied me as much as his even breathing. He cradled me, but I refused to bask in his gentle care until I knew he felt some small thing for me.

“Mana,” he called. “Will you bring supplies and our clothes, please?”

“Of course.” Her regal chin dipped. “I will meet you at the river.”

Through my exhaustion, a single thought gelled. “You said
our
clothes.”

“I did.” His fingers tightened. “We will bathe one another.”

I squirmed until he set me on my feet. “You and I are bathing
together
?” Blood leached from my cheeks. Yesterday I had owned my desire for him. Today I was unsure. Did I dare ask what his ties were to this clan? Why Vaughn gloated over his differences?

Rhys’s knuckles swiped down my cheek. “I won’t ask for more than you’re willing to give.”

At least that made one of us. How could I share my body with this male until some facts were straightened to our satisfaction? We may be bound, we might soon wed, but I would have his fidelity if I could not have his heart. It may be unfair to him, but the alternative was no option at all. Selfish to crave some piece of him, but I did. If I could not be his one, I would be his only.

Chapter Eight

Cool water flowed over my bare toes, and I moaned with bone-deep pleasure. I untangled my braid and let my hair fall in waves past my hips. Kneeling at the river’s edge, I splashed my face and neck, tempted to dive in with my clothes on and sort the details after my skin pruned.

A restraining hand righted me before I slid into the water.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“You have no reason to be sorry.” Rhys massaged my shoulder. “Mana will arrive soon.”

I sat on the ground and spread my legs before me. “She’s very pretty.”

He shrugged. “I suppose.”

“It’s obvious you two are close.” My bare toes dug into dirt.

“We are.” He shifted his weight. “Is there some point you’re trying to make?”

“No.” I flicked a rock into the water. “I was merely curious as to your relationship.” I stiffened, not expecting that to burst from my mouth.
Bite your tongue, Lourdes
.

“Our relationship is…difficult to explain.” He rubbed the base of his neck.

Horrid pressure spread through my chest when I thought of Rhys with another female. No, I realized, not with another female, but with Mana. Forget what he claimed, it must be his venom turning me into this heart-sore creature too afraid to ask him outright what I must know.

“You don’t owe me an explanation.” No matter how I craved one.

He sank to his haunches at my side. “I think I do.” He stroked my hair. “You’re upset.”

“Your secrets are your own.” I pushed to my feet. “Even Isolde said as much.”

“My mother—what did she tell you?” Thunder rolled in his voice.

“Nothing,” I hurled at him. “She told me nothing of you, and you have told me even less.”

His expression blackened. “What about me would you like to know?”

Everything
, the voice of my heart said. “Anything. Any small thing.”

“I don’t know how to answer that.” A muscle leapt in his jaw.

“Then don’t.” I turned my back on him and stripped. After all, I had nothing he hadn’t seen, hadn’t touched as he removed my clothing after our binding. Before he moved, I dove in the river and gasped at the shock of cold water. Ducking beneath the water, I screamed until my lungs ran dry of air and bubbles clogged my nose, then I kicked off the silty bottom and surfaced.

Air exploded in my lungs and I gulped greedy mouthfuls. Voice gone hoarse, I spluttered as a strong arm reeled me against a hard chest. I wriggled, but he lifted me from the water as his head lowered and his lips stole what little air I’d recovered. I sank my fingernails into his hips and tore, but he groaned with pleasure and hardened his mouth on mine, forcing me to kiss him back.

I leaned into him, hungry, hurting, my hands splayed across the roundness of his…

“You’re
naked
.” I bit my lip tearing our mouths apart. Stumbling, I fell backwards and water filled my nose and mouth as the river closed over my head. He fished me out, brought me surging past the surface. I wheezed and coughed as he held me to his chest and patted my back.

“I explained my plans.” With reluctance, he set me on my feet in shallower water.

“Yes, but—” Had I thought he would enter the water dressed? I covered my face with my hands. I’d thrown down the gauntlet but, “I’ve never seen a naked male. Let alone touched one.”

He rubbed my shoulder. “See one now.”

I peeked at him through my fingers. A quick dip of my gaze enflamed my cheeks, but he stood in water covering his navel. Only if I strained could I see…
oh gods
. I wobbled on my feet.

“It’s easy for you to say.” I sank lower and wished I would wash away. “You’ve probably seen dozens of naked females. You’ve seen me naked. This is nothing to you, but it’s all new—”

My hands were forced aside, my chin tipped up. “Is that what you think of me?”

“Yes.” I changed my mind. “No.” I sank lower still. “I don’t know.”

“What have I done to make you think so poorly of me?” He sighed. “You flinch away as though afraid I’ll bite. That, at least, is a reputation well-earned. Do you also believe I’d spend myself inside any willing female?” Hurt tempered his voice, made it soft when he might have yelled. “Is that what I am? Do you look at me and see a flesh-eater whose hungers rule him?”

I recoiled from his touch and his temper. “I don’t know what I see, Rhys. You confuse me. You’re not what I expected. You’re more, better, and it makes me want more and better from you.” I gained a pitiful bit of distance. “Your brother taunts us both with a secret you’re unwilling to share, yet you hope my opinion remains unaltered? How can it? It’s impossible.”

“Lourdes…” His voice broke.

“No, you asked. You keep asking. Let me have my say.” My feet found strength on the riverbed, and I stood tall. “I don’t understand you, but I’m fonder of you than is wise. I can’t abide not knowing where we stand. If nothing else, tell me that. Tell me who Mana is to you.”

His harsh lips curved into a beatific smile I had no defense against. “You’re jealous.”

Had he heard nothing I’d said? Of course I was. “She’s something to you. What is she?”

Instead of answering, he waded to where I stood. Trembling with anger, I forced my knees steady as he palmed the base of my neck and dragged me toe to toe with him. Rhys towered over me, his smile shining like the sun’s rays upon my face, and my treacherous heart flip-flopped.

“You
are
jealous.” Wonderment filled his voice. “You care for me.”

“I’ve said as much.” Either he wasn’t listening, or what I said wasn’t sinking through his thick skull. I’d given him words. I wanted some in return. “I question your affection, not mine.”

His eyebrows slanted as a look of utter confusion crossed his features. Growling, I hooked my leg around the bend of his knees and shoved against his chest. I lost hair in his fall, but the shock on his face was worth the pain. I stood there, pleased with myself one second and then gasping the next as he dragged me under. Beneath the cool water, his mouth found its way to mine and his lips moved across them.
I’m yours
. I understood him as clear as if he’d spoken in my ear.

Peace suffused my limbs and tingled in the smile I could no longer hide. He was mine.

Dumbstruck by his trick, I think I would have floated blissful and unaware as I drowned beneath the pleasure of his vow. He was the one with sense enough to realize we’d both lost our air and dragged us choking to the surface. Spluttered laughter poured from me as he patted my back.

“Maven Lourdes?” The sharp, feminine gasp killed my hysteria. “Are you well?” Mana stood on the shore with stacked clothes balanced on one arm and supplies hung from the other.

Rhys pressed down on my shoulders until water rushed around my throat. “She is well.” He gave her a small smile, a fraction of the one he’d given me, and yet I found myself envious.

“Oh.” Her gaze averted. “Then I will leave your supplies by the water’s edge.”

Until he frowned down at me, I hadn’t realized my nails bit into his arm. I’d seen ursus in heat respond better to encroaching females than I did. He was
mine
. He’d said so.

“He’s mine.” Gods above, had I spoken aloud? Judging by Mana’s broad grin and Rhys’s patient sigh, I had.

“Yes, Maven.” Mana laughed. “He is yours. He told me as much himself.”

“I’m glad I amuse you.” I was acting out, yet I blamed her for my foul temper. Far easier for me to point the finger than accept some animal part of me wanted Rhys bathed in my scent so other females knew where he belonged—at my side—always. Until our life threads joined, such marking was ill-advised, but the need roared through me. Desire was a pale word for what I felt.

“I meant no disrespect.” Her face drained of amusement. “I apologize for my rudeness.”

I rubbed a finger alongside my nose. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sorry, Mana, I am. Whatever your relationship is—
was
—to Rhys, doesn’t concern me. It’s between you two.”

Mana dropped her supplies as her eyes rounded with understanding.

Rhys looked to her. “Thank you,” he said, shifting his attention from her on to me, “
cousin
.”

Embarrassment was a flash fire that ignited in my cheeks and constricted my throat. She was his
cousin
? Fine impression I had made on his family. What Mana must think of me, all but foaming at the mouth. After Pascale’s tantrum, I was amazed Rhys had dared risk the introduction.

“You are most welcome. I will fetch you when dinner is ready.” She hesitated. “I gave your brother the room beside Old Father. I assumed you would want privacy at your home.”

The look he turned on me melted my bones. “We do, and, Mana? If we don’t answer…”

More red blossomed in her cheeks. “I’ll leave a tray outside your door.”

“Thank you, Mana.” I broke Rhys’s gaze. “You’ve been more gracious than I deserve.”

“Hearts are fickle things, Maven. They drive us to act without thought at times.” Her smile was kind and conveyed perfect understanding. “That yours is a love match is a blessing only the two gods could have bestowed.”

My mouth ran dry and my lips puckered closed. Thank the gods for that mercy. I didn’t love Rhys. I didn’t know him well enough. I glanced back at him and my chest tightened. Did I?