All For One [Nuworld 3] (17 page)

knew you’d like it. Trust me, it’s harder for me to get used to the idea of eating the

animals.”

“You don’t eat meat?”

“I can quite honestly tell you the thought never crossed my mind before I learned

that you do.”

“Well, I can honestly tell you the thought of eating a tree never crossed my mind

before meeting you.”

Ana felt quiet after they’d eaten. She was quite stuffed and her cheeks hurt from

laughing. Never before had she felt so comfortable around someone—except maybe

Andru. But there were things she didn’t discuss with her brother. It wasn’t that way

with Roth. He made her feel so comfortable and at ease that she said instantly whatever

thought came to her head.

It wasn’t until they’d finished eating, he’d stirred the fire, then sat next to her and

pulled her close to him that she suddenly couldn’t think of a thing to say. She stared at

the flames dancing around the logs and rocks and inched her toes closer to stay warm.

Roth lifted her face to his but instead of kissing her like she thought he would, he

said, “You’re right, it is getting cold.”

He jumped up and grabbed another folded mat and wrapped it over her shoulders.

He then plopped down again and instantly slipped his hands underneath the blanket

and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. His kiss was gentle and she

found her arms wrapping around his neck before she realized what she was doing. He

pulled her down, somehow managing to keep the mat around both of them.

Ana had never been in this position before. The men and boys that flirted with her

had been part of her daily life now for several winters. She’d felt a pleasurable

excitement from sparring with Andru’s friends out in the fields. There had even been

several times when Gilroy managed to steal a kiss. But never had she been wrapped

around a man’s body the way she was right now.

It dawned on her that Andru knew this would happen tonight yet he’d left them

alone together. Her brother approved. She relaxed her body as she lay on top of Roth. It

wasn’t until he rolled her over and wrapped one long leg around her two legs that she

pulled away, gasping for breath.

For a minute she just stared up at him, both of them breathing heavily and her body

curving perfectly under his. His eyes glowed with their intensity—a fluorescent

emerald. She licked her lips unintentionally and he lunged for them, licking them with

his tongue.

68

All For One

She giggled and he raised his head again and smiled at her.

“Are all Runner women like you?”

“I hope not,” she whispered, her voice scratchy, and he took her off into another

wave of passion with an aggressive kiss.

This time he moved his hand slowly down her body and she suppressed a squeal at

the sensations she felt. Once again, a man’s hand touching her like this was a new

experience for her. She wanted more and arched herself into him to let him know. His

hand finally found her naked skin and she tensed at the feel of his fingers caressing her.

Could she do this?

Roth lifted his head from her neck and looked at her until she opened her eyes. His

smile was gentle and she absolutely melted inside.

“I’ve never done this before,” she whispered.

He searched her face for a moment and then lowered his eyes as he rolled back so

he could see the rest of her.

“I know you haven’t.” He pulled her to him but not to kiss. Instead, he tucked her

head under his chin and cuddled her into him holding her tight. She felt more secure

than she’d ever felt in her life. The warmth of his body and the feel of his strong arms

and legs wrapped around her made her feel more wanted and cared for than any

affection her family had ever shown her.

And they loved her. She knew they did. It just didn’t feel like this, and this felt

good.

“I want to see you again,” Roth said as she lay contentedly feeling the heat of his

body.

“How long are you going to be here?”

“I don’t think much longer. Sorg is eating with your parents tonight and that will

probably be the end of it for a while.”

Ana forced herself to lay back and he looked down at her. She studied his eyes for a

moment but then closed them when he traced a pattern from her lips down her neck to

her breasts.

“I want to get to know you better before I take anything from you that I can’t give

back.”

She opened her eyes quickly. “You’re not going to have sex with me?”

She blushed instantly, not expecting her question to sound so bold.

“No, not tonight.”

He looked down at her with such emotion she felt the sensation of being pulled, as

if Roth could actually pull her soul from her and unite it with his. “Oh,” she said,

feeling a mixture of regret and relief all at once.

“You’ve never been away from your home for long periods of time, have you?”

69

Lorie O’Clare

“The age of searching usually starts when a Runner reaches their eighteenth winter.

I’ve got two winters to go and then I’ll probably have to fight for it.”

“Your father?”

“Yes, he’d just as soon raise me Gothman.”

“Obviously you stand up to him.”

“He’s never come out and said I couldn’t dress and act like a Runner. He wouldn’t

dare. Sometimes I get the impression he wishes I were more Gothman, you know,

wearing dresses and cooking.”

“You would look beautiful in a dress. But it sounds like I will be making visits to

your homeland more in the future than I initially thought I would.”

“You’ll come back to see me?”

He laughed and stroked her cheek. “This is why I will wait to mate with you. I want

you to know in your heart how I feel for you.”

“How do you feel about me?”

“I feel like making you love me.”

70

All For One

Chapter Ten

Tara crept down the hallway toward the staircase. She tiptoed down the stairs and

then stopped in the kitchen to slip into her boots. The house was quiet and dark. None

of the servants slept here. She knew the guards stood watch outside but inside everyone

was asleep. At least, she hoped everyone slept.

The men on duty watched her closely as she walked over to the garage to get her

glider. She offered no explanation and none of them confronted her. She wouldn’t be

surprised if Darius instructed them to wake him if she left the house. They wouldn’t try

to stop the leader of all Runner clans from leaving her own house. But they sure would

contact the Lord of Gothman and let him know his claim had left.

Tara drove the glider slowly down the driveway and headed toward Bryton. She

didn’t accelerate fast enough to leave ground. There was no need. Bryton wasn’t that far

away—in fact, their house overlooked the town, blocked only by numerous evergreens.

She drove directly to the jail and stopped her glider in front of the building. It was no

secret where she was going. Darius would know she went to talk to Syra.

“Unlock the cell, please,” she said firmly to the Gothman standing in front of a large

iron door. He studied her for a moment, stepped to the side, and opened the door for

her.

“I need a light.” She gestured to him as she walked into the dark cell.

“Tara, is that you?”

Tara’s eyes focused quickly in the darkness before the guard handed her a blue-

tinted beam. Syra lay on a brick extension from the far wall with a thin mattress thrown

over it. She had no blankets and there were no windows in the room. She’d been

thrown into complete darkness as soon as they’d shut the door. Gothman offered

criminals no luxuries.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.” Syra cleared her throat. “Have you come alone?”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

Syra pushed herself to a sitting position and Tara sat next to her. She placed the

beam between them so they could see each other’s faces. Tara studied Syra for a minute.

She didn’t look like she’d been sleeping. Her face looked hard and determined as she

stared back.

“Tara, go home. I’m not hurt. My stomach is full. Come back after the Tree People

are gone.”

Tara frowned. “Why do you want to stay in here until the Tree People are gone?”

71

Lorie O’Clare

“You know you’re as bullheaded as that pain in the ass claim of yours. The two of

you might try trusting me just a little bit.” Suddenly there was a tinge of hurt in Syra’s

voice. She looked across the brick cell and then fastened her gaze back on Tara.

“You’re holding something back from us, aren’t you?”

Syra didn’t answer.

“Why?”

“You don’t need this knowledge in your head right now.”

Tara frowned and then slowly understanding came over her. “Because they can

read our thoughts, right? You’re trying to keep certain knowledge from us so Sorg

won’t know that we know something.”

“You’re quick, Tara,” Syra muttered sardonically.

“Why didn’t you say that earlier?”

“You think that bullheaded brute would have accepted that answer? He would

want to be the one to decide what he should know and not know. But, if he knew, it

would be too late.” Syra rolled her eyes. “He’s a real smart man, you know?”

“Yes, he is. He saw through you right away.”

“I was afraid he would.” Syra lowered her head into her hands. “If I’d known the

Tree People were here I would have stayed away for a few more days.”

“What in the world could be so awful for us to know?” As soon as she spoke the

words, old memories resurfaced and she hardened her emotions in an attempt to stifle

panic. Tara stood up and backed away from Syra her hands covering her mouth.