Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) (25 page)

For just a moment Prince John pales. “We will see,” he said as he regained his composure, then he was pushed and shoved towards his companions.

“Come lads, the fight is over.” Robin was zealous in his triumph but Rowena was not as cocksure.

“Not over, but just beginning,” she said, coming to Kendrick’s side. “At least for you, de Bron, for I fear that John sincerely hates you now. He will never forget nor forgive.”

“So be it.” Kendrick was in a fine mood. Rowena cared. She had proven it. No matter what she said or did, he would always remember the look on her face when she had feared for him and the way she had risked her own life to save his.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Streaked with the moon's silver, the small lake was mesmerizing, inviting.  Rowena gazed at it with longing as she and the outlaws passed  by on their way back to the hideout.  Her garments were covered with mud.  She smelled of sweat and horses.  Oh, how she wished for a dip in the cool water, she thought wiping at her face, but it was out of the question.

"Tut, tut, tut, your vanity will be your undoing."

Turning her head Rowena saw  Kendrick de Bron grinning at her and knew he had read her thoughts. Worse yet his eyes seemed to strip her naked.  "I...I was but thirsty, that's all," she said quickly. "Verily, it has been a hard ride."

"Aye, in truth it has. But if it is your thirst you need to quench 'tis ale and not water you have need of."  The thought of seeing her "in her cups" was amusing.   Hopefully a bit of ale would sooth her inhibitions. "Unless you can not hold your liquor
,
lad
."  He emphasized the word with a wink.

Seeing that Robin had ridden up to ride three-abreast, Rowena stiffened her back.  "I can match you tankard for tankard, de Bron," she bragged.  Alas, it was a boast she was forced to live up to as Robin's men arrived back and camp and prepared to celebrate the success of their raid on Prince John.

Fires were sparked, meat prepared for the spit and wooden kegs  opened so that the golden ale could be shared all around.  The night air rang with laughter and chatter as each of Rob's men tried to out-boast the other.

"May I fill your cup?"  Determined to hold her to her words, Kendrick de Bron hefted one of the kegs as he passed in front of Rowena.

"Aye, do so," she answered, holding the tankard high.  The drink was stronger than the watered down wine and ale she usually drank, so strong that she nearly choked.  Somehow, however, she managed to empty the tankard.  Likewise de Bron drained his cup to the bottom.

Rowena no sooner drained one cup before another was poured for her, and another, and another.  And all the while Kendrick de Bron's grin mocked her, dared her, infuriated her. 

"Tankard for tankard," he cheerfully reminded her.

"Tankard for tankard," she repeated, trying not to slur her words. Oh, but she felt so light headed, so unsteady on her feet.  Even so
, she stubbornly held out her tankard to be filled again, then moved toward the central fire.

Oh, how she wanted to slip away.

“The lake….” She breathed, longing again for its cool water. It’s chill would clear her head as well as bathe her. Should she? It took only a moment to decide.

Kendrick watched as Rowena left the glow of the fire, slithering off like someone up to no good. He saw her look around to make certain that no one noticed her departure, then slip into the trees.. Likewise sneaking from the circle of the outlaws, he followed.

Rowena pushed through the foliage, walking at first, then running. It took several minutes to reach the bank of the lake. The night air was calm, not even the hoot of an owl could disturb the peacefulness.  Quiet.  Blessed, blessed quiet.  How good the silence seemed as she reveled in her solitude.

A soft whispering breeze caressed Rowena's face as she  viewed the untamed woodland of tall slender silver birch trees.   It was a natural wonderland, a
haven with a mossy floor hidden from view by a  drapery woven  of hundreds of leaves.  It was so achingly lovely here.   More so perhaps because  of the ale that imbibed her senses with  tranquility. Whatever it was, something made her feel as if this magical  spot  somehow belonged to her.

Rowena stood for a long time on the bank, th
en testing the waters, she decided to take a dip, in spite of  the chill.  Stripping off her garments one by one, she hung them on a nearby bush then splashed into the water, unaware of the man who crouched behind a nearby bush watching her.

"So lovely......."  Kendrick murmured softly, staring at the beauty so openly presented to him.  The moonlight reflected upon her bare back and buttocks
, making her skin gleam like marble in its light and emphasized the slim curve of her long lithe legs.  Fools the others were to think for even a minute that Rowena Fitz Hugh was a boy.  Why, that delightfully curved bottom of hers should have given her away.  "And her breasts," he breathed as she turned around.  Those womanly mounds with their rosy tips were so perfect.  What a shame it was to have to hide them.

Desire threatened to suffocate him as he watched her enter the water up to her waist
, then splash about.  He wanted to rip off his own clothing and join her, to feel the softness of her body against him and lie with her upon the mossy bank but he held his hungry yearnings in check, contenting himself to just feast on her with his eyes.

Suddenly the hoot of an owl shattered the quiet.  Rowena turned her head.  "Who is there?" she asked, fully submerging her body.  If it was one of the outlaws
, then she was in for the devil's own time explaining her femininity.  Heart thumping, she waited.  No one answered.

Feeling secure in her al
oneness again, she began to swim about, letting the cool, smooth water splash over her body as she closed her eyes.  Somehow she felt safe here, assured that no one knew of this secret haven.  That was why she was doubly surprised to look up and discover that she was not alone.  Someone stood silhouetted in the trees, looking her direction. 

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"  Her voice had a sharp edge to it as she asked the question.  "Show yourself!"
             

Knowing that he had been seen, Kendrick moved  slow
ly and sinuously in his grace, coming at last to the water’s edge.  Somehow this moment seemed fated, as if it had been destined to occur right from the first moment he had looked upon her haughty little face.

"Relax, it is only me," he announced softly.

"De Bron?"  Rowena was so relieved that it was him and not Rob or one of the others that she sighed, little realizing that Kendrick took this as a sign of acceptance of what was to come.

"You seem to be in need of some company.  Mind if I join you?"

"No," she tried to cry out but somehow the word was choked, unintelligible.

The air crackled with anticipation.  A shiver danced up and down her spine as she looked wide-eyed at the masculine perfection of the body he was baring to her view.  She had almost forgotten how broad his chest was, the flatness of his stomach, how muscular his legs were.  He looked invincible, dangerous, strong.  Somehow she knew that the image of his broad, bronzed shoulders, wide chest, flat belly and well-formed legs would forever be branded in her mind. 

Again she tried to cry out, knowing well what would happen if he entered the water, but her voice came out in a rasp.  "De....de Bron......" she somehow at last managed to say.  Then it was too late. With a splash he dived in. Rowena held her breath in expectation as he swam towards her.  Slowly he reached for her hands, pulling her to him. 

Rowena floated on the water, feeling strangely as if she were flying instead.  The buoyancy of the lake made her seem weightless, the ale made her feel dreamlike and contented.  Without protest she let him grasp her by the shoulders to pull her close.  With the tips of his fingers he traced the line of her cheekbones, the shape of her mouth, the line of her brows.

"You will never know how you have tortured me......." he whispered.

"Tortured?"  Had she?  The thought made her smile impishly.

"Aye, tortured."               

At first he simply held her, his hands exerting a gentle pressure to draw her into the warmth of his embrace.  Then
, before Rowena  could make a sound, his mouth claimed hers in a gentle kiss, one completely devastating to her senses.  She was engulfed in a whirlpool of sensations. Breathless, herhead whirling, she allowed herself to be drawn up into the mists of the spell.               

Leaning against him, Rowena savored the feel of his strength, giving herself up to the fierc
e sweetness of his mouth.  Her lips opened under his as exciting  sensations flooded through her.  Kendrick's lips parted the soft yielding flesh beneath his, searching out the honey of her mouth.  And all the while the water swirled around their two entwined bodies. Heaven. Pure heaven, Rowena thought hazily.

Then, all too soon the kiss had ended.

"De Bron......." 

Her heart skipped a beat as he brought his head down and traced the bare curve of her shoulder with his lips.  Long and langu
orously he explored the soft flesh, moving to her neck, his tongue searching her ear in a way that made her whole body tingle.  A near madness seized her and she found herself thinking the most dangerous thoughts.

"Ah, Rowena," he breathed  as his lips nuzzled a
gainst the side of her throat. He uttered a moan as her hands moved over the smoothly corded muscles of his shoulders. 

It seemed as if Kendrick's breath was trapped somewhere between his throat and stomach.  He couldn't say any more.  The realization that she was finally to be his was a heady feeling that  nearly made him dizzy as he brought his lips to h
ers once more. Such a potent kiss.  As if he had never kissed her before.

In fact
, Kendrick had the feeling that he was doing everything for the very first time as he made love to her.  All memories of other women faded from his mind.   Hers were the only arms he wanted around him, hers the only mouth he wanted to kiss, her softness the only reality in this hostile world of warring.

Their bodies were crushed together as both simultaneously reveled in the delight of the texture and pressure of the other. The water whipped around them, intensifying t
he sense of pagan abandonment. Two lovers in the moonlight, Rowena thought. Lovers. Once the word had had a tawdry ring to it, but tonight it sounded glorious somehow.

"It seems so right, being here together like this," he whispered, letting her know that he was feeling the magic of the moment too.
Burying his face in the soft, silky strands of her hair he breathed in the fragrant scent of her and was lost to any other thought.

Rowena's arms entwined around Kendrick's neck, her fingers tangling in his thick dark hair.  Fascinated, she let her hands explore his body as his had done
to hers.  He uttered a moan.

"Kendrick...."  Closing her eyes, Rowena awaited another kiss, her mouth opening to him like the soft petals
of a flower as he caressed her lips with all the passionate hunger they both yearned for. Rowena loved the taste of him, the tender urgency of his mouth. Her lips opened to him for a seemingly endless passionate onslaught of kisses. It was if they were breathing one breath, living at that moment just for each other.  Mutual hunger brought their lips back together time after time.  She craved his kisses and returned them with trembling pleasure, exploring the  inner softness of his mouth.

Desire that had been coiling within Rowena for so long only to be unfulfil
led, sparked to renewed fire and she could feel his passion likewise building, searing her with its heat. They shared a joy of touching and caressing,  arms against arms,  legs touching legs, fingers entwining and wandering to explore.               

"Rowena...!"  Desire writhed almost painfully within his loins.   He had never wanted anything or anyone as much
as he did her at this moment. It was like a cherished dream just waiting to come true.  Now she was
his
.  Lifting her partially out of the water, he worshipped her with his mouth, his lips traveling from one breast to the other in tender fascination. His tongue curled around the taunt peaks, his teeth lightly grazing until she writhed beneath him. He savored the expressions that chased across her face, the wanting and the passion for him that were so clearly revealed.

The cool night air caressed Rowena's skin yet she caught fire wherever he touched her, burning with an all-consuming need. She shivered in his arms
and fearing it was from the night air, he gathered her closer as he lifted her from the water.

"I'm not cold...!" she whispered, still she made no protest as he lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the bank.  Finding a soft spot covered with leaves he warmed her body with his own.

"Better?" he asked with tender concern.

She nodded, trying hard to control the shudder that passed through her, a desire that coiled and writhed almost painfully within her loins. Now she knew how he had felt.  If she had known then what she knew now she would never have pushed him away.
             

Kendrick pulled her closer, rolling her over until they were lyi
ng side by side. Rowena  felt a great pleasure in the warmth and power of the firmly muscled body straining so hungrily against hers. Secretly she had to admit now that despite her quarreling with him, this was what she had wanted all along, to be naked against him. Her only fright perhaps was in the provocative feel of  his arousal that brushed against her leg from time to time.

"Oh, Rowena......" she heard him breath.

Looking up at his face she saw that his eyes were closed.  How strange that his expression made him look as if he were nearly suffering, yet he was smiling all the while as if in sweet torment.