Tangles and Temptation (15 page)

The guards turned toward her, and she quickly added, “I shall ride a while with Eris, up front.”

Without awaiting their approval, she dug her heels in and vaulted forward. She refused to slow her steed until she reached his side.

* * * *

Eris turned on her with an impatient scowl. “I provide shade for your cooling, yet you prefer to ride here, exposing yourself to the blistering heat.” He tossed a scalding glance at the soldiers she had left in her wake. His instruction had been clear enough. Shadow her every move. Allow anything to happen to her and they would pay with their lives. Yet here she was traipsing alone, without a care for her own safety.

Kyra tossed her long hair, suspended in a tight ponytail, over her shoulders. The simple emerald ribbon headband made her eyes flash more green then gray. “I prefer to ride where it pleases me.”

Eris grunted his disapproval and returned his attention once again to the far horizon. Kyra’s disgruntled quick click of her tongue showed her opinion on the matter clearly. She did not like being ignored. She inquired in a bright voice, “Where have you sent your man?”

Eris looked at her in surprise. He glanced back and noticed the threesome she had evaded in the far distance. “You miss little, curious Kyra.” He sighed as she remained silent, awaiting his answer. Finally he explained, for no other reason than to appease her curiosity with the hopes that she would once again return to her place in the shade, “I have sent a man in seek the nearest village or dwelling. He is to procure shelter for the night. Every evening, when the sun is approximately at that angle”—he pointed to the orange ball in the lower sky—“I shall send a man to seek shelter for the night.”

Kyra nodded. “But are you not familiar with the lay of the land? How would you not know where the nearest dwelling lay?”

Frowning, Eris stared ahead as he replied through clenched teeth, “I know the lay of the land judged by the speed of my horse, not the speed of an entire entourage.”

Kyra gasped, obviously affronted. “You should have considered my apparent slowness before insisting on my inclusion on this journey.”

Eris stared at her hard. Before he could comment, she inquired, “And what will we do if your man is unable to find accommodation before nightfall?”

He blinked at the speed at which she changed both conversation and her moods. He chose to ignore her earlier statement. He thought she rode quite superbly for a female. Her thighs gleamed pale and creamy in the sunlight, as they clutched the animal’s flanks. He took time to admire her bouncing breasts as the horse trotted beneath her, before looking away.
No.
He would not compliment her riding nor her appearance mounted astride the great beast. He would give her ego no more fodder than it already possessed. He answered her question curtly.

“Should we fail to procure suitable accommodation before nightfall, we shall set up tents and sleep beneath the stars, taking shifts at guarding the perimeters.”

He expected her to turn her nose up haughtily at the very idea of sleeping upon the ground, but to his surprise and reluctant admiration, she simply nodded. Before he could award her a compliment for her silent endurance, she stated offhandedly, “Whatever accommodation is afforded my aching rump is acceptable. I find the mounting upon this beast, the width in specific, not pleasing at all.”

With that curt statement, she wheeled her horse and raced back to her place. Eris could not hold back a retort. He threw it over his shoulders. “It would be my pleasure to reward your hardship with a more pleasing mounting
and
ride
every night.
”

Her responding laughter brought a smile to his lips. The image that followed, him mounting Kyra in every imaginable position, broadened his smile. She was a persistent and outspoken little imp, but between one haughty response and another, his body was powerless against the allure of her curves. He could happily endure her scalding tongue by day and placate his ravaged ears with her sweet moans and soft sighs by night. His cock stirred. He placed his hand beneath the chiton, the tunic reaching midthigh, and adjusted his swollen apparatus. He looked forward to appeasing his eager lance as soon as the stars lit the sky.

* * * *

The place they eventually rode into less than an exhausting hour later was not a great deal more luxuriant then lying upon the bare ground. In fact, by the looks they received as they passed idle vagrants lounging in the dark shadows, it appeared a whole lot less safe. To make matters worse, the sun had been speedy in its retreat, shrouding the place immediately in darkness. Kyra shivered and drew closer to the girl beside her as they approached the entrance of what appeared to be a rundown lodging house. A great portion of the structure before them seemed to have long since been destroyed, and it had never been repaired. Dark patches of mold clung to the outer walls, and overgrown weeds crept along the edges. She sat motionless in her seat as Eris dismounted. She could hear his low cursing beneath his breath. Looking around her anxiously, Kyra could feel many eyes watching her, hungry eyes. The girl beside her appeared to be just as uncomfortable.

Eris left his horse in the care of his commander in arms and approached the women. Clutching Kyra firmly around the waist he helped her dismount and whispered. “Keep your head low and remain silent.”

Kyra felt no compulsion to argue with him. She clung to her horse for support against her weak knees as he helped Clarisse down as well. Thankfully he noticed Kyra’s ungainly steps as she left the support of her mount. His hand darted out quickly to prevent her falling. As they proceeded with extreme caution up the unsteady stairs, Eris shouted out orders to his men. They were to house and see to the horses before seeing to their own accommodations. Kyra did not miss the fact that he said nothing of
his
accommodation.

Eris did not argue the price for a room. By the way he shadowed Kyra with his great height, it was apparent he was eager to get Kyra out of eyesight. Paying with a single gold coin, he procured a single room with an attached half chamber. He remained adamant in his choice of the room, against the suggestions made for a more comfortable abode. Kyra quickly noticed the room he finally settled on was situated at the corner. No rooms sandwiched it on either side. The keeper, a portly bald-headed man with more teeth missing than present, smiled way too much. Kyra surmised he had perhaps a great deal more missing from his head than just hair and teeth. She hurried into the dark room, and Clarisse followed quickly.

Eris entered only long enough to light the lamp attached to the wall from the torch he carried before inspecting the room thoroughly. He paused a moment at the window before drawing the dirty curtains shut. Thankfully, a cooling breeze still drifted through the dirt-stiffened material, dispensing of the lingered stench of damp and rot. “I will send up your bags, and more torches for lighting. I believe there is a bathing chamber available, but I would prefer you bathe in the sanctity of this chamber while I peruse those facilities in the interim. I shall have a tub sent up with hot water. Preferably, dining should also be restricted to these quarters.”

He reached into the inner folds of his apparel and pulled out a string. Attached at the end was a miniature hourglass. He handed the hourglass to Kyra. “Bathe and refresh yourself. I shall return within the hour, and we shall dine together.”

As he crossed the dirty floor toward the door, Kyra found her voice. “Where shall you bed this night?”

Eris turned back. A cheeky grin lifted the corner of his lips. “Right here, unless you possess the courage of sleeping alone tonight.”

Kyra’s eyes widened. “Here. I shall be fine with Clarisse. Will we not, Clarisse?”

He moved back into the chamber as the bags were hefted in by slaves. He waited until they had cleared the room before responding, “You may not be aware what this place is, but I know all too well. This is a village housing the outcasts and criminals, thieves and poachers. The first thing of value they would pursue would be the abduction of two young, fresh females. There is always a demand for fresh flesh in harems.” He eyed her from head to foot. “And you would fetch a small fortune.”

Kyra sputtered, “We could leave this place. I mind not the cold ground at my back this night.”

Eris shook his head. “It is too late for that. They would expect us to set up camp and seek it out. Fending ourselves there would be more difficult then here. We remain, but with caution.”

Kyra frowned but found no reasonable explanation to deny him access. He saw the indecision of her face and warned her, “This is no game, Kyra. The men out there are dangerous. They would stoop to anything in order to gain coin. And bear in mind more than one could be ambassadors of the immortal Cronus. I can protect you only if I am aware of your whereabouts and you remain within reach. Deliberately disregard my warning and I am useless to you. Do not venture out of this chamber.”

Finally Kyra slumped down on the bed. There was no denying he had scared her. Being a mistress to some man’s harem held little appeal for her. She nodded mutely.

Eris grinned once again. “Allow no one entrance but
me
.”

His words resonated in her head as he strode out, shutting the door firmly behind him. It sounded very much like a double-edged sword. Kyra sighed. The emphasis he placed on himself did not go unnoticed. He was beginning to show signs of possessiveness. Kyra was not sure she liked it at all.

* * * *

Eris felt much better after a quick dip in the bathing chamber. The water had not been satisfyingly hot, but at least it had been clean. The wine he gulped down was of equally poor standard, watered down to almost clear in color. But despite all this he felt energized and excited.

He had clearly seen Kyra’s level of discomfort as they had entered the ramshackle site, despite the lack of adequate lighting. He had had an overpowering urge to plow his fist into the face of the scout he had sent out. Obviously the man had given little regard to the fact that among their cargo lay precious females. But on a positive note, he intended on using this unexpected turn of events to his advantage. And he was going to relish every moment of doing so.

He studied the closed door before him. The adjoining chamber would take care of the unwanted presence of the slave girl. Then he would have Kyra all to himself for the remainder of the night. His shaft swelled in anticipation as he heard the lock give way.

Clarisse moved back to her duties after she opened the door. Eris stood rooted to the spot. His voice left him, tight and strained. “Is the hourglass not in working order?”

Kyra sighed. “I believe it should be, however, I found no occasion to peruse it.” She half turned to glance at him over her shoulder. “The open door allows in unwelcome coolness.”

Eris shut the door quickly and leaned against it. He could not stop staring at the figure before him. Bright light shimmered off her nude body as she lay half submerged in the tub. Her back, slender and smooth, glistened with dewy droplets of moisture. Eris smiled. “I believe, be my life short or long, this is an image I shall not be easily forget.”

Kyra hissed from her position in the tub, “And be your memory fond or not remains to be seen.”

Eris pushed away from the door and strode around the tub. The water was not deep enough to cover her breasts, and her nipples stood proud and erect, attesting either to the cold or arousal. Clarisse continued to hold her hair away from the tub edge and ran a brush over her drying hair. Eris stared at her face. Unobstructed by her hair, her face was clear, soft—beguiling. He cocked his head to the side and admired her delicately darkened nipples. They puckered deliciously under his perusal. He whispered, “The image has already lodged itself within the ‘fond memories’ category, and definitely unforgettable.”

Kyra grimaced. “Enjoy all you will as there is little I can do at present.”

It took Eris a moment to recognize the strain in her voice. His brows drew together in consternation. “What is the matter, Kyra?”

Kyra lowered her head and mumbled. Eris leaned forward, straining to catch her words. Not getting a single word, he inquired, “In order to hear you, I would have to dive right in there with you.”

Kyra’s head came up with a snap. Her eyes shot sparks of annoyance at him. “I left the tub not, because I could not.”

Eris drew back at her furious shout. He assessed her closely. What appeared visible to his eyes remained perfectly formed and more importantly appeared in perfect functioning order. The cause of her disgruntlement must then lie obstructed from his view, beneath the surface of the water. His features lightened, and a broad smile lit his face. He clicked his finger loudly and addressed the lingering serf. “Leave us.”

Clarisse sprang up and darted into the adjoining room, banging the door in her haste. Kyra scowled at him. “Need you be so harsh? Clarisse is but a slip of a girl.”

Eris shrugged. He wandered over to the low table that had been set at the corner. Arranging an assortment of the little variety of foods available from the table on a platter, he returned to the tub. He sat on the edge. “Before you can move you will have to be treated and massaged. But before even that you must be fed.” He held a slice of chicken to her lips.

Kyra drew her head back. “My arms function perfectly. There is no need for your assistance in my feeding.”

Eris’s hand never wavered. “As does your mouth apparently, never the less…”

The first morsel Kyra accepted set her belly rumbling. She blushed as she wolfed down the offering. Eris fed her tiny bits, making sure to dip the dry bread in the watery gravy. The chicken was not tender or juicy, so he fed her tiny bits at a time. He ate with her as well, but he offered her the best the platter had on meager display. Finally the platter lay bare, and Kyra sighed and leaned back blissfully. “Is there nothing with which to wash down this fare?”