TheRedKing (10 page)

“Areus,” she breathed against his swollen crown. The air felt
cool against his saliva-slicked cock and he wanted it either in her mouth or in
her pussy, but she wasn’t finished.

She kissed his thighs and knees. When she reached his feet, she
kissed those too.

Opening one eye, he looked at her, wondering if she still
found his feet amusing. She glanced up at him, smiling, but with passion
burning in her eyes. He couldn’t wait a second longer.

Areus grasped her waist and pressed her onto the bed,
covering her body with his, he kissed her shoulders and neck.

“I want you so much, Delia.”

“Please take me, Areus. I want you inside me again. Please.”

He didn’t hesitate, but filled her drenched pussy with a
long, slow thrust. His hands braced on either side of her head, he pumped into
her while kissing her. Her tongue met his, tasting him, and her legs—quite
strong for her size—wrapped around his waist.

Areus slowed his motions a bit. He wanted to come, but not
without pleasing her first. She had done so much to make him happy tonight and
she deserved all the pleasure he could give her.

She was obviously as aroused as he was because it didn’t
take long for her breathing to quicken and her pussy to convulse around him.

Areus could hold back no longer. He thrust hard and fast and
within seconds he burst in a powerful climax. Perspiring, his breathing ragged,
he lay on top of her for a moment, then shifted to the side to avoid crushing
her.

Sighing, Delia cuddled close to him. The scent of her hair
and the softness of her body were the last things he recalled before drifting
into a deep, contented sleep.

* * * * *

The next morning when Areus woke it was still dark. Seth had
warned him not to return to heavy training until his wound had healed better, but
he needed some exercise. He would join his men on the field at the very least
for mounted drills. Later that morning, he had meetings with his advisors and
his other daily duties to fulfill.

He glanced at Delia who still slept peacefully beside him.
His hand hovered over her hair, but he didn’t touch her, not wanting to disturb
her. After leaving the bed, he stoked the fire so it would be warm when she
woke, then he went to his room and opened the door to summon a servant from the
corridor.

A short time later, he’d washed and dressed in a simple
tunic and breeches, similar to the uniform of his guards. At the stable, he
dismissed the groom and brushed his horse personally. Not only was grooming a
pleasant warm-up for more vigorous activity, but he liked caring for his own
animal. From the moment he’d seen Cosmo, Areus had been drawn to the
magnificent blood bay. As a colt, he’d been as fiery as his coat was red, but
with patience and a firm but caring hand, Areus had tamed him. The stallion was
almost perfect, steady in battle with admirable strength and stamina.

He was about to saddle his horse when Rain entered the
stable, his tawny dogs beside him.

“How’s the wound?” Rain asked.

“Improved. You’re heading to Travelle?”

Rain nodded. “I’ll return as quickly as possible, hopefully
with reinforcements.”

“Whatever happens, you have our thanks for all you’ve done.”
Areus extended his hand to Rain. They clasped each other’s forearms.

“Mahir is a wise man. He knows the danger here. I’ll make
sure he realizes the urgency.”

“A safe journey, Rain.”

The Knight nodded and headed toward his horse’s stall.

Areus and Cosmo were among the first on the training field
that morning. Etor was already there and approached Areus. They rode the
perimeter of the field together, then joined the drills.

Areus enjoyed the exercise so much that he decided to
participate in some hand-to-hand combat. He dismounted, drew his sword and
chose a guard to spar with. Soon he was so involved in the mock battle that he
forgot completely about his wound. Combat practice always helped clear his
mind.

The sun rose higher in the sky and the clash of steel echoed
in his ears.

It was going to be a good day.

* * * * *

Delia sat on the stool at her dressing table while Echo
braided her hair. It was just after dawn, but she hadn’t been surprised to find
Areus had already gone to start his day. He had said he usually woke early and
was eager to train again. With his energy, she didn’t doubt it, but she hoped
he used good sense and didn’t overexert himself. His wound, though not terribly
serious, was still fairly new and susceptible to infection.

“Would you like to eat your morning meal here?” Echo asked.

“No, I’ll go down to the hall. I want to talk to Alexa and
then spend more time helping Seth.”

“He’s an odd man, isn’t he?”

“Seth?” Delia smiled. “Yes, a bit.”

“But he’s not without a certain rough charm,” Echo ventured.

Delia glanced at her maid’s reflection in the glass. The
woman focused on braiding, but something in her expression told Delia she had
more than a passing interest in the chief healer.

“I suppose he does,” Delia said.

“He’s not bad-looking, either, for an older man that is.”

“He’s not
that
old.”

“The king is younger.”

“Yes.”

“Not that I’m comparing him to the king.”

“Echo, we’ve been together long enough for you not to pander
to me.”

“Life at the convent was different, wasn’t it? Here, you’re
the queen.”

“And in this chamber I’m your friend. Not just in this
chamber, but—”

“We must keep at least some pretense…out there. And in the
infirmary, of course.”

Delia smiled again. “We’ll just see how that goes.”

When Echo finished with her hair, Delia went to the great
hall. The maid said she would stay to tidy the chamber.

“Feel free to use any of my perfumes,” Delia added before
she left.

“Ma’am?”

“You’ll want to smell nice when we go to help at the
infirmary.”

Echo smiled. “Thank you.”

On her way to the great hall, Delia paused before a bend in
the corridor to adjust her stocking and heard voices.

“It’s true that if she doesn’t give him an heir after one
year, he can call the marriage off.”

“I doubt it. Not the way he looks at her.”

Delia’s brow furrowed. They were discussing her and Areus.
She glanced around the corner and saw two maids. A short, plump one dusted the
frames of several paintings while a slim, younger girl swept the stone floor. Delia
drew back and continued listening, unseen.

“Yes, he’s taken with her all right, but she’s new. All
bulls are eager when they see a new cow.”

Anger flared through Delia. How dare these wenches talk
about her like this? She nearly stepped into view, but reined in her temper to
hear what else they had to say.

“Shh! Are you mad talking like that?”

“It’s true. I mean no insult to the queen. She seems a
decent sort, actually, but I’ve been here longer than you. I know the size of
the king’s appetite, and I don’t mean for food, though according to the kitchen
staff he’s been known to eat like a man twice his size.”

“He spends much time on the training field. He’s still young
and quite hearty.”

“Aye. He does work from dawn to dusk, as hard any man—harder
than many.”

“But getting back to his appetite?”

“Up until not long before his wedding, one of the castle
servants, Melita, was rumored to slip into his chamber by night. She left the
castle last month and I heard she now owns a thriving inn in the outskirts of a
village on our northern border.”

“She could have saved for it, or inherited it. Many folk
have relatives who own inns.”

“This is a new inn and people say that when you spend the night
there, you can have more than just an empty bed, if you get my meaning. Melita
had a reputation for having a healthy appetite herself. The king, especially in
his early days, wasn’t known to turn away from pretty ladies—or even not-so-pretty
ladies. As you said, he’s quite hearty. He’s much like his father in that way.
The old King Damon was a great warrior as well, and from what I hear an
enthusiastic lover.”

“You really shouldn’t talk like that.”

“I know,” the more talkative maid finally lowered her voice
so much that Delia strained to hear. “If the king is like his father, there’s a
good chance his affection for Queen Delia will last. The old king loved his
wife quite passionately. When Hippolytos of Zaltana abducted her, the two
nearly destroyed each other and both kingdoms in a battle over her. Finally Hippolytos
relented and sent Queen Cosma back. During her captivity, she had given birth
to Areus. She was a lovely woman, the queen, but never quite right again after
her abduction. She loved Areus fiercely and only trusted Alexa to care for him.
Alexa had served the queen since before her marriage. Sadly, the queen’s mind
cracked and she was sent to the country to recover. The convent where she was
staying burned down with her in it. Some say she started the fire. No one will
ever know for sure. The old king was devastated, as was Areus. He was just a
young boy when it happened.”

Delia’s heart ached for Areus and his parents. She had asked
him about his mother, but he hadn’t elaborated so she hadn’t approached the
subject again.

“I hope he and the new queen will stay happy,” said the
younger maid. “He’s not like other royals I’ve known and before coming here I
worked in two other households.”

“I worked in a few before this castle and you’re right. Few
men are like him and I like her as well. Truth is, I’d expected her to flounce
in here all snooty and superior.”

“She’d have the right.”

“True, but she doesn’t seem to be like that. I heard her
talking about the sisters at the convent and during the morning meal Seth went
on and on about what a fine apprentice healer she is.”

Apprentice healer! Delia wasn’t sure whether to be angry or
amused. Maybe she shouldn’t allow her pride to cloud her vision. He was, after
all, seasoned on the battlefield. She hadn’t seen as much suffering as he had,
so she could learn a great deal from him.

The older maid continued, “If King Areus goes back to his
wild ways in the bedchamber and hurts her, I’ll lose a measure of respect for
him.”

“But he’s just a man. You know how they are, especially in
the bedchamber.”

“True, but we’ve just gone on about how he’s better than
most men, haven’t we?”

They fell silent and continued their work.

Delia cleared her throat and stepped around the corner.

“Your Majesty,” said both women together and bowed to her.

Delia nodded to them as she passed and ascended the stairs. Their
words had certainly given her proverbial food for thought.

Delia and Seth were already at work arranging the storage
shelves in the infirmary when Echo arrived. The maid had fixed her hair
differently, a bit softer than usual.

Seth glanced at the girl and said, “You’re here too. Well, I
guess we can use the help.”

“Just tell me what to do.” Echo approached, gazing at him
with her doe-like eyes.

Seth scarcely seemed to notice her, but brushed past her as
he strode to the table.

Delia and Echo exchanged glances and Delia shrugged.

“Come here, girl, and grind these herbs,” Seth ordered.

“Her name is Echo,” Delia offered.

“Fine. As long as she works hard, her name doesn’t matter.”

Echo’s brow furrowed. “Did you not sleep well, sir?”

“I never sleep well,” Seth growled. “There’s too much to do
around here. If you’re going to talk, then…ah…ah…choo!” He turned his head away
from Echo and sneezed.

At least he has manners enough to do that much,
Delia
thought.

“As I said, girl, if you’re going to ta…ta…achoo!” He rubbed
his arm over his nose. Then he narrowed his eyes in Echo’s direction. “What is
that?”

“What?” she asked, dumfounded.

“That smell. It’s roses. Are you wearing perfume?”

“Well, yes.” Poor Echo. Her face turned scarlet.

“Get out.”

“Seth,” Delia said softly. “I hardly think—”

“I’m allergic to roses. Girl, get out of this infirmary
immediately. Now. Now!”

Echo looked furious, humiliated and deeply hurt before she turned
and rushed out.

Anger flared through Delia and she glared at Seth. “That was
incredibly rude.”

“And she is incredibly stupid, wearing all that perfume into
an infirmary. We have sick people here.”

“You have two injured men, neither of whom complained about
her scent.”

“I am highly allergic to—”

“Yes. I understand. Neither Echo nor I will ever wear rose
around you again, but the way you spoke to her just now was…it was cruel.”

“I’m too busy to worry about whether I offend a servant.”

“She’s not just a servant. She’s my friend and regardless
you shouldn’t talk to anyone like that.”

“You might be the queen, but here in this infirmary, my word
is—”

“If you dare say law, it might be construed as treason.
Remember that.”

“I’m not the law, of course,” Seth said, a bit calmer. “It’s
just that you have no idea what roses do to me.”

“And you have no idea what you’ve just done to Echo. Can’t
you see she only tried to look and smell nice to impress you?”

Seth looked genuinely taken aback. “That’s impossible.”

His answer surprised Delia. “Why?”

“Because no women want to impress me.”

Delia nearly laughed, but decided that particular reaction
would be inappropriate, considering the seriousness of Seth’s expression.

“Well, that woman does and you treated her terribly.”

Seth sighed deeply. He nodded to Delia and strode toward the
archway leading out of the storage room.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I need some air.”

“She’s probably in the courtyard,” Delia called to him. “She
likes the garden just outside the kitchen.”

Seth glanced at her over his shoulder, both surprised and
annoyed. “Do you read people’s thoughts?”

“No, but usually I’m a good judge of character.”

Seth left the infirmary and Delia checked on the two men
resting in their cots. The wine merchant hesitated before taking the water she
offered him.

“It’s not right for you to be serving me, ma’am,” he said.

“I’m here to help,” Delia replied. “Now drink.”

He sipped the water then relaxed.

When she’d finished with the patients, she returned to the
storage room and continued arranging containers and rolling bandages.

“Come on, you clumsy ox. Why is it always the heaviest ones
who fall unconscious?” Etor said in a strained voice.

Delia stood and glanced through the archway toward the
entrance to the infirmary where Etor and Areus struggled to support a hulking
young warrior. Blood streaked the man’s face and his rubbery legs proved that
he had either just revived from unconsciousness or was about to black out.

“What happened?” Delia demanded.

“The clumsy oaf and his horse crashed into a wagonload of
chickens.”

“Put him on that cot.” Delia pointed to the one nearest the
men.

“I’ve got his body.” Etor grunted, grasping the hulk beneath
his arms.

Areus gripped the man’s ankles and they dumped him onto the cot.

Delia brushed past Etor to examine the man’s head. “He was
knocked unconscious?”

“No ma’am. He fainted,” Etor said with a twisted smile. “His
head wound isn’t bad. Just a little cut.”

She noticed that he was right. A stitch or two would stop
the bleeding.

“It’s his leg. A piece of wood from the wagon was wedged in
it. Sol is strong in battle, but he’s squeamish as a woman when it comes to
most wounds. He can inflict them quite well, but on himself—”

Areus curled his lip and shook his head. “Humiliating.”

“Not everyone has the strength to ride to his own wedding
with half his guts hanging out,” Delia said, glancing at Areus from the corner
of her eye as she moved lower to inspect the leg wound. The men had already
bound it tightly on the field, but no sooner had she glanced at it than she
realized she’d need assistance.

“Etor, will you ask Seth to come back? He should be in the
kitchen garden.”

The guard nodded and left quickly.

“Areus, bring me towels and more bandages from the storage
room.”

His brow furrowed. “How bad is it?”

“This man should have been brought here directly so that Seth
could remove the wood. You did even more damage by unceremoniously pulling it
out.”

“It wasn’t me. By the time I got to the wagon, it was
already done. I know it should have been left to someone more experienced.”

“Was anyone else hurt?”

“Just some chickens. I think several dozen are now roosting
in the towers. There was shit and feathers everywhere. It will take a good
rainstorm to clean that filth out of the courtyard.”

If she hadn’t been so concerned about the soldier’s leg, she
would have laughed at Areus’s description, however he wasn’t smiling either.
She also noticed his hand was pressed to his wounded side.

“Have you been training all morning?” she demanded.

“It’s what I do, Delia.”

“Once this man is out of danger I want to examine you.”

“I’m fine. Haven’t felt this good in days.” By the
brightness of his eyes, she believed him. It was amazing that a morning on the training
field could make anyone look that happy.

“What’s going on here?” Seth growled, entering the infirmary
with Etor and Echo at his heels. He rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands
in a bowl of water resting on a nearby table. Glancing over his shoulder at Etor,
he said, “Bring more water. Echo, assist me.”

Delia stepped aside to let Seth and Echo work. The chief
healer asked Delia to prepare certain herbs. Since he only required one
assistant, Delia left Echo to it. Apparently she and Seth had made their peace.

“You, sir, sit there,” Delia said to Areus, pointing to a
bench.

“I told you I’m fine.”

“Let me judge that.” She was already helping him remove his
leather armor. He tugged up the sweat-dampened shirt beneath and she was glad
to see that he hadn’t bled through the bandages. That was a good sign. Still,
she unwrapped them, pleased that the stitches hadn’t torn and the wound was
healing well.

“You heal quickly,” she said.

“I told you I’m fine.” He pulled off his shirt and placed it
on his knee so that she could work. “The wound was just a little sore. Sol
weighs as much as his horse, the poor beast. The horse I mean.”

Delia chuckled and bound his middle with fresh bandages, as
the others were sweaty and a bit bloody on the underside since the wound still
oozed. Though she tried to be discreet since they were in the company of others,
she couldn’t help admiring his fine build yet again. She wondered if she’d ever
grow tired of doing that.

When she finished with his bandage, she rested a hand
against his chest, just over his heart. Their gazes met and the look in his
lively green eyes turned smoldering. Delia’s heartbeat quickened and beneath
her dress, her nipples tightened. She was glad for the heavy material, or else
everyone in the infirmary would see how her husband affected her.

Areus pulled on his shirt then brushed her mouth with a
kiss. “I have duties, but I’ll see you later.”

“Good day, sir.” She watched him walk to the door. He
glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled before leaving.

Just seeing him made her feel almost girlishly happy. If
only everything could stay like this, but she knew it was inevitable that
Zaltana would attack again. It was only a matter of time before her warrior
king returned to battle.

* * * * *

That afternoon, Delia took a respite from her duties to go
for a walk in the courtyard. She noticed Etor standing alone, reading a book
and munching an apple.

As she approached, he closed the book.

“Ma’am,” he said, bowing his head. “How can I assist you?”

“Forgive my interruption.”

“Not at all. I was just finishing the last chapter. I told
the head scribe I would have the book back in the library by the end of the
week.”

“You enjoy reading?”

“Very much. The castle library has a great collection. It
was Areus’s idea to allow everyone on the grounds access to it, even servants,
if they know how to read.”

“I’m afraid I haven’t been able to spend as much time in the
library as I’d hoped. There’s so much to do and learn here that I feel there
aren’t enough hours in the day.”

“You’re a perfect match for Areus for sure. The man rarely
sits still.”

“I rather wish he had waited longer before returning to the
training field. He’s a strong man, but his injury should have more time to
heal.”

“Trying to keep him down is like trying to keep a spirited
stallion from running. Areus must be at death’s door before he avoids the field
or any of his duties.”

“I think he loves the training field though,” she said with
a faint smile. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him look as happy as he did this
morning.”

Etor grinned. “I know the look you mean. Until recently, I’ve
seen it only when he engages in combat. Lately I’ve seen the same enthusiasm in
his eyes when he speaks of you.”

Delia blushed. She hoped Etor’s words were true.

“I probably shouldn’t have said that. Forgive me.” Again he
bowed his head.

“Not at all. It’s good to know he finds me as exciting as
the training field.”

“I’ll wager he finds you far more exciting—again no offense
intended.”

“None taken.”

“Speaking of the king, he approaches.”

She turned, following Etor’s gaze across the courtyard.
Areus strode toward them. He had changed from his dirty training clothes and now
wore black breeches and a black tunic trimmed with gold thread. His
reddish-blond hair, which had been in disarray when he’d entered the infirmary
earlier, was now combed as neatly as his curls would allow. Again she thought
how handsome he was, whether dressed in royal finery or the garb of a soldier.

“Sir.” Etor bowed his head to Areus. “I was taking a few
moments before our meeting this afternoon.”

Areus nodded. “At ease, Captain. It’s actually my wife I was
looking for.”

Delia glanced at Areus. “Is something wrong?”

“Not at all.”

“I have duties to attend to.” Etor excused himself, probably
to give them privacy.

Areus offered his hand and she slipped hers into it.

“You enjoy Captain Etor’s company,” he added coolly.

Was he jealous? Why would Areus be jealous of any man?

“He’s very pleasant,” Delia said. “We were actually
discussing you. I was expressing my concern for your injury—”

His brow furrowed. “I’m fine. The last thing I need is any
of my men, even a good friend such as Etor, to think I’m suffering any kind of
weakness. It would be bad enough if I was seriously injured.”

“As much as you like to pretend your wound is minor, I’ve
seen men with less care more for themselves.”

“Delia, I’m used to battle. If I had to take days off every
time I was sore or injured, I would never set foot on the field. If men must
sometimes hide their pain, then it’s doubly true for kings.”

“I understand, but—”

“Delia.” He smiled and squeezed her hand gently. “I’m
flattered by your concern, but it’s not necessary.”

“It might not be necessary and I will try not to reveal any
of your so-called weaknesses to anyone, but I can’t help how I feel.”

“Fair enough.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Is that why you were looking for me? To chastise me?”

“Not at all. I had a free hour and hoped you might want to
spend it with me. Would you like to visit the stables? You haven’t yet met my horse,
Cosmo.”

“Met?” She smiled.

“In battle a horse is a partner. A friend, not just a beast.
Since you expressed an interest in learning to ride, I thought you might like horses.”

“Yes, I like them very much. Alexa has been a very good riding
teacher.”

“She and my mother used to ride together often.”

Delia glanced at him. “I’ve been riding your mother’s horse.
I hope you don’t mind. Alexa said he’s good for an inexperienced rider.”

He smiled faintly. “Clive. He’s a good horse. Maybe we could
ride together one of these days?”

“I’d like that very much.”

“So would I. While I’m here.”

“While you’re here,” she murmured. He was right of course.
It was only a matter of time before he left to face Zaltana again.