It didn’t take long for either of them. Just as Alden was gritting his teeth, thinking of horrible things like boils and pustules in order to not leave Mercy behind, she arched back, her muscles gripping him in ripplingwaves that ensured that even the most repulsive thoughts couldn’t stop his orgasm. He jerked his hands down, snapping the yarn, and holding on to her hips as he pistoned, his mind and body one with the effort to pour himself into her.
When she collapsed down onto him, slick with perspiration and the body oil, he peeled off the wrist restraints, and wrapped his arms around her, capturing the wild beating of her heart against his chest, where his own raced madly.
“You are mine forever,” he murmured, kissing her forehead and eyes and cheeks and that adorable little chin. “I love you, and I’m never letting you go.”
“That’s fine with me—wait, what?” She pushed herself back just enough to see him. “Did you say what I thought you said?”
“Yes.” He pulled her back down to where she belonged, next to his heart. “Go to sleep. I plan on waking you up in the middle of the night and tyingyourhands to the headboard.”
She giggled against him as he rolled onto his side, wiggling until she was comfortably smooshed up against him. “I don’t suppose you’d like to repeat that?”
“Certainly. Go to sleep.”
She disengaged one hand and pinched him on the nipple. He swatted her behind, immediately followed by a caress. “That isn’t what I meant, and you know it.”
“I know, but I’m a man. We have to sleep after sex.”
“That’s the biggest cop-out in the world. Say it.”
He sighed, ruffling the hair on the top of her head. “Fine, but this is cutting into the time I will need to make you squirm with utter delight. I love you, my sweetMercy. You make me feel like a different man, a better man. You make me happy. You delight me on every level. Now go to sleep so I can show you later just how much I love you. You do have more yarn, yes?”
“Lots.”
“Good. We’re going to need it.” He kissed the top of her head, allowing exhaustion to claim him.
Chapter 18
Fight Knight was in full swing by the time I made it out to Bestwood’s garden.
Yellow police tape had been placed ten feet beyond the perimeter of the ruins, bolstered by hay bales, and tall orange traffic cones. Periodically along the yellow tape, signs that Alden and I had written warned visitors that they were straying into off-limits territory.
I turned my back to the black shell of the house, feeling that was something I couldn’t cope with when the world lay out before me like a glittering, wonderful map of everything good and happy and sexy.
Approximately a hundred and twenty people milled around the garden, a good number of them in plate armor, while the others (mostly women) trotted around with various bits of plate and weaponry in their hands. The main list had been set up where Vandal’s lessonring had been, with an assortment of lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers set up three rows deep around the edges. There were some children running around, but not as many as I’d expected. I speculated that they were left at home because of the potential injuries that might result from the fighting.
I waved at Alec when he passed by carrying two tubs of armor, smiled and greeted people who’d taken my classes and who were competing, and dodged my way around various men and women who were getting geared up for the various melee fights.
“Morning, Mercy. You look... good.”
I stopped when Fenice called to me from the stables.
“Thanks. I feel good.” I tried not to beam my happy “Alden loves me! Alden loves me!” vibes to everyone, feeling it would come across as unbearably smug.
But I hugged myself with the knowledge nonetheless. I was loved, really and truly loved. Not by a geeky kid in university, but well and properly loved by a man.
I loved Alden, and he loved me, and everything was going to be jim-dandy fine.
“Is something going on?” Fenice asked, giving me an odd look as I did a happy little twirl in my now somewhat ratty blue dress. I’d cleaned it up as best I could for the big event, since I felt it was my lucky dress. At least it felt lucky to me, and that’s what luck was all about. “Is something... you’re not... are you pregnant? I swear you’re glowing.”
“Not pregnant,” I said with a laugh, and did another twirl before giving Fenice a big hug. “Just in love.”
“Oh, that.” She rolled her eyes, and handed me the heavy canvas bag that held her backup bow, the one I’dbe using in my classes. “I’m glad you and Alden are happy, but are you going to be able to focus? The team competition is in twenty minutes, and since you’re the only one on our team, it’s vital you’re ready to go. You can be spacey this afternoon, for the individual competition.”
“I’ll focus, I’ll focus. Promise. Just one more twirl, and then I’ll go warm up.”
“No twirls. Twirls are forbidden at Fight Knight unless you are a ninja. Go warm up.” She pointed to the two archery butts that were designated for practice.
“Can I skip there, humming ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah’?”
