His fingers replaced his tongue, once again going round and round where she’d become very slick. Her muscles clenched about him, trying to entice him to go deeper.
‘Put me where you want me,’ he rasped against her ear. ‘Now.’
She opened her thighs and placed him near the apex, knowing that she required him inside her. She lifted her hips, tugged at his shoulders and drove her hips upwards, seeking the relief she knew their joining would bring. ‘Here. Now. Please.’
‘Your wish is my command, my lady fair,’ he said against her hair.
He bucked forward and her body opened up to him. He filled her and then they rocked back and forth until her body became drenched with sweat. All the while the heat inside her kept growing until she trembled on a precipice.
‘I believe you were right,’ she gasped out.
‘Right about what?’
‘The perfect way to become warm is skin to skin with my husband.’
He laughed and nipped her chin. ‘Enough talking.’
His tongue entered her mouth, mimicking what was happening where they were joined.
He moved in her again and she gave herself up to the swirling maelstrom.
* * *
Much later, when the brazier had cooled, Rand looked up at the rafters. Svanna was snuggled into his chest.
Her skin was no longer clammy to the touch and a peacefulness had entered her sleep. He dared to hope that his overeager lovemaking on their wedding night had not ruined her after all. Her enthusiastic response gave him hope for the future.
He’d planned to take his time, make her beg for each new intimacy, but when she was ready and willing in his arms he’d found her impossible to resist, despite his earlier promises.
He stroked her hair and knew it would take a long time for his body to tire of her. But his protective feelings towards her alarmed him.
What the episode confirmed was what he had suspected after she’d helped to rescue Astrid from the burning building. Svanna had little regard for her own personal safety. She put duty before her own wishes. Despite her adorable confession that she intended to seduce him, he wanted to believe that their joining had more to it than simple duty.
‘I promised to protect you,’ he murmured against her hair. ‘My heart may be buried, but it doesn’t mean I want to see you harmed or to take crazy risks. As you appear unable or unwilling to, I promise to do all in my power to stop you in the future.’
She murmured something and snuggled closer to him. He chose to take that as agreement. He’d protect her from herself if necessary.
‘Our joining was more than duty for me.’ He tightened his arms about her. ‘I’ll work to ensure it means more to you.’
* * *
The sun sparkled on the puddle-strewn yard when Svanna emerged with Rand from the monastery. She knew they were later than Rand had planned, but he’d kept stealing kisses as she’d tried to dress. In the end, they’d returned to the tangled furs because Rand had proclaimed that the floodwaters needed to drop.
She might have succeeded at seduction and ensuring the blood alliance remained, but she was no closer to discovering why Turgeis had targeted them. Had he known she would be there or was it something else entirely? Until she knew that Agthir was in fact safe from Turgeis she had to press forward with trying to find answers. Once she knew why, then she’d begin subtly weaving the binding ties between Eire, Agthir and Islay. She would have to use all means at her disposal, and that meant ensuring Birdie was there to soften hearts.
‘Remaining still, despite how pleasant it may be, accomplishes nothing. To progress, one must move.’
Rand nipped her chin and said that he would defer to her wisdom on the matter.
‘I believe this will serve your lady well,’ the monk said, bowing to Rand and indicating a covered cart. ‘The abbot is currently using our best one.’
Svanna stared at the covered cart with its heavy wheels and knew it would not make it through any deep puddle, let alone thick mud. ‘Alas, I must decline. A horse will suit our purpose better.’
‘We’ve no horses suitable for a lady.’
‘I ride well,’ she said, daring Rand to gainsay her. ‘My lord Randolfr is anxious to return to his hall.’
‘From what I can recall, you were considered an excellent horsewoman in Agthir.’ Rand nodded. ‘My lady rides.’
