“No one has to know.”
Flushed, she whispered, “Mage Marna can see my aura. She can tell that kind of thing.”
“So tell her Trei was the one who fucked you senseless. She’ll be pleased.” His hand grew more insistent between her legs as his thumb pressed on the outside of her undergarments. She found herself falling speechless. The sensations that his touch was stirring in her were impossible to ignore. A tingle spread throughout her lower half, making her hips squirm.
She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the damp wall. He dipped a finger between the hem of her undergarments and her skin, stroking her core. She let out a cry, and he pressed a hand against her mouth.
“Shh.” He jerked his head in the direction of the guards.
With his hand still pressed over her mouth, she nodded. He licked his lips, a fevered look in his eye. He started moving his hand again, filling her with starbursts of need.
“Undo my trousers,” he ordered.
She found herself unbuckling his belt as though her hands weren’t her own. She knew this was wrong. She’d made a vow to another man. A good man. His brother! But Trei could never fill her with pleasure as Rangar could.
As his hand moved faster over her tight, wet core, he leaned in to replace his hand over her mouth with his lips.
Then, suddenly, they heard footsteps and a sharp intake of breath.
Bryn froze. Rangar stilled, his hands still plunged under her skirt. Slowly, terrified, Bryn turned her head.
Mage Marna stood in the bathhouse with the curtained doorway open, the soldiers behind her. Their eyes were wide as they took in the scandalous scene—not even trained soldiers could hide their shock.
Instantly, the mage turned to the soldiers. She made a quick hand gesture in the air and muttered a spell. “You didn’t seeanything.”
The two soldiers blinked as though slightly dazed.
“Didn’t see anything,” they repeated.
Mage Marna whirled back on Bryn and Rangar. Bryn quickly moved her hands away from Rangar’s belt, and he pulled his hand out from under her skirt. His aunt grabbed his shoulder, giving him a good shake.
“Are youmad? Don’t you see what you’re doing? Are you trying to tear the Eyrie apart?”
He stepped back from Bryn, but there was no remorse in his eyes. He gave a harsh laugh. “What did you expect from me?”
“I expected you to grow up and be a man. To put your duty above your cock. But I see you’re still just some lustful boy who can’t keep his hands to himself.” She lifted her chin. “Well, then, I suppose I’ll have to make you.”
Bryn pressed her hands to her mouth. “Mage Marna, please, we weren’t going to—”
The mage signaled to the guards sharply. “Take Lady Bryn back to Trei. Speak nothing of this to anyone.”
Flushed with guilt, Bryn didn’t move. She wasn’t about to leave Rangar to face his aunt on his own. He might be strong, but her magic was far more powerful than his muscles.
Bryn pleaded, “No, I’m just as guilty as him.”
Mage Marna gave her a stern look. “Youarranged this rendezvous? Somehow, I doubt that.”
Bryn swallowed, feeling sweat run down her temples.
Rangar jerked his chin toward the guards. “Go, Bryn. It’s all right. I can handle my aunt.”
Uncertain, Bryn asked the mage, “What will you do to him?”
“I won’t hurt him,” Mage Marna said with a bit less rancor. “I won’t throw him in the dungeon.Yet. I’ll just make sure he keeps his hands to himself from now on.”
Bryn blanched, but she felt a soldier press a heavy hand on her shoulder. Rangar nodded to her, his face unreadable, and she had no choice but to leave him with his aunt.
Chapter
