My hands clenched on his skin, holding him to me, as I caught my first glimpse of what made a man male. Robyn was very male. Very magnificent. Long and elegant. The sight of him stole all my reason. My hands wandered down, of their own volition, and slid beneath the water. Robyn tensed, holding himself very still. My fingertips edged over the bones of his hips; a light graze, a circling rub. Then my hands came closer together, to the very center of him. I brushed the hair surrounding his shaft and Robyn's breathing hitched. Then his hands shot to mine and held me still. Robyn slowly, so slowly, pulled them back up his chest, to safer skin, as if it pained him greatly to do so.
“Adelysia,” Robyn turned his head towards mine, and I couldn't deny that unspoken request.
I placed my mouth to his gently and pressed. A chaste kiss. The only type I'd ever enjoyed. But Robyn rubbed his lips against mine, teasing me until I parted my lips. Then his tongue darted inside. I tensed, wondering what he would taste like. Rotten or minty? He was neither; he simply tasted of Robyn. There was no other description for it. And I wanted more. I opened further to him, and Robyn plundered my mouth like he would a treasure trove, searching through every corner to find hidden delights. But then the thief gave back as much as he took, luring my tongue into his mouth.
Under my fingers, Robyn's skin felt luxurious with the silky layer of soap over it. I couldn't stop touching him. I rubbed him with long strokes, my hands sliding across his chest, and up his neck. Robyn's breath started to grow labored, and finally, he pulled away from my kiss, holding my questing hands tight.
“Addy, you need to leave before I dishonor us both,” his eyes were wide and panicked. “Please!”
“Of course,” I whispered and stumbled to my feet, shocked at my behavior.
I fled Robyn's room, slamming the door behind me. Then I leaned against it, panting. I caught a look at myself in the full-length mirror across the bedroom and gasped. The front of my dress was soaked through, and my nipples were clearly outlined, my face was flushed, my arms soapy, and my hair was wild about me. I bit at my swollen lips and closed my eyes, remembering the kiss we'd just shared.
Suddenly, my wedding seemed too far away.
Chapter Ten
It turned out that my wedding wasn't far away at all. During the course of the celebration feast, it was decided that it would be held in three days. Announcements would be made, but it would be kept a rather small, private ceremony. Only a few hundred of our closest friends and family. I nearly rolled my eyes. And, of course, our entire kingdom would be celebrating outside the castle walls. Wedding feast delicacies would be passed out to our people in an effort to include them in the festivities.
I was sitting at the high table, surrounded by my fiances, when my father had informed us about the date of our own nuptials. He had already spoken to the priest, who may have been shocked, but was willing to do anything to pacify his king. My mother had pulled some of her treasured silks out of storage, and my wedding dress would be started the very next day. My grooms would have to go through a similar torture of being measured, not only for their wedding clothes, but for a whole new wardrobe befitting princes. Bayard started laughing at the faces his sons were making until he was informed that he too, would have to submit to this process. He needed to look the part of a baron. Bayard grimaced, muttering something about a mermaid and a simple life.
I had been escorted down to dinner by all four of the brothers. They had been waiting patiently outside of my room when I opened my door. I had smiled at them all, but could barely look at Robyn without blushing. What had he done to take care of the ache I'd left him with? The images I kept coming up with made my legs clench.
“Are you alright?” Arnet asked me. He was seated to my left, with Barret on my right. A perk for having received the lower bedrooms.
“I'm fine,” I gave him a shaky smile.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he took my hand and kissed the top of it. Arnet's lips lingered on my skin, and his eyes sought mine. As hard as the rest of him was, Arnet's eyes were a contrast. A soft shade of green, like moss on the forest floor. “Your face is flushed a pretty shade of pink,” he observed wryly.
“Oh,” I cleared my throat and looked away.
“Here,” Arnet poured me some wine. “Maybe this will help.”
I thanked him and drank it down quickly, then cursed. My head spun, and I closed my eyes. Alcohol, nerves, and sexual frustration didn't mix well. Barret steadied me, his warm hands going to my upper and lower arm simultaneously. I felt a shock from his touch that set my legs to trembling. Now that Robyn had opened the door to these tremulous sensations, it seemed that none of the brothers could touch me without making me feel desire. What was I turning into?
I stood abruptly, and the men all followed suit.
“I'm sorry, it's a little too warm in here for me,” I waved them off. “I just need some air.”
“Allow at least one of us to accompany you,” Barret said in concern.
“Would you care to do some stargazing, Princess,” Hugin offered.
I looked over his earnest expression and nodded. Here was a nice, non-threatening, non-sexual diversion. It was exactly what I needed.
I took Hugin down one of the passages which led to the inner gardens. This particular garden was one of my favorite places, and was often empty. That night was no exception; we had the entire enclosure to ourselves. I breathed deep of the clean air, scented lightly with the perfume of night-blooming flowers, and leaned my head back. The moon was high above the little sanctuary. It cast silver light over sleeping flowers and made the surface of the gazing pool into a mirror. Hugin trailed his fingers through the water, making our reflections waver. I looked up at him, and he smiled.
“Why don't we sit down?” Hugin gestured to a little stone bench. I took a seat, and he joined me. “Do you want to tell me what's wrong?”
“It's...” I shook my head and started again. “I'm feeling a bit...”
“Overwhelmed?” Hugin asked softly. “All of this, it's happening so fast, isn't it? Do you want me to speak to your father about postponing the wedding?”
“No,” I answered quickly, and he smiled. I flushed and looked away. “I mean, it's just nervousness. I suppose any bride would be nervous.”
“So it has nothing to do with your bathing Robyn?”
I jerked back around to face him, my mouth falling open, and my face flushing as he chuckled.
