Page 57 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“Enough talking,” she told him, sitting down on his lap and putting her arms around his neck. “Kiss me, Orrick. I know you want to. Take me to your bed and make love to me properly. Not in a cave or on an old table this time.” She felt his body harden beneath her and realized he was excited. She was sure he was going to agree but, instead, he refused her.

“I would like to, but I need to find the boy.” He got up and put her on her feet.

“I understand. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I am so embarrassed.” She didn’t like the way she was feeling. It was a deep, dark feeling within her rising to the surface. It made her want to throw him down on the bed and ravish him, not caring if she even hurt him. What was the matter with her? It had to be the flame she’d stolen making her feel this way.

“Don’t be,” he told her, gently reaching out to cup her cheek. Her head leaned into his caress and her eyes closed. It felt so good to be touched by him again. She tried to push aside the lust and, instead, feel the attraction that she was sure could grow into love.

“Do you feel anything for me?” she asked, having to know the answer. “I mean something besides lust brought on by magic.”

“Aye, I think I do, Hope,” he said, kissing her lightly on the nose. “I suppose I am just being guarded because I don’t want to fall in love again and see my lover die, while I live on forever.”

“But – but I thought you are not immortal anymore since you are no longer the Keeper of the Flame. So what does it matter?”

“I’m not the Keeper right now, but I will be as soon as I get the boy to tell me where he hid the flame.”

“Orrick, just let him have it,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “What does it matter? Let’s spend some time together. We both want to.” She kissed him again, feeling his essence filling her pores, making her want him more than ever.

“I’m sorry,” he said, releasing her and walking over to a trunk and pulling out some clothing. “It’s my fault the boy has gotten himself into such a mess. If I’d only paid him more attention, mayhap none of this would have happened.”

“Nay, I’m certain it’s not your fault,” she said, feeling disheartened when he turned her away. She knew better than anyone it wasn’t his fault, because it was her who dragged Noah into this and made him promise not to tell a soul. Now, the only question was, did she want to tell Orrick that she was the one who stole the Eternal Flame?

Chapter 16

“So where did you hide the flame?” Grace whispered into Hope’s ear as they sat down for the main meal at the dais. Orrick sat on one side of her in the form of Sir Rick, a noble, and also next to Lord Corbett. Grace was on the other side of Hope. Thankfully, Lord Irwin was next to Lady Devon and nowhere near her.

Hope’s eyes flashed back and forth and then she whispered back the hiding place into her sister’s ear.

“Really?” Grace asked, laughing.

“Shhh,” said Hope, holding out her hands for the ewerer who poured water over them and then handed her a cloth to dry with. “Have you seen Noah at all?”

“Nay, why?”

Hope waited for the server boy to wash Grace’s hands and move on before she spoke. Leaning over, she said in a soft voice, “Orrick thinks Noah stole the flame.”

“Orrick?” Grace furrowed her brow. “When did you see him?”

“I mean, Sir Rick . . . both of them.”

“I’m confused,” said Grace, eyeing up the food a server laid on a platter in front of them.

“Orrick is Sir Rick, one and the same. He shapeshifts,” she said from the side of her mouth.

“What?” asked Grace. “Why?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. Now hush, because here comes Lord Irwin.”

Lord Irwin walked over from his spot at the dais, wedging his way in between Hope and Grace.

“Trade places with me, Grace,” he growled. “I need to sit next to my betrothed.”

Grace sighed and vacated her spot, walking down to where he was previously sitting. Hope noticed Sir Rick glance over at them, seeming disturbed.

“Lord Irwin, is there a problem with your other seat?” asked Sir Rick.

“No problem,” Irwin answered. “That is, other than you taking my spot next to my betrothed. I don’t like it.”

“Well, I don’t care,” Sir Rick told him.