Page 15 of Touched By Maen Llia
His gaze roamed over her face. Then he drew her to him and kissed her. “I will do as you ask.”
Her relief was vast, but then he kissed her again and the trembling changed and became an urgent longing. When he drew her to the bed, she went willingly, eager to sample more of the marvelous sensations he was building in her.
Marcus did not forget her injuries, even while in the depth of driven passion. He ensured that her back did not once twinge with pain…and the pleasure he produced in her was enough that it surely would have subsumed any pain she might have felt.
Afterwards, he arranged her so that she laid beside him, with her head upon his shoulder. He played with her hair, as their breath slowed. “It is a strange thing, meeting you.” His voice rumbled against her cheek. “I have not long been at Camelot. Although I have wanted nothing else since I was a small boy but to serve Arthur, now I am there, I have found myself constantly drawn to the stories about Merlin and Merlin himself.” He turned his chin to look at her. “You remind me of Merlin.”
Catrin wanted to laugh. “You compare me to the greatest druid and wizard who ever lived? I have no magic in me. Not a bit of it. That is why I read books, instead.”
“And learn how to use a gnomon and dare to speak the truth to a mage who does not know any better. That is as Merlin would have done.”
Catrin held still. She could not dispute him. She did not know Merlin as he did.
“And anyway…” Marcus added, “Merlin no longer has the ability to read the stars and know what the future will bring.”
She pushed herself higher, to look at him properly, startled beyond all imagining. “He has no magic anymore?”
Marcus gave a small frown. “No, he hassomemagic. I’ve seen him make fire. But he no longer has the Sight.”
Catrin caught up her jaw and closed her mouth. “What happened?”
“He fell in love,” Marcus said. “And he let himself be loved. He is a man, in all respects, now. Also, he is an engineer and a doctor and a singer. Merlin is very wise man, who has read every book ever written, and knows more about people and the world than all of them combined. That is where his power lays now. That isyourpower, too. That is why you remind me of him. Knowledge and a lack of patience for what you consider nonsense.”
Catrin sat up properly. “Should…should you tell me these things about Merlin? How is it you even know? Surely it is a closely guarded secret that Arthur’s mage is…isn’t…” She didn’t know how to finish the thought.
Marcus sat up, too. “I don’t know why I reveal it to you. I should not. It was given to me in confidence. Bedivere wanted me to understand why Merlin must travel with a company of armed men, when all his life he has travelled alone through the hills of Britain. But…” Marcus drifting his fingers down her cheek. “There is something between us now.” His gaze met hers. “You feel it, too.”
“More truth…” she breathed. For shedidfeel it—a bond had been formed. Even though she knew very little about him, she was closer to this man than she had been to anyone else in her life, including the Queen. And because of it, she could let herself lean forward and press her lips to his and let her hands roam where they may.
Marcus groaned and pulled her to him, and over him, his body hard beneath hers.
IX
Catrin was too used to rising with the sun. When the dawn chorus chittered and sang outside the window, she rose carefully from the bed so that Marcus was not disturbed. She was not sure how men normally slept, although according to Eira, King Geraint had snored loudly and tossed frequently. Marcus, though, lay unmoving, breathing softly, his black lashes a stark contrast to his cheeks.
Catrin dressed, her gaze drawing back to the man on the bed, and the soft, tanned flesh over the rounded muscles of his chest, which she had thoroughly explored through the night, along with other parts of him.
Then she made herself ease out of the room and latch the door behind her. Her early morning duties were not dismissed just because it was the day after a feast.
Catrin eased into the royal bedchamber and over to the bed where Eira was a mere huddled lump beneath the furs. She shook the Queen’s shoulder.
Eira didn’t move or give any sign of stirring from her slumber.
Catrin shook again. Harder, this time.
The Queen’s eyes remained closed. Her breath continued, very slow and deep.
Catrin bit her thumb, considering. Normally Eira was such a light sleeper that merely stepping into the room was enough to rouse her. She had never seen the Queen sleep so deeply it was impossible to wake her. But perhaps she needed the sleep.
So. Catrin would arrange hot water for bathing, and a small meal to break her fast and bring them here. Eira would appreciate that.
And she could bathe, herself, and change into her other tunic. And maybe wind her cloak around her shoulders, for the morning was oddly cool.
Catrin went to the kitchens to arrange the hot water, and found the kitchen boys asleep in the corner with the dogs, snoring hard. She nudged them with her toe and when they did not stir, she bent and shook them.
Neither woke.
Catrin straightened, her heart thudding. First the Queen and now these boys…this was not right. She turned and hurried into the dining room through the connecting doors. There was always a drunken fool or two passed out on a table, snoring with their face in a puddle of wine, after the feasts.
