Page 79 of Sword of Desire
He assumed it would. “I guess that means I’ll have to be extra gentle with you.” He kissed her other shoulder. “At least until you heal.” He kissed her right ear, then her left. “We’re all alone with nothing to do.”
“I can think of plenty things to do,” she said, her voice breathy.
His mouth devoured hers.
* * *
When Ackley woke up, his legs were tangled with Harley’s, and her hair covered his face. He’d never been happier. He started kissing her neck, trailing his lips down to her stomach.
“How long do you plan on us staying here?” she asked.
“I have no plans.”
She snorted. “You? No plans? I don’t think so.”
He raised a single eyebrow. “Then I revise my answer. I plan on us enjoying each other whenever and however we want.” And as soon as she was strong enough, they’d figure out what to do about Gytha. Together.
“Now that I’m no longer a lady,” Harley said.
Ackley bit her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“Stop, I’m trying to be serious. I have no name or identity.”
He leaned on his elbow, propping himself up to look at her. “Do you want one?” Was she trying to ask about marriage?
“I don’t know.” She bit her bottom lip, momentarily distracting him. “What about being a Knight?” She sounded unsure.
“Do you want to be one?” Because right now, she could be anything she wanted.
She nodded.
“Then I would love to make you a Knight. But there are a few things you must know.”
“Like what?”
“Knights can’t marry.” He watched her, wanting to see her reaction.
“Oh.” Her brows drew together. “I don’t think I want to marry again.”
“I’ve never wanted to marry,” Ackley admitted. He’d always felt it would chain him down and suffocate him. He traced a line up her arm and across her chest, feeling her soft, smooth skin. “But I also want you in my life.” He just didn’t want people to know how much she meant to him. He didn’t want the enemies he’d accumulated to use Harley as a weapon against him.
“What about children?” she asked. “Do you want them?”
Truthfully, he hadn’t given it much thought. He shrugged. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m just curious.”
He laid back, thinking about it. “I wouldn’t mind having kids, so long as it’s with you.”
She rolled over, climbing on top of and straddling him. “I’m glad you feel that way because there’s something I must tell you. But first, I want to do this.” She leaned forward and kissed him.
Gytha: Somewhere in Russek
Gytha had never been so bloody cold in all her life. If she had to describe Russek in one word, it would be miserable. Why anyone chose to live there was beyond her. She continued to follow the man up the mountain, her thighs stinging in pain from the steep ascent. At least he had a fur wrap draped over his shoulders to keep him warm. She had nothing but the pants and tunic she’d been wearing for over a week now.
When they reached the top of the summit, snow started falling. Gytha couldn’t feel her toes any longer. Up ahead, a small shack came into view. It didn’t even have a chimney. When she saw Ackley again, she planned to pummel him with just her fist. He’d probably start laughing at her and call hersoftfor complaining or being upset. Apparently, the only one who could express such things was him.
“We’re almost there,” the man said, his thick accent making it hard to understand him.
