But more wondrous still was that he seemed to draw the same from me, craving my love asmuch with his heart as with his body. Making me a true partner, Warprize to his Warlord,woman to his man. Who could know that I would find that in the arms of a conquering Warlord?
Our mutual pleasure was drawn out this time, less frantic than the last, but no less sweet. Keirnuzzled my breasts, teasing me with hands and lips as he explored them. I wasn't as ample asthe women warriors of the Firelanders, but Keir seemed satisfied. Goddess knew, I moaned athis touch, responding to every caress.
When he drew my nipple into his mouth, I gasped, digging my nails into his back. He chuckled,pleased at my reaction. But I'd learned well, and let my hands drift down his back, to tease thedowny hairs at the base of his spine. He growled low in his throat, much to my satisfaction.
It wasn't a shattering this time, more of a slow dissolving into bliss. Keir lay there, eyes halfshut, breathing heavily as I cleaned us and then pulled the bedding up over our cooling bodies.
He drew me close within the warmth, and we drifted off to sleep together.
We awoke to find ourselves entwined in the darkness, the braziers glowing softly, providingjust enough light to see by. It was paradise, laying in his arms, enjoying the smell of his skinand the look in his eyes. For long moments we lay there, simply content.
Keir moved first, lifting his hand to brush the damp hairs off my forehead. "I didn't know whatit meant."
I blinked at him, focusing on his blue eyes, warm and sated. Probably reflecting the satisfactionin mine. I let my fingers drift over the soft skin of his chest, enjoying the feel of the sparsehairs there. "Didn't know what?"
"Didn't know what 'forever' meant."
I stiffened, uncertain and afraid. I remembered that moment so clearly, when Keir had claimedme for the second time. The wind in my hair, the ache of my bare feet, the fear that he wouldn'tallow me to stay with him and the joy when he'd whispered the word 'Forever' in my ear. Did heregret his words?
He chuckled, moving his hands to stroke me, easing my tension. "No, no, my heart's fire, youmisunderstand my words." Keir shifted to Xyian. "When I spoke that word, and made thatpledge to you, I didn't really understand what it meant."
He shifted slightly, pulling me closer. "It doesn't just mean for years and years, for the rest ofour lives. Or as we would say, to the snows and beyond."
"Oh?" I still wasn't sure what he was trying to say.
" 'Forever' means every day, every breath. Through the mistakes that we make, through thelove that we share between our bodies, through illness we suffer, through sorrow, grief, and joy.
All of it, Lara."
I melted against him, listening carefully, marveling at his words.
"It's the total of all our shared moments, good and bad, perfect and ugly."
I pushed up onto an elbow in order to look at his face. "Keir…"
He placed a finger over my lips. "What I am trying to say is that now that I do know what itmeans, it makes it mean so much more."
I smiled, and reached out to stroke his cheek.
He huffed out a breath in frustration. "I am a warrior," he grimaced slightly. "A barbarian inyour people's eyes. My words do not flow easily, in either language." He placed his palm overmy hand. "So I say this truth to you, Lara, Xylara, Daughter of Xy, Queen of Xy, MasterHealer, Warprize and woman I love, I am sworn to you. Forever."
I kissed him, even as my eyes filled with tears.
Keir gave me an uncertain look. "Are those tears of joy?"
I nodded, laughing. "Oh, they are, my Keir."
"Well then?" He asked. "Don't you have something to say to me?"
"Do I?" I arched an eyebrow, trying to control my smile.
He growled, and moved, pinning me to the bed, covering my body with his. I laughed out loud,and buried my hands in his hair. "Keir of the Cat, Warrior of the Plains, Warlord of the Plains,Overlord of Xy, I say this truth to you. I am sworn to you." I paused, growing serious.
"Forever. Through whatever life, and the Gods and the Elements have in store for us."
He kissed me then, intertwining our fingers together. "My heart's fire." He grinned, his whiteteeth flashing in the light, and then flipped us again, so that I was on top. His hands rested onmy hips, fingers splayed out.
I sat up, letting the bedding fall off my shoulders. His eyes gleamed, and I raised an eyebrow.
