All the sweeter for the need for haste, but she wouldn’t really ravish him. That word was too harsh for what she intended.
Because she intended kisses, long and slow, all over his body as she eased his night robe off. Orval’s initial shyness faded as she caressed him, admiring his pale white skin that seemed so frail in comparison to her strong brown, but was not.
She intended touches and strokes, letting him explore her body, showing him what pleased her, when to be gentle, and when to be firm. She arched up, urging him on as he explored her depths with his hands. Hesitant at first, Orval grew confident as she guided his fingers; her release caught her by surprise as she clung to him and moaned.
“I did that!” Orval’s pride was clear and she laughed softly and nodded, and kissed him, easing him back so that she could sit astride him once again. She wanted him hard, and wanting, before she—
“Precautions?” he whispered. “Do we need to worry about—”
“It’s fine,” she whispered, loving him even more for the thought. “I’m nursing,” she explained.
“Oh, okay—” then reason fled his eyes as she moved.
And because she intended joy, she took him inside herself, his flesh firm against her, and moved, listening to the smart, rational man beneath her babble endearments as his eyes reflected the wonder of it all. When Orval clamped both hands on her hips and arched his hips up, gaining his release deep within her, she rode the waves of her own pleasure before collapsing at his side.
He pulled her close, their breathing slowing together as the sweat dried on their bodies.
Orval covered her face with kisses. “Amari, that was…I have no words.”
She chuckled, putting her head on his shoulder, infinitely pleased. “You? Wordless?” she
kissed just below his ear, taking in the heady scent of their bodies.
“I think I might need to create a few,” he whispered and they both laughed. Orval moved his arm to pull the blankets over them. “Perhaps in the morning—”
Dalan shrieked.
They both jerked in surprise, then Orval laughed again. “I’ll get him,” he said and climbed out of bed, presenting Amari with a lovely view of his backside. She admired him as she pulled herself up and propped pillows behind her.
Orval clucked at Dalan as he carried him back. “Are you hungry, little one?” He handed him to Amari, then turned back to get Lara.
Dalan sucked fiercely; a pleasant pain. Amari cradled him close.
Orval returned with Lara, just starting to wake. He placed her on the bed beside Amari. “I’ll just see to a few things.”
He lit more candles, brought cold water for them both to drink, then retrieved his night robe from the floor and placed it at the foot of the bed. Finally he crawled back into bed with her and made sure to cover them all in a warm nest. Orval rested on one elbow as he looked at them all with the oddest look on his face.
“What is it, love?” she asked.
“Oh, it just occurs to me,” Orval said, as Lara reached to grasp his finger. He looked at Amari, his eyes shining. “There are some things not to be learned from books.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Orval felt the warmth of Amari at his back as they stood in the common room together and watched Wethe tend Xydell.
Bercie had made good on her promise. Xydell was on a bed now, still by the hearth in the main room, but with proper blankets and bedding. Rosalind had stored the ceremonial robes after folding them carefully. Bercie’s people had brought food and firewood and the gatehouse was warmer and brighter as a result. Xydell was more responsive, more aware of where she was and who was with her.
But Wethe’s face as she turned toward them let Orval know that the news wasn’t all good.
“I’m sorry,” Wethe said. “It’s her heart, you see. I have a few draughts that will make her comfortable, but she’s not going to get better.”
“You could talk to me, you know,” Xydell’s thin, wavering voice rose from the bed. “I’m right here. Not dead yet.”
“I already talked to you,” Wethe said patiently. “Now I am telling them.”
Orval grimaced, but he had to ask. “How long?”
Xydell snorted. “Not long enough to be a bother,” she said.
