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“That tells me much about you,” he said with a satisfied smile.
“Which is why I inquired about your missions. I want to know everything about you.”
“Someday I will tell you all.”
She hoped that day would come; she hoped that this time spent together was not the only time they would have. That they would, as Reeve promised, grow old together.
“What do you think of the true king?” he asked.
“I had believed the prophecy no more than a myth at first, or perhaps it was because I didn’t believe there was someone strong enough to overthrow the present king. Then I began to hear people grumbling, my father among them. King Kenneth was demanding too much from his people and giving nothing in return, not even to those who had helped him gain the throne.”
“Then you began to believe?”
“I began to hope that perhaps there was a man wiser and more powerful who could give the people what they needed, what they yearned for—a fair and honest leader.”
“Not an easy task with the different kings who demand more than their share,” Reeve said.
“My father being one of them, though presently he has more money than the king, not that he would want that known.”
“King Kenneth must have suspected as much if he arranged to wed you.”
“A fear that had my father worried,” she admitted.
“And so he gives his only daughter to the king in fear of losing his fortune and in fear of the curse he had brought down on her,” Reeve grumbled. “I should have beaten him when I had the chance.”
He reached out and took hold of her. “You belong to me now, and no one—no one—will ever take you from me.”
He said it with such fervor that, at that very moment, Tara believed him. Or was it that she wished to believe him? Regardless, she wanted more than anything for his words to be true.
She reached out and touched his lips ever so gently. “I wish–” She smiled. “I’ve already been granted my wish.”
He didn’t smile. Instead, passion soared in his eyes, and he kissed her.
They came together in a frenzied heat though Reeve took command, and Tara surrendered. His hands glided over her wet body, touching every part of her, as if laying claim to her, branding her his.
He took her fast and furiously, and she didn’t object. She wanted him as much as he did her, and she had no patience to wait. Her climax was so explosive that she cried out, her shout bouncing off the cavern walls and echoing back at her.
Spent, her head dropped to his shoulder, and there she rested until she calmed, regaining control. He began to walk out of the water with her in his arms.
“No,” she protested. “I don’t want to leave yet.”
“Neither do I,” he said, and settled down in the water, letting the heat cover them like a warm blanket.
He liked that she wanted to linger in the serenity of this moment, this place, and forget that anything outside of it existed. There were just the two of them, and this time to love freely and safely. And they did. They lingered in the cavern, talking, making love, and enjoying the silent moments that crept over them from time to time.
Neither one of them wanted to leave, but Reeve pointed out, “We have yet to eat.”
Tara laughed. “I was thinking the same.”
They hurried out of the water, Tara using her shift to dry herself and then giving it to Reeve. They dressed and, hand in hand, left the cave. Their steps were brisk though slowed as they grew nearer the cottage.
Tara knew what he thought, for no doubt her thoughts mirrored his. They both worried that someone would be waiting for them. And their time together would be done. He would have to leave, or they both would be forced to depart and once again meet their fate.
They rounded the bend slowly, and when the cottage came into sight, they both breathed a sigh of relief and hurried forward with smiles.
They were still alone.
After eating a hearty porridge and the last of the dark bread, Reeve was pleased to see that Tara intended to bake more bread. He was content being here with her and was relieved, upon their return to the cottage, to see that no one had come for them. He was hoping for more time with her. He intended for this time to be a fostering of their love. And that the strength of their love would win out against all odds, against that damned curse.
