Blood of the Fold

Her gaze left his to roam the tray. "What have we here? Oh, Richard, don't tell me it's…" She swirled her first and second fingers around the bowl with the pears. She sucked the thick white sauce off her first finger. Some of the coating on the other dribbled down her hand to her wrist. "Oh, yes. Oh, Richard, this is fabulous. Here."

She put her second finger up to his lips. Before he realized it, she had the whole length in his mouth. "Suck it clean," she insisted. "Isn't that the best you've ever had?" Richard nodded, trying to catch his breath after she drew her finger out. She tilted her wrist. "Oh, please, lick it off before it gets on my dress." He took her hand up in his and put it to his mouth. The taste of her galvanized him. His lips on her flesh made his heart pound painfully.

She let out a throaty laugh. "That tickles. Your tongue is rough."

He let her hand go, rousing from the intimate connection. "Sorry," he whispered.

"Don't be silly. I didn't say I didn't like it." Her eyes found his. Lamplight glowed softly on one side of her face, firelight on the other. He envisioned raking his fingers through her hair. Her breaths were the mate of his. "I did like it, Richard."

So did he. The room seemed to be spinning. The sound of his name on her lips sent waves of euphoria coursing through him. With the greatest of effort, he forced himself to stand.

"Cathryn, it's late, and I'm really tired."

She rose willingly, eagerly, a graceful movement that betrayed her shape through the silken dress. His control threatened to unravel completely as she slipped her arm around his, pressing close. "Show me which room is yours?"

He could feel her firm breast crushed against his arm as he led her out into the hall. Ulic and Egan stood not far away with their arms folded. Farther off, at each end of the hall, Cara and Raina came to their feet. None of the four showed any reaction to his having Cathryn on his arm. Richard said nothing to them as he headed for the guest rooms.

With urgent insistence, Cathryn's free hand stroked his shoulder. The heat of her flesh against him warmed him to his bones. He didn't know if his legs would make the journey.

When he found the wing with the guest rooms, he gestured Ulic and Egan close. "Take shifts. I want one of you on watch at all times. I don't want anyone, or anything, coming into this hall tonight." He glanced to the two Mord-Sith waiting at the far end. "That includes them." They asked no questions and vowed it would be so before they planted themselves.

Richard took Cathryn halfway down the hall. She was still caressing his arm. Her breast was still pressed against it.

"I trust this room will do."

Her lips parted as her chest heaved. Her delicate fingers clutched at his shirt. "Yes," she whispered in a pant, "this room."

Richard summoned every ounce of strength. "I'll take the one right next to it. You'll be safe here."

"What?" The blood drained from her face. "Oh, please, Richard…"

"Sleep well, Cathryn."

She tightened her grip on is arm. "But.. but, you have to come in. Oh, please, Richard. I'll be afraid."

He squeezed her hand as he took it from his arm. "Your room is safe, Cathryn, don't be concerned."

"There could be something inside, waiting. Please, Richard, come in with me?"

Richard smiled reassuringly. "There's nothing inside. I could sense it if there were danger anywhere near. I'm a wizard, remember? You're perfectly safe, and I'll be only a few steps away. Nothing will disturb your rest, I swear it."

He opened the door, handed her a lamp off a bracket beside the door, and put a hand to the small of her back, urging her in.

She turned and ran a finger down the center of his chest. Til see you tomorrow?

He took her hand from his chest and kissed it in as courtly a fashion as he could muster. "Count on it. We have a lot of work to do first thing tomorrow."

He pulled her door closed and then went to the next. The two Mord-Sith's eyes never left him. He watched as they slid their backs down the wall to sit on the floor. Each folded her legs, as if to say they intended to be there all night, and each gripped her Agiel in both hands.

Richard glanced at the door to Cathryn's room, his gaze lingering a long moment. The little voice in the back of his head was screaming frantically. He wrested open the door to his room. Inside, he laid his face against the closed door as he caught his breath. He compelled himself to throw the bolt.

He sank down on the edge of the bed, putting his face in his hands. What was the matter with him? His shirt was soaked with sweat. Why should he be having such thoughts about this woman? But he was. Dear spirits, he was. He remembered that the Sisters of the Light thought men suffered from uncontrollable urges.