Christina's Tapestry (8 page)

He could feel her hips pumping towards him as her inner muscles clamped down hard on his cock. He let out a yell and came, pumping his hot seed into her pussy. As he withdrew his finger from her ass, he felt her convulse again. Watching her come, he thought she was the loveliest creature he’d ever seen.

Marc made up his mind at that moment to do whatever it took to keep Christina here with them. Even if that meant that she chose Jarek as her husband. This woman was perfect for them. His hands tightened around her hips as he plunged into her one last time. He would never let her go.

Jarek was gently pulling his cock from Christina’s mouth. She moaned and her head lolled back on the pillows. She looked exhausted and spent. They had worked her hard for someone not used to such activity.

He met his brother’s eyes and saw the same resolve there. Jarek nodded and Marc knew that they were in agreement. No matter which brother won this woman, they would have her. Reluctantly, he withdrew from her.

She shuddered, but opened her eyes sleepily and smiled at him. He smiled back at her as a deep satisfaction filled him. When she raised her hand to him, he thought he’d 56

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died and gone to heaven. Taking her fingers gently in his, he raised them to his lips and kissed them before stretching out next to her. Shivering, she turned into his waiting arms.

Jarek said nothing, but pulled the furs over them before lying down on his side and snuggling into Christina’s back.

Her breath ruffled the hairs on his chest as Marc wrapped one hand possessively over her hip and pulled her closer until one of her legs was draped across his lower body. Content, he drifted off to sleep.

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Chapter Seven

It was the sound of someone rummaging around the room that finally woke her. That and the rays of sunshine coming through the window. Blinking, Christina sat up in bed and immediately groaned. She ached all over. Heck, she ached in places that she hadn’t even known existed.

Not only was she stiff all over, but she felt gritty and sticky and most of her hair had come out of its braid. She was in dire need of a bath.

“You’re finally awake.”

Christina clutched the furs to her chest as she tried desperately to clear the cobwebs from her brain. “What time is it?”

Mara continued to lay food out on the table and Christina’s stomach growled in response to the wonderful smells. Mara grinned at her as she wiped her hands on her apron. “It’s noon and this is your second day here. You slept through the evening and night, but that’s hardly surprising.”

Did everyone in the damn castle know how she spent most of yesterday? She had to fight the urge to just burrow back into the bed and pull the covers over her head. Instead, she swung her legs around until they were hanging off the side of the bed. Glancing around, she searched for her nightgown, but couldn’t see it anywhere. She had a vague memory of tossing it on the floor before she’d crawled into bed yesterday.

“Why don’t you put this on and come and have something to eat.” Mara held out a lovely embroidered dressing gown the rich color of a blue summer sky. Grasping it, she kept the covers wrapped tight around her as she slipped the silky cloth on. Mara just chuckled and went back to laying the food out on the table. Christina just couldn’t help it. Even though she’d slept with both Jarek and Marc yesterday, she couldn’t overcome a lifetime of modesty.

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Rising quickly from the bed, she tugged the sides of the robe closed and wrapped the belt around her waist, cinching it tight. She pushed a hand through her hair, groaning at the tangled mess. Sighing, she pulled the elastic from the end of the long braid and began to unwind it.

“Is there a brush I can borrow to use on my hair?”

Mara disappeared through a small doorway that Christina hadn’t noticed before, returning a moment later with a wide-toothed wooden comb. “Use this for now.”

She took the comb and began to untangle her hair, starting at the tip and working her way back up to the roots. The mundane task relaxed her and she wandered to the open window as she absently ran the comb through her hair. The sound of metal clashing against metal drew her attention to the courtyard below. She didn’t even notice when her hand stopped moving the comb. The scene below was riveting and Christina couldn’t make herself look away. Jarek and Marc circled each other like great beasts stalking prey. They were both stripped to the waist, their golden skin glistening with perspiration. Marc’s waist-length hair was tied back at his nape, but Jarek’s darker hair hung loose except for the skinny braids that framed either side of his face. Their faces were masks of concentration as they both surveyed their opponent.

Each held a four-foot sword in his right hand and, as they moved, the sunshine reflected off the wrist-and arm-bands that they both wore. Marc lunged suddenly, his sword making a quick arc towards Jarek’s head. At the last possible second, Jarek ducked and turned, using the momentum as he swung around to launch his own attack.

It was a deadly dance. She gasped as Jarek’s sword came close to cleaving his brother’s head in two. But Marc just leapt to one side and returned the blow with equal fervor. The comb slipped from her nerveless fingers and clattered to the floor. Kneeling up on the bench, her fingers dug into the windowsill for support. 59

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Marc raised his weapon over his head, gripping it with both hands. A primal yell escaped him as he swung downward. Jarek raised his sword and sparks flew upward as the two blades connected, one sliding along the other. Arm muscles bulged and chests heaved as they were locked in a battle of strength. Jarek let go a mighty battle cry. In an astonishing maneuver, he drove his brother back and went on the attack. Christina was mesmerized. It was at once beautiful and terrifying. His skill was amazing as he continued to drive his brother backwards. Marc ducked under his brother’s blade and tried to attack him from the side. Jarek must have been expecting such a move because he reacted immediately, attacking when Marc was momentarily off-guard.

One moment they were locked in combat, the next, Marc was on the ground with Jarek’s sword at his throat. Her hands flew to her own neck as she cried out in shock. Two pairs of golden-brown eyes were suddenly locked on her as she stood swaying in the window. A small trickle of blood trailed down Marc’s neck where the blade rested, but he didn’t even seem to notice.

Flicking his brother’s sword away, Marc came to his feet, his eyes still locked on her. She could feel both brothers undressing her with their eyes and she tugged the robe more securely around her, clutching the fabric tight in her hands. The heat of battle had quickly become the heat of lust and Christina could feel her own body reacting immediately.

The material of the robe abraded her sensitive breasts, making her nipples tighten. She could feel a softening between her legs as her sex dampened with desire and anticipation. Of its own accord, one of her hands dropped low on her abdomen, trying to hold in the growing ache.

Her breathing grew shallow as they continued to watch her. Tall and strong, they both exuded the power of healthy male animals. They had fought and now they wanted to fuck. It was etched in every hard line of their bodies. Neither moved, but there was an air of expectation surrounding them both.

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The bulges in the front of their pants continued to grow, leaving no doubt that they were primed and ready for sex. Their blatant sexuality frightened her and aroused her at the same time. She really wasn’t sure she could handle having all that potent male energy focused on her.

She was suspended there in front of the window, unable to break away from their sensual spell. Luck for her, Mara came to her rescue.

Walking briskly to the window, Mara glanced out and rolled her eyes. “Go on with the two of you and let the poor girl have her breakfast before she expires of hunger.”

Marc laughed and blew Mara a kiss before saluting Christina with his sword. Jarek smiled, a slow sexy smile, filled with promise, before turning away. As she watched them both walk away, she realized that they looked as good going as they did coming. She gave a small laugh as she realized her own pun. But really, they both had buns of steel that made her mouth water.

Mara gripped her arm and tugged her away from the window, scolding as they went. “Now sit down and eat.”

Her stomach gave a growl. Suddenly, she was ravenous and attacked the meal with gusto. There was bread, cheese, fruit and cider and she ate more than she thought possible. For once, she didn’t worry about calories or how much she was eating. She was hungry, so she ate until she was sated. Food had never tasted so good before. The other woman sat beside her and chatted amicably, filling Christina in on daily life at the castle. “I can take you around and show you the castle later. You might as well get acquainted with the workings of the place now. No use in wasting time.”

She frowned as she sipped her drink. Mara was talking like it was a done deal and that she was staying. She didn’t want to disappoint her, but she had to be honest.

“Mara,” she began and stopped, trying to figure out how to phrase it so the other woman wouldn’t take offense. But Mara was shrewd and already knew.

“I know you still think you have to make up your mind, but there’s no harm in trying to sway your thoughts.”

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Christina smiled. “Well, if we’re being honest.” Mara nodded, so she continued. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.” She shrugged and grasped the robe when it slipped off her shoulder. “This is all so strange to me and hard to take in. It seems like a great place, but I just don’t think I belong here.”

Mara reached out and gripped her hand tight, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Don’t let your fears keep you from what your heart knows it wants.” She sighed and began to pile empty dishes back onto a wooden tray. “Ignore your head and listen to your heart. Otherwise, you’ll live with the regrets for the rest of your life.”

“I will,” she promised, more shaken by the older woman’s words than she wanted to admit. A shiver ran down her spine and she was suddenly cold as a life without Jarek and Marc loomed before her.

Shaking off her melancholy, she rose and began to help Mara with the remaining dishes. She didn’t have to decide anything yet. What she needed was a nice hot bath and some time alone to think.

So much had happened so fast and this world was so different from her own. Did she really want to give up her own time and her own life for something as uncertain as sexual desire? And how could she really make that choice in only three days?

Right then and there, she made a decision. Whatever else happened, this was the adventure of a lifetime and she planned to live and experience it to the fullest.

“Is it possible for me to have a bath?” Pushing away a lock of hair that had fallen over her shoulder, she eyed it critically. “And wash my hair?”

Mara looked startled and then laughed. “Of course, child. Your bath is ready and waiting for you.” She bustled across the room to the small doorway, motioning Christina to follow. “I just thought that it was best to feed you first. Now you can relax in your bath and get ready for the feast later tonight.”

“Feast?” Christina’s stomach clenched at the thought of attending some large gathering. She’d never done well in crowds.

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“Yes.” Pulling back the curtain, Mara disappeared through the opening, her voice drifting back behind her. “The one in your honor.”

Christina hurried after her, her bare feet slapping on the hard stone floor. “My honor?” Surely, she hadn’t heard correctly.

“Of course.” Mara was laying out a thick towel by a large tub. “The tapestry generally only brings a potential bride once every generation. There are only two recorded times in our history when it has delivered more than one. It is something to celebrate.”

Swallowing hard, she froze just inside the door. “Will there be many people there?”

Mara took one look at her, came and took her by the arm, pulling her further into the chamber. Christina’s legs were leaden as she stumbled behind her. The thought of being the main attraction at a large feast was not appealing in the least. She was conscious of her size and lack of beauty and hated to be the center of attention.

“Everyone will be there.” Coming to a halt in the center of the room, the other woman turned and started to undo the belt to the robe. But Christina stopped her, gripping the garment tight around her trembling body. Mara shook her head and clucked her tongue but let her be. “Don’t worry, child. Jarek and Marc will both be there with you. No one means you any harm, but all want to meet you.”

She nodded, mostly because she didn’t know what else to do and Mara seemed to be waiting for some kind of response from her. “Would you mind if I was alone for a while?”

“Of course not. So much has happened in such a short time.” She motioned to the large wooden tub that was filled with steaming water. “Just climb into the tub and relax. Everything you need is here from soap to towels and clean water to rinse your hair and body.”

Moving to one side, she watched as Mara headed back towards the bedroom.

“Thank you.” The other woman had been nothing but kind to her and Christina wanted 63

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her to know that she appreciated all her concern. But she couldn’t think of any other words to convey her thanks.

“I’ll just change the bed and lay out some fresh clothes for you. If you need anything at all, just pull on that cord.” She pointed to a long rope that ran up through a small hole in the floor and attached to the ceiling. “It rings a bell below and someone will come.”

Mara was gone before she could think of what else to say. Taking a deep breath, Christina slowly let it out as she surveyed her surroundings. The wooden tub, which sat against one wall, was large and filled with steaming fragrant water. The smell of lavender wafted in the air, drawing her towards the bath. Slipping off the robe, she laid it across a small stool and climbed into the tub.