Hers to Command (19 page)

“
My Lady,” he acknowledged as he entered the training room in a fresh set of clothing. “The evening advances; may I escort you to your apartments?”

“
Please, Doral. I am in need of a long hot soak. Muscles are making themselves known in places I was not aware I had muscles.”

He smiled at her complaint and held out his arm.
“Madam.”

She placed her arm around his,
resting her hand on his wrist. “Your manners are beautiful, Visconte. Someone taught you well.”

“
Mother would have been glad to hear that. I think she despaired of me—often. I wish she were alive to see her lessons bear fruit.”

“
I am sorry, Doral. I didn’t mean to raise a painful subject.”

“
No, my Lady.” He patted her arm. “Most have lost those they loved. To avoid speaking of them is to cut out a part of life that holds cherished memories.”

“
Yes. I have many memories about my father that would surprise people if I shared them. He was not the tyrant most thought him.”

“
My Lady.” His nod indicated her apartments and he stopped and released her arm.

“
Will you join me again for breakfast, Doral?”

“
If it would please you, my Lady.”

“
It would please me very much and I wish you would call me, Fleur.” She smiled up at him. He wore an appraising look on his face that had her heart thumping faster. She became very aware of his stunning good looks and physical size.

He leaned down slowly, holding her gaze.
He is going to kiss me.
She licked her lips nervously
. I want him to kiss me.
His eyes tracked her tongue. His lips neared hers. She closed her eyes, tilted her head and walked into him. His warm breath caressed her cheek. She opened her mouth slightly, eagerly anticipating his kiss—
on my cheek?
No! No!
She opened her eyes suddenly and watched him pull back. She couldn’t miss the bulge in the front of his trousers.

“
Good night, Fleur.” He nodded, turned and walked down the hall.

No! No! Come back! Oh,
confound it all!
She flounced into her empty apartments and scoffed at the artfully laid night table with two goblets for wine, two plates of sliced fruits and the carefully turned back bed.
Well, there’s always tomorrow.

The following day
was just as lovely. She had a wonderful time with Doral. She found him a charming, attentive companion. His dry sense of humor ambushed her frequently, leaving her helpless with laughter while he gazed at her soberly, only the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Though reticent, he readily conversed with her when she brought up a subject and once again put her through a thorough workout on the basics of self-defense, carefully tailored to her size and ability.

And once again, with exquisite courtesy, he walked her back to the royal apartments as dusk fell.

“I enjoyed your company today, Doral. I am beginning to see why Ari values you so highly.”

“
You are too kind, my Lady. I am happy that my poor skills entertained you.”

“
Doral, I don’t think any of your skills are poor,” she laughed. “But, then, I haven’t sampled all of them.”

The smile on his face made her blood race. With a look of intent, he leaned over.
Finally! He will kiss me and we’ll…
Her cheek felt the warmth of his lips, then he pulled back.

“
Good night, my Lady.”

Nooo!

* * * * *

Councilman Herrimon paced his office, regularly wiping perspiration from his brow.
“Major General, I want your divisions battle ready and transferred to the surface of Verdantia as soon as possible. How much time do you think you will need?”

“Sir, I should think an NT ten-day would be adequate to muster, have the
men field-equipped and transferred to the surface.”

Herrimon stuttered to an agitated stop.
“A ten-day! Why so long?”

The
major general maintained his stance as if Herrimon were a reviewing general. “Sir, we are talking two divisions—six battalions, upwards of ten thousand men. We need at least that long to stage and transfer them to the planet’s surface.”

“Just get it done, Major General
.” Herrimon handed him a thick packet of papers from his desk. “These are your orders. You will march on Sylvan Mintoth and bring that city under my control. The details are spelled out in your orders. I doubt you will have any resistance. This is the last thing they are expecting.”

Herrimon drummed his fingers on the
desktop. “And Major General, I will be exceedingly unhappy if Queen Constante manages to survive your occupation.”

At the surprised grunt of
the mercenary leader, Herrimon examined him closely. “Do you have a problem with that Major General?”

“No, sir. No problem.”

“That will be all, Major General.”

* * * * *

“I feel like Elder Patricio.” Ari laughed, reining Grey over to walk beside Fleur's gentle, brown and white spotted mare, Sprite. The day was a lovely example of spring and the pair had taken a break from intense sessions with the High Enclave to ride while Doral was fitted for the new uniform he would wear at Fleur's coronation the next day.

“
How so, my love?”

“
You and Doral. Is there an impediment to having sex with him?”

She
choked. “No. He is a gorgeous man, immensely desirable.” Fleur flashed a glance at Ari before looking forward again. “I don't need to tell you that.” She paused and continued softly, “It is very good of you to step aside and give us these last three days to get to know each other. I find him charming and easy to be with. But…” She squirmed in her saddle.

“
But…” Ari prompted. “If there is an impediment, I must know.”

She
frowned. “I don't know how to get past
platonic
to
carnal.
I can't command him into bed. Especially after what you shared about Lady Contradina. And blast him! He won't make a move in my direction that isn't
courtly
.” She quirked her mouth in a moue of displeasure. “He walks me to our chambers every night, sweetly kisses my cheek and stiffly walks back down the hall to his rooms with a very prominent erection, which I pretend not to notice.”

“
Ah. I was afraid that might be it. You don't know how and he won't until you ask.”

Looking straight ahead, she sighed.
“That about sums it up.” She played with her mare's long mane. “Elder Patricio will announce the
Tetriarch
at my coronation, tomorrow. So, only a few more nights remain before, well, you know.”

“
Yes, our first intimacies as a triumvirate.” Ari looked over at Fleur. “Want some advice?”

“
At this point? Anything.”

“
Remember that week you tortured me to make love to you?”

“
Of course.” She moaned. “You are a beast to remind me. How could I forget the most frustrating, humiliating experience of my life?”

He
laughed. “There were two of us there, madam. I don't recall when I have been so hard so continuously without the use of
cinnagin
and cockrings. As for humiliating…” He cast her a sidelong glance.

She
huffed with mock irritation and made a face. “Yes, well, I already apologized for that, several times, in
front
of your staff.” They walked along in silence for several minutes. The soft thudding of the horses’ hooves on the dirt path and the jingling of the bits were the sole sounds breaking the stillness.

“
What I am trying to get at is the feeling you had. You need to bring
that
woman to the forefront. Let him know you want him.”

“
Make the first move?”

“
Be assertive,” Ari confirmed. “Start things in motion. You won't need to do more than that. Doral is reserved at the best of times, but I promise you, he is very much a male.”

She
looked at her warlord, considering his words. “Assertive?” She narrowed her eyes in thought.

He
nodded, smiling. “Yes, gentle Princess, assertive.”

* * * * *

Doral cupped Fleur’s face and bent to place a chaste kiss on her cheek as he had done the last two nights.
Oh, no, you don’t! Not again.
As he bent to kiss her, she grasped his wrists and moved her face to meet his kiss with her lips. Surprised, he began to straighten until she moved both her hands to the nape of his neck and pulled him down.
Ari, you better be right or I am making a colossal fool of myself.

“
No, you gorgeous man, I want your kisses on my lips. I want them on my naked body, on my nipples, between my legs and anywhere else you think to put them.” She bit his lower lip, sucking it into her mouth.

Doral groaned.

“And then I want to suck your cock until you are pleading with me for release.”

She took his hand and slowly slipped one of his fingers into her wet mouth, swirling her tongue around it, sucking on it while she slowly pulled it out again.

He swallowed wrong and started coughing.

“
You know what I am going to do then?”
Ah, oh goodness, what am I going to do then?

“
Umm?” Doral tried to master his coughing.

“
I am going to tie you to the bed while I ride you to my release.”
Hah!

“
Goddess, save me…” he whispered under his breath.

Whoah!
She felt herself swept up into his arms as if she weighed no more than a piece of down plucked from a newly hatched chick.

Doral turned and
strode rapidly down the hall toward his rooms. “I think
not
, little one.”

“
Where are we going?”
She was mortified to hear her husky, femme-fatale voice turn to a squeak.

“
My Lady, our first time together will be in
my
rooms, in
my
bed, on
my
terms. I will
not
be rushed and I want
no
interruptions. I am going to sate myself in you.”

“
Oh!”
I didn’t see this coming!

Doral crashed
through the door to his chambers, slammed it behind him with a powerful kick, and tossed her at the bed. She landed in an unceremonious sprawl in the middle of his large four-poster. Pillows flew everywhere. She had no time to compose herself as Doral immediately sprang onto her, caging her between his thighs and outstretched arms. She could feel her eyes grow huge as she took in his expression. He resembled a savage leopard spying a hobbled goat.

Her comparison became more apt when he snarled a violent guttural demand.

“Remove your clothes. All of them. Now.”

Her eyes widened
even further.
Oh gods and goddesses, help me.
She grabbed futilely at the bed covering trying desperately to escape from beneath him.
He is out of control.

Doral froze above her and closed his eyes.
He dropped his head and she felt his heavy blond hair cloaking her and obscuring her vision, but he still held her trapped beneath his hard body. She thought her heart would beat through her chest. As hard as she gasped, she couldn’t get enough air. Inhaling deeply, she heard him spit out a string of uniquely vulgar curses. She felt him shudder, then he eased away slightly. She sucked in more air.

“
I frightened you. I should be flayed with a steel-tipped whip.” Holding her gaze with apology, he smiled painfully. “Forgive me. Stay, please? We will begin again.” He eased back further. “Yes? I will remove
my
clothes. You watch.”

A slight smile curved his lips
as she cautiously propped herself up on her elbows.

“
I see you like
that
idea,” Doral said. “Then, I am going to join you on the bed and slowly, gently, with as many kisses as you desire, take yours off. Better?” He retreated off the bed, holding her in place with the appeal in his eyes.

Mute,
she nodded her head.
Oh, yes. Much better.
She sat up with a shaky smile as he retreated to stand a few feet away.

D
oral smiled cautiously. “Brave girl.”