Mica (18 page)

Her stallion’s long legs devoured the distance between Sun and her enemy. The
man glanced over his shoulder as she neared his horse’s churning flanks. Tingling with excitement, Sun edged her mount alongside his until she felt the lash of the animal’s mane and the heat of its body. Fury and a touch of panic gleamed in the rider’s eyes just before she leapt onto his horse. His elbow jabbed backward, striking her in the face. The blow knocked her off the back of the horse but she held onto the warrior. They struck the sand with bone-jarring force.

Mica shouted her name but she had no time to concentrate on anything except her enemy. He straddled her, one hand squeezing her neck, the other wrestling the dagger from her hand. She punched him hard in the throat. His eyes bulged and he fell away, clutching his neck. Gasping, her throat bruised, she kicked him in the face. He collapsed on the sand.

“Sun.” Mica dismounted before his mare came to a stop. He dropped to his knees beside her, examining her bleeding lips. She noted his sweat-misted face was as pale as it had been the day before. The struggle in the cave had obviously taken what little strength he’d recovered.

“I’m fine,” she croaked, her throat aching from her enemy’s death grip. “Is the bastard dead?”

Mica examined the body and nodded. “Are you crazy? You could have gotten killed.”

“If the likes of them could get the better of me, I’d have been dead in my first battle.” She stood, wiping her bloody lips on her forearm. “Are you all right?”

His brow knitted in an angry expression. “Fine. What the hell were you trying to do back there?”

“Save your skin. What do you think?”

“I’m capable of protecting myself.”

Drained, he leaned against his horse.

She curled her lip. “Uh-huh.”

“You didn’t have to chase him down and kill him. He was running away.”

“Running to that army you’re so worried about, I’ll wager. They recognized you, Mica. Called you a traitor. They were trying to kill you. Why do you think I chased him? For the pleasure of it?”

A strange expression shone in Mica’s eyes. He gently touched her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“Let’s get back to the cave. Maybe we can question the one you were fighting.”

Mica shook his head. “I killed him.”

“And you’re talking about me?”

“He had a knife. I had no choice.”

Together they hoisted the dead body onto his horse and walked back to the cave.

The sun was at its highest and the weather unbearably hot. Sun made sure they traveled
slowly since she knew Mica was more tired than he admitted.

“Once we burn the bodies we’ll have to start for Ademene.”

“You really need to rest.”

“No. We have to get back. It’s more dangerous out here with members of the army so close. I can’t have you fighting for me, Dame Sun.” His eyes glimmered with a combination of humor and admiration.

She took his face in her hands and brushed a kiss across his mouth. “Too late.”

* * * * *

By the time they arrived in Ademene, Mica was ready to fall out of the saddle. It had been so long since his last attack that he’d almost forgotten how drained he felt for several days after. This time had been the worst. The pain had nearly driven him mad.

Unable to remember all that happened during bouts, he hoped he hadn’t made too great a spectacle of himself in front of Sun. However he guessed he’d been quite pathetic since she hadn’t insulted him in days.

When she’d rested beside him he thought it had been a fever-induced dream. Why was it when a beautiful woman with the body of a goddess crawled under his blankets he was too sick to enjoy it? Even worse the same woman had to protect
him
from his enemies. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when he recalled the shock on the men’s faces when Sun fought them off. Obviously they’d never met a Dame of the Opal Order. Still, it vexed him to know she considered him such an invalid that she’d ordered him to hide behind her.

Their horses plodded down the road to the palace, the thud of hoofbeats nearly lulling him to sleep.

“How are you?” Sun asked.

“Fine.”

“Fighting that man didn’t help you and neither did the long ride in this heat.”

Mica’s anger bristled. “You’re starting to sound like my mother. I’m accustomed to the desert, remember?”

“Why are you upset with me? I’m only thinking about your welfare.”

He smiled. That was more like the Sun he knew. “I never thought I’d miss having you yell at me.”

“I’m not yelling.”

At the palace, Mica dismounted. Steadying himself against the horse, he took a few seconds’ rest before he and Sun left their mounts with two stable boys. Straightening his shoulders, Mica strode across the yard and through the great hall directly to the emperor’s chamber. Two guards dressed in white and carrying swords waited outside.

One excused himself and disappeared into the chamber, appearing moments later with the emperor’s approval for them to enter.
Mica had no sooner stepped inside than Kado approached. By the look in the High Advisor’s eyes Mica must have appeared as haggard as he felt.

“You’ve been ill again.”

Mica turned to a smooth-shaven man seated in a gilded chair on a raised platform across the room. He approached, bowing deeply, “Emperor.”

“Mica. Is it true? Have you not been well?”

“I had a brief attack but it has passed. We have news. Has Sir Blaze returned?”

“No. Is something wrong?”

“An army destroyed the settlement. They’re planning to continue conquering smaller villages then attack Ademene. By the damage at the oasis I’d say this army is sizeable and well armed.”

The emperor’s brow furrowed. “Who is behind it?”

“Dame Sun heard them mention Karlus,” Mica said.

At the mention of Karlus, Mica felt a twinge of not exactly fear but concern. Karlus was the name of the general just below Mica in his father’s army. He and Mica had trained under the same instructors and been rivals since childhood. Karlus was a powerful fighter and a shrewd strategist. After the war he had disappeared. Many believed him to be dead. If the men who’d attacked Sun had been referring to the Karlus Mica remembered then an army ruled by him would not be easily defeated, unless—

“I suggest you step up your guard and send out men to discover the army’s whereabouts.”

“Immediately. I know you’re a Priest in Waiting now, Mica,” the emperor said, “but during the last war your advice brought us victory. I may call upon your leadership skills again.”

“I am at your disposal.”

The emperor stood, motioning for a servant boy to approach. The youth hurried to the emperor’s chair and knelt.

“Tell General Kasir and the Captain of the Guard I must speak with them immediately,” the emperor ordered then turned to Mica as the boy rushed off. “Please join us. We need to discuss plans.”

“He needs rest after his journey, My Lord,” Kado said to the emperor.

“With all due respect it’s important for us to start planning now. I can rest later.”

Kado shook his head almost imperceptibly.

The guard entered the chamber again. “Emperor, Sir Blaze wishes to speak with—”

“Send him in,” the emperor bellowed.

The guard disappeared. Seconds later Blaze, looking hot and dirty from travel, strode to the emperor and bowed. The Knight’s auburn hair hung in disarray around his frantic face. His pale blue eyes were bloodshot and sand streaked his skin.
Apparently Blaze’s journey had also been difficult.

“Blaze, how did it go?” Sun asked.

The Knight sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I thought those people and I would never see the same sky.”

“Trouble making them understand, huh?”

“A nightmare.”

“At least you weren’t attacked by a bunch of pigs.”

Blaze’s concerned gaze switched from Sun to Mica. “Attacked?”

“We’re fine,” she said, “which is more than I can say for the ones who attacked us.”

“Were you able to find any new information?” Mica asked Blaze.

The Knight shook his head. “Only to spread word.”

General Kasir and the captain of the guard stepped into the chamber. For the next hour they discussed plans of defense as well as the possibility of sending spies to search for the army and learn what they could.

“We’ll continue this discussion once you’ve rested,” the emperor told Mica, Sun and Blaze.

Leaving the chamber, Mica thought how good rest sounded. Had it not been for the bog tremors he might have been too preoccupied to sleep. At the end of the hall he turned one way while Sun turned another. When he glanced over his shoulder he found her staring back at him. She smiled and offered a short wave. It occurred to him how much better it would feel sharing his blankets with her again.

Stop it, Mica. No matter how sweet the dream that’s all it is. A dream. You and Dame Sun
don’t belong together. No matter what you feel for each other the relationship is impossible.

Turning from her, he continued down the hallway and climbed the flight of stairs to the chamber he shared with Zareb. He stepped inside and sprawled on the bed without bothering to undress or even remove his kaffiyeh. Since Zareb was lending aid to the Bedouins Mica knew he’d have the chamber to himself. He closed his eyes. The room was almost
too
quiet. Again he wished for Sun’s company.

* * * * *

“What a chore, making people understand.” Blaze sighed, dropping into a chair by the window in his chamber. Sun had followed him, hoping they could talk. “My head throbs.”

Sun smiled, approaching his chair. She massaged his shoulders. “I told you I should have gone but you leave me with a sick man instead.”

Blaze glanced at her. “He’s not well at all. Pray the Nalmite’s herb is his cure.”

“He’s grateful to even have a hope. Though I do pray for his complete recovery.”

“You look at him differently.”
Sun’s fingers strayed to Blaze’s unkempt hair. She smoothed the unruly auburn locks. “Why do these things happen to me?”

“Love?” Blaze turned, staring at her. “His heart is true, Sun. I care for you too much to lie about such things.”

“I never said anything about love.”

His lips curved upward slightly. “You didn’t have to.”
Chapter Nine
Feeling like a spy, Sun opened the door to Mica’s chamber a crack and glanced in.

She knew she should have knocked but she didn’t want to disturb him, merely assure herself he was all right.

She gazed at him, her heart pounding and her mouth dry. His lean body sprawled across one of the small beds, a hand dangling over the edge, the back of it brushing the floor. His eyes were closed, his expression almost peaceful. She longed to crawl into the bed with him and sleep in the warmth of his arms as she’d done only a short time ago.

“Dame Sun?”

Her pulse raced. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry you and Blaze were dragged into all this.”

“Don’t be. It’s what we do. If not here then it would happen somewhere else.”

“Nevertheless I do appreciate it.”

“Not a problem. Get some rest, Mica, or you’ll have another attack before Valor and Milady get here.”

He raised himself on his elbows and stared at her. “Dame Sun.”

She hesitated then approached.

“Do you…” He sighed. “Would you sit on the bed with me?”

Her stomach churning, she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. By the Spirit she wanted to curl up beside him.

He shook his head, dropped back onto the pillows and closed his eyes. “I shouldn’t have asked especially now that you’ve witnessed my affliction.”

She slid into the bed beside him and kicked off her boots. He tugged her against his shoulder. Her bare foot touched his leg, the sensation so pleasant that she continued rubbing her toes along his hair-roughened calf. Desire tightened her nipples and made her belly flutter. Sun reminded herself he was still a sick man yet the warmth of his body, the sensation of his breath on her cheek and the gentleness of his touch aroused her completely.

He sighed, a contented sound deep in his throat, and fell asleep in the midst of stroking her shoulder.

Sun raised her head, staring at his face. His cheekbones seemed even sharper since his attack. His lips fell apart, exposing the tips of his even white teeth. When she kissed his cheek he smiled in his sleep.

“Rest well, Mica,” she whispered, wishing she could do the same—difficult with his warm, hard body pressed close to hers. His cock even in its flaccid state pressed against
her. She recalled how it looked at full mast, so thick, long and patterned with veins beneath the dark skin, the balls beneath dangling in all their glory. How could he someday bring himself to mutilate such a perfect image of male beauty by voluntarily having his testicles removed? At least she would be around to try to convince him not to. With the upcoming attack she and Blaze had no intention of leaving the Kennas any time soon.

* * * * *

Enveloped in comfortable warmth, Mica stirred. Opening his eyes, he rolled onto his back, his muscles a bit sore though he felt much better than when he’d arrived at the palace.

“Mica?”

He turned to Dame Sun who raised herself onto her elbow. She shrugged her hair over her shoulder and edged closer to him, stroking his face.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Better. Thank you.”

Two of the top ties of her vest had come undone, revealing her ample cleavage. At the sight of the creamy tops of her breasts and the gorgeous shape of her shoulder, his cock awakened. Goddess how could he still be tired yet want her so badly?

Sun followed his gaze to her breasts then smiled upon noting the bulge of his cock beneath the sheets.

She grinned. “Glad to see you’re feeling stronger but maybe I should leave. Too much excitement in your condition—”

“The bout has passed, Dame Sun.” He stroked her face with his fingertips. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to make love with her again. “But you are right.

My body might not finish what my heart desires.”

“We can work around that.”

As she rose to her knees the covers fell seductively from her shoulders. She finished untying her vest and shrugged it off. The sight of her gorgeous curves sent Mica’s pulse racing out of control