TheRedKing (17 page)

“No one knows, sir,” the guard continued. “I made some
inquiries and a woman that fit her description was seen at the docks just a few
miles from her village. She was interested in sailing north.”

If Cassandra had travel plans, why hadn’t she mentioned it
to him when he’d visited?

“You and four other men will return to her village and find
out if she booked passage on a ship. You’ll search until she’s found, do you
understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“As soon as you learn anything—
anything
—send word to
me immediately.”

Hypatios would have preferred going back to track her
himself, but it was impossible. Soon he and his army would reach the borders of
Fernhill and Lortia. Half of General Zenon’s army already awaited him there.
The other half had been ordered to ride south to keep the peace in Hypatios’s
absence.

After dismissing the guard who went for nourishment and a
brief rest before heading south again, Hypatios ordered four soldiers to
accompany the messenger.

“Where do you suppose she is, Beauty?” Hypatios murmured,
gazing into the snake’s eyes.

I don’t know, but you fear for her.

“I fear nothing.”

You fear for her because she’s the only human who loves
you as much as I.

Hypatios narrowed his eyes, his stomach clenching again.

“You’re a brazen beast.”

Just like you, brazen beast.

A faint smile tugged at Hypatios’s lips, but it quickly
faded.

Beauty know him all too well.

Alexa asked for permission to spend time with Cosma and Areus
granted it. He also allowed Cosma access to books and needlework. In the
company of a guard, she was allowed to visit the palace library and walk in the
courtyard, though no one except Alexa was permitted to speak to her.

A few days after discovering for certain Cosma’s identity,
Delia’s anger subsided. Thinking about how she would have felt in Cosma’s
place, abducted, raped and with two babies to worry about, she might have done
the same. The woman had obviously suffered and was perhaps a bit mad, after all
she’d gone through. Delia couldn’t imagine living such a lie for so many years.
While she had known Areus was safe, she must have constantly worried about
Hypatios.

Still, in her place, Delia would have probably confided in
her husband. Whether they came from his seed, a man like Hippolytos didn’t
deserve children.

As for Areus, he hadn’t been to see Cosma again. He spent
almost every waking moment on the field or with his advisors. When he came to
his chamber, often quite late at night, he was usually too tired to make love.
Delia knew the impending war wasn’t the only problem on his mind. Regardless of
what he said, Cosma’s presence must affect him.

He would be leaving for the border at the end of the week
and she realized that if he didn’t make peace with his mother before then, it
would plague him while he was away.

It was midmorning, but instead of joining Echo and Seth in
the infirmary where they had been working hard to ensure they could care for
the many casualties expected from the battle, she went to the training field.

Cyril wasn’t on duty and she asked him to accompany her.

No doubt Areus wouldn’t be happy with her bothering him
during training, but he would have to deal with it. The safety of the kingdom
was his responsibility. Areus’s well-being was hers.

Areus was practicing drills on horseback when she arrived.
In all the time she had been in Lortia, she had never ventured to the training
field. It was the first time she had seen Areus in action and the sight of him
astride Cosmo, his strong legs clasping the horse’s sides as his sword clashed
with that of another mounted soldier, made her heart beat faster.

For several moments she watched, fascinated by his strength
and skill. She’d never imagined a soldier could be beautiful, but he exuded
such raw masculine power that if she had not been in love with him already, she
would have fallen for sure.

After a few moments, Areus guided Cosmo away from the field.
They approached Delia. He wore no helmet and even from a distance, his green
gaze bore into her. Delia’s stomach clenched as desire shot through her, yet
she hadn’t come to admire his virility, but to talk.

The horse stopped close to her and Delia tilted her head to
look up at Areus. Sweaty reddish-blond curls clung to his forehead and neck.
His sleekly muscled thigh strained against his trousers. Delia again reminded
herself why she was here.

“Is something wrong, Delia?” he asked.

“No,” she replied.

His brow furrowed. “Then what are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you. Can you spare a moment?”

“Yes. Of course.” He turned and motioned toward Etor who
observed them from a distance. The captain nodded and turned away while Areus
dismounted.

“Excuse us, please, Cyril.” Delia glanced at the young man
who nodded and went to stand a polite distance away.

Areus, holding Cosmo’s reins, motioned for Delia to walk
with him.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” he asked.

“Forgive my interruption.”

“Not at all.” He glanced at her and smiled faintly.

“You said that you could join me for a late supper tonight.
That hasn’t changed?”

“No. Believe me, Delia, I want to spend more time with you
before I go.”

“I understand why you can’t.” She looked at him and their
gazes met. “What I wanted to ask is if you would mind if your mother joins us tonight?”

His smile faded and he stared straight ahead. “I prefer she
doesn’t.”

“Areus, you haven’t spoken to her since Alexa arrived. I
understand how angry you are.”

“I’m not angry.”

“So you’ve said, but I think you are. At the very least you’re
hurt.”

He gave a wry laugh. “I’m not hurt.”

“I was five when I first moved to the convent. One of the
sisters took me under her wing more than any of the others. Her name was Sister
Ruth. She was an old woman. Very compassionate and nurturing, more than my own
mother had been. When I was ten years old, she died.”

He glanced at her again. “I’m sorry.”

“I still miss her. If I ever had the chance to spend time
with her again, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

For a brief moment he couldn’t hide the emotion in his eyes.
Then he smiled slightly and said, “A wise woman I’ve married.”

She smiled back. “Glad you recognize that fact.”

“You may invite her, if she wishes to come.”

“I have a feeling she will.”

Areus mounted Cosmo and offered Delia his arm. “A ride back,
my beautiful advisor?”

“Thank you, sir.” She reached for him and he easily pulled
her onto the back of his horse. She slid her arms around him, and momentarily
closed her eyes, loving the feel of his hard body against hers.

Knowing that he would be leaving soon made her appreciate
every moment with him more. He brought her to the door leading to the great
hall. Before dismounting, Delia squeezed him and touched her lips to his neck.

She slid to the ground and Areus bent, cupped the back of
her head with his gloved hand and kissed her mouth.

“I look forward to tonight,” he said.

“So do I.”

He rode off and Delia watched. Finally she stepped inside
and went to instruct the servants that they should send dinner for three to Areus’s
chamber that night. Then she went to the tower to see Cosma.

The guard opened the door for her and when Delia stepped
inside she wasn’t surprised to find Alexa with their guest. The two women were
enjoying tea and sewing.

“Ma’am,” Alexa said.

She and Cosma were about to stand, but Delia motioned for
them to stay seated.

“I wanted to know if you would like to join Areus and me for
supper tonight?” Delia asked Cosma.

“I would love to. Has he agreed?”

“Yes. I’ve just spoken to him.”

“Thank you.” Cosma held her gaze. “May I ask why?”

“Why I spoke to him or why the dinner?” Delia asked with a
faint smile.

“Both.”

“No matter what has happened over the years, you’re Areus’s
mother. I don’t agree with all the choices you’ve made, but I wasn’t faced with
your misfortunes either.”

“Then you no longer believe I came to cause Areus harm?”

“I don’t know what to think, but Areus remembers you fondly.
I want to believe that you wouldn’t wish to harm the man if you once loved the
boy.”

For a moment Cosma looked on the verge of tears, but much
like Areus, she recouped quickly and nodded. “Thank you, Queen Delia.”

Delia glanced around the chamber. It wasn’t large, but it
was decently furnished and Alexa had brought her friend several new items to
keep her occupied.

“Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?” Delia
asked.

“No. I’ve been quite well treated. It’s good to be home
again.”

Perhaps Delia was a fool, but she found herself liking Cosma
and sympathizing with her. When she looked into her eyes, she couldn’t help
seeing Areus. She instinctively knew that Areus’s compassion and the
sensitivity he kept so well hidden had come from this woman.

“I look forward to dinner tonight,” Delia said.

“As I do.” Cosma smiled and nodded.

* * * * *

Delia instructed Cosma’s guard to escort her to Areus’s chamber
well after he’d arrived. She thought Areus would like some time to himself
first, to relax after what had undoubtedly been another hectic day. She ordered
a bath prepared for him. After seeing that everything was properly arranged,
she waited in her own chamber until she heard movement behind their adjoining
door.

Though she longed to greet him, she allowed him privacy. There
were times when she knew Areus relaxed completely in her presence—when asleep
or making love—but he usually remained self-contained even around her.

She sat by the fire, putting the finishing touches on the gift
she would present to him before he left with his army. Not much time passed
before he tapped on her door.

She placed the gift under a small pile of fabric and stood.
“Come in,” she called.

The door opened and Areus stepped inside. Barefoot and
shirtless, he wore only his black trousers. Delia’s gaze swept his chiseled
shoulders and chest. His many scars didn’t detract from his masculine beauty.
Some might believe they enhanced it, proving his strength as a warrior and a
leader. Delia could only think about the personal cost to him. He gave so much
of his life to his people. Many kings were only concerned with how their people
could serve them, but a man like Areus gave so much in return.

Delia had never imagined feeling this way about a man. The
only other king she had known was her father. She had felt disgust for him and
fear, but never respect or admiration, both of which she felt for Areus in
abundance.

“Thank you for ordering the bath,” he said, stepping toward
her.

“You’re welcome. I thought you might find it relaxing before
dinner.”

“I’ll like it even more if you join me.”

Delia smiled, her stomach fluttering. “We do have an hour
before your mother arrives.”

“Good. Then we won’t have to rush.” He wrapped an arm around
her waist, tugged her close and covered her mouth with a kiss.

Delia closed her eyes and melted against him. Her hands slid
up his warm, hard back. Muscles rippled beneath her palms and he held her even
closer, caressing her back down to her buttocks.

She yielded to the gentle pressure of his mouth and opened
her lips to his tongue. Hers met it stroke for stroke.

When the kiss broke, Delia’s heart was beating faster. Her
clit throbbed and she felt dampness between her legs. Areus’s stiffening cock
pressed against her. His large green eyes smoldered, his gaze searing her in
the most arousing way.

His fingertips ran up and down her spine and his eyes
narrowed a bit. “You’ll need help with all these buttons again.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Undressing you is half the fun.”

Delia smiled, caressing the back of his neck. “Is it?”

He nodded and kissed her again. Then with a suddenness that
made her gasp, he swept her into his arms. Chuckling, she clung to his neck as
he carried her to his chamber.

He placed her on her feet not far from the tub. He stood
behind her and Delia brushed her long hair aside. Areus had become so adept at
undressing her that he worked the buttons as fast as Echo. Of course Echo
didn’t kiss her way down Delia’s spine as her flesh was bared, as Areus was
doing now. His warm lips teased her, making her tingle all over.

Finally he pushed the dress off her shoulders and past her
hips. Delia stepped out and he took it, placing it aside while she removed her
shift.

He picked her up again and lowered her onto a nearby chair,
then knelt in front of her and lifted her foot to slip off her shoe. He rolled
off her stocking, then he did the same to her other foot.

Delia removed the gauzy veil that partially covered her
hair. Leaning back in the chair, her eyes closed halfway as Areus, still
holding one of her feet, kissed the top of it. He pressed gentle kisses all the
way up her leg. Reaching her clit, he covered it with his mouth and lapped it
slowly.

“Oh Areus,” she breathed, her eyes slipping shut. She ran
her fingers through his hair and caressed his shoulders.

He licked and sucked her sensitive flesh and she trembled,
tingling all over. She came sooner than she thought possible. Her heart
pounding and her pussy throbbing, she arched partially off the chair. Areus’s
strong hands gripped her buttocks, holding her steady as he lapped until the
last ripple coursed through her.

Then he released her and Delia sat for a moment, completely
relaxed and satisfied. When she opened her eyes, he stood in front of her,
removing his trousers. His cock was steel hard and his green eyes burned with
desire. The muscles in his long legs rippled as he stepped closer, offering her
his hand. She took it and he tugged her to her feet and into his embrace.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

It still amazed her that he found her beautiful. “I’m glad
you think so.”

“Everything about you is beautiful,” he said, caressing her
cheek and holding her gaze. “Not just your appearance, but your heart.”

“Then so are you beautiful.”

He smiled faintly and kissed her again before guiding her to
the tub. He continued holding her hand as she stepped into the warm water, then
he joined her. Seated, he pulled her on top of him.

Grinning, Delia straddled him. Raising herself on her knees,
she grasped his cock and guided him inside her. Her hands rested on his hard
shoulders and she rocked on him, creating ripples of pleasure between them.

For several moments they gazed into each other’s eyes while
she controlled their pleasure. Delia wanted it to last forever, but her body
soon betrayed her. She rocked faster, her heart pounding. Areus’s eyes closed
partway, his face misted with sweat from the warmth of the water and the
excitement of their lovemaking.

Delia cried out in the throes of another orgasm and Areus’s
hips lunged upward. He grasped her waist and groaned as he came.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, Delia relaxed on top of
him. After a moment, she disentangled herself from him and moved to the other
end of the tub to face him. Exchanging flirty smiles, they teased each other
with their feet. Finally Areus grasped her ankle and held it while he tickled
her foot.