Torn (17 page)

Several Knights had been injured, but remarkably only two lost their lives.

Honey Wine didn’t know the ones who died, but she sensed the sadness of the entire Order.

A funeral service was held for them that night. Their bodies were burned and the ashes scattered over the river running through Rubyshire.

The following evening, Mahir sent for Honey Wine and Torn. As they entered his study, they were surprised to find High King Verick sitting at the table. He nodded his gray head at them, and Torn and Honey Wine bowed.

“As you know, new monarchs have been chosen for the countries which participated in Entertainment.” The High King’s voice was a deep rumble throughout the room. “Due to your lineage and your outstanding service and skills, I name you, Honey Wine, the new Mistress of Sophianna.”

Honey Wine glanced at Torn, and she was shocked that his dark eyes reflected none of the surprise she felt. He smiled at her.

“Do you accept?” the King asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Honey Wine, as Mistress, you can repair all the damage Alva did to your kingdom. You can rule fairly,” Mahir said.

“But what about you?” She turned to Torn and reached for his hand. “I’m your wife. Your place is here and my place is with you.”

“You can be my wife and be the Mistress,” he said. “You deserve this, Honey Wine, both you and your people.”

“He can go live with you, Honey Wine,” Mahir answered Honey Wine’s unasked question. “Some of the Knights live with their families outside of Rubyshire.”

“I’m still required to report here and carry out my duties,” Torn explained.

“But some of those duties would have required me to travel at times, anyway.

The choice is yours, Honey Wine.”

She paced the room, her mind reeling. Her, the Mistress! There was so much good she could do. The first would be to empty the dungeon. . . .

“All right.” She bowed once again to the High King. “I accept.”

* * * * *

One day later, Torn and Honey Wine traveled to Sophianna. Upon arriving, they learned that as soon as the High King’s troops marched on the palace, The Lady had thrown herself from her chamber window. Several relatives of the men who had died at her hand tore her body apart and burned the pieces in the village square.

Rain, Iris, Blaze, and Mahir traveled to Sophianna later that day to witness Honey Wine’s coronation.

“My faith, Sweet Liquid.” Blaze bowed his head as she mingled with guests in the great hall after the ceremony.

“And you have my faith as well, Sir.” She smiled at him. “I hope you’ll still find the time to teach me.”

“Always.” He looked to Torn. “The orphan becomes the consort of a Mistress. How strange the tapestry of the Spirit.”

It was nearly dawn when Torn and Honey Wine retired to one of the palace’s upper chambers. Eventually, they would move into Alva’s rooms, but Honey Wine wanted them to be emptied of her sister’s belongings first. Alva was imprisoned for life in the High King’s tower, a fate too good for her, in Honey Wine’s mind.

Anxious to be rid of the royal finery she’d worn for the coronation, Honey Wine tugged the thick gown of black and gray velvet over her head and let it fall to the floor. She kicked it aside as she approached Torn who stood by the fire.

“Honey Wine,” he murmured, drawing her into his embrace.

She locked her arms around his neck. Her sweet Knight. Bravery, wisdom, and innocence all existing in one man. “I love you, Torn. As much as I hated serving in the dungeon, one good thing came of it. I found you.”

“You’ve shown me a kind of love I never thought existed.” He took her face in his hands. His palms felt warm and rough against her skin, and his soft lips brushed her forehead and mouth. “I feel I’m the luckiest man in the world because I have you.”

Torn swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He dragged off her clothes while nipping and licking her ear, causing her to giggle and squirm.

When she lay naked beneath him, he stretched out beside her, fondling her breasts. He gently squeezed and kneaded each warm globe, then rolled the nipples between his thumb and forefinger. He took one in his mouth, his wet tongue lapping the tip of it and circling the sensitive little peak before moving to the other.

Honey Wine made a soft sound deep in her throat as she guided his hand between her legs. His fingers sifted through the dark curls covering her pubis.

He caressed her slick folds of flesh then rubbed her clit, carefully stroking the side. Honey Wine tried to restrain a moan.

“Let me hear you,” he said in a husky voice. “I love hearing you.”

“Oh, Torn,” she murmured, crying out sharply as his fingers sped up, driving her to orgasm. While one hand rubbed her clit, two fingers of his other thrust inside her, exploring her wet, throbbing pussy as she came.

Before the last marvelous bursts of orgasm ceased, he slid down her body and covered her clit with his mouth, caressing the hard little mound with his tongue. He laved and lapped. He traced the shape of it with the tip of his tongue until she came again.

“Torn, oh, Goddess. Torn!” she cried, fingers gripping his hair as he continued licking and tugging at her soft clit with his lips. Her belly clenched as another orgasm neared. This time as she came, he thrust into her. Her pussy clutched his stiff cock, and their hips ground together. Torn grasped her buttocks, two fingers gently pressing the soft, sensitive flesh deep between the soft globes.

His mouth covered hers, absorbing her moans of pleasure as she came again, this time dragging him with her. As they merged, body and spirit, she knew their souls had joined and she had found her true mate.

The End