FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls

Northern Netherwood, Netherlands

TEVERIUS

The night was long and pleasant.

Wonderful. Teverius thought.

Serdephe had made both he and she several slices of bread lathed in honey.

They fed each other pleasantly.

True to her word, she’d requested to remove his shirt and smear the honey on his skin. She touched him softly, face etched with fascination. Unlacing his tunic and sliding it from his shoulders. Trailing her fingertips over his shoulders and chest. Learning the planes of his body. Feeling the pleasant swells of his rippled abdomen. Unlacing his breeches and sliding them down off of him. Looking up at him with her stunning teal eyes as she did. Black lashes surrounding them and beautiful arching brows framing their shape.

Beautiful. Alluring. Like a forest spriggan seducing me.

Rising she retrieved the honey and began the long process of licking every drop of it away.

A sensation I’d not experienced before. He shivered just thinking of the tingling that had washed over him. He’d returned the favor. Slipping her lavender dress from her shoulders.

Teverius was astounded at the great beauty of the tall willowy woman’s form. She was wound with delicate muscles. Every part of her smoothly sinewed and a beckoning golden brown. Nothing like the set ideals of beauty.

But she’s gorgeous, nonetheless. He was mesmerized.

I’ve never seen a woman so sensual. And he savored the time worshipping her body with his hands and mouth.

“Play Trites with me?” He asked.

She nodded. Smiling from beneath lowered lashes and he caught her hand and led her over to the untouched board.

They commenced the game they’d been working on.

He glanced up at her as she mulled over her next move. Determined to take over as much of the board as possible. Her face was scrunched thoughtfully, and she had her knees drawn up under her chin, making her appear much smaller. But she was comfortable utterly nude.

Such an intriguing creature. As wild as a tree nymph.

He sat in his wide chair. One knee drawn up so he could brace an elbow on it. The other flat on the floor to allow him to reach the board when it was his turn again. She’s becoming serious competition.

He calculated the future of the game and was already sure she was going to win. “You’ve been practicing?”

“No.” Eyes wide she shook her head adamantly.

“Then how?” He gave her a sideways look.

She blushed. Gaze falling. “When I came to clean I would stare at the board. I’d thought of every possible play for this particular game.”

“You’re going to win.” He sat back. Looking at her proudly. “Well done.”

“But I haven’t yet!” She cried.

She wants to win for the victory. Fine.

He gave an acknowledging tilt of his head and they resumed the game.

Once she’d won as he knew she would, he’d led her up the twisting stairs to the top floor of his hut. Where his bedroom took up the entire span. A large bed dominating it. He led her to it and pulled her down atop him. Letting her discover his body.

When she was satisfied, he pulled her down next to him and wrapped his arms around her. Propping his chin atop her head and holding her.

“You don’t want me?” She queried hesitantly.

Oh, I do. You’ve no idea how bad.

“Quite the contrary. But this has been an extraordinary night and I’ve no desire to ruin the sanctity of it. Can we just lie together?”

I’d like to feel your warmth. Learn the comfort of your body near me.

“Yes.”

He listened for sadness in her voice but heard only a hint of relief. “Are you disappointed?”

“No.” She shook her head. Making her hair tickle his nose.

He sneezed and laughed.

“What?” She peered over her shoulder.

“Your hair.”