FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

Elsabet stood with Sebastian at the helm of the FireStar. The wind in her hair. She was leaned against the railing.

He leaned against her back. Nearly pinning her against the railing as he gripped it outside of her hands. Framing her body.

His breath teased along her cheek. “Do you feel the swells of the water? Almost like a heartbeat.”

She nodded. Smiling despite herself.

A sudden surge of sea spray made her giggle and jerk against him.

He gave his low rumbling laugh in response.

“Is this really necessary?” She lifted her wrist. The weight of the shackle reddening it.

“With you?” He leaned forward to twist and blink at her. “Certainly! You’re like to bail overboard and have me swimming the Peril with you. Veering around the corpses floating from the Sourthern Vale cliffs.”

She glowered at him. “I’m not quite so foolhardy.”

“Never foolhardy.” He straightened. “But certainly that stubborn.”

“I’m somewhat chilly.” She murmured.

“Are you?” He reached under her armpits and scooped her hair back from her face. Pinioning her shoulders against him as he straightened. Molding their bodies together as he whispered in her ear. “Should I take you below and warm you?”

“Is this how every day of this voyage will be?”

“What part of your question are you wanting me to answer?”

“The shackles.”

“Yes.” He said decisively. “Every day. Of the upmost necessity.”

“Seducing me at every opportunity.”

“Did you doubt it? I plan to sate both your and my needs at every opportunity while your trapped on a ship with me and have nothing better to do then share pleasure with me.”

“I could read.”

“Ah,” He dropped his lips to the crook of his neck and nibbled his way up to her ear. Flattening his palms on her stomach to pull her tighter into his groin. “but would you want to?”

“No.” She admitted on a moan. Reaching over her head to wind her fingers into the hair at the back of his head as he administered kisses to the exposed flesh of her collar and shoulder.

Savoring the sea salted taste of her skin while I can.

The next morning dawned with her still naked and shackled to him. When she moved to rise he grunted and rolled over. Digging the key from his breeches to unlink her so she could roam the room.

She went to stand at the portal and peer out. Watching the sun rise.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

She started at the sound of his voice so near behind her. His put a palm to the wall above the portal. Hugging her against him so they could watch the sun crest the sea together.

“Is that the Isle?” She asked. Spotting the spot in the distance.

“Yes. Should we take the longer route?”

“What route would that be?”

“The route where we turnabout return to Ardae, stall for three days then sail back while dragging anchor the whole way.”

“That trip could take years!” She objected. Shooting him a wide eyed look.

“One can only hope.”

“You’re devious.”

“It’s one of the things you admire about me.” He gave her a quick squeeze in way of a hug.

“Possibly.”

The rest of the voyage was much the same.

Today she stood near him at the helm. Watching the small outer islands passing by. “Where do you navigate?”

“If you mean how, the stars.” He pointed upward. “If you mean where, there’s an antechamber to my cabin.”

“And you’ve not shown me?” She frowned at him. The shackle jangling as she turned.

“Would you like to see it?”

She nodded.

He led her down to the antechamber. Inside was a globe with the countries of Ardae. Maps laid out on it and tools for navigating. “These are the stars that mark above the Isle but when it is in transition you have to look further over here.” He pointed on the map. “Sometimes it can…”

She slipped between him and the table. “Sebastian?”

“Yes?” He pulled back from her in surprise.

“Stop talking.” She grabbed his cheeks and kissed him.

He returned it fervently. Pushing the maps and globe off the table to tip her back onto it. “You’re exhausting, Woman.”

“Is it so bad?”

“Not in the least.”