An Oath Sworn by Diana Cosby Page A

she finally fall into an exhausted slumber.
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    A battering of cool wind against his face woke Colyne. He grimaced. Somewhere during the dawn, he’d drifted off. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he took in the angry clouds rolling overhead. The gentle wind of last night now railed across the landscape with a harsh slap.
    A storm was moving in.
    Alesia shifted in his arms. Her thick mane of honey-colored hair framed her face and her lips were turned upward in a soft pout.
    A yearning curled tight inside. What would it be like if he kissed her?
    Thunder rolled in the heavens.
    He grimaced as he scanned the darkening sky. It appeared a higher authority than he would remind him of the folly of such a thought.
    Concern edged through him at the dark circles visible beneath her eyes. However much he hated to wake her, they needed to put as many miles between them and their pursuers as possible. And, from the look of the black clouds, find shelter before the storm broke.
    â€œAlesia?”
    Her lips twitched into an endearing frown.
    â€œAlesia,” he whispered again.
    She continued to sleep.
    â€œAh, lass. What am I going to do with you?” he whispered, charmed and a wee bit envious that she’d fallen into such a deep slumber. Many a battle ago, he’d nurtured the ability to awaken at the lightest sound.
    The first drop of rain splattered against his brow. Then another.
    Colyne squinted toward the threatening sky and then gave her a gentle shake. “Time to be up with you.”
    Moss-green eyes fluttered open and stared up at him in sleepy confusion.
    A pure shot of lust pumped through his blood.
    Another splatter of rain hit his hand.
    On a muttered curse, Colyne gently set her away from himself and stood, his body sluggish from lack of sleep. “We need to find shelter before it begins to pour.”
    â€œWhat?” she asked, her voice groggy. She started to stand and stumbled.
    He caught her shoulders. Warm rain had started to fall, soaking her garb and outlining Alesia’s full breasts. He gritted his teeth. He had to think of something else. The miles they must travel this day. The misery of trudging in this damp and treacherous weather. The men who chased them.
    Nay matter how hard he tried, his every thought came back to wanting her. “Wake up now, lass.”
    A tired smile curved her mouth. “I am awake.” As if a trick of the fairies, desire wove through her gaze in a devastating slide.
    He swallowed hard, his hands trembling from the effort to keep his distance. If she kept looking at him that way . . . God help him, he wasna a saint. “Can you stand alone?” She nodded, but he didna let her go.
    Alesia watched him, her full lips tempting, threatening to destroy his will.
    Nay, he wasna going to kiss her. He would be a fool to consider such. Hadna he spent the last several minutes reasoning the harm in doing exactly that?
    â€œColyne?”
    The raw yearning within her words ripped through his good intention like a well-honed blade. With a curse, he cupped her face.
    Alesia’s eyes darkened with understanding—a split second before Colyne claimed her mouth.

Chapter 6
    H eat. It washed through Marie, overwhelmed her until all she could do was cling. Though she’d been kissed before, never had it been this potent, this intense, or this exquisite. Colyne’s mouth moved over hers with deft sureness, giving, taking, luring her to respond until her blood flowed wild. Though their bodies were snug, she wanted more.
    With his eyes locked on hers, he began to touch her, caress her as if he knew her every secret place, and her body burned until she thought she would ignite. On a rough breath, his fingers skimmed along the curve of her neck and then began to loosen the ties of her gown.
    A shiver of anticipation slid through her.
    This moment.
    This day.
    This man . . . everything was perfect.
    As he inched the delicate fabric past her shoulders,