truth.”
Celiese drew her fingertips through his thick curls and along his cheek as she tried to imagine how she could possibly tell him the truth about anything. “Do not ask, Mylan, for I am yours now, and you must love me enough never to ask.”
After a moment’s pause, Mylan whispered softly, “Did you love him?”
“No.” Celiese could not suppress the shiver of disgust that coursed down her spine. “No, there was no love between us, never that.”
“If you wish him dead, I will kill him gladly for your sake. You need but speak his name and his life is over.” Mylan sealed his vow with a slow, deep kiss that left them both dizzy, entwined in each other’s arms, too content ever to part.
Celiese could not accept his gallant offer, for she feared too greatly for his safety. His love now meant more to her than avenging her honor ever would, and she’d not risk his life for any reason. “No, our marriage was meant to bring peace, not further strife, Mylan.” She snuggled against him, for she had found a paradise in his arms she’d not imagined existed on earth and knew he had shared the same exquisite joy he’d given to her. “Is this not enough, Mylan, am I not enough to make your life complete?” Her fingertips traced his scarred chest with a seductive caress before slipping down his flat stomach and encircling his waist to draw him near. When she lifted her lips to his he responded eagerly to her enticing affection, enveloping her once again in a passion-filled dream that left her glowing with the pleasure of his love. She was the most talented of pupils, the most loving of wives, and had learned swiftly how to please him as greatly as he pleased her. When at last she fell asleep in his strong arms she prayed their marriage would last forever, for she had never felt more truly a woman nor more dearly loved than she did lying in Mylan’s affectionate embrace.
Chapter Four
Celiese awoke slowly from her beautiful dreams of love. She stretched languidly, pressing her lissome body closer to Mylan’s to savor his comforting warmth. He lay sleeping so soundly that she did not try to wake him, but propped her chin on her elbow to study the planes of his attractive features in the dim glow that was all that remained of the once bright fire upon the hearth. The scar upon his cheek was faint, a wound suffered at an earlier time than the bear’s attack, and she grew curious as to what had caused the mark he’d always carry. Perhaps it had been no more than a boyhood game that had ended too roughly, the result of a brawl with his brothers or some boisterous friends. She would not ask though, she’d wait until he wished to tell her, as it was so slight a flaw she’d not make him think it disturbed her by calling his attention to it. Her eyes continued to sweep his face with a loving caress. He had become so dear to her in the brief time they’d shared, and he would be the husband she had not dared hope ever to have. She could not stop smiling as she watched him sleep. His dark lashes were as thick as her own, and she leaned down to kiss his eyelids sweetly. Her light touch did not wake him, although a slow smile came to his lips. He had a marvelous smile, so charming an expression that she was tempted to wake him just to see it again, but she knew that would be foolish, since he’d surely smile at her whenever he chanced to wake: She laced her fingers in his as she moved closer to snuggle against the curve of his lean body, and yawning dreamily, she drifted over the edge of sleep before any thoughts save those of him could fill her mind.
It was not yet dawn when a piercing cry of alarm brought Mylan swiftly from his slumber. He looked down at Celiese for one brief moment, then sprang from his bed and reached for the clothing he’d discarded so carelessly upon the floor. “Stay here, Olgrethe, bolt the door and do not open it to anyone until I return.”
Celiese sat up, clutching a soft fur robe to her
Celiese drew her fingertips through his thick curls and along his cheek as she tried to imagine how she could possibly tell him the truth about anything. “Do not ask, Mylan, for I am yours now, and you must love me enough never to ask.”
After a moment’s pause, Mylan whispered softly, “Did you love him?”
“No.” Celiese could not suppress the shiver of disgust that coursed down her spine. “No, there was no love between us, never that.”
“If you wish him dead, I will kill him gladly for your sake. You need but speak his name and his life is over.” Mylan sealed his vow with a slow, deep kiss that left them both dizzy, entwined in each other’s arms, too content ever to part.
Celiese could not accept his gallant offer, for she feared too greatly for his safety. His love now meant more to her than avenging her honor ever would, and she’d not risk his life for any reason. “No, our marriage was meant to bring peace, not further strife, Mylan.” She snuggled against him, for she had found a paradise in his arms she’d not imagined existed on earth and knew he had shared the same exquisite joy he’d given to her. “Is this not enough, Mylan, am I not enough to make your life complete?” Her fingertips traced his scarred chest with a seductive caress before slipping down his flat stomach and encircling his waist to draw him near. When she lifted her lips to his he responded eagerly to her enticing affection, enveloping her once again in a passion-filled dream that left her glowing with the pleasure of his love. She was the most talented of pupils, the most loving of wives, and had learned swiftly how to please him as greatly as he pleased her. When at last she fell asleep in his strong arms she prayed their marriage would last forever, for she had never felt more truly a woman nor more dearly loved than she did lying in Mylan’s affectionate embrace.
Chapter Four
Celiese awoke slowly from her beautiful dreams of love. She stretched languidly, pressing her lissome body closer to Mylan’s to savor his comforting warmth. He lay sleeping so soundly that she did not try to wake him, but propped her chin on her elbow to study the planes of his attractive features in the dim glow that was all that remained of the once bright fire upon the hearth. The scar upon his cheek was faint, a wound suffered at an earlier time than the bear’s attack, and she grew curious as to what had caused the mark he’d always carry. Perhaps it had been no more than a boyhood game that had ended too roughly, the result of a brawl with his brothers or some boisterous friends. She would not ask though, she’d wait until he wished to tell her, as it was so slight a flaw she’d not make him think it disturbed her by calling his attention to it. Her eyes continued to sweep his face with a loving caress. He had become so dear to her in the brief time they’d shared, and he would be the husband she had not dared hope ever to have. She could not stop smiling as she watched him sleep. His dark lashes were as thick as her own, and she leaned down to kiss his eyelids sweetly. Her light touch did not wake him, although a slow smile came to his lips. He had a marvelous smile, so charming an expression that she was tempted to wake him just to see it again, but she knew that would be foolish, since he’d surely smile at her whenever he chanced to wake: She laced her fingers in his as she moved closer to snuggle against the curve of his lean body, and yawning dreamily, she drifted over the edge of sleep before any thoughts save those of him could fill her mind.
It was not yet dawn when a piercing cry of alarm brought Mylan swiftly from his slumber. He looked down at Celiese for one brief moment, then sprang from his bed and reached for the clothing he’d discarded so carelessly upon the floor. “Stay here, Olgrethe, bolt the door and do not open it to anyone until I return.”
Celiese sat up, clutching a soft fur robe to her
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