Impending Reprisals by Jolyn Palliata Page A

watch how they swayed to and fro.
    She let a piece be carried up by her arm and drift across before swinging back into place, and as it flowed through her sight, her eyes caught the movement of someone else. Curious, Anya stepped back and studied the wavering strips. She could vaguely make out the silhouette of a man through a teal veil far across the way, and only when the breeze caught the fabric and whipped it aside did she see who it was. Kael.
    Her breath caught as she started for him, straining to keep him in her sights through the billowing fabric. But just when she thought she was positive of his location, all the glowing pieces of material would sway and her eye would catch him in another direction. Back and forth, she traversed the endless space, seeking what she wanted most and eager to hold what was once hers.
    Anya finally spotted Kael, not so far from her, and she ran to him as he once again disappeared. She yanked the fabric back and there he was—his lips curving into an irresistible smile, and deep blue eyes beckoning her closer.
    “Anya.” She heard him in her mind, his voice full of desire and devotion.
    A sudden gust of wind pulled the material from her grasp, settling it between them once again. And when she tore it back, he was gone. Before she could call out for him, Anya felt a hand glide across her abdomen from behind. Leaning her head back, she moaned as fingers brushed below her breasts and continued along her arm and shoulder, tracing a trail across her soft skin. She twisted to embrace him, to press herself close and encourage his questing hands. And when she did, she was face-to-face with Lord Merivic.
    Her breath caught in surprise as his fingertips tickled a path up her neck and nestled in her hair. His soft hazel eyes gazed at her with a hunger she could not deny. And she melted against him, powerless against the heat of the passion he exuded and the knowledge consuming her: This was the man who wanted her.
    He leaned in, touching his lips to hers with a light pressure. The kiss teased her senses and brought forth her needs as she sighed and curled her body around him. Pressing her mouth hard against his, she felt his hands travel down her side.
    Another gust of wind came through and she felt the fabric caress their bodies, and then wrap tight, drawing them together. He felt so good against her body; sturdy and firm, safe and loving. His arms squeezed and his hands roamed as she pulled him into a deep kiss, their tongues building into a frenzied craving.
    Nestling his face in her neck, Lord Merivic whispered her name, and then growled it as her hands rubbed down and across his backside, tugging him close. Caught up in her newfound yearnings, Anya spun them about, tangling them further into the fabric until it lifted them off their feet and wound them up, suspended in the air with Anya lying on top.
    Her lips curved as she looked down at his astonished expression and ground her hips against him.
    “Anya,” he breathed.
    “Put your hands on me.”
    “Anya?”
    She pulled at the fingers cradling her face and wrapped them around her breasts instead. “I need your hands on me.”
    “Anya, wake up.”
    She tipped her head in confusion a moment before she snapped awake.
     
    “Anya?” Lord Merivic thought he saw a spark in her eyes indicating she was awake, but was not completely sure until they widened in shock.
    She held perfectly still as she took in the scene—she was straddling his hips and pressing his palms against her breasts.
    “Anya?”
    “Oh!” Anya released his hands and scrambled off him, her face ablaze in embarrassment. “My apologies, My Lord!”
    She tucked her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, burying her face against her knees.
    Lord Merivic chuckled as he sat up and eased next to her, rubbing her back in comfort. “It is my fault. I could not resist kissing you as I came upon you sleeping. I should have realized you were not yet awake when