Page 104 of Bound to a Warrior
“I can’t find Mercy.”
“Did you look in my resting room? That’s where I left her.”
Duncan furrowed his brow. He wouldn’t even think of treading on such hallowed ground.
His startled expression had her laughing and she said, “Come with me and we’ll see if she’s still there.”
He walked alongside her through the great hall. “Did Mercy enjoy the tour?”
“We never finished it,” Mara said. “There seemed to be something on her mind, but then with all that has happened to her in a relatively short time, it’s no wonder she’s preoccupied. It certainly can’t be easy for her.”
“She has me,” Duncan said.
Mara stopped before starting up the stairs and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Of course she does, but think about it, Duncan. She loses her mother, her father, the ruling king, wants her dead and where does she end up? In the heart of the true king’s troops. Who then does she truly trust?”
“Me!” he said with an adamant pound to his chest. “I love her and she knows it.”
Mara’s constant smile faded and it startled Duncan to the point where he felt a chill run through him. Never had he seen his mother without a smile. Angry or not, she wore her smile, as she insisted it helped keep her sane.
“Love sometimes isn’t always enough for some,” she said.
“It is for Mercy and me. Our love will see us through this,” he insisted.
Her smile returned and chased away his fearful chill. “I’m sure it will.”
He was certain of it and would let no one tell him any differently. Their love was strong and would survive any and all obstacles. Hadn’t it already? And it would continue to do so, no matter what the turmoil. It was that strong and he that certain.
Duncan followed Mara into her private sanctum, pleased that she favored Mercy enough to share her private retreat with her.
“She’s sleeping,” Mara whispered as she peered around the chair. “This room can do that to you; take away your worries if only for a time.”
Mara gave Duncan’s arm a gentle pat. “Take your time.”
“I can stay here?” he asked teasingly.
“Not if you sass me,” she quipped and playfully slapped his arm before leaving.
Duncan crouched down in front of the chair and stared at Mercy. She looked so content and he was glad that she could escape her concerns for awhile. He couldn’t say he wasn’t worried himself. Though his family agreed that Mercy shouldn’t be returned to her father, he knew if her presence here ever threatened the mission that there was a chance she would have to leave. Not return to her father, but seek asylum elsewhere until the true king took the throne.
He didn’t want that. He wanted Mercy where he could protect her and keep her safe, but he also knew that might not always be possible. That was one reason he taught her how to use a dagger. She had been right when she had suggested that there might not always be someone there to protect her. He felt better knowing that at least she had a minimum of skill.
He reached out and gently took a strand of her long black hair between his fingers. He loved the feel of it, so soft and silky, just like her skin. He let it fall back to rest on her chest and he continued to drink in her beauty.
She stirred then and he hoped she would wake, though his thoughts were no longer on talking with her, but rather making love. Damn, but he couldn’t resist her. He was already growing hard when he was around her and that wouldn’t do. He needed to talk with her, needed to know what troubled her…needed to kiss her.
He was in trouble, big trouble, since there was no way he could make love to her here in his mother’s private sanctuary.
It didn’t take him long to make a decision. He eased her into his arms without waking her, her head falling to rest on his chest and her body cuddling against him. Even in sleep she seemed to know he held her.
It didn’t take him long to get her to his bedchamber and as he placed her on the bed, he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her or touching her. His hand slipped beneath her blouse. Her skin was warm and so very soft. His hand gently explored her plump breast, repeatedly teasing her nipple with his fingers until it grew stiff. He eased her blouse up, his mouth hungry for her hard nipple when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Duncan jumped and Mercy’s eyes sprang open.
“Duncan,” Reeve called out.
He lowered her blouse covering her up and whispered, “I was attempting to make your dreams come true.”
She smiled. “You always make my dreams come true.”
