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intrigues me, encourages me.
Her first attempt at speech failed her, and she pressed her lips together. This is not what I
expected to hear. Gods help me, I am hopelessly trapped. I am an exile of my own family, a
scandal in your Court, and a woman bearing scars improperly healed. You would be better off to
find a Princess or Noble more worthy of your attention. She folded her hands in her lap, and
she softened her voice. And yet it pains me to say those words.
His hands reached out to cover hers. Do you honestly mean to leave here?
I fear I have no other choice, Your Highness.
Please, Bryane, no titles here, not now.
She wove her fingers between his. Philip, Vlad has already warned me of a reason for
my presence here, a reason he somehow created. While I appreciate your promises, the only
place that I will be safe is back in King Taureas s Court. There, I am beyond even Vlad s reach,
and I have protection. It may last for only a few days, until your father revokes my right as
Envoy, but it will be enough. There are friends in his Kingdom who will shelter me.
So you would leave, even if I offered a counter reason for your presence here? The
undercurrent of careful restraint had returned to his voice, and she felt her pulse quicken.
Yes; I have no choice. The words lodged in her throat, though, and she heard herself
speak otherwise. It is the job of an Envoy to listen and observe all sides of an issue.
His hands released hers, sliding to encircle her waist and draw her against him. He
pressed his lips to her hairline, and she could feel his entire body trembling. He kissed her
cheek, her chin, the side of her neck. You are cruel, Philip.
Davis A Matter of Tradition 33
His face was close to hers, though she could not see it. I would argue that you are cruel.
You have granted me not a moment s peace since your arrival.
She could hear the unspoken words in his voice, and her body shook. Reason screamed
for her attention in the back of her mind, but she shook her head. I have enough regrets in my
life; I will not add another to the list. She pressed her hand to his cheek and kissed him softly.
Then let us put an end to our cruelty.
His arms tightened around her, and his mouth covered hers. There was a restraint to his
movements that belied his obvious need, and she shivered pleasantly. His lips moved down her
neck, his teeth grazing her collarbone. She tilted her head back, and he kissed the hollow of her
throat. Am I still a fool, to wish to claim your heart? he whispered against her flesh.
No, I am a fool for offering it up.
He gathered her into his arms, and she traced his lower lip with her fingertip. Gently, he
laid her on the bed, sinking down beside her. I would light a candle, to see you beneath me, he
admitted, unlacing the bodice of her dress. He chuckled deep in his throat. But I am afraid that
the time required would be time wasted.
His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs tracing her nipples, and she gasped. You are
unfair, Philip, and she arched to meet his touch. I cannot think straight to reply properly.
He kissed her ear. You respond quite properly, Bryane. His hands moved lower, and
she closed her eyes, a soft moan escaping her lips. He closed his lips around her nipple, and she
wove her hands into his hair. Regular tremors ran the length of her body, as his fingers teased
her gently, and she bit her lower lip as the intensity built. His lips moved back to hers as the
wave within crested, and she cried out against his mouth, gripping his shoulders tightly.
He kissed her forehead and cheeks softly as she came down from the peak, his arms
sliding behind her back to support her. She kissed his chin, trailing her fingers along his back to
his belt. He leaned back onto one elbow, and she could feel his amusement as she struggled to
untie first the belt and then his trousers. When her fingers brushed against him, though, the
amusement was banished, and he shuddered. She closed her hand around him, and he groaned.
She sat up, pulling his tunic over his head. He kissed her hairline, cradling her against his
bare chest. And so the torment continues, he whispered, leaning her back against the pillows
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