Sirvat is her father’s image. Each day I looked at this child I had not intended bearing, and I found myself beginning to hate her. She was alive, and Ejnar was not. I protected her the best way I knew how.”
“You left her to her brother, and went to Narda’s home,” Lara said. “Do you still hate her?”
“No! How could I? Magnus was a far better influence for Sirvat than I ever would have been. She is the sweetest of my daughters because I had virtually nothing to do with her upbringing.” Persis laughed almost bitterly. “It would appear I lost not only my husband, but a daughter as well because I could not resign myself to my own fate. You at least gave up your children for a noble cause, Lara.”
“But I cannot forget them,” Lara said softly.
“Nor should you!” Persis told her. “When my son told me that he would marry you I was angered, for I thought he should have a Terahn maiden to wife, and certainly not a Hetarian. But I see now that Magnus is wiser than I ever was. My brother is right. Arik says you will help Magnus to become Terah’s greatest Dominus.”
“The High Priest honors me,” Lara said. “If Magnus becomes Terah’s greatest Dominus it will be because of his own efforts. I will take no credit for his accomplishments, lady.”
Persis laughed softly. “You are very clever,” she noted. “I can see you will manage my son to his best advantage. He will be fortunate in you. I give you my blessing, Lara.”
“Give us both your blessing, lady. I know it would please the Dominus greatly to know you approve.”
“Nonsense! He couldn’t care a whit what I think,” Lady Persis declared, “but I thank you for saying it. And I will follow your good advice.”
Lara rose. “Then I will see you before you depart on the morrow, lady.”
“You take pleasures together, of course,” the older woman said.
Lara nodded as she set her goblet back down.
“His father was a marvelous lover,” Lady Persis said.
“Then his son surely takes after him,” Lara replied with a smile, and she left the Dominus’s mother alone. They had tested each other, and Lara knew that Persis would now leave her in peace. Her original motive might have been to control her son’s future, but Lara could see that in her strange way Persis loved Magnus, and wanted what was best for him. Twice she had mentioned that Arik approved of Lara. It was good to learn she had the High Priest of Terah on her side should she ever need him, as perhaps she would one day. She hurried through the castle to tell Magnus of her meeting with his mother.
She found him in his private gardens enjoying the night. Sitting next to him she slipped her hand into his. “Your mother and I have made our peace. She would give us her blessing in the morning before she leaves.”
“Did you bewitch her?” he asked in an amused tone.
“She is intelligent in her own way, and it seems your uncle has much influence with her, my lord Dominus,” Lara told him. “He has told her a marriage between us is for the good of Terah. We talked on many things, but they are women’s things, and would be of no interest to you. Just know she will make no difficulties between us.”
“I want to go to Hetar,” he said, surprising her. Turning he tipped her face up so he might look into her eyes.
“Why?” she asked, though she had herself considered taking him to Hetar.
“You want me to populate all the land beyond the mountains with Outlanders,” he began. “I want to know these people before I let you bring them here. And it is always better that a man knows his enemy. Hetar, should they learn of us, will be our enemy. I want to see the City. I want to know what it is I may have to face one day.”
“Do you trust me?” Lara asked him.
“Of course,” he replied without hesitation, “but I must see for myself. I have given you my word, faerie woman, and I will keep that word. But let me see first. Do you understand?”
“Aye,” she said slowly, “I do. You are wise, my lord Dominus. Will we wed before this journey, or after? I will leave the choice up to you.”
“Before,” he said. “I will take no chances on losing you, Lara.” His fingers stroked her face gently. “Will you agree?”
“You said the Dominus must wed with much pomp and show,” Lara reminded him. “If you wish that then we cannot go to Hetar until the spring. I do not believe the Shadow Princes can hold back the danger that long.”
“Then we will bring the Outlanders here before the winter sets in. They will be safe, and in the spring you and I will go to Hetar,” the Dominus said.
“It will take a great act of combined magic,” Lara told him. “I must speak with Kaliq on the dream plane once again.”
“Not tonight,” he said softly. And his hand began to undo her simple gown. “Tonight is for love, faerie woman. Tonight I would exchange pleasures with you.”
“Would you play at being my husband then?” she teased him gently, her fingers caressing the back of his neck.
“I am your husband,” Magnus murmured against her mouth, his eyes meeting hers. “We but lack Arik’s formal blessing, my faerie love. I know the Great Creator smiles on our union, Lara. And before we go to Hetar in the springtime we will have a proper wedding.” He undid the last fastening on her gown and it slipped to the ground. Pulling her naked body against him, he kissed her.
It was good, Lara realized. This was where she was meant to be. In Terah. In the strong arms of Magnus Hauk. Her lips softened beneath his, and suddenly their tongues were at play. She murmured softly as his big hands fastened themselves about the twin moons of her bottom. His fingers dug into her flesh, kneading it gently. She could feel the desire in his very fingertips.
He felt her yielding, felt her need. His own need was burgeoning beneath his gown. Laying her back on the marble bench he straddled her as he pulled off the long tunic he had worn that day, tossing it on the gravel path.
Lara half sat and began licking at his broad chest, nibbling teasingly at his nipples. Impatient he took her head between his hands, and began kissing her face. Her hands began to fondle his great manhood; stroking it, her subtle fingers playing with his seed sacs, rolling them in her palm, marveling at their size.
“Faerie witch,” he groaned. “I want to be inside of you.”
“Not yet, my lord,” she whispered hotly in his ear, licking it playfully.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded.
“Know my flesh,” Lara told him. “Taste me all over. I want to feel your tongue on me, my lord and my love.”
She lay back again, and he began to tongue her. The dampness covered her breasts, and he blew on her wet nipples causing them to pucker tightly. Unable to help himself he suckled hard on each in turn before beginning his further exploration of her lush body. Lara closed her eyes, and reveled in the touch of his warm tongue. Slowly it roamed across her torso, and belly, and then he blew on her again causing small frissons of delight to ripple down her spine. The tongue slipped down her leg in a single smooth motion, pushing between the toes of each foot. Then his tongue swept upwards again.
“Oh, Magnus!” Lara breathed.
Reaching her smooth pink mons he placed a long hot kiss upon it. Then his tongue sought out the purple- shadowed slit and ran down it. He was almost dizzy with the heady musk of her body. And his own desire was greater than it had previously been.
His tongue pushed between her nether lips, seeking out the most sensitive spot on her body. Her small sharp cry told him he had succeeded. His dark blond head was buried deep between her thighs. He pulled her flesh open to his sight. She was milky with her juices. His mouth fastened about the tiny nub, and he began to suck her.
It was as if she had been struck with lightning. The sharp enjoyment pulsed through her as his mouth demanded more of her than any man ever had. And to her surprise Lara found she was willing to give him what he wanted. Her mouth opened in a scream. He sucked on her flesh all the harder, and a fierce tingle surged through her, leaving her helpless to him. And then he was pulling himself up, and she was beneath him again. Slowly, slowly he pushed into her body. Lara could scarcely breathe. He was so very big, and she reveled in his size as her body opened gradually to accommodate him. She could feel herself responding almost violently to the invasion, and then he was completely sheathed. Hands captured her head.
“Look at me,” he growled. “I want to see the pleasure in your eyes when your desire peaks, my faerie love. I want to lose myself in that green sea, Lara.”
