Paige took Aidan’s hand, leading him down the hall toward the bathing room. She had thought of running when Carrina left her alone, but her legs wouldn’t seem to move and she found herself waiting for him in the uncomfortable Starian gown. He had said he had family, but five dead brothers, a lost father and a mother whose brains had abandoned her? Paige’s heart broke a little at the thought. No wonder he seemed overeager to have a wife. He was lonely.
When she opened the bathing room door, she wasn’t sure what to say to him. So, instead, she went to the hand pump and began filling the bath with water. Finishing, she knelt by the edge, dipped her hand just below the surface and observed, “Water is clear in my homeland and we don’t have it running indoors.”
“From what I understand, it’s clear in most planes. Here it’s only the underground, blue mineral springs that flow this color. It stays warm no matter how long it is away from a heat source. There have been many winters that the springs have saved us from a cold death.” Aidan placed his bow on the floor and untied his sword scabbard. After placing his sword by the bow, he added two knifes to the pile. “Aboveground, our water flows clear, or mostly clear.”
With the tight bodice pushing into her stomach, Paige shifted her position to sit next to the water. She dipped her fingertips, lifting them so they rained sapphires. “Can you drink it?”
“Only if the circumstances are dire and you will die without. Too much will make you sick, but will keep you from dying of thirst.”
She kept her eyes on the water, but from the corner of her vision she saw him pulling his tunic over his head. The sound of material dropping against stone caused her to stiffen. Paige dipped her hand again, watching the blue tint her long sleeve as it got too close to the surface. A warm hand skimmed the back of her neck and she turned to find Aidan’s naked arousal before her. She looked up the length of his body, meeting his gaze.
“You are worth fighting an eternity of battles for, my oracle,” he whispered, so soft she barely heard him. “And yet, when I look at you, I do not think of wars.”
Paige tried to answer, but no one had ever said such a thing to her and she wasn’t sure how to answer. Aidan stepped past her, into the water. She followed him with her eyes, watching the strong, flexing muscles of his ass as he moved. Blue water swallowed him into its depths, until even his head disappeared under the rippling surface.
When he reappeared, he leaned along the edge and sighed. “What is it you think when you look at me?”
“I think that you, ah…” Paige’s hand shook as she skated her fingers along the surface, imagining them like two tiny legs on a wintery pond. She bit her bottom lip, saying thoughtfully, “I think you carry yourself like a warrior and I think you have a lot of scars.”
He grinned, pleased with the compliment. Paige tried not to laugh.
“What else?” Aidan prompted, reaching for soap.
Instead of going deeper, Paige flicked water at him. “You look like you’ve been crawling around in mud.”
Aidan roughly rubbed his hands over his face, cleaning it before surging across the bath to reach her. Wet hands gripped her hips. “It is my honor to provide for you. I would not have you starve when I am away. I have asked some of the women from the village to help you plant the garden. It should be a good year for crops for a large portion of the land has been resting.”
“I can feed myself,” she assured him. “There is no need for them to come.”
“It helps the villagers to have a joint garden. They’ll get extra vegetables for their families and a portion will be sent to the soldiers.” His hands tightened and his voice lowered. “Take down your hair.”
Not waiting for her to obey, he pushed up from the bath and tugged at the pins holding her hair, taking his time as he found all of them. Finally free, the locks spilled over her shoulders. Paige ran her hands over her head, detecting how his fingers had wet strands of her hair. She pulled the bulk of it off her shoulder, moving it aside to allow him access.
Aidan nuzzled her neck from behind, moaning softly into her skin. The warmth of his breath fanned over her, causing her to shiver. Heat radiated off him, his flesh warmed by the blue water. She closed her eyes, feeling his hands on her stomach, working to free her from the tight hold of the corset. As the laces loosened, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Aidan’s lips brushed along her shoulder, skimming so lightly she barely felt the touch. Her mind focused on him, the shifts of his body, the kiss of his breath, the sound of a water droplet hitting the surface of the bath when he moved. The bodice loosened more, allowing his roaming hands access beneath the stiff material. He skimmed the bottom curve of her breasts, but couldn’t do much more with the bodice hampering his movements.
“Come into the bath,” he whispered, pausing to nip at her earlobe. Paige trembled, lifting her arms to reach behind her head. She touched his hair, keeping his lips close to her neck. He kissed her hard, sucking and licking along her throat. Her heart beat fast, thumping uncontrollably in her chest.
Aidan broke the contact of his lips and tugged the corset over her lifted arms. He tossed it aside. The tunic dress’s neckline slung low, baring her breasts and shoulders. Without the aid of the corset, the green material slid easy from her arms to pool around her waist.
Aidan’s warmth encircled her once more and Paige couldn’t help but wonder if the fairies had known they were giving her such a man when they tossed her through the portal. Did the little creatures realize that a land such as Staria seemed like a paradise to a woman like her? Paige was a Forestter and this land was forest and earth and she understood it. Fallenrock’s constant rain calmed her thoughts. Its people understood her curse and called it a blessing. Here she could do good deeds, save lives, have friends, be happy. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she could belong to a society, not cast out onto its edges.
Then there was Aidan, whose hands tried to protect and worship at the same time. He cupped her breasts, massaging gently with heated, wet hands. His lips resumed their kisses against her shoulder and throat. Slowly, he pulled her back. Her gown caught beneath her, tangling in her legs. Aidan caught her against him, slipping a hand under her ass to support her weight. With one gentle motion, he drew her into the bath completely, sinking into the water. Paige sat on his lap, her naked back pressed to his chest.
Aidan moaned, his hips arching beneath her, pressing his heavy cock along the cleft of her ass. The tips of her hair floated in the water around them, sticking to the sides of her breasts when she lifted up. Using the advantage of his position, Aidan explored her body. He pinched her nipples. Paige reached behind her, touching his hips briefly before gliding her hands over his. Bronzed tattooed flesh contrasted with her skin. His fingers worked beneath hers. Water lapped her skin, an erotic caress that enhanced the moment. She squirmed, restlessly working against his arousal, an arousal that grew larger with each press of her cheeks.
He hugged her tight, wrapping his arms around her to touch her stomach, hips, upper thighs and back to her breasts. Paige moaned, enjoying the firm sensation of his touch. With each passing second, his movements became more eager. The room faded away until all that existed was the thin space separating their bodies.
She needed him, needed his touch, needed to feel the strength of him inside her. Paige tried to lift up and angle her body, but Aidan stopped her. Instead, he reached between her thighs to torture the clit he found buried in the folds of her sex. Fire shot through her senses, centering over her breasts and pussy. Stroking her pussy with the full length of his hand, he kept her ass tight to his cock. Harsh breathing hit her neck as he rubbed himself against her. A finger slipped past her folds, pushing up into her wet sex only to wiggle back and forth.
Paige rode his hand, gasping at how good the position felt. Aidan bit at her shoulder, not hurting but definitely hard enough to let her know how he anguished for release.
“Argh,” he groaned roughly, the sound impassioned and raw. His body jerked hard and she knew he spilled his seed into the water.
Paige let go, joining him in his pleasure. Tremors racked her, weakening her limbs. She collapsed against him, letting her head fall back onto his shoulder. He held her, his hand resting possessively on her breast.
“I did not mean to find release so fast,” he admitted, “but you are too beautiful to resist.”
Paige turned on his lap, straddling his legs to get more comfortable. The evidence of his desire had lessened somewhat, though his cock still remained partially lifted. Aidan looked deep into her eyes, as he pushed her hair back to better see her face. His intensity forced her to meet his gaze.
Within moments, the heat of his cock grew between them. Paige moaned, her pussy answering his primal call with a rush of moisture. She breathed deeply, holding onto his shoulders. The blunt tip of his erection drew along her sex, thick and hard. Paige impaled herself on him, unable to help the smile that spread over her features.
Aidan held her hips beneath the water, lifting her up only to let go so she slid onto his full length. His eyes stayed focused on her, silently commanding her to keep her eyes open. Paige held onto his neck, keeping a slow, deep rhythm. It felt too good to let the waves of release take her and she tried to hold back. But Aidan forced her up and down faster and harder. His breathing became a deep, harsh echo all around her. She tensed, unable to stave off the trembling rush of pleasure her climax wrought. His hands slid over her back.
“Ah,” she panted weakly. His cry of passion answered her in a loud, conquering shout of release.
For a long, sweet moment she stayed on his lap, their bodies joined. She rested her forehead to his, still looking into his eyes, though her lids were heavy. When the pounding of her heart slowed, she lifted off his cock.
“The gods have truly rewarded me.” He didn’t look away. Even when she turned her gaze to the water, she could feel him studying her. “Together we will fill this house and…”
Paige stiffened, unable to keep the thought of thirteen children out of her head.
“What is it?” Aidan’s eyes narrowed and the open expression on his face died a little beneath a hardened mask. She had been so caught up in his touch that she hadn’t noticed the unusually affectionate look until it was gone.
“Can’t we just be?” Paige bit her lip and tried to scoot off his lap. He held tight. “Can’t we just make sure we’re going to last before we start talking about children? There is no reason to rush into a union. We can just be…” She gestured helplessly, unable to think of the right words. “We can just be.”
“Why would you deny we are joined? The gods have sent—”
“Your gods,” she broke in.
“I don’t understand. You said yourself the fairies sent you here. They do the bidding of my gods. I have acted as a man should act. I am a soldier, a knight, I have proven myself in battle. I have done my duty.” He still didn’t let go of her. If anything, his hands tightened on her hips, gripping so hard his fingers hurt her. “Why do you doubt my honor?”
“Ow, stop.” She squirmed violently, trying to shake him off.
He instantly let go of her and drew his hands back, appearing horrified at what he had done. “Paige, I did not mean to harm you.”
She slipped off his lap into the depths of the water to hide her nakedness. With the sudden tension between them, she felt too exposed. “My desire to make sure we will last before making a big commitment has nothing to do with your honor and everything to do with prudence and good sense.”
“I trust that you will be a good wife.” He looked as if she had stabbed him in the chest. “You believe I will not uphold my end of the marriage. That is the only reason you would say such a thing to me. What is it? You do not think I will protect you? Feed you? Treat you well?”
“You can’t trust me, Aidan, you don’t know me.” Why was this so hard to explain? Why couldn’t he just let their relationship unfold with time? Why did it have to be marriage and children from the very first instant?
“I know you are an oracle, come to me from the Forestter people,” he said. “I know that you are my blessing. Why would I question anything else? Why would I worry about things that have not happened, will not happen?”
“Yes, and I suppose you know I’m a woman and I have red hair,” she answered wryly. “That is not who I am. Those things are superficial. They do not matter.”
“Then I will spend the years getting to know who you are.” He clenched his hand into a tight fist and his features tightened on his face. “You are my wife.”
“Are you telling me that there is never an unhappy marriage in Staria? That every claimed woman is happy and true to her husband?” Paige swiped her hair from her face, peeling the wet locks off her shoulders.
“Of course not, but I have faith that our marriage will be blessed. I have done everything I was supposed to do.” He slammed his fist onto the edge of the bathing pool with a heavy thud. “Why are you making this complicated?”
“Why are you yelling at me?” She surged to her feet, not caring that she had begun screaming. “Because I don’t want to have thirteen children? Because I’d like to learn a little bit more about the man who has claimed me? Because I want to learn more about this new world? You cannot fault me for that, Aidan.”
“I will tell you what you need to know.”
“Well, kiss my toes!” She snorted sarcastically, lifting her arms to the side in a wide, mocking gesture of relief. “Why didn’t you say so? Had I known there was no need to think and decide for myself, I wouldn’t have put up a fight. By all the trees, impregnate me, oh divine master. I am here to serve as the happy little house maiden.”
“I do not like what you are saying. I never asked you to be—”
“Well, then maybe you should tell me what I need to say. However will I know what to do without your guidance, Sir Aidan?” The aftermath pleasure of their encounter drained from her limbs, replaced by anger. She needed to walk. She needed the forest. She needed out of his presence before she challenged him to battle.
“You misunderstood my meaning, my lady.” Aidan stood, facing her. She couldn’t help herself as her eyes dipped down over his spectacular form.
“I’m going for a walk.” She pulled her tunic dress from the ground, not caring that it was damp in spots as she pulled it on her damp body. “Do not follow me.”
“You are my bride, Paige,” Aidan said in warning.
“So you keep saying,” she grumbled. Slamming out of the bathing room, she marched down the hall, fighting the gown. Why wouldn’t he just listen? Why couldn’t he understand? Finally giving up, she tossed it aside and went to raid the trunk for the male clothing she had altered.
“Daughter!” Carrina called, her voice booming. The happy tone didn’t last long. “What happened to your new gown? I told you to be careful with it. I only found you one.”
“I’ll be outside. So if you and your son wish to continue planning my life, I won’t get in the way.” She didn’t stop as she met with the moonlight-tinted rain.
* * *
The storm regained strength and raged for three days, barely lifting as the gods seemed to rain down some unknown vengeance upon the people of Fallenrock. The foul weather kept Paige inside with Aidan and his mother. No amount of rooms could help her escape Carrina’s scrutiny or Aidan’s probing gaze. He looked as if he might speak, but held back, showing none of the affection he had before their argument.
Paige assumed the euphoria of her “marriage” to Aidan would have eventually faded, but after only one fight and a few days? It only proved her instinct was right. He pushed for them to be together too hard and fast. The moment she expressed doubt, he shoved a stone wall between them. Apparently, the knights of Staria did not like to be questioned. It only confirmed she was not the wife for him. Paige would always question.
The rain would not stop her from navigating the forest. Though it wasn’t ideal scouting weather, it would hide her tracks. If she could manage to get far enough from the suffocating house, there would be no way Aidan could find her. Any thoughts she had entertained about any other alternative to her situation were just a fantasy. Whether it be in her homeland or in Staria, she belonged in the forest, friend to the trees, sister to the very life and death of the seasons. Even now she felt nature’s draw.
Paige pulled the front door open, hoping to slip out of the house undetected. This was the first time since Carrina’s arrival that she’d been left unattended in the front room. Gentle drops beat along her shoulder, the sprinkles cool in the evening breeze. Dark magenta light caressed the landscape, giving it an eerie glow.
“I wondered how long it would take you to run,” Carrina’s voice drifted to her from the side of the house. “I have watched you. I know you have been thinking of leaving us.”
Paige stopped, not stepping fully into the rain. Lying, she answered, “You’re imagining things. Who said I was running? I just like the rain and wanted fresh air.”
“I have watched you. I see what you are thinking,” Carrina repeated. She came to Paige’s side, staring out over the yard.
“Did the house tell you that?” she mumbled wryly.
“It has been quiet.” Then, giving her daughter-by-marriage an accusing look, she added, “I blame you for that. I do not understand why you must resist your fate.”
“Of course it is all my fault,” Paige muttered, not losing her sarcastic tone. She looked to the heavens, wishing one of the rods of lightning would strike her in the head. From experience, these accusations would last as long as Carrina lacked distraction. “How long until you take to the sea again? I am sure you miss the waves.”
“Trying to send me to my death? All in town speak of how you predicted Callum’s last moments. Is that what you’re doing out here. Watching my death in your visions?”
“Did you say last moments?” A deep sadness stabbed Paige in the chest, causing a sharp pain near her heart. She felt the hints of her dream world falling about her. “Callum died?”
“You saw it in your vision. It happened just as you foretold. The gods swallowed his boat beneath the waves and him with it.” Carrina nodded. “It is a very good death for a fisherman. Honorable. Right. His body is where it belongs—in the sea. He would have wanted such an end.”
“I don’t believe you. There is no way you could know what happened to Callum. You can’t go into the village. You don’t want to be claimed.” Paige wanted the knowing look on Carrina’s face to be another one of the woman’s wild imaginings.
“With the right disguise I can slip through the streets undetected.” Carrina waved her hand in dismissal. “And I do have friends. I was born in Fallenrock Village.”
“I failed,” Paige whispered, horrified. “Why didn’t he listen to me? I told him to stay out of the water. All he had to do was stay home for one storm.”
First, Aidan emotionally abandoned her because she dared to question him, dared to ask for time. Now, her prediction did not help anyone. Maybe the fairies hadn’t sent her to the perfect world. Perhaps that was the little creatures’ ultimate punishment—to give her hope and take it away.
“You gave him time to arrange what he needed to,” Carrina said. “It was a true blessing. He had a chance to make right those things that would have otherwise been undone.”
“Blessing?” Paige shook her head in denial, slowly backing away from the woman into the stormy night. The Forestters hadn’t wanted to hear about her visions, didn’t want her help. The Starians listened, but if they didn’t heed her warnings then how was that better? Callum was still dead. She had failed. And with that failure combined with Aidan’s distance, she saw all reason for her to be part of this society slipping away.
“Where are you going?” Carrina demanded.
“I need to meditate,” Paige lied, smiling in what she hoped was a convincing expression. “Alone.”
“Callum had time to say what he needed to,” Carrina said, her voice loud so as to be heard in the storm. “His family is grateful. It is a good death.”
Paige kept walking, barely noticing the cold rain soaking her clothes.
“You know, the gods did choose you for him. I am surprised you do not see it. The other oracles foresaw it. If he didn’t claim someone soon, it was predicted he would have no children. If you walk away from here, everyone will learn of your betrayal and no one in Staria will help you.”
“The Caniba…”
“Those beasts?” Carrina laughed. “They would devour you rather than help you. They are not called man-eaters without reason. You would be better off seeking aid from a mammoth wolf.”
“I do not need the Starian or the Caniba people.” Paige crossed her arms over her chest.
“Come, let us eat,” Carrina dismissed the claim. “Your clothes are wet and it is time for the evening meal. You can dishonor the family and run like a coward tomorrow.”
Paige frowned and considered her options before marching back to the house in irritation. As she passed the older woman, she mumbled under her breath, “You should know about running, Carrina.”
I failed. Callum is dead. I’m a failure.
The thought swirled around her brain in an endless chant.
Failure. Failure. Failure.
Paige had dared to hope that Fallenrock would be different, that here her curse would have meaning. To have that hope taken away with such finality left her all the more bitter and alone. And Aidan’s moodiness did little to convince her to stay.