Free Griffin's Shadow by Leslie Ann Moore Page B

“I’m afraid so. The girl is at least four months pregnant, Raidu tells me.”
    “Damn him! Well, royal by-blows are nothing new. Is he certain it’s his?”
    “Oh, yes. He admitted to taking certain…magical means to insure her fidelity, but not her infertility.” She clicked her tongue in exasperation. “He is quite proud of himself!”
    Raidan shook his head. “Perhaps the girl won’t want the child.”
    “Of course she’ll want it! It’s a royal bastard!”
    “First my brother and now my own son!” Raidan muttered with bitter amusement, unable to ignore the irony of the situation. “Raidu must learn to deal with his own messes,” he stated flatly. “Since he’s admitting it’s his, he’ll do the honorable thing and support the child and its mother, but with his own money, not ours.”
    They sat quietly for a time, each of them lost in thought.
    I must not let events control me! As soon as they do, all is lost!
    All of these things can and will be resolved, my love, but you needn’t worry about them now… Let me soothe you, Husband…
    Taya folded his hands in hers and leaned forward to gently press her lips to his. Raidan felt the familiar, welcome stirring in his loins that always happened whenever his wife touched him. The anger and frustration built up within him drained away, and desire took its place. He pulled Taya hard against him to deepen their kiss. The wards remained in place; no one could enter the room without Taya’s leave. They were completely safe.
    Raidan reached up and removed the ornate gold pins that held Taya’s hair in place. With a shake of her head, she sent her auburn tresses tumbling down around her shoulders and back. Her jade-green eyes smoldered as she let her simple lounging robe slip to the floor. Languidly, she moved from the window seat to the couch and lay upon it, ready to receive him. Raidan took a moment to savor the sight of his wife’s nakedness, then eagerly freed himself from the confines of his own clothing.
    With a heartfelt sigh, he sank into Taya’s embrace. After so many years together, they no longer needed words when it came to the mutual pleasuring of their bodies, and at the exact moment of climax, Raidan felt his consciousness merge with his wife’s; for a time, they were as one, sailing together on successive waves of ecstasy.
    It was this unity of consciousness that Raidan so craved, loved, and valued. Because he could only achieve it with Taya, he had no desire to make love to any other woman.
    Afterwards, they lay together on the couch, sipping cool, sweet wine from silver goblets. As Raidan stroked his wife’s smooth back, his thoughts were wistful.
    Ai, when we were young, Wife, you could get me up again with just a smile…Ah, well. That time is past now. Age does take its toll.
    This realization did not make him sad, though. The intensity of their lovemaking had only grown stronger as they had aged, even as the frequency had declined.
    It’s an equitable trade.
    He breathed in the intermingled scents of jasmine and sex and allowed his mind to float. Taya shifted in his arms, then sat up and looked down at him, frowning “Husband…” she started, but he laid a finger on her lips.
    “Hush, Wife. Not now,” he whispered. “Tomorrow.”
     

Chapter 7
    The Search Is Over
    "Jelena… Wake up.”
    Jelena awoke with a start. She had no memory of having fallen asleep. She opened her eyes and extended her arms to Ashinji, a drowsy smile curving her lips. The bed in which she lay felt soft and comfortable, and she would not have stirred for anyone except her husband.
    Despite her weariness and the lateness of the hour, the sight of his face sent a tingle of desire coursing through her loins. “What are you waiting for? Come to bed,” she whispered invitingly.
    “Jelena, listen to me,” Ashinji murmured. “You have to get up and get dressed now. The king has commanded that you be brought to him.”
    Jelena sat up, all sleepiness