never allow you to have me.”
“Allow it?” He chuckled. “He’ll watch it.”
The erotic images his kiss had brought to life coalesced into clearer mind-pictures. Her body entwined with Trey’s, hands and mouths travelling freely. Trey entering her while her husband looked on. Ulric stroking his own cock until it grew crimson with lust and then shot his seed in great spurts.
“I see you’re intrigued by the possibilities,” Trey said.
“Can you read my mind?”
“I know what’s in my own, lady, and I would be proud to do that for the two of you.”
“The two of us?” She studied his face but found nothing but his usual handsome features. Still, something hid behind those dark eyes. “Have you nothing to gain from my seduction?”
“I have a great deal at stake here,” he said. “And you and your husband will gain success for me.”
“Are you a minstrel or an oracle?”
He laughed again. “Call me what you want, but grant me leave to savor the treasures of you body.”
“Very well,” she said. She’d been destined to agree to his request. The two men had created a hunger in her, and she’d need both of them to satisfy her. She’d ask for forgiveness later. For now, she’d indulge her senses with both of them.
She rose. “Finish your love song. I have other things to do.”
***
The mews welcomed Josalyn with dim light and the scent of straw covering the floor. But then, the presence of her hunting birds always calmed her. They’d endured capture, having their eyes sewn shut for the first part of their captivity, and then training and confinement. Yet, each retained its fierce spirit and beauty.
She put on the leather gloves and coaxed her favorite gyrfalcon onto her arm. It studied her calmly and allowed her to stroke its chest feathers with the other hand. She pursed her lips and cooed to it, more for her benefit than the bird’s.
The door opened behind her and light spilled into the dark enclosure. She set her falcon back onto its perch and turned. Although partially blinded, she couldn’t mistake the form in the doorway. The Viking–her husband–with another bird on his arm. When her vision recovered, she made it out to be a peregrine, the largest, most majestic she’d ever seen.
“A present,” he said.
“For me?”
“For my new bride.”
“One captive as a gift to another?”
“Must you question everything I do?” He approached, filling the room with his presence.
“Forgive me if I don’t play the part of the obedient wife,” she said. “I’d never thought to be a wife at all.”
“But you are one. Mine. Now, here.” He held his arm with the falcon out to her. “Take it.”
“I will, for the bird’s sake.” She extended her own arm, and he eased the falcon onto her glove. Such a stunning beast. Finely plumed and fierce in the predatory glare to its eye. It spread its wings to make its presence known and then settled back as if to say it already ruled this roost.
“I’m told you favor falconry, lady,” Ulric said. “This specimen cost me dearly.”
“So you buy things, Viking?” she said. “I thought you only took them.”
He learned toward her. “Gifts are sweeter when they’re freely given, mouse.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“Why do you call me Viking?” he countered. “I’m your lord and husband. I’d have you call me that.”
“Very well, my lord Viking.” She walked to a free perch and set the falcon onto it.
The man came up behind her with footsteps so soft she almost didn’t hear them. She could feel him, though. The heat of his body washed over her. He still smelled like the forest after a rain. Odd for a barbarian’s scent to be always so clean. It tugged at the memory of her drugged fantasy from the night before.
“Does a mouse like to be stroked behind the ear as a dog does?” he said.
“I wouldn’t know.”
“An easy task to find out.” His finger traced her ear and then dipped behind to stroke the