Free Gift of the Goddess by Denise Rossetti Page B

training.”
    “Don’t be so sure, mighty shaman. I was there, remember?” Trey’s eyes sparkled. “You pushed and she pushed right back. You almost had her for a moment there, at the start, but then she turned us both inside out and she wasn’t even trying.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.” Trey grinned and elbowed him in the side. “Since when do you let another man wrap his hands around your cock?” The grin became a chuckle. He slapped his knees. “Lufra, you should see your face!”

46 Gift of the Goddess
    Brin wasn’t worried about his face, because there was an iron band constricting his chest. He couldn’t breathe.
    The realization hit him hard, and not pleasantly.
    She had known.
    Trey’s touch, so firm and knowing , so unlike a woman’s, had driven him closer to the edge, faster, than anything since he’d been a temple boy in training.
    Somehow, even if she wasn’t actually conscious of it, somehow , she had known.
    And like an idiot, he’d Bonded himself with her. He’d been absolutely certain of her, of himself, this morning. He hadn’t been wondering about his domination, her submission. He’d assumed it.
    After the vividness of his dreams of her, after her blazing response in the flesh, he’d fooled himself into believing he knew her, that she could fill the hollow place inside him, the one that ached.
    The temptation had been too much. Goddess knew, he was so very tired of being alone. It must be something to do with getting old. For Lufra’s sake! He couldn’t even have Trey to love, though the lad was his constant companion.
    What had he done to deserve such torture? He’d spent years disciplining himself to ignore that lithe, compact body, to deny himself the love he thought he saw in his prince’s eyes. It wasn’t because Trey was royal. Though Brin’s origins were humble, he was more than his friend’s equal. Without vanity, he knew he was the greatest shaman of his age.
    But Trey was his responsibility, had been since the day Brin had saved his life. The shaman’s lips twisted. He was all too familiar with hero worship and he refused to take advantage of it. To do that was more than simply unfair, the very thought of it sickened him. Those who preyed on the vulnerability of the young committed a grievous offence before the Goddess.
    Besides, this silken tug had to be an aberration. No other man had stirred even the slightest flicker in him, though, to be sure, he’d been presented with numerous opportunities. And what if he was wrong? Trey would be appalled, insulted.
    Was he a coward or a noble fool? He clenched his fists ‘til the nails dug crescents in his palms. Lufra, what a tangle! Bitterly, he hoped She was amused.
    Trey was still talking. “She wants control, Brin, same as you. It’s very entertaining.”
    “Bastard. You’re enjoying it.”
    “What’s not to enjoy?” The lift of Trey’s eyebrow was a challenge. “It’s the closest I’ve come to seeing you crack.”
    “What about you?”
    “Me?” Trey’s lashes swept down. He shrugged. “I just do what I’m told.”
    Please Lufra, Trey wasn’t flirting with him. The thought of all that muscular, creamy flesh at his mercy was too intoxicating. He drew a deep breath, inhaling the

47 Denise Rossetti
    musky scent of the other man’s skin, the smell of sex. He refused to drop his gaze below Trey’s shoulders. There were freckles there. He wanted to count them with his tongue.
    Goddess help him, he was beyond redemption! Wrenching his thoughts away, he said, “If I do crack, if I fail to gain Anje’s trust, her complete and absolute submission, I won’t be able to keep her safe in the Rite. We’ll both die. And so will the Feolin.”
    Trey gripped his forearm. His face was intent, absolutely serious. “I’m sorry, Brin. I shouldn’t have laughed. I’ll do whatever you want. Just tell me.”
    “Then put some clothes on, for Lufra’s sake! And find me that Aetherian brandy!”

48 Gift of the