Aura.

Aura winced as her eyes fell on the man who had spoken. In her opinion marriage to this person was a frightening prospect. The man had already beaten two wives to death for voicing their opinions. She knew that she was not anyone"s definition of a meek or docile woman. She was sure that she would never last a week under this man"s protection.

The room went entirely quiet again, everyone knew what this man was like, and they wondered what Vernon would do. To Aura, who was as overwhelmed by this act as anyone here, it seemed as if they were in doubt as to what they should do. Was Vernon"s offer actually serious? She had not heard even a rumor of him putting a woman in this position in the past. What made it even more unbelievable was that he would do this to a lady of Aura"s standing, for she had proved her worth and value many times over.

Vernon looked about hoping for someone else to counter the offer, but no one else did. The match was not to his liking, however, he had to prove that he meant what he had said, or lose face before everyone. This was something he did not dare do. He could not afford such a luxury, his word was his bond.

"Well," Vernon hesitated then, as if he had made a snap decision, he forged ahead. "As there are no other offers for the Lady Aura, I guess I have to a.s.sume that no one else is interested. Therefore, I shall give my permission...."

Vernon got no further as the Lord Thorn"s voice cut through the noise in the room, from the entrance of the room.

"NO!".

Thorn had entered the room just in time to witness the outrage. He had stood at the door, stunned and in doubt of what he was seeing, as everyone else had done. He had then acted in the only manner he thought possible. He could not let Vernon give this woman away to someone else. Not when she had saved his life. Also, more important, not when she lived in every corner of his mind every minute of the day, and had since he had woken to find her curled next to him as they had slept.

"NO!" He repeated. "You shall not give her to anyone, except me. If anyone cares to challenge my claim," Thorn strode forcefully towards Aura as he spoke, drawing his sword from its scabbard, as if to give credence to his words. "Let him do so now." He reached her and winding an arm about her waist to draw her against his chest, he planted his feet apart as if in battle readiness. His sword lay extended from his hand and the weapon spoke as loud, if not louder, than his words.

A light murmur went through the crowd. This was a turn of events n.o.body had expected, not even Vernon. No one would consider standing against the sword of Thorn. Everyone in attendance knew that few would live to tell the tale if they tried. His fierceness in battle was too well known and if he had decided he wanted this woman then it was all right with everyone else.

From the sound of the voice behind her Aura recognized the man who spoke as the one she had saved, the man who had killed Roger. It was a voice she knew she would never forget. Her first instinctive reaction, was to voice an objection to his claim, but as she opened her mouth to do so, her gaze fell on the face of the man who had offered for her earlier. The man, it was obvious, was furious, but prepared to back down. She wondered what it was that held him back. What could it be about the man who held her that commanded such respect? Another thought also came unbidden into her mind. Perhaps she could beat this plan of Vernon"s yet. A marriage, after all, took time, even in this day and age. She would find a way to escape then she would be safe, safe from all of them.

Vernon, it was evident to all, was not pleased with this turn of events as his face reddened and he spoke. "The Lady Aura is not for you Thorn. I withdraw my offer of a dowry. If you insist on her becoming your wife, she goes to you with only what she has now."

"You think I choose her for a dowry Vernon? You know me better than that."

"I know you well my friend, but I also have come to know the Lady Aura. You would not suit. Besides, I would have the Lady closer for I find her amusing."

Thorn gave a short laugh of disbelief and returned. "I know why you covet her presence sire and I think I know why it is so important for you to keep her close. Nor is it for mere amus.e.m.e.nt. She is worth more than any coin you could offer just for her knowledge alone. Am I right Vernon?"

It hit very close to the truth and Vernon sat back to think the matter over. He looked at Chatelaine, who seemed more than pleased with the match as it stood and decided to give in with grace.

"You will have to wait for three weeks, minimum, to make her your wife."

"So be it." Thorn replied then added; "But as the match meets with no one"s approval but mine she will be kept under guard, by my men."

Vernon had to call the banquet back to order after that as some had taken the comment as an insult. An insinuation that Vernon could not be trusted to guard the Lord Thorn"s prospective bride. Others were more surprised by the announcement and just thought to comment on his high handedness. When things quieted he told Thorn to take his place at the table, electing not to press the matter further. Thorn just released Aura long enough to sheath his sword before he grabbed her hand in his and started for his place, pulling her along as he moved. Vernon watched his possessiveness and objected.

"The Lady Aura sits near me Thorn, for I am her guardian."

Thorn looked about, speaking as he noted. "As all the other women sit with their affianced men and husbands our betrothal would seem to change things, Vernon. She dines with me." He then took her to his place and sat her by his side, where he began to fill her plate with the best foods before them.

Thorn? The Lord Thorn? Aura watched him from the sides of her eyes as he served her, shocked by the turn of events. There were so many things going through her head at the same time that she did not know where to start. She had saved the Lord Thorn"s life? It was a point that echoed through her mind countless times. She wondered if he would consider releasing her out of grat.i.tude for past services. She had heard so much about him from Signi that she felt it could be possible.

Signi had relayed many stories about her brother Thorn that led her to the conclusion that she might be able to deal with him. He was considered fair in his decisions concerning those about him. He was loyal to those he valued. He was intelligent and quick to reward those who did him a good deed. She had saved his life! Everyone, or so Signi said, respected and revered the Lord Thorn, even above Vernon. Those that did not at least feared him and that much Aura had seen for herself this very eve.

Vernon pouted, his lips tight in anger at the way his ploy had backfired. His scowl turned into a frown as he began to think things over. Perhaps things were not as bad as they seemed, after all he had wanted to marry the Lady Aura off to make sure she would be cared for. With Thorn there could be no question as to whether or not she would be safe. Thorn would see to that in the best possible manner, he was his most trusted warlord.

As for Thorn, well, Vernon had to admit, he had been in the right. She had been offered to anyone who would claim her in the most public manner possible. He had been given the right to declare for her, as anyone else had been. Vernon"s mouth curled at the edges with that thought and he almost laughed. Given the right? Thorn had taken the right, if anyone cared to think about it at all. He had certainly not wanted them joined. But then what did that matter when Thorn himself had decided otherwise. Vernon was a good enough leader to know when to back off of from a fight, especially one that could cause more harm than good. He also knew that the Lady Aura had met her match, Thorn would keep her well in line. Yes, Vernon smiled in smug satisfaction. Thorn would keep her very well controlled.

Vernon reflected on his current thoughts. In a way, things had worked out better than he had believed possible. He had finally managed to coerce Thorn into getting married, not with the woman he would have chosen for his friend, but then again, as Thorn himself had done the choosing, perhaps it was for the best. By the time he finished mulling the matter over he had convinced himself that he had made the match of the decade and that the two involved should be grateful to him for getting them together.

Edwin, witnessing the whole event, was not as quick to accept the upcoming union. He could not believe his brother had acted in such a rash manner. Granted, he himself had found the woman quick, amusing and cunning, but she was not what he had envisioned as a wife fit for his brother. He leaned over to Thorn, as he was busy heaping food onto their plates and whispered into his ear.

"Have you any idea what you have done Thorn? The woman is almost uncontrollable. I know, I helped Vernon bring her here when she would have rather have been somewhere else. Nor was it all that easy."

"Then you must know most of her tricks brother. I shall trust you to guard her for me." Thorn answered in unconcerned amus.e.m.e.nt. He understood. Edwin was surprised by his sudden decision to marry. What Edwin did not know was just who the Lady Aura was or what she meant to him.

Edwin glared at his older brother as he watched him begin to eat his meal. Aura, he noted, just sat and played with her food as she held her peace. It was obvious to him that she was not happy with the prospects of being Thorn"s wife. It was the only thing he could think of at the moment that they agreed on.

"You want her so d.a.m.ned bad, guard her yourself," Edwin hissed at Thorn as he got up, knocking his chair over in the process then stalking out of the room. Thorn did not even bother to watch his brother leave as he turned to speak to Aura.

"Is the food not to your liking my lady?" Thorn asked, noting that Aura had eaten nothing of what she had been given.

Aura looked at him, then lowered her lashes as she answered. "I fear I have no appet.i.te your lordship."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, as her color rose and he knew she lied. She would not be pleased at his pointing it out, and for some reason that was just what he was going to do. "You should never tell a lie, my lady. You have no talent for it."

She took a deep breath, but refused to rise to the bait, though she felt sorely tempted. His smile widened as he watched her and sought other ways to goad her, for some unknown reason he hoped she would react to his badgering in a fit of temper. He remembered with extreme clarity how beautiful she looked when she was angry. The picture of her heightened coloring, coupled with her dressed in the clothing she now wore, made her even more appealing.

"Surely you will eat something, if for no other reason than to please me, your future love?" Thorn taunted.

It was too much. No matter what anyone else thought of him, she still agreed with her initial impression of the man. He was an absolute boor. Her eyes flashed with suppressed anger and she answered him from between clenched teeth. "As I have no talent for lies, perhaps I should tell you the truth of the matter. I am of the full belief that if I ate now I could not hold down my food, for I find the present company more than my stomach can handle."

"Really?" Thorn smoothly continued to taunt in a purring fashion. "I shall have to be wary of the state of your being then, especially after we are wed, as I hold you in my arms throughout the night."

"It will never happen." Aura hissed at him, embarra.s.sed by the picture his words brought to mind. His manner irritated her. Her reaction to his taunting dissolved her resolve to placate him in a fashion that he might listen to her pleas to release her.

"Of course it will happen my lady and I am especially looking forward to it." Thorn continued to goad her. He could barely help himself, she looked about ready to spit fire at him, and her temper-heightened color lent her a vibrancy he had never seen in her before. It made her look incredibly beautiful, and his hands itched to touch her. He wondered how long he could refrain from making claiming her in every sense. He leaned over towards her, as if to give her a light kiss on the cheek, but instead moved his mouth to her ear, which he traced with his tongue.

For Aura it was just too much to accept, the ultimate insult and embarra.s.sment. To have any man touch her, in public, in such a manner could not and would not be tolerated. Her hand flashed and struck his cheek with a resounding crack, just as he had begun to back off.

"Never touch me like that again!" Her outraged voice echoed throughout the hall as she rose and stormed off.

CHAPTER XV.

Everyone in the hall stared at them, stunned into silence by Aura"s treatment of their Lord Thorn. She could hardly have shocked them more than if she had walked into the room with Roger curled about her torso.

The crowd was not the only one startled by her actions. Thorn himself could not believed that she struck him. Women did not hit men, especially not ladies, of which Aura, he was sure, was one. Granted, he had not treated her as one, but surely that did not excuse her conduct. He watched her rise then, as she walked towards the door with her wolf at her side, he bellowed after her.

"You will come back here Aura, NOW!"

She turned, made an obscene gesture at him then continued to go on her way.

She would not marry that horrid man, she fumed as she stormed through the door. She would not. Not even if they threatened to draw and quarter her. The man was an animal and that was giving him a lot of credit. She made it through two more rooms before he caught up to her.

Aura was shaken out of her angry thoughts as she found herself swung around from behind and a strong pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders and started to shake her.

Wolf, thinking his mistress was being attacked, jumped at Thorn with all teeth bared. They rolled away together and Aura noted the flash of steel as Thorn pulled a long knife from his belt as they hit the ground. Wolf backed off as he swung the weapon at him and missed. The wolf lunged and grabbed his free arm with his teeth and Thorn tensed to attack again.

Aura sensed the danger for her pet and shot an order at him. "Wolf, no." The dog froze, released his quarry then padded over to sit by her side. "Stay."

Thorn got up; sheathed his knife, then grabbed her by the arm, despite the growling of the animal. With abrupt movements and a quick ascent of the stairs, she soon found herself in her own room and as he slammed the door behind them, he growled: "Now we can talk."

"We?" Aura snorted in disbelief. Her anger with the man made her careless in her handling of him. "You mean you talk and I have to listen." She added with sarcasm.

"By that remark I believe that there is something you would like to say to me?" Thorn gave the impression he might actually listen to what she had to say.

Aura swallowed as she looked up at him and nodded. "Yes, please. I have a favor to ask of you."

"You go about seeking favors in a very strange manner." Thorn snarled.

"You startled me and when you touched me as you did, well, I am not used to such disrespect. Where I come from such a caress would be considered an insult. I feel I deserve better, especially from you."

"Why especially from me?" Thorn asked as Aura"s reasoning escaped him.

"Because I never once gave you reason to believe that I would welcome such familiarity. Not before, and definitely not now." Aura explained.

"You do remember me from before then?" Thorn sought to make sure of that fact.

"Yes, and I was hoping that you might find it in your heart to release me from this arrangement."

"Really? Why should I want to?" Thorn had no intention of letting her go.

"Because you owe me." Aura was desperate to point out the obvious to him. "I saved your life."

"Yes, you did, but after saving you from Roberts below, I believe the favor returned."

"What are you talking about?" Aura couldn"t believe what she was hearing. It was as if all her efforts to nurse him had meant nothing.

"Face it Aura, you would never have lasted a week with Roberts. You would have challenged him once too often and he would have killed you. He would never stand for insolence in a woman."

"I do not understand. If the debt is paid, why keep me? You do not want me."

"Who told you that?" Thorn smiled with amus.e.m.e.nt as he walked up to her, giving her a moment to take in what he was saying as he did. "I can remember wanting you so bad in the cave that it hurt. The way I feel at this moment, I do not believe that things have changed all that much."

"Well things have not changed for me either. I did not want you then and I certainly do not want you now."

"Oh, I am not so sure about that Aura," Thorn hummed as he spoke in husky tones. "I think I could make you want me and with very little persuading. Shall we see Aura? We could skip all the formalities." His lips lowered to rest against the vein on her neck. There he could feel the pounding beat of her racing heart. She stiffened and almost gasped with the intensity of her own reaction. He had always had the most profound power over her.

A strong urge to throw herself into his arms overwhelmed her and she suppressed it. Why should she want to be held by him? He was the enemy. She even had to resist an impulse to wind her arms about his neck to draw him closer. What was wrong with her? What could she be thinking? In her irritation she pushed herself away from him and snapped.

"Formalities? Formalities for what?"

"Why, for our marriage Aura." Thorn"s eyes glittered with excitement. He had sensed her fear earlier, even smelled it, having had cause to recognize the odor from his past. Now, however, things were changing. With just one gesture, one touch, he could feel the shift in her and he knew that tonight she would be his. His time for waiting had come to an end.

"Our marriage! " Aura almost spat out. "I cannot believe you would have the gall to even bring that up at this time. This whole thing is a farce, a sham. I am not going to marry you, I will fight this union with every breath in my body."

"You would do battle with me?" Thorn asked with amused amazement. The woman definitely had nerve. He found he liked it.

"I would be free, even in death." Aura"s chin went up in defiance, making her hair swing back with the jerky gesture.

"You will not die Aura, not by my hand. But you seek to win a battle you could never hope to."

There was a time for a woman to show spirit and be admired for it, and there was a time for her to know when to back down. Thorn decided it was time for such a lesson for Aura and he was just the man to give it to her. With the warning he had issued to her he had thought to see her retreat, but she did not seem to recognize the threat for what it was. Nor did she seem to realize that he was about to take over the direction of the battle, seeking to lead her towards an end of his own making.

"You can do nothing to me." Aura replied, secure in the belief that her position as Vernon"s guest protected her.

Thorn smiled at Aura"s obvious misconception as he countered. "You are my affianced bride, Aura. I can claim my rights over your body now, even as we speak should I choose to do so. How would you fight that Aura? With feeble bites and screams that n.o.body would dare answer?"

He advanced towards her retreating figure, one step forward to every one of her steps back. He never once lost eye contact with her as he spoke, and she stood trapped between the stone wall of the castle and the solid muscled body of Thorn. Yes, he noted with satisfaction as he watched her eyes widen. She did know that she had pushed too far. He now wondered how far she would back down to try to escape what he had planned for her. Then there was the other question, would he let her? He found that he wanted her so bad at this moment that it not only hurt, it was everything he could do to keep himself from throwing her on the bed and taking her. Only she could ease the rampant heat that surged through his veins and made him harder than he had ever believed possible.

He would not rape her. He did not want her that way. She was still a maiden and he wanted to hear her cries of pleasure when he came into her, not screams of pain, and she would feel pleasure, he would see to that. She would know exactly what it was that she was fighting by the time he was through with her and he would enjoy every second of the lesson, as would she, in the end.

Aura swallowed, though there was nothing for her to ingest, her mouth was dry as cotton and her tongue felt two sizes too big. She did not want to admit to the fear that had possessed her, not even to herself, for she was certain it would lead to defeat. Her chest rose and fell with the effects of her labored breathing, which was the partial result of his advance, as well as her increasing awareness of him as a man. She knew what was about to happen and knew there was no way she could stop it. What really bothered her was the part of her that seemed to want and even need him. And, Lord help her she did want him!

But how could she, a part of her mind argued, he had full intentions of raping her. Another part of her mind refuted the allegation in a cool and detached manner. This would be no rape. He was an experienced man, he knew what he was doing. He would take, but only what he was given, and G.o.d forgive her, she feared she would be able to deny him nothing. Though she would try. She would fight the primitive urges of her body with every bit of her mind that she could.

Thorn raised a calloused hand to cup her chin then raised it to expose her lips to his lowering face. She whimpered in her fear, expecting to be crushed and bruised by his kiss, as she had been in the cave. Only to find his lips gently covering hers, coaxing her to open to him. She resisted a strong, spontaneous urge to respond to the caress, until he lifted her body into his arms to get her closer. An involuntary gasp of surprise gave him the opening he had been seeking and his tongue slid into her mouth, to deepen the kiss, and to plunder the untouched depth therein.

Aura felt as if she floated, suspended in mid air as she was, with Thorn"s mouth fused with hers. She felt his demand for her response and she fought it. She was beginning to weaken as she felt herself being carried across the room, and the heat of his desire burned through her veins. The chill of the blankets beneath her seemed ice cold when he laid her upon them, and was a direct contrast to the scorching heat that had been threatening to overtake them. She squirmed as the sudden solidity of her world brought the seriousness of her position back to her consciousness.

"No, Thorn, please." She moved her arms to push him from her, only to have her wrists gently encircled as he placed her arms about his neck. His hands returned to her body, to cup and fondle her b.r.e.a.s.t.s through the material of her dress, and she responded to the answering flame as it flared through her. She arched towards him as her fingers threaded through his hair and her lips sought to wildly return his kisses. She felt his hardness against her body as he pressed her further into the mattress and she moaned as his arms wrapped about her to caress her back. The wanton sound of her voice whimpered his name as his lips pressed hot kisses to her skin. He ran his teeth and tongue over her jaw, nipping and licking down the column of her neck. Warning bells rang in her mind telling her that she was getting seriously out of control.

In sheer panic she twisted beneath him. Then, finding no release from his hold in this manner, she bit his tongue, as it sought to continue its seductive invasion of her mouth. He gave a yelp as he rolled off of her and swore. This gave her the opportunity to try to escape, and she scrambled to race for the door. She had to get out of the room, she just had to. For only a few inches outside of the door lay her wolf, and help. He was faster and he caught her before she reached her door.

With an outraged cry of frustration she turned on him, striking out to hit him with flailing fists, and he smiled as he held her against himself. She kicked and hit at him with no apparent results until she tired enough to stop. When she was done, he released her, so she could watch as he removed his sword. Then, as if to further show her the hopelessness of her efforts, he removed the leathers he wore as protection for his body during battle, to keep him from minor cuts and the chaffing of his chain and mail. When he stood before her once more, dressed only in breaches and a light top, he turned his full attention to her.

"Now we will resume our lesson, shall we Aura?"

A silent tear fell from the corner of an eye as she was once more pulled into his arms and he retook possession of her lips. What was even worse, as far as she was concerned, was that, this time, she seemed to have no will left to fight him with. She did not even seem to care when he picked her up and placed her back onto the bed and all the while his mouth held possession of hers, and she felt as if he was branding her, "Property of the Lord Thorn."

Did the man ever breathe? Aura wondered as she found herself slowly closing her eyes. She was floating, and her body relaxed as it began to respond to his touch. His hands seemed to be everywhere, touching, stroking and molding her body to his. Then, when she thought she might pa.s.s out through sheer lack of oxygen, he raised his mouth from hers, to leave light b.u.t.terfly kisses across her jaw to her ear, which he tickled and nipped at with his tongue and teeth.

A half moan, half whimper escaped from her as his lips reclaimed her, this time, to exchange a wild and fiery kiss. It was almost more than she felt she could stand at the moment and she gave a mental scream. What was he doing to her? She arched towards him in an endeavor to get closer and knew she was past caring about the results. Her hands touched him as he had touched her, the experience made her drunk with sensations, and like an alcoholic she sought still more. She felt the blood pounding through her veins, his mouth over hers. She tasted his lips and skin as she returned his kisses and caresses and she felt a coolness against her flushed skin as she felt her dress skirt being pulled up, raised by his scorching hands as they ran up her legs.

"Promise me Aura, promise me and I will stop." She heard his husky, breathless voice whispering in her ear, though neither of them believed either could call a halt to what was happening between them anymore. He had taken the lesson too far.

She had no idea what he wanted her to say and when she would have asked he kissed her into silence. He could not let her answer for he feared the effort of letting her go would kill him. He could not; his body told him, give her that chance. He coaxed her tongue into his mouth then suckled it in a manner that shot bolts of flame through her. She felt his hands move to the front of the bodice of her gown to rip it and she whimpered as she turned her head from his to end the exchange.

"No," she gasped, "Please."

He had no idea what she was trying to tell him. Whether she pleaded for him to stop, or to refrain from destroying her gown. Then, when her hand guided his to the back of the garment to pull the opening free he felt he had the answer and he smiled in his triumph as he continued to caress her. His hands undressed her with slow circling movements, within moments she lay naked beneath him and he clutched her to himself. She was his.

G.o.d the woman was beautiful, his mind and senses screamed at him as he explored her body with his. He had gone beyond wondering who was winning and who was losing long ago. Nor did it probably matter; not anymore, not when her fingers unlaced his shirt to draw it over his head before returning to wind around his torso to draw him still closer.

Somehow, he had managed to remove his breaches himself, a break which seemed to act as a brief return to sanity for her. As when she felt his naked and alien maleness against her she began to struggle anew.

He chuckled softly at her last attempt to ward off the inevitable. He knew that within moments she would be lost once more to his touch. He bent his head lower to take a pink nipple into his mouth and suckle her breast, making light sounds of delight as his other hand kneaded the other. He had, he felt, no control of his hands any more as they moved, touching, caressing, stroking, kneading, feeling the heated softness that was Aura. His lips moved from one breast to the other, toying with her pa.s.sion swelled body as he did and reaching to touch the soft silky pelt which covered her parting before sliding a finger over her over sensitized s.e.x. She was slick and wet and his fingers moved to create a heated friction as he urged her thighs further apart.

Aura, who had been straining already to keep from crying out in her pa.s.sion induced state, moaned aloud as she moved against the intrusive digit, a motion which only served to increase her want and need, fueling her lack of control. He stroked her again and her hips bucked against him, seeking a release from the still building pressure within and she gave a cry of need.