The men at the banquet table turned and looked at Valdis as she entered the tent with great animosity. They were all mostly bulbous men with armour that was too small and they were so plumed and decorated it was almost embarrassing for Valdis to gaze at them. At the head of the table sat the Red Rider who seemed to be the only warrior at the table of generals. Despite the torches staked into the ground the aura at the head of the table was darker, as though the evil of the man diminished the fire of the torches. As she noticed them their flames grew and the man's face was illuminated.
It was a surprisingly young face.
"Forgive the intrusion my lords," he pushed Valdis forward, "This woman insisted that she speak to Commander Kreeve."
"I didn't ask for entertainment for the evening, soldier," said the most bulbous man at the table though he seemed to not mind the idea as he sipped wine form a horribly gaudy jeweled goblet.
"You couldn't offer me enough gold to be your entertainment."
Several of the men chuckled and the bulbous Kreeve grew scarlet with anger and a vein on his brow pulsed.
"I should make you a whore for your insolence!" Kreeve spat.
The Red Rider remained shadowed and silent.
"I have come because your wounded and dying men are without supplies and most importantly water," Valdis challenged snapping her fear with anger, "The healers that you hired can't even bandage a gash and your men lie neglected and in pain. Six barrels of fresh water from your infirmary tents have gone missing. And your men took them."
Kreeve's beady eyes flashed and he slammed a chubby childlike fist on the table.
"Such accusations are dangerous and I will not tolerate them."
"You will tolerate what I tell you to, commander," said a low and commanding voice.
Valdis looked to the head of the table, where the young Red Rider sat. He had moved only to drink from his goblet and now looked at Valdis with such an unashamed directed stare that it made her flush uncharacteristically.
"Your name, milady, what is it?"
"Valdis, your majesty, Valdis Rayasdottir."
"What makes you believe-Valdis Rayasdottir- that General Kreeve is responsible for the stolen supplies?"
"Your Majesty this is outrageous. I am-"
The Red Rider held up a hand gloved in leather and Kreeve was immediately silenced, he touched his throat and coughed, but there was no sound.
"The men that took the water barrels were wearing general Kreeve's livery, milord," said Valdis uncertainly as she watched Kreeve struggle for his voice, "Who else stained their banners the colors of bile and rot ?"
The generals at the table laughed and Kreeve grew red again. This time his outrage was silent and the generals at the table ignored his frantic hand waving. They all regarded Valdis however with appraising hungry eyes. She felt like raw meat for the wolves.
"The barrels are the property of your majesty and stealing them would then be offense against the crown would it not?" continued Valdis again this time staring at Commander Kreeve who had taken to now banging his chest with a single chubby fist and silently coughing.
The Red Rider lifted his head at the prompt and his major generals all looked to him. It was strange that they regarded him as their leader. He commanded respect of someone three times his age.
"If you would excuse me, milord's, it seems that I have a lesson to teach to a traitor."
The generals stood in unison and all bowed and silently exited the tent. One rugged looking man with black curly hair and shining armor of steel paused for a moment and looked down at Valdis. He gave a slight bow and offered a slight smile. Valdis curtsied and didn't rise till he had swept from the tent like the rest of the generals. When she stood the Red Rider was looking at her patiently. He gestured with his hand to the seat on his left.
"Sit, Valdis Rayasdottir."
As friendly as the tone of the invitation was it gave no room for refusal.
Sitting next to the Red Rider in armor made Valdis feel exceptionally plain in her chemise and kirtle. His plate armour was black and inlaid with fine silver etchings that swirled along the breastplate and pauldrons on his shoulders. It was incredibly detailed and looked heavy.
"I have little respect for general Kreeve, and have been aware for some time of his less than honorable dealings. Until now I have had little evidence other than my talents to prosecute him without his army's retaliation."
"Surely if you commanded the men they would obey you or the king."
The Red Rider narrowed his eyes and regarded her shrewdly.
"General Kreeve spoils his men with the spoils of war. He does very little to command them even with fear or respect. They are only loyal to him because he provides for their dishonors. So you see, mistress Valdis, the King Galbatorix cannot afford to have the major generals twelve thousand five hundred men running amuck along the land."
"I can imagine that would be shameful…to lose control of an army."
"I will strike a bargain with you, mistress Valdis for the barrels of water. Do you think you could agree to a few conditions?"
Valdis looked up from her folded hands surprised and wary.
"It depends on what the conditions where, your majesty."
The Red Rider leaned back in his seat and tilted his head slightly to the side, looking at Valdis from an angle. His criticism made Valdis rather aware of the fact that her clothes and hands where stained with blood and her boots were covered in dirt.
"I will return the barrels of water to the wounded men. It is rightfully where they belong-"
Valdis smiled but the prince held up a hand before she could speak.
"However, I will double the barrel amount to a dozen and include medicine…if you spend this evening with me."
Valdis blanched and she swore that the Red Rider had a ghost of a smile upon his face at outraged reaction.
"B-but-"
"Do you not want those men to be healed, mistress?" tempted the Rider.
"That's unfair! Those men should have that water to begin with!"
The Prince dipped his head in agreement but leaned back comfortably as he could in his chair. The armour made his movement stiff. After a moment of pondering silence…
"Why should I agree to this?"
"You will be under my protection and kept away from the wandering hands and eyes of the men," he said casually, "I have already heard of you from the whispers of the infantry. They will not be as respectful of you as I will be. You may do as you desire, have what you desire and I only ask that you serve me at nightfall."
"What will we do in the evening….besides the obvious faculty of you bedding me?"
"Dine with me, converse with me. Whatever I wish that evening," the Prince explained lazily sipping his wine.
Valdis pursed her lips as she examined the Rider.
"Why me? Why not any of the few other women of the camp?" It was a rather silly question to ask and Valdis already knew the answer. The other women that she had spoken of were old enough to be the Prince's grandmothers and were riddled with pox scars of warts.
"You mean why you and not some whore I could buy?"
Valdis nodded.
"There is very little pleasure in it for me," he said honestly," As well as the fact that whores are infamous for counting customers against their other sisters. I would rather not share what is mine, and I don't want some strange soldier's cock where mine will be."
"If we are bargaining with my virtue," Valdis said crossing her arms, "then I want your own personal physicians to attend to the soldiers and I want thirty barrels of water."
The Red Rider laughed and bobbed his head as he thought over her demands; he poured her a goblet of wine and refilled his own.
"Twenty barrels of water and one of my own physicians," the Rider bargained his brow furrowing slightly at the sport. He always did like challenges.
"Twenty-five barrels of water and two magicians," retorted Valdis sipping the sweet wine as she hid the tugging corners of her mouth.
The Red Rider stopped and looked at her with a flicker of frustration and amusement. He paused and seemed to quickly think over what she had offered. Then Valdis thought of something else…
"And the water and supplies have to be delivered and administered to the men before I spend the evening with you."
"Why would you say that?" tested the Rider, though Valdis sensed he already knew why.
"You are a prince, I am a commoner. I have no guarantee that you will keep your word even if I intend to keep mine."
"You are a shrewd young woman," the Rider said with approval it seemed in his voice.
"You haven't agreed to my demands," pointed Valdis.
The Red Rider laughed and set his goblet down with an enthusiastic clang.
"I agree to all your demands, milady. On my word as a Rider, I will uphold them."
Valdis' stomach leapt as she realized what she had just agreed to. She had just whored herself for a few barrels of water. The Red Rider seemed to understand her thoughts.
"You have yet to agree to my demands. You have no promise to keep as of yet."
"I agree to your demands, your majesty."
There was silence and Valdis sipped her wine uncertainly. She was very aware of the set of dark eyes gazing at her and it occurred to Valdis that she had no guarantee for her safety.
"Guards," the Rider called and four men in plate armour entered, "Take the former major general Kreeve and strip him off his armour and the possessions of his tent."
Kreeve stood suddenly and shook his head. Valdis had completely forgotten he had been sitting at the end of the table. He had been so quiet…
"He is to be fit put to the front of major general's Marek's line but he is a foot soldier only. Ignore his silence; it is his penance for such a loose tongue."
The guards forcefully removed Kreeve from his seat despite his quiet protests and rude gestures directed at Valdis. Despite his misfortune she giggled at the comedy of his appearance.
"Is it really necessary to strip him of his title?" ebbed Valdis with lowered eyes. Despite the gross questioning of the highest authority in the land she was curious to a great fault.
"As I told you before, mistress Valdis, I have had no evidence of Kreeve's misdoings. Now I have evidence and it is his…word…so to speak," he laughed, "Against my very important own."
"I see very little hope in former," Valdis playfully stressed, "major general Kreeve's future."
"I would say that it is rather bleak," agreed the Red Rider with a mirthless laugh, "I can afford no empathy for my enemies."
"You must make a rather formidable opponent then."
"I would think so."
"I will do my best to be an ally then. And avoid you in a temper."
"I think that is sound advice."
Valdis stood uncertainly and put placed her hand over the prince's as it clutched his cup, then picking up the jug of wine she poured the vibrant red liquid into the silver goblet.
The prince seemed rather surprised but did not protest when she hesitantly sat on his lap and gently pushed the goblet to the prince's lips. His dark gaze never left her face and she could feel the slightest hints of stubble as her fingers brushed the corner of his mouth.
He drank in small gulps till the goblet was empty and leaning forward he placed the goblet on the edge of the table. His head was resting just underneath Valdis' chin and when she leaned her head down to the crown of his head she could smell soot in his dark hair. He wrapped a gauntlet protected arm around her waist and moved his head to meet her lips.
What Valdis was not expecting was the rather soft way that he kissed her, slow and unhurried, as if he could kiss the whole night long because there was no battle to fight tomorrow. It seemed as though he was too tired to really care but when Valdis lifted her arms to rest along the armour of his shoulders and one hand weaved through his hair, his kissing became fervent and firm. Valdis let out a small moan of surprise and pressed her lips to his with more force. Soon she was curling up on his lap and fisting both hands tightly through silky locks of dark hair.
A sharp cough interrupted them. The Red Rider rested his head against Valdis' and with closed eyes spoke through clenched teeth.
"What?"
"Major General Kreeve refuses to part with his armour, your majesty. He's fighting his own men as we speak."
Shouts and the harsh clanging sound of metal faintly reached Valdis' ears and she stood to let the Prince rise from his seat.
"Warn the former major general that if he doesn't comply he will be dealt with by me personally."
The guards eyes widened at the threatening prospect but he hastily brought his fist to his chest with a hard thump and gave a sharp bow before swiftly exiting the tent and barking orders.
"Contrary to my warning, I plan on personally dealing with Kreeve regardless of his compliance . It may take some time before we can continue."
The Prince walked over to Valdis and gestured with a hand that she should walk ahead of him.
"Ask for what you'd like, mistress Valdis, and my guards will deliver it. They will take you to my tent when you are completely satisfied with the work of my two magicians. Then the night is mine."
He exited the tent with Valdis following and was surprised to see that every soldier within a radius of three tents where on bended knee as the Prince stalked past, heading towards the sounds of chaos.
'Mistress Valdis, we are His Majesty Murtagh's personal guard and will serve you henceforth. I am Stahl and this is my comrade and brother Hyatt."
Both men pounded their chests with a fist and gave a sharp synchronized bow. They had the same dark red hair and matched each other in height perfectly.
"Uh-thank you, gentleman. I assume then that his majesty informed you of our…agreement."
Both men shared a glance and smirked.
"We were listening."
"You were rather outraged-"
"-at first, naturally. It's lady like to protest-"
"-you drive a hard bargain."
"Thank you," Valdis said shifting uncomfortably.
"Follow us; we will deal with your order."
Valdis was surprised that they had light humor despite their serious profession; it was a relief past the strictness of the army that constantly surrounded her.
"Are you fond of major general Kreeve?"
Stahl snorted.
"No one is fond of him, mistress Valdis. His majesty has been waiting for an opportunity like this to put him in his place," explained Hyatt as they walked along the rows of tents. Men bowed to them as they past.
"But, I don't quite understand, as important as water is, why strip a man of his title and wealth over six barrels of it? I didn't want that."
"Kreeve is well known for his deals with less than reputable characters. It's even rumored that he once assisted the Varden."
"The Varden? He was aiding the rebels?"
Hyatt nodded.
"That's treason! How did he manage to escape his death sentence?"
"He was never convicted, milady. It's all just rumor and conjecture; there's never been real proof."
"But your testimony was the evidence that his majesty the prince needed to have a probable enough of a cause to search Kreeve's barracks," added Stahl with a sly smile, "I hope that bastard squeals when his majesty deals with him. Pardon my crudeness, milady."
"He does look a little like a hog," Valdis thought out loud, "I'm sure he'll squeal admirably."
Stahl and Hyatt chuckled.
"Lord Stahl, Lord Hyatt," a man with dark curly hair addressed. Valdis recognized him as the man who had smiled at her in Murtagh's tent.
"Lord Rohm."
The men saluted each other and bowed sharply.
"Kreeve is being interrogated by His Majesty the Prince but he encourages you in the mean time to deliver the supplies requested to the infirmary tents."
"Interrogating, milord?"
Lord Rohm leaned around the tall shoulders of Stahl and Hyatt to see her.
"Yes, milady. You're supplies are not the first to have gone missing."
"Does His Majesty think that these missing supplies were to go to the Varden?" asked Stahl holding open a tent flap for them to enter through.
"Yes, and I wouldn't be surprised to discover that they are all supplies missing from Kreeve's encampment."
"Excuse my terrible manners, milady. I am Lord Rohm, second in command of His Majesty the Prince's army."
"I'm his mistress," Valdis replied honestly.
The men chuckled as they moved around the tent which was crammed with items ranging from bolts of cloth to copper pots and pans.
"I understand that is only a recent acquisition," Rohm grunted as he threw aside a crate, "There's your medicine."
"Only a moment ago actually," Valdis side stepped an air born carpet.
"I admit I am rather surprised that the Prince would suddenly take an interest in having a mistress, now of all times."
"During a battle?"
Rohm nodded.
"She bargained with the Prince and he turned the tides on her," grunted Stahl as he helped Hyatt move a barrel.
"Oh really?" Rohm seemed rather interested and leaned in a pile of more crates he had just uncovered.
"I was petitioning the Prince for barrels of water that had gone missing from the infirmary."
"You are a healer?"
Valdis nodded.
"Did you think she was one of those camp whores? She would be the cleanest and prettiest one."
"As well as well mannered."
Rohm chuckled as he turned back to the crates.
"You seem rather young to be a healer, milady."
"I'm not actually a healer, I just happen to be good at taking care of people who bleed and swear."
A stomach twisting squeal from outside the tent made Valdis turn around.
"Looks like you got your wish, brother," said Hyatt dryly.
"Shall we see the rise and fall of one of our own?"
The men had gathered the barrels of water and the medicine to sit in a pile amidst all the chaos.
"You men there! Take those piled items inside to the infirmary tents. Move or I'll have your heads!"
The men that Rohm had barked at were barely Valdis' age yet they scurried past them with mumbled thanks.
Men of all rank were walking briskly through the aisles of tents to light that seemed to gather at the middle of the encampment. Another yell of pain broke the silence and made Valdis stop suddenly but she was pulled forward by her arm. Rohm had taken hold of her by the elbow and was making his way with her through the crowd. Stahl and Hyatt glared at him in a disapproving way.
"Let this be a warning to all of you! That crimes against the crown will not go unpunished!"
A sharp snap of a whip and a scream.
"There will be no empathy to traitors!"
A harsher snap of a whip and a howl.
"Break you oaths of fealty and this will be the punishment!"
"Who's speaking?" Valdis whispered to Hyatt.
"Can you not see?"
She shook her head and Hyatt looked down at her with a twisted short of face.
"Do you…want…to see?"
Valdis nodded and pushed through the crowd with Hyatt making room for her. She saw that there was a wooden dais that had been constructed and Prince Murtagh stood upon it in a glory of black armour and silver steel. He held within his hand a long leather whip. He stood at the edge of the dais, furthest from her with a look of great anger upon his face. What she saw next though made her eyes widen in horror.
Kreeve had been stripped naked and knelt in puddles of his own blood that were created from the gashes across his back. He was a blubbering begging mess of snot and tears and looked extremely pitiful.
"Do any of you have loyalty to this traitor?"
There a murmur of no's and the soldiers that had gathered shook their heads.
"Do any of you know this traitor?"
There was a chorus of loud hisses and booing.
"Then do any of you want mercy for this traitor?" Murtagh roared.
"NO!" came the barbaric cry from the crowd and Murtagh lashed Kreeve again.
Valdis had no sympathy for Kreeve. But she did hold great sympathy for the slobbering bleeding excuse for a man in front of her. She made a motion to move forward but it was a short lived thought. Hyatt had been holding onto her belt and her struggles were ignored by the jeering crowd who cheered louder for every single lash that Murtagh gave Keeve. Despite the anger that Murtagh seemed to display, Valdis could not help but feel that the anger wasn't directed at anyone but rather it was anger with himself.
When Kreeve gave out a final cry and lay slack against the wood they had chained him to the soldiers cried out in approval and gave cheers for the prince and his long life. Valdis saw however some of the men who did not cheer, or wish the prince a long life. But rather, they stood and stared with bleak expressions on their faces at what was before them. Valdis tugged on the spauldron of Hyatt's shoulder.
"I want to go…now," Valdis said thickly.
Hyatt looked down at her and saw that she had turned her face away from him and away from the dais.
He turned and tugged her through the thickening mob.
Valdis left just before a man in the crowd suggested that they brand the traitor.
"My apologies, mistress Valdis, I should not have allowed you to see that."
Valdis waved him off impatiently as she walked a few steps ahead of them. She didn't want them to see her as she fought with herself.
"I need to make it back to the infirmary tents and check on a few of the men. Some of their bandages will need to be replaced."
Stahl and Hyatt saluted her and bowed sharply. They waited until she had disappeared around one of the tents a few paces in front of them until they made to follow her.
"Drink," Valdis cooed to the soldier on the ground.
The soldier gave a weak murmur of thanks before his head fell limp against the ground.
"Is he dead?" croaked a bent over man whose face reminded Valdis of a rocky cliff face.
"Not yet, Master Digger. There are a few in the corner though."
The old man shuffled off enthusiastically and Valdis wondered how anyone could love making graves as he did. He toyed with death and it rewarded him. The Prince's magicians seemed greatly miffed that their great skills were stooping so low as to heal soldiers yet Valdis was pleased to see that they wouldn't rest until they had completely healed every soldier that they cared for. Even if they considered it beneath them and their great power they still performed their tasks with all intents of thoroughness.
Water was dispensed, the magicians had cared for nearly a quarter of the fifty men in the tent and the Prince had kept his promise. It was time Valdis kept hers.
Standing relieved the cramping in her legs and she took a moment to stretch them by walking around in the tent and checking for soiled bandages.
"Mistress Valdis," a pair of voices rose in unison.
Valdis turned to see a pair of twins whose heads where bald and wore colorful orange robes. Valdis also noted that they had no eyebrows.
"We have completed our work."
"You have my thanks then and the thanks of the men that you have saved. Your great prowess with magic has once again proved your talents in the arts."
The Twin's eyes seemed to gleam at the comment.
"We will be sure to check on some of the men later," on Twin remarked with a hint of humor, "They are still weak yet."
Valdis nodded and fell into a low curtsy. Her neck crammed and her cramped legs protested but the Twins patted her head as they past and murmured blessings with a somewhat haughty air of authority about them. When Valdis stood she noted that they seemed to glide over the ground and she involuntarily shivered.
"Creepy ain' they?" Master Gravedigger commented, "Who doesn' 'ave eyebrows?"
He shuffled over to a wheel barrow and Valdis realized with slight horror that a dead soldier had been folded in two on his side to fit in it.
"'Ave a good evnin', Mistress Valdis," he gave a suggestive wink which made Valdis cringe and pushed off with the wheelbarrow. Despite his usual limp, his stride seemed enthusiastic at the prospect of a burial.
Valdis entered the Prince's tent and her stomach fluttered in relief when the Murtagh was not there.
"His Majesty the Prince would like us to inform you that he will be joining you shortly and you have until then to make yourself ready for him."
The tent was rounded and made of thicker quilted material than the other tents. There was a hole dug into the ground were a small fire blazed and warmed the air and the tent was scattered with large pillows of velvet and silk and a bed of all things was to the right side of her which was piled with a thick and airy looking eiderdown. It was luxurious and indulgent for a military camp but the prospect of sleeping warm and fed was more than enough to make Valdis grudgingly walk to a wash stand in the far side of the tent and picked up a gown deep brown velvet that had been draped over the side of a chair.
It was lined inside with silk of the same rich color, like field of earth after rain.
She sat at the chair and observed the reflection in the hammered metal of the mirror. Her hair was falling out of the plait she had braided that morning and her skin was clean, she was over all pleased that she looked presentable but splashed her face with water anyways. The camp was silent and there wasn't a single wind to disturb he drapes of the tent.
Valdis continually gazes at the tent flap and with an annoyed sigh pulled out the plait and ran her fingers through her hair. It fell down her shoulders and Valdis thought there was no use in putting it up again if all she was going to do was ruin it with bed play. She flushed at the thought and smiled.
The Prince was very handsome. With dark eyes and dark hair and tall frame. He exuded a calm reassured air that nonetheless held the power to become deadly and frightening. He seemed to always be hiding secrets in the shadows that seemed to surround him and it was enticing. Touching the gown that sat warming her lap Valdis thought more of the Prince and what she had seen. What she had seen him do…
Valdis shook her head brushing away the thoughts of Kreeve and the whip that had been in Murtagh's hand. She looked down at the beautiful and simple gown and stood to put it on. It was heavy yet it hung comfortably on her shoulders and laced snuggly across her breasts. It swished when she walked and she turned this way and that just to hear it. She had never worn anything this grand and planned for a few moments to enjoy the feeling before it was stripped off.
"What shall I do with him, your majesty?"
"What usually happens," Murtagh growled shrugging on his blood stained cloak.
The soldier bowed and with a sharp hack of his sword a massive carcass that remotely resembled a man fell to the dirt with a rough slither and left a red smear on the post it had been chained to. The soldier wound the chains around his wrist and yanked hard. A low moan emitted from the carcass and with a growl the soldier wrenched against the chains again pulling the former Major General Kreeve behind him in a bloody wake through the tent and into plain sight of the entire company of soldiers.
There was a thrill running through his veins that made his stomach twist and bile rise in his throat. What he had just done was something that a monster had done, yet if he hadn't Galbatorix would have questioned the ease at which a traitor of the empire had been forgiven and Murtagh would have paid in his own blood. It was either the fat, slobbering, miserable excuse of a leader or Murtagh. The son of Morzan the Rider and traitor or a greedy hog.
The choice seemed obvious.
The thought eased the sickness in Murtaghs stomach and the prospect of company and a warm bed made his stride quicker. He ignored the stares of the men at the sight of his bloody armour and made his way to his tent. The guards saluted and directed him respectfully.
"Mistress Valdis is inside, your majesty."
When he entered the tent she was sitting on a pile of cushions her size in front of the fire pit. When she saw him she rose and a waterfall of earthy velvet spilled down to pool at her feet. Her skin was rosy in the firelight and when Murtagh felt a bulge grow he knew he had chosen a bed mate that might satisfy him.
"You're covered in blood."
Murtagh began to remove his armour.
"Is it Kreeve's?"
He had worked off the plating and his chest was bare. Valdis paused briefly for a moment to admire the contours of his shoulders. As he worked she could see the lean muscles of his back pull and tug beneath the dark skin. She licked her lips and fought a smile.
"Should I take that charming blush as a compliment, Mistress Valdis?"
She ducked her head but she followed his movement around the fire as he walked to her. He examined her closely and ran a finger along the side of her face, down her neck and slowly across the top of her breasts. He admired the swell with careful fingers and then closed the space between them to slowly untie the lacing down her side. Her breathing hitched when his fingers touched the thin fabric of her shift and he snaked an arm through the gown to take her by the waist. Valdis licked her lips again and looked up at him through dark lashes. His eyes were fierce and set upon her and she felt the heat from his body seep through the gown. She lifted her arms to push away the straps of the gown and it fell with a thick plop onto the floor. Hesitantly she nudged the shift and it fell to the floor.
She was completely naked in front of him and she fought hard to keep her breathing.
"Your Majesty, how like you this?"
His eyes blazed at the sight of shadowed flames licking their way up her thighs and soft stomach. He was suddenly very overcome and kissed her firmly, harshly. Valdis struggled to follow the rhythm of his lips and he fisted a hand in her hair. They broke away in a gasp and she scratched her nails down the hard plains of his stomach. Murtagh shivered and growled biting down on her throat and sucking at the flesh hungrily.
Valdis worked away the small laces of his breeches and they whipped against her fingers harshly. Murtagh had her so firmly around the waist that she was on her tip toes. She was pressed against one of his bare legs and she felt the heat of him pressed against her inner thigh. She let her head fall back and she growled when Murtagh bit hard against her throat.
She ran her hands through his hair while he trailed and searching hand down her spine and along the contours of her lower back, His hand ran down the length of her thigh till it reached the crease of her knee. He knelt slightly to reach it and hooked his fingers so he could lift her. Valdis wrapped her legs around his waist gasped when he pressed her against one of the tent poles. He ran his teeth along her collarbone pinned one of her wrists behind her the other gripped the pole to hold him steady while he thrust. Valdis gritted her teeth and pressed her head firmly against the wooden pole and shut her eyes.
It wasn't nearly as painful as she thought it would be.
Murtagh thrust again harder this time and Valdis let out a gasp of surprise. Pleasure so intense coursed through that she had reached up behind her and gripped the pole to pull herself up more against Murtagh's body.
He was hot and fevered and Valdis was becoming dizzy. She was holding her breath as he pressed against her. Her toes curled and her legs locked tighter around his waist. Murtagh was groaning and with a sharp intake of breath he thrust again Valdis let out a strangled cry and her eyes were squeezed shut.
Murtagh yanked her away from the pole and they collapsed on the bed of furs with a harsh groan from each of them. Valdis kissed Murtagh furiously and she pushed up with her hips to meet his. He could come down on her harder like this and greater pleasure than before ran rampant through his veins. Murtagh grunted and held down Valdis by her arms, her nails scratched into the skin of his shoulders. Murtagh hissed in pain while Valdis arched under him.
Valdis pushed against Murtagh's leg and he lost his balance, she flipped him over and Murtagh growled at her. She struck him across the face and raked her nails across his cheek. She grinned wickedly in her pleasure and she lowered herself onto him with a satisfied hiss.
Murtagh tried to contain a growl but he sounded strangled. His head was rested on the pillows and his eyes were closed. His neck was arched as Valdis rode him slow and solid. She tried to grind herself onto him as hard as she could. She could feel Murtagh tense beneath her and she squeezed. Her hair now loose and wild whipped back and forth with her movements tickling her bare skin. Valdis bit her lip so harshly that she tasted blood against her tongue. She licked her lips and shuddered as Murtagh thrust his hips up into her. He bucked and she laughed in delight. Murtagh gave a wicked grin and grabbed a fistful of her hair, he yanked down on the silky tresses and she fell to her back.
Murtagh mounted her quickly and threw her legs over his shoulders. Valdis watched him through hazy eyes as he pressed down against her and their tongues fought each other. She bit his lip and he let out a deep rumbling growl that Valdis could feel. The tops of her thighs were pressed against her breasts and when Murtagh thrust again Valdis let out a sharp cry of pleasure. It was so intense she saw silver through her vision and her hand fisted in the furs she lay on.
She was sure every soldier in the encampment heard them when the finished and Valdis lay against the smooth furs stunned and gasping with Murtagh resting against her belly. She could feel everything it seemed with a heightened sensitivity; the heat of the fire, the cool night breeze seeping through the linen of the tent, and every hair of fur brushing against the skin of her back and thighs. Her breathing slowed and she felt warm and tired. Murtagh's breathing had slowed and matched the rise and fall of Valdis' belly. He breathed silently and strongly with deep calm breaths. Valdis rested a hand in his hair and twirled the dark strands between her fingers. There was still a rush through her veins that delighted her and lulled her into a fitful dreamless sleep…
Murtagh felt a distant stroking on his hair and though too weary to give a small smile the touch pleased him nonetheless. His head was comfortably rested on something soft that slowly rose and fell, like the calm swells of the sea. He wearily opened his eyes when something cool drifted across his hot back. He lifted his head and something trailed down from the top of it to his shoulder and then to the fur bed.
It was Valdis' hand he realized that had been stroking his hair. He had been resting on her belly and her legs were parted and slightly bent to accommodate his chest. Her supple thighs brushed his torso and the shapely rounded toes of her feet just barely brushed his outer thighs. All in all, Murtagh surmised, it was not bad way to fall asleep. Sleep tugged at his eyes and with a mumbled word the fire stoked itself and burned hotter yet not brighter.
Murtagh gazed at Valdis and tilted his head. Her chestnut hair was spilled across the pillows like a forest of seaweed and her pretty face was relaxed and dewy with their play. Murtagh was surprised that he felt the heat of desire slowly pulse to life again. He had been sated it seemed for the present, yet still desired more of the woman who lay beneath him. He fitted himself comfortably between her legs again and let the slightly prickly stubble of his cheeks brush against the small swell of her belly. He closed his eyes and let the rise and fall of her breathing lull him into sleep.