Torn Between Two
Chapter 31
Reilyn woke and looked at the sleeping Murtagh, listening to Eragon breath deeply behind her. Her chest still ached, but it was dulling quickly.
What woke me? she wondered, listening to the sounds of the room.
Shuffling caught her ears and she sat up, searching for its source. A figure slowly walked around the room and Reilyn growled a warning.
"Miss Reilyn!" the servant girl gasped, clutching her chest. "You frightened me!"
"As you did me!" she whispered.
"I apologize for the scare," the girl bowed.
"All is forgiven," she said quietly. "May I ask why you are even here?"
"Sir Morzan wishes to summon you to the meeting. It's in his study in his wing of the castle."
"How long do we have to arrive there?"
"Oh, he asks you all take enough time to clean up and make yourselves presentable. His Royal Highness will also be joining the meeting," the servant said.
"I see, you can go now. I'll wake these tow, unless we need an escort?" Reilyn whispered.
"No, Sir Murtagh knows the way. Miss Reilyn," she bowed once more. "I apologize again for scaring you so."
"And I you," she whispered, bowing her head in return.
The servant uttered an embarrassed laugh and quickly left the room. Reilyn stretched carefully, well aware that she could rouse the ache to a full scream if not gentle. An arm moved around her waist and someone kissed her neck, burying their face into her hair to do so. She closed her eyes as the mouth carefully nipped her skin, letting out a shuddery breath in the process. The teeth sank farther into her neck, making her blood burn, and she arched back into it gasping.
What in the world? she thought as the new sensation coursed her body.
"Murtagh, enough," she pleaded as she felt the teen go to bite her again. "I can't. . ."
"All right," he whispered, "I'm sorry. . .I-."
"Don't be sorry. . .just. . ."she growled at herself.
Why can't I think straight?
"Hmm, I see," he snickered, placing a kiss on her skin. "Too much?"
"I don't know," Reilyn breathed, still trying to get her focus back.
"Something we'll have to test?" he whispered, nuzzling her.
She shifted against him, feeling her level of embarrassment skyrocket, and stayed silent. She was still trying to adjust to this situation, but awkwardness kept washing over her at random times.
"Wake Eragon while I change," Murtagh said, placing one last kiss on her temple as he slid from behind her.
She nodded and watched the pale teen stretch, blushing when he opened an eye and smirked at her. His muscles were taught beneath his skin as he finished stretching and she wanted to touch them. He walked to his closet and opened it. Grabbing clean clothes, he motioned to their extra clothes with a nod, and disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door.
Can I get close to him? Will he not abandon me or be ripped from me? she wondered, staring at the closed door.
"Eragon," she shook him gently, pushing her fears away. "Wake up."
The brunette made an annoyed noise and rolled over. Reilyn smiled at his behavior and rolled him back over. Caramel eyes looked at her as he smiled.
"I'm up," he mumbled.
"So I see," she laughed.
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Murtagh sat on the edge of the bed, watching Eragon change. He was only half paying attention to the young brunette, really he was rethinking the bite he had given Reilyn.
She seemed to enjoy it. . .but I can't really tell. . .
Reilyn came from the bathroom, dressed in her clothes that had been special made to fit her body, and ran a comb through her long hair. Murtagh stared as she tossed the long locks over her shoulders and combed it tame behind her, yearning to tangle his hands in it.
All I want to do is be close to her. . .but she can't let me close for more than a small amount of time. . .
"Here," she tossed him the comb, "looks like you could use it."
"Thanks," he smiled, catching the comb.
He combed his hair carefully, untangling the many knots and restoring its softness and shine. He winced as the comb caught in the hair at the nape of his neck and tried to untangle it, only achieving in tangling it more.
"Damn," he growled, trying to fight with the comb.
"Murtagh," Reilyn giggled, "want some help?"
"Would you?" he asked, dropping his hands to his sides.
Anything to be close to her, he thought with an inward smile.
"Hold still," she instructed, sitting behind him.
"Right," he whispered, bracing himself for pain.
Eragon watched, trying hard to conceal a smile, and eventually lost the battle. The brunette burst into laughter, falling against the wardrobe from the force of it.
"Er," Reilyn commanded, "go clean up."
The young teen nodded, stifling giggles, and went to the bathroom to clean up. Murtagh glared at him, smiling despite himself.
"I apologize in advance if I hurt you," she whispered.
"I trust you," he purred, relaxing.
Murtagh shuddered as her hands carefully looked to the comb in his thick hair. A growl started in his chest and he fought not to move into her. She lightly touched his skin, sending a current through him, and he let out a small moan.
Murtagh, she's not trying to do what's happening on purpose, Thorn scolded.
I know! But I can't help it! It just feels so -.
Another current stopped him from finishing, he growled and felt weak all over. Her hands fell on the comb and were gently untangling it. He heard her snicker as he shuddered.
"Sensitive?" she whispered, sending more shivers up and down him.
"You. . .have. . .no idea," he said between gasps.
Reilyn stayed silent, but continued to work the comb out. Finally she freed it and held him still when he tried to move from the bed, pushing him down by the shoulder.
"We're not done," she said firmly.
"What do you mean?" he whimpered.
"Stay still," she commanded.
"All right," he whispered.
A jolt of pleasure flowed through him as he felt her carefully run the comb through his hair. He felt foolish for enjoying the simple act so much, there was nothing sexual in what she was doing. She hit a knot, accidentally pulling, and pain shot through him, mingling with the pleasure. He gasped, unable to prevent the sound, and clutched the bed with his hands.
"Sorry," she mumbled, untangling the comb.
When she didn't continue right away, he slowly shook his head.
"It's okay, Reilyn. You can go on-if you want."
Control those emotions, Murtagh! Thorn growled.
I'm trying, Thorn!
Try harder
Slowly, she began to work on his hair. Murtagh felt a tingle spread over his body and he bit his lip, trying to force it down. Eragon emerged from washing up, looked at Reilyn combing Murtagh's hair and burst into a fit of giggles.
"Laugh while you can, Er," Reilyn teased. "You're next."
Murtagh chuckled at the boys shocked face and relaxed into the feeling of the comb. It no longer had such a hold on him, it still sent shivers up and down his back, but not like before. He closed his eyes and focused only on the feel of Reilyn's hands in his hair.
Well done, Murtagh! Thorn praised. Very well done!
He sighed and felt content, smiling to himself. His dragon was the only one who ever commended him for anything he did, so he always tried to do his best for Thorn.
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Eragon watched as Reilyn combed the raven hair, still smirking at Murtagh's reaction to the simple act. Eventually, the older man relaxed and seemed less afflicted.
"Er, your turn," Reilyn called him over, patting the bed.
"Rei," he grumbled, "I'm, not a child! I can do it on my own!"
"Eragon, just let her," Murtagh laughed. "It's not that bad."
"Fine," he growled, throwing himself on the bed.
The girl carefully began combing his wavy brunette hair, going very easy when she encountered knots. He sighed and relaxed.
Murtagh's right, this isn't that bad, he smiled.
Eragon watched as Murtagh pulled on his boots, sitting on a shelf in his wardrobe to do so. Then the pale teen slowly put on his sword belt, watching Eragon watch him, and smiled. Zar'roc was sheathed with care, pale hands tracing the sheaths designs. He smiled as Murtagh fished out their weapons and belts, placing them on the bed. Hazel eyes met his, then glanced up to Reilyn curiously.
She's confusing him, he thought. Badly, from the looks of it.
"Is our magic really going to be unsealed?" he asked suddenly.
"It has to be in order for you to make the vow," Murtagh replied. "Otherwise it would kill you."
"So they aren't just doing it to be kind," Eragon mumbled moodily. "It's for their own damn benefit."
"You should have known that Eragon," Murtagh murmured, looking down to the floor.
Eragon growled in fury, at himself as much as his captors, and noticed that Reilyn was yet again unusually silent.
"Rei? You okay?" he whispered.
"Fine, just thinking," she smiled at him.
Liar, he thought.