Page 96 of The Duke and the Disciple

“I might need more sleep after all,” Aesylt said, praying her explanation covered both past and future behavior.

“Perhaps you should come stay with me again this evening,” Imryll said, her tone suspicious.

Even the idea of storing her pent-up release until morning rattled her. “I...” She swallowed hard, fighting a wince as the pressure continued to build. “Sincerely appreciate your concern.” She made herself glance around the table while she was still coherent, to show them what her words were insisting. “All of you. But I swear, I’m fine.”

“We’ll add more guards to the courtyard, at the very least,” Rustan said before stuffing his mouth full of meat.

“Why?” Aesylt asked, looking around. “We have more than enough.”

Imryll sighed with a hard look at Rustan, who had, apparently, said more than he should have. “A scout came today while you were resting. One of Lord Dereham’s. Marek haspotentiallybeen spotted in the forests just north of Wulfsgate. I say potentially because there’s no way to verify the veracity of the claim, and when there’s a significant bounty on a man’s head, he’s liable to be seen just about everywhere.”

Rahn leaned forward until he could see Imryll. “Please tell me there are men in these forests searching for him.”

“There are always men in the forests. It’s how we received word of the sighting,” Rustan said evenly. “But it’s easier to get lost in them than it is to be found.”

Rahn bristled, straightening, just as Aesylt twisted again. “You don’t seem concerned.”

“Forests... roads... doesn’t matter.” Rustan downed his ale. “He’ll never breach our walls.”

“Your confidence is inspiring, my lord,” Rahn said drily. He flicked a sidelong glance at Aesylt. The veins in his neck looked ready to snap. “But what if you’re wrong?”

Aesylt had to get out of there. Between the absolute agony between her legs and the terrible revelation about Marek, she’d lost any hope of control.

“Aes, how I wish I could read your thoughts,” Nyssa mused.

“I did say she was acting oddly,” Felice replied. To Aesylt, she said, “Dear, you’ve gone from flushed to peaked.”

“I promise, I’m fine.” Aesylt gripped the chair with both hands, but it was no good. The end was coming, and there’d be no hiding it if it happened at the table. She was going to be rude or become a scandal, and while she didn’t much care what people said or thought of her, they’d tie it all back to the scholar, and he’d be ruined.

“I’m not,” Rustan answered with a belch. He regarded his empty plate with an almost-forlorn look.

“Notwhatdear?” Felice asked, exasperated.

“Wrong.” Rustan wiped his face on his sleeve and stood. “The traitor in our forest is only a minor problem on my list. We have a border skirmish down near Salthill, and my men are awaiting direction. I bid you all a good evening,” he said and marched out.

Felice sighed and shook her head, returning to her meal.

“Aesylt, I was hoping we might speak after... this?” Pieter’s bemused words trailed Aesylt as she shoved back from the table and fled.

Rahn thoughthe’d lost her until he spotted her entering the Wintergarden between two bowing oaks. He checked to make sure no one had followed, and he followed her inside.

She was on her knees in front of a cherry tree. Rahn approached slowly, but she whipped her head up and leaped to her feet. “Help me end this.” She moaned.

Rahn bowed down and lifted her face with his hands. He kissed her until she’d calmed some. “It only lasts about an hour, so it’s almost over.” He wanted to feel bad; heshouldhave felt bad. But gods, if the sight of her becoming a puddle of desire for him was wrong, he’d forsake the righteous path forever. “Say the words, Squish.”

Aesylt, scrunching her face in agony, did as he asked.

Rahn lifted and pinned her to the tree before the world had even settled. One hand cupped her ass to hold her aloft while the other ripped her dress up and around her waist. Her legs folded around him, squeezing as she electrified him with feverish kisses.

His buckle snapped and cracked the back of his hand in his rush to free himself. He flinched but didn’t slow until his trousers were pooled at his ankles and his cock was buried inside her.

“Ahh,” Aesylt cried, her head lolling sideways against the smooth bark as he thrusted. She slipped her hand between her legs, but he pushed it away, replacing it with his.

Rahn squeezed her ass as he plunged deeper, tracing the faintest passes along her very swollen bud.

“Please,” she moaned, bucking her hips. “Don’t tease me. I can’t...”

“I’m not teasing you, Aesylt,” he said, low and warm against her ear. “I just need you to feel my release deep within you as yours rips through you.”

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