Page 31 of The Guardian's Witch

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t trust herself to say anything.

“Did I imagine you kissing me back to life?”

She looked down at the ground, afraid if she looked at him she would burst into a million pieces. Her head told her to admit nothing. Instead she faced him. “When the baker’s wife gave birth, the baby didn’t breathe. In desperation I gave the baby my breath. It worked then. I had good reason to think it would work again.”

They stopped outside the kitchen door. “So your breath is part of me. You are very generous.”

Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. Soothing warmth radiated from him and wove into a slender delicate thread that began to form between them.

He leaned his forehead against hers. “Thank you, Lisbeth.” They stood there for a few minutes. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. He finally pulled away and put a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I best go in and get out of these wet clothes. So should you.” His voice was soft and rough.

She nodded. She was afraid to speak.

“Good day m’lord, m’lady,” said Eve as they walked into the kitchen.

“Yes, quite,” said Alex. “If you will excuse me, Lisbeth.” He placed the basket on the worktable.

She followed him with misty eyes as he left to go to his room.

* * *

Alex stood in his room with linen wrapped at his waist while he dried his hair. War. He was at war but he had no idea with whom. He sat on the edge of his bed. How could he plan his defense? No, he must take the offensive, but Faith, who threatened him? He had to admit, the bastard was cunning. The raider had him looking over his shoulder at every turn and had fractured his defenses. His men were deployed everywhere. He even questioned their loyalty.

He bent down and picked up something gleaming from the floor. He fingered the small smooth stone amulet Lisbeth had given him. He worried the stone in his hand, laid back and ticked off the possibilities. The smooth feel of the stone and constant motion calmed and centered him. He deepened his concentration and allowed his eyelids to slide close.

He was back in the forest escaping from London and on his way back to Glen Kirk.The excitement of winning his bet with the king replaced his anger over being the king’s entertainment.He felt Prime hesitate long enough to reduce the impact of the branch’s glancing blow.Once again the limb slammed into him and threw him to the ground.

He concentrated and sensed everything in his surroundings.He was on his feet,his sword drawn.He looked at the attackers for the telltale sign of the Scottish braid.Jamie was right.These weren’t Scots.

Once again his heart pounded.He took a deep breath to steady himself and expanded his senses.Dare he go deeper?He had to;he had to know.

The fight continued,and he felt the familiar presence of an ally.He calmed himself still more and reached out still further.He could feel the man at his back.They fought together as a unit,close enough that their shoulders occasionally rubbed.He felt the coolness when the man stepped away.No,the presence remained.He slowed his heartbeat and he went still deeper.

He looked for any sign to give him a hint of who attacked him.Robby?One of the other men?He began to turn toward the man when he felt white-hot pain in his side below his tunic.The assassin knew exactly where he’d be most vulnerable.Agony flooded his senses.Alex let the memory fade.There was no more he would find out now.

He relaxed and stroked the stone again. This time the fragrance of berries grabbed his attention. He was painfully aware of white blossoms and the taste of her lips and the feel of her bare skin. Once again she called him to her dream. He willingly obeyed. The feel of her, the scent of her and the taste of her were not illusions. He knew that now. He had yet to understand why she didn’t acknowledge their intimacy. He could wait. He let his mind wander to more tempting things.Mine, echoed in his head.

* * *

Lisbeth sat on the edge of her bed and dried her hair with a piece of silk. It was a trick her mother had taught her and Laura. It made their hair shine. She stared at nothing in particular and let her mind wander. A growing mist gathered at the door. She closed her eyes. Unwarranted tears fell down her cheeks. When she opened them, Alex—his gray eyes colored with passion—stared back.

The ring of swords reached her ears.The flash of metal surrounded her.The knight’s moves were efficient and practiced.Another stood at his back.The large blade caught the sunlight and blinded her to all but the raised jeweled dagger that arched down and plunged into her knight’s side.

Her breathing became shallow and her heart raced as if she had run across the meadow.Her eyelids slid closed and her body thrummed with anticipation.Her vision took a sudden turn.Fear was replaced with safety.Need was replaced with passion.

She felt the warmth of his lips on hers and brought her trembling hand to her mouth,but his lips weren’t there.She fell back onto her bed.She had to fight this overwhelming desire for him.The thought of him sent her to places she could only find in her dream.Mine.She heard his clear and emphatic voice in her head.The mist swelled along the floor.She felt his arms around her.The mist crept up the bed and cradled her.She waited with eager anticipation.

Her eyes fluttered open.She stood at the lodge door.He emerged out of the low heavy mist and stepped toward her.His stride was sure and strong.His gray eyes sparkled like lightning.He drew closer,never taking his eyes from hers.Closer.She could see his strong soft lips.Closer.She reached out—needing to touch him.

He gently took her hand and tucked it through his arm.They strolled the shrouded grounds amid the swirling autumn leaves.The bare branches around them were in stark contrast to the one tree that still held late-fall blossoms.

They stopped under the canopy of the flourishing blooms,and he reached up and plucked one from a low hanging branch.He tucked it behind her ear.His hand lingered,caressing her hair.Slowly his knuckles stroked the side of her face.The mere touch of his hand sent a warming shiver through her.His eyes focused on her mouth,and she wet her parched lips.He ran his thumb gently over her lower lip making it tingle from his touch.She kissed his finger and heard his quick intake of breath.He eased closer and took her in his arms.Asense of urgency drove her.She ached for more of his touch.She leveled her head and was again captured by the longing in his eyes.The very thought set her afire.

The air was tinged with the delicate aroma of the white blossoms.The fragrance heightened her senses.He leaned closer and tenderly kissed her forehead.He raised her head and captured her lips.Liquid heat roared through her veins.Every nerve was alive.Every touch of his lips made her dizzy with delight.He took her moan into his mouth and completed it with his own.

He kissed her cheek lightly,then worked his way to her earlobe and gave it a gentle nip until he took it into his mouth.His warm breath in her ear sent chills of delight cascading through her.She sank further into his arms.He left a trail of velvety warm kisses down her neck.Another moan,more guttural than the first,escaped her lips.

The urgency of the wind disturbed the blossoms,sending a light dusting of delicate petals raining down on them.The rising wind matched the swirling desire deep inside her.He pressed his manhood against her while his lips seared a path down her neck.She gasped at the sensations and held him tighter lest he disappear.The top of her gown lay around her waist,his hand covered her breast,and she thought she would die from the exquisite joy.His mouth advanced in a warm steady march across her collarbone and down the soft incline of her breast.He hesitated,athoughtful expression spread across his face.She panicked he would stop.His stare was compelling.When she looked into his eyes she noted something deep and primal.Asense of urgency drove her.She attempted halfheartedly to control the dizzying current racing through her.He dipped his head.His mouth found the softness of her breast.He slowly licked her hardened nipple.The sensation was pure and explosive.She didn’t want him to ever stop.

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