Blaze (9 page)

"Come in," she called, touching her hair and stepping into the herbarium while Blaze turned to the fire and attempted to take control of his body. Since meeting her, he seemed to have regressed to

the physical capabilities of an eighteen-year-old boy. All he had to do was think of her and he was toting a sword to rival the one he had given up for the Green Sash Faction.

"A message for Sir Blaze," said a feminine voice. A glance toward the door revealed Melody accepting a note from a young girl who assisted Rose in the bird tower.

The girl left and Blaze joined Melody, taking the note from her.

He smiled. "I'm not needed at the fortress after all. We have the night."

"And I'm sure we'll find wonderful ways to spend it."

"With a meal first? I checked your stew and it smells ready."

Together, they filled their bowls with the fragrant vegetable stew and sat at the table by the window. Dusk had settled on the courtyard. By the time they'd finished their meal, the room had grown quite dark, so Melody lit two lanterns. She washed the dishes and Blaze dried, though they paid far more attention to each other than to their tasks.

Afterward, they carried the lanterns to the bedroom. Melody closed the door behind her and undressed. Reluctantly, Blaze turned from her to rekindle the fire. When he looked back, she was smiling at him from the bed, her curves concealed by a blanket. While he removed his clothes, she stared at him with a seductive expression that sent his heart soaring.

Never in his life had Blaze spent an entire night with a woman, yet sharing a bed with Melody seemed natural. He slipped into the bed and tugged her close.

"I don’t think I've ever been this happy," Melody said and kissed his chest.

"Me either. I hope this night lasts a long time."

"Morning will come too quickly. You know that."

"I want to see you again soon."

"As do I, but I'm busy here for the next several days."

"As I will be at the home fortress. I have intensive training scheduled with several of the new recruits."

"How about the end of the week? May I visit with you?"

"Oh, Sweet Music." He stroked her cheek and caressed her hair. "You needn't ask. I will always welcome you."

"Maybe I could spend a few days, then?"

"Yes. It might also be a good time to officially announce our engagement."

"Yes. I doubt I could wait an entire week without telling Glenna, at least."

"Then we'll tell who we like and have a celebration at the week's end."

Melody raised herself onto her elbow and gazed at him, her brow furrowing. "Does any of this make you nervous at all? I mean, we only met yesterday."

"But it's right. I can feel it."

"So can I. I've just never moved this quickly before—outside of life and death situations, that is."

"Do you not want this?"

"I do. Very much."

As she settled into his arms, he realized that he had no doubts about making their relationship permanent. Blaze had never thought about love at first sight, but now that it struck, he refused to question it.

* * *

"A word with you, Sir!" Lock called as he crossed the training field behind the fortress at Rubyshire.

Blaze lifted his gaze from where he performed pushups on the grass. Around him other members of his faction engaged in strength exercises and sparring. The Green Sash Faction trained daily between shifts with the new recruits and rounds in the infirmary. That morning, after returning from the Opal Order, Blaze had gone on his rounds—a bit later than usual— then decided to slip in some training before his session with the apprentices.

Lock's big, booted feet stopped a short distance from Blaze who continued with his routine until the last count. Pushing himself to his knees, he brushed sweaty tendrils of auburn hair from his

eyes and glanced at his friend.

"So, how was it yesterday at the Opal Order?" Lock grinned, taking a bite from the apple in his hand.

"You haven't heard?" Crag approached.

Lock raised a curious eyebrow and continued munching on the apple.

"We're planning an autumn joining," Blaze stated, trying to ignore two spirits arguing on both sides of him about when the wedding should truly take place. At times he wished his spirits would leave at his command, as Tara so often seemed to do when Melody ordered it.

"Autumn?" Lock scowled. "You're going to wait that long to bed her down? You've got more willpower than I do."

"No." Blaze raised his eyes to heaven. "The nuptials will be in autumn."

Lock began choking on the apple, spitting chunks of it into the grass as both Crag and Blaze rushed to his aid. He shoved them away and sputtered, "What are you talking about? You just met the woman yesterday!"

"You are the one who agreed that I required companionship." Blaze wondered if Lock would detect his sarcasm. Apparently that was too much to hope for from the ex-pirate.

"I told you to have fun, not marry the first woman who grabs your attention! Crag, talk him out of it."

"It's not my business," Crag stated. "And it's certainly not yours. So they're in love. What's wrong with that?"

"How the hell can they be in love after two days?"

"Just because you were too thick skulled to know luck when it struck you doesn't mean I will take as long to accept my good fortune," Blaze stated.

"I know I was stubborn when it came to admitting Sparrow was the woman for me, but you're rushing in blind!"

"Hardly." Blaze walked to a tree and extended his leg against the trunk so that his foot was level with his head. Breathing deeply, he leaned forward, lengthening the stretch. "The celebration with Mahir, Torn, and my faction is at the week's end. You and Little Bird are invited."

"Sparrow and I will be there, if you're sure you want to go through with it." Lock shook his head and turned away. "I need to get back to the ship. I almost wish I hadn't left it today. It seems you're crazy after all, Blaze."

"Ignore him." Crag shrugged. "At times I wonder how his wife puts up with him."

"Mate of the Key has a loyal heart."

"And a shallow brain," Crag muttered.

"Aim that venom where it will do the most good." Blaze removed his leg from the tree trunk and stepped closer to Crag, his fists raised. A sparring match would be helpful to both of them. Since meeting Sweet Music, Blaze's energy seemed boundless. He knew nighttime would be the worst.

Lying alone while thinking of her soft, sweet body wrapped around him, he doubted he would be able to sleep without indulging in self pleasure.

He shifted his stance slightly as Crag's foot nearly exploded across his face. Before he got killed, Blaze focused on the fight, though it was difficult when thoughts of Melody floated like a velvet mist in the back of his mind.

* * *

Blaze enjoyed the rhythmic thud of his chestnut gelding's hooves cantering over the sunny hillside halfway between Rubyshire and Femmeglen. It had been four days since he and Melody had seen

each other. He'd managed a free afternoon that week and ridden to Femmeglen to help her at the infirmary. There had been little time for anything but work. Still, just being with her was enough to keep him smiling until the week's end.

Upon reaching the crest of the hill, he caught sight of Melody astride her mare. She called to him and waved as he and his mount galloped closer.

"I could hardly wait to see you," she said. "I can stay for two whole days."

"Excellent. I have so looked forward to seeing you, Sweet Music." He nudged his horse closer and leaned over, kissing her lips.

"Glenna will be coming to supper tonight. Is everything arranged?"

"Yes. Three members of my faction are currently in Rubyshire. They'll be there. So will Mahir, Torn, and Honey Wine. I only wish my daughter and her family could join us."

"Have you sent her a message?"

"Early in the week, but it will take months for it to reach her in the Kennas."

"I can hardly wait to meet her. The other Dames speak highly of her."

"I know you'll like each other. The year I brought her to the Dames must have been the year you left for your island."

"I believe so."

The conversation drifted to trivial matters as they plodded toward the fortress gates. Blaze could scarcely keep his eyes from Melody. Each time he was with her somehow outshone the last. He'd taken a night shift in the infirmary and completed his rounds and training early that morning in order to take the afternoon off.
 
Though he should have felt somewhat tired, seeing her rejuvenated him more than sleep ever could. He could scarcely wait for them to be alone in his room.

He'd prepared it for her using the techniques learned from Etah's book and hoped that they would please her as much as the ancients claimed.

At the stable, they cared for their horses, then he brought her to Mahir's garden where his mentor awaited them.

The garden had always been one of Blaze's favorite places in Rubyshire. Cobbled paths wove throughout patches of lush grass, plants, and rose bushes filled with some of the most beautiful flowers of the northwest.

"This is lovely," Melody said, gazing around the garden. She clasped the arm he offered and he covered her hand with his. For the first time he remembered, something paled the garden's beauty.

To him, nothing was as gorgeous as the woman beside him.

"It's a good place to meditate."

"Yes, though I must say I find meditation difficult with Tara around."

Blaze laughed. "Most times it is impossible for me. Some of the spirits truly understand the importance of it and at times convince the others to let me rest."

They paused in front of Sir Mahir, leader of the Ruby Order. In spite of his age, the Knight had retained a strong physique. Of medium height, Mahir wore his gray hair to his shoulders. The style fit him well. Wise blue eyes glanced at Blaze and Melody.

"Ah. She has arrived." Mahir extended his hand and Melody slipped hers into it. The gallant older man kissed the back of it.

She blushed the slightest bit. "I should be saluting you, Sir."

"You're not here as a soldier, but as my son's betrothed. I am pleased to meet the woman I have heard so much about of late."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Blaze tells me you and he have much in common."

"More than I ever could have imagined."

"Nor I," Blaze added, falling into step beside Mahir and Melody as they walked towards the great hall.

"I'm looking forward to talking with you more over dinner. For now, I'm sure Blaze wants you to himself. I know if our roles were reversed, I would."

Melody offered a smile and bid him goodbye as the elder Knight left them alone.

"He likes you," Blaze told her.

"Are you sure? He's very charming, but difficult to read."

"I know by the way he looked at you. When Mahir dislikes someone, those eyes of his are more piercing than those of a wildcat poised for the kill."

She chuckled. "Then I'm glad he likes me."

"I have a light meal prepared in my chamber."

"Wonderful. I'm starving." She squeezed his hand and gazed at him through her lashes. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear. "Starving in every way."

Blaze's own appetite was raging. Still, his steps were slow and his manner collected as he guided her through the great hall. Several people approached them, and he took his time with introductions. In spite of his insatiable need to bed her, he knew the value of patience and control.

Women wanted to be ravished at the right time and in the right place. When she was ready, well prepared and begging for fulfillment, then he would release the hold on his passion and pour into her all the lust and love he now held at bay.

Blaze's chamber was located on one of the fortress's upper floors. They ascended the winding staircase and strolled down the stone corridor. When they reached his door at the end of the hall, he opened it and stepped aside for her to pass.

Sunlight poured through the open window. A breeze scented with wildflowers wafted throughout the room.

Blaze had few possessions other than the books lining the shelves on two walls. He had scattered pink rose petals across the large bed and arranged candles on the round wooden table near the window. A bottle of wine, a bowl of fruit, and a basket of freshly baked bread also rested on the table. More candles and incense were arranged on the hearth. He lit them before stooping to build a fire. Though the day was pleasant, a fire would expel the chill of the drafty fortress.

"This is a nice room." Melody smiled, removing her cloak and draping it over a chair.

"I've always liked it." Blaze drew the heavy brown curtains, leaving them in darkness except for the firelight. "Of course, once we're married, I'll get a bigger one for when we're here."

"Living between the Orders won't be bad." She smiled as he took her hands in his. "But when we get sent on separate missions, it will be torture."