Warcry

any confrontation until it was too late for talk. Too late for anything.
    “The hall?” She tilted her head, staring at him. “Heath?”
    He swallowed hard, wanting to confront her. But she was here, now. If he pushed, she might leave. “No,” he said instead. “The men can deal with the nobility. Lara and Keir are secure in their chambers, with guards all around.”
    Atira’s eyes softened, and there was a teasing hint to her smile. “How are your bruises?”
    She moved closer.
    Heath drew a deep breath. “Sparring helped,” he admitted. “But I am still a little stiff.”
    Atira’s smile was warm and slow. “Well, the theas say that the best thing for sore muscles is more of the same.”
    “So I’ve heard,” Heath said. “You want to spar some more?”
    Atira chuckled, and the lilting sound made his knees weak. “No,” she murmured. “I was thinking we could take up where we were interrupted.”
    “Ah,” Heath managed. He’d been a fool to think he could deny his love for her, or to think he could use sex to sway her. He’d have to find another way to convince her to stay, to marry him. In the meantime . . .
    “I have some sweetfat in my packs,” Atira continued. “I could use some to anoint your . . . stiffness.” She moved in even closer, pressing her hand to the center of his chest. The scent of her hair filled his senses. “Why don’t we go to your room?”
    He should reject her. A simple step back and the word no . But she smelled so good. His heart . . . and other body parts . . . would not let him take that step.
    “Why don’t we,” Heath said.

    ATIRA SMILED TO HERSELF AS THEY WALKED through the castle. There’d be no worries of up this time.
    Heath paused to talk to some of the guards at the end of the corridor. Atira continued on, opening the door of Heath’s room to find it dark, with the faint scent of those spices lingering in the air. She paused, then went to open the shutters over the window, letting in the cool night air and the faint starlight beyond.
    She stretched, feeling the ache in her muscles, then started to unbuckle her armor as the door eased open.
    “Let me help with that,” Heath said from the doorway. He was outlined by the torchlight in the hall, a black figure against the golden glow. Then he shut the door, and the room was dark once again.
    Atira paused and listened as he padded across the room. His hand touched her shoulder, and her heart jumped.
    “We should light a candle,” she whispered.
    “No,” Heath whispered back. “Starlight’s more than enough.”
    His clever fingers went to the buckles of her armor, even as she reached for his. His breath quickening, and she felt her own heat start to rise.
    She left his armor, moved her hand slowly up over his shoulder, behind his neck, and pulled him down into a kiss.
    His mouth opened to her, and ever so slowly they explored one another. Heath’s hands stilled as they kissed—gently, softly, standing close.
    Atira pulled back just a bit and put her hands on his chest. “Do you want a fire?”
    Heath chuckled, shaking his head. “We already have one.”
    Atira hummed in appreciation and started to work on his clasps and buckles. Heath got hers free first. Atira shivered as he eased off her leathers. Her nipples tightened in the cool air.
    “Cold?” he murmured.
    “Warm me,” she said as she took his hands and pressed them to her breasts. His hands were warm, but the touch of his skin tightened the buds even more. He fondled them, rolling them with his fingers, and Atira melted inside.
    She fumbled with his straps and pulled away his chest piece to reveal the warm skin beneath. His own nipples reacted to the air, and she ran her hands over his belly, feeling the play of muscles under the skin.
    Heath kissed her then, pulling her close, and she wrapped her arms around him, grateful for his willingness to just share this night. No talk of bonding or commitments, no conflict between them. Just two warriors taking pleasure in each other’s bodies.
    Yet, if she were honest, there was so much more with Heath. She was experienced in the ways of sharing, had shared many times with many lovers. But there was something in this man, something different, that made the experience so much more than just bodies in the night.
    Heath was serious about their armor now, and he moved with determination, still slow and caring, but with a goal in mind. She aided him in his efforts, and they were naked soon