Warprize

looming over me. His elbows were on either side, his legs pinning mine. I barely had time to note the look in his eyes before he captured my mouth with his.
    I was swept away, by lips that tantalized and teased and took exactly what they wanted. He didn’t just press lips together, he was using it all, mouth, tongue, and teeth. After a bit, he backed off to allow me to breathe. He didn’t retreat, just pressed soft, small kisses at the corners of my lips as I desperately pulled air in.
    His face held a satisfied look. One hand reached up to stroke my face gently. Keir moved his hand, running his fingers through my hair, spreading it out over the fur. His eyes flared with blue light.
    “Want to know the best part of being a warlord?” came a hoarse whisper. I bit my lip, puzzled by the question.
    Keir’s mouth curled up slowly into a smile. “I always get what I want.”
    His lips came down on mine, demanding, coaxing, then taking. Again and again, over and over, he brought me to the brink of something till I was unsure of where he ended and I began. At some point, I would be overwhelmed by it all, and a trace of fear would touch me. Each time, he would back off, calm me down with soft sounds and touches. Letting me take in air.
    Then he would proceed to do it all over again.
    I wanted more. My arms had been pinned down, and now I struggled to bring them up to enclose him, touch him. He chuckled, then moved slightly to give me room. My upper arm came in contact with Keir’s hand, and I hissed slightly at the touch.
    Keir froze, and moved back. “What’s wrong?” He frowned. “I hurt you?”
    I shook my head, confused by the comment. It was hard to think, since my body seemed to have other concerns. Keir was not convinced. He reached for my shirt and eased it open and down my arm.
    “Who has done this?” Keir’s voice was a growl.
    I was startled. The man staring at me was one I had not seen before, his eyes cold, his face hard. I looked down, horrified to see bruises on my upper arm. Clearly, the fingerprints of a large hand, probably the woman warrior who had grabbed me.
    “I will kill the one who has hurt you.” Keir jumped from the bed and strode to the tent entrance. “
    Marcus.” His voice whipped out. He started pacing in the space available.
    “I—” I sat up and struggled to cover myself with the shirt. “It’s nothing…”
    Keir turned, his eyes like blue ice, and I froze. Dearest Goddess, he was serious. His eyes were filled with rage.
    Marcus ran in, looking as if he had been roused from sleep. He took one look at Keir and was on his knee, head down. I struggled to cover myself, fumbling with the shirt. Keir barely gave Marcus a glance. “Someone has injured the warprize.” He stomped over and towered over me. His hands gently turned me so that the bruises were visible. “Look.”
    Marcus looked up. His eye widened at the sight. He dropped his eye again almost immediately. Keir pulled the shirt back up to cover my breast and shoulder. “Who did this?” he said, in a very calm, very deadly voice.
    I took the example Marcus had set, sank down on one knee, and bent my head as well to let my hair conceal my face.
    Keir resumed his pacing, moving like a caged animal. “I am waiting for an answer.”
    I swallowed. “Warlord, it was an accident. I was at the tents of healing, tending to those in need.” My mouth was so dry I could barely get the words out.
    “You’ve been hurt. No one touches what is mine.” Keir was almost roaring, his anger white hot. I trembled at the force of his voice, but did not move or look up.
    “Warlord, I was treating a wound.” I swallowed hard, trying to get some moisture in my mouth. “The warrior was startled. The fault was mine.”
    “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Destroy the peace?” There was an odd note of anguish in his voice.
    “No! I wouldn’t betray—”
    “You will tell me who it was. He will answer to me.”
    “No.” I closed my eyes and held my breath.
    Keir came to stand next to me. I could feel his hot glare, hear his heavy breathing. Yet, somehow I knew that he would not hurt me. Slowly, I raised my head and looked up. His anger had not abated, it was merely held in check. Carefully, I reached out and placed my hand on his arm. The muscles underneath quivered with tension. “Warlord, I am unhurt. The bruises will fade.”
    He was unappeased. “You’re under my protection. Whoever did this will pay for his