Or maybe not. Maybe it was simply wishful thinking on his part.
He rolled over onto his side and draped his arm around her. Audrey gave a slight snuffling sound and wiggled closer to him. She looked to him in sleep but he knew she would not do the same in the light of day.
He cursed the gods, wishing for more time but knowing none would be forthcoming. The tapestry would come tomorrow evening and then Audrey would be gone.
Chapter Twelve
Audrey woke with one brilliant flash of insight. They hadn’t used a condom. Not any time they’d had sex. She placed her hand on her stomach and tried to remember when her last period was, but her mind was so muddled she couldn’t. She could be pregnant even now. What would she do?
Whatever she had to. Just the way she always had. She didn’t relish the idea of being a single mother but the more she thought about it the more excited she got about the idea of having a baby.
Her joy fled as quickly as it came. What about Heroc and Abrah? Was it fair to them? They’d never know if she was with child or not, but she knew she’d always feel guilty about depriving them of a chance to know their son or daughter.
“Chances are you’re not pregnant,” she muttered. “Don’t borrow trouble.” After all, she wasn’t at the peak of her cycle and her body had been through such turmoil. The chances of her actually being pregnant weren’t great.
She flung back the covers, sat up and noted the sheets beside her were cool, a sure sign both men had been up for a while. She was becoming a real slug-a-bed. This was the second day in a row they’d managed to get up and leave the room without her waking.
It was also the last time she’d wake in this beautiful four-poster bed. The tapestry would come today. Tomorrow she’d wake in her own bed, in her own room in her apartment.
The thought was cold comfort. Audrey wasn’t nearly as excited at the prospect as she would have been yesterday. The longer she was here, the less she wanted to leave.
“Get up and get dressed,” she ordered. “One thing at a time.” The tapestry wouldn’t arrive for hours yet. She had an entire day to spend with Abrah and Heroc.
Her muscles gave a twinge when she climbed out of bed and stretched. Her pussy was sore and her butt ached, not surprising considering last night’s activities. She couldn’t stop smiling as she padded to the bathing chamber and peeked into the room. As usual, the hot water fairies had the tub filled and she climbed in, soaking away the worst of her aches.
It didn’t take her long to finish her bath and comb her hair. Then it was back to the bedroom, where she dressed in the clothing that was sitting on the chest at the end of the bed. When she was presentable, she left the room, anxious to find the men.
Heroc sat in front of the fire staring at the piece of wood in his hand. It had started life as a small block but now looked like a perfect replica of Carn. He rubbed his thumb over the wood and held the piece up to the light and turned it from side to side. Perfect.
He set aside the sharp knife he’d been using to finish the final details. He’d started carving when he was a boy as a way to pass time during the long, cold months and had kept up the practice as he’d grown. He enjoyed it. The act of carving calmed his mind and allowed him to think.
This morning all his thoughts were about last night. He took a deep breath and released it slowly even as his body stirred to life. Audrey had given them a great gift, one he would always cherish. Heroc hadn’t said anything to his brother but even he was beginning to lose hope. Today was the final day and Audrey was still nowhere near to agreeing to stay.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and stood as Audrey came into view. She stopped at the base of the stairs and looked around the room. The hall was empty but for him. Tara was busy in the kitchens and Abrah was in the stables waiting.
“Good morning.” Heroc went toward her, his right hand extended.
Audrey smiled and came to him. He pulled her to him for a quick hug, inhaling her sweet scent tinged with the perfume of flowers from the soap she’d used in her morning bath. “I wasn’t certain it was still morning. I slept longer and harder than I thought I would.”
Her cheeks turned a delectable shade of red and he knew she was remembering last night. He couldn’t resist leaning down and kissing her. It was slow and long and incredibly arousing. He tasted desire, but he also detected the bitter tang of regret. He ended the kiss and brushed the curls away from her face.
“How are you feeling?”
She glanced down at the floor and then back up at him, meeting his gaze straight on. “I feel good.”
“This is for you.” He thrust the carving toward her and she took it automatically.
She stared at the wood and her eyes widened. “It’s Carn.” She looked to him for confirmation, so he nodded.
“Did you do this?”
Once again, he nodded.
“This is amazing.” She ran her fingers over the wood and his muscles clenched. He wished it were his body she was touching so reverently. His cock swelled, making his pants uncomfortable. “You are so talented. Thank you.”
He nodded and took a step back. “I don’t know if it will travel with you when you go.” He held his breath, waiting for her denial that she was leaving. She said nothing, but there was great sadness in her eyes.
Heroc rubbed the back of his neck as frustration pounded through him. Why would she not stay? Even as he thought it he knew he wasn’t being fair to her. But he didn’t care. He wanted her with him, wanted years to discover everything about her. She was such a contradiction, seemingly shy at times and incredibly bold at others.
“If you are up to it after you eat we can go for a ride.”
“A ride?” She perked up at the suggestion.
“Abrah is at the stables getting the horses ready.” They both wanted her to see the world beyond the walls of their home and the weather had cleared enough to make it possible. Maybe something there would turn the tide to their favor.
“I’ve never been on a horse before.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. Heroc groaned, unable to resist the innocent provocation. He bent down and kissed her hard and fast.
“You will ride with one of us.” He ran his hand over her hair. “We will take care of you. Trust us.” There was so much meaning in those simple two words and he knew she’d heard his underlying plea.
She swallowed hard and nodded. “I do.”
Disappointment beat at him. Yes, she trusted them to some extent, just not enough to stay.
“Come and eat.” With his hand on the small of her back, he urged her toward the table where Tara had set out some oatmeal and honey. Steam no longer rose from the bowl but it was still warm.
Audrey set the carving on the table beside her and then picked up her spoon to eat. Heroc watched her, memorizing every move and gesture. His gut twisted into a knot and he feared he would soon have nothing left of her but a memory.
Abrah paced back and forth, his boots stirring hay in his wake. Carn paced beside him, his large paws barely making a sound. The animal sensed his agitation and was sticking close. One of the horses whinnied and he came to an abrupt halt. The animals were picking up on his growing unease. Would Audrey agree to go for a ride with them or would she start to pull away from them now that her last day had arrived?
He heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel in the yard and a light, female voice that made his groin tighten. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and his eyes devoured Audrey as she entered the stables alongside his brother.