CHAPTER 4

 

 

FOR THE NEXT two weeks, Lynara and Constance were inseparable. The lieutenant escorted her around the camp, introducing her to others who were more familiar with the events leading up to Boudicea's incarceration and torture. She wanted to make sure that Constance had as much information as possible for her records.

"Do you always take this much interest in your charges?" Constance.

"Not always — but then I don't always have such interesting assignments. I'll have to thank My Queen when I see her."

Constance smiled, her cheeks dimpling.

"Me too."

*  *  *

Neither was sure at what point their relationship shifted from professional to personal. One moment they were talking quietly in Lynara's tent about Roman policies, and the next, they were in each other's arms, kissing as if it would be their last. When they pulled apart, they stared into each other's eyes and smiled almost shyly. It was then they realized something had been missing from their lives. That night, they made love. Afterward, they spent hours talking about almost everything, but themselves. Neither of them wanted to ruin the intimate moment by revealing their darkest secrets. The two weeks passed quickly; too quickly.

*  *  *

Lying beneath the furs, Lynara held Constance firmly against her breasts. Neither spoke. Hours of lovemaking had left them exhausted but contented. Only the specter of tomorrow's battle haunted their happiness.

"You're thinking about tomorrow," Constance whispered.

"You've known me only two weeks and already you read my mind?"

"I've known you a lifetime."

"A short one, then," Lynara teased.

"True."

"Well, you're right. The Romans are camped a half-day's march from here. We leave at dawn."

"Then we have only a few hours left. Let's use them wisely."

Lynara needed no further encouragement. Rolling Constance on her back, she leaned down and stared longingly into the black eyes of her lover.

"What took you so long to come into my life?" Her voice was husky with emotion.

"I've been around forever. Where have you been?" Constance whispered back, reaching up to stroke the suntanned cheek of her warrior.

"It appears we've wasted a lot of time then."

Leaning down, Lynara kissed Constance, letting her lips move tenderly against Constance's. The contact was gentle, almost tentative as if asking for permission to continue. Constance felt like she was being branded. Her lips were on fire when Lynara touched them with the tip of her tongue. Lynara moved her hands across Constance's breasts and then down to her stomach.

"You're hands are always so hot," Constance said and groaned.

"Only when I'm with you. You make me burn with desire."

Reaching down, Lynara caressed the dark curly hair covering Constance's mound. Fingers moved playfully through the hair causing the historian to shift restlessly. Fluid flowed freely, but couldn't cool the hot fingers sliding between the lips to sample the soft, velvety warmth hiding just beneath the soft curls. Running her tongue down Constance's cheek, she stopped at her throat and nipped the tender skin at the base of her neck.

"I feel like devouring you." Pulling slightly away, Lynara's hot gaze met her lover's. It was the first time Constance had really looked deeply into her warrior's eyes. The passion blazed so brightly, she swore she saw flames dancing in the dark brown pupils. Blinking, she realized she had never really noticed the unusual color before and couldn't imagine why she had thought Lynara had green eyes.

"Something bothers you, my love?" Lynara asked, frowning slightly.

"You bother me," Constance gasped, "but in a good way."

Lynara grinned.

"Good. Shall I continue?"

"Oh yes. By all means."

Lowering her head, she again nipped the sensitive area on the neck.

"You taste... salty."

"I've noticed you like salt," Constance said, enjoying the heated lips.

"Uh huh. Now hush. You're distracting me."

Constance would have replied if she hadn't felt a strange heat between her legs. Fingers played erratically between her warm, slick lips, first moving slowly and then speeding up. When they began to dip gently into her vulva, she felt as if her whole body was burning up and wasn't sure if she was experiencing pleasure or pain.

"Pleasure," Lynara whispered against her ear. "There is never pain in true lovemaking."

Constance could feel her eyes rolling back in her head. Gasping, she was barely aware of her hips thrusting upward to the beat of the fingers driving in and out. Lynara's other hand caressed and massaged her breasts. Then it shifted to her ribs and stomach, rubbing them in a slow, circular motion before moving back to the breasts. Lips nibbled on earlobes and neck and then down to hardened nipples. Lynara took one between her teeth and tugged on it before swirling her tongue around the areola. Constance could barely control the urge to scream, but knowing two guards stood outside the tent gave her strength to suppress it. Biting her lower lip, she moaned, her head moving back and forth.

Lynara could feel Constance stiffen as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through the warm body beneath her. Finally, Constance arched her back, groaned loudly and then collapsed, sweating pouring down her body and dripping onto the cot.

"Are you alright?" Lynara asked, resting her cheek on the heaving breasts.

"Barely," Constance groaned, trying to catch her breath.

Smiling, the warrior let her entire weight settle on her lover and wrapped her arms around the slender body beneath her. Snuggling in, she sighed and relaxed as a hand began gently stroking her hair.

"When do you have to go?"

Eyes closed, Lynara didn't want to think about it.

"Soon," she whispered against the bare skin beneath her lips.

Frowning, Constance suddenly felt uneasy.

"This is it, isn't it? This is all we will have."

Raising her head, Lynara stared into the black eyes of the first woman she had ever loved. Constance met the gaze and frowned. Green eyes, the color of sea-foam, stared back.

I must be imagining things, she thought.

"Can you tell the future?" Lynara teased. In her heart she knew Constance was right. Their time together was over.

"No, it's just a feeling. Am I wrong?"

She hoped Lynara would say yes, but all she did was shrug.

"Who can say? I'm no more a seer than you. What happens, happens," Lynara said philosophically.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, Constance nodded and pulled Lynara close. There was only a little time left. Exhausted, they fell asleep, their bodies interlocked in a warm but gentle embrace.

A candlemark later, one of the guards awoke the lieutenant and motioned toward the tent entrance. The first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, turning the sky a deep orange. The color reminded Lynara of her homeland. Rising quietly, she stared at the sleeping figure and smiled sadly. She kissed Constance on the lips, grabbed her clothes and left, unable to look back for fear of giving in to her desire to stay.

*  *  *

Constance was cold and shifted slightly. Her body missed the familiar warmth that had shielded her from the cool night air. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw her warrior walking away. Wanting to call out, she smothered the urge with her right fist and settled back down, hoping Lynara wouldn't turn and see her misery. She knew it would make the parting more difficult. Her heart felt on fire, the pain so real she thought she was dying.

I could make you stay, she thought, but knew it would bring a worse death than dying. It would kill their love. I never said I love you.

*  *  *

The lieutenant stopped outside the tent and quickly put on her clothes. She knew the moment Constance woke up. Her body was so in tune with the human that she even felt the same pain. Placing her hand over her chest, she closed her eyes, tipped her head back and gritted her teeth. Her two guards looked nervously at each other.

"Are you not well?" one dared to ask.

"I'm fine, Faolin. Come, our queen awaits us."

Trotting toward the distant hillside, her thoughts were torn between the approaching battle and the woman she had left behind.