Pascal has asked Marwey if she would like to give their relationship another chance. But with all that has already happened between them, are they ready to face more of life’s obstacles? Read the conclusion of our free online story, Song of Marwey!
Song of Marwey by Robin D. Owens, Chapter 8
Marwey had said yes to Pascal and they’d mended their relationship – with mouths and hands exploring and tasting each other; with bodies slickly coming together; and with spirits rising in merged Song as they’d loved.
Days later Marwey’s great-aunt, Swordmarshall Thealia, called her into her study and waved Marwey to a seat. The older woman studied her.
“You know we Marshalls are Summoning a stranger from another world to help save our land by fixing the magical boundary to keep the horrors from invading,” she said.
Marwey’s mouth dried. The idea was so exciting. “Yes.”
“Most past exotiques who were Summoned did not speak our language. We need someone to communicate with the stranger. Your mind-merge Power is strong; your mind is young and open, able to handle the exotique’s otherworldly images. You’ll gain our gratitude and a battle-trained winged horse for the task.”
Thealia continued speaking, but Marwey barely heard her. Her mind was dizzy with ideas; her heart beat faster. The payment being offered for her assistance staggered her — a volaran. With that asset, she and Pascal could truly plan their lives together.
When Thealia finished, Marwey said, “I agree.” She soberly walked from the suite, then ran, bubbling with pleasure, down the tower stairs.
She met Pascal’s sponsor, Luthan Vauxveau, who no doubt would some day be the most important man in Lladrana — the head of the Marshalls. He already had a great estate and wealth.
“Salutations, Marwey Famil.” His smile lightened his severe face. “I see you’ve heard that Pascal Raston has been accepted into Chevalier training and is now titled ‘Chevalier.’ He’s already moved into his own room in Training Hall. Just follow your shared Song.” Luthan winked.
She hadn’t heard, but she lifted her chin. “Pascal will be the best of that Chevalier class!”
“I–” Luthan’s eyes unfocused. With an uneasy pitch of her stomach Marwey recalled that Luthan was wealthy with other things — such as a small gift of prophecy.
His voice resonant, Luthan said, “Yes, he will…and you will both have long love and lives…and have many children?” He shook his head and strode away.
She stared after him, then joy surged through her. Three bits of good news today! Pascal being accepted into Chevalier training, Marwey herself participating in the Summoning and a wonderful prophecy of long life, love and children! She was sure in her bones that a glorious future awaited. Nothing would stop them.
Marwey danced into Pascal’s tiny chamber.
He looked up and smiled. “The sunlight isn’t as pretty and bright as you.”
She ran and kissed him hard. When his blood fired so she could feel it through their bond and he reached for her, she slipped away. “I’ve been chosen to help when the Marshalls Summon the exotique!” She laughed, flung her arms wide and pirouetted.
“What?” He strode to her and grabbed her arms. She saw him swallow hard. “The Summoning will be dangerous. I don’t want you near there.”
You don’t want.” She matched him scowl for scowl. “All this time you’ve been irritated because I arranged your life. Well, now I want to see the action.” She tossed her head. “This is a big chance for u– me. I made a decision for my life.”
He gazed at her steadily, dropped his hands, crossed to the small bed and sat. “Yes, you followed your path. But if I’d given that gift to you, would you have treasured it as much?”
Marwey went and sat next to him. “No. I liked earning it myself. You were always correct that my interference was wrong. But something else is bothering you.” She wanted to lean against him, feel him all along her, but needed to see his eyes.
He scooped her onto his lap. “The Summoning will be dangerous.”
“As being a Chevalier will be dangerous, which you will be. And which I’ll start training for someday.”
He rubbed his chin on her head. “You didn’t consult with me about this decision.”
Her insides tightened. “You’re right. I didn’t act as a Pair, but as a single person. We must talk about whether or not I can do this.”
“Do what?”
“Mind-merge with the exotique, to help the stranger understand why she was Summoned. My Power is strong; I am the youngest, the most flexible, and I’m a woman. The newest prophecy foretells that our exotique will be a woman. I have the best chance of communicating with her.”
“Let’s discuss this–”
“ – as partners. I care for you, Pascal. I’ll work on compromise.”
“I must work on that, too. I didn’t consult you.” He gestured widely. “I chose this room, where I hope you’ll spend many moments with me, because it’s close to the stables and the Chevaliers’ Horseshoe Hall. And you know I don’t care to sleep with you in a chamber just below your aunt’s bedroom.”
She eyed the room, sniffed. “It’s very near the stables. There is a smell.”
He chuckled. “Yes, there is.”
“And it’s about as far from Thealia’s tower as a room in Training Hall can be. It’s quite inconvenient for me.”
“True.” He kissed her softly, fell back on the bed with her. “Do you forgive me?”
“Yes, and I accept that I’ll be walking a long way to you. I accept that you will rarely spend the night with me.”
“I won’t spend the night with you.”
“You will rarely spend the night with me — perhaps, once a week.”
He grumbled. “Once a week, then. A Castle Soldier loving a Swordmarshall’s niece right under the Marshall’s — two Marshalls’ — noses.” He shook his head. “You’ll be the one who’ll have to explain your screams of pleasure.”
Marwey turned onto her side and he did the same, so they faced each other. She wiggled her lower body close to his, and licks of sweet fire started inside her. Hooking her leg over his hip, she felt his hard arousal. It almost sent the words she needed to say from her mind — words she hoped she’d hear in return. “I accept that I love you.”
He froze. His hands went to her backside and he squeezed her, pulled her to him. His eyes blazed, his hips moved against her. “I accept that I will be spending nights with you. I accept that you will be at the Summoning. I accept that…I want you with me always.” The words sounded rough, ripped from his heart, thrilling her.
Then they discarded their clothes, stroked each other. He came into her powerfully, filling her with himself and with the overwhelming song of love that reverberated between them. Only the intensity of this love mattered. He moved and they soared together, as they would always fly, entwined. And they exploded, their climaxes drumming between them, matching the pounding of their hearts, the throbbing of their blood.
Much later she became aware of herself as separate from him. She opened her eyes.
He touched her face. “I love you.” Since he said it when they weren’t making love, it meant all the more. “It will be very hard, being with me. I haven’t won my volaran reins yet. It could take years before we have land of our own where we can live together as husband and wife. But until we can Pair, I want you to have this.”
He took the silver medallion, his family’s only treasure, from around his neck, put it on her and kissed her. Then he drew her into the curve of his body.
She knew nothing would convince him to Pair with her before they had land. He didn’t believe they could gain their goals quickly — together. But at least he understood their lives were linked. His breathing went soft as he slipped into sleep.
“You’ll see,” Marwey whispered. “When the new exotique comes, everything will change. We’ll get our chance then.”
Her hand closed around the medallion. No matter what else happened, Pascal and she were together. She had what she wanted.
The End
Copyright © 2005 Harlequin Books S.A.
