Myla By Moonlight by Inez Kelley Read Free Book Online

his chuckle. “No. First, I like the meadow how it is, untouched, and second, it makes no sense. Thistlemount houses the king and I’d just have to move back once my father…well, when it comes my time to reign. Here, watch your step.”
    Myla smiled at his warning and allowed him to lead her down a short incline. It was his nature to be protective and the caution came without thought. Sunlight shimmered brightly along the swift stream, the roar drowning out the birds’ song. The temperature remained warm but dropped by several degrees next to the water’s edge. She smiled as a fat frog leapt from the bank with a soft splash.
    Taric seated her on a fallen log and then joined her, removing his boots. He waded to just above his ankles and tied the small pouch to a thick cattail.
    “What do you do there?”
    He laughed. “The water will cool the berries and change their flavor. Just wait a few minutes, you’ll see. Damn, this water is cold.” He shuddered and stepped toward her. The mossy rocks beneath his feet shifted and one arm shot out for balance.
    Myla was beside him in a blink, gripping one hard arm. “Careful.”
    The open surprise on his face enchanted her. “Saving me from a wet ass now, my guardian?” Before she could answer, he frowned. “Your sandals will ruin.”
    She glanced down at her frigid feet wavering in the shallow water. The hem of her chiton fluttered in the slight ripples and blocked her view, drifting toward him. “It is just water.”
    “Cold water.”
    His voice husked so strangely she frowned at him. His maple-gold eyes, dazzling in the sunlight, were trained on her breasts, on her peaked nipples tenting the silk of her chiton. The cords of his throat bobbed.
    Is this flirting then? Is Taric flirting with me? Beneath his gaze, her heart began to pound. Taric pulled his eyes upward and stepped back. Myla searched for something, anything to say. How does one respond to flirting? “The water stays cold here because it melts from the mountain snows.”
    “Yeah.” Two more steps away and he turned. Droplets sailed as he scooped and washed the sweat from his brow, then shook his hands. He drew several deep breaths.
    Myla grew concerned. Perhaps the water was too cold for him after the burn of training. “Come back to the log, Taric. Sit in the warm sun for a while.”
    Once more, he took her hand and they maneuvered across the slick rocks. He eased down beside her, releasing her fingers but only to flatten them to his thigh and cover them with his own. Heat hotter than the sun’s blaze burned her palm but she did not remove it.
    Side by side, they spoke of minor things, the color of specific blooms nearby, the harvesting schedule and a heron that glided over the stream. Taric explained about wings and flight but Myla barely heard the words. The grace of the bird took her breath. So effortless and serene, it conquered the air with ease and settled on the water with barely a ripple.
    Myla found leisure with Taric to be a joyful and an enlightening time. His laugh was something she had not heard much of, its timbre changed from his youth to a deep, rich tone which stirred her belly.
    She laughed at him when he fetched the berry pouch, hissing and complaining about the frigid water. The sound surprised her. Had she ever laughed before? It felt good in her throat, tumbling over her tongue like a rolling drum.
    Taric knelt before her and opened the drawstring. “Again, close your eyes.”
    “Taric, I am able to feed myself.”
    “I know, but I want to. Let me?” Held by his bronze gaze, she looked deep into his eyes and nodded. How could she deny him this simple request? She closed her eyes and parted her lips. One frosty berry landed on her tongue. The flavor had changed, like he’d promised. Before sweet succulence had filled her mouth but this chilled morsel had a bite. Zest and tang overshadowed the sensual flavor, spiked the sugar and increased the richness to near wine-like taste.