Lion's Bride by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page B

I had to leave it with the caravan. I thought I might have enough in the basket, but there are only a few left and—Stop laughing.”
    “I cannot.” He shook his head, his lips still twitching. “Set the poor creatures free and let them find their own leaves.”
    “I cannot set them free. I
need
them.” She leaned forward, her hands clenched tightly together. “They’re silkworms. When I settle in Damascus, I’ll use them to make silk for my looms. Perhaps I’ll even have enough to trade.”
    “Silk…Is that what you did in Constantinople?”
    She nodded. “Wonderful silk. I was an embroiderer for the finest silk house in the city, and I also helped care for the silk beds.” She paused. “It’s a favor I ask, but I’m willing to pay. As soon as I have my own house, I’ll make you anything you like. I have great skill, and my work was much sought after.”
    “What do you want?”
    “Tomorrow I need to go into the foothills and search out a mulberry tree.”
    “Mulberry? No other tree would do?”
    “Not as well. It’s what they’re accustomed to eating.” At least if he was listening, there was a chance of persuading him. “But I understand they do grow in this land. I spoke to a trader, and he said they’ve spread from China to here. In Constantinople we have the black mulberry, but here they have white, which is even better.”
    “The tree is white?”
    “No, the fruit is white when the tree flowers.”
    “And what if it isn’t flowering?” he said dryly.
    “It has tooth-shaped leaves. I’ll recognize it.” She held her breath. “Will you take me?”
    He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “No.”
    “You must take me,” she said desperately. “I have to have those leaves. You’ll be rid of me as soon as I have enough to assure the worms will live until I reach Damascus.”
    “Go to bed.”
    “Selene risked a great deal to bring that basket to me—I won’t let them be destroyed,” she said unsteadily. “You needn’t accompany me. Lend me a horse and I’ll go by myself.”
    “No.” He opened his eyes. “Go to your chamber.”
    “Not until you promise me I’ll have the leaves.”
    He started to shake his head and then flinched. “I’ll promise anything if you’ll stop hammering at me.”
    “Tomorrow?” she asked eagerly.
    “Tomorrow. Get out.”
    She jumped to her feet and started toward the arched doorway. She had done all she could, but it might all be for naught. He might be too drunk to remember his promise tomorrow, or he could regard a vow made to a woman as not binding.
    “And send Tasza back to me.”
    She stopped in the doorway. “I don’t know where she is. You sent her to her quarters.”
    “I doubt if she went. Tasza can be very determined.”
    “You’ve had too much wine. You don’t need her. Let the poor woman stay in her own bed.”
    “I am here.” The woman flew past Thea and ran toward Ware. “I knew you would not stay angry with me.” She knelt before him and pressed her lips to his inner thigh. “Forgive me. I will make you forget my impudence.”
    She was fondling him with tongue as well as hands, Thea realized with shock.
    And he was responding. Boldly.
    His hands clenched tightly on the arms of the chair as he met her gaze over the woman’s head. His face was flushed, his lips full and sensual. “Stay,” he said thickly. “Watch. I want you here.”
    The heat mounted to her cheeks. Incense and musk and the smell of burning logs drifted to her. The entire room was charged, throbbing with erotic sights, sounds, and scents. Her chest was so tight, she could scarcely breathe.
    He held her gaze. “Stay,” he repeated softly.
    She turned and ran from the hall and up the stairs. Her heart was beating painfully hard and her entire body was tingling. Perhaps he was right—perhaps he did belong to Lucifer. Dear heaven, she had never felt like this before. She had actually wanted to stay in that room that breathed of sin and