Love's Blazing Ecstasy by Kathryn Kramer Read Free Book Online Page A

deafening.
    “The food was good!” he blurted out, feeling like a fool as soon as the words had left his mouth.
    “Yes. Good,” she answered, wondering why he would not look at her again. She was becoming used to his language, found it pleasant to her ears. Indeed, she liked everything about this man and looked forward to their time together, although she could tell that her stepmother was becoming suspicious about her whereabouts. She looked at Valerian, gently touching his arm as she started to tell him of her concerns.
    Valerian drew away from her so quickly that he stumbled. He had dreamed sensual dreams of her for so many nights, wanting to make love to her, that their close proximity to each other was disturbing. She had clothed him, fed him, and saved his life. He didn’t want to repay her by taking her virtue and then leaving her behind , he told himself for the umpteenth time.  No, as much as he wanted to stay, he needed to leave as soon as possible.  Battling with his emotions, Valerian put his hands to his head.
    “What is wrong?”
    “Nothing is wrong. I…I…” Searching for the right words to say to her, he looked down at his clothing, and was struck again by this unfamiliar dress—the leg coverings bound with criss-cross strips, the tunic ending just above the knees and worn with a stout belt.
    Noticing Valerian’s glance at his garments, Wynne laughed, thinking that this was the cause of his distress and strange behavior. In truth he did look strange in her father’s clothing, which somehow looked all wrong on the Roman.
    Her laughter made Valerian relax, and he too gave in to mirth, laughing at himself and the sight he must make. “I would surely frighten my men if they were to see me now,” he said. The thought of his soldiers suddenly sobered him. He had an obligation to them that he seemed to have forgotten.
    A slight frown passed over Wynne’s lips as she understood what he must be thinking. The Roman naturally wanted to return to his own people. That thought was upsetting to her, though she knew it was selfish to expect him to stay just because she liked his companionship. She turned away, fearing her expression would give her away.
    “Wynne, can you help me find my people?” he asked softly, wondering what she was thinking.
    So the time I have dreaded has come, she thought.  “I have listened for any talk,” she said, struggling with her emotions.  “I have heard that they are not far away.”
    “My legion is not far away from here?” he questioned. “How far? A day’s ride? Two?”
    Wynne held up her fingers.  “Three…or..or… more.” A sadness welled up within her at the thought of his leaving and she fought against the tears which trembled on her thick lashes.
    “Three days,” he repeated. “If only I had a horse!” He clenched his fist. “But they took everything away from me.”
    She sensed his distress, though she didn’t understand all his words.  His duty lay with his people, she did know that.  The danger they would both be in if he stayed in hiding much longer was also a grave concern. Gently she touched his shoulder and this time he did not move away from her.  “I will help,” she whispered.
    “You already have,” he said looking at her, feeling a sensual attraction as he gazed into her blue eyes. “I am deeply grateful.  I will never forget you. Never!”
    “Wynne will remember Valerian also,” she answered shyly.
    Again, the sexual attraction between them was almost tangible and it took all the restraint he had ever possessed not to take her in his arms right then and there. Instead, however, he managed to move away from her once more, finding his voice. “I will need a horse.”
    “Valerian has a horse,” she said with a smile.
    “I have a horse? Did you find my mare running loose in the woods?” He gripped her shoulders in his excitement.
    Wynne did not move away from him, though his hands seemed to brand her with their heat and