Sorry it has taken so long for this chapter to post. My muse hasn't been very cooperative lately but I bribed her with some Halloween candy and she finally relented. This chapter's focus is more on Arianna but I believe in the next few chapters, everyone will understand why. Thanks for your patience and all feedback is welcome.
Kat sat in the picture window in her bedroom, staring out into the starry night. Her mind was still buzzing from her conversation with Charles. This was the last thing that she had expected. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" she called, not wanting to move.
The door opened and Charlie's mother walked in, shutting the door behind her.
"Healer Arianna! I wasn't expecting you."
"I'm sorry to disturb you so late, my dear but I needed to talk to you." Arianna replied, walking over to her. She stared out the window. "It has been along time since I have been in this room. I had forgotten what a beautiful view there is from here. Does it make you homesick?"
"There's nothing for me to miss at home. Other than my Gramps."
"Oh, child, I am sorry to hear that your parents are gone."
"I never knew my father as a child, Arianna. So there is nothing there for me to miss. My grandpa tried to fill his gap for a short while."
"And your mother?" Arianna asked softly, sensing that she was treading on dangerous ground.
"I have no mother." Kat said flatly before turning at looking at Arianna for the first time.
"Oh..."
"But once I marry your son, or bond or whatever it is called here, I guess you'll become my mother."
"Yes, that is true." Arianna sighed as sat down next to Kat. "I sense that there is trouble between you two."
"That's between Charlie and I. Either we will work it out or we won't. It won't effect our relationship in the least. That's if you still want to train me."
"Of course, child. I haven't trained a young person in years. It will just be the thing to get the old blood pumping."
I can get your blood pumping anytime you want, Ari.
Arianna's face heated along with her blood.
Back off, Dean!
Have I ever told you how sexy it is when you call me by my last name?
You are the most perverted wizard I have ever met!
And you love it. A sexy chuckle filled her head.
"Is everything okay?" Kat's voice distracted her.
"Yes. Nothing's wrong, Katrina. Will you be able to meet me tomorrow morning to start your lessons?"
I would love to give you "lessons".
Stop it!
"Sure. What time and where?" Kat asked as she closely observed the healer. Something fishy was going on with her. Her face was flushed and she was breathing raggedly.
Right now, I'd love to bend you over and have you where you stand. Can you imagine what that would look like? You and I joined together? Me pleasuring you until you can't stand it anymore and come all over me?
"At eight in the solar." Arianna said between gritted teeth as his words evoked erotic images that filled her head. Quickly she turned and headed for the door. "I'll see you then."
Meet
me
in the solar. Now!
"I don't see a problem with that." Kat said as Arianna closed the door behind her.
* * *
Stephan paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. He wondered if she was coming or not. He knew that sending her those thoughts had been rather unfair but he wasn't going to worry about it. He wanted her and he was going to take her anyway that he could get her.
BANG!
He turned and looked at the woman that was standing in the open doorway. Her face was flushed with anger or desire. Or maybe a bit of both, he mused. He raked her over with his eyes. She was wearing one of her usual healing robes. It's soft cream folds were absorbing the light, making her look ethereal. He knew that there was a passionate woman luring under those robes. One that he was determined to bring out. She used her status as the king's mother and healer as a shield to keep them apart. It was time to rip that shield away!
"If I weren't a healer, I would kill you!" Arianna stormed into the room.
"Why? Because I dare to see you as a woman? Not as just the king's mother or a healer? I find you extremely attractive, Ari. I want to be your lover. I want to be your chosen."
"Have you ever listened to yourself, Dean! It's always, "I", "I", "I". You never stop and ask, what does Arianna want! Well, I am happy with my life. I don't need you turning my life upside down at this point in time. My son is my first responsibility. He needs me." "And you are saying that his need comes before mine." Stephan walked towards her, shutting the door behind her with his magic.
"His needs have to come first! He is the King. How do you expect Areseric to flourish if the King has no balance!"
"The little earthling healer will give him his balance, Ari. Why don't you let her do it! She is his chosen, soon to be his wife, and our queen! A mother has to let go," he added softly.
SLAP!
Stephan winced as he felt the sting on his cheek. Without thinking, he grabbed Arianna by the arms and drug her up against him.
"You know, Ari, for a healer, you are a rather violent woman." He lowered his head, growled deep in his throat and covered her mouth with his.
* * *
Arianna protested against his lips, instinctively trying to break free. She didn't want this! Not like this! She could feel his teeth tugging on her lower lip as he demanded entrance.