"Does he know I'm coming?" Delia asked. She pulled her fur hood closer around her. The winter winds still swept down the mountains onto the fragile city. She pulled off her gloves and touched her mount's shoulders. She sent a wave of gentle heat and assurance.
"Of course he does, don't be silly," Reeve answered her. He was the only one who spoke to her in that manner. Jend raised his blue eyes and frowned at him.
Clev also frowned at Reeve. Luc ignored the two, as they had argued since they left her chateau an hour ago. Reeve was good for Delia. His steadfast arrogance helped calm her.
The five made their way to the remote training villa where Rojer lived.
She had protested against all of them going. Many men would have problems being faced with the reality of life as a companion. Other men who had the right to touch and share her. Bringing Clev and Jend would have been bad enough, but bringing the twins would be overwhelming. Many men could not understand the bond between the three and would find it unnatural.
Delia gritted her teeth as they passed through the gate. She kept her chin held high as she passed the ranks of the guard. There were whispers as she entered the villa. Delia threw one leg over the saddle and lowered herself into Reeve's arms. He set her down upon the slate-covered ground. Luc came behind her and removed her traveling cloak and took her gloves.
Delia's quick eyes found Rojer, bigger by half than the other men around him. The arrogant look on his harshly-lined face did not bode well. His sable hair fell almost to the collar of his uniform. He ran an irritated hand through it as he looked at her.
Delia's red curls were swept up and piled on top of her head, making her green eyes appear cat-like in their grace. From her small ears, golden chimes hung down to her shoulders. The spectacular green velvet dress accenting her generous bosom and small waist. The flaring skirt hinted at her hips. She had removed her outer gloves, but kept the gold silk ones on until he asked for her touch.
"Rojer, this is Priestess Delia. She has come to answer your questions," Jend made the introductions. Rojer barely looked at the other men around her. His eyes bit into hers savagely.
"Perhaps we could talk in private?" Delia asked, beginning to think it was hopeless. Rojer nodded and led the way. Delia followed him quietly, not sure if he wanted her to talk to him. His stride was easily twice hers and finally in exasperation he sat on one of the couches lining the hallway.
"What do you wish to know?" She asked finally.
"What would my life be like as your companion?"
"You would live in my chateau, with your own private quarters. You may spend your time in study, training or any other way you wish."
"Until you called upon me."
Delia nodded. This was what most companions asked of her, the mating requirement. All men in their society were chaste until they touched the energy crystals. If they glowed dimly, the men could take a wife. If they glowed brightly they would be examined by a priestess for their harem. If either man or priestess declined, they were free to take a wife. If they flashed and glowed to rival the sun, they were expected to join a harem. And somehow the priestess would help ease him into the harem.
"I would not come to you unless I needed a surge. Surge love making is much more strenuous than ordinary lovemaking. Most companions can create a surge once a week, the strain is too great for them otherwise. You are welcome to speak to either me or my companions about your role. They would be happy to help you learn. You may discuss me with them, though I will not discuss them with you. Each relationship is private and sacred." She took off her gloves and offered him her hands. He refused them.
"I will serve you as a wife in the bed chamber whenever you desire me, if you desire me." She said quietly. Sometimes no matter how powerful the energy, there was no attraction between a man and a woman.
"You may touch me in courtship." Delia closed her eyes as his hands twisted in her hair, freeing it. The waist-length curls fell down her torso. Rojer twisted his hands in the waves and used them to pull her closer.
"If I desire you?" He murmured against her throat. Delia tipped her head back as his mouth moved over her neck. He pulled her body against his and she could feel his hardness press against her belly.
His hands moved over her breasts with rough urgency. Clumsily, he fumbled with the fasteners of her gown. Delia laid a restricting hand on his shoulder.
"Rojer, you mustn't..."
He growled low as his lips found her throat. He sucked hard against her soft skin, causing her to wince. She resisted the urge to push him away from her until she felt his teeth against her skin.
"Rojer!" She pulled out of his grasp and took several steps away from him.
He made a movement to come after her, but she shook her head. Delia sighed, then made her way back to her companions.
Delia turned away from the sunset as Rojer entered her chamber. He wore the loose leggings and doublet of the companions now, though his was black silk and velvet. He strode purposefully towards her. His jaw was set tightly and a small tick showed near his mouth. He was furious.
"You sent for me, priestess." He bit out harshly. Delia sighed. It was to be one of those meetings.
"Yes, Rojer. I thought perhaps we could talk about how you are settling in here."
"I am not 'settling in', priestess." His fists tightened.
"I know, Rojer. You have denied me at every turn, and fought with Jend." She raised his cut fist to her lips. The knuckles were split apart. Her eyes on his, she kissed the small wounds. She opened her robe with one hand and placed his hand upon her breast. His hand contracted automatically, bruising her soft skin. He hauled her against him and his mouth came down on hers hard. His tongue invaded her mouth as she gasped from the passion that rolled over her like a tidal wave. She pulled his hand from her body and kissed the now healed skin.
"This is a small part of what I can do. Rojer, there is so much more to this, can you not relax?"
"Relaxation, priestess, is that what you want?" Rojer jerked out of her arms and began to remove his clothes with an anger that bordered on fury.
When he stood naked before her, he grabbed her, tearing off her robe in his haste. His hot eyes roamed over her generous breasts with a hunger that was uncontained. She trembled from the power in his muscular body as he lowered her to the bed. He pulled her legs apart and made to enter her. Delia put her hands around his wrists, using a small bit of energy to restrain him. "Do not do this, Rojer. Raping me shall not ease you."
"Let me go!" He struggled against her enchantment. Sweat broke out on his dark skin. He looked down at his manhood, inches away from the center of her.
"Touch me without fury and you shall find yourself freed." Rojer was surprised at being able to touch her pale breast. He circled the tip, watching the way she responded to his touch. Again he moved to enter her, but found himself unable to move. He groaned and rolled off of her. He moved to the edge of the bed and placed his feet on the ground, lowering his head to his hands.
"I do not know what you want from me!" He said between clenched teeth.
Delia moved to him, pressing her breasts against his back as she held him. As a guard, he had the barest notion of mating. His whole sum of knowledge being to put his manhood into the place between a woman's legs. She hated the ignorance their culture fostered in men. It made courtship a thing of frustration and fear.
“Get the mating out of your mind. Just touch me for now. Learn what you and I like before worrying about the joining. Talk to Luc or Clev, if you cannot talk to me."
Rojer stood, his face red with anger. "You want me to ask your other lovers what you like in the bedchamber? You are obscene!" He jerked his clothes back on and left the chamber.
Delia sighed and lay back on the bed. Things were not going well. Rojer's refusal to speak to anyone made the bed a battleground. His instincts were against him.
Someone knocked at her door. She pulled a blanket over herself as Reeve entered. He saw her robe on the floor and picked up the torn cloth. She saw his mouth flatten as he saw the rip running down the center. In seconds he had crossed the chamber and was pulling the blanket from her.
"That bastard!" He roared. Her breasts were black and blue from Rojer's rough handling and her thighs showed where he had forced her legs apart.
"No, Reeve, I'm unhurt," she insisted. Reeve's strong arms separated her thighs gently to search for blood. When he found her untouched he trembled from the force of his relief.
"I don't care how much we need him, if he had raped you I would tear him apart with my bare hands!" He swore, cradling her against him. She sobbed once, trying not to cry.
