As he came closer, I saw he wore a medallion around his neck. A silver disc on a silver chain, surrounding a black hunk of rock with a glittering diamond in its center, as big as the one I’d held in my hand moments ago.
The drums beat louder and faster as he came up the steps to where I stood, towering above me. I felt their deep vibrations flowing through me. Keeping time with my heartbeat, suddenly racing.
The stranger took a knee but didn’t incline his head. Instead, his deep-blue eyes looked straight at me, unfazed by my royal title. I knew instantly this man bowed to no one.
His gaze traveled up and down my body, lingering on my breasts, before returning to my face. I glanced down and realized my nipples were visible under the thin white shirt I wore, standing out in hard little peaks from the cold wind hitting me as I rode on the dragon’s back.
He raised one eyebrow and gave me a wicked smile. In the past, I’d have called his behavior arrogant. Insolent. But the rhythm of the drums was stirring a dark desire deep in my core, as raw and savage as their primitive beat. The wanton wench Drayke’s passion had awakened within me responded with a shiver of lust.
“Forgive my appearance, my queen. My journey was arduous.”
The drumbeat quickened, rising to a crescendo. Sending the vibrations thrumming through my entire body. He showed no notice, and suddenly I wondered if only I could hear it.
I didn’t recognize the stranger’s voice, or his face. But I knew those deep blue eyes. I’d seen them before. Here in this very temple. They were the eyes of a shadowy figure the oracle showed me that night long ago. The eyes of the warrior.
The One the Goddess decreed would join me in my battle – and in my bed.
Chapter two
Melisandre
I forced myself to ignore the savage drumbeat stirring a wave of lust inside me. Or was it the thought of being fucked by this arrogant stranger?
“You have the advantage of me, sir. You know who I am, but we have not been formally introduced.”
He rose and took my hand. Brought it to his lips, his blue eyes boring into mine. Stripping away all my defenses.
“I am Magnus Markhan of Linderal, Warrior of the Seven Stars.”
I was familiar with Linderal, and with the name Markhan. As a young girl, I’d visited Markhan Manor with my father on one of his many journeys through the kingdom. Papa made a point of checking on the welfare of his subjects personally instead of relying on reports from advisors. The man before me looked to be about ten years older than I was, and I didn’t recall hearing about a Markhan male who was a warrior, famous or not.
His hand held mine possessively, the grip more forceful than polite society would condone. Though his lips were warm, the intimate touch of them on my skin sent a shiver down my spine.
“Warrior of the Seven Stars? You say that as though it were a title bestowed on you.”
“It is, my lady.”
I shook my head. Not only arrogant but a liar as well. This was the man the Goddess chose to aid me in my Quest? To join me in my bed? “There is no such title in our kingdom.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I beg to differ, my lady. For here I stand.”
Yes. There he stood, exuding raw masculinity from every pore. I pulled my fingers away, tucked both thumbs into my belt with my elbows sticking out like a cocky lad, to keep him from seeing how much my hands were shaking.
“Pray tell, who bestowed this title on you? It wasn’t my father the king – and I am certain I did not.”
“That is true, my lady. The Goddess herself granted me the name.” He swept an arm around the temple. “Right here. I knelt on these very steps.”
The Goddess herself. I sighed. Was every man the Oracle chose for me raving mad? I glanced around. Thank heavens Drayke would be coming in soon. I might need his dragon to protect me from this huge lunatic.
“So you’ve met the Goddess?”
“I’ve met her priestess. The Oracle. You’ve met her, too. It was she who conveyed the words of the Goddess to me. She is the living representation of the Goddess here in our world.”
“Yes, so she says,” I replied drily.
The grin he gave me was genuine. “She can be infuriating, can’t she? Many times I couldn’t decide whether to kneel before her obediently or grab her around the neck and throttle her. Especially during the long years of training she put me through.”
The disarming smile, the deep, rich voice, pulled me in as though we shared a bond. And perhaps we did. We’d both been victims of the oracle’s mysterious machinations, our lives taken hostage by her powers and prophecies.