Ecstasy by Bertrice Small
Kalida swallowed back the gasp of surprise welling in her
throat. She was the Queen of Kava, not some virgin gazing
upon a manhood for the very first time. The truth,
however, was that she had never seen anything like the
penis now displayed before her. It was enormous; long and
thick as it lay at ease upon its ebony bed of tightly
bunched curls. About her, the women warriors who guarded
her were just as openmouthed with their own amazement, and
not just a little envious.
"Can something that size actually function properly?"
Kalida asked Zenaida. "We must have a demonstration here
and now!"
"Trust me majesty it is very serviceable weapon that Dagon
wields. My serving women will attest to it. They have
spent the nights of our return journey, but for the last
three, training this handsome young barbarian for your
pleasure. Now he is yours, with my compliments."
"Berenike!" the queen called, and the captain of her guard
stepped forward.
"Yes Majesty?"
"You are the largest woman in the room. Arouse him, and
let us see what this prince is made of before I take him
into my household," the queen commanded.
He was astounded by Kalida's order. Had she no heart? He
wondered to himself. Then he realized that this was
precisely the problem Zenaida had spoken about. Kalida was
beautiful, and he suspected, passionate, but she was quite
without feelings.
"My Queen!" The sound of his deep, musical, and very
masculine voice startled them all. "Will you not let me
speak, oh beauteous Queen of Kava?"
"It would appear that you are speaking," Kalida said
dryly, but then she waved her hand at him, assenting to
his request.
"For three nights I have rested from love's labors, oh
Queen. The desire and the passion that have been building
within me are for you, and you alone. I am a king's son.
My love should be for a queen. For Kalida, Queen of Kava."
Stepping forward, Dagon knelt, and, taking the hem of her
gown between his fingers, he kissed it.
"Would you disobey me then, slave?" She demanded of him
imperiously.
"Nay, oh queen. Whatever you so wish, I will obey, but
fine wine should not be wasted. Captain Berenike is most
lovely, and it would be an honor to he mounted by such a
one, but if you truly favor me, oh queen, you will keep me
for yourself as the gracious lady Zenaida hoped you would.
I am born a king's son, but to be your slave will be an
honor."
"His tongue is quick," Kalida noted, half amused, half
intrigued. She looked curiously at the man kneeling before
her. She had never known a slave with such charm, or such
boldness. Men arriving in Kava were either or foolish. "I
am sorry, Berenike, but perhaps I shall give him to you
after he no longer amuses me. Take him to my private
quarters. Later I shall see if he is indeed worth my
trouble." She nudged Dagon with the tip of her sandal. "If
you are not, slave, you will find yourself given over to
common pleasures by the morrow."
"It will be just punishment then," he responded seriously.
"Kalida laughed. "I must teach you to speak only when
spoken to, slave. Do not allow your boldness to overcome
your obvious allure," she warned him. Then she turned to
Zenaida. "I may thank you in the morning."
"Indeed, my queen, you will," Zenaida said with a smile
Excerpted from Bound and Determined by Susan Johnson
"Where's Pierce?" Standing on the curb outside Brookes,
the marquis surveyed the unknown driver seated where his
head groom should have been.
"He was taken sick, my lord."
"And Oates?"
"Driving Lady Castleton and Lady Jane, my lord."
"I hope you know your way to Woodhill," Hugh gruffly
noted, disconcerted to find someone other than his
personal driver at the reins.
"Yes, sir, I know the way, sir. No question o' that."
"Then get me there post haste. I'm weary to death of
London," Crewe added, moving toward the carriage door held
open by a small page he didn't recognize. "Are you Dalsany
House?" he inquired, placing his foot on the step, his
weight putting a strain on the carriage springs. His
second step put him inside the carriage, and the boy's
response went unnoticed, for he found himself with company
as the door shut and the carriage pulled away from the
curb.
Female company.
"Who the hell are you?" the marquis curtly inquired,
dropping into the opposite seat, a faint frown marring the
perfection of his forehead.
"I apologize for taking Pierce from you."
"Taking him where?" Leaning back against the green leather
squabs, he crossed his legs and scrutinized the woman
seated across from him. She was fashionably dressed in
primrose China silk patterned with blue flowers. His gaze
slowly traveled down her body, long-held habit still
operating despite his new venture into celibacy. Her
opulent bosom, slender waist, the curve of her hips
garnered his approval if no longer his interest.
"Pierce's destination isn't important right now."
"Pierce can take care of himself, I'm sure," the marquis
softly murmured, taking measure of the woman's
unease. "You, however, have two minutes to explain your
presence before I put you out."
"I'll be brief then," An underlying sultriness colored her
voice. "I have a proposal I'd like to make you." She
hesitated briefly, when his brows rose in silent query,
she said in a rush, "I need a child."
He didn't pretend not to know what she meant. "Why come to
me?"
"Because you have the reputation for being"—a blush
colored her cheeks—"accommodating to women."
"Sorry. You're a day too late."
"I wouldn't be here unless my situation were critical."
"Look," the marquis gently said, "it's nothing personal.
I've just decided to rusticate for a time. But there's any
number of men who would be more that pleased to help you."
"Unfortunately, my husband chose you."