Chapter Nine

Malcolm felt his chest tighten at the sight of Icelyn so intensely upset. He hated to see the pain in her eyes and the way that her body curled away from him as though she were trying to conceal what she was suffering. He stood up from the couch and knelt down in front of the chair so that he could drape his arm further around her back. He was feeling the same type of overwhelm of emotions that she was, feeling as though everything that he was learning about the Order and what the rogue members had done over the years was piling on top of him and pressing him down from all angles. This was not what he had intended when he thought of being a part of the Order when he was a child and watched the work his father did. The hierarchy was not what he thought it was, at least many of the people in it were not, and it was devastating to him to think that he had devoted his life to the organization thinking that he was protecting people and the truth of the Universe only to find out that he was also supporting such horror.

Now Icelyn was in front of him crying as though her heart was breaking and there was nothing that Malcolm could do to resist the feelings that he had for her. The draw that he had felt toward her from the moment that he saw her had only increased, even through the anger and bitterness that they had felt toward each other, and now he wanted nothing more than to be near her. Unable to hold back any longer, he leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. She stilled, the touch quieting her tears. He paused only for a moment before dipping forward again and catching her lips with his. At first, she seemed to resist the kiss, unsure of what was happening, but then Malcolm felt her give herself over to it. Their mouths moved tenderly across each other as they explored this new connection between them. It felt as though they had discovered something that had been lingering there, just waiting for them.

They kissed for several long moments before Malcolm took her hands and carefully guided her to her feet. Their mouths didn’t part as he wrapped his arms around her waist and eased her up against his body, wanting to feel her closer to him. Her heart was trembling through her chest and he could feel the rhythm of her breathing pressing her belly against his. Not feeling the need for words, he started toward the bedroom, guiding her along with him. They parted when they reached the hallway so that she could walk ahead of him. When they stepped through the door to the bedroom, she paused, and he wrapped himself around her again, holding her close as he molded his body to hers. Malcolm heard Icelyn take in a breath and he touched his mouth to the side of her neck.

She turned her head and accepted his mouth, welcoming his tongue in to tangle with hers. Malcolm’s hand slid down her belly and he dipped it down into her pants, lightly running his finger through her core. The sensation seemed so intense she gasped and pulled her mouth away from his, turning further to meet his eyes. It was a bold first touch, the beginning of their intimacy unapologetic and forward as he refused to hold himself back any longer. With the uncertainty that surrounded him, he no longer wanted to be cautious.

"Take them off," he said softly.

She complied, slowly untying the laces at her waist and releasing her pants so that they slid down her legs. As she stepped out of them, Malcolm took hold of the bottom hem of her shirt and eased it up over her head, dropping it to the floor beside him. Suddenly she was completely naked, standing with her back to him, her arms wrapped around her body so that he could feel the warmth of her skin through his clothes. He pulled the ribbon out of the braid down her back and used his fingers to release the pale strands, so it tumbled down around her ribs. His hands left her body reluctantly so that he could remove his own clothing. An instant later his body touched hers again and Malcolm drew in a shuddering breath at the feeling of his warm, bare skin pressed against hers.

Her breathing was labored, and he could feel her shaking as his hand moved her hair over one shoulder and he bent down to run his tongue up her back. She gasped, rounding her back toward him as if in search of more of his touch. Malcolm guided her forward and eased her to the bed. He climbed onto the mattress behind her so that his knees were positioned on either side of her, cradling her as he placed his hands between her thighs and gently pressed her legs apart. Malcolm reveled in the brush of his fingers over her nipples and then down to her inner thighs, exploring and luxuriating in the softness of her skin. Her body was hot and aching for him, but he took his time, gently guiding her along as he helped her discover the pleasure that her body could receive and easing her toward knowing the pleasure it could give as well.

Icelyn writhed as his hand explored her slick folds, swirling over a taut, hypersensitive bud at her peak. The movement of her body back against his stimulated his hardening erection, building intense pressure throughout his hips, thighs, and stomach. Malcolm’s other arm held her firmly around the waist, cradling her and offering her strength and stability as he brought her closer and closer to the brink of her control.

Malcolm felt her muscles relax and she seemed to let go of her control, handing over her trust to him. Malcolm’s fingers pressed slightly harder against her and slid down until two entered her. Everything seemed to crash around her as her body tightened intensely around his fingers and then released into a cascade of rippling tremors. Her climax pulled his fingers further into her and a scream pulled from her chest before she collapsed back into his arms, gasping for breath.

Malcolm groaned deep in his throat and slowly withdrew his fingers, the power of her orgasm only pushing his arousal higher and making him feel more powerfully connected to her. He turned her around carefully and eased her back so that she lay on her back on the bed gazing up at him. Without saying anything, he gently parted her legs and settled his hips in between them. For a moment he hovered above her, his eyes locked on hers, and allowed the tip of his engorged cock to massage through her still-trembling folds. Malcolm moaned at the hot, wet feeling of her body telling him that she was craving him with the same power that he wanted her. He drew in a breath and then pushed forward so he filled her in one long thrust.

Icelyn’s eyes widened as she let out a strangled cry and reached up to wrap her arms around him. Malcolm could feel the incredible tightness of her body and knew that he was the first man who she had ever held in this way. He paused where he was for a moment, giving her body a chance to stretch and accommodate him. When he felt her walls relax around him and her hips tilted up toward his, he started to move. Malcolm rolled his hips so that his hard length massaged her, nurturing her in a way that was more beautiful and impactful than he could have ever imagined. This was completely different than anything they had experienced together before. Malcolm suddenly felt more powerful and in control, his presence enveloping her so that it was as if nothing else existed beyond the private, indulgent space that formed around their bodies.

Everything around Malcolm seemed as though it had been reduced to purely sensory experiences. The sweet smell of Icelyn’s body. The warmth of her skin and pressure of her body cradling his. The tender, cooing sounds that tumbled from her lips combined with the sound of his own heartbeat and deep breath.

After a few minutes Malcolm wrapped his arm around Icelyn’s waist again so that he could settle back on his knees and pull her up and over into his lap. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him as close as she could, and he took hold of her hips to guide them. The rhythm was dizzying and soon he felt himself building toward his own climax, the delectable sensations overtaking the control that he had been trying to maintain.

Icelyn ran her fingers through Malcolm’s hair and he gazed into her eyes. It felt like they were connecting in a way that was beyond anything that he had ever experienced. This was more than the passion of their bodies and the surrender to the attraction that had been building between them. They were melding together on a level that transcended the moment and he wanted to do nothing more than give himself over to it and allow it to surround him.

Malcolm rocked her hips harder, suckling at her breasts to muffle the sounds that were bubbling up in his throat. Pulling his mouth from her taut nipple, he tucked his head down into the curve of her shoulder and breathed in the smell of her skin. His hands tightened on her hips so that his fingertips pressed into her skin and he was in total control over her movements. He couldn’t hold himself back any longer and he slammed her down onto his lap one hard time. His head fell back, and his cock pulsed, spilling into her. Malcolm cried out as he felt Icelyn’s body respond to his orgasm with its own intense contraction. Malcolm rested his hands to her back to guide her back forward so that he could embrace her again.

They stayed as they were while their bodies cooled and relaxed, him still buried deeply inside her as they kissed and stroked each other's sweaty skin. He never wanted to move from this place. He wanted to hold her and celebrate her body and the joy that they had found in the darkness and fear around them. Together they slid down and rested on the pillows. Malcolm reached for the blanket and pulled it up over them as he gave himself over to deep, peaceful sleep.

It seemed only moments before he heard a loud knocking on the door and Athan’s voice boomed through the house to Malcolm, telling him that it was time for him to report to training. Despite the lack of sleep, Malcolm felt refreshed and energized as he climbed out of bed and dressed, readying himself for another long and difficult day on the training fields. He wasn’t afraid. The beautiful and meaningful revelations of the night before had strengthened him in mind, body, and resolve. He knew now that the decision that he had made to leave the Order behind and join Athan, Maxim, and the rest of the rebellion was the right one. Even when he was younger and watching the workings of the Order through the prism of his admiration for his father, this was his destiny. He was always intended to stand up against the corruption of the hierarchy and protect what was true and real.

Malcolm took a moment to look down at Icelyn where she still slept. Her face was soft and peaceful, even more lovely now. She let out a gentle sigh and changed her position, turning onto her back so that the sheet slipped down and revealed the soft swells of her breasts. He reached down and ran his fingertips down the side of her face and then over the curve of one breast. Her lips curved up slightly and her eyes fluttered open.

“Have a good day,” he whispered to her.

“You, too.”

Malcolm leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Athan was still calling him from outside and Malcolm rushed out to meet him. He expected the older man to still be angry with him from finding him listening to him the night before, but Athan said nothing when he stepped out into the first light of the day.

“Are you ready?” Athan asked.

“Yes,” Malcolm responded.

Athan nodded and they started across the village toward the training field. Malcolm felt ready for the challenge that lay ahead of him. He could still feel the turmoil around him, but he knew more now, and he was more driven than ever to do what he was meant to do to fight for the truth. This was for him, for Icelyn, and for the future that he was just beginning to see could be possible.

The rest of the army was already crowding the training field by the time that they reached it. Several had broken into smaller groups and were going through some of the practice maneuvers that they had been taught over the last two days of training, while others were warming their muscles and stretching to release the tension and soreness that he was sure they were feeling. They were walking toward the front of the group where Athan would take his place beside Theia when Malcolm saw a man he didn’t know striding toward them. The look on his face was set and intense, stern without being angry. Athan was visibly concerned by the sudden presence of this man and took a step away from Malcolm to meet with him.

“Mhavrych,” he said. “What is it?”

****

Icelyn’s fingers moved swiftly through her hair as she wove it into a tight braid down her back and then swept it up so that she could secure it to the back of her head. It would keep the thick strands away from her neck and shoulders, keeping her cooler in the heat that was bearing down on them again. She had just finished tucking the ends in and pressing pins in to hold it in place when she heard the door to the house open. Her heart lifted, and she rushed out of the bedroom, expecting to see Malcolm coming back to the house during a break in their training.

Malcolm was standing in the living room as she expected, but he was flanked by Athan and another man she didn’t know. Icelyn paused, a colder feeling replacing the happiness that the thought of his presence had brought to her heart. She hesitated in the doorway to the living room, looking at Malcolm questioningly.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “Athan, what are you doing here?”

“We need to talk to you,” Malcolm said.

Icelyn’s gaze slid to the unfamiliar man and Athan took a step forward, gesturing at him.

“This is Mhavrych,” he said. “He knows your grandfather.”

Icelyn felt her heart thudding in her chest and her head started swimming.

“Knows?” she asked. “Casimir is alive?”

“As far as I know,” Mhavrych said. “It has been some time since I saw him.”

“You know where he is?”

“Mhavrych is the one who worked with Aegeus to protect Casimir,” Athan revealed. “He brought him into exile after his sentencing.”

“I haven’t gone to him in several months,” Mhavrych said.

“Why?” Icelyn asked, stepping forward angrily. “Why haven’t you rescued him? Why did you just leave him in exile?”

“It isn’t my choice,” Mhavrych said. “I don’t have the authorization to take him from where he is.”

“What do you mean?” Icelyn asked, her eyes moving back and forth between Mhavrych and Malcolm. “How can you not have authorization to take him from there if you are the one who brought him?”

“Casimir was very clear when he made plans with Aegeus. He would only agree to being put into exile if he knew that his safety would not be considered above the safety of the rest of the kingdom and the sanctity of the efforts that he had planned with Aegeus. He forced us into a bond. There were only two options for who would be permitted to release Casimir from his exile and bring him back here to continue the plans that he and Aegeus had made. Aegeus himself was one of them.”

“And who else?” Icelyn asked.

“His family,” Mhavrych said. “That’s why we told your parents where he was. In the event that Aegeus wasn’t able to return to him and bring him out when the time was right, your father would be able to go.”

“My father?” Icelyn asked. “Why not my mother.”

Athan drew in a breath, obviously uncomfortable with what he needed to tell her next.

“The bond of a member of the Order can only be made among men. Casimir forced Aegeus and Mhavrych to swear that a man in his line would come to release him.”

“But I am all that’s left,” Icelyn said. “My parents are dead. I have no siblings. There are no men in my family.”

“I know,” Athan said.

“Does that mean that there is nothing that we can do? We can’t go to him? He has to stay there forever?”

“Not necessarily,” Mhavrych said. “There is a way that we can get around the bond and bring Casimir out of exile so that we can continue the work that we started so long ago.”

“What?” Icelyn asked, coming further into the room with a sudden, desperate feeling in her heart as she thought of the possibility of her grandfather alone, waiting for the one specific person to come for him. “What can we do?”

Malcolm looked at either man and stepped forward to her, taking her hands.

“We get married.”

To be continued…