Rayne of Fire Read Free

the
most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
    Keegan beamed
as they dismounted. “Come with me.” He took her hand and pulled her to the
lake. “Feel the water.” He knelt down, bringing her with him.
    She lowered
her hand into the water. “How is this possible?” It was hot, though did not
burn.
    “It’s a hot
spring. Fiery rocks deep within the earth heat the water, which flows to the
surface.” Keegan’s eyes held her gaze. “The elements cooperate here, and each
maintains its own properties. The water never cools the rocks, and the heat
never dries up the water.” He cupped her face in his hands. “When fire and
water live together in harmony, they can create something wonderful.” His lips
brushed hers until she accepted his full kiss.
    A wave of
emotion consumed her, frightened her. As the kiss ended, her cheeks grew hot.
They became hotter when Keegan stood and began to strip. “What are you doing?”
    “Going in.”
His tunic landed on the ground beside his boots and sword.
    Rayne’s gaze
raked over his tanned, sculpted chest. With his breeches in place, Keegan
hopped in the water. Drawn to the strong fire-energy that emitted from the
water, she kicked off her riding boots and soaked her feet.
    “Remove your
dress and join me,” Keegan invited, his voice husky.
    Tempted,
lustful imagines filled her mind. She swallowed and shook her head.”Nay.”
    “Don’t forget
who I used to be. You swam in the castle’s lake dozens of times in my presence.”
    “You weren’t
supposed to look.” The thought made her whole body tingle.
    “It was my
duty to keep a close eye on you.” Keegan smirked. He tickled her toes under the
water, and then pulled her into the spring. She yelped in protest, but her
outcry was muffled by another kiss. Keegan wrapped his arms around her. “I love
you, Rayne,” he whispered.
    Rayne wanted
to reply, but the words stuck in her throat. A piece of her defenses wouldn’t
let go. Keegan didn’t seem disturbed. He kissed her neck while unlacing the
back of her dress. After removing her clothes, Keegan lowered his lips to her
breasts, which were barely above the water. His hands caressed her legs and
worked their way up to her buttocks. Rayne melted in his touch.
    “I’ll stop if
you want me to,” Keegan said in a husky voice.
    Rayne barely
managed to reply, “Nay, don’t stop.”
    He moved his
hand between her legs. He knew exactly where and how to touch her, bringing
pleasure as she’d never known. The water somehow increased the erotic
sensations. She wondered if it was Keegan’s water-magic at work. Ecstasy
convulsed her body. Keegan parted her lips with his tongue, pressing his body
against hers. Desire coursed through her veins again. His hardness pressed into
her lower belly through his breeches. She untied his laces, wanting more of
this man.
    “Well, what
do we have here?” a male voice sneered.
    Rayne gasped
and Keegan moved in front of her. Three men, swords drawn, loomed a meter from
the spring. “How convenient—the two of you here, together.” He kicked Keegan’s
discarded sword out of reach.
    “Who are you?”
Rayne demanded, still nestled behind Keegan.
    “They’re
Raptors,” Keegan spat. “During times of war, they linger after battles,
rummaging through the dead and stealing anything of possible value.”
    “Aye,” said
the leader. “And your little union is going to put a big damper on our
profitable business. But when the water-prince is found dead”—a savage smile
creased his bearded face— “it will cause a full-blown war, like the old days.”
    The spring
water stirred and whirled. Dozens of droplets levitated and then shot forward.
The Raptors hollered when the droplets turned into tiny darts and attacked.
    “This is not
over,” the leader cried. The three men turned and ran, pursued by hundreds of
water darts.
    ****
    The romantic
spell broken after the encounter with the Raptors, they abruptly left the hot
spring and rode