Prince's Fire by Amy Raby Page B

“The deal was that you would have time to work on your treatise, and I would sire heirs on you. But the siring of heirs requires bedroom activities.”
    â€œOf course it does.” Her face was pink all over.
    â€œHow often would these bedroom activities take place?”
    â€œI don’t think we have to specify. We would take care of the business as needed.”
    â€œI beg to differ. The contract must lay out all the details.”
    â€œTwice a week?” she offered.
    â€œWhat about when you’re pregnant? Obviously you have no need for my seed then.”
    â€œThat is true,” she said.
    He glanced at her. Did he hear disappointment in her voice? “I’m afraid such contract terms won’t be acceptable to me. I expect my wife to be in my bed every night.”
    She glanced at him shyly. “Every night?”
    â€œAnd sometimes during the day,” he added. “We should also discuss the sorts of relations that don’t result in pregnancy. I will want those frequently.”
    â€œDo you always tease your women like this, Prince Rayn?”
    Rayn said nothing because, in truth, he did not. There was something about the Kjallan princess—her demureness, her tendency to blush like tinder sparking—that inspired him to tease. Zoe had been so eager, so forward, that she’d have his pants down around his ankles and his cock in her mouth the moment he’d closed the door to her rooms. But Rayn found that teasing a little, whetting his appetite and his partner’s, made him more eager for the action when it came.
    He clambered over a root that grew between two trees, and halted. The ground dropped away, and below them shimmered a crystalline pool ringed by spongy green moss. A tiny waterfall trickled, crisp and clean, from the high ground. “Look where your crow has brought us,” he said.
    Celeste entered the clearing and gasped. “Three gods. This is beautiful.”
    â€œAre you thinking what I’m thinking?” He was in desperate need of a bath to wash away the salt and sand, and Celeste needed one too. Perhaps they could scrub each other’s back . . . and who knew where that might lead? He was already in trouble for making love to her on the beach. What difference would it make if he made love to her a second time?
    â€œThat water will be freezing,” said Celeste.
    Rayn grinned. “Not for a fire mage.”

10
    T hough she knew he’d seen her naked before, Celeste felt a little shy as she stripped out of her clothes. Their unexpected lovemaking on the beach seemed like ages ago, yet it had taken place that very morning. Then, she’d been disoriented and emotionally wrung out after their harrowing adventure in the open ocean. Now she felt more aware and in control.
    She felt Rayn’s eyes on her back as she slipped the last bit of fabric over her head. She wanted to turn and drink in the sight of his amazing body, but that would mean exposing herself to his gaze. “Turn your back.”
    â€œI’ve seen you already,” said Rayn. “Why be shy around me?”
    â€œJust until I get in the water.”
    She heard leaves rustling and glanced over her shoulder to see that he had, indeed, turned around. She moved to the pool. Icy water stung her toes, but she gritted her teeth and waded to the center of the pool where the water was deepest. Gasping at the cold water’s bite, she folded her legs and sank in up to her neck, perching on the smooth rocks at the bottom of the pool. “I’m ready.”
    Rayn turned. He’d shed his pants and tunic, and wore nothing but his riftstone, a bright ruby that rested on his collarbone. He looked as impressive as he had the night before. More so, now that his cock stood at attention. Clearly he wasn’t the least bit ashamed of his body, and why should he be? If she looked that perfect, she wouldn’t be shy