Adored (Thrice Blessed Book 2) Read online

  Eva gaped at her sister. “You can do that?” She'd never known her sister to see what she could see.

  Christiana shrugged, blushing slightly. “I can now.”

  “I hope we all get that powerful. What happened to change things?” It was a question they'd been asking for a while, wondering why one of them suddenly had more power than the others.

  “I really don’t know. One minute I was lying in bed getting ready to sleep, and the next everyone was in my head telling me to stop yelling! I never meant to yell.”

  Eva stared at her sister in awe. “'Twill certainly help when we have to fight our battle against the evil one.” Without Christiana's enhanced powers, they could easily fail. With them? They might win. She just wished they knew exactly what they were up against.

  Christiana sat beside Eva, glad to see she was distracted. “I think you should go and talk to Hugh. Kiss him and be sweet to him. Then, when you have his attention, let him know how you feel about what you just heard.”

  Eva made a face. “I don’t want to sound like a fishwife.” She knew that as soon as she started to tell him how she felt, she'd turn into a shrew. Of course, maybe he deserved to have a shrew on his hands for a while.

  Christiana laughed softly. “You don’t have to sound like a fishwife. Although it may be the only thing to penetrate that hard head of his!”

  Eva sighed before standing up and walking to the door. “Wish me well, sister.” She took a deep breath, trying to ready herself for the onslaught of her senses that always occurred upon seeing him.

  “Always.”

  Eva opened the door and saw Hugh slumped against the wall, obviously bored with his guard duty. She walked to him slowly and he smiled at her tentatively, as if he was afraid to really smile for fear she would become angry with him again.

  She walked straight up to him and placed her hands on the front of his tunic, rubbing her hands over the muscles there. His eyes were more alert now as he stared down at her, obviously wondering what she was doing. “Why are you here?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

  She laughed softly, doing her best to be a seductress, something she knew she was not. She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips across Hugh’s, her tongue reaching out to stroke his lip as he’d taught her. One hand stroked his broad, muscular shoulder while the other went to the back of his neck, softly running her fingers against it. “I had to see you, to touch you,” she whispered.

  He stood for a moment, letting her do what she would, but neither participating nor responding. Finally, he let out a low growl and wrapped his arms around her, walking forward and backing her into the wall, his lips pressing harder against hers. One of his hands cupped her breast, squeezing it gently, while the other caught in her hair, turning her head to meet his mouth more fully. “Touch me, then.”

  Her hands stroked over his chest and back while his mouth kept hers busy with the ravenous kiss. She could think of nothing while he touched her but of her feelings for him and how good he made her feel. Hugh was everything to her, and she wanted to be everything to him.

  She moved her foot against his calf, rubbing it up and down his leg. He let out a groan, finally lifting his head. “What are you doing to me?” What was it about this woman that made him lose all his senses?

  She smiled. “I’m loving you, Hugh.” Her lips pressed to the side of his neck before capturing his ear lobe between her teeth. “Why would you want to leave me?” She couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice as she asked. She'd planned to talk to him in anger, but it didn't work out that way.

  Hugh pulled away, looking down at her in dismay. He hadn’t meant for her to hear his words to Charles, but it was obvious she had. “I don’t want to reject you and cause you pain. I want you to be able to find someone of your class to marry.” His love for her overwhelmed him. He wanted so badly to pull her against him and ask her to be his bride, but he couldn't. He had to do what was best for her.

  She shook her head. “How many times must I tell you? There’s only one man I’ll ever marry.” She pressed her body fully against his. “Only one man I want to touch me and kiss me. Only one man whose children I want to grow inside me and suckle at my breasts. Only one man who I will ever love with all my body, heart, and soul. Don’t leave me, Hugh. Spend the rest of your days here, with me.”

  She stood staring up at him, watching for his reaction, hoping he would understand the true love behind her words and be moved by it, moved enough to forget the class distinctions and marry her. She didn’t care that he was born a peasant. She wouldn’t care if he expected her to live in a small hut with him while he supported them by hunting for a living. She wouldn’t even care if she were expected to take in washing. As long as the day ended with her wrapped in his arms, she knew it would be a perfect day. Why couldn’t he see that?

  He shook his head slowly. “I cannot do that to you, Eva. You were born for better than the life I could give you.” His fingers trailed over her cheek. “You are too soft and too perfect for a man like me. You would be better with any of the other men who came here with Roland. Or any man your father chooses for you. Why do you want me?” He truly couldn't understand why she was so drawn to him. He'd never had a woman who cared so much for him and only him before. Any other woman he'd met would have thrown him over for Charles in a heartbeat. Charles was a nobleman after all.

  Eva shook her head. “Honestly? I don’t know what it is about you. You’re handsome, but there are men that are more handsome. You’re strong, but I’m sure there are stronger men. Deep in your eyes, I can see how good you are.” She stared into his eyes. “And every time you touch me, or walk into the room I’m in, my heart beats faster. When you’re not touching me, my skin begs for your touch. When you are touching me, all I can think about is touching you more.” She sighed. "You're everything to me."

  Hugh stared down at her in surprise. “I don’t understand.”

  Eva shrugged. “I wish I understood. I just know that you’re the only man who can make my flesh sing. I want to be with you every day of my life. No other man has ever made me feel this way.” She stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his again. “Roland would happily allow us to be together. Papa would be thrilled for it. Why do you fight it so?”

  Hugh closed his eyes as if tortured. “I’m just not good enough for you.”

  Eva brushed her breasts against the front of his tunic, wishing she could make him feel differently. “You are too good for me, I’m afraid.” She brushed her lips against his again. “I know you want to go off with Charles to get away from me, and I want you to know that you leaving me would break my heart into tiny pieces, and I would never be the same again.” She reached up and brushed his brown hair away from his face. “Please, don’t leave me.”

  She walked away quietly, refusing to let him see her tears. He needed to make the decision on his own, although if he made the decision to leave without her, she would find some way to leave with him. She couldn’t survive without him.

  *****

  Hugh stood watching Eva go, wondering what had just happened. He knew she had strong feelings for him, but from her public show with the dragon, he also knew she was angry with him. More angry than she’d ever been. His heart beat faster in his chest. He wanted Eva with every fiber of his being, but how could marrying a peasant be what was best for her? She deserved to be married to a man of her own class. She deserved to be married to the King of England, but he was already married, so maybe a prince? What she didn’t deserve was him.

  He wanted everything she had to give, and it made him feel extremely selfish to even contemplate staying here. If she were to marry him, she would be ruining her life. He would do everything he could to keep her from ruining her life, even if that meant betraying his lifelong friend Roland and leaving before Roland gave him permission to do so. He sighed heavily. How could such a tiny woman wreak such havoc with just a touch?

  *****

  Roland walked toward his bedchamber, almost not noticing Hugh as he passed him. He stopped short and looked at him in wonder. The man looked as if he didn’t see him standing there. Had one of the sisters done something to him? He looked like he was a statue, but none of the sisters had the power to render a man immobile. Was there other magic at work here?

  “Hugh. What troubles you?” he asked finally.

  Hugh shook his head, bringing himself out of his deep thoughts. “Roland. I didn’t see you there.” His voice was heavy was sorrow. Why couldn't he have been born a nobleman?

  “That much was obvious. It’s a good thing I wasn’t here to try to hurt one of the sisters. They’d be dead for all the attention you’ve been paying.”

  Hugh sighed. “’Tis Eva. That woman could make any man crazy.” Hugh put his hand at the sword he carried on his hip. “I’m truly sorry, Roland. I will pay better attention next time.” He stood straight, his shoulders erect. Not only did he love one of the women, but he would never do anything to let Roland down. His lifelong friend and liege didn't deserve that from him.

  Roland shook his head. “You have to stay for long enough to help us get through the coming ‘battle against evil’ Christiana keeps talking about. She’s certain that someone is still going to come and hurt them. I must have you at my side.” His hand went to clasp Hugh’s shoulder. “There’s no one I trust more, my friend.”

  Hugh nodded. “I will stay until we know the women are safe. I give you my word.” No matter how difficult it was for him to do so, he added silently. He wouldn't make Roland regret his decision to trust him.

  “Do you also give me your word that you will keep your mind where it belongs? And not in the bedchamber with my sister-in-law?”

  Hugh looked at Roland in shock. “You don’t think I’ve…” He was horrified that Roland could even think he'd have compromised Eva.

  Roland shook his head adamantly. “No, I know your sense of honor is too great for that. Although, I do think that you should at least contemplate marrying the woman. Your feelings for her are too strong to do anything else.”

  Hugh shook his head. “How can I marry her? She deserves better!” Why was he the only one who could see that marrying the woman would ruin her life?

  “Being of noble birth does not make a man a good man. You’re a very good man, Hugh, and I would be proud to call you my brother.” Roland didn’t wait for another response, but instead opened the door to his bedchamber to find all three of the sisters sprawled on his bed as usual. He studied Marina. “I hear you healed a peasant today.”

  Marina nodded. “I did. I re-grew his hand.” She looked at him defiantly, as if she were expecting him to be angry about the healing.

  Roland nodded. “Do you feel as if you’re getting stronger?”

  “I believe so.” Marina turned to Eva and tried not to watch as Roland bent and kissed Christiana passionately. The two had no sense of propriety whatsoever.

  “Eva, give Hugh some time,” Roland said after a short time. “He has never even considered marriage. The idea of marrying a noblewoman is a shock to him.”

  Eva nodded once. “As long as I know I have your blessing.” She watched the man carefully to see how he'd react.

  “You couldn’t find a better man.”

  Chapter Three

  After dinner that evening, Christiana and Roland ran up the stairs giggling like children, and Eva watched them with a smile. She wished her love was returned, and she had the kind of marriage Christiana did.

  Marina threw her napkin down in disgust. “I’m going to bed.” She stalked off up the stairs, obviously not willing to spend another moment with Charles.

  Charles sighed and stood up. “I’m going for a walk.” He kicked the bench on his way, obviously annoyed that Marina was so angry with him.

  Robert looked between Eva and Hugh before standing up. “I think I’ll make an early night of it as well. It’s been a long day, and I tire easier than a younger man.”

  Hugh looked at Eva and started to stand himself, but decided it was best to talk with her instead. “I don’t know how much you know about me.”

  “I know you were born a peasant, but raised a nobleman. Why would I care you were born a peasant?” she asked. Why couldn't he see that she saw the man he was, not the infant he'd been? He was so much more than his peasant roots.

  Hugh sighed. “I have no gold. I was only raised a nobleman, because I saved the life of a nobleman’s child, and his parents decided that since I’d scarred myself for their son, they should give me a good upbringing.”

  “But that just proves you’re a good person! You did something like that with no thought to the reward you would get!” Why couldn't he see that he was special?

  “I did, but it didn’t make me a nobleman. It just made me a peasant who happened to save another boy’s life. You deserve a nobleman.”

  Eva shook her head and walked around the table to sit in Hugh’s lap, something she’d never been bold enough to do before. “You did a noble deed. You are a noble man. I don’t care if you’re not a nobleman. The goodness in you shines out of your eyes.”

  Hugh put his arm around Eva, and he rested his head against her shoulder. “Everything inside me wants to marry you, but I have no way to provide for you. You would forever have to live in your sister’s castle. You would have no home of your own.”

  “I care nothing for wealth. I would be more than happy to live in the huge castle Roland is building with my sister for the rest of my days. Do you plan to live with Roland for the rest of your days?” she asked.

  “I did plan to, but I was born a peasant. I deserve no better in life.”

  She shook her head, running her fingers through his hair. “You deserve everything in life. You deserve love, respect and riches. I can only give you two of those things, but I would give them both to you gladly.”

  “You believe you could live under the rule of your sister forever? You could just be a lady who helps her in her duties, but has no real place of her own? You were born to be a lady, with a beautiful home of your own.”

  Why couldn't he see that she'd live in a hut in the woods if she could have him beside her? She kissed the top of his head. “I want no home of my own unless you are living with me in it. I want nothing but you for the rest of my days.” She stared down at him for a moment. “And your children, of course. I want a dozen boys who look just like their father.” She didn’t mention the curse of her family to only have daughters. She had enough stacked against her in his mind.

  He hugged her to him tightly. “I would do anything to give you your desire, but I cannot. You must be free to marry the man who is destined for you.”

  “You are the only man who is destined for me! Why can’t you get that through your thick head?” She didn’t mean to get angry with him, but she couldn’t do anything else.

  She closed her eyes and projected a vision of two people, much older than she and Hugh, but having the same facial features. The couple was surrounded by their children and grandchildren, smiling at one another.

  Hugh let out a gasp, before pushing her to her feet. “Nay! You will not entice me by showing me things I know cannot be.” He stood and strode from the room angrily.

  Eva knew she’d gone too far with the vision, but it was how she saw them in thirty years. She wanted to be the woman Hugh smiled at with his children surrounding him. Would he ever give her the chance?

  *****

  All the next day, Hugh did his best to avoid Eva. He talked Charles into taking his place guarding the sisters, which was no easy task, given the animosity between him and Marina. Hugh trained by Roland’s side, not meeting his friend’s eyes. Roland saw too much, and Hugh wasn’t willing to talk about how he felt just yet.

  At the end of the long day, they ate their supper, and Hugh went to his bedroom. Eva sneaked into his room almost as soon as he’d closed his door. She was wearing nothing but her thin white nightgown, which he could see through with no problem at all. At seeing her, he groaned loudly. “What do you here?”

  She smiled at him. “I missed you today. I hate it when we are apart.” She liked the way he couldn't tear his eyes away from her body.

  He sighed deeply. “Why must you torment me this way, Eva? Go to your bed.” He knew he was being cold and abrupt, but his body was aflame at the sight of her standing there in her nightgown watching him.

  She walked slowly toward the bed, understanding the first time her full power over this man. She sat on the edge of his bed and reached out to touch his cheek. “I care for you, Hugh. I don’t mean to torment you, but I long for your touch.” She took his hand and brought it to her full breast over her nightgown.

  His thumb brushed across her hard nipple as if of its own volition. She moaned softly, arching into his hand. She leaned over and brushed a kiss against his lips. Hugh groaned into her mouth, his hand kneading her breast and his other going to the back of her neck, to hold her in place as his mouth licked and nibbled on hers. He wanted nothing more than to tear her nightgown from her body and make passionate love to her, but he knew she was too innocent to even understand what he wanted to do to her.

  After a moment, he turned his face to the side and removed his hand from her breast. “I cannot do this, Eva. You must save your innocence for the man you marry.”

  Eva pressed herself atop him. “I will marry no one but you. Why must I save my innocence for a man whom I will never marry?”

  Hugh shook his head. “You will marry someday, and your husband will have a right to expect you to go to him untouched by another man.”

  “Roland has given me permission to marry you. He’s also given permission for me to remain a maiden if you do not marry me. So I have no need to save my innocence for another.” She pressed kisses along his cheek and caught his earlobe between her teeth, nipping it softly.

  Hugh sighed. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Eva. I need you to go now. We will talk tomorrow.”