Neridia’s mouth twisted a little. “No. Quite the reverse. Someone told me that you’d be my champion even if you knew that you couldn’t win. Even if it was absolutely certain that your opponent was a better swordsman than you.”
“Yes,” he said, taking her hands. “I swear on my honor, I will always fight for you.”
She met his eyes at last. “What if I asked you not to?”
“You may command anything of me.” He held her gaze steadily. “Except to ask me to leave you in pain. If someone caused you distress, I would challenge them. No matter who they were, or what the odds. In this one thing, my Empress, you cannot command me.”
Her shoulders dropped in a long sigh. “That’s what I thought.”
“I assure you, I will do everything in my power to ensure that an unfortunate situation does not occur.” Her hands were cold. He wrapped his fingers around hers, trying to warm them. “I am your weapon, my mate. I take
that duty seriously. It is my responsibility to ensure that I am fit to meet any threat. Now, will you tell me why you are suddenly so troubled by the thought of duels?”
Neridia shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Just something that came up today when I was talking to someone. I wanted to make sure I understood your customs correctly.”
He ran his hands lightly up her bare forearms. “I know how overwhelming it is to be immersed in a strange new place. But remember that you are not alone. I am here, at your side, always.”
He thought he saw tears start to well in her eyes—but before he could be sure, she’d leaned forward, pressing her mouth to his. There was something desperate about her kiss, as if she wasn’t really certain he was truly there.
He returned her frantic caress more gently, his mouth steady under hers. He claimed her lips, her tongue, making her slow down. Cupping her face, he turned the kiss more lingering, his lips moving against hers in silent promise.
I am here, my mate. I will always be here.
He gathered her close in his arms, so that she would be able to feel his solid strength encircling her. With long, gentle caresses, he soothed the tension in her spine and shoulders. Wordlessly, he showed her that she could lean on him. She could rely on him.
With a sigh, she relaxed against his chest at last. Her own hand explored the edges of his shoulder pauldrons, where leather straps held the gleaming armor tight against his body.
“I’ve still never seen you naked,” she murmured against his mouth. “Not properly.”
He nipped lightly at her lower lip. “Shall I take that as an Imperial command?”
She smiled, but his attempted playfulness sparked no answering merriment in her eyes. She still looked so solemn, as if they were performing some momentous ritual.
I suppose it is, for that matter. Her first night in Atlantis.
John fervently vowed to make it a memorable one.
With one last kiss, he drew back from her. More slowly than was strictly necessary, he worked free the buckles securing his pauldrons. To his satisfaction, Neridia’s eyes went wide and dark as he shrugged off the heavy plates.
Equally unhurriedly, he unfastened his vambraces, sliding them down off his forearms. He stripped away the wrappings beneath, unwinding the soft leather strips with languid, teasing movements.
Then he hesitated.
“Don’t stop there.” Neridia’s voice trembled with desire.
“I will not, I promise.” Candor compelled him to admit, “I was merely trying to work out a dignified way of removing my boots.”
That won him a true smile at last, though it was brief and fleeting. “At this point, I’ll take speed over spectacle. Take them off, John.”
He obeyed, though as he had feared it was not entirely a graceful process. Still, Neridia did not seem to mind. He could sense her heat rising through the mate bond.
He was already so painfully erect, it was a relief to finally unfasten his trousers. Neridia’s soft gasp as he revealed himself was so delicious, it was all he could do to keep his movements unhurried. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to rush.
“Now,” he said huskily, when he stood before her naked at last. “It is your turn.”
Her beautiful full lips were moist and parted, and he knew that the hidden folds were equally flushed. Nonetheless, she shook her head.
“Not yet.” She rose from her chair, stepping close. “Let me look at you first. Just once, I want to look at you.”