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The Coven Complete	By : KaoruEle Category: A through F > The Black Jewel Trilogy Views: 1918 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Black Jewel Trilogy book series. They are the property of Anne Bishop. I do not make any money from this story .

Chapter List
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[Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine save for Ashira.]
Ashira started awake. The last thing she recalled was Daemon carrying her, she cringed inwardly, to her rooms. She glanced at the window, the moon was high. That meant she’d been asleep for hours. She swept the room with her senses, seeking whatever had awakened her. Her stomach tightened as the pain of using her jewels during her moontime washed over her again.
“Stop!” Morton’s voice from outside her door was anguished. “It’s me. I must speak with you.”
“There is nothing to say.” She sat up, ignoring the pain.
“I must tell you I am sorry,” Morton paused, “I never meant to frighten you, or to hurt you.”
She did not reply. She did not doubt his words, she never thought he meant her harm; but she could not be what he wanted or needed.
“I have chosen you to serve,” Morton continued, “and I will not be refused.” There was no threat in his voice, he was simply stating a fact. Ashira scowled.
“I know that you do not understand me, don’t know what I want. I want only to be near you, to support you, and to be with you always.”
“Is that all?” Ashira almost smiled.
“Not nearly all lady, but it is a start. Now, do not use your jewels again or I will break down this door.”
“Explain to me again that you do not mean to frighten me.”
Morton’s fist banged against the door. “It causes you pain!” he shouted.
“Life is pain warlord.” Ashira’s voice was cold. “It has always been so.”
“Let me show you that it does not need to be.” His voice was soft, full of hurt.
“I do not need you to show me anything. How dare you presume to know what I need? You don’t know me. You can’t even begin to know who I am.” Ashira felt herself losing her cold detachment. She fought the rage welling within her, refusing to admit she cared.
“Teach me then,” Morton whispered through the door, “I want nothing but to be beside you.”
“I am not worthy of your attentions prince. Please, I beg, leave me.” Her tears took her by surprise.
“Ashira!” Morton could no longer stand the physical barrier of the door. He shattered it with a blast of his jewel and barged headlong into her room. He fully expected to be hit by another bolt of gray, but he was not.
He went to where Ashira knelt weeping and gathered her close to him. He braced himself against her struggling, but she allowed him to hold her.
“What is it?” he asked softly. He held her cradled in his arms, her head on his shoulder. Her nearness made his blood sing within him, made every nerve feel on fire.
She could not speak, but she could show him. She sent to him with a level of intimacy she thought only possible with Jaenelle. She showed him her life, every battle, every scar, every loss. She shared with him the horror of all she had been through with her uncle. She kept waiting for him to pull away from her. He never did.
“So you see,” she finished sending, “I am not worthy of your attention.” She opened her eyes, pulling away from him and trying to stand.
“Please,” he whispered, “let me hold you a little longer.” She looked at him, at his calm, gray eyes, and saw that he wept.
“I make you a promise,” he blinked tears out of his eyes, “you will never again face such trials alone.”
“I have never been alone.” She did not understand him. There had always been a connection with Jaenelle.
“But you spared her all the pain, kept it to yourself.” Morton understood exactly what had happened between the sisters. “You are her sword and shield, and you never let her see what you shielded her from.”
She closed her eyes against a new rush of tears. “She had pain enough of her own.” She opened her eyes, finding his again, trying to make him understand. “There will always be pain in my life, I cannot be what you need prince.”
“That’s curious.” Morton smiled through his own tears. “I was sure you already were what I need.”
“I am, I have been…” she had no words to tell him how horribly she had been used, “I am not worthy of…”
“You are strong, you have ever been strong. There is nothing that you are not worthy of. What can I do to show you that?”
“You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?” Ashira did not smile, but looked into his gray eyes, which were still brimming with tears.
“Do you want me to?” Morton smiled at her.
“Yes.”
“Too bad. Would you like to know what I think?”
“Do I have any choice?”
“Not really.” His hand stroked her hair. “I think it will be easier for you if I do leave you alone, but better for you if I don’t.”
“How kind of you to think of what is better for me.” She said bitterly. “However did I manage to live all those years without your advice?”
“I promise you, from this moment on, my life will be dedicated to making sure you are happy.”
They were silent then. It dawned on Ashira that Morton had been holding her, stroking her, the whole while. She was surprised when she realized it had been pleasant.
She growled, pushing him away and standing. “Well, let’s go then.”
“Go where?” he stood beside her, stretching. She watched him resist the urge to put his arms around her.
“To bed prince,” she said in an exasperated voice, “I have been up half the night, I am weary. Since I can’t rid myself of you, you’ll have to sleep with me.”
“Ashira, my lady,” Morton was thunderstruck, his legs felt weak, “I…are you sure?”
“I am sure nothing will happen prince.” She snapped, turning away and pulling down the covers on her bed. She paused then spoke in a softer voice, “But I am also sure there is truth in your words, and I am sure you are kind, true, courageous, and slightly handsome.”
“Slightly?” Morton’s voice was a croak.
“My prince,” she looked at him slyly over her shoulder and Morton’s stomach fluttered, “to say more would be to give myself away.”
“I do not need to share your bed lady,” Morton could not look away from her, “I will sleep on the floor beside you.” He could not decide if the disappointment he saw was real or imagined, until she spoke.
“As you will prince,” she sighed, “I suppose I can do without the comfort of your arms around me.” Another sigh, “My moontime is not so uncomfortable.”
Morton laughed, pulling her into his arms. “My apologies lady, how could I dream of denying you comfort?” He scooped her up and placed her gently in bed, pulling the covers up to her ears. “I will return soon lady, I want you to drink another tonic.”
“I don’t suppose it matters that I don’t want another tonic?” she murmured, snuggling into her covers.
“Not much.” he answered, stroking her hair. He kissed her gently on her forehead and left the room. When he returned with the tonic just five minutes later, Ashira was sound asleep. He sat beside her, stroking her hair and speaking her name softly.
She opened her eyes and blinked, “My prince?”
“Drink my sweet lady.” He held the glass for her.
She drank the tonic, thanking him. She rolled over, falling asleep again. Morton stood beside her, unsure of what to do. He had been invited into her bed, but he was reluctant to climb in beside her again while she slept. The last thing in the world he wanted was to frighten her again. He had almost decided to sleep on the floor beside the bed when she opened her eyes, propping herself on her elbows and looking up at him.
“My prince? Is something wrong?”
“No, no sweet one, I just… Are you sure you want this?”
“My first choice would be for you to leave me alone completely.” She was no longer sure of that, but she said the words anyway. “If that is as impossible as you say, my next choice would be to have you here, beside me.”
“I don’t want to frighten you again. I have held you, I have no desire to let you go.”
She sat up, tucking the covers around her waist and held out her hand. He took it, kneeling beside her. “Morton,” he thrilled at the sound of his name, it was the first time she had spoken it since he had declared his service to her, “before tonight, no man had ever touched me with kindness. I did not believe a man’s touch could bring comfort, but yours does. I know enough of service to know that you desire closeness. I know that your closeness pleases me. I know that I have no desire for anything further. I cannot say with truth that that will ever change.” Her eyes welled with tears.
“Males sleep naked.” He spoke abruptly, pulling her from her thoughts.
“What?” she looked at him, her eyes wide.
He shrugged, pulling off his clothes, “It’s custom, I just thought you should know.” He stepped naked from his breeches, climbing into bed beside her.
“You weren’t naked earlier.” She was stiff beside him, her voice tinged with threat.
“I wasn’t sleeping, I was only comforting you. Now, you’ve invited me into your bed to sleep beside you,” he pulled her close to him, stroking her hair and body, “and males sleep naked.”
She was still stiff beside him, he held her closer, burying his face in her hair, “Lady, remember who I am. There will never be anything to fear in my arms.” He was gratified when she relaxed slightly. A few minutes more, and she was fast asleep. It took Morton a long time to sleep. Ashira’s body distracted him. It was hard to keep his caresses chaste; but he fought his urges because she needed him to. One day, perhaps, if he was careful and clever, she would accept his other caresses. For now, she needed him just as he had dreamed she would. He finally slept with his lady in his arms.
[Please r/r...i'd love to hear your feedback. Thanks! I have more that I may publish.]
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The Coven Complete