1 comments/ 12433 views/ 2 favorites The Crusader: Affairs of State By: Belle_in_south The swords clanged together, metal ringing across the open courtyard of the castle. The noise echoed against the stone walls as the two combatants danced in battle. The smaller of the two warriors was more swift and able to dodge the most powerful of the larger opponent's blows. The little warrior was not just shorter, but had a thin frame that made an enemy underestimate the power the knight wielded in the sword. The diminutive warrior demonstrated superior skill with the blade despite the opponent's greater strength. The battle raged across the square. The two warriors locked blades, the bigger combatant pressing the advantage. They both wore a purple smock with a golden crest emblazoned on the front. The smaller warrior suddenly tucked into a ball and rolled away from the swinging weapon, the movement of the trim body fluid. The competitor leapt into the air and pinned the larger solider against the wall. The challengers broke apart and bowed to each other. They sheathed their weapons in silence, both panting from the exertion they had exhibited during the exercise. They walked to a bucket and took turns using the ladle to drink the cool water from the well. They leaned side-by-side on the low stone wall marking the well. "Sometimes you amaze me with the way you can make your body move," the larger warrior said as they recovered. He looked at his partner with a suggestive gleam in his eye. When he spoke, his voice was low. "It really makes me curious how your body would move if it were naked and in my bed." The champion dipped the ladle into the bucket and slung water into the smiling face. Musical, feminine laughter floated across the courtyard. "Curiosity killed the cat, my dear Otto," she teased, a smile forming on her face. Her green eyes twinkled playfully. "Do you never tire of rejection, my lord?" "Perhaps I would stop asking if I knew why you always refuse," he baited. "That's one of the reasons I respect you. You are persistent. That quality will serve you well in life." She rose from the wall and stretched her body. She knew that Otto was admiring her frame, so she lingered in the pose, arching her back for his benefit. The chain mail beneath the tunic rattled as she moved. Her few curves were hidden by the armor. In a combat situation, her opponent would be oblivious to her gender. She completed her stretch and Otto stood at her side, rising with a deep grunt. He started walking toward the main hall of the palace, but she hesitated for a moment, lifting her eyes to one of the balcony's facing the courtyard. A curtain moved as she turned and she smiled before taking a few quick steps to catch up with her friend. "The Father is back from Clermont," Otto said as they stepped inside. "He is coming to Breathwood for the evening meal. Cayden, as your friend and your lord, please dress as a lady in your position would. I don't think the Father would approve if the daughter of Travor de Witte appeared in the great hall wearing my page's trousers." "Of course, Otto." She reached up and kissed his cheek before walking away from him. Baron Otto von Streit watched her as she sprinted up the stone steps. She slowed at the top and allowed her hips to sway from one side to the other just before she slipped around the corner and out of his line of vision. Cayden de Witte walked down the long hall of the castle, enjoying the cool draft filtering through the tunic that dried the sweat on her skin. She paused outside one of the bedchambers and peeked around the doorframe into the room. Only two women were inside the chamber. One was a young, timid maid that ran whenever Cayden approached. The other was Otto's wife. Cayden watched for a moment as the maid helped Baroness Sophie von Streit into a dress and began tightening the laces in the back. Sophie braced her hands against the post of the bed frame and closed her eyes as Amalie knelt and fluffed the skirt. Cayden quietly walked into the room. She crossed noiselessly, not even allowing the armor to rattle. The maid jumped slightly when Cayden touched her arm, but the warrior moved quickly to keep Amalie silent. Amalie dropped back a step and hurried out of the room, fleeing from Cayden's presence. Cayden stepped close to Sophie, her deft fingers freeing the knot that Amalie had just tightened. "Amalie, why are you untying me?" Sophie demanded, turning her head toward the person behind her. Cayden bent her head and dropped a kiss on Sophie's bare skin. She pushed the material of the dress off of the Baroness's shoulder to reveal more of the pale skin. Cayden's lips touched softly, her tongue tasting her best friend's wife's flesh. "I saw you watching me." Sophie sighed and tilted her head, her eyes closing as Cayden's mouth moved over her skin. Goosebumps formed on her flesh as she whispered Cayden's name with a soft plea. Cayden took the sound as encouragement and used her mouth to push aside more of the dress. "Do you enjoy watching me best your husband, Milady?" "Sometimes I wish you would slip and run him through," the Baroness responded as Cayden's lips met her upper arm. She slouched a little as the bodice of the gown slipped farther down her bosom. Cayden chuckled softly. "Otto is my dearest friend, Milady," she whispered, her hand gliding over the woman's shoulder and arm, attempting to push the dress away from Sophie's breasts. "Besides, if I killed Otto by accident, you would be forced to marry Franz. I would be hung because I would kill him. I've seen the way he treats his whores and I would never allow him to treat you in that manner." She finally freed Sophie's globe. Her mouth returned to the woman's neck, nibbling softly as her hand curled around the exposed mound. "Otto is the better of the two brothers." A moan escaped Sophie's throat as Cayden's fingers squeezed the extended nipple. Cayden rolled the bud between her fingers, watching Sophie's face respond to the stimulus. "You didn't answer my question, Milady. Do you enjoy watching me best your husband with the sword?" Cayden stretched forward and found Sophie's lips with hers. "And in your bed?" Sophie's mouth followed Cayden as the warrior pulled away, hungering for a longer, deeper kiss. Her lips moved against Cayden's temple as the champion bowed her head to watch Sophie's nipple lengthen in response to the coaxing of talented fingers. "The Father is coming for dinner, my darling. I should be supervising the cooks." "The cooks do not need your supervision," Cayden insisted, sliding her hand to Sophie's other shoulder. Easily, she pushed the bodice completely off of the Baroness's upper body. It bunched around her waist. Cayden's small hands covered the large globes, the nipples pressing against the center of her palm. She rotated her palms as she squeezed with her fingers, watching her digits bite into the pliable flesh. "Amalie will want to know why she has to redress me." "Tell her you changed your mind about what you wanted to wear." Cayden punctuated her command by pinching the swollen nipple between her forefinger and thumb. She tugged and delighted as Sophie arched her back, pressing into her lover. Feeling the rough tunic and the chain mail against her back, Sophie turned in Cayden's arms. She glided her hands over the warrior's front, moving her fingers until they reached the tail of the tunic. She began raising the purple tunic and Cayden lifted her arms so Sophie could remove it. Cayden remained still as Sophie also took away the armor. Cayden lifted her hand to stroke Sophie's cheek as her partner removed the weight. Sophie pressed into Cayden's palm, feeling the tiny calluses the small woman had formed from learning to fight with a sword. The Baroness rubbed her cheek against her lover's fingertips, relishing the gentle touch. The armor rattled as Sophie pulled it off of Cayden's body. The Baroness turned away for a moment to carefully lay the suit over her chair. When she turned back to Cayden, the diminutive warrior was completely naked. Sophie could not resist a soft moan of pleasure as her eyes swept over Cayden's lithe body. From years of working and training with the men who came to her father's door to learn to be soldiers, Cayden had developed a muscular frame. Her stomach was flat and her legs powerful. Sophie knew from experience that when Cayden clenched her thighs around an object, escape was impossible. The breasts rising from Cayden's chest were small. They were firm and upswept but practically nonexistent compared to Sophie's ample bosom. Nonetheless, Sophie was fascinated by Cayden's nimble body. She reached forward and cupped her hand around the hard orbs, her thumb sweeping over the rigid brown nipples. Her pink tongue moistened her lips and she bent her head to lick each thick nub, but Cayden stepped out of reach as soon as Sophie made contact. Sophie whimpered and leaned toward Cayden, attempting to recapture her lover. Cayden grinned. After four years, the warrior knew all the ways to make Sophie yearn. The advisor knew Sophie's wants and desires better than Otto. She knew how to manipulate Sophie's longing. Even though they had been lovers since Cayden had come to Breathwood to act as a consultant to Otto, Sophie still attempted to resist, but her body refused to deny the unconventional woman. Cayden glided her fingers over Sophie's exposed flesh, barely touching the soft, supple skin. Sophie closed her eyes and arched forward, trying to force more contact with her lover's hand. Cayden anticipated the move and settled her hands on Sophie's wide hips. Sophie's large breasts were rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath and gain control of her eager body. She knew that Cayden would play her, but it didn't release her burning desire for her husband's guide. She trembled as Cayden's fingers began moving again. They slipped against the folds at the waist of the dress, pushing it completely down the smooth legs. Cayden knelt as she pushed the material to a pile in the floor. Before rising, she slipped her tongue between Sophie's slick lips. The Baroness gasped and thrust upward, her blond curls scratching against Cayden's face as the talented tongue found the swollen button buried inside. Cayden's tongue moved against the nub, rotating it with the tip of her tongue before withdrawing and rising. She licked over Sophie's round stomach and buried her face between the peaks of the full breasts. Sophie combed her fingers through the thick strands of Cayden's long hair as her lover's warm breath flooded her body. Cayden's mouth made its way up the peak of one soft breast, licking around the light pink nipple before kissing it and sucking it between her lips. Sophie's moan was low and long as Cayden's lips nursed gently. As the teasing mouth became more insistent, Sophie's body became more uncontrollable. She arched and rocked against Cayden, attempting to bring her wet lips into contact with some part of her lover's body. Cayden easily evaded her, but her avoidance only increased Sophie's efforts. She writhed against Cayden, pushing more of her breast into the hot, wet mouth. "Please, Cayden," Sophie whispered desperately when her body could no longer tolerate the relentless teasing. "Please, what, Milady?" Cayden demanded, moving her mouth from the heavy breast to the pulse throbbing in the arched neck. The Baroness whimpered. "Please, darling," she begged, unable to form words to express what her body needed. Instead, she gripped Cayden's wrist in her hand and brought her lover's palm to her damp mound. She arched herself against Cayden's hand and rubbed against the heel. Cayden held her hand still, allowing Sophie to please herself for a few precious moments before pulling away with a teasing smile. "Tell me what you want, Milady." "I want you," Sophie began. Her words hung in her throat as she attempted to speak. "I want you to touch me and make love to me. Cayden, please, darling, I can't wait any longer." Cayden's mouth was against Sophie's ear as she spoke, her voice husky as her warm breath heated Sophie's cheek. "We both know you can." "Don't make me, darling. I beg you." "I like it when you beg, Milady," Cayden answered as she thrust her fingers deep inside Sophie. They slid easily against the slick lips and into the heated channel. Sophie brought her hands to Cayden's shoulders and dug her fingernails into the strong muscle there. She arched against Cayden's invading hand and began thrusting in time to the gentle strokes. She moaned desperately, her pleasure falling on Cayden's ears. Each sound that escaped Sophie's lips encouraged Cayden to move faster and deeper. Her palm slapped against Sophie's mound repeatedly, the noise joining Sophie's frantic cries. Cayden walked Sophie backwards to the bed as she continued pounding her fingers in and out of her lover's intimate tunnel. Sophie followed helplessly, her body completely under Cayden's power. The back of her legs hit the bed and her knees buckled. She fell backwards and Cayden followed, first laying over the Baroness and then working her way down. Two fingers thrust in and out relentlessly as her mouth sought the extended nub deep inside once again. Her lips closed around it and tugged as her fingers continued their work. Sophie was mindless. Her head tossed side-to-side on the bed as Cayden's assault continued. The muscles in her stomach and thighs trembled and tightened as Cayden's mouth suckled softly. The dueling sensations drove her higher. Her body came off the bed as she ground against her partner's mouth and hand. She screamed, the sound echoing against the stone walls, Cayden intensified her attack at the alarm, feeling her lover's body quiver in release. Sophie attempted to catch her breath as the delicious tremors echoed through her body, but Cayden did not give her the opportunity to recover. The woman, who could outride any man in Otto's army and best any soldier with a sword, mounted Sophie firmly. She pressed her mound against Sophie's, extended her arms, and began rocking her hips in a firm, steady rhythm. Sophie attempted to watch her lover, wanting to see the expression of bliss cross Cayden's face as she moved herself toward satisfaction, but the unyielding friction pushed Sophie back into her desperate state. The muscles in Cayden's arms bulged and her stomach rippled as she rode against Sophie. She stretched out between her lover's legs and rubbed their mounds together in an endless cadence. The sound of skin slapping against skin drummed in the room, punctuated by Sophie's groans of pleasure and pleadings for release. Every time Cayden thrust down, spirals of pleasure radiated throughout Sophie's body. Cayden closed her eyes as she worked toward her release, only using Sophie as a vehicle to drive her pleasure. Sophie ceased to exist as Cayden's body slapped against the Baroness. Sophie's legs wrapped around Cayden's hips, deepening the friction as Cayden moved faster. The Baroness whispered an endless series of pleas and moans as her lover rode harder. Cayden grunted her release as a wave crashed over her small body. She extended her arms and her muscles quivered as she hovered above Sophie. Sophie sobbed as Cayden gave one last thrust and pushed her lover over the edge one more time. Cayden collapsed, resting her head on Sophie's full breast as they both panted and trembled. Unconsciously, Sophie threaded her fingers through Cayden's hair, lovingly stroking the woman who brought such pleasure into her life. They lay across the soft bed as the sun filtered through the window. A warm breeze floated across the room. Cayden's breath slowed and evened, the air blowing from her lips drying Sophie's skin. Sophie closed her eyes, wanting to know if Cayden felt her heart pounding. She wanted to tell the warrior why it hammered so violently, but she could not muster the courage to give voice to her feelings. "Cayden?" "Hmmm?" Cayden muttered without moving or opening her eyes. "Let's run away. Let's go someplace far away from Breathwood and everyone we know. We can be together always." "Otto would follow us, Milady," Cayden responded. "He couldn't live without us." The strong woman rolled to Sophie's side. She stretched out on her back, her eyes focused on the ceiling. "We should be honest with ourselves. We would miss him." She took a deep breath and stood. "He wants me to be pretty for the Father tonight. Send Amalie to me after you finish with her." Sophie sat up and watched as Cayden quickly redressed. "Do you take Amalie to bed, as well?" she asked, attempting to disguise the jealousy in her voice. She did not look at her lover as she waited for an answer. "Amalie is afraid of me," Cayden answered casually as she gathered her armor. She did not turn to Sophie. "I was once afraid of you." The Baroness's voice was soft and weak as she spoke. She clenched her hands together in her lap, fearful to face Cayden. She didn't want her lover to see the vulnerability in her eyes. She didn't want to see the indifference she knew Cayden would express. "That didn't stop you from seducing me." "It's impossible to seduce someone who doesn't want to be seduced, Milady." Cayden moved to Sophie, tilting the round face upward. "You need not worry. I'll always come back to your bed." She touched her lips to Sophie's briefly and faded from the room as quickly and as quietly as she had appeared. Amalie came later. She faltered slightly as she entered the room and Cayden's piercing green eyes fell on her. The warrior had unbraided her heavy black hair and it hung loosely around her shoulders. She wore an ivory dress with ruffles around the bodice. The flowing skirt had delicate lace trim. It swept against the floor as she moved toward Amalie. The bodice sagged slightly and the first thing Cayden did was turn her back to the young maid so that the girl could tighten the strings. The girl exhaled softly and hurried into the room, hoping to finish her task and escape the warrior's presence quickly. She knotted the strings, trying not to touch the brown skin. When her fingertips did brush Cayden's smooth, bare flesh, she was surprised at the ripple of muscle underneath. Cayden turned her head to the side, watching the timid woman from the corner of her eye. "Touch all you want, little one," she said in a friendly, husky voice. Amalie jerked too hard on the string when Cayden spoke. A blush crept into her cheeks and she took a step back. Cayden chuckled softly and shifted so that Amalie would not see her face. "Why are you so fearful of me?" Cayden asked as Amalie resumed her task. "There's no need to be. I would not hurt you." Cayden paused while Amalie finished tying the stays. Cayden turned to look at the girl. "In fact, I would bring you great pleasure." Cayden walked away from Amalie without giving the girl an opportunity to respond to the heated promise. "I think there would be something more appropriate to do with my hair than the braid I normally wear." Amalie stared after Cayden, a light pink blush lingering on her cheeks as the warrior moved to the wash basin. Cayden paused there for a moment, allowing Amalie to adjust to the change in atmosphere. Amalie moistened her lips and swallowed with difficulty before she finally found her voice. "It would look very nice if you left it down, Miss." She glided across the room to Cayden and lifted the heavy tresses in her hand. "Sit down, and I'll make you beautiful." She stopped, her cheeks flaming again. "Not that you are not already beautiful, Miss. I mean, not that you need any help." She took a deep breath and bowed her head, missing the smug expression on Cayden's face. She silently began gathering the long hair in her hands, working her fingers through the thick locks. Cayden closed her eyes and relaxed, allowing her guard down long enough to enjoy the gentle massage of her scalp as Amalie worked her fingers. She ignored the goose bumps racing over her body as Amalie swept her hair into a presentable style. The silence in the room hummed with their thoughts. The underlying current of desire was tangible. A smile hung on Cayden's lips as she planned her next move with the girl. Amalie trembled with the conflicting emotions rolling through her. The Crusader: Affairs of State The girl quickly put Cayden's hair in order and stepped back, grateful to be away from the intoxicating scent and enveloping heat of the virile warrior. The longer she was in Cayden's presence, the harder it would be to resist the advances. She knew that she would eventually give in to Cayden's pursuit. Cayden was relentless. She was impossible to resist for long. "Will there be anything else, Miss?" Cayden turned and gave Amalie a slow, appreciative smile. "I believe that will be all. You are dismissed. Tell the Baron and Baroness I will join them shortly." Amalie bowed and quickly retreated, her cheeks burning as Cayden's eyes lingered on the cleavage at the neck of her simple dress. Cayden was pleased with Amalie's reaction. She prided herself on being able to read people and was pleased to know that she had not misread the maid's fear. Amalie didn't run because she was physically afraid. She ran because she feared the desire that Cayden's nearness created. Cayden knew how to help the girl overcome that fear. She reached up and ran her hand over her hair as she rose from the stool. Amalie had swept Cayden's hair into curls that flowed down her back and over her shoulders. Cayden smiled, pleased with the girl's skill. She couldn't help but think about what other talents Amalie may possess. She took a deep breath as she imagined Amalie's talented fingers on her body, then shook her head in an effort to clear her thoughts. She planned to take her time with Amalie and if she dwelled on the possibilities, it would be harder to maintain that resolve. "You look beautiful," a deep voice said from the doorway. Cayden lifted her green eyes to see Otto standing just inside her room. He crossed to his friend and glided his hands over her bare shoulders and impulsively dropped a kiss on one. "Delicious. You don't play fair, Cayden. You make yourself stunning but refuse my advances." Cayden allowed Otto's lips to continue the caress for a short moment before pulling out of his reach. She smiled teasingly. "Do I need to remind you that you have a wife?" she asked as she eluded his grasp. With a playful smile, she started walking toward the door. He did not answer immediately and she slowed her step at the door. She turned her head enough to glance at him over her shoulder and was surprised to find his face inches from her. "You should have been my wife, Cayden de Witte. I sent a dowry to your father and he rejected it. Why did your father not think I was good enough to be your husband?" She turned and placed a hand on his cheek. She knew about the generous dowry that Otto had offered to her father. Travor de Witte had encouraged her to accept the Baron's proposal, but she had pleaded with him to refuse. Otto was her best friend, but she did not love him. To have been forced into a loveless marriage would have led her to hate him. He pressed into her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist. "We would have made beautiful children, Cayden. They would have been beautiful and brave and intelligent. Sophie . . ." "Sophie is a wonderful wife to you," Cayden interrupted insistently. "Yes, she is, but she is not you. You should be the Baroness." He closed the distance, his voice soft but urgent. "Sophie has not given me a child. It's not too late for you to be my wife." "Sophie is the perfect Baroness," Cayden answered. "I would detest the role." She kissed his cheek softly and lingered there, rubbing her smooth skin against his rough flesh. "We will be missed. Eyebrows will be raised. Rumors will be whispered." She walked away from him, ignoring the pounding in her heart as she hurried down the hallway. The truth was too close to the surface and Otto was too easy a confidant. She paused before going down the steps, pressing her fingertips to her forehead. When she lifted her eyes, she saw Sophie standing in the foyer at the foot of the steps with the Vicar. Otto stood in the hall in front of her room, also watching her. Cayden felt the two pairs of eyes on her and wrestled with the unfamiliar emotions stirring in her heart. She closed her eyes, attempting to shut out their stares, took a deep breath, placed a steady smile on her lips, and started slowly down the steps, certain that she was in complete control. Cayden de Witte was always in complete control. She was the author of her relationship with Otto. She had befriended the young Baron when he had come to her father for training. She had teased him enough to keep his interest and always been confident in his ability to be a gentleman when she withdrew. She had known he would request her hand in marriage and had been prepared with her reasons that it would be a poor idea. Her father, who adored her, had listened and accepted her reasons for refusing the Baron's offer. He had regretfully declined Otto's offer and began preparations for sending his rebellious daughter to the convent. She had manipulated her invitation to Otto's court, and the invitation had come at the right time. She was in complete command of her relationship with Sophie. She had no doubt that she pulled every string with the young woman. Cayden had begun her seduction of the girl on Otto's wedding day, pursued it slowly until Sophie was convinced that she was the instigator, and brought enough pleasure that the Baroness was unable to resist. Her relationship with Sophie was secure because if the wrong person discovered it, they would both be destroyed. Even though Amalie feared her, Cayden was certain she was in control there, too. Cayden de Witte was always in complete control. The one time she had lost control had almost led to devastation. She reached the floor of the foyer and made an effort to forget her indiscretions. Instead, she slipped her hand into the Vicar's elbow and guided him to the great hall with the table filled with succulent treats. She ignored the tension in the room and overlooked the fact that she had been the one to create the strain. Conversation flowed easily during the meal. Amalie hovered in the dark corner, emerging only to help the cooks serve and then disappearing altogether as the meal ended. "How was Clermont, Father?" Otto asked after they had all finished eating and Sophie had retired to supervise the servants. Father Josef lifted his solemn dark eyes to Cayden situated across from him. Otto waved away the Vicar's concerns. "Lady de Witte is one of my trusted advisors, Father," he assured. "She is not inclined to gossip, as many women are, and I value her wisdom. Please, tell us what you learned at Clermont." "As you know, the Turks have been attempting to strangle Constantinople. They have raided our travelers and taxed our pilgrims in their treks to the holy city of Jerusalem. Lord Alexis has sent out pleas for assistance from the west, but they have largely gone unheard. The king of Constantinople has finally reached the ear His Holiness, Pope Urban. At Clermont, the Pope preached about the need to protect Jerusalem and to rescue it from the infidels. He has called for armies to march to the Holy Land." Father Josef paused, allowing the information to settle in Otto's head. Otto glanced at Cayden and saw her watching him. He could not read her expression. "Baron von Streit, can I inform His Holiness that you will organize your men?" Otto remained silent for a long moment. He did not look at the Vicar or toward Cayden. He leaned forward, folding his hands together and resting his forehead on his knuckles. When he spoke, his words surprised Father Josef. "Cayden?" Cayden did not hesitate to answer. "Your men are the best trained in the kingdom. They are strong and brave. Taking Jerusalem would be no small undertaking, but I believe they would rise to the occasion." She paused, longing to touch her friend in assurance but unable to offer it in the presence of the Vicar. "The decision must be yours, but I can assure you that your men would support you." Otto released a deep breath and lowered his hands, focusing his attention on Father Josef. "Send a messenger. I will issue a call to arms among the nobles, but you can also inform His Holiness that I will not rush into battle. Our movements will be deliberate and we will not advance out of this kingdom until I am certain we are prepared to tackle the task before us." Father Josef nodded with a pleased expression on his face. "Good. Excellent. I would expect no less, Baron. I know the Holy Father will bless you for your willingness." Otto gave the Father a cold look. "I'm not responding for the Holy Father, but for Jerusalem. It will be a wonderful Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land for the Christians." Cayden changed the subject, rescuing the Father from Otto's pensive mood. She found her friend later staring across the rolling fields glowing in the moonlight. The Vicar had left after finishing the ale that Otto had provided and thanking the Baron again for his promise to organize an army. She paused at the doorway, unsure if she should intrude upon his reverie. His silhouette was outlined against the pale light and she allowed the image to settle in her memory. "We've been playing soldiers," he said when he broke the silence. She jumped, unaware that he knew of her presence. He continued, "My whole life has been in training to lead an army into battle, but I don't think I ever believed the day would come." "You'll do fine, Otto," she assured, crossing the stone balcony to stand beside him. She still wore the gown, but even the revealing hint of her skin did not pull him from his dark trance. "The men respect you. You are intelligent. My father trained you well. You'll return a hero." "What if I do not return?" he asked with an urgency in his voice. "Franz would become Baron. He would destroy everything our father built." He paused, shaking his head with a frustrated sigh. "I don't want Sophie to have to marry him. My brother is a cruel man and Sophie is a good woman. I would hate to see her spirit broken." Cayden felt a twinge of guilt at his impassioned words. If anyone knew about her relationship with Sophie, they might accuse her of breaking the Baroness's spirit. She struggled to find the words to help Otto. "A child," she said suddenly. "You and Sophie must have a child, a son would be best. If you have an heir, there will not be any pressure to create one. Sophie would be allowed to rule as regent until he came of age. That would prevent Franz from marrying her or becoming Baron." Otto's head snapped around and cold eyes pierced his friend. She faltered a step as he spoke through clenched teeth. "It is a bit difficult to create a child when you occupy my wife's bed every night." She sank back against the balcony, defenseless against his accusation. She would not deny her affair with Sophie. It was not fair to her lover or her friend. She started to ask him how he knew, but she did not want to insult Otto's intelligence. She sat in guilty silence as his eyes burned through her. "I should go to my father. He needs to know about the Crusade. He has men who will pledge allegiance to you." Otto growled. "You resist me because I have a wife, but it never seemed to matter that she had a husband." He took a menacing step closer, towering over his best friend. "You should have married me, Cayden. I would have looked the other way regarding your indiscretions." She stood up straight, pressing toward him. "And I would have hated it when you came to my room. It would have destroyed us, Otto." "You must be careful, Cayden," he hissed. "If anyone was to ever find out about your relationship, you would both be punished as heretics. I shudder to think of you roasting as Father Josef denounces you and my wife. Franz would not hesitate to report you, especially if it would speed his rise to my position." "I'll go home," she repeated. "Hayden will want to join you, as well. That will give you the opportunity you need with Sophie." Otto nodded, stepping away from his friend. "I want to gather the troops on the Udden Plain. We will organize there in six months time. I want you to return to Breathwood. Sophie will need your protection while I am gone." "Yes, my Lord," she whispered. "I'll leave tomorrow." "And I'll not go to Sophie tonight," he assured, turning to walk away. He did not hesitate. Cayden leaned against the balcony, her heart hurting for her friend. He wore the expression of a broken man and she knew her affair with his wife had been the catalyst. She shook away her feelings of guilt. Feeling guilty would not change circumstances. She lifted her eyes to Sophie's room and saw the light flickering there. She didn't know how Sophie would respond to her departure and suddenly wanted to only get it over with. She missed her father and her twin brother acutely. She wanted to go home. She walked quietly through the grand hall and made her way up the winding staircase to the living quarters. She paused outside of Sophie's door, a noise at the other end of the hall distracting her. She looked into the darkness and saw Otto's shadow moving into Amalie's chamber. A smile touched her lips and she relaxed. He may be bitter because his best friend occupied his wife's bed, but his needs as a man were being fulfilled. Sophie stood at the open door of the balcony, a breeze ruffling her tresses as she stared into the moonlight. Cayden's breath caught in her throat as she studied the silhouette of her naked lover. The soft moonlight glistened against Sophie's blonde hair and made her skin translucent. Cayden almost lost her resolve to follow through with her promise to Otto to leave. The warrior recovered quickly when Sophie's head turned toward the open door. She felt her blood pounding through her veins. A familiar throbbing began between her legs and all her doubts faded away. Cayden de Witte was once more in control. She moved across the room to her lover, burying her face in the soft, fragrant locks. She inhaled deeply, allowing Sophie's scent to waft through her pores. She wanted it to linger long after she had fled Breathwood. Sophie turned her body to face Cayden. "I saw you and Otto on the balcony." Cayden pressed her fingers to Sophie's mouth, silencing her lover. She didn't want to tell Sophie that she was leaving until they had made love one last time. She wanted no sadness in Sophie's blue eyes. The warrior's fingers threaded through Sophie's hair and curled around the back of her neck, pulling the woman's head down so that she could lightly brush her lips against Sophie's full ones. Sophie's lips puckered and returned the warm kiss, stepping forward to close the distance between them. Cayden's lips moved firmly against her lover before opening. Her tongue coaxed Sophie's mouth open and slipped inside, swimming against teeth and tongue. Sophie groaned softly, pressing into Cayden as their tongues rubbed and dueled. She softly whispered her lover's name, her fingers gliding over the bare shoulders. She felt the smooth muscle rippling underneath her fingertips as they glided along the bodice. She smiled softly as they broke the kiss, her mouth moving on Cayden's cheek. "I rarely get to take you out of a dress." Cayden turned, exposing the laces to Sophie's delicate fingers. Sophie leaned forward and moved her mouth over Cayden's back as she loosened the stays. The gown sagged before Cayden shrugged the bodice down. She stepped out of the skirt and turned back to Sophie. A lamp burned on the bedside table, but the flickering light did little to illuminate the two entwined shadows standing in the moonlight. They resumed their kiss, their mouths hungry for one another as their bodies pressed tightly. Cayden could feel the soft press of Sophie's full breasts and the tingle of the hard nipples rubbing soft circles against her sensitive skin. Cayden pulled her mouth from Sophie's and bowed her head to the full breast. She licked each nipple and delighted in Sophie's shiver of pleasure. Her tongue swam around the nipple, feeling the pucker of the light pink areola. She tasted the sweet flesh, feeling the pliable tissue give against her tongue. Sophie's fingers combed through Cayden's dark hair as the Baroness felt the sweet sensations flood her body. The teasing made her long for more intimate contacts. Cayden's hands moved down Sophie's rib cage, the touch as soft as a ghost's caress. The rough fingertips moved around the Baroness's full hips and glided along her buttocks. They danced at the opening as Cayden's mouth switched to the other breast, her teeth nibbling on the pale mound. Sophie moaned softly, her body a slave to her lover's desires. Sophie glided her hands down Cayden's shoulders and arms, pulling away from the teasing mouth to kneel at the warrior's feet. The brunette dropped her eyes as Sophie knelt, cupping the woman's face in her hands as her green eyes burned with tenderness. Sophie leaned forward, inhaling deeply. She breathed in Cayden's damp scent before extending her tongue. The tip of it glided along the slick lips, tasting Cayden's salty desire. Cayden opened her legs for the Baroness as she stroked the woman's blonde hair and whispered words of assurance and encouragement. Sophie's tongue delved deeper, scooping the moisture into her mouth. She circled the swollen nub of Cayden's desire, teasing it to grow thicker and harder before she dragged against it. Cayden shuddered and closed her eyes, knotting her fingers in Sophie's soft hair. Sophie felt sharp pain shoot through her body as Cayden tugged on her strands, but the sensation only fueled her desire. She began moving faster, lapping hungrily against Cayden's folds. The harder Cayden pulled, the hungrier Sophie became. She pressed her face deep, her tongue beating against the hard button and thrusting in and out of the tight channel. Her tongue moved quickly, pumping Cayden's slick canal. Both of Cayden's fists were in Sophie's hair, the long locks wrapped around her fingers as she tugged. Her hips jogged against Sophie's face, grinding into the writhing tongue as her lover pushed her body to intense pleasure. She grunted as the wave built and broke, crashing around her. Her cry made her ears ring as her hips bucked. Her hands pushed Sophie's face deeper as she rode against her lover's tongue and face until the crest receded. Cayden stepped away from Sophie, both women panting in exhaustion. Sophie remained on her knees, her head bowed as she attempted to catch her breath. Cayden reached down and tilted Sophie's head upward. In the moonlight, her face glistened from her labor. Cayden bent and licked the excess moisture from her lover's lips, the taste of the two of them mingling on her tongue. She extended her hand and Sophie took it, allowing Cayden to pull her to her feet and guide her to the bed. Cayden sat down without taking her eyes off of Sophie. Sophie's knees straddled Cayden's thighs, her arms wrapping around her lover's shoulders. Sophie slid forward, pushing her mound toward Cayden and rocking on her lover's lap as their mouths met. Tongues twirled as their lips ground against each other. Their bodies moved, breasts and mounds and hands and mouths brushing, moving, and tantalizing. Cayden placed her hands on Sophie's hips as she lay back, keeping her lover's mouth captive. Sophie lay over Cayden, her hard nipples creating lines of fire on Cayden's chest as they moved. The warrior lifted her hips, grinding against Sophie's dampness. Sophie joined the motion, moving in unison with her lover, feeling minor shockwaves rush through the pit of her stomach. Cayden's voice was a constant in her ears, the warrior whispering encouragement. Sophie extended her arms, bracing her hands on either side of Cayden's head as she moved. Cayden lifted her head and captured one of the swaying breasts in her mouth, her teeth clamping around the nipple. Sophie screamed in gratification, the sound echoing off the stone walls of the bedchamber. The Crusader: Affairs of State Cayden moved her hand between them, gliding down to the intersection of their bodies. As Sophie lifted her hips, Cayden's fingers pushed into her lover's body. She slipped three digits into Sophie's passage and held steady as Sophie continued to rotate and move her body. The warrior's mouth suckled on the full breast, massaging the nipple as Sophie's body became a slave to her pleasure. She thrust and writhed and bucked against Cayden's body, forcing the fingers to glide in and out. Cayden's thumb found the Baroness's nub and began grinding against it until the woman jerked stiff and cried out in pleasure. Cayden did not give Sophie an opportunity to recover. She grabbed the blonde's hips and pulled her body forward until her mouth could reach the damp mound. She swirled her tongue inside, licking away all evidence of their lovemaking. She could hear Sophie sobbing as she moved her tongue in and out against the sensitive button, but she did not relinquish her assault. Instead, she intensified her actions, waiting for the familiar clench of muscles around her tongue, the flood of liquid desire, and the sound of Sophie's song. She wanted to hear it in her sleep when she left Breathwood. The melody of Sophie's voice built, raising an octave as Cayden pushed harder until the Baroness could hold her voice no more. Her whole body trembled as Cayden brought her to completion. For a time, they lay side-by-side, panting as they struggled to recover. "By the saints, I'm going to miss you," Cayden finally said when she had regained enough strength to speak. The warrior remained on her back, staring at the ceiling as she waited for Sophie to respond. Sophie forced a laugh out of her mouth and when she spoke, she was still breathless. "Miss me? Where am I going, darling?" "I'm going home, Milady," the warrior woman answered. Sophie sat up suddenly, looking down into Cayden's face in hope that she would see teasing there. Instead, Cayden reached up to caress her lover's cheek. "I must for a time, but I will be back." "No. You can't leave Breathwood. I would die without you, darling." "You will survive just fine," Cayden assured, pulling Sophie down for comfort. Cayden's strong arms circled the soft body. She felt a tear hit her breast. "Otto is going to be raising an army, and I must go home to inform my father." "What enemy will this army face?" "The infidels in Jerusalem will be the target. The Christians must retake the Holy Land. Otto told Father Josef that he would organize his men. I must go tell my father to rally his own troops to join Otto's. I will return to you, Milady. Otto has asked me to protect you in his absence." "The days and nights will be long without you," Sophie answered. "I have a mission for you in my absence." Cayden paused, wanting to be certain that she had her lover's full attention. Sophie could not fail in this assignment. "You must allow Otto in your bed while I am gone. You must give him a son before he departs for Constantinople. It is the only way to protect you from Franz." The silence hung in the room as Cayden finished giving her instructions. She gently stroked a sweaty strand of hair from Sophie's cheek. "Do you understand, Milady?" Sophie's voice was weak when she finally answered. "Yes, darling, but I cannot guarantee a son. I can't even guarantee a baby in that time." "We will trust God to do His part," Cayden answered, "And pray that He guards over Otto so that our fear regarding Franz proves unnecessary." "When will you leave?" "I'll depart tomorrow morning." "Hold me tonight, darling." Cayden pulled Sophie closer, drawing the down blanket over them. She could hold Sophie through the night and hope that her lover would shed no tears when she hadto ride through the gate to leave Breathwood in the morning. Sophie snuggled against the warrior's firm body and fell asleep quickly. Cayden stared into the darkness far into the night, sad to be leaving Sophie and Breathwood but also longing for home.