The horse whinnied then went off to graze. Bethany hummed and sang while Hector slumbered peacefully in her lap. She didn't know why, but his presence soothed her even though he was unconscious. There had been something so sweetly sincere about him. So innocent and honest. Humble.
Things she was not used to.
While she'd taken a handful of lovers through the centuries, none had ever made her feel like this ...
Protective of them.
How very strange.
He's like a pet. That was what her mother would call him. Yet that didn't describe it either. She brushed her hand along his cheek where his whiskers teased her fingers. She wanted to run her tongue along it, yet she didn't want to scare or offend him.
I don't know what it is about you, Hector ...
But she wanted to kiss his firm, parted lips. Instead, she brushed a kiss to his forehead and let the warm, masculine scent of his skin wash over her.
"Sleep well, my sweet." She'd much rather play in his soft hair than fish anyway.
* * *
Styxx came awake to the most amazing sound in the world. It was a low, gentle contralto. And someone was stroking his cheek....
Afraid it was his uncle molesting him, he shot up with a curse to find the alarmed face of beauty incarnate.
"Hector?" That sweet gasp made him feel like a complete ass that he'd startled her again.
"Bethany, I'm sorry. I forgot where I was. Did I fall asleep?"
She nodded. "For several hours now."
He looked up at the sky that confirmed what she told him. The sun was well past noon. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to keep you. I hope you're not in trouble."
Reaching out to touch his face, she smiled. "I am not in trouble at all. I was beginning to worry about you, though. I'm glad you're finally awake."
Reluctantly, Styxx pulled back from her tender touch, amazed that his head no longer hurt at all. And still the voices were silent. It was so strange to be with someone and have no idea whatsoever what they thought of him.
"And look..." She held her hand out toward the water. "Your horse has returned."
He smiled at the fact that Troian was on the opposite side of where she gestured. "So he has. Apparently, he likes to be embarrassed, after all."
"I'm sure you didn't embarrass him."
Styxx got up slowly. While his body wasn't completely healed, it was much better now than it'd been when he passed out in her lap. "I've taken up enough of your day, my lady. I won't bother you anymore."
"You were hardly a bother."
She was far too gentle and sweet.
"I don't know about that. I bled on your beautiful dress and used you for a pillow. I can't see how I'm anything but a nuisance."
"My dress will wash and it wasn't a hardship to sit with you while you slept."
"Thank you, my lady. You're very kind. Would you like for me to help you to your feet?"
"That's very gallant of you." She held her hand out in a dainty, feminine gesture.
Styxx clasped her hand in both of his and helped her rise. She was as tiny as he'd suspected. She barely reached his shoulders. Her soft hair fell against the flesh of his arm in a light caress that quickened his heartbeat. He felt a sudden desire to bury his face in those dark tresses and inhale the scent of her skin until he was drunk with it. A scent that now clung to him and his clothes, making him so hard that it was impossible to think straight with her near him.
"Would you like me to take you home?" he asked.