Chained (Chained Trilogy) by Elise Marion Page A

of it. This new alliance makes Lord Theodric nervous, and with good reason. Do you suppose the betrothal is more than it seems?”
    Caden shook his head. “I do not, but my father does. I am only doing this to put his mind at ease, nothing more. It will be a diverting journey. I’ve always enjoyed Dinasdale . Women with skin like ebony, sweet white wine, and all the crab and clams a man can eat.”
    “If milord intends to enjoy himself, then so shall I,” Guyar remarked as he bit into his own bacon. “By your mention of ebony-skinned wenches, I suppose you do not mean to bring Esa along for this journey.”
    “No,” Caden murmured before draining the last of his ale, “I do not.”
    Last night as she slept beside him, he’d decide d it was time to start driving a wedge between himself and Esa. Especially since upon his return, his mother would invite every eligible woman in Daleraia to Minas Bothe for the purpose of being considered for marriage. By the time he returned from Dinasdale, he would have found the courage to tell her the truth, and end things. Esa had been disappointed to be left behind, but Caden knew she would not defy him.
    After he’d broken his fast, Caden helped Urien finish loading his things onto Golias’ back, and ducked back into his tent to arm himself. Esa still lay upon his palette, the blankets fallen down past her hips to reveal her nude body. Urien blushed as he handed Caden his shortsword and glanced away. Caden grinned.
    “Does the sight tempt you, boy?” he asked , sliding the shortsword into its scabbard. He sheathed a smaller dirk, and his longsword at his back.
    Urien’s face turned crimson and he nodded. “Y –yes, m’lord … I–I mean … no, m’lord. I know that Esa is your woman, I—”
    Caden laughed. “Calm yourself, lad. I do not believe you mean to steal her away from me.”
    “Not that he could,” Esa murmured, heedless of her nudity as she shifted on the pallet and rolled onto her back. “He is handsome, I’ll give him that, but I’m like to break the poor lad in two.”
    Her throaty laughed seemed to embarrass Urien more . “She’s right, m’lord.”
    Caden stifled another chuckle and schooled his face into a serious mask. “Have you been with a woman, Urien?”
    Urien shook his head. “No, m’lord.”
    Caden studi ed the lad. He called Urien boy, but he was, in fact, nearly a man grown. Two things brought manhood, his lord father had always taught him: wetting his sword with a man’s blood, and wetting his cock with a woman’s honey. “There are plenty of willing maids at Minas Bothe, lad,” he said with a wink. “You’re the tallest of the squires, and one of the strongest. As well, you’re one of the few with a handsome face. No need to suffer on account of Lady Esa. If you’ve the urge, find a willing girl and sate it. You’ll find yourself far better focused.”
    Urien swallowed, his eyes e ven wider as he nodded. “Yes, m’lord. I will, m’lord.”
    He grasped the boy ’s arm as he made to leave the tent. “Willing, Urien,” he added, arching an eyebrow. “Be sure she’s willing. If I hear any unsavory tales of you behaving as some of the other squires and knights, you will know my wrath.”
    Urien squared his shoulders as if insulted by the insinuation. “Of course, m’lord.”
    “Good lad.”
    Urien disappeared and Esa rose from the bed, stretching lithely. Caden felt his own manhood stirring at the sight of her.
    “Cover yourself, woman,” he growled, turning his back to her. “Or find yourself on your hands and knees , and impaled.”
    “Does milord seek to threaten me, or entice me?” she purred, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her breasts into his back.
    Caden groaned and reluctantly pulled from her embrace. “Curse you, I’ll be late. No more, Esa. You are insatiable.”
    Esa sighed and bent to find her shirt. “You needn’t suffer so, if you’d only take me with you.”
    “You’d be a