He turned to Eva, but she stopped him before he could say a word. “Go,” she urged. “Find her. Bring her home. There’s no time for sentimental farewells. It will be dawn in a few hours.”
“I love you,” he called as he dashed out the door.
His footsteps slammed rhythmically into the hard ground, echoed the pounding of his heart. He’d been the fool. Not Lexi. She’d said she loved him on their last night in the grotto. Blurted it out, as though it surprised her as much as it surprised him. He’d said nothing, left her words hanging in the silence.
On the long trek back, he’d gone over every moment they spent together, his soul racked with guilt. If he’d been a better mate, more caring, more attentive, Naia would never have died. Their son would still be alive. He’d failed them both. He had no business becoming responsible for the life of another. For Lexi’s own good, he had to stick with his original plan to give her to Eva.
But it was time to face the truth. Eva was right. He hadn’t been trying to protect Lexi. He’d been protecting himself. He couldn’t bear another loss, didn’t think he’d survive that kind of pain a second time. Better to keep his distance. So he’d said nothing, rejected her love. He’d given her away, as though she was a possession he no longer valued. No wonder she’d run off.
He’d quit believing in Eva’s gods when they took Naia and Judah from him, despite all his prayers. Eva swore they listened and watched over the Tryb. When he was a child, she taught him everything that happened in life was meant for good. He had only to open his heart and trust.
Ayron turned to his childhood faith, offered up an urgent plea.
“Let me find her. Let me hold her again, tell her I love her. Grant me this gift, and I will treasure her for as long as Fate allows.”
Half a mile later, the footprints led him to a boulder marked by a jagged crack at its base. He squeezed through the narrow opening, barely made out her huddled body in the dim light. Lexi’s head snapped up, and she bit off a startled cry.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. He longed to gather her in his arms and beg her forgiveness. But there’d be time for that later. She’d done something foolish and dangerous, nearly cost both of them their lives a second time. He was determined to start off right, keep her safe for as long as the gods gave her to him.
Ayron forced himself to stay strong. “So. You’ve ignored my rules again. Run off without asking my permission.”
She swiped a hand across her eyes and glared at him. “I don’t need to ask your permission for anything. You gave me away.”
“Then you belong to Eva. Did you ask her permission?’
She twisted away, refusing to answer.
“I thought not. Your mistress was so annoyed with your behavior, she’s refused the gift and dumped you back on me.”
He pulled out the flat board with the narrow handle Maya had handed him when she met him at the entrance to the city. “It’s from Eva,” she’d whispered, pressing it into his hand. “She said to tell you that your grandfather taught her there are many ways for a man to express love and caring. Each one has its place and time.”
Ayron tapped the board against the palm of his hand. “Now that you’re mine again, I intend to start out properly,” he announced. “You’ve endangered both our lives with your rash, thoughtless act. I’m going to give you a long hard spanking. And nothing you say or do will stop me.”
He tossed his cloak on the ground and sat down on it with his back to the wall. “Come here.” He patted his thighs.
Lexi scooted as far away from him as she could, shaking her head wildly.
He sighed. “Every time you disobey me, you earn yourself five more swats. There’s nowhere you can go. Eventually you’ll have to do what I say. Best to obey me now and save your ass those extra licks of fire.”
He saw the moment she admitted defeat. Her shoulders sagged like a naughty child who knows she’s been caught, and she crawled toward him. She’d taken off her cloak and her skirt rode up higher with every move, offering tantalizing glimpses of her long slim thighs. He remembered how tightly they’d wrapped around his waist when he buried himself inside her on their last night in the grotto. By the time she’d draped herself over his lap, his cock was iron-hard.
Ayron wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and declare his love, bury his aching rod deep inside her again, but he forced himself to carry through with his threat. She lay there, limp, the zest for life he’d come to love drained out of her. He’d done that — and he was determined to change it.
He slid her skirt up to her waist and bared her bottom. Then he ran a hand over the curvy twin cheeks of her ass. Lexi shivered at his touch.
She hissed at the first whack of the paddle. He’d never spanked her with anything but his hand before, and he reminded himself not to let fear and anger overcome him.
“Do you know why you’re getting paddled?” When she didn’t respond, he smacked her again.
“Y…yes,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
“Tell me.”
“I ran away.”
He stopped and ran his hand over her ass. Her skin already felt warm to the touch. “Is that all?”
She hesitated. He drew his arm back, landed another stroke. The paddle was long enough to cover both cheeks at once. Lexi gasped, squirming on his lap. His cock jerked in response.
