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For a moment, she feared
he would pull out and leave her. Instead, he lowered his body until he rested
on his elbows and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her eyes that poured
tears. “I am sorry, so sorry. I had no wish to hurt you, but it is the way of
it when men and women join. The pain will ease, I promise. Forgive me.”
    He stayed very still while she adapted to his flesh inside
her. From the strained expression he wore, Sara thought it must have been
difficult for him. She loved him even more for that.
    “You think I am crying because you hurt me?” She hurried to
reassure him. “Oh, Annachie, my beloved, I was crying for joy. It-it hurt a
little at first, but now it is wonderful. I have wanted you for so long, wanted
you inside me.” She took his sigh of relief into her own mouth as she pulled
his head down for a deep kiss. She tasted her moisture on his lips. “Is that
how I taste?”
    “You taste so sweet.” And with that, he began to move back
and forth, deep inside her passage and out until he almost slipped from her.
Soft, moist sounds came to her as her honey eased his way.
    The pleasure built until Sara thought surely she would die
of it.
    “Forgive me,” Annachie said, “but I cannot last much longer.
I promise the next time will be better, but now I must— Ahh .” With a loud
cry, he threw his head back and pushed as far inside her as he could. Sara felt
his seed bursting forth, bathing the soreness of his initial entry. For just a
moment she was again overcome with a feeling of panic, knowing the possible
consequence of her actions this night. But just as quickly, a calm settled over
her.
    I have wanted this for so long. Yes, I would give up my
life for this one night in his arms. But, oh Blessed Venus, let it be more than
just one night.
    They spoke little, content to simply look at each other and
touch each other, give sometimes gentle and sometimes hungry kisses. Despite
Sara’s protests, Annachie refused to take her again, saying that she would be
too sore from the first time.
    “When can I see you again?” he asked.
    “I have to tend the fire in the temple tomorrow night, and I
cannot risk leaving too often. In three days? Will they let you come?”
    “If you have enough coin to pay Bato they will.”
    Although the night was still black, they both knew that dawn
was fast approaching. “I must be back at the temple before daybreak.”
    Annachie nodded, then smiled. “Just as it used to be, aye?”
    * * * * *
    Even from as far away as the stable, he heard her screaming
with a nightmare, and the night after that, she came to him again. This time he
heard her enter the stall in which he was chained. “Sara, what is it?”
    “May I stay with you tonight, Annachie?”
    “Oh, little one, if your father finds you here—”
    “He won’t. I’ll go back before the household wakes up. I-I
am so afraid of the dark. But I don’t think I will be as afraid if I am with
you.”
    He knew he should tell her—no, make her—go back to her room,
but he didn’t have the heart to do it. Even if her father killed him for it, he
would never send Sara away, especially when she needed him.
    He held the blanket up and she lay down on her side, her
back to his front. That was all Annachie remembered until he felt her stir as
the sky began to lighten to a dull gray. She left him without a word, thinking
perhaps that he still slept.
    Despite the warmth that lingered where she had lain, his
pallet felt cold and empty.
    * * * * *
    “Yes,” she replied. “Will we ever get to see a sunrise
together?”

Chapter Four
     
    “Ho, Micah. Will ya look at that!”
    Annachie peeked through slits in his eyes, wondering what
was going on. The young slave turned at the sound of the Germanic gladiator’s
gruff voice. Rolf pointed to Annachie, who leaned back against the stone wall
surrounding the gladiator compound. “What about him?” Micah asked.
    “He’s smiling. The Beast is smiling.”
    At Rolf’s