Crystal Fire Read Online Free PDF

now, pressed so close to Ardane, as weary as she was. Marissa lowered her eyes, unable to face him. The rhythmic rise and fall of his broad, densely furred chest did little to ease her confusion. Reluctantly she dragged her gaze up to his.
    "Tell me, Marissa," he urged, his voice low, seductive. "I want to know."
    Marissa .
    Strange, but the sound of her name on his lips didn't anger her, though his audacity in using it should. And the delicious sensations of his hands, lightly stroking her arms, befuddled more than her body. She had to put an end to this. Perhaps if she told him, it would satisfy his curiosity and he'd leave her alone. Perhaps then he'd be silent and just go to sleep . . .
    Marissa inhaled a steadying breath. "I am a Sodalitas," she began, by way of explanation. ''A Sodalitas," he repeated thoughtfully. "I understand now. You're part of that outcast group of female Moracans sworn to despise all males. A band of malcontents, are they not, dedicated to undying celibacy? With that attitude, one wonders how you manage to reproduce yourselves."
    His words were like a slap in the face. She should have expected such a response from a male.
    "The Sodalitas are not dedicated to undying celibacy!" Marissa snapped. "We have our needs and reproduce ourselves quite adequately, if and when we wish to. Males do have their purpose. We just don't allow ourselves to be either physically or emotionally enslaved by them.
    "And we are not malcontents," she added fiercely. "How would you like to be compelled by law to a life of virtual servitude, your only purpose obedience to another?"
    "Even in my current sorry state, the thought of a beautiful femina at my beck and call possesses a certain attraction. Could you not find some male to love enough to make such a life pleasant?"
    " Never! "
    The horror in Marissa's voice gave Brace pause. "You've never known the love of a man, have you, Marissa?"
    "Love a male? Relinquish your independence, for the sake of some crazy emotion, to one whose only wish is to control you?" She shook her head. "No. It's insanity and I'm not mad."
    "A sweet madness, indeed," Brace murmured, "but one shared by both partners. If there is subjugation, it's a willing one and only of the heart. Love does not force itself, nor place one above the other. It's an emotion of equals."
    "Easy for you to say," Marissa muttered, "when you have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
    She moved to free herself from his grasp. "But enough of this. You are quite evidently warmed and have no further need of me. Let me up."
    Brace gazed into her eyes, eyes that sparkled like blue-green jewels in the flickering light. Was she mad, to think that after two cycles without a woman he had no further need of her? If he weren't so weak, his body bruised beyond bearing, he'd be sorely tempted to disabuse her of her naïveté. Not that he'd ever take Marissa against her will, but, ah, to savor just a few moments of pleasure . . .
    With a deep sigh, Brace released her. Marissa scrambled over to a large cloth bag, carefully avoiding his gaze. She began to sort through its contents.
    He shook his head and smiled. "The fruits of your little foraging expedition?"
    "But of course."
    "You've a decided talent for thievery. Is that yet another skill acquired from your little gang?"
    Marissa's head lifted. Glittering bits of ice riveted on him.
    "Perhaps it would be wise if we kept our past lives to ourselves from now on. We obviously cannot seem to have a friendly discussion about personal matters, and I don't want dissension to hamper the true purpose of our . . . 'arrangement.' "
    Gods! Brace thought. He'd been a fool to antagonize the little Sodalitas, as helpless, as dependent as he still was upon her. He might be out of prison, but he was far from safe. What had gotten into him?
    Unwaveringly, Brace returned her gaze. "I'm sorry, Marissa. I misspoke a moment ago. I, too, have no wish for dissension between us."
    "It matters