Excerpt: Spinner's Web

“There is no time for that tonight, I fear,” Protektor Hartzen interjected, pulling Jana away toward an open door. “We must continue with the introductions. Please excuse us.”
Jana did not know where they were going, and was propelled through the doorway and out onto a patio of sorts with a balustrade around it. The night was slightly chill, though mostly that was compared to the uncomfortable warmth of the ballroom. There was no moon, but there were many stars she could see in the sky. There were also many lights in the city from windows and some of the main streets had lighted lamps on the corners. It smelled of city, which was fresher than the room had become after several hours of mingling and eating and drinking.
“Do not let that man speak alone to you.” Captain Hartzen said from behind her.
Jana whirled, not expecting that to be said. “Why should I not? He seems by far to be the most open to my reason for being here. Though others have been most tolerant, I suppose I must admit.”
“He is not concerned with propriety.” He said.
“As I can see you are by the fact that you have brought me away from the reception to a quite deserted patio.” She retorted.
“I warned you, did I not?” he said walking toward her. “I have worked with Fessor Fondrik for many years and he wanted nothing more than to get you alone so that he could.” He stopped suddenly.
“So that he could what, exactly, Protektor?” She said, looking up and noticing he was close enough she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“This.” He said and bent his head.
Her nerve endings came to attention as his body leaned toward hers. His mouth descended the short distance to her and she pressed against him. Jana was not unaware of the attraction she had for him and let it out as she fused her mouth to his. He locked an arm about her and pulled her in to his body where she felt his erection press into her abdomen. His scent, again slightly forest like, filled her nose and shivers went up her arms as his lips moved in concert with hers.
She moved her hands to his hair and felt its softness. Most men she had known had short hair, and the sensation of running her hands through his set need fluttering in her belly. His lips softened and she opened to him. She gave as good as she got and met his tongue thrust for thrust as their hands wandered and their bodies pressed even tighter together.
He began to trail kisses down her throat and when he reached the turn of her neck where it met her shoulder she moaned softly. Immediately, he froze. Jana stopped her hands wringing in his hair and pulled them back as he stepped from her. The look on his face stopped Jana when she would have suggested they have an early evening to get it out of their system. She had previously found that method effective for removing tensions. He looked, however, horrified. His face was drawn and his eyes looked at her full of accusation. Without saying a word he turned on his heel and walked out into the night, leaving her to go back to the reception alone.
The rest of the reception went uneventfully. The rest of the nobles and trades people she met were similar to the ones she already had, most respectful, a few open, and a few who wouldn’t acknowledge her existence.
She retired for the evening after a suitable period and proceeded to ready herself for bed, in case anyone was looking. She did catnap for an hour or so, a skill of good use she had learned living with her Mother. She woke and readied herself for her appearance as a dancer. She had traced her steps carefully and knew her best route out of the castle was actually the front door. It was rarely used, unless a person of state was visiting and it was one of the shortest exits to be reached from her rooms. She was very controlled as she readied herself, though inside she was roiling with emotion. She could not stop seeing the face Renalt had shown before he ran from her. She knew he imagined she was nothing but a whore and it made her so angry she could spit. One of the reasons she wanted to bring Ensiah and Torstrom to closer understanding, and one reason directed by the Queen, was that women were people too with the same passions, drives, and desires, and there was nothing wrong with that.