Chapter 26

“Be right back,” said Crawford to Elizabeth as he saw Harrhas signal to him up ahead.

“What’s the matter?” asked Elizabeth, worried.

“Probably nothing. They’ve spotted something is all, I’ll be back in a bit, hold this position. Anything goes wrong Ahmed’s in charge.” responded Crawford.

“Be careful?” she asked.

“Always,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her passionately. “And, I love you.”

“I love you, too. Don’t get killed!” she called after him as he rode ahead.

After traveling that first night they stopped and slept for only about six hours. The second night of travel went much like the first. Last night had been more difficult for everyone. All of the men were getting tired. They were sore from the journey and their water was running out.

“Is something wrong?” asked Angellah as he rode closer to Elizabeth.

“No. I don’t think so. There’s something up ahead. Will’s going to check it out. He wants us to sit tight, hold our position. He said if something goes wrong Ahmed should take charge,” she responded as she climbed out of the saddle and stretched out her back.

“I’ll go tell him what’s going on,” said Angellah before riding down the line to have a word with Ahmed.

“I think I’ve been here before,” said Ahmed as Angellah approached. “Is there a small oasis up ahead?”

“Don’t know, but you’re in charge until Crawford gets back. You better take his place in front of the column. I’ll stay back here,” said Angellah.

“You’re better protected up there, my lord,” responded Ahmed.

“I realize that, but if you are in command that is where you need to be. This is not a time for vanity. Is there someone else you would rather have lead the rear guard?” asked Angellah?

“No, my lord,” responded Ahmed.

“Good, it’s settled then. I know the signals now. I will await your orders,” said Angellah. “I am counting on you to serve me well.”

“Yes, my lord,” said Ahmed as he bowed in deference before riding away to check in with the other units.

After Ahmed finished his rounds he returned to takeI’m having a bit of trouble getting permission to camp there. Truth is, they won’t even let us drink from the wells and water the animals before moving on. Any ideas?”

“That’s not exactly true, is it?” asked Elizabeth.

Crawford turned back to her and with a puzzled look on his face said, “Not sure what you mean, luv.”

“They would let you and I, its Angellah and his men that are not welcome,” she replied.

Crawford tilted his head to the side and thought for a moment before replying slowly, “Well, I did request permission on behalf of Angellah, that’s true.”

“There are tribal differences. It may seem petty, I know, but it’s their way. These tribes have fought one another for years. The animosity between them runs deep,” said Elizabeth.

“But its only water!” said Crawford impatiently.

“Water is everything in the desert, Lieutenant,” offered Ahmed. “They will not consent. Do we outnumber them?”

“What? We are not going to fight them. They are not the enemy!” responded Crawford with conviction. “They’ve been working on sabotaging efforts for months. We’re on the same bloody side!”

Ahmed wiped the sweat from his brow, shrugged and responded, “You’ve returned, should I switch back with Angellah?”

“No!” snapped Crawford. “Elizabeth, you’re with me.”

“Me? What do you want me to do?” she asked.

“There was a reason your government sent you here. It’s time to go to work, luv. Come on!” he said as he began to ride away.

Elizabeth rode after him, quickly catching up. “Will!”

“Took you long enough!” he shouted over his shoulder as he continued to ride towards Harrhas.

Elizabeth continued to follow thinking that he would stop when he reached him, but he continued, past Harrhas, past the line held by the flanks, past the man on point. He stopped about 100 meters from the outskirts of the small village. It took Elizabeth just a few seconds to catch up with him. By the time she did he had already dismounted. Once she stopped he reached up and helped her off of her horse.

“You do know why my government sent me, don’t you?” asked Elizabeth.

“Because you have superb diplomatic skills and you’re bloody brilliant?” asked Crawford.

“No,” said Elizabeth shaking her head.

“Oh, but you really are, pet, you know all sorts of useful facts about this country and it’s people. So, tell me what’s-” began Crawford.

“He said it was because I was pretty,” responded Elizabeth in a hushed voice.

“Who said what?” asked Crawford.

“The man from the FBI when he came to ask,” said Elizabeth looking uncomfortably back towards the caravan.

“Well, he’s wrong,” replied Crawford with conviction. “You’re not pretty. You, my dear, are exquisite. But, I’ve got to tell you, that asset I am not willing to exploit. I want you to put this to use,” he said as he softly tapped her head. “How do we spin this in order to get them to let us stay?”

Elizabeth thought for a moment, and then responded, “Let’s start with what we have in common. You said it yourself, Will. We’re on the same side. We are fighting against the same enemy. We’ve got to somehow align with them. How many of them are there?”

“Not more than twenty, I’d wager,” responded Crawford. “They were planning on attacking the rail. They have explosives, which could definitely be an asset to us. Several of them were injured on a prior mission. Bad burns. They’ve been laid up here for a few days trying to recover.”

“Then we have several things that offer advantage. The common enemy, many able-bodied men to support their mission, and a healer to nurse their sick back to health,” reflec his position at the front of the column. As he approached Elizabeth he asked, “Have there been any signals?”

“No. Where’s Angellah?” she responded.

“He is standing with the rear guard. When the Lieutenant returns we will resume our original commands,” said Ahmed.

Elizabeth bit her lip and began to pace back and forth.

“Everything will be fine,” assured Ahmed.

“You don’t know that!” snapped Elizabeth.

“Why are you angry with me?” asked Ahmed.

“I’m not. I’m sorry. I’m just…” started Elizabeth.

“Worried,” he finished. “I understand. Believe me, I do. War is a dangerous business. People get hurt. People get killed. Sometimes people you love.”

“You’ve lost someone,” responded Elizabeth.

“Yes,” answered Ahmed as he looked away.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Thank you,” responded Ahmed. “You are very kind.”

“Who was it? That you lost,” she asked.

“My wife and sons,” said Ahmed softly as he looked towards the ground. “I was away, tending to someone, when our village was attacked. They were killed.”

“Tending?” repeated Elizabeth.

“My father was a healer. He taught me,” responded Ahmed.

Elizabeth nodded and asked, “Turks?”

“Yes,” responded Ahmed as he looked, shielding his eyes against the early morning sun. “He is returning.”

Elizabeth looked lifted her hand to shield her eyes. Off in the distance she could see a dust cloud. Seconds later a tiny speck appeared through the heat waves that were visible on the desert horizon. Relief swept over her. Elizabeth watched, patiently and in silence, as the image of her husband enlarged, coming closer and closer.

“What is it,” yelled Elizabeth as soon as she thought he was close enough to hear.

Crawford smiled as he rode up to them and reported, “Well, seems I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“I believe I would rather avoid the bad news altogether,” responded Ahmed.

“I agree,” confirmed Elizabeth. “We took a vote while you were gone and we are only accepting good news for the duration of the war.”

“Okay. Good news first! There’s a lovely little oasis up ahead. It’s a good two acres of green paradise with a huge natural spring and a couple of artesian wells. It seems it’s been occupied and farmed before. There’s still wheat and barley in the fields. And there are trees, date palms, figs, peaches and some citrus,” said Crawford as he pulled a ripened peach from the satchel that was tied to his saddle and tossed it to Elizabeth.

“Well, let’s go!” responded Elizabeth with enthusiasm as she bit into the peach. “Mmmm,” she moaned offering William a bite. “This is so incredible. Oh my God, I swear this is the best thing I have ever put in my mouth.”

Crawford raised an eyebrow teasingly and right on cue Elizabeth began to blush furiously. He hadn’t had her since leaving and was suddenly filled with desire. The prospect of a long rest and a good shag held endless appeal. He shifted a bit in his saddle, the unbidden recollection of what it felt like to sink deep inside of her making his trousers uncomfortably tight. God he wanted her. He cocked his head slightly to the side, curled his tongue back behind his teeth and gave her the sexiest of grins. Elizabeth’s eyes widened with a combination of excitement and embarrassment. Then she looked away, unable to hold the intensity of his gaze.

Crawford quickly refocused on the matter at hand. Once again the commanding soldier, he turned to Ahmed and continued, “The Turks swept through not long ago and decimated the little village that had been there. The Hasimi now occupy it. ted Elizabeth.

“What do you mean, a healer?” asked Crawford.

“Ahmed,” replied Elizabeth. “Ahmed is a healer. Like a doctor, Will. He can treat them.”

“No!” said Crawford. “Really?”

“Yes really!” responded Elizabeth.

“Well, alright then! We’ve got ourselves some leverage, luv, let’s go!” said Crawford, cheerfully.

They walked the few remaining yards together. A gentleman waited for them, patiently, at the edge of the oasis.

“Hassan!” called Crawford as he approached.

“That was quick, Lieutenant. We did not expect you to return so swiftly,” replied Hassan.

“Well, we didn’t want to waste any time. I’d like you to meet-” started Crawford.

“Buffy? Buffy Giles! Oh my Lord! It is you, isn’t it?” asked the tall dark-haired man as he swiftly approached.

“P-P-Parker?” responded Elizabeth, clearly surprised.

“Lord, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” exclaimed the man as he walked up to Elizabeth, wrapped his arms around her and swept her up in a familiar embrace. After releasing her he brushed the hair back from her face, placed his hands on her shoulders, and in a low voice whispered, “You know just last night I was laying alone in my tent, thinking about you, and here you are. Did you come looking for me?”

“I-” she started.

“Actually, it’s Crawford now, mate,” interjected Crawford, loudly.

“What?” asked Parker as he seemed to notice Crawford for the first time.

“Her last name is now Crawford,” he responded.

“And you are?” asked Parker releasing his hold on Elizabeth.

“Her husband,” answered Crawford pointedly. “Lieutenant William Crawford,” he said, extending his hand to the man in front of him.

“You married a Brit?” asked Parker as he looked down at Elizabeth with amusement. “When?”

Elizabeth nodded towards Crawford’s still outstretched hand. “Oh! Sorry,” said Parker as he released Elizabeth and grasped Crawford’s hand.

“Recently,” responded Elizabeth vaguely as she stepped closer to her husband. “What are you doing here?”

“Figured that would be pretty obvious. Following in your old man’s footsteps, as usual. I’ve been doing my best to sabotage the rail,” reported Parker.

“Were you with him? When it happened, were you with him?” asked Elizabeth, her eyes suddenly filled with tears.

“Not close enough. I was out with a group on a raid. I didn’t return in time. I was too late, I’m sorry,” finished the young man.

Silent tears leaked from Elizabeth’s eyes and she stubbornly wiped them away. “Parker, we’re traveling with a group of men. We’re on our way to complete a vital mission and we need rest and water. We’d like to camp here for a day or two.”

“I am not in charge here,” said Parker.

“I don’t believe that for a minute. You have a way of taking charge,” said Elizabeth looking away uncomfortably for a moment. “Parker,” she continued, “we need the water and rest.”

“I’m sure you’re more than welcome,” said Parker.

“But the rest of them are not!” interjected Hassan.

“Hassan,” said Elizabeth walking up to him. “We are on the same side here, fighting against a common enemy. Let’s not fight one another, tribe against tribe. It’s such a waste. We both have a mission to carry out. We can help you with yours and you can help us with ours. You have few men, but we have many. You have sick and wounded, we have a healer traveling with us. We can help one another. Together we can be stronger.”

“You want our water!” accused Hassan.

“Damn straight!” interrupted Crawford. “And some of your explosives would do us a right bit of good as well.”

“You think we are going to just…” began Hassan as he stepped forward to confront the British soldier.

“Look, mate, we’re not here to quarrel with you. It’s the Turks we’re after. We are offering medical care for your wounded. In exchange, you allow us to camp here. It’s a fair trade,” stated Crawford.

The man thought it over for a few seconds before asking, “You’re healer will agree to treat my men?”

“He’s under my command, he’ll do as I ask,” Crawford replied.

“Very well,” consented Hassan.

“Well alright then!” said Crawford as he stepped back and moved towards his horse. “Be right back.”

“Lieutenant?” called Hassan.

“Yeah?” replied Crawford.

“My son is among the wounded,” he explained.

“We’ll do our best,” said Crawford as he climbed back into his saddle.

“Where are you going?” asked Elizabeth as she ran towards him.

“Going to give the men the good news, pet. No need for you to ride back, why don’t you pick us out a nice spot. When I get back we can pitch our tent,” he replied.

“Okay,” said Elizabeth sounding a little distracted.

Crawford tilted his head to the side and studied her for a long moment. She looked back towards Parker, bit her lip and folded her arms protectively across her chest.

“Elizabeth!” he called, getting her attention.

“Yes?” she asked, turning back to look at him.

“Grab hold,” he said as he extended his arm towards her.

Elizabeth grabbed his forearm and in one smooth motion he lifted her onto the back of his horse. She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed a small kiss on his back. “Thanks,” whispered Elizabeth.

“You gonna tell me?” asked Crawford as he turned his horse around and began the ride over to Harrahs.

“Tell you what?” replied Elizabeth.

“What he is to you,” said Crawford.

“He’s not anything to me,” responded Elizabeth.

“Not anymore, perhaps, but he was once I’d wager. He’s definitely seen you without your knickers,” said Crawford.

“How could you possibly know that?” asked Elizabeth.

“They way he looked at you, the way he touched you, the way that he, without even trying, brings out the homicidal maniac in me?” responded Crawford.

Elizabeth laughed, snuggled closer and said, “You have nothing to worry about, silly.”

Chapter 27

As Crawford gradually wakened his arm instinctively reached out, searching for the warm body that he had grown accustomed to sleeping alongside. So quickly he had fallen into a rhythm with her. He loved best this quiet moment before either of them was fully awake. He would wrap his body protectively around her, taking the time to memorize her curves and breathing in her scent. He found himself more and more imagining that they were back in his flat, in London, waking up in his large four-poster bed after a night of making love.

He realized these thoughts about a future were dangerous. Not merely a future with her, a future at all. It could all be lost within the blink of an eye. Better to focus on the present. Appreciate what you have now. Crawford inched a bit to the left and reached out further. When his arm found only emptiness he quickly opened his eyes and sat up, fully alert. He was alone.

“Elizabeth?”he whispered into the darkness of their tent.

There was no response. He stood up, walked over to the tent’s entrance and peered outside. It was late at night and the camp was quiet. Most of the men had turned in by late afternoon or early evening, anxious to catch up on sleep. He scanned his surroundings and listened for any sign of activity or movement. He felt as if the bottom of his stomach suddenly dropped out. Then he heard it, a soft moan follow by the sound of rustling sheets.

Crawford slowly walked about a dozen meters towards the direction of the noise. He stood still and waited. For a moment he wondered if he were dreaming. He looked around again, and then he heard it, only louder this time, a man. As he determinedly walked towards the entrance to the tent Ahmed emerged carrying a bucket in one hand and a wet rag in the other.

“You surprised me,”he said quietly as he noticed the Lieutenant. He looked back inside the tent, shook his head, and pulled the flap closed. “It’s bad,”he said shaking his head, “not sure those two will make it. The truly unfortunate thing is that it could have been avoided. If their burns had been properly tended to in the first place they wouldn’t have gotten so infected.“

“Elizabeth is missing,“ stated Crawford.

“Oh! No, she’s down by the water. She said she wanted to bathe. I walked her down there myself. She didn’t want to wake you. Guess she thought you needed your beauty rest. I promised her I’d be back in an hour or so to walk her back, but, I’m sure she’d rather have your company,” responded Ahmed.

“She’s been gone that long?” asked Crawford, concerned that he wasn’t somehow alerted to her absence.

“Just about twenty minutes, give or take,” said Ahmed, studying him. “You don’t like the fact that you didn’t sense her getting up.”

“Guess I’m getting too bloody used to her. She normally gets up at night to use the loo,” said Crawford as he ran his hand through his hair and looked off in the direction of the water.

“And getting used to sleeping with your wife is a bad thing?” asked Ahmed.

Crawford turned and looked at him, understanding passing quickly between them.

Ahmed nodded and said, “You think what you have with her is going to end and you don’t want to miss her. You don’t want to feel that void, that emptiness. I can understand that.”

“I thought you might,“ said Crawford. “I think I’ll walk down there and check on her.”

“Lieutenant? While it’s true that if my wife and children meant less to me, my pain now would be, well, not so great, I would have lost something even more important,” offered Ahmed.

Crawford turned back to look at him.

“I would never have had the pleasure of knowing them. I would never have experienced the joy that having them in my life brought me,” added Ahmed.

“You’re an interesting fellow, Ahmed,” said Crawford.

“Must be the sleep deprivation,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to make another trip to the well for some more water. Is it alright with you if I have Elizabeth relieve me in a few hours?”

“You haven’t slept yet,” observed Crawford.

“Not yet, soon,” responded Ahmed as he draped the wet rag over a makeshift clothesline.

“I’ll send her over in a bit,” offered Crawford. “You’re doing a great job, Ahmed,” he added patting him on the back before walking off in search of his wife.

The pathway down to the water wasn’t terribly long. The glow from the moon overhead allowed him to see its outline as it curved ahead of him. He traversed slowly, gazing up at the stars and taking in the smell of the flowers that surrounded it. As he came up close to the end of the path he could see a cluster of date palms ahead and the outline of five or six men sitting amongst them. He froze and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Slowly Crawford lowered himself to the ground. He listened, trying to catch any words that might be passing between them. The lighting was too dim for him to tell who the men were, whether they were his, Hassan’s, or yet others who had stumbled upon the oasis. He cursed himself for coming unarmed and for a moment wondered if he should return for weapons and some reinforcements. Remaining in a crouched position he inched slowly forward. Once he was positioned 10-12 meters from the group he stopped again reaching out with his senses, assessing the situation.

“Come on,” he heard one of them whisper, “turn aroundÉturn around!“

“Shh,”reprimanded another. “Be quiet.”

Crawford recognized the second voice as belonging to Ali, the young man that Harrhas had riding on point during their journey. Crawford rose to his feet and silently moved yet closer to the men. From his standing position a few feet behind them he could clearly see what had gotten the men’s attention.

The pool of water was still but for a few minor ripples, the moonlight making its surface shimmer. He watched as his wife’s head broke through the calm of the water. As she stood in the waist high pool facing away from them, he could clearly see the outline of her torso and the curve of her breasts. She arched back and swept her hand over her head, gathering her long hair up in her hands and wringing it out before letting is fall back across her shoulders. The vision was enough to take any man’s breath away.

“Fun’s over boys,” announced Crawford quietly. “Time to go back to camp.”

The men scattered like flies. Ali turned to face him, eyes downcast, and mumbled “I- I’m sorry, sir.”

“Get out of here, Ali. Go get some rest. Don’t let me catch you invading my wife’s privacy again,” scolded Crawford.

“No, sir, I won’t,” said the young man before turning to walk away. “Sir?”

“Yes, Ali?” answered Crawford.

“You won’t tell her, will you?” he asked.

“Are you kidding? I need you on point from here to Acaba,” answered Crawford with an understanding smile. “Now go.”

Crawford turned back and watched his wife as she ran the bar of soap up the length of her arms. He felt himself instantly get hard. “How did I get to be so lucky?” he asked. His voice carried clearly over the water, startling her.

Elizabeth turned to face him, her arms crossed protectively over her chest. “Shh!” she said, eyes wide as she slipped deeper into the water.

“Afraid you’re a bit late, luv. I’ve already seen the goodies,” whispered Crawford as he walked closer to the waters edge.

“Well, I don’t want you to wake anyone,” she explained quietly.

“I’m not-” he started to say.

Elizabeth stood back up slowly, extended her arm out in front of her, and beckoned him with a crook of her finger.

Crawford looked back over his shoulder into the darkness, then upon turning back to her he pointed at his own chest and mouthed the word, “Me?”

Elizabeth nodded, a smile gradually forming on her lips.

Crawford reached down and began to gather up the edge of his robe. He continued to watch her, his eyes locked with hers as he lifted his robe up and over his head. Elizabeth ’s heart rate increased as she looked at his naked form under the glow of the moonlight. He was fully aroused with desire. As he stepped into the water his abdominal muscles flexed at the slight coldness.

“It’s cold!” he whispered as he waded deeper into the pool making his way over to her.

“It’s warmer over here,” she said as she dragged her index finger down the valley between her breasts.

“You’re right,” he said his voice getting husky from the pent up sexual tension, “it’s much hotter over here.”

He was in front of her now. Looking down with unrestrained lust at her. Elizabeth’s breasts were rising and falling rapidly as the pace of her breathing increased. She could feel the evidence of his desire for her poking into her stomach. She stepped forward, her arms still passively at her side. As she inhaled her breasts barely brushed up against his chest. She was so close. She had been thinking of him while bathing. The image of him coming to her only fueled her desire.

Crawford reached up to cup one of her breasts in his hand. “Don’t,” she whispered, softly. “NotÉI’m-“

Crawford lowered his hand to his side. “What do you want, kitten?” he asked.

Elizabeth rubbed the soap in her hands creating lather then released it to float on the surface of the water. Crawford watched raptly as she massaged the lather over her breasts. She moved closer still, pressing her breasts up against his chest, and then began to sensuously moved up and down his torso. A few seconds later she shifted slightly, positioning herself so that one of her legs was between his and the other lifted to rest draped over his hip. It didn’t matter that they were submerged in water. All he could focus on was the warm wetness that was forming between her legs as she rubbed herself against his thigh. Elizabeth craned her head up, letting it fall back, exposing her neck to him.

“Cor, Elizabeth!” he moaned as he slipped one arm around her back to support her. “Do you have any idea how exciting you are?”

Elizabeth tilted her head up and her eyes connecting with his. As she continued to ride his leg she reached down between them and coated her index finger with her own juices. “I’ve missed you, Will,” she said as she brought her finger slowly out of the water and lifted it towards his mouth. He licked his lips in anticipation, reached out wrapping his hand around her wrist and taking her finder into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the slick digit, cleaning it off, before beginning to suck on it, sliding it in and out of his warm mouth.

Elizabeth moaned and he felt a slight tremor begin to course through her body. He smiled in satisfaction around her finger, pleased with the effect that he obviously had on her. “Been thinking about me, have you?” he asked as he let go of her wrist and lowered his hand into the water, sliding it between their bodies.

Elizabeth nodded, her breathing so ragged now she couldn’t speak, she could barely form a coherent thought. He slipped two fingers inside of her and began pumping them in and out slowly, twisting his hand slightly to provide extra friction.

“Oh!” gasped Elizabeth.

“Shh!” he hushed her sliding his arm up further on her back and bring her head to his chest. “Don’t want to wake the bloody camp, do you?” he asked as he began to palpate her engorged clit.

He felt her shake her head and begin to pull away. She was so close now. He added a third finger and could feel her internal walls clamp down around his hand. “I love being inside of you, even like this,” he admitted quietly, “touching you, stroking you, being surrounded by you.”

He added his forth finger and felt her stretch to accommodate him as he pressed firmly on her clit with the calloused pad of his thumb. “Ohhh!”she began to moan, her head still buried in his chest as the long-awaited and slowly-built orgasm began to wash over her. He grabbed the back of her hair and pulled, tilting her head back and leaned in crushing his lips to hers devouring her screams of ecstasy in a demanding kiss. He didn’t release her until he was sure that she was spent. As her breathing began to slow and he felt her body relax he pulled his fingers from her and wrapped his arms around her body so that he could stroke her back.

“What about you?” she asked reaching up to grasp his still fully engorged cock.

“God, pet, don’t touch me now. Just watching you, hearing you come like that, it was all I could do to hold off. Give us a minute,” he said.

They heard a sudden noise and Elizabeth spun towards it. “Probably just a sand fox,” she whispered as she moved to turned back around.

Crawford wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Taking one full, round breast in the palm of his hand. “Yeah, just a sand fox,” he repeated, softly as he swept her hair over her shoulder, baring her back. He ground his erection into her backside as he placed his hand at the base of her neck. Her head fell forward slightly and she pushed back against him. “Ready for another go, kitten?” he asked quietly.

He rolled the nipple of her left breast between the thumb and index finger of one hand. His second hand slid down the length of her back and began to massage the globes of her bottom. After a few strokes he let a finger glide down the cleft that separated them. He followed the delicious path and reached forward all the way, coating his finger with their mutual spendings before sliding it back up. “Too soon?” he asked as he repeated the stroke and felt her tense slightly.

Elizabeth felt a momentary sense of panic and hesitated in responding.

“I’d never hurt you,” he whispered offering reassurance. “Never.”

He felt her begin to relax against him. Crawford continued to spread their fluids, first sliding his finger lightly across her rear entrance and then applying just the slightest amount of pressure as he teasingly tracing circles around it.

“Will, I don’t think-” she started to say.

“Shh, don’t think,” he whispered into the shell of her ear as he lift her hips up slightly and slipped his cock between her legs, “just close your eyes and feel. Trust me.”

Elizabeth followed his command. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the duel sensation of his stroking. “Want you inside of me,” she murmured after another minute passed, her head now lolled back and resting on his shoulder.

Crawford smiled. He angled his hips, lifted her up, and brought her down, slowly on his fully erect member. “Oh!” gasped Elizabeth.

“This what you had in mind, luv?” he asked as he pulled half-way out and then sunk again, deep inside of her.

“God, yes!” she moaned.

“Shh!” he admonished.

Elizabeth bit her lower lip in an effort towards restraint then whispered back over her shoulder, “How can you expect me to-”

Her thought was interrupted as Crawford pushed his finger inside. He could feel it as she initially tightened around his finger in response to the invasion. “Relax baby,” he said as he continued to slowly move his cock in and out of her, building to a steady rhythm. “Won’t do any more than this,” he added as he started to move his finger a bit to stretch her, “promise, kitten. It’s going to feel so good, baby.”

He felt her relax again around him and then began to gently move his finger in and out of her rear entrance matching his already established rhythm. “God, you’re so bloody tight!” moaned Crawford quietly. “You feel so good, baby. You’re so wet.”

“For you, Will,” gasped Elizabeth as she felt another orgasm begin to wash over her, the double penetration stimulating her beyond belief. “I’m yours,” she said. “Completely yours.”

“Only mine?” asked Crawford as thrust he cock deep inside of her and increased the pace.

“Yes!” whispered Elizabeth as tremors began to shake her body. Crawford moved his hand to her other breast and pinched her pebbled nipple, “Oh, Will, it’s so intense!” she began to cry.

He quickly released her breast and brought his hand up to cover her mouth. Her body was wracked by yet another orgasm causing her to clamp down on both his cock and his finger. As his hand reached towards her lips she opened her mouth and bit down into the hard flesh at the base of his thumb. The painful sensation of her bite coupled with the force of her climax made him completely lose control. He removed his fingers from her, snaked his arm around her waist and pushed once more into her, spilling his seed and burying his head into her neck.

Elizabeth could feel him soften inside of her, as she came back to her senses she realized that she still had Crawford’s hand in her mouth and she promptly released it. “GodÉI-I’m sorry!” she whispered. “I bit you!”

“Yeah, well, that was new and different!”chucked Crawford as he held his hand up trying to see it in the dim light of the moon. “Think you actually broke the skin too.”

She reached up tenderly took his hand in hers and lowered it so that she could see for herself. Sure enough, there were little dots of blood there. Elizabeth swallowed. She remembered his vampire fantasy, the one he had shared with her and she licked her lips before lowering her mouth and latching on to his hand. Her tongue darted out and swept across his wound, swirling sensuously lapping up the evidence of the damage. As she took his hand into her mouth he was overcome and a shiver ran through his body.

She felt him tremble, released his hand, turned around and faced him. “Cold?” she asked.

Crawford took her head in his hands, leaned down, and tenderly kissed her lips. “No, luv,” he murmured as he rested his forehead against hers. “Not cold.”

“I love you,” she said as she reached up to caress the side of his face.

“Love you too,” he replied as he reached up to take her hand and kiss the inside of her palm. “Will you ever stop surprising me?”

“I hope not,” she replied honestly.

“Let’s get out of here and get some rest. I promised Ahmed some help in a couple hours,” he said.

“Lead the way,” she said as she grabbed the bar of previously abandoned soap, interlaced her fingers with his, and allowed him to lead her out of the water.

Upon reaching the shore he picked up both of their robes. Hers folded neatly and his which had been carelessly tossed onto the sand. He flung his robe over his shoulder and helped her on with hers.

“Thank you,” whispered Elizabeth. “Hold this?” she asked handing him the soap before pulling up her hair and squeezed out the excess water.

“My pleasure, madam,” responded Crawford as he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, handed the soap back to her, then pulled his own robe over his head. “And if you’re a good little girl I’ll pleasure you again shortly,” he added swatting her playfully on her bottom.

“Will!” she scolded, hitting him on his arm.

“What?” he asked. “I can’t help it if I’ve got a healthy sexual appetite.”

“Healthy!” she exclaimed teasingly as they walked hand and hand back up the path. “Is that what you’re calling it?”

Neither of them noticed the glow of a cigarette as they passed by, they were decidedly too wrapped up in one another. Parker tipped his flask back, and took a large swallow of the amber liquid. The whisky burned as it traveled down his throat to warm his stomach. He replaced the cap on the flask then slipped it back into the pocket of his jacket. He took one last drag from the cigarette before angrily tossing it to the ground. He looked down at it and then covered the still burning ember with the toe of his boot. He narrowed his eyes and exhaled a stream of gray smoke as he twisted his foot grinding the cigarette into the sand extinguishing its flame once and for all.

Chapter 28

“So you, Harrhas and Ali will come with us?” asked Hassan.

“Yes,” confirmed Crawford. “That will give you six and we’ve all got horses.”

“Let’s review the plan again,” said Hassan. “I want no mistakes.”

“There won’t be any bloody mistakes. I’ve got lots of experience with explosives. We’ll lay the explosives, wire them to a central fuse and it’ll go boom. Promise,” assured Crawford.

“We still need to work out a plan to get away quickly, they may be armed on the train. I don’t relish the idea of having any more wounded,” said Hassan.

“After the wiring is all done everyone can get a head start back. Only one of us needs to stay behind to set off the fuse. I vote for Ali. He’s the smallest and he’s a great horseman. We’ll give him the fastest horse, and instruct him to light the thing and ride like hell,” suggested Crawford.

Hassan nodded, “Good enough. Let’s check the stores, see what we need to take with us.”

” I’ll meet you there in a few minutes, let me tell Harrhas and Ali,” said Crawford. “When?”

“We should leave at sundown. That way we’ll arrive shortly before daybreak. If the train comes through on time we’ll be back by tomorrow night,” answered Hassan.

“Anything on the train you want to try to bring back?” Crawford turned and asked.

“Not now. We’ll get out fast and go back there later. None of the men on board will make it long. They’ll run out of supplies and die there, or they’ll venture out into the desert and die. Either way, it should be safe to return in a week or so. Another team is set to blast the rail about a dozen miles up ahead well after the train passes. That will prevent them from sending another this far for quite a while. They’ll have to rebuild the rail first,” explained Hassan.

“Got it,” nodded Crawford. “See you in a bit.”

About an hour later Crawford found Elizabeth with Ahmed, busy changing the bandages on the wounded. “Pet? May I have a word?”

Elizabeth looked up from what she was doing and said, “Sure, what’s up?”

“In private?” asked Crawford.

Elizabeth looked over at Ahmed who said, “I’ll finish, go ahead. You should get some rest anyways.”

Elizabeth nodded, stood up, and followed Crawford out of the tent.

“You look tired,” he said, concern evident in his voice, “and that’s probably mostly my fault. I should have let you get more rest.”

” I’ll be fine,” she assured him.

“This trip is taking its toll on you. You don’t need to act so bloody tough all the time, you know. It’s alright to admit your tired,” he said as he tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear. “You have dark circles under your eyes. Have you been drinking enough water?”

“Yes, mother!” she said starting to feel a bit irritated.

“No need to get shirty, luv. I don’t mean to nag it’s just-” he started.

“I know. I’m sorry, guess I’m feeling...I don’t know-” she drifted off as she stretched her neck and rolled her shoulders.

“Look, we’ve got a few hours before I’ve got to go. Why don’t you let me rub your shoulders then we can curl up and have ourselves a nap,” suggested Crawford.

“I think I’ve heard that one before,” answered Elizabeth suspiciously. “And, what do you mean by go?”

Crawford smiled, “Yeah, well this time I mean it,” he assured her. “Going on a short mission. Trying to further Hasimi-Bedu relations by helping to blow up a train.”

“What?” asked Elizabeth feeling a bit alarmed.

“No worries, pet. I won’t be gone long. We leave tonight around sunset and I’ll be back tomorrow night to tuck you in,” he explained. “How are the wounded?”

“Better. Much better,” she said stepping towards him. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“Me too. Are they going to be well enough to travel in a day or two?” he asked.

“Don’t know,” she said, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “You’ll have to ask Ahmed.”

“I’m guessing not,” he continued as they walked back towards their tent. “We’ll probably need to leave them with a small contingent. I’d prefer not to spare the men, but if they’re on the mend we don’t have much choice. I’ll work something out.”

“Can I go with you tonight?” asked Elizabeth as she started to unbutton her shirt.

Crawford watched her as she worked at the buttons, gradually revealing more and more of her skin. “No,” he answered quietly. “There will just be six of us going. I want you to stay here and I want you to get some sleep. We’ll be leaving for Acaba the night after I return. I want you rested,” he explained.

Elizabeth removed her shirt, walked over to the water bucket that they had in the corner, picked up the ladle and drank deeply. She then poured a bit into a bowl, retrieved a small rag and began to wash herself off.

“You really shouldn’t bathe in front of me, you know,” he said looking down at the now apparent bulge in his trousers.

Elizabeth smiled as she dropped the rag into the basin and lowered her trousers. “Exercise some self restraint, it’s good for you,” she teased.

Crawford smirked at her and wiggled his eyebrows.

“ God! You’re hopeless! You were just scolding me and saying that I needed rest!” said Elizabeth, incredulous.

“And you do! Need rest, I mean. Lie down and close your eyes, you don’t need to do a thing,” he said softly, lowering his voice.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and shook her finger at him, “Back! Down tiger!”

“Won’t even touch you,” he said as he nodded towards their pallet. “Really, just lay back and close your eyes. Just want to look at you.”

Elizabeth slowly lowered herself onto the pallet and stretched out before him.

“Take a deep breath,” he suggested as he began to stroke himself through his trousers. “Hold it,” he added giving his now rock solid erection a little squeeze, “and let it out,” he finished as he undid his trousers releasing his turgid member.

He watched as Elizabeth lay there in front of him, eyes closed, hair splayed out on the pillow. She was beautiful. He slowly stroked himself in time to the rise and fall of her chest. After a couple minutes he walked over, closer to her and lowered himself onto his knees at her feet. “What are you doing?” she whispered, her eyes still closed.

“Me?” he asked. “Nothing. Just sleep.”

Elizabeth opened one eye drowsily and gasped, opening up both eyes wide and rising onto her elbows, “You’re masturbating!”

“Yep!” he confirmed as he licked the palm of his hand and rubbed it over the head of his cock and then gave it a strong pull.

“But you’re doing it in front of me!” she declared.

“And you’re welcome to watch, but no joining in because I’m a man of my word, you need rest,” he said as he spit into his hand and ran it up and down the length of his shaft.

“You want me to watch?” she asked in a quiet voice as she tried to focus on his eyes and not on what was going on lower.

“God, yes!” he moaned. “Spread your legs for me, luv. I want to move closer. Want to come on your gorgeous breasts. Promise to clean you off.”

“How do you get me to agree to these things?” she asked as she bent her knees up slightly and then let them fall open, allowing him full view of her now moist center.

“You love me,” he answered, his voice husky from passion as he moved into a kneeling position between her legs.

“Oh yeah!” she said as she laid back, wiggled her hips slightly, and then reached her arms up over her head and stretched. “How could I forget?”

“And you love me fucking you,” he said as he added more spit to his hand.

“Yes,” she whispered in fascination as she watched the intensity of his strokes, “doesn’t it hurt when you pull on it like that?”

Crawford smiled and said, “Feels good. Not you. But, good.”

“Down to two word sentences, you must be getting close,” she observed. “Tell me,” he demanded.

“I love having you fuck me!” said Elizabeth as she reclined back onto her elbows and tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder.

“What else?” moaned Crawford. “God, I’m so close...I...I-”

“I love having you come inside of me,” added Elizabeth.

“Oh! Oh!” gasped Crawford, his eyes widening.

“And I know I’m going to love having you come all over me,” said Elizabeth as she seductively licked her lips.

“Unnghhh!” shouted Crawford as thick ropes of milky come spurted out spilling over the top of his hand and landing on Elizabeth’s stomach and breasts.

Crawford couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she scooted back and then rose to her knees to face him. Elizabeth shook her hair out behind her and arched back grabbing her ankles , her breasts jutting out, almost touching his chest. His breath was still ragged as his hand reached, tentatively, wanting to touch her.

He exercised great restraint, pausing, so that his hand hovered over her left breast. “Go ahead,” she whispered, “touch me. You said you’d clean me up.”

Crawford reached out, cupping both breasts in his hand. They felt full and heavy, not to mention sticky from his spendings. Crawford moved closer to her, massaging, running his hands across her breasts, down over her ribcage, and finally around her stomach. “God I love your body,” he moaned.

“And my body thanks you for all the good loving,” said Elizabeth as she leaned forward and languidly kissed him.

After Crawford pulled away he rose up, walked over to the water bucket and poured a fresh basin of wash water. He returned to her, setting the basin by the pallet and spent the next few minutes washing off the evidence of their activity. “This isn’t just sex, you know,” he said quietly as he wrung out the washrag.

“I know,” she assured him. “Its really good sex.”

Crawford paused, looked at her, and smiled. “I want you to know,” he began, “I have never in my life been as happy as I am right now, with you.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes clouded over, misting with tears, “Come home to me tomorrow night, Will?” asked Elizabeth.

Crawford tossed the washrag into the basin and kissed her softly. “Absolutely!” he vowed before lowering her back down onto the surface of the pallet, curling up behind her and finally drifting off to sleep. “This is where I belong, right here, with you.

” “Don’t forget that, Will,” she said.

“Never!” he promised before drifting off to sleep.

Chapter 29

“This is it,” announced Hassan as they approached the Hijaz railway, “This is the spot.”

“Alright,” said Crawford. “Let’s take a bit of a break, have some food and water, and then we’ll get to work.”

The men climbed down from their horses and then proceeded to water and feed them before settling down to eat a bit themselves. It was still dark and the temptation to give into sleep was strong. Crawford saw Ali lie down in the soft sand.

“No sleeping, son,” said Crawford to the young man. “We’ve got work to do. You can rest when we return to camp.”

Ali promptly stood up and stretched. “I don’t know how you do it. Keep going on such little sleep, I mean.”

“Practice,” replied Crawford dryly. “Let’s get going. We’ve got a lot of material to lie before sunrise, which looks to be about an hour away. Harrhas, here is the box containing the blasting caps. They’re very volatile, so be careful.”

Harrhas nodded and accepted the box. He lifted the lid off of it and counted, “There are only six.”

“That’s all we’ll need, trust me,” responded Crawford.

“My men and I will start packing the explosives along the rail,” said Hassan as he retrieved the saddlebags containing the small sticks of dynamite that they had manufactured.

“Can we make more?” asked Crawford gesturing towards the sticks of dynamite.

“What do you have in mind?” asked Hassan.

“Acaba,” said Crawford, looking Hassan directly in the eye. “We may need some for Acaba.”

“I am not going to Acaba,” said Hassan directly. “That is your mission, Lieutenant, not mine.”

“Winning the war is our mission, Hassan. Here I am, helping you, am I not?” asked Crawford as he retrieved the wires he planned to use to detonate the blast. “If it weren’t for me, you’d be stuck with a simple fuse and all of the pitfalls that go with it.”

“I haven’t seen your miracle box work yet,” said Hassan, skeptically.

“It’ll work,” responded Crawford. “And you will give us dynamite for Acaba.”

Hassan shook his head. “We need the nitroglycerine we have to keep up the sabotage efforts on the rail.”

“After Acaba I’ll go back to Cairo. I’ll get you money, and I’ll get you munitions. I’ll get you everything you need to effectively keep this country in chaos and prevent the Turks from getting their supplies,” committed Crawford.

“You’ll work with us?” asked Hassan.

“I-” began Crawford before pausing and looking off in the distance.

“You’re right,” said Hassan, “together we are stronger. You have expertise. In short, we need you.”

Crawford nodded silently.

“I have your word?” asked Hassan.

Crawford met the man’s gaze and said, “You have my word. After Acaba, after I report into Travers in Cairo, I’ll join you.”

“How long?” asked Hassan.

“I’ll do the best I can!” snapped Crawford. “It’s not like I run the British Army, there are people I answer to.”

“You can convince them. How long?” pressed Hassan.

Crawford pursed his lips together, placed his hands on his hips and kicked at the sand. “Six months?” he asked.

“A year,” countered Hassan.

“And you let us use all the munitions at your disposal for Acaba,” said Crawford, laying out the deal.

“Except for what you leave behind to protect the wounded and a small contingent,” added Hassan.

“You drive a hard bargain,” said Crawford, thinking out loud. “A lot can happen in a year.”

“We could even win a war,” offered Hassan. “Do we have a deal?”

“Yeah, mate. We’ve got a deal,” said Crawford. “Now let’s get this bloody show on the rode.”

Within fifteen minutes the dynamite was packed tight into the sand around the rail and the men were busy laying the wiring. As the sun began to crest on the horizon Crawford started to splice the various wires together and connect them to the black box.

“Ready to set the blasting caps?” asked Harrhas.

“Just a second,” responded Crawford. “I’m almost done. I’ll meet you over there. Tread carefully Harrhas.”

Crawford completed the wiring and then turned to Hassan, “Wait for us on the other side of the sand dune. Harrhas and I will join you once the caps are set.”

“You sure Ali can do this?” asked Hassan.

“All he has to do is push down on the plunger, wait for the explosion, then grab the box,” explained Crawford.

“I can do it,” confirmed Ali.

“See you in a few minutes, Lieutenant,” said Hassan as he and his two men climbed onto their horses.

Crawford ran over to meet Harrhas. “You’ll hand me a cap and then begin to make your way over to the next site. I’ll catch up with you as soon as I’ve got the wiring done.”

Harrhas nodded his understanding and handed Crawford the first of the blasting caps before turning to make his way to the second site.

Crawford inserted the cap into the stick of dynamite, picked up the wire and carefully treaded it through and secured it before running over to join Harrhas. The sun was up now and a thin stream of smoke could be seen in the far distance.

“The train,” said Harrhas anxiously. “It’s approaching.”

“We’ve got time,” responded Crawford as he accepted the second blasting cap. “Go.”

It took Crawford just a few minutes to reach the third site. As he ran up Harrhas handed him the third cap before turning once again to focus on the approaching train. Crawford noticed that a thin sheen of sweat covered Harrhas’ forehead. As Harrhas wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve Crawford reminded him, “Go on to the next site, I’ll be right behind you.”

“Alright, Lieutenant,” he said, concern furrowing his brow.

“You’re doing well, Harrhas,” Crawford assured him as he reached the forth site, and accepted the blasting cap that Harrhas handed to him. “Only one more to go. You’re a good soldier.”

“I’m a better servant,” said Harrhas with a smile as he reached into the box extracted a blasting cap and moved to hand it to Crawford.

“You’re much more than a servant, my friend,” responded Crawford holding up the cap that Harrhas had already given him. “I’m set for now, hold onto it until the next site, now, get going.”

Crawford shifted his focus back to setting the cap into the stick of dynamite. As he reached behind him for the wire he heard it, the unmistakable sound of an explosion up ahead.

Crawford dropped the wires and set off at a full run over to Harrhas who was lying, face-down in the sand no more than 100 meters ahead of him. As he reached his prone body he fell to his knees. He reached out and carefully turned Harrhas onto his side. Crawford took one look at the gaping hole in the man’s stomach and turned away, swallowing down the bile that rose to his throat. Then he heard a moan. He turned back and looked into the deep brown eyes of his unlikely friend. The man who had first rescued and protected his wife, the man whose advice had helped him win her. Crawford noted the unmistakable gurgling sound, which indicated that his lungs were quickly filling. Harrhas coughed, weakly, sputtering out blood.

“Fuck!” groaned Crawford as he looked from Harrhas to the train. “Fuck!”

“Can he ride?” asked Ali.

Crawford looked up. He hadn’t even noticed the young man approach.

“Return to your post!” shouted Crawford.

“But-” began Ali.

“Return to your post! We need to complete the mission,” said Crawford with a sense of calm he did not feel.

“We can’t leave him,” said Ali. “If he manages to survive, if the enemy captures him-”

“He’s not going to survive,” said Crawford, quietly, “and he’s not going to suffer.”

Crawford pulled his gun out from behind the back of his trousers, cocked back the hammer and placed the barrel against Harrhas’ temple. “He’s a hero,” added Crawford as he pulled the trigger.

Ali flinched as the sound of the gun firing permeated the air. He looked at Crawford as he rose slowly and turned towards him. His hand, arm, shirtfront and face splattered in blood.

“Hold this,” said Crawford, handing Ali his gun. “Return to your post. I’ll finish the wiring and join you.”

Ali fell to his knees and emptied the contents of his stomach in the sand.

“Ali!” said Crawford sharply.

The young man looked up at him, tears filling his eyes. “Y-y-yes, sir?”

“We have little time,” said Crawford softly, crouching down next to him. “I’m counting on you. Harrhas is counting on you,” he added nodding towards Harrhas. “You now have his command. Return to your post,” he ordered, handing him the gun.

“Yes, sir,” responded Ali as he accepted the weapon and ran back to where the black box waited.

Crawford picked up the box of blasting caps, opened it and noted that they were one short. In his haste, Harrhas must have inserted the extra into the pocket of his robe instead of re-opening the box. He could only set one more charge. Crawford set the box onto the ground, returned to the forth site and finished his work there.

On his way to the fifth he retrieved the final blasting cap, stoically walked past the body and headed to the fifth site. Crawford cleared his mind and mechanically set about completing his task. He looked up and saw that the train was now just a couple miles in the distance.

As he walked back over to Harrhas he paused and knelt alongside of him. “Thank you, Harrhas,” whispered Crawford as he quickly piled sand onto the motionless corpse. “Thank you for your help. Thank you for protecting her.”

Before covering the face Crawford paused, brushed off his hands reached up and closed Harrhas’ eyes. After finishing his work Crawford rose to his feet, looked heavenwards and quietly said,

“Show me, O LORD , my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.”

Crawford ran over to join Ali. As he reached him he extended his hand and said, “My gun.”

Ali handed Crawford his weapon and asked, “Are we all set?”

“Yeah, get out of here, I’ll be along in a minute,” said Crawford.

“Thought I was going to do this,” responded Ali.

“The plans changed,” replied Crawford.

“Why?” asked Ali.

“Because I’m pissed! And you don’t get to ask why. You follow orders. Go!” growled Crawford.

He watched as Ali climbed onto his horse and rode off. He then crouched in the sand, his eyes fixed on the approaching train, waiting…waiting…waiting.

As it moved closer the dull roar of it’s engine increased to a loud thunder. Crawford could feel the ground rumble under his feet as it crossed in front of him. He swiftly stood up and said, “Harrhas, this one’s for you,” before he pushed down forcefully on the plunger and detonated the enormous blast.

Crawford watched as the force of the front blast caused the engine and the next two cars to jump the tracks. Almost simultaneously the other sites exploded causing damage further down the line. A fire erupted in two of the cars and thick spirals of dark black smoke could be seen reaching up towards the sky. Crawford quickly removed the wires from the black box and jumped onto his horse. As he looked back he could see several men climbing out of the wreckage, some appearing wounded, others just dazed. He glanced one last time at the mound of sand alongside the tracks then with the resigned determination that had become almost second nature to him; he turned his horse around and rode off.

Chapter 30

“You should get some sleep,” said Ahmed.

“I got some sleep with William before he left. I’m alright,” responded Elizabeth.

Ahmed walked over to her. She was busy changing the dressings on one of the wounded. As she reached her hand up to brush away a lose strand of hair he grasped her wrist and pulled her to a standing position.

“Come closer to the lamp,” he demanded as he pulled her towards him.

Elizabeth was tired, much more tired than she wanted to admit and she lost her footing crashing into his chest. Ahmed steadied her, and then reached down, tilted her chin up, and looked deeply into her eyes. “You’re dehydrated,” he announced.

“I’ll drink some water,” suggested Elizabeth.

“He demands too much of you, compromising your safety and your health,” said Ahmed.

“Please,” said Elizabeth as she tried to turn away. “Don’t speak ill of him. He’s a passionate man-”

Ahmed reached out once again for her and said, “I would never-”

“Ahmed!” said Angellah sternly.

Ahmed froze and released Elizabeth at once. He took a step back, moving away from her and then turned to face the prince, “Yes, my lord? How may I serve you?”

Elizabeth walked over, quickly to the water bucket and picked up the ladle. As she brought the ladle to her lips her hand trembled, spilling some of the precious liquid onto the floor.

“I heard raised voices,” explained Angellah as he watched Elizabeth.

Ahmed followed his gaze, observing for himself her tremors. “I apologize. I was concerned for Mrs. Crawford’s health. I-”

Angellha held up his hand, cutting Ahmed off and turned to face Elizabeth. “Why are you not asleep? It’s late.”

“I couldn’t go back to sleep,” said Elizabeth quietly. “After Will left I couldn’t go back to sleep. I figured I might as well be doing something useful, take my mind off of…”

“Sleep would be useful,” interjected Ahmed.

Angellah once again raised his hand, cutting him off, “Enough, she is not your woman. You’re right, of course, but she is not yours to command.”

Angellah turned to Elizabeth and said, “Come,” before walking out of the tent.

Elizabeth followed, unsure why. She followed him down the path that led to the waters edge. He stopped before it and turned to look at her. “I gave him my word. You have nothing to fear from me.”

Elizabeth swallowed, her eyes filled with tears, “Tell me he’s coming back.”

Angellah smiled at her, “I am not a seer. But, I can tell you that he very much believes you are worth coming home to. Now, disrobe and bathe, then you will eat something and sleep.”

“You can’t order me to sleep!” gasped Elizabeth. “And I’m not taking my clothes off in front of you.”

Angellah rolled his eyes and said, “Now, you of all people know that’s not true. I can order you to do as I please. Come now, give me your clothes, I will have someone wash them and bring you a fresh robe.”

“What’s going to happen if he doesn’t return?” asked Elizabeth, her lip quivering as she struggled to hold back her tears. “I can’t-”

“Shh,” soothed Angellah as he reached out, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into a comforting embrace. “He will return. It’s a simple mission. This time tomorrow night you’ll be back in his arms,” he added as he kissed her softly on the top of her head. “The men will be asleep for a few more hours yet, you have plenty of time and privacy. Leave your clothes here by the waters edge, I’ll be back shortly.”

“Why are you doing this?” asked Elizabeth as he began to walk away.

Angellah shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep either, bad dreams. I dreamt Ilham lost the child,” he said as he stuck his hands in the pockets of his robe and turned to look back out over the water.

“Ilham is with child. That’s why you were sending her back to your palace,” said Elizabeth.

“Not the only reason,” he said looking down at the sand. “For some strange reason she genuinely seems fond of me. I find that endearing,” he confessed, “and rare, something worth safeguarding. I pray I find her well upon my return.”

Elizabeth nodded and said, “Thank you. I’ll leave my clothes at the waters edge,” she said as she turned around and began to unbutton her shirt.

Elizabeth heard the rustle of his robes as he turned around and walked back down the path. She paused for a moment and bent down to feel the temperature of the water. As she did she allowed her memory to drift to that of she and William making love earlier, here in the water. She stood up, closed her eyes and imagined that it was his hands slipping the buttons through the buttonholes of her shirt. Elizabeth was brought out of her fantasy by the sound of someone approaching. She spun around quickly coming face to face with Parker.

“Parker! My God you scared me!” she gasped clutching her shirt closed. “Turn around, I’m not dressed.”

“And that’s bad why?” he said as he openly raked his eyes down the length of her body and reached out towards her.

“Don’t touch me!” hissed Elizabeth.

“Not what you were saying the last time we were together. As I recall you were begging for it, screaming my name,” he said as he moved closer to her still.

“First of all, I’m surprised you remember anything you were so drunk! And, second of all, I was screaming for you to stop!” said Elizabeth struggling to keep her voice under control. “Parker, so help me, if you don’t leave right now I’m going to scream.”

“And how is that going to look? What will Angellah think? I saw the two of you a few minutes ago,” accused Parker.

“What are you talking about?” asked Elizabeth, confused.

“I saw you in his arms. What would your soldier think?” he sneered. “Perhaps I should have a talk with him. On the other hand, by the looks of things, he already knows what he has.”

“There is nothing going on between Angellah and I!” protested Elizabeth. “And your welcome to say whatever you want to my husband, he’ll never believe you!”

“Your husband! Now, that’s a joke, isn’t it? One of the men told me just how this marriage came to pass. Don’t be a fool, Elizabeth, as soon as he’s through with you he’ll cast you aside,” said Parker with conviction. “He’ll abandon you!”

“He won’t! He loves me! I’m his wife!” shouted Elizabeth as she realized Parker had just voiced her greatest fear.

“You’re his whore! I saw you! What you let him do to you…out here where anyone could have seen,” he said quietly as he stepped towards her.

“You watched us?” gasped Elizabeth, mortified. She could feel herself redden at the thought, their private moment invaded.

“I was curious,” he said casually. “Didn’t remember you liking it so much. Seems little Buffy is all grown up,” he added reaching out to grab her around her waist.

Elizabeth rotated out of reach and began to run, her survival skills kicking in. Parker, both faster and taller, caught up with her within a few strides. He reached out, grabbed the back of her shirt to slow her progress, then before she could scream clamped one hand over her mouth pulling her to him. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and with a sweep of his foot he took her legs out from underneath her. He effortlessly lowered her to the ground and covered her with his body. As she lay underneath him facedown in the sand she heard him whisper into her ear, “Ah, yes, I remember this position. You seemed to enjoy it when he took you this way.”

Elizabeth began to squirm underneath him, struggling to gain some leverage. “Oh yeah, just like that baby, can you feel how hard that makes me?” moaned Parker.

Elizabeth could feel his erection, only the thin material of his trousers separating it from her nude backside. Tears ran from her eyes as she struggled to breathe. She could hear her blood rushing in her ears. Parkers weight was too much, she couldn’t move out from underneath him and she was tiring. Elizabeth felt that her only chance would be to get him to loosen his grip. She applied the slightest bit of pressure, wiggling her ass, and pushing up into his erection. “Naughty girl!” whispered Parker with glee. “You want it now, don’t you?”

Elizabeth nodded her head ever so slightly, as much as she could; considering the stronghold that he had on her head and neck. Parker excitedly pulled out the arm that he had wrapped around her waist, he leaned up slightly so that he could snake his hand between them and undo his pants.

This freed Elizabeth’s right arm. As Parker leaned up she pulled her right arm loose and pushed up with as much force as she could muster, striking him square on the nose with the back of her head. The force of the blow made her see stars. The last thing she remembered before everything went black was an overwhelming sense of nausea coupled with the sound of her shirt tearing as it was ripped from her back.

CONTINUED...