“Sweet heaven,” she cried out. “Whatever you do, don’t stop.”
He didn’t. He couldn’t. His need for her was too great and he began a rhythm she easily joined with and he never felt anything so gratifying in his life. This was happiness, pleasure, love all rolled into one and he never wanted to let go of it.
Purity wanted to cry out with absolute joy but was too busy moaning with pleasure to do little else. Every thrust she met with one of her own made her feel more alive than she’d ever been. She felt it building to her core and knew it wouldn’t be long before she burst in extreme pleasure.
“Arran,” she breathed harshly, grabbing tight to his arms.
He brought his lips to hers, brushing across them. “Together as one, always as one.”
“Aye,” she agreed, squeezing her eyes tight as she teetered on the edge ready to fall.
He drove into her harder and harder and finally ordered, “Let go.”
And she did, calling out his name as an explosion of sensations rocked her body over and over, delivering the most exquisite pleasure she’d ever experienced. And she clung tenaciously to every divine bit of it.
Arran threw back his head ready to roar, but kept it to a moan that vibrated deep down in his chest. Explosion after explosion resonated down so deep inside him he didn’t think the pleasure would ever stop washing over and through him. Never had he felt such immense satisfaction with any woman and he allowed himself to enjoy every last bit of it, collapsing on his wife when he was sure their pleasure had finally abated.
When he felt her move against him and saw her eyes close tight, he hurried to reach down and tease her nub as he moved inside her again and was surprised when he felt her tighten around him and moan as she climaxed again.
Her eyes opened wide along with a smile and Arran couldn’t stop from smiling.
“That was absolutely the best,” she said and squeezed his arms tight. “We need to do that often, husband.”
Arran chuckled. “As often as you want, wife.”
Purity touched his lips lightly. “I’m so glad your smile has returned. I love when you smile.”
He kissed her fingers. “You are the reason I smile again.”
He eased himself off her and before he could draw her against him, she was already snuggled there at his side, wrapped around him as if she couldn’t get close enough, and he happily hugged her against him.
“Now I won’t have to lie to my father that a bairn is possible,” she said with glee. She raised her head, wide eyes on him. “But we’ll need to keep coupling to make sure I get with child soon.”
“Every day,” he assured her, again wondering how he had gotten so lucky.
“Only once a day?” she asked, puzzled.
He really was lucky. “More if you’d like.” And he wondered over her sudden frown.
“Will it be too much for you?” she asked seriously, then shook her head. “A foolish thought since I recall you enjoyed yourself a couple of times a day.”
“So you watched me more than once in the barn?” he asked.
She shook her head again. “I saw you enter the barn with women and assumed…”
He gripped her chin with two fingers and raised her head so their eyes met. “You know well that I have known many woman, but never have I felt the profound pleasure that I share with you.”
Purity didn’t have to question whether he spoke the truth or not, she could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. It filled her heart with joy and made this moment even more special for her.
“I’m glad to hear that, Arran,” she said softly. “It’s a good way for us to start our marriage.”
“I want you to know that not for a moment do I regret that I married you,” he said. “It was the wisest choice I ever made in my life and I look forward to the life we will share together.”
“I’m pleased to hear that and pleased to know you have no regrets over our marriage, and hope it remains that way.”
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t unless you have some dark, deep secret you haven’t told me, and could possibly anger me,” Arran said.
Purity forced a smile. She’d promised Raven she wouldn’t say a word and she had kept it all these years. She couldn’t betray her word now. She had given it years ago and would hold true to it, regardless that she’d wed Arran.
“How does your leg feel?” he asked, concerned.
She was honest with him. “A bit sore.”
“You should tend to it.”
“After we rest a bit,” she said, a yawn following.
He didn’t argue. He was far too comfortable lying there snuggled together, satiated after coupling. He didn’t want to move. And he didn’t mind when silence settled around them. It was more than comfortable simply lying there and saying not a word. It felt perfect. He let himself enjoy it and not worry of things that might come, challenges they might face. At the moment he wanted just what they had wrapped in each other’s arms—contentment.
Sleep snuck up on them and it was Purity who woke, how long after she didn’t know, and dared to run her hands gently over him as he had done to her. She wanted to know him as intimately as he had known her.
It didn’t take long for him to wake and take control of their lovemaking and she would have objected, but when his hands and lips worked their magic, she was completely lost to do anything but respond.
She found herself on her hands and knees on the bed, her husband pounding into her from behind and annoyed that she climaxed much too fast, though he did coax another climax out of her. And she was pleased to hear the lingering groan of his own release.
Morning found sleep still lingering in the both of them, though it didn’t stop Arran from pleasing his wife once again after her hand aroused his shaft.
They both yawned at the same time and laughed together as well, then fell asleep once more, Purity popping up in bed a couple of hours later.
“Princess and King,” she said as if realizing she hadn’t thought about them since last night.
“They’re with Quiver,” Arran said on a yawn. “I asked him to look after them for the night. I knew we’d be occupied and I was unsure how your father would treat them.”
“Probably not kindly,” Purity said and hurried out of bed, slipping past Arran’s hand that reached out to stop her.
“You don’t have to rush off,” he said.
“I want to make sure they’re all right,” Purity said, donning her garments and shoes, and taking a moment to run a comb through her hair before hurrying to braid it.
Arran thought to drag her back to bed, not to couple more, but just to lie there with her in his arms. He enjoyed holding her, feeling her warm and naked body against him and knowing that she belonged to him and he to her. But he understood her worry, recalling how her father had forbid her from having any animals of her own. He never understood why the man wanted to keep his daughter from being loved.
When he saw how she favored her one leg, he was quick to get out of bed and go to her. “You need to see to your leg before you do anything.”
“After I see how Princess and King do,” Purity said dismissively.
“NO!”
That got her attention, her brow rising considerably when she turned to him.
“Your leg has far from healed.” He looked down, pointing to it.
Purity cringed when she saw the sizeable bruise, though it truly looked worse than it felt, the comfrey soak having helped some. She doubted she could convince her husband of that.
“I’m sending for Wren and you will stay off it until Wren advises otherwise,” he ordered, leaving no room for objection. “I’ll see to the animals.”
“I’m not remaining abed,” she argued, the thought of being confined to the bed for the day unbearable. “My leg is bruised and sore, and it will heal. There is no reason to make a fuss over it.”
He took hold of her chin. “I’m your husband, and I can fuss over you all I want.”
> He had a stubborn set to his jaw as well as a tenacious gleam in his eye. She wouldn’t win this if she wasn’t careful. “I’ll keep to a bench in the Great Hall until Wren tells me otherwise.”
“Your word, wife,” he asked, appearing skeptical.
“My word,” she promised.
He kissed her quick. “Let me dress and I’ll help you down the stairs.”
She didn’t need his help, but she did love that he cared enough to see her heal well and for that reason alone she wouldn’t object to his help, whether she needed it or not.
They made their way down to the Great Hall only to be greeted by Galvin bellowing.
“Get them out of here now. I won’t have them in here. I’m chieftain and my daughter will learn my word is law,” Galvin yelled and went to kick King.
A definite mistake. The cat lunged at him, giving his leg a good scratch before scurrying out of his reach.
Purity wasn’t surprised to see that Quiver froze and paled, he wasn’t comfortable with confrontation. Princess followed after King, who spotted Purity and hurried to her.
“I won’t have the animals in the keep,” Galvin bellowed.
“If they’re not welcome, either am I,” Purity said, folding her arms stubbornly across her chest. “You can continue to rattle around in this keep all by yourself. Arran and I will find a cottage to reside in.”
“You will do no such thing,” Galvin ordered.
“He’s right. We stay in the keep,” Arran said and got a scowl from his wife before he could finish. “The animals as well.” That got a smile from his wife and a scowl from Galvin.
“You let your wife rule you,” Galvin spat.
“I don’t care what you think, old man, King and Princess are family and they stay where we stay. I would get used to it if I were you since I doubt they’ll be the only two animals who make their home in the keep.”
“I’ll not have a menagerie of animals in the keep,” he insisted with a pound of his fist on the table where he was seated. He cringed and shook his head. “If this illness hadn’t robbed me of my strength, daughter, this would not be an issue. You would obey me as you once did.”
“Times have changed, Father, and I don’t wish to disrespect you—”
“But you do and it’s intolerable.” His fist came done on the table again causing Purity to jump and King and Princess to hurry and take a stance in front of her.
“Don’t raise your voice to my wife,” Arran warned, pleased to see both animals protect her.
“Be warned, Arran, wives often disappoint their husband’s and Purity is much like her mother—she will disappoint you.”
Disappoint?
Never had she heard her father make a derogatory remark about her mother, and she wondered over it.
Freen rushed into the Great Hall, interrupting the argument. “You need to come right away, sir,” he said, looking to Arran. “One of Wolf’s warriors has been found dead.”
Chapter 19
With his wife at his side, Arran stood over the body of the dead warrior. He hadn’t wanted to waste time arguing with her and had reluctantly let her join him, though he’d been well aware there would have been no stopping her. The stubborn look alone on her face had told him that. Still, it annoyed him since she’d limped as they’d hurried their way here. Galvin had shown no interest in accompanying them. He had no tolerance or like for the warriors camped outside the village and cared not about what happened to them.
Whether Galvin liked the warriors or not didn’t matter. Someone had killed one of Wolf’s men and the Northman wasn’t going to tolerate that.
“Stabbed in the chest,” Purity said, looking down at the man lying on the ground in the confines of the camp. “This isn’t where he was found, is it?”
“No,” Freen said. “He was found in the woods.”
“At his post?” Arran asked, knowing Wolf’s warriors always posted sentinels wherever they went, though he was surprised one would be caught unaware.
“His post had finished and he was returning to camp,” Freen said. “Brynjar must be the one responsible for this.”
“Why? What possible reason could Brynjar have for killing one of Wolf’s warriors? It makes no sense.” Purity shook her head, not comfortable with Freen’s assumption.
“Nothing Brynjar does makes sense,” Arran said. “He strikes without provocation or reason and that instills fear in his enemy, leaving them to feel vulnerable.”
“So this warrior’s death was meant as a warning, that we’re vulnerable to Brynjar’s whims?” Purity asked, finding the reasoning hard to grasp. “I don’t see way Brynjar would waste killing one of Wolf’s warriors when none of them have anything to do with what goes on with the agreement he made with my father.”
“To show that he can,” Arran said. “Strength and power are everything to Brynjar. If he can kill one of Wolf’s seasoned warriors so easily, then how do we stop him from killing anyone?”
Purity saw her husband’s point, yet something didn’t seem right about it. Why kill a warrior who had nothing to do with Brynjar’s reason for being here? Why not someone in the clan?
“You sent word to Wolf?” Arran asked.
Freen bobbed his head. “I sent word immediately.”
“I have no say over Wolf’s men, but I’d advise more vigilance if I did,” Arran said.
“It has already been seen to,” Freen said.
Arran turned to Quiver, who stood off to the side. “Ask around in the village if anyone saw or heard anything unusual last night or this morning.”
Quiver bobbed his head and took off.
Arran kept a slow pace as he walked with his wife back to the keep. King and Princess followed, walking off to sniff areas of interest now and then, but not going far. They, like others, felt the unrest in the air. Tongues were already spreading the news and worry would grow.
“Speak your mind, wife, since I know there’s something on it,” Arran said, taking her hand as they walked.
Purity squeezed his hand. “There is, but I don’t know what.”
“Trust me, that’s what Brynjar wants. Confusion and uncertainty cause people to worry, fear, and often do foolish things.”
“Still, why one of Wolf’s warriors? Why not someone in the clan?” she asked.
“If Wolf’s warriors are easy prey, then how easily would it be for Brynjar to kill anyone else? It’s a sign to our clan that no one is safe.”
“You will post more sentinels as you advised Freen to do with Wolf’s warriors?” she asked anxiously.
“No. Our warriors are not as well-trained as Wolf’s warriors. Brynjar would easily rid himself of the ones on the outer borders of the village. I will leave that area to Wolf’s men. I will post our warriors just inside the village and throughout.”
“My father has brought evil upon the clan by turning to that horrible man for help,” Purity said, feeling responsible for the danger thrust upon the clan.
“We’ll see it through and be rid of Brynjar,” Arran assured, though it wouldn’t be as easy as he made it sound.
Purity stopped and brought their clenched hands to rest against her chest. “I don’t want to lose you, Arran. I want a good life with you and the many bairns we will have.”
“Intend to keep me busy in bed, do you?” he asked with a smile that easily filled his face.
Lord, but she loved his smile and was so happy to see him smile more often. “That I do—very busy, which is why you will not do anything foolish.” His smile faded, letting her know she was right in what she thought. “You will not go after Brynjar.”
“Hopefully it won’t be necessary,” he said to ease his wife’s worry.
“You’ll give me your word that you won’t go after him,” she ordered sternly.
“I can’t do that, Purity, for if it comes to that, I will do what needs to be done.”
Purity would have argued with him, but a bark from Princess caught both their attention and they loo
ked to see Arran’s da and Wren approach on horses.
“You sent for Wren?’ Purity asked, having told him it wasn’t necessary.
“I didn’t need to. I knew once Royden told her what happened, she’d come on her own to make sure you were all right.” He brought their joined hands to his lips to kiss hers. “We’re all family, Purity. They care for you—please let them.”
She wasn’t used to people caring, but she had come to know Wren well through the years. She was a caring soul and Purity couldn’t understand why anyone would ever think her a witch. She was a wise woman and had become a trusted friend.
“What’s this I hear about someone being killed?” Parlan asked after he dismounted and helped Wren to do the same.
“You men talk, I will see to Purity,” Wren said, going to Purity and wrapping her arm around hers.
“Don’t let my wife tell you her leg isn’t paining her,” Arran said, glad to release his wife’s hand so Wren could tend her.
“I will see to her, Arran, have no worry,” Wren said and the two women turned and walked away.
“He overly worries about me,” Purity said.
Wren smiled. “And isn’t it nice that he does.”
“It is,” Purity agreed with a smile of her own.
After about an hour, Purity was sitting up in bed, her leg wrapped in a cloth, and resting atop folded blankets. Wren had covered the bruise with comfrey leaves and wrapped it with a cloth that had been soaked in the brewing leaves.
“It looks far worse than it is,” Wren said. “This will help heal the bruising, though some pain may continue in your leg for a while.”
“I’ll manage fine,” Purity assured her.
“I thought you would, but I wanted to make sure for myself. Oria wanted to come with me, but Royden wouldn’t let her and I was glad he was firm about it. She is suffering with nausea and the ride here wouldn’t have helped.”
“Please make sure to tell her I’m fine and that I will visit with her as soon as I can.”
“I think it may be a while before your husband lets you go anywhere with trouble brewing here,” Wren said.
Entrusted to a Highlander Page 18