The Warrior's wager

by Mia Pride

  “Come.” He let her go and nodded toward the door. “Change your garment and we will go have our evening meal. Mayhap we can learn how to cook by watching your mama.”

  Chapter Eight

  The house rang with familiar laughter. Smoke billowed out the top of the pointy thatched roof and Aislin smiled wildly before even opening the door to her family’s house. The heat and light from the hearth hit her in the face, as did the loud voices of her entire family. Even all her aunts, uncles, and cousins were in attendance.

  “Lin!” they hollered joyously.

  “You are late!” her cousin Alyson smiled as she held one of her wee twin daughters in her arms. Freyne held the other and looked at his wife with intense love in his eyes. Freyne had been in love with Alyson before she ever knew of his existence, and his devotion to her cousin always warmed Aislin’s heart.

  “We are glad you are here,” Leannan said, walking up to Aislin and giving her a hug. “Greetings, Alastar,” she added.

  He smiled and waved but was immediately handed a full mug of ale and dragged away into the corner with all the men. Brennain pounded him on the back as Flynn and Tuathal raised their drinks in salute.

  “Nice tunic,” Eoin laughed as Alastar walked past him. Aislin’s eyes grew wide and she felt embarrassment wash over her. She hoped her family did not give him… or her, a hard time about her lack of sewing skills.

  “Thanks, mate.” Alastar looked over his shoulder and gave her a wink. “Tis my favorite.”

  Aislin felt her wall of resistance cracking more and more with every smile and word out of Alastar’s beautiful mouth. She walked over to her mother and aunts, giving them all hugs and smelling the stew. Her mother’s stew never disappointed and Aislin wished she had tried to pay better attention.

  “How is marriage?” Alyson asked, swaying her hips to keep her daughter calm and content. Treasa looked at her silently and smiled mischievously. Aislin rolled her eyes and looked back at Alyson.

  Thinking back on the evening she and Alastar had had so far, she smiled and felt a real excitement running through her body. “Our marriage is going quite well, thank you.” She knew that answer sounded vague and was not at all what her cousin had hoped to fish out of her, but it was all she could give… or all she was willing to give.

  They had truly bonded more on this night than every other night combined. It had taken so long for her to decide to give a little of her own time, of her own self, but once she had the reward was immeasurable. There had been a point where she thought Alastar was going to confess his love for her. It had thrilled and terrified her all at the same time. In the end, he had not. Of course not. How could he love a lass who had distanced herself so much both physically and emotionally?

  Though they seldom spoke at home, their time together with her family made everything feel more real than she had wanted it to feel. It was a good thing he did not love her, she decided. She did not love him, and she did not want to give him hope that this arrangement would continue longer than necessary. She thought she could continue to be in his presence and not let her guard down, but with every look and every touch, she felt herself slipping a little further in the wrong direction.

  It was enthralling and terrifying all at the same time, and it was becoming more tedious every day to convince herself not to care for him or desire him.

  Their evening flew by, full of laughter, stew that was edible, and lots of ale and mead. Alastar had, as usual, pulled her onto his lap at some point where she found herself more than willing to remain. Mayhap it was from all the extra drink she had consumed, or mayhap it was the faded blue tunic with new green stitching that he wore so proudly, or the way he placed his hand on her thigh just before he leaned in to give her the most tender kiss he had yet to give her. Aislin could not identify what was causing the ache in her heart or the throbbing of her core, but she found herself relishing her position on his lap and wishing for so much more.

  Branwen, who had accompanied them, was making quick friends of her family while enjoying the scraps of meat her Uncle Liam continued to feed her under the table when her Auntie Gwynn was not looking. It felt real… but it was not real, and she had to keep reminding herself of that fact. Once they arrived home, would they go back to their separate beds as usual? Somehow that thought made her heart deflate. She still had no answer about why Alastar had been going down to the lake, staying so late, and arriving wet every night, or who he spent his time with while there. She let that question ground her, reminding her that she truly knew nothing about her husband and could not risk getting too close.

  As they said their farewells for the night, Alastar helped wrap Aislin up in her long dark blue cloak lined with animal fur, before taking her hand and leading her out. To her surprise, even after they were out of view, he continued to clutch her hand firmly with his. The fresh snow crunched beneath her feet and her breath came out in mystical wisps as they walked in silence.

  The night was peaceful, and she had been so focused on the silence, she had not realized right away that he was taking her somewhere other than their home.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, Branwen trailing beside her quietly.

  “I have a surprise for you,” he grinned down at her and squeezed her hand even tighter. His excitement was palpable, and her eyes widened with shock.

  “What? Another? Was gifting me with a fully-trained wolfhound not gift enough for one day?”

  Alastar scoffed playfully. “For my bonny wee wife? Nay. I should be giving you a new gift every day.”

  “Then I would just be a spoiled wife and you know I do not wish that,” Aislin replied playfully. “I prefer fewer gifts, so when I receive them, they are truly special.” She meant it too. To have him surprise her with two gifts in one day was a true wonderment and excitement ran through her as she allowed him to guide her away from their home and into the forest.

  “My gift is there?” she pointed to the dark wall of trees looming ahead. A full moon hung high in the sky and the snow beneath their feet seemed to glow blue all around them as mist hung in the thick winter air.

  “Aye,” was all he said as he guided her deeper through the thick foliage and around to the opposite side of the lake that she normally bathed in. She wondered what he could possibly have to give her on the other side of the lake. She also prayed to all the gods that no wolves, boars, or other predators decided they were in need of a meal. Having a wolfhound by her side did indeed make her feel more at ease. Branwen would alert them of danger before they ever detected it themselves.

  “I had meant to show you this during daylight hours, but it just feels right to show you tonight,” he explained as they stepped into a clearing near the lake. There was a wide-open space with trees along the border and as Aislin squinted into the darkness, she noticed unnaturally shaped circular objects attached to the trunks of several trees, some closer and some further away.

  “What?” Aislin detached her hand from Alastar’s and he smiled with delight as he watched her try to figure out what she was staring at. Squinting, she took a few steps closer, coming face to face with a circular piece of wood painted with red and white circles and a red center. “Targets?” she asked and looked over her shoulder at her husband. “You made these?”

  He stepped forward tentatively and nodded. “I have been coming out here by the lake every night. I chopped the wood, sanded it down, painted them, and hung them all around at different distances so you can come out here and practice. I intentionally chose to do it on this side of the lake, further away from the village so nobody, but myself of course, would know where to locate you. You can have your privacy and practice with your bow as much as you wish. And, I want to give you this,” he murmured as he pulled a short dagger from his leather belt. The handle was intricately carved, the details even noticeable in the dim moon light.

  “Is this not Àdhamh’s dagger?” she asked, delicately running her fingers over the carved designs on the handle.


  His eyes flashed with something she would have thought to be panic, only there was no reason for him to show such an emotion and it disappeared so fast, she decided it must have been a trick of the moon light. “It was his, aye. He gave it to me,” he said with a forced calm and his eyes shifted to the right slightly before landing back on hers. “I thought you could also practice throwing daggers, if you wish.”

  He was acting strange, but he was likely nervous that she would reject his gifts, just as she had rejected him since the day they said their handfast vows. She wanted to ask why Àdhamh would give up such a lovely weapon but decided she should forget all the questions in her mind and simply enjoy this moment. Her heart beat in overtime. Her breath caught in her chest and she found it hard to swallow through the constricting of her throat.

  “Aislin,” he whispered as he stepped closer and grabbed both of her hands in his. “This is meant to be more than just a place to practice. It’s a physical reminder of my promise to you. I want you to always know I support your love for privacy, independence, and your bow. I will never try to change who you are. I will only ever support you.”

  Overwhelming gratitude and relief washed over her. He had not been meeting with another woman all this time. He had been out here in the cold dark night working on this special place just for her, to show his promise and keep his vow. Guilt sliced through her at that thought. She had kept herself so distant, refusing to open to him, insisting she would leave him in nine moons time… and he had been making her targets and training her a wolfhound.

  A stifled sob escaped her throat and she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face into his neck. He smelled of pine needles, just like the trees that surrounded him. All this time, when she thought he smelled of pine, it was because he had been out here building her a sanctuary. “Thank you, Alastar,” she murmured into his hair, inhaling his musky scent. He was so strong, tall, brave, generous, kind, affable, tender… and what was she? Stubborn. Prideful. Unyieldingly closed off. No more. This man who now held her tightly against his chest, accepting her sudden embrace willingly, deserved so much more than she had given him.

  “You like it?” she heard him murmur into her hair.

  “Oh, Alastar. ‘Tis the kindest, most thoughtful gift you could have ever given me.” She choked back a tear, but chuckled just as Branwen barked at her as if insulted by her comment. “Of course, Branwen was also the most amazing gift,” she laughed as she continued to cling to him.

  Just an hour ago, she had convinced herself to keep her distance, insisting she did not know him well enough, believing he had been meeting up with another lass. How very wrong she had been on all accounts. She may not know much about the man’s past, but how was that his fault when she had never opened up to him? Never given him a chance to share with her? It would take a fool not to see what a quality man her new husband was.

  In that moment it was clear to her what she truly wanted. She wanted Alastar. Mayhap she truly could have it all. With him as her partner in life, he offered her companionship, laughter, affection, perhaps even love someday. Also, he offered her all the freedom to remain the woman she had always wished to be. She vowed to do better, and to be better. She would spend her days in the forest training and hunting, but she would make certain to be home a bit earlier to make his meals, learn how to mend his tunics… even learn how to use a loom to create fabrics for garments. He deserved all those things.

  Pulling back slightly from his hold, she stared at him, knowing a small tear trickled aimlessly down her cheek and knowing he would see her raw vulnerability. Her old self would care, would see it as a weakness to cry, but these tears were tears of shame for her treatment of him and tears of awe for how deserving he was of this open emotion.

  “Lin…” he whispered and released her with one hand to wipe away her tear.

  She shook her head and sniffled. “I have been terrible to you.”

  “That is not true. You have been evasive, aye. But never terrible.” He wiped away another tear. “I know you never wanted this arrangement. I cannot blame you for keeping your distance.”

  “Nay. I have been unfair. I truly wish to start over again, if you will allow me. I wish to try harder to be deserving of you,”

  “Och… Lin. You are des—”

  She pushed her lips against his, cutting off any retort he may have had. He was much too kind. He could spend all night telling her that she had not been terrible, but she certainly had not been wonderful, either.

  This was her first time kissing him. He groaned and wrapped his arms around her, securing her tightly to his body. She could feel his breath quicken, and feel his length hardening. To think she had avoided physical affection for fear of losing control. In this moment, she had all the control. Every groan he let loose into her mouth as she wrapped her tongue desperately around his. Every time his chest rose and fell, rubbing against the suddenly oversensitive breasts beneath her clothing. This was a power unlike anything she had ever felt, and she found it consuming her every sense.

  They were alone in the middle of the night surrounded by nothing but nature and it all felt so wonderfully right. The cold wind whipped around them, sending her hair flying in all directions, but it did nothing to cool her suddenly overheated flesh. She ached desperately. Fighting it had done her no good. She was done fighting something that nature so clearly created her body for. It was as if her hips were desperate to push into his, to feel his manhood pressing between her thighs.

  “I want you, Alastar,” she boldly whispered in between hot, wet kisses, allowing her hands to drift under the hem of his tunic and memorize the feel of his war-hardened muscles beneath her palm. Finding his nipple, she twisted it slightly and he groaned, instinctively thrusting into her. Then he pulled away, breathing heavily.

  “Lin. I want you more than you can possibly know. I have dreamed of laying you down on this very spot more times than I can even recall… but you do not need to do this if you are not ready. I do not require a reward for my gifts.”

  “I want to do this,” she insisted, fumbling with the ties on his trousers. “Not as payment for your kindness, but because I am a woman and you are a man. My husband. And I want you,” she insisted. “I want a true marriage,” she added quietly.

  He groaned as her small hand reached beneath his trousers and made contact with his hard rod of flesh. By all the gods. It was so hot, large, and yet incredibly soft and smooth. She had never touched a man’s hardness before, but his clenching teeth and glassy eyes made her needy for more. How could she have ever seen the act of pleasing a man as anything other than empowering? But it was more than that. It was not power over Alastar that she truly wanted. She wanted him to feel how strongly she craved him. Aislin needed to share this with him, to connect in the most primal way.

  Her hand fisted his erection and he thrust his hips forward again with a low groan. “We cannot do this here, Lin,” he struggled to speak.

  “Why not?” she asked with a raised brow. “I can think of nay better to place to make love with my husband for the first time than right here,” she waved her hand around, focusing on the targets he had built and the lake in the back drop. “I am most at ease here.”

  Silently, his blue eyes hooded and locked on hers, he brought his hands up to the clasp of her cloak and swiftly removed it, setting it on the floor of the forest beneath their feet. Because of the clump of trees, very little snow covered the earth in this spot. Only pine needles littered the ground and she would more than manage those if it meant she could fulfill the need in her body right this moment.

  “You must release my cock before I finish too soon, Lin,” he growled. Realizing she still held onto him with a firm grip, she flushed at his crude language and smirked at the same time. Letting go slowly, she sighed at the loss of his heat but squealed instantaneously after as he swiftly grabbed her by the shoulders and laid her down upon her cloak. He came down with her and the feel of his body on
top of hers made the flames of her desire burn even hotter.

  His mouth crashed back down on hers. Her hands were all over his body, roaming up his tunic and over his shoulders, back, around to the chiseled muscles of his abs and then settling down onto his firm backside. Trousers loosely hanging below his hips, she used her hands to push them down further, feeling his length resting hotly against her bare thigh. She was suddenly grateful for her hide skin skirts that allowed her to feel more of him.

  “Lin…” he whispered softly against her mouth then trailed his tongue down her neck. The heat of his breath against the sensitive flesh where her neck and shoulder met sent blissful chills all up her body, and she began to feel desperate for more. “Your skin tastes of salt and honey and I could eat every inch of you.”

  His words were shocking, sending images of his mouth in forbidden places to her brain, and she could not help but squirm beneath him as his mouth reached her breasts, breathing hot and heavy over her dress. “I need this off,” he growled. “I have longed to see your breasts.” His open confession drove her mad. Had he truly wanted her all this time? Imagined himself making love to her in this spot? Imagined her breasts bared to him? Desperate to make imagination a reality, she lifted her hips as he loosened the laces in the front of her hide dress, making it easy for him to finally slip the garment over her head.

  Cold air swept over the entirety of her heated flesh and she knew she was fully unclothed and exposed to his gaze. His eyes widened, then grew heavy with desire as he finally took in the full-length of her naked body. She had spent the last three moons desperately hiding her body from him, and now she was desperate for him to know every inch of her.

  She swallowed hard as he continued to stare, looking her up and down slowly as his fingers trailed softly across her breast, then over the stiffened peak where he repaid her for her earlier tease, pinching it with his fingers. She shrieked in shock and then groaned. It was as if lightning had struck her breast and traveled directly down to her womanhood, melting her insides completely.