Sin looked at her with humor dancing in his midnight eyes. "Go ahead and laugh, dove. I promise I won't be offended." He draped an arm over her shoulders, drawing her close to him again, and looked around at the people gathered to welcome him back. "By the way, methinks I owe someone a new dress."
Several snickers broke out and were silenced as Angus turned a feral glare to the crowd.
"Where's the bull?" Callie asked.
"Tied to a tree, eating my boot. I'm just glad my leg is no longer in it."
That succeeded in making everyone laugh.
Angus shook his head as he drew near. "Lad, how did you manage it?"
"I run fast when chased by large bulls."
Several of the men clapped him on the back and Peg came forward with a tankard of ale.
"Where are your clothes?" Callie asked, noting he wore very little underneath his "borrowed" kirtle. Very little except for that warm, tawny flesh she found so delectable.
"The brambles caught him," Angus answered. "That's how we found him. There's shreds of English clothing from hither to yon."
Callie felt weak at the news of how close her husband had come to being seriously injured. "Are you truly unharmed?"
"A bit scratched and bruised, but nothing other than my ego is seriously damaged." Sin grinned playfully. "See now why I always travel with a sword? One never knows when a raging bull is likely to come storming down the street."
They all laughed.
"God love you, lad," Angus said, patting him on the back. "You've got a good sense of humor. Not many men could laugh in the face of such an event." Angus pushed him gently toward her. "Callie, take your mon home and see to his wounds."
"I will, Angus. Thank you."
Callie took her husband's arm. She turned him around to see one of the young lads leading their horses to them.
Sin helped her mount, then swung himself up onto his own horse.
As they left the village, she couldn't suppress the happiness inside her. "I think you won them over."
"That was never my intent."
And that was what she loved most about him. Even though her clansmen had mocked and shunned him, he had still put his life in jeopardy to save them all.
Most men wouldn't have cared one way or another about her people. But he hadn't even thought twice about risking his life for them. "You're a good man, Sin MacAllister."
He reined to a stop and turned angry, tormented eyes to her. "Never call me that."
Callie's heart clenched at what she saw on his handsome face. The raw emotions that swirled in those dark eyes. "Forgive me. It was a slip of the tongue that will never happen again."
The fire in his eyes died as she led him back to the castle.
It wasn't until they had reached the castle and entered the great hall that Callie remembered what she had asked Simon to do…
Out of the gathered group, she didn't know who was more stunned. Poor Sin, still wearing his one boot and dressed in a kirtle, or his brothers and Simon, who stood with Jamie, Aster, and to her surprise, Dermot.
Jamie stepped forward hesitantly. He threw his shoulders back and spoke like a grown-up. "Caledonia, I know you said we were to make him feel at home. So I'll pull one shoe off, but no one's going to make me wear a dress."
Laughter resounded through the hall. But no one laughed harder than Sin, who scooped Jamie up in his arms and tickled him. "I don't know, lad. As pretty as you are, you might look at home in a kirtle."
"I'm not pretty. I'm fierce."
Callie grabbed her brother from Sin and gave him a hug of her own. "As fierce as a gentle cub. And as precious as a rose in the dead of winter." She kissed his cheek and set him on his feet.
Grimacing, he wiped his face and dashed off to stand behind Dermot.
Lochlan shook his head. "Should we ask?"
"I had a run-in with a bull."
Simon laughed. "From where I'm standing, it looks like the bull won."
Sin smiled. "Nay, you should see the bull. He's dressed in swaddling." Sin looked about the hall, which had been decorated with bright color serge drapes and wrapped gifts that were spread out on the main table. "What's all this?"
"We're celebrating your birthday," Simon said.
Sin frowned.
"Callie's idea," Lochlan said.
He looked to his wife, who was sidestepping away from him. Catching her hand, he pulled her back. "Care to explain?"
"Aster, would you please have the pastries and cakes brought in while I attend my husband's change of clothes?"
"Aye, love."
"If you'll excuse us," she said to the men before leading Sin up the stairs.
He followed her up the narrow stairs. "Are you not going to answer my question?"
"I didn't wish to do it in front of the others."
"Why?"
She opened the door to their room and let him enter first. Then she closed the door and crossed the room to stand beside him. She wanted to pull him into her arms, but something in his demeanor told her he wouldn't welcome that. "Lochlan told me no one knew when you were born. Is it true?"
His eyes blank, he moved away from her to pull his armor out of the trunk by the window. "Aye."
Callie didn't let him get away. She crossed the room to join him at the window and as soon as he straightened, she took his chin in her hand and smiled up at him. "Then today shall mark the day of your rebirth."
He looked baffled by her words. "My rebirth?"
She nodded as she fingered his whiskered cheek, then traced the line of his jaw to his silken hair. "You're no longer alone, Sin. You now have a home and a wife who wants you. Spurn me if you must, but you will always be welcome here. And if you've no wish to be a MacAllister or earl or anything else, that is fine. But from this day forward you are a MacNeely."
His dark eyes narrowed. "I told you, I've no wish to be owned by you or anything else."
Callie's stomach drew tight in frustration. How she wished she could make him understand what it was she was offering him.
"And I am not trying to own you or even claim you. That is not the nature of what I offer and it breaks my heart that you can't understand it. Maybe one day you will. If you have to go, go. I won't hold you here. I will stay behind, and every day you are gone I will miss you. Every hour, I will think of you and wonder where you are and be worried that something might happen to you."
Sin stood in silence as her words cut through him. He'd never been more than just the most passing of thoughts to anyone. Not even his brothers. What she offered…
If it wasn't love, it was a damned good substitute.
"I hope and pray that I already have your child in me. And I hope he grows to be just as fine a man as his father."
Sin ground his teeth at her words. The pain, the ache, the need inside him roared up and screamed through his soul. He couldn't stand the agony of it. It was overwhelming and shattering.
"Do not say such things to me," he growled.
"Why?"
"Because I can't stand to hear it." He felt tears prick his eyes, but he quickly banished them. Against his will, he reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. "I don't know how to love, Callie. I don't know how to be the man you need."
"You are the man I need."
He turned away from her with a curse. Inside his emotions were tangled. He was afraid to trust in her. It was easy for her to say she would stand by him now, but once he had proof of her brother's crimes she would feel that way no longer.
Neither one of his parents had ever stood by him. His brothers might, yet they had never been put to the test.
He had been hurt so many times. Betrayed over and over by everyone in his life. His brothers each carried the same guilt Draven did over the fact that when he had been sacrificed for them, they each had felt a twinge of relief.
He didn't blame them for it, it was more than understandable, but having been the sacrificial lamb so many times, he refused to believe she wouldn't tur
n on him as well.
Her clan meant everything to her and her brothers even more.
Nay, her words were a lie. Not in her heart, for he knew she meant them right now. But to believe in them…
He'd been many things in his life. A thief, an assassin, a starving beggar, a knight and an earl. He had never been a fool. And it was one role he wouldn't play now.
But when he looked at her, it was hard to remember that. Hard to think of things other than just losing himself in the comfort she offered.
It's not meant to be.
Nay. He closed his heart. He would do as he must, and when he was through here he would return to England. Alone.
It was the way of it. He couldn't fight destiny.
* * *
Chapter 15
« ^ »
Callie watched as Sin dressed, his muscles rippling with every move he made. He was stunning and yet as unreachable as the sky above them. How she wished she could think of some way to breach the distance between them.
" 'Tis amazing how well you can lace your armor without assistance. I thought knights usually had a squire to help them."
Sin paused, then returned to lacing his hauberk. "I've never had a squire."
"Truly?" she asked, surprised by his confession. He was always so patient and calm with Jamie that she couldn't imagine why he detested being around children as much as he did. "Why not?"
He shrugged.
Before she could stop herself, she moved forward and poked him in the ribs.
Frowning, he rubbed his hand over the place where she had poked him. "What was that for?"
"You've got that serious face again. Remember what I said I would do to you should you get it?"
"You said tickle me, not poke me."
She smiled impishly. "In that case…" She rushed him.
Sin stumbled back as she tickled him even through his armor. He laughed, trying to catch her hands to stop her, but she moved even faster than he did. His spur caught in the rug on the floor and sent him crashing to the ground, with Callie on top of him.
Still laughing, he rolled over and pinned her to the floor beneath him. "You are the Mistress of Madness, aren't you?"
"Aye, and I am maddest of all for you."
His eyes were gentle and kind as he stared down at her with a hot look that made her breathless and weak. Leaning down, he rubbed noses with her, then he dipped his lips to kiss her.
Callie sighed at the passion she tasted. Och, but he felt good on top of her, even with the weight of him in his armor crushing her. He nibbled and teased her lips as his tongue swept against hers.
She buried her hands in his silken hair and held him close, delighting in the feel of him. The warm, masculine scent of him. Don't leave me…
The silent plea burned through her and she wished she could bind him to her. Wished she knew the words or actions that would make him want to stay with her as much as she wanted to stay with him.
If only it could be.
Sin closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet lavender scent of her. Felt her breasts pressing against him even through his heavy armor. He wanted inside her so badly that he shook from it.
He would give anything to have her. Anything to run away from what Henry wanted him to do.
She saw only the best inside him and it scared him to think of the day her opinion of him would change.
Sooner or later the fresh bud of love always changed into something else. If a man was lucky, it blossomed into a lasting friendship, but many more times it became hatred. He was new to her now. Yet should he stay, and she learn more about him, she would see his faults with clarity and she would grow to despise him.
It was a chance he couldn't take. For in his heart, he knew she alone could destroy him. She held the power in her eyes to do him more damage than any enemy or army.
She alone held his wary, shriveled heart.
"They will be waiting for us below," he whispered, moving to rise from her.
"They say waiting is good for a soul. It builds character."
Sin smiled at that. "Aye, but you went to such effort on my behalf that it would be remiss of me not to enjoy it."
She snickered at that. "Blaming me, are you? Now, there's a fine thing. Very well, then, we shall go, but tonight after we sup, you are mine." She raked a hungry look over him that sent even more heat to his groin. "All mine."
Sin hissed at her seductive face as he pulled her to her feet. "When you speak like that, milady, you send chills down my spine."
"Stay in this room with me, and I shall send more than that down your spine."
His body reacted instantly to her words, growing hotter and harder than he'd ever been before. Against his will, he glanced to the bed and imagined the look of her naked and beneath him. "You are an evil temptress."
She took his hand and kissed his knuckles. She ran her tongue over his flesh, sending waves of lust burning through him before she nipped his skin with her teeth. Then she pulled him toward the door. There was an evocative swish to her hips that made his body sizzle even more.
"Anytime milord is tempted, just let me know."
Grinding his teeth to stave his desire, he very reluctantly let her lead him from the room.
They headed back downstairs. But instead of the family they had left, the hall was packed full of clan members who stood about talking until their voices were united into a loud, resounding drone. People stood in groups, laughing and bantering. Dogs ran loose between legs as people ate and drank, while five men had taken up pipes and drums to play in one corner.
Callie froze at the sight, half scared of why they were there. But as soon as the crowd saw Sin, a cheerful cry of greeting echoed in the room.
"You didn't tell us you'd saved the town, lad," Aster said, stepping forward to clap him on the back.
Sin bristled and she quickly noted just how uneasy he was with all the attention. "I didn't really."
"And he's modest, too," Peg said.
"Why didn't you tell us you were a Highlander?" Angus asked. "And a MacAllister, no less. We should have known our Callie wouldn't—"
"Angus," Callie said, cutting the man off before Sin grew any more agitated. "What are all of you doing here?"
Morna came forward, leading a herd of servants bearing baked goods and treats from the village. "After the two of you left, the village decided it was time for a wedding celebration."
Sin looked bewildered by the people's newfound attitudes.
Morna smiled up at Sin. "Then, after we got here, Aster told us this is the anniversary of your birth, so now we have a double celebration."
Morna went off to direct the servants.
Smiling, Callie approached her husband, who was looking almost sheepishly at the ceiling. "Is something amiss?"
"Aye, I am wondering at what point the roof will collapse down upon us and kill us all."
She frowned at his doomed prophecy. "I beg your pardon?"
Still, he continued to inspect the walls and ceiling. "Nothing good comes without a steep price. I'm merely afraid of what limb I shall have to sacrifice for this moment."
She shook her head at him. "Ever the pessimist."
"Relax," Braden said, handing him a mug of ale. "I would say you've paid the price and this is the reward."
Sin didn't believe it for a minute. Something bad was going to happen. It always did. Every time in his life when he had thought himself safe or even at peace, something horrible had disrupted it.
He watched as several of the villagers cleared a space in the center of the hall where people could dance to the music the five men played. Food and drink flowed freely while everyone made merry with the day.
He watched as woman after woman came up and talked to his wife and, oddly enough, spoke to him as well.
Oh, this was evil. Truly, truly demonic.
He half expected the devil himself to crash through the wall and swoop Callie up and run away with her.
"You have the lo
ok of a deer caught by a poacher," Simon said as he came to rest by his side.
"I feel more like the deer who knows the poacher is near and can't sight him."
Morna joined them and offered Sin a small cake. " 'Tis tradition for the groom to eat it."
Sin took it from her hand. "Thank you, milady."
She blushed and ambled off.
Simon leaned over. "That smells delicious."
Sin smiled. "You and your stomach, Simon. I swear, one day your gluttony shall be the death of you."
Callie came up and took him by the hand. "Come, my Lord Ogre, I want a dance with you."
Sin handed the cake over to Simon and followed his lady.
Callie was amazed at how well Sin danced. In all honesty, she'd expected him to protest or tell her he didn't know how, but that was far from the case. The man was a wondrous dancer. "I thought you said you never danced."
"I haven't before, but I've watched others enough to know." As she twirled around behind him, she raised up on her toes and placed a sweet kiss to his cheek.
The look on his face made her laugh as a cheer went up through the crowd.
"You are an amazing woman," he breathed.
"Not hardly, my lord, but I'm glad you think so."
When the song ended, they left the floor. Morna handed Callie her bride's cake.
Callie turned to him. "We're supposed to eat them together. Did you eat yours already?"
He indicated Simon with his thumb. "I gave it to Simon, but I'm sure it's gone already."
"It's supposed to be good luck to eat them together."
Morna clucked her tongue at Sin. "It's supposed to guarantee fertility. A child for every poppy seed the two of you consume."
He passed a wicked smile to Callie, not believing the superstition in the least. Still, he wouldn't insult the woman who had been kind to him. "Well, in that case, I'd best go claim it, then." He winked at his wife.
Sin crossed the hall, and it was only then he saw Simon looking a little pale. "Is something wrong?"
Sweat beaded on Simon's forehead. "I can't breathe."
Sin heard Jamie yell that one of the hounds was ill. The dog limped to the center of the hall and collapsed.
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