“You have my word, I will say nothing.”
“And I will tell you no more, for there are those who search for her, and I will not have your life endangered by knowledge of her whereabouts.”
“As you wish,” Reena said, “but if there should ever come a time—”
“I will seek your help,” Magnus assured her. “I do not know about you, but that bird smells delicious, and I am starving.”
Reena rubbed her hands together, part in anticipation of the feast and part in knowing The Legend had earned his title because of love. “Let us feast.”
They talked about many things while they ate, and they laughed often, until finally words drifted away and they looked upon each other in silence.
Tingles ran over Reena, mixed with a loving warmth; a strange and pleasurable sensation and one she would never grow tired of feeling. She wanted to reach out and touch him and let him know she was content here with him, just the two of them.
She looked at her hands, which needed cleaning from their meal, and with a smile she stood and hurried over to the opening of the cave. She stuck her hands outside to let the rainwater wash them clear.
She heard Magnus approach from behind and his arms slipped past her, his hands joining hers to cleanse them. They rubbed each other’s hands slowly, the chilled rain feeling good on their warm skin.
And then he stepped closer, his body pressing against hers. He lifted her up with one arm to rest against him, while he rested his cheek to hers.
“I am too small in height for—”
“You are perfect,” he whispered.
“Nay,” she said with a soft laugh. “Love blinds you.”
“Beauty blinds.” He kissed her cheek and then her neck.
His tender kisses sent gooseflesh rushing over her, and she shivered.
He turned her in his arms. “I want to make love to you. I want to touch and kiss every part of your beautiful body and make you mine and mine alone.”
This time she shivered from his words.
“The choice is yours; I will not force you. I want our joining to be one of love, our marriage to be one of love, our life together to be one of love. I will have it no other way.”
He placed her on the ground, and her eyes filled with tears.
“You are truly a man of honor.”
“Without honor a man is nothing.” He raised his hand to wipe away the single tear that slipped slowly down her cheek.
She kissed the palm of his hand. “My tear falls out of love, not shame or regret or doubt, but pure love.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “Then let me love you.”
She hesitated but a brief moment, then her hand went to the blanket at his waist. “Let us both love.”
His blanket fell away as his hand reached for the fold of her blanket and released it to fall at her feet. They stood naked in the mouth of the cave.
“You are beautiful,” Magnus said softly, then scooped her up into his arms and walked to the campfire, lowering them both to the blankets.
He stretched out alongside her, ran his fingers though her hair, and smiled as her arms reached out to wrap around him and draw him near.
His body felt deliciously good against hers, warm and hard and soft all at once, and the taste of him—she did not want to stop tasting him. The more she tasted, the more she hungered for him. She could not get enough of him.
His hands explored her, touching and titillating her senses beyond reason.
“Your skin is like silk,” he whispered and nibbled her ear. “And your breasts—” He cupped her breast in his hand. “A perfect size for me to hold and enjoy.” His mouth descended on her nipple, and with slow licks it disappeared into his mouth.
She moaned and grasped his arms, holding tight while he took his pleasure and gave her pleasure.
His mouth drifted down, and he rained soft kisses on her belly. He did not stop and continued to taste every part of her, making her squirm and moan with pleasure.
She soon lost complete control of her senses. Nothing mattered but his touch, his kiss, his loving. She wanted to scream, laugh and cry all at once, and she wanted him never to stop loving her as he did this night.
He moved over her, rubbing his heated body against hers, and she felt the length and hardness of him.
“I need to touch you,” she said, her words an urgency that spilled hastily from her lips. She pushed at his chest to force him onto his back so that she could have her way.
He did not argue, and when her hand slipped around him in slow curiosity, he grew harder.
“You feel like silk,” she said, surprised, and ran her finger up and down the length of him before her hand completely encircled him. Once again she tested the feel of him.
He moaned before speaking with haste. “If you continue to excite me with your touch, this night will end quickly.”
“But you feel so very good.” Her hand moved down to cup him delicately, and she moaned herself. “I do so want you.”
To his surprise she climbed on top of him.
“This is permitted?”
He laughed and groaned. “Aye, very permitted.” Then he took a breath and grabbed hold of her slim hips to hold her steadfast. “But this is your first time and it may be painful for you this way, and I want you to suffer no pain.”
“I will feel no pain,” she insisted, moving against him in a motion that was instinctive and natural.
He groaned, his own body joining hers in the rhythm. “You will tell me if you do?”
“Aye,” she said on a moan and moved to slowly settle herself down on him.
He reached out and touched her intimately, firing her passion even more. She groaned and flung her head back, arching her body as she descended down on him. Then she leaned forward, her long dark hair tickling his face, her hands pressing firm on his shoulders.
His hands went to her waist, and he attempted to assist her, hoping to ease her slowly down on the full length of him so that she would feel nothing but pleasure. But she was lost in her passion and she was intent on feeling all of him.
“Easy,” he warned.
“Nay,” she said on a cry. “I need to feel all of you.”
“You will hurt.”
“You will never hurt me,” she said on a rushed breath, kissed him soundly, then forced him completely into her in one solid thrust. She let out a sigh of absolute pleasure, and her smile was wide as she moved and swayed like a woman born to love.
Magnus groaned at the feel of her so tight and hot around him, and he lost his senses.
They mated in a frenzied love, their movements natural, demanding, tender and forceful.
Reena loved the freedom of loving him as she chose, and he loved allowing her that freedom, and their powerful climaxes reflected their unselfish love. It was something Magnus had never experienced before and Reena had never known. They lingered against each other, Reena spent, her damp body stretched out over him, Magnus content with her there on top of him.
They eventually slipped beneath the blankets and cuddled in each other’s arms, drifting off to sleep—but not before they both at the same time turned and whispered, “I love you.”
Chapter 26
The days that followed were made for lovers. The sun shone bright, the birds chirped in song, the buds on the trees began to blossom, along with Magnus and Reena’s love.
They hugged, they touched, and they kissed and spent much time off on their own. Sunsets were a favorite time of theirs, and sunrises, and they watched both wrapped in each other’s arms, safe and very much in love.
Reena learned more about her soon-to-be husband, and what she learned often moved her to tears. His dark helmet was certainly a mask, for it hid his true nature from the world. She understood why he so often wore it. His caring heart had difficulty accepting what was necessary to his warrior side, and the helmet hid his true self.
They finished their mapping in four days’ time, both Reena a
nd Magnus eager to return to the keep and have time to themselves. The weather remained dry so cave dwelling was not necessary, and the loving couple found little chance to be alone.
And with the improving weather Magnus wondered over Kilkern’s intentions. He sent word ahead to the keep informing them of their imminent return, and after several private discussions with his men, Reena demanded to know what was being kept from her.
“I cannot protect myself if I do not even know I need to protect myself,” she said to Magnus after he returned from a discussion with his men that obviously appeared worrisome.
“I protect you, that is all you need to know,” he said after mounting his horse.
“Nay, it is not,” she insisted, holding tight to the reins of her horse and her temper. “I am not some meek-minded, weak-willed woman who quivers in fear when threatened. I will defend myself when necessary and be aware when necessary.”
“You are more of a woman than I counted on.” He smiled. “In more ways than one.”
She grinned wide, and her annoyance faded. “Aye, that I am. Now stop attempting to misdirect me, and tell me what goes on.”
Magnus knew it was useless to argue with her. She would see to having her way one way or the other, and the thought filled him with a sense of peace. He loved a strong and courageous woman, whom he was proud of and would love until his dying day and beyond.
“Kilkern’s men have been seen near the keep.”
Brigid was busy kneading dough for her bread when Thomas entered her cottage. His somber expression warned her that there was a problem, and her hands stopped.
“Are Reena and Magnus all right?”
Thomas walked over to her and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “They are fine and should return to the keep before nightfall.”
“Then what is wrong?” she asked, nervous to hear his answer.
“Kilkern’s men are near the keep.”
She immediately wrapped her arms around him as far as she could get them and buried her head in his massive chest.
“Do not worry, no one will touch you. You are safe with me.”
She drew a deep breath and stepped away from him, though he was reluctant to let her go. “I cannot understand why Kilkern does this to me.”
“It is simple. You are beautiful and he wants you.”
Brigid’s eyes filled with tears. “He will use me and discard me at his whim.”
Thomas’s face turned red with anger. “I will not let him. He will not hurt the woman I love.”
Brigid was stunned silent, as was Thomas, who turned a deeper shade of red after realizing he’d blurted out what he had kept hidden in his heart since the first moment he’d met her.
“Oh, Thomas,” she said and wept.
Her tears alarmed him. “It is all right, Brigid, you need not love me in return. I am not foolish enough to think a woman as beautiful as you could love a man as ugly as me.”
Brigid wiped at her tears. “You most certainly are not ugly.”
Thomas took a step away from her and stretched his arms out from his sides. “Look at me, Brigid, I am ugly.”
Brigid walked up to him and ran a flour-covered finger down his nose and over his cheeks, leaving a powdered trail. “You are a handsome man with a huge heart.”
He blushed and could not look at her. “My heart belongs only to you.”
She sighed and cupped his big face in her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. “I would take care of your heart, Thomas.”
It took a moment for him to comprehend her words—or perhaps it was that he did not believe his own ears. “You like me?”
“I more than like you, Thomas.”
“But you do not—”
“I still heal from the loss of my husband and feel guilty that I should care for another man.”
Thomas placed his hands on her slim waist. “I know you will always love your husband John and rightfully so. If you but love me half as much as you loved him, I would be a happy man.”
“And if I love you more?”
His breath quickened and he thought for a moment he could not breathe. “I would be honored.”
“Oh, Thomas,” she said. Tears once again spilling down her cheeks, she kissed him.
He held her with gentle hands, fearful he would hurt her, and kissed her just as gently.
“I will not break,” she said when they parted.
Thomas hung his head. “I am not well versed in the ways of love.”
Brigid smiled softly and took his hand. “Then let me show you.”
Magnus and Reena arrived well after sunset, the sky dark and filled with ominous clouds that drifted in haste past the full moon—not a good omen, and one that had many crossing themselves as they hurried along to their cottages.
Reena was eager to see Brigid and how she fared, though she knew Thomas would keep her safe. She wondered how Justin and Maura were, and her parents. She felt excited to be home, really home, for Dunhurnal land would truly be hers once she wed Magnus.
She hurried off her horse and headed to Brigid’s cottage.
“Wait,” Magnus called out. “I will go with you, for I am sure to find Thomas there.”
Reena slowed her step, allowing Magnus to catch up with her, and they both hurried on to the cottage. Calling out her friend’s name, Reena opened the cottage door with a sound knock. Once inside, she stood frozen in shock.
There, in bed, were Brigid and Thomas, naked beneath the covers and wrapped in each other’s arms.
Magnus smiled as he walked up behind Reena. “Time for a wedding.”
“Only if Brigid agrees,” Thomas said, his arm firm around Brigid. “I will not have her marry me if she does not wish to.”
Reena continued to stare in silence.
“My only objection would be”—Brigid looked to Thomas, and the large man held his breath—“is if Thomas does not love me, then I wish not to wed.”
Thomas let out a whoosh of relieved breath. “No one will love you as deeply and strongly as I do, Brigid.”
“I know this,” she said, snuggling against him. “I but wanted to hear you admit it.”
“I will shout it if you wish,” he said seriously.
“I do not think that necessary,” Magnus said and reached for Reena’s hand. “We will leave you now, and I will speak with you in the morning, Thomas.”
Reena was almost out the door when she stopped and looked to Brigid. “You are happy?”
“More than I thought possible.”
Reena smiled, and before she could respond, she was yanked out the door.
“They need time alone,” Magnus said. “As do we.”
“But you have things to see to.”
“All will wait till morning.” He sounded as though he insisted and would have it no other way.
But it was not to be, for when they entered the great hall, several of his men were waiting, and they appeared concerned. After speaking with them, Magnus told her that there were things needing his attention and that he would see her later in the evening.
Reena understood. Though she wished he would confide in her what was amiss, perhaps later tonight, when they shared his bed, he would speak of his concerns.
She retired to her bedchamber and set her sketches out on the desk. She thought of mapping, but her mind was too cluttered and her room too confining. She grabbed her cloak from where she’d dropped it on the bed, swung it around her shoulders, and headed out the door.
The great hall was busy with warriors gathered around Magnus. Maps were spread out on several tables, and she was pleased that her mapping would assist him in protecting his home. She did not stop to speak to him, intending to return before he finished with his men, which looked to be several hours.
She slipped out the doors without being noticed and turned in the direction of her parents’ cottage. She hoped her father was free to speak with her. It had been some time since they’d had a chance to talk, and he would enjoy hearing about
her mapping experiences.
“Mapmaker.”
Reena froze, not certain if she’d heard the whisper or imagined it. The night shadows made it impossible to see clearly, and heavy clouds had moved in to conceal the full moon’s light. Was it her imagination? Did she hear a voice?
“Listen well, mapmaker.”
Her breath caught and her heart raced at the sound of the Dark One’s harsh voice. He blended with the night shadows so well that Reena had no idea where he was, and she did not care to look upon him and his ominous dark garb.
“Tell Magnus that he must look closer.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, curious and eager to help the man she loved.
“Tell him.” His response was harsh and firm and expected obedience.
She expected further explanation. “I cannot tell him what I do not comprehend.”
“It is not for you to comprehend, you are merely the messenger.”
She was fast to argue. “I will deliver no message I myself do not understand.”
“You refuse to do as I say?”
Reena thought for a moment, a mere moment, since it did not take her long to disagree. “You comprehend me clearly, now what say you? Do you explain, or do I continue on my way?”
A moment of silence was followed by a low rumbling laughter. “He will have his hands full with you.”
“Aye, and I will love him and understand him as no other can.” She raised her head in pride.
“He is lucky to have found you.”
“I intend to remind him of that often.”
He laughed again.
“Tell me of what you speak,” she urged, “so that I may help him.”
The Dark One obliged her, the harshness gone from his tone. “What is it that Kilkern seeks?”
“A map,” Reena replied, “to support his claim that Dunhurnal land is actually Kilkern land and that Magnus has no claim to this property.”
“So then if he seeks a map to prove his claim, who better than to provide him with one?”
“A mapmaker,” she said in a hushed whisper. “Kilkern needs a mapmaker to map the land for him, proving his claim.” It took a moment for her to digest the information and realize that she was in danger. “My friend Brigid has no need to worry?”
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