by Donna Grant
"I think I found us shelter,” he shouted over the wind.
She nodded her head in answer.
He wasted not another second out in the storm but hurried to the cottage, one arm still around Gwyn, guiding her towards their shelter.
Smoke poured from the chimney, urging Keiran faster. If they could just have time to dry out their clothing and warm up, it would be enough. There had been no sign of the Tnarg, and with the storm, there was little chance the beast would find them soon.
By the time they reached the small cottage, he all but held Gwyn up. Keiran pounded on the door, sending a violent ache down his frozen arm.
A moment later, the door opened to reveal a middle aged woman with kind blue eyes. “Oh, goodness,” she said when she spotted them. “Come in out of that storm."
Keiran didn't hesitate as he pulled Gwyn into the cottage. Immediately, warmth surrounded them.
"Both of you are frozen,” the woman exclaimed. “Get by the fire and remove those wet clothes before you freeze to death. I'll get some blankets for you."
"Keiran?” Gwyn whispered.
"It's all right. Come warm yourself,” he said as he settled her near the fire and began to remove her boots and cloak.
He glanced at her face to find her eyes closed and her hands stretched towards the roaring fire. He knew exactly how she felt. He could cheerfully dive into the fire he was so cold.
Instead, he pulled off his own boots and set them near the hearth beside Gwyn's to dry.
"Here, dear, let me help you,” the woman said as she began to help Gwyn remove her gown.
Keiran turned his back to the women and hurriedly got out of his wet clothing before wrapping a blanket around himself and turning back to the fire. Gwyn was already nestled in a blanket on the floor, her bare toes near the fire.
"I don't think either of you has frostbite,” the woman said. “No one in their right minds comes up on this mountain in winter."
Gwyn's gray eyes met Keiran's before he looked at the woman. “The storm caught us by surprise. We appreciate you sharing your blankets and fire with us."
The woman smiled and touched her dark hair streaked with a few gray hairs. “Think nothing of it. I rarely get visitors, so this is a treat. I've made some soup. Are you hungry?"
"Aye, please,” Gwyn whispered.
Keiran's own stomach had been growling for hours. There hadn't been time for them to eat since they had left the village. He felt as weak as a kitten and as frozen as an icicle.
"That would be wonderful."
"Good,” the woman said. “Call me Molly. My husband and I settled here years ago to get away from everyone. I've been without my Fergus for nearly five years now."
Keiran watched as she stirred the soup over the fire. “I'm sorry for your loss. I'm Keiran and this is my wife, Gwyn."
Molly shrugged. “Such is life, I suppose. ‘Tis nice to meet you both."
"You live up here alone then?"
"I do,” she said with a smile.
Keiran wondered how she did it all, but she looked as though she had everything she needed. Some women could hunt, and he guessed Molly had learned from her husband to keep food on the table should something happen to him.
The soup was dished out to them and tasted delicious. Keiran had two helpings before he set aside the bowl. Between the food and the warmth, he could already feel his body begin to thaw.
He glanced at Gwyn to find her watching him. Her cheeks had a soft glow to them again. “Feel better?"
"Much,” she admitted. “I've never been so cold in my life. I would do fine without ever seeing snow again."
He couldn't agree with her more. He wondered what she thought about him calling her his wife. In Drahcir, even without a formal ceremony, she was considered his wife as soon as they had been marked. Still, it was the first time he had spoken of her as his wife, and he felt a swell of pride at having her by his side.
His brave woman. She would make an excellent queen.
Molly handed each of them a mug of hot tea. “This will help, as well,” she said. “The storm should break overnight, and both of you are welcome to stay the night. I wouldn't suggest venturing out into the storm again."
Keiran's met Gwyn's gaze, silently asking her what she wanted to do. She gave a very slight nod of her head.
"If you don't mind,” he said. “I think we'll take you up on your kind offer."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Six
Gwyn flexed her fingers and toes as the feeling returned to them. Keiran scooted closer to her and rubbed her feet to help bring the feeling back.
She smiled at him. He was a good man, sacrificing so much for the good of his people. She knew of his kindness, of the wisdom he'd seemed to possess even at a young age. Drahcir would prosper during his reign as it had in the generations before him.
"What are you thinking?” he asked.
Gwyn glanced at Molly to find her out of earshot. “I'm thinking you'll make a great king."
"With you by my side, I can do anything."
She touched his cheek, rubbing the stubble of his beard beneath her hand.
"Tell me your greatest desire,” he asked.
She shrugged and licked her lips. “I've always wanted children. I love the innocence in babies’ eyes when they look up at you, the trusting way they grip your finger in their tiny hands. And a child's laughter has to be one of the best sounds in the entire world."
"You will make a wonderful mother."
She let out a deep breath. “As much as I want sons and daughters with your dark hair and hazel eyes, I'm afraid. I don't know how your parents could stand to let the four of you leave, knowing there was a chance they would never see you again."
"'Tis a chance each Sinclair has made since the curse came into being. I long to break the curse, to end this wretchedness once and for all. Yet, I don't know how to do it. I used to comb through Father's library, hoping to find something in those tomes that would give me some hint, but I never found anything."
"Did you ask Aimery?"
He shook his head. “I was so worried about finding you, I forgot."
She entwined her fingers with his. “Then that is what we'll do once we reach Drahcir. We'll find a way to end it. I don't want our children suffering through the frustration and anxiety of looking for their mates and trying to outrun the beast."
"The weight of an entire kingdom is on my shoulders, Gwyn,” he murmured. “I cannot tell you how heavy it weighs upon me."
She could only imagine. Despite his broad shoulders, no one should have to carry such a load. She simply refused to have her children suffer as Keiran and his brothers had suffered.
Keiran's arm wrapped around her shoulders, drawing her against him as his warmth surrounded her. Her body responded instantly to his nearness. The need to feel him between her legs, thrusting deep within her was overwhelming.
He nuzzled her neck. “I love the smell of your skin,” he whispered in her ear. “I could lick you from head to toe and never get enough."
She shivered at his words. By the gods, how she wanted him.
"I could lick you as well,” she said.
"Ah, don't tempt me, love."
"But I want to tempt you."
His eyes twinkled devilishly. “You can tempt me each day for the rest of our lives."
"Then I shall. Should I start tonight?"
He groaned into her hair. “I want you with a ferocity I find exhilarating and a tad alarming."
Gwyn bit her lip to keep from moaning when Keiran's hand slipped into her blanket and cupped her breast while he thumbed her nipple. The pleasure shot to her sex, making her squeeze her legs together. She wanted to throw off the blankets and scoot into his lap to slowly lower herself atop his cock and ride him until they both screamed in ecstasy.
Only the presence of their hostess stopped her.
"Keiran, please,” she begged.
"Please what? Do you want more?"
> She shook her head. “You must stop. We cannot, not with Molly so near,” she whispered.
He reluctantly removed his hand. His mouth, however, continued to drive her wild with his soft lips and hot tongue as they scrapped across her flesh.
His breath fanned her neck, sending chills across her skin. “I want to bring you to release again,” he whispered. “I want to hear you scream my name."
Gwyn's resistance was wearing down. Her body was in such a state of need, that she was nearly to the point of uncaring who watched as she made love to Keiran.
Her eyes closed as she titled her head back to grant him access to her neck. His teeth grazed her skin a heartbeat before he ran his tongue over the spot. It was too much for Gwyn.
"By the gods, how I want you,” Keiran said, his voice husky and deep.
The sound of feet moving closer to them made Gwyn lift her head and open her eyes. “Molly is coming,” she murmured.
"Ah, I wish I was,” he said.
She choked back a laugh and straightened her blanket around her. Her body pulsed with need, desire strummed through her veins demanding she seek the release and pleasure only Keiran could give her.
And she would. Just as soon as Molly went to sleep.
Molly leaned down to add another log to the fire before she dusted off her hands and faced them. “There is a loft where the two of you can bed down for the night, or I can make you a pallet in front of the fire."
"The loft will be fine,” Keiran answered.
"Help yourself to anything you need, then.” Molly moved past them to her bed that sat directly behind them.
Gwyn rose and started for the ladder that would take them to the loft. Keiran was right behind her. It took awhile to navigate the ladder while holding her blanket closed, but by the time she and Keiran were in the loft, Molly was in her bed.
When Keiran pulled at her blanket, she let fall from her to puddle at her hips. His warm hazel eyes caught and held hers as he cupped the side of her face.
"You're mine."
She nodded and glanced at the mark on his arm, a mark that let all the world know he was mated. “I'm yours. For always."
His kiss, when it came, held all the desire, promise and love she had seen in his eyes. Again and again his tongue swirled around hers.
She pushed at his blanket, exposing his muscled form to her view. With a flick of her wrist she pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips. His thick cock nestled between her legs hard and hot.
Though she longed to hold him in her hand, she made herself wait. Instead, she spread her hands over his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her hand. Slowly she moved her hands down his torso and over his rippling abdomen and tight stomach.
His cock jumped in anticipation as her hand near him. A glance at his face showed him watching her intently, silently wondering if she would take him in hand.
When Gwyn could stand it no longer, she grasped his cock, amazed at the smoothness of him. Her thumb rubbed over the tip to the bead of moisture the pooled there.
"Gwyn.” His voice was strained, rough.
Her hand moved up and down his length, learning the feel of him. Several times he moaned, his hands fisting in the blanket, yet not once did he stop her.
"I need you too desperately,” he whispered.
Before she could argue that she wasn't done, he leaned up and took her in a kiss that stole her breath. She clung to his shoulders, her body quivering with each rub of his rod against her sex.
He reached between them and cupped her, running his finger through her moist curls until he pushed inside of her. Gwyn gasped at the sensation and tore her mouth from his.
In and out his fingers moved. She felt her own wetness, the desire coiling inside of her.
As if he understood her need, Keiran laid back and lifted her by her hips until she knelt over his cock. She sank onto him, his length, his heat, his hardness filling her inch by delicious inch.
His hands cupped her breasts and gave her nipples a pinch before his thumbs began to move back and forth over the tiny buds. Shivers of delight raced through her, causing her to shift her hips, and the most delectable pleasure consumed her.
She moved her hips causing Keiran's fingers to dig into her skin as his own pleasure mounted. Just when she thought she couldn't take any more, his hand moved to her sex and stroked her pearl with the barest of touches, sending her higher.
Her climax took her almost instantly. With her hands on Keiran's chest to hold her up, Gwyn bit her lip to keep from crying out and rode her orgasm. Keiran's hands gripped her hips, sliding her up and down his length, and he plunged deep inside of her. He buried his head in her neck a moment before he stiffened beneath her, his body jerking with his own climax.
Keiran caught Gwyn as she fell atop his chest, their ragged breaths filling the air around them. Though they had tried to be quiet, he was sure Molly hadn't slept through their lovemaking.
He ran his hands over his mate's back, learning the wonderful, silky feel of her skin. He couldn't wait to return to Drahcir with her by his side. They would enter the gates to the cheers of their people. His family would be there to greet them with hugs, tears and laughter.
Much rejoicing would fill the kingdom as the curse would be fulfilled once more. Keiran knew his mother would waste little time in getting a ceremony together for their wedding. It was just a formality, but one he knew Gwyn would enjoy immensely.
He couldn't wait to see the crown sitting atop her beautiful honey curls, the bright sun shining down upon her and highlighting her golden strands.
A gift. He wanted to give her a gift, something to celebrate their return to Drahcir and their future together. He had a magnificent teardrop shaped sapphire he could have set in a necklace.
Though he would gift her with it, it wasn't exactly what he had envisioned. In his mind, he went through the jewels he had purchased over the years as well as the ones in the royal vault. And that's when he recalled the amazing yellow diamond ring he'd stumbled across before he'd left Drahcir.
It was perfect. Just the gift for his wife. He couldn't wait to see it on her hand. It would be a sign of their love.
Love? Do I love her? I lust after her, but love?
Keiran pushed a strand of hair from her face to find her sleeping. Her lips were parted slightly and her hand was curled on his chest.
She was beautiful, brave, loyal and courageous—everything a future queen of Drahcir needed to be. Being with her made him feel whole, and there was no question he cared for her. The emotion that made his heart beat faster every time he looked at her could be love.
He suspected it was love. But he couldn't say for sure. Not yet, anyway.
Gently, he rolled to his side. Gwyn shifted and curled on her side away from him. He ran his hand over the swell of her hips to the indent of her waist. Even now, as exhausted as he was, he wanted her again.
He wondered how long before she swelled with child. And then he recalled the curse.
By the gods. I don't want my children to suffer through this.
But there wasn't another way. Or was there? He had never thought to question Aimery on it. Could the Fae have held the answer all the years? Surely Keiran wasn't the first Sinclair to wonder about ending the curse.
He leaned up and pulled the blanket over himself and Gwyn before he snuggled up against her. Whatever the price that needed to be paid, he would do it if it ended the curse forever.
A smile pulled at his lips as he drifted off to sleep and dream of his kingdom with Gwyn by his side and their children playing around them.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Seven
Gwyn wasn't sure what woke her. She yawned and sighed against Keiran's chest. His arm was draped over her with his hand cupping her breast. Even in sleep, her husband had a need to touch her.
"My husband,” she whispered, loving the sound of it.
It was still difficult to believe Keiran was actually hers
and they were on their return to Drahcir. If only the Tnarg wasn't trying to kill her.
Her mood now shattered, Gwyn sat up and clutched the second blanket to her chest as she moved to the edge of the ladder. She glanced over the side to find the fire still roaring and Molly sitting at the table smiling at her. Gwyn returned her smile and started down the ladder.
"I trust you slept well?” Molly asked.
Gwyn nodded. “I did, thank you. We cannot express our gratitude to you for offering us shelter."
Molly waved away her words. “Nonsense, child. I'm happy to have the company. I've been alone for so long now."
Gwyn grew uncomfortable in the silence that followed as Molly looked into her cup. She started towards their clothes. They were nearly dry, which meant they could leave soon.
"Come sit with me a moment,” Molly beckoned.
Gwyn moved the table and accepted the cup of hot tea Molly offered her. “Thank you. Is there anything I can do to repay your kindness?"
"Ah, no need, lass,” the older woman said. “Where are you and your husband travelling to?"
Gwyn hesitated. No one was supposed to know of Drahcir, but she hated to lie to Molly. Before she could respond, however, Molly continued.
"You must be newly married."
"Aye, we are,” Gwyn admitted.
Molly ran her finger over the rim of the mug. “Where will you make your home? In the village at the base of the mountain?"
"Nay. We've other plans."
"Good. Good.” Molly licked her thin lips and turned her blue eyes to Gwyn. “I've a confession to make."
Gwyn chuckled. “What would that be?"
"My name isn't Molly. In fact, I'm not even human."
The smile died on Gwyn's lips as she struggled to comprehend what Molly had just told her. “Who ... what are you?"
"I shall show you.” With a wave of her hand, a bright light infused the cottage.
Gwyn lifted her arm to shield her eyes as she watched the plain, older woman transform to a young, gorgeous woman before her very eyes.
"This is the real me,” the being said. “My name is Saynarra."
Instantly, Gwyn knew who she was. “You're the Fae princess who cursed the Sinclairs."