Zuzulla let out a small giggle. It felt nice to relax in the water with Carden even if he was her captor. She sank into the water, allowing it to cover her completely before coming back up and looking at Carden.
He could tell that she was in pain and he wanted to do something to help her. “If I take the rope off, will you run,” he asked.
“Where would I run to,” she asked, looking at him.
“If you run I will catch you and I will kill you,” he said.
Zuzulla knew that he was telling the truth and she nodded her head in agreement.
“I don’t want to run,” she said as he worked at the knots.
Carden raised his eyes and looked at her. “What do you mean,” he asked.
“You say my father is a bad man. You’re not the only one who has said these things. I don’t know what he has done. Killed people? Tortured them? I don’t think it matters any more. I don’t want to go back,” she answered.
Carden slipped the rope off of her wrists and tossed it onto the bank. He then took her hands in his and gently dipped them into the water. He heard her wince as the water ran over the burns.
“What is it you want Princess,” Carden asked as he slid his thumb over her wrist.
Zuzulla had no idea what it was that she wanted, but at that moment she wanted nothing more than to kiss the man who was standing in front of her. No man had ever shown so much compassion for her. She knew that people were forced to care for her, but this man did not have to. He could have left her dirty and in pain, but instead he wanted to take care of her and for that she was grateful.
She looked up at him and quickly pressed her lips against his. In one swift movement, she could feel that his arms were around her and his body was pressed against hers. He parted his lips and slid his tongue against hers begging for entrance. She had never kissed a man before and was unsure of what to do, but she parted her lips slightly to allow him entrance into her mouth. His tongue flicked against hers sending chills through her entire body. Carden’s hands were moving down her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The burns on her wrists still ached, but it was something she was willing to deal with in order to be this close to this man… Her captor.
Carden’s hands landed on her ass and he squeezed gently pulling her against him. She could feel his hard thick cock pressed into her stomach begging for attention. She was unsure of what to do and decided to allow Carden to guide her. One of his hands stayed planted on her ass squeezing and kneading at the thick flesh while the other one moved to the front of her body. She could feel his hand as it brushed against her stomach and slide up her rib cage. He gently brushed his finger across her nipple causing her to draw in a deep breath.
The feelings that he was causing in her body was nothing like she had ever experienced before. She smiled as she thought about how angry it would make her father if he found her there like that with this man. Carden’s hand cupped her breast as he continued to slide his thumb back and forth over her hard nub. It felt as if electricity was coming from his thumb and shooting through her entire body.
She heard a deep growl come from Carden’s throat as he pulled her against his cock. She had never witnessed such desire in her life and it filled her with pure pleasure knowing that the desire he felt was just for her.
Carden released her ass and pushed her against the side of the spring. Their bodies were so close she did not think even the water could come between them, but as he pulled his body back slightly he could see the disappointment in her eyes. Carden slipped his hand between them sliding it down her stomach until he found her slit. He pressed his finger into her slid slowly sliding it down, flicking over her already hard clit until he reached her entrance then he slide it back up again.
He began working small circles around her clit, causing her to moan. She moved her legs further apart, allowing him to have more access. She had never imagined that the touch of a man would feel so good. She bowed her back, causing her breasts to stand straight up. Carden released the one he had been holding and quickly captured her pink nub in his mouth. He began flicking at it with his tongue as he worked on her little pink clit.
He could feel the werewolf clawing to get out, but he knew that he could not allow it. He knew that she was a princess and princesses were not known to have sex before they were married. He could not deny that he wanted her, but tonight it was all about bringing her pleasure.
She had said that she did not want to return home, but he knew that could change quickly. He also had no idea what the King of Kigom had in store for her, but he knew he would never allow any harm to come to her.
Zuzulla’s body began to tense and Carden knew that she was teetering on the edge. He began working at her clit faster as she began rocking her hips back and forth. Suddenly her arms tightened around his neck and she let out a loud moan. He could feel her body shaking with pleasure and he allowed her to finish completely before he stopped rubbing her.
Zuzulla looked up at Carden, her face was flushed and her breathing was still heavy. “That was amazing,” she said, “but what about you.” Her eyes moved to his throbbing cock. Carden could not deny how badly he wanted her. “Not tonight, Princess,” he said, looking down at her, “now let’s get you cleaned up and I will get us some dinner.”
Carden cleaned her up and when she was out of the spring he dressed her wounds. As she stood in front of him completely naked, her body shaking from the orgasm she had just experienced and the cold of the night air, he wanted to lay her on the ground and slide his cock into her smooth entrance. He knew he would have no problem doing it as his cock was still hard just as it had been most of the day. He also knew that she would not stop him, but he did not want to taint her. He wanted to save her for another time.
Once her wounds were dressed Carden took her cloak out of his pack and wrapped her in it. He led her to the nearby cave.
“I need you to stay here,” he said, looking into her eyes. She could see the softness in them now and wanted nothing more than to kiss him once again. “There are very dangerous creatures out in these woods at night, if you try to run away, they will get to you before I can.” She could tell he was serious and spread out a small blanket that he had given her.
“I won’t leave,” she said, looking up at him. Carden knew that it was against his better judgement, but he could not see tying her up again. He turned and left the cave. As he reached the edge of the woods, he shifted into a werewolf. This would make catching dinner much easier.
Once the guards realized that Zuzulla had not returned to them, they began searching the woods. After what seemed like hours of searching and finding nothing one guard stumbled upon the remains of her dress. It looked as if it had been shredded by an animal, but there was no blood on it. He called for his companions and they all came running. He held up the dress and the look of fear could be seen on his face.
They all knew what would happen to them if they returned without the king’s daughter and they knew that the king would hunt them all down if they didn’t return at all. They discussed their options and decided that it would be better to be thrown in prison for life than to be hunted by the army.
As they returned to the castle Sven was walking out to meet his daughter. She had been late for dinner and he was not happy. He was ready to take her privilege of forest walks away when he saw one of his guards carrying her torn dress.
Sven ran to the guard and grabbed the dress. Anger filled his face as the guard struggled to find his words, “She was just gone, we looked Si… Sir we searched and she is just gone.”
They stood in silence for several seconds before Sven said anything, “Alert the army, nothing else matters but finding my daughter. Call all the soldiers home and comb these woods until she has been found.” He had no idea at that moment that he was doing exactly what the king of Kigom wanted. He was giving his enemies time to build up their armies and attack him while his army was out looking for Zuzulla.
Little did
King Sven know he would never find her. Carden had returned with two rabbits for them to share and a few handfuls of berries. Zuzulla was thankful for the berries, she knew they would hold her over until the rabbit was cooked. Carden made a small fire and began making dinner for the two of them. He sat next to the fire close to Zuzulla.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home,” he asked.
He had thought about what she had said while he was hunting and he wanted nothing more than to take her back to the Highlanders. He knew that the two of them would have to go off on their own for a time, at least until the searching stopped but he wanted the Alpha to change her. To make her like him. He had not felt this way about a woman in over a hundred years and he didn’t want to lose her.
“I’m sure,” she answered.
That was all that Carden needed. He was going to make her his. He lifted the cloak off of her body exposing her pale skin. She shivered as the cold air touched her, but Carden took her in his arms sharing his warmth with her. He gently laid her down on the grass.
“There is something I need to tell you,” he said, looking in her eyes and he held himself above her. She slid her hand down his thick biceps, “What is it,” she was completely focused on him.
“You have two choices, I can take you to the King of Kigom and I don’t know what he will do with you. Or I can tell him I have captured you, but are going to keep you for myself. Your father will be distracted just as the King wants and you can go with me.”
“I want to go with you,” she answered as she opened her legs for him allowing his body between them. Carden tugged at his pants, releasing his throbbing cock as if it was a caged animal. Zuzulla slid her hand up the length of his shaft and ran her thumb over the tip just as he had done her breast. Carden drew a deep breath as a growl grew deep within him.
“If you want to go with me there is something you need to know. We will have to go to my people, then we will have to hide until your father stops looking. Once you join us you can never leave.”
He could see the confusion on her face. He wished that he knew how to explain it better, but he could not focus. She had wrapped her legs around his waist and was pulling him toward her with everything she had.
“I’ll never leave Carden,” she said, looking up at him begging him to take her with her eyes.
“Princess,” Carden pulled back away from her and he could see the disappointment in her eyes, “I’m not finished. You need to understand, my people they are the Highlanders.”
Her legs fell off of his waist as she looked up at him. Her mouth was open, but she was making no sound and her eyes darted back and forth as if she were trying to comprehend what he was saying.
“Highlanders,” she mouthed without saying it. Carden sat up between her legs, he could see the wetness begging him to touch it, but he knew she was going to panic. There had been too many stories told about his people, they had taken part in too much horror over the years.
Carden looked at Zuzulla as she rose up to meet him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back down on top of her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, she was giving her body to him.
“I don’t care what or who you are. I want to be with you,” she whispered in his ear.
Carden lowered himself down onto his elbows and placed his hands in her hair. He looked into her eyes for only a second and saw nothing but the truth lay in them. Carden pressed his lips hard against hers devouring her like an animal that had not eaten in weeks. It had been so long since he had felt the warmth of a woman wrapped around his cock he was almost shaking with anticipation.
Carden moved his hips until his cock was in line with her entrance. He wanted her right then and nothing was going to stop him from making her his. He began to push into her slowly. He could hear her trying to control her breathing and knowing that he was causing her pain, he did not force himself inside of her.
He was gentle and caring. Looking into her eyes as he entered her body. When he was completely inside of her he slowly began to withdraw his cock. He could feel her pussy walls, adjusting to him, stretching in order to contain him. Carden let out a deeper growl than before it was going to take everything he had to contain the beast within him. To remain gentle but he was determined. It was not long before Carden was ready to cum and she felt his hot fluid pouring out of him inside of her body.
“It gets better,” Carden said once he had caught his breath, “the first time is the worst.”
He began to feel bad about causing her pain, he had seen a tear drop fall out of her eye, but he knew that from that moment she was his. Carden slid his cock out of her and sat up. She slowly sat up beside him, obviously sore from stretching to accommodate his cock. Carden lifted her hand, “You’re mine,” he said.
“I’m yours,” she said, smiling at him. Carden lifted her wrist to her mouth and bit it hard, sinking his teeth deep into her flesh. Zuzulla’s breath caught and then pleasure filled her body. It was almost as wonderful as the orgasm he had given her earlier. He slowly pulled his teeth out of her and licked at the wounds causing them to instantly heal.
“You’re marked,” was all he said. Intuitively Zuzulla knew the double meaning those words held. She was marked on the outside, and now his on the inside as well. They sat by the fire and ate their dinner. Once they were full they realized how exhausted, they were. They walked into the cave still completely naked and completely unashamed, curled up on the floor of the cave together and fell asleep, his protective hand resting on her stomach where his seed had taken root.
THE END
The Taken Bride
The layers of Mary’s thick taffeta skirts rustled as she climbed into the carriage. The journey to the nearby town always exhausted her but there was no other way to obtain the household goods that George demanded. He had to have his certain type of tea and would get quite upset if there were no lemons for it.
The afternoon was hot and humid, and as the driver started towards home, she tried to ignore the feeling of dirt and grit on her normally silky pale skin. She wished desperately that it was her bath day but she had to wait a little while longer. She hoped that she would at least find a moment to use a cool cloth on her legs once she returned to her bedroom. The humidity in the air had even sent her auburn waves into wild curls that refused to stay in their upswept bun.
Last night George had also demanded her other wifely duties, and she succumbed as she had for the last twelve years. It was hardly enjoyable or even pleasant, but she was in no position to deny him. Every few months, he berated her for his lack of an heir and he used it as a convenient excuse whenever he felt the urge to violate her body. There were so many nights that Mary wished he would just avail himself of the house in town that no respectable man would enter. But so far she had had no such luck in a reprieve. His sweaty bald head, clammy hairy belly, and thin limbs turned her stomach but there was no way to avoid the attentions of her husband.
At nearly thirty, with George approaching fifty, Mary was running out of time to produce her husband the blessed son he so badly wanted from her. She had done everything in her power and was resigned to the fact it was not going to happen. Mostly she was okay with that, if George could be more accepting of the situation.
Her life was reasonably routine and bland, including the evenings George had been out to the pub for drinking. That seemed to be more and more frequent as of late but what could Mary do. She usually tried to either be asleep or pretend to be asleep when he came home. Sometimes it deterred his interest and sometimes it did nothing to stop him.
Mary tried to fan herself in the carriage as she rode along the bumpy dirt road. The poor horses and driver went over one rock so hard, she feared her ample bosoms would pop free of the corseted top of her dress. She clasped her hands at her chest to make sure she did not suddenly become indecent on the journey through the middle of nowhere. The heat in the air made it hard to breathe, especially given the cinched waist of the dress she had chosen for
the trip.
Mary arrived home just before dinner and frantically tried to tidy herself as well as the house. The cook had the meal almost ready, for which Mary was exceedingly grateful, but she still had to have everything else prepared and ready just so. She was not in the mood for an angry George.
The plates of food hit the table just as George arrived home from his meeting with Robert who lived about half a day away.
“That bloody man is going to be the death of me!” George bellowed as he slammed the door open.
“He still will not grant me purchase of that pond. What good is owning the land if I do not own the pond that sits on it? I need the water for the trees and the horses. It is absurd that he owns the water and I own the land. He thinks I should give him the land and I think he should give me the pond.”
“Good evening George,” Mary said quietly.
“You as well,” he grumbled in her direction. He was more focused on the food and wine on the table than her.
“Did you get my tea and lemons?”
“Yes, sir. I returned from town a short while ago.” Mary smoothed a stray auburn curl back into her upswept topknot.
“I hope you did not spend too much of my hard-earned money.”
“But of course not, sir.” Mary looked up at him through her dark lashes. His face was not turning quite so many different shares of red so he must not have been too upset with her.
After dinner, George continued to drink the wine while Mary read by candlelight in the sitting room. She excused herself early for the evening, still wanting to wash down before crawling into her bed. She was grateful that they slept in different rooms most nights. It enabled her to get more sleep than if she had to listen to him snoring all night.
Mary carefully removed and laid out her garments, wishing she had the ability to lock the door as she stood naked in the middle of the room. She soaked the soft cloth in the cool water of the basin and caressed her heated skin. It helped to get rid of a little of the grime as well as took away some of the heat of the day.
The Highlander's Taken Bride (Scottish Highlander Romance) Page 15