by K. E. Saxon
She grinned at him, just to let him know she was jesting. “Aye, for I know how you mighty warriors do love to impress your ladies with your sharp wit—I simply wanted to give you enough time to figure out the puzzle on your own.”
“For that, my dear, I should have the mason take back the gift I had him make for you.”
Branwenn’s eyes widened and there was a definite spark of glee in them now. “What gift do you give me this time?” She didn’t wait for his response. Instead, she hiked up her skirts and jogged through the arched doorway of the garden—the only portion of the wall that had been finished thus far. She skidded to a halt just inside the entry. “Callum! ‘Tis the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!”
‘Twas a fountain. Set on a large circular base, a mermaid and two young ones, each having the look of Branwenn, Mai or Laire, were basking on a rock with waves crashing all about them. The one that looked like Branwenn held up a large sea shell, and from it bubbled forth frothy, burbling water.
She looked at him, grinning. “The mason can’t have it back. ‘Tis mine.” She threw herself into his arms and wrapped herself around him like a vise, attacking his mouth with her own, and not giving him even a second to reply. A few long, hot, steamy moments later, she lifted her head. “Standing up or lying down?” she asked, her voice husky with need.
Callum’s breathing was harsh. “Both.”
She nodded and kissed him again. After a moment, she lifted her head once more and said anxiously, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I still had some doubt that you’d believe me.”
“How can I blame you for feeling such? And I’m sorry, too. For everything. I love you.”
“Good. Me too.”
Callum moved his palm to the back of her head and pressed down, groaning low in his throat as he took possession of her lips, ripping at the ties to his braies at the same time.
They stayed in the garden the remainder of the morning. Fortunately, no one disturbed them.
* * *
EPILOGUE
The Maclean Fortress
Hogmanay, 1206
“Another year gone! Alas, where does the time go?” Lady Maclean said, shaking her head as she stood with Maryn’s father, Laird Lachlan Donald and his new bride, Marguerite de Bussey watching the flames lick higher and higher up the dried wood of the bonfire.
Laird Donald took hold of his lady’s hand and brought it up to his lips. “Aye, but this year’s been a wondrous one,” he said, gazing lovingly into his bride’s eyes.
Laird Donald, always a rather portly, agreeable sort, had noticeably added a pound or two since last Lady Maclean had seen him. And no wonder! For ‘twas rumored the lady he wed had been chef to a Frankish duke at one time. And all who knew the laird were fondly aware of his healthy appetite. Aye, ‘twas a good match.
Branwenn ran up to them laughing, her cheeks hectic with color, with Callum close behind and in much the same state. When she stopped short in an effort not to plow into Marguerite, Callum grabbed her up and twirled her around. “Now I’ve got you, my wee faery sprite!”
Branwenn shrieked. “Put me down! I’m growing dizzy.”
The older folk chuckled at the young couple’s antics.
Bao and Jesslyn strolled up. Jesslyn settled her hand over the small bump that was a new babe growing in her belly. “Just seeing the two of them twirling about in such a way unsettles my stomach.” She covered her eyes with her hand. “Nay, I cannot watch!”
Callum released his prize, setting her down on her feet. But grabbed her again when she stumbled into his arms. Then he kissed her.
Daniel and Maryn came from around the other side of the bonfire and when he saw Callum mauling his wee sister, he cleared his throat, loudly.
Callum cocked an eye open and grinned, but continued kissing Branwenn another second, just to irritate his cousin.
Just as he broke the kiss at last, a young guard, with the devil in his eyes, by the name of Angus, and one that Callum knew to be a knave with the lasses, trotted up to Branwenn and took her hand. “Pray, dance with me again, as you have done these past two annals.” He glanced at Callum. “I’m sure your husband will bear the separation well enough.”
Branwenn tugged her hand from Angus’s and swung her gaze to Callum’s, dread clear in her eyes. “Nay, my thanks Angus, but I shall stay by my husband’s side, I think.”
Callum’s heart ached at the look. Still she feared his swift reprisal, his unreasoned jealousy. After this long. He lifted his fingers to her cheek and brushed a quick kiss over her lips before saying, “Nay, go, my love. You enjoy the dance so well, and you know ‘tis not my favorite pastime. I shall be here upon your return.” He raised his gaze to Angus. “Dance at least three with her, will you old friend?” He couldn’t help sending him a wee glare of warning, however, even still, which Angus acknowledged with a small nod and an up-tip of one side of his mouth.
Daniel heard the exchange and stepped up beside Callum, following his cousin’s line of vision as he watched Branwenn and the young guard become part of the dancing throng. “’Tis pleased I am to see you’ve learned to trust our Branwenn’s heart is true.”
Callum nodded. “Aye, she’s no Lara.”
Daniel clapped him on the back and walked the couple of steps back to where his wife was standing with Jesslyn and Bao.
“Are you not feeling well?” Maryn asked Jesslyn. She, herself, was nearing her delivery day. ‘Twould be by Uphalieday she was sure.
“Aye,” Jesslyn answered. “Tho’ my stomach is churning a bit.”
Maryn lifted her gaze to her husband. “Daniel, do you have a bit of ginger in your healer’s box that Jesslyn might take to ease her belly?”
Daniel glanced at Jesslyn and nodded. “I’ll just go up to our chamber and get it for you.” He turned and strode in that direction.
Callum was surprised—and pleased more than he was willing to admit—when Branwenn rushed back to his side after only one round with Angus. Her eyes, bright with merriment, her face flushed with the heat of the dance, and her smile glowing, she flew into his arms and hugged him tight. “My thanks, husband, but ‘tis truth, I prefer to dance with you!”
Callum took hold of Branwenn’s hand and pulled her further into the darkness of the bailey. When they’d gone far enough away from the others so that they could no longer hear their conversation, he pulled her into his arms once more and kissed her. After a long moment, he lifted his lips a fraction and said, “Let’s make another babe soon, all right?”
“All right.”
“Mayhap by the time of Laire’s second birthday?” They’d been using the seed wool and paste these past two moons since Branwenn’s flowering began again that the old woman in the cot gave them. They had been assured it would work better than the previous method Callum had employed to prevent conception. ‘Twas against the Church’s teaching, but he was pragmatic. ‘Twas not safe for his wife to conceive so soon after childbed, and he was damned if he’d give up their right to enjoy each other in the meantime. And from the looks of things, his cousins must be of the same mind.
“Aye.”
“Good. And this time I shall enjoy watching you grow round with my child. I missed so much of that with Mai.”
“Aye, but you helped birth her! Surely, that was enough of a recompense for whatever lack you felt prior.”
Callum grinned. “Aye, and now that I know how easily you shoot them out, I shall be part of that process from now on.”
Branwenn snuggled closer into Callum’s embrace. “Have you thought more of reconsidering the MacGregor chieftainship? Chalmers seems set on you taking it after him. Why ever did you decline it?”
Callum sighed. “Aye, I’ve thought on it.” He tipped her chin up and studied her face a moment before saying, “Last year, after I’d spurned you, I spurned the lairdship as well. I thought, if I start afresh, I could rid myself of the ache of losing you. ‘Twas when I started building the manor. But I soon found tha
t even in that, you were there. Always in my thoughts, never far away.” He cradled her face in his palm and stroked the rise of her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “’Twas not until I at last let go of all my old beliefs, my old feelings, that I finally could see with clearer sight. And now that our manor is finished, and the grounds and outer buildings are well underway—now that I have you, my love, and our bairns as well—I am able to contemplate once more doing this thing; leading these men as my stepfather believes I am able to do. Am the best man to do so, in fact.”
“Hey! Branwenn, Callum!” Alleck called.
The couple turned in the direction of the lad’s voice. He’d grown by a good two or more inches since the last time Callum had seen him, and he’d gained a bit of weight as well. Clearly, he was enjoying paging at the Donald holding. He and David—with Jasper at his heels—each had hold of one of their cousin’s hands. David had hold of Nora’s, Maryn and Daniel’s firstborn, and Alleck had hold of Bao Junior’s. Coming up behind, the MacGregor nurse held Mai in her arms and had Laire’s hand clasped in her own.
“Is it that time already?” Branwenn asked the nurse.
“Aye, m’lady. ‘Tis nearing the chimes of midnight.”
“I wonder who shall be our first footer this year.” Branwenn sighed, reminded of two years past when ‘twas her brother-germane, Reys, who’d stepped across their threshold and changed Branwenn’s life for evermore. There was little chance it would be him again this year, however, for he was truly entrenched now in a campaign with their cousin. It could be years before she saw him again.
Laire toddled over to Callum and lifted her pudgy arms, in a bid to be picked up. Callum gladly complied, giving her a loud smacking kiss on the cheek as well. Laire giggled and kissed him back the same way, before resting her head on his shoulder and snuggling against his chest.
The nurse came up to stand next to her mistress and Branwenn held out her arms in order to take Mai for awhile. Her daughter was clearly groggy. “She’s been fed then?”
“Aye, and ready she is for sleep. But I knew you wanted her out here with you for the end of the festivities.”
Just then the chimes began to ring and everyone walked toward the bonfire. The minstrels were playing a lively tune and some of the young folk still twirled about, dancing and enjoying the music.
Branwenn was filled with such joy, such peace, as she looked about her and saw every member of her foster family—her heart’s true family—standing close by.
She looked over at Bao and Daniel, who stood next to each other, and caught their eye. ‘Twas clear, from their expressions, they were in much the same state of mind as she. For their journey to this place, this here and now, had not been an easy one. Each one of them had fought hard to get here, had struggled, like the intrepid, vigorous roots of some ancient oak to find purchase in what at first had seemed fallow, fruitless soil. But now, aye, now they knew that they were here to stay, that the family, the love, they’d found would keep them nourished, would make them grow, would keep them in one place. In the bosom of the family whose one evil member had been the catalyst which had ultimately brought them all home.
Callum leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Look you, who’s come.”
She turned her damp eyes in the direction Callum indicated. “Reys! Alyson! Praise be, praise be.”
“Uncle Robert!” David shouted with glee.
Branwenn saw him then, his satchel slung over his shoulder and his face a bit drawn, but he’d made it, as they’d pleaded with him to do. For David needed some time with the only remaining member of his family-germane.
Callum put his free arm around her waist and moved towards the new arrivals.
Aye, Branwenn thought with a grin and a sigh of utter contentment as she looked at the two dark-haired first footers, ‘twas sure to be a very good year indeed.
THE END
Thank you for reading
Highland Magic : Book Three : Highlands Trilogy
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Highland Vengeance
Book One in the Highlands Trilogy
By
K.E. Saxon
A Family Saga / Adventure Romance
DANIEL AND MARYN’S STORY
* * *
Highland Grace
Book Two in the Highlands Trilogy
By
K.E. Saxon
A Family Saga / Adventure Romance
BAO AND JESSLYN’S STORY
* * *
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS MEDIEVAL ‘HIGHLAND MAGIC’, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY READING ABOUT A MODERN-DAY CELTIC FAERY AND THE MAGIC SHE WEAVES ON TWO UNSUSPECTING COSMOPOLITAN SISTERS
DIAMONDS AND TOADS: A MODERN FAIRY TALE
(Erotic Comedy FairyTale Romance)
What readers are saying about it:
~“…just plain old fun reading…A cross between Bewitched and Cinderella.”~
~ “HOT! HOT! HOT! What a great story! I love the characters! What a Hot and Sizzling Fairy Tale! I thought my Kindle would start smoking, it was so steamy!”~
* * * *
Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one blessed,and one cursed by fairy magic...
So each sister's story begins.
Delilah Perrault is blessed with riches beyond her wildest dreams and the man she's had her eye on for ages--even though he secretly has designs on her newfound wealth instead. Delilah's half-sister, Isadora, is cursed with having her every utterance come out as an obscene and humiliating quip, just when the gorgeous hunk she dumped years before under pressure from mama swaggers back into her life.
If you like Bewitched, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, if you like stories with sexual heat, try out this modern girl's fairy tale.
Excerpt
DIAMONDS AND TOADS: A Modern Fairy Tale
* * * * *
PROLOGUE
Delilah Perrault fanned the perspiration from her cheeks with the folded Houston Press she’d snagged out of the dispenser and took a bite from her chocolate bar. She was supposed to meet Chas Regan here in front of the main branch of the Houston Public Library for lunch, but she was so nervous about it, she’d run down to its basement and bought the candy from the machine.
No, she wasn’t really hungry, and yes, she knew she shouldn’t be eating sugar and fat if she wanted to get that last six pounds off before the gala at the Crystal Ballroom eight days from now, but her compulsive need to fill her mouth with food wouldn’t let her be.
An old beggar woman in a faded-to-purple pea coat with a stained and frayed scarf around her neck pushed her shopping cart filled with—Delilah was sure—the woman’s life possessions across the cobbled pavement a few feet from where Delilah sat.
The poor thing looked as shop-worn as Delilah felt.
She glanced toward Delilah then dropped a hungry gaze to the candy bar.
Delilah lifted the cold Coke from the short marble wall she was sitting on and walked over to the woman.
“Here. You’re welcome to both of these, if you would like? I haven’t eaten much of the candy yet—Or—would you like me to buy you something else?” She scanned the area. “I’ll bet there’s a deli or something in that building over there. I could get you a sandwich?”
“What a kind girl you are. But no, these will do just fine.” The old woman captured the fare, captured Delilah’s gaze. Her eyes, silver blue and bright, were more youthful than Delilah expected. Odd. Shivery goose bumps formed on Delilah’s arms. “I have a sweet tooth, don’t you know,” the woman continued.
“Oh—” Delilah jerked a nod. “Okay.” She turned away from her and walked back toward the two-foot-high granite wall she’d been seated on earlier.
“Bless you, Lila, dear,” the woman said.
Delilah stopped short.
A loud crack! split the air and Delilah whirled around. A sudden scent of patchouli filled her nostrils. All around her, a rosy watercolor haze washed over the landscape. A giddy bubble of fear tripped up Delilah’s spine as a spray of glitter dust drifted in the space where the woman had been. And in her place, a yellow parrot perched on the handle of the cart, staring at her from one beady black eye.
Delilah hawked a reflexive cough and something small, hard, and cold fell from her mouth into her palm. “Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” A diamond.
* * *
CHAPTER ONE
Chas Regan slammed the phone down. Fuck! What the hell was he supposed to do now? He leaned back in his executive chair, allowing the front rollers to lift off the floor, and dug the base of his palms into his eyelids. His heart still raced so fast that it caused a shot of stomach bile to blast into his throat.
The company was lost. Gone. No more. His entire family’s empire, a glimmering speck of its former glory lost in the vast abyss of others that had gone before it.