The Queen (MacBride Sisters Trilogy Book 1)

by Kira Freitas

  - Annabel has always been much more talented than me. He has an excellent sense of direction and can use his bow like no other. - I let out a laugh. - Strangely enough, she can find passages in any castle that is, even if she has never entered it. I wonder how she can do that.

  - I know that talent from your sister.

  - How's that?

  - The night we got engaged, she came into my room through one of the passages. She wanted to make sure I'd protect her. - Alistair took a deep breath keeping his eyes closed. - I didn't know there was a passage in my room.

  - That's pretty much my sister's face.

  I let out a laugh and then bit my lips lightly. Annabel had always been very protective. She had always made a point of keeping me safe. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been able to count on her and Aila's breath.

  - So you know how to defend yourself?

  - Not exactly. - I took a break. - Aila couldn't teach me much and all I learned was to throw daggers and daggers. Because of that, I was forbidden to have contact with knives.

  I paused to look at my wrists.

  - That and for other reasons too.

  Alistair opened his eyes and then took one of my wrists. He kissed softly.

  - You don't have to think about taking your life anymore.

  Smiling, I sighed trying to contain the shiver that rose through my spine as I felt the touch of Alistair's lips on my wrist.

  - Thank you! - I whispered in a trembling voice and pulled my hand gently.

  - If you wish, I can teach you how to use a sword and shoot with a bow.

  - That would be wonderful, but first you'll have to recover.

  - Yes, ma'am!

  Taking some of the preparation I had taken with me, I began to go through Alistair's wound with the help of a sponge.

  - What's that good smell?

  - It's a balsam of roses and mint. My grandmother taught us how to pick herbs, make teas, ointments and how to cook. - I answered with pride. - That was a talent that the three of us developed very well. She left it all down so we could memorize it. That's how I developed my passion for reading.

  - Really?

  - Yes. During the cloistered period, I was forbidden to go to the library, so Annabel brought the books to my room.

  - Well! I have a private library. If you wish, you have my permission to go whenever you like and read.

  I stopped smiling and then I held his shoulders. It would be very nice to have access to books again.

  - Really?

  - Seriously!

  - That would be very nice.

  - I'm glad you liked it. - he said. - Now, come here!

  - No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

  There was no time, therefore, laughing Alistair took me by one hand and pulled me over his shoulder. I fell into the pool wetting my entire combination.

  - Did you see what you did? - said pretending to be angry. - Now I'm all wet.

  Alistair kept laughing, but it stopped as soon as I pulled the combination over my head and removed the piece.

  - What are you doing? What are you doing?

  - Drinking a mug of wine. - I said ironically. - What does it look like I'm doing? I'm taking off my wet clothes.

  - Now we make jokes? Is that it?

  I let out a laugh by throwing the combination out of the pool. Taking a deep breath, I was staring at Alistair. I didn't know exactly how to act and he seemed to read my thoughts.

  - Hey, come here! - he said by reaching out and sitting in front of him. - Do you trust me?

  - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

  - I will wash your hair and, if only you wish, I will help with the rest. What's up?

  I just nodded. Alistair began to untie my braid and then began to wash my hair.

  - You have beautiful hair. - he said. - My sister made us braid her hair when we were bored or fought each other. It was a punishment that he imputed, since his hair was very fulfilled and that was a task for a woman. Over time, I realized that she just wanted us to focus on what we did and then forget what had made us nervous.

  - Cora must have been an amazing sister.

  - Yes, she was. - said Alistair with a whisper. - It wasn't fair what I did to you and Annabel. As soon as possible, I'll send for you for a visit. I don't want you to go to Inverness. I still have my doubts about what happened to you.

  - What do you mean by that?

  - What you told me makes me wonder why Roy raped her. He had no quarrel with his mother; on the contrary, they were always very united.

  - You're right about that. - said sighing. - They've always been very close. So close that my father sometimes drew her attention to his behavior.

  - What do you mean?

  - The affection they exchanged sometimes did not match that of brothers, he said. - I paused to sigh when Alistair massaged my scalp. - I've never seen too much, but I've always heard him fight with her.

  - What did they say?

  - I don't know. I didn't like their fights or arguments, so I'd get out of the way.

  Alistair sighed.

  - That's very strange. - he continued. - If Roy wanted to hit Ravenna, he would have raped Annabel.

  I closed my eyes. Annabel was always our mother's favourite, but she didn't like the exaggerated attention she had always received. She didn't think it was fair and ran away whenever she could. I was afraid we'd end up jealous and isolate her somehow.

  - Don't you worry about that? - said Alistair. - You're safe here. Roy won't come near you again. Nor Ravenna.

  - Thank you! - said sighing. I felt really safe next to him. - When I was in isolation, I heard a lot about his exploits. I always thought of you as a rude, ruthless man, a heartless warrior.

  - You shouldn't believe everything you hear. - Alistair had a laugh. - You're not exactly how I remembered you, either. She was a smiling, very spirited girl. The last time I saw her, she was running from side to side without stopping. Ravenna almost had an outbreak. Your oldest copy is the one who mitigated everything.

  - Aila. I remember this banquet. - said thoughtful. - If I'm not mistaken, I ran into you at one of my races.

  - To be exact, I took a bump into my legs and you fell on the floor. - he sighed. - Instead of crying, you started laughing, which made me laugh too. Ravenna screwed up on you and it scared her. I remember trying to intervene, but her sister came first and took her out of the hall.

  Alistair took a break.

  - I never imagined that one day I'd marry that little girl.

  - You didn't marry that little girl. - said disagreeing. - She disappeared a long time ago.

  - Believe me. - he said. - She's still there somewhere. I never make a mistake about a person.

  - But you were wrong about me when you thought I had a lover.

  - I didn't make a mistake about you. I confess that I was jealous and very angry and I let myself be carried away by my impulses, but that girl... - he said pausing and staring at me. - It's still in there and I promise to bring it back.

  Holding Alistair's thighs, I walked away and got on my knees in front of him. Alistair frowned, so I got closer.

  - What are you doing? What are you doing?

  - I don't know, but I want to see how far I can go.

  Alistair nodded, then supported his arms around the edge. Smiling, I snapped one leg on each side of him and held on to his shoulders. I went around the shoulders, the arms, until I got to the chest.

  - Tell me about those scars. - said by running his fingers over a thin but extensive scar. - Was that sword or dagger ma
de?

  - Sword. - he said, swallowing dry and stretching his abdomen. - I was in a hand-to-hand combat and the opposing sword hit me in a moment of distraction.

  - That one. - I asked about the scar on your shoulder.

  - Dagger. - he answered hesitantly. - It was a body fight, but they hit me with the dagger. That didn't stop me from killing him.

  - I can imagine not.

  Alistair laughed, but he stopped when I kissed his chin.

  - How about that?

  - The tip of a sword cut off my chin.

  I've been kissing your face. Alistair didn't move. He was leaving me in control of my actions and it made me feel safe, as well as daring.

  - Can I touch it? - I whispered.

  - I thought you were already doing that. - he answered with a smile. I turned my eyes and he nodded. - Touch where you want, just watch the wound because it bothers you a little bit.

  - I know that. - I whispered in his ear.

  He closed his eyes grunting and held his breath as I began to lower my fingertips through the center of his chest, reaching into his belly button, until I reached his belly. He bit his lower lip and squeezed his fist hard. Alistair bit his lower lip when I touched his penis. He moaned when I started caressing him. He frowned like he felt pain.

  - Did I do something wrong? Tell me if I hurt him.

  - No. - He stuttered. - Just keep going.

  I smiled at him and started a back and forth movement with both hands, without squeezing him too hard. Alistair started moaning. Every time I speeded him up, he moaned louder, making guttural sounds. Stopping for a moment, I decided to ride him and, holding on to his shoulder, I slid slowly. Alistair opened his eyes surprisingly, but he didn't move. He saw me holding my breath.

  - What's up?

  - Yeah. - I whispered.

  Holding on to his shoulders, I began to move up and down. Alistair slowly. Alistair grabbed the edge tightly and stuck his eyes in mine. We started moaning as I was accelerating my movements. Alistair held my hair pulling me to a kiss.

  - God, that's good! - whispered it against my lips.

  I knew he couldn't make much effort and in that position, I was the one who made the rules. Alistair kissed me again. With one hand he held my neck and with the other he grabbed my waist tightly, but not enough to make me feel pain. I began to roll around causing a fiction at the same time that I contracted my vagina. Alistair grunted louder and loosened my neck. He bit my lower lip slightly and moaned higher and higher. I kept the movement accelerating more and more. I felt my guts starting to squeeze.

  - Damn it! - Alistair said holding my legs and standing up.

  - What are you doing? What are you doing? - said when he laid me on my back on the bathroom floor. - Alistair, your points.

  - I don't give a damn about my stitches. - he said holding my waist. - You fix it if they open up.

  I didn't have time to laugh or disagree because he started stocking. His movements were precise. He leaned over me and pulled my thighs, lifting my legs a little higher. Alistair kissed me at the same time he stole. Her movements became urgent and soon the feeling of tightness took over my body again. Alistair groaned against my lips and when everything became unbearable, we came to the top together. We stood there, hugging each other like we were gonna die.

  - What's up? - He asked at one point raising his head.

  - Yes. - I answered. - Your wound! He may have opened up.

  Moving a little further away, I looked at the cut that didn't even bleed. Alistair smiled at me and nibbled at my chin.

  - Looks like you're a pretty good sewer. How about we bathe and come in for a bite to eat? - he suggested.

  - That's a great idea! - said smiling.

  - Just bathe us this time.

  I let out a shy laugh. Alistair kissed my forehead before he got up and helped me up. My back was full of dirt and small stones that I hadn't noticed until Alistair cleaned me up. After we bathe, we get out of the bathroom and back to the castle. Alistair seemed a little more invigorated, but still walked with a little difficulty. The wound should pull the stitched skin affecting its movement with the abdomen.

  - Your Highness, I need to talk to you! - said Rose coming up all of a sudden and questioning our way.

  We were already in the lobby heading for the stairwell when it caught Alistair's attention. I looked over my shoulder with an angry eye.

  - Rose, I thought I told you not to leave the kitchen - I said harsh. - You abuse my patience and benevolence.

  - I'm not afraid of you. - she said ironically.

  - Rose! - Alistair warned her.

  - Let me handle this. You can't and even shouldn't, get bored. - told me to walk away to face him. - Just sit here and let me talk to her.

  - Are you sure?

  - Absolutely!

  Alistair nodded, doing what I asked and sat on the steps. I walked to where Rose was and she was walking backwards.

  - You mean you're not afraid of me? - he said approaching me like an ounce in search of his hunt.

  - No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

  - Something tells me you're lying. - I stopped in front of her, trapping Rose against the wall. - Whatever you want to say to Alistair, tell me. You're no longer welcome in this house, so be brief.

  She looked at Alistair.

  - No. - said taking his face to look away. - Eyes on me, you bitch. Don't look at my husband and don't you dare talk to him again, or I won't answer for myself and give him the beating he so deserves.

  Rose choked by swallowing dry.

  - Now just say what you want.

  Rose gasped for my anger and Alistair's coldness in ignoring her. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, she fired cold.

  - I'm pregnant!

  Chapter 15

  Alistair

  I stopped breathing for a few moments with the shock of Rose's words. That couldn't be true. I didn't touch Rose at any time after we got back. I stood up slowly and stared at Rose with a shocked look.

  - What did you say? - I asked with exasperation after a long period of silence.

  - I said I'm pregnant! - Rose answered.

  - Rose, that's not possible!

  - Of course it's possible! - she responded coldly and lowered her gaze when Aideen took her seriously.

  I was enjoying that Aideen. She was full of attitudes and not afraid of Rose. I think Rose found a tall opponent, but I wanted the redhead who was facing her. By Aideen, I would be able to kill and die, even if that person was Rose.

  - I didn't touch you, Rose. How is that possible?

  - You don't, do you? - she said with disdain. - What about your wedding night? Remember you asked me to meet you at the lake?

  Aideen took me seriously. I couldn't believe Rose was remembering that again. I grunted when I saw her closing her fists hard.

  - Aideen, I already explained that I was angry and that I really invited Rose to spend the night with me because of the size of my frustration, but I didn't touch her. - I answered in supplication. - Before I went to the meeting with Rose, I drank a bottle of wine and a half of whiskey in the library. I ended up passing out.

  Aideen looked at me furiously and then looked at Rose.

  - You believe me, don't you? - I begged her to stand in front of her. - I would never beg if it wasn't true. I couldn't do anything and when I woke up, I was already in Alec's room. It was Bruce who took me there. The next day he explained to me that it would be safer, since Rose tried to take advantage of the fact that I was unconscious.

  - What's that? What's that? - Rose screamed incredulously. - How dare you!

  - Bruce can confirm everything. - said ignoring Rose. - He's fair and he would never lie, even if it was to protect me. In fact, he would kill me if I had done something wrong and he was forced to go against me.

  - That's a lie! - Rose screamed. - You've been by my side all night!

  - Shut up, hooker! - Aideen said he was threatening to stab her.
r />   His face was serene, even though anger appeared in his gaze.

  - Rose, you've already abused my patience. Everything you say is a liar, ironic or debauched. His actions and words are full of slander. - Aideen said so cold. - There's no reason for me to believe you. My husband is innocent until proven guilty.

  I stared at her with a satisfying smile. Those words took me by surprise. Not that I was really guilty, because what I said was the purest truth. The problem is that whoever could confirm this was on an expedition that had already lasted too long. I was worried about Bruce. He was supposed to be back. I wonder why he was taking so long.

  - Do you doubt that I'm pregnant? - Rose asked angrily.

  - No. Aideen answered with a serious voice. - I doubt Alistair is the father, so let's make a deal.

  - What deal? - Rose asked hesitantly.

  - — É? What deal? - I asked in surprise and looked at Aideen.

  - Bruce is traveling and is the only one who can explain what happened that night. - Aideen began with an ironic smile. - You'll be isolated in a cottage until he returns.

  - What if he confirms Alistair's story? - Rose asked. Aideen looked at her with murderous eyes. - I mean, Your Highness's.

  Aideen paused and approached her with a cold smile on her lips.

  - I have her hanged for trying to trick me.

  Rose stared in a frightened way.

  - Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go! - Aideen said taking my arm. - You need to get some rest and eat something.

  We started climbing the stairs and Rose let out a frustrated scream.

  - It's from Alec! - she fired with her desperate voice.

  - What'd you say? - I asked myself, turning to her.

  - That night, when you didn't show up, I went looking for him. I found him in the library, lying on the floor and... - she took a break. - I confess I tried to take advantage, but Alec showed up with Bruce. Alec sent Bruce to get him out of there and he gave me a lecture. We ended up sleeping together after that.

  Rose rolled her eyes with grief. Going down the stairs, I moved on to Rose.

  - You're a fucking, manipulative, whore! - said by grabbing his throat. - I want her out of the village! Do you understand? Not outside the castle, but outside the village indefinitely.