“He?”
She nodded and grinned. “A son. I carry a son.”
She felt his hand press more firmly against her, and a smile spread across his face. “You will know each time we make a child?”
“It would seem so. Oh, Trey, it is so amazing to feel life take hold.” She shivered, the chill of the room wrapping around her.
Trey scooped her up and settled her on the bed, tucking a blanket around her. She grabbed his hand as he turned to walk away.
“I go to add more wood to the fire.”
Reluctantly, she let him go. She wanted him beside her, holding her, sharing this special moment with her, and he did. He returned, climbed in beside her, and took her in his arms to cradle her close.
“I cannot believe I am to be a father,” he said.
“You will be a good one,” she assured. “I have seen how patient and caring you are with children. You will be an excellent da.” She grew quiet for a moment. “You do want to be a da, don’t you?”
He lifted her chin so that she looked up at him. “Nothing could please me more than to know that our love made a child this night.”
She kissed him quick. “Your words warm my heart and grow my love for you even more.”
He grinned. “Do you know what truly pleases me?”
“What?”
“That you cannot keep anything from me, and it seems that the closer we grow, the more difficult it is for you even to try.”
Her brow scrunched for a few moments, then she nodded. “You know, you’re right. I seem to just blurt things out.”
“Or they disturb you so that you must talk about it.”
He hadn’t forgotten that she had wished to talk and was offering her this time to do so, to listen and discuss with her.
“There is nothing I want to discuss right now,” she said.
“When you’re ready, I am here to listen.”
She smiled and kissed him again. “You have made me so happy.”
“We make each other happy and nothing—absolutely nothing—will separate us.”
She wanted to believe him, but her knowing told her otherwise although it was not always easy to understand her knowing. Perhaps there was more to it than what she had sensed.
She sighed, contented, and snuggled against him. “Remember that you promised me a whole night of lovemaking.”
“And so we shall, after a brief rest.”
“Just a brief one,” she said on a yawn.
His yawn matched hers. “Brief,” he repeated, and, within minutes, they were both asleep.
They woke sometime in the night and made love again, slower this time, though their climax was just, if not more, intense than the previous one.
They drifted off to sleep once again and woke just before daylight and joined quickly, as if starved for each other. They slept again, though briefly, then hurried to get dressed and be on their way though not before Trey took her in his arms.
“You feel all right?” he asked.
“I should not even know that I carry a child.” Her words made her realize their importance. “It would be better for none to know that I am with child.”
He looked ready to protest but hesitated a moment before speaking. “I see the wisdom in that since many would not understand, but I want you to know that I would shout it out for all to hear that you carry my son.”
She smiled though she cringed. “Another fact that would be best kept between us, at least for a while.”
He nodded and slipped his arms around her waist and drew her against him. “The birth will be an easy one?”
“I do not know.”
“I do not wish you to suffer.”
She chuckled. “That is something I agree with though pain is inevitable with birthing.”
He cringed. “The thought that you will suffer to—”
“Giving our son life will cause me no suffering,” she assured him. “I have attended many births, and while there is pain, there is joy. Every mother has smiled when the babe is placed in her arms.” She chuckled. “Perhaps it is because there is no more pain though I think it is more because of the small babe that grabs at the heart as soon as a mother holds her child in her arms. And I look forward to that moment when I hold your son in my arms.”
He looked about to ask a question, then thought better of it and stopped.
“Ask me,” she urged.
He tightened his arms around her. “Will I be there with you when you birth my son?”
“I do not know,” she said with a sad shake of her head.
“I tell you right now, wife,” he said adamantly. “I will be right there for you. Nothing will keep me away—not even the true king.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That tells me much about you, husband, and pleases my heart.”
“Good; then know you and I shall have a good life together, and I will allow nothing or no one to interfere with it.”
She didn’t want to sense or know anything at that moment. She simply wanted to believe him, and so she kissed him, gently at first, but it turned heated all too soon and he rushed her to the bed, and there, with clothes hastily shoved out of the way, they made love.
It was a fast, intense joining, and though neither made mention of it, they both worried that it could possibly be their last, at least for a while.
It was well after sunrise when they took their leave, and it was a long tedious day of making tracks, backtracking, and making tracks again to confuse and frustrate the soldiers.
By early afternoon, they spotted a stream and stopped to rest by it and share a bite to eat.
“I’ve sensed no soldiers all day,” Bliss said, cuddled beside her husband and wishing they could share another night alone.
“It concerns me that we’ve come across none.”
“Why?”
“I wonder if they abandoned their search for a greater cause.”
“You think they are close to waging war?” she asked, and tried to sense if that was happening.
“It would seem the logical conclusion,” Trey admitted.
“True and yet—” She shook her head. “I can’t say I sense it though something doesn’t seem right. It is as if the king waits for something—a message, I think.”
“From whom?”
“I don’t know.”
“It is good that we will reach home by nightfall,” Trey said. “It is time I speak with my brothers.”
Bliss knew he was right. It was time for him to return home, and yet, as they continued walking, drawing ever nearer to his home, the feeling of them separating grew stronger. Something awaited them at Trey’s home that would somehow cause a separation between them, Bliss was sure of it, and with each step, she was beginning to realize what it might be.
Hard as it was to believe, the thought grew stronger and stronger within her.
Clouds followed them overhead and seemed to grow heavier with each step. The crisp air grew chillier, and it felt like snow.
Bliss was relieved when Trey stopped just before dusk claimed the land and took her in his arms.
“We’ll be home soon. Is there anything you need to tell me?”
There was so much she had to say though words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them. “I love you and I always will.”
“That sounds like you bid me farewell.”
She shook her head. “It is a reminder.”
His smile revealed relief. “A reminder I wouldn’t mind hearing often.”
“Then you shall.”
He kissed her, a long and lingering kiss, and afterwards, he whispered, “I will make love to you tonight.”
Bliss smiled though she knew it was not meant to be.
Chapter 26
Snow was falling lightly and dusk s
ettling over the land when Trey and Bliss entered the MacAlpin village. Trey wasn’t met with the usual cries of welcome home. Instead, villagers nodded and smiled, then turned and whispered to each other.
“Something is wrong,” he said with a glance to Bliss.
“I feel it as well,” she confirmed.
They clung more tightly, as if their hands were bound by metal.
Inseparable.
Trey intended it to stay that way.
They hurried up the keep’s steps and entered the great hall. Trey smiled, seeing his family gathered around the trestle table in front of the fireplace, their usual gathering spot. He was relieved to see that they were all there, along with a few faces he didn’t recognize. His da and mum, Duncan and Mercy, Reeve and Tara, Bryce, and there was a petite woman sitting next to him, and a thin old man and Dolca sat across from them.
He was about to call out to them when Mara spotted him and yelled out, “My son is home.” She hurried over to him, throwing her plump arms around him. “Thank the Lord you’ve returned safe and sound.”
His mum’s green eyes had betrayed her worry when she had bid him good-bye several weeks ago. She hadn’t said it, but Trey knew she hadn’t wanted him to go. She had thought he required more rest and healing, but the simple fact was that she feared for him. And he could understand why. He had been near to death when the Picts had found him, and if it hadn’t been for Tara’s fine stitches and Bliss’s healing hands, death would have claimed him.
Mara turned to Bliss. “You were with him, this is good. You were there in case he needed healing.”
“He is well healed, Mara, there is no need for worry,” Bliss assured her.
“Bless your heart,” Mara said with a grin, and hugged her.
Trey noticed that the others remained at the table—quiet. His brothers were never quiet, especially when one of them returned home. There was always good-natured ribbing and endless questions.
“Come sit,” Mara instructed, urging them with gentle shoves to the table.
“I have something to tell you all,” Trey said gently, squeezing Bliss’s hand.
His da stood, “We have something—”
A piercing scream ripped through the hall, and Trey could have sworn the scream held his name. When he turned to see the source of the crazed shriek, his eyes rounded, and his heart began to pound in his chest.
“Leora?” he said, barely above a whisper.
The woman he loved and believed dead was running toward him, and he didn’t think twice, he let go of Bliss’s hand and ran to her. She threw her arms around him and clung so tightly that he thought she’d squeeze the life from him. But then he also held her tight, perhaps wanting to make certain she was real, alive, and not a ghost.
“I thought you dead,” he finally said, releasing her and holding her at arm’s length to look at her. She was much as he remembered her, though thinner, but nonetheless beautiful. Her long blond hair fell in waves down over her shoulders, and her skin was flawless. Her full lips were as ripe for kissing as they had always been.
“A ruse by the king’s soldiers,” she said, wiggling out of his grip to snuggle up against him. “The king held me prisoner all this time until he finally realized that I held no knowledge of the true king, then he sent me to”—she shivered—“I cannot speak of the hell he sent me to.”
He eased her away from him. “How did you get here?”
“A tale left for another time, though it was through the good graces of Bryce and his woman Charlotte that I was able to return here.”
He shook his head. Had he returned home to the same family he left? Could he possibly be still recovering from his wounds and trapped in a dream? Nothing seemed to make sense except . . .
He turned and saw Bliss. She stood where he had left her, her face pale as freshly fallen snow. He immediately left Leora and went to his wife’s side.
His arm went around her and tucked her close, and asked, “Are you all right?”
She stared at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “The visions all make sense now. She was calling you home to her.”
He went to speak, but her words stopped him. “You should speak with her first before you tell everyone about us.”
Trey was ready to protest, but the wisdom of her words sunk in. It would not be right to blurt out in front of everyone that he had wed. He owed Leora the truth first, and privately, before he made the announcement.
“Is something wrong with Bliss?” Mara asked, walking over to them.
“A long journey, I but need to rest,” Bliss said.
“She can rest in my bedchamber,” Trey said.
“Leora resides in your bedchamber,” Mara whispered. “She can use Reeve’s, since he and Tara make their home in her cottage.”
“It isn’t necessary that I remain in the keep,” Bliss said.
“Yes it is,” Trey and his mum said in unison.
“Trey?”
He turned to find Leora only a few feet from him.
“Who is this woman you worry over?”
Mara answered. “This is Bliss, a healer of extraordinary power. She saved Trey from death.”
Leora gasped again and hurried over to Bliss, grabbing her hands. “I don’t know how to thank you for saving Trey. His love is what kept me going all through my horrible ordeal. Without it, I would have withered and died. Bless you.”
Trey watched Bliss’s eyes begin to flutter and her face turn paler, and he knew that, in a moment, she would be in the throes of a vision. His arms reached out and caught her just as her body was about to crumble to the ground.
“Oh my Lord, is she all right?” Mara asked.
Trey didn’t answer his mum. He knelt, cradling her body in his arms and watched her. If she didn’t come out of it soon, he’d shake her out of it. And he couldn’t help but wonder if Leora’s taking hold of Bliss’s hands had thrown Bliss into a vision.
“Trey, perhaps—”
“Not now, Mum. I’m doing what’s best for Bliss.”
Her eyes began to open, and relief swept over Trey, along with curiosity. What had she seen?
He didn’t care for the dazed look in her eyes as she struggled to sit up.
“Easy,” he urged as he helped her to sit and lean against him.
She laid her head on his chest. “I need to rest.”
“I’ll take you—”
“No,” she said, as he helped her to stand. “You have important things to discuss with your family.”
Mara stepped forward. “I will help—”
“No,” Bliss said gently and reached past them both, taking the hand extended to her. “Dolca will help me. We are old friends.”
The older woman slipped her arm around Bliss. “I will see her settled safely for the evening.” She looked to Mara. “Could you have food sent to her room?”
Mara nodded. “Of course.”
Trey stared after his wife as she was led from the room, with Dolca’s arm firmly around her. He wanted to be the one going with her. It was where he belonged, by his wife’s side. He suddenly grew annoyed with himself. He should have made their marriage known immediately. He had no intention of being kept from his wife’s side, and definitely not her bed.
She might be too worn-out to make love, but he’d sleep by her side tonight—that he promised himself though a little niggling of doubt tormented him. And damn if he could chase it away.
Leora wrapped her arm around his. “We have much to discuss.”
He rested his hand over hers. “That we do, but first I must speak with my brothers.”
“Can it not wait?” she asked, her bottom lip protruding in a pout.
“No, it can’t,” he said, and directed her to the table where his family sat.
His brothers rang out a greeting as did their wives
, their voices no longer silent. Each let him know how glad they were that he was home.
“You’ve missed much in your absence,” Reeve said. “Bryce has found himself a woman, and a good one at that.”
“Yes,” his wife Tara agreed with a nod and a smile. “She was able to knock Reeve right off his feet.”
“Is this true?” Trey asked with a laughing grin.
“He made a foolish move that left him vulnerable.”
Trey looked at the slim, petite woman with hair the color of golden honey and shook his head. “You’re just a bit of a thing. How could you possibly—”
“Charlotte also rescued Leora from a well-hidden prison,” Bryce said with pride.
“I am indebted to you,” Trey said.
“No need,” Charlotte said. “I was there to rescue my da”—she pointed to the thin man with gray unruly hair sitting opposite her—“and, in the process, freed others. Leora was among them.”
“It is so good to be home, to be with you,” Leora said, keeping a tight hold on Trey.
“Dolca told us how busy you have been helping others,” Mercy said. “It is good that Bliss was there with you to help.”
Trey simply nodded. As much as he wanted to announce that Bliss was his wife, he knew it would not be fair to Leora after all she had been through, and so he held his tongue, even though it was difficult.
“I want to hear more about what I have missed, but we need to talk,” Trey said, looking from one brother to the other and settling last on his da.
“I’ll have hot food waiting for you,” Mara said.
Leora clung tighter to Trey’s arm. “It has been so long. I do not wish to separate from you.”
Separate.
The word hit him like an arrow to the heart. Could this be what Bliss had seen, this minor separation? He also realized just how accurate her visions of Leora had been. And he couldn’t help but wonder again about her latest vision. What had it shown her?
“Besides,” Leora said, “there are things I learned about the king while held captive that might be of help.”
“We would be most interested in hearing them,” Carmag said, “but another time.”
Mara slipped her arm around Leora and, with a firm yet gentle urging, eased her away from Trey to the table. “Join us women in a chat.”
Wed to a Highland Warrior Page 21