“And I love that you sometimes enter me slow and easy and other times”—she didn’t need to pretend to shudder, she did—“it’s fast and hard.”
“That’s because I cannot wait; my need for you is too great.”
“I feel the same,” she admitted, snuggling closer against him.
He ran his hand over her breast, teasing the nipple. “I can’t stop touching you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop wanting you, and I will never stop loving you.”
Contentment filled Bliss like never before. She eased herself over him, covering his warm, damp body with her sleek, moist one and rested her head on his chest. His arms went around her, his hands stroking down her back and along her backside.
She sighed with pleasure, cherishing the intimate moment with him. “I knew I would find love, but never did I think it would be as strong as the love I have for you. There is, however, one thing that I don’t understand.”
“And I know exactly what it is.”
She raised her head, her eyes wide. “You do?”
He nodded. “You sensed it would be a while before we made love again and yet here we are and you wonder how you could have been wrong.”
She smiled. “You know me well.”
He laughed. “Every inch of you.”
“Then if you know me so well, you must know the answer.”
“I do,” he said proudly. “It is a simple one. Time is different for us. A full day is even too long for us to go without making love. The intimate act connects us in a way it does no other. It is as if making love nourishes us, gives us strength, and so we hunger for it like others hunger for food.”
“You know, I think you may be right,” she said with surprise. “There are times I feel empty, as if somehow I need filling, then you . . . touch me. And I know it is you who will fill me to overflowing.”
He kissed her, lingering on her lips before slipping his tongue inside to tease, taunt, and tempt. He hadn’t expected to grow hard so soon after such a powerful climax, but to his surprise, he did. And the stronger the kiss grew, the harder he grew until . . .
He quickly rolled her on her back and slipped over her.
“I want to make love to you again,” he said, his hand cupping her breast and his tongue darting across her nipple until it turned hard. “Slow and easy this time.”
She smiled and reached down to stroke him. “And this time, I get to touch and taste as well.”
Much later, their bodies exhausted and sleep ready to claim them, Bliss realized that she had forgotten to tell him about the attack on the Picts. She thought to wait until morning since nothing could be done about it tonight, and they both needed sleep.
“Something troubles you?” Trey asked.
“We grow ever more attuned to each other.”
“And that troubles you?”
“No, not at all,” she assured him. “It pleases me. It’s just that I recalled something I meant to tell you and wondered if I should wait until morning, but it appears that, having sensed it, you should hear it now.”
“Tell me.”
“Roan and his group were attacked by the king’s soldiers.”
Trey tightened his arms around her.
“Now something troubles you,” she said, sensing his concern.
“Leora told us that she heard talk that the king was possibly going to attack the Picts.”
Bliss was silent for a moment. “That makes no sense. It would only cause us to side with you, and the king cannot be so foolish as to believe that with the Picts being neighbors of the MacAlpins these many years, the two would not have formed some mutual allegiance so that peace could prevail.”
“Bryce voiced similar concerns.”
She sat up shaking her head. “The king must have another reason for planning to attack the Picts, but what could it be? The attack would generate severe retaliation and guarantee the Picts’ joining forces with the MacAlpins.”
She wished she could sense something, have a vision, anything that would help solve the pending problem. But what she got would offer little help.
“You don’t sense anything, do you?”
Bliss yawned and eased down alongside him. “I only know that the answer will soon present itself.”
In no time, they both drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.
Trey woke just before dawn, and while he wanted to stay beside Bliss, be there when she woke and make love to her, duty to the true king came first, especially now, when battle lay much too close on the horizon.
He eased out of bed, tucking the covers around her. He took a moment and looked at her, as if just realizing she was his, they were wed, and she carried his child. It amazed and pleased him that they belonged to each other. It all had happened so fast. One day he was mourning the death of the woman he had loved, or thought he had loved, and the next he was falling in love.
Fate.
He smiled. Perhaps fate was much wiser than he had believed. Though the lesson had been a difficult one, fate had given him the opportunity to distinguish lasting love from passing love. He couldn’t be more grateful or more grateful that fate had given him Bliss. If not for her, he would no doubt have been thrilled with Leora’s return, only to later discover her betrayal and once again mourn, only this time he would have mourned a love that was never true.
He kissed his wife softly on the cheek, and whispered, “I love you.”
She smiled, as if hearing him, and cuddled beneath the blankets. He wished he was there beside her, touching her, kissing her and . . .
He got up and dressed lest he surrender to his passion and climb into bed with her. He could delay no longer; his brothers and da needed to know what he and Bliss had discussed last night.
Reluctantly, he left his sleeping wife.
Chapter 31
Trey entered the great hall, knowing that his da or one of his brothers would be there. He wasn’t the only one to rise before dawn. His da, mum, and Bryce were there, talking, and though he wanted to join them, he slowed his steps. As soon as he reached the table, before he even sat or said a word, his mum would assault him with questions.
He hastened his step, figuring it was better to get it over with and smiled when he saw his mum’s mouth open before he reached the table.
“Don’t you go grinning at me,” she warned, shaking her finger at him. “I want to know why you haven’t taken your time in deciding if this marriage is right for you. You just learned that the woman you thought loved you never did and that she betrayed you.” She shook her head. “Why are you grinning like a fool?”
“Why wouldn’t I grin? I don’t feel an ounce of guilt over falling in love and loving another woman more than I ever loved the woman who betrayed me. If it wasn’t for falling in love with Bliss, I’d be, at this very moment, not only mourning a love that never existed but angry as hell for ever having loved Leora in the first place.”
“And you’re not the least bit angry?” his mum asked.
“More upset that I’ve been duped—”
“We all were,” Bryce said. “We all accepted and trusted her as a member of our family. Never once would any of us have believed that she was a spy. It still seems more tale than truth, but then, desperation causes people to do desperate things.”
“My concern is that you don’t get hurt again,” Mara said.
“Bliss would never hurt me,” Trey said, and was quick to raise his hand to silence his mum before she could argue. “My love for Bliss is far different than what I felt for Leora, and I have only realized that since falling in love with Bliss.”
“I think Bliss will make a good sister,” Duncan said, entering the room.
“I don’t know,” Reeve said, following behind Duncan. “She knows too much. There’ll be no keeping anything from her.”
“That
’s a good thing,” his mum pointed out. “Then your wives will be able to keep a closer watch over all of you. Besides, you shouldn’t be keeping anything from your wives.”
“See what I mean,” Reeve said, grinning and shaking his head as he took a seat at the table.
“You don’t need a seer to have your wives know what you’re up to,” Carmag said. “Wives have the uncanny ability to know everything.”
Mara gave her husband’s shoulder a playful slap. “Even before you know it yourself.”
They laughed.
Trey didn’t want to interrupt the playful banter, but there were things that needed discussing. “We need to talk.”
Laughter died off, and expressions turned serious and attentive. Mara didn’t excuse herself; she knew it wasn’t necessary. She was as trustworthy if not more so than anyone there.
“Bliss informed me that Roan’s men were attacked by the king’s soldiers.”
There was stunned silence for several moments before his da spoke. “How badly?”
“One Pict was injured, no more. They are fierce fighters.”
“That they are,” Bryce said. “And for whatever reason, it would seem the king is anxious to make enemies of the Picts. It still makes no sense. King Kenneth is a good strategist when it comes to battle, and this is not a wise move on his part.”
“Bliss believes the same,” Trey said.
“Has she offered any insight as to why the king might be doing this?” Bryce asked.
Trey shook his head. “Not yet, but she believes the answer will soon present itself.”
Conversation turned silent when servants began to enter the great hall to prepare the tables for the morning meal. Warriors would soon arrive and share the meal and receive instructions for their daily duties.
The keep was coming to life, and any further private discussion would have to wait.
Tara entered the room with Leora, who looked as if she hadn’t slept a wink. That she was nervous and troubled was obvious, and Tara kept a supportive arm around her, as if the woman required help walking.
“Have something to eat,” Mara said, waving Leora over to the table.
Leora shook her head. “No thank you. I would like very much to be taken to my da and grandda now if you don’t mind.”
Trey stood, a sudden thought striking him. Would a daughter of his have the courage to do what Leora had done? Not that he would want her to put herself in danger, to sacrifice so much to save him. The question probably would have never come to mind if he hadn’t known he was to be a da, but knowing that made the difference. He could understand why Leora had sacrificed everything to see her da safe.
Leora moved away from Tara and hurried to Trey. “I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
For a moment, he saw the woman he had loved standing before him, and he felt a catch to his heart. He felt sorry for her yet relieved for himself, and he had wished it could have been different. It could have been different if only . . .
“You never trusted me or my family enough to help you. You chose deceit instead. If you had only confided in me or in any of us, we would have helped you. And it would have saved us both much suffering.”
She hung her head. “I made a poor choice.”
Trey lifted her chin. “You let fear rule, and when you did, sound reason slipped away.”
“I’ll leave, go away. You’ll never see me again. Just, please, let me see my family.”
Trey shook his head. “You still don’t understand. You never did. I would never keep you from your family.” He stepped aside and called out to one of the warriors. “Malcom, take Leora to Old John’s place and make certain that he knows that he and his family are welcome to remain part of the MacAlpin clan.”
Tears ran down Leora’s face, and she reached out, placing a hand on Trey’s arm. “I am truly sorry I hurt you. And I am glad you found love. You deserve it.”
She walked over to Malcom, and he escorted her out the door.
The great hall filled with talk and laughter as more warriors entered, and the women joined their husbands, and the twins were passed around to uncles and aunts as the parents took turns eating. Bliss was the last to make an appearance, and Trey stood so that his wife could sit beside him on the bench.
“I’ve no want for food,” she said, her hand going to her stomach. “I’m going to see Dolca.”
Trey went to her, his hand covering hers and lowered his voice. “You are not feeling well?”
“Just a bit,” she said softly.
He didn’t voice his concern, not wanting his family to know about the babe just yet. Instead, he said, “I’ll take you to Dolca.”
She shook her head, then stepped around him. “Mercy, do you mind showing me where Dolca is staying?”
Trey realized that Bliss had a far different reason for asking the favor of Mercy. Obviously, she believed it time for grandmother and granddaughter to meet.
“I’ll take you,” Duncan said, pushing away from the table to stand.
Mercy stopped him with a gentle touch to his arm. “I will take Bliss.”
Tara smiled down at Conall, sound asleep in her arms. “I’ll look after this little fellow for you.”
“And I’ll watch after Kate,” Charlotte offered, hugging the smiling babe against her.
Mercy thanked them, gave her husband a quick kiss, and joined Bliss.
Trey hugged his wife close, and whispered, “Are you sure you feel well enough?”
She smiled and kissed his cheek, then whispered, “Your son makes his presence known.”
A stab to his heart and gut turned him silent as she walked away with Mercy. It amazed him to think that his son grew inside her, and all he could think about was how very much he loved them both, and his son had yet to be born. He would keep them safe; no matter what it took, he would keep them safe.
His thoughts turned to Leora, and, once again, he realized how difficult it must have been for her when the soldiers took her da away. She must have felt so helpless and fearful. If only she had trusted him.
Slipping on fur-lined cloaks that were kept on pegs by the door, the two women left, hurrying out into the cold and snow.
Trey turned to rejoin his family, and they all sat staring wide-eyed at him.
Naturally, it was his mum who spoke. “Anything you want to tell us?”
“There is something you wish to tell me, isn’t there?” Mercy said, as the snow fell lightly but steadily on them.
When Bliss woke this morning, she strongly sensed it was time that Mercy met her grandmother. More and more she sensed the urgency that longtime secrets be revealed. It was time the truth became known . . . it was time for the true king to step forward.
“There is something you need to know, but it is for Dolca to tell you.”
Mercy nodded, and they walked in companionable silence until Mercy stopped in front of a small cottage.
“Will this upset me?” Mercy asked, before approaching the door.
Bliss smiled. “It may upset and surprise, but I believe it will also bring joy.”
Mercy released a worried sigh, nodded, walked to the door, and gave it a rap.
Dolca welcomed them in though Bliss stopped in the doorway and suggested she leave them alone. Neither woman would have it, Mercy tugging her in, insisting she stay, and Dolca agreed with her.
They gathered around the small table, a hot brew in front of each though none touched it.
Unease filled the small space, and so Bliss got right to the crux of the matter. “Dolca is your grandmother, Mercy.”
Mercy remained silent for a moment, as if trying to make sense of what she had just heard. “You’re not the king’s mother, and my mum’s mother has long been dead.”
“A tale your mum told you to protect you,” Dolca said.
&nbs
p; Mercy shook her head. “First, I’m told that my mum is a Pict, and now you tell me all I thought about my mum’s past is not true?”
“Your mum wanted to keep you safe. You would not have been safe if you knew the truth,” Dolca said. “Let me tell you about your mum, who she truly was and why she did what she did. And then you will learn for yourself what a truly loving mother she was.”
Bliss could sense Mercy’s anguish and pain as the story unfolded. All she had been told, all she believed her mum to be, was nothing but lies, and, in the end, all her lies were to protect her children.
Tears streamed down Mercy’s cheeks, and she reached for Bliss’s hand and held on tight until, finally, Dolca finished.
All Mercy could do was stare at the woman. It took her a few moments to gather her thoughts and find her voice.
“All these years I thought—” Mercy could not finish. “Mum sacrificed everything for me and”—she shook her head—“I can’t believe I have a brother.”
Dolca rested a gentle hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “It is time for all of this to be known.”
Mercy nodded. “Yes, secrets have been kept long enough. I wish I had known this sooner.”
“Things are revealed in their own time,” Dolca said.
“Very soon, all will be revealed,” Bliss said. “At least now you know just how much your mum loved you.”
“And why my father hates me,” Mercy said.
“Your mum made a fool of the king,” Dolca said. “Can you imagine what he felt when he discovered who she was?”
Mercy wiped at her tears. “And what that made me. No wonder he wanted me dead.”
“Your mum would have been proud of you,” Dolca said with tears in her eyes. “And she would have been happy that we have finally been reunited.”
Mercy smiled though it was with a touch of sadness. “It is wonderful to learn you are my grandmum. Another time you will tell me more about my mum?”
“I will tell you everything so that you come to know your mum and what a brave and amazing woman she was. And I am eager to meet my great-grandchildren.”
Wed to a Highland Warrior Page 25