Eric was the one to tear them apart, his strong grasp firm on her arms as he held her away from him. “I want you with a fierceness that I find hard to deny, but it is your health that concerns me.”
“I am fine and I want you,” she insisted, attempting to break free of his grip and finding it impossible. His potent strength was simply too much to fight against.
“What if you faint again?”
She sighed dramatically. “I will faint from the want of you if you do not release me and see to your husbandly duties.”
He laughed. “You are a bold one, wife.” He reached out to swing her up into his arms but she backed away. He eyed her sternly. “You play games with me?”
“Nay,” she said sweetly with a shake of head and then a glance to the night sky. “I was thinking what it would be like to make love under the stars.”
He looked over his surroundings and then up at the night sky which was just beginning to twinkle with stars.
“Too difficult of a task?” she challenged.
He had grown hard from their fervent kisses, but he now swelled with an ache that had him throbbing. “You tempt the gods, wife.”
She smiled and teased him more. “Your Viking blood races.”
“Vikings ravish,” he said with the one ounce of control that remained. “Is that what you want? To be ravished here on the baricon?”
“Are you up to it?” she asked with another smile that sealed her fate.
He rushed at her with such speed and agility that she yelped with fright. And she was stunned to find herself plastered up against the stone wall of the keep. His mouth and hands took charge and even with her clothes on he managed to slip beneath and touch and tempt her in places that were soon swelling and moistening with need. Her whimpers turned to moans and then to soft pleas.
She was grateful for his fast entrance, grateful still for his hard, unrelenting thrusts and even more grateful for the feel of him so potent and powerful inside her. His orders were sharp and concise and she followed them without question. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, her arms went around his neck and she tilted her head back to stare at the stars brilliant in the night sky as he took her, soaring to unimaginable heights of pleasure.
Her eyes caught and held a falling star and she burst in a stunning climax, both her and the star dropping to the earth together in a final explosion.
He throbbed violently inside her, his climax so intense that his seed filled her to overflowing. If she was not with child, she surely would be after this. He rested his forehead against the stone wall and kept his firm hold on her even though his legs felt near to collapsing. He did not want to release her; he wanted to remain nested in her, feeling her muscles quicken around him and feeling his own intense pleasure blend with hers.
He loved this time with her, this moment when he felt totally at one with her.
Love.
He could no longer deny it to himself. He loved her and would do anything for her, even give his life.
Besotted.
“Aye that I am,” he murmured.
“What say you?” she asked, her breathing still labored.
“I say we seek nourishment and then our bed.”
She kissed his cheek. “Can we make use of the chair first?”
He laughed and then kissed her soundly. “With the way you tempt and tease me, you will forever be with child.”
“Nay,” she said softly. “I know of a potion that prevents a man’s seed from taking root.”
He immediately moved away from her, though his arms held her waist firmly. “Have you made use of this potion?”
She looked stricken that he should ask. “Nay, I would never stop your seed from taking root unless we first discussed it.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “A foolish question I asked, forgive me.”
She cupped his face in her delicate hands.
He shuddered at the cool feel of her skin on his warm flesh.
“I am anxious to feel your babe grow inside me.”
He smiled and brushed a kiss to her lips. “I am anxious to see him root there.”
She grinned. “Then we best keep trying.”
He smiled and silently thanked the heavens for sending her to him. He then scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the keep and down to his chambers.
o0o
A low growl from Rook near dawn and his own alert senses warned him of an impending visit, and he reached for the dagger he kept hidden nearby.
A soft rap on the door was followed by its slow opening and then a soft, urgent summons came from Colin. “Trouble.”
Eric eased away from a slumbering Faith, though he did not expect to wake her. They had engaged in several delightful and feverish bouts of lovemaking and she had slipped into a heavy sleep, exhausted. She would not wake until morning. He was accustomed to sleeping lightly regardless of the circumstances, so quick to hear and respond to noises in the night.
He was dressed and out the door with a quiet order to an alert Rook as he passed where he lay in front of the hearth to watch over Faith.
Colin gave him the news as they entered the great hall where Borg waited by the doors. “A servant woman has been murdered.”
Eric stopped abruptly. “Where was she found?”
Colin seemed reluctant to answer.
“The stable?” Eric asked.
Colin nodded. “A guard found her body a short time ago and summoned me.”
“You better take a look,” Borg said and the three men made their way to the stables as dawn crested on the horizon.
Two guards stood outside the stable door and one remained inside beside the body. A chilled air filled with familiar scents was tainted with an odor he had not smelled for some time. It was the stench of death. It had filled his nostrils for too many years. He had walked the battlefields after each battle, gathering his wounded and his dead. He would not allow any of his men to be left behind with the hundreds or sometimes thousands of rotting corpses that no one would claim. He made certain every one of his men was accounted for and looked after. But that stench was hard to be rid of—it penetrated the nostrils and lingered for days. The smell of blood and human waste and worst of all fear was heavy in the air.
Colin pulled back the brown wool blanket that covered the lifeless body. Borg and Eric simply stared down at the young woman. She looked to be at least two score, of ample build, plain brown hair and dark eyes and she had been viciously and repeatedly slashed about her body with a knife.
Eric went down on bended knee to take a closer look. Borg joined him.
“This wound is similar to Faith’s,” Eric said, staring at the thick cut that ran down the girl’s face, along her neck and over her breast.
Borg cast a curious eye over all the wounds. “I would say that particular wound was inflicted after the attack. It is too precise to have been made during a struggle and she looked to have struggled.”
Eric agreed, taking note of the wounds on her hands and arms and the condition of the stable itself. Someone had grabbed frantically for anything that could be used as a weapon only to find herself being slashed repeatedly until no strength remained.
“Who is she?” Eric asked, standing. “She does not look familiar.”
“That is another problem,” Colin explained. “The guards do not recognize her. We are going to have to wait a few hours until all are up and about to begin questioning people.”
Borg stood. “I will put extra guards on the keep.”
Eric looked to the two men he would trust with his life. “I want Faith guarded at all times.”
“We can take turns,” Colin offered, covering the body.
Borg agreed. “One of us will always be near her, and then there is Rook.”
The three men smiled knowingly.
“I never thought I would be glad that big, ugly animal was around, but I know he will let no harm come to Faith,” Eric said and then his expression grew serio
us. “I want to know how this happened. How someone was able to invade the safety of this keep and do harm. Everyone is to be questioned. Start with the guards—see what they know. By noonday I want a full accounting of everyone’s whereabouts last night.”
Colin and Borg nodded.
Eric looked with blazing blue eyes from one man to the other. “This murderer will be found and punished.”
Neither man spoke a word. They both knew full well the devil would have his way and soon, or all would taste his wrath.
“You best tell Faith of this before someone else does,” Borg said.
“I was thinking the same myself,” Eric agreed. “I have no doubt this will alarm her and I do not want her to worry needlessly.”
“Worry and gossip will only fuel the fears,” Colin warned.
“That is why this will be seen to immediately,” Eric ordered. “Colin, see to finding out her identity, and Borg, see to the questioning of the guards first. Enlist Stuart’s help and any others you feel are trustworthy. I go to speak with my wife. We will talk at noonday in the great hall.”
The men acknowledged his orders with a nod and immediately set to work as Eric took leave of the stables.
The great hall was stirring when he entered, the servants scurrying about in preparation of the morning meal. He made his way up the steps to his chambers to find his wife still sound asleep, cuddled deep beneath the blankets, on her stomach with the pillows scattered around her and none beneath her head.
Rook lifted his head, acknowledged Eric’s entrance with a low grumble and returned to his slumber.
Eric slipped out of his clothes and beneath the blankets to join his wife. She was warm to his touch, her skin silky and smooth. He pushed her hair aside and gently kissed the back of her neck, his hand trailing down her back, over her slim waist to her round backside and finally making his way between her snug legs.
He nibbled along her pale shoulders, pressing his body close against hers as his fingers slowly and gently penetrated her warm, moist nest.
She stirred then, and so did he.
“Wake up, wife,” he whispered in her ear. “I have something for you.”
She mumbled and moved her body suggestively against his.
“Wake up,” he said again, teasing her with aggressive nips along her neck and stroking her with fingers that had her responding in familiar fashion.
She grumbled and before she could turn around he yanked the blankets off her, pulled her to the edge of the bed with a sinful smile and winked at her startled expression, grabbed her legs, swung them over his waist and entered her most rapidly.
She gasped, sighed and gasped again at his surprisingly intrusive entrance and his teasing manner. It did not take long for her to respond to his demands and took even surprisingly less time for her to climax with a startling cry.
His laugh was full of satisfaction and it took only a few more decisive thrusts for him to join her in climax, though he did not cry out, he simply growled low and viciously as he collapsed over her.
“And a good morning to you,” she said after regaining her breath.
“Aye, that it is,” he said and then thought of the news he had to tell her.
He slipped off her and pulled her to him, wrapping her in his strong arms, holding her tightly to him, protecting her from harm.
“I like the way you wake me,” she said on a yawn.
He kissed her forehead. “We must start our day often like this.”
He did not want to tell her how his day had begun; he would deliver that disturbing news soon enough. Right now, at this moment, he wanted her to feel safe and secure in his arms.
His good intentions came to an abrupt halt when Bridget burst into the room, announcing, “My lady, a servant has been slashed to death.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Faith thought her world was crumbling around her. The more she learned of the murder, the more terrified she grew. Eric had immediately ordered a contrite Bridget from his chamber and then he proceeded to inform her of the details. He had not spared her… he told her everything, for which she was grateful. If she had learned of this news from others she would have questioned the validity of their remarks, but hearing it from her husband, she knew it to be the truth.
She had dressed in a deep red wool shift and tunic and was standing before the fire, but still she felt chilled to the bone and she could not prevent her limbs from shaking. It was as if her nightmares had become reality. She had dreamed often, almost nightly following the attack that it had happened again and again and again. It took her own strength and courage to chase away the frightful dreams, but now it was not a dream. Someone had been murdered and left with a scar similar to hers.
Had her attacker returned’?
Faith’s hand rested on Rook’s head and Eric had noticed that since he had informed her of the murder neither she nor Rook had left each other’s sides.
“No harm will come to you,” Eric assured her.
She nodded, though he felt her doubt and her feeling of insecurity haunted and angered him.
A knock at the door startled her and Rook immediately jumped in front of her, taking a guarded stance and emanating a low growl.
Eric walked to the door and opened it, admitting Borg and Colin.
They talked quietly at the door and Faith took a seat by the fire, Rook spreading himself out across her feet. She petted his shiny dark coat, her eyes steady on the flickering flames. She had grown frightened at the news of the murder and even more frightened when she learned the details. Was her attacker near? Did he intend her harm? What was it he wanted from her?
She had lived with the fear of his return following her attack. She had spent too many sleepless nights wondering, waiting, watching for him. Those nights had slipped by until little by little they had all but faded from her memory. But she had never truly confronted the fear that had caused them and now she was fearful once again.
Would she hide or would she finally face her fear?
Borg and Colin approached with Eric, and she stood.
“We will take turns guarding you,” Eric said. “You are to go nowhere without one of us by your side.”
Faith started shaking her head with his first words. “Nay,” she said with the insistence of a tenacious woman.
“Nay?” Eric said, annoyed that she should disregard his command and his concern for her safety.
“I will not be a prisoner in my own home.”
Borg and Colin smiled at her courage and Eric had to admit he was proud of her defiant stance. Still there remained the fact that she could be in danger, and he was not about to take a chance with his wife’s life.
“You are not a prisoner,” he reassured her. “But until this matter can be resolved to my satisfaction you will have the company of one of us no matter where you go.”
“I have Rook,” she said, in objection.
Rook barked and snarled to confirm his presence.
“Of which I am pleased,” Eric said with a pat to the dog’s head. “But it is a warrior I want beside you and it is a warrior who will be there.”
She attempted to protest but he raised his hand. “I will hear no more. Borg, Colin, or I will haunt your every move and if you attempt to disobey my edict you will find yourself sequestered in this room until I decree otherwise.”
She realized it was hopeless to argue with him. It was best to obey and best to face her demons head-on even if one happened to be her husband. “As you wish, my lord.”
Bridget suddenly appeared in the doorway hesitant to enter. “Pardon, my lord and my lady.”
Eric bid her entrance with the wave of his hand and then looked to Borg. “Tell her not to fear me.”
Borg laughed. “After the way you thundered at her this morning… that is not possible.”
Eric shook his head in disgust and looked to Bridget. “You will fear me no more and you are no longer my wife’s servant.”
That brought startled gas
ps from both women.
Borg just laughed harder.
Eric growled low, which caused Rook to do the same.
“She is to marry Borg—she is no longer a servant,” Eric informed all, hoping that was explanation enough.
Faith threw her arms around Bridget. “Why did you not tell me this?”
Tears filled Bridget’s wide eyes and she kept her glance on Faith. “I did not think it real.”
“What?” Borg boomed, his deep voice carrying throughout the room.
Colin and Eric looked on with smiles, enjoying this moment.
“I am a servant, you are not,” Bridget said, turning to face Borg.
“What matters that? I love you.”
“Truly?” she asked hesitantly.
“Truly,” he told her and sealed his vow with a heartfelt kiss.
“I will secure another servant for you,” Eric said to Faith.
“I do not need one,” she said.
“I will continue to see to her care,” Bridget insisted.
“You are no longer a servant,” Borg added.
Bridget was adamant. “I wish to care for my lady.”
“Nay,” Borg ordered firmly.
“Impossible,” Eric said.
Faith smiled and walked over to Bridget and with a wink said, “We will be friends.”
“Aye, my lady, that we will,” Bridget said.
The three men looked skeptically at the two smiling women.
Bridget grinned back but spoke to Faith. “I think the morning fare is ready. Let us see what they have to warm our innards.”
“A good idea,” Faith answered, and together they walked toward the door, Rook following at the mention of food. They paused and Faith glanced back. “Which one of you will be my shadow?”
Colin hurried over to join them. “I have the honor,” he said and held out an arm to each woman, which they readily accepted then strolled out the door with him.
“I am going to find that charmer a wife who will see to it he charms no one else but her ever again,” Eric insisted.
“I will help you,” Borg added with a determined glint in his eyes.
o0o
The only talk at the morning meal was that of the murder. The young woman was yet to be identified. Many people had gone to look, most just out of curiosity, but none knew her. And stranger still, no one had complained or spoke of a woman gone missing in the keep or the surrounding castle grounds. Everyone appeared to be accounted for, which made for more gossip.
The Irish Devil Page 29