by S MacLeod
It didn't take long before a young man came to ask Sonya to dance. As they glided around the room & she laughed & enjoyed herself she saw Anne's smile. Angus would chuckle & Duncan went from surprise to outright scowl. Sonya couldn't believe how the time flew by & she was dancing with so many people! Some she had come to know during her stay & others just curious about the lass from over the ocean that was at court.
Each time Duncan started Sonya's way another took her hand. At the sign of slow music she would excuse herself to the garderobe. Finally, Angus caught her at one of these times, with another scowl from Duncan.
"Well, lass, I am not sure what to make of ye some times," Angus said, smiling.
"To tell you the truth, neither do I." After a bit Sonya asked, "Angus, do you believe what they say about finding your true mate?"
"Aye, I do. Do ye?"
"I have had such a wonderful time here. Rowan has shown me such a wonderful time. He is a good man."
"Aye, lass, I do know this, but I think I have ye to thank for some of that."
"Me?"
"Aye, lass. He has finally started to grow up."
Sonya smiled.
What on earth possessed the woman to dress that way? Duncan was furious & captivated & he was struggling to reconcile the two. Never had he seen her look like this & he had longed for her before. When she had presented herself to Angus his brows rose wonderingly at her breasts which barely seemed to be contained by her bodice. He saw the pendant she still wore with the Amethyst he had given her, around her neck.. It hung high around her pale throat. A throat he so wanted to touch & kiss. Duncan looked down at that Celtic cross just above her breasts & then he saw it. The brooch Rowan had gifted her the night before he left, just below her breasts. That was when Duncan had stumbled over the chair as he tried to stand. Idiot! Am I alright indeed! So, I was looking at her, how could one not? Duncan turned to eat food that he never tasted & then Anne asked him for a dance.
"She is quite a young woman, Duncan," Anne told him.
"Aye, well, she is stubborn & hardheaded, and…"
"Aye & those are great qualities in a lass who will be married to a prince," Anne had smiled innocently.
Duncan made no reply, but Anne swore she heard him growl as yet another man went up to speak to Sonya. Anne smiled with admiration as Sonya laughed & never looked Duncan's way once. A MacPherson she be!
"Angus," Duncan hissed as Sonya danced again. "I can'na get a word with the lass."
Angus opened his hands & said, "Well, lad, she has hardly stood still all night. Even I was hard pressed to get a dance with the lass. You know, it is nice to know that Rowan has broken her out of her shell, teaching her to dance."
"Rowan? Rowan taught her to dance?"
"Well, his wife will need to know many things."
"Aye," Duncan said absently & Angus grinned to Mary. "Perhaps Duncan, ye should try harder." Angus gave Duncan a concentrated look & Duncan looked annoyed.
"Hmph."
Sonya couldn't have been more exhausted & was certain she would have more sore spots than after a practice session with Rowan! All of the dancing amazed her. She wondered if Anne could have somehow had something to do with it. But how could she? Sonya was determined to spend as much time as she could close to Duncan, yet just out of his reach. It was a dangerous gamble she was taking. She knew he could leave again, but if he did, then she would be certain and could make the right decision. To marry Rowan. If he didn't leave, then this time he had to prove to her how he felt.
*
Sonya knew there was no way she would be able to sleep. There was way too much going on in the castle & she thought maybe she understood why Duncan preferred his home more quiet. Wrapping her cloak around her shoulders, she made her way back down the stairs & down the outside corridor which lead out to the courtyard. She strolled down the path, not in any hurry & not knowing where she would end up, just roaming.
Sonya didn't know that Duncan was watching her out of his own window. His chest seemed tight & he inhaled deeply as he leaned on the window frame. She stopped by a rose bush & as she leaned over, the moonlight glinted off of her pale skin. She stood up & smiled as she inhaled the scent of the red rose. She had such a lovely smile. She also had a nice temper! Duncan chuckled. Sonya continued to walk down the path, her back to him. He watched as her hips swayed. Those perfect hips. They would be perfect to hold with his hands as she rode atop him. Duncan clenched his fist, hitting the stones. He moved away from the window.
Just as suddenly as Sonya was at peace in the garden of flowers & greenery, it all dissolved as she rounded a corner. She suddenly gasped & turned quickly around, embarrassed.
"Oh, Your Majesty, I…I am so sorry! Please, excuse me," she quickly began walking back up the path she had traveled down. She heard Angus & Mary's laughter.
"Sonya, lass! Stop, please, doona go." They came running up behind her, hand in hand. Mary of Monath truly was a beautiful woman. She had a very lovely, kind laugh. Her face didn't just laugh, but her eyes did as well; they shimmered. She was a very happy woman. The perfect fit for Angus, the happiest man Sonya had ever met! She could clearly see the stars in Mary's eyes as well. You couldn't miss the pride in Angus' tone when he spoke of her.
"Ye mustn't be embarrassed, Sonya. His Majesty sometimes forgets where he is!" Mary said. To top off her beauty, she had a beautiful voice as well! Sonya bet to hear her sing would be like hearing an angel.
Angus laughed. "I have just asked Lady Mary to be my wife! Yer the first to know."
"Second," Mary chimed.
"Second," he smiled, kissing her on the side of her head. Mary always seemed to be smiling.
"Oh, that is wonderful news, Your Majesty, Milady. I am just sorry that I…interrupted you."
"That is of no consequence. Mary, my dear, I need a word with Sonya, if I may?" he kissed her hand.
"We will talk again, Sonya."
"I would very much like that, Lady Mary." Mary smiled at Angus, squeezing his hand. As she walked by she touched Sonya's arm & smiled.
"What do ye think of her?" he asked loud enough for her to hear.
"You know I think she is very nice. She is very beautiful too, Your Majesty."
"Aye, she is a bonny lass." he smiled broadly, looking after Mary. Angus began walking along the path & Sonya fell in next to him. "So, when do ye plan on returning to Ronin castle?"
"Return?"
"My dear, lass, yer blood is of MacPherson, aye, but yer heart is with the MacLeod's. Perhaps one MacLeod in particular? As I have said before, we are but one clan, lass, ye may return any time."
"Rowan."
"Ah, aye. My brother has grown on ye, I know, but that isn't always the best reason to marry."
"He will make someone a wonderful husband."
"I believe he will, one day."
"You do not hate me then?"
"Oh, Sonya, how could I? Rowan will not think less of ye either if that is what fashes ye. He will respect yer decision. Our women have often been the ones to make decisions. As we have said, they are strong."
Sonya smiled & suddenly hugged him. Angus gave her a squeeze & pat her on the back. "I will come again soon, Your Majesty?"
"Aye, child, aye. We would love it, as ye know. However, ye must promise me one thing."
"Yes?"
"Ye must bring Duncan with ye."
Sonya smiled, "I will certainly try!"
Angus chuckled. "Well, ye had better be off to bed!"
She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" she said, hurriedly curtsying. She practically ran to her room & Angus laughed behind her. Sonya couldn't help but think that people should be more like him. What a world it would be!
"Ye can come out now, Duncan."
Duncan stepped out from behind a tall, dark hedge. "How do ye do that?"
"Must have been all those years chasing the deer through the brush." They both laughed.
"And Sonya hates how quiet I am. She
would nay get away with her sneaking about with ye."
Angus slapped Duncan on the shoulder & they continued walking towards the castle. "Ye know the lass is in love with ye, doona ye?"
Duncan stopped & looked at his friend as if he had lost his mind.
"Well, she is. Isn't that why ye were lurking behind the bushes?"
"I was'na lurking, Sire."
Angus laughed. "Well, the lass is coming home with ye, so ye doona have'ta worry, lad."
"I was nay worried I assure ye."
"I see," Angus said sardonically.
Duncan looked at him. "What?"
"I doona suppose ye are in love with the lassie? A soul knows. Like with Mary & I. I knew the moment I set eyes on her & she has told me she knew the same."
"Ah. So, ye asked Mary then?"
"Aye. I must have told Sonya before ye started lurking," Angus chuckled.
"I was nay lurking!"
"Nay, not at all. Ye still did'na answer my question. Are ye in love with the lassie or was it just too much for ye to let Rowan have her? Rowan told me about the little dip in the loch betwixt ye.”
“Did he now. Aye, he was trying to make an impression.”
“So I gather. That is Rowan for ye.”
“Aye,” Duncan said in an annoyed tone. Angus smiled again.
After a bit of silence Angus said, "There are times Duncan lad, when ye meet the perfect mate. There is naught ye can do about it. It is different than choosing someone to marry. Anyone can do that, like Rowan, like ye & Aaralyn, but a true mate is for life & beyond that. If ye are lucky enough to find it, ye would be a fool to let it go."
Duncan recalled the vivid thoughts & dreams he had of making Sonya's body one with his. His need to feel her beneath him. His longing to kiss her & feel her tongue with his. He had had a burning desire to enter her, making her his. It was true, he had never felt that power surge through him before at a mere touch, or the pull that he felt with Sonya, with any other woman before. And the feelings had never subsided even while he was away from her. In fact they seemed to have strengthened.
"What of Brenna?" Angus asked breaking Duncan's thoughts.
"They seem to like each other well enough."
Angus shook his head. "I meant that Brenna has stayed all this time hoping ye would marry her."
"I ken that. I told Brenna long ago that I will'na. She still pines for Rowan. Besides, if I ever wed I would prefer a woman that can hold her own." Angus watched as Duncan unintentionally looked up at Sonya's window.
"Like Sonya?"
Duncan gave Angus an annoyed look as they had entered the castle archway. "Aye, she can hold her own." They stopped in the passage way that split, each of their rooms in the opposite direction. "Good nigh, Angus."
"Good nigh my friend. Good nigh."
Angus went one way & Duncan went the other.
*
Angus & Sonya had been playing chess until she beat him for the third time. He appeared grateful when the messenger came in bearing a couple of messages. Handing one message to Sonya, he took a seat across the room near Duncan, who had been watching them play their game. Duncan was thinking about what Angus had said to him the night before. Sonya was the perfect mate for him, as he knew before. No, it hadn't just been about being jealous of Rowan, although he had been. He also knew his foolishness had been in part due to fear. His fear of rejection. Now what?
Angus' voice broke his thoughts, saying in a low voice, "We aren't a little possessive now are we lad?"
Duncan sighed, looking at Angus, who had the irrepressible grin on his face. "What are ye talking about now, Angus?"
"Ah, no Your Majesty today?"
"It depends on how much ye fash me." Angus laughed hardily, making Duncan laugh too. Sonya looked over at them & smiled, looking back at the parchment. "So, Angus what are ye talking about now?"
"I was referring to the glare ye were giving as Sonya read the message from Rowan, my friend."
"Glare?"
"Aye, glare."
"Well, he is nay settling down with my woman! I'll tell ye that!" Duncan didn't even need to look at Angus to know he was grinning. "Aye!" Duncan raised his voice. "Ye heard me, just fine!"
"Well, it is about time ye admitted it, lad. There is nay a better mate for ye."
"Aye, there is nay," Duncan smiled. "Now, if ye will excuse me, Angus, I have something to attend to."
"Aye, lad, aye," Angus was still grinning from ear to ear. Finally! Duncan could be happy. Angus was thrilled.
Well, Duncan had said it & that was that. She was his mate & he would be havin' her. Now.
Sonya couldn't believe her ears! His woman! His! I am Duncan's woman! He does care for me! She couldn't believe it. How did I get so lucky? This tall, dark haired, muscled, handsome, kind, caring man, said I was his woman! Sonya wanted to burst inside. She couldn't breathe. The darn threads running up her front were way too tight! Suddenly, Duncan was right there beside her & Sonya felt a thrill run down her neck & he held out his hand.
"Lass, we have something to attend to. Now!"
Sonya took his hand feeling the lightening course through her. She could hardly breathe as Duncan pulled her up the stairs & she went hard all the way down! "Duncan?" Sonya queried.
"Aye lass?"
She suddenly could say no more. Duncan slammed open the door to his bedchamber & pulled her in. He shut the door & pushed her up against it, his body hard up against hers. His breathing labored.
"Duncan?" she whispered. Her voice was barely audible to her own ears. Her chest was heaving & she knew it.
"Aye lass," he said in the affirmative. "Aye."
He looked at her with smoldering eyes & the whole of her body ached with wanting him. She was hard with longing. He pushed fully against her body & his mouth covered hers, kissing her hard. It took Sonya all of two seconds to be kissing him back hungrily. His tongue lapped inside her mouth & she moved her tongue over his. Her hands wove through his long, soft hair as Duncan's hands slowly slid up from her waist to her breasts. She let out a small whimper & Duncan growled. He liked her noise. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples which were already hard. He breathed his breath heavily inside her mouth & she took it in as if it were her own.
Duncan kissed Sonya as he had never kissed another. He wanted her & she knew it & she wanted him. His erection rubbed against her. Her hands in the back of his hair tightened their grip & he growled. She would be his & she would be his from this day forward.
Sonya pulled wildly at the bottom of Duncan's shirt. She slid her hands underneath, exploring the hard body beneath. His muscles rippled beneath her hands. She moaned & moved her hands up & down with her fingernails. She slid his shirt up.
"Take it off," she said breathlessly & he drew it over his head, tossing it aside.
He looked at her hungrily & she slipped her hands over his butt pulling him into her as he rocked himself against her. Her face was flushed & her eyes danced; she felt dizzy. She licked her lips & he took her bottom lip in his teeth, pulling, sucking on it. As he pulled the strings of her dress, he moved his bite to her chin, to her neck & to her breasts. He pulled her corset loose & pulled her over gown down over her arms, pinning them there. She moaned again as he sucked on one breast through her chemise & then the other, gently biting one. As he straightened Sonya's hands greedily felt for the strings of Duncan's trews & he let out the moan this time. The strings were loosed & she pushed her hands down, inside the back of them pulling him into her.
Duncan kicked his boots off within moments & freed himself of his trews. He stood there in front of her in all of his naked glory & she looked at him. She looked him up & down & back down again in appreciation. She shook her shoulders & her overdress & chemise fell silently to the ground. He smiled at her & plunged his tongue into her mouth, his naked, hard body against her naked body. He probed so deep inside her mouth, but it wasn't his tongue that she wanted to feel plunging deeply in her.
"Oh, Duncan," she
moaned. "Duncan."
"Aye, lass? What is it?"
"Duncan take me now & make me yours."
Duncan smiled & lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips, her hands around his neck. He kissed her breast moving from one to the other & she inhaled, leaning her head back. He flicked his tongue over the hard nipples & she moaned. He lightly nipped her chin & was hungrily on her mouth again. She kissed him back with the same passion & he was full with wanting. Duncan's erection rested just at her womanly opening & she moaned again. Carrying Sonya to the bed, Duncan wanted to slip inside her & make her forget any man that may have every touched her. He he lay her down, pushing her up across the satiny bed cover. Crawling up to her, she watched him, waiting, her eyes dancing with excitement & desire. Duncan took a nipple in his mouth & she moaned, arching her back. He kissed down between them, squeezing them, kneading them. Her fingers coiled in his hair as he continued to kiss further down, over her stomach. As his hands moved down over her hip bones, she jerked. It tickled. Duncan pulled his head up looking at Sonya. She looked down at him with want & he knew it for he had wanted her too, from the moment his hand had first touched hers.
Duncan smiled at her & she loosened her fingers as he kissed further down. She cried out as he found her swollen spot. He placed his mouth over it, sucking in. Sonya gasped, arching her back, grasping the bedding. He reached his hand up like a claw, gently pulling it from her chest down her body as he flicked his tongue over her sensitive organ until she cried out his name, shuddering. Then he did it again.
"Duncan. Oh, Duncan, please."
He raised his head & softly said, "Aye lass?"
"Duncan, please, I need you inside me."
"Aye lass & I need to be inside you." Duncan climbed slowly towards her.
"Now, Duncan!" she said impatiently.
He chuckled at her, running his hand between her thighs spreading them. As he laid his body on top of hers, his large, hardened, manhood touched her opening, but did not enter. She jerked & sucked in a breath. Sonya looked at Duncan, touching his face gently with her hands.
"I love you Duncan MacLeod."
Duncan's eyes opened wide & then a smiled spread across his face. "I love ye too, Sonya lass."