by S MacLeod
They kissed each other hungrily & Sonya ran her hands down his muscular shoulders, gently raking her nails back up. As Duncan plunged himself inside her, they both cried out together. As he thrust himself in & out, she rocked to meet his thrust, sending him deep inside her. Sonya gripped his arms & placing her mouth on his neck, she sucked in. He moaned, plunged deep & released himself inside her. Sonya cried out as Duncan shuddered inside of her. He lay motionless on her; both sated, breathing hard. Sonya continued to run her fingers through Duncan's hair. He kissed her neck & then bit it & she giggled. Wrapping his arms around her he rolled them onto their sides. Sonya looked at him, a smile upon her lips.
"Lass?" Duncan said softly.
"Aye, Duncan?"
"What did ye feel when I first touched ye? When I helped ye off of the ground?"
Sonya opened her eyes. Taking her first two fingers she traced his cheek & then his strong jaw line. She looked at the tenderness in his face. She could see the love he had for her in his shimmering, bright eyes. The love he would always have for her & she felt at home. Safe. "When you put your hand down & I touched it, it was as if lightening ran through my hand & up my arm."
Duncan took her face in his hands & leaned forward, kissing her deeply. Not an urgent kiss, but one of love & tenderness. "Aye, lass. I felt it too."
"We were meant for each other," she stated.
"Aye. It means that ye are my mate & I am yers."
Sonya smiled & warm tears began to silently slide down into her hair. Duncan pushed up on his elbow. "What is it lass? Are ye hurt?"
He was so full of concern that she laughed. Touching his face she shook her head. "No, Duncan. It is just that I have searched for you for so long."
Duncan pulled her to his chest, holding her there. He could feel her warm tears on his chest, her damp hair on his arm. He kissed the top of her head. "Aye, Sonya, lass. And I will never let ye go now that we have found one another. Ye are my woman until the end of all time."
Sonya looked up with glassy eyes, smiling. "There is nothing more I could ever want than to be your woman Duncan."
Duncan hugged her tight. "Aye my love, me either, but I was hoping ye may want one more thing."
She pulled back looking up at him, questioning. "What?"
Duncan smiled at her & kissed her gently. "I just hoped ye might want be my wife."
Sonya lunged at him, pushing him onto his back, straddling him. She kissed him on his mouth, on his cheeks, on his forehead. Then they shared a much longer, deeper kiss.
"Is that an aye, then, lass?"
"Oh, aye!" Her eyes grew big. "Aye!"
Duncan pulled Sonya back down, onto his body. She lay on his chest, feeling his erection. She lifted he head & they grinned at each other. They were still kissing when he rolled her over.
*
I woke up in Duncan's arms! Sonya would never wish to be anywhere else again.
"Ye are awake, lass."
Sonya grabbed Duncan's arms & pulled them tighter around her, sighing. He kissed the side of her head, chuckling.
"Aye, I am awake," she smiled. Sonya realized that all of her life she had been restless, constantly moving things around the house, rearranging. She never felt settled, always trying to make everything feel right. Now they did.
"What is the harp tattoo for lass?" Duncan asked.
"My mother. I got it when she died. She loved the harp."
"Ah, It would seem she too belonged to another time.
"Yes, I think she did," Sonya smiled.
"When do ye want to wed then lass?" Sonya went still & Duncan felt it. "Have ye changed yer mind already, lass?" He sat up on his elbow turning her face so he could see her. She turned over to face him.
"No! Never!"
He laughed at her big eyes. "What is it then, lass?"
"Well…"
His eyebrow went up. That one where he knows something is coming & he isn't going to like it. Sonya cleared her throat. "Well, I want to ask Rowan to come with us."
"Och, lass, is that all? That is nay a problem," Duncan grinned.
To think, all Sonya had to do was travel across time & space to find this man! "That isn't exactly all." Darn! There went that eyebrow again. "Can you stop doing that? It makes it hard to tell you!"
"Doona e'er be afraid to tell me anything, lass. I promise ye, I will tell ye everything from this day forward."
Sonya smiled. "Well, I don't think he will come if he doesn't think he is still courting me." She made a sheepish grin & shrugged.
"What?" Duncan roared.
"Let me explain."
"Yer going to!"
"He has to think I am still interested."
"And are ye?"
"Of course not! Were you here last night?"
Duncan grinned looking very pleased, pulling her on top of him. In a husky voice he said, "Aye. I was very much here & there & over there."
Sonya's face heated & he kissed her tenderly, then hungrily. She met his kiss with her own desire, but pulled away even though she didn't want to. "Duncan."
"Aye?"
"My idea... was to get Rowan to come with us."
"Why?"
"Brenna."
"Brenna?" he frowned.
"I think Brenna may be just what he needs." Sonya smiled, happy with her plan.
"Lass, ye look down right devious." Sonya smiled. "But I am nay sure it will work."
"I like Brenna & have come to know her better. She thinks she has been in love with you for a long time. I have a feeling it may be the idea of being in love."
Duncan looked down at her. "Aye."
"I would like to see if this could work."
"And just how do ye think we are going to do that after this?" Duncan gripped her butt with his hands.
"Well, no one knows but Angus & I am sure Anne & Mary. We will have to have a fight."
"A fight? When all I want is to ravish yer body?" Sonya laughed as he grabbed her when she was about to get out of the bed. "I doona think we are going to fight just yet!" Duncan kissed her deeply again & she could not fight both him & her own building desire to have him inside her again, despite the soreness she had.
*
Sonya ran into the hall not knowing if Rowan would be there. Luckily only Angus was there & he raised his brows, with his amused smile. Sonya shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't her fault Duncan decided to declare her his just now.
"Are you amused at everything or just the things I do?"
"Well, lass, I would say most things amuse me. I doona like to be unhappy."
"I see. Has Rowan returned yet?"
"He was a bit delayed."
"Well, this wasn't exactly how I figured things would go."
"With Duncan I don't doubt it. Will we be having a wedding then?"
Sonya's smile left no doubt. Angus clapped his hands together.
"But not just now. I have an idea."
"Och, I am worried now."
"Hey!"
Angus was laughing when Anne walked in followed by…Brenna? Sonya spun around as she heard the chuckle she knew well. Duncan was leaning on the wall inside the other door, smiling. Sonya put her hands on her hips. "You could have told me!"
"Aye, but I've been a wee bit busy." Sonya turned red & walked over to Duncan. "Really, lass, it totally slipped my mind," he shrugged.
"Yeah, I bet. You had to have sent word for her days ago."
"Aye. Well, a man has to do all he can when the woman he wants is to wed a prince."
Sonya raised her brows. So, he had been scheming. Had a little plan of his own to disrupt Rowan's courtship, when he returned home. All she could do was feel pleased. After all he just said the woman he wants. She leaned up & kissed him. Then a voice she longed to hear yelled out, "Och, good!"
Sonya turned, a huge smile on her face. "Ewan!" He ran over to her & she picked him up. "I am so glad to see you!"
"I have missed ye Sonya! I have letters for ye from everyone as well!"
"Wonderful!" Sonya set him down & he ran to Duncan, giving him a tight hug.
"Why did ye send for us da?"
"Because we missed ye so much," Duncan smiled, winking at Sonya. Ewan hugged his dad again, then squirmed to get down. He ran over to Angus & performed a perfect bow before Angus ruffled his hair & hugged him. He greeted Anne & Mary also giving them the perfect bow & a kiss on their hand. Sonya looked at Duncan who grinned, watching his son.
Anne put out her arms, "Brenna, come here, deary & give me a proper greeting!"
Brenna smiled & went over to hug Anne.
"She was raised here," Duncan told Sonya quietly.
"Oh aren't we a great one for secrets!"
He chuckled. "We all grew up together."
Sonya rolled her eyes. Men! Full of information until you want to know something! Duncan took her hand & led her outside.
"So, do you want to tell me about your plan, then?"
"I doona have a plan, lass."
"Yes, but you know something you aren't telling me."
"Sonya!"
Sonya turned her head to see Rowan striding towards her, grinning. "Rowan, you're back!" Sonya hurried toward him. As she reached him he took her in his arms, bending her back & kissing her quite thoroughly! Duncan's eyebrows rose.
"Some things doona ever change," came a voice full of scorn that broke the moment. Brenna scowled towards Ewan. Sonya feared Rowan had forgotten he held her at all & held onto his shoulders so he wouldn't drop her!
"Brenna," Rowan said flatly. "What are ye doing here?"
"I accompanied Ewan. I was hoping when Angus said ye were delayed, I would be lucky enough not to see ye. Apparently luck is not in the wind."
Rowan swung Sonya back up, walking towards Brenna. Holy crap! She not only didn't like him, she despised him!
"Lucky for me, yer opinion is of no matter, lass."
Oh, yeah, this was going well.
"Have ye congratulated my future wife, Brenna?"
"Wife?" Brenna looked from Rowan to Sonya & then Duncan.
"Aye," he said motioning his arm toward Sonya.
Sonya watched the pair. Not exactly the time to tell Rowan she wasn't marrying him….
"Congratulations, My Lady," Brenna said curtsying. "I am glad someone has curbed him! I guess even the brattiest of children have to grow up some time."
Sonya stifled a laughed & Rowan made a face at her. They were like siblings!
"So, ye see, ye have misjudged me as ye always have."
"My apologies, Your Highness." Brenna curtsied low.
"Accepted." Rowan spun on his heel.
Sonya glanced over at Brenna who had her fists clenched at her sides. She & Rowan needed to have a little talk, now. But before she said anything Duncan put his hand on her arm & whispered, "Perhaps ye should wait, lass."
"Are you crazy?"
"Nay lass. If Brenna sees the changes in Rowan, maybe she will be less harsh. She will'na see them without yer help." Sonya closed her eyes a moment. She was pretty sure she was going to get a headache soon.
"Great," she whispered back, "I suggest you tell everyone else then!"
As Rowan reached them, he took Sonya's hand & greeted Duncan. Sonya looked over & watched Brenna storming off. She really must feel something for Rowan even after all this time. If she didn't, she wouldn't so be angry.
"Rowan, I am so glad you are back."
"Aye, me too. Have ye missed me?"
Sonya didn't dare even look at Duncan. "Of course I did. Duncan isn't a big enough challenge for my practice sessions." She heard Duncan's chuckle, but kept her face passive.
"Well, then lass, perhaps we should have a round."
"I would like that."
Rowan & Sonya walked off toward the entrance. She glanced back at Duncan making a face at him. This could turn into a big disaster! She saw him chuckle & she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, I forgot something back in the garden's, Rowan. Go ahead & I will meet you in a bit."
"Aye, but doona keep me waiting!" He smacked her on the butt & Sonya let out a surprised gasp. Rowan laughed. He had never done that before! Oh this was going to be so much fun.
Duncan took a seat in the gardens. He wondered how Sonya faced her roll as match maker now & he chuckled.
"I canna see much to be jovial about," Brenna said, appearing before Duncan."
Hearing her, Sonya stopped just before she rounded the corner. She had hoped to see Duncan on his own for a moment & was surprised to hear Brenna's raised voice.
"Why is that Brenna?" Duncan asked.
"I doona understand ye. When ye returned without Sonya ye were nay the same. Ye let Adair run Ronin."
"That is his purpose."
"Ye, ken that is'na the point at all! Ye rode that poor horse day & night so hard I thought one of ye would end up dead! Even Ewan worried about ye. Adair worried!"
"Well, as ye can see, I am fine."
"Nay, something is amiss. I though when ye came back here it was to bring her home again. It had been the first time in months ye seemed almost like yerself again. I doona understand any of this, Duncan."
Duncan stood, concern apparent as he looked at Brenna. "Are ye angry about my not bringing her home or that Rowan has asked her to marry?"
"Of course I am angry he has asked her, if ye are going to go back the way ye were!"
"Perhaps, Brenna ye should let go of childish memories. Like ye, lass, Rowan is nay a bairn."
"Perhaps that is so," she said, calmer. "But the fact remains, Duncan, ye were a miserable mess when ye left Sonya here. Ye paced the wall & barely slept."
"Doona worry over me, Brenna. I have'na said that I have given up on the lass yet, have I?" Brenna raised a brow. "But, I want ye to think on this. If ye are so certain that Rowan is the same as the lad who teased ye when we were bairn, why don't ye get to know him as if ye had never met him before & find out. Remember, Sonya has been living here, in his home, for some time. She is very aware of what he is like. Do ye think the lass would marry him if he was so bad?"
"I shall think on what ye have said, Duncan."
"Good." He took Brenna's arm & headed toward the entrance. "Now, how about we go see the lass practice her sword on Rowan?"
Brenna grinned. "I hope she kicks his arse!"
Duncan laughed.
Sonya came out from behind the bushes, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Duncan had been as miserable as she had been. What a pair they were! Stubborn & foolish. She hurried back to her room to change her clothes for practice. Perhaps she could give Brenna her wish & kick Rowan's arse!
*
Rowan laughed hardily at whatever Sonya said to him, but as she took her stance, her smiled was gone. Rowan's eyes glittered green & Sonya wondered if Brenna had really ever looked into his eyes. Somehow, she had to convince her to look there. Sonya focused & became oblivious to their increasing audience until sweaty & tired, she put her sword down. She was pleased with how well she had done & Rowan kissed her on the side of the head. As he went over to talk to Duncan, Ewan ran up & hugged her.
"So, what do you think, Ewan? How am I doing?"
"That was great, Sonya!"
"Why thank you!"
Brenna stood behind Ewan & smiled genially. "That was quite a match, My Lady."
"Thank you, Brenna. Do you know how to use a sword?" she asked as she put her blade away.
"As a child we play fought, but I haven't since."
With her back turned Sonya said, "You should have Rowan show you. He is a good teacher & then you & I could practice without all these men around." As Sonya turned back, she smiled.
"I doona know. Rowan…"
"Oh, that is no problem. Besides, I think a lady should know how to protect herself, don't you?" Sonya put on her most serious face & called out, "Rowan?"
"Aye lass?" He walked towards them & Sonya said, "Brenna would like you to teach her to use the sword as well."
Rowan looked amused. "Is that so? Y
e want to learn Brenna?"
Brenna nervously replied, "I…uh…aye, I would like to learn." She looked at Sonya who smiled encouragingly.
"And who better to teach her than you? She hasn't tried it since she was a child."
Rowan looked at Sonya & smiled. "If that is what she wishes. I will be here tomorrow morning & we will begin."
"Oh, that is great!" Sonya said with enthusiasm. She looked at a grinning Ewan & ruffled his hair, winking. Turning towards the door she thought, Score one for me!
Answering the knock at the door was preferable to thinking of a dinner of pretense & possible squabbles or mess ups by her. Sonya just did not wish to go down.
"Duncan!"
He quickly entered the door & shut it. "You shouldn't be here if we are doing this pretense. Which, by the way, I really dislike you for." Sonya went to the mirror & started untying her hair.
"Me? It was nay my idea, lass, but yer own."
"Oh yeah, with a whole lot of information left out." She looked over at him, leaning against the door. He had the most mischievous grin as he folded his arms.
"Oh, Duncan!" She hurried over to him kissing him & he hugged her to him.
"I want to throw you on that bed, lass &…"
"Oh, please don't say it! I don't think I can handle it."
"But I want you to handle it."
"Very funny!" she laughed. Duncan bent his head & kissed her so deeply she thought his tongue was hers. God she wanted this man right here & now! She put her hands on his hard chest & pushed away. She could feel that his kilt had risen & laughed, "I am glad I don't have that problem"
"Aye, but you do, lass, it shows in your cheeks." Sonya's hands flew to her face. She smiled & turned to get dressed. She knew he was watching every move she made & it didn't bother her at all to have him there. She had never felt so comfortable with someone before. She guessed finding that one true mate did make all the difference. After all, if you were meant to be together, what was there but wholeness? There was nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Nothing to hide. You were complete. Sonya was grateful.
When she turned she smiled at him. She wondered if he thought of things like she did when she looked at his body. His dark hair, untied, unbraided, flowing down his back. His brown skin showing, his shirt untied. That smile, so enticing. He was so gorgeous! He grinned as if he knew what she was thinking. She walked up to him, pressing herself against him. She closed her eyes & kissed him hungrily.