by Mia Pride
Chapter Ten
By far the hardest part of not truly being Glennis’s mother, was Morna’s inability to produce milk to feed her daughter. While there was always a willing woman to nurse her daughter in any village, it made her heart sink as she watched her daughter take milk from another woman’s breast. It seemed like true magic to be able to feed a child from your own body and she wished someday to know what that felt like. For now, she waited patiently while the kind woman from Eblani gave sustenance to her child as she broke her own fast with a warm bowl of porridge sweetened with apples. The people of Eblani had been most hospitable and kind, but Morna was anxious to be on her way.
She had no idea where she would live or what they would do once they arrived at Ráth Mór. She was certain they could use her skills as a healer and Brennain had informed her that Maggie, his sister-by-marriage and a sweet lass Morna had met once, was also a healer. She would be happy to see a familiar face and have someone to work alongside.
Brennain’s words continued to spin in her head. He seemed very sure of his will to marry her, yet she still could not quite understand why, nor help but believe he felt obligated to care for her and Glennis since he tore them away from their home. As thankful as she was to be away from Caleb, she would not enter into another marriage unless she was certain of the man’s love for her, and she needed more than just sweet words. Any man could speak sweetly, especially Brennain Mac Greine. She wondered how many other lassies at Ráth Mór had shared his bed or hoped to gain his affections. She felt as if she was walking into a den of lions who may very well tear her limb from limb, and she had no interest in fighting for a man whose head could so easily be turned.
The kind woman finished nursing Glennis and handed her back. Glennis burped and smiled, causing Morna to chuckle and wipe her mouth. “My thanks for providing sustenance for my daughter. It means so much to me. She has not had that since we left Miathi.” Aye, Glennis was at an age where she could eat soft cooked fruits and vegetables and had a few teeth that helped her chew very tiny pieces of meat. She could also eat cooked oats and soft breads. Still, nothing was as good for her as milk from a breast. Guilt always gripped her when she thought about not being able to provide it herself.
The woman smiled and shook her head. “Nay, all I have done is share that which my body refuses to stop producing too much of!” the woman laughed. “It is never ending, I tell ye that. But what ye have done, providing love for a motherless lass and taking her in as your own, that is a gift very few women would give to a child. Ye should never feel sadness over another woman feeding her. Instead, ye should feel proud of yer goodness and selflessness.” Her words truly were a balm to Morna’s heart and a weight instantly lifted from her shoulders. It was as if she had been carrying around a satchel full of boulders for the past year and had suddenly been able to drop it to the floor.
“Your words make me feel much better, thank you.” Morna took the woman’s hand and smiled. “I shall not forget your kindness.” The woman nodded and waved as Morna held Glennis and left the small hut. By the time she found her travel party, the horses had been hitched to the cart and all the satchels and supplies for their three-day journey were loaded. Nola and Morna’s mother sat beside one another in the cart chatting amicably and Morna smiled, not having seen her mother this happy since her father passed away. Mayhap this was an adventure her mother had truly needed, a change from her usual life. As Morna watched Reaghan and Brennain load up more furs for the women in the back, Morna allowed a smile to spread across her face. Three days in the back of a cart would surely hurt their bums, but she would be with Brennain and that thought made her feel warm inside.
She scoffed at herself. How foolish to feel such affection for her own captor, but she had to stop thinking of him in such a way. He had explained his reasons for doing as he had, her mother was more than pleased with his actions, and Morna admitted to herself she would never have left if he had asked her. She would have feared Caleb’s reactions. They were safe now. He would never go through so much effort to take back a daughter who meant naught to him, and even if he tried, she knew in her heart Brennain would do all to protect them.
As if he sensed her standing behind him, watching him as he bent over to load the cart, he turned and looked over his shoulder and smiled wickedly at her. She flushed when she was caught staring at his perfectly muscular backside, but he just nimbly jumped off the back and landed in front of her with a crooked grin and an outstretched hand. She hesitantly took it and was surprised when he pulled her and Glennis in closer, kissing them both on the top of their heads. “Are my two favorite lassies in the entire world ready to go?”
Glennis put both hands on his cheeks and squeezed them together, making his lips push outward in a humorous way. Glennis laughed. “Pif! Mama Pif!”
“What is she saying?” he murmured through his pursed lips and crinkled his brow.
Morna tilted her head back and laughed loudly. “She says you look like a fish.”
Glennis nodded. “Pif! Papa Pif!”
He looked back at Glennis and started making his lips move like a fish’s and Glennis squealed with delight.
“All right, young lassie. ‘Tis quite enough fun at Brennain’s expense.” She pried Glennis’s sticky hands off his cheeks and he made a funny face at Glennis before looking back at Morna with a wink. “Shall we go? We will spend two nights sleeping in the wild, but I assure you we shall be safe.”
She looked down at the long sword hanging from a leather belt around his waist. “That is only one of my weapons. Do not fret.” He guided her over to the cart and Elsbeth reached out to grab Glennis so Morna could climb in. Settling beside her mother, she took Glennis back and wrapped her up in a warm fur blanket. Brennain hopped in next, took the reins and sat on the bench behind her where Reaghan was already settled and ready to go.
The cart rolled to a start and Morna held her breath. It would be a very long few days and she had a tough time tamping down all her many apprehensions.
“Morna…” she heard Nola’s quiet voice, and she glanced over at the beautiful red-haired woman sitting on the other side of her mother. “I am afraid.”
Suddenly, Morna felt selfish. She had been so concerned with her own worries that she had never once thought about how this must all feel to the woman who had been enslaved. She was here because Reaghan and Brennain had saved her, but she had no more control over where they went than Morna did.
“We shall all be safe, Nola. These men will let naught happen to us. I am certain of that.” And she was. It was not just her need to reassure the frightened lass. She knew nothing would happen to them so long as these brave warriors were with them. “Tell me about yourself, Nola. Where do you come from?”
“I am from a tribe of people called the Damnonii, south of Miathi. The Rómánach marched through, raping, pillaging, and burning the land…” Her voice shook, and she swallowed hard. Morna reached over and took her hand. “I was captured and enslaved. They forced me to work in the brothel. I got paid coin, but all I wanted was to go home. To be free. I was an innocent until then.” Her voice lowered in shame and her dark gaze searched Morna’s. “I am sorry about your husband. Please believe that I never wished to share his bed. I truly had nay choice.”
Morna squeezed her hand and gave her a sad smile. “Do not apologize for that man’s actions, Nola. Our marriage was not one of love, nor was he ever faithful. I am only sorry you had to endure such a fate. I hope he never hurt you.”
Nola shook her head. “Nay. He did not, not like the other men.” Her body shivered once more and Morna pursed her lips and turned her head, so Nola would not see the tear rolling down her cheek. With Glennis in one hand and Nola’s hand clutched in the other, Morna could not wipe it away but she did not wish to make things worse by crying. Nola was a strong woman to have survived that life and found the right opportunity to escape.
“Well.” Morna sniffed and cleared her throat. “You are safe now an
d we shall be great companions when we arrive at Ráth Mór. I do know a few women there already and I am certain they will love you.” Nola smiled for the first time since they had met, and Morna smiled back.
They both went silent and Morna tilted her head back against the bench Brennain sat on, looking up at the cloudy sky above. It was still early morning and they had an entire day of travel ahead, but when she felt Brennain’s free hand come down behind him to run softly through her hair, she sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his soft caress. It felt genuine and somehow more intimate than all the kisses they had shared. It was the sort of casual affection she had always hoped for in a marriage. There had been no casual hugs or caresses in her marriage with Caleb and she had not missed it. Yet she knew at this very moment that she would miss Brennain’s touch terribly if she ever lost it.
Taking a deep breath, she watched the sky above while she felt every boulder shake the cart below. Aye, her arse would hurt soon enough, but her heart felt light and hopeful. Mayhap everything would be all right in the end.
* * * *
After several hours of being torturously jostled in the wagon with only a few breaks to stop and rest, the evening had finally arrived and Morna was more than relieved to climb out of that cursed cart for the night and stretch her back. As suspected, her backside throbbed, and she wished to rub it but did not want to embarrass herself. She still wore her yellow wool dress and now had her own cloak on as her mother had packed it in her satchel. She had not known, and felt terrible for wearing Brennain’s the entire time they were in the boat when hers had been in her satchel all along, but he had not seemed to mind. Though at the moment, he wore his own, for it was quite cold outside now that the sun was going down.
The women gathered sticks for a fire while the men set up traps in the surrounding forest to hopefully ensnare some small game for a meal. A fire was quickly lit and just in time, for the sun was fading fast and soon they were surrounded by darkness all around, stars twinkling in the late May sky. Crickets sang their nightly songs as owls hooted in a tree several feet above their heads. Everyone was weary and hungry, so it was a wonder when one of the traps caught a rather large hare. Reaghan and Brennain made quick work of preparing the creature for the fire, creating a spit with some random twigs and soon enough they were all sitting around in complete silence thoroughly enjoying the savory fresh meat.
Morna could not care that juice ran down her forearm as she chewed on the delectable meat. Though everyone else had enjoyed their stew the night before in Eblani, Morna had been too distraught over the realization that Brennain had bedded the serving lass and she had not been able to so much as touch her food. It was not so much jealousy that bothered her, as the realization that there was likely nowhere they could travel in Ériu where she would not run into his former lovers. Still, the past was the past and there was no sense in dwelling on it, nor did she as she devoured her hare meat.
Even wee Glennis was able to chew on small bites of the tender meat, making smacking sounds with every taste. Once dinner was over, it seemed everyone was much too exhausted to hold a conversation. Morna sat and stared at the fire for a few moments while holding a sleeping Glennis in her arms, wondering what the next day of travel held in store. Nola had long ago gone to the fur Reaghan had set up beneath a tree and curled up next to him, sharing body heat, wrapped in cloaks as the night turned frigid.
She felt a pair of hands reach down to grab Glennis out of her arms and snapped out of her musings. Her mother silently lifted her daughter from her hands and while the loss of the extra weight felt nice, Morna shook her head. “I will sleep with her tonight.”
“Nay, ye will not. I wish to sleep with my granddaughter on this night.”
“But… but…” She looked around their small temporary campsite and saw Brennain laying on top of a pile of furs with his arms folded under his head as he observed the night sky. His tunic pulled up just enough to reveal the dark trail of hair on his lower abdomen that disappeared beneath the top of his trousers. Looking back at her mother, she scowled when she realized what Elsbeth was up to. “Nay.”
Elsbeth snorted. “It makes sense, lass. ‘Tis too cold to sleep alone out here. Nola and Reaghan are keeping warm together. I shall keep Glennis warm. Allow that fine man to keep ye warm, mo leanbh. Unless you think I should allow him to keep me warm… or ye wish me to sleep alone and freeze to death in my sleep.” She raised a brow and walked away before Morna could make some snide remark about preferring that outcome to what could happen with her enfolded in Brennain’s arms all night.
Growling lowly to herself, she took a deep breath and crossed her arms, staring into the fire once more. It crossed her mind that she was so tired, she very well could fall asleep in front of the fire by herself and remain perfectly warm. Brennain was one of Tuathal’s finest warriors. Surely, he did not require her body heat. However, as the fire had already noticeably dwindled over the past two hours, she knew well enough that soon there would be no more flames to warm her body and she would likely freeze. Though the spring day had been chilly but warm enough, the night felt like bloody ice.
With a huff, she stood and wiped any debris from her backside before she slowly stepped over to Brennain, hovering over him while he seemed to be far away in thought, staring at a cluster of stars above. “What is it you are staring at?” she asked softly. She had no idea what to say in this awkward moment. Had he expected she would need to sleep with him? Had he hoped for it? It had not crossed her mind as an option, but now that it was more of a necessity, she found herself rather open to the feel of being in his arms. She had promised herself to give the man a chance, had she not? She would never truly get to know his motives if she never gave him an opportunity to be alone with her.
She remembered their late-night talks two years ago when he had visited Miathi. He was wise and humorous. She had instantly lusted after his looks, but it was his mind and personality that had truly drawn her in. Even then, she had been innocent and wary, yet so connected to him she had hoped he would try to touch her beyond the soft kisses they had shared, yet he had been honorable… for seemingly the first time in his life. Would he be honorable this time around? Was it awful that she hoped he would not be? She did not expect to bed the man out here in the open with so many people, including her mother and daughter so close by… but mayhap a few kisses and wandering hands? Nay, she would not mind that at all and already felt warmer just thinking about it.
He propped himself up on one elbow and grinned lazily at her, causing those butterflies to flutter once more. “I am staring at the gods in the sky.” She furrowed her brow, unsure of his meaning and he grabbed her hand to pull her down. She shrieked as she almost fell on top of him, but he gently placed her to his left. “Lie down. I will show you.”
She did as he asked, not sure if she really had a choice. He placed his head next to hers and pointed up to the sky. “Do you see that cluster of three bright stars above? That is Cernunnos, god of nature and fertility. Look.” He took her hand and used it to point to the sky. “There are his horns. Do you see?” She nodded, more enthralled by his touch and closeness than the stars above, but he seemed so excited that she could not help but smile. “My Uncle Liam likes to curse the horns of Cernunnos when he is angry,” he chuckled.
“Now, look to the east, just there…” He pointed and turned his head toward hers more, his breath fanning over her cheek. “Do you see that bright cluster of stars?” Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to control her breathing. Her heart beat wildly against her ribs. His nearness was beyond distracting and she felt that familiar ache deep within her core. Gods, the man was undeniably all male and spoke to every secret corner of her body and her heart.
“Aye,” she whispered, but she looked at him, not the stars. Their faces were nearly touching and their eyes locked. She searched the depths of his green eyes, now darker than she had seen them before, but mayhap that was caused by the night.
&
nbsp; He whispered his next words, their lips nearly grazing when he spoke. “That is the likeness of Lugh, holding his spear. My family still holds that spear, along with the other treasures of the Tuatha de Danann from thousands of years ago.”
“Your family is truly special, are they not?” she whispered back, unable to look away from his captivating gaze.
“Not as special as you are, Morna.”
“Those words of yours…”
“Are true.” He leaned in and took her lips and not even a small part of her wanted to pull away. In fact, all of her was drawn into him as if her very soul desired to meld with his. Turning her body toward his, she wrapped her arms around his neck and felt a thrill when he rolled toward her as well, draping his large cloak over them both, enveloping them in shared warmth.
She sighed, and he pressed his advantage, slipping his tongue into her eager mouth, slowly exploring. Her tongue found his and the slow sensual movement sent a wave of pleasure all the way down to her toes. Not that she had much experience to base her assessment on, but the man could kiss the very soul from a lass.
After several moments of very intense kissing, and a few quiet sighs of pleasure from them both, she was pleased to feel his hardness push tentatively against her core as his hips began to seek stimulation. His mouth detached from hers as his tongue slid down her throat and lower to the tops of her straining breasts. She tilted her head and her hips, encouraging both his kisses and his thrusts.
Clearly picking up on her willingness to continue, his hands slid around to her back and gripped her backside, pulling her further into his arousal. He felt so hard and long against her and it was all she could do to push back, wrapping one leg around his hip to give him better access. He groaned into her cleavage and she felt his hot breath spread over her flesh. Never in her life had she wanted a man more. She struggled to remain as quiet as possible and knew with the large oak tree’s trunk blocking them from view, nobody could see them, although she was quite certain everyone was asleep by now… as they should be, but sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.