Storm Trilogy

by Ria Cantrell

  Brielle said sleepily, “Ruiri?”

  “Aye, Bri….”

  “That was amazing.”

  He grinned against her hair. He wanted to hear the words. “What was, Angel?”

  “The way ye’ loved me.”

  “Oh, Aye? It pleased ye’?”

  He felt her nod against his chest; as if he needed her to tell him. She had been wild with unabashed passion with him. He didn’t want to embarrass her again, even though it charmed him.

  “Ye’ know I would ne’er hurt ye. Sweetheart. We have to get used to each other again. We had so little time before I had to leave, ye’ are much still like a virgin…although, certainly not after what you just did to me this morn,” he laughed.

  But then more seriously he said, “I aim to show ye’ everything that can cause pleasure between a man and a woman. I will never ever cause ye’ pain nor will I dishonor ye’. There are many different ways I want to love ye’.”

  He eased his hands over her shoulders. She sighed, settling into his arms and she said, “I want ye’ to show me everything. I want to feel all the pleasure ye’ know how to give and I want to learn what ways ye’ like, too.”

  Rory kissed the top of her sleepy head and said, “I am a very lucky man. It is rare to have such a beautiful, sensual woman and mate, who is so responsive to me and to the different ways I want to love ye’.”

  “Ye make me feel things I never dreamed could happen between a man and a woman. Ye’ bring me passion and the more I make love with ye’, the more I crave to again and again. With ye’, I know contentment I never realized existed.”

  He kissed her neck and said, “I love the feel of ye’ in my arms and the taste of ye’ on my lips…how perfectly ye’ fit me, how wonderful ye’ make me feel when ye’ love me.”

  She just sighed, sleep starting to fully claim her. She felt the warmth and comfort of Ruiri and she stretched out under the covers and fell quickly to sleep.

  Once he was certain she slept deeply, Rory eased himself out of bed and dressed. He went back to check on Liam and found his brother to be awake and looking less feverish. Shawn teased Rory, saying, “Well, aren’t ye’ going to tell us how the wee lassie is?”

  A slow grin spread on Rory’s face. “She’s resting.”

  Caleb raised an eyebrow and said, “Resting, Aye? Took a while for her to settle down, did it?”

  “She needed a lot of attention, but she is alright now.”

  “Was she ill?”

  “Indeed she was, Da. T’was as ye’ said. She is sick many times in the morning. It passes.”

  “Then ye’ are….”

  “Aye, we are. She’s carryin’ my bairn. I’m finally to be a father.”

  Shawn and Caleb clapped Rory on the back.

  “Praise Be! That little angel has brought light back into ye’, son.”

  At Caleb’s words, Rory frowned and said, “Aye, Da, aye. And to think I almost lost her. We got her out of there just in time. I am sorry, Li that ye’ took the brunt of it with that arrow, but Roderick Campbell was capable of the unspeakable. He promised harm to the babe because it was mine. He wanted to pass her to his men and make her their whore. We saved her from terrible horrors.”

  Rory’s voice drifted as his mind was filled the horrible images of the life they saved Brielle from. It was not like the usual Darkness. That seemed to be gone for now.

  “I would gladly have taken another to save her. She has worked her way in all of our hearts. T’is hard to believe that she is a Campbell, but she is such a beautiful soul. I am happy to call her sister, Ruiri.”

  Caleb answered, “Well, her grandfather was a decent man. I dunna’ know what happened to those two brothers of hers, but as dark as they are, is as sweet and kind as Brielle is. She is a gem, Ruiri. She is all goodness and light. I am so happy for ye’, son. T’is about time.”

  “Aye, she has brought the Light back to me. She has given me sweet absolution in ways I dinna’ even understand”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  A few days later, Rory, Caleb, Shawn and even Liam stood beside Brielle as Roderick Campbell was laid to rest. Rory was on guard, certain Brielle’s other brother Derek was going to show himself and he was prepared to do battle if needed. He would never again let anyone hurt his Brielle and he did not trust that Derek would stay away. His body was tensed at the ready, certain that Derek lurked nearby.

  As the mournful sound of the piper on the castle battlements played and Roderick was interred, there was still no sign of him. Rory’s arm was around Brielle’s waist, as if to steady her, but as the priest uttered the final prayers, Rory felt her standing straight and unwavering. He glanced over at Brielle. She was wearing her clan plaid only because she had told him that Jerome McManus had burned the MacCollum plaid that she had worn the day she had been abducted. Rory wished he had a chance to meter out justice to that bastard, too, after he learned what McManus had done to Brielle. The coward was nowhere to be seen.

  Rory thought Brielle looked beautiful, despite the colors she wore. She looked like a laird’s woman, bred from noble highlanders. Looking at her, none could tell that she had been treated more like the lowest of slaves rather than the granddaughter of a powerful laird. Her bearings were graceful and regal.

  His broken little bird, that had fallen into his lap, had blossomed into a confident woman of strength and courage before his very eyes. He knew that his love had helped her to rid herself of the lies that her brothers tried to force her to believe. This changed and stronger Brielle was all the more perfect mate for him. While he loved nurturing her, he was glad that her own strength was surfacing. Rory noticed that there were unshed tears that glistened on her lashes and though she looked a trifle pale, she maintained her stance; proud and majestic, despite how she had been treated at the hands of those who should have loved, cherished and protected her. He tried to read her thoughts, but found them to be impassible. He was certain that was because many things were going through her head.

  If Rory had expected Brielle to weep and cry out, “Why didn’t ye’ love me?” during the funeral, he would have been wrong. She was stoic, almost, and veiled in her own thoughts. With a sidelong glance, Rory watched her, as a gamut of emotions was going through her mind. Rory could discern nothing from her expression. He was once again, however, taken by her bravery and her strength.

  *****

  Brielle thought about the times in her childhood when her brother had taunted her with cruel words or painful slaps. Her father was too consumed with his own grief to notice the abuse that was inflicted on her. When Roderick would taunt or hit her, it gave Derek the go ahead to do the same. She remembered the lonely years growing up and after her father had died; her grandfather had done what he could to protect her. She remembered the day that her grandfather had thrown her brothers out for abusing her, and how Roderick had snuck back to her room and cut her, in a drunken rage. She knew she should have felt sadness for the death of Roderick, but she only felt sadness that he had never tried to redeem himself. He had become a monster.

  Then she thought about Rory. Her Ruiri...Rory had loved her and nurtured her in so short a time, making the horrors of her past fade away with his love and passion. Thinking how close she came to losing him, made her feel sick inside. She felt the prickling of tears behind her eyes and though she did not cry, the tears were just on the surface. They were not tears of grief over the loss of her brother.

  There’s the pity, she thought. He was her brother after all and shouldn’t he deserve some tears for his passing? But thinking again how he had abused her in the last days of his life and how he threatened her with unspeakable evil horrors, including the torture and murder of both Rory and her unborn child, there were no tears of grief for this man who was poisoned with madness.

  Nay, rather, her tears threatened because of how grateful she was to have Rory back in her life. He had once again begun the nurturing process to heal the hurts she had suffered at Roderick’s
hands. He had showered her with love. He had made love to her every night since being reunited. He had shown her passion and tenderness. He had shown her the wonderful ways to find pleasure in each other’s arms; never once making her feel humiliated or embarrassed. She loved him so much. She was not sure how her love had come to be so deep for this man in so short a time, but love him she did, with all her heart. She choked back a sob, overwhelmed with the love that filled her heart.

  As the last shovel of dirt was tossed on Roderick’s grave, Rory heard a single short sob leave Brielle, but she hiccupped it away and walked forward, never lending even so much as a glance back at the keep behind her. Rory worried her heart was hurting, but as he viewed her strength and resolve, he was calmed somewhat. She was going to be alright, of that he was certain. She mounted her horse and waited as they helped Liam into a cart to travel back home. Liam was none too happy about having to return home like an invalid, but he could not sit comfortably on his horse yet. He had somehow made a remarkable recovery since being struck with the arrow, but he was still weak and living with a good deal of pain. Brielle’s heart still hurt thinking of how he had taken that arrow to save her life. She knew there was nothing she could ever do to repay him or to make up for what he had endured.

  Rory rode up next to Brielle. She was sitting her horse stoically. He longed to take her into his arms to protect her and give her a place to let lose the tears he was certain she wished to cry.

  “Are ye’ alright, Bri?”

  She nodded and said, “Aye, fine.”

  “Can I do anything for ye’?”

  “Nay, just let’s leave this place. I am anxious to leave my past behind.”

  “Aye, Angel. I know. We will ride home now and we will turn from the past and seek our future together.”

  As they set out, Rory continued to notice Brielle’s silence. He rode beside her and observed her quietly. She had not been ill this morning, so he guessed her silence was just from all the anxiety of the day. He let her have her silence, but offered her his strength by just riding beside her. There was time enough for words later. For now, Rory was content to just be near her.

  Toward late afternoon, the riding party stopped to water the horses and stretch their legs. As Brielle stooped by a stream and cupped water to drink, Rory approached her from behind. After she had slaked her thirst, Rory helped her up and hugged her. She breathed in a deep sigh and allowed the warmth of his body to seep into her chilled flesh. How many times had he done that since they had found each other? It was something she had grown accustomed to. It was becoming quite the habit. She looked up at him and said, “I’m sorry, Ruiri.”

  Kissing her hair, he said, “Oh, why, m'love?”

  “I know I have been moody and sullen.”

  Rory smiled down at her and said, “Oh, have ye’? I hadn’t really noticed,” he teased. He kissed her cool lips gently and felt her arms snake around his neck. After another kiss, he said, “I just wanted ye’ to be alright.”

  “With every mile we put between us and the keep, I feel freer of the choking hold it had on me, which I felt upon being there.”

  Rory smiled and then said, “Ye’ still want to marry me, then?”

  Now Brielle smiled up at him. Her lilac eyes met the warm liquid gold of Rory’s playfully teasing gaze.

  “Did ye’ think I no longer wanted to marry ye’ because of my moodiness?”

  “Well, a man sometimes needs reassurance, too, Brielle,” Rory said, with his grin growing.

  Kissing him deeply, she said, “Aye, oh Aye, I still want to marry ye’. I am so lucky to have this second chance to be with ye’. Marrying ye’ will be the perfect fate for me.”

  Reaching up to him, she kissed him, enjoying the feel of his lips pressing hers. She felt his arms drawing her more firmly to his chest and they nearly forgot they were not entirely alone. They kissed deeply, feeling the wonderful passion rising between them. They were far enough away from the others to not be teased too much by their ardor filled kisses.

  Brielle sighed and she said, “Ahhh Ruiri, I do love ye’ so much. Thank ye’ so much for standing with me today.”

  He stroked his fingers gently down her cheek and he said, “I wasna’ certain ye’ even knew I was there. Ye’ were so very quiet.”

  “I knew. Oh, I definitely knew ye’ were there. I was drawing on your strength and it kept me strong.”

  Rory kissed her, holding her tightly and feeling the wonderful comfort of her lips against his. She sighed deeply, feeling the wonderful rush of heat flood her from his kiss and his touch.

  “When ye’ kiss me like that, I canna help wanting ye’, Ruiri.”

  “Oh, aye? Hmmm, perhaps we need to find a little spot to be alone, perhaps behind those trees, Aye?”

  Although Brielle blushed, her eyes were bright. Tucking her cheek against his chest, she said, “But the others…they might look for us.”

  “Then I shall moan loudly and they shall know not to disturb us.”

  “Rory!”

  Rory kissed her deeply and said, “I will not embarrass ye’. I will wait to make love to ye’, that is, lass, if ye’ can wait. It seems lately, I dunna’ have to work hard to convince ye.”

  She looked up at his grinning face and said honestly, “I dunna’ wish to wait, Ruiri, but I think we must. I want to be alone with ye’ and love ye’ and not have to worry about being interrupted, in any way.”

  Rory laughed softly and he took her mouth in a kiss that promised passion to follow. With a cheeky grin, he said, “Are ye’ sure, lass? Ye’ know, we can do it quickly…I suspect it won’t take long for either of us. Yonder tree looks like the perfect spot.”

  She nestled in his arms, kissing him deeply, and she actually gave his suggestion some thought. The tree did look the perfect spot, indeed. Reveling in a few moments of reconnecting from the distance that had seemed to spring between them while they had remained at Campbell, Brielle breathed in the scent of her man, considering his very tempting offer.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “Take yer’ filthy hands off my sister,” came a growl from before them.

  Rory drew his sword and pulled Brielle behind him. Bloody hell! Derek Campbell! He must have been tracking them the entire time.

  “Get away from us, Derek. Dunna’ make him kill ye’ as well. I am going with him,” Brielle said, peeking from behind Rory’s broad and muscled back.

  Rory wanted to smile at the feisty response of his Brielle, and he would have had it not been so dangerous a situation.

  “Easy, Brielle. Just let me handle this, aye? So, ye’ finally have thought to make an appearance! Ye’ lay one finger on my wife and I will gladly cut yer’ hand off. Now, step back.”

  “Yer’ wife? I just heard ye’ ask her to marry ye’…among other unholy propositions.”

  Rory ignored the taunt. He said, “Aye, in a church. We are already wed by the Ancient Rite. I wanted her to have a proper wedding.”

  “She had a proper wedding when she married Marcus Val Cour, of which her mourning time is not complete, therefore no marriage to ye’, pagan or otherwise is valid.”

  “A proxy wedding is a sham, not to mention that marriage was ne’er consummated. She is my wife by all rights.”

  Rory knew that saying such a thing would probably embarrass Brielle, but it was the truth and he had the proof. He did not tell Brielle that he had carefully tucked the bedding away in his things after their first night together. When they had spoken their vows, Rory had decided he wanted there to be no question that her previous marriage had never been consummated. Brielle’s marriage to Val ‘Cour was null by all rights.

  “What do ye’ want, Derek Campbell? I would think ye’ would be happy to be rid of Brielle from the way ye’ have treated her.”

  “I want to avenge my brother’s death. Ye’ killed Roderick.”

  “I did not, but I would have, if I had the chance just for the way he abused my Brielle.”

  Brielle spok
e up from behind Rory’s back, saying, “Derek, let it be. I love him. I want to be with him. The fight is over. Rod is dead because of his hatred. Will it end in yer’ death as well?”

  Derek glared at Rory.

  “Ye dishonored my sister! Ye’ just admitted taking her innocence.”

  “He did not! He has honored me. He loves me. Useless innocence lost was given to him freely, by my own will. He took nothing from me.”

  “It is true, I love her. I would die to protect her.”

  “That can be arranged MacCollum Dog,” Derek spat.

  As if appearing like a specter, Caleb held his dirk to Derek’s throat and said, “Put yer’ sword down, son and I might let ye’ still live.”

  Derek’s sword clattered to the ground.

  “Brielle, lass, go to the horses.”

  “Caleb, please, he is still my brother. Regardless of what they have done to me….”

  “Lass, just go see to Liam. Yer’ brother isna’ stupid enough to try to take on all of us.”

  As Caleb said those words, Shawn also approached with his weapon drawn.

  “Go on Brielle, we are just going to talk to him, but some of the things I may say arena’ for a sweet lassie’s ears. Ye’ trust me, lass, don’t ye’?”

  Brielle nodded. Kissing Rory quickly, she said, “Please be careful. Ye’, as well, Caleb.”

  “Not to worry lass. There’s a good lassie, go on with ye’ now, aye?”

  When Brielle had moved out of sight and earshot, Caleb said, “Now the dirks, son. Drop them. Mind ye’, I’ll not hesitate to slit ye’ from ear to ear if ye’ so much as toss them close to one of my sons.”

  To emphasize his words, Caleb nicked Derek. Derek flinched and Caleb clucked, “Tsk, tsk…have a care lad, else ye’ may end up with a scar to match yer’ sister’s.”

  “How do I…I know ye’ won’t slit me the minute I throw down the dirks?”