They lay there like that until Marion twisted beneath him. Moving to her side, Court closed his eyes while he returned from whatever other world he’d journeyed to just then.
“Court?”
When his breathing slowed, he opened his eyes once again and turned his head. The sight of her, thoroughly ravished and looking more than a mite content, stirred his cock awake once more.
“Aye?”
“I enjoyed that very much.”
He trailed his finger from her shoulder down to her breast and continued exploring the soft curves of her stomach, her waist, her hips. By God, if it truly was the stone that had brought him this perfect woman, then he would worship it all the days of his life.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, “as we will be doing it often.”
She turned then, propped her head on her elbow, and smiled. “I wonder if it’s ever happened this way? If the stone has ever brought both protectors together in this way.”
“Ah, so now I am a protector too?”
When she reached out her hand and laid it on his cheek, Court’s chest ached with a very new emotion.
“I did not believe so at first—”
“When I held a sword to your throat?” he asked ruefully.
She mimicked his earlier motion and let her finger fall from his face downward, toward his manhood. A shiver that had nothing to do with cold ran through him.
“I never felt cold near you. I should have known—”
“How were you to know I would love you . . . protect you and hold you dear for all the days of my life?”
When her eyes widened, he knew the words had penetrated. Just to be sure, he repeated them, only this time he added, “I love you, Marion.”
In response, she looked down at his growing cock and then back up to meet his eyes. He laughed at her brazenness and pulled her atop him.
“And I love you. All of you,” she teased.
Before he made love to her again, he would ensure she understood their position.
Lifting her hair to one side and placing it behind her ear, he reached up and held her beautiful face in his hands.
“If for some reason your father does not condone the match, we will run away. You are mine, Marion, from this day forward. And I am yours just the same.”
When she licked her lips, he knew their discussion was at an end.
“If that is true”—she shifted her position to better prepare for what was to come next—“then I do believe I’d like to make love to you again.”
Court was more than happy to oblige.
Epilogue
Halbury Castle, England
“My lord, my lady.” The steward approached them just as Marion and Court were preparing to sit for the midday meal. “A visitor has arrived and asks to speak with you both.”
Marion looked at her husband, wondering if he’d seen anything unusual. His visions came fairly regularly now that they were in possession of the stone, but she had not felt a premonition of malintent since encountering Lord Almain. Since they’d married and moved to Halbury Castle, none had threatened them, and her power had thankfully lain dormant.
A visitor was nothing unusual, so why did their steward behave so oddly?
“Show them in,” Court said.
“She asks for a private reception.”
Marion and Court exchanged glances. Though others may not have seen it, Marion glimpsed a slight crease in his forehead. If he was worried, then she was as well.
“Who is she?”
“She gave no name. But she—”
“Show her to the east tower chamber,” Marion said, anxious to see who could inspire such wariness in the steward. If her parents had not just returned to Scotland after a brief visit to Halbury Castle, she would have expected they were the visitors. Marion smiled, remembering her parents’ reaction—their joy that she and Court had found each other.
Suddenly, Marion knew the identity of their visitor. At least, she suspected she did.
By the time she and Court made their way to the visitor, she was convinced the Priestess of the Stone would be inside the private chamber to which she’d been shown. Marion squeezed her husband’s hand and received a reassuring squeeze in return.
She was about to share her thoughts when they turned the corner and were greeted by a guard. Marion was still learning the layout of her new home and had not realized they were so close.
Court nodded to the knight standing at the door, and when they entered the room, Marion held her breath, waiting for the cold to come. But it did not, would not, for she had been correct. Would the priestess be angry at their decision? A familiar face smiled at them as they entered. It was strange to see her here, in this very ordinary room. The pools suited the priestess much more than this chamber.
“I apologize for the request,” she started as soon as they walked into the room. “I cannot stay long.”
Her lilting voice filled the chamber, and she smiled as she glanced down at their still-joined hands. Relief washed through Marion. She did not appear to be upset.
“I came to see if that rumor was indeed true.”
Marion and Court exchanged a glance.
“This”—she waved a hand toward them—“has happened only once before.”
Surprised, Marion asked one of many questions she had about their joining and the stone.
“I wondered about that, but how is it possible? We thought the stone might be responsible for bringing us together.”
The priestess gave Court a stern glance. “Nay,” she said. “Your seizure of the stone ensured only that Lady Marion would find you.”
“Does that mean—” Court began.
“Your joining has nothing to do with the stone.” The priestess looked at Marion then. “May I see it?”
“How did you—”
“I can sense it, as you can.”
Marion let go of Court’s hand and reached into the small leather purse hanging at her side. Pulling the stone out, she began to hand it to the priestess, but the ethereal woman shook her head.
“Nay, it is yours now.” She looked at Court. “Both of yours. I keep it safe only when it awaits a new protector. At least”—she frowned at Court once again—“my ancestors and I usually are able to keep it safe. To see things as they truly are . . . that is a power I’ve never encountered before.”
Marion squeezed Court’s hand. No doubt he was confused, as she was, but it seemed unlikely the priestess would ever reveal how she’d known about their powers.
“But now that it is in your possession, you will protect it, together.”
“What is my role?” Court asked. He’d asked Marion’s mother what she knew about the stone and his role in protecting it, but she’d had no answers for him beyond what she had already shared with Marion.
“That stone,” the priestess said as Marion put it back where it belonged, “is the lifeblood of Scotland. Most often, its nemesis intends harm upon our land. But now our interests are aligned with those of our southern neighbors. It is possible that the borderlands will suffer without your joint protection. And with it, the fate of both Scotland and England.”
They were to protect the border. And peace along the border meant peace for their two lands. Of course.
“You came all the way here just to ensure the stone was safe?” Marion asked.
When the priestess smiled, a warmth filled the room.
“Your love, your union, and the power the stone has given you will guide you. May you both find joy in each other and in your protection of the stone.”
With that, the priestess made her way around them, and as quickly as she had come, the woman was gone.
“I did not even say farewell,” Marion said finally.
Court pulled her toward him, wrapping her up in his arms. “That was an . . . interesting . . . visit.”
“Aye, very much so. At least we have some answers.”
“And, more importantly . . . privacy.” Court’
s hand ventured from her waist to her backside, and when he squeezed gently and pulled her even closer, Marion knew they would not be eating for some time.
When he kissed her, her heart raced as if it were the very first time. So it was not the stone after all. They’d been brought together by something much more powerful.
“I love you,” she murmured.
“And I love you,” he said. “Do you believe me?”
She startled. “What kind of question is that? Of course I do.”
Court frowned in mock sadness. “Ah, well that is a shame.”
She pulled back and looked up at him.
“If you had not, I was prepared to prove it.”
He was insatiable.
“In that case,” she said, sliding her hand between them. “I’m not sure I do believe
you.”
His slow, sensual smile confirmed that the meal would indeed have to wait.
“Then by all means, let me show you.”
She looked forward to the lesson and hoped it would be repeated today and every day for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for reading THE PROTECTOR’S PROMISE. I hope you enjoyed reading about Court and Marion.
Don’t miss the next book in the Border Series, THE ROGUE’S REDEMPTION, coming in October. Become a CM Insider for release news and more Border Series goodness.
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~Cecelia
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Also by Cecelia Mecca
The Border Series
The Ward’s Bride: Prequel Novella
The Thief’s Countess: Book 1
The Lord’s Captive: Book 2
The Chief’s Maiden: Book 3
The Scot’s Secret: Book 4
The Earl’s Entanglement: Book 5
The Warrior’s Queen: Book 6
The Protector’s Promise: Book 7
The Rogue’s Redemption: Book 8 (Fall 2018)
About the Author
Cecelia Mecca is the author of medieval romance, including the Border Series, and sometimes wishes she could be transported back in time to the days of knights and castles. Although the former English teacher’s actual home is in Northeast Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband and two children, her online home can be found at CeceliaMecca.com. She would love to hear from you.
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THE PROTECTOR’S PROMISE Copyright © 2018 by Cecelia Mecca
Cover Design by Kim Killion @ The Killion Group, Inc.
Edited by Angela Polidoro
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The Protector's Promise (Border Series Book 7) Page 9