by LAURA HARNER
****
Gabhran was wrapped securely, tied down on a bed of straw in the back of an open flat cart, surrounded by blankets and cushions, anything to reduce the jostling. Ian feared Gabhran was in such a condition as not to survive the long trip, but it was his friend’s last request of him and he could do no less than to honor it.
The guard of ten men was gathered around Ian, awaiting further instructions. Stephan approached to plead his case one final time. Ian was tired of hearing the argument, and his back stiffened slightly in anticipation. He didn’t want to remind Stephan that as the elder brother, he was Laird now, but he would if Stephan continued pressuring him to stay behind. He began to give the orders to his men, in an attempt to preempt his brother’s words.
As Ian was speaking, he suddenly felt a cold breeze pass over him, and he broke off quickly, looking around. He stiffened with an absolute certainty. He climbed into the cart to examine Gabhran. His face became taut with grief, and he looked at the men.
“He’s gone, he has passed beyond the veil.” He buried his face in his hands a moment, before looking up and issuing a new set of orders.
“Fetch me sack cloths and the black fabric. Bring me a set of the Smithy’s clothes, for we are of a similar build. I will take him myself, and drape the cart in mourning. Anyone who sees me will assume I am a simple man in mourning, none will bother us.”
A myriad of voices broke out at once, insisting that he not go alone, that he not go at all now that Gabhran was dead. That his duty was to his people now that he himself was Laird of the Worthingtons.
Ian spoke in a voice that compelled they listen and obey. He would never be as powerful a Druid as Gabhran, but others should not underestimate him.
“I would do this alone, it is my duty and my honor. This man gave his life that my brother and I would live. I must tell his wife of her husband’s honor. I will return in a sen’night, there is no issue before the family or estates that need resolved before then. Stephan you will stand in my stead should the need arise. Now do as I commanded. I want this cart draped for mourning, now!”
Men rushed to follow his orders, while Stephan approached Ian cautiously.
“Doona push me, brother. Not now.”
“Nay, Ian, ‘tis merely I wish you Godspeed and beg you return safely.” He embraced Ian before turning back toward the castle.
With a heavy heart, Ian watched his brother walk away before he turned to look at the cart.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Alexander lay on his back, arms folded behind his head, gazing up at the full moon as it crested the tops of the trees surrounding the clearing. He was on the outskirts of the Lachlan lands, surrounded by the standing stones, filled with peace at finally being home in the Highlands.
There was much magick that needed done, but it would wait for a few more hours, when he would join his power with that of the moon. He would let no one know of his return, until the morrow, tonight he would use his senses to reach out to the keep, to learn what was happening. He would stay here and prepare.
‘Twas not as though he were expected, it would be another two months before his staff looked for him to return home from his trip for Robert. He had put all of his plans in place before he left, he was on warded land, and it was gift enough to experience this night, in this particular location, where he had first known his heart. He let his mind drift over his memories of a night so special he visited the memory often.
*
It was the night Lissa had returned to the keep, and the instant she was in the castle he knew his love for her had not lessened. Nay it had grown and consumed his soul. To prevent himself from racing to her and claiming her as his, Alex left the keep, before he saw her.
He had walked for hours that night, until he had found himself at the standing stones, the source of much of his magick. ‘Twas near gloaming, the sky a deepening purple, and the birds were singing their evensong. Gloaming was his favorite time of day, on the cusp between day and night, a time to reflect on all that had been, a time full of hope for all yet to come.
He sensed her long before she arrived and he waited, his heart pounding hard in anticipation, his stomach in knots, knowing what he needed to do.
Alex stood, knowing he was unseen, rooted to the spot, and watched her approach. She was a woman now in ways she hadna been when last he saw her, when she was but sixteen. Her hair looked nearly white in the waning light, and was styled simply, pulled back from her heart-shaped face. He wanted to loosen the knot, muss it with his fingers. Her hips and breasts were fuller, more mature, and he longed to cover them with kisses. He watched as she walked with a newfound confidence, sure in whatever path she had chosen.
When she was on the outskirts of the trees, she finally caught sight of him standing in the middle of the stones. Without hesitation, she ran straight at him and threw herself into his arms. She hit him with such force, he had to step back to maintain his balance. He wrapped his arms around her, her legs came off the ground and she wrapped them firmly around his waist, holding tightly. Her fingers wound into his hair, and her mouth sought his kisses.
With a groan of inevitability, he told his conscience to be still, because he knew he was not strong enough to withstand the assault his sweet Alysone had just launched. He had one arm around her waist, holding her to him, his palm cupped the back of her head. Alex lowered his head to hers and claimed her mouth. His kiss was hard, possessively savage, her lips molded to his, parting slightly.
Her parted lips were the only invitation he needed, he thrust in his tongue between those sweet lips, he ran his tongue along the ridge of her teeth, across her upper palate, then deepened the kiss, stealing her breath. Alex cupped her bottom, lifting her higher around his waist, then walked her toward the nearby standing stone, pushing her back up against it.
The kiss spun out, and as Lissa pushed back, he pulled her tongue into his mouth, holding it slightly before he allowed her to withdraw. His sweet Alysone thrust her tongue at his, making demands of her own. He pushed up the skirt of her gown, exposing her creamy thighs, and rubbing his rough hands over the soft skin. Lissa shivered under his touch.
Alexander finally pulled back, his breath fast and ragged, and looked at Lissa.
“Alysone,” he whispered.
“No,” she said. She had anticipated what he wanted to say. That they should stop, that he had no right, that they both needed to move on.
“No, Alexander, this is our night. I want you, and I know you want me too. Make love to me tonight, then you can go where you need tomorrow. Tonight is for us.”
“Aye, Alysone, tonight is for us.” With her legs still wrapped around him, he helped her remove her gown, exposing her creaminess to the moon. He kissed her deeply, removing his kilt with one hand and letting the plaid fall to the ground creating a blanket. Still holding Lissa’s legs, Alex knelt. He laid her back, while remaining on his knees, looking down at the lovely vision she presented.
Her lips were kiss-swollen, and her eyes were sleepy sexy. Her hair had come lose and spilled around her, shimmering in the night. Her breasts were beautiful, full and round, the nipples were dusky rose, puckered tightly, and he ached to pull them into his mouth. His eyes traced down her body, her trim waist flaring to the curve of her hips, giving way to lovely legs, that were still wrapped around his waist. He loosened her legs so he could spread them and enjoy the treasure concealed where they joined, covered with fine, silky blonde curls.
He pulled his shirt over his head and flung it behind him, and then there was naught between them as he lay over the top of her, propped on his elbows, and began the kissing again. He went slow and sweet, his tongue slid over her lower lip, then he sucked on it gently before leaving her mouth to rain kisses along her jaw, her neck, the tops of her breasts.
Alysone arched her back, pushing her breasts upward, and he palmed them, his rough hands against her soft skin. After dreaming of her for years, the reality of Lissa naked and willing benea
th him was nearly unbearable. “I am going to taste every part of you now, lass, before I bury myself deep inside you.”
Then he began at her breasts and worked his way down. By the time he reached her womanly juncture, Lissa was moaning and writhing underneath the path of his mouth. He pushed her knees wide apart and lowered his face to that most private area of a woman. He stayed there, not touching her, just getting to know the smell of her, memorizing every moment. Alysone was panting softly, her breath catching in the back of her throat.
He turned his face to the side and nipped at her soft thighs, then covered the love bites with kisses, and Lissa nearly sat up in her effort to reach him and pull him back on top of her.
“Nay, not yet love, for I have not tasted you here He brushed his finger gently between her legs, and she bucked, shaking her head from side-to-side.
“Nay, Alex,” her voice shocked.
He stopped her protests by running his tongue along her silky lower lips. “Aye, lass, I will taste you.” He licked again, this time spreading her folds with his tongue. “You gave yourself to me lass,” he licked, “and I am going to devour you.” Then his mouth began in earnest, licking, thrusting into her, planting kisses, rewarded for his efforts by her gasps and moans.
When her hips started to move against his mouth, he knew she was ready for more. He slipped a finger inside and the noise that was wrenched from her was nearly animal with desire. He slipped in a second finger, slowly sliding them in and out. Christ she was so wet. He moved his mouth to her womanly nub, his tongue hot as he dragged it across her, making her jump and squirm beneath his attentions.
“Oh, Alex, oh, I doona…I feel—” He realized she was close to experiencing her first woman’s pleasure. She rotated her hips, pushing harder against his face, his fingers.
The velvet glove surrounding his fingers began to squeeze, and with one swift thrust of his fingers, he swept away the thin membrane of her maidenhead. Her muscles clamped down hard on his fingers, and he heard her swift intake of breath. His tongue continued its assault on her clitoris, and she moaned. He felt wave after wave of pleasure wash over her.
****
Lissa and Randi had spent the day locked in the library, bringing one or two books at a time from the small room hidden behind the hearth. Lissa had known about it from a young age, when she had displeased Agnes and been assigned to scrub the stones in penance. She had accidentally triggered a release mechanism and a panel in the wall next to the fireplace had opened to reveal a small, hidden library. Young Lissa had immediately closed it, and never mentioned it again, until today.
She and Randi had tried to make sense of the books they had found, but most were written in languages neither of them recognized. Her thoughts kept drifting to Alex, images of his face, words spoken, time spent playing together when they were younger. His presence was so strong in the library—‘twas his favorite room—she had no trouble envisioning him reading these books, stretched on the seat, long legs splayed—
She gave her head a vigorous shake, to try to clear that image. Finally, unable to take another minute among Alex’s things, Lissa excused herself and retired to her room. She was there but a minute before the memories assaulted her again; memories of him coming to her room each night, of her love for him, of his love for her.
She lay on the bed and thought of their first time.
She had returned from….somewhere. She didn’t really remember where, but she had watched him leave the castle that day without seeing her. She understood. He needed time to come to terms with the bond between them, the bond that flared white-hot as soon as she was in the keep again. She knew where he would go, and that she would find him there at gloaming.
She had been shocked beyond belief when he had placed his face between her thighs, and then pleasured beyond imagining when he lowered his mouth to a spot so personal. His quick thrust of fingers had disposed of her barrier, and his fingers and tongue had turned her into a quivering mass. She made noises deep in her throat, unable to control herself, embarrassed by her display.
When he finally stilled his hands and mouth, she was left with an achy need deep inside, she wanted more, and she brazenly begged him to fill her. Aye, and fill her he had.
“I want you Alex, I want to feel you inside,” she’d begged.
“Och, lass, prepare yourself, but fear not, for I will bring you pleasure that you have never known before.” He grinned, then he started to rub the tip of his cock in her wetness.
“You already have,” she replied breathlessly, shivering in anticipation.
He pushed the tip inside, and she thought she had never felt so full, so right. She had expected it to be painful, but instead, every fiber of her being seemed to welcome him home.
“Christ, Alysone. So perfect,” he gasped.
“Yes,” she agreed.
He covered her with his body, and lowered his mouth to her breasts, sucking hard, pulling her nipple fully into his mouth before rubbing his teeth along the tight bud, then switching to the other nipple. She arched her back with pleasure, as he slid himself deeper inside. He slipped a hand between them, and spreading her wetness, he began to rub that sensitive spot he had so recently kissed. She began to shudder, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting to keep him as close as possible. When he was buried deep inside her, she moved her hips, savoring the feel of their bodies fitting so perfectly together.
As he began to glide, filling then withdrawing, she instinctively matched his pace, her legs gripping him, encouraging him. Faster and harder, she felt the pleasure begin to build, gathering low in her belly. She ran her hand up the ridges of his hard chest until she reached his nipples. She pinched them, and watched his face, as he was watching her. His hands were on either side of her shoulders, holding himself up, black hair spilling down his back, brushing against her bare skin, raising gooseflesh with its sensuous silkiness.
Lissa grabbed great fistfuls of his hair, and pulled gently. “Kiss me,” she demanded. He lowered himself to his elbows, slanted his mouth over hers, and kissed her as though his life depended on it. The new angle he entered her body caused the tremors that had been building deep within her to surface, and suddenly she was falling, falling—
She heard him yell, and felt him push harder inside as he filled her with his essence.
“Aye, love, come to me, give me all of you, take all of me, for we are joined forever.” Then he cradled her in his arms. When she caught a glimpse of his face, she was stunned to see the moisture on his lashes that matched her own.
Lissa wept for her loss, cradling her stomach.
****
Lissa had gone to bed an hour earlier, but Randi had been restless and stayed in the library examining another book from the secret room. With a sigh, she returned the book, and took one last look around the chamber before she closed the panel, and headed toward the door. The sound of pounding hooves drew Randi’s attention. She stepped into the great hall just as the main door to the keep flew open and a guard she recognized, but whose name she didn’t know, burst through.
“We need some help, the Laird is here,” he shouted.
Randi raced to the door, to see Ian standing in the back of a wagon, bending over what looked like a pile of clothes. Men were gathering on either side of the wagon, and grabbing fistfuls of the material.
Ian looked over the heads of the men and his gaze met Randi’s, his eyes filled with sorrow.
“He is gravely injured,, Miranda, is his chamber ready?
“Aye.” She turned toward the household staff gathered in the great hall behind her. “Run, pull back the covers, build the fire, bring water and rags.”
The men lifted his makeshift stretcher and carried the giant highlander up the curving master staircase and deposited him with great care on his bed. Randi climbed up next to him and began to examine him, looking for his injuries. His face was gray, his black hair a tangled mess, his jaw covered with four, or five days growth.
&nb
sp; “Fetch Lissa, tell her I need her, bring a tray of food and drink, then close the door, please. Ian, tell me what happened, what’s wrong with him?”
Ian rubbed his face, and Randi noticed he looked hardly better than her husband.
“Sit Ian and tell me what I need to know to care for him. Your food and drink will be here soon, then you can rest. Tomorrow will be soon enough for the rest of the story.”
“You must know your husband loves you, that is what he would want to tell you first above all else,” Ian said, his voice thick with emotion. “He has taken two arrows from crossbows, one entered his back above the shoulder and exited under his collar bone. ‘Twas a clean injury, but caused a lot of bleeding. The other entered between two ribs, causing one to split a bit. If it were not for his leather band and that rib, the arrow would have pierced his lung. The tip of the arrow was notched, designed to cause a lethal injury when removed, if it didna find its mark on the entry. I had to cut him, Miranda.” He looked at her then, his eyes bleak.
Randi dipped a clean rag in the bowl of water left by the maids, and gently wiped at Gabhran’s face.
Ian continued, “I performed the Druid healing spells, although they are not my strength, I did everything in my power to bring him to you.” Ian’s voice broke on his next words, although his face remained stoic. “He believes he is dying. He asked me to bring him home to you, to his highlands before he died.”
“I’ll not let him die. I will make him live for me,” she added fiercely, “for our baby.”
Ian smiled. “I was hoping you would say that, in fact I was counting on it.”
A knock at the door sounded a moment before Lissa entered, gasping at the sight of Gabhran and Ian. She carried the tray of food, and Ian jumped up to help her, his eyes settling around her visibly thickened midsection. His gaze rose quickly to her face, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.