Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf (Protectors of the Crown Book 2)

by April Holthaus

  “Always,” she breathlessly replied.

  Pushing his hips forward, Rylan drove himself deep into her. Harmonious moans escaped her lips with each thrust. Loud thuds from the headboard against the stone wall sounded like rolling thunder. Droplets of sweat fell from his forehead onto her cheek. Fallon could feel her own body heat rising as she swept her hair to the side from her brow. With each thrust of his hips, Fallon held him tight against her as if she were afraid to fall from a wild horse.

  One would not have thought with so many scars and bruises that a man’s skin could feel as soft as a rose petal. Fallon massaged her fingers into the muscles of his arms. Flexed, they were strong as stone. Fallon found his erotic sense of passion alluring. The pain he caused only enhanced her arousal. He was rough, yet gentle, showing little care for his own pleasure.

  With every touch, her chest exploded with both sensations and emotion. It spread down her body to her toes and lingered through her fingertips. With another thrust, her legs trembled underneath him.

  The sky darkened, leaving only the flame of candlelight to illuminate the room. As they rolled under the covers, rolling clouds rumbled from out the window.

  Louder, she moaned, and thunder struck. Their storm of passion was as intense as Mother Nature intended. It was unstoppable, and Fallon did not want it to end.

  As streaks of bright silver split the sky, tiny explosions began to radiate deep within her as she reached the peak of her climax. Fallon wiggled underneath him. Like the boughs of the trees swaying outside her window, her arms flung over her head and clung tightly to the pillow to relieve the onslaught of intense pleasure.

  “Rylan,” she cried out.

  A crack of lightening and a torrent of rain fueled Rylan’s thunder. And just when Fallon did not think she could take anymore, Rylan let out an aching moan as he filled her womb with his seed.

  Rolling to her side, Rylan tried to calm his breaths. Snuggling against him, Fallon placed her head on his sweaty chest and draped her leg over his. Letting out a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of rain falling hard against the window.

  Everything, at least for the moment, felt perfect. Lying there in silence, her mind began to wander. She fought hard to keep thoughts at bay, but now that they began to surface there was no stopping them like there was no stopping the rain.

  Rylan was not a land lover. He did not need a home of his own as his home was where he lay his head at night. He looked to Scotland as his home and anywhere on Scottish soil was good enough for him.

  There were moments between them. Moments where time seemed to stand still, and ones that passed too quickly. It was as if all reality around them faded away, leaving nothing but an enchanting fantasy.

  Rylan pressed his forehead to hers and listened to the sound of her breath. God, he loved this woman. Fallon was not some battle-hardened lass who stumbled into his life just to be cast aside. She was a woman Rylan would fight for, a woman he would die for.

  Chapter 26

  The backdrop of an eerie blue sky crept behind the passing clouds as the rain began to taper off. After two months of arid heat, a sense of joy and thankfulness was seen on the villager’s faces as they worked to clean the mess the storm had left behind. Fallen branches, over turned carts, and debris was scattered throughout the streets.

  Children’s laughter echoed throughout the hall, their tiny wet footprints marked the floor as they ran in and out of the great hall, snatching sweets and pastries from the table as they ran back out to play in the puddles.

  Rylan sat down at the dais where Ian, Daven and King James were filling their bellies and discussing James’ journey to France.

  Ian handed Rylan a piece of rolled up parchment, bound and sealed. Breaking the seal, he read its contents.

  “It’s from Leland,” Ian explained. “He has made his way to Castle Sinclair. He ran into a few issues, but they are now traveling south, and will be here within a fortnight. By mid-day tomorrow, we will return to Farquharson Castle to join them.”

  “I will no’ be joining ye,” Alec stated. “James has asked me to join him in France.”

  “I understand,” Ian replied. “What of ye, Daven?”

  “Ye know verra well that I would join ye, but my first order is to my King. I shall be joining Alec at port to escort James to France. He still has many enemies, and we must take all precautionary actions.”

  Rylan sat back and looked past Ian. The atmosphere between them had changed entirely after yesterday’s heated quarrel. No matter how angry Ian made him, Rylan loved him like a brother and respected him as his Laird. He knew that Ian’s position required him to make decisions that were not always easy to make, but it did not change the repercussions his decision to send Fallon away would cause.

  Rylan had spent the better part of the night thinking about the situation at hand. He weighed the pros and cons about engaging her uncle, and what that would mean for both his clan and Fallon. With Braeden under the protection of the MacKays, fighting for custody or forcing Fallon to return home would be a lost cause for her uncle Frederick. Granting Fallon asylum would solve one issue, but do little to end the war between his clan and hers. There had to be another way.

  Rylan sat back in his chair and gazed out the window. There was a missing link that still did not make sense. Eight years ago, a chain reaction of events prompted this war between the clans. It was not just happenstance that Fallon escaped her father’s treason, nor the fact that the secret engagement the two Lairds agreed to between Rylan and Fallon had been broken without either of them knowing it had even existed. Something else started this rivalry. Near the brink of peace, something was set into motion that made these two clans feud in the first place. Moreover, there was only one person in all of Scotland who could have orchestrated such a well thought out plan, and position each one of the players to his will like a game of chess.

  Rylan’s eyes swept across the room to King James.

  “Yer Grace. How did ye know about Fallon?” Rylan asked, his eyes locked on him.

  “Daven. He came to me years ago and told me about the Sutherland lass. At the time, I knew little of her father’s treason, and I needed the support from all the Highland clans so I did no’ wish to pursue it.”

  “But, ye did,” Rylan accused.

  “Rylan, are ye suggesting the King had something to do wit’ this?” Ian asked, leaning over and whispering in his ear.

  “Yer bloody right I do,” he responded turning his attention back to James. “If my memory serves me correctly, eight years ago, the threat from England was even greater than it is now. Yer step-father, Archibald Douglas tried to overthrow the crown and it was that year that ye escaped his clutches and assumed the reins of the throne yourself. Is it possible that in order to gain some trust among the Highland clans that ye needed to sway a few decisions first?”

  “Rylan, do ye know what ye are suggesting? Ye are accusing the King of sabotage,” Daven pointed out his blunder.

  Rylan crossed his arms over his chest and kept his gaze affixed on James. Rylan may have been out of line, but it made perfect sense. Sutherlands,at the time, were the largest Highland clan in the north. Without their support, no clan would have followed him. Ian and Daven bantered back and forth about the blasphemies Rylan had stated while James sat quiet, his eyes diverted elsewhere.

  After a heap of bickering, James hushed them to be quiet.

  “Alright, enough,” he sternly said. “Ye are right. I will no’ deny it. I was young, and foolish, and I have been fixing my mistakes ever since. It was I who convinced Daven to leave the lass, but I did no’ anticipate Isaac to go raging mad when his daughter left and I certainly did not know that he would tear through villages to find her. But what happened in the past is something we cannae change. All we can do is move forward. Ye know my position. As for Varrich, there is nothing I can do about that. That is a MacKay Clan matter, and one I can no’ afford to get involved in. Ye have my support,
but if I am forced to settle the matter myself, I’d be a mother hen and no’ a King.”

  “We understand, yer Grace,” Ian said. “We will take what measures we need to return home,” he added, which was more directed at Rylan. “Rylan, we need the lass.”

  “I know. And I know how we are going to end this.”

  Chapter 27

  “Marry ye?” Fallon asked in a high pitch tone.

  Rylan could not judge if she asked out of anger or surprise. The woman was too hard to read. He decided to keep the details he had learned of their supposed engagement to himself for now. Trying to focus on the future, he did not want either of them to dwell in the past.

  “Listen lass. I do no’ spout off sonnets, nor can I shower ye wit’ pretty words. The simple fact is that I care fer ye a great deal. I cannae promise ye that e’ery time I leave I will return, and I cannae promise that ye will be happy fer the rest of yer days. I say these things because I do no’ want to make ye promises that I may not be able to keep. But wit’ that being said, I can promise ye this, lass, that I will love ye until the day I die. I know ye are the daughter of a powerful Laird. And ye deserve someone better than a mon wit’ no lands or titles. But I implore ye to see reason. If ye were married, ye would be free to move home, back to yer clan and together we can help restore peace once again in the Highlands. These vows I have made are unbreakable.”

  “Rylan, I do no’ wish to return to that place. It does no’ matter if ye are the son of a Laird, or a penniless serf. Those are only titles, but that does no’ define who ye are. Ye dinna need a castle or an army, Rylan. That is no’ what I want. Ye are a mon of loyalty, of passion, and honor. I may be the daughter of a Laird, but I am also the daughter of a traitor, which by right should mean that I too would be stripped of any titles I would have inherited. I dinna need any of that. I only need ye.”

  “So, ye are saying ye agree to marry me?”

  Fallon chuckled.

  “Aye, ye stubborn mule. I will marry ye.”

  Standing within the King’s private chamber, Rylan paced nervously. Dressed up in borrowed garb from the King, he felt like a pompous arse.

  “I look like a castle jester,” he muttered. “I am no’ wearing this.”

  Ian laughed.

  “They are traditional robes. The King insisted upon it.”

  “I’d rather go naked!” Rylan replied, unamused by Ian’s jesting.

  “Ah, well, that would be a sight! Are ye sure about this?” Ian asked.

  “Tis the only way. We’ve been away from home for far too long,” Rylan said as he tore off the shirt and tossed it onto the ground.

  Picking up his tunic and tartan, Rylan redressed. He had agreed to the wedding, but the charade, he could do without. Rylan was not a man who enjoyed the attention of others. He preferred a more intimate setting, away from the crowd.

  Heading down to the chapel, Ian and Rylan were the first ones there. Rylan would have expected cold feet, but he did not feel anything more than a slight chill. Uniting his life to Fallon’s was not something he ever imagined would happen, but now he could not imagine living without her.

  Fallon was different from any woman he had ever known. She did not sweep him off his feet like some lovesick fool; instead, she had completely knocked him on his arse, and got the better of him.

  Walking down the corridor, King James escorted Fallon toward the chapel with Braeden trailing behind them. Rylan looked at his soon to be family and smiled. She was as beautiful and radiant as a thousand snowflakes sparkling in the sun.

  Hand and hand, they walked into the chapel. The fruit and spice perfumed-scent of blush pink roses filled the air.

  “Did ye have to bring yer sword to our wedding? Surely, ye dinna intend to be heading into battle shortly after, did ye?” Fallon whispered.

  “Lass, marriage has been known to cause more bloodshed than any battle or war. And something tells me, wit’ that sharp tongue of yers and dagger glares, I’m gonna need all the protection I can get, fer ye are as fierce as a lion, and heated as a dragon, that no mon weak of heart would dare go near.”

  Fallon grinned. Her cheeks flushed.

  “Then perhaps a bit of armor would also be more than wise,” she teased.

  Tugging on his shirt, Braeden pranced in place, begging for his attention like an eager pup.

  “Now that ye and my mum are to be married, do I get to call ye my da?” he asked.

  Rylan had not thought about being someone’s father before. It was strange hearing Braeden refer to him as such, but he knew what marrying his mother would mean, and it was a responsibility he had to take. Braeden was the only blood Rylan had. He was already family, as Braeden was his half-brother’s son.

  “Aye, lad. Ye may call me da. Now go have a seat wit’ everyone else.”

  In an exchange of vows and passionate kisses, Rylan and Fallon became man and wife.

  Alone in their private chamber, Rylan held Fallon in his arms. She was his wife now. His very reason for living. Like Leoric had said, Fallon gave him purpose. Something he had never had. He had spent his entire life searching, and now Rylan was finally home.

  “Close yer eyes and hold out yer left hand, lass,” Rylan whispered.

  Fallon raised her eyebrows at him, then did as he requested. She felt something sliding onto her finger and opened her eyes. On the fourth finger of her left hand was a wooden ring, carved with forget-me-nots.

  Fallon’s eyes filled with tears. “How? When?”

  “Ach, lass, since the first day I met ye, I couldna’ forget ye. Carving is how I pass the time, and helps me think. I started carving this as soon as I was released from prison. I didna’ know if we would ever be married, but I wanted to give ye a gift to know I could ne’er forget ye. I finished it just last night. Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” She raised up on her toes and kissed him with everything she had.

  “Rylan, what is going to happen next?” she asked.

  “Ye and Braeden will stay here under the King’s protection, while I return to Farquharson Castle with Ian to meet with this brother, Leland, but I promise I will return soon. I dinna just protect our King, but our country, our families, and our children as well. Tis an honor to be a protector.”

  Rylan placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her head.

  “Ye have nothing to fear, lass. Nothing could ever stop me from getting to ye and Braeden. Do ye hear me? Ye two are my family now. I dinna take my vows lightly. I mean to do well by ye,” he explained.

  Gently, he kissed her on the forehead. Fallon wiped away a tear.

  “Do you really think that our marriage will end years of war between our clans?” she asked.

  “That will all depend on your uncle. Ian has already penned a letter to Frederick telling him of our union. If it comes to war lass, we will fight for what is ours by right, but Ian is hopeful your uncle will negotiate. Ian is willing to offer Sinclair Hall and its land, if Frederick agrees to withdraw his men from Varrich so that we may return home.”

  “When my uncle learns we have married, he may no’ be so forgiving.”

  “What choice does he have? Once Braeden comes of age, Frederick will lose his right of Lairdship and be left with nothing. Ian is being more than generous.”

  “What will happen to my clansmen?”

  “They can either choose to leave with your uncle or stay under the rule of your son. Nothing is going to change overnight, lass. Even wars take time. All we can do is wait for Ian’s brother Leland to return with the four Sinclair daughters before any decisions can be made. Their safety is Ian’s number one priority. As for your uncle, it will be his decision as to how this feud will end. But for now, please try no’ to worry. I can promise ye this, no matter what happens, both ye and Braeden will be safe. We cannae live each day in fear for what may happen. All we can do is live each day to its fullest.”

  “When ye leave, how long will ye be gone?”

  “I am expecting
no’ more than a fortnight. Ye willnae e’en know I am gone. I am sure the ladies of the castle will keep ye busy, and there are plenty of children in the castle for Braeden to play with. Try no’ to worry so much.”

  Fallon scolded herself for thinking such foolish thoughts of what tomorrow would bring. She had known before their vows that men like Rylan were not meant to stay in one place for long; for you cannot cage a wild beast.

  Combing his hands through her hair, Rylan pulled her in for a kiss. Fallon felt dazed as she leaned in close and melted against his warm body. Wanting desperately to touch him, her hands roamed freely around his arms, his chest, and rested upon his thigh, she could feel a swollen bulge under his kilt. It seemed he wanted her as well.

  Lifting her skirt, Fallon straddled on top of Rylan, pushing him down to the bed. She felt empowered taking control. Tossing her dress to the floor, she hovered above him, fully exposed. Rylan sat up, and buried his face in her chest. Lowering herself down on him, Fallon rocked her hips slowly, teasing, taunting. Stopping every time he tried to move. He was hers, body and soul.

  Finally giving Rylan is way, Fallon marveled at the tiny sensations coursing through her body that Rylan caused. With each thrust, she climbed higher and higher. Slick with sweat, they held each other close as they reached the height of their climax together and she begged for him to not stop.

  As Fallon came down from her high, she nuzzled up against him, closed her eyes, and cradled her head in his arm. Everything that happened up to this moment had led her to him. He was her northern star.

  Fallon rolled over expecting to collapse into Rylan’s arms, but the side of the bed where she had last seen him was now an empty void. Playfully, she ran her fingers across his pillow, and buried her face in its feathery plush. A soft sigh escaped her lips. It smelled like him. Rolling over, she laid flat on her back and stared up at the light shining in through the window casting a glare on the ceiling. It was already morning.