Beautiful Darkness: Masie (Daughters of Highland Darkness Book 1)

by Victoria Zak

  The dogs came to a stop. With their noses to the ground, they circled a small area. Kerr searched the forest for some sign, a broken tree branch, ripped clothing, anything giving him a clue.

  He dismounted and examined the ground where the dogs were gathered. “Wheel tracks.” He followed them off the path to a rocky trail. He whistled and the dogs came running, picking up the scent.

  Kerr strode back to his horse and mounted.

  “We’ll find her, Brother.” Bhaltair rode up next to Kerr.

  “Aye. And when I do, I dinnae know if I should kiss her first or tan her hide.” Kerr kicked his horse forward and followed the dogs.

  “Och, I say both. But something is telling me she’s no’ the taming type. Reminds me of someone I know.” Bhaltair grinned at Kerr.

  Aye, Masie indeed wasn’t a meek lass. Her stubborn streak set him ablaze. She was coming back with him to Wickshire, even if he had to throw her over his shoulders kicking and screaming.

  Hours later, night had fallen, making it hard to search the forest. He was tired, hungry, and needed to piss in the worst way. He halted his horse and raised his hand, signaling his men to stop. “We’ll camp here tonight and resume our search in the early morn.”

  While his men hurried to make camp, Kerr sought out a place to relieve himself. He found a tree to stand behind and something caught his attention in the valley below. Through the moonlight he spied a cottage. Could Masie be inside? It would explain the hounds picking up her scent on the trail. His heart raced. Quickly, Kerr returned to his horse.

  “Where are ye going?” Bhaltair asked.

  “I saw a cottage. I’m going to search it.”

  “Nay, no’ alone. Could be a trap. I’ll go with ye.”

  “Brother, stay here with the men and rest. Eat. I’ll be careful.” Kerr rode off without further explanation.

  “Ye stubborn, fool,” Bhaltair called out.

  As Kerr approached the cottage, he slowed his horse and dismounted. A horse was tied to a tree nearby which meant someone had to be inside. There was no smoke billowing from the roof. It was too cold outside to not have a fire. Kerr unsheathed his sword, ready to fight if he had to. His skin pricked, warning him to tread softly. It could be a trap as his brother suggested.

  Kerr opened the door. If someone was here why wasn’t it locked? He walked in. The room was dark, cold, and looked to be empty. He let his guard down, no one was about. The loss of hope swirled in his gut; he’d hoped to see Masie inside.

  “Shite.” He walked outside and searched the tree line. “Where are ye Masie?” he whispered into the night sky.

  “I’m right here.” He heard Masie’s sweet voice from behind and turned around.

  Her blue eyes stole his breath. Delicate, yet deadly to his heart. He took her in his arms and claimed her soft lips so passionately it shook his soul. She was safe.

  He broke the kiss, leaving Masie breathless. “Why did ye leave me?”

  “I had to.”

  “Masie, I know yer secret. We need to talk. But first I need to start a fire. ’Tis colder than a witch’s heart out here.”

  “Aye.” Masie followed Kerr inside where he started a fire in the pit. She lit a few candles, setting them throughout the room.

  Kerr stood, looking into the flames, rubbing his cold hands together. “Masie, come sit. We need to talk.”

  Masie sat with her hands in her lap, nervously biting her bottom lip.

  “There’s no need to be anxious. I know why ye left Dornoch. Bhaltair received a missive from Cormag Keith stating he wants ye and yer sisters to be brought back for questioning about his son’s murder. All I ask is ye tell me the truth.”

  “Are ye going to send me back?” Masie looked up at him.

  “Will ye tell me what happened?”

  “Aye.” Masie stood and walked over to him. “I found Leana unconscious with two men in the blacksmith’s shop. The men were dead, and Leana remembers nothing.”

  Kerr exhaled, relived she wasn’t the one suspected. Even if she was, it would have made no difference in his decision.

  “She does no’ remember killing the men?” Kerr asked.

  “Nay, and I dinnae believe she did it.”

  Kerr scratched his chin, pondering the information. “Where are yer sisters?”

  “I dinnae know. We were separated when we escaped Raven’s Landing.”

  “Lass, I wish ye would have come to me first.” He caressed her cheek.

  “I couldn’t. I was afraid ye’d send me back to Dornoch.”

  Silence crept between them. He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. No woman had ever made him feel so alive. No woman had ever made him think about the future. There was no way he was going to let her go.

  “There’s things I want to tell ye about me, but I can no’,” Masie whispered.

  “Trust in me, Masie.” He kissed her forehead. “We all have our demons to slay.”

  He could see the sorrow in her eyes and the darkness. What had brought such despair upon her?

  “What if I’m the demon? Would ye still want to slay me?”

  Kerr’s dark brows creased. “Ye’re no demon. Dinnae be daft.” He took her in his arms. “I dinnae want to hear any more of this madness. In the morn, I’m taking ye back to Wickshire where ye belong. Ye are under my protection. Cormag will never get his hands on ye as long as I live.”

  *

  Kerr claimed her lips with a kiss made to make her insides tingle all the way down to her toes. She was prepared to tell him everything about her true nature, but one smoldering look from his dark gaze and she didn’t have the courage. She couldn’t risk losing him. Leaving him had left a hole in her heart and she swore she’d never let him go again. Returning to Wickshire with Kerr was all she ever wanted. Mayhap a fairytale, but tonight she’d live in that world, be the woman he thought she was, and experience being loved by a man.

  She knew he was a man of his word and would indeed protect her. But she wanted more than protection. This was the man who made her feel alive. Made her feel there was a possibility of true happiness, a clan, husband, protection, and unwavering love.

  Masie, ye’re not like the mortals. Tell him before it’s too late, her pesky conscious warned. Mayhap her fairytale wouldn’t have a happily-ever-after, but she would worry about that later. She closed her eyes as he moved his lips seductively down her neck. “Kerr,” she moaned.

  “Hmm.”

  “Are ye sure ye want to do this. I think ’tis best we get some rest. We have a long journey in the morn.” He grabbed her arse and pressed himself against her womanhood. “Does this feel like I need rest?”

  Masie giggled. “Now who’s seducing who?”

  “Och.” In one fluid motion, she was swept off her feet. “Have ye ever been loved properly by a man?” He laid her down on the pallet.

  Innocently, Masie looked up into his lust-filled eyes.

  Kerr ached a brow. “Nay?”

  His hot breath seared her cold flesh as he licked and nipped down her neck. The weight of him on top of her awakened Masie in many ways. The curiosity of seeing him naked, the anticipation of being touched in ways she’d never experienced, her body aching for him—all of her senses were heightened at the same time.

  Suddenly, he sat back on his heels, exposing her to the chill. She’d never seen a man naked before, and as he undressed, she couldn’t stop staring. Lean, toned muscles rippled down his abdomen. Was she ready for the wicked promise burning in his eyes? Aye, she was ready.

  The glow of the candlelight cascading over his skin confirmed indeed he’d been made by the gods. A line of dark hair trailed below his navel and disappeared into his trews. Nervously, she bit her bottom lip and looked up at him wondering if she was truly ready for this.

  Kerr smiled as if he was reading her mind. “Dinna worry. I won’t hurt ye.”

  “Never, as long as the stars still twinkle in the sky, would I think ye’d hurt me.” His skin twitched under her
touch as she followed the trail of dark hair with her fingertips and then began to unlace his trews. She released his manhood. Overtaken by desire, she gripped his hard, long length and caressed him. The skin was so soft.

  “Lass, there’s nothing more beautiful than watching ye touch me. Yer hands are like magic.”

  Knowing what she was doing pleased him only emboldened her. A low growl escaped his lips. Masie stopped. Did she do something wrong? “Did I hurt ye?”

  “Nay, but if ye keep touching me like that, I won’t have much to offer ye.”

  He rolled her on top of him so she straddled his body. She lifted the hem of her dress, exposing her thighs. It wasn’t enough. She wanted to be naked with him. Fumbling with the ties of her shift, she finally stripped it off.

  Masie pulled her long blonde-hair back, giving him a full view of her naked body. He cupped her breasts, squeezing lightly. His thumb caressed her hard nipples, sending gooseflesh up her body.

  “Masie Keith, ye’re a bonny lass.” He sat up and encouraged her to wrap her legs around him, cradling her wanton body against his. He pulled her into a ravenous kiss.

  “Tell me what ye want, lass. I’m all yers,” he whispered.

  She held his lust-filled gaze and trusted her instincts. She guided his hands down her body, taking in every delicious sensation before stopping between her legs. Mayhap a bit bold, but she desperately needed his hands on her.

  She hissed as his fingers parted her folds. Masie arched into him, craving more. “Kerr,” she moaned.

  He growled, a familiar sound she was growing to love. His fingers worked their own magic inside her, falling into a pleasurable rhythm. Every muscle in her body tightened as she raced toward something so pleasurable, she had no words for it. Hot tingles pulsed through her body. Her thighs quivered. Her vision blurred. What was happening to her? She was on the edge of shattering.

  “That’s it my sweet, wee bird. Let go.”

  Weightlessness consumed her as she grabbed the furs and held on as a rush of warmth came over her. She felt like a raven flying. Her body was no longer her own. It accepted everything Kerr was giving. “By the saints!” she cried out.

  She clamped her mouth shut as she felt the tips of her fangs start to descend. Goddess, not now!

  She buried her head against his neck, breathing in his scent, which intensified the pleasure. As the sensations subsided, Masie clung to Kerr, her body limp from ecstasy, her mind finally at peace.

  Kerr rolled her over and settled between her legs. “Lass, that was beautiful.”

  “What did ye do to me?”

  “I gave ye pleasure.”

  “Aye.”

  “And I’m no’ done.” Kerr smiled. He grabbed her leg and hooked it around his waist. “Are ye ready?”

  “For what?”

  Kerr arched a brow and positioned himself against her core, pushing ever so lightly.

  “There’ more?”

  “Lass, I haven’t even begun.” In one fluid motion, he thrusted deep inside, stretching and filling her.

  It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever felt. Their connection could never be broken. Kerr belonged to her and she belonged to him. Hugging him close, she marveled at every glorious inch of him. Masie loved him, there was no doubt.

  *

  “By the saints, lass,” he hissed as her insides contracted around his cock. Slowly, so he wouldn’t hurt her, he slid in and out, letting the pleasure build between them. God’s teeth, she was tight.

  Masie’s body tensed and he thought himself a bastard knowing the pain she must feel. “Masie, as much as I want ye, I dinnae want to hurt ye. I can stop.”

  “Kerr Gunn,” she said breathlessly. “Dinnae dare stop.”

  As if he needed convincing… The desire to please her beyond her wildest dreams drove him to claim her faster. Shite, she felt so good.

  “’Tis happening again,” she moaned.

  He grinned like a besotted fool. “Stay wit’ me, Masie.” He took her lips with a hot searing kiss.

  Her body quivered.

  “Shite,” Kerr hissed. His body jerked as he spilled his seed deep inside her. Not wanting to lose the intimacy he’d waited so long to establish with Masie, he gently laid on top of her, listening to her heartbeat.

  “I’ve never felt like this before,” She said, twirling her fingers in his hair.

  Kerr kissed her breast. “Me, either. I can no’ get enough of ye. Ye’ve bewitched me, lass.”

  “Nay, ’tis ye that has bewitched me. Can I tell ye a secret?”

  Propping himself up on his elbows, he stared into her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed—aye, he’d left his mark on her. Greedy bastard. “Of course, ye can tell me anything.”

  “I’ve dreamed about this. Ye and me sharing something beautiful.” She looked away. “’Tis daft. I’m sorry, my head is in the stars.”

  He cupped her face bringing her eyes back on him. “Lass, ye are no’ silly. I’ve thought of ye many times naked.” He balled his fists into her hair. “Underneath me.” He kissed her. “Ye hands on my body.” He slid kisses down her neck. God’s bones, her skin was soft.

  “I do need to know one thing?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “Did I live up to yer expectations?

  “Kerr.” She smacked his chest playfully.

  “I’m serious. ’Tis good for a man’s ego to know he pleases his woman in bed.”

  “Ye’ve done wicked things to me.” She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Show me more.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Perched on top of his charger, Cormag scanned the valley below. Five hundred of his best men were camped behind him and ready for battle. The cold night air snaked up his spine as he sat watching the cottage nuzzled in the woods. The two hundred Clan Gunn men on the other side of the valley hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  It pricked his arse that Laird Gunn refused to give up Doughall’s daughters. He wanted justice, not war, but now they left him with no choice. His heart had grown black with hatred from the loss of his son. Beathen would be avenged. He’d see those girls burn for his son’s death and end the curse once and for all.

  “My laird.” Hamish’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  “Aye?”

  “When do we attack?”

  Nothing would please him more than attacking now, but his gut warned him to tread softly here. He wanted the wench taken alive.

  “Dawn. We’ll move the first line of infantry as soon as there’s a glow in the sky.”

  “Aye, my laird.”

  “Inform Commander Wulfstan to ready his men.”

  Hamish tuned and began to make his way back to camp.

  “Hamish,” the laird called out.

  “Aye.”

  “May God favor us and show our enemy mercy, for I will no’.”

  *

  Kerr awoke with a throbbing erection. He rolled over and ran his finger down Masie’s spine. She squirmed and he scooted behind her. By the saints her body was soft as silk. He pulled the hair away from her neck and trailed a line of kisses to her shoulder.

  Masie moaned.

  He slid his hands under the furs and cupped her breasts, marveling at how perfectly they fit in his hands. Being surrounded in her warmth and his name whispered on her lips had confirmed he’d found the woman he wanted to spend forever with. Forever? Aye, indeed, he’d been bewitched.

  He pressed his cock against her arse.

  “I see someone is awake early.” She snuggled against his chest.

  “And hungry,” Kerr murmured, nuzzling her neck.

  “I’m no’ much of a cook.”

  “Miss Sinclair can teach ye. She’s a fine cook.” He slid his hands between her thighs and Masie shivered.

  “Kerr, we need to talk.”

  “No’ now. I want to pleasure ye,” he growled as he kissed her.

  Masie rolled over, facing him. “I’m serious.”

  Kerr kissed the tip of her
nose. “What bothers ye, love?”

  Masie sat up, tucking the fur around her breasts, a worried look spread across her face.

  “Lass, is it bad?”

  “Do ye smell something burning?”

  Dumfounded, he shook his head. “What?”

  “I smell something burning.” Masie leapt off the bed, taking the fur with her. She darted to the window and gasped.

  Kerr joined her.

  “Cormag has found me,” Masie cried.

  Kerr’s jaw ticked in anger. A line of Keith men advanced on the cottage. They drew their bows and released dozens of fiery arrows. They landed in front of the cottage, sending out a warning for what was to come.

  “Masie, get dressed. We dinnae have much time.” Kerr quickly donned his trews and searched the room for his tunic.

  Masie slipped on her dress. “Kerr, what are we going to do? We’re surrounded.”

  Kerr grabbed her cloak, wrapped it around her shoulders, and tied it securely in place. “I made an oath to protect ye.” He cupped her face. “I have two hundred men close by. They will come to our aid.” He kissed her. “Dinnae fash yerself, lass.”

  Masie nodded.

  “We need to leave before it’s too late.” Kerr sheathed his sword and strode to the door. “Masie, come.” He motioned her over. “Keep low and keep moving.”

  “What if we get separated?”

  “We won’t. Trust me.” He reached down the side of his boot and unsheathed a dirk. “Here.” He handed it to Masie. “Dinnae be afraid to use it.”

  “Aye.”

  He caressed her cheek. “I love ye, Masie Keith.”

  Masie smiled. “And I, ye.”

  Wasting no more time, Kerr cracked the door open. When there was a break in the fiery assault, he took Masie’s hand and slipped out the door. Crouching down, they made their way to the side of the cottage, their horses were gone.

  A minor setback, Kerr searched the woods where he’d left his men. He prayed they had seen the fire and were on their way, but he had no way of knowing. Kerr must get Masie to safety.

  Another round of arrows flew behind them, setting the cottage’s thatched roof on fire. The roar of horse hooves pounding the ground surround them. Shite! “Masie, run!” He unsheathed his sword and ran behind Masie.