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

by Victoria Zak

  Arrows rained down. Kerr’s instincts warned him to look behind them. Two men on horseback charged. They were close to the forest, but Masie was even closer. If he could distract the riders, she’d have a better chance making it to his men.

  Kerr halted. Like a true warrior, he raised his claymore and gritted his teeth. “Come on, ye bastards.”

  *

  Something told Masie she was alone as she ran deeper into the forest. She looked over her shoulder and Kerr was gone. “Nay.”

  She spun around, refusing to leave Kerr behind. The cottage was engulfed in flames, Keith men on horseback circled the area, searching for her. But where was Kerr? From the corner of her eye, she spied two men on horseback. They were charging Kerr! Horror stricken, Masie watched him slash the legs of a horse, sending the beast to the ground. “Nay!”

  Her heart pounded as she ran like the devil toward Kerr. She couldn’t leave him alone to defend himself against Cormag’s army. It was assured death if she did.

  Someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. “Shh. I will not hurt ye.”

  Masie squirmed, fighting to break free. “Lass, ’tis me,” A rough, yet familiar voice whispered. He removed his hand from her mouth. Masie turned around. “Rafe Wulfstan?” Masie said in surprise.

  “Aye, lass. I don’t have much time. My men are expecting me to bring ye back to Cormag.”

  Masie shook her head and took a step back. “Ye wouldn’t.”

  “Nay. Adaira would have me skinned alive.”

  “Have ye seen her?” Masie asked.

  “Aye. She’s safe.”

  “What about Leana?”

  He shook his head grimly. “We’ll find her. But right now, ye need to leave. If I’m caught with ye, I’d be found out. And we all know how Cormag deals with betrayal.”

  “Aye. But I can no’ leave. Kerr is out there and needs help.” “Lass, you can’t go back. Take my horse and make haste, now.”

  Masie yanked her arm free. “I’ll leave, but promise to help Kerr.”

  “Aye, I’ll do what I can.”

  “Please, I love him.”

  Rafe clenched his jaw.

  She didn’t know what had happened between Adaira and Rafe, but one thing was for certain, there had been a lot of heartache. She could see it in his eyes.

  “Go. Now,” he growled.

  Rafe brought his horse to her and placed her on top. “Godspeed.” He slapped the charger’s arse and the horse took off in a full gallop.

  Masie held on for dear life as she weaved between trees, making her way to Kerr’s men. She prayed she’d reach them in time for Kerr’s sake. Aye, Rafe was a man of his word, but he also had to tread softly. He had connections on both sides of this fight.

  Snow fell in thick flurries, making it hard for her horse to make it up the steep incline. Masie tried to steady the horse as its hind legs slipped. “Och, laddie, just a wee bit longer.” If her intuition was right, Kerr’s men were close.

  She reached the top of the cliff and froze. Black and gray tents dotted the forest. Hundreds of men were preparing for battle. Masie pressed on until she reached camp. She dismounted and approached a man saddling his horse. “Where’s Bhaltair?” The man tipped his chin to the tent next to them.

  Masie raced in. “Bhaltair,” she panted.

  “Masie?”

  “Ye must act fast. Cormag’s men are down in the valley. Kerr’s there alone.”

  “Bastards.” He strode out of the tent and Masie followed.

  “Liam,” he called out. “We ride now. Kerr is in trouble.”

  “Aye.” Liam made haste, informing the men of his laird’s orders.

  Bhaltair stood next to Masie as she watched the gray smoke billowing from the valley. Her heart felt like someone was squeezing it tight. Kerr was a strong warrior, and she knew he was fighting with all his might, but would it be enough? “We must go to Kerr.”

  “Och, ye aren’t going anywhere. Ye’re staying here.”

  Masie glared at him. “I’ll do no’ such thing. He needs me.” She strode over to Bhaltair’s horse.

  “Nay, lass.” He spun her around. “Kerr wouldn’t allow it, and neither will I. Ye’re safe here. And that’s final.”

  “Bhaltair.” Massie looked up at him. “Bring him back to me.”

  “Aye, lass.” He lightly clasped her shoulder, giving her the reassurance she needed. “Dinnae fash yerself.” Bhaltair mounted. “My brother is strong.”

  She watched the band of warriors charge down the cliff. She’d never felt so defenseless before. She should be fighting her way to Kerr.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Time stood still. Everything around Masie fell into an eerie stillness except for the pounding of her heart. She’d twisted her dress into one big knot as she paced inside the tent. It took all of her strength to come in from the freezing snow, for she couldn’t tear herself away from the cliffs where she had a clear view of the action below. She didn’t want to miss the moment when Kerr returned.

  The wind howled and shook the tent, its icy fingers gripping her bones. Masie pulled the fur from a pallet in the corner and wrapped it around her shoulders. Slowly going mad from the long wait, she strode outside. Fresh air would clam her nerves.

  The weather had worsened quickly. She braced herself against the wind as she squinted out into a white haze of blowing snow. Kerr had to be coming home to her. Rafe and Bhaltair would see to it. No matter how much she tried to convince herself, the feeling of dread still lingered in the air. After a long while, she retreated to the safety of the tent once more. The hair on the back of her neck bristled just as she entered the shelter. It wasn’t because of the cold. Kerr was here, she could feel it.

  She hurried outside. A lone figure strode toward her. She felt like her heart was going to leap out of her chest. “Kerr?” Instantly, she took off running. Each step was getting harder and harder as her legs grew tired from treading through the thick snow.

  “Masie!”

  Wait that wasn’t Kerr’s voice. She paused, confused. “Bhaltair?”

  “Ye shouldn’t be out here. Ye’ll freeze to death.” Bhaltair removed his fur cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

  “Where’s Kerr?”

  Bhaltair shook his head.

  Masie looked up at him, unsure what to say.

  Rafe strode by holding a body and disappeared inside the shelter.

  Tears threatened to fall as she saw the sorrow spread across Bhaltair’s face.

  “Nay.” Masie followed Rafe inside the tent.

  At first she wouldn’t allow herself to believe the lifeless form was Kerr. He was supposed to be on his feet, welcoming her into his arms. It couldn’t be Kerr.

  She finally approached the pallet where Rafe had laid the body. She gasped. Kerr. Kneeling beside him, she brushed away a strand of dark wet hair stuck to his face. His lips were blue and his skin was pale and cold. As she checked his body for any sign of injury, her whole world threatened to crumble as she spied an arrow embedded in his chest and another in his stomach. She felt for a pulse on his neck. Oh, thank the goddess, he lived.

  Kerr turned his head and moaned. “Masie.”

  She kissed his lips as tears fell down her cheeks. “I’m here, love.”

  He coughed. “I had to see yer face one last time.” He reached up, but didn’t have the strength to touch her.

  Masie took his hand and kissed it, then placed it on her cheek. “Kerr Gunn, I will no’ let ye die,” she said between desperate breaths.

  He smiled and closed his eyes. “I love ye, my sweet, wee bird.”

  She had to do something. She couldn’t stand here and watch him die. Masie ripped her dress at the hem, forming thin strips of cloth and then laid them next to Kerr. She broke the shafts on both arrows, leaving the heads in place, for she couldn’t risk hurting him more.

  Bhaltair kneeled beside her and held his brother’s hand. “I dinnae care who you are or what ye are.”

>   Masie gave him a sideways glance. What did he mean?

  “Lass, ye’re no’ fooling me. I’ve felt yer magic.”

  Masie ignored Bhaltair, acting as if his comment hadn’t affected her. She took a strip of cloth and blotted the blood leaking from Kerr’s chest.

  “All I ask is ye show him mercy like ye showed me.” Then Bhaltair stood and left the tent.

  Masie met Rafe’s steady gaze. “Thank ye for helping me. I know ye took a huge risk.”

  “Aye, Cormag will be suspicious but it’s not him I worry about. Adaira would cut my ballocks off if I allowed anything to harm her little sister.”

  Masie grinned.

  “Lass, this man fought to the death for ye. It’s not every day ye find that kind of love and devotion.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek.

  Rafe patted her shoulder. “Cherish his love.” He departed, leaving her alone with Kerr.

  Not wasting any time, Masie took Kerr’s tunic off. She bit her wrist, dripping her blood over the wounds. In a matter of seconds, the barbed arrowheads slowly surfaced from his body. Masie threw the blasted things on the ground, angry someone had tried to take him away from her.

  She covered the wounds to help stop the bleeding. She tilted his head back. “Drink, my love.”

  Her blood streamed slowly into his mouth and he came to life again, color flooding his cheeks as he sucked and licked her wrist like a starving, wee bairn.

  Once he had his fill, he fell unconscious. Masie licked her wound, the skin healing instantly. She took the fur from around her shoulders and laid it over his shivering body. Wanting to give him more warmth, Masie slid under the furs next to him. She knew she didn’t have much body heat to give, but it would have to do until her blood coursed through his veins. Then his ravaged body would warm from within.

  “No one will ever take ye away from me.” She snuggled closer, draping his arm around her, holding him tightly. “No’ as long as I live.” She laid her head on his chest and fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

  Through the night the wind howled, shaking the tent violently. Masie had woken intermittently and checked Kerr’s bandages. The bleeding had stopped and the wounds were almost healed, yet he was still very cold. She needed to get him back to Raven’s Landing where his body would grow strong again.

  She tucked the fur around his body. Looking down at him, she brushed his cheek with her fingertips and smiled. He was going to live. He shivered, and Masie glanced at the fire pit. It had burned down to mere embers.

  She flung her legs over the side of the pallet and walked to the fire, placing the last of the peat in the pit. She stood for a moment warming her body and staring into the flames. A vision danced and twisted within it. She was taken back to the night of Samhain.

  Out of sight, she’d followed Leana’s laughter. Her sister’s joy echoed as she pranced and flirted between two men. They made their way into the blacksmith’s shop and disappeared inside. Masie ran toward the shop and skidded to a stop just before reaching the door. Gasping in horror, she watched a stream of black mist spiral from the rooftop and disappear into the night sky.

  Masie came back to the present and stepped away from the fire. “What the devil was that?” she gasped.

  She shook her head, shocked at what she’d seen. What was Leana conjuring? Did she indeed lure those men away to feed or cast some spell? Masie didn’t understand everything she’d just seen. It was too real to be a dream.

  Kerr moaned and she rushed to the pallet. “I’m here, love.”

  He opened his eyes and smiled weakly. “Bhaltair was right. Ye are an angel. My beautiful angel.”

  Masie grinned.

  “Come back to bed, I have something to show ye,” he winked.

  Masie giggled. Her blood had him drunk with lust. “Kerr, ye need to rest.”

  “Nay, I need to be buried deep inside my future wife.”

  Masie’s eyes grew wide. “Wife?”

  “Aye. Will ye do me the honor and become my wife?”

  Masie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Kerr wanted her to be his wife? She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Aye, Kerr, I’ll marry ye.” She braced her hands on the sides of his face, bent down, and kissed his lips.

  He shoved his hands through her hair, pulling her close, deepening the kiss. “I’ve never needed anyone the way I need ye.”

  “And I ye. But…”

  Kerr rolled his eyes.

  “I’ll marry ye on one condition.” Masie sat back on her heels.

  “Lass, I dinnae take well to demands.”

  She arched a brow.

  “What’s the stipulation?” he asked.

  “If ye feel the same way in two nights, then ask me again.”

  Kerr eyed her, looking confused.

  Masie folded her arms across her chest.

  “Masie, I will never understand yer ways, nor do I want to,” he jested. “But I’ll promise ye this, nothing will change my mind. I’m through trying to make sense of it all. I know what I feel is real and I’m through pushing ye away.”

  “If ’tis true, then time will make no difference. Ask me again in two nights.”

  “Aye.”

  “Brother,” Bhaltair exclaimed as he entered the tent and made his way to Kerr’s side. “Ye look like shite.”

  Kerr chuckled. “And what’s yer excuse?”

  “Och, ’tis good to see ye well.”

  Kerr looked at Masie. “I have a healer with the most outstanding skills.”

  Masie blushed.

  Bhaltair cleared his throat. “The storm has passed. Are ye well enough to travel?”

  “Aye,” Kerr grumbled as he fought to sit up. “I’ll be ready to ride.”

  “Easy.” Masie helped steady him. “Ye’re no’ riding anywhere.”

  “I’m well.” Pain creased his face.

  “Nay, Brother. Masie is right. Ye’re in no condition for riding. I’ll have a cart readied for ye.”

  “I refuse to be hauled around in a cart. I’ll make it back home on my own two feet.”

  This was no time for Kerr to be as stubborn as a mule. Masie shook her head. “What if I ride with ye in the cart?” She wiggled her brows.

  Kerr growled and pulled her close. “Hmm, lass.” He kissed her. “Ye changed my mind.”

  “I’ll go fetch the cart,” Bhaltair said as he quit the tent.

  Masie helped Kerr dress, warning him if he didn’t stop trying to undress her, they’d never make it back home before the next snowstorm rolled in. Finally, she got him to his feet. Still weak and unsteady, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They walked out of the tent to where the cart was waiting. Masie climbed in first, welcomed by a pile of furs. Kerr followed.

  Kerr leaned back, resting his back against the wall of the cart. He pulled Masie into his arms. She snuggled up against his warmth. She’d never been so happy in her life. He deserved to know the truth about her. In time, she’d tell him. Mayhap, tomorrow. Maybe in a hundred years.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Raven’s Landing

  Kerr tended to the fire in the hearth, his mind a love-stricken mess. He’d waited two days as Masie had asked and nothing had changed. He craved this lass like the air he breathed. Tonight was the night—he was going to ask her to marry him again.

  It had surprised him how easily he allowed Masie to breech the walls around his heart. He considered himself a very lucky man to have her love when he didn’t deserve it. He prayed he could be the man she saw in him. A man of honor, her protector, the one who’d spend the rest of his life loving her. Aye, he’d stepped out of the darkness and was ready to give Masie all of himself.

  Kerr walked back to the table where Bhaltair was sitting, watching his clan celebrate their recent victory. Word had spread fast about Kerr and his men defeating Clan Keith and how he’d brought his lady home safely.

  “Och, Brother,” Bhaltair exclaimed and waved him over.

  Kerr sat acros
s from him, searching the hall for Masie.

  Bhaltair poured a tankard of ale and slid it across the table. “What has ye smiling like a fool?”

  Kerr grinned. “I have no idea what ye’re talking about.” He took a long pull from the mug.

  Kerr paused as Masie entered the hall—a vision of grace and beauty. The green and gold dress she wore hugged her frame perfectly, enhancing her full breasts. Her blonde hair was plaited in one long braid that hung down her back, giving him a sensual view of her thin neck. His lips twitched as he imagined kissing and tasting her skin.

  Their eyes met from across the room and his blood boiled with desire. Her smile brightened his soul. As she made her way to the table, he watched her hips sway. Aye, she would make a fine wife and mother.

  “My laird.” Masie greeted Bhaltair with a curtsey.

  She sat next to Kerr, giving him a sideways glance as she reached for the pitcher of ale. “Ye look well this eve.”

  “Aye.” He winked as Masie blushed attractively.

  Since they’d arrived home, they hadn’t left his bedchamber. He couldn’t explain the unwavering need to be inside her, but he wasn’t complaining.

  “Masie,” Bhaltair said. “As soon as the storm passes, I’ll send a team of men to search for yer sisters. I know ye must be worried about them.”

  “Thank ye.” Masie sipped the ale. “Knowing what Cormag is capable of, I do fear for their safety.”

  Kerr placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed softly. “I’ll personally make sure they make it back here.”

  Masie placed her hand on top of his and looked up at him. Those blue eyes would always be his undoing. “I have no doubt.”

  “I only wish I could have gutted the bastard when I had the chance.”

  “I’m safe here.” She smiled.

  Aye, she was, and he’d make sure Cormag or anyone else who dared to harm her would pay dearly.

  He kept his gaze on her as she sipped more ale. It was time. He couldn’t think of one reason not to ask her hand in marriage. Aye, there would be some clan members not happy with his choice, but he knew in time they would accept her. Besides, since when did he give a rat’s arse what people thought?