by Tin Kuhn
“Congratulations on yer wedding.” He snarled swinging his sword at me.
I blocked it and kicked him in the ribs. How did he know that I got married? Everyone ken about Alec’s wedding, but mine was last minute. There was no way for him to ken unless they were watching the castle.
“How’s yer wife?” He asked bringing his axe down on me, but I slid out of the way.
“My wife is none of yer concern. Get her out of yer filthy head.” I said swinging my sword at his head. He jumped back and laughed at me. He slid his eyes to someone behind me and I thrust my sword backward. My sword went through one of his men’s stomach. I pulled it out in time to block Calder’s battle axe from striking me in the head. He never did fight fair.
“Do ye think she’s waiting for ye in bed?” He asked. “We didn’t interrupt anything, did we?”
Of course, they interrupted, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction by answering that. He was making me even more angry asking about Ara, so I lunged at him and took him down. He punched me in the face and I hit back. There was another horn sounding that distracted me. Calder used this opportunity to push me off of him. His group started retreating.
“Send Ara my regards.” He smirked taking off.
I tried to go after him, but Alec held me back. “Let my men deal with them.” Alec commanded. I nodded, but kept my eyes on Calder retreating. I wanted to end him.
“Well, that was odd.” Brodie stated sheathing his sword. Blood stained his tunic. “They retreated right away.”
Alec turned to look back at him and agreed, “Yer right.” He took a look around. Dead men were laying on the ground from both sides. “They couldn’t have possibly taken anything in that short amount of time. They didn’t even breach the castle.”
“A distraction or a test of your defenses.” Brodie suggested rubbing his chin. Out of the three of us, he was always the one that came up with the best responses.
“For what though?” Alec was trying to figure out. I could see the wheels in his mind turning. He was trying to think of all the possibilities.
“My Laird! My Laird!” A soldier yelled sprinting towards us from the other side of the castle. He stopped to catch his breath. “Laird Gavin, my Laird. His men were carrying a lady away from the castle.”
“Did you recognize her?” Alec asked quickly.
“Laird Malcolm’s wife.” He replied looking over to me, his face full of fear and nervousness.
“Which way did they go?” Brodie asked snapping the soldier’s attention back.
“East. Laird Gavin had about ten men with him.” The soldier reported.
Did I hear him right? Laird Gavin took Ara. My Ara. My heart dropped right to my stomach. I felt anger, pain, and sadness all at the same time. The thought of losing Ara now was my worst nightmare. I tried to bolt in the direction the soldier had pointed at, but both my friends held me back again.
“You’re not running off on your own, Malcolm. We need a plan.” Alec said sternly. He was always the calm one in tough situations. Nothing seemed to faze him or at least he acted like it didn’t.
“I need to get my wife back.” I snarled at Alec looking him straight in his eyes. Fury raged inside of me and I didn’t know if I could control it.
“And we will, but they used Vikings to distract us.” Alec calmly said.
“He’s right, ye ken.” Brodie agreed. “It might not be that easy to get Ara back.”
“Let’s let them think we’re not following them. We’ll keep our distance and make sure the Vikings aren’t with them.” Alec proposed.
“Gavin will claim her the first chance he gets.” I gritted through my teeth. I was not happy about his plan, but I ken it did make sense.
“We won’t let that happen, Malcolm.” Brodie said putting his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll get our horses.”
I had to trust in my friend’s plan. I ken I wasn’t in my right mind to come up with anything better. I was too angry and worried about my wife. I would have gone right after them, but that might have led to my death and what good would that be for Ara.
We kept our distance from Laird Gavin’s group. The soldier was right. He had ten men with him. I didn’t see Ara or Laird Gavin. They both must be riding inside the carriage. I hated the idea of them being together, him putting his hands on her. Touching what was mine. My anger was rising again and it was getting harder and harder to contain.
“Breathe, Malcolm.” Alec said. “They will be stopping soon to camp. We’ll take them by surprise then.”
“At least there are no Vikings traveling with them.” Brodie pointed out. “We could send half of the soldiers home and still take them.”
“Aye. No wonder Calder kept asking about Ara. He ken she would be taken.” My irritation flared.
I heard a heart shattering scream. I recognized that voice from anywhere. It was Ara. Some of the soldiers gasped. I couldn’t take her painful scream. I ken she was being beaten by that son of a bitch. I couldn’t wait any longer. I immediately took off in the direction of the carriage not waiting for my friends to stop me. I had to get to her now. The rest of them followed after me.
CHAPTER 16
ARAMINA
T here was a searing pain in my head like I’d been hit. My head was still lightly thumping against something hard or even a wall. I could hear horses galloping. I slowly opened my eyes trying to take in my surroundings. I was no longer in my room anymore, but in a small carriage. The carriage was moving rather quickly, too. The sky’s blue color was dimming. It would be nightfall soon.
I didn’t want to make any subtle movements. I glanced to my left and noticed that I was sitting next to a man. His hand was on my thigh, but he was not my husband, Malcolm. His hands were aged. I remembered the jewelry on his finger, the dark ruby gemstone on the gold ring. My heart began to race. I suddenly realized that it was Laird Gavin. He had perfect timing kidnapping me while my husband and his friends were distracted by the Vikings. We almost consummated the wedding. Would Malcolm even notice I was missing?
I started panicking, but I didn’t want to show Laird Gavin that I was awake. I needed him to believe that I was still sleeping. I shut my eyes trying to think. What the heck could I do to get away from him? All I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears. Maybe I could open the carriage door and jump out. I would get hurt for sure, but I couldn’t stay here with him. His touch disgusted me. There was no way I could have sex with Laird Gavin or give him a child. I needed to get back to Malcolm.
I felt his hand slowly moving up my thigh. Oh no. I instinctively pushed his hand away and scooted as far away from him as I could in the seat. It wasn’t very far, since this carriage was quite small. He just smirked at me and pulled me to him. He held my arms tight.
“Sleeping beauty awakes.” He smirked running his fingers down my arms.
“He’ll come for me.” I stated glaring into his evil eyes.
“It’ll be too late.” He said reaching down and pulling up my dress.
I pushed his hand away again and he pushed me back to the seat across from him. My back hit the seat and I winced from the pain. I scrambled back to the other side and he tried grabbing me again.
He laughed, “Someone likes to play. I like it when women put up a fight. It gets my blood going.”
He came at me again, but I kicked him back. I tried to reach for the door and he slapped me across the face. I tasted blood in my mouth. I sat on the seat looking at him with distaste. I drew a blank. I was waiting for his next move. He was too big for me to fight, but not as huge and strong as Malcolm.
He removed his belt and tossed it beside me. The carriage jerked and he fell between my legs. This was it I thought. I grabbed his belt and wrapped it around his neck. His shocked eyes told me he didn’t see this coming. I pulled the belt with all my might. Then he bit into my thigh so hard I thought he would bite my skin off. The pain was excruciating. I screamed at the top of my lungs, it hurt my throat. It distracted hi
m for a moment and I jumped out of the carriage.
I hit the ground rolling. I nearly collided with the horse riding alongside the carriage, but barely missed him. I stopped rolling and looked back at the carriage. I was a little dizzy, but I needed to run. This was my only chance.
Some of Laird Gavin’s soldiers got off of their horses. I got up and sprinted away from them. I checked to look back and saw Laird Gavin stepping out of the carriage. Two of his men came after me. One grabbed me from behind and carried me back. I struggled in his arms, but it was no use. He was too strong. He pushed me down in front of Laird Gavin.
“Did you really think ye could run away from me?” Laird Gavin asked approaching me.
I just glared up at him. I heard more horses rushing towards us. The soldiers looked back in the direction of the sound. My heart jumped for joy. I saw Malcolm and his friends riding towards us. Laird Alec’s soldiers were following. I felt like I could cry happy tears.
“I told you he would come.” I said standing up, but the soldier behind me struck me down. Laird Gavin grabbed me by my hair and started dragging me towards the trees. I tried to get up, but stumbled alongside him. The pain in my head was unbearable.
“Ye, bring the carriage towards the trees.” Laird Gavin ordered one of his soldiers.
I looked back at Malcolm fighting Laird Gavin’s soldiers. They were putting up a good fight against Malcolm. I shouted his name and Laird Gavin punched me in my stomach. He knocked the air out of me and I collapsed on the ground. I couldn’t do anything but try to breathe. Laird Gavin sat on top of me and lifted my dress up. I tried desperately to get up, but I couldn’t. I saw the dagger on Laird Gavin’s boot and reached for it. He didn’t notice. He was preoccupied with trying to stick his cock inside of me. I reached up and stabbed him in the neck. His dark eyes widened and blood came pouring out. He fell to the side and I crawled to the nearest tree. I lay there watching Laird Gavin’s life slipping away.
Malcolm finally reached me and scooped me up in his arms. I heaved a sigh of relief. I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. He felt so good and warm. I felt him plant a kiss on top of my head. I tried to steady my breathing, but I was trembling. Malcolm carried me back to his horse and we rode back to Laird Alec’s castle.
It was finally over. Laird Gavin was gone. I ended his life. I actually took a person’s life. I don’t know how this would affect me, but I didn’t care at the moment. I was incredibly tired and drifted off to sleep on the ride back.
***
My eyes opened and it was still almost completely dark in the room except for the moonlight. The bed sheets felt so warm and cozy. I reached out to the side of the bed, but couldn’t feel Malcolm. He wasn’t lying beside me. I felt disappointed and wondered where he was.
I got up to look at myself in the mirror. My body was sore, but it was manageable. I was wearing a new clean white night gown and it looked like someone had cleaned me up. I remembered Laird Gavin’s painful bite in the carriage. I lifted up my dress to look at my thigh. Sure enough it was bandaged. There was some blood leaking onto the bandage. That bastard.
“Ara.” A male voiced called.
I was startled and turned around. It was Malcolm standing by the bed. He was here with me after all. He still looked insanely attractive even with the bruises on his face. I don’t think anything could really turn me off from Malcolm. I immediately went to him and hugged him so tight, relief and happiness washing over me. He sat down on the bed and I held his face in my hands. I planted kisses all over his face. I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t want to stop kissing him, but then he removed my hands from his face. He looked strained like there was something heavy weighing him down.
“Ara, we don’t have to be married anymore if ye don’t want.” He said quietly looking down on the ground. He was still holding my hands in his laps.
“What?” I asked shocked to hear him say those words.
“Laird Gavin is dead. We don’t have to play husband and wife anymore.” He said looking into my eyes.
I took a step back from him and asked, “Where is this coming from? I mean…” I turned away from him and felt my heart start to break. “Do you know how to get me back home? Did you find the oracle?”
“No.” Malcolm answered.
“So you lied about loving me.” I said turning to face him.
“I do love ye that is why I’m releasing ye.” He said.
“Is this some kind of game to you? Marry someone, don’t sleep with them, and then push them away!” I yelled. “FYI, I take my marriage vows seriously.”
“FYI?” He looked confused. “I ken ye won’t be happy with me. Lady Paisley never was. Ye don’t…”
I slapped him across the face and he just stared at me dumbstruck. He definitely wasn’t expecting me to do that. Good. I hope he felt some of the pain in my heart from that slap, but shit that hurt. His face was hard. I didn’t even expect myself to do that.
“I am not Lady Paisley! Don’t you dare compare me to the spoiled little brat. Unlike her, I do want your hands all over me. I don’t give a shit if you were a Viking turned Laird. You captured my heart, Malcolm. I fought to survive for not only myself, but for you, too, not fighting to survive to get back home. For you. I only thought of you, Malcolm. That’s what kept me going fighting against Laird Gavin. I guess I was wrong. You don’t love me as much as I love you. You can get out now.” I said pointing to the door.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into him. He kissed me deeply, but I winced from the pain of my busted lip. “I’m so sorry, my love.” He trailed kisses along my jawline to my ear. “I just…I just needed to be sure ye wanted to be with me.”
“Completely, you jerk.” I said gently kissing him on the lips. I pulled my head back and said, “But dammit your face is like a rock. My hand is killing me.”
He chuckled and kissed the palm of my hand. He was silent for a moment. “When I heard ye scream, I thought he might have killed ye. I thought I was too late.”
“No, the bastard just bit me because I strangled him.” I said.
He laughed and said, “My little warrior. Ye never cease to amaze me.” He kissed me on my lips and leaned his forehead against mine.
“Shall we continue what the Vikings interrupted?” I asked nudging his nose.
“Ara, ye took a beating. Ye need to rest.” He said.
“We’re both bruised, Malcolm.” I pointed out.
“Aye.” He agreed kissing me on the lips again.
“Do you really want to wait to have sex with your wife?” I asked straddling him.
“No.” He quickly said flipping me on the bed and kissing me deeply. “Yer mine to claim.”
“Take me, Malcolm.” I said lifting his tunic over his head. God. I can never get tired of seeing his ripped body from the muscles in his arms to the definition of his abs. He looked so strong and powerful.
He removed my night gown and took off his kilt. He slowly ran his finger from my cheek, to my breast, and down to my thighs. His touch alone made me wet for him. He reached down in between my thighs and I moaned.
“Wet for me already, my wife.” He kissed my breast and slowly glided his tongue up to my neck, kissing me and stroking me. “I want yer first time to be a pleasant one, Ara. I want ye to enjoy this as much as I do.”
I moaned from his touch, but I didn’t want to wait any longer. “I need you inside of me now, Malcolm. I don’t want to take it slow. I’ll enjoy it anyway you give it to me.” I said kissing him intensely. I heard a low growl in his throat and he thrust hard right into my entrance. I gasped from the pain, but it didn’t feel as bad as I thought. It was a mixture of pain and a massive amount of pleasure. The pleasure winning and the pain slowly disappearing at each of his thrust. Malcolm dropped kisses down to my neck and sucked at my sweet spot. He was so huge. He filled me up and stretched me. I moved my body to his same rhythm and the pleasure grew immensely. I could feel all of him. I held on to the ba
ck of his neck and waist while he kept pounding into me. Everything felt so intense. I didn’t want it to stop, but I knew I was close to my climax.
“Come with me, Ara.” Malcolm demanded taking my lips. There was nothing but heat and passion in his kiss. I had no more control on my body and we both reached ecstasy. My entire body felt like it was on fire. His seed spilled in me and I thought about being pregnant with his child. I was no longer the married virgin. I had sex and it was beyond anything I could have imagined. He rolled me to the side and held me keeping his cock inside me. “I love ye, Ara.”
“I love you, Malcolm.” I kissed him until I was out of breath.
“If ye continue this, I’m going to take ye again.” He playfully warned.
I giggled. “I’m starving for food and you, Malcolm. We need to make up for lost time.” I said kissing his lips again.
He chuckled, “Well, aren’t ye lucky I had food prepared while ye were sleeping. It’s on the table.”
I immediately sprang up and wrapped a blanket around me. I laughed, “Great. Sex is going to have to wait ten minutes.” I went to the table and started eating the bread and assortment of fruit. He sat beside me on the bench and I fed him a grape. He looked at me like there was a question on his mind.
He finally asked, “What if one day we find a way back for ye?”
I sighed. It was a good question to ask, but I’ve made up my mind. I stuffed a cubed cheese in his mouth and faced him. “I’m no longer looking for a way back unless you want to go to my time. I have everything I need here with you.”
I stood up and let the thin white sheet drop to the floor. I saw the hunger and need for me in his eyes. His strong hands grabbed my ass and lifted me on top of him. He slowly sank me down onto his already hard cock. I instantly moaned at the feel of him inside of me. His big firm hands gripped my hips and started moving me. He controlled the pace and I liked it. I put my hands behind his neck and wrapped my fingers in his hair. His eyes looking intently into mine. This moment between us was insanely hot. The pleasure built to another level. I wanted to drop my head back, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from him. My body began to shake, and he held me firmly in place. We reached our climax again and I collapsed on his chest. He tilted my chin up and kissed me sweetly. Then he held me like he never wanted to let me go.