Enchanted Lover

by Scharon, Connie C.

  A light rap at her door brought her face to face with Skye. The young girl looked at her inquisitively. “I havena seen you about, Asilinn."

  Asilinn gave her a grim look. “Morven has confined me to the tower because someone poisoned my herbs. He fears for my safety if I go out.”

  “Is Morven your master? I would think 'twould be his duty to abide by your wishes as Mistress of Dunbocan.”

  “What are you suggesting, Skye?”

  “If you truly need a respite from your room come downstairs with me. We'll find some task to occupy us and mayhaps this will ease your tension.”

  Asilinn looked at the girl thoughtfully. Skye was right. Who was Morven to give Asilinn orders when Jared insisted she was not a prisoner? “Help me select a gown. I want to look my best.”

  Skye seemed flattered Asilinn had asked her to help with the wardrobe selection. She moved to Asilinn's gowns carefully picking through them. Finally, she selected a deep blue velvet dress with long fitted sleeves. “How about this one? I think it will make your eyes look blue like the sea.”

  Asilinn smiled. “'Tis perfect.” She dressed hurriedly and pulled the top part of her hair back letting the rest flow freely down her back.

  “Why isn't Wynne helping you dress?”

  “She is still not well from the poisoning. I sent her away this morning. I did not think I would be leaving my room.”

  “What kind of poison do you think it was?”

  “I believe it was henbane. Since the remedy I used seems to have been successful, I'm fairly certain I was right.”

  “You know a lot about herbs and medicines,” Skye commented, watching Asilinn with prying eyes.

  “Aye, my grandmother taught me much before her death.”

  They made their way to the main chambers of the castle seeking out Flanna to see if she needed help in the kitchen. She was delighted to see both of them and insisted on feeding them, which was what Skye was really after in the first place. Asilinn laughed at the amount of food Skye ate.

  “If you continue to eat like that, Skye, you may not fit in yer lovely new gowns,” Flanna teased. “Or is it because of yer little midnight ride?”

  Asilinn turned to Skye. “Where did you go last night, Skye?”

  The girl slouched in her seat. “I only rode out to see if I could find Jared and his troops returning but it was a very black night and…” she hesitated.

  “And what?”

  “I heard some strange sounds while taking the short cut through Burnum Woods—moaning and chanting. I was frightened and I came back.”

  Flanna and Asilinn exchanged a concerned glance. “Skye, you must stop these wild escapades before something happens to you. It is very dangerous for a young girl to be out alone at night. Nevertheless, I would advise you to confide in Laird Jared. Tell him what you heard. It sounds like something is amiss.”

  “But Asilinn if I tell Jared he'll punish me for my actions.”

  “You must,” Asilinn insisted. “It is something that needs his attention.”

  The girl hung her head dejectedly when Flanna nodded in agreement with Asilinn. “All right, I'll tell him as soon as he returns.”

  Toby came running through the door. “Mother, Laird Jared returns with his men!” He spun and flew back out the door.

  The three women rushed outside. Asilinn started to move down through the crowd but Morven caught her and detained her while Skye and Flanna went on without her. “Lady Asilinn, you must wait here. I thought I told you not to leave the tower. My laird will have my head if you are harmed.”

  Asilinn gave him an angry glare. “You profess to be following Jared's orders but you are not my laird, Morven. I'll use my own judgment in these matters.”

  He looked at her, his face an impassive mask. “I beg you to take my advice and wait in the upper courtyard. The crowd gathering below makes it impossible for me to see to your protection.”

  “Since you have asked and not demanded, I'll comply with your wishes.” He nodded and moved off to a safe distance keeping her in sight but not intruding on her space.

  There was a clatter of hooves as Jared made his way to her through the throng. Asilinn gasped at the scene before her. Jared held her brother slumped before him on the horse. Blood stains covered Ian's tunic. Half-blinded by tears Asilinn rushed forward.

  “You promised there would not be bloodshed!” Asilinn screamed. “And now you have tried to kill my brother. Does my father still live or have you done away with him?”

  Jared looked down at her with cold eyes. “You assume much with no real knowledge,” he said. “I did not inflict these wounds! I'm trying to save Ian by bringing him home to you. Are you so blinded by your hate for me you judge me without asking what occurred?"

  They glared at each other for a full minute before Flanna broke the trance by running up with two men to carry Ian into the castle. “Take him to the laird's old room,” she ordered. “Lady Asilinn, will you come?” she asked. Asilinn nodded and followed the men carrying her brother into the castle.

  Jared let out a heavy sigh and headed for the stable. He was in no mood to feel the bite of Asilinn's cruel tongue, at least not until he had rested from his arduous journey. He glanced briefly over his shoulder to watch Asilinn follow her brother into the castle. Would she always think of him as the enemy?

  Chapter Thirteen

  When she examined Ian's shoulder Asilinn knew a moment of regret for her sharp tongue. The wound had been cauterized, probably by a hot sword. Was this full explanation of Jared's action in her vision? The other vision she had of him was equally damning—the one she thought predicted her rape on their wedding night. It had turned out to give a false impression. She longed to seek him out and talk with him about what had happened at Cock Bridge, but her brother was in need of her now. She would talk to Jared later.

  Ian's face was so pale it frightened her. He seemed to linger in a haze that left him rolling in and out of consciousness. He called out for his dead mother and brothers. It tore at her heart to see her older brother in such a state, but she focused on the task at hand.

  Stripping off his bloody garments Asilinn draped sheeting loosely over his groin area for modesty. Just when she finished freeing him from his filthy clothing Skye and Flanna entered the room with the pails of hot water Asilinn had requested from the kitchen. Carefully she washed the grime from Ian's body.

  “He doesna look good, Lady Asilinn," Flanna said in a hushed whisper.

  “‘Tis only a shoulder wound but I fear he lost too much blood. He's feverish and weak. Please go back to the kitchen and get me some clear broth. I'll keep it by the fire up here and try to feed him whenever possible. We must be vigilant about keeping his strength up."

  “Aye, Milady." Flanna sped off on Asilinn's errand.

  Asilinn glanced over at her sister-in-law who had just lifted the thin sheeting to peek at Ian's privates. “Skye, what on earth are you doing?”

  Skye grinned sheepishly and dropped the cover back in place. “Sorry, he's very beautiful,” she said, her eyes wide. “Look how his golden hair covers his chest. I never knew men were pretty without their clothes.”

  Asilinn hugged Skye. “My brother would take a switch to you for calling him pretty,” she said. “But thank you for making me find some humor in all this. Still I dinna think your brother would approve of your curiosity so we'll let your newfound knowledge be our little secret.”

  Skye rolled her eyes and giggled. Ian moaned and Asilinn went back to the more serious business at hand.

  After working over him for several hours she was satisfied he was resting comfortably. She had even gotten him to take some broth in one of his more lucid moments. Skye kept her company, watching her actions while she tended the wound.

  “I think I would be interested in some of this healing knowledge,” Skye mused when Ian drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

  Sitting back in a chair by the bed Asilinn studied the young girl. “I'd be glad to
show you all I know. How would you like to start out by keeping watch over Ian for me? I need to find Jared and speak with him.”

  “Are you going to make him angry again with your wild accusations?”

  “No, this time I'll ask him what transpired before I scream like a lunatic.” Skye giggled and Asilinn gave her a weak smile. “I only hope he'll do me the courtesy of talking with me. I behaved very badly and embarrassed him in front of his clansmen. I dinna know why it seems impossible for me to keep a civil tongue.”

  “‘Tis the Innes blood, no doubt. But I'll be glad to watch Ian.” Skye smirked.

  Asilinn wagged her finger at the girl. “No more peeking.”

  “Oh, I would not dream of it," Skye said. “And I'll come for you at once if he grows restless.”

  Asilinn was sure Skye would make at least one more inspection of Ian’s privates, but somehow she just found it amusing. “Skye, do you have any idea where I might find Jared?”

  “By now he is probably soaking in the Dragon's Spring. ‘Tis his habit to seek out the soothing waters after he has seen to his men and his horse. Use the secret passage.”

  “I have no clear memory of the way.”

  “Go all the way to the bottom of the stairs. Turn left and follow the passage until it dead ends. Jared's private bath is through the door at the end of the passage.”

  “Thank you.”

  It was impossible to know if Jared would still be angry with her but Asilinn was determined to get him to tell his side of the battle before judging the situation. Her mind reeled in confusion. How was she to know who to trust in this quagmire?

  ***

  Jared closed his eyes while the steamy water eased the ache from his body. It was wonderfully warm and he would have enjoyed it enormously were it not for the pair of sapphire eyes that came to haunt him. Why did he have to deal with such an obstinate, difficult woman?

  He let out his breath slowly as the very thought of her fired his body. He was surely cursed. Perhaps she really was a witch sent to enchant him with her charms, controlling him with this fatal attraction until he had no desire for any other woman.

  The door opened and closed bringing Jared to attention. A soft, female form hung in the shadows. “Who is it?”

  Glenna walked from the darkness her bare body glimmering in the torchlight. “I've come to give you pleasure after your long journey, Milord,” she said in a sultry whisper. Dipping her hands in the water, she cupped up the droplets and rubbed them seductively over bare torso.

  “Go away, Glenna. Be gone and let me rest in peace.”

  “There was a time you would have welcomed the comfort I offer.”

  “That time has ended. Now leave me and dinna return to this place or I'll have to secure it with a key to prevent your intrusion on my privacy.”

  Glenna picked up her robe and wrapped it around her. “You will rue the day you turned me out,” she threatened. “One day you will regret the choices you have made.”

  She turned just as Asilinn opened the secret door to the chamber and stepped inside. “Is this why you send me away?” she asked, turning back to Jared. “Your sallow-faced wife is comin’ to pleasure you instead.” She swept past Asilinn and fled out a door to the left of the secret entrance.

  “And what have you come for wife? I canna take any more barbs from your sharp tongue.”

  Asilinn stood rooted in the doorway with raw emotion clouding her reasoning. She was glad he sent Glenna away but why should she care? If Glenna shared his bed maybe he would not devour Asilinn’s body and make it his own. “If you dinna want me here, I shall leave, Milord.” Asilinn started back up the passage.

  She heard splashes in the water behind her but kept going. She remembered all too vividly her time in the bath with Jared. Obviously, he had shared his bath with Glenna as well. She didn’t know why but the thought cut her deep.

  A strong hand grabbed her arm and whirled her around. Asilinn stared dumbfounded at her wet husband.

  “Jared, you're naked.”

  “Aye and you have seen and felt all of me before,” he said, grasping her other arm with his free hand. “You sought me out. I was wrong to send you away. I would put to rest this confrontation at Cock Bridge with the truth."

  “All right,” she agreed. “It is what I came for.”

  He pulled her back into the private bathing chamber and motioned for her to sit on a small, wooden bench near the water then sat down beside her. She scooted away from his nearness.

  “Milord, would you do me the courtesy of returning to the bath?” she asked, averting her eyes from his muscular body.

  Asilinn was in true agony—tortured by the thought of him inside her. His nakedness even now elicited memories of the pleasures she had experienced in his bed.

  She heard him sigh and looked his way in time to see his strong back as he sank into the steaming waters.

  “I'm sorry you find my body so distasteful I must hide its ugliness from you.”

  “You know that isna the case, Milord.”

  “Do I?”

  “Aye, Milord, you know full well I dinna find your body repulsive. ‘Tis your wicked mind and your infernal MacLean blood that make you repugnant.”

  A hint of a smile crossed his face. “Love the pleasures my body brings, hate me? I dinna know whether to be flattered or not.”

  “You know full well the power you hold over me. I think ‘tis some perverse spell you cast to consume me with wanton desire.” This was not what she came here to discuss but plainly, Jared was enjoying the conversation. He sat in the water devouring her with his eyes.

  Now he arched a dark brow in mock speculation. “Perverse? I canna remember sharing any intimate moments I would deem perverse. Mayhaps you could refresh my memory?”

  She could feel the flush of a deep blush creeping up her neck. Hopefully he could not see it in the dim torchlight. “I dinna come to discuss such things.”

  “What would you discuss? Would you tell me how much you hate me for what I've done to your life?"

  “No, Milord, I believe you had the best of intentions.” She paused and gazed at her hands folded in her lap. “I have not talked honestly with you nor given you any chance to explain to me what is going on.” She raised her eyes to look at him. “I need your explanations now. I have learned I've been hasty in my judgments. I wish to understand my true situation not guess and be blinded by appearances.”

  A fleeting look of indecision flashed across his face. Asilinn waited, heart pounding, for his response. “The situation is that you are my wife and I wilna have you parted from me.” He drew a deep breath. “And I havena betrayed your clan or our marriage vows, no matter how it might appear. Will you take my word on this?”

  “I wish to accept your word, but… it is difficult when my father has urged me not to trust you and much hangs in the balance.”

  “What would you have me do to prove it? I cannot. I can but tell you.”

  “What happened at Cock Bridge?”

  “It was the masked riders who began the fighting. Granted a few were injured and fewer still were killed, but it was not an all out battle. I asked your father to retreat with his troops and study my peace proposal. He obliged. Even now Liam travels to tell him Ian is safe in my care.”

  “I'll wait to hear if Ian's story agrees with yours. I canna risk the fate of my whole clan on my reckless decision to marry.”

  “That decision was out of your hands.”

  “Aye, so, and what of the attack on my father and brother the night they first came to Dunbocan? Why did you not tell me the night it happened instead of hiding it from me while you… educated me on alternative pleasures?” She struggled to still the shiver that ran through her at the memory.

  “As I recall, fair Asilinn, you drugged me and fled without giving me a chance. When I caught you running away I was too angry to discuss it.”

  “Mayhaps it was partly my own fault,” she admitted.

  “It was entir
ely your fault.”

  Asilinn snorted. Something she had apparently picked up from him. “I should have known it was my fault. Whatever was I thinking?”

  “You were not, but you are very young and a woman, so I can see your confusion.”

  Asilinn stood up her fists knotted at her sides. The ignorant ass didn’t even see he had insulted her with his ridiculous opinion. “But I am to submit and get myself with child so an innocent may suffer the strife dividing our people?” She advanced toward him wanting desperately to pummel him with her fists.

  Jared rose from the steamy bath and came up beside her. She could see the water glistening off of his muscular body, feel the heat of him. “I do the work of king and country despite having a difficult wife who will never admit she finds pleasure in our union.”

  She struck him squarely on the chest with her tight fist, but he only grabbed both her arms and pulled her to him. “Would you deny the moans of need and satisfaction I hear when we join?”

  Asilinn struggled to hit him again, but he jerked her into his arms and kissed her, a kiss that took her breath her away and left her clinging to his wet shoulders. “I hate you,” she said with conviction.

  “I wouldna know it from the way you perform your wifely duties.” She tried to shove away from his chest, but he held her tight against him, caressing her neck just below her left ear.

  “I do hate you,” she said more shakily. Somehow, his hand had found its way beneath her dress and even now, he pushed up her skirt to give him access to the heart of her. “Dinna do this,” she moaned. He lifted her and pressed her back against the stone wall. Her breath was coming short and fast as she felt his hands explore her—make her ready to receive him.

  “Accept your fate, Asilinn. You are mine.”

  As if to verify his statement, he entered her and gazed directly into her eyes while he began slow deliberate thrusts. She whimpered softly and pushed him deeper with each invasion. All desire for restraint left her. “Bastard,” she breathed. She found his lips and kissed him deep. The frenzied mating that ensued made her insides quake with sated desire and left her clinging to him damp and disheveled.