The Highlander’s Witch

by Jennifer France

  She could not wait.

  Always thinking in the now, she fisted her hands into his shirt, pulling him to her as she moved to press her body to his.

  Ecstasy coursed through her veins in molten waves as his mouth captured hers, a hand large and sure reached around her waist and pulled her in close as she willingly accepted his dominance.

  Feeling the ache between her legs as her clit swelled in need, she pressed against his firm thigh.

  She reveled in the control he had as his embrace heated her flesh, his mouth sliding from her lips to a neck she never knew was so sensitive. In the recesses of her mind, she knew this was different from any other attempt she had ever experienced with someone else.

  Whereas before, she had enjoyed the touch of another and looked forward to finally having sex, this was a hunger for more. A need that took away all thought but the ones of his one hand at the small of her back and the other clenching her hair at the nape of her neck keeping her from moving away, something impossible to comprehend as she softly cried out when he gently bit her. Feeling his restraint to bite her harder made her rub her aching pelvis into the hard muscles of his thigh, seeking relief as his mouth slanted back up to her mouth and forced her to open for his tongue.

  Aiden did not understand the lure of the woman in front of him but he trusted the instincts honed in battle, they had kept him and his men alive on too many occasions to doubt them now.

  The need to have her, to place her before him naked so he could feast on her skin, and then make her a part of him gnawed at his gut even while sleeping. He woke up hard, his dreams filled with taking her hard, hearing her cries of passion as he rammed his staff into her wetness.

  Now it was her unspoken fear of being unwanted, alone, that drove him to shelter her, to wipe away the sadness in her eyes and heart.

  He drew near her like a hunter approaching his prey. He watched as her breath quickened causing her breasts to swell with each intake, her eyes darted everywhere as she pressed her back against the wall, but she didn’t try to run and that made his cock jerk in hunger.

  Aiden felt his control slipping. The way she responded to his touch, submitting to his need to control, to take, and encouraged with her mews of pleasure and frustration for more made him want to push her, lift her skirt, and fuck her there against the wall.

  Instead, he took a deep breath knowing now was neither the time nor the place.

  Inhaling her light scent, he tilted her head up, placing a soft kiss at each corner of her mouth before slowly easing away.

  His cock twitched at the glazed look in her eyes, the way her mouth slightly opened to allow needed air into her lungs, and how they curved down when he broke from the embrace.

  He stood there forcing himself to remain apart from her but teasing himself by remaining close enough to feel her heat reaching out to him as he watched her eyes clear, then her mouth closed and she swallowed.

  “Wow.”

  He couldn’t help the grin at her dazed comment.

  Watching her hand reach up to smooth over her lower lip, plump from his kisses, had Aiden gritting his teeth as he pushed away.

  “Me mother requested ye to break yer fast with her an me sister.”

  He turned and nodded for her to follow, grabbing the torch as he led the way back down the stairs the guard had previously brought her up.

  Wow was all she could think as she absently followed Aiden.

  Never before had a kiss made her lose all thought. All previous kisses dulled in comparison.

  She’d always been thinking about how the kiss was, how she should be kissing, where it would lead, and would her sister be popping up to ruin it all. This time she could only feel and need.

  Oh Lord, and want.

  Cannot forget want.

  And she so wanted more!

  Everything in her still tingled, from the vee between her thighs to the neck he had bitten on.

  Wow.

  By the time they reached Anna’s bedchambers, Skye forced herself to stop behaving like a fool and push aside her erotic thoughts to mull over later.

  She entered without looking at Aiden and smiled at the look of pleasure Anna had on her face when she entered.

  “I be so glad ye came, Skye! Have some sweet bread an cream, it be delicious.”

  The door remained open as Skye stepped forward to take the offering. Taking a bite of the bread coated heavily with cream, she closed her eyes in bliss.

  “Mmmm, this is good!”

  “Told ye.” Anna grinned.

  It didn’t take long for Skye to realize this was a morning ritual between the two since Anna had started staying in bed most the day because of two previous miscarriages.

  That brought back to reality the harshness of the time.

  People here died of simple diseases, a cut untreated or a bad piece of meat, even childbirth.

  “When are you due?”

  Anna’s eyes got dreamy and she smiled sweetly as she soothed her extended belly with both hands. “The bairn should be here in two fortnights.”

  A month. In her time, a baby could survive if born now.

  “Och,” Elizabeth patted her daughter’s hand. “The baby will be just fine.”

  Anna smiled at her mother but Skye could see the concern in both their eyes.

  In her day, her powers were useless.

  The possibilities of someone finding out, detained, analyzed, and then have the rest of her family put through the same only allowed for smaller healings so she wouldn’t draw unwanted attention.

  Since those were always unfulfilling, the need to cure was something she always had to battle.

  Her powers were a part of her and the need to use them was as strong as the need to breath. Taking anatomy and botanical classes had made it possible for her to help others, and when there was the added need of her abilities, she was able to do so while allowing the herbs to become the reason for a speedy recovery.

  Skye became torn.

  She wanted to go home desperately but knew she could ensure the safety of this baby if she remained, but to what cost? Would they be thankful or superstitious?

  Moreover, did superstition equate to burning at the stake?

  Even though she itched to touch Anna and find out what was going on with her body that she couldn’t seem to carry full term, she kept her hands on her lap and forced herself to join the conversation.

  Elizabeth stood an hour later, prompting Skye to do the same.

  “Come now, daughter. Tis time for ye to nap.”

  “But me feet arna swollen an I feel wonderful.”

  “I am sure ye do, but it still would be best. I am sure Skye will return to spend time with ye—after ye have rested.”

  “I would love to.”

  “Then tis settled; ye rest and Skye shall return later.”

  As they were leaving, Anna called to Skye. “Please, go outside an tell me everthin ye see.”

  “Deal.”

  When the two women frowned, Skye chuckled. “I mean, sure.”

  As Elizabeth and Skye left, Their guard followed them silently down the stairs behind them.

  As they approached the front entrance, a woman stepped up to Elizabeth and curtsied, waiting for the woman’s attention.

  Elizabeth handed Skye a shawl then told her to wait as she took the woman aside to speak with her.

  Skye turned to the guard, taking in the long, curly, sun streaked brown hair.

  “What is your name?” She asked in Gaelic, thinking about the man who watched her at night and wondering just how many good-looking men there could be in one place.

  He frowned and looked at her curiously.

  She smiled and asked again.

  “Keir.”

  “Thank you, Keir.”

  He nodded and she turned back around as Elizabeth approached.

  “We need to stop at the laundry, there seems to be a bit of trouble.”

  Walking outside, Skye took her first breath of
fresh air.

  When Elizabeth saw her shiver at the cold, she laughed, “It will not be long until it begins to warm, just be thankful it hasn’t rained since yer arrival, a rare thing indeed it seems this year.”

  They made their way around to the side of the keep where Skye saw large barrels with women washing and wringing clothes out, making her think of the washer and dryer in her home.

  A stout woman approached and nodded in respect to Elizabeth before telling her of the troubles they were having with two of the girls sick and the children needing attendance since the mothers were constantly being interrupted by the ‘wee ones’.

  When Elizabeth frowned in concern, Skye couldn’t help but volunteer.

  “I can help with the children.”

  At the look of worry on Elizabeth and distrust on the other woman’s face, Skye continued.

  “I love kids and Keir will be around in case anything happens.”

  After a brief amount of thought and a small nod from Keir, the other woman still looked unsure but nodded.

  “Are ye sure, Skye?”

  “Absolutely. How difficult could it be?”

  Famous last words.

  What did one do with a dozen children between the ages of four to nine?

  “Duck, duck, goose!” She cried out to the surprise of the children running around her.

  In very little time, she had them scattering straw on the ground and sitting in a circle as she slowly explained how to play the game and then demonstrated it, smiling in relief when they caught on quick.

  She spent her time cheering them on, jumping up and down as one would leap up and run after the other.

  When several older children came to watch, she took some of the more mature ones from the first game and showed them and the new group how to play Red light, Green light.

  She kept an eye on the little ones while standing a couple yards in front of the group of older kids, turning her back as she yelled “Green light!” then waiting different amounts of time before spinning around right after she cried out “Red light!” and good naturedly booting the ones who got caught moving back to the beginning.

  The few ‘unbelievers’ joined in the next round when she’d been tagged by the first teenager to get to her.

  Skye was happy to see the mothers coming to check on their children, showing up with barely concealed worry only to leave with beaming smiles. A few men came by, even a couple of the elders, some spoke quietly with Keir before going about their business.

  Skye was having a great time and when the adults came to get their children, they even thanked her and one of the youngest grabbed her about the knees and gave her a hug before running off with her parent.

  “What a terrific bunch of kids.” Skye said standing next to Keir as the children left one by one.

  She forgot she’d spoken in English and repeated it for Keir, then sighed as she tried to figure out what to do next while the ever-silent Keir waited patiently.

  Her growling stomach told her exactly what she needed to do next.

  “I can’t believe I’d forgotten to eat!” She exclaimed. “You must be starving too, Keir. Let’s go grab something!”

  They headed towards the entrance with Skye’s excitement about the day bubbling over as she babbled on about how much fun it had been. When they turned the corner on the opposite side of the keep, she came to an immediate stop at the sight before her.

  Dozens of men were in the fields practicing with swords or hand-to-hand combat, but Aiden was the man to capture Skye’s attention.

  He and Collin were bare-chested, leather trousers and boots being the only covering they wore, and the sight fascinated Skye.

  Her hunger forgotten, Skye stood there and took in everything.

  Wincing in concern as they fought with real weapons, she still couldn’t take her gaze off Aiden’s chest and stomach. Something every twenty-first century man would kill for.

  A fine dusting of dark hair covered his chest and tapered to a thin line, disappearing into the waist of his pants. The pure hardness of his body, and the way the sweat glistened, made her mouth water.

  Skye chewed her lower lip, biting back a groan at the muscles that rippled when he blocked a blow, feeling her body react in a very primitive way. She squeezed her thighs together when her womb clenched in need.

  Several times, she tried to move, to turn away, but it was useless. Even as their practice ended, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She watched as they pounded each other on the back good-naturedly and still could not turn away.

  The moment his eyes met hers, she knew she had made a mistake by staying but it was too late, he was heading towards her.

  Eyes widening at his purposeful approach, her nipples hardened and her breathing hitched at his intent gaze, and still she stood waiting.

  So fixated was she on his face, she didn’t catch the short wave of his hand as he dismissed Keir.

  His first touch ignited Skye’s desire and her hands came up on either side of his head, holding onto his hair, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth to his demands.

  She felt wetness between her legs and rubbed herself against him, reveling in the hardness, whimpering into his mouth, needing more as heat pooled low in her belly and spread over her in waves of need, everything else forgotten as he wrapped her in his hard embrace.

  She didn’t realize she was moving backwards until she felt herself pressed against a wall.

  Aiden had seen Skye earlier when the sound of laughter distracted him from his journey to the practice fields. She had been mediating some kind of argument between two boys, both of which had nodded at the decision before running back into some kind of game in progress. He watched her laughing and cheering on another group of smaller children.

  Once again, her laughter kept him in place.

  It wasn’t until Collin patted him on the back that he remembered where he was headed. He ignored Collins ribbing in silence, instead concentrating on getting his cock under control, again.

  When he saw her standing there watching only him as other men practiced, he forgot everything but how she’d felt in his arms earlier that morning and how she had responded eagerly to his lust.

  He ignored whatever Collin was saying and headed for her. Everything else faded away as his cock came to life and his hot gaze focused on the need to have her, possess her.

  Drinking in how her curves filled out the gown, the way her gaze widened at his approach, how she licked her lips as her eyes darkened to a mossy green, and a flush blossomed over her skin had him waving Keir away and then he was in front of her, reaching for her as she fell into his embrace.

  He pulled her into him, his mouth claiming hers as a hand came up behind her head to cup her neck and pull her impossibly closer, another sweeping over her lower back pressing her against his engorged length as he walked her backwards, cocooning them between two sheds.

  She moaned when he pulled away from her, forcing her hands to let go.

  “Please, don’t stop.” She begged, rubbing her sensitive breasts against his chest.

  “Och, lass, we need to be stoppin or I shall take ye here, an I doona wish to be watched when I take ye.”

  He felt the shock course through her as she stiffened in his embrace.

  “Oh, my God.” She whispered as her face and neck flushed red with embarrassment.

  She pushed away and slipped under his arm before backing up.

  “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I . . . I don’t know what came over me.”

  Grinning to himself, Aiden watched as Skye looked around before looking relieved no one seemed to have seen what had happened.

  “I won’t let it happen again.” She promised just before she ran off.

  Aiden watched her go and followed to see her slip into the keep.

  “That, lass, is no one promise I intend for ye to keep.”

  * * *

  “Was it a beautiful day?” Anna asked when Skye came up for a visit.


  “It was.”

  “Nan said that ye took care of the wee’ans an had them playing games no one had ever seen before.”

  “They were games I grew up playing. We all had a blast.”

  “I doona ken this ‘blast’.”

  Skye laughed. “It means we had the best kind of fun.”

  Anna sighed. “I have been told it hasna rained. I miss the fresh air an canna believe I will be in here for sech a long time.”

  “Maybe you can go out if you are careful.”

  She soothed her hands over her belly, a wishful look in her eyes.

  “I had terrible pains in me back earlier. The midwife says me time out of bed is even more restricted, as if it wasna bad enough before.” She rolled her eyes.

  “For the rest of your pregnancy?” Skye asked.

  “Tis for the best.” The girl said even a forlorn look stole over her features.

  “Anna—”

  She held up a hand. “Och, it disna matter. Besides, what I want to be talkin about is why yer face is still flushed an yer eyes be all shiny.”

  “What?” Skye’s hands went to her cheeks.

  Anna nodded sagely. “Tis from more than playin with the children I be sure.”

  Before Skye’s scattered mind could come up with something, Collin entered laughing.

  “Och, mo ghaol, leave the poor lass alone.”

  “But why, husband? If I am to be stuck here, I must find amusement somewhere an Skye amuses so easily this afternoon.” Anna grinned at Skye playfully. “See how her face grows even more red?”

  “Tsk, tsk, Anna. Have ye no shame?”

  “Nay. None.”

  “Well then, I be sorry to be the one to tell ye this.”

  “Doona spoil me fun, Collin.”

  Collin kissed his wife’s forehead and smiled softly. “Then I wilna tell ye that Riona be here.”

  “What? That be two whole days early.” She pouted to Collin’s back as he walked out.

  “Is this a bad thing?” Skye asked as she watched Anna’s face crunch up.

  “Bad be no the word for it. Riona be . . .” She searched for the word. “I doona ken the English word for galla.”

  Skye looked shocked when she heard the term ‘bitch’ come from Anna and then she laughed.