Andra arched as his head contacted the folds of her womanhood. She cried, “It will hurt! Please donna hurt me!” Memories of her body's ordeal taunted her arousal.
“Are ye a virgin...I ha'e to know,” he whispered as he held his position, “For the love of Dagma, tell me.” If she was not a virgin, he knew he would not hurt her, but if she was, given her present state of mind, she may never forgive him.
“Aye!” she cried as she arched again in unrestrained passion, “He did'na take it from me!”
Kagan body tensed as she continued, “Please donna hurt me.”
“It will only hurt for a brief time and then it will be over,” he whispered as he cupped her face in his large hands, “It will hurt when I break ye maidenhead and the pain will ease as I move inside of ye.” Kagan would give her the world if she would forgive him.
Her tears ripped through his heart and he rolled off of her hot, wet body. His shaft begged for release and his heart threatened to explode. She opened her eyes and the repulsion of what Pierre had done devastated her.
He urged the courage to continue and found he had none as her tears turned to sobs. He caressed her face and kissed her gently. He tried to smooth away the fear that glowed in her eyes. His warrior heart wanted to kill her enemies and wipe out the reason for her fear.
“Donna cry,” he whispered as he took her into his arms, “I will be gentle and try to hurt ye as little as possible.”
Andra sat upright, pulling from his arms and came to her senses.
I have gone stark raving mad!
She jumped from the bed and pointed to the secret door. Kagan stood and his frown etched deep in his jaw. He stepped to her and took her face in his hands. They stood in silence because neither knew what to say and both knowing exactly what they wanted.
The old man who watched from a faraway island, laughed and tugged at his long white beard.
I could not have made a better match even if Fae had ordered it.
And the isle laughed also, knowing that Fae had indeed guided his hand.
Andra forced herself to leave her room and find some comfort in the gardens. As she pulled her door closed, she heard Kagan's voice. She closed her eyes and listened intently to the conversation he was having with someone in his room. His door was slightly ajar and she longed to look at him but kept her eyes shut instead.
“They are closin' in fast, there's little time.” Crimm crossed his arms as Kagan paced in front of his window. “The nomads are'na goin' to give up this time, Silt is in grave danger. They ha'e pulled together their best weapon, vengeance and they plan on using every ounce of it. Silt sits in his castle, carefree and sure that King James intends on savin' his sorry hide again.”
“Do ye think he is worth savin'?” Kagan grinned at the thought of Silt tied to his throne being poked by cinders, “Would'na givin' him to the nomads solve all the troubles we've had in the last ten years?”
“They mean to attack the castle...they will kill e'eryone in their path,” Crimm stated as he leaned into the wall, “We can'na allow the women and children to be involved in this.”
Kagan's expression turned grim, “Nay, we must'na allow such. We ride at sunset. Ye get some sleep, ye'r goin' to need it by sunset tomorrow.”
“Ha'e ye a plan?” Crimm asked through a stifled yawn.
“Aye, a most befittin' one.” The warrior within Kagan grinned, looking forward to the battle that approached and his steel gray eyes emerged as the fire from his soul raged through his body.
Crimm turned and left the room. He stood at the edge of the steps when Andra spoke.
“Crimm?” She hesitated as he turned to her.
“Aye, little sister. It is good to see ye. I trust Kagan is treatin' ye well,” Crimm's eyes were heavy with weariness, “We must talk when I return from ....”
“From war? From brutal killin'? Is that all men think 'bout?” Andra walked past Crimm and descended the stairs, “In case ye donna return, I want ye to know that I will'na wed Kagan and it was I who wounded ye friend Pierre.”
“Pierre was'na my friend. What did he do to ye to cause ye to harm him or do I want to know?” Crimm yawned again and dropped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, “I missed ye little sister and ha'e worried a great deal on ye account.”
“And what of Pierre? Donna ye hold his injuries against me?”
“Nay, ye protected yeself from the bastard, he got what he deserved.” Crimm tightened his grip and whispered in her ear, “I am sorry that I was'na there to protect ye as I should ha'e been, I will'na e'er forgive myself for lettin' him hurt ye.”
Andra eyes misted and tears stung the back of her throat as she spoke slowly and low enough that only Crimm could hear, “It was not your fault. He took father’s words to heart when he told him to teach me how to protect myself from men and I listened.”
Crimm's laugh was low as his smile wrapped around her words of Fae tongue, “Seems to me you listened well Ell'andra of Vacrey.”
“Did he suffer a great deal or did the old woman take care of his wounds?” Andra's voice cracked with humiliation, “Did he live?”
“For a short while...” Crimm words were cut short as Kagan bounded down the steps.
“I told ye to get some sleep.” They both turned to Kagan as he met them at the bottom of the staircase, “Reunions can wait, sleep can'na.”
Andra gave Kagan an icy look and took Crimm's hand in hers. She walked in silence to Crimm's awaiting room. They hugged and she kissed him on the cheek, “Promise me ye will return soon.”
“Aye, donna I always come back?” Crimm grinned as he pinched Andra's cheek.
“Come, let the man rest,” Kagan gritted as he led Andra through the corridor, “Perhaps we can talk for a while 'fore I depart again.”
“'Bout what?” Andra's spine melted in his presence.
“What do ye think of ha'ing the weddin' in the gardens?” He watched her eyes narrow and her nostrils flare, “Or perhaps in the ballroom?”
“I will'na marry ye!” She barked at him with intense anger, “I grow tired of tellin’ ye!”
Kagan frowned and the muscle in his jaw tightened, “When I return, we will make it official.”
“Then I will'na be here when ye return!”
Kagan led her outside and briskly led her to the far side of the gardens. His anger was calming when he reached the sanctuary where he knew their conversation would not be overheard.
“Ye and I are a good match, donna be difficult in this matter. I will be a good husband and be kind to ye. Ye will want for nothin' and be pampered to na end.” Kagan sat on the cool stone bench and watched Andra smell of the blooms hanging from the trees.
“Ye can'na afford to gi'e me e'erything I want. I want horses of e'ery color and breed. I want dresses of pure satin and a white castle with purple banners. I want blue lakes and rainbows e'ery day of e'ery year. I want my friends and family. I want to watch my children grow up in a world of na war or hardships. Can ye gi'e me that?” Andra smiled sweetly, knowing she was asking for something he could not give, “I want to fall in love with a glorious man and ha'e his children out of love, na out of obedience.”
Kagan's jaw twitched and pulled his frown deeper, “I can gi'e ye the horses and the dresses. I can build ye a castle and dig lakes any depth ye want.”
Andra waited for him to continue and looked at him through her lashes. He was ruggedly handsome and devilish when he was irritated and she smiled as he cracked his knuckles and gritted his teeth. Andra wondered what life as his wife would be like. Could he love her as she needed? Would he regret settling for her? Would he?
“War is ongoin' and can'na be stopped. Hardships are what makes us stronger. Love is for fools and weak minded men who are livin' in a fantasy.” Kagan nodded his head, liking his answer. It was logical and to the point.
He glanced at Andra and instantly knew it was the wrong answer. She was standing rather erect and her lovely hands were pinned to her hips. She glared at him
and her cheeks had gone from rosy to crimson.
Her eyes sparkled, “Ye are a heathen! And I thought I did'na deserve ye. Bah! It is ye who donna deserve me. Ye admit ye donna love me and still expect me to marry ye!”
“Is it love ye want? Would ye satisfy yeself with love? Love is for foolish boys and women who live in fantasy!” Kagan turned on his heel and crossed his arms on his chest, “I was under the impression ye were a level headed woman. Was my impression wrong?”
Andra turned and disappeared into the trees, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. Kagan did not understand her, and for that matter she did not either. Her tears stung and slid down her cheeks as his voice loomed behind her.
“Ell'andra! Donna walk away from me!”
Andra kept walking and refused to slow her pace as his hand caught her elbow, “Let go of me, I ga'e ye na permission to touch me!”
“Ye will listen to me,” Kagan spun her around and saw her tears as she dropped her eyes and pushed his hands away.”
Get away from me. I donna want to be here! I want to go home and get away from ye as soon as possible! I want my freedom!” Her words ripped from her heart and she bit her tongue as his face flamed with anger.
Kagan gritted his teeth, “Freedom is a matter of perception. Ye are goin' to be my wife and you will ha'e my babes!”
“Not as long as we ha'e our oath!” Andra’s sadistic grin and emerald green eyes begged him to argue, “And if I can'na ha'e freedom then I will make ye life a livin' hell!”
“Are ye touched in the head? Any woman would be grateful to be mine. I am a powerful warrior and a wealthy laird. I am the best catch in Scotland and many women ha'e swooned just thinkin' 'bout my touches.”
“Ye are a heathen! All ye think 'bout is women and fightin'. What ye can'na best with sword, ye best with lust!” Andra watched as his anger channeled down his eyes and settled into his heart.
Kagan's growl was low and threatening, “This is ye home now and best ye get used to my touches or watch me shower other women with 'em!”
Andra's heart stopped at the thought of Kagan laying between another woman's legs and retaliated instantly, “And ye will ha'e to watch me gi'e my virginity to another man. A man who will love me for it.”
Kagan's lips tightened and his jaw twitched with rage, “From this day on, any man who dares to touch any of ye forbidden places will die at my hand!”
“Perhaps I will be doin' all the touchin' and he will be doin' all the moanin',” Andra stepped back and smiled seductively, “And at the rate I may be goin', ye may be killin' a lot of men.” She knew she was threatening to unleash a horrid beast as she stared into the eyes of a devil.
“Then ye are the one usin' lust to ye advantage and makin' yeself nothin’ less than a heathen,” Kagan bowed his head to her, “I ha'e underestimated ye ability to use that luscious body to get what ye want. I am humbled in ye presence.”
Andra's cheeks flamed and her lips tightened, knowing he was being sarcastic and cruel, “Mark my words Kagan, the next time I want a man in my bed, he will get anythin' he wants from this body!”
Kagan grinned boyishly and Andra's heart melted a little, “I can only hope I am the man ye find in ye bed, drippin' with lust and gettin' e'eything I want.” He paused as his anger subsided and was replaced with emerging devotion for the woman who dared to stand against him. “It will be my utter pleasure to accept ye fervent proposal.”
“In ye dreams!”
Kagan offered his arm as he turned to the cobbled path. Andra hesitated and took it as she stepped forward. Thoughts of Kagan naked and in need rendered her speechless and she quickened the pace back to the keep. The silence was deafening and she was thankful when the neared the bailey. Busy rustling and barking orders filled the trees. She knew that the men were preparing for something as the horses were being brushed and painted. Andra's heart flipped, they were preparing for a battle. She looked at Kagan with questioning eyes.
The devil smiled at her, “We lea'e at sunset.”
“Where?” It was the only word she could get out of her mouth.
“Se'eral days ride from here.” Kagan was still smiling as her hand tightened on his arm.
“Will ye be fightin'?” Andra asked slowly averting her eyes from his face.
“If it is a good day to battle, aye I will.” Kagan's eyes brightened as Andra unconsciously leaned onto his arm and took a deep breathe. Her worry etched itself across her face and it pleased him greatly.
“Donna worry 'bout me. I am a very seasoned and skilled warrior. Victory is only a few days away.” Kagan hoped it was enough to ease her mind and was satisfied when her retort came back to bite him.
“It was'na ye I worry for! Crimm is goin'. I could care less if ye come back in one piece or many!”
She refused to acknowledge the prickly sensation in her heart and the rolling in the pit of her stomach. War was bloody and Kagan was only human and very mortal.
“Happy we could get that cleared up.” Kagan's wholehearted grin threatened to burst from his face like multitudes of butterflies as her hand gripped his arm in a tight clutch and she glared at him for being so inexplicably maddening.
Chapter 16
Darten stood at the edge of the old priest’s cottage and wondered where he had gone. It was unlike the man to leave his things unattended. Darten called his name several times and strolled behind the building. He knew Haggart often enjoyed the hot springs that emerged from the base of the hillside.
He strolled toward the thick vine covered overgrowth and pushed his way through the thicket to the clearing. The bubble of the springs and warm air kissed his skin and invited him to join their revelry. He followed the well-worn path and slid across the top of a large smooth boulder and caught his breath.
Haley leaned back and closed her eyes. The springs were glorious and her body relaxed as she let the hot water completely take her. Her hair was swept up in a mess on top of her head and trailed down her back. It'd silky red curls twisted together with the blonde streaks inherited from her mother. She walked out in her bare bottom and lazily stretched out across the boulder to her left. The sun dried her body as she dozed off. Her hair tumbled down the back of the smooth boulder and touched the ground.
Darten stared in wonder at the beauty before him. She slept peacefully and her long enchanted hair shimmered in the sunlight. Her skin was bronze and adorned with nothing except a bracelet. His eyes ravished her from head to toe. She was utterly the most perfect woman he had ever seen. Andra was gorgeous and exotic by all rights, but this girl was an angel. She must have fallen from the heavens.
Haley opened her eyes and stared into the most perfect face of the most beautiful man she had ever seen. She gritted her teeth and jumped from the boulder, grabbing her white silk gown. She covered her body and stepped back as she surveyed the situation.
“I am Darten McKregan. Who may ye be?” The man leaned against the boulder and crossed his ankles as he leaned onto his elbow.
“I am Haley. Haley Joaquanna Douglas and I do not enjoy being spied on,” she gritted. “Take yer leave and ye will not suffer my wraith.”
Darten grinned at her strange accent, “Seems I can'na find my friend Haggart. He often enjoys these springs. Ha'e ye happened to seen him?”
Haley narrowed her steel blue eyes, “Haggart is my uncle and he will not be returning any time soon.”
Darten stared into her ever changing blue eyes and wondered what they looked like in the heat of the moment, “Perhaps ye can help me then.”
Haley noted his lusty demeanor and replied, “What makes ye think I would help a stranger who spies on women. What is it they call men of that nature? Heathens?”
Darten laughed as he turned his back to her, allowing her to dress herself, “Heathen I am then in this case. Yer beauty is enchantin’ and I must confess, I enjoyed ye...bounty.”
Haley picked up a rock and hit him squarely in the back, “How dare ye?”
Darten winced and turned to her, “I only compliment ye.”
“Compliment me! Ye brute! Had I not awoken, ye would have done horrid things to my body,” she accused as she picked up another fist sized rock.
Darten laughed as she flung it at him, “I truly mean ye na harm and I am sorry I offended ye.”
Haley stiffened her back and walked past him towards the cottage her uncle had lived in. She kept her guard up as Darten followed her to the front of the cottage. She ran her fingers through her thick hair and quickly braided it down her shoulder to her waist. She grinned as Darten watched from behind. She seductively ran her fingers across the door and turned to him.
“What is it exactly that ye need of my uncle?” Haley smiled as Darten stepped within inches of her reach.
She could smell the scent of strength and raw hunger rolling off of him. It was finer than any wine ever consumed and much more intoxicating.
Their eyes locked; steel-gray and sky-blue coursing through each other like lightning rods. Haley felt the chaotic pull. It was the distinct chemistry that she knew her mother had felt when she first saw her father. For the first time in her twenty two year long life, she looked upon a man she desired. Darten felt it too. He wanted to kiss her perfect lips and drown in her clear defiant blue eyes.
“I need a potion of sorts to clutter a man's mind and make him appear deranged,” he whispered as he edged closer to the honey and vanilla scented woman.
He knew the scent, Andra had the same smell. Somehow this scent was different. He could smell her skin, he could smell the sweet fragrance of orchids and ripe melons, and he could smell the fire that burned under the surface of her eyes. He could smell the fire and ice that her soul possessed.
“Come inside and I will see what I can do,” she said as she opened the door and led him in. She closed the door behind him and brushed his arm with hers. The heat scorched her skin and it tingled with pleasure.
Darten took a deep breath as she moved past him in the dark. He gritted his teeth as his shaft hardened at her light touch. His jaw tightened as he thanked Dagma for the darkness of the room. His eyes adjusted and he watched her as she mixed a few liquids to make Darten's elixir together over a dim light. She turned and handed him the small bottle of green liquid. He took it and held her hand as he pulled her to his chest.
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