by Victoria Zak
When she was done with his hair her curiosity got the best of her. Never having seeing Conall with facial hair before, she wanted to touch it, and with the way he was positioned, now was the perfect opportunity. Effie slid her hands from his hair down to his cheeks until she reached his chin. The coarseness of the bristles sent a chill creeping up her spine and reminded her of a horse’s mane.
“Ye like the beard, aye?” Conall asked.
Effie glanced down at her lap and was pinned by his storm-gray eyes. Suddenly her mouth went dry. “’Tis different on ye,” she said, trying to hide her arousal. “Sit up. I need to wash yer back.”
Lathering up a white linen cloth, she rubbed it across his broad shoulders and up his neck, taking in the pure raw beauty of this man. She bit her lip as she stroked the strong veins pulsing through his arms to the delicate spot right below his ears; every inch of this man fascinated her. Fascinated her so much that she dropped the cloth right into his lap.
“Och lass, looks like ye dropped something.” Conall looked down at the cloth. “I reckon ye’ll have to come in and get it.”
Her stomach flopped like a fish out of water and her body tingled just thinking about the delicious possibilities this man, her dragon, could bring her.
“Well, I see ye give me no choice.” Effie stood slowly and seductively, so Conall could see every inch of her. The glow from the hearth illuminated her shift and left nothing to the imagination. “But the shift stays on,” she teased.
“As ye wish.”
Effie knew exactly what she was doing as she lowered herself into the tub inch by inch. Steam rolled off her body and sweat formed on her bottom lip and neck, causing wisps of hair to stick to it. As much as she wanted him, he needed to play nice until she could tend to his wounds especially the one right below his right rib. But there were so many wounds that weren’t healing and that worried her. “Conall?”
“Hmmm,” he said
“Me cloth.” Effie held out her hand and shot him a cross glare.
With one fluid motion, Conall swept his arm around Effie’s waist and pulled her closer so she straddled him. Their chests were close, yet didn’t touch. “Yer cloth, mistress.”
She snatched the rag, sending him one last glare as she started to wash his chest and clean one of his cuts.
As she cleaned away the grime and blood, he kissed her forehead ever so gently and she decided right then and there she liked the beard. He continued his kisses down the side of her face and down to her slender neck. Of course he couldn’t make this easy on her, yet she craved his touch just as much as he craved hers.
“Conall?”
He hummed his reply, nuzzling her neck.
“Why are ye no’ healing?” She pulled back to look at him. She needed to know why because if he was going to be battling for his life he needed to heal. And for the love of saints, why didn’t the man just shift and escape this hell?
Conall raised his hands and showed her his blistered palms. “Someone has cast magic here so I wouldn’t escape. I grabbed the bars the day ye first came to see me and this is what happened.”
Shock spread across her face as she took his hands in hers, examining them.
“And I can no’ shift either. ’Tis like he’s trapped inside me, weak and furious. From the moment we arrived, I felt something was amiss here.” Conall blew out a breath in frustration.
Effie shook her head and replied, “How would Tavish know that ye’re Dragonkine? And he doesn’t know magic. At least not that I know of.”
“Tavish is up to something but I dinnae know what.” Conall shrugged his shoulders.
Carefully continuing to clean the stab wound, Effie wondered the same thing; just what was her brother up to? Throughout her whole life she had known him to be a self-centered, egotistical, manipulating bastard. Power and greed pumped through his veins with a force that drove him to do unspeakable deeds. Whoring his own sister out topped his list, and though she had never witnessed it, she wouldn’t think murder below his standards.
“I know.” Effie looked up to meet Conall’s intrigued expression. “He’s now chief of clan Maxwell. He accused ye and clan Douglas of the attack on the north tower.”
“Effie, the tower was in ruins when me and me men arrived. I didnae set siege to it. I came here on business, not to destroy yer home. I was as shocked as ye when ye came to see me in the dungeon. I never knew that ye’re a Maxwell of Dumfries. Ye do believe me?”
Effie nodded her head. “Aye. I found it hard to believe that laird James would attack me clan.”
Conall rubbed his hands up and down her arms, comforting her. “I be sorry for yer loss. I wish I’d been here sooner. Maybe I could have saved him.”
Effie smiled and took his head in her hands. It was just like Conall to believe he could fix everything in her life, to save her from the evils of their world. But the fact remained, some things in life were unfair no matter how hard you tried to fight it. Pressing all those thoughts of what was heading their way into a tiny ball, she mentally threw it away as if nothing mattered but the here and now.
She kissed him deeply, taking him in and savoring every moment, for she knew that her life’s purpose was about to change.
Chapter 11
If there was one thing Conall Hamilton was sure of, it was that he was madly, truly in love with this woman in his arms. Her soft touches left his body wanting more, needing more. And her skin was like a fine wine, smooth on the lips and felt like silk going down, leaving behind an erotic taste for more indulgence.
Looking into her eyes, the green tones reminded him of the Highland countryside touched by spring. If he looked closely enough he could see a secluded home with gray smoke billowing off into the sky, a few sheep dotting the green grassy land, and mayhap a wee bairn or two running amuck. Aye, when he looked into Effie’s eyes, he saw home.
Even though the physical attraction was strong between them, he loved her feisty spirit. Hell, if he was completely honest, his love had grown stronger for her every day over the past five years, he’d just needed to let go of the past to see it.
“What are ye thinking?” Effie asked.
Conall reached into her hair, carefully pulling out the pins one by one, releasing it. Long red spirals fell to her shoulder and cascaded down her back. He longed to feel the softness of those curls wrapped around his hands. “I be thinking aboot making love to me wife.”
Effie peered down into the water, disheartened. “Conall, I need to tell ye---”
“It can wait.” Conall lifted her chin with his finger and whispered. “We dinnae have much time.” He kissed her softly on the lips.
Conall could sense something was bothering her but soon he would make her forget about her worries. They would cross that bridge soon enough but not tonight.
Slowly, he began to remove the green ribbon from around her neck. Effie tried to stop him, but it was too late; the ribbon was off.
Conall jerked in surprise when he saw the bruised handprint around her neck which immediately flared his temper. “Who did this to ye? And tell me the truth,” he demanded.
“Me tongue got the best of me and Tavish got upset. I should know better than to provoke him.” Effie timidly fidgeted with the ribbon, twirling it around her fingers, waiting for Conall’s backlash.
Conall brought her eyes back to him and said, “It shouldn’t matter what ye say, lass. No man should ever raise his hand to a woman. He will pay for this.” Conall gently smoothed his hand over the bruises.
“Please Conall, dinnae let this ruin our night,” Effie begged as she sat in front of him sliding her hands down the peaks and valleys of his chest then lower to his abdomen, until she reached his manhood. Ever so lightly she ran her hands down his full length and back up to the top.
Conall growled and leaned back, allowing her to assault his body with long soft tantalizing strokes. Her touch was like magic to his skin as she caressed his chest all the way up to his neck then back down again
until she had her hands wrapped around his cock. God’s blood, she felt like heaven.
His dragon inside awoke, feeling the urge to claim her. The beast grew stronger and more determined to shift. The magic inside the dungeon had been strong, yet here they appeared to be beyond the magic’s reach.
Effie leaned forward, kissing his neck as she quickened her strokes. The sensation of her wet shift pressed hard against his body left him feeling every delectable curve. As the heat of passion grew to fever pitch, Conall wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer while his other hand grabbed her breast and squeezed, thumbing over her nipple. Effie sighed sweetly into his neck.
As her tempo increased, Conall could feel his release coming quick. He didn’t want it to end but she felt too damn good to hold back. Her hands on his skin were like nothing he had ever felt before. She calmed his dragon but at the same time brought out the beast in him.
All it took was one last stroke to send him over the edge crashing into the waves of bliss. Conall plunged his hand through Effie’s hair, threw his head back, and gave in to his release. Hell fire! Stars exploded behind his eyes and his body tingled all over.
After the last ripples of his orgasm had settled, he stood, taking Effie with him. He bent down, scooping her up into his arms. Shockwaves of pure raw desire racked his body as the current running through his veins drove him to claim. “I need to get ye oot of that shift and into that bed.” He nodded toward the bed.
Effie threw her arms around his neck and giggled. “Shouldn’t we wrap yer wounds?”
Conall stepped out of the tub and placed her on her feet. “Make it fast. Ye have to the count of three and I’m already on two.”
Quickly Effie ran over to the trunk at the foot of the bed and opened it. Tossing her dresses aside, she finally found a shift. As she walked back to Conall, she ripped the material into strips. She grabbed a nearby drying cloth and began to pat the wounded area dry before she wrapped the wounds. When she had barely finished, Conall bent his head down and whispered in her ear, “Three.”
He growled and captured her lips with force as they stood soaking wet, dripping puddles on the floor. He grabbed the front of her shift and ripped it down the middle, letting it fall where it may.
Stepping back, he feasted his eyes on the most exquisite buxom beauty he had ever seen. The soft glow of the fire cast a golden hue over her curvaceous frame that glistened with water droplets. Waves of damp red hair flowed over her shoulders, covering her breasts and sticking to her body. Conall brushed away her hair from her chest. A beautifully shaped bosom with pink peaked nipples begged for his touch. He followed a water droplet intently as it ran down her neck to the valley betwixt her breasts and continued to slide toward her stomach. Aye, this woman was made for him and raised all his senses to a higher level.
Effie grinned at him as she met his eyes, and that was his undoing. He picked her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist. Instantly he kissed her forcefully and with a few quick strides he brought them over to that four poster bed that had been tempting him from the moment he entered the chamber.
~~~~~
He laid her down and positioned himself between her legs. Beginning his sweet torture, Conall kissed her freckled cheeks and worked his way down her neck. Just by his kiss alone, Effie thought she would explode. How could one man make her body hum and crave his wicked touch?
Effie let go of the dangers that lay ahead and melted her worries away, surrendering to this moment, even though she knew it would be brief and might very well be her last night with the only man she had ever truly loved. She would relish this time they had together, commit it to memory.
Effie moaned as Conall caressed and suckled on her breasts, building up her arousal even further. As he kissed down her abdomen to her stomach, Effie’s body tensed, knowing where he was headed. Her hands plunged into his hair, holding on for dear life. Before he reached her patch of red curls, he kissed her bellybutton and looked at her. “Effie, ye’re a bonny lass and I love every inch of ye. I could kiss ye all day long and never tire.”
Effie panted in anticipation. Taking his time with her, teasing and exploring her body until she begged for release was something Conall had mastered very well. It was as if she was a dragon play toy and he wasn’t done playing with her by a long shot. Looking up at her, he wrapped one of her legs over his shoulder and flashed her a mischievous grin. “Is this where ye want me?” He ran his finger gently down between the folds of her womanhood, keeping his eyes locked on her. Then he bent down and flicked his tongue over her maiden’s pearl.
Effie murmured and shook her head back and forth. “Aye. Please, Conall, dinnae tease me.”
“Och, lass I assure ye I be no tease.” He bent his head down and began pleasuring her in ways that would make the devil himself blush, his tongue flicking, sucking and licking her until she could feel the trapped butterflies fluttering frantically inside her core waiting to be released. “Dear God, Conall,” she panted. She grabbed the furs on the bed, gripping them tightly, as her body was no longer hers to own. Her belly fluttered inside and she tingled all over as she succumbed to her release.
As she still hummed out of control from her orgasm, Conall slid up her body and kissed her neck. “Now where do ye want me?”
Effie wrapped her legs around his waist and grabbed his arse. “I want ye to stop talking and make love to me.”
With one hard thrust Conall buried himself to the hilt, deep. He moved within her slowly, making sure she felt every tantalizing inch of him. Fervently, he kissed her as he repeated his delicious assault by increasing his rhythm. Effie tilted her hips up and pressed them hard against Conall’s, reassuring him that she was begging for more. “Oh. God, Conall. Dinnae stop.”
Conall pumped her harder and faster and Effie matched his pace, thrust by thrust and lick by lick. Relentlessly, he demanded her body and soul to give him everything she had and she knew he wouldn’t stop until she surrendered to him. She was racing toward that blissful moment in time where she was completely content, fully sated, and truly loved.
Raging waves of passion rolled through their bodies; they were captured by the blissful undertow of orgasmic hunger, and dragged down deeper into a ravenous whirlwind of euphoria. The rushing storm struck hard and powerful, their bodies tensed and released as they succumbed together to its aftermath.
Moments passed and still they lay together, connected. Neither one wanted to let go, but the chill in the air made Effie shiver. Conall rolled off of her and slipped the blankets and fur over them. Pulling her in close, the warrior wrapped his strong arms around her. Effie had never felt more loved or cherished than she did right now, being held tight by the man she loved. She gave in to his embrace, laying her head on his chest.
“Ye know, lass,” he kissed the top of her head, “I could never tire of ye and I can no’ live without ye.”
Effie strained her head back and looked up at him. Her heart sank to her gut as remorse set in. She had to let him go. It was the only way to save him. Together they would never be free from Tavish’s wrath, he would always be there lurking. But letting go, he would be free and safe.
She would marry Sir Henry and move to England, and hope that one day Conall would understand her motives. If he had never met her, he wouldn’t be here trapped inside of a dungeon wrongfully accused of a crime, wounded and weak. She placed the blame on herself and she needed to right the wrong, but first she needed a plan to get him out of here.
Effie leaned up and kissed Conall sweetly on the lips. “Get some sleep, ye need to heal.”
“Effie, promise me you’ll stay away from Tavish and stay safe.”
“Aye.”
“And let me handle our escape. I dinnae want ye in harm’s way.”
“Conall, I –”
He tightened his arms around her, letting her know this conversation wasn’t up for negotiation. “Trust in me. Dinnae get involved. It’s too dangerous.”
Effi
e nodded her head yes, yet she knew she would deceive him. There was no way in hell she was going to sit back and do nothing. She would sell her soul to the devil if it meant Conall’s safety.
Silence fell between them and before long Conall slipped deeply into his healing sleep as Effie pondered the night away.
Their time had come to an end, yet she couldn’t make herself leave. She knew she’d already been gone too long, Consequences be damned, she would take the punishment, for she would never forget her last night with Conall. She couldn’t; it was all that she would have left to remember him by.
Shaking herself mentally, she peeked under Conall’s bandage to check the wound before she left. To her delight it was almost healed and so were the others. Good, he should be healed, ready to shift and fight for his life.
Effie quietly sneaked out of the bed and began to dress. Before she left she wrung out his tattered clothing and laid it next to the hearth to dry. Scooping up her basket, she made her way to the door. She turned back to look at her dragon sleeping peacefully one last time. Tears welled up, but in her heart she knew what she had to do. “Please forgive me,” she whispered.
Effie quit the hideaway chamber and made her way back to the dungeon corridor. She bumped into Neil as she closed the door behind her. Neil’s scowl told her all she needed to know. “I know this was no’ part of the deal, Neil. But he was hurt. I had to mend his wounds.”
Neil crossed his arms over his puffed out chest. “Lass, ye’re lucky that the guards are still passed oot. Now get to yer chambers.”
Effie presented a key and said, “I’ve marked the path. Make sure he makes it back to his cell.”
Neil took the key with slight protest and huffed, “I’ll see to the prisoner.”
