by Victoria Zak
God’s blood, she felt exquisite. Conall reached down between them and masterfully teased her swollen woman’s pearl. He teased her until he felt her tighten around him. Relentlessly, he intensified the strokes until she started to shudder.
They both felt themselves reaching that mountain of ecstasy.
Knowing she was reaching her climax, Conall upped the stakes and took her hard and fast, for he was reaching that same plateau. His name echoed through the chamber and the stunning woman beneath him shuddered around him, sending him over the edge. With one forceful thrust, a burst of pleasure shot through him; he’d reached his orgasm.
Completely satiated and feeling as if his life was for once clear to him, he lay down next to Effie, holding her close in a tight embrace. Aye, the clarity he felt about marrying Effie, being a father, and starting a new life with his red-haired lass, outweighed everything that was happening around him. The Dragonkine world was dangerous, that was for certain, however there was no one better to protect her and their unborn than a dragon.
Soft breaths caressed his skin as Effie rested her head on his chest and surrendered to sleep. Pulling her close, he combed his fingers through her hair as he continued to be deep in thought. He had trust in James’s plan to protect Scotland from a menacing evil that he supposed would not fade away easily. The future looked as if it could turn ugly and grim, but he would fight right along with his brothers to be rid of the evil and protect the loves of his life. And as long as he lived, Effie would live and that alone gave him hope of better days.
Chapter 22
In a rush, Effie slipped on her shoes. Waking up late into the sunrise had been her routine as of the past week. Easily fatigued, she found herself napping at noon then again before the nightly meal. Her body was tired, but on a good note the nausea had subsided and her appetite had roared back to life. In fact, if she wasn’t sleeping, she was eating.
She was thankful that Alice and Abigale understood her absence in the kitchen, for Abigale had explained to her that she too felt the same way a few months into her pregnancy, and now again the weary feeling was back, along with an irritable uncomfortable stress upon her body.
Giving her hair one last brush through, Effie looked into the mirror and noticed she had a healthy glow about her. Her cheeks were pinker, her hair shined, and her skin along her arms and chest was blotched rosy and tingled slightly. She thought it odd at first, but then again she had never been pregnant before. It all must be part of this wonderful gift she had been given.
As she opened the door to her bedchamber and made her way to the great hall, she thought of another gift she had been given; she could walk. Even though with the slightest limp, she walked. And as she quickened her steps down the corridor, she found herself rubbing her belly with the biggest and brightest smile on her face. She was with child, Conall’s child. She gave herself a mental shake, for if the babe wasn’t moving she wouldn’t believe it to be true.
The conversations from the great hall turned her attention to the fact that she was hungry, and from the clanking sounds of utensils and the aroma of fresh baked bread wafting down the corridor, she hadn’t missed morning meal.
Reaching the top of the stairs she paused as she looked down into the great hall, and her heart warmed. There sitting at the huge wooden table were her friends, nay her family. Abigale and James sat at the head of the table together as if they were in their own world. James fed his wife fresh fruit and kissed away the stray juices from the corner of her mouth. Abigale giggled in delight.
Rory and Magnus jested back and forth about a lass Rory had bedded the night before. She couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. Something along the line of questioning the lass’s easy virtue and how much mead was involved. It must have been in poor taste because Alice shook her head at the Highlanders and clucked her tongue.
A smaller table that sat across from the big wooden one was filled with clan children. Flora and Annis sat side by side eating their breakfast when a hunk of bread flew past Flora coming from Niven’s direction. The blasted provision landed in Flora’s bowl, splattering porridge onto the front of her dress. Flora jumped out of her seat.
In retaliation Annis stuck her tongue out at Niven, but he just laughed. “Do no’ worry, Annis.” She scowled at the lad as she cleaned her dress off. “One day he’ll be sorry that he picked on me.”
Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand, Effie’s attention turned to the storm-gray eyes watching her from across the room. The undeniable effect he had on her had awoken the fluttering butterflies swarming inside her and she felt her heart skip a few beats. He stood and everyone turned to look at Effie as she took the stairs and made her way to Conall, who met her at the base of the staircase.
“Good morn, sleeping beauty.” Bending his head down, he kissed her cheek.
“Ye should have woken me. Ye know how Alice is when ye’re late for a meal,” Effie said.
“Ye looked so peaceful sleeping. And ye need rest.” Conall took her by the hand and walked her to the table where she sat between him and Abigale.
“Ye look stunning this morn, Effie. The extra rest did ye good. Mayhap I should have overslept.” Abigale smiled and elbowed her husband in the ribs.
James overreacted to the low blow and rubbed his ribs. “Och, lass. What do ye mean, sleep? I’ve no’ slept a wink in the past month. Ye two take up half the bed.” He looked down at her belly then back to her face where he met a stern glare.
Abigale gave him another jab in the ribs as James leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Ye’re lucky I love ye, James Douglas.” She smiled.
Conall leaned into Effie and whispered in her ear. “I’ll start making us a bigger bed right away,” he jested, which landed him a poke in the ribs.
“How are ye feeling? Better, aye?” Abigale asked Effie.
“Oh much better now. Life couldn’t be better.” Effie glanced at Conall and smiled as she watched him pile fruit, bread, and cheese onto her trencher.
“He was so worried aboot ye. Conall’s a good man and he loves ye verra much,” Abigale said.
“Aye, and I too love him. Abigale, there was a time back at Caerlaverock that I thought I would never see him again and...”
“Dinna fash yerself,” Abigale placed a caring hand on Effie’s arm, “’tis in the past. All that matters is here and now.”
Indeed the past was in the past. Quite frankly she wished that she didn’t have to go back to Caerlaverock, ever. But alas she was their chief now. Eventually she would have to return. But she knew that she had made the right decision to send word to Sir Neil to act as clan chief until her return; Caerlaverock castle was in good hands. It was too soon to relive the hell she and Conall had gone through. Plus, her home was here at Black Stone on the Hill with clan Douglas. Angus was where she wanted to raise her family.
“How’s Maggie this morn?” Effie asked.
Every evening for the past week, Effie would tend to Maggie and not once had the lass talked to her. As soon as she would come into the room Maggie would roll over, turning her back on Effie as if she didn’t need or welcome her company. Instead of fighting with the lass, she’d leave the pain-reducing balm on her nightstand and leave the room. It saddened her to know Maggie held her responsible for her brother’s evil actions. Then again she didn’t blame her for hating her either.
“She’s still in a lot of pain,” Abigale answered. “But it’s the mental trauma that’s going to be hard for her to overcome. Who branded her like that?”
Effie looked down at her trencher, not wanting to make eye contact, afraid of what her friend might think of her. “Tavish, me brother.”
Abigale with a look of surprise across her face, stared at Effie. “Yer brother?”
“Aye. Abigale I hope ye do no’ think less of me. Me brother was evil. He did things to me that no lass should ever have to go through.”
“I do no’ blame ye for yer brother’s wrong doings. Ye’re
me best friend. I was just wondering what kind of trouble Maggie had gotten into to endure such harsh punishment,” Abigale said.
“She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Sitting up straight, changing the subject onto happier news, Abigale got right down to wedding business. “And ye have a wedding coming up,” she beamed. “Do ye have time after we eat to go over the girls’ dresses? Alice has been working on Annis’s dress and the wee one has been a wee bit stubborn aboot it.”
Popping a piece of bread in her mouth, Effie replied, “Aye, that would be fun. Annis and I get along verra well. We’ll have a talk.” She winked.
“Verra well then. I’ll go and help Alice clean up until ye’re done eating.” Abigale rose from her seat and started to collect the nearby trenchers when she doubled over, clenching her belly. Pain creased her face. “Oww!”
James shot out of his chair and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, aiding her with support. “Abigale, what’s wrong?”
“’Tis the babe,” she said through clenched teeth.
“The babe?” James replied, shocked, and stood frozen like a statue.
Alice calmly left her seat and walked to the head of the table where Abigale was bent over, breathing rapidly through the pain. “James, yer wife is in labor. I’ll take it from here.” She placed her hand on James’s arm to reassure him that his wife was in good hands.
James stood firm with his arm protectively around Abigale. “Nay, I’m staying with her. I will no’ leave. I can use me magic to help with the pain... I can put her to sleep.” James blurted out every excuse to stay with his wife.
“Nay, she must be awake in order to push.”
“To push?”
“Why how else is she going to deliver the babe? Must I remind ye, James Douglas, that I’ve birthed me share of babes including ye and yer brother. I’m the best midwife ye have. Now step aside and let me take care of Lady Abigale.”
Although he’d thought that he was prepared for the birth of their child, panic had brought out a different side of him. Of course she had to push the babe out, he thought. Being as he was a man always in control of his surroundings, he felt defeated. The babe was in control now.
A pain-stricken scream brought his attention to his wife as she took out her frustration on the table with her fist. “James!” She breathed in deeply. “The babe is coming.”
The look of desperation in her blue eyes should have been enough warning to make his arse move and allow Alice to take over; however he still refused to move.
Conall stood next to his friend and squeezed his shoulder, treading softly, as he knew how unpredictable Dragonkine males could be with their mates, especially when they were in dire straits. “Me brother, Abigale needs yer strength and understanding right now. Let Alice see to her.”
Effie stood from her chair and added, “Conall is right. Plus ye dinnae want to put the babe in danger. Alice is the best and I’ll be there too. I give ye me word.”
Without a word he hesitantly lifted his arm from Abigale and Alice swiftly took control. “Effie, fetch me blankets and make sure there’s a fire in the hearth for hot water.”
“Aye.” Effie hurried off.
“Conall, Rory, and Magnus, ye make damn sure James stays oot of their bedchamber. We’re going to have a babe.”
Alice guided and supported Abigale up the stairs and into Abigale’s bedchamber. All the while James was left watching them defenseless. Powerless in helping Abigale through the pain, his heart raced, sweat trickled down his face from his temples. As the women left his sight, it hit him like a sack of rocks; his child was on its way into the world, and he was left waiting like an outsider. He should be in that damn room comforting his wife.
Chapter 23
The morn hours gave way to the afternoon, creeping by into the setting sun and still there was no babe. Long into the night James sat in front of the great hall’s hearth, staring intently at the raging flames. He rested his elbows on his knees and steepled his fingers at his chin, resisting the urge to go to his wife.
Magnus sat leisurely in a chair with his feet resting on a bench, crossed at the ankle. He looked as if he too was deep in thought, yet he kept a firm eye on James. Taking out his worries on a roasted leg of lamb, Rory sat at the table gobbling up another round of food. Stress eating seemed to calm his nerves.
Picking the shortest straw, Conall was posted at the base of the stairs in case James decided to bolt up to Abigale. He knew his friend good and well; right now he might look stoic, but inside the warrior was kindling, ready to ignite. Primed to intervene at a moment’s notice, Conall paced from the window looking out into the courtyard back to the bottom of the stairs.
The agonizing cries of pain and desperate pleas to God from James’s wife were increasing by the hour, trying his resolve to keep his arse planted in the chair. The louder she was, the more difficult it became to keep his composure. He was pulled tight ready to snap.
“Oww! Blessed Mary!” Abigale yelled, sending the pain straight to James’s heart. Closing his eyes tight again he fought the urge to get up. Instead he hung his head and tapped his foot rapidly on the floor. His control was weakening and his nerves were unraveling nerve ending by nerve ending. If only he could take her pain away.
Another second later and a gut-wrenching scream, and James lost all self-control. The tight grip on sanity that he held onto snapped. He shot out of the chair, sending the damn thing crashing behind him. His black cloak fell to the floor as he rushed to the staircase, only to be held back by his trusted friend.
“Conall, damn it! Let me pass!” He struggled against Conall’s hold.
“I can no’ let ye do that.” Conall with all his might, held him firm at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m in no condition to be responsible for me actions. I’ll only ask ye one more time. Let. Me. Pass,” James demanded through gritted teeth.
“Nay, Alice will have me arse for it.”
With one fluid motion James swung his arm around aiming for Conall’s head. Conall ducked just in time from the massive blow as James’s fist hit the stone wall. Stone and mortar crumbled to the ground, leaving behind a huge hollow crater.
“Bastart! Ye were going to hit me!” Conall said, wide-eyed in surprise.
“And I’ll do it again if ye dinnae let me pass,” James snarled. His eyes swirled amber like freshly poured whiskey and his pupils transformed to reptilian slits. It was of no surprise, James was going to go dragon if the men couldn’t hold him back and talk some sense into him.
Rory, from behind, grabbed James’s arms and held them behind his back, securing him from harming the rest of the warriors and the walls of Black Stone.
Magnus flew out of his seat and raced to Conall’s side. Getting past two dragons... now that would be a challenge.
Through clenched teeth, Rory growled, “Let it go, James. Abigale has enough to deal with, she does no’ need yer stubborn pigheadedness!”
“Rory if ye do no’ let me go so help me...”
Just then through all the fists flying, blasphemies, and threats, another bloodcurdling scream.
“Aaaahhhh!”
“Abigale, push!” Alice yelled.
The Highlanders, who knew no weakness, who battled bloody, who stared death in its ugly face, froze. James shrugged out from Rory’s hold as they all stared in complete horror at the top of the stairs.
Silence sliced the air for what seemed like an eternity. The screaming had stopped, not a moan, a whimper, not even a night critter stirred. Dead silence.
What the hell was going on? He knew his wife was having their babe, but the antagonizing quietness after hours of desperate wailing had him thinking something had gone terribly wrong. Come on, Abigale, scream out, say something so I know ye are well, James pleaded.
As if someone was listening from above, the tiniest, most soul shaking screech echoed through the quietness, slamming into James’s chest. The crying turned into wailing and
the warrior stood stoic. His babe had been born.
The Highlanders looked at one another in complete shock, in awe. Indeed a babe had been born.
Like his arse was on fire, James took the stairs three at a time. He reached the top of the staircase, made a sharp right, and ran towards his bedchamber, only to be stopped by Alice.
“Och, I was just fixin` to come fetch ye,” she said.
James continued to the door, where Alice placed her hand on his arm and stopped him. “James Douglas, look at me.”
With his hand on the door latch, slowly he turned his focus on Alice. His heart, that had been racing and pounding against his ribcage suddenly took a nosedive straight into his gut as the worried look on Alice’s face gnawed at him. This was the part when Alice would tell him Abigale hadn’t made it; that she died giving birth. With his feet planted firm, he clenched his jaw, fighting back the overload of emotions he was feeling. But how long he could hold on... that was left a mystery.
“Abigale had a difficult birth but she fares well. She’ll be fine with a wee bit of rest. Now, if ye’ll be on yer best behavior, I’ll let ye in.”
Thank Christ, Abigale was alright. He let out a breath of relief. He was a wreck. James had felt like a maiden, full of emotional. One minute he was ready to fight the devil himself to get to Abigale, then the next he was the extreme opposite, feeling as if his heart had been ripped from his chest with the thought of losing Abigale to childbirth.
He needed to calm his backside before he entered the chamber.
“Go on.” Alice nudged him with her shoulder.
Taking his hand off the latch, he hugged Alice. “Thank ye.”
“Och, ye dinnae have to thank me. Thank yer wife. She did good.” Alice stepped away from his embrace and gave James a reassuring smile.
She busied herself down the corridor and called out over her shoulder, “I’ll be back in a wee bit to check on the three of ye.”
