The Warrior's wager: A Celtic Romance Novel (Warriors of Eriu Book 2)

by Mia Pride

  “Nay, I cannot believe that the most beautiful lass I have ever known just handfast with me and did not run away,” he whispered lowly in her ear.

  In true Aislin fashion, she scoffed and shrugged off his compliment. “You need not sweeten me up with words, Al. We both know I am not the sort of woman you prefer and it does not matter, for this is nay more than a convenient arrangement for us.”

  Her words may as well have been a knife, for they gutted him painfully and made him recoil. He had not deluded himself enough to believe she would ever love him, but he knew she liked him well enough and he had big plans for her. It would be difficult to put those plans in action if she continued to emotionally push him away.

  The crowd around them began to shift and buzz, clearly anxious to get back to the gathering hall for a large feast and to share the news of the handfast with the tuath. Part of him wanted to ignore her words and pretend he was not affected, but the lass did affect him, and it was nigh impossible for him to pretend otherwise.

  Grabbing her hand as they began to walk back into the village surrounded by their chattering family, he leaned into her ear and breathed a slow hot breath against her neck as he spoke. “I do not say sweet words because I wish to impress you. I say them because I mean them. And to me, this is very real.” He nipped her earlobe and felt her shiver at the touch, but she stayed silent and continued to look straight ahead.

  Aye, the lass was a mystery and a challenge, but he found the thrill of trying to break down her defenses a challenge he was more than ready to accept.

  ***

  Looking around the bustling gathering hall, it seemed the entire tuath had come out to celebrate her handfast with Alastar. Drinks flowed freely, laughter filled the air, and congratulations abounded. She smiled nicely and kept her hand tucked snuggly in Alastar’s so everyone believed her to be in love, but she and Alastar knew what this truly was.

  At least, she did. Aislin was starting to wonder if Alastar had already forgotten her insistence that this arrangement stay strictly convenient. She was unsure what he gained from this. Aye, her family would now leave her be, as would the other lads, and she could keep roaming the forest with her bow and wading in the water as she saw fit…but what of him? She felt guilty for the freedoms he had given up as an unmarried man, the freedom to place bonny lassies in his lap and bury his face in their breasts.

  She cringed at the memory and silently cursed herself for even caring what he had done. And yet, a sudden discomforting thought wiggled its way into her brain. Was he still planning on keeping those freedoms? Mayhap handfasting with her would not stop him from seeking pleasure with other women. She knew she should not care, but she did care. While they knew this arrangement was not a love match, the rest of the tuath saw a young couple dedicating their lives to one another. Her continued desire to roam the forests did nothing to harm his reputation or insult him, his womanizing did, in fact, show public disrespect for their union.

  Her conscious niggled at her. It was unfair for her to expect him to give up all other lassies, even though she had no intention of giving herself to him bodily. Yet, she could not face such a public shaming if her supposed lover was sharing his bed with others. She had been so interested in keeping her own interests, she had truly not thought this entire plan through.

  As Alastar held her hand and greeted everyone with smiles and laughter, he helped push her through the jovial crowd, smoke filling the air as they found their way to the bench in the corner for some privacy… if any were to be had in this overcrowded room.

  “Are you hungry? Thirsty?” he whispered into her ear and she nodded, only just realizing how very hungry and thirsty she was. She had not eaten all day and only sipped on a small mug of mead before her ceremony to settle her nerves.

  “I will be back.” With a squeeze of his hand and a kiss to her temple, he took off into the crowd to find her some refreshments. So far, he had truly been a caring partner. That had never been her concern. Her concern was falling for the man before she ever had the chance to walk away. He was so attentive, gentle, patient, and far more handsome than any man had the right to be.

  Chewing the inside of her cheek and keeping her head down to hopefully deter unwanted conversation, she stiffened when she felt someone slide onto the wooden bench beside her. “You broke my heart, Lin.”

  When she looked up, she saw the angry eyes of Daniel glaring back at her and she couldn’t help but flinch. She could understand his hurt and confusion. She had insisted she did not wish to marry and then two days later she did just that. “Why did you lie to me? I thought we were at least friends.”

  His sad eyes and imploring words made her swallow hard as her mind reeled to come up with a response. What could she say? She knew she should continue the ruse Alastar had started that day in the forest and convince Daniel that she and Alastar were in love. But why would she have told him she did not wish to marry if that were the case? More than anything in the world, she longed to keep her honor. Her word was everything and yet, she had now vowed to respect and honor Alastar as well. That included protecting the sacrifice he made.

  “Daniel, I am truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

  “You did hurt me, Lin. You could have been honest with me but instead, you told me you did not want to ever marry. Two days later, you are married to another man.” His fists balled on top of the table beside her and his jaw clenched. The truth was on the tip of her tongue, but she bit down. Telling Daniel the truth would only encourage him to continue pursuing her and that would be unfair to Alastar.

  She shook her head. “I wish I could explain, Daniel. It all just happened so fast. Alastar and I, we—”

  “Fell in love.” She looked up quickly to follow the voice and found Alastar cocking a brown brow as he hovered over her and Daniel. His ever-present smile was plastered on his face and he looked at her with a twinkle of mischief in his eye, giving her a sly wink. Her heart beat faster at hearing him use the word love again. She knew he was simply honoring their plan to keep all her suitors away, and she was grateful. Still, only two days past she had been an unmarried woman. Suddenly she had a husband, albeit temporary, who publicly professed his love for her. Even if it was only to keep his word, so much of it felt real… too real. She would have to continue to remind herself that none of it was true.

  “I was not speaking to you, Alastar,” Daniel said in a low dangerous voice. A shiver of foreboding ran through Aislin. She knew Daniel would not take her handfast well, but in the end, it was none of his business. She had made herself quite clear to him many times before.

  “Nay, but you were speaking to my wife, which makes your conversation my business. I am certain you have better manners than to harass a woman, especially at the celebration of her marriage.”

  “’Tis only a handfast. Not a true marriage,” Daniel corrected and Aislin saw his gaze turn from Alastar to her chest, as he leered at her low-cut bodice.

  Alastar must have seen it, as well. Faster than lightning, Alastar had reached across the table and grabbed Daniel by the collar, lifting the man from his seat. “Do not ever speak to my wife. Do not look at her. If you do so again, I will have to meet you on the field and it will not end well for you, mate.” With a strong shove, Alastar sent Daniel reeling backward where he fell off the bench and landed on his arse on the floor of the gathering hall.

  Aislin gasped and widened her eyes just as several other sets of eyes noticed the commotion. Adjusting his tunic and swiping at his trousers, Daniel stood and glared daggers at Alastar. “You cannot keep me from her. We are both hunters and I cannot prevent it if we happen to, by pure chance, end up together in the forest. Alone.”

  Alastar jumped over the table with the speed of a feral cat, swinging his right hook with a ferocity that snapped Daniel’s neck back with a sickening crack as it connected with his jaw. The man stumbled to the floor once more, blood trickling from his mouth. Aislin stepped back and watched numbly as Alastar bent to t
he man’s level and whispered something that she was incapable of hearing over the riled-up roar of the crowd.

  It was no secret that the tuath loved a good fight, especially when it included a spectacle involving a jealous husband. Men cheered Alastar on, but she could see by the tight fist bunched at his side, that he was trying to control his anger, not release it. Aislin closed her eyes and prayed Alastar did no more damage to Daniel. She was not sorry for the way Alastar had responded. Daniel’s last words had sounded far too much like a threat even to her own ears and, if Daniel was brave enough to say such things, he was brave enough to take the beating that would follow.

  Any guilt she had felt about hurting Daniel disappeared immediately. There was a darkness in his gaze, a threat in his voice, and a promise of more trouble written across his clenched jaw. Alastar stood up from his private conversation with Daniel and put one hand out to Aislin, his other hand still clenched and his usually affable face stiff with rage. She had truly never seen such a side to him and, though she had always preferred to fight her own battles, swearing she had no need of the protection from a man, she could not help but feel proud of her new husband for showing his support.

  Aye, there was something heady about having a man who so ferociously protected her. It was an unknown feeling. She felt…valued. Wanted. Feminine. She did not like violence and always preferred a peaceful resolution, but sometimes a man deserved a swift punch to the jaw. And Daniel’s threats to her well-being received a warning she hoped he heeded.

  Taking Alastar’s extended hand, she saw his rigid spine and scowl. This was his celebration, as well, and she wanted desperately for him to enjoy it. They were meant to be in love. The entire tuath, including her family, believed them to be a true union. Everyone watched them in anticipation as Alastar gently reseated her at the table and filled her empty mug with the mead he had fetched before Daniel appeared.

  She silently stared and took in the faces around her, clearly awaiting her response to the fight. Was she supposed to do something? Say something? She had never had two men fight over her before, had never required such help… never willingly accepted such help. Was she supposed to thank him? What would a normal lass do if her husband knocked a man out after insulting her?

  Looking up at Alastar, he kept his gaze down on his plate of food, his jaw still locked with tension. Though he was being gentle toward her, she knew rage boiled just beneath the surface. She looked at his right hand as it wrapped around his mug before he took a long, deep pull of mead. His knuckles were split and blood slowly oozed from his wounds. She knew it must hurt. She also knew he would never say so. In that moment, her heart swelled with something she had never expected to feel for a man. Appreciation. Pride. Respect. An overwhelming need to show her internal emotions in a physical manner.

  “Thank you,” she whispered and leaning over, kissed him softly on the cheek. He turned his face toward hers immediately and she gasped at the intensity on his serious face. He still looked as if he was ready to snap and she pulled back slightly, worried she had upset him with her small display of gratitude. Mayhap he was not affectionate when angry. Mayhap he was angry at her for speaking with Daniel. Truly, she knew the man so little, it was impossible to read his emotions. And then, he reached a hand out and gently gripped her neck, pulling her closer to him. Their foreheads touched she waited breathlessly, feeling his breath grazing her parted lips. His deep blue eyes stared into her green ones for a long moment. He was silent for so long as he held her against him and her heart stuttered wildly.

  Finally, he covered the distance between his mouth and hers. He groaned as he took her lips fiercely. His tongue flicked out and slid into her mouth, causing her to catch fire and melt from the inside out. His grip on her neck grew firmer and he angled his head to deepen the kiss. It was not gentle. It was a possession, as if the only way to fan the flames of his rage was to fan the flames of her desire. She knew several people watched and clapped, urging him to continue, but her blood rang so loudly in her ears, everything else seemed to fade away as he withdrew slightly, nipping her lower lip with his teeth, and then soothing the aching flesh with the slide of his tongue.

  Her head spun and her body throbbed. Alastar, in only a few hours of marriage, was opening her mind to feelings she had never thought herself susceptible to. Leaning his lips against her ear, he whispered softly, “Never thank me for defending your honor, wife.” She shivered as the heat of his breath grazed her neck. Her nipples hardened and she bit her lips to stifle a groan. By the gods. She knew, once again, he was putting on a show for the crowd who believed them in love. It was intoxicating and, yet again, she had to remind herself that it was not real. She would have to harden her heart to keep from falling for a man who only married her to protect her reputation, and to prevent a fight between him and her family after being caught with her in his arms.

  The same serving woman who Aislin had found him embracing only a little more than a sennight ago strutted over to their table, sending Alastar a playful wink as she bent low over the table to refill his mug of ale, intentionally ignoring Aislin and leaving her mug empty. The woman’s curvy backside swayed provocatively as she retreated and just like that, Aislin went cold. It had only been a handful of days since Alastar had his face buried in another woman’s breasts. The same tongue he had just so easily seduced her with a moment ago, had licked and prodded the cleavage of this other woman so effortlessly not long ago. He was the sort of man who gave his favors loosely and she would do well to remember it.

  She pulled away from him, stiffening her spine and silently reprimanding herself for falling so easily for his touch. She was truly nothing more than another lass to him. Only, because she was the daughter of a king and the cousin to their High King, she was considered a woman of nobility, unlike that serving lass. So, where he could lick and fondle the breasts of a serving lass in public without fear of repercussion, being caught simply kissing Aislin by her noble brother was reason enough for Alastar to submit to this handfast. He would never have agreed if Eoin had not come along… not that she would have offered.

  The man was skilled with his lips and sweet with his words, which was a reminder to her that he was a man of much experience, as Treasa had warned. The gods only knew how many lassies the man had touched before finally being strapped to her. His tender kisses… and possessive ones, meant nothing to him, for he had done this plenty enough times in his life. Yet, for her, they were new and invigorating.

  She shook her head and stared at the haunch of boar on her plate. It was the boar she had killed herself two days before and now fed much of their village. This boar had, inevitably, led her to this celebration of her false marriage. Sitting next to this man who had an easy smile and perfect features, she made another vow for the second time that day, this time to herself. She would not fall prey to this predator. He was a feral man and though she quite considered herself feral in many aspects, when it came to the ways of the heart and the body, she preferred to be neither prey nor predator.

  It was not envy she felt when she thought of Alastar with that serving lass. It was determination… determination to keep her heart separate from her body. She would be expected to show him affection in public to keep up the ruse, but when they were alone, she would keep her distance. And never would her heart be engaged. She could not allow it.

  In one year, this would end and she would never look back.

  ***

  Alastar was desperate to get Aislin home. Daniel was an arse who would do well to leave his wife alone. The next time the man so much as spoke to Aislin, he was a dead man.

  Aislin sat quietly beside him in the gathering hall, saying nothing since their intense kiss. He thought he was making progress with her, until Janice walked over to fill his mug with mead and ignored Aislin altogether. She did not say a word and neither had he, but he saw the look of disgust on her face as the lass sauntered away. He wanted to curse Janice and Daniel both for impeded on his special night wit
h Aislin.

  He knew she did not plan to bed him, but she had also not planned to wed him, and she had done that. He was certain that, once they were alone in his home with only his one bed for them both to share, he could inflame her with his kiss, slowly tease her body until she lay weak and willing beneath him. He grew hard just thinking about it. They needed to go, now.

  “Lin, I am ready to go home. What say you?” She gave a non-committal shrug and he knew she was going to make him work for it. His eyes wandered down to her breasts straining against the light blue silk. He would work as hard as necessary to get Aislin into his bed tonight. “Come, wife, let us leave this place. I have a better way to pass our night in mind.”

  Without an argument, she stood up from her bench and looped her hand through his arm. The crowd whooped and hollered as he and his new wife left the hall in silence. Bawdy gestures were thrown their way and some crude jest about him mounting her like a mare. Her face burned red as they stepped out into the cold night, but he kept hold of her arm, walking silently with her through the village to his home. He wanted to say something to soothe her nerves, but he suddenly could think of nothing to say. Mayhap the silence was best.

  Arriving at his home, he pushed the door open and gestured for her to step inside. The hearth was already burning, though more logs needed to be placed on the fire. He had wanted his home to be warm for his bride.

  “Welcome home, wife,” he murmured into her ear and stepped closer to her. “My house is now your house. Everything I own is yours, including my bed.” He guided her over to his small wooden bed frame with a hay mattress, piled with furs. Blue curtains hung from four posts around his bed and he could not wait to lay her down, strip that dress off her lithe frame, close those curtains to cocoon them in one another’s heat, and then feast on her body.

  When he playfully shoved Aislin onto the bed, he was throbbing with anticipation and need as he leaned forward to join her. She got up on her knees and his eyes widened, wondering what she had in mind for him. When her hands rose over her head, pulling her perfect round breasts level to his gaze, he groaned as his manhood strained painfully against his trousers. He could not wait to bury himself in her.