She stuck her face close to his. “Why? What are you going to do if I don’t?”
His breathing had turned rapid, his heart hammered against his chest, and his shaft had turned rock hard. The tenacity and courage she came at him with only proved how much she loved him. She wouldn’t give up on him and that made him love and desire her even more.
But he wasn’t good for her and she would never accept that, so he would show her. His strong hand clamped on her jaw and squeezed it. “If you don’t go in the keep now, I’m going to drag you to the barn, rip your garments off, make you get on all fours and take you over and over and over again.”
“Let’s go,” she said eagerly, a spark of passion igniting in her eyes.
He shoved her away from him, more annoyed at himself than her. How had he thought threatening her with wicked coupling would deter her? She had been willing to try anything with him and why—she trusted and loved him.
“What are you waiting for?” she shouted.
He turned and shoved her. “Go to the keep.”
“NO!”
He shoved her again and this time she fell to the ground, her bottom landing in mud and sucking at her hands as she tried to steady herself. He almost reached out to help her, but stopped. She had to see him for what he was—an evil man.
Purity staggered to her feet, fighting tears and she went and jabbed him in the chest again. “You’re even more of a coward, threatening and not having the guts to do as you say.”
Her words stung him more than she’d ever know. He brought his face close to hers and through gritted teeth, said, “GO! NOW! PURITY!”
“NO! NO! NO!” She screamed and pounded his hard chest with her tight fists. “I won’t lose you. I won’t lose you. You can push me away all you want but I’ll come back. I’ll always come back. I love you. And no matter what you do or say, I’ll never stop loving you. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.” Her fists eased their pounding until she brought them to a stop. Her tears fell and she didn’t care. “I will fight the devil himself and go to hell to do it if I must, but I won’t let evil have you. I won’t let evil win. You’re mine and I’m keeping you—forever.”
His arms circled her instinctively, needing to ease her hurt, though how he could do that when he was the cause of it, he didn’t know. He only knew he had to hold her tight, feel her close, hold on to her love. “I am a coward for not fighting as hard for myself as you fight for me.”
“I know how hard it is to fight for yourself, especially when alone with no one there to help you. But you have me now. You’re not alone. I will fight endlessly for you, on that you have my word.”
Arran brought his brow to rest against hers. “You are far more courageous than me, wife.”
“Never,” she whispered and kissed his cheek. “You faced far more pain and suffering than I have and you had to combat evil to do it. You are a true warrior, a champion, and Brynjar can never win against you—unless you let him.”
He shook his head as he raised his brow off hers. “You are far wiser than me, wife.”
Purity smiled. “I can agree to that.”
She brought an unexpected smile to his face, though it turned to a frown when fat raindrops reminded him of the rain. “Though it is not wise for us to remain in the rain getting soaked. As much as you don’t want to lose me, I don’t want to lose you, especially from an illness after being caught in the rain. You need warmth and dry garments.”
“What about what you were going to do to me in the barn?” she reminded.
Arran shook his head again. “No, I’m not going to do that to you.”
“Why not?” she argued. “It sounds delightful.”
“In the keep now!” he ordered.
She continued to argue, “I say the barn.”
“The keep,” he said and scooped her up in his arms, giving her no choice.
She chuckled, her arms going around his neck. “The barn sounds more fun.”
“Another day.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“You don’t need a promise from me, wife, I want it as much as you do,” he admitted.
“I knew it!” she said as if claiming victory.
“Though I may have to tear your garments off you once in our bedchamber since they are soaked to your skin.”
“Promises. Promises,” she teased and kissed him, intending it to be quick, but it wasn’t.
Once her lips touched his, they didn’t want to leave. She had hungered for his lips, his touch, and most of all for him to slip his shaft inside her as he had done most nights.
She was relieved to see how his desire matched hers, his tongue as playfully demanding as hers. He tasted what she imagined love might taste like, strong, heartfelt, and demanding to be acknowledged, unable to be denied. Bold and confident and never-ending.
Arran rushed them through the keep, paying no heed to the servants who eyed them with whispers and snickering smiles.
Once in their bedchamber, Arran hurried to strip his wife of her wet garments and Purity did the same for him. They each grabbed a cloth and again hurried to dry each other.
Purity didn’t play fair. Her hands followed where she dried and when she got to his shaft her hand lingered there, but how couldn’t she? He was hard and thick with passion and she could almost feel him inside her, bringing her pleasure.
Arran tried to ignore it, though that was a lie, he was enjoying her touch too much and if he let her continue he wouldn’t last long.
“Purity,” he said, trying to stay in control.
“You feel so good. I don’t want to stop touching you. I’ve missed touching you,” she groaned.
When she went to drop down on her knees in front of him, he wisely scooped her up beneath her shoulders and braced her against the door. He moved his hands to grip her bottom and lift her enough for his shaft to easily seek her entrance.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he ordered and this time she eagerly obeyed.
“Hurry,” she commanded. “It’s been too long since I’ve had you inside me.”
“You’re going to make me come before I’m inside you,” he protested his throbbing need on the verge of bursting.
She maneuvered herself to fit against his probing shaft and her arms fit snug around his neck to hold on tight. She rested her lips next to his ear and whispered, “Come home to me, husband, I have missed you.”
Arran groaned as he entered her hard and swiftly, and she gasped. He stopped a moment, afraid he had hurt her.
“Good Lord, don’t stop. It feels so good,” she said, moving against him.
He held her firm as she did him and he pounded against her and she relished every moment. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it had been too many days without each other and their desire spiked rapidly.
“I can’t wait,” Purity groaned, wishing she could linger in the pleasure, but needing the release that pleasure promised.
“Neither can I,” he moaned and nuzzled at her neck.
His teasing nibbles and nips at her neck did her in, not to mention his powerful thrusts.
“Arran!” she cried out as she burst in such divine pleasure that she thought she just might faint.
He joined her and his moan turned into a roar as he exploded in a blinding release that made him realize how lucky he was to have Purity as his wife.
They clung to each other, not moving, not speaking, just holding tight.
“I’m so glad you returned to me,” she struggled to say since her breath had yet to calm. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Can you forgive my foolish behavior?” he asked, nibbling at her neck again.
“Only if you promise to make love to me at least once more tonight.”
He drew his head back to look at her and smiled. “Only once more?”
Purity chuckled. “I didn’t want to be greedy.”
He returned to nuzzle at her neck. “I love when you’re greedy.”
She pressed her lips across his cheek
to settle near his ear. “Then love me until you’re too tired to love me anymore tonight.”
He brought his lips to hers and kissed her as if his hunger had yet to abate. “I’ll never tire of loving you, wife.”
And he proved it, making love to her twice more through the night and once again as the day dawned.
The morning brought a timid knock on the door and it was Princess’s bark outside the door that woke Purity and had her leaving her husband’s arms to sit up.
“Ignore it,” Arran ordered and pulled her back down into his warm arms.
The knock came again, this time followed by Quiver’s trembling voice. “I hate to disturb you, but there is an important message from the monastery.”
“I hate messages,” Arran growled in his wife’s ear and turned his head to call out, “What is the message, Quiver?”
This time Quiver’s voice didn’t tremble as he said loud enough for them to hear, “Abbott Thomas never arrived back at the monastery.”
Chapter 26
“I found no sign nor sight of him on the way here,” Brother Noble said from where he stood half hidden by thick bushes. “The brothers at the monastery conducted a search of the surrounding area, worried he may have been injured or fallen sick just before arriving home, but we found nothing. They sent me here to see if you knew anything.”
“Do you think Brynjar abducted him?” Purity asked, standing beside her husband and keeping hold of his hand with no intention of letting go. He would definitely send warriors to search for the Abbott and she didn’t intend to let him join them.
“Brynjar is capable of anything. He knows I’ll send warriors to search for the Abbott, leaving the keep with less warriors to guard it,” Arran said, voicing his concern.
“He would attack?” Purity asked, though felt she knew the answer.
“One thing that is certain about Brynjar is that he is unpredictable. There is no sound reason to what he does, making it difficult to determine a defense plan,” Arran said.
“He mentioned something about who might be next,” Purity reminded. “He could have known who was next because he was the one who abducted the Abbott.” Purity looked to the woods, her eyes searching for the leper, his robe blending well with the woods. “You should be careful, Brother Noble,” she urged when she spotted him.
“You need not worry about me, mistress, no one will come near a leper,” Brother Noble said, his words punctuated with several coughs. “It could be that the Abbott fell ill and convalesces somewhere.”
Purity feared what fate the Abbott might have met. “Or there is no one there to help him.”
“I’ll send men out to search for him and hopefully we’ll find him alive and unharmed,” Arran said. “Will you stay to see what we find?”
“I need to return to the monastery and let them know that the Abbott is truly missing. They will want to extend their search as well. Please send a message if you find him.”
“At least rest a bit and have some food and drink before your return journey home,” Arran offered.
“I will gladly accept your generosity,” Brother Noble said, coughing.
“Keep well, my friend,” Arran said, “and if you need anything just ask.”
Brother Noble coughed again, though it sounded more like he choked back tears. “You are a good man, Arran.”
“I am glad someone else sees the good in him that I do,” Purity said with a generous smile.
Brother Noble’s voice sounded raspy and sore as he spoke. “It isn’t always easy to see the good in someone. Sometimes you simply feel it in your heart. I must stop talking now. Be well and safe.”
“And you as well, Brother Noble,” Purity called out as the leper disappeared behind the bushes. “He must be so lonely. I wish there was something we could do for him.”
“He’s not completely alone. Thankfully, he’s treated well at the monastery,” Arran said. “Why don’t you see about having food and drink brought to him while I go and see to putting men together for a search.” When he caught the doubtful look in her eyes, he hurried to reassure her. “I’ll be close by. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise me you won’t join the search?” she asked.
“While it is my duty as chieftain, it’s more important that I remain here and see you and the clan kept safe. I’m not going anywhere, at least for now,” he said, knowing there may come a time he would have no choice.
“You wouldn’t go anywhere without letting me know, would you?” she asked, understanding but praying it wouldn’t be necessary.
Arran took her chin in his hand, his thumb stroking her cheek. “I would never leave without telling you.”
She smiled. “You mean without seeking permission.”
He scowled, though laughter filled his words. “Do you order me, wife?”
“I do command and I like the feel of it,” she boasted playfully.
He leaned down, resting his cheek against hers to whisper in her ear, “Be careful, wife, or I might just show you what it’s actually like to command.”
She turned wide eyes on him and whispered eagerly, “In the barn?”
Arran shook his head. “Damn, Purity, there you go again putting lasting images in my head.”
She stepped away from him. “Good, then you’ll be sure to find me later.” She laughed. “Though I have a feeling you’ll know exactly where to find me.” She ran off, her laughter trailing after her.
God, he loved his wife so much that it twisted his gut. And as much as he’d love to go after her and hurry her to the barn, he needed to see to finding Abbott Thomas.
He wasn’t surprised to see his brother Royden dismounting his horse when he rounded the keep. He had sent word to him about what was going on with Brynjar, warning him to take extra precautions. Brynjar wouldn’t think twice about striking out at Royden in his attempt to get back at Arran.
“You didn’t come alone, did you?” Arran asked.
“I brought some of Wolf’s warriors with me. They visit with his other warriors while we visit,” Royden said. “And they will be staying except for the few that will return with me. When I received your message about Brynjar, I had Penn take a message to Learmonth, hoping it would reach Wolf. It did and he sent more warriors to help us. I see by the scowl that’s growing you’re not happy with that news.”
“I don’t like accepting help from our enemy.”
“Then stop thinking of Wolf as our enemy. He has a powerful foothold here now and holds a title. There is little we can do to change that and avenging a wrong won’t help us.”
“Still, there must be something we can do that will see him suffer at least some for what he did,” Arran argued.
“We’ll leave that to fate,” Royden said.
“Then I hope fate is a vengeful lass,” Arran said with a grin.
Royden laughed as well. “Now that I can agree on.”
Arran began to walk, his brother following along with him. “Before we sit and talk, I need to gather men for a search.”
“I heard your warriors talking. Is it true? Abbott Thomas never made it back to the monastery?” Royden asked.
“It’s true. Brother Noble brought the news and let me know the area around the monastery had been searched. Also Brother Noble found no sign of the Abbott on his journey here. I’m going to send some men in different directions so a larger swath of land can be covered.”
“Do you send some Brynjar’s way?”
Arran shook his head. “He wouldn’t be foolish enough to keep the Abbott at his camp. He’d have his men holding the Abbott someplace else.”
“He seeks vengeance whatever way he can for not getting what he came here for,” Royden said.
“I thought the same, but I also wonder if I think wrong. Is it too obvious? Is there more too these killings?” Arran questioned, the thought disturbing him.
“If not Brynjar, then who?” Royden asked.
“If only I could answer that,” Arran said
as they continued walking.
“You don’t have to stay, Purity,” Brother Noble said, sitting under a pine tree, enjoying the food and drink she had brought him.
“I want to,” she said, stroking Princess stretched out beside her. “King!” she scolded, seeing him approach closer to Brother Noble.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let him get close,” Brother Noble assured her and swatted at the cat though he was a distance away.
King paid the leper no heed and drew closer.
“Away with you,” Brother Noble ordered and threw a small stick at the cat.
King wasn’t deterred by it and stretched out not far from the leper and proceeded to lick his paws.
“I do hope Abbott Thomas is found and he is well. I hate to think he was harmed,” Purity said
“I believe he would fall to an illness before he would a sword. Abbott Thomas was once a skilled warrior. He fought in many battles and saw victory in most. He continues to practice his sword skills at least four times a week. He says there are many unwise people who don’t listen or hear the power of God’s word, but they do know the power of a sword. His skill with a sword has saved the monastery twice from unscrupulous men.”
“What made him turn to the church?” she asked.
“He doesn’t say, but if one was to guess, the most likely reason was the killing became too much for him and he sought God’s forgiveness and the solace of the chur—” A cough interrupted the leper’s words. He reached for the skein of wine and drank.
“I have you talking too much,” Purity said, feeling guilty.
The leper shook his head. “No, I do enjoy the company. Tell me of you and Arran. Is the marriage a good one?”
Purity smiled. “It is a wonderful marriage. He is good to me and I love him so much.” Her cheeks blossomed red. “I confess, Brother Noble, I have loved him since first I saw him. I thought him so handsome. I never thought of a man’s smile as beautiful, but Arran’s smile is definitely beautiful. I remember how my heart beat so hard against my chest, I thought it would burst right out of me when he first smiled at me.” She sighed. “He was the first man to ever smile at me and it made me think that perhaps I wasn’t ugly after all.”
Entrusted to a Highlander: Highland Promise Trilogy Book Two Page 25
