“No,” she said shaking her head. “Jude, hold on, Hugh has gone for help.”
“The dagger,” Jude groaned. “Poisoned.”
“Oh god, no,” she gasped as she noticed the small blade in Aidan’s hand. “Jude, my love, you have to stay with me. You cannot leave me here. Please.”
Searching the field around her, she spied the white flowers of Kings Foil. It was a small little plant that she had read would help any traveler.
Scrambling to the weed, she plucked it and pushed it into her mouth. She chewed on the flowers, making it a paste before spitting it out and smashing it into Jude’s hand, urging him to lift it toward his mouth.
“Stay with me,” she said as her sight began to fade.
She knew she had lost too much blood. In the back of her mind, she was ready to die. Carefully, she lowered her head and rested it on Jude’s chest. She could hear his faint heart beating. It was a comfort for her as she let her eyes close and succumbed to the darkness that swallowed her whole.
“Cleo.”
Somewhere in the back of her mind she could hear her name being called. The voice was soothing and almost luring out of the darkness that encompassed her. Glancing around, she tried to see through the thick cloud of nothing that engulfed her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t see anything but black.
“I’m here,” she cried out, praying that the voice would continue to call her. In the distance she spotted a single beam of light. The beam opened for her and drew her closer. Every ounce of her being ached and she began to wonder if answering the strange and exotic voice was worth it.
“Come back to me,” the voice said and Cleo realized who was calling her.
“Jude?” she cried out. “Is that you? Please, answer me.”
“You have to open yer eyes love,” he said with his thick Scottish accent that she had grown to love.
A smile pulled at the corners of her lips as she obeyed his command. Slowly, her eyes fluttered and the light filled her vision.
“She’s awake!”
Somewhere in the corner of the room she heard Hugh’s voice. It was like listening to bells ringing as she fought through the pounding in her head.
“What is going on?” Cleo asked trying to scan the room and make any sense of what she was seeing. Sitting beside her, she noticed Jude almost instantly. He shot his hand to her and flashed her the crooked smile she loved so much.
“Ye had me worried there for a wee bit,” he said as he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead.
“What happened?” Cleo asked as her eyes shifted to the healer who seemed to be fascinated by her leg. She glanced about the familiar room and sighed with relief. Images flashed in her mind as she tried to put the pieces together of what had happened.
With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes and could hear Aidan’s cries as the river swallowed him. Although Aidan had been the culprit, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. Only pity the poor soul as he faded out of her memory.
“Ye lost a lot of blood,” Jude said and she opened her eyes to find Jude by her side. “I nearly thought I had lost ye.”
“But,” Cleo tried to pull up the last memory she had but found it was muddled. “You were poisoned.”
“Aye,” Jude said glancing to the healer.
“Ye have yerself a smart lass there,” the healer said. “Yer quick thinkin’ saved the Laird and his son.”
“But…Aidan?” Panic caught Cleo by surprise and she found her chest tightening, making it difficult for her to breath.
“Easy there, love,” Jude said brushing his fingers over her face. “He willnae be botherin’ us anymore.”
“What happened?” Cleo asked searching Jude’s face for the answers.
“An arrow got him,” Jude said with a faint smile.
“You mean my arrow,” Cleo said leaning back down as her heart felt like bricks in her chest. “I killed him, didn’t I?”
Jude pressed his lips into a tight line as he shifted his attention to the healer.
“That doesnae matter now,” the healer said. “What matters is ye’re out of the woods now.”
“And Jude and Hugh are alive,” Cleo said as she stretched her hand out to grab Hugh’s hand. The boy quickly slipped his hand into hers and flashed her a grateful smile.
“Ye’ve done so much for us,” Jude said.
“I love you,” Cleo answered without hesitation. “That is what people do when they love each other, is it not?”
“Aye, love, it is,” Jude said as he leaned over the edge of the bed and crushed his lips to hers.
“All right now,” the healer said as he drew the covers back over Cleo’s leg. “Let the lass get some rest.”
“What of Ian though?” Cleo asked reaching for Jude’s arm to hold him there.
“Rest, he’s well taken care of,” Jude said molding his hand to hers.
“How?” Cleo asked as fear pricked her. She glanced between the two of them before training her sights on Jude.
“In the hole for now,” Jude said, “but danae worry yerself. He willnae be harming anyone ever again.”
Slowly, Jude lowered himself and pressed his lips to Cleo’s forehead. She knew that Jude wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Jude rose slowly and panic filled her.
“Don’t go,” Cleo said tightening her grip on Jude’s hand.
“I’ll stay with ye always,” Jude answered. “Until me dyin’ breath.”
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
Jude pulled in a deep breath as he kept his eyes locked on the oak doors. He could feel every nerve in his body firing as he shuffled his feet on the stone floor. As his heart pounded in his chest, his ears perked to the sound of the distant bagpipes that seemed to bounce off the castle walls as they drew closer to where he was. He was drawn in by their haunting melody as he knew precisely what they represented and what they were bringing to him.
“Faither,” Hugh whispered as he tugged on Jude’s trews. “Are ye doin’ all right? Yer face is flushed and ye look as if ye’re about to pass out.”
“I’m fine,” Jude said.
“Ye sure? Ye’re lookin’ a wee bit nervous. Ye’d think ye havenae done this before.”
“The boy is right,” Felix said nudging Jude with his elbow. “If ye want, I can stand in yer place.”
“Nae a chance,” Jude said glancing over to Felix.
In the depths of his being, Jude couldn’t control the emotions that raged within him. He knew he was beyond thrilled for this day, but also what it meant for his clan.
After all, he never expected to be marrying an English Lady, yet, as the music drew closer, he knew that was exactly what he was about to do. His only regret was the fact he hadn’t asked her father for permission. It was tradition after all, but nothing about his relationship with Cleopatra had been traditional.
Glancing to Hugh, Jude flashed his son a smile.
“If ye have doubts about this union son, now’s the time to get it off yer chest. I willnae go through with this unless ye’re certain ye want Cleo a part of our family.”
“Come now, faither,” Hugh said with a huge smile. “She’s perfect. She makes ye happy, does she nae?”
“Aye, that she does, son, that she does.”
“Then are ye havin’ second thoughts? Ye seem a bit off.”
“How else am I to feel? I never thought I’d find meself in this situation a second time. Or even be able to fall in love with another after I lost yer maither. Yet, here we are.”
“Do ye love her?” Hugh asked, keeping his eyes locked on his father.
“Aye, I do,” Jude said as he felt his chest swell.
“Then why are ye lookin’ so nervous? Ye’re actin’ like she’s goin’ to run.”
“She just might,” Jude said with a chuckle. “I wouldnae put it past her.”
“Come now,” Hugh whispered as the doors opened. “Ye and I both ken she isnae goin’ anywhere.”
“I hope nae,” Jude said as his eyes widened.
Suddenly, it was as if heaven itself opened for them as Cleo stepped out of the castle. Although her face was shrouded by the white veil, Jude knew there was an angel waiting for him.
Cleo moved slowly between the rows of people who had stood for her. Although she hadn’t fully healed from jumping into the raging river to save Hugh, she didn’t want to wait any longer. Truth was, Jude couldn’t wait any longer either. He longed to have her as his wife, and finally after everything they had been through, she was on her way to being his.
“Are ye all right?” Jude whispered as Cleo made it to him and reached for his hand. She nodded without saying a word. Although Jude couldn’t see her face, he feared if she was in pain.
“I’m fine,” she whispered as she leaned closer to him. “Are you? You’re looking a bit under the weather.”
“I’ve never been better,” Jude said as he turned to face his uncle.
The wedding proceeded and the moment Jude lifted the veil off Cleo’s head, his heart soared. She was as stunning as she had ever been. With her hair pulled back and small braids drifting around her neck, Jude knew in his heart she didn’t belong with anyone other than him.
“Ye’re never goin’ to get rid of me now,” Jude said as he leaned closer to her.
“I hope not,” she answered as the crowd cheered the moment their lips touched.
Jude found the reception full of laughs and cheers, but he was waiting for the moment where he could take Cleo into his arms and claim her forever.
Finally, after the sun had set, he scooped her up. Cleo slapped his chest as he laughed at her.
“Ye couldnae hurt me when I first held ye,” he said, “what makes ye think it will hurt me now?”
“I don’t expect to hurt you. In fact, I never want to,” she said pressing her lips to his cheek.
“Can I have ye?” Jude asked as he spun her around. Cleo’s laughter thrilled him as he came to a sudden stop.
“Forever,” she answered as she held him tighter.
“How about now?”
Cleo scanned the crowd before allowing her eyes to drift back to him. She gave a sharp nod. The smile on Jude’s lips stretched further across his face as he carried her through the crowd and back into the castle. With all the merriment going on outside, the castle seemed like a whole other world. There weren’t any sights of servants rushing about, nor any other sounds. It was just the two of them alone, the way Jude had always wanted it to be.
“Tonight,” Jude said as he carried Cleo up the stairs to his room. “I have somethin’ special for ye.”
“Do you? And what is it?” Cleo asked squeezing him tighter.
“Ye’ll see,” he said as he kicked open his bedroom door and stepped inside the room. A low fire roared in the fireplace, making the room look almost magical with soft orange hues. The shadows danced against the walls as Jude turned to show Cleo the bed.
“What in the…?” Cleo said with a gasp as she noticed the room had been transformed into a meadow of sorts.
“I wanted this night to be special for ye,” Jude said. “So, I had me men collect a few things from the moors and fields.”
Carefully, Jude sat Cleo on the bed he had layered with heather and other wildflowers. The canopy swayed with the gentle breeze.
“Do ye remember the first time ye hurt yer leg?” Jude asked as he lowered himself onto the bed beside her. “Do ye remember how I carried ye back to the camp?”
“I remember,” Cleo said as Jude leaned closer to her and began nibbling on her neck. He pulled in a deep breath, savoring the sweet fragrance flowing off her skin as he reached for the string of her corset.
“And what of the first moment ye saw me?” Jude asked tugging the string releasing her breasts from their tight confinement.
“I thought you were a brute,” Cleo said with a giggle. “Don’t think that has changed.”
“I pray it never does,” Jude said with a slight chuckle as he kissed the valley between her breasts. Cleo pulled in a sharp breath and closed her eyes.
“If I didn’t know any better,” she said, “I would think you are trying to seduce me in this field of yours.”
“That is the idea,” Jude said as he pulled the fabric away from her body with one hand. “Is it workin’?”
“Perhaps,” Cleo answered as she reached down to hike the fabric of her skirt up to her thighs. Reaching for his hand, she tucked his hand under her skirt and let out a moan. The space between her legs was wet and Jude rested his head on her shoulder as he pushed his fingers inside her body.
Gulping for air, Cleo clawed at the blanket beneath her. “I remember the first time you did this to me.”
“Oh?” Jude whispered as his lifted his head and traced his tongue up her neck to her ear. “Tell me, did ye like it then too?”
“What do you think?” Cleo said trying to speak as Jude pulled his fingers out of her.
“I think ye want me just as badly now as ye did then,” he said.
“Then what’s stopping you?” Cleo asked as her eyebrow arched.
Shaking his head, he flashed his crooked little smile. “Nothin’.”
Jude’s fingertips grazed over Cleo’s leg and pushed them further apart to make space for him. Scrambling to his trews, he unfastened them and pushed them to his ankles. Cleo reached out and tugged at his white cotton shirt that billowed around his body. Shimmying out of his shirt, Jude smiled at her.
“You know, I don’t think I will ever be happier,” Cleo said as she kept her eyes locked on her new husband.
“I hope that’s nae true,” Jude answered as Cleo leaned back allowing Jude to slip between her legs. Confusion drifted over her face as she looked up to him.
“Why so sad?” Jude asked as he brushed his fingers down the temple of her face to her chin.
“You don’t think I’m happy?” Cleo asked staring at him. He shook his head and leaned down.
“I ken ye’re happy, but I think this is just the beginnin’ of what is to come,” he said as he crushed his lips to hers.
Cleo relaxed into the soft bed and squeezed her hands between them. The moment her fingers curled around his manhood, Jude pulled back from her and sucked in a deep breath.
“Take me,” she begged as she shifted her body to meets his. “Take me like you wanted to the first time we met.”
“Are ye sure?” Jude asked swallowing the lump forming in his throat. Cleo nodded as she held his gaze.
Jude lowered his body and slipped inside of her. The warmth of her body enshrined him as he pushed deeper into her. A small moan escaped Cleo’s parted lips as she watched him fill her and love her.
“Ye have nay idea how much I love ye, do ye?” Jude said as he reached for her hand and entangled his fingers between hers.
Cleo’s grip tightened as he pushed deeper before slipping back out. It was more than their bodies that were molding into one. For his heart and her soul were become entangled into one being too.
“I know how much I love you,” she panted as her back arched and her leg curled around his hips.
“Enough to give me another son?” Jude asked as he watched Cleo nibble on her lip. Jude lowered his body and Cleo released her hand from his. Immediately, she wrapped her arm around his neck to hold him in place as her juices flowed out of her.
“Maybe,” she gasped as she caressed his neck and raked her fingers down his back. “But if you love me, you’ll give me a daughter.”
The End?
Extended Epilogue
Would you like to learn how Cleopatra and Jude’s relationship evolved? Then enjoy this complimentary short story featuring our favorite couple!
Simply TAP HERE to read it now for FREE! or use this link: https://go.maddiemackenna.com/gZaVahiU directly in your browser.
Trust me, you’ll love it ♥
But before you go, turn the page for an extra sexy and wild Scottish treat from me…
Mor
e steamy historical romance
Turn on to the next page to read the first chapters of Highlander’s Bewitching Healer, one of my best stories so far!
Highlander’s Wicked Temptation: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 20
