Avenged by a Highland Laird

by Sky Purington

  As expected, Emily didn’t follow. In fact, by the time Jessie shut the door behind her, Emily would have forgotten she was ever there.

  Jessie’s eyes fell to her drawing. A dragon on fire followed by a picture of Emily sitting on the couch, watching television in ignorant bliss.

  “What did you do to her, woman?” Sven said through clenched teeth, ripping her from the memory. Based on his tight, borderline furious expression, he had followed her every thought. At least those that had anything to do with deceiving or controlling Emily. His eyes were fierce and fiery enough that Bryce had his hand on the hilt of his dagger.

  “What did you do to her?” Sven ground out again, the distress in his deepening voice palpable.

  “She kept her safe...is keeping her safe.” Aðísla rested her hand on his arm and shook her head. “You should be thanking Jessie, not questioning or threatening her.”

  Jessie kept her gaze steady with his out of respect. It was clear he cared for Emily a great deal, and she should proceed very carefully. “She’s all right, Sven,” Jessie said softly. “Like your aunt said she’s safe. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

  For a flicker of a moment, she allowed her eyes to drop to his carving. But of course, it was turning into a likeness of Emily.

  “How did you keep her safe?” Sven persisted, still clearly distraught. “Safe from what?”

  “The symbol is keeping Emily safe from the warlocks,” Aðísla intercepted. “Just like it kept the warlocks from knowing Jessie had gone there, to begin with.” His aunt’s eyes stayed steady on him. “And it’s doing that so she can face what’s coming. What your father and King Heidrek are preparing for.” Her eyes returned to Jessie’s. “Prophecy first ignited by a curse.” Her eyes returned to Sven. “Once this curse lifts and Scotland is saved, we will see the prophecy through with our own people.”

  A heavy silence fell as Sven’s eyes, at last, turned to Aðísla’s and held. It was hard to know if they were speaking telepathically or if he was simply weighing out his options. Because if nothing else held true about Sven, it was that he was a man of not only silent reflection but action. Based on the concern and determination in his eyes, the latter might take precedence right now.

  He might very well abandon them and head for Winter Harbor this moment.

  Would he truly? Better yet, would she blame him if he did? Had her and Bryce been in a similar position there stood a very good chance she might already be gone.

  Yet as Sven’s eyes slowly returned to hers, and their dragon magic reconnected, she realized she would not have done that. She would not have left despite how strongly she felt for Bryce. Any more than Sven would leave right now despite how much he cared about Emily. Like Jessie, he would put Scotland and her people above his own concerns and desires. Not only that but she sensed he had decided to trust her. And the faith he put in her was monumental because it concerned someone he cared about above all others.

  Humbled by his trust, Jessie nodded that she understood without them ever exchanging a word.

  “Thank you for protecting her,” he said softly before he headed into the woods, off to deal with his turbulent emotions on his own it seemed.

  She stared after him for several moments before Aðísla finally broke the heavy silence.

  “Sven has loved Emily since she was a child,” she murmured. “I’m sure it’s clear to all that love has transformed into something far stronger with age.”

  Jessie nodded that she understood. Yet she sensed Sven and Emily weren’t together and found that curious. Not curious enough, however, to question it. That was between him and Emily. Nobody else.

  Now was the time to deal with her own heartbreaking revelations.

  “Do you have any idea where my sister is?” Jessie asked Aðísla, unable to stop the moisture in her eyes as emotions welled up once more. Though the fiery dragon symbol was apparently part of a protective spell, what if it hadn’t withstood the test of time. “How do you even know she’s still alive?”

  “Because the dragon symbol would not have appeared otherwise,” Aðísla said. “You are one side of it with your curse, and she is the other side with her prophecy. Once you end your journey, she will begin hers.”

  “Will I meet her before then?” Jessie asked, ignoring the tear that slid down her cheek.

  “I don’t think so,” Aðísla murmured. “Both the curse and prophecy will likely have to be fulfilled before you do.” Her eyes were kind yet strong as they stayed with Jessie’s. “Without either of you realizing it, she has helped you along your journey as you will help her.” A soft, whimsical smile curved her lips. “While you are very strong, Jessie, even you were not strong enough to pull off the feat you did controlling the warlocks and manipulating so much all this time. She was there too, offering you insight and wisdom.”

  Silence again settled before Bryce whispered, “They’re twins, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, very much so.” Aðísla nodded. “That’s the only way this would have been able to happen.”

  She had a twin? Truly?

  Speechless, Jessie did her best to keep her emotions under wrap as Bryce stood and pulled her up after him. It was clear he realized she needed time alone to process everything. For that, she couldn’t be more grateful. She felt like she was starting to lose her grip. That any control she might have reclaimed was slipping away under an onslaught of heart-wrenching information.

  Yet it wasn’t the massive weight it could have been, she reflected as she eyed Bryce. She wouldn’t be alone as she came to terms with everything. Those days were over. Now she had someone to lean on. Help her. Offer strength as he did now bidding everyone a good night for them both, because she just couldn’t seem to pull herself together. But she didn’t need to as he grabbed a satchel and led her deeper into the forest.

  “Not too far,” she whispered, still a protector despite what she was going through. “Or I might not be able to keep them safe.”

  The truth was she knew the other warlock was nowhere near here but off licking his wounds. Where she had felt lighter after destroying the strongest of them, he would be devastated...and preparing.

  “’Tis not all that far,” Bryce assured, and he was right. They only walked for another minute or so before they ducked into a cave with a rather tight entrance even for her. When he murmured a chant, a fire flared to life, and she stopped short in awe.

  The space wasn’t overly large, but the soaring ceiling gave it a majestic feel with its thousands of sparkling bits of mica. They looked like twinkling stars as the firelight danced off of them.

  Somewhere in the cave other than the entrance there had to be a small opening close to the ocean because the soothing sound of waves echoed off the stone. Her eyes went to the elevated shelf of rock on one side. Part of it included a small pool of water with steam rising off it. No bigger than a large bathtub, it was surrounded by soft, verdant moss.

  Her eyes went to his, and she whispered, “You did this for me, didn’t you?”

  “Some of it, aye.” He took her hand. “We can find another spot if the sound of the ocean is too much.”

  “Why would it be too much? I think it’s wonderful.”

  He frowned. “’Tis just my concern over it nearly taking your life so recently.”

  She shook her head, touched that he obviously thought of everything when it came to this place. “No, I’m fine. It sounds soothing, and I could use that right now.” Her eyes met his. “And if you don’t mind, I’d rather talk and sift through my emotions later. Just being alone with you is enough for the moment.”

  “Aye then, lass.” Knowing full well what she meant, he proceeded to take off his boots, spread a blanket on a grassy spot that shouldn’t exist in here then set aside some skins of whisky. While he did, she pulled off her boots as well then wandered to the pool, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

  Though most virgins would be getting pretty nervous right now, she wasn’t. Instea
d, she was excited. She felt as if she was getting ready to jump off a ledge and spread her wings for the first time. That she was getting ready to soar.

  “I thought you might like to bathe and get the salt off of you,” he said as he joined her.

  “Actually, I would,” she began but trailed off as he reeled her closer and tilted her chin until her eyes stayed with his. She noticed he had a particular way of standing as though braced on a rolling ship, to better compensate for their height differences.

  “I’d like to bathe as well,” he whispered. “With you.”

  Then he kissed her.

  Like before it was soft at first then more persistent. She loved how lost she became in a simple kiss. Well, simple was probably the furthest thing from it. More like masterful and sweeping. It almost took her outside of her body though she could still feel all the various ways her flesh responded. Eventually, those responses narrowed down to one very persistent need between her thighs.

  Eager, wanting more, she wrapped her hands in his tunic and tugged a little.

  Lust saturated his gaze as he slowly broke the kiss and whispered, “Not yet, lass. Not nearly yet.”

  When she frowned in what she knew was likely sexual frustration, a small, knowing smile curled his lips, and he began undressing her. Not quickly by any means but slow and tortuous, removing her clothing inch by agonizing inch. To elongate her pleasurable suffering, he gave his undivided attention to each bit of flesh he unveiled. Sometimes he kissed or even licked or nibbled while his fingers dusted here and there, intensifying the sensations.

  First, he started at the tender lobe of her ear then worked his way down the side of her neck. The way he flicked his tongue then blew lightly on the indentation where her collarbone met in the center, made tiny flutters spread down her arms and torso. Then he worked his way over her shoulders down to her fingertips, all the while building the ache between her legs.

  By the time he lowered her dress to her waist, she was so immersed in how he made her feel that her head had fallen back and her eyes were closed. Where some might be bashful at this point, she was the furthest thing from it as he began fondling her breasts. He was remarkably gentle, almost worshiping. So much so that she was utterly relaxed in a deep state of arousal.

  Or at least she was until his tongue swirled around a nipple then pulled it into his mouth.

  Her eyes shot open, and she groaned as a whole new type of pleasure shot straight to her center. She dug her hands into his hair, breathing heavily as he did the same to the other nipple. Thankfully, they were close enough to the ledge of the mossy area that when her legs grew rubbery, she could lean back.

  But not before he had the dress completely down.

  Before she knew it, he lifted her until she was sitting then urged her to lie back. Initially, she shook her head, feeling far too exposed. But then he focused on her nipples again, and all inhibitions drifted away as she gave in. Lost in sensual sensations she never knew were possible, she began to feel enticing and desirable. As such, she felt emboldened and unafraid when he kissed and nibbled his way down her stomach, then over her pelvic bone.

  She shivered in anticipation as he bypassed her center and worked his way down first one leg then the other. Though she could barely crack her eyes open, when she did it was to find so much more than she anticipated. Not just desire in his eyes but wonder and pleasure as he appreciated every last bit of her. It was as though each centimeter of flesh from her thighs to her kneecaps to her toes offered him a new delight. If one were to guess, she would say he found her utterly flawless.

  Seeing him so taken only made her feel more confident so by the time he made his way back up her legs, spread her thighs and put his mouth where the ache was, she relaxed into it. At least for the first second or two. When sharp pleasure suddenly speared her, she gripped his shoulders.

  “Bryce,” she groaned, almost afraid of how good it felt.

  “Just relax, lass,” he murmured into her mind. “Dinnae fight it but embrace it. Let go.”

  She swallowed hard then clamped her upper teeth down on her lower lip as the pleasure only increased. It was one thing to imagine how something like this might feel and another altogether to experience it. Her lifelong fantasies were way off. A fact that became more and more evident as she twisted her hands in the material at his shoulders and hung on tight.

  The building pressure inside her just kept growing and growing as though eager to encompass her whole body. As if determined to take away control entirely. Though fearful at first of the overwhelming pleasure, his soft words stayed with her.

  “Embrace it. Let go.”

  So she let the sensations have her and didn’t fight them as the pressure only grew. Then, just like she imagined, she hovered on the edge before she fell right over. She cried out and arched as she locked up then trembled as her body let go. Fresh waves of pleasure rolled through her again and again as she kept quivering.

  She was only vaguely aware of him pulling off his shirt and plaid, perhaps intending to go bathe. But she didn’t want that. Not yet.

  “Now,” she whispered, needing him close. She wanted more of this feeling though she was still immersed in it. Based on his rigid erection, he wanted it too. “Please...now...right here.”

  If he was at all undecided if this was the right time, it didn’t last long as he swung her fully onto the moss then came over her. Then he kissed her again. Hard and passionately and with everything she knew he felt. As he did it combined the residual pleasure of her previous climax with fresh, desperate arousal.

  She felt half human half animal in her instinctual need to be taken. In her relentless desire to have him closer still...to be filled. She was so entrenched in desire and arousal that she barely felt the stretching below then the pinch of pain when he finally took her. The look on his face was almost rapturous as he began to work his way in. Not quickly but slowly, giving her time to adjust.

  Yet he was right. When he eventually seated himself fully, she was ready for him. More than ready for that matter. As was he based on his low moan and the way he trembled ever-so-slightly. Their eyes met one another’s through a red haze of mutual understanding.

  Their dragon magic was connecting.

  Everything felt sharper than before. Every sensation ten times stronger. From the spicy heated smell of his skin to the sound of his racing heart. When he began moving, and his brows drew together in blissful concentration, she knew he was barely holding on. That the way she was making him feel was unique, new and intensely arousing.

  He, in turn, was doing the same to her. Every part of her flesh and soul was responding to the glorious friction below. The acute pleasure of being close to a person that made you feel so incredibly good.

  So astoundingly alive.

  As he thrust and ground, she began to do the same, meeting him in a dance that felt as old as time. Anxious and racing toward a pinnacle both were desperate to reach, she wrapped her legs around him. In response, he didn’t just groan but released a low growl as he thrust harder, his strokes longer and deeper.

  Something about his near-ferocious response drove her over another kind of edge altogether. This time she might have even screamed her orgasm was so intense. One thrust later, he roared and locked up inside her. The feel of his heavy throb and release only seemed to intensify what she was already feeling.

  Pure ecstasy.

  She couldn’t find better words to describe it. For that matter, she could barely form a coherent thought as the mica chips far above seemed to burst into a million different colors. She had never felt more alive and full of pleasure than she did at this moment. As her climax wrapped around her, it seemed to bring her closer to him than she ever thought possible. In some ways, it was almost as if they became one. As if the pleasure they had found was equally matched and so much more than they realized it could be.

  Seconds later, however, her blood ran cold when someone else’s words whispered into her mind, “Soon it wi
ll be even better.”

  Bryce’s inner dragon roared in defiance and rage, silencing the warlock’s damning words.

  But not before he got his twisted point across.

  “Soon I will give you what you’ve always wanted.”

  Chapter Twelve

  BRYCE COVERED JESSIE more securely, instinctually protecting her when he was ripped from pure bliss by his inner dragon’s roar. Rare was the day his dragon was on such high alert. Someone, or something, had just made it into her mind and he was braced to defend her. His eyes swung around the cave seeking out anything that might be hiding in the shadows.

  “He’s gone,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she trembled.

  Bryce knew some of her physical response was because of the passion they had just experienced and some because of fear.

  “I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.” She shook her head. “Not like that. Not within my mind.”

  Of course, she was talking about the last warlock.

  “The bloody bastard,” he cursed as he cupped her cheek. “Are ye all right, lass?”

  She nodded, the movement a little jerk-like. “Yes, just...feeling a lot at the moment.”

  He wiped the pad of his thumb across one cheek then the other, well aware of the numerous tears that had fallen during their lovemaking. Actually, from the moment he began undressing and kissing her.

  “Oh, I didn’t know,” she whispered, surprised as she touched her cheek and caught his thoughts. “You must think I’m an emotional basket case.”

  “Nay,” he murmured as he pulled back, lifted her and headed into the pool. “I think you’ve been denied emotions your whole life and now you’re allowed to feel them.” He lowered her into the warm water, his brogue thickening even more with his own emotions. “And I couldnae be happier that I’m with ye as ye do, lass.” He shook his head. “Dinnae hold back. Feel everything and cry as often as ye like.”