He drove his fingers into her, tapped a spot that made her cry out with pleasure then whimper for even more as she heaved her breasts harder against his chest. With one more flick of his thumb over her nub, she exploded, her inner core dragging his fingers ever deeper inside her as she came, over and over.
No longer could he hold back. As she pumped him, he let go and fire shot through him, his essence spurting free in one fast burn.
His seed coated her fingers and he roared his pleasure, the silken strands of their mated bond weaving even more fully together. Panting against her lips, he murmured, “Marry me, Kyla. Be my wife.”
* * * *
Kyla slumped on top of Ronan, pure pleasure still racing through her body and his request for marriage resounding in her head. When his cock had pulsed in her hand, his essence had streamed so hot and thick from him and her inner channel had sucked greedily at his fingers. This was passion, what she’d never have with Duncan, never wanted to have with any other than him. How she wanted her chosen one to simply take her away from this place so she no longer had to think, only that was impossible. Touching her forehead against his, she gave a little shake of her head. “I cannae marry you, no’ when my parents’ safety will come into question. I fear for them, greatly.”
“Tell me why. Your papa holds the battle skill and your mama the ability to foresee another’s death. They are strong in their own rights, are safe and well.”
“Should I choose you, then they will forfeit their lives.” She flopped onto her back on the mossy ground beside him. She’d loved each and every one of his kisses and even though they hadn’t joined in the way of man and wife, in that moment when his seed had rushed forth from him, she’d desperately wished that his essence had instead spurted deep inside her. “I’ve been protecting them my entire life. They are why I’ve never left the MacKenzie’s keep. I’ve never even attempted to make contact with them.”
“Explain everything to me.” He edged up onto his side, stroked one hand down her arm and looked into her eyes. “You’re carrying a burden you’ve no need to.”
“The day I was abducted by Colin MacKenzie, he decreed that one day I’d wed one of his three sons, that he wished for my fae blood to flow strongly through his line. He also warned me that should I ever defy him then he’d ensure my parents’ death. He knows naught of my skill, has never told another of my fae blood in case my parents hear of it.”
“I can warn your parents of his threat, ensure they’re kept safe behind the fortified walls of the House of Clan Matheson rather than at the village. Your mama will know if any harm is about to befall either your papa or herself. That is the beauty of her skill. She can keep them both safe if you but allow it.” He stroked a finger under her chin and down the long column of her neck. “You arenae a child anymore. ’Tis time for you to live, to bind yourself to me and to learn all about your true clan.”
“Colin always keeps his word.” Hot tears burned behind her eyes. “He’ll hurt them.”
Determination flared in his gaze. “I’ll make certain your parents take every precaution.”
“There is more.”
“Tell me. Whatever fears you have I’ll aid you in overcoming them.”
“Duncan and I are betrothed. We’re to speak vows when he returns from Ardan House in a few days’ time.” She couldn’t halt the scorching stream of hot tears from flowing down her cheeks. “I’ve made such a mess of things. I truly couldnae see past the threat to my parents’ lives, regardless of their fae abilities. If I could be taken from them, then they surely could be too.”
“I understand, and you’ve done all you could these past twenty years, what you believed would be best. No’ only will I speak to your parents, but I’ll also speak with Duncan about your betrothal and explain the turn of events. I’ll certainly never allow you to wed him, no’ while there’s still breath in my body. I will fight for you.” Firm words, and as she delved deeper within his mind, she saw the absolute truth of them. He’d never let her go, not now he’d finally found her.
“Both Coll and Duncan have known who I was from the very beginning. A few days afore my abduction, Mama took me to Colin’s stronghold after receiving a vision about his sons. She feared for them and though I cannae explain why, ’tis the truth. I trust them, and neither have ever raised arms against a Matheson and never shall. That I give you my word on.”
“I can see how great your love is for them, but ’tis you and I who are soul bound.” He rose to his feet and pulled her to hers, lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed each one. “I’ll make things right, go and see Duncan and speak to him of our bond.”
“You make everything sound so simple. What if it isnae? What if my parents are harmed, and all because I chose you over Duncan? I would never be able to live with myself if it all went terribly wrong.”
“We cannae control other people’s actions, only our own. All I ask is that you take a leap of faith and accept my aid. Dinnae give up the good fight, for I know your parents never would. Come, let’s wash up so we can dress and leave. I have much to do to secure your hand in marriage, which now includes breaking your betrothal to another and ensuring your parents are kept safe.” He leaned over the side of the pool, scooped water and splashed himself clean.
“I want to come with you when you leave to see Duncan.” She cleaned herself, righted her shift.
“War rages at present. How often do you ride for Ardan?” He set a hand at her back and steered her around the pool toward their belongings, picked up his plaid and wrapped it around her.
“Duncan has become fiercely overprotective of late. I’m permitted to come this far from the keep since we have guards positioned along the main trail routes, but—” Oh, she’d clear forgotten. “Gordon came with me this day and hunts nearby. He’ll be awaiting my call so we can return.”
“I’ll deal with Gordon.” He caught her hand, pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “My disguise is in place and he will know me only as Rand MacKenzie until I’ve spoken with your brother. I’ll never allow another to toss me back into your dungeons and keep me away from you.”
She spread her hand over his wet tunic, the fabric clinging to his muscled body and displaying every deliciously sculptured plane. Sweeping downward, she stroked over his rigid abs which tightened under her touch. Her mate was an elixir of the most decadent sort, one she would crave for the rest of her life and of that she had no doubt. She’d take this chance given to her, to try and claim back all she’d ever lost. “You’re mine.”
“Aye, as you’re mine.” He slowly lowered to one knee, brought her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against her palm. “I have something I must say to you, and to do so afore we return to Coll’s keep.”
“You do?”
“Aye. From this day forth I give you my oath, Kyla. With my body and all that I am, I will honor you. I wish to give you my name, for my clan to be yours, for us to live as man and wife. I give you my word I’ll keep you safe, honor your needs and desires above my own, watch over your nearest and dearest as well.” He looked deep into her eyes. “This day I give you my full and complete protection. You hold the other half of my soul, and never will I release you to another.”
A slow heat invaded her limbs, a rippling wave of warmth that spread through her body. No one had ever declared such an oath to her. She sank to her knees, his words touching her very heart and soul. “I too would like to give you my oath. With my body and all that I am, I will honor your needs above my own, accept your full and complete protection. I hold the other half of your soul, and I will never release it to another. I wish to place my trust in you, to no longer give Colin any control over me.”
“You do me the greatest honor with such an oath.” He slid one hand around the back of her head, his fingers spearing through her damp tresses as he leaned in, his lips a whisper from hers.
“Ronan Matheson!” Gordon stormed out from behind a tree, and her heart almost catapulted from her c
hest. “Your disguise certainly would have fooled me had you no’ just admitted to the truth. I shall never allow you anywhere near my lady. She is betrothed to my laird, no other oaths permitted. You clearly wish to go to war with us.”
“You misunderstand. I am here only to claim my chosen one.” Ronan pushed her in behind him, shielding her with his body just as Gordon slid his sword free from its sheath.
“I’ve misunderstood naught.” Gordon charged forward and Ronan snatched his sword from his pile of belongings on the ground and slammed his blade into Gordon’s.
Their weapons clashed and steel rang loud against steel.
Gordon heaved back and thrust again.
Ronan blocked Gordon’s next swift blow. “Put your weapon down, man. You could too easily harm Kyla.”
“Leave this place now and I’ll ensure she comes to no harm.” Gordon’s gaze glinted with loathing. “You have no right to be here on MacKenzie land.”
“Nay, this madness must stop.” She rushed forward and Ronan blocked her, pushed her back.
“Clearly you wish to revisit your cell.” Gordon attacked and Ronan ducked his swift strike, whirled around and swiped his blade across Gordon’s chest, metal scraping over metal.
“My next strike will be where you’ll bleed. Make no mistake.” Ronan dropped low, swept his leg out and kicked Gordon across his knees.
Toppling, Gordon hauled his dagger free, went to throw it but he slammed to the ground and hit his head on a protruding rock. Skin split open and blood gushed forth, his dagger embedded in his own wrist from the fall.
“Damn it.” Ronan scanned the trees, hunkered down and pressed two fingers to Gordon’s neck. “His heart still beats, albeit slow and unsteady.”
“You should’ve allowed me to explain things to him.” She dropped down beside him. “Gordon wouldnae have raised his sword against you if I had. Duncan allows none within his ranks to harm one of the fae, a stipulation all have agreed to, including Gordon and even though he does no’ hold a great deal of love for your clan, he still abides by Duncan’s decree. Even the two guards who flayed you have been sent far away.”
“Gordon barely gave me the chance to speak, let alone you.” He tore a strip from the hem of his black tunic and wrapped the cloth around Gordon’s head, tore another length off, pulled Gordon’s dagger from his wrist and bound the deep wound. “He’ll need stitches or else he’ll bleed out. I shouldnae have forgotten he remained so close by. Cherub and Kirk warned me you had a guard and it clear slipped my mind.”
“I’ll stitch his wounds the moment we return to the keep.” She’d been cavorting with her mate when an entire garrison of highly trained warriors remained so very close by. “This is all my fault. Gordon’s allegiance belongs to Duncan and he knew of my betrothal, clearly considered you a direct threat when he heard our oaths. Until you speak to Duncan, you must no’ tell another exactly who you are.”
“I agree. I’ll remain as Rand.”
Blood leaked through the cloth wrapped around Gordon’s wrist and she tore a strip from her shift and bound another layer of cotton around it. Good. The flow eased with the added pressure and no longer stained the cloth. She lifted Gordon’s closed eyelids, the whites of his eyes showing and a massive bruise blooming on his forehead. “He is out to it, well and truly.”
“Let’s dress. We need to return, immediately.” He aided her to her feet and gripped her shoulders. “Gordon’s presence here causes an issue, but no’ an irreversible one. We’ll return to the keep and once we have, you tend his wounds while I ride for Ardan. ’Twill be the quickest way to see my conversation with Duncan done. Is Coll still on his mission, as he was during my imprisonment?”
“Aye, he still scours the length and breadth of MacKenzie land in his call-to-arms. He wishes for men to join him, who will remain both loyal to him and hold sympathy for your clan.”
“Sympathy for my Matheson kin?”
“Aye, and please dinnae ask me anymore about that.” She wrung the water from her shift, flapped out her gown and pulled it over her head. Layers of midnight-blue velvet shimmered down to her ankles and she laced the front stays, belted her girdle at her waist and stuffed her feet into her slippers.
Ronan dressed beside her, belted his kilt, stripped his wet tunic off and donned a dry one from his bag before strapping his weapons on. He grasped Gordon, hefted the man up and over his shoulder then eyed the trail ahead. “Lead the way, my bride-to-be.”
Oh, what a dream that would be. She held his words close to her heart as she stuffed her belongings in her bag, snatched up Ronan’s satchel then dashed along the forest trail toward Carron. The wind rose as she made the quick trek back and once she broke free of the woods, the formidable stone walls of the keep rose high ahead. She hurried toward the postern gate where armed guards patrolled the battlements above.
“Kyla!” Hamish, Duncan’s closest confidant, a man who knew the truth about her and her brothers’ fae blood, lifted a hand. “Is that Coll with you?”
“Nay, ’tis Rand MacKenzie.” Over her shoulder, she whispered to Ronan, “Hamish is Muirin’s brother and one of the full-blooded fae. He also holds ‘the sight’ and receives visions when harm is about befall us. He’s been instrumental in ensuring all has gone well of late, his knowledge immense, the same as Muirin’s is. We should tell him the truth, allow him to aid you in your plight. He would never harm a Matheson.”
“No’ yet. I wish to see for myself that I can trust him. I willnae risk losing you a second time because I didnae take all care.” He waved out. “I’m told your name is Hamish. I stumbled upon the lady and this warrior in the forest. Unfortunately, he’s injured himself and needs tending. I ask to be granted access to Carron’s keep.”
“Wait right there.” Hamish disappeared from the battlements and tramped down the stairwell, appeared below and shoved the postern gate open. He cast his gaze over Gordon’s slumped form. “How did all this happen?”
“Allow me to explain.” She snuck in front of Ronan since he’d moved to place himself between her and Hamish. “Gordon, ah, tripped and fell, hit his head on a rock, and…” How did she explain his wrist wound? “Stabbed himself when he did, accidentally, of course.”
“I’ve never known the man to be so clumsy.” Hamish shook his head. “All these injuries came at his own hand?”
“Aye, Gordon had a wee bit too much to drink last eve.” She motioned to Ronan. “I’ve met Rand afore, during a clan gathering. He’s an honorable warrior, heard of Coll’s call-to-arms and traveled here to offer his sword arm. I’ve informed him that Duncan is at Ardan House and he would need to visit him there if he wished to speak to him afore joining our cause.”
“I didnae ‘see’ Rand’s coming arrival.”
“That would be because he means us no harm. Surely you wouldnae have ‘seen’ something unless he did, correct?” She held her breath, prayed fervently her word would stand.
“Aye, you’re correct.” Hamish cocked a brow at Ronan. “Where exactly do you hail from, Rand?”
“A village to the south of Kintail, and all is as the lady has explained. I’ve come to offer my sword arm, would like to speak to Duncan first to ensure his approval if I might?” He slipped in front of her again. Aye, definitely stubborn times two.
“Might we go inside?” She ducked around Ronan once more then with her back to him, stamped on top of his booted feet to keep him in place, all while smiling cheerily at Hamish. Let her chosen one try to whip in front of her now. Goodness. The males in the mated bond were notoriously overprotective, and her mate appeared no different even though she stood within a stone’s throw of a garrison of warriors who’d protect her with their very lives. He was one man against so many until he’d spoken to Duncan and fixed everything she’d set moving on the wrong path. Drat it all. If only he’d arrived yesterday. Her betrothal would be one less thing he’d have to fix.
“Aye, come inside.” Hamish stepped aside and gestured for her and Rona
n to proceed him through the gate. “Never have I looked more forward to a vision as I do right now.”
“As I look forward to you receiving one too.” She desperately looked forward to it. Hamish could be trusted, implicitly.
Chapter 3
“This way, Rand.” Kyla dashed across the inner courtyard toward the front doors of the keep, halted in the entryway and motioned for him to go up the side stairs so they could divert the great hall and those who would have already assembled there for the midday meal. At least she’d gotten her chosen one safely inside the keep without issue. Now to get him back out again and on his way to Ardan, and preferably with Hamish at his side. The seer would watch over him, his fae blood demanding he keep his own people safe. “Rand, take the first chamber on your right once you reach the first landing.”
“Will do.”
“You may have already secured the lady’s trust, but you’ve yet to secure mine.” Hamish pounded upstairs after Ronan and she chased them both.
“I came upon the lady by chance and I only sought to ensure she came to no harm, to return her safely to Carron and of course that her guardsman receives the care he needs.” Ronan swept inside the chamber she’d indicated, carefully eased Gordon over his shoulder and laid him down on the sheeted bed.
“Clearly Gordon is unable to give me an account from his own mouth.” Hamish moved to the other side of the bed and lifted Gordon’s closed eyelids. “Accidents happen, of course, but he is badly hurt.”
“His was a most unfortunate accident.” She set her bag and Ronan’s down in the corner, closed the door then crossed to the side table before the unlit fireplace where she kept her herbs and healing supplies. “I’ll have Gordon back on his feet in no time.”
She searched for the plantain she’d gathered from the forest only a few days ago. Various herbs still hung on a wire near the open window and from amongst the bunches, she plucked what she needed. She tore the leaves from the stem and along with a stone mortar and pestle, mashed and ground the plantain herb into a green paste, a salve she used for cleansing wounds and preventing them from festering. “Hamish, I need you to light the fire and set the pot of water to boiling.”
Highlander's Bride: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 1) Page 6
