“Wine makes me hot.”
He pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear. “I believe I have something in the cellars that may cool you…or make you burn even more. I’ll leave the decision to you.”
Brianagh stared at him, open-mouthed. She really didn’t understand what Nioclas’s game was, but she had a feeling she was due to find out.
“But,” Nioclas continued slowly, rubbing his bottom lip with his thumb, “not until later, perhaps. For now, you should sit, and I’ll ensure you have refreshment brought over.”
“O-okay,” she stuttered, distracted by what his thumb was doing to his lip. Back, forth, back, forth, back—
“Brianagh,” Nioclas said, dipping his head to capture her eyes with his. “Go. Sit.”
“Of course.” She gave her head a little shake, and while walking back to the high table, she realized he’d done the lip thing on purpose and found herself cursing him again. Bri wasn’t competitive by nature, but she didn’t like to lose. And, being as though she certainly wasn’t winning at the moment…
She cast a glance over her shoulder and caught the smoldering look Nioclas was casting her. She bit her lip seductively, winked at him, then basked in his surprise.
Two could play at that game.
• • •
Brianagh dragged herself upstairs, congratulating herself on a night well done. Keela had the time of her life, and even her mother, who sat and watched from the side, had herself a good time. Although Aoife couldn’t dance, Kane MacWilliam paid much attention to her. He flirted with the old woman, made her laugh, and fetched her drinks as though she were a queen.
Impressive. Kane was observant enough of Keela to notice her life revolved around her mother, and that earned bonus points in Bri’s book. And it was a clever move. By paying attention to her mother, he was guaranteed Keela’s attention without having to fight for it. Double points for him.
Bri latched the door shut, then turned—and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Nioclas sitting by the hearth.
“That was a very long night,” he said by way of greeting.
She let out a breath, then smiled proudly. “It was, wasn’t it? In the very best way, though. I think Kane will be wonderful for Keela.”
“He is one of my most loyal guardsmen,” Nioclas agreed, “and he is one of our best warriors. It will make it easier for them, as they both live on castle grounds now.”
Bri wrinkled her forehead. “I didn’t think of where they’re going to live.”
Nioclas laughed. “Brianagh, must you be the one to figure it all out?”
She shrugged and joined him in front of the fire. “Usually, yes.”
“Not this time,” Nioclas promised. “As it’s my castle, I’ll find a place for Keela and her husband, whoever he turns out to be. After reading those”—he pointed to the sheaves of parchment by the alcove—“I am more inclined to lean toward your matching all my men!”
“Why do you say that?” Bri asked, not bothering to fight her smile.
“Donovan said something quite interesting tonight while we were listening to that poor soul attempt to sing.”
Bri winced in memory. “He was terrible, wasn’t he? I felt so badly for him. He wanted to make such a good impression on you.”
“He should have started with the lute,” Nioclas said, rubbing his ear absently.
“And stayed with it,” Bri laughed.
“Absolutely.” Nioclas chuckled. Turning serious, he added, “Do you ever wonder why men battle?”
“Well,” Bri replied, thinking. “I’ve always thought it was for power. Then gold, then land.”
“Perhaps those are the reasons men attack. But why do men who have none of those fight?” Nioclas asked. Before Bri could respond, he answered his own question. “Donovan believes it’s for a man’s own home and a good woman to share it with. And I think…I think I fight to protect my clan’s right to that. But lately, Brianagh, I’ve been wanting more. I’ve been wanting that for myself.” He paused, then gently touched her cheek. “I am not a man who wants what others have. I’ve worked for everything because of my clan, because they trusted in me when I was very young, and to repay them, I’ve dedicated my life to their happiness, their peace.”
Brianagh closed her eyes against the prick of tears.
“But I’ve found that their happiness doesn’t lead me to a full life,” he whispered. “I watch Erin and Donovan—he isn’t less of a laird because of her. He’s more. He’s better because he has an even stronger reason to protect what’s his.”
Brianagh nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“Aye. It took me my entire life to realize what that means.” Nioclas paused, gently brushing her cheek with the back of his scarred hand. “I think you might be my more, Brianagh.” He gently kissed away the tears on her cheeks and whispered, “Consider staying here, Brianagh. With me. Don’t answer me now. I know I ask a lot, perhaps I ask more than I even understand. Just let me show you…”
And then his lips were on hers, and she was kissing him back. He responded, pulling her closer, his hands tightening on her waist, then removing the pins from her hair. He combed it with his fingers, his mouth never leaving hers. He deepened the kiss, tangling their tongues. Breathless moments later, he pulled his head back and silently searched her eyes, imploring wordlessly.
She closed her own again and kissed him with every ounce of passion in her soul.
Nioclas swept Brianagh into his arms and carried her to the bed, where he followed her down onto the feather mattress. As they helped each other out of their clothes, there was no need for words. They explored each other by firelight, with small sighs and intense kisses.
And when Nioclas finally made her his, he knew he would give up everything for her. He could only hope she would be willing to give up everything for him.
Chapter 24
Late the next afternoon, Brianagh found herself on the battlements again. It was the most private place she could go to think. Not many people liked the dizzying heights, and the guards stayed clear of her. She’d been dogged all morning by her new personal guard, and while she understood Nioclas wanted to protect her, she wasn’t able to go more than a few steps without everyone following her.
It was frustrating. She needed some time to process what happened.
She’d slept with Nioclas.
The realization was sobering in the light of day. But, she readily admitted to herself, she wouldn’t take it back. It was the most amazing night of her life, but it was also the most complicated. She loved him—it physically hurt her chest to think of leaving. But it hurt to think of staying too. She’d have to give up everything. Losing her family would be the hardest. Being forced to fully give up her family in order to gain her love was more than unfair.
But the hard truth was that Brianagh knew if she lost Nioclas, she would lose herself too. He was a part of her soul. She knew it all the way to her bones. It was a lot to digest.
“My lady, I’m so glad I found you! One of the women in the village needs you immediately!”
Bri jolted out of her revelations and found one of the guardsmen making his way up the battlement steps. “What’s the matter, Odhran?”
“A childbirth is not going well. Lady Maguire is in the village with the woman now, but has asked for you.”
“Lady Maguire?” Bri asked, standing carefully. “What’s she doing there?”
Odhran shrugged, helping her down the narrow stairs. “I’m not certain, my lady. But Lady Maguire did say it was urgent that you join her immediately.”
“Laird MacWilliam said I’m not to leave the castle without the rest of the guard.”
“No time, my lady!” Odhran said sharply, then quickly bowed his head. “Forgive me. The villagers are superstitious. If the babe dies and Lady Maguire is thought to have cursed it, she’ll be drowned before the laird is any wiser. If you are there, you can dispute any claims, and your word is law.”
Brianagh’s eyes nearly popped out of her head and she urged him forward. “Let’s go, Odhran,” she replied firmly. “Erin will not be accused of anything if I have anything to say about it.”
They hurried through the bailey, and when they reached the outer gate, the guardsman refused to let them out. “Strict orders not to let Lady MacWilliam out without the entire personal guard!” he shouted down apologetically.
Brianagh threw her hands on her hips. “I command you to open this gate at once!” she called back. “This is an emergency, and I need to get to the village immediately!”
The man looked skeptical.
Brianagh almost stamped her foot in frustration. Erin was probably with the poor woman now, comforting her in her last moments and worrying about being burned to a crisp if someone claims she killed the woman.
“Sir, look here! I’m with Odhran. He is one of my guardsmen, and he will be enough until the others can catch up. Open the gate!”
Something in her voice must have tipped the gatekeeper off, that she truly was heading into an emergency, and he reluctantly opened the gate and lowered the drawbridge. She hurried through and turned toward the village, but stopped when Odhran put his arm on hers.
“Nay, my lady, we must take a safer route, as it is just me to protect you. We’ll go around, through the forest,” Odhran said, casting glances around them.
“If you think that’s best,” Bri replied uncertainly. She looked over at the forest, which was covered in fresh snow from last night. “It’s getting dark. Let’s hurry.”
She followed him into a thick copse of trees, carefully picking her way over tree roots and fallen branches. After a few minutes, she looked around. She had a terrible sense of direction, but even she knew they weren’t headed toward the village. “Odhran, I think this is the wrong way!”
He caught her by the arm as she lost her footing, then righted her…but didn’t let go. “We’re not heading to the village.”
Her heart lodged in her throat and she tried to shake him off her arm, but he tightened his grip and drew his sword. “Do not fight, or scream.” The sword glinted in the dying light of day. “Just come with me, and I won’t have to hurt you.”
“Odhran, what are you doing?” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“By morning, your husband will be dead. I’m ensuring you get to the new laird before that happens,” he replied, dragging her deeper into the forest.
“Dead?” Her heart plummeted to her knees. All around her, night was falling fast. She had to release herself from his grasp and somehow run fast enough to get away from him. She could follow their footprints back to the castle, if she could see them.
Odhran stopped suddenly, then cocked his head. “We wait here.”
“Please, Odhran, just bring me back. I won’t tell Nioclas, I promise,” she babbled, trying to work her arm free. She was going to have a huge bruise there; his grip was overly tight. “He’ll come looking for me, you know!”
“I’ll gag you, if you don’t stop talking,” Odhran growled.
Brianagh recoiled and tried to control her breathing as they waited for whatever—or whomever—they were there to meet. Reilly was right—she really was too trusting of people. She vowed that would stop once she was free.
If she ever was freed.
“You’ve done as I’ve asked,” said a voice from her right.
Brianagh whipped her head around, and her heart started hammering.
A short, stocky man with beady eyes appeared from nowhere. His balding head shone in the moonlight, and his beard covered most of his face. Brianagh couldn’t make out his features very well, but all the hair on her neck stood up.
“Give her to me.”
“Not until I get my gold,” Odhran replied.
The man chuckled. “Your payment. Of course.” He withdrew a small bag and dropped it into Odhran’s outstretched hand. “You’ll do well in our new clan.” The man grabbed Brianagh by her other arm, and Odhran let her go.
Bile rose in her throat as she realized she’d just been sold.
“Please let me go,” she whispered. “My husband will give you anything you want, I promise!”
“Stop talking,” the man said curtly. “Odhran, the battle has started.” Odhran nodded, then turned away. The man clucked his tongue. “Pity you won’t be there to see it.” In a flash, he buried a sword into Odhran’s back. Brianagh covered her mouth and watched in horror as the snow around him turned red.
“Move,” the man commanded.
She bit her lip to keep from crying out and stumbled when he pushed her in front of him. She regained her footing, and kept moving. The bloody sword in the man’s hand left her no choice in the matter.
• • •
“We’re under attack!” Aidan exclaimed, bursting into Nioclas’s solar. “I see Kildare colors…and Burke’s.”
Nioclas swore. “I should’ve known he would ally himself with Kildare.”
Donovan skidded up to Aidan, panting. “Erin is locked in her chamber with the other women, but Brianagh left the castle.”
Nioclas’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean left the castle?”
“She’s gone. Many people told me she left with Odhran for the village, about an hour ago, and no one has seen her since.”
Nioclas slammed his fists onto the table, causing the inkwell to tip onto a stack of parchment. “Just Odhran? Did the gatekeeper let her out?”
“He’s dead,” Donovan said.
Nioclas swore again. Battle cries floated up to the chamber, and he grabbed his sword. “Burke came for Brianagh—secure the stairs!” Nioclas called to Donovan as he and Aidan ran from the room. They charged down the steps, directly into a full-fledged attack. Releasing a battle cry, they jumped into the fray, Nioclas shouting orders as he fought to get through the great hall.
He had to find Brianagh before Burke did, but if he knew his sire, he probably already had her.
“Kildare, put down your sword!” Nioclas called out, spying the laird near the front door, clearly waiting for him. “You’re losing your men in a wasted battle!”
“Never!” Kildare spat. “You’ve ruined my daughter! Our honor is lost!”
If he wasn’t so busy fending off two Kildares bent on killing him, Nioclas would’ve shaken his head. He’d seen men go to war for less, but he felt he needed to say, “I didn’t ruin your daughter. She will make a perfectly good wife to someone else. I offered you alliance—wasn’t that enough?”
“How can we ally with one who would steal his own sire’s bride while being promised to another?” Kildare sneered as Nioclas finished off both men with a clean swipe across their bellies.
“My sire has no bride.”
“Oh, he does. The O’Rourke lass, MacWilliam—you stole her from his bedroom!”
Nioclas’s eyes narrowed. “You are a fool, Kildare. I offered you alliance, and you chose to listen to a murderer instead. ’Tis truly a bad decision…and I rescued her from his oubliette. Which,” he said as he crossed blades with the man, “is a far less dangerous place than his bed.”
“When I am laird of your people,” Kildare said as he leapt backward to avoid Nioclas’s lethal swing, “I will ensure they know what a treacherous man you are!”
“Treachery?” Nioclas barked out a laugh. “If you need to know about treachery, look no further than my sire. Pray tell, where is he while your men die all around you?”
“Rescuing his bride from the likes of you,” Kildare replied smugly.
Nioclas felt his first true fear since he held a sword to his father’s throat twenty-two years ago. Burke figured out that Brianagh was the O’Rourke legacy. And in a flash, Nioclas knew what Burke was going to do with her.
Burke was going to use Brianagh to kill him.
“I do not want to kill you,” Nioclas warned, “but you’ve put my wife into danger. I suggest you pull your men out of my castle and go home with your tails between your legs.”
Kildare na
rrowed his eyes. “We stay until I can carry your head back to put on my spike.”
Nioclas smiled grimly and with renewed purpose. “Not the right answer.”
• • •
Hours later, Donovan met Nioclas in the stables. Both were covered in blood. Wearily, they looked out over the bailey. Bodies lay strewn about the courtyard, as they did in the great hall. They were lucky that only a dozen MacWilliams were lost. Kildare and Nioclas’s sire did not realize how prepared his men were to jump into battle.
With Kildare dead, there was only one soul left that needed dispatching to avenge his clansmen’s deaths and his wife’s kidnapping. Nioclas wiped his sword on the dirt.
“Where do you think he took her?” Donovan asked, resting his head against one of the stalls.
“What I’m about to tell you goes no farther than this building,” Nioclas said, “and I tell you because I trust you more than any other, save my brother.” He took a deep breath. “Brianagh is the O’Rourke legacy—she’s from the future. She and O’Malley lived there until the day she was thrown into my sire’s dungeon. I have proof of it, but I cannot show you. You must trust my word. According to O’Malley, Brianagh can move time, although he’s not sure if she knows that. What she knows is that her children will have the ability, and that I’m the fated one to give her those children. They traveled here using an ancient structure in the east—and that is where Burke laid in wait for them. He knew where to find her—I don’t know how. I believe he’ll try to take her back there, then try to get her to move time to return to a time when he could easily kill me.”
Donovan was staring at Nioclas as though he’d lost his mind. “Nioclas, did you take a blow to your head?”
Nioclas closed his eyes. “I wish I did,” he replied quietly. “But nay. I did not.”
“A structure,” Donovan echoed. “In the east.”
Nioclas shot him a glare. “Yes, Maguire. In the east.”
“You think she’s the one!” Disbelief was written all over Donovan’s face. “The key to the O’Rourke legacy?”
The Winter Laird Page 20
