Etain observed the demonstration in silence. Idly tapping her chin with her finger, she seemed lost in thought. “Ye move like yer father, child,” she commented quietly. Moving slowly across the room, she raised Jared’s chin, examining the scratches running down the length of his neck. Glancing in Kaitla’s direction, her voice quivered with emotion, “See to him, child. Heal him with yer touch.”
Jared stared with confusion first at Etain then at Kaitla. “What does she mean, Kaitla?” he asked, as he gingerly touched the scratches.
Frowning with concern at Etain’s troubled face; Kaitla gently placed her hands over the angry tears along Jared’s throat. As she looked deeply into the haunting gray eyes, her hands grew warm, tingling and glowing with a white healing aura. As she withdrew her hands, Jared reached up to touch the smooth unscarred skin of his throat, that just minutes ago had been raked open and bleeding.
“Ye’re truly blessed,” he whispered in awe, as he looked up into Kaitla’s eyes.
Etain turned her back on the pair, slowly heading for the door. As she walked away, she quietly looked back over one shoulder, “Aye, if it is so destined, the lass is able to heal.” Her gaze dropping sadly to the floor, she shook her head, “But destiny also decrees she must take the life of my son.” Then she quietly disappeared down the hallway, the rustle of her gown echoing through the silent house.
Her gaze returning to Jared’s frowning face, Kaitla swallowed hard to curb the rising lump in her throat. “I guess I hadn’t realized before now, just how torn Etain must be about all this.”
Cradling Kaitla’s cheek in his warm comforting hand, Jared barely smiled, “She knows what must be done. She willna’ blame ye for the task destiny has assigned ye.”
Kaitla’s smile trembled with the fluttering of her heart. Backing slowly out of Jared’s reach, she quickly bent to retrieve Tobias from the settee. She couldn’t believe how just the touch of his hand could disturb her so. Remembering Etain’s words about Jared’s betrothal, Kaitla mentally shook herself, sternly commanding her emotions to cease-fire.
“I think it’s time I turned in, Jared,” she smiled softly, hugging Tobias like a shield. “Thank you for everything.”
His eyes clouded with confusion, Jared returned her smile, “Good night, Kaitla. Ye know I’m here ta’ serve ye.”
Clutching Tobias tightly, Kaitla rushed down the hall to her room. Once inside, she exhaled with relief, as she settled him comfortably on the loveseat in the corner. As she started toward the bathroom door, she heard a light scratching at the veranda door. Pausing to listen closer for the source of the sound, Kaitla smiled as the second scratch was accompanied by a quiet “woof”. Opening the door just wide enough to admit him, Kaitla bent down and scratched the lopsided ears of the gentle black dog.
“Decided you like sleeping indoors, have you?” she observed to the friendly beast as he thumped his tail in agreement. Hugging the dog gently, she patted him lightly on the side, “Well, I guess I kind of like the extra company too,” she admitted more to herself then to the dog. As the dog settled himself comfortably on the rug beside the bed, Kaitla patted him once more before undressing. “Goodnight my friend….I’ll see you in the morning.”
Turning from the dog, she quickly undressed, tossing her clothes on the back of the loveseat. In her weariness, she didn’t bother donning her nightgown, she just slid naked between the cool crisp sheets, quickly drifting off to sleep. The day had been totally exhausting.
Suddenly, she knew she wasn’t alone. Kaitla could hear ragged breathing in her ear. The stench of sweat and blood assaulted her senses. Her heart was pounding so hard; she could barely catch her breath. A cold raspy voice whispered, “I will see ye dead before my spirit departs!” She couldn’t see a face but the cold clammy hands were gripping her by her throat, choking the air from her body. She kicked and scratched at the unseen assailant. Ripping her nails down his face, the smell of fresh blood and stale breath nearly gagged her. She twisted and bit at the heavy arm across her body, loosening his hands enough from her throat to fill her lungs for a piercing scream. His hands moved from her throat to her shoulders, shaking her….
“Kaitla! Kaitla! Wake up, lass! Break his hold, I’m here for ye!” Jared was shaking her body as Kaitla finally swam to the surface of consciousness, eyes staring wildly as she tried to focus on reality. Jared sat on the edge of the bed, his short dark hair disheveled. The muscles of his bare chest rippled in the moonlight, his dark eyes frantic as they searched her face. Kaitla reached out hesitantly to touch his arm, convincing herself she was truly awake and safe. Jared quickly gathered her into his strong embrace, cradling her body in his arms. She could feel his warm skin against her clammy flesh. Kaitla buried her face to his throat, inhaling the wonderful scent of him. She nestled closer to lose herself in the salty sweet aroma of woods and the inviting warmth of his body. She could feel his powerful arms encircling her body, pulling her closer until their hearts were nearly beating as one. Gently, he rearranged the pillows with one hand, easing her back against them. He smoothed the tangled hair away from her face whispering, “It was an evil dream, but he’s gone now. He willna’ return as long as I’m here.” He slowly stretched out on the bed along side her, continuing to cradle her against his body.
It was a clear night. The moonlight shining through the windows illuminated the bedroom in an eerie blue light. Jared’s eyes traveled the length of Kaitla’s trembling body, reveling in every delicate curve. “Lord, lass, ye’re beautiful.” His deep gentle voice hypnotized her as his free hand caressed her cheek and traced the outline of her lips. She hesitantly touched his chest, running her fingers through the wiry dark hairs covering the broad expanse, feeling the taut muscles beneath her fingertips sliding smoothly beneath his skin. Cautiously bending to taste her lips, Jared touched his mouth gently to hers, his mouth barely brushing across her slightly parted lips. Moving slowly, as though afraid to shatter the spell, he tenderly kissed her eyes, as he pulled her closer in his embrace.
Unwillingly, her conscience nudged her, her old defenses trying to protect her from future pain. “What about Elsbet?” she whispered softly, half hoping he wouldn’t hear her.
She felt him stiffen in her arms, inhaling raggedly as he pressed his mouth against her throat. “I’ve never met the Lady Elsbet. It’s but an arrangement Etain has made with Elsbet’s clan.” Pulling her closer, he hypnotically traced the path of her spine with his thumb. “I canna be unfaithful to someone I neither know nor love,” he whispered as his hand slowly moved lower. Gently stroking her hips and thighs, he turned her insides to molten fire as he barely brushed across the reddish hair where her thighs joined her body. Softly insistent, he teased the bud of her passion with his thumb as his fingers deftly explored her wet folds.
Breathless and aching, Kaitla knew she had to resolve this issue before she lost complete control, “I can’t be with you for just one night. I’ve been hurt too many times…and….I’ve never gone this far before.” Gently pushing away from him, she looked into his great dark eyes. “If you’re to marry Elsbet, leave my bed now. I’d rather suffer more nightmares before having my heart shattered again.” She reached down, shoving his delicious hands away from her body, retrieving the bedsheet and clutching it to her chest.
“I’ve not agreed to the marriage plans Etain has prepared,” Jared explained patiently, his voice straining with passion. “I dinna ken how ta’ make ye understand. I’m drawn to ye, Kaitla, not just physically but more….ye’ve been calling ta’ me across the realms for ages. When I look upon ye….I know in m’heart ye were meant to be mine alone. Please dinna cast me away from ye. Let me show ye how wonderful it can be….to love…and be loved in return.”
Shaken by his words and the nearness of his body, Kaitla caressed his strong jaw, whispering softly, “I don’t think I could cast you away now….even if I wanted to.”
In response, Jared roughly tore aside the sheet, pulling her to his chest. Head bent; hi
s mouth found hers, not hesitantly this time, but urgently seeking…greedy for her welcoming lips. She ran her hands down the length of his back, finding his breeches and tugging in vain. “Let me” he whispered as he nibbled at her throat. Not bothering to undo the stubborn buttons, he merely popped them from the threads, shucking the breeches off into the floor. Gathering her back up into his arms, he hoarsely murmured into her hair, “I’ve needed ye for ages, Kaitla.”
Kaitla pulled his head down to her open mouth, answering him by molding her body against his. Caressing his back, squeezing his sleek firm hips, she melted against his passion-hardened body even closer. He abandoned her mouth to suckle her breasts until she moaned, clutching his head to her chest. She had wondered about this moment…fantasized about the perfect lover…but her mind had never prepared her for anything like this. Grasping at Jared’s shoulders until he looked up into her face, “Please, now,” she gasped, begging for release.
Eyes black with passion, he smiled as he replied, “Aye lass, now”. He bent his head to her mouth as he joined with her body…quickly tearing through her maidenhead with a possesive thrust. “Forever mine!” he growled, covering her mouth with his…his tongue thrusting in rhythm with his shaft. Wrapping her legs around him, Kaitla pulled his body even closer, arching to match his thrusts. Their bodies rippling in the moonlight, the ancient rhythm rocked them, each wave cresting again and again, until they both cried out in release, collapsing breathless to lie exhausted in a warm contented pile of emotion.
Finally finding the strength, Jared rolled over to her side, reaching down to pull the sheet over the two of them. Kaitla snuggled up against his chest and vaguely heard him whisper into her hair, “Ye’ll always be mine, lass. Always be my own.” Smiling to herself, she pulled him even closer in her arms and drifted off to sleep.
~*~
Kaitla awoke to the pattering of rain against the window casements, distant thunder rumbling slightly louder then the strum of the water against the glass. The gray light shining through the windows attested to the dreary wet dawn. As she lay listening to the steady tempo of the falling rain, she gradually became aware of slow steady breathing behind her. Curled by her side, Jared’s sleep-warmed body was snug against her, his knees fitted just behind hers, his arm curled protectively around her waist, one of her breasts cradled in his hand. Spoons in a drawer came to mind as she nudged even closer back against the tickling hairs of his chest.
The rhythm of his breathing changing slightly, Jared slowly kneaded the breast in his palm, cradling it like a prize possesion. His fingers tenderly circled the nipple, quickly raising it to a peak, his thumb and forefinger rasping it into an erotic point. He gently kissed the back of her neck, nibbling his way across her shoulders and down her back until she was trembling and breathless. His hand abandoned her breast and slowly slid south to curve between her legs into the moist inviting warmth. He continued his ministrations, his tongue joining his fingers to lap at her love-dampened folds. Taunting and tasting her body, his face buried between her thighs until Kaitla once more begged him to take her. The gray eyes crinkled with delight as he slowly shook his head. “Nay, not yet, lass. This time ye must be patient.”
The drumming rain and rolling thunder grew louder and more intense, matching each delicious spasm coursing through her body. Reaching the point where she could stand to wait no longer, Kaitla quickly rolled and shifted her position, pinning the surprised Jared to the bed. Pushing his shoulders deep into the pillows, she rose over his body, settling herself upon him with a groan of ecstasy. “Yes, now!” she argued through clenched teeth as she ground her hips to settle him to her deepest core. Spreading her fingers across his muscled chest, she rode victoriously, a sheen of sweat coating her body, causing it to shimmer in the half-light of dawn. Enthusiastically admitting defeat, Jared closed his eyes, strong hands gripping her waist and arched his back to meet the rhythms of his rider. With a brilliant flash of lightening, and a deafening clap of thunder, they seemed to glow with an electric aura as they both cried out in ecstatic release.
Dozing lightly, Kaitla started at the slight rapping on the bedroom door. Wrapping the sheet around her body, she rolled out of bed. She grabbed the silky comforter from the foot of the bed, tossing it over Jared, who was now gently snoring.
Kaitla toddled to the bedroom door with short hopping steps, her legs wrapped snugly in the bedsheet. She barely cracked the door to find Hobart smiling sheepishly at the head of a breakfast cart. From the looks of the contents, Hobart was fully aware that she was not alone.
“I thought ye’d be ready for yer breakfast about now,” whispered Hobart conspiratorially.
Eyes narrowed, Kaitla clearly read what Hobart was actually thinking. She wasn’t surprised at most of the content but was rather surprised to learn Hobart was actually Jared’s watcher or in earth realm terminology, his godfather. “I’m glad you’re so proud of your laddie, Hobart!” Kaitla replied dryly, as she opened the door wider to admit him.
Reddening slightly across his old weathered cheeks, “Hmmmppf! Well, ---ah yes. Anyway, I’ve prepared the two of ye a fine breakfast. ‘Tis a damp and dreary mornin’, perfect fer stayin’ in and takin’ yer breakfast at yer leisure.” He rolled the cart through the doorway, across to the table by the window.
“Good mornin’ to ye, laddie!” Hobart literally beamed at Jared, now leaning against the headboard; hands comfortably propped behind his head.
“Good mornin’ to ye, Hobart. A fine mornin’ it is too!” Jared glanced at the sheets of rain sluicing down outside the windows, then met Kaitla’s gaze with a grin. She could feel her cheeks getting hot as the color began to rise…once again cursing her fair complexion for betraying her emotions.
Clearing her throat, Kaitla decided to change the subject, “I believe I’ll have a quick bath before breakfast,” she said, as she shyly backed into the bathroom, quickly closing the door to Jared’s low laughter and Hobart’s wheezing chuckles.
About an hour later, she emerged from the bathroom to find Etain, Jared and Tobias sharing breakfast at the rather cramped little table. At her entrance, Etain quickly rose, relocating to the loveseat in the corner to finish her morning tea.
“Good mornin’ to ye, Kaitla.” The fathomless eyes peered intently over the rim of the delicate china cup as Etain sipped her tea. Kaitla felt faint stirrings in her mind as though Etain was seeking a foothold for control but couldn’t quite find the path.
“Good morning, Etain.” Kaitla met the obsidian eyes dead on with a golden glare of her own. She sensed Etain had mixed feelings about the sudden change in her relationship with Jared. She understood the situation would be difficult for her to resolve once they returned to Cuchailard; the agreement with Elsbet and possibly an explanation to the father she had yet to meet would have to be handled with extreme diplomacy. But she wouldn’t deny the warm ember she could feel beginning to glow deep within her for the man now sitting at her breakfast table. Kaitla set her jaw in determination, silently daring Etain to battle.
“Forgive me, Kaitla.” Etain’s eyes dropped as she carefully placed the fragile cup upon its saucer in her lap. “I’m pleased ta’ see ye growing so strong, child. None in the realm has ever been able to turn my gaze aside.” Etain was actually pleased that Kaitla had chosen to open herself to Jared. But she dreaded the confrontation with Laird Caymber, knowing in her heart that he would never accept a descendant of Ravon as the father of his grandchildren. Settling her face in her hands, Etain shook her head sadly as she realized Kaitla seemed destined to be hurt by fate once again.
Sitting on the loveseat beside her, Kaitla studied the bowed silver head with compassion. Etain wore a midnight blue gown styled from the era of King Arthur, giving her an ethereal, magical appearance. Slowly taking the tiny hand within her own, she murmured softly, “I want you on my side, Etain. I don’t wish to battle you.”
“I shall forever be faithful to ye, Kaitla…as I have been to your father before ye.” A
single tear escaped, shimmering down one cheek like a tiny diamond.
“I know you will,” Kaitla replied, squeezing Etain’s hand tightly. “You’re the closest thing I have to a real mother, Etain. I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve just recently found you.” Etain returned Kaitla’s squeeze but couldn’t reply for the emotions that were like a knot in her throat. Gently releasing her hand, Kaitla tactfully kept her back to her, allowing her to compose herself, and filled a breakfast plate with fresh strawberries and a barely warm scone.
With Tobias temporarily distracted with a full belly, Kaitla took the opportunity to examine the damaged paw. To her surprise, the wound was completely healed with only a tiny patch of furless skin to attest to the rat bite. Knowing she hadn’t been the one to heal him, Kaitla eyed the little cat with a puzzled frown. Her look of confusion prompted Jared to supply an explanation. “I’m not so bad a healer myself, Kaitla. I canna do quite the feats that you and Etain are capable of but there are a few gifts that I, too, have been blessed with.” He grinned proudly as Tobias demonstrated no ill effects to the paw by batting at a thread Jared slowly teased him with.
“That’s wonderful!” she said, as she smiled at Tobias’ antics. “I’m glad I’ve got you on my side as well!” Kaitla rounded the table to fetch her hairbrush off the dresser, passing close enough for Jared to grab her by the waist, pulling her into his lap.
Taking her face in both his hands, he looked deep into her eyes, “Never forget that, lass!” Then sealed the reminder with a slow burning kiss. He dispelled the reverie, though, as he announced, “Etain, we’d best be discussing the traveling. With Ravon weak from his wounds, now is the time.”
Awakening Her Soul to Destiny Page 8
