Smiling, Dagmar helped his men even the odds against them until the men of Dunkerie finally decided to retreat. The call to fall back was music to Dagmar’s ears. Still, he knew if they didn’t make their statement, the men of Dunkerie would regroup and attack Hail the first chance they got.
“We need to put these heads on pikes.”
“Good idea,” Bregnan said. “Make them think twice about trying to attack our village again.”
“Has anyone seen Svenbreck, or Dufguss?”
“We’re here,” called Svenbreck, with a small wave.
“Thanks for your help with that bit back there. We’d probably be less ourselves without you.”
“We’re men of Hail and we stick together. Not to mention I promised Aila I’d bring you all home.”
“Smart woman, that one,” Dufguss said.
“Smart, beautiful, and a tremendous pain in my ass,” Dagmar smirked.
“It’s your own fault she broke your nose boy-o, Duffguss laughed.
“I’m thinking,” Svenbreck chuckled. “That Aila may be more woman than I was prepared to deal with. I wish you luck with her brother.”
Battered and bloody, the men of Hail gathered up the extra weapons and any armor that was worth taking. They took the heads of the dead and made a long line of pikes to hold them. And just as the sun was reaching high into the sky for midday, the men of Hail set sail for home.
***
Aila heard the calls and shouts of excitement as villagers went running toward the gates. She could only assume the men had returned from battle. Fresh anger had her up and moving as far away as she could within the confines of their village, even as she fought to keep the weather from going crazy. Her powers were wonderful, except for when she couldn’t control them. Her mother would have shown her how, if she’d lived. Aila was left to learn on her own and when she was angry, the weather showed it. She wouldn’t go outside the walls again today, but as the rain began to fall, she wouldn’t stay and watch Dagmar use his battle scars to woo Asgurda or any other female that showed the slightest interest.
Walking quickly, Aila headed for the hot spring. Maybe a long bath would soothe away her bruised heart and kick the headache that throbbed in her temples. Stripping just as quickly, she dove into the spring, submerging her entire body in the warm, welcoming water. When she came up, however, she knew instinctively that she wasn’t alone.
“I have nothing to say to you, Dagmar Stalson.”
“Then you can listen,” Dagmar said, obviously ready to talk. “Whether you believe me or not, whatever you’ve cooked up in that brain of yours is a lie.”
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand here and let you call me a liar!” Aila shouted, probably loud enough for the whole village to hear her. “You may have made a fool of me and allowed me to humiliate myself in front of our people, but you will not make me out to be crazy or at a loss of my mental faculties.”
“You’re not crazy, and I wouldn’t try to make you sound so. I will tell you, though, that what you think you saw between Asgurda and myself never happened. We were talking, only talking. I was asking her if she could help me with a gift I needed to have ready for the Solstice.”
“You asked Asgurda to help you with a gift for the Solstice?”
“Yes. She’s craftier than she looks, and I needed her particular help with a present I had in mind for someone.”
“Oh,” Aila said, feeling even more foolish. She could feel the anger seep out of her like the water rolled off her skin. Her once white eyes turned a stormy gray as the thunder overhead quieted to a lovely rumbling sound that posed no threat to Hail.
“Aila, I know that in the past I’ve liked to collect quite a string of women. I can understand how seeing me with Asgurda would make you assume something that wasn’t true. I hope you’ll trust what you know to be true about me,” Dagmar said, stepping closer to her. “That I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
Aila finally looked up into his clear blue eyes and saw the truth in his look. She reached up and cupped his face, her eyes pleading for forgiveness. “I’m so sorry I judged you; that my first inclination was to accuse you without even letting you defend yourself.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” Dagmar smiled. “You know me better than anyone else. If anyone has the right to jump to conclusions, it’d be you.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
“Does this answer your question?” Dagmar grinned, and then she felt that wonderful mouth on hers. Passion ignited like a bomb inside her, exploding out along her nerves so that her whole body turned on. The rush of electricity along her skin was so strong that Dagmar jumped away from her. “There’s no chance of me being cooked to death in here with you is there?”
“No,” Aila laughed. Pressing closer to him, Aila felt the hardness that had always attracted her. Dagmar’s muscles bunched when she laid her hands against him, trapping them between their chests. She could feel the tight tips of her breasts as Dagmar continued to kiss her senseless. “I’ve wanted you here, like this, for a while now.”
“Hm,” Aila moaned. Her mind reeled, unable to focus on anything but how amazing her body felt. Dagmar pushed her back as he continued to spread warm kisses over her body.
***
Dagmar knew this stunning woman. He knew her needs, her wants, and the things that got under her skin. Her wants were easy as well, considering they’d known each other since they were children. “Turn around for me.” She did as he asked, trusting him in a way no other woman truly had. With Aila he could be himself without the need to impress anyone. “Will you give yourself to me, Aila?”
“What?” she asked, her mind already noticeably blurred by desire and arousal.
“Give yourself to me, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Aila chuckled. She turned in his arms again so that her beautiful gray eyes were visible in the high moonlight. “Why would you ask?”
“Because I need to know that what we have is something I’ve never shared with anyone else, ever.”
“Okay,” she continued to snicker. “Why are you being so off?”
“You know I’m always sort of a goof,” Dagmar laughed. Then his arm slipped around her wet, naked waist and he groaned. “Right now, though, I’m very serious.” He took her mouth again, before she could comment. Seeing her steeped in blurry passion was a vision he liked very much. His tongue found her lips eager to let him pass. Her flavor punched him like a warriors touch and Dagmar growled as his blood began to heat. Most women he bedded got the always-on-fire Dagmar, but with Aila he could be himself. He could relax and enjoy the process instead of worrying so much about the finished product.
Giving in to the need, Dagmar cupped Aila’s warm face, tilting her so he could press his warm tongue deeper. Her flavor rushed through him, igniting both a selfless want and a hungry need. When she met him with the same need, Dagmar let his fingers sink into her thick, dark curls. He tangled them there, tugging enough to pull Aila’s head back. He roamed over her jaw and neck as he worked other areas of her body. His hand wandered over her milky white breasts, teasing their tips until she moaned.
Fueled by fresh arousal, Dagmar took her nipple into his mouth, suckling like a piglet. Gods, did she move against him though. Her trembling only served to heighten Dagmar’s resolve to please her. While he trailed a hand over her lithe torso, Aila’s body opened to him. Her legs moved anxiously the closer he got to her, as if her pussy couldn’t wait any longer.
“Turn around again,” Dagmar whispered against her ear. “I want to open your eyes to new and beautiful experiences.” When Aila did as he asked, Dagmar ran a hand over her ass, enjoying the plump feeling of her backside. Bringing his palm down on her skin, he gave her a nice whack across her bottom. Her moan and consequent jump only served to fuel his need to fill her. Grabbing her hips, Dagmar pressed himself into the space between her thighs.
“Do you feel my need, Aila, the way I hunger for you?”
&
nbsp; Her breathless response made Dagmar growl. One swift, hard thrust and he filled her fully, pressing his rock hard cock deep into her ripe pussy. Her swollen folds caressed him with each withdrawal and eagerly welcomed him again each time he took her higher. Using his fingers, Dagmar stroked Aila’s wet clit so that her moans grew louder with each thrust. He couldn’t wait to make her explode.
Pressing her, Dagmar pulled Aila’s hips tighter against him, using short, stimulating thrusts to build her slowly. He could tell by the way she moaned, breathless and choppy, that she was so close. Leaning forward over her, he pressed kisses to the sensitive skin across her shoulders and neck. Dagmar held himself back, fighting to control his own need. He teased her breasts and clit in tandem, creating a rhythm that she matched with her body. Joining him in a way she previously hadn’t, Dagmar found a new side to Aila he liked very much.
Feeling his own need come calling, Dagmar quickly gripped her hips and picked up the pace of his strokes, pulling her tight against him with each one, his cock filling her fully. Her breathing grew raspy as her orgasm swept over her, nearly knocking her off her feet. Dagmar reached around her waist to hold her up and tight against him as his own release spilled into her. In he aftermath of their lovemaking, Dagmar kissed her everywhere, relishing the feel of her wet, naked skin.
“You never cease to amaze me,” he said, a feeling of affection swamping him. He finally pulled back and leaned against the wall of the hot spring to pull Aila closer. Pressing a kiss to her wet mass of curls, he added, “I love you, Aila.”
Aila couldn’t speak. No one had ever left her this breathless. Looking up at him then, she caught that love shining in his eyes and smiled to herself. Who’d have thought that, out of all the men she’d known in her life, which admittedly wasn’t as many as some women, that it’d be Dagmar to ensnare her heart?
“I’ve loved you since I was eight years old.”
“There’s a vast difference between the love between friends and the love I’m speaking of, Aila.”
“Don’t patronize me as if I’m addle-brained, Dagmar. I know exactly what I meant, and so did you. I loved you, even then. If I hadn’t, there’s no way in the afterworld or the here and now that I’d have put up with you fighting me over ruling our people.”
“No?” Dagmar challenged. “Think I’d just roll over and give it to you? I think not.”
“Oh, no,” Aila laughed. “I’d never have made that mistake. You’re too piggish and bull headed.”
“Damn right, woman,” he chuckled. “You ready to get out of here yet?”
“Yeah. Unlike you, I had a terrible night’s sleep and could use some rest.” Aila laughed when Dagmar chased her to their piles of clothes. He caught her just as she grabbed her tunic.
“Not so fast.”
“Let me go!” She giggled until she felt Dagmar all but shove her behind him. “Hey! What the—“ Only when Aila caught a glimpse of Svenbreck did she realize that Dagmar was trying to preserve her modesty. Quickly she slipped on her tunic and, grabbing her leggings with her toes, slipped those on as well.
“I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt, I didn’t realize anyone was using the spring bath.”
“No one is using it at the moment. Thank you again for your courage and loyalty today, Sven.” Dagmar shook the man’s hand, even though his eyes never left Aila’s.
“Are you coming to the Winter Solstice celebration at the end of the week?” Aila asked, desperate to relieve the tension in the air.
“Planning on it,” he smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to wash up quickly. I’ll see you all later.”
“Alright,” Dagmar agreed. “Have a great night.”
Dagmar walked Aila to her tent and, grabbing her hand, pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Milady,” he said with a mock bow. “Will I see the lady later?”
“You will indeed, good sir,” Aila laughed. All she could think about before, during, and after supper was that Dagmar had said he loved her. Was that true or just wishful thinking? She so wanted to believe that it was the truth. She wanted a chance at a future with him, because if any of it was a lie, she’d cease to be the woman she was and become someone she didn’t like.
Sighing, Aila lay down on her bearskin blanket and fell asleep. And sleeping, she dreamed of a man who met her need, indulged some of her wants and knew her more intimately than any other. Still, she could never see his face in the dream, and to sink her hopes on something or someone she could commit to was still foolhardy for her ultra-cautious mind, even if a piece of her heart did desperately want to believe him.
THE END
Highlander's Need
Chapter One: Business or Pleasure?
Dagmar woke before dawn on the winter solstice. Aches and pains from the last few days reared their ugly heads as he dressed. “You’re getting too old for all this fighting,” Dagmar chided himself.
“Speaking to yourself again?” Aila laughed lightly. She sat up and Dagmar turned to see her milky skin as she pulled the blanket up to cover herself.
“Someone has to talk to me or I’ll go mad.”
“Ah well. In that case I suppose I can spare you some conversation once in a while.”
“Don’t do me any favors,” he laughed. “I’ll start making a warm beverage if you’re in the mood. Since you’re up you might want to see if there’s any meat left in the storage.”
Dagmar went out and quickly came back with enough wood for a small fire. As a leader of the Pict people of Hail, he and Aila would be the last two to see their more permanent structures built. “We need to speak with, Svenbreck and Dufguss about getting people into their homes faster. This weather won’t hold much longer before we get buried in the color of winter.”
“That we will,” Aila said, bringing her body closer to the fire. “Thank you for this.”
He met her dark eyes with his own light ones. “You’re welcome.” Leaning around the brewing beverage, Dagmar kissed her soundly. “Get warm and we’ll have a cup of brew before we get started. The sooner the better as I’d like tonight just for us, if that’s alright.”
“I’d like that,” Aila smiled.
“Good.”
Dagmar tore a piece of bear jerky and handed it to Aila. “Cold storage is going to save our hides this winter. Bless, Dragna for being smart enough to think of it.”
“Yes,” Aila agreed. “Bless you, Sven, and Dufguss for being smart enough, and pissed enough, to go bag the red deer and bear. Not to mention the pretty ermines.”
“You’ve got a soft spot for them,” he grinned.
“Can I help it if I like that their coats go white in the winter?”
“Give it another two weeks and we’ll find only white ermine.”
“I don’t want to kill them off. I just find them beautiful and useful. If we’re in need of meat, there’s no reason we can’t use their pelts as well.”
“True,” he smirked. “Still, I don’t put it past you to kill them first for their skins and secondly for their meat.”
“Guilty,” she chuckled. “Do you happen to know what became of the ermine pelts you brought back last time?”
“I think, Aislin ended up with them. She said something about mittens for some of our littlest villagers.”
“That will be nice, to have them clothed properly for a change.”
“It will,” Dagmar smiled. “I’ve got to see to some reinforcements around the perimeter. I’ll see you for lunch?”
“Always,” Aila smiled. Dagmar wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
“I love you, Aila Dagny.”
“I love you, Dagmar the Impossible.” Dagmar took her laughing mouth, sweeping her into desire so quickly that her moans of pleasure echoed in his ears.
“Be good.”
“I promise,” she winked. Raising her hand in the air, flicking her wrist and calling her power, Aila sent the warmth of the fire to Dagmar. Aila grinned when he turned back toward her.
“Thanks for the blanket of warmth.”
“It’ll only last about two hours, but I figure it’s a good start.”
***
Aila watched Dagmar leave his tent and wondered especially at the last three weeks. How had they gone from near enemies to intimate lovers? Still shaking her head about it, Aila headed over to see Dragna about their food supply.
“Come in child,” Dragna said. “What brings you to see me when the sun is barely up? You should be warming a certain man’s bed.”
Refusing to blush, Aila grinned. “I warmed his bed enough for now.”
“Does that mean we’ll be having ourselves a ruling couple soon?”
“I’d like to hope so, although we both know, Dagmar is as stubborn as any mule we have, twice as stubborn in fact.”
“Truer words were never spoken,” Dragna laughed. “What can I do for you today?”
“His highness wanted me to check on our meat supply and cold storage.”
“Meat supply is great. We should easily be good until spring. Cold storage, however, isn’t so great. Our carrots and potatoes are almost critically low. We also need more ginger and other roots we can find. Anything we can use to spice our meals.”
“Should I go out with a party to hunt some up? What about mushrooms?”
“We’re good on mushrooms. We planted some of the last batch that took well so we’re doing well on those. As for searching for more roots and such, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.”
“Alright,” Aila said with a stoic nod of her head. “I’ll check in with Dagmar and make sure he knows that we’re out. Then I’ll take Aislin and Aranath with me. They’re two of the best root hunters I know of.”
“Take a hog with you too,” Dragna advised. “He’ll help you find some roots we’ll need for medicines and poultices.”
“Got it.”
Aila headed in Dagmar’s direction, but something didn’t feel right. For checking the perimeter and all the building that was going on, it was eerily quiet. Aila saw the first arrow fly toward her from her peripheral. She yelled the warning just as the arrow sank into her upper arm. “War!” she screamed again, running for the gate to close it. She’d die before these bastards harmed her people. Men flowed out from the village and poured over the walls like ants. The sight put her in awe of her people. They too would fight for what was theirs.
Desired By The Cowboy (Love In Collin's Ranch 2) Page 33
