Time and Space

by Pandora Pine

  This wasn’t the irritating barbarian she was used to seeing. She didn’t like this cowed Donnall. She wanted her old Donnall back, the one who stood up to her and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. “I’ve been very selfish, Donnall.”

  “Why do you say that? Here you are trying to protect Moone and teach the women how to defend themselves.”

  “This is your home and it’s your duty to protect it. I know you take a lot of pride in your skills as a warrior and protector of Moone and all I’ve done since we met is question your skills and leadership at every turn.”

  Donnall reached out to catch a strand of hair blowing across Cadence’s face. Twirling the silky strands around his finger, he took a step closer to Cadence. “It has been hard to hear that everyone dies. What is worse is that my own intractable attitude was to blame. Now, here I am with a chance to do it all over again and I was sticking to the same plan of attack. If Moone survives, it will be thanks to you, my beauty.”

  Cadence was stunned. Donnall was turning her apology into a compliment. She took half a step toward him and he swept her into his arms. His skin was warm and he smelled like horses and leather. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers brushing through his long, dark hair.

  “I do not think hugging the English will send them scurrying for home. What do you think, Carter?”

  “I don’t know, Fionn that looks like a pretty fierce hug from where I’m standing.” Carter laughed.

  “Would you prefer the two of us continue to battle each other?” Donnall smiled at Cadence rather than looking up at Fionn.

  “Oh please! We all know the two of you will be fighting like cats and dogs again tomorrow.”

  “Perhaps even later today,” Fionn added on a snort.

  “Ignore those giggling arsehats, little mouse. What can I do to help?”

  17

  Supper was a loud raucous affair. The women were animatedly telling tales of their adventures on the training fields while the men chimed in over how they’d helped. Donnall was sandwiched between Cadence who held a sleeping Jilly in her lap and Fionn who was cradling his infant son in one arm and unsuccessfully chasing food around his plate with his spoon.

  “Here, give the baby to me so you can eat.” Donnall held out his arms and watched the play of emotions spill over Fionn’s face. His friend went from disbelief to astonishment in a matter of seconds.

  “You do not like being around babies.”

  “Well you and Carter make it look easy, so hand him over. I’m sure it’s not as terrifying as it looks.”

  Fionn raised an eyebrow and set his sleeping son in Donnall’s arms. “Make sure you support his head. Do not drop him.”

  Donnall was ready with a wise-ass comeback, but seeing the serious look on Fionn’s face, held his silence. The tiny boy was light as a feather, hell, his sword weighed more than the child, but he’d never felt as at peace with his weapon in his hand as he did holding Cardinn.

  “Look at you, Uncle Donnall, you’re a natural with him.”

  “I am scared to death. Does it show on my face?” He looked up into her smiling eyes and mirrored her smile.

  “It didn’t until you tried to smile. Stop it,” she giggled.

  “He is at peace while the end of days churn closer.” He ran a finger over the baby’s hand and gasped when the little boy grasped his finger.

  “In the years to come, we’ll tell him stories of this battle. How his brave uncle and fathers fought to save his home and his people.”

  “Do not forget his brave aunts. I am sure he will delight in the tales of you, Fianna and Islynn.”

  Cadence ducked her head to press a kiss to Jilly’s head.

  “That little one deserves her rest. She worked tirelessly with the other children to load river rocks onto the carts.” Donnall had gone outside the castle walls with several of the other warriors to help gather rocks to throw down on the English soldiers. It was the least he could do to help since he’d been off in a snit while the women trained to use their weapons.

  “Notice how all the other children are in a similar state. Most are sleeping or about to drop off into their supper.”

  “It might give their parents a chance for some alone time tonight.”

  “That’s a great idea, Donnall. Why don’t we take the kids up to bed for Fionn and Carter?”

  “So they can have some time alone tonight?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  “Yes, they deserve it. Both of them were so helpful with the women today.”

  “Carter, do you mind if we tuck your babies into bed?” Cadence stood with her sleeping niece in her arms.

  Standing up and walking around the table, Carter pressed a kiss to Jilly’s messy curls and kissed his sister.

  “You look so good with a baby in your arms.”

  “Thank you for making me an aunt. We haven’t had much of a chance to talk with everything going on.”

  “We’ll talk soon. I promise.” Carter turned to Donnall. “Make sure you put him down on his back.” He pressed a kiss to Cardinn’s head before smacking a loud kiss against Donnall’s cheek. “Make sure Cadence gets to bed at a reasonable hour.”

  A cozy fire was lit in the children’s room, which connected to Fionn and Carter’s bedchamber. Cadence was pleased to see Maisy, Cardinn’s wet nurse, sitting near the fire. Cadence set Jilly down in the center of her bed and pulled the covers up over her. A small rag doll was lying on the pillow and Cadence tucked the doll in next to her niece.

  “It’s been a long day for the little miss.” Maisy grinned.

  “She worked hard today,” Cadence agreed.

  “She was so excited about getting to help last night that I had a hard time getting her down.”

  “That’s not a problem tonight.” Donnall brushed a light kiss against the baby’s head before setting him down in the cradle.

  “I see Carter told you about placing the baby to sleep on his back rather than on his tummy.”

  Donnall shot a confused look at Cadence. “I’m just following orders.”

  “Sometimes babies smother in their sleep if they’re place on their stomach.”

  “Now that the little ones are tucked in, it’s your turn, mi lady.” Donnall took Cadence’s arm and led her from the room.

  Donnall was surprisingly quiet as they walked toward Cadence’s bedchamber. Unless she missed her guess, her usually confident barbarian was nervous.

  “Here we are, Lady Cadence.” Donnall bowed dramatically.

  “Thank you for seeing me home safely.” Cadence giggled.

  “I would fend off a hungry wolf pack with my bare hands to keep you safe.”

  “Or two small children?” Cadence bit her lip against the smile forming when Donnall blushed. It was obvious he had no experience with kids.

  “I was never so happy as when I set the little lad down safely in his bed. It was quite a thing holding the future of Moone Castle in my arms.”

  Cadence had only ever seen the infant as her nephew, rather than as the heir to the castle. “What you need to realize is that you are the future of Moone. We all are.” She reached out to link hands with Donnall. Her entire body tingled with awareness when his eyes darkened.

  Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Donnall closed the distance between them to brush a chaste kiss against her cheek.

  “Is that how gallant knights say good eve? With a wimpy kiss?”

  Donnall barked out a laugh.

  Cadence nodded solemnly. “’Tis a shame, that.” Her accent was a perfect imitation of his.

  “How did you want me to say goodnight, little mouse?”

  “Like the brave warrior you are.” Her heart pounding a riotous rhythm in her chest, she captured Donnall’s lips with her own, lightly sucking until he moaned low in his throat. “Do you want me to stop saying goodnight?” Her voice was husky with need.

  Donnall slipped his arms around her hips and pulled her flush against his chest. “Never stop saying
goodnight.”

  Biting back a smile, Cadence brushed a series of kisses against his throat. She could feel his pulse pounding against her lips. Leaning up on tiptoes, she nipped at his earlobe.

  Pulling an arm from around Cadence, Donnall blindly reached out for the doorknob. When his fingers made contact, he turned it and shoved the door open.

  “Good idea. We don’t want to get caught kissing each other in the hallway.” Cadence tugged him into her room and shut the door behind them before leaning back against it, effectively trapping Donnall in her bedchamber. She reached out for him, frowning when he hesitated and took a step backward.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Cadence, it’s not that I do not want to be close to you. I do, but I promised Fionn I would stop deflowering maidens.”

  “So then don’t deflower me.” She smiled wickedly.

  Donnall rushed forward, pinning her body against the door. She could feel his arousal, hot and hard against her stomach.

  Taking her face in his hands, he kissed Cadence, his tongue demanding entrance.

  Cadence could feel all of his pent up need and desire flow through his kiss. She let his tongue tame and dominate her own, moaning into his mouth to urge him on.

  “I need to taste you, my beauty.”

  “Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”

  Donnall shook his head, his eyes darkening as they travelled the length of Cadence’s lithe body.

  “Oh?”

  Kneeling before her, Donnall reached for her ankles, tickling his fingers against her soft skin. “Do not worry, I will not take your virtue.”

  A pang of guilt tore through her. Donnall couldn’t take her virtue even if he hadn’t promised Fionn he’d stop sleeping his way through all of the women in the castle. She managed a nod and watched breathlessly as Donnall pushed her sapphire colored gown up over her knees exposing her most private place to his eyes.

  Cadence took the folds of her dress leaving Donnall’s hands free to roam over her skin.

  “Gorgeous. Yet, I wonder if you taste as good as you look.” Dropping a sexy wink, Donnall pushed her thighs apart and licked out at Cadence’s soft skin.

  Gasping, she thrust her hips forward needing to feel more of Donnall’s magical tongue.

  He spread her wide with his fingers and licked over the molten core of her. “I need more of your sweet nectar.” He slipped a finger into her slick passage.

  “Donnall,” she panted.

  “Have no fear, you are still pure.” He introduced a second finger and started stroking her from the inside while his tongue moved in the opposite direction over her clit.

  Nothing Liam had done to her ever felt as good as this. Waves of pleasure burst across her as if Donnall were touching her everywhere at once. He was stoking her fire higher and higher. It wouldn’t be long before she would be flying apart in his arms.

  She slipped her hands into his soft, dark hair trying to hold him against her.

  “Do not worry, I am not stopping until you find paradise.”

  “Stop talking,” Cadence pleaded, her tone desperate.

  Donnall chuckled against her sensitive skin, sending a wave of unexpected pleasure crashing through her. His tongue lashed against her while his fingers coaxed her on. “Donnall, yes, yes!” Her cries echoed around the chamber as Donnall wrung every drop of pleasure from her body.

  “Fuck, fuck,” she whimpered when her release stopped reverberating through her body.

  “Again, my beauty,” Donnall urged, his damp beard shining in the firelight.

  “I c-can’t,” she stammered. Her entire body was shaking.

  “You can and you will.” Donnall grinned and dipped his head back to taste her again.

  Unbelievably, Donnall was right. She’d never been able to come a second time in all the years she’d been with Liam, but now, her body pressed against the door, her legs still rubbery, she started responding to Donnall’s renewed efforts. His beard was rough against her inner thighs, sending tiny bolts of electricity through her entire body.

  “That’s it, little mouse. Reach for your bliss.”

  “Stop talking!” Cadence groaned, wanting to reach for the pleasure that was quickly cresting. She was climbing higher than the first time. Her only saving grace was that Donnall would be there to catch her when she came back down to earth.

  “Donnall!” she cried, bucking against his mouth. She rode the crest of pleasure as his tongue slowed and then stopped moving against her. Slipping his fingers from her soaking passage, Donnall winked and sucked them into his mouth.

  “Oh God,” Cadence gasped while he continued to taste her on his fingers making an almost obscene sucking sound with his lips. She sunk to her knees in front of him, knowing her legs wouldn’t hold her up much longer.

  “Perfect. You are so perfect,” Donnall whispered, sitting back on his heels.

  Cadence could see her juices glistening on his swollen lips. She leaned forward to lick her nectar from his lips.

  Donnall, still stunned that Cadence had allowed him to kiss her so intimately, was even more surprised by his willingness to pleasure Cadence. In the past he’d gotten what he could from the women he bedded, not much caring if they found paradise or not. It meant more to him than he was willing to admit that Cadence found her release.

  What she was finding now, was a way into his breeches. She had deftly undone the ties in the low firelight of the room and was in the process of working them off his hips.

  “Down you go,” Cadence giggled, shoving him lightly onto his back. His fall was cushioned by one of the thick fur rugs in the chamber.

  “Cadence, what are you doing?”

  “It’s my turn to have a taste of you.” She wiggled his pants down to his ankles before yanking off his heavy boots. His pants quickly followed. Pushing his heavily muscled legs as far apart as they would go, she began trailing her fingertips up his calves.

  Donnall’s mind was spinning. Did she actually mean to return the favor? He watched through heavy-lidded eyes as she bent low over his erection. He could never remember being more aroused.

  Cadence reached out tentatively and wrapped her hand around his girth, giving him a few short strokes.

  “Cadence, fuck,” Donnall hissed when her tongue followed the same path her hand had been making.

  Dropping light kitten licks against his shaft, her tongue flicked up and over his spongy head to taste the pre-come drooling from his slit.

  “L-Ladies, don’t do that,” Donnall panted, throwing his arms over his eyes.

  “Oh, no?” Slipping her full lips over the head of his cock, she worked her way slowly down his shaft. Her tongue lashed against his hard flesh while she applied light suction until his cock hit the back of her throat. Gagging slightly, she pulled off him with a wet plop. “Would you like me to stop?”

  Donnall sat bolt upright at that. “Fuck, no! Cadence, please…” Reaching out, he wrapped his fingers in her messy hair and gave a small tug forward, inclining his head toward his damp erection, silently pleading her to finish what she started.

  Practically purring against his arousal, Cadence took him back into her mouth.

  Unable to help himself, Donnall canted his hips upward trying to bury as much of himself as he could into her mouth. He was getting close to losing control. The combination of her sweet mouth and the way she was gagging was too much for him to handle. “Stop! I-” He tried to pull out before he spilled his seed in her mouth, but Cadence shot him an angry look and went back to bobbing up and down on his cock.

  “Cadence!” Donnall roared when the first blast of his release tore from his cock. He watched awe-struck as her throat worked to swallow his cream, not missing a drop. If he lived to be one hundred, he’d never get over what just happened.

  “Are you okay?” Cadence giggled and moved to lie with her head on his shoulder.

  “I am recovering slowly, little mouse.” His breathing was still a bit ragged and his heart was p
ounding in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.

  “What did you mean that ladies don’t give blow jobs?”

  Donnall burst out laughing. Not only did ladies not give them, they did not talk about them. “It’s below a proper lady to commit such a base act.”

  “Did you enjoy it? Cadence brushed a kiss against the still-fluttering pulse point in his neck.

  “Very much. Did you overhear one of the kitchen girls describing how to do it?”

  “Of course not. Unlike your century, ladies do not find that act to be base and some even enjoy it. Liam taught me how to do it.”

  “What?” Donnall roared rolling over, sending Cadence sprawling off his chest. “Do you mean to tell me you have sucked another man’s…?” He couldn’t finish his thought. His sweet, beautiful Cadence had done this with Liam?

  “It’s not a big deal, Donnall. We were engaged to be married.”

  “What else did you with him that wasn’t a big deal? Did you give him your virtue?”

  “So what if I did? It was mine to give.”

  “You’re not pure?” He was dumbfounded.

  She took a step back as if Donnall slapped her. “That didn’t seem to matter to you a few minutes ago. It never seems to matter to you.”

  “What exactly does that mean?”

  “Fionn had to tell you to stop deflowering the maidens in the castle. Taking their precious virtue didn’t seem to matter to you then, did it?”

  She had a point, one that he was unwilling to concede. “Those women were not you.”

  “What makes my virginity more precious than Mallory’s? So, now according to you she’s ruined and unmarriageable? You took everything from her and you have the nerve to stand there and judge me over giving myself to a man I was in love with and planned to marry.”

  “That does not change the fact that you are not pure.”

  “If you can’t get past my not being a virgin then there’s nothing left to say.” Cadence bit her bottom lip and turned away from him.

  Knowing he needed to keep quiet or risk saying something he could never take back, he grabbed his breeches and pulled them on. He grabbed his boots and strode from the room without a backward glance, slamming the door behind him.