Blessing The Highlander

by Coulter, J. Lee

  Seonaid trembled as she sat in the chair. He still sought after her? Flawed as she was? She did not comprehend how he could desire her when she was proving to be such an inconvenience. She would need to give this considerable reflection. But for the moment she was famished and the stew quite delicious. Garrick tore off some fresh bread, passing it to her, and then poured her some ale. She sipped the ale, wrinkling her nose at the unpleasant flavor. He smiled as he surveyed her various facial contortions over the beverage, at length submitting to mercy.

  “Ye do nae care for ale, lass?”

  “It appears that is so,” she sighed.

  He took her mug and poured the remnants into his, then picked up an alternative ewer, filling her cup with a red liquid and handed it to her. “Try this. It may be more ta your taste.”

  She sniffed tentatively at the edge of the mug, and then ventured taking a sip. “Mmmmm...tis good. What is it?”

  Garrick grinned broadly. “Tis honeyed-wine. I kenned ye might prefer something sweeter than ale or...uisge beatha.”

  “Oh aye! I like this very much,” she exclaimed as she held out her cup for more. He eyed her beaker for a moment… then refilled it.

  “Tis a wee bit stronger than it tastes wife. Ye should sip it slowly.” She nodded in agreement as she guzzled the second mugful… requesting another refill.

  It was not long before Seonaid was thoroughly soused. Garrick knew that what he was doing was a bit under-handed...especially since he was doing it to his wife. But he needed to know if all she had told him was true or not. And strong drink has loosened many a tongue.

  “How be ye feeling, lass?”

  “Wonerful,” she drawled. “Tha’s good stuff! Do ye ‘ave it at the castle?”

  Garrick moved his chair closer to hers wrapping an arm around her, as she began leaning too far from her chair. “Aye, wife. We have it. But I be thinking we may have ta ration yours.” He chuckled as Seonaid giggled at his jest.

  As she relaxed alongside him, Garrick determined it as a good time to commence.

  “Have ye summoned up anything about your kinfolk, Seonaid? Your clan?” She propped her elbow on the table settling her chin in her hand after several attempts. Her smooth brow creased as she mulled over his query. After a few moments of scrutiny she shook her head.

  “Nay. Nothin’ comes ta mind. I seem ta remember somethin’ ‘bout a wraith...and a golden warrior...” she responded dreamily. “He was a fine lookin’ warrior...nae as fine as you tho. Nae one is as fine as you. I am verry lucky you still fancy me...flawed as I yam.” She rambled through her drunkenness…her speech slurring. She leaned toward Garrick conspiratorially whispering, ‘You ken that when I believed you did nae want me anymore it shot a fierce pain through my heart...right here!” She thumped her breast. “Oww… that hurt. Do you think tha’ means I love you?” She hiccupped.

  Garrick stilled. His gaze softening as he heeded her confessions. She loved him. His heart warmed in his chest in response, nevertheless he beat it back down ruthlessly. It could just be the wine speaking. And who the hell is her ‘golden warrior’? He thought jealously. He shook his head to clear it deciding to attempt something else.

  Eyeing her carefully, he said, “Seamus MacGregor is searching for ye, lass.”

  She frowned at that declaration. “Who is this man, Garrick? And why does he search for me?” She gasped in horror! “He’s nae my husband is he?” Tears brimmed in her eyes as she grasped his tunic frantically. “You will nae let him take me from you, will you? I do nae want ta leave you, Garrick! I would jus’ die if I lost you now!” she wailed, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  Garrick was mollified. She truly did not know the MacGregors...family or not. He held her tight in his steely embrace as she sobbed into his tunic.

  “Shhh wife. Do nae fash yourself. I will never countenance anyone ta take ye from me. Ye are mine! Rest assured, mo cridhe, that I be your only husband. Ye were a maiden… remember?”

  Seonaid sat back wiping her eyes as she nodded bashfully at Garrick. “I forgot. This wine has my head turned to mush.” He drew her back into his embrace and held her.

  “Tis alright, me sweet. Ye will feel better in the morn.” It was not long before he heard her breathing steady as she drifted to sleep. He kissed her head and disrobed her as they retired for the night.

  During the blackest part of the eve, a man appeared in the shadows of their room. He was tall, muscular and quite handsome. His long white hair, secured with a golden cord, reaching near to his trim waist and banded with a gold belt over a royal blue tunic. On his head stood a golden crown with every precious jewel known to man embedded round it. At his side he wore a sword displaying a huge black pearl on the end of the hilt.

  He stood stock-still as he observed the sleeping couple. She was just as beautiful as her mother, he thought to himself, and just as sweet natured. He smiled.

  He had attended her wedding, remaining out of sight, of course, but he had to be there. She was all that remained of Corinne MacGregor. And he loved her deeply.

  He frowned as he contemplated Diedre’s jealousy. She had all the rewards of being a Fae princess and yet she was envious of her half-sister. He shook his head. Did she truly believe that he did not watch over his progenies? He knew everything Diedre had ever done to Seonaid. But he held out hope that she was maturing as he observed her right the wrong she had inflicted on her sister.

  The woman’s form that she had placed her in was Seonaid’s true form. Part of herself had been left there to preserve her body until she could be returned, whether by Diedre...or King Alred. Lucky for her that she chose to do it herself. Still, he will have to punish her in some way. Perhaps her betrothed could think of a just punishment. He chuckled.

  He gazed affectionately at his daughter with her mother’s red-gold locks spread out across the furs. He had loved her mother but she had not desired living in the Fae Realm… leaving her clan. He sighed silently. When she had found herself with child she had still refused. Reluctantly, he had agreed to let her go but only if she allowed him to find her a proper husband. Someone who would care for her and his daughter properly. He found Seamus MacGregor.

  Seamus agreed to the betrothal after speaking with King Alred. He was promised a measure of good fortune for him and his clan for accepting the child as his. But then the inconceivable occurred. Corinne died in childbirth. His heart wrenched in anguish. His love, though wed to Seamus only a few short months, was gone forever.

  He had arrived in time to save his daughter...but not his love. Unshed tears filled his multi-colored eyes. He shook off his remorse as he glanced over at his daughter’s husband... a bit startled to see cobalt eyes flashing with fire, glaring at him. He sighed. I may as well introduce myself.

  He gestured with his hand in a sweeping motion to keep Seonaid asleep while they spoke. Garrick was out of bed in a flash, his sword in hand, in a battle stance between King Alred and his wife.

  “Who are ye and what are ye doing in me room?” he growled threateningly. “Are ye her golden warrior?”

  He looked at Garrick disdainfully. “Put away your weapon. It will do you no good.” He snapped his fingers… filling the room with a score of lit tapers. With another snap his throne appeared as he seated himself. “Come. Dress yourself and we will chat over some ale.”

  Garrick eyed him suspiciously as he wrapped his tartan about his waist and seated himself in the offered chair. He recognized he was Fae. It took no ability to see that. But beholding his attire, he distinguished this was no common Fae.

  King Alred studied the man Seonaid had wed. He was young, strong, wise and titled. In his mind, he recalled the Brodie lineage and was a bit surprised by what he learned. His blood traced back to the Pict queens. A warrior class who ruled in their husband’s stead. Garrick was a descendent of the Ancients! They were here before even the Fae. He was duly impressed as he grunted his approval. Their children will be legendary.

  “I am not Seonaid’
s golden warrior. Actually, she has no such warrior. She simply is recalling Lokai, my daughter, Diedre’s betrothed.”

  “Who are ye then?”

  “I am Alred, King of all the Fae.”

  Garrick became more mistrustful. What was he doing there? His thoughts flew to a certain little Fae in his bed and growled, “Am I ta assume that Diedre is the Fae that appeared in me bed a few years back? I never touched the lass! I sent her away!” Alred quirked his brow with surprise. It seems that he has not watched her as closely as he thought.

  He shook his head. “No. This visit concerns my other daughter. The one that Lokai left the missive with when she was injured.”

  He stared at this king...stunned into silence. A thousand questions whirled through his mind yet he was unable to utter a sound.

  “I will explain all to you while you settle your thoughts. Then you may ask me your questions.” And he did. He held nothing back. Not even the fact that she had lived a full life in a future time, thanks to her sister. He finally fell silent and awaited Garrick’s queries.

  “Why do ye tell me this?”

  “You seemed to need solutions...to the point of getting my daughter drunk. By the way, she does not do well with strong drink. And she does not know I am her father… or MacGregor either. She was a bairn when Diedre placed her soul in the future so she has no memory of this life at all. And I warn you now, Brodie, I will not tolerate any more unhappiness in her life!”

  Garrick was silent as he let these revelations sink in. Questions swirled around. One on top of another. Finally he began to ask what he felt was relevant.

  “Ye say she has no memory of this life. Will she ever remember anything of her life of any time? Even the future?”

  “No. And you must never tell her of it. Seamus will still be her father even though she will never remember her childhood. I fear that she is too fragile to handle that much truth.”

  Garrick nodded slowly as he thought of his next question. “She does nae have any Fae powers does she?” he asked worriedly. “I will nae have her accused of witchery!”

  “She has a touch of the ‘knowing’… the ‘sight’ as you call it. But that is all.”

  “Nay! Ye are wrong! She speaks ta me in me thoughts! And I into hers! Tis nae natural!”

  King Alred’s eyes widened in alarm. This was forbidden! What has Diedre done? He jumped up and walked over to the bed to peer closely at Seonaid, probing her mind to see if it were true. Garrick was right. She did have the gift. He placed his fingers on her temples and gently pulled the gift out of her without her ever knowing. He turned to face his son- by- marriage and gave him a curt nod. “It is gone now. I have removed it.”

  “Thank ye. It was fretting her something fierce.”

  “You care for my daughter. That is good.”

  Garrick stared at his sleeping wife and felt a warmth in his chest. “Aye. I care for her. Probably more than is wise.”

  “You can never care too much.” He looked tenderly at his daughter then cleared his throat. “Is that all of the questions you have?”

  Garrick glanced up. “I have one more...nay, two. Will her sister be visiting her...ever? I will nae have her distressing me wife again! And how can I reach ye if we have need of your help...probably after said visit?”

  With a twinkle in his eye, King Alred answered him. “She is forbidden to bother Seonaid again and is about to be wed herself to a Fae that even she dare not cross. He keeps a very close eye on her. But Seonaid need only cry out in her mind for her father and I will hear her. If you need to contact me it will be more challenging. Take this.” He handed Garrick a gold torque to wear about his neck. Etched into the gold was Fae lettering which met in the middle with writing from the Ancients. A large sapphire studded each end. “If you need help with Diedre just call out for Lokai. He will take care of it instantly.”

  Garrick found himself beginning to like his father-by-marriage a wee bit. At least he understood what a trial his other daughter was. “Thank ye, your Majesty. These answers mean much ta me.” He bowed low showing him the proper respect due a king.

  “I only show you the same courtesy that I would presume,” he replied dismissively. “It grows late and I must leave. I only came with the intention of seeing Seonaid. I did not want to disturb you.” As he turned to depart, he said, “I would leave her a gift if you allow.” He snapped his fingers and a beautiful velvet gown the color of sage was draped across his arm with matching slippers and a blue cloak lined with arctic fox.

  “She will love it but how will I explain it ta her?”

  “Tell her it is a wedding gift from her father. It is the truth, after all. I will be visiting Seamus next to enlighten him. All will be well. Good eve, Laird Brodie. Make her happy.” Then he was gone along with his throne and candles. Garrick would have thought it a dream except for the evidence in his hands. He had much to think about but for now he needed sleep. He slipped the torque around his neck, carefully draped her gifts on a chair and lay back down in bed, gathering his wife in his arms. She sighed softly as he dozed off.

  Chapter VI

  The dreary morning sky promised rain as it progressed. She sniffed it on the light breeze that blew in through the window. Seonaid treasured that smell. It was so fresh and held a promise of cleansing.

  Her gaze was drawn to her husband as he snored softly beside her. She was still amazed that he had wanted her for a wife when he knew nothing about her. He looked so young when he slept. There were no creases in his brow, no frowns of worry or angst. She decided that she was fortunate indeed that he had been the one to discover her.

  As she lay in his strong, tanned arms she endeavored once again to recall her past. She could not fathom why she failed to evoke even a sliver of it. It was vexing to not know who she was. Nothing appeared familiar to her. She felt valueless to her husband. She brought neither riches nor an alliance to him...merely herself. One day she feared it would not be sufficient. She was already experiencing strong emotions for him. Seonaid knew that it was not wise but she could not control her heart. She gnawed on her lower lip as she mulled these thoughts over in her mind.

  “What has put a frown on me lovely wife’s face so early this morn?” Garrick asked in his deep rumbling brogue.

  Her gaze shot up, startled, to meet his vivid sapphire eyes. She was a little discomfited to be caught lost in her thoughts of him. She shook her head saying, “Tis of nae import. Do we travel on to your home this day?”

  “Nay, wife. I will nae have ye trapped in the rain. We await me men for escort. They should be here by this eve. We still have this day ta revel in each other before the worries of the world catch up ta us.”

  Garrick brushed a stray lock of hair from her brow… replacing it with a whisper of a kiss. He felt his cock stir as he inhaled her fragrance. She smelled of heather, rain and Seonaid, which was her own unique fragrance. He took another deep breath as his eyes darkened with desire.

  He leaned over her and captured her pert lips with his wide sensuous ones moving seductively over them… parting them with his tongue. As he drank from her mouth the kiss deepened. He slanted his lips over hers and suckled her tongue as she wrapped her arms around his neck, emitting little mewling sounds, writhing on the bed.

  She welcomed his kiss. He was very skillful at it, she decided, as she felt her blood begin to thrum. She succumbed to his unspoken demand opening herself to him as she felt his large hand trail up the inside of her thigh. A rush of wetness flowed to her entrance as her body prepared for the joining. Seonaid gasped as his calloused finger parted her nether lips to stroke the hidden pearl. She groaned as a rampant fire began building in her core.

  Garrick thought he might shatter. It was taking all of his resolve to restrain himself as his lips blazed a trail down her throat capturing her tightly budded nipple in his mouth. He suckled hard as she cried out in pleasure. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as she responded to his touch. His shaft was on fire. He could wait
no more.

  “I must have ye now, mo gradh!” he growled as he established himself amid her silky thighs and gently thrust himself into her taut sheath… filling her.

  She gasped at the sensation of fullness but there was no hurt this time. “Wrap your legs round me waist, Seonaid.” She obeyed and felt him thrust even deeper into her body. He began plunging tenderly in and out of her, producing a burning friction to build where their bodies joined. As his passion rose, Garrick thrust harder, grinding his hips against hers. Seonaid’s instincts took over as she lost control of her body, exploding into white-hot ecstasy, her silky sheath contracting on his large shaft, milking him of his seed as it spurted towards her womb.

  He roared in pleasure as his passion culminated with hers. His sweat-soaked body collapsing as he rolled to the side drawing her into his arms as he went. He murmured Gaelic phrases in her ear as he nuzzled her hair…sated.

  Seonaid smiled as she waited for her breathing to calm. She discerned that he resorted to Gaelic when he murmured endearments to her. She did not comprehend the words but she grasped the sentiment behind them. She loved the way his chest rumbled when he spoke it, she thought as she ran her fingers across his hard stomach. She prized his masculinity, his maleness… which caused her to feel more feminine. All was good she decided as she dozed off in his warm embrace.

  Garrick was pleased with his new wife. Her passion corresponded with his own which was rare in a marriage. She stirred his blood to heights he had never felt before and he could not fathom it. But he did not have to understand to relish the benefits. She was his match...his mate and he found that he delighted in that. She will make an excellent wife and countess he decided as his eyes closed.