Highlander's Kiss

by Amy Isan

  “Didnae think we’d make it in here did ye?” the soldier at the front of the group scowled. The man was clearly higher ranked than the highlanders behind him. He advanced on Gavin and Elyn. Gavin called out and pointed his poker at the man.

  “Stop! We found something...”

  “I donae care what ye found.”

  “It’s from the late King. Would ye dare ignore the words of the late King?” Gavin bristled, and Elyn gazed at the sweat glistening on the back of his neck. The captain of the guard stepped forward and frowned. Gavin handed the sealed letter to him and he broke it. He unfolded the paper and gazed at it, his expression changing from annoyance to awe.

  “King Maxwell isn’t the true King?”

  “He’s a criminal,” Gavin said. “He’s been trying to take over Scotland for decades, he probably murdered the King and planted a fake will — did ye even read what it said?”

  The captain nodded but kept his eyes on the paper. “I read it myself. It decreed that Robert Maxwell would take the throne, but this paper is dated later and claims the throne should go to the King’s niece, who is in France. She’s too young to command the throne though...”

  “That means...” Gavin looked to Elyn, and a wisp of a smile teased her lips.

  “That’s us,” Elyn said. “With our marriage, you united the MacKenzies and MacDonalds.”

  Silence filled the room as the realization set in. The flicker of the fire glowed on the side of Gavin and Elyn’s faces, their eyes fixed on each other. Elyn felt her heart swell and her mouth dry. Why did everyone else have to be there?

  Suddenly, a noise in the hall pushed through the crowd of guards. Robert freed himself and stumbled forward into the room, then he wiped his brow and glared at Gavin and Elyn, before turning to the captain of the guard.

  “What are ye doing? Kill these traitors! How dare they break into the King’s chambers!”

  The captain stared at Robert, “Robert, what is this?” All the highlanders’ eyes were on Robert.

  Robert stared at the broken letter in the captain’s hands and then back to Gavin. “Trickery, only a fool would believe whatever lies are written on that paper.”

  “It bears the late King’s seal and his signature. Are ye denying the handwriting of our King?”

  Robert shook his head and frowned. “I donae know what you’re saying.”

  Another man forced his way through the crowd and collapsed to his knees inside the King’s chambers. He looked at the men with confusion and worry. “Sir! An army is at the front gates! They demand to see Gavin MacKenzie or they’re threatening to burn the castle down!”

  “Let them do it!” Robert scowled, kicking the man over to his side. “I donae care about this castle! I donae care about any of you animals! I didnae kill the King so I could be treated like a criminal.” He shut his mouth suddenly and stared at the group of highlanders with horror in his eyes.

  The captain glared at Robert and clenched his jaw. “What was that?” He turned to Gavin and shoved the letter back into his hands. “It sounds like yer free to go.”

  Robert tried to fight his way back out of the room, but the group of highlanders had hardened. They wrapped their arms around him and pushed him to the floor, scraping his face against the hard stone. Elyn and Gavin huddled together as the captain dug his knee into the back of the King, and bound his wrists together. “Take him down to the dungeon. And you,” he pointed to Gavin. “Get down out there before Iverlochy is destroyed.”

  The bewildered party of highlanders parted and let Gavin and Elyn slip by. The newlyweds rushed through the halls and down the stairs to meet the army that saved them.

  ***

  Outside the castle walls, a battalion of highland warriors swarmed the city gates. Barron led the front of the them, and he was calling up over the wall to one of the Iverlochy men.

  “Where is he? Ye got five minutes to make him appear or we’ll be pouring through the castle ourselves to free him!”

  The guard atop the wall looked confused and frightened, he consulted one of his men and tried to gain control of the situation. Before he had a chance to say another word to Barron, Gavin and Elyn nudged him aside and waved down to Barron.

  Barron’s stern face broke into a wide smile, and he cheered. He cupped his hand over his mouth and shouted back up to the couple. “Gav! Yer alive! I thought fer sure that slimy weasel already executed ye.”

  Gavin told the guard to open the gates and let Barron and his men in. He looked over the wall and grinned. A cool breeze swept across the highlands and cradled Elyn and him. Elyn leaned on the edge of the wall. Barron had come prepared and with incredible speed. At least a hundred men strong, more than would be necessary to storm the gates and charge in.

  “We’ll see ye on the other side, Barron, come in.”

  Inside the castle gates, Barron dismounted from his horse and hugged Gavin. A bit misty eyed, he looked over Elyn and made sure she was safe from any harm.

  “I’m fine,” Elyn said, looking to Gavin. “And we’re married now.”

  “Are ye now? And ye didnae even invite me.” Barron laughed. He waved Patrik over to the group.

  The rest of the army looked restless, maybe too excited from the journey and disappointed that they weren’t able to spill any blood that day. Gavin slipped his arm around Elyn and squeezed her tight, turning her face crimson.

  A commotion turned their attention to the castle, and the captain of the guard burst out with Maxwell and Katrine bound in chains. They were following closely behind him, Katrine’s head hung low, and Maxwell’s turned up with a stubborn look. The captain approached Gavin and Elyn, and gave them a sincere nod of apology. Gavin hardened his eyes and greeted him.

  “What is it?”

  “We have to deal with these two, and I need orders. As you are the most highly ranked Highlanders here, and this man committed treason that was directly harmful to your clan, I reckoned you’d want to decide what his fate should be.”

  “What about her?” Gavin pointed to Katrine. She gave Elyn a pitiful look, mouthing her regret.

  “She’s his daughter, and as far as I’m concerned, just as guilty,” the captain said.

  Gavin looked to Elyn for guidance. She nodded toward the back of Iverlochy, where the scent of the sea carried over the wall. Gavin closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

  “Throw them in the dungeon for now. Otherwise I might do something I’ll regret.”

  Robert Maxwell laughed at the judgement, shaking his head without an ounce of shame. He drew ire from the onlookers in the village square, including MacKenzie and Macrae men alike. “That’s the best ye can do, isn’t it? Too soft.”

  Gavin shook his head and turned toward Elyn. “Get rid of them.”

  The captain nodded. “Understood, sire.”

  “While we’re at it, two of yer men, I suspect,” Barron said, “are locked up in the dungeon. They’ll probably be a bit dehydrated.”

  The captain nodded and quickly handled the task of dragging Robert and Katrine down to the dungeon where they would get to enjoy a couple of days of solitude.

  “What happened to Colin?”

  Barron laughed. “Somewhere in the highlands I’m sure, making his way back here. He slipped away one night on our way to Eilean Donan, and I haven’t seen him since.”

  Gavin cursed. “I wished I could have taken care of him myself... the scars he gave me aren’t even battle scars.” Gavin turned toward Castle Iverlochy and chuckled, shaking his head with humility. “I canae believe I’m in charge of this whole mess now.”

  Barron knitted his brow. “Whole mess? What do ye mean?”

  “We’ve just become Scotland’s most powerful couple. The King’s heir is too young to succeed... and out of the country.”

  Barron’s eyes grew wide and he dropped his shoulders. “What does this mean for Eilean Donan?”

  “I donae know yet, Barron,” Gavin said. “We should get yer men inside for a meal, they
look desperate for some kind of relief. The villagers look a bit upset anyway.”

  Barron grunted and waved for his men to dismount and follow him. Gavin and Elyn slipped inside the castle first and made their way down the hall, alone for a couple of moments together. Elyn slipped her arm under his and squeezed his forearm, and Gavin chuckled and gave her a kiss. “I already donae like all this responsibility, Gavin.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her back. “I think ye will get used to it, runag.” He gave her a warm smile, and she knocked her head against his chest. “After all, it’s our wedding day,” Gavin said. “We should enjoy it.”

  “I wish that my family could be here for it...” Elyn said.

  Gavin stopped suddenly and turned Elyn to face him. He shook his head and rubbed her arms. “Elyn, this isn’t getting me out of the hot water I was in before. We’ll still do our ceremony at Eilean Donan when we return... we just have to wrap some things up here first.”

  Elyn nodded eagerly and laughed. She threw her arms around Gavin and he immediately picked her up, giving her a small twirl before setting her back down.

  The sound of a hundred highlanders bursting into the hall behind them caught up to them. Elyn sidled up next to Gavin and tugged on his arm.

  “I’m not very hungry for food...” Elyn said.

  Gavin nodded. “I think I understand ye... we won’t be long.”

  ***

  After the lavish feast that filled the castle with laughter and the faint smell of cooked beef, Gavin and Elyn were the first to retreat back to the castle’s chambers.

  Elyn pulled Gavin into the royal bedroom and latched the door shut. The room was still the wreck they left it in, with the bed pushed at an awkward angle, and the bookshelves knocked over. Gavin and Elyn paid no mind to the mess, only taking care to keep anything fragile away from the hearth.

  Gavin kneeled and stoked the fire, coaxing the flames from a rumbling growl to a satisfying roar. With the room brighter, and long shadows cast over the disarray, he stood up. Elyn surprised him by wrapping her arm around his waist and turning him to face her. She caught his gaze and locked eyes with him, feeling the anticipation already making her chest and face flush with warmth. Gavin swept her up in a powerful kiss, their pent up passion finally free to unravel in the privacy of their room.

  “Lady MacKenzie,” Gavin said, whispering and tracing his thumb on Elyn’s chin. She met his eyes and she flooded with emotions. Gavin whispered, quieter this time, “runag.”

  Elyn met his lips and they let themselves melt into the warm sheets of the bedding. Even with her eyes closed, she swore she could see sparks and fire light filling the room. His hands grazed her skin with a tempting touch. He unlatched her well-worn wedding gown, and pulled it free from her shoulders. She gasped as her skin was exposed to the dry air, unaware of how suffocating the dress had become throughout the day.

  The fire crackled, almost rhythmically, as she undressed him as well. Gavin traced his fingers over the long marks on her stomach from where she was beaten, and his brow knitted with worry. She felt soothed by his touch, blushing with a hint of humility.

  “I thought ye would think they were disgusting...”

  He met her eyes again. “Impossible,” he said. He let her finish taking off his clothes and she gasped, her hand quickly covering her mouth when she saw his own scars.

  “Gavin...” She reached out and touched them, and he didn’t flinch. She traced the dark marks, her fingers meeting where they terminated.

  “I have them too...”

  The distant sounds of the party still going on downstairs echoed through the halls. The sun was still hanging by the last threads of the day, but Gavin and Elyn had forgotten about all of it. Gavin swept his hand across Elyn’s cheek, before curling his fingers around the back of her neck. She let out a small gasp as he brought her in for a kiss, locking their lips together and silencing her. She pulled back and climbed on top of him, running her hands raggedly across his chest and the scars that lined his stomach. She admired the small beads of sweat that dewed on his chest and forehead. Their slow burn turned the air humid and tacky. Gavin scooped her up and gripped her buttocks, turning her onto her back and balancing himself over her. She stared up into his eyes and felt lightheaded, the excitement almost blinding her.

  “Gav...”

  He shushed her, pushing his finger to her lips. She gave them a small kiss as he pulled his finger away, which made him grin with delight. He parted her knees and lowered himself between her thighs. Her knees pressed against his temples as he savored her anticipation, her excitement making small breaths catch in her throat with every deft movement. She lost herself, the room feeling like it was swirling around her. It didn’t satisfy her though, it only made her more desperate for him, for her Laird. For her Highlander.

  She raked her fingers through his hair and pulled on him, making him fight to keep his pace. After countless gasps and interrupted moans, he lifted himself up and she felt his hardy excitement graze the bottom of her leg.

  He gave her a mischievous look, a powerful and daring one that made her heart squeeze inside her chest. He lowered himself over her and entered her, and she braced herself for their long-awaited reunion. How long had it been, compared to how long it felt? She tried to remember how many days it had been since he left for Iverlochy, but couldn’t. She couldn’t even remember how long it had been since she had met him and her world had changed. He groaned and his brow knitted as they slid together on the bed. She tried to meet his eyes, but was too overcome with the heat in her chest to focus on anything else.

  She narrowed her breathing and reached to pull him closer to her. He stumbled down and collapsed on the bed, and she took advantage of his surprise to turn him onto his back. Elyn’s hips hugged his, and she pushed herself along his abdomen, while curling her fingers through his chest hair, grazing his pectorals as they flexed with the rise and fall of his chest. They moaned together, and their passionate lust grew more feverish.

  His hands grabbed her buttocks and he took control. She relinquished the small amount of control she had earned, and let herself disappear in the pleasure. Her Highlander was her Husband now, and she trusted him more deeply than anyone else. The man that fled Eilean Donan was gone, replaced with the strong spirit of the warrior that took her that night. His pride wasn’t worth the loss of his people and everything he cared about, and she felt a thrill rise through her at the thought. The castle and clans weren’t just his, but theirs. He released her buttocks and squeezed her thighs, just as a deeply twisted knot inside her started to unravel. She quaked.

  The knot slipped apart, and she cried out. Sweat coated their bodies, despite the chill of the night already setting in throughout the castle. “Elyn...”

  Their climaxes met each other, and to Elyn, felt as swirling and aggressive as the storm that brought them together. She clenched his shoulders as her body shook against his, and he grunted and locked his arm around the small of her back. They cried out together and both collapsed against the bed, their breath fast and shallow, their bodies sublimely sticky.

  Elyn squirmed to slip under Gavin’s arm. He exhaled and traced his finger over her collar bone, and then he let out a deep chuckle in her ear. She felt a shiver of comfort travel up her spine as he laughed and kissed her cheek.

  “Together...” Elyn whispered.

  “What was that?” Gavin turned and lifted his head.

  “We’re together forever now, Gavin...”

  “Aye...” he mused. “I won’t let us be pulled apart again, I can promise ye that. It was agony, not the torture of being lashed for petty revenge, but that I didnae know what happened to ye. How far away ye were, if ye were even safe from harm or being killed.”

  Elyn was silent. She nudged her head against Gavin’s chest and nodded. “I know. I feel like the only thing that kept me alive was knowing ye were alive... and knowing ye were going to marry Katrine if I didnae do anything. I really thought I was gonna l
ose ye.”

  “Ye aren’t mad about that, are you?”

  Elyn shook her head and her hair fell down. It spread out across Gavin’s chest. “Nay. I knew ye were only agreein’ to it because of Maxwell.”

  “I didnae have a choice.”

  “I know. It donae matter anymore.”

  They slipped their arms and legs under each other, weaving their bodies together like a knot. Anything to feel a little closer, after nearly losing each other for good.

  Chapter 12: Gavin

  Gavin woke first. He cast a long look over Elyn, unsure if he was dreaming and still buried deep in the dungeon’s depths. He ran his fingers along her arm and she twitched a little, and he felt admiration flood him. He couldn’t be dreaming.

  He slipped out from under the bedding and turned to the new day. His memory felt foggy, but as sleepiness faded, he realized the events of yesterday weren’t a dream, but reality. He was married to the beautiful woman sleeping in his bed, and they were decreed to rule Scotland until King James’ kin were old enough to take over the throne. He couldn’t believe it.

  Gavin dressed himself and then stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. It was a different view than the one he was used to in Eilean Donan. Elyn yanked and rolled in the bed, taking a large bundle of sheets with her. Her naked body was partially exposed, and Gavin smiled to himself.

  How lucky had he been to have met her? The very same woman he was destined to marry all those years ago? He rubbed his hands along the stone railing and inhaled the scent of the sea. It was a fresh feeling, and a change from waking up in the stony cold depths of the dungeon with nothing but the stale smoke to greet him. After some time, he climbed back onto the bed and tickled Elyn’s bare back, slowly rousing her from her slumber. She moaned pleasurably and faced him, her weary eyes only just managing to stay open long enough to guide her lips to his.

  He rose up at the sound of a knock on the door. He quickly crossed the room and cracked it, peering through the edge to see Barron standing there with the captain of the guard, who Gavin had discovered was named Alexander.