“Aye, then,” Graham agreed. “Christina and I will help any way we can. Jessie isnae alone in this anymore.”
Bryce nodded, grateful that his kin stood so readily by her side. While he knew it was in part because of their lasses, he also felt it was because they were simply a good, sympathetic lot. Especially Graham with his inherent need to save everyone since Fraser’s death. They had talked at length while hunting so Graham knew they would know nothing more about their deceased cousin until her warlock was defeated.
No, not her warlock.
Not anymore.
A little under an hour later, having toured the ships and been given their own provisions for the journey, Graham and Bryce stood at the end of the dock with Sven. As it turned out, Angus had not only built a captain’s cabin on his ship but even constructed a few small walled off areas for sleeping. One of which he had insisted Bryce and Jessie use.
“It was wise of Jessie to put us on three ships,” Sven murmured, eying the sky with as much relish as Angus. An eagerness inherent to a man born to sea and adventure. “Jessie will do well on the open waters.” He nodded. “She is a natural.”
Bryce perked his brows at Sven. “Aye? How do ye know?”
“Because I watched her on Angus’ ship.” His steadfast eyes never left the horizon. “The sea has a good roll today, and the ships are rocking more than usual.” He shook his head. “Yet not once did she falter or lose her step.” His eyes finally met Bryce’s. “Her stomach will not grow uneasy even in the roughest of waters. She will be okay out there and keep a level mind.”
He nodded. “’Tis verra good to hear.”
Aware of her more by the moment, Bryce knew she was heading his way before she even made it to the dock. Not just him but his dragon seemed incredibly in tune with her. Yet she wasn’t dragon, was she? Though he expected to feel sadness at that, he didn’t.
“She is something just as good and just as powerful,” Sven whispered, his eyes going to her as well. At first, he thought the Viking might be attracted to her but soon realized the way Sven looked at Jessie was similar to how he looked at Christina.
With respect.
Yet there was something else in Sven’s eyes. Something beyond respect.
“What do ye know about her that we dinnae?” Bryce asked.
Sven’s eyes lingered on her for another moment before returning to Bryce. “You must find that out for yourself, my friend.”
When Bryce scowled, Graham clasped his shoulder, grinned and shook his head. “’Tis always an adventure with our lasses, Cousin. Enjoy it rather than fight it, aye?”
“Aye, then,” he muttered but could fully admit as he watched her that there was plenty to enjoy. Though the dress she wore was simple in design, she had never looked more bonny with her hair blowing wild in the wind. It seemed by the very minute, she was becoming more and more alive as she laughed and smiled at something Christina said.
“Och, look at ye then,” Graham said softly.
When Bryce managed to tear his eyes away from her and frown at his cousin in question, Graham grinned. “Ye just wore a smile to match hers, Cousin. And ‘twas as wide as our country itself.”
Completely unaware but not surprised, Bryce nodded then headed their way. “Aye then, let’s go see to our lasses.”
Less than a half hour later, sails with the black ship emblem of the MacDonald’s unfurled and they were heading up the western shores of Scotland. The water was choppy and the wind gusty, but it was by no means a bad day for sailing. If anything, the wind worked in their favor as the day turned into evening.
“’Twill soon be a bonny sight if I’m reading my skies right.” Angus, who had invited Bryce and Jessie to dine in his captain’s quarters, rose his mug in salute and smiled broadly. “I foresee blackened skies and dangerous seas ahead indeed!” He narrowed one eager eye at Jessie. “So what are we facing then, lassie? What sort of evil wants to take down my bloody ships?”
In all truth, Bryce was starting to suspect Angus and his son were a wee bit touched. How else could it be when a chieftain remained this boisterously happy with such danger on the horizon? Had Bryce and Jessie been lured by the enemy in a way they never saw coming by sailing into a storm with a madman?
“It’s an evil unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” Jessie said gravely as she sipped her ale then shook her head, a little twinkle in her eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, the drink was going straight to her head as she leaned forward and narrowed one eye right back at Angus. “You’ll have to trust me every step of the way.” Her eyes narrowed even further as she challenged him. “Can you do that then?”
Their gazes held before Angus fell back in his chair, belly-laughing before he took a hearty swig of ale and nodded. “Och, aye, I see my son and me sailing straight into the pits of Hell for ye, my wee lassie.”
“Good, glad that’s settled.” She nodded with approval as she twisted her hair into a rope then tied it in a sloppy but surprisingly becoming knot. “There.” She smiled at them. “Much better.”
Angus tilted his head and considered the stray pieces sticking up here and there on her head. “Aye, then, ‘tis a good look for ye lassie!” Then they tapped mugs as he nodded. “Verra good look indeed!”
Meanwhile, Bryce fed Jessie random bits of meat and bannock without her overly realizing what he was doing. Not only was she small but new to alcohol. And while he reveled in the idea of her letting loose because she deserved it, he would not let this go on much longer. Though she might be a natural on a ship, he could guarantee that she would not appreciate a hangover on the morrow. Not on rough seas.
“So when will ye tell me what will be happening,” Angus murmured, his chuckles dying down and his eyes sharper than expected as he looked between them.
When Jessie leaned forward, offered a lopsided grin and whispered with a slight slur, “That’s on a need to know basis, m’dear,” Bryce knew it was time to call it a night.
“’Tis time to rest, aye, lass?” he said into her mind, hoping she would agree and join him because he refused to control or force her. She had had enough of that for one lifetime.
Her eyes met his, and though he thought for a moment the ale might have gotten the better of her, and she would say no, she offered a soft, knowing smile and nodded. “I see you’re ready to seduce me then.”
“Och, nay, ‘tis not like that,” he muttered into her mind, well aware what she thought he wanted from her.
He stood, thanked Angus for his hospitality, and bid him goodnight.
“Aye, then.” Angus chuckled, his merry eyes going to Jessie. “She’s feelin’ randy then, is she?”
“I am,” she agreed, smiling widely as she took Bryce’s hand and stood. “Not such a bad thing right?”
“’Tis never a bad thing, my wee lassie.” Angus kept chuckling as he raised his mug in salute. “Sometimes ‘tis best for a lass to walk bow-legged on a rocking ship, aye?” He winked. “Helps keep yer balance.”
When Jessie looked at him with confusion, Bryce promptly ushered her out.
“Bow-legged?” she asked as he kept his hands on her waist and steered her down the narrow hallway to their tight quarters. “For all my vast wisdom, I can’t seem to figure that one out.” She stopped abruptly and met his eyes over her shoulder. “What did he mean by that, anyway?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with tonight, lass,” he assured as he shut the door behind them. The space was cramped but welcome enough considering most of the crew slept where they could find a spare spot.
“I am concerned though,” she argued as she frowned at him. “Obviously it’s sexual.”
“’Tis time to rest, lass.” He prompted her to sit on the small bunk they would be sharing then knelt and took off her boots.
“You know, I always knew you’d be handsome based on what I saw on the inside,” she murmured, her eyes suddenly half-mast as she watched him. “But I had no idea how very handsome.” She fanned herself with her
hand and offered a sloppy grin. “As Christina would say, hot damn!”
“Och, lass,” he muttered and shook his head, knowing full well that ‘on the inside’ meant his warlock double. “I never should have let you drink more than one mug of ale.” He kept shaking his head. “Mayhap not even half a mug.”
“Right!” she agreed, still grinning. “Because I’ve got no tolerance.”
Despite being aggravated with himself for allowing her to get drunk, he couldn’t help but be charmed. She was pouting and batting her lashes at him, clearly mimicking Lindsay as she tried to win him over. He bit back a chuckle as he urged her to lie back so he could cover her with a blanket.
“Not yet,” she whispered and shook her head. “Please.”
He frowned, confused. “What is it, lass?”
“I was hoping.” She bit her lower lip, suddenly shy as she stared at him. “I was hoping I could do something.”
“Nay, lass.” He shook his head, under the assumption she wanted to try lying with him now. “I’ll do no such thing with you for the first time whilst you’re feeling the effects of ale.” He urged her to lie back again. “Trust me, you’ll thank me for it in the morn.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...” She shook her head. “Not really.” Half a breath later, she leaned forward, cupped his cheeks and kissed him.
It was by no means an experienced kiss, but it was one he should have ended right away. She deserved to be sober for her first kiss. Yet he didn’t pull away as her soft, warm lips touched his. Instead, he allowed it. He welcomed it actually, struck by how fire roared through his blood at the simple contact.
Their lips never opened, and their tongues didn’t touch, yet her chaste kiss felt incredibly erotic. So sensual and arousing that he was moments away from taking her right then and there. She had instantly ignited a driving need that almost got the better of him.
“Nay,” he whispered as he rallied all his considerable strength, pulled back, cupped her cheeks and shook his head. “Not like this, lass.” He brushed his lips across her forehead then finally got her to lie back. “You need rest.”
“So do you,” she whispered, her eyes still on him. “You’ll stay here with me, right, Bryce?”
“Aye, lass, of course, I’ll stay,” he replied as he pulled off his boots then lay down beside her the best he could on the small bunk. It was good she was so petite, or this might not have worked. As it was, he had to pull her tight against him, her back to his front.
“I’d rather face you,” she whispered, her eyes already shut as she turned and curled up against him. She was just small enough that she managed it. Nonetheless, he wrapped his arm around her and kept her close as the ship swayed.
Moments later, she released a dainty snore then quieted.
Regrettably, he was so aroused sleep didn’t come easy. When it did, he dreamt only of her. She was lying in a small, flower-ridden grassy clearing. Almost unblinking, she stared up at the trees so intently he swore she must be communicating with them. While it was sunny where she lay, he swore the forest was darker than normal and gathering ever closer to her.
Though he wanted to approach, he couldn’t seem to get past the shadows.
“Don’t then,” she murmured. “Stay where you’re comfortable.”
Was she talking to him?
“I would prefer to be by your side,” came a deep rumble. Startled, he realized the words had come from him.
“You are by my side.” She finally dragged her eyes from the trees, turned her head in his direction and offered him a lazy smile. “You’re only a few feet away.”
He frowned. It seemed much further. “You are mistaken.”
“No.” Her eyes returned to the trees. “Remember, sunlight messes with your depth perception. Everything looks much wider or bigger in your eyes.”
Suddenly, Bryce realized what was happening. She thought she was talking to a warlock. Based on how kind she sounded, he would say the warlock. He glanced down only to have his vision pulled back to her almost like a magnet.
“Another few weeks and the leaves will start changing,” she murmured. “They’ll be so beautiful.” Then a flicker of sadness. “Then they’ll die, and the branches will grow barren.”
Something about that made him happy. But why? She soon answered that.
“Then these moments will be no more.”
“I will keep you safe,” he, it, responded. “They will not hurt you.” He shook his head. “Never hurt you.”
He felt the warlock’s sentiment as if it were his own. How strongly he felt. How much he cared about her. Even loved her.
Then he felt something else.
A driving need to make her his. An unnatural desire to keep her with him always. What Bryce had thought was love moments before now felt twisted and dark. More like obsession and the need to possess.
Then those emotions vanished and became normal once more. It felt like love again. Goodness. He wanted to protect and keep her safe.
“You are too easily swayed,” came a dark voice from beside him. “Too emotional.” The voice grew even more grating. “You will never be able to do what you must when the time comes.”
“I already have though,” her warlock responded. “The time came and went, and I was there when I should be. I was successful.”
What the bloody hell did he mean by that?
“Were you then?” said the other warlock.
“Yes,” he responded as a disconcerting wave of dark pleasure rolled through him. “Though she doesnae remember it yet, she is already mine and will recall such when she least expects it.”
Chapter Nine
JESSIE WOKE TO FLAMES in Bryce’s eyes. Though she should be terrified, something kept her calm. The ship still rocked back and forth as it had the night before, so they had yet to hit bad weather. So what had him so disgruntled? Enough so that his dragon reacted.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“I saw you,” he said softly as he stroked her hair, clearly trying to keep her calm though he was the one upset. “And I saw your...the warlock.” A deep frown settled on his face. “He knows something you dinnae, Jessie. He has something planned...”
She ignored the strange sensation that washed over her. Not just fear, but something indefinable. A memory just out of reach.
“But you don’t know what,” she said, finishing his sentence as his thoughts brushed hers. As she saw the dream as though she had experienced it.
“Nay, I dinnae know what but ‘tis not good,” he replied.
“I wouldn’t imagine it is,” she murmured, more aware of their intimate position by the moment. The size of his body. How close he was. How good he smelled. More than anything though, she recalled the brief kiss they had shared the night before. She hadn’t expected to feel so much. So many emotions she was still trying to sift through.
“The good thing, though,” she continued determined to remain focused on the matter at hand, “is that it seems you were part of the warlock and were recalling his memories which will be helpful.”
Still stroking her hair absently, he considered that. “Do you think that we’re forming a telepathic bond then? If so, might I be able to track him more readily?”
“It could very well be.” Yet it troubled her deeply for another reason. “Which means it could work both ways...he would be able to track you too.”
“Is there anything we can do about that?” he asked. “Anything I can do?” The fire might have dwindled from his eyes, but she knew he was out for blood.
“I don’t think so,” she said. “If I was still connected to him, maybe, but I’m not.”
“And that’s bloody good,” he grumbled.
Was it? She wasn’t so sure.
The distress must have been obvious on her face because his brows drew together. “What is it, lass?”
“I just worry,” she murmured. “About growing weaker without their aid and letting all of you down.”
“O
ch, nay.” He cupped her cheek. “You’ve helped us out so much thus far that you are beyond letting us down at this point. Even if we were to fail, ‘twould not be your fault. Not in the least.”
She wasn’t sure she would go that far, but she appreciated his kind words. Yet again, she did her best to swallow emotions as they tried to surface. They seemed to come fast and furious now that she could finally acknowledge them. Then there was his weapon-roughened tender touch. The way his large hand encompassed not just her cheek but a good portion of the side of her neck too.
“So how do you feel, lass?” he asked, his voice tentative.
“I just told you how I feel,” she began before she realized what he meant and blushed. “Oh, you mean the ale last night.”
“Aye.” He grinned. “You were...” His grin grew. “Out of form.”
“That’s one way to put it.” She forced a chuckle though embarrassed. “I feel okay.” And she did for the most part. “I’m sorry I was so forward.”
“Dinnae be sorry,” he said softly, his hand still on her cheek. “’Twas verra good.” His brows furrowed and his brogue thickened as he tried to be careful with her. “I hope ye ken why I didnae want to kiss ye, to begin with...or why I stopped anything else from happening.”
“I do.” She cleared her throat, more than ready to end the conversation. “And I appreciate it.”
“Aye?” he asked, hopeful.
“Yes, of course.” She managed a smile. “You were a gentleman.”
“Aye,” he whispered, a curious look in his eyes. “Would ye like another then?”
“Another what?” she asked like a fool, so caught in the golden flare of his eyes she barely followed.
“Another kiss,” he murmured.
Though her first instinct was to say no because she was so nervous, she found herself being rather brave as she offered a single nod. Because she did want another kiss. Several more, if she were to be honest. But starting with one real kiss would be a good start.
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 91
