“Come, as quietly as you can.” He stood and lifted her with him then opened the door at his back and led her into the side room. Near the window, the antechamber’s bright yellow plastered wall held a silk banner embroidered with the MacLean clan crest, and under the moonlight shimmering through, eight lavishly upholstered chairs sat around a gleaming center table.
“Did you travel safely?” Katherine pushed one of the leather bound ledgers scattered on the smooth tabletop into the middle then perched on the edge.
“As well as could be considering I should never have left Islay’s shores in the first place.” He barred the door so they wouldn’t suffer any interruption, closed the window’s wooden shutters then crossed to the hearth. After kneeling on the thick woven rug of blue and green wool, he built a fire to roaring life and once the solar warmed, patted the space next to him. “Come and sit. This conversation may take some time. Are you well?”
“Yes, but tired. I only arrived here a few hours before you.” She clutched her rich blue skirts and sat cross-legged in front of him. Slippers kicked off, she palmed her flushed cheeks.
“Come closer.” The sprinkle of freckles across her nose made his fingers itch to trace them. He removed his sword, set it on the rug within easy reach then gripped the mat underneath her and dragged her closer when she didn’t move.
“Wait.” She clasped his arms.
“Nay, dinnae deny me.” He seized her knees and kept her locked close. “I’ve missed touching you, having you in my sight. From the moment the MacLean warrior took you, I have no’ been able to rest.”
“Why did you come? You were so adamant you wouldn’t.”
“Where you are, I need to be.” There was no other answer for it. “You shouldnae have run. Why did you?”
“Hearing about Madison was the last straw. It put everything into perspective for me.”
“Madison who?”
“Madison MacDonald. The girl you agreed to enter into a marriage contract with.”
“I did no such—” Damn. He’d forgotten all about the lass from Dunscaith. “Who told you about her?” No one other than Mary, Archie and he knew of Angus’s desire for one of his captains to wed his second cousin from Skye.
“Mary did.” Tears pooled in her deep blue eyes and stirred every protective emotion within him. “She told me Angus’s desire was to strengthen the bonds between the two MacDonald clans. Apparently Archie gave an adamant no, but you said yes.”
“Aye, although those talks disintegrated when the feud escalated and Angus was captured. The lass is barely of age.”
“She’s now sixteen and very much of age. Mary also said such talks are binding.”
“Naught was formally contracted.”
“That doesn’t mean your word isn’t binding.” She cupped his cheek, smoothed her palm along his jaw as a tear trickled free. “Don’t you see, John? She’s the one you’re meant to marry and spend the rest of your life with. She’s the one.”
“I dinnae have any feelings for her.” He wiped the tear away, scooped her up and settled her in his lap. “’Tis only for you I do, and no one will keep you from me, no’ even yourself. You may have come to Mull, but you willnae stay here. Your place is with me, at Dunyvaig.”
“I’ll never change your future. It’s not right for me to do so.” She pressed her chest out and the top rise of her breasts swelled against the soft blue fabric embroidered with silver thread. He traced one finger along her soft skin and over the pebbled tips of her nipples poking the cloth.
“My future is with you and was from the moment we met. What’s no’ right is refusing to accept that we belong together.”
“Madison is the one you will marry.” Adamant words, ones he wouldn’t accept.
“Nay, Katherine, I willnae marry her.” Aching for a closer touch, he swept the edge of her bodice to one side and filled his palm with the warm flesh of her breast. “You’re the only woman who holds my heart. Without you, I cannae live. Dinnae you feel the depth of our bond? What’s between us cannae be denied.”
“Yes, I feel the depth, and at times to the point of pain.” She thrust her fingers into his hair and stroked his scalp.
“There is only pain when we arenae together. You cannae force me to marry another when ’tis you I need to survive.” He dipped his head and grazed his teeth over her nipple. “Being apart from you these last few days has been hell. I never wish to experience such a loss again.”
“But Madi—”
“Nay, enough.” He took her mouth in a slow and tender kiss. “I need you as greatly as I need my next breath. You and only you.”
“I need you too, but that doesn’t make us being together, right.”
“The fae bound us together. You are the woman I live for, the woman I wish to be joined with for all time. I want all of you, heart, body, and soul.” Heat surged through his blood and he tipped her onto her back and sucked one sweet luscious nipple deep inside his mouth.
“John.” She moaned and arched into him. “That feels so good.”
“You are a part of me, as I long to be a part of you, and I’ll do all I can to prove it.” He moved to her other breast and imbibed on the tight bud. “I need to claim you as mine, to ensure you never leave my side again. ’Tis also the only way I can get you safely away from Duart. I cannae take the risk of inflaming this feud.”
“But I just got here.” She pressed her hand against his chest, right over his heart.
“And you shall leave again. You’ve crossed centuries to come to me, and when you left Islay, it near wrenched my soul in two.” He was prepared to do all he must to ensure she understood the depth of his commitment. He tugged his cotun and tunic off. “I’ll never allow you to remain here on MacLean land, and their hospitality ends when dawn breaks.”
“I still haven’t figured out what I need to do with the fae’s mission. Bringing about peace without changing history isn’t going to be an easy task.” She shoved against his bare shoulders, rolled him onto his back and straddled his hips.
“There’ll never be peace. Tell me again, word for word, exactly what the fae asked of you.” This mission meant the world to her and he couldn’t easily dismiss it.
She closed her eyes and said, “You and your twin are two halves of one whole, the beginning and the end. You must complete what your sister has set in motion. Keep your warrior protector close. To bring peace, you must unite.”
“And what exactly did your twin set in motion?”
“She had to ensure history remained on course, that Archie didn’t kill Lachlan MacLean but instead placed him into the king’s hands.”
“And what does that have to do with coming here to Duart?”
“Nothing, but—”
“Then there must have been something else Marie set in motion that you need to complete. What else has she done?”
“I—I—” She gasped and covered her mouth. “She wed a MacDonald and joined the clans by her marriage. Oh, surely I haven’t misunderstood the fae’s request all this time?”
“The fae also told you to keep me close and to bring peace, we must unite. Could she possibly have meant the peace needed within my own clan, within me? I’m certainly no’ at peace, no’ unless we unite. A fact I intend to remedy, right now.” From his tartan, he tore a strip off, clasped his right hand with her right, and wrapped his plaid around their hands. Bound together, he would ensure the peace they both sought.
“What are you doing?” She wriggled her fingers.
“’Tis a handfast. The vows we speak now will bind us together as man and wife for a year and a day, and as soon as we return to Dunyvaig, we’ll be wed proper. This is the only way I’ll be able to leave Duart without there being a fight. I alone am responsible for your welfare.”
“The fae also said I had to wear the amulet so I was provided safe passage as I returned to my MacLean kin. Why would she ask me to journey here if I wasn’t supposed to?”
“Mayhap she knew it wo
uld take all of what you and I have been through for you to recognize what is right afore your eyes. You’re a MacLean, a daughter of this clan, and I’m a MacDonald. If you wed me, you’ll strengthen and unite the clans exactly as you wished for.”
“Goodness.” A flare sparked in her eyes. “Right after the fae told me to travel to Mull she said, ‘If that is what it will take for you to see the truth, then that is what must be.’”
“Aye, then do you now see the truth? You and Marie are two halves of one whole. The beginning and the end should always come full circle and your sister wed my brother. Join with me now and continue to strengthen the ties between our clans, as I wish to join with you.”
“But I can’t. We’re in the middle of an argument.” She blew out a long breath. “Getting hitched like this is all kinds of wrong.”
“I promise you, we’ll no’ be arguing after we’ve spoken our vows. No’ when I’ll be buried deep inside you and—” Blood surged to his cock and it lengthened and stabbed her inner thigh. His trews had to go. He loosened the ties at his waist and freed his shaft.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Katherine jiggled on top of him, her breasts bobbing so close to his mouth he couldn’t deny himself another taste of them. “Oh,” she sighed. “I really love it when you put your mouth on me like that.”
“Then say aye to our joining and make it quick.” He licked the peaking tips again. “I’ll begin. I, John Joseph MacDonald, of Islay, pledge my troth to Katherine MacLean, of the MacLeans of Duart. With this handfast, I take her as my wife for the next year and a day.” He moved to her other breast and gave it the same attention. “Speak your vow, love.”
“There’s still Madison to consider.”
“Nay, there is no’. What does your heart tell you?”
“That joining with you always feels so right, and I’m not sure I can let you go.” She heaved her skirts up and spread her folds. Gently, she held his cock and rubbed the head over her slick entrance. “I want to make us one.”
“Then do it.”
“You’re so impossible at times.” She looked deep into his eyes and smiled. “But my impossible.” She slid his cock deep inside her hot channel and panting, moved up and down. “Oh, yes. You feel sooo good inside me.”
“I’m still waiting to hear your vow.” With a low moan, he rocked his hips. “Give yourself to me. I will love and cherish you for all of my days.”
“I gave myself to you the moment I fell through the veil.” She caressed his chest. “I want to feel all of your skin on mine.”
Hell, her skirts were bunched between them, albeit at her waist, and he still had his trews half on. Growling, he came out of her long enough to kick his pants off and ease her gown down her legs. Rolling her over onto her back, he came up on top. His cock hammered at him to take her, and as he claimed her lips, he plunged deep inside her channel and made her his.
“Perfect.” She clutched his butt and urged him to go faster. “Make me soar.”
“Aye, I shall always do so.” Losing himself in the woman who held his heart, he didn’t hold back. He kissed her, ravishing her mouth as he pounded harder and deeper inside her. His faerie held an intoxicating allure he’d never be able to resist. She was sweet, fiery, and roused endless passion within him.
“More,” she panted.
“You’re so beautiful, Katherine. I want to make you come, over and over.” Needing to give her everything, to hear her pleasure and have it thrum through him, he slid his hand between them. He caressed her nub then thrusting in balls-deep, took them both over the edge of no return.
“John.” She gasped his name as her inner muscles tightened and dragged him home.
Giving into his own desire, he came deep inside her and with no strength remaining, collapsed on top. “Mine. You’ll always be mine.”
* * * *
Katherine lay on the thick rug before the hearth, John a delicious weight on top of her as the sky lightened outside the window. She stroked his back and blew gently over the light sheen of his sweat dampened skin. “John, wake up. It’s almost dawn.”
He eased up onto his elbows and looked into her eyes, his gaze strikingly focused. “I wasnae asleep. ’Tis impossible to find rest within the enemy’s walls. Are you ready to come home?”
“I’m sorry I doubted you, and that I left without speaking to you first. The fae told me to keep my warrior protector close and to bring peace, we must unite. It’s our union which is needed and I see that now with such clarity. You and Marie both raised the question about actually bringing about some peace, and yet I continually pushed your concerns aside. All I saw was the need to travel here.” She threaded her bound fingers through his and smiled as the small strip of knotted cloth around their wrists tugged tighter against her flesh. “I want to speak my vow, to bind us together for all time. I just wish I didn’t have to change your future to do so.”
“You must have faith that the fae wouldnae have chosen wrongly for you. I hold a piece of your soul and that is meant to be.” His cock twitched inside her and he rocked his hips. “Bind us together, otherwise peace will continue to elude me.”
“You’re also insatiable.” She stroked his cheek. “But there is no one I would ever wed other than you.”
“Then I shall ask you formally.” He kissed her, sweeping his tongue along hers with a slow thoroughness that made her melt. “Katherine MacLean, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife? I wish to hold you each and every day, to love and cherish you for the rest of our lives.”
“Do we get to consummate my vow once it’s spoken?”
“I believe that might be possible.” He glanced at where they were still joined.
The full evidence of their union hummed through her and gently, she wrapped her legs around his hips and took him deeper, feeling the stretch of tender muscles as she did and loving every moment of it. “Then yes. I’ll marry you, my warrior protector.”
With a deep moan, he eased out then slowly sank back in. “Hurry, love, I need to hear your vow afore I lose my mind once more.”
She didn’t hold back. “I, Katherine MacLean, of the MacLeans of Duart, pledge my troth to John Joseph MacDonald, the man who holds a piece of my soul. With this handfast, I take him as my husband for the next year and a day.” She kissed him, her soul lifting and twining fully with his. Heat consumed her, took over her mind as every part of her fused with him. “I should have understood what the fae meant sooner. She told me I no longer belonged to the future. Even my mother told me I had to accept my place here in the past as Marie had done. I belong right here with you. Always and forever.”
“Aye, always and forever, with me.” He pushed even deeper, moving harder and faster with each heavenly thrust.
“You make me feel too much.” She rocked forward, consumed by the scalding heat that devoured her each time they joined. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she rode the waves of pleasure that contracted her channel and demanded he join her.
“Katherine.” He pulled her harder against his cock, holding her in place as he seized her mouth and kissed her until she lost all thought.
* * * *
When her senses finally returned, Katherine stretched underneath John and breathed in his warm scent. “Mmm, I definitely feel at peace. What about you?”
“Aye, my wife, I feel at peace even though I’m within the enemy’s walls.” He nuzzled her neck then drew the soft skin of her flesh into his mouth and sucked.
“John.” A knock sounded on the door.
“’Tis Archie,” John whispered to her. “Aye, brother. I’m here,” he called to him.
“Margaret is awake and asking to see Katherine. Arthur too wishes to speak with us, and our men grow restless to leave. We dinnae wish to overstay our welcome.”
“We’ll be out shortly.”
“Good.” His footsteps faded away.
John nipped her lips, eased out of her and taking her hands, helped her to her feet. “I
need you to remain quiet and allow me to ensure our safe leaving. As my wife, none can keep you from me, or gainsay my decision to take you from this place.”
“I understand, although you should know, I’m not really all that good at following orders.” She donned her blue gown and adjusted the long sleeves over her wrists.
“Aye, as I’ve learnt.” With a mischievous smile, he shrugged his cotun on over his white tunic, fastened his black leather trews at his waist and strapped his weapons on. “Come. We’ll thank our hosts for having us then be away.”
He unbarred the door then with a hand on her lower back, guided her into the crowded great hall. The trestle tables had been moved back into position and serving maids now weaved around the benches and set platters of cooked meats and bowls of hot oats on the tables. So many MacLeans filled the hall, a hundred or more warriors, their postures rigid and gazes narrowed on the trestle table holding John’s men.
“I feel terrible.” She burrowed closer into his side. “I didn’t come here to inflame the feud.”
“I know, love, but by your actions you’ve forced two clans to come together no long after we’ve battled. The MacLeans also outnumber us a dozen to one and that places them in a position of great power. ’Twould be so easy for them to sweep aside the Highland code of hospitality and have their vengeance. It has happened twice in the recent past, no’ only to Angus when he tried to stem the feud, but also to one of our close kin, John MacIan from Ardnamurchan. The MacLeans will go to any means to win this war. I can only say, the sooner we’re gone from here, the better.”
“Katherine.” Margaret called her name and motioned to her from the dais where she was seated between Arthur and Archie.
“Remain beside me at all times.” He steered her toward the dais and clasped his brother’s forearm. They spoke, so quietly she hadn’t a chance of hearing what they said.
“Sit beside me, Katherine.” Margaret shuffled closer to Arthur in her bronze skirts and made room for her. She took a seat as Archie eased across the other way and made room for John to sit next to her.
Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat Book 5) Page 11
