by Arial Burnz
Optimism sparkled in Davina’s eyes. Rosselyn hoped her words found their way into Davina’s heart. The two women hugged each other, and unexpected tears poured from Davina as she clung to Rosselyn, who rocked her in her embrace until the tears were spent. She couldn’t risk hurting Davina more at this moment. Rosselyn couldn’t share her secret now.
* * * * *
Broderick called to Davina, but every time he tried to get near her, she put distance and obstacles between them. In the Gypsy camp, she regarded him with frightened eyes as she scampered between tents and wagons. In the forest, she ran to put trees and bushes between them. In her chamber, she stayed to the other side of the room, hiding behind furniture casting worried eyes at the double doors. Broderick went to the terrace, and a stretch of white sparkling snow covered the grounds. When he turned to face Davina, she shook her head, crying, begging Broderick to go away, and yet reaching out to him with trembling hands.
Broderick awakened upon the setting of the sun and stretched his body to work out the effects of his deathlike slumber. The furs on his bedding smoothed over his naked skin and he frowned, thinking of Davina. These dreams disturbed Broderick. He didn’t understand them. At least this time he didn’t awake with an erection. Dressing, he stepped out of his cave and stood in awe at the glistening sight before him. “Well, what a surprise,” he said. A few snowflakes fell from the sky to join the rest over the forest floor. “Appears as if we will be in Stewart Glen a little longer than we planned.” His emotions teetered between elation and dread, so Broderick pushed this uncertainty from his mind and set out to hunt Angus, and then to feed.
* * * * *
Broderick stood at the tent entrance, Amice sat by the fire pit, and Veronique was sequestered inside the caravan. Staring out into the Gypsy camp, so devoid of activity, an unease settled over Broderick. The cold weather kept the townspeople inside, and the Gypsies overstayed their welcome. Though a concern, because Broderick had come to view these people as his family, the more pressing concern for him lay outside this pocket of civilization…Angus Campbell.
Amice studied Broderick with her eyes, stoking the fire and wrapping her heavier shawl around her shoulders for warmth. “What troubles you, mon fils?”
Broderick avoided her gaze. He knew he should have warned her earlier, but he hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be to gain control of this situation. Or perhaps he fooled himself into thinking he had any control. Sighing, he turned his eyes toward her. “He’s here, Amice.”
After a moment of silence, she turned her eyes to the fire. She continued in French. “You think Angus has finally returned?”
“Nay, I know. I’ve spent every night since our arrival tracking him, but he’s always just out of my reach.”
“And Davina is directly in his path.”
His mouth dropped open. “What makes you think that?”
“Forgive me for not making the time to tell you. Davina came to visit yesterday afternoon, asking for herbal remedies for her mother. Broderick, Angus has approached her.”
“She told you what happened in the exchange?”
Amice nodded. “Not all of it, but he told her he had a divine message that you would return and rescue her.”
Broderick tightened his jaw. “The first night we arrived, Angus’s face was in Davina’s memories. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to worry you. This is why I’ve pursued her, to find out how she plays a part in his scheme.”
Amice placed a fresh kettle of water on the fire and sat back on her stool, waiting until Broderick joined her. “You cannot think she is a willing player in his plans.”
“At first, I didn’t know, Amice, and having felt the bite of betrayal in the past…”
“I understand, my son.”
“Though in a dream of hers in which I entered last night, Davina told me she sees him as a kind of savior.”
“Aye, I had the same impression, and I warned her not to trust this man.” Amice’s eye grew wide. “Only last night did you get this information? Why has it taken you so long?”
Broderick shifted uncomfortably. “She has the uncanny ability to block her thoughts, even stronger than you do, but this gift is uncontrolled.”
“Why should that matter? The thoughts are nothing against the knowledge you gain when you feed from someone. Surely you considered this, to use this tool you know so well?”
He clenched his jaw again.
“You care for her too much to cross that boundary.” Amice sighed. “Though respecting that boundary has put her life in danger, I am neither ashamed nor frightened to say I am glad of your fondness toward her.”
The blood drained from his face. “If you think I have feelings for her, then I cannot doubt that Angus also sees what you do. I have indeed fallen for Angus’s trap, just as he planned.” Broderick rose from the stool and paced. The hairs on the back of his neck tingled at the approaching presence of Angus Campbell. “He’s coming,” he hissed. “Stay in the caravan and block your thoughts.” Skirting into the darkness behind the tent, Broderick hid from wandering eyes before dashing off into the night to chase after Angus, and prevent him from entering the camp.
* * * * *
Broderick arrived at Davina’s castle and found few, if any, windows illuminated. He needed to get to the bottom of this. He failed to find Angus. Where Broderick concentrated on improving his skills in sensing others of his kind, Angus, it seemed, had focused on improving his speed, and perhaps something more Broderick didn’t realize they could do. Angus’s presence would be there one moment and then the next, gone. How was that possible? Another lesson his mentor and teacher conveniently left out? Rasheed would definitely get an earful the next time they met…if they ever did.
Broderick skirted through the shadows of the courtyard to stand below the landing by Davina’s chamber. The amber glow of firelight came from her narrow window, and when he leapt up to the small stone wall of the terrace, he peered into her chamber. Candles burned and a warm fire blazed in the hearth. Her restless figure paced the floor. He sighed and advanced to the double doors. Her temper would not fare well. He feared Davina rumbled around in her head with dizzying thoughts and rationalizations as she had done so many times before. The woman needed to stop trying to solve every facet of her life and learn to live it. Through his immortal gifts, he reached out to sense the details of her disposition—fear, confusion, frustration.
Though Broderick fancied his stealth entrances as a game between them, a playful mood did not seem appropriate. He entered the room without permission, moving through the curtains and standing before her shocked demeanor. “I didn’t think you’d have granted me entrance had I knocked.”
She crossed her arms. “You are correct, sir.”
“My apologies, but we have a serious matter to discuss,” he said, keeping his distance.
“Aye.”
He could hear the questions bubbling up in Davina’s mind about what he was, and the mysteries about him that frightened her so—questions Broderick didn’t want to answer at this time. “I need you to tell me what happened the night Angus—” Broderick stopped to prevent her from defending her savior. “The night Angus and you met.”
“I don’t understand your connection to this man. Do you know him?”
“Aye, all too well.” Broderick’s voice trembled and he cleared his throat. “He’s the man who slaughtered my family.
“Merciful Father,” Davina gasped and sat on the settee at the foot of her bed. “Broderick, I had no idea— I cannot understand—” She shook her head. “Why did he say the things he said to me?”
“I only know you met him in that clearing. The images I’ve seen from your mind have been fleeting and conflicting.” He crossed his arms. “I don’t think you realize your gift. You’re very good at blocking your thoughts, mistress.”
“I am?”
“Aye, you are.” Broderick sat beside her and took her hand in his. “Davina, please tell me wha
t happened so I can gauge whether or not you’re in danger.”
Davina stared at him with fear-filled eyes. “Danger, but why?”
“I believe Angus is using you to get to me, though I’m not exactly sure why. We hardly know each other, and yet there are signs in the images I’ve seen from your thoughts that lead me to believe he thinks otherwise.”
Davina nodded. “I went to the clearing upset, at a very bleak time in my life.” Dropping her gaze into her lap, she took her hand from his and fiddled with the cloth of her robes. “I took the coward’s escape and planned to end my own life.” Tears dropped onto the backs of Davina’s hands.
Broderick wiped the tears from her skin and put a comforting hand over hers. “‘Tis understandable, Davina. Do not blame yourself for having such notions. Thankfully, you didn’t go through with it.”
She nodded and cleared her throat. “Angus is the reason I didn’t succeed. I’m unsure of what happened. I only remember waking with a large bump on my head, and Angus sitting beside me, relieved he saved me from myself.” She squeezed Broderick’s hand. “I, too, am relieved he stopped me from such a terrible deed, which is why I don’t understand how he could have slaughtered your family. He seemed so caring.”
Broderick bit back his snide remarks. “What else did he say? Amice mentioned he had a divine message for you?”
“Aye, he said God led him to the forest that night with a special message of which he couldn’t make sense of. He said, ‘You must tell her that he will return, that he will rescue her. You must tell her not to give up hope and hold to that image of strength.’ Those were the words you said to me when we first met. You said to hold to an image of strength, and that would get me through the troubled times you foretold.”
Broderick rose and advanced thoughtfully to the hearth, rubbing his jaw. “Davina, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be truthful with me.” He faced her. “What was that image of strength you held to?” Broderick knew the answer, but he had to hear it from her to be sure.
Davina dropped her gaze to her lap to watch her fiddling fingers. “They were childish fantasies, Broderick, foolish.”
“Davina, please tell me.”
“You,” she whispered.
He turned his eyes back to the hearth, seeking the flames for refuge. “I feared as much.” Angus gleaned those thoughts from Davina in her time of despair, and then used her as bait to get to Broderick. Angus must have learned the wide circuit of the Gypsies. It was only a matter of time before they repeated visiting the towns. Angus may have even fed from Davina, and learned much about her heartfelt feelings for Broderick that mere thoughts could only touch upon. Because Davina thought of Broderick for so long, using him to get through the hard times, Angus knew once Broderick returned to Stewart Glen, she would pursue him or at least seek him out…and those images Angus left of himself in her mind would cause Broderick to pursue Davina to learn what he could. Angus had been lying in wait. But for how long?
“Davina, when—?” When Broderick turned back to face Davina, he saw her body trembling with sobs. Rushing to her side, he touched her shoulder with concern, but she shoved him away. “Davina, pray tell me what troubles you so much?”
“Leave me!”
“Davina, please—”
Her tearful eyes glared at him as she shoved him away and stomped to the fire, putting her back to him. “You can read my thoughts, can you not? Divine what you must, but leave me alone!”
True enough, she opened her mind, and he could sense her rejection and broken heart. Broderick’s last statement of “I feared as much” caused this turmoil. She had misunderstood, and he had been so lost in solving this personal mystery of his, he had not noticed her sorrow.
“Nay, you misunderstood me.” Broderick stood at a precipice. He no longer had a quest to find information from her. He knew those answers now. He could just walk away and let her think what she wanted. He should. It would be easier for her to let him go if she hated him. Then why did her heartbreak touch him to the core of his being?
“How could I misunderstand? You have made it very clear you don’t hold anything in your heart for me other than lust.”
Broderick stepped behind Davina, aching to pull her into his arms. The fire blazed in the highlights of her auburn curls and the aroma of her blood and rose oil filled his senses. Placing gentle hands upon her shoulders, he turned Davina to face him. She shrugged and tried to step out of his reach, but he wrapped her in his arms, holding her against him in spite of her resistance. “Davina, listen to me,” he breathed against her temple. “I meant that I feared Angus knew you cared for me, which is the reason he chose you to lure me into his trap.” Broderick pulled back enough to gaze at her tear-stained face. “What I fear more than anything is that he has succeeded, and his success has put you in danger.”
She tried to turn away, but he held her chin steady, pressing her to face at him. Her eyes squeezed shut and she pleaded, “Do not look at me as if you care! I know better. I’m not the fool you think I am.”
“Look at me, Davina,” he whispered.
She stopped struggling, her eyes still closed. I cannot bear the heartache! she screamed in her head.
“Davina…” He breathed her name.
Her eyes, filled with anguish, gazed up at him with a glimmer of hope. His thumbs brushed away the tears from her cheeks, his chest aching. How could he blame her for having such suspicions? “My intentions began with discovering your part in Angus’s plan, but heaven strike me down, Davina, I cannot help myself when I’m near you.” Broderick brushed the back of his fingers against Davina’s throat, and his heart quickened at the warmth of her skin. His words came out in a whisper. “The sight of you, the touch of you, the very scent of you makes my soul drunk with pleasure, and I find I cannot get enough of you, blossom.”
His eyes took in every inch of her delicate features and settled upon the bow of her mouth. She sighed when his thumb caressed her bottom lip, and Broderick leaned forward to taste her sigh. His mouth covered hers, tentative caresses at first, but when Davina moaned, he plunged deeper. Broderick reveled in the warmth of her arms wrapped around him. His arm swept down her body, cradling her legs around his side, and he carried her toward the bed. Their kiss broken, Davina lay back against the pillows, her eyes hooded and inviting. Broderick sat on the bed beside her, studying her. Her chest rose and fell in deep breaths. He hesitated in this moment to drink in her beauty, but also to give her an opportunity to stop him. He waited for her protests, hoping they would never come, gazing at this woman he ached for. This image would be burned into his dreams—the firelight playing upon her skin, the flames dancing in her eyes, her full mouth parted in anticipation. Davina touched her hand to his cheek, a gentle smile playing upon her lips. She then smoothed her fingers to the nape of his neck and pulled him toward her. “Davina,” he breathed as their mouths joined, open and hungry for each other.
Misty images of Davina’s limbs wrapped around Broderick’s bare back, fluttered through his mind. Broderick groaned, his groin hardening even more, as Davina’s thoughts explored the possibilities of their lovemaking. With haste, Broderick yanked off his boots, tossed his belt and sporran aside, and tugged his shirt over his head. Davina shed her house robe, her translucent night dress teasing his desire. Broderick stretched his body beside her under the warmth of the covers, providing her a cocoon of protection. Drawing her into his embrace once again, his hand slid down her back to cup her bottom and bring her against the length of his body.
Davina’s breath quivered at the sensation of Broderick’s erection against her belly, at the smoothing of his hand over her bottom, encouraging her to press against him. The warm, moist heat of his breath against her neck sent ripples of pleasure over her skin, and she ached to feel his mouth upon her breasts. Pushing away from him, she pulled the neck of her nightdress down over her shoulder, and his eyes reflected the desire flowing through her limbs, her soul pleading for him to do what
she wanted. His full lips parted in anticipation, and he opened her gown, exposing her breast to him. Sweet, tender kisses teased her flesh as he gently cupped her breast in his hand, worshiping her body with his mouth, darting his tongue out to leave tingling trails of wetness. Her expectation released as his mouth closed around her nipple, tight with need, and she arched her back with a husky moan, reveling in his soft hair in her hands.
Putting her hand between their bodies, Davina reached for his breeches, to do away with the barrier keeping him from her. Broderick helped her push the material away and guided her hand to take possession of him. His hardness made her sex clench, tightening with hunger, pulsing with heat. She moaned, squeezing him as he breathed her name.
Pushing her nightdress to her waist, Broderick’s fingers caressed their way over her hip, down her bottom, and nestled between her legs, stroking the wet folds of her hot center. He breathed against her ear, sending shuddering waves through her body. “I have ached for you, dreamed of you. I cannot get my fill of you.” The sincerity in his voice dripped like honey over her heart, bringing warm tears to her eyes.
Broderick seized her mouth in a rapacious kiss and positioned his body between her legs. The tip of his shaft touched the sensitive junction between her thighs. He stroked the head of his cock along her valley of moisture, sending more twitches tingling through her body, and slid inside her, both of them moaning with the release of this anticipated moment of joining. Grunting her name, Broderick drove the length of his erection in and out with slow, coaxing thrusts, each plunge deep and fulfilling, driving Davina faint with pleasure.
