“He appears uncomfortable and not at all sturdy,” Royden said, the man’s eyes wide and darting about as he kept close to his smiling wife, who barely reached his shoulder.
“Lona boasts that he’s an exceptional arrow maker and the finest of marksmen,” Angus said.
“If true, he would prove a good addition to the clan.”
“They are also expecting a bairn just before winter,” Angus informed him. “So the clan now grows.”
That pleased Royden and he hoped that he and Oria would add to that growth, though he’d need more time alone with his wife to see that done. He spotted her then approaching Lona, a basket on her arm, and the two women hugged. His wife’s welcoming smile grew along with the young woman’s when she placed her hand on her stomach, announcing the news. There was no hiding how thrilled his wife was over the news. Oria held the basket out to Lona and her husband and both took some of the offered food. She then leaned down and coaxed the bairn clinging to his mum to take some as well.
Royden kept his eyes on his wife as he spoke to Angus. “Do you have a total yet?”
“Last count was thirty, that doesn’t count the children, but I believe there’s more,” Angus said. “Once things settle and they all have lodgings, we’ll be able to get a better count.”
“Any suspicious to you?”
Angus looked out over the sea of people. “You’re thinking what I am, that some were sent among our own to keep an eye on us.”
“That is exactly my thought. Do you know where each of them have been?” Royden asked, seeing Penn and his wife, their newborn bairn tucked in the crook of her arm walking through the crowd.
“I heard one mention something about the Clan MacDonnegal.”
Royden turned to Angus. “Fergus had some of our people?”
“I heard it in passing.”
“See what you, John, and Stuart can find out,” Royden ordered and turned his attention back to his wife. But his glance settled on Wilfred first and seeing his look of surprise, Royden followed his line of sight to see what had caught him unaware.
Penn. He had spotted Penn and it was obvious he knew him. That was a good indication that Wilfred could have been planted in a clan just as Penn had been. But why in Fergus’s clan when he was loyal to the enemy and why would a skilled arrow maker be sent here? He could have insisted his wife remain where they were, unless he’d been ordered otherwise.
Royden wasn’t only surprised, but Wilfred was as well when Penn went to him and didn’t hide that he knew him, greeting him with a firm slap on the back and a bear hug, like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while.
Royden had to smile when he saw his wife point to either man and with a smile appeared to be questioning them. He’d have some news on the two soon enough.
“It’s a good thing we got most of the cottages repaired, though the common hut for the warriors might be crowded now,” Angus said with a huff.
“Thought you’d be in Bethany’s bed by now?” Royden asked with a grin.
“I was doing good until that merchant showed up,” Angus complained. “Do you know what he brought her and she was beyond happy about? Spices. He brought her spices.”
Where had he gotten spices? They were not easy to come by in these parts, though trade with the far north could get you them. Royden wondered how truthful Clive had been with him. Had the merchant he bought the cart from have them or had he acquired them himself? There definitely was more to Clive than he had said.
“I thought Clive brought her some baubles and ribbons or some type of trinket women enjoy receiving,” Royden said.
“He gave her some of that too, but it was the spices that brought her the most joy.”
Royden didn’t want to make it worse for Angus, but he figured he’d voice what the man already knew. “It would seem that Clive knows what makes Bethany happy.”
Angus snorted in disgust. “And here I thought I knew women.”
“You do know women. You just don’t know Bethany,” Royden said.
Angus’s eyes went wide as if just realizing something. “You’re right. I treat all women the same. I don’t know Bethany at all.” He nodded to himself. “I need to get to know her before that fool merchant returns and steals her away from me.” He gave a quick glance around and spotted Bethany. “She could use help handing out food and drink and it would give me a chance to see what I could find out from some of the arrivals.”
“Then go,” Royden said, knowing Angus waited his command. His advice to Angus had him thinking he should pay heed to it as well. Oria and he had said time and again that they weren’t the people they once were. It was time he made an effort to get to know the woman she had become.
He went to join his wife and she stretched her hand out to him as soon as he was close enough for him to take hold of it, and he did.
“Isn’t this wonderful, Royden, Penn and Wilfred know each other,” Oria said.
Royden saw the touch of fear in Emily’s and Lona’s eyes and watched Wilfred pale. It was Penn who bravely, though nervously spoke up.
“Wilfred and I met in one of the mercenary camps and spent a few years together,” Penn explained. “He fell in love with Lona like I did with Emily. There is something irresistible about the women of the Clan MacKinnon. Wilfred brings his exceptional skill as an arrow maker to the clan.”
“Lona met Wilfred at the Clan MacDonnegal, where she’d been moved to shortly after the attack,” Oria said.
Royden settled a glare on Wilfred. “Why would Chieftain Fergus part with such an exceptional arrow maker?”
Lona responded before her husband had a chance to. “I wanted to come home. I missed my clan, my family, the people I love.”
“It is good to have you home, Lona.,” Royden said, keeping a calm voice yet a commanding tone. “We have need of a skillful spinner.”
“I am here to serve the clan, sir, as is my husband,” Lona said, clinging tightly to her husband’s arm as if she feared he’d be taken away from her.
“Fergus gave you no argument about that, Wilfred?” Royden asked and Lona went to respond again for him. “Your husband can speak for himself.”
Uncertainty flared in Wilfred’s eyes and he looked to Penn.
Royden didn’t wait, he ordered, “Both of you come with me.”
“Wilfred has done nothing wrong, sir,” Lona begged, keeping hold of her husband’s arm.
“Then he has nothing to fear,” Royden said and looked to his wife. “Settle Lona in one of the cottages.”
“I know one that will be perfect for you and Wilfred,” Oria said and she let go of her husband’s hand to take Lona by the arm. “Come, Emily, the cottage is not far from yours.”
Emily squeezed her husband’s arm, a worried look in her eyes, before going off with the two women.
Royden took note of the way his wife had reassured Lona that there was no need for worry, that her husband would be returning to her. She wisely understood that he would not turn away a skillful arrow maker, though if time proved he could not trust the man, he would not hesitate to be rid of him.
“My solar,” Royden ordered and without being told directions the two men led the way right to it. His chest tightened with anger that strangers had been in his home and knew it almost as well as he did. How many attacks on innocent people had been planned in what once had been his da’s sanctuary? A place where he had once fought for more peaceful ways to settle disputes and accusations that could have easily led to battles.
Royden pointed at the table for them to sit. “When was the last time you were both in this room? And why would a warrior and an arrow maker even be brought here?”
Penn spoke up first. “Warriors were brought here now and again and asked if we had learned anything, from those in the clan, about your sister Raven.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me this?” Royden asked, his voice raised in annoyance.
“What was there to tell?” Penn shook his head. “N
o one, not one person, knew anything about Raven’s whereabouts or if they did, they never said a word. It was a worthless effort. It was always the same when I came here. Where is she? Who has seen her? Where does she hide?”
“They believed her alive?” Royden asked and realized why his wife had kept quiet about what she’d known about his da and sister. His da would have survived only to find his life taken from him if the enemy had discovered his whereabouts. And his sister? He hated to think about her fate. Oria had lived with a hefty burden over the years.
“I assumed they did since they encouraged me and others to try and find out anything we could. But I heard and saw nothing that pertained to your sister,” Penn admitted. “As I told you, this is my home now, here with my wife and son, and I will do whatever is necessary to see it remains so.”
“I will too,” Wilfred said quickly. “I was only in this room once. I was brought here after I delivered arrows to a man called Trevor. He was so pleased with them that he brought me here for a drink. I had joined the mercenaries of my own accord, though it was soon obvious I wasn’t cut out to be a warrior. I don’t like to kill.”
“None of us do,” Royden said. “Unfortunately, there are many who enjoy it, which leaves us no choice but to defend ourselves. I assume you were protected because of your skills as an arrow maker.”
“Aye, I wasn’t forced to fight. I spent my days and many nights making arrows,” Wilfred said. “I was glad when I was left at the Clan MacDonnegal. And even more glad when I met Lona. She didn’t mind that I wasn’t a warrior.”
“Why would Fergus let you go when you have such skill?” Royden asked.
“That baffled me,” Wilfred said, shaking his head. “I think it baffled Fergus as well, since he appeared angry at letting me and Lona leave. And it wasn’t only me he didn’t like losing. Lona is a fine spinner, the best one he had.”
“The other people you journeyed here with, they came from the Clan MacDonnegal as well?” Royden asked.
“No, they all arrived at the clan about four days ago. Lona was surprised to see members of her clan and when she found out they were returning home, she demanded to be returned home as well. I accompanied her when she went to see Fergus, since I wasn’t about to be separated from my wife. That was when the chieftain told us we’d be returning here as well.”
Royden thought about his talk with Fergus. He had already known that some of the Clan MacKinnon were being returned home and he hadn’t said a word. Or had it come as a surprise to him that Lona and Wilfred would be among the group?
“I told Penn he’d have to earn my trust. The same goes for you, Wilfred,” Royden said.
“My wife is thrilled to finally be home with her people. I’d rather die than see that taken from her. Besides, it would be nice to finally have a clan—a family—to belong to.”
“Prove you’re worthy of being part of the Clan MacKinnon and you have a home for life. Betray my clan and I’ll kill you both myself,” Royden warned.
It was a day that seemed never-ending. People needed to be settled in cottages and fed. As soon as Wilfred returned to Lona and she learned all was well, she immediately offered to help any way she could. She was sent to the kitchen along with others since help was needed in preparing food for so many. Wilfred and Penn got busy finding a hut where Wilfred could make his arrows, Royden ordering him to set his skill to work within two days’ time. And through it all, people were sharing stories where they had been and what they had gone through the last five years. Some had coped well, others hadn’t. But one thing everyone agreed upon was that they were relieved and happy to finally be home.
Every chance someone had they would thank or bless Royden or Oria for bringing them home. Royden didn’t feel right accepting praise for something he hadn’t done. This had to have been arranged all before he had spoken to Fergus. So who was deserving of the praise?
It was late by the time Royden climbed the stairs with his wife to their bedchamber. Watching the way her rounded hips swayed so temptingly as he climbed behind her, aroused his loins, but her slow steps reminded him how tired she was.
“It’s been a tiring day,” Oria said, going to the fireplace and raising her arms above her head in a good stretch and an equally good yawn.
The urge to go to his wife and wrap her in his arms overwhelmed him, but if he did, he’d have her stripped in no time and on her knees on the bed so he could take her with rapid speed. He could almost feel himself ramming into her sweet wetness over and over and over until—he shook the vision away. He cursed his thoughts, his shaft having responded swiftly to the vision.
It didn’t help that she moaned and stretched her body as if in the throes of coupling.
He snarled quietly and shook his head again. He didn’t know how he was going to get through the night. When another loud yawn came from her, he knew she was too tired for anything but sleep.
Tomorrow morning, he promised himself as a way of compensating for his disappointment.
Then she did something that brought him far too close to the edge. She stripped off her garments, tossing them aside. He couldn’t take his eyes off her round hips and backside. And the vision returned of her on her knees on the bed and grabbing that gorgeous backside of hers in his hand and slamming into her to pleasure them both.
She turned, her arms still stretched in the air as she moved her shoulders, in an attempt to work out the soreness.
Good Lord, she was beautiful and so damn tempting. Maybe he’d enjoy taking her from behind for a while then flip her over and settle in her again so he could feast on her plump breasts.
Stop! Stop! Stop! He silently warned himself when yet again she yawned widely.
Her arms suddenly dropped to her side. “Why aren’t you undressed yet? While I would love to take time and make love, I just don’t think I’d last. We need to be quick about it tonight. We can always take our time in the morning.”
Royden never got undressed so fast in his life and he was surprised when his wife hurried to take his leather cuff off his stump. He went to pull his arm away.
“Please don’t,” she said softly. “My heart aches for you that you lost your hand, but better your hand than your life. You are no different to me with one hand then you were with two.” She took it and placed it between her breasts. “You’re here with me. That’s all that matters.”
Royden’s arm shot around her waist and he yanked her close and before his lips came down on hers, he said quickly, “Good God, Oria, I love you so much.”
Her arms went around his neck and as they kissed with an urgent need, he lifted her so her feet faintly brushed the floor as he walked to the bed.
She tore her mouth away from his. “I can’t wait.”
“Either can I,” he admitted and dropped her on the bed. “On your hands and knees,” he ordered with a smile that was far from playful.
Oria didn’t hesitate to do as he said, far too eager to have him inside her.
He fit his shaft easily between her legs, a wetness greeting him, letting him know she was more than ready.
“Hurry, I’ve been waiting all day for this,” she urged, wiggling her backside against his poking shaft.
That did it for Royden—he plunged into her.
“Oh!” she cried out, digging her hands in the blankets as he slammed against her with the most exquisite pleasure.
Royden feared he’d explode there and then, she clamped so tightly around him and when she began to meet his powerful thrusts with her own, rocking her backside against him, that was it. There was no way he’d change positons now on them. It felt too damn good and they were far too close to climax to ruin it for either of them. Besides, he loved watching her round, firm bottom smack against him with unbridled passion.
“I can’t wait! I can’t wait!” Oria cried out, her passion having soared so fast she had no control over it.
Royden was relieved, since either could he.
Her scream was cut short as a tre
mendous wave of passion smacked into her stealing her breath.
Royden let out his own roar as he was devoured by the most powerful burst of pleasure he’d ever experienced and it didn’t stop as he continued to plunge into her drawing out every bit of pleasure for the both of them. When he heard her gasp—as if catching her breath—and she began to moan again, he knew she was on the verge of another climax and he made sure not to stop, but to feed her mounting passion with more hard thrusts.
After the waves of pleasure faded along with their strength, they both collapsed beside each other. Their bodies were damp with sweat and their breathing heavy, yet a slight smile tickled at the corners of their lips.
“It gets,”—she paused for a needed breath— “better and,” —another breath was needed—“better.”
“Aye,” he agreed, his labored breathing not letting him say any more than that, so he reached out for her hand. He smiled when she clasped onto to his hand as soon as he touched hers. It was important to him to hold on to her, never let her slip away from him again. It was a fear that lingered too often in him. Even when she was here beside him in bed, he worried she could be taken from him again.
Oria released his hand and turned to cuddle against him, pleased when his arm went around her to keep him close. “Never again will we be separated,” she said, her breathing having slowed.
They had often thought alike and he was pleased that that was something that hadn’t changed between them.
“Aye, never again,” he said with such resolve that it sounded like a decree.
They drifted off to sleep, Oria waking from a chill and left her husband’s arm to grab the blanket at the end of the bed.
Her movement woke him from a dead sleep and his hand shot out to grab her arm. “Where are you going?”
“To get the blanket. I’m chilled,” she said, a shiver running through her.
He released her arm and she pulled the blanket over them, settling against him once again.
“I’ll warm you,” Royden whispered as he slipped over her.
Pledged to a Highlander: Highland Promise Trilogy (Book 1) Page 16
