Sweat beaded across her forehead as she concentrated on moving her other leg. If only it would move. Despair reared its ugly head, yet she wasn’t giving up. The flutter in her belly drove her will beyond stubbornness, beyond prayers. With pure determination, she commanded her leg to move.
As if she willed it all on her own, her foot slid forward until it reached the other foot, and now she stood one step away from the bed. “Och.” Squaring her shoulders, she blew a red tendril of hair from her face. “The first step is no’ so bad.”
She shuffled another step and the prickling needles faded into a dull pain.
A loud knock at her door startled her and broke her concentration, making her legs buckle. Within two long strides, Conall raced across the threshold, catching Effie by the waist before she crumpled to the ground. He pulled her onto his lap as they sat on the bed.
Surprised to see Effie standing, Conall held her close, afraid of what could have happened if he hadn’t reached her in time. “What were ye thinking, lass?”
Pulling from his embrace, she looked excitedly into his gray eyes. “I felt the babe, Conall.” She smiled as tears welled in her eyes.
“Are ye sure?” Conall asked with just as much excitement.
“Aye. I had to come and tell ye. I took two steps before ye came in.”
“Two steps?” he said adoringly as he wiped a fallen tear away from her freckled face with the back of his hand.
“Two steps.”
Hesitantly he reached out to touch her stomach. “May I?”
“Conall, dinnae be silly, of course.” She reached for his hand and placed it right where she felt the flutters. “The last time I felt the babe move was right here.”
As soon as she felt his hand on her skin, a wave of pure desire whirled up inside her, heating her to the core. She might have lost some feeling in her legs, but there was no doubt she could feel all of Conall igniting the kindling fire deep inside her.
Conall bent his head down to talk to the wee babe. “Yer ma is brave and strong, aye?” Conall rubbed her belly. “Ye be just like her.”
Effie kissed the top of his head. “Ye’ll be a great da.”
“Aye, I’ll always be by yer side, my sweet.”
“I have no doubt ye will be.”
Conall stood and gathered Effie into his arms. He walked to the side of the bed and laid her down, climbing in next to her. He held her in a tight embrace. “Promise me the next time ye go testing yer bravery, that ye’ll let me know first.”
“I promise.” Effie looked up to meet blue-gray eyes billowing like storm clouds. This man was her everything, her protector, her lover, her savior, her dragon. Just as he would have moved heaven and earth to be with her, she would do the same for him. Her love for him was like nothing she had ever experienced and now she was going to be the mother of his child. Her heart warmed as she lay there in awe of her Highlander. “I love ye, Conall Hamilton.” She reached up and kissed his lips.
“Hmmm, Effie Maxwell, ye’re sweet talkin` me. Ye must have something on yer mind.” He winked.
Effie giggled. “I suppose I do.” She sent him a teasing grin.
One minute Conall had been lying next to her, then the next he was on top of her, carefully positioned so he didn’t put all his weight on her. “I’ve missed ye, lass, and I’m sorry for pushing ye too hard earlier with the wedding plans. I just wanted ye to know no matter what, I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Nay, I should be the one to apologize. I’m just glad that I didnae hit ye with the candlestick.” She smiled up at him and threaded her fingers through his light brown hair.
“No harm done. I’m quick on me feet.”
Conall lowered his head and kissed her gently on the lips. Effie deepened the kiss, showing him what exactly was on her mind. She slid her hands down his broad shoulders, to his well-defined back until she reached the end of his tunic. Tugging the fabric up his torso, Conall broke their kiss long enough to shed his shirt.
The feverish way he claimed her lips and the weight of his body pressed against her sent her out of control. Out of pure instinct and the raw primal need of wanting to feel every sinewy inch of him, she wrapped one of her legs around his waist. Once she realized what she had done, she tried to move the other leg, the one that she’d had trouble with before. To her dismay she was only able to bend at the knee; the strength wasn’t there.
Effie paused and pulled away. “I’m sorry but I can no’ ---”
“Look at me, my sweet,” Conall interrupted and he held her stare. “Stay right here with me.”
As she looked into his eyes it was as if their souls were one; bared to each other, holding nothing back.
Conall took her bended leg and placed it around his waist and held it there as he caressed the back of her thigh. Her shift slipped up around her hips, cold air hit her skin and she shivered. Not because she was cold, but because she knew what this man was going to do to her.
Conall lifted up from her body, sitting back on his heels, letting her legs fall on either side of him. Naked from the waist down, her body was open to him. She looked down her body at him and intently watched him unfold his plaid. There was something in the way that he moved that drove her daft. As if he was on the hunt waiting to catch his prey and she was the game he had his sights on.
A quivering thrill ran down her spine as she felt the roughness of his hands skim over her skin and remove her shift. Never once did he take his eyes off of her.
“Ye’re a bonny lass,” Conall said as he scanned her body as if he was deciding where to start devouring first.
“Conall, I need ye.”
Taking her hips in his hands, he bent down and placed a kiss just below her bellybutton, as if he had all the time in the world, which in his case he did. Effortlessly, he trailed lust-filled kisses up her body, playfully nipping her along the way. He could never get enough of her. It was like an addiction. He craved her body and the way she moved and reacted beneath his touch. Her moans were a beautiful melody that he replayed over and over again in his head. And Christ, her hands were magic.
Even though his dragon drove him to dominate and claim her with force, he was going to take his time loving her. Finding peace in her arms, a calmness that soothed his dragon and eased his soul, allowed him to forgive his past mistakes and to love again. As hard as it was, he knew his late wife was right. He grazed his hands up and down the sides of Effie’s body, marveling in her womanly curves. He loved this red-haired lass wholeheartedly.
Nuzzling her breasts, he cupped one and took a pink peaked nipple in his mouth, and in return was rewarded with a moan of satisfaction. The lass had no idea what that did to him. It was like some kind of signal she sent out that shot straight to his cock.
Kissing her and licking her lips were among the many things he thoroughly enjoyed doing to her. And by Effie’s reaction to the deed, he knew that this lass was made for him and him alone.
Tearing himself away, he looked down at her. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, her eyes had darkened with lust, and her body was his for the taking. This gave him much pleasure, knowing that he was pleasing his woman.
He grabbed her long lean leg and placed it on his shoulder, giving him direct access to her womanhood. Bearing down, he pressed into her, feeling her stretch and accept every inch of him. With one hard thrust, their bodies collided and he was completely sheathed to the hilt.
God’s blood, she felt exquisite. Conall reached down between them and masterfully teased her swollen woman’s pearl. He teased her until he felt her tighten around him. Relentlessly, he intensified the strokes until she started to shudder.
They both felt themselves reaching that mountain of ecstasy.
Knowing she was reaching her climax, Conall upped the stakes and took her hard and fast, for he was reaching that same plateau. His name echoed through the chamber and the stunning woman beneath him shuddered around him, sending him over the edge. With one forceful thrust, a burst of pl
easure shot through him; he’d reached his orgasm.
Completely satiated and feeling as if his life was for once clear to him, he lay down next to Effie, holding her close in a tight embrace. Aye, the clarity he felt about marrying Effie, being a father, and starting a new life with his red-haired lass, outweighed everything that was happening around him. The Dragonkine world was dangerous, that was for certain, however there was no one better to protect her and their unborn than a dragon.
Soft breaths caressed his skin as Effie rested her head on his chest and surrendered to sleep. Pulling her close, he combed his fingers through her hair as he continued to be deep in thought. He had trust in James’s plan to protect Scotland from a menacing evil that he supposed would not fade away easily. The future looked as if it could turn ugly and grim, but he would fight right along with his brothers to be rid of the evil and protect the loves of his life. And as long as he lived, Effie would live and that alone gave him hope of better days.
HIGHLAND STORM
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
In a rush, Effie slipped on her shoes. Waking up late into the sunrise had been her routine as of the past week. Easily fatigued, she found herself napping at noon then again before the nightly meal. Her body was tired, but on a good note the nausea had subsided and her appetite had roared back to life. In fact, if she wasn’t sleeping, she was eating.
She was thankful that Alice and Abigale understood her absence in the kitchen, for Abigale had explained to her that she too felt the same way a few months into her pregnancy, and now again the weary feeling was back, along with an irritable uncomfortable stress upon her body.
Giving her hair one last brush through, Effie looked into the mirror and noticed she had a healthy glow about her. Her cheeks were pinker, her hair shined, and her skin along her arms and chest was blotched rosy and tingled slightly. She thought it odd at first, but then again she had never been pregnant before. It all must be part of this wonderful gift she had been given.
As she opened the door to her bedchamber and made her way to the great hall, she thought of another gift she had been given; she could walk. Even though with the slightest limp, she walked. And as she quickened her steps down the corridor, she found herself rubbing her belly with the biggest and brightest smile on her face. She was with child, Conall’s child. She gave herself a mental shake, for if the babe wasn’t moving she wouldn’t believe it to be true.
The conversations from the great hall turned her attention to the fact that she was hungry, and from the clanking sounds of utensils and the aroma of fresh baked bread wafting down the corridor, she hadn’t missed morning meal.
Reaching the top of the stairs she paused as she looked down into the great hall, and her heart warmed. There sitting at the huge wooden table were her friends, nay her family. Abigale and James sat at the head of the table together as if they were in their own world. James fed his wife fresh fruit and kissed away the stray juices from the corner of her mouth. Abigale giggled in delight.
Rory and Magnus jested back and forth about a lass Rory had bedded the night before. She couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. Something along the line of questioning the lass’s easy virtue and how much mead was involved. It must have been in poor taste because Alice shook her head at the Highlanders and clucked her tongue.
A smaller table that sat across from the big wooden one was filled with clan children. Flora and Annis sat side by side eating their breakfast when a hunk of bread flew past Flora coming from Niven’s direction. The blasted provision landed in Flora’s bowl, splattering porridge onto the front of her dress. Flora jumped out of her seat.
In retaliation Annis stuck her tongue out at Niven, but he just laughed. “Do no’ worry, Annis.” She scowled at the lad as she cleaned her dress off. “One day he’ll be sorry that he picked on me.”
Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand, Effie’s attention turned to the storm-gray eyes watching her from across the room. The undeniable effect he had on her had awoken the fluttering butterflies swarming inside her and she felt her heart skip a few beats. He stood and everyone turned to look at Effie as she took the stairs and made her way to Conall, who met her at the base of the staircase.
“Good morn, sleeping beauty.” Bending his head down, he kissed her cheek.
“Ye should have woken me. Ye know how Alice is when ye’re late for a meal,” Effie said.
“Ye looked so peaceful sleeping. And ye need rest.” Conall took her by the hand and walked her to the table where she sat between him and Abigale.
“Ye look stunning this morn, Effie. The extra rest did ye good. Mayhap I should have overslept.” Abigale smiled and elbowed her husband in the ribs.
James overreacted to the low blow and rubbed his ribs. “Och, lass. What do ye mean, sleep? I’ve no’ slept a wink in the past month. Ye two take up half the bed.” He looked down at her belly then back to her face where he met a stern glare.
Abigale gave him another jab in the ribs as James leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Ye’re lucky I love ye, James Douglas.” She smiled.
Conall leaned into Effie and whispered in her ear. “I’ll start making us a bigger bed right away,” he jested, which landed him a poke in the ribs.
“How are ye feeling? Better, aye?” Abigale asked Effie.
“Oh much better now. Life couldn’t be better.” Effie glanced at Conall and smiled as she watched him pile fruit, bread, and cheese onto her trencher.
“He was so worried aboot ye. Conall’s a good man and he loves ye verra much,” Abigale said.
“Aye, and I too love him. Abigale, there was a time back at Caerlaverock that I thought I would never see him again and...”
“Dinna fash yerself,” Abigale placed a caring hand on Effie’s arm, “’tis in the past. All that matters is here and now.”
Indeed the past was in the past. Quite frankly she wished that she didn’t have to go back to Caerlaverock, ever. But alas she was their chief now. Eventually she would have to return. But she knew that she had made the right decision to send word to Sir Neil to act as clan chief until her return; Caerlaverock castle was in good hands. It was too soon to relive the hell she and Conall had gone through. Plus, her home was here at Black Stone on the Hill with clan Douglas. Angus was where she wanted to raise her family.
“How’s Maggie this morn?” Effie asked.
Every evening for the past week, Effie would tend to Maggie and not once had the lass talked to her. As soon as she would come into the room Maggie would roll over, turning her back on Effie as if she didn’t need or welcome her company. Instead of fighting with the lass, she’d leave the pain-reducing balm on her nightstand and leave the room. It saddened her to know Maggie held her responsible for her brother’s evil actions. Then again she didn’t blame her for hating her either.
“She’s still in a lot of pain,” Abigale answered. “But it’s the mental trauma that’s going to be hard for her to overcome. Who branded her like that?”
Effie looked down at her trencher, not wanting to make eye contact, afraid of what her friend might think of her. “Tavish, me brother.”
Abigale with a look of surprise across her face, stared at Effie. “Yer brother?”
“Aye. Abigale I hope ye do no’ think less of me. Me brother was evil. He did things to me that no lass should ever have to go through.”
“I do no’ blame ye for yer brother’s wrong doings. Ye’re me best friend. I was just wondering what kind of trouble Maggie had gotten into to endure such harsh punishment,” Abigale said.
“She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Sitting up straight, changing the subject onto happier news, Abigale got right down to wedding business. “And ye have a wedding coming up,” she beamed. “Do ye have time after we eat to go over the girls’ dresses? Alice has been working on Annis’s dress and the wee one has been a wee bit stubborn aboot it.”
Popping a piece of bread in her mouth, Effie re
plied, “Aye, that would be fun. Annis and I get along verra well. We’ll have a talk.” She winked.
“Verra well then. I’ll go and help Alice clean up until ye’re done eating.” Abigale rose from her seat and started to collect the nearby trenchers when she doubled over, clenching her belly. Pain creased her face. “Oww!”
James shot out of his chair and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, aiding her with support. “Abigale, what’s wrong?”
“’Tis the babe,” she said through clenched teeth.
“The babe?” James replied, shocked, and stood frozen like a statue.
Alice calmly left her seat and walked to the head of the table where Abigale was bent over, breathing rapidly through the pain. “James, yer wife is in labor. I’ll take it from here.” She placed her hand on James’s arm to reassure him that his wife was in good hands.
James stood firm with his arm protectively around Abigale. “Nay, I’m staying with her. I will no’ leave. I can use me magic to help with the pain... I can put her to sleep.” James blurted out every excuse to stay with his wife.
“Nay, she must be awake in order to push.”
“To push?”
“Why how else is she going to deliver the babe? Must I remind ye, James Douglas, that I’ve birthed me share of babes including ye and yer brother. I’m the best midwife ye have. Now step aside and let me take care of Lady Abigale.”
Although he’d thought that he was prepared for the birth of their child, panic had brought out a different side of him. Of course she had to push the babe out, he thought. Being as he was a man always in control of his surroundings, he felt defeated. The babe was in control now.
A pain-stricken scream brought his attention to his wife as she took out her frustration on the table with her fist. “James!” She breathed in deeply. “The babe is coming.”
The look of desperation in her blue eyes should have been enough warning to make his arse move and allow Alice to take over; however he still refused to move.
Tall, Dark, and Medieval Page 18
