“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Their eyes met. She really would see, didn’t doubt it for a second.
Logan walked over. He and Adlin shook hands in the way of the Scots, hand to elbow. “’Tis been too long, old friend.”
“Aye,” Adlin nodded. “You have done well by the MacLomain clan with this. Many thanks.”
“Despite my brother’s beliefs, I know you’ve been good to the MacLeod’s as well over the years.” His eyes flickered to Mildred then back to Adlin. “You know that Bruce is trying to find a reason to go to war with you.”
Adlin chuckled, his hand on the small of her back. “He has been for years.”
Logan’s eyes appeared haunted for a moment before he smiled and looked Iosbail’s way. “She hasn’t changed a bit. Still as feisty as ever.”
Mildred’s eyes widened as she watched Iosbail flirt shamelessly with several MacLeod clansmen, all of whom flirted right back. Confused, she looked at Adlin. He looked at Logan. “Mind if I explain?”
“Aye, lad. ‘Tis fine.” Logan winked at Mildred and strode off.
Adlin nodded at Iosbail. “The marriage is for the tie of the clans only and to appease Bruce. Logan’s loved another lass for years. Besides, Iosbail would never agree to be tied down to one lad.”
“Ah.” Mildred sat next to Adlin on a bench facing the fire. “And the whole of the clan understands apparently.”
“Those who are here. When Bruce and his retinue arrive all will change. Iosbail and Logan will appear the ever devoted husband and wife.”
A woman handed her and Adlin goblets, her eyes lingering on the MacLomain laird a second too long before she sauntered off. Mildred ignored a sharp jolt of jealousy and asked, “Will Iosbail stay here, then?”
Adlin shrugged. “You never know with her.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “I suppose it will depend on if she finds someone to her liking.”
Despite the contentment she felt being with Adlin, she couldn’t help but wonder what part she ultimately played in all of this. “I don’t want to marry Bruce.” Her eyes met his. “You won’t let that happen, will you?”
Chin jutted forward, Adlin’s eyes grew dark. “Nay. Never.”
A strange, intimate pleasure warmed her body far better than the roaring fire and she pressed her legs together. It was less what he’d said but more how he’d said it that made her cheeks burn and throat turn dry. Without meaning to she whispered, “I don’t know you nearly well enough.”
What had she said exactly?
But she knew.
Adlin took her hand and squeezed gently, his piercing blue eyes were sharply enhanced by thick black lashes in this light.
He knew too.
Though she should be shocked by what she’d implied the idea of losing her virginity to Adlin seemed the most natural and enticing thing in the world. After all, hadn’t she been ready and willing on the beach last night?
“’Tis good whiskey in your cup, lass. You should try it.”
Mildred looked warily at it but took a sip simply because he’d suggested it. Though it burned a little the flavor was considerably better than what she’d had the previous night.
Adlin smiled. “Not bad, aye?”
Questions should be asked. Answers should be given. Yet when their eyes met, Mildred knew that tonight was not the time. Tomorrow was another day. Her eyes scanned the holding as she took another sip. No, tonight was one of peace and not worrying about what might come next. This night belonged to her and Adlin. A little blip in time that she knew with all her heart would change her life.
As if he read her thoughts, Adlin said, “Tomorrow is ours as well, Mildred.” He brought the back of her hand to his lips and she shivered. Then he brought her hand to his chest. “And far beyond that.”
A heavy swallow lodged in her throat. Desire coursed through her body.
The same woman who had brought their drinks wandered over with some bread. Adlin nodded and took some. Instead of handing her a piece he brought it to her mouth. “Take a bite.”
Mildred didn’t hesitate but stared into his eyes and took a bite of the warm, sweet bread. It melted in her mouth. When she moaned in pleasure she’d swear he did the same, the sound a faint rumble within his chest. The fire crackled, the pipes played and he fed her the rest of the bread before she knew it. Thirsty, she took several sips of her whiskey and sighed in contentment.
“Are you comfortable now, Mildred,” he whispered in her ear.
Never more so. In fact, life had never seemed more perfect. Tempted to ask him if he was working his magic on her, Mildred smiled. No need to ask anymore. He could work his magic as much as he liked.
The crowd seemed to be coming to life as the first rays of moon sliced through the arrow thin windows overhead. They created an ethereal cathedral of soft, seductive lunar light through the light layer of smoke billowing upward. The effect was stunning.
With the last sips from her goblet came another fresh cup full. The one lone pipe was joined by several more. Iosbail was the first to spin around the fire, her long hair and lithe body a tempting centerpiece for most hot-blooded men in the chamber. Mesmerizing, she spun and spun until several joined her. The more she spun the more clansfolk joined, men, women and children alike.
Adlin again whispered in her ear. “Would you like you dance?”
She thought of when they’d danced the night before. “If I do, will you look at me this time?”
Before she knew it he had her spinning around the fire, their bodies close, his promise in her ear. “I’ll never stop looking at you.”
For a split second she thought he also said, “and for you.”
But it must’ve been her imagination because when her eyes met his, nothing else existed but the two of them. No words. No doubt, there was nothing but them, together here and now.
Mildred had never been more consumed in her life. Taller than most in the chamber, Adlin’s tartan wrapped over a dark tunic, his wide shoulders and slim waist built perfectly for his plaid. Black boots made up his ensemble, a great platform for his quick moves. It was no wonder he owned the admiration of all women.
None of that mattered though. She felt no jealousy as Adlin pulled her against his body until she didn’t know where she ended and he began. As they moved, the scent of his body hit her nostrils. Musk and spice. All male.
People laughed. The fire roared.
They danced.
She laughed. Wickedly, freely, she laughed.
Seconds, minutes, hours passed.
Not nearly soon enough, Adlin whispered in her ear, “Time for you to come with me, love.”
Following him proved to be the turning point in her life.
Chapter Seven
The steps were thin and narrow.
But her heart was full.
“Walk with care. We go to the top.”
Mildred walked up the steps, Adlin right behind. Torches jutted out over her head. Each arrow slit window was placed about every fifteen feet. The higher they climbed the more the wind whistled a constant breeze that reminded her how very cold it was outside. With no hand railing this walk seemed extremely treacherous. She made a point of not looking down.
“I’m right behind you,” Adlin reminded, his hand skirting her outer hip.
Mildred tried to ignore the way his hand felt on her body and continued to concentrate on the odd climb. At last, she realized that there was nothing left but a brick wall.
“There.” Adlin steered her to the right down a short hallway.
Tentative, she walked down the dark, stone hallway until she entered a small room. Inside the chamber she found not a square room but one hexagonally shaped. Instead of more arrow shaped windows, there was one oddly shaped window. It was round with an x shape inside, much like a too-symmetrical cross on a pedestal. Beneath it was a long, rectangular shape with Celtic symbols inscribed in it. The whole thing looked rather like a large mystical key hole.
> To the left was a burning fire, to the right a full bed with a curved headboard protected by long, white curtains of sheer fabric. The whole thing seemed rather out of place.
Adlin took her hand and pulled her close to his side, nodding at the strange window. “It’s called the ‘Highland Defiance.’” His arm wrapped around her midriff. “Only the greatest loves end up in her presence.”
“Really?” Mildred asked, truly awed.
“No,” Adlin smelled her hair. “’Tis actually a thing of war.”
Mildred frowned and turned in his arms. “That window doesn’t seem a thing you should joke about.”
Adlin’s eyes left the window and found hers, his expression one of respect and relief. “Then I’ll be truthful. The Highland Defiance is one of magic.”
Mildred felt the floor vibrate and knew that Adlin was upset. “Tell me more.”
As if he’d rather not look her in the eyes when he spoke, he tucked her head beneath his chin. “A long time ago, when I first arrived in Scotland, it was not in Cowal but here, at the tip of Scotland, a place of power no human could understand. This place started as one of peace and love, of new beginnings.”
His heartbeat increased against her ear.
“I never saw it becoming what it did.”
Mildred waited, knew that she had to.
“Even then mankind didn’t get along. I tried to start a peaceful clan but people are always at unrest if they don’t find control in their own thoughts and beliefs. And my way of ruling didnae agree with all, mostly because they wanted to rule themselves.”
Mildred listened, waited.
“I soon learned that I could not stay here. Many agreed with me and would follow but I asked them to stay behind, to hold true to the Scotland I envisioned.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “So you were a dictator?”
Adlin frowned. “If I were a dictator, would I have left those who were willing to follow?”
Mildred frowned. “Adlin, you make it sound as if you created Scotland.”
Tortured, his expression grew guarded. He looked toward the fire. “Medieval Scotland is nothing like present day America. It was even less like that in what you call the 5th century. I was trying to show people that they could work together. That there existed one true God. ‘Twas not easy in a land ruled by many gods.”
Chilled, Mildred pulled back even further. “What of those with the belief in many gods? Do you… did you shun them?”
“Never. But there is room for the new God as well. That is the trouble. ‘Tis hard for people to ken both can co-exist.”
Overwhelmed, she backed away. “Too much.”
Adlin grabbed her hand before she could get far. “Highland Defiance became a place at the peak of Scotland that accepts all and doesna judge. This is a place that will always fight for what I envisioned; a peaceful land and people who are all equal and free to believe in their own gods or God.”
She started to speak but he put a finger to her lips and said, “Nobody should ever be judged for what they believe. This is the land of the Celts. This is the place where true freedom reigns.”
Her lip quivered. “Who do you believe in, Adlin?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Both the new and old. I am a mediator always.”
“No.” She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “There’s a battle inside you beyond me being here.”
“Come,” he whispered and pulled her back into the hallway. When he dropped to his knees, she did the same. When he fell to his belly, she did as well.
Adlin sidled forward until he looked down. She did the same.
“What do you see?” he asked.
Mildred stared down, amazed by the beauty. They looked upon moonlight, smoky haze, then onto fire surrounded by happy, dancing clansfolk. It was absolutely breathtaking. While animalistic, the scene below had a purpose… a design.
“These people are happy. They celebrate what I left here so long ago against all the odds,” he said.
“Why?”
He propped his chin on closed fists and looked down. “Because it worked. Because this place is powerful and when people liked something it stuck. This place always had a freedom about it.” Adlin ground his jaw. “People were free to be themselves here, no matter the religion they chose. I suppose it worked.”
Mildred continued to stare down.
Though mesmerized by the beauty she felt a certain sense of loss from Adlin. She didn’t doubt for a moment that he’d wanted the whole of Scotland to be this way. Rolling on her side, she said, “I hate that I’m asking this but… what went wrong?”
Adlin continued to look down, his expression far away. “Free will, I suppose.”
She frowned. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
He rolled on his side as well and propped up his head. “Aye, ‘Tis a wonderful thing. However, ‘tis something that can’t be controlled.” His eyes lingered beyond her. “The ultimate problem, or perhaps blessing, with a democracy and all the in-betweens is that it tends to land in the very last place you expect it to.”
Mildred’s eyes met his. “The same could be said of a dictatorship or monarchy and all their in-betweens.” She took his hand. “I tend to think you’ve got something good going on here at “Highland Defiance” and Cowal for that matter, at least what I saw of it. If the whole of Scotland never followed your lead then it’s not meant to be.” She sidled closer. “Adlin, like all things, Scotland is truly out of your control.”
Adlin’s pupils flared, his emotions off kilter. “Everything here is supposed to be in my control.”
With a nod to the roof she tried to lighten the mood. “Then the smoke needs to go.”
“Iain,” he muttered then shook his head and looked at her. “I’ll make sure it’s taken care of with Iain MacLomain, a descendant. He’ll create something to relieve smoke from a castle.”
She rolled on her back and grinned. “How nice to be able to assign such things!”
Adlin rolled on his back as well. “Iain will be my favorite.”
She bent her knees and braced her feet on the floor. “You really are a planner.”
“Nope, just realistic.”
“Not nice to pick a favorite before they’re born.”
“Probably not.”
She turned her head his way. “Then why do so?”
He turned his head her way. “Because I already love him.”
They stared at each other. What was it to already have lost so many you loved and anticipate loving so many to come? What was it to be a wizard?
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
For a split second he seemed to accept her apology then something shifted in his expression. He jumped to his feet and pulled her up after him. Unlike Bruce’s yank yesterday, Adlin’s way of pulling her after him was not forced but as if he had to show her something.
Mildred was just about to reassure him about what he’d shared when he spun her. Weak knees buckled against the bed and she fell back. A million words were ready to come out of her mouth but Adlin’s body came over her and his lips crushed down over hers.
Though she tried to stay serious, everything dissolved when his lips pried hers open, when the fire flared brighter in the hearth. He hadn’t kissed her nearly long enough when he lifted slightly and stared down, his eyes hungry.
“Adlin,” she breathed. “We need to talk more.”
“No.” His weight covered her, his scent engulfed. “No more talking.”
As his lips trailed down her smooth neck, she said, “Should we? I mean…”
“Stop,” he said hotly, his lips coming close to her ear. “No more talk, Mildred. No more.” He ground his teeth. “This was supposed to be romantic.”
She wondered for a split second if he realized how unromantic what they’d discussed really was. But it was becoming clear that he was an intense, disciplined man and telling her all that he had, no doubt put a little extra fire in his blood.
; In an instant, needy response to his body being so close, she spread her legs, seeking his warmth against her core. He ground against her, his plaid a steady defense. A raging inferno started to build. His lips tasted her skin slowly, trailing from her earlobe, down her chin, until his tongue flickered down her arched neck.
His breathing increased.
So did hers.
Heat steamed between their bodies.
Though he wasn’t touching them her fingertips and toes started to tingle as his tongue glided along her collarbone. Hot, he continued to flick the inquisitive tip over her receptive skin until he swirled his tongue against the point where her collarbone met.
Mildred bit her lower lip and arched further.
From there he focused on lightly skimming the tip of his tongue up her neck while the pad of his thumb danced lazy circles along the collarbone his tongue had just abandoned.
With tight little gasps, she said, “Yes.”
The wind picked up, panting through the window with sharp gusts that fanned the thin white sheets hanging around them. She was suddenly caught in a tornado of cool, soft fabric and hot, firm man.
Mildred pushed Adlin away when he started to pull down her dress.
“No,” he whispered.
Arms pinned by her side, Mildred suddenly realized she was nude. Though she should have been mortified she felt sensual, beautiful. All of her denial fled. His eager lips traveled down between her breasts and back up.
Instead of giving her what she most needed Adlin’s face hovered over hers, kissing first her lips then her nose, then above her eyes. Her legs spread further and she sought his lips.
“No,” he whispered again.
Before she could respond his lips traveled down her neck and clamped over a nipple. Crying in both pain and pleasure, she arched. His large, calloused hands traveled up her legs and grabbed beneath her knees. Grinding against him, she whimpered.
“More,” he murmured against her belly as he traveled lower, holding her in place. Relaxed, needing, she allowed him. Kissing, salving, he focused on the soft skin of her stomach, his impatient tongue curious and adventurous.
Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) Page 10
