Enchanted Lover

by Scharon, Connie C.

  “Asilinn, are you all right?” His voice was hoarse with emotion.

  “Aye,” she cried. “Please get me out of here.”

  Jared drew back from her to get a look at the door separating them. That was when he saw the keys perched on a hook just beyond the reach of the door. Thankful, he grasped the keys and unlocked the door, taking Asilinn into his arms before he unshackled her. For a few minutes, he just held her and then he freed her, picked her up, and carried her from her prison.

  A sea of welcoming faces greeted them in the armory. After Asilinn had received a hug from everyone, Flanna hurried them to the kitchen where she served up some lamb stew and fresh baked bread. Asilinn cleaned her plate before she looked up and caught a glimpse of her reflection. She had totally forgotten her grimy clothing.

  “Milord, why did you not remind me I look and smell like a stable boy?”

  Jared caressed her cheek. “In truth, I did not even notice. I was so delighted to find you safe I paid no heed to your ill-fitting garb.”

  She studied him for a minute. “So am I now a treasured wife, more than a vessel in which to create your child?”

  “I think you know the answer to that.”

  “And still you canna say it.” She pushed back from the table and stood. “I need a bath.”

  “I’ll heat some water, Milady,” Flanna offered.

  “No,” Jared interrupted. “Lady Asilinn will bathe in the Dragon's Spring.” He took Asilinn’s hand. “Wife?”

  “Aye, the Dragon’s Spring.”

  ***

  The light from the torch lit their slick, wet bodies with a lustrous glow. Asilinn felt clean for the first time in days and now the man she had longed to see was close beside her, so close she could reach out and touch him. And suddenly she felt shy. She had a thousand fantasies about Jared when she fought off the rodents in her tiny windowless cell—how he would love her—care for her the way her father had always cared for her mother. But now he was before her and she didn’t know if any of her dreams could become reality.

  He seemed to be waiting for her to touch him—to initiate what she knew they both wanted. She reached her hand over to stroke his muscular chest.

  “Asilinn,” he murmured, bending to capture her lips with his. He broke off the kiss. “Asilinn, I was desperate to find you.”

  She pressed her fingers to his lips. “No words,” she breathed, not yet ready to examine her own feelings. Embracing him, she found his lips again. His hungry mouth devoured hers while his hands fed her rising desire with bold exploration—her breasts—her thighs—her buttocks. She gave out a small throaty moan when he slipped his fingers inside her. Her full breasts teased the mat of hair covering his chest as he pressed her against the wall of the pool.

  Asilinn wrapped her legs around him while he eased her up out of the water and impaled her softness with his rod. The tight fit of his sword within her sheath felt so right. She pressed him deeper and moved against him. Jared grabbed her hips and drove into her repeatedly.

  A tidal wave of desire threatened her sanity and she called his name with same frantic need she had known the last time he had taken her—the time he thought she had betrayed him. But there was a difference. Jared was not punishing her with his body, he was making love to her—strong—penetrating—raw, but there was no anger in him, only passion. Asilinn felt her body open more with each thrust—embrace him with hot tight spasms—taking him deeper and deeper into her. With one final drive, Jared exploded inside her burying himself in her depths and crying her name.

  Asilinn arched wildly and quivered in his arms as her body writhed with spasm after spasm of pure ecstasy.

  There were no words between them just a desperate need for fevered mating. When the storm of passion subsided, Asilinn clung to him while he lifted her out of the bath. He dried her off and wrapped her robe around her.

  Before she knew it, she snuggled tight against him in their bed. He was saying something, but she couldn’t hear him.

  “We'll talk tomorrow,” he promised her unhearing ears.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The constant pounding on the door brought Jared from his sleep. He opened his eyes and sought to orient himself. It was morning, probably late morning by the look of the sun's rays as they traced a pattern across the floor. He hopped from the bed and grabbed his plaid, wrapping it around him while he went to the door. Throwing back the bolt, he jerked open the door to stare into Morven's face.

  “What is it?” Jared asked, somewhat irritated by the intrusion.

  “Milord, the council desires a meeting. They bade me request your presence at the earliest hour possible.” Morven glanced over at the soft form stirring in the bed. “Forgive me for disturbing you.”

  “I'll be down in a few minutes,” Jared said abruptly.

  Morven nodded and Jared closed the door, leaning back against it to gaze at his wife. His fondest desire would be to spend the rest of the day in bed with her. He grinned at the thought. But there were issues to be resolved and he was anxious to have this matter put behind him. He hadn't had a chance to tell the rest of the council about the peace treaty.

  Walking over to the bed, he bent and kissed Asilinn's soft lips. Her eyelids fluttered open and she smiled up at him.

  “Still tired?” he asked.

  “Aye,” she whispered in a voice still clouded with sleep. Seeing his was partly dressed, she frowned. “Would you leave me so soon?”

  “I must meet with the council. But I'll be back.”

  He felt her eyes on him while he finished dressing but she pretended to be asleep if he turned her way. Amused by her play, he moved to kiss her golden hair once more before he vacated their chamber.

  The council was assembled in their special meeting chamber. A quick glance around the room showed Jared all were present except Keith. “Where is Keith? Find him so we can begin.”

  “Milord, Keith and a group of your warriors have gone to try to capture Osred,” Garrick explained. Seeing Jared's vexed expression, he posed another question. “Is there some problem, Laird?”

  “The messenger I sent to tell Laird Innes we were coming never arrived. We found him dead on the trail. Whoever killed the messenger rode Keith's horse.”

  Ross gave him a questioning glance.

  “I marked the hooves of each of your horses,” Jared explained. “And if it was Keith, we have sent the traitor after his own partner. I doubt either will return.”

  “I've had my differences with Keith, but I dinna think he would betray us,” Liam said.

  “If it was not Keith, one of you is still against me.”

  The men at the table grew somber each assuring Jared in turn they were on his side. He listened but made no comment.

  “Do we adjourn to await Keith's return?” Morven asked.

  “There is another problem we must address,” Jared said, watching their tentative faces. “Laird Innes has been attacked, his villages pillaged and burned. The men wore our plaid. He and his council took a chance and chose to believe our innocence, but we must root out these traitors. There's no more time. We have signed the peace agreement and now we must fight to preserve it.”

  “Aye,” Garrick said. “It is a miracle we have succeeded thus far with so much havoc by the masked riders. Let's mount an all out attack on them.”

  “But where do we attack?” Morven asked. “They seem to appear and disappear at will. The only ones we found in our search of Burnum Woods yesterday were the men who had been poisoned by Glenna. There was no sign of others. We spent the whole day combing the woods.”

  “A valid point,” Jared agreed. “I believe if we find their leader and bring him to justice the unrest will die down. His men will scatter to the four winds without his leadership.”

  “Do you think it is Keith?” Morven asked. Jared gave a noncommittal shrug.

  The men continued their discussion for some time, finally deciding to await Keith's return before condemning him. Most were
satisfied much of the danger was gone with the rescue of Lady Asilinn.

  “But,” Jared reminded them. “We still dinna know what they had planned to do with her. It makes no sense to keep her alive unless there was some further purpose.”

  Garrick sighed. “Perhaps I can shed some light there,” he offered. “Some time ago Osred and Glenna both accused Asilinn of witchcraft. I think they sought to stir up the people in order to have her tried as a witch. She is at risk to such an attack because of her healing skills. Your absence would be the perfect time to attempt such a ploy.”

  “There is one flaw in that supposition,” Jared commented. “Osred had Ivy try to poison Asilinn. Why do that if he wanted a witchcraft trial? We are all well aware people accused of witchcraft are usually found guilty.”

  “I believe they were frantic to get rid of her because she carried your heir,” Liam said. “The child binds us more tightly to the peace with the Innes clan.”

  The others nodded their agreement.

  “I think the threat is over,” Morven said. “I dinna think we'll see Keith or Osred again. They have fled in defeat. I'll wager the masked men will disappear without a leader to guide them.”

  Jared looked at him skeptically. “If only it were that simple. I want daily patrols in Burnum Woods and full accounts of comings and goings within the MacLean lands. By keeping careful track, I believe we can ferret out the traitors. If Morven is right, our task will be even easier.” The councilmen agreed and their talks turned to the organization of the patrols. It was several hours before Jared had time to find Asilinn.

  When he reached the tower, he was disappointed to find her missing. Muttering under his breath, he went down to the lower levels to search for her. Flanna's expression at his question told him something was amiss.

  “Where is she?”

  “I tried to stop her, Milord, but she wouldna listen to me. I begged her to take it up with you first.”

  “Take what up with me?”

  “She's gone to talk with Ivy in the dungeon,” Flanna explained. Jared gave out a frustrated snort and hurried off to find his well-meaning wife.

  ***

  Asilinn stood looking through the small barred window at Ivy. “I want to know if you were aware of what was in the milk,” she repeated.

  Ivy sobbed into her hands. “I suspected,” she admitted. “But I was bitter Laird Jared would join himself with an Innes. I lost all sight of reason. I beg yer forgiveness.”

  “Is Osred my husband's only enemy on the council?”

  “I dinna know, Milady,” Ivy insisted.

  Jared walked up behind his wife. “Asilinn, why would you venture back into this musty hole? I have already questioned Ivy. Come with me now.”

  Asilinn stubbornly shook her head. She turned to him and placed her small hand on his chest. “I have the most reason to want Ivy locked away, but I beg you, place her under house arrest in one of the upper rooms. After my own experience I wouldna wish this place on anyone.”

  Looking at Ivy, Jared relented. Ivy fell to her knees weeping at Asilinn's feet, but the guard picked her up and took her away.

  “Thank you,” Asilinn whispered.

  “I shall never understand you,” Jared said, “The woman worked with those who locked you up.”

  “Aye, but she was fearful for her own life.”

  Jared snorted and Asilinn smiled. “You are amused by my skepticism?”

  “Only the snort you let out when you are totally frustrated with me.”

  He smiled in spite of himself. “And now I have showed leniency for the prisoner, what else would you have me do?”

  “I have one other request,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I spent so long in the darkness I am ravenous for the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. Can we go for a ride?”

  A grin curled Jared's lips. “Mayhaps a short one, I think I know of a safe place if it is what milady wishes.”

  Fergus greeted them warmly at the stables. “You’re keepin’ me busy today,” he said. “Morven and several of the men have gone out already.”

  A fleeting frown crossed Jared's face. “Did they say where they were headed?”

  “Nay, Milord, I thought you knew.”

  “‘Tis not important,” he assured Fergus.

  In no time, Jared and Asilinn were riding across the vast emptiness of the towering gray-green mountains. Asilinn seemed unable to get enough of the fresh mountain air and Faileas was enjoying her mistress' return after having no exercise.

  Jared watched Asilinn revel in her freedom. He couldn't imagine the scope of her ordeal hidden away back some dark passage with only occasional glimmers of light for over a week. Overall, she didn't appear adversely affected by her experience. It must be her complete faith in her vision.

  He kicked Ailleagian in the ribs and caught up with Asilinn and Faileas. “Asilinn,” he called, holding up a leather pouch. “I have surprise. Flanna has provided us with some lunch.”

  Asilinn grinned. “Where shall we eat?”

  “Follow me,” Jared said, taking the lead. He led her up a rocky trail to a clearing which looked out across the mountains.

  They dismounted and Asilinn marveled at the view. From the top they could see a panorama of the MacLean lands. To the west, the glistening waters of the loch encircled the island which held Dunbocan Castle. The area around them was rugged pasture punctuated with sharp rock outcroppings which grew out of the landscape to dwarf everything nearby. The chill wind and ever-changing sky was full of misty clouds which broke occasionally to brilliant rays of sun. In the distance, she could see the spiky trees of Burnum Woods.

  “It is magnificent.”

  Jared came over behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him basking in the heat of his muscular chest as he protected her from the wind. They stood thus entwined while he told of her about the peace plan and Ian’s role in its eventual success.

  “I was terrified in the dungeon,” Asilinn admitted. “I had this terrible fear of never being found—of never feeling your strong arms around me again or feeling your caress.”

  “You wanted me.”

  “Aye, and when I thought you might be dead… I realized… just how much.” She gathered all her courage glad she was not facing him. There was nothing left but to say it. “I love you, Jared.”

  His lips caressed the back of her neck while his hands slipped beneath her dress to cup her breasts. She pulled away from him when he opened the front of her dress but he drew her back against him.

  “Jared, we are outside. Anyone could see us.”

  “We are atop the highest peak for miles around. No one can get near without us hearing them and no one can see what we are about.”

  His hands already fondled the firm ripe breasts his earlier moves had freed. “Say it again.”

  “I love you,” she murmured. One of his hands dove lower massaging the heart of her. She was moving restlessly back against him unable to do anything but enjoy the strong stroking caresses. With a ragged moan, he stopped long enough to slide her dress off her shoulders. It fell to the ground around her boots as his hands once more moved over her. For a minute, his roving hands of fire were gone and she felt his plaid drop away—felt his hardness against her buttocks. He was planting wet kisses on her neck while he pulled her down on his plaid. Turning her to face him, he brushed the hair out of her eyes.

  “Show me what you want.” Without a word, Asilinn pulled him on top of her and wrapped her legs around him. She gasped when he entered her and moved her hips to push him deeper.

  “I want you to love me,” she whispered.

  “I do love you, Asilinn,” he said, breathing hard. Asilinn felt his heat flow through her and gave a low moan of approval as his invasions turned more purposeful. She felt Jared fill her, enraptured by the tight fit of him inside her when he melded them into one being in an instant of pure euphoric bliss.

  After a while, he disengaged and roll
ed off of her, pulling her over to snuggle against him. “You love me,” she whispered in sated contentment.

  “Aye, my enchantress, I love you.”

  They lay in each other’s arms for a while, unwilling to break the spell their coupling had created.

  At length Asilinn grew chilly and rose to collect her clothes. He helped her dress and donned his own clothes.

  “I never even noticed how chilly it was until afterward,” she said with a grin. “And now, I'm starving!”

  Jared laid out their feast and they sat on the blanket looking over the beauty below them and talking about the recent events that had plagued them.

  “Did your vision sustain you in the dungeon?” he asked. “It is all that kept me sane when I reached home to find you missing.”

  “I wanted to believe it but in that small, airless space some ugly doubts came to haunt me,” she confessed. “But it also made me realize I loved you.”

  Jared sighed and pulled her to him, gently caressing her. “Aye, so, I could not admit I loved you until I was afraid I might not hold you again. I look to the day when all this is behind us.”

  Asilinn agreed wholeheartedly. “I want to live peacefully and bear you many sons,” she said with a grin.

  “Have you had a vision of that as well?”

  “Nay, Milord, not yet,” she responded with a playful gleam in her eye.

  “Come love, it grows late and I want you safely within the castle walls before dark.”

  Asilinn frowned but allowed him to pull her to her feet. “I'd like to stay here longer.”

  “There will be many more days here.”

  They were packing up when something in the distance caught Asilinn's eye. “Jared look,” she said, pointing to smoke rising from Burnum woods. “Are the woods on fire?”

  Jared trained his gaze on the area where she pointed. “So it would appear. As soon as I get you back to the castle I'll investigate.”

  “But we're close, why not check it now? We can at least get a view of what's happening.”

  “Asilinn, it is almost dusk and I will not put you in any danger,” he argued.