by Eliza Knight
Well, it didn’t matter. She would have to try, because she wasn’t going to let Wuller harm her again, nor her mother, regardless of whatever hold he had on her. Sweat started to bead on her upper lip, and the closer the man drew, the more her hands trembled. Yes, she was scared out of her bloody wits, but she had to somehow manage it. Face it. Stand up to him and her dread.
The conversation at the dais table dulled, and at first Cora thought it was because of the blood rushing in her ears, but then she realized that those at the table were starting to notice Wuller’s approach.
“Mother.” Cora’s voice was tight as she sought direction from the only person that she knew understood who this man was.
“Stay seated,” her mother ordered, doing the same herself.
But she was at a disadvantage seated. Perhaps the only thing that would keep Cora somewhat safe from any sudden attack was the table that stood between them.
“Lord Wuller,” the king said, his voice full of command and irritation.
Wuller stopped in his tracks, shook his head as though he’d been in a trance and bowed low to the king. He started to back away and head in a different direction, and Cora breathed out a sigh of relief. Whatever had been about to happen had been staved off for the moment. Beside her, Lady Segrave also relaxed, but only slightly.
A commotion at the back of the room started, and even through the rushing of the blood in her ears, Cora could hear what had them distracted—the thunder of boots in the main vestibule outside of the great hall.
Someone was coming.
She stared hard at the doors, practically seeing them rattle on the hinges at the advance of men. Were they under attack? Had Wuller been a distraction from said attack? Once more, she was holding her breath, her hands clutching the sides of her chair painfully, eyes wide and dry in need of blinking, which she dared not do.
The doors burst open, and a wash of air following the sudden breach stirred the candles in the various candelabras. A collective gasp sounded in the room, but perhaps the most audible came from herself.
There, in the center of a dozen guards, on the threshold of the vast great hall was Liam in all his striking glory.
Golden locks hung loose around his face, as though he’d not bothered to pull it back as he rode like the wind. His cheekbones were a little more pronounced than when he’d left, and they were flushed red with exertion. The white linen shirt he wore was a tad less tight at the muscles, but he was still every bit as incredible as she remembered. As she’d wished for. Liam fairly commanded the room with his entry. Tall and broad, strong and powerful.
Liam’s green gaze hungrily searched her out. There was such a huge difference between the ferocity of his regard versus Wuller’s. Liam’s made her melt on the spot.
“The Sutherlands have returned,” someone shouted amongst the crowd, and Cora felt her face breaking into a wide grin, her heart taking a leap. The breath finally left her.
He was here. Really here. At last!
Her gaze darted toward where Lord Wuller had been heading only to see that he was no longer in view. Disappearing like the snake that he was. She searched the crowd for him, frantic for a sign of him, but there was none. Her mother seemed to relax, at odds with Cora’s own growing unease. An enemy in sight was one that could not catch someone unawares. But hidden… There was no end to what surprises were in store.
“He’s gone back to his den,” Lady Segrave murmured, “only to let the bear in.”
Cora knew her mother spoke of Liam as the bear; there was no doubt. Her mother despised her husband for some reason. Cora didn’t think it had anything to do with whether or not the marriage was advantageous. Her mother had been somehow brainwashed into believing otherwise.
“Come forward,” King Robert said, waving the servants to take away his trencher.
Liam approached. He winked at her, and her blood heated and rushed to every part of her that she should most certainly should not be feeling during a state dinner such as this. It took quite a lot of effort not to leap from her chair and toss herself into his arms.
Liam and his men moved as one. Standing beside him as he marched forward was a man who could have been his twin, save for the twenty or so advanced years he had on him. Liam’s father? The Earl of Sutherland?
The men approached, took a knee before the king and rose when instructed to do so. They all looked weary from travel and battle. Had the siege been a difficult one?
“We have returned, Your Majesty,” Liam spoke, his voice gravelly, parched perhaps.
“Ye were gone for longer than we expected.”
The men rose and stood before their king, looking as deadly as any band of warriors on the battlefield. They’d not been disarmed of their weapons because they were trusted allies of their king. Something she hadn’t seen the very few times she’d been to the English court.
Cora scanned Liam’s body from head to toe. On closer inspection, she could see the swaths of purple smeared beneath his eyes in half-moon shapes. Several days’ worth of stubble covered his square jaw, and his lips were set in a grim line. Lips she longed to kiss. Lips she longed to see form into a smile.
He looked to have lost some weight on his journey, which could be the result of lack of food, or worse, illness or injury. Only the skin of his knees, hands, neck and face were exposed, hiding from her any injuries there might be beneath his leine shirt or plaid. No angry red wounds appeared on the places that were exposed. No bruises. That gave her hope. Though he’d been gone for weeks, and any injuries he might have sustained in a battle would have surely healed. Look at her hands—they were worlds different than when Liam had left.
“The mission is complete, Your Grace.”
They’d been victorious. The Ross clan was subdued. Cora’s chest swelled with pride. Liam had been able to accomplish what his king wanted. Did that mean they would leave Stirling? Return to his home in Dunrobin?
The sooner they could get away from Wuller, the better. And it might be best for her to wait until after they left to tell Liam that Wuller was the man who had attacked her all those years ago, for it was a near certainty that he would seek retribution.
And doing so… Well, she wasn’t sure what that would do to his standing with the king. Certainly, Robert the Bruce would not be pleased if one of his warriors pulled his sword in the great hall.
“Good,” the king said. “Let us retire to my chambers and discuss.”
Cora held her breath. They were leaving? And she’d not even been able to speak to him… She started to rise, but her mother put her hand on her arm and subtly shook her head. Cora wanted to argue but dared not cause a scene.
“Your Majesty, a moment, if I may with your permission, to greet my lady wife?”
Cora’s chest warmed. He’d thought of her. As he always did.
King Robert let out a sharp laugh. “Och, aye. Meet me in my chambers when ye’re through.” He nodded to the rest of the warriors, who followed him out of the great hall.
Liam slowly turned his gaze toward her, and she thought she might drown in the beautiful green depths. Saints, but he was mesmerizing.
“My ladies.” Liam bowed before her and her mother, who was pushing to stand now that the king had left.
Her mother’s guard quickly approached, her constant shadow, and this time, Cora was actually happy, considering Wuller had yet to make a reappearance.
“I shall retire now.” Lady Segrave nodded to the guard, completely ignoring Liam, and headed for the massive doors of the great hall.
If Liam took note of her mother’s dismissal, he didn’t show it.
Cora moved to stand, but in a second, Liam was by her side, touching her elbow and then sliding his hand down the length of her arm to her leathered glove. He brought her hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to her knuckles and sending her heart into palpitations.
“Ye’ve healed, my lady. No more bandages.”
A shiver raced over Cora’s spine at the feel of h
is lips on her gloves. So chivalrous a move had the power to be incredibly sensual when coming from the man she loved.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Cora whispered, trying hard not to fling herself into his arms.
“I made a promise that I would return. I would never go back on my word.”
Cora drew in a shuddering breath. “And now you must go speak to the king.”
“Aye. But if ye wish, I will come to your chamber when I am through.”
Cora nodded. “I would like that.”
She glanced around the room, trying to see if Wuller was anywhere in sight, but he still appeared to be missing.
“Allow me to escort ye then, so I know ye’re safe.”
Cora nodded with relief. “I was worried. You were gone so much longer than we expected… There were rumors.”
Liam winked at her and brought her hand to his mouth once more before tucking her arm around his. “I’m well, sweetheart. Returned to ye.”
Her lips curled at the corners in pleasure. “What happened?”
“I shall explain later.” Liam nodded to several of his comrades, who acknowledged his return as he led Cora from the room.
When they reached the stairs, he tugged her up into his arms and cradling her as he ascended the stairs toward her chamber. Cora wrapped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers into his hair the way she’d dreamed of doing before he’d left. His hair was every bit as soft as she’d thought it would be. When they reached her chamber door, he pushed it open, ducked beneath the frame, and kicked it shut with his boot. He leaned against the door, still keeping her in his arms, his hold firm as though he didn’t want to let her go, and she was quite content to stay in his embrace the rest of their days.
“I wish I could stay,” he murmured, touching his forehead to hers.
“I wish you could, too.” Cora was breathless, heart hammering. Her fingers played with the soft hair at the back of his neck, and she delighted in it. “Kiss me once before you go. Too many days have passed since—”
But Cora wasn’t able to finish her words because Liam did kiss her. His lips pressed firmly and hungrily to hers, showing her ardently how much he’d missed her too.
Liam slanted his mouth over hers, possessive, dipping his tongue to taste the wine still on her lips and laying claim. And oh, how she gave in. How she wanted this moment to last.
The kiss was demanding and potent. It awakened all the senses he’d introduced in her before.
“Mo chreach, sweetness,” he murmured against her mouth, pulling away for them both to catch their breath, and then crushing his mouth to hers again, as though he couldn’t get enough. As though he wouldn’t be able to breathe if he didn’t keep on kissing her. That was how she felt. She clung to him, gave him every ounce back that he gave to her.
Liam walked toward the bed and lay her upon it, his body coming down on hers. She liked the weight of him, the slide of his heavy muscles against her slighter frame, the way her spine pushed into the mattress.
He touched her waist, her ribs, her hips—every place but where she strained. Cora arched her back, begging him with her body to touch her breasts, to pay homage to the places where desire sparked most potent. Still he denied her. He trailed his lips toward her neck, his breath warm on her skin, and yet gooseflesh rose everywhere anyway. He nibbled at her earlobe, whispered in her ear how much he’d missed her. That she was the reason he’d survived.
Survived.
Cora stilled. “Liam?” Her voice was breathless, her throat still tight, and words seemed hard to form.
“Aye, sweet lass?” He nibbled at her jaw, kissed her mouth again.
The way his lips covered hers and his tongue dashed in to taste her with such passion, she was ready to let him consume her. Ready to give up the questions that had plagued her only a heartbeat before. But somewhere in the back of her mind, she was able to push for answers even though she’d rather continue this pleasurable foray into what would hopefully be lovemaking.
“You said survived.” She flattened her palms to his chest, enough of a gesture to cease him from kissing her. “What happened?”
Liam sighed and rolled to the side, taking her hand and pressing it to his chest. Green eyes locked on her. “Someone got to Ross country before we did. They warned the clan of our arrival, and so the enemy was waiting for us, hiding. They allowed us to get inside by purposefully keeping their ranks hidden. The men fought hard. We only had two casualties, and the Ross clan suffered more. In the end, we beat them.”
“But you said survived. Were you injured?” She furrowed her brows and studied his face.
“Aye. But I’m well now, like ye, lass. Healed.”
“Where?” She glanced down at his chest, still covered by his shirt. “Show me.”
Liam nodded, sat up on the bed, unpinned his plaid and pulled off his shirt. For a moment, she sat stunned, staring at the vast expanse of his naked flesh. Despite being slightly smaller than when he’d left, Liam was still a force to be reckoned with. His shoulders and chest were broad and corded in muscle. Light hair was sprinkled over his chest and faint scars from past battles were white against the gold of his skin. Cora licked her lips, a nervous habit, but she saw the flare of desire in his eyes when she did so.
But then he was turning, facing away from her and showing her his back. Five angry red scars shaped like stars marked new injuries with the older, whiter ones.
“Oh…” she breathed out, at a loss for words with what obviously had to have been incredibly painful. “What did this?”
She imagined men hacking at his back, a spear flying through the air and slugging hard into his body. Arrows sailing from the heavens and pinning him to the ground.
“Arrows. Five of them.”
“They got you in the back.” Cowards.
“Aye. I was fighting men from the front. A lad rushed me, and I let him go… He climbed up to the ramparts and shot down on me.”
Cora’s mouth fell open in shock. “A lad did this to you?”
“Aye, lass. The Ross Clan doesna discriminate against age when it comes to killing their enemies.”
Cora’s breath hitched and tears burned the edges of her eyes. “What happened to him?”
“We locked him in the dungeon. Turned him.”
“How?”
“Showed him kindness.” He glanced behind him at her, a flash of a smile on his lips.
Cora narrowed her eyes. “What kind of kindness?” Was that a code name for something else?
“A proper education. He’ll become a Sutherland warrior.”
“But… he shot you. You almost died.”
“Aye. The lad has talent we can put to good use.”
“Oh.” She was surprised to hear it, and yet also not surprised. Liam was kind beneath his warrior’s exterior. And this was more proof of that. If he trusted that he could convert the lad, then she would believe in him.
“He had a choice between that and being sent to live with distant family in another clan. He chose to fight for us and was repentant for what he did to me.”
Cora touched her fingers to Liam’s spine, and he straightened, startled perhaps by her touch. Tentatively, she touched the redness of his scars, felt the warmth of his skin, the strength beneath. “Does it still hurt?”
“Nay,” his voice was gruff, sounding almost like he was being choked.
She half-expected him to pull away, but he didn’t. Instead, he sat very still as she explored his scars. Cora leaned forward and touched her lips to the angry star-shaped scar.
Liam shivered at the touch of her lips on his back.
“You were very lucky, Liam.”
Slowly, he turned around, his hand cupping her cheek, his eyes locked on hers. “I made a promise to return for ye.”
Cora smiled up at him, never more pleased to see someone than she was at his return. “I’m glad you did.” She should tell him about Wuller. Now that they weren’t in the great hall and he couldn’t
attack. He should know. She couldn’t keep it from him. Before she could be distracted by more of his kisses, she rushed, “I need to tell you something.”
Liam’s brows drew together in concern.
“The king… When you were gone, he requested to see me. Asked me who my mother had wanted to betroth me to. But I didn’t know. And I asked her, and she wouldn’t tell me.” Cora sat back on the bed and patted the space beside her.
Liam sat down and tugged her against his chest, his arm going around her shoulders. “She canna betroth ye to anyone. We are husband and wife.”
Cora nodded and pressed a hand tentatively to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and the soft tickle of his hair against her fingertips. “I know. The idea wasn’t what had me worried, but the king also spoke about how my mother and father conspired against him. They were planning a rebellion along the border.”
Liam’s face grew darker, and he stiffened. She got the impression he wanted to edge away from her, so she held fast, tucking her arm around his waist. “I didn’t know anything about it, Liam, I swear.”
He squeezed her shoulders and kissed to the top of her head. Though his body relaxed a little, she could still feel the tension vibrating through him. “I believe ye, lass.”
“There is a man here. I saw him some weeks ago for the first time, an English courtier, a border lord who has sworn an oath to King Robert. But there was tension between him and my mother. And the way he looks at me…” She shook her head. This wasn’t even what she needed to tell him. “I recognized him, Liam. I think he is the man who came to my family’s castle the day that we first met.” She glanced up at him then, wanting him to know she spoke the truth.
Liam’s face turned cold. Hard. The way she’d expected him to look on the field of battle. And it was terrifying.
“What was his name?” he asked quietly.
“Liam, please, dinna do anything just yet. I need to tell the king, and once I do, we can leave. Go to your home as we’d planned. I—”
“His name.”
Cora drew in a breath and swallowed her fear. She couldn’t keep it from him, He had a right to know. “Wuller. Lord Wuller.”
