by Diana Knight
Marren’s cheeks flushed with a dark red tint and he walked back towards Lena, he placed his hand out in front of her and she took it. His lips were pursed as he tried to avoid eye contact with his father. Walking back she could feel the tightness in Marren’s grip.
“We don’t have too.” She said softly, though even the thought of it sent the flutters in her stomach to her throat.
“Yes, Lena. Yes we do.”
The sun was fading, the heat was dying down for the day but there was still a thick humidity in the air. Lena could feel the hair by her forehead sticking to the front of her face. An empty pitcher of Silver Port Wine sat on the table with two cups. Lena knew she had drank more than she should have, but their love was not yet strong enough to do what must be done. Marren stood there in front of the bed, his body naked before her. She swallowed hard trying to think of was she could do, the sheet wrapped around her was her only protection. Do I want this? She thought, her hands were trembling. If she truly did not want him with her, he would leave. He did not force her to undress herself, nor did he force her to take her hair down and let it fall to her back. She was willing, but his face still seemed cold. Her heart was beating faster than she could contain, she placed a cool hand on her chest and felt the unsteady rhythm of it pounding in her palm. Marren stood there still, he was just standing there. He was just staring at her.
“Stop standing like that.” Lena said looking to the floor.
“Where should I stand?” He said awkwardly.
“Well, not there. You- you should come closer. If- if you want.” She said, the stubbornness of a Walsh man was more than she had time for.
Marren took a few steps closer and stood in front of her. Oh no. His confidence in himself was clear as he stood mere breaths away from her now. Her body sitting on the bed, with him standing there facing her. She had a full and uncovered glance at him now, she shied her face away immediately and pinched her lips together as she tried not to laugh. Mulla had talked to her about all the things she should expect for when the time would come, but she had not expected to be within slapping distance of something she did not have on her own body. Her shoulders began to shuffle up and down as she hid her laughter, she saw Marren take a step back.
“Are you laughing at it?” He said sounding offended.
“I’m so sorry. I really am. You just, you put it in my face and I-” Lena was completely mortified he was embarrassed.
“What am I supposed to do, you said to come closer. Just- just let me do it.” Marren spoke, and then she found his body move above her.
He slipped his hand around her back, she felt his skin on hers. She let him lead and she followed her eyes staring straight at his. Her back found the bed and Marren was now hovering above her. Her breath was hitching and she felt her mouth grow dry in stress. He brought his lips close to hers, so close. She felt his warm wine scented breath fall across her face and the goosebumps trickled through her. They have not kissed in so long, she’d forgotten the taste of him. Marren let his weight fall onto her and she felt her body tense.
“Are you alright?” He whispered, his voice sending yet another shiver through her.
“I- I don’t know.” She said, all the while not breaking eye contact with him.
“I don’t either.” He said.
He let his lips fall to hers and she felt a jolt of lightning shoot through her veins. His mouth was warm around her, she brought her arms up to his back. She ran her fingers across his bare skin and let her hands rest around the back of his head. Her body growing more eager for him.
“Do you want this?” He asked her pulling his lips from her.
Yes. She wanted to say, but his words somehow brought back the pain of how they came to this moment. The eyes of her father staring into her, forcing her to marry him to seal the clans. He wanted them to bind the clans for the sake of the island. She was not going to do this for a command, she was going to do this when she wanted.
“No.” She said and pushed him from her. The wine in her stomach sloshing around with the weight of her stress.
They sat on the edge of the bed together. Their slightly drunk minds floating on separate clouds of anticipation and nerves. Marren brought his hand to her back and rested it against her.
“I don’t want this unless you do.” He said and pulled himself up.
He walked towards the small pile of clothes he’d kicked off in his drunk stupor and began to dress himself. He slid into his kilt and wrapped the colors of his clan around him.
“Where are you going?” Lena asked him, her voice still shaky as she calmed from his kiss.
“To look for the ship.” He said as he walked out the door.
It swung shut quickly before she even had another chance to respond.
“Then, I will see you.”
6
Chapter Six
There had been no sign of the ship still, but something in Marren was not settled. It’s still out there. Lurking. There would be a messenger coming from the mainland soon, it would give them the whereabouts of William Wallace and his fight for victory. Marren could only hope that King Robert had a plan for after the war, for victory seemed within grasp as of late. The clouds in the sky were the color of ash, he could feel the moisture of the air soften his skin and thicken his breath. He looked down at the main of his horse, it’s hair was soft like Lena’s but the thought of his wife made his stomach spin. They were so close, the closest they had been. The wine was making his mind feel uneasy, his thoughts were blending together with love and pain. Manard was supposed to marry her. That doesn’t matter. Yes it does. He was fighting within himself over something with no cause. The sound of hooves on the grass alarmed him and he turned to see his cousin riding forward. Rollen was a shorter man in height, but on a horse his size was no different than his. He pulled the reigns on his stallion and looked over the cliffside next to him.
“I know it’s out there.” Rollen said, clearing his voice and squinting his eyes.
“I feel it too.” Marren said scanning the waters.
“It is not our job anymore.” Marren whispered, now that the Macleod’s were back their clan was taking over both Colreed and Silver Port. There was no place for the Walsh clan in the city. Not in the homes, the inns, or even the pubs. However, Rollen was not having Marren’s attitude, and was in an arguing mood.
“Not our job? Don’t you say it. Of course it is our job. Us Scots always keep each other safe.” Rollen said angrily.
“They did not keep Manard safe.” Marren said, but he regretted the words right after they slipped past his lips. Rollen’s face hardened and he turned his stallion to step in front of Marren.
“You gotta let that go. It was not our kin’s fault. It is war, we were at war. They saw us as an enemy. You would have done the same. Let it go, it will kill you.” Rollen glared at him.
Marren gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the leather reigns of the horse. He knew his cousin was right, but he was not going to let Rollen know. His Scottish blood ran deep in his veins, but the torture of the English he had endured still made his mind weak at the worst moments. The sight of his home village being burned and pillaged to the ground would never leave him, the threats of the English killing his mother, sisters, and cousins haunted him each and every time he closed his eyes.
“Do you still think of him?” Rollen said, his mind must have been on the same name.
“Yes.” Marren said.
“Do you think he is on the ship?” Rollen asked, his voice now slightly shaky.
“That is what I want to find out.” Marren said and pulled his horse into a trot.
Rollen rode alongside him in silence, their thoughts were drifted onto one person. Sir Edward Grayhan. The vicious man in charge of his village. He was the English magistrate of his village, and when the war began he took to the Scots like they were sheep to be slaughtered. Chills ran through his spine as the memory of his pale white face and his rage filled eyes flashed in
his mind.
“If he comes, we will kill him.” Rollen said,
Marren could only hope he was right, because the thought of Sir Edward coming into Silver Port with his sword and rage was something worse than a nightmare. Lena. He knew she would be terrified, she would cry out for her father and brothers for protection. Or would she cry out for me? His heart stung at the thought of it, he wanted to ask her now. A gust of wind flapped the leather bag at his leg and pulled him from his thoughts. Up ahead he could see a small hint of something in the sea. Rollen caught the glimpse too and they were loping towards the edge of the island. The closer they ran the more the fear began to set in. It had been days since they’d seen it, ever since Lord William Macleod and their clan had arrived. Now that most of the clan had went back to their village of Colreed, they were seeing it again. Almost like they knew Silver Port was empty again, like they knew now would be the best time to attack.
“Father is not going to be pleased. It only takes a minute.” Mulla whispered as she rocked at her breast.
Lena rolled her eyes, she knew she should not have spoken of it. If there was one things Mulla could not do, it was keep a secret. The night had arrived for a while. She knew Marren was back at the house, most likely laying in the bed staring at the wooden ceiling wondering where she was. He worries too much. Though even if it annoyed her, she could not help but grin at the thought. Visiting with Mulla was a good distraction to keep her mind off her family traveling. Although there were no dangers, the thought of her family sleeping under only the stars with the dark clouds scared her. There were illnesses and snakes that crawled in the night, during this war the last thing she wanted was to lose one of them to such things. However, the longer she stayed at Mulla’s the more she wanted to go home. Watching James and Mulla was like seeing a storybook love come to life. James was soft spoken, sweet, and caring to both Mulla and the baby. Lena tried to imagine what Marren would be as a father, but each thought was blocked by the fact that she could not even bring herself to bed him.
“Do you love him yet?” Mulla asked, her question started Lena more than she thought it would.
“Love him? I don’t know him.” She bit her lip.
“So there’s hope eh? Ask him. Just talk to him.” Mulla grinned.
It was not like they had not tried that before, but their conversations turned to war and then of Manard. It was a vicious cycle she dare not repeat so she avoids discussion altogether. If the messenger comes by boat tomorrow, to tell the city new of war she knew Marren would be one of the first to volunteer. He wanted to fight, and he wanted to be free. It was a drive she enjoyed about him, something that she wished she herself could find in something. If he could love her the way he yearns for war she would be loved for eternity. The baby began to cry, little Jorge sputtered out the milk in his mouth and screamed for attention from his mother. Lena took that as her moment to leave and kissed Mulla and Jorge on the head before leaving. Her walk in the dark home was lonelier than she had anticipated. The rain had begun, and small drops of water dripped onto her cheeks and hair. She thought of Marren, her hopes that he would be sleeping soundly by now. She wondered if he saw the ship, and what they would do if it was still there. The English ship with English men, coming to take what they think is theirs. The thought of them made the walk turn even colder. Rain continued to fall as she made her way on the cobblestone, the brushing of passing wind and the shaking shutters were the only sounds she heard. She was alone. Her eyes had adjusted to the dark well enough that she saw the path was clear ahead, no one would purposefully walk out in this cold. Except her. She turned her head to look down the street, not even the pubs by the market looked crowded tonight. The side window of the pub was visible, she could see Marren’s cousins enjoying their fill of Ale and laughs. Her husband was a loner as well, he did not enjoy the late night outings of drunken madness like his kin. This would have made him the perfect match, if he were not Marren and they were not forced. She turned her head from the enjoyment of the pup drinkers towards the empty path. Though it was no longer just her. A dark figure was in front of her, its figure hidden by the moonlight making it look like a frame of blackness. It moved closer towards her and she stopped. It stopped. The frame was a male, his arms thick and his legs long. She could see the length of his hair went to the top of his shoulders, but every other detail was hidden by the moon. She took a step, and so did the figure. A lump grew in Lena’s throat as she tried to call out to it. What do I say? The thoughts ran through her mind. Would they be offended if I was scared? Are they friendly? What do they want? Are they just walking like me? The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and rippled down her spine. Her insides tugged inside her as she tried to regain control of her nerves. I am Lady Walsh, I cannot be scared. She took another step forward and the hidden figure did too, this time he was close enough to see what he held in his hand. The moonlight hid his features and traits, but it did not hide the reflection of the metal dagger in its grip. The blood rushed from her head and flushed into her heart. The man only stood there, no longer moving as long as she did not. Lena turned her head towards the pub again, trying to see if anyone from the window would look out. The loudness of laughter and clinking pitchers and pints would cover any and all screams in the night. She was alone. Lena could feel the eyes of the mysterious man stabbing into her, the sound of rushing wind surprised her and she prepared to scream and run towards the pub. With one final daring move she turned to face the man just as she felt someone grab hold of her from behind.
She screamed.
Her arm swung wide and she felt the soft impact of skin on skin knock the person to the ground. She looked down to see what she had done and horror filled her head.
“Oh no. I am so sorry. You startled me!” Lena bent down to Marren who cupped his nose in his hand, the spatter of blood was in trickling down like rain.
“Startled? I’d say it was more than that. Why didn’t you send of me when you were leaving? Or have company bring you home.” Marren said.
“I just went to Mulla’s and she told me you were walking home. Who knew what could have happened.” Marren said wrapping his evening cloak around her. It was made of thick sheep wool and woven by hand, a cloak that only came out in the winter or rain. She felt the weight of it surround her like the arms of her mother, an instant comfort for her.
“I- I thought I saw someone.” She turned to look back up the street where the dark figure with the knife once stood menacingly, but he was gone. It was nothing but a blank pathway now.
Marren used his kilt as a cloth and wiped the blood from his nose and cleaned his hand.
“Let’s get back now.” He said and motioned for her to walk with him.
As they walked back she tried to understand the recent events. The sight of a stranger and the sharpness of the knife. Lena knew what she saw. They continued to walk down the path, and Lena turned behind her for one last look that she would regret. There she saw him again. The shadow in the moonlight standing in the center of the path. He was real, and he was still watching.
They get to their small home and Lena attends to the wound she’d caused Marren. He sits on top of the table like a patient at the clinic. A long cut on the crest of his nose would give him a scar no doubt. She wiped it with a rag and used the well water from their drinking pitcher to keep the wound clean. He winced and squinted his eyes in pain. Lena smiled. She did not know what would have happen had Marren not been out looking for her. The thought of it was unbearable, but having Marren so close to her gave her instant comfort. Something she found astonishing. His lips were pursed as she finished up the mending, and she stepped back to look at him. His eyes were warm and inviting, but his face still showed he was resisting.
“There was someone out there tonight. Someone dangerous, I don’t know what would have happened.” Lena said to him.
“It is my job to protect Silver Port, that includes you as well.” He said, she saw he was not taking the compliment well
. He shifted himself on the table in discomfort.
He won’t even say wife. Lena swallowed hard and let the insult brush from her. She walked closer to him, his eyes still held warmth in them. She would feed from that. Closing her eyes, she let her lips fall against his, a simple thank-you without words. There were tense muscles from him in response, his body tightened and his legs froze. Yet he did not pull away. For her, she felt it all. The rush of heat to her face and the wild blood running through her veins. The comforting feeling wrapped around her head and as long as her lips were connected with his, no harm could come to her. The bliss began to fade and she pulled away, keeping her closeness to him she looked him in the eye. His eyes were hot with fire and in surprise she could feel his hand against her back. It was pulling tightly towards him, she could feel the desire pumping through his palm into her. Their touch was powerful, and for a moment she could not feel the regret or pain of what their past had been. In this moment, she could only feel the comforting hand at her back pulling at her for more. More kisses, more touch, and more love. She felt Marren wrap his other arm around her, she fell into his hold willingly. His lips found her mouth, her cheek, her neck. The tingling sensation in her body flashed with each touch. He lifted her from the ground and carried her to their bed. He leaned down to kiss her hard, she pulled his head close to keep his lips from parting hers. His hands fumbled across her body and down her back, they pulled at the string ties until she felt the dress give way. The cool air touching her bare body was swallowed by the heat coming from Marren. He pressed himself down on top of her like the time before. Only this time she knew what she wanted. There was a mixture of tension and desire in the room, as if at any moment one of them could pull away and that would be the end of it. The suspense only made each touch of his lips spark inside her. His hands were rough on her back, but he caressed her like she was nothing but glass. He is scared? Lena didn’t know what to think, but her body was beginning to control her more than her mind was. She pushed Marren up and rolled him over onto his back. His hair laying across the bed, his body bare underneath her. She could see his light eyes staring at her widely, his lips were slightly parted and it looked as though he was not breathing. She placed his hands on her hips, and felt his fingers tighten against her skin. Her thoughts only flooded with this moment, she would worry about tomorrow in the morning.
