Born of Fire

by Kella McKinnon

  She backed away from his grasp. “I…I don’t know how I feel. I don’t know if I...”

  His chin took on a stubborn tilt. “If there is something I want, nothing can stand in my way. I want you.”

  “I…I’m not some fortress to be conquered, Bridei.”

  He reached out and traced her full bottom lip with his finger. “Then let me gently persuade you.”

  “I…”

  The finger breached her lips, sliding over the tip of her tongue. Without thinking, she closed her mouth around it. Bridei sucked in a harsh breath, his eyes closing for a moment.

  “I want to be inside you. I want you to surrender to me. To whatever power brought us together, here, tonight, against all odds. By some miracle.” His voice was rough with need. “Don’t you see? There is no going back now.”

  He drew his finger from her mouth, tracing it slowly down her chin before reaching for the hem of the tunic she wore. He lifted it slowly, revealing her naked flesh bit by bit. Nessa began to tremble. She couldn’t seem to move. Was this really happening? How far would she let it go? Her body was screaming “All the way!”

  “Bridei, wait…” But her protest was only half-hearted. She wanted him like she wanted her next breath. Maybe more.

  He pulled the tunic over her head and dropped it to the floor, leaving her naked before him. His lips parted as his hungry gaze raked over her.

  He shook his head. “I cannot. I am starving for you.”

  He pulled her into his arms then, and kissed her. Tenderly for a fleeting moment, then harder and deeper, and as he did, he moved her slowly towards the bed, until the back of her legs hit the edge of the mattress.

  He pushed her gently down onto it, following her with the solid weight of his body. As lost as she was in his kiss, the intensity of what she was feeling frightened her. Her heart felt as if it would pound out of her chest. Her body no longer seemed to be her own as her hips rose to meet him and an aching need gripped her like an iron vice. His cock brushed against her opening and a wave of desire washed over her, almost dragging her under. She pushed half-heartedly at his chest.

  “Stop, Bridei…”

  “There is no stopping this”, he said between rough kisses. “It is the will of the gods. Do not be afraid. And do not deny me what I need so fiercely.”

  His hands ran over her warm skin, touching her everywhere, groaning when he kneaded the softness of her breasts, bowing his head to kiss her there. “You are perfect, Ashta. So beautiful.”

  She didn’t want him to stop, not really, and he knew it. She was completely and utterly lost to him. Her body felt as if it could rise of the bed at any moment, floating on the edge of a wave too strong to resist.

  Nessa managed to push weakly at his chest once more, even as her legs wrapped themselves around his without her permission. “No… I’m not like all those other women. I won’t be used once and forgotten. I want so much more. I want someone that belongs to me alone.”

  “You have that, Ashta”, he said fiercely. “I am yours alone. There is no other woman for me.” He covered her hand on his chest with his own much larger one. “Can’t you feel the way my heart beats for you? It has never beat this way before. The Goddess has chosen. I knew it from the first I saw you, but I was stubborn and reckless with Her gift. No more.”

  She looked up in wonder at his words, the last of her fear and inhibition melting away when she saw the truth of it in his eyes.

  “I can barely breathe”, he said softly. “I have to have you. I have to make you mine.”

  Nessa could feel his desire like an electric charge running through his body and into hers wherever their skin touched. Her legs fell open for him as he moved insistently against her, and he pushed slowly into her, until she took all of him. He held perfectly still, looking down at her for a moment with an expression of wonder. His muscles were tensed, and his breath was harsh, as if he were on the very edge of control, barely holding on.

  “I am inside you, Ashta, at last. I have wanted this for so long. Much longer than I’ve even known you were mine.” His eyes closed and a groan escaped his throat as he tilted his head back. “Gods. So much pleasure. I never knew.”

  She lifted her hips, her fingers digging into his back as she tried to pull him closer. He began to thrust, following the pace she set with her movements. “Ashta, I can feel you… not just with my body, but with my heart.”

  “Bridei”, she whispered. “Oh my god…” But there were no other words. Just surrender.

  The first peak came swiftly for them both. Bridei slid his arms beneath her, pulling her tightly against him as he moved deep within. He growled low in his throat…an animal sound of pure ecstasy that she echoed with a strangled sob. Stars moved beneath her eyelids as they both crested the wave of pleasure and crashed breathlessly back down to earth.

  “Not enough”, Bredei breathed near her ear, already moving within her again. “More.”

  She lost track of how many times they made love that night. Bridei was never sated, pausing only to kiss and touch her for a while before sliding back into her body as if he were helpless to stop himself. Eventually, sometime in the hours before dawn, she fell asleep in his arms.

  When she woke to the sunshine streaming into the window, and her mind slowly cleared from the thick haze of passion that had consumed her so thoroughly, Nessa realized that Bridei had come deep inside of her. Many times. She had thought, because he said he didn’t want a baby, that he would stop in time. But honestly, she didn’t think she would even have been able to stop. There was no force on earth that could have halted what had happened between them. The fault lay equally with her for not talking about something so important before things got out of control. She turned her face to breathe in the scent of Bridie’s warm skin. There was nothing she could do about it now. Only time would tell.

  He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “Domech, he was so right.”

  “About what?’

  “He kept telling me sex is just sex, until you find the one woman meant for you. Then it becomes something that you couldn’t have imagined, before.”

  He leaned up on one elbow, looking down with eyes that were still dark with passion. “I thought that once I had you, I would no longer be so obsessed, but I think that now I only want you more. You are mine now. Mine alone.”

  Bridei suddenly bolted upright and swore. “My men! I’m supposed to be on the field right now.” He jumped out of the bed, reaching for his pants. “You have led me astray, Ashta”, he said with a grin. “But even so, I will be back for more.”

  And it was so very true. Now that he had bedded her, nothing in this world could keep him away. He had been with many women before, but he was certain he’d never want anyone but Nessa again. The physical pleasure alone had been enough to shatter him into a thousand pieces, but it was more than that. With her, his soul felt as much pleasure as his body did. She was what he’d been waiting for and dreaming of for so long. She filled the hollow place inside so fully, he thought he would burst.

  As he rode out to his army, he felt as if he could conquer not just Ecgfrith, but the entire world. Domech came forward to meet him. As soon as he was close enough to see Bridei’s face, a huge grin lit his own.

  “There is something very different about you this morning, King.”

  Bridei looked straight ahead, but the corners of his mouth curled up. “Is there, now?”

  “Aye, there is.” He waited a moment, then prompted, “And? Aren’t you going to tell me about it?”

  “No, Domech.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because there are no words.”

  After a full day training hard with his army, Bridei could think only of Nessa. He was no longer worried about a woman distracting him from his duty, because he had never fought better than he had today. Perhaps it was knowing he could hold her at the end of the day, or perhaps it was just knowing that he needed to protect her with all that he was. Eith
er way, even Domech had remarked on his new-found ferocity.

  There she was, standing with some of the other women who had come to watch their men. His heart swelled at the sight of her, and he urged Lotex into a gallop, barely slowing when he lifted his woman from the ground and onto the horse’s back, settling her between his legs. His woman. Nothing had ever brought such joy to his heart.

  “It’s a warm day”, he said near her ear. “Let’s go to the loch. I need to wash the sweat and dust from my skin.”

  Nessa leaned back into him, acutely aware of how different this ride was from the last one to the Saxon lands and back again. The dramatic turn in her relationship with Bridei would take some getting used to. Right now, despite her strong feelings for him, and despite the powerful pull between them, it was all so new and strange. Especially in the light of a new day, after what they had shared the night before.

  And aye, there was still grief and guilt in her heart that she would need time to get over. It had been such a short time since she had arrived here. Such a short time since she’d lost Angus. Since she’d known for certain she’d never go home again. And since she’d known she’d never have any closure with Nathan. All of that was all just gone.

  The small loch lay nestled in a shallow valley, and Nessa was sure the dark water was every bit as cold as any other Highland loch, even in the warmest days of summer. Although the sun was still shining, there were thick, dark clouds beginning to roll over the horizon. It looked like the warmth of the day would end in rain, and soon.

  Bridei slid from the horse’s back and then lifted her down, setting her lightly on her feet. He left Lotex to graze on the fresh green grass, and started pulling off his clothing.

  “Are you coming in?” he asked her.

  She shook her head. “No, it looks cold. I’m afraid you’ve spoiled me with hot baths.”

  He laughed, standing before her completely naked. “Suit yourself.”

  As she gazed at his warrior’s body, her heart sped up and she felt a sudden heat between her legs. Memories of the night before made her breathing suddenly shallow. It had, without a doubt, been the most passion and magic she had ever felt; far beyond what she had ever dreamed possible. She only wished her heart and mind were free to take it in completely and surrender to what could be. One day, Nessa. Just give yourself time. It will just take time…

  She watched as Bridei dove into the chilly water and began to swim, as if it were not cold at all. He had just reached the middle of the loch and was turning back when the first bolt of lightning lit the dark clouds on the other side of the valley.

  “Bridei!” Nessa shouted to him when he got close enough to hear. “Get out of there! Don’t you know you can get hit by lightning when you’re in the water?”

  He grinned at her, standing up in the shallow water not far from shore. Water dripped from his smooth skin, and his long, silky hair was plastered against his back and shoulders. “If the gods wish to strike me down, they’ll do it whether or not I’m in the water, lass.”

  “Still… get out! Please?”

  “Aye, if it makes you happy.” She cared about him. His heart swelled even more. He could imagine riding home after battle, victorious, of course, and Nessa waiting there for him with open arms and tears of joy that he had made it home safe and sound. It was a heady thought. He would relish fighting for her. He would savor the return home even more.

  As the first raindrops fell, she watched unabashedly as he walked up onto the shore. Her eyes never left him as he came closer, and he knew he wore a smug look as she gazed appreciatively at his naked body. “Do you like what you see?”

  She swallowed, and the rain began to come down in earnest, soaking her hair and clothing. “I do.”

  “I really want to kiss you, Ashta, but I know if I do, I won’t be able to stop with only a kiss.”

  “Then don’t stop.”

  That was what he wanted to hear.

  “The more I have you, the more I think I will want. Come to me lass.”

  This time, she stepped willingly into his arms.

  He felt the tremble of her thighs against his own. Her body wanted much more than his kiss. Her body wanted everything he could possibly give her. He could hear his own heart beating, could smell the desire that filled the air between them. This was perfect; everything he had waited for. His stomach clenched slightly with fear. He knew that if he lost her now, she would leave him forever empty and needing. She had become his only weakness…

  But before he could think any more, he had her on the damp grass with her tunic shimmied up around her waist. He would take his time with her later in bed, but right now he needed her too badly. Soon enough, they would explore each and every way a man and woman could share their bodies, but in this moment, barely controlled lust was all he could manage. She was wet and ready for him as he slid into her. He groaned as he began to come after only a dozen thrusts, but he didn’t hold himself back. He knew that with this woman beneath him, he could spill his seed a thousand times and still want more.

  Sometime later the rain had stopped, and they lay drenched but content on the soft grasses near the loch. Nessa was cradled against him, and he knew she was warm and sated, but she looked lost in thought, instead of here and now with him. Her gaze was much too distant as she looked up at the lingering clouds.

  “What is it?” he asked, smoothing damp tendrils of hair from her face. “What bothers you?”

  “Nothing”, she said, offering him a smile that was a little sad.

  “It isn’t nothing. Your mind is far away.” He sat up a little and held her eyes with his. “Do you think of him?”

  Her eyes moved away, and he had his answer. She sighed. “Not just him. Everything I’ve left behind.”

  Bridei felt a white-hot surge of jealousy fill his veins. There was an enemy that he couldn’t reach, and this enemy held a piece of his woman’s heart. He wanted all of her.

  “Please understand”, she said softly. “I had an entire life before I came here. I can’t just forget about it overnight and become someone else. This is hard, Bridei. The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. And this… this is so new, what’s between us.”

  “I am certain of what’s between us! I…” He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “I will try to be patient, if you will try not to think of him.”

  She nodded. “Aye, I will try.”

  Nessa leaned close and pressed her lips to his bare chest, sending warm shivers across his skin. “In the future, legend will say that the Picts went to battle completely naked.”

  He smiled. “And why on earth would we do that? To die in battle is one thing, but to have your cock removed by a stray ax blow, quite another. I think I would choose death.”

  “A good choice”, she agreed. She ran her fingers over the black ink on his chest, coming to a stop on one intricate design that was perhaps her favorite of all the tattoos marking his skin. “What does this one mean?”

  “That is the sign of my mother’s line.” He moved her hand slowly to another. “And this is my father’s.”

  She trailed her fingers higher, to a pattern just below his right nipple. “And this?”

  “My birthplace.”

  “They all have meaning?”

  “Aye. They do.”

  “Will you get more?”

  “Of course. When I win an important battle. When I take a queen. When I father a child. When I lose someone dear to me. By the end of my life, I can only hope my skin is covered by the symbols of all that I have seen and done. Everything I have been and all that I’ve accomplished.”

  “A life well lived”, she said thoughtfully.

  He smiled. “Aye, a life well lived.”

  He leaned down to take her lips in a kiss. Gentle and slow this time. He tried to imbue it with all that he felt but could not yet say. Not until he was certain Nessa’s heart belonged only to him.

  He could hardly wait for the day when a new symbol would grace the bare fl
esh above his heart. It had been empty and waiting, all his life, but now he finally knew the woman who would claim it as her own.

  “It’s perfect”, Bridei announced. “It’s all that I imagined.”

  The goldsmith grinned, pleased that the King approved of his work. He’d never had a more important commission, and on such short notice, too. He’d been working with very little sleep for days.

  Bridei held the amulet in his closed hand, and the gold quickly warmed to his touch. It was a perfect copy of his own, only smaller and more delicate. He could already imagine it draped around Nessa’s neck. It would be beautiful on her. And it would let every other man know she was his; at least until they were wed and she could wear a more permanent mark.

  He would give the amulet to her later that night, when he asked her to be his forever. Fate had brought him a beautiful gift in the form of a woman that was his perfect match in every way. Who was he to deny what the gods would give him? He knew deep in his bones, that for him there was no going back. Nessa was already in his heart and under his skin as no one else had ever been.

  He felt happier than he had ever been as he slipped the amulet into the leather pouch on his belt and went to find Namet. They were meeting to go over the latest accounts gathered by his spies that had recently infiltrated Ecgfrith’s inner circle. It looked like the Saxon king’s army was going to move north very soon, which meant he needed to be ready to meet them with his sword in hand and the strength of will to see his enemy destroyed forever. He could almost taste the final sweetness of victory after so many long years of struggle.

  He still had a smile on his face when he almost ran into Meara, who crossed his path as she came around the corner of the kitchen building.

  He laughed and she smiled at him as if his joy was contagious. Maybe it was.

  As he helped Meara pick up the bundle of herbs she had dropped, his gaze landed on Nessa, his woman, walking with Veda, carrying a large basket between them. Now that she was free to be a part of the community, she was fitting in as if she’d always been among them. Everyone liked her, and all of the younger women vied for her friendship, while the older ones all wanted to counsel her on the ways and wisdom of the Picts. Nessa flashed him a smile over her shoulder, and he watched the sway of her behind as she walked away. He would have her all to himself later, when he would strip her naked and….