Dragon Knight's Axe (36 page)

Instead of bending down, Alastair knelt on one knee to make it easier for her. When she finished, Fiona brushed her hand over his face, and he clasped it placing a kiss inside her wrist. “Leave now, before I change my mind on wanting to take more from ye.”

She batted her eyes again in a mock display. “You aren’t afraid of my brother, are you?”

Quickly standing, Alastair tilted her chin up, his face mere inches in front of hers. “This
Dragon Knight
fears no man.”

“Then take me to this island in the loch that Brigid and Aileen keep talking about. We could call it a pre-marriage getaway.”

Swiftly turning her around, Alastair placed her hands on the wall and ground into her back. “Shall I take ye here?” he asked trailing his tongue down her neck and inhaling her scent. Hearing muttered voices in the distance, he released her quickly. He certainly did not want to run into Desmond.

When she turned around, he pointed. “Take your leave, fair maiden. I have claimed my kiss.”

Her eyes smoldered with desire as she slowly backed away. Chuckling, she bunched up her gown and ran off down the corridor.

Alastair smiled and made his way in the opposite direction.

No sooner did he wander out into the courtyard then he was greeted by his brothers. His purpose was to take Gawain out for a long ride to cool the fire burning in his body. He decided to ignore them and gave them each a passing salute as he continued to the stable.

As they turned and stepped alongside him, he snarled.

“Going somewhere?” asked Duncan twirling his sword.

“Aye.”

“Would ye care for company?” Stephen asked as he waved to the guard to raise the portcullis.

“
Nae
.”

“Sure ye would,” interjected Duncan. “It has been ages since we went out riding.”

“Are ye daft? We were out yesterday.” Alastair picked up his pace. Unfortunately, so did his brothers.

Duncan looked at him with a shocked expression. “That is my point. Ages!”

Halting in front of the stables, Alastair placed his hands on his hips. “If ye are attempting to follow me around to keep me away from Fiona, ye will have to come up with a far better plan than stating ’tis been
ages
since we’ve ridden.”

“Oh, but they have, Alastair,” interrupted Desmond as he clamped a firm hand on his shoulder.

Clenching his jaw so hard, Alastair thought it would snap, he glared at Duncan and Stephen. His brothers would pay dearly for this prank.

“What was that saying ye told me the other night?” Duncan raised his sword in front of him. “Wait, I remember.” Leveling it back down, he winked at Alastair. “
Your move,
little brother.”

****

Curling up on the pillows on the window seat, Fiona peered out at the loch below. She smiled when she saw the men riding out earlier. However, her eyes sought out only one man. He had stirred her blood to boiling in the corridor, so much so, her hands ached to strip off his trews and have him take her there against the wall.
Alastair’s correct. You are a vixen.

“What about this color?” inquired Aileen, twirling the dress out in front of Fiona. “I believe this color would be positively stunning with your dark curls and pale complexion.

“I suppose,” mumbled Fiona, leaning her head against the cool stone.

“It would help if you looked at the color before making a decision.”

“Huh?” Fiona frowned but looked at Aileen. “Oh. That’s pretty.”

“Oh my stars! Look at your face,” exclaimed Aileen as she placed her hand on Fiona’s head.

Fiona batted her away. “I’m fine.” Seeing the concerned look across Aileen’s face, she softened, “Honestly. I was just…thinking.”

Aileen laid the gown across the chair. “About?”

She gave her a look of disbelief. “You have to ask?” she huffed as she stretched her legs.
I certainly do not feel like discussing my sexual cravings out loud.

“You long for Alastair,” stated Aileen placing a gentle hand on her arm.

“Ummm…you can say that,” she snorted loudly, embarrassed Aileen had guessed. She should have lied.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Fiona scrambled off the pillow. “Gosh, no!” Her cheeks now burned like fire.

Giving her a wicked smile, Aileen replied, “The MacKay men sure do bring out the wanton woman in us, don’t they?”

Biting her lip, Fiona tried to control the outburst of laughter only to finally shake her head and look away. Feeling more in control, she asked, “Does it ever stop? This longing all the time?”

Aileen got a far off look on her face and then exhaled a heavy sigh. “No. But mind you, Stephen and I have only been together five months. However, the passion has never dimmed, only gotten stronger.”

“How long for Brigid?”

“How long for what?” interrupted Brigid strolling in with a tray of food and drink.

“Fiona wants to know if the urge to have sex with our men is constant,” answered Aileen, reaching for a warm roll. “You’ve been with your husband the longest. So, do tell.”

“Hells bells,” muttered Brigid her face turning red.

Fiona waved her hands about to stop the conversation. Reaching for the jug, she prayed it was water and not ale. Relieved to see it was, she poured a hefty amount and drank it down quickly.

“It doesn’t,” answered Brigid. “All…the…time. The castle is a great hiding ground full of secret passageways, so feel free to roam everywhere.”

“Really?” Aileen gave Brigid a queer look, and Fiona cupped her hand over her mouth to squelch another hysterical outburst.

Brigid laughed. “You and Stephen are nature lovers, so I don’t believe you’ve taken the time to…
explore
.”

Aileen stepped forward. “And you’re not?” She tapped a finger to her mouth in thought. “There was that time when Stephen and I ran into you both several miles from the castle, emerging from a secluded place and looking very much disheveled.”

“Disheveled? You’ve been listening to your husband’s vocabulary.” Brigid popped a piece of roll into her mouth and winked at Fiona.

Aileen placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes “At least I don’t go around saying
Lugh’s balls
. You’ve even mastered Duncan’s inflection.”

Fiona couldn’t contain it any longer. Her outburst exploded into fits of uncontrollable laughter. The two women looked at her as if she sprouted horns, especially when she started hiccupping. As they waited for her to gather her senses, Fiona stood. Hugging them both, she said, “Thank you. Nothing like a good dose of laughter to shake away the other…you know.”

“Your lust for Alastair? Your soon-to-be husband? Nothing wrong with those feelings, Fiona,” reassured Aileen.

Giving them both one last hug, she grabbed the gown off the chair. “This rose color is beautiful.”

“Go try it on, so we can see how much we need to take it in and alter the hem,” said Aileen. “Have you spoken with Cathal about your vows? What kind of ceremony do you and Alastair want?”

As Brigid helped her with untying her laces to try on the gown, Fiona hesitated. “We’ve decided to ask Kevan to officiate. He and Desmond are the only family here, and I want them to be a part of the ceremony. My only regret is that Niall and Brian won’t be here. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Are you crazy? Of course we don’t mind, right, Aileen?” Brigid’s eyes went wide.

Aileen nodded her head in agreement.

Brigid continued, “Besides, I love the idea of Kevan performing the ceremony. Have you asked him?”

“No. He’s been busy with Cathal.”

Brigid tossed her braid over her shoulder and began to relace Fiona’s dress.

“What are you doing?” Fiona asked holding her arms out as Brigid worked furiously.

Aileen let out a moan. “Oh no, I have come to anticipate that look very well over the past few months.”

“What look?” frowned Fiona.

“She is scheming up a plan,” answered Aileen, handing Fiona her shoes. “Her eye color actually changes to a darker green.”

Brigid rubbed her hands together in glee. “The perfect wedding present for you and Alastair. Though, I don’t believe he will consider it a good one, but what the heck. Hurry up and put on your shoes. We’ll go find Kevan and Cathal. If I’m correct, they’re down by the loch. Aileen and I have something else to work on.”

“And would you care to explain to me?” demanded Aileen.

Opening up the door, Brigid waved them out. “I will after we locate Kevan. You’re going to love it!”

As usual, Fiona had to keep up with the taller women and stumbled twice on the stone steps. Brigid kept muttering that it would be perfect and whispering to Aileen. If anything, they sure kept her busy. The doors to the castle were already opened and as they ran outside, they almost collided with the men coming in from the courtyard.

Duncan caught Brigid as Aileen slammed into her back. Fortunately, Fiona was able to sidestep out of their way and into Alastair’s arms.

“Happy to see us, wife?” Duncan nuzzled her ear.

“Always,” she beamed up at him. “But that’s not why we were running. Fiona needs to speak with Kevan. Did you see him by the loch?”

“Aye, we did see him and Cathal.” Alastair tipped Fiona’s chin up. “Speak to Kevan?”

Fiona stared into his eyes. “I would like him to perform our ceremony.”

He leaned close to her ear. “Good choice, my love. I shall take ye.”

“And I shall escort ye both,” drawled Desmond grinning at them both.

Alastair grumbled a curse, but still managed to smile at Fiona.

When the three of them had left, Duncan and Stephen turned toward their wives. “What are ye up to?” asked Duncan.

“I’m going to take a ride down along the loch to speak with the Great Dragon,” replied Brigid. “You may come along if you wish.”

“I am going to the faery well,” stated Aileen, squeezing her husband’s outstretched hand.

Duncan rolled his eyes. “For the love of Danu, why?”

“Did they not say they wanted to help and for us to always remember them? Well, I am going to them to ask a favor. It will be our wedding gift to Fiona and Alastair.”

Duncan ran a hand through his hair. “How can ye be so sure they will listen? Ye do ken that I will have to call forth the Great One.”

“Excuse me,” interjected Aileen. “I have been communicating with the Fae for months.”

Stephen shrugged when he saw the look his brother gave him. “It is true. Ye forget she has the gift.”

“Well, Brigid will need my help…”

“Nope,” she interrupted. “I’ve been speaking with her every month on the full moon.

Duncan threw up his hands. “We might as well leave Urquhart, since the women have taken over and no longer require our assistance.”

“You’re just now realizing this?” Shaking his head and chuckling, Stephen took hold of Aileen’s hand and led her to the stables.

Brigid wrapped her arms around Duncan, forcing him to look at her. “I will always require your assistance.”

Before he took her lips, he uttered softly, “Then let us go seek the Great Dragon,
my
leannan si
.”

Chapter Forty-Four

“To heal the wounded knight, the maiden had to use the greatest magic of all…love.”

Fiona’s hands trembled as she stood behind the doors of the great hall. Duncan and Stephen had escorted her down from her chamber telling her to wait for Desmond. Then they sealed her inside with only Merlin. Nervous and anxious to see Alastair made her giddy. She must have paced the large hall fifty times while Merlin trotted alongside her.

Twirling in her gown, she gasped, “This is my wedding day, Merlin. Can you believe it?”

Merlin gave a slight bark, and she ruffled the fur on his head.

Standing by the giant hearth, Fiona’s mind raced through the last few months. So much had happened. It would take a lifetime to thank the Guardian for entrusting her on this journey. One that led her to this very day. Rubbing her fingers over her bracelet, her thoughts turned to her parents. Her memories consisted of only flashes of images, but she imagined them standing here with her on this special day.

Glancing up, she whispered, “Walk with me as I make my journey to Alastair, Mom and Dad. He is a good man, and I love him with all my heart. I pray I have made you proud of the woman I have become.”

“They are verra proud,
Fee
.”

Merlin gave a low growl as Fiona turned around slowly, not believing her ears. Choking back a sob, she ran and flung herself into Niall’s outstretched arms.

“My Fee…I am so happy to see ye are well.”

“Do I get a hug, too?” Grinned Brian coming through the door.

“Brian,” she squeaked as she reached out to him.

“I can’t believe you’re both here,” she said as he crushed her to his chest. Laughing, she wiped away the tears of joy and then frowned. Stepping back, she looked at one and then the other. “I’m confused. When did you leave Eire?”

“This morning,” replied Niall giving her a lopsided smile.

Her eyes went wide. “What?
How
?”

“Hello, Fiona,” said Rory stepping around her brothers. “I brought them.”

“One hell of a trip, too. I believe I shall journey by ship and horse the next time,” said Brian, shuddering.

Fiona clasped Rory’s hands. “You used magic to bring my brothers to my wedding? How did you know I was getting married?”

“I suppose it had to do with the prayers of two very important women,” replied Rory.

“Oh my…” Fiona clutched a hand to her chest. “Brigid and Aileen.”

Rory’s eyes twinkled when he added, “One asked the permission of the Great Dragon and the other from the Fae. Their requests were immediately granted and I was called forth. It is their wedding gift to you and Alastair.”

Grinning through her tears, Fiona looked at Desmond as he stepped through. “I fear Alastair will not be pleased at seeing all my brothers.”

“It is not true, Fiona,” stated Niall placing an arm around her shoulder. “He felt your family should be here with ye on this glorious day.”

“You’ve spoken with Alastair?” gasped Fiona.

“Aye. We met early this morn. He asked my permission to marry ye. In truth, he sought permission from the three of us.”