Dragon Knight's Sword (17 page)

Suddenly, she frowned. “How do you know I need to rest? We can keep going.”

Duncan kept walking away from her, stirring her ire just a bit more. “Wait a minute. Where are we
going
?”

Without pausing to look back at her, he clipped, “I can hear ye moaning and grumbling about your legs.”

She looked mildly affronted, and then the anger took over. “Hey, mister! I’m sorry, I am not used to being on a horse for an extended period of time. You see in
my
time we have modes of transportation that travel quickly, and don’t require being on the back of a horse for hours or
days
at a time.” She stood watching as he kept walking away. “Damn it, Duncan Mackay!” He had now disappeared from her sight within the trees.

Half running and limping to catch up to him, she heard him give a low whistle and then saw Sorcha swoop down, landing on a small branch. He tossed out raw meat, which she instantly dove down and collected, disappearing back into the tree.

“Keep watch, Sorcha. Let me know of any riders,” he said.

Brigid tried not to laugh, but she had to admit it was ridiculous a falcon would be their watchful guard. “Putting faith in a bird to alert you of intruders? Can you tell me where we’ll be heading?”

Again, he ignored her questions and walked further within the trees.

“Bloody, dominating, medieval man,” she hissed, rubbing her thighs to ease the soreness.

He halted and raked a hand through his hair. “God’s teeth! Are ye ever quiet?”

Placing her hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Excuse me? Are you always so rude and obnoxious?”

Watching as he clenched his jaw, she actually jumped at the sound of thunder rolling nearby and yet, not a cloud in the sky. When he turned his back on her, she wanted to pitch something at him. Why did he stir such emotions in her? One moment, she wanted to kiss him, the other, she wanted to bash him over the head.

This time, she watched until he was completely out of sight. Leaning against a tree, she took in deep gulps of air and counted to ten. Taking one last deep breath, she pushed away from the tree and hoped he hadn’t left her too far behind. “Where in the blazes are you taking me, Duncan Mackay?”

****

Brigid entered a small glade nestled in among the trees. It was small, but the sun’s light filled the center. Wildflowers clumped in various sizes and colors carpeted the ground like a rainbow. The air was warm here considering it was late October, yet it held the scent of autumn with the golden hues of the leaves, which lent a presence of magic and serenity to the place. It reminded her of a faery glen, and against one of the trees, stood the most dangerous looking faery of all.

Letting out a deep breath, she noticed Duncan had placed a blanket and some food on the ground. The tension she felt earlier melted away and reaching her arms over her head, she arched her back, stretching out toward the sky. Perhaps, she did need some rest and food.

She glanced back at him. He stood with his back against a tree, arms across his chest, his form shadowed from the shade of the trees. He reminded her of one of those gods of nature, the silver of his torc glinting from the rays of the sun. There was a restless energy about him, and she felt his power touch her when a brush of wind swept past her. She had so many questions. It would be difficult not to probe or push, as was her nature. But what was she going to do?

Strength and courage she told herself. In her talks with Cathal, he told her she was chosen by the fae to right a wrong, but
how
? No one could answer
that
burning question.

Walking over to the blanket, she sat down with a sigh. Proceeding to tear off a piece of the bread, she took a swallow of ale to soften the hardness. What she would give for some water, she thought. It might be the thirteenth century, but surely, she could get a cup of water somewhere.

“Are you going to stand there and watch, or do you want some of this?”

The tall dark figure stepped from the shadows. “What are ye offering?”

Nearly sputtering on the ale, she watched as he stalked over to her. Clearly by the look in his eyes, he didn’t think she meant food. Before she realized it, he was next to her, cupping her chin. Ever so slowly, he took his tongue and lapped up the drop of ale on her mouth, his shadow of a beard grazing her lips.

Brigid inhaled sharply at the contact. Instantly, desire flared in places she wanted so badly for him to touch and taste.

Raising his mouth from hers, she gazed into his eyes. Confusion marred his features and his hands fisted to his knees. Seeing the fight within, she quickly made the decision for both of them. She was tired, so very tired of fighting against him. She would give herself freely to this man, this
stranger
from another time, her tarnished knight.

With her decision made, there was no turning back.

Gradually, she stood, looking at him. Goodness, he was so big even as he knelt before her. Taking her braid, she unbound the mass of curls, freeing them and letting them flow around her. Next, she removed her shirt, and after slipping out of her boots, she unbuttoned her jeans, trying to control the shaking in her hands. She watched in fascination at how his eyes traveled her every movement, now noticing his hands were clenched at his sides.

Stepping back to give him a better view, she unsnapped her bra in the front and slowly let her full breasts spill out. Hearing his sharp intake of breath, she glanced at her nipples, which were taut from the air and desire. A growl rumbled forth from Duncan, and she smiled.

“Take me, Duncan…you have haunted my dreams far too long.”

A long silence ensued, and she thought maybe he did not want her.

Snatching her hand, he grabbed her forward, his face right above her lace panties. She placed a shaky hand across the stubble of his cheek, causing a shudder to ripple through his body. “I have never known such beauty.” The burr of his voice sending shivers across her body.

Whispering low, she angled her head at him. “Do you not want me to remove these?” Her hand came to the edge of her panties to start pulling, but he stayed her hand with the touch of his lips, his breath hot and moist against her skin, and her legs trembled.

“Nae,” he growled. “Let me.”

His mouth nipped along her hip, and then he placed it on her soft center where her curls were nestled. Throwing her head back, she gasped in ecstasy, as his mouth kept sucking at her center. Finding her sensitive nub, he bit ever so slightly through the lace. Brigid let out a whimper and took hold of his head, running her fingers through his dark locks.

He slid his fingers inside the lace, delving into her folds. As he stroked and teased, his cock strained from her soft moans. With his teeth, Duncan ripped down the wet fabric, her musky scent filling his senses.

“
Pleeease
,” she pleaded, almost a cry.

Growling, he plunged his tongue into her wet core and suckled, teasing her with his mouth. Duncan moved his hands on her thighs to cup her bottom, laving her core fully.

The rasp of his beard and tongue was a powerful combination, and Brigid felt her world tilt, the pleasure building. His tongue stroked once, twice, and she shattered into a million glowing stars, feeling reborn from his touch.

Duncan stood and clasped his hands on either side of her face. “Bonny, bonny Brigid.” His last words were smothered as his lips covered hers hungrily. She opened to the feel of them, giving him all. His tongue demanding hers and the air she breathed. He tasted of her and his scent, a heady combination of lust. Brigid could feel his hardness on her stomach and yearning flared again within her. His rough hands were on her breasts, teasing and pinching her nipples.

Breaking from her lips he looked deep within her eyes, “I cannae hold back,
leannan
. I need ye,
now
.”

The look of raw passion in his eyes mirrored Brigid’s. She needed him hard and fast, too. Taking a hold of his hand, she brought him down with her onto the ground, opening up for him. His hand cupped her core, and she arched in sweet pleasure. Using his fingers, he stroked between her womanly folds and then took his cock and rubbed it against her.

“Duncan, take me now,” she growled.

A wicked smile curved his lips as he plunged deep into her, causing her to arch back to take all of him. It was flesh against flesh, man against woman. His lips brushed her nipples, and he took her harder and faster, sending Brigid racing with the storm. He grabbed one leg and pulled it up against him, pounding harder and she felt as if the wind was carrying them beyond time and space.

Duncan couldn’t hold back, her body was so soft and lush. Watching her heavy breasts bounce with each movement of his cock, he wanted to consume her. His body was on fire, and she was the water to quench its thirst.

Feeling her pleasure about to release, Duncan could no longer stay in control. He was so very tired of being in control, and he wanted nothing more than to release it all.

Her screams echoed in his mind first, and he fell over the cliff with her, smothering her mouth with his cry of release.

****

What was he thinking by bringing her to this magical place? Protection, aye, but it also called out to his primal animal self, wanting to strip her clothes and mark her as his own there on the ground. She had become his pagan sacrifice. His hand moved magically over her soft breast, slowly circling the taut nipple as she lay on her back in the crook of his arm. Just the slight touch with her leg wrapped around him made him hard again.

Feeling her shift around, he kept his eyes closed and grunted. Finally, she snuggled back against his body.

Her fingers moved across his chest. “I find your dark curls, oh so sexy,” and buried her face in them.

Opening his eyes, he had to fight the urge to slip her back under him. He wanted to hear the words from her lips. “Tell me what ye want, lass?”

“You,
again
,” she whispered.

Duncan stretched, displaying a fully erect cock, and placed his hands under his head. “I am all yours, Brigid.” His eyes held a playful gleam.

Arching her head and giving him her saucy smile, she straddled herself over him. Catching him off guard, she took him into herself in one swift movement.

He moaned. “Sweet Brigid.” Clasping her hips, he thrust up into her.

Duncan watched in pure pleasure as Brigid took control of his body, riding him up and down ever so slowly. She reminded him of some ethereal goddess with her mass of auburn curls streaming down her back, the sun casting a glow of copper throughout.

She was bewitching him.

Beads of sweat broke out on his brow as he tried to control his own seed from spilling too soon. He dipped his thumb to her center, taking her over the edge. The look of raw emotion on her face sent him into the abyss of pleasure, as he emptied himself to the last shudder.

The cool air swirled around them, as they lay wrapped in each other’s arms still trembling from their joining. Duncan placed a kiss on her temple, turning her onto her back.

“As much as I would love to taste more of ye, we must get to shelter before darkness.”

A small smile played at the corner of his mouth, and Brigid’s heart slammed into her chest. God, he was so handsome. If only he would truly smile for her.

Instantly, she realized how much she was needed here. “To right a wrong,” she whispered, brushing a lock of his hair away from his brow.

His hands stilled, and coldness flashed through his eyes. “What did ye say?”

“Duncan, I
know
of the curse.” Brigid went to grab for his hand, but in one swift move he was up and throwing his tunic over his head. Suddenly, the air cooled, and she grabbed the plaid to wrap around her. She stood, looking at him. His fists clenched as he swung around to face her, and she realized the cold Duncan was back.

“What of the curse do ye ken?” he asked sharply.

“All of it...including the part where you took that” —she pointed to the sword strapped across Brandubh— “and killed your
sister
.” Brigid thought she should trend carefully, but she was tired of walking on eggshells around this man. If there was any sense to make out of this, she needed to know
all
of the details. The fae had sent her through time with the sword to help, and by God, that is what she would do.

With eyes blazing with fury and thunder rumbling in the distance, he kept silent.

Stepping closer to him, she looked right into the storm of his eyes. “Tell me what happened that night.”

Thunder shook the ground around them as dark clouds blocked out the warmth and light of the sun, the wind whipping a mighty fury. Brigid knew of his powers, but she was not going to fear this man.

“Damn it, Duncan! Are you doing this?” she demanded, waiving her hand in the air.

“Aye,” he growled.

“Then we are at an impasse, Duncan. I will
not
go any further with you,
and
I will not relinquish the sword until you tell me about the night.” Poking her finger into his chest, she spat out, “I didn’t come eight hundred years from the future with that sword for nothing! Which, by the way, I haven’t figured out how in the hell I’m going to get back to my own time. That was one thing your Conn MacRoich forgot to mention in his brief parting instructions.”

The storm stopped as suddenly as it started, and a look of shock crossed over Duncan’s face. “Brigid, how do ye ken Conn MacRoich?” His voice was but a whisper.

“As I told Cathal, Conn was my guide in Scotland. It’s all very confusing, but apparently, according to Cathal, Conn is my Fenian warrior, the one who told me to bring the sword to you.” Reaching up, she placed her palm on his cheek. “My protector there, until I came here and found
you
.”

Suddenly, he grasped her hand, and she saw pain in his eyes.

Brigid was confused. “What is it, Duncan?”

“Conn MacRoich is a traveler between the realms. When ye finally do relinquish the sword to me, Brigid, he will come for ye, to take ye back to your time.”

Placing a soft kiss in her palm, he turned and walked away from her, leaving a stunned and speechless Brigid wondering how she could have felt so much joy and pain all in one afternoon.