Highland Vampire (20 page)

Wandering more slowly, Maev began to meander through the thick trees, hardly caring if she became lost. She stayed outside for hours, resting only for brief intervals before resuming her journey. Yet by midafternoon she was forced to admit that no matter how far she walked, she could not run from the truth.

With a scream of frustration, Maev sat down on a flat rock and cradled her head in her hands. She felt a stinging pressure behind her nose and the threat of unwanted tears in her eyes. She did not understand herself. She did not understand the emotion that moved so strongly beneath the mass of hopelessness that filled her being.

Was it love? Was it possible that deep within her soul she still loved Callum, even though he had become something that terrified her? And most important of all, did she truly wish to be bound in intimacy to such a creature?

Weary and miserable, Maev tucked her legs beneath her and stretched her torso forward into a shaft of sunlight, letting the warmth bathe her face. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds around her—the drone of bees, the rustle of leaves, the warbling trill of a bird calling to its mate.

Half-drowsing like a cat, Maev gradually succumbed to a light sleep. When she awoke a few hours later, her senses and emotions felt numb and dulled. But she knew there would be no relief from this melancholy until she spoke with Callum.

Squaring her shoulders, she began a determined march toward the tower.

Maev's hand trembled a little as she pushed open the door, but surprisingly the weight from her chest seemed to ease and she suddenly felt a sense of peaceful relief as she entered the room.

"Ye waited for me," she said as the sight of him sitting before the fire sent a blaze of feeling through her entire body.

"There was little choice," Callum declared bitterly. "Even though ye stared at me as if ye were face to face with a venomous snake that was poised to strike, I couldna leave until the sun set."

Maev lowered her head. A growing weight of guilt pressed on her from all sides. Though she had not meant to, she had hurt him. "Ye look and sound and feel the same as ye did when ye walked the earth as a man. Yet ye canna tolerate the warmth of the sun on yer face and must consume the… the blood of the living to survive. What else is different?"

"I have the strength of twenty men, my face and body will never age, and if I receive a wound of any type, it heals in a few hours or less." Callum set his back to the fire and stared at her. "The more powerful immortals can summon thunderstorms, enslave a human with a single glance, and transform themselves from a human form to animal and then back to human."

Maev's lashes flew up. "An animal?"

Callum shrugged. "Bats usually, but some become wolves or even rats."

"Have ye ever…" Maev's voice trailed off.

"No. I have no interest in learning these things. I can keep the essence of myself the same as it was in my mortal life, and that is what I shall do. I was told that I can even learn to master my craving for blood, though I shall always need it to survive. But it is not necessary for me to kill each time I feed, and the blood of animals provides me with sufficient nourishment. I dinna and willna attack humans."

Maev took a deep breath to stop her knees from shaking. He spoke so casually of these things. "Is there no way to reverse this curse? Perhaps a priest can give ye aid?"

Callum's expression darkened. "I am beyond the help of man or God."

Maev choked back her pity. "Ye will live forever in this state? There is no way to destroy an immortal?"

"A stake of wood or silver through the heart, beheading, or direct exposure to sunlight will kill us." Callum ran a hand through his dark mane of hair until it stood on end. "Are ye thinking ye might have need to defend yerself from me?"

The void that stretched between them had never seemed wider, yet Maev felt the tender love in her heart struggle to narrow it. "I know ye could never harm me, Callum McGinnis, no matter what manner of creature ye have become."

As she spoke the words, Maev knew they were the truth.

Her hand reached out blindly, her fingers curled around his. The touch made Callum tense visibly, as if the contact sent a shock through his body. But Maev remained calm. She knew this was a time when they must give each other strength.

"Oh, Callum," she said softly, drawing herself tightly against him. "I am so sorry for what ye have suffered, my love."

He pressed his lips to her temple. "I'm sorry for what we both have suffered, what we both have lost."

"All I ever wanted was to share my life with ye. I wanted to make ye happy and proud, I wanted to be the mother of yer children. I wanted ye to love me as much as I loved ye." Maev took a deep breath. "Tell me, is that still possible?"

Tenderly he brushed a curl from her cheek. "I'm not certain about the children, but as for the rest, yes, 'tis possible."

"How? Must I, too, become an immortal?"

"No. You can remain as ye are." Callum glanced questioningly at her. "
I
have already found a place for us to live, where we can be private and undisturbed and shut out the world."

"Is it far from here?"

"Not too far. 'Tis up in the hills, a true Highland fortress. I canna live permanently more than a hundred miles from the place of my birth unless I bring along at least a pound of the soil. This place can become our sanctuary, yet will allow us to remain in the Highlands."

"What of those who live there now? Will they not be suspicious of us?"

"Suspicious? Why, because I can turn myself into a bat?" Callum's smile was narrow and swift.

Maev joined him in a small chuckle, her cheeks tinted pink with amusement. "'Tis hardly a joking matter," she admonished.

Callum's expression dutifully grew solemn. "Those who inhabit these rugged mountains are a different breed. A few are outlaws and brigands, but most are decent folk who have lost their homes through a dispute with a clan member or overlord and seek only peace and refuge. They keep to themselves, and dinna show much interest in the business of others."

"Like us," Maev said, then she laughed, realizing that she and Callum were not at all like any other couple. Yet somehow it did not seem to matter, as long as they were together.

"I've brought horses for us to ride and two extra to carry yer belongings. We can leave the moment the sun begins to set." He cast her a smile that was tense and tight. "Will ye come with me, lass? Will ye share my fete and at long last be my wife?"

"Aye." Maev loosened a shaken sigh. "I have no reason to stay and no regrets at leaving my tower prison. It will take but an hour for me to be ready."

The journey took most of the night. At first it was frightening riding in the dark through an unfamiliar place, but Callum confidently led the way and Maev's nerves eased. With the high mountains looming on the right, they crossed a dozen or more streams until they reached a small, narrow loch shaped like a tree limb. Reed beds lined the shore, and as they came around the bend, Maev spotted a trio of fishermen's huts.

Rugged hillsides rose up like fists on every side of the lock, and the heady scent of heather permeated the air. They followed the shoreline for many miles, then slipped through a small, narrow cavern and emerged on the other side.

In the distance a fox yipped and was answered by another, but Maev paid it no heed. Her eyes were fixed toward the stone structure that was perched on the edge of the hill. It resembled a small fortress, with a wooden stockade wall and battlements protecting it.

Though built on a much smaller scale than the castle that housed the McGinnis Clan, it appeared to have everything necessary to be self-sufficient, including a gristmill, a forge, and even a brew-house. Maev was surprised to see that the yard within the walls boasted an impressive vegetable garden on one side and stock pens filled with a few sheep and cattle on the other.

A dry moat mined with sharpened sticks encircled the defenses, with an open drawbridge crossing the man-made ravine that defended it. It was eerie and ominous, yet obviously effective, for the one element lacking in this impressive establishment was people.

Strangely, the property did not have an air of abandonment. All the buildings seemed in good repair, rising off stone foundations with neatly whitewashed wooden walls and thatched roofs. The animals bleated noisily and rustled in their pens, cutting through the stillness of the night.

For a moment it felt odd to be in such a large place without anyone else around, but years of living with only her mother for company had taught Maev to appreciate the silence. Once the horses were fed and stabled, Maev and Callum entered the manor house. Inside the keep, Callum led the way to the master tower, climbing the stone steps to the first two rooms.

"These are to be our chambers," he announced. "I hope ye are pleased with the furnishings."

Maev stepped forward and her feet sank into the lush carpet that covered a large section of the floor. She gazed in wonderment at the luxurious appointments of the room. There were rich tapestries covering the walls, cushioned furnishings, several string lutes hanging near the tapestries, and a game table with elegantly carved chess figures of ivory set out on the board.

After the years of living in her stark, tower prison, Maev wondered if she would ever become accustomed to such spacious luxury. Callum lit several of the large wall torches, and Maev went through the archway into the second chamber.

She stopped instantly, her eyes riveted to the enormous bed that took up an entire wall. It was wide enough for six people and set so high off the floor there were wooden steps beside it. Green velvet curtains hung from the corner posts, and there were rings attached so that the curtains could be drawn about the bed to envelop those inside in total privacy.

Maev realized it would also provide protection from drafts. And keep out even the tiniest hint of sunlight.

"Where did ye get all these beautiful things?" Maev asked with awe as Callum set down her baggage.

He bent toward her and murmured into her ear, "There are few benefits of my situation, but this is one of them. We will never want for material comforts in the human world."

"Ye did all this yerself? Without the aid of servants?"

"I have an arrangement with several of the villagers. They work here on occasion in exchange for goods, mostly food and ale. But at night they return to their homes."

Maev's eyes widened in surprised. "If they are working in the daytime, how can ye communicate with them and give them instructions?"

"The rain." Callum made a satisfied sound. "The other beauty of this Highland retreat is that there are far more wet days than sunny ones. I have found that if I am careful, I can be out-of-doors for short periods of time when the clouds are thick and the rain falls steadily."

Callum lit the large square candle that rested in a brass stand, further illuminating the bedchamber. A massive wardrobe stood across from the great bed. Maev began unpacking her clothes, making use of nearly all the hooks inside the wardrobe. She had been reluctant to take the many lovely gowns she had sewn with her mother in happier times, but now Maev was glad that Callum had insisted she bring them. They fit in well with her new, lovely surroundings.

Just as she was putting away the last of her garments, Callum returned to the chamber, carrying a matching basin and jug filled with warm water and a tray holding ale, goblets, a thick, dark bread, and cheese. After a quick wash, Maev set out to do justice to the simple fare, consuming every last morsel.

Callum watched her with amusement twinkling in his eyes, and she noted he ate nothing and drank sparingly. When the meal had ended, she became acutely aware of the man seated across from her.

His masculine presence seemed to fill the room, dominating the very air Maev breathed. Her pulses raced, her heart began to pound, and it seemed as if the strength of his body reached out to embrace her.

He held out his hand. "Come to me."

It was a lover's request, and the look he gave her made her feel as if her bones were melting. He opened his thighs, and she stepped willingly between them. Then his arms slowly tightened until every inch of their bodies touched.

Their gazes held for a long moment. "I can scarcely believe I am here with ye," Maev whispered.

"Aye. There were times I thought I'd eat myself alive with wanting for ye, Maev McGinnis. Are ye finally ready to become my wife?"

"More than ready," she replied.

Callum's mouth came down on hers with an aching tenderness. Maev pressed herself closer as his hot, hungry lips sent tiny tremors through her. Callum parted her lips with the tip of his tongue and thrust inside with slow, insistent strokes.

He tasted her, devoured her, and she responded in kind.

"Ye canna know how much I need ye, Maev." His voice was a raw plea that spoke of years of need and years of denial.

Maev's hands came up to glide over his chest, and he lifted her in one strong movement, settling her in his lap. She felt the hot, teasing lick of his tongue against her neck, and her nipples peaked of their own volition. The feeling of excitement that rose up inside her was so strong it felt as if she were being carried along on a tidal wave.

His hand worked quickly at the laces of her gown, and Maev soon felt a draft of air across her chest as Callum pulled the garment free of her upper torso.

"My beautiful Maev," he whispered, stroking the lush roundness.

Maev cried out when Callum lowered his mouth to suckle at her breast, his tongue tormenting her with slow, steady strokes. At the same time, his hand reached down to touch the softness between her thighs. A great shudder ran through Maev as the heat from his hand seeped into her body.

Maev shifted restlessly on his lap, briefly shutting her eyes. It was almost too much. Callum's lips worshipped her; his hands drove the longing inside her to a fever pitch.

"Straddle me," Callum whispered before nipping at the sensitive flesh of her exposed neck.

Maev licked her lips in anticipation, then opened her thighs and slid her knees on either side of his hips.