Highlander the Dark Dragon (8 page)

Rhys stood. “Time is of the essence, Innis. Do not delay.” Rhys turned away, then turned back again. “And stay safe, Innis. This enemy we deal with is not so easily fooled.”

“And I am not a fool when it comes to such evil. I will send our warriors and we will defeat this evil before it can spread.”

The bell tolled, letting the village know that it was time to gather for the burial ceremony. Rhys turned to ask if Innis wished to attend before he took his leave, knowing what a close knit band his warriors were, but the man was already gone.

Rhys went to collect his wife from Douglas’s cottage and was not pleased when he saw her disheveled appearance and flushed face.

“I am needed here. I cannot leave,” Heather said worried for Douglas. She could not get his fever to fade no matter how hard she tried. And if she did not succeed soon, she would lose him and Bea would give birth to a fatherless child. That was something she refused to see happen, knowing how difficult it had been for her sisters growing up without their mother.

“You are my wife and expected to stand by my side and show respect for such a solemn occasion,” Rhys argued, thinking she was trying to do the impossible—save a warrior that could not be saved.

“Those brave warriors are already dead,” Heather said with tears in her eyes. “Douglass is not. Give me the chance to save him.”

How could he deny her the possibility of saving one of his warriors when they had lost too many already? Rhys reluctantly gave his nod of approval and took hold of his wife’s hand to draw her close to him. “Do what you can, but know that you cannot save them all.”

Heather pressed her cheek to his and whispered in his ear, “If I felt that powerless then I would not be able to save any of them, and I certainly would not be able to save the Dragon from himself.”

The villagers made their feelings known for Lady Heather as they filed passed the Dragon after the burial ceremony.

“It is a fine thing Lady Heather does, giving her help to the living while the dead are buried.”

“Lady Heather is a selfless woman.”

“God bless, Lady Heather.”

“She heals the sick and comforts the dying.”

“Lady Heather has a healing touch.”

One day and his wife had won the villagers hearts, would he ever win hers?

Rhys stood glancing down at the fresh graves long after the ceremony was over and the villagers had dispersed. He had much on his mind, mostly why his wife had thought she needed to save the Dragon from himself.

He was not sure what she had been alluding to and that troubled him even more. He harbored secrets he did not want anyone to ever uncover, since the knowledge could cost them their lives. And he would not lose his wife when he had just found her.

He recognized the footfalls that approached. They were light and slow, as if unsure as whether to approach him or not. He turned and stretched his hand out to his wife.

Heather hurried to take it. “Douglas is well, the fever broke. I came to pay my respects to the fallen warriors and to thank you for letting me stay and tend Douglas. I am pleased to have such a thoughtful husband.”

Thoughtful?
He was far from thoughtful and how could she ever be pleased to have him as a husband? He was not what she thought him to be and yet he felt a spark to his heart, a small sliver of something he had thought he would never feel again. Had his wife actually penetrated his icy heart?

Heather took his hand and stepped close, resting her tired body against his, wrapping her arm around his waist, and laying her head against his chest. She smiled when she felt his arms circle her and hold her tight. And she could not help but think that embraced in his arms like this made her feel as if she had finally come home. A strange feeling while being held by the Dragon, but one she could not ignore.

“I am glad Douglas does well. He is a fine warrior.”

“And will make a fine da,” Heather said, thinking what a comfortable pillow her husband’s chest made. She smiled to herself. In just a day’s time, she found the Dragon’s chest more to her liking than she would have ever imagined possible.

Rhys cherished this moment with his wife. The comfort of their embrace had joined them more deeply than coupling ever could. They clung to each other as if neither wished to let go, as if they had just found each other and would never, ever part.

“My lord.”

Rhys and Heather turned reluctantly, both wishing the moment was theirs alone yet to savor.

“I am sorry to disturb you, my lord,” Pitt said, “but there is news of Greer McLaud.”

Rhys nodded and looked at his wife, as he made ready to step away from her.

Heather grabbed his arm and moved closer to him, making it clear she intended to remain by his side. “You cannot mean to order me away when this news concerns my family.”

“Considering what your curiosity had you doing in regards to the fallen warriors, I can only assume what it would have you do where your family is concerned. So, I will allow you to hear the news, but I will have your word that you will not let your inquisitive nature interfere,” Rhys said.

“I may be curious but I am not foolish,” Heather said.

“Curiosity and foolishness often go hand in hand.” He turned to Pitt, letting his wife savor his words and pay heed to them. “What of Greer McLaud?”

“Greer has received word of his wife’s death and is on his way to Macinnes keep with a sizeable troop.”

“His land is a distance away to learn the news so fast. Something is not right,” Heather said.

“And Hew McDolan?” Rhys asked.

“It will not long before he and his warriors arrive at Macinnes keep,” Pitt said. “And Rab McLaud rides with him.”

“He is coming for his wife Saundra,” Heather said worry wrinkling her brow.

“And your family will have no choice but to return her to her husband,” Pitt was quick to advise.

Heather squeezed her husband’s arm. “We must do something. Rab means to see his wife dead. Something I doubt Hew McDolan knows. Perhaps there is another place where Saundra could hide?”

“If McLaud has eyes on the keep, it will not matter,” Rhys said. “McDolan is no fool. He probably sent someone ahead to see what he could find out.”

“That is good.” Heather said. “Then he will learn of our union and know he will face more than just the Clan Macinnes.”

“Our union has no bearing on this matter,” Rhys said. “A wife cannot be kept from her husband. Saundra will have no choice but to return to her husband.”

“How do we simply hand her over to a man who means to kill her?” Heather argued her concern growing and not only for Saundra. “Patience will never agree to return Saundra to her husband.”

“That refusal coupled with Greer’s wife being found dead on Macinnes land will surely start a war,” Pitt said.

“Send two trackers out and see what they can find out,” Rhys ordered.

Pitt appeared ready to speak, but hesitated.

“I will have a few moments alone with Pitt,” Rhys said to his wife. “And do not bother to argue. I have been more than generous in granting your numerous requests.”

She could not argue when he was right. She bobbed her head and stepped far enough away where she could not hear their conversation, though she wished she could. Pitt no doubt spoke to Rhys about their current enemy, a mysterious foe with far too many similarities to the ghost warriors. It had her more than curious.

Rhys approached her as Pitt went off to do his bidding.

His expression was stern and Heather could tell his thoughts were heavy and rightfully so.

Heather took hold of his arm, an instinctive action, she gave no thought to, but Rhys did. Any fear she had of him was rapidly dwindling and he wondered why. Was she simply accepting her fate and forcing herself to tolerate him or was she truly at ease with him?

“Do you often wear peasant garments,” Rhys asked as they walked toward the village.

Heather took no offense to his remark, turning a smile on him. “Tending to the ill, seeing to the running of a keep, and tending a garden are all best served in peasant garments.”

“My home has two healers and servants tend the gardens, peasant garments will not be necessary for the running of the keep. I will see that you have fine garments to wear.”

Heather chuckled softly. “Fine garments will not keep me out of the garden or lending a hand to the healers. Besides, these garments suit me better than any other.”

“They do not suit me and it appears that you need constant reminding that my word is law.”

Heather stopped walking, forcing Rhys to do the same.

“I was frightened enough when I was abducted and you cannot imagine how my fear escalated when I found out that the infamous Dark Dragon had ordered my abduction. My fear soared beyond reason when my father told me he had given me in marriage to you. And when I met you for the first time and had to take my leave with you, I thought my legs would fail me.”

“I well remember, since I all but carried you from your keep.”

“In barely two days’ time, and to my utter surprise, I find fear has been replaced, somewhat, with curiosity. The Dragon may spit fire on occasion, but his nature is not evil as most believe.”

Rhys brought his face close to hers. “Do you not know that evil lies hidden until ready to strike?”

Heather rested her hand to his chest. “I do not believe evil resides in you.”

Rhys placed his hand over hers. “Trust me, wife, when I tell you that evil is there and warn you to be wary that one day it does not strike at you.”

Heather smiled and tugged him along as she started walking again. “Evil cannot touch a faithful soul, so I have no worry.”

This time Rhys stopped, though abruptly and yanked her up against. “Evil can take the most faithful soul and rip it apart before it destroys it completely. No amount of faith can survive against pure evil.”

Heather felt a tug at her heart. She did not know when or how it had happened, but Rhys had obviously suffered at the hands of someone vile. She wished somehow she could ease his pain, his memories that no doubt haunt him. So she did what instinct urged her to do— she kissed him.

Her kiss felt like a rope being tossed to a drowning man. Only it was not the sea, she was rescuing him from, but the horrendous darkness that forever consumed him. And he could not stop himself from holding on tight and not letting go.

Her lips were strong, demanding, and full of passion, but then Heather had a passion like no other. She had a passion for everything and it was contagious, drawing you in, making you want to smile even when you had no reason to, and making you believe she could save you from the devil himself.

Rhys felt the grip to his heart, the kick to his gut and he reached up, grabbed the hair at the back of her head and yanked her head back, reluctantly breaking the kiss. “Are you ready to sink into the darkness with me?”

She winced from the pain of his grip and once again rested her hand against his chest. “Are you ready for me to pull you from the dark?”

“You haven’t the strength,” he said, wishing differently.

“Perhaps, but I can try.”

“And if you fail?”

“Then the Dragon will not be alone in the darkness anymore.”

Rhys brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her with a fierceness that ran a shiver of fear through her. She could taste his ferocious hunger and she worried it could never be satiated.

He tore his mouth away from hers. “You quake in my arms from a mere kiss. What will you do when I plant myself inside you and ride you endlessly?”

The thought frightened and excited her at the same time and she wondered if she was already slipping into the darkness with him. “I do not know, for I have never lain with a man.”

“And no other will ever touch you but me,” he said and softened the grip at the back of her head as he kissed her again, his hunger tempered. He ended the kiss abruptly again and turned his head. “You better pray this interruption is important.”

Heather looked to see Pitt standing there. She had not heard him approach, but then she had been too occupied with his kiss to hear anything.

“Your uncle awaits you in the Great Hall.”

“I will be there shortly,” Rhys said and turned to his wife.

She slipped out of his arms. “We must hurry. We do not want to keep your uncle waiting and I am eager to hear news of my family.” A strong tug to her arm stopped her abruptly.

“He is not here to see you.”

“But surely he will expect to see me if only to share news of my family. You would not deprive me of that, would you?”

“What possible news could there be with you gone barely two days?”

“There is my da’s illness and Emma’s pregnancy and with Patience’s impatience there is no telling what she has gotten herself into. And there is the summer harvest that needs to be prepared for winter and—”

“Enough!” Rhys said with his hand raised. “I will grant you a few moments with him and then you will leave us.”

He started walking and she hurried to keep step with him.

~~~

Rhys spotted the look of relief on his Uncle Ewan’s face when he saw Heather. This was more than a visit to speak with his nephew. It was to see how Heather was faring.

“It is good to see you looking well, Heather,” Ewan said, having stood as the couple approached the table.

“I am quite well, thank you, and adapting nicely to my marriage,” Heather said with a smile. She was aware that Ewan would report all he saw to her sisters and she did not want them worrying about her. There were far too many other important things to concern themselves with.

“Your sisters send their regards and hope to visit soon,” Ewan said with a glance to his nephew.

But it was Heather who answered. “Please tell them I look forward to their visit and will send an invite as soon as I settle in here.”

Rhys admired his wife’s intelligence and love for her family. She made it clear that her sisters were not to visit until she sent word and she did that not to obey his command, but to protect her family. She no doubt feared they could possibly be attacked as she had been on her journey here.

“I am sure they will be pleased to hear that,” Ewan said, the news seeming to please him as well.

“Please sit and tell me how my father is faring and how my sister Emma is feeling.” Heather summoned Nessa with a wave and instructed that more food and drink be brought. “And how is Patience.”

That brought a laugh from Ewan. “She prepares to rescue you if necessary.”

Heather smiled. “She would do that, but then I would do the same for her. Please make it clear that I am not in need of rescuing and that I am quite safe with my husband.”

“That will be a message I will gladly deliver,” Ewan said.

Conversation flowed as easily and steadily as the wine and after Heather learned what she wished about her family, she stood. “I will leave you gentlemen now so that you may discuss the matters of men. I am also pleased that my husband will be able to deliver an important message for my family to you in person instead of sending a messenger. Do take care, and I am sure we will see each other again soon.”

“They say Emma is the most intelligent of the three Macinnes sisters, but I believe it is Heather,” Ewan said as he watched her leave the room.

“Is that because you are just realizing she got more information out of you than you intended to share?” Rhys said a smile stirring, though it did not reach his lips.

“And that she made certain I know that she was well aware of this important news.” Ewan turned to his nephew. “Does this mean you trust her enough to tell her who attacked your troop on the way here?”

“You received my message.”

“I did and I did not share it with anyone as you ordered. Did you tell her?”

Rhys shook his head. “There is enough for her to think on. I will not burden her further.”

“Heather is a strong woman and would not shy away from burdens.”