Highlander's Caress: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 2) (16 page)

The door squeaked open and Ivor eyed him from the doorway. “Is all well?”

“Aye. We’ll leave at dusk. Rest as you can, but keep a close eye on all outside as well.”

“Wait a moment, Ivor.” Ella laid slivers of beef on a thick slice of bread, added cheese and a handful of nuts to the side of the plate then handed it to his man along with a drink. “If you need more, return and help yourself. My grandma thrives on keeper her larder full of food, always has plenty for those who might visit.”

“Thank you, my lady.” With a quick bow to her and then to Marie, he slipped outside with his food and shut the door behind himself.

Ella squeezed Duncan’s shoulder as she sat, then nudged his tankard closer. “Drink.”

A compelled command and he sipped his mulled cider, the delectable brew sliding down his parched throat. He licked his lips, the drink both apple-sweet and cinnamon-spicy, but there was something else.”

“’Tis delicious, dinnae you think?” Under the table, Ella stroked his leg, her fingers sliding around his inner thigh and moving perilously close to his cock which once again ached for more of her touch. “Grandma adds a secret ingredient to the apple cider, one I’m afraid she’ll never spill the details about, although Mama knows exactly how to make it too. Unfortunately, I’ve never learnt.”

“Then your kin will need to visit us at Ardan House and ensure the barrels are filled with this brew.”

“They’d like that.” Smiling, she looked deeper into his eyes.

“We certainly would.” Ewen rose from his rocking chair and settled on the bench seat next to Marie. He slathered a crusty slice of bread with honey and folded it in two, his curious gaze on him. “Tell us all about yourself, yet only speak the secrets you truly wish to.”

“My twin brother and I both hold fae blood.” The words passed his lips easily.

“You can trust us, son, just as you trust your mate. No’ a word you speak of this day shall leave our lips.” A firm from Ewen.

Son? The term rang with endearment, one his father had never even issued with him.

“My mother’s name was Beth and many years ago she journeyed from the fae village to my father’s keep.” He’d share it all. “At the time Colin MacKenzie desired fae blood flowing within his direct line, but with his betrothal agreement already signed with the daughter of his neighboring clan’s chief, his hope to fulfil that desire remained beyond his reach. Or at least until he caught sight of Beth and chose a rather devious path. He spoke handfast vows with her then once she’d conceived, he had her locked within his chamber and none permitted entry other than one single maid.”

Ella leaned into his side, rubbed her cheek against his arm.

He slid his dirk free, cut two slices from the loaf and laid them on their plate. After adding meat and cheese to each slice, he lifted one to Ella’s lips and ensured she took a bite. Looking into her eyes, he murmured, “I wish my mother had never perished in order to give Coll and I life, wish she’d been there to raise us, to teach us all about our Matheson kin, but that was never to be.”

“She might no’ have been given that chance, but her spirit still lives on in you and Coll, and now we’re wed, I will surely be here to teach you all you wish to know about your Matheson kin. My grandparents will too. Mama and Ethan as well. You need never be alone again.”

“I dinnae know what I did to deserve you.” Cupping her cheek, he pressed a kiss to her lips.

“You’re my husband, my mate.” She smiled, the gold flecks rimming her brown eyes lighting with such stunning brilliance. “The only one who’ll ever hold the other half of my soul.”

“I wish to wed you proper.”

“I wouldnae mind that either.” Her grin widened.

“Here, here,” Ewen cheered and Marie clapped. “Duncan, you and your brother are our kin. Never forget that.”

“Thank you.” Their welcome was one he embraced with all his heart.

“You’re supposed to be resting so we can leave once you have.” At the edge of the meadow where the late afternoon sunshine beamed through the leaves and sprinkled over the ground, Ella unpegged the clothes from the line.

“I thought we agreed I would, provided you laid down with me.” Duncan’s billowy white tunic, untucked under his tan leather vest studded with steel, lifted in the brisk breeze and gave a delicious glimpse of the twin lines of roped muscle rippling either side of his abs. She wanted to run her hands over his exposed flesh then loosen the ties of his tan rawhide pants which clung to his trim hips and shimmy them down his legs.

Instead, she sighed and continued unpegging the clothes. “You’ll never get any rest if I join you in bed. Once I’ve brought Grandma’s washing in, I’ll take a nap in their chamber since I could still use a little more sleep.”

“I’m a man starved for his wife. Have mercy on me.” He caught her around the waist, lifted her off her feet and held her flush against him, her toes dangling an inch from the ground.

“Put me down, Duncan.” Giggling, she swatted his arm. “And I believe I quenched your thirst upon your arrival.”

“You didnae quench it nearly enough for my liking.” He twirled her around behind the closest tree then pressed her against the wide trunk and thankfully out of sight of Ivor patrolling the far side of the meadow. Leaning in, he caged her in place, his palms lying flat against the rough bark either side of her head. “I’m in love with my wife, want her with a desperate desire that willnae be abated.”

“I’m in love with you too, but I need you to be at your clearest of mind as we travel to Dunscaith. Only adequate rest will ensure that.” She jabbed a finger into his chest, tried to give him her sternest look but only failed terribly. “Sheer exhaustion isnae permitted.”

“Sheer exhaustion sounds divine, particularly if offered at your hands.” Sweetly sensual words whispered in her ear, his breath fluttering strands of her loose hair.

“Goodness, what am I going to do with you?” She snuck her fingers under the flapping hem of his tunic and stroked over his sides.

“Keep touching me and we’ll see.” He stroked one finger along the low neckline of her gown.

“All I want to do is keep you close.” She played with one of his pant ties while overhead, a bird squawked then landed in the canopy and hopped into its nest. All around her the scents of the forest swirled, bringing with it the fresh aroma of pine mixed with the dampness of the earth, although Duncan’s deliciously warm and spicy scent stamped itself over it all.

“I will always long for you, Ella.” His deep voice rumbled with hunger, his blue eyes darkening with lust.

She melted against him, her legs all wobbly. All she wanted to do was rip his clothes from him and topple him to the forest floor. “You’ve stolen my heart, Duncan MacKenzie, and I never wish for you to hand it back.”

“You have mine as well.” Breathing raggedly, he brushed her cheeks with the backs of his hands. “Do you want me right now, the same way I want you?”

“Aye, but we arenae alone out here. Ivor is close.” She rubbed against the heat of his formidably muscled body. Never could she ever deny him what he truly wished for, and right now that appeared to be her.

“There is naught more precious than this mated bond and the depth it grows between us.” He bent his head, trailed kisses along her jaw then when he reached her ear, sucked her lobe into his mouth.

“Well, well, who do we have here?” In a black war coat glinting with studded steel, Gavin MacDonald stepped out from behind a tree. Heavily armed and fully prepared for battle, his claymore sat snugly in his fisted hand while daggers shone from both his wrists. “You spoke of a bond, MacKenzie, the mated bond of the fae I take it? Only how is it such a bond could have formed between the two of you. She’s a Matheson and you’re a MacKenzie.”

“How one formed is of no concern of yours.” Growling under his breath, Duncan left her behind and advanced on Gavin.

“Yet I am intrigued all the same.” Gavin charged forward and Duncan slid his sword free and thrust high. Their two blades crashed together, steel slamming hard into steel and the resounding clang echoed all around. “Did you come by way of it through your mother’s line or your father’s line, I wonder?”

“Again, ’tis of no concern of yours.”

Across the meadow the roar of two warriors meeting head on boomed toward Ella and she ducked around the tree and clutched her chest. Ivor swung his sword at another MacDonald and the chickens roaming freely near the henhouse squawked and flapped out of the way.

Nay. She had to halt this fight right—

“You’re coming with me.” A hand clamped around her mouth and one of Gavin’s men hauled her farther away from Duncan and shoved her up against a trunk. Her head hit hard and black dots hazed her vision. She fought to clear her muddled thoughts. She had to get Duncan’s attention, and she definitely needed to free herself, use her voice to halt this coming battle. Never would she allow blood to be shed here this day.

“My men and I will dispatch both you and your guardsman.” Gavin spat at Duncan’s feet then slashed again, the two men barely visible through the trees. “Then I’ll gather an even larger fighting force and sail for Ardan House. I shall take your holding for myself since you willnae be there to halt me.”

“You go too far.” Duncan twirled as another of Gavin’s warriors bounded out and came in on the other side of him. The three fought, Duncan meeting first Gavin’s blow then swinging at the other warrior.

Her captor dragged her ever deeper into the woods and away. She thrashed and tried to scream, but her shout was naught more than a feeble mumble against his meaty palm.

A fierce roar reverberated and she just caught a glimpse of Ivor jumping over low scrub and skidding in beside Duncan before she was hauled behind several thick bushes. At least her mate now had aid.

“Ella!” Duncan’s bellow cut through the forest and sent birds cackling and soaring high into the sky.

She tried to call out, to fight the thug who’d taken her, but he pinned her to the ground and dropped down on top of her. His fetid breath washed over her, his hand still firm on her mouth as he flipped her skirts. He freed his cock from his pants, grasped his stiff shaft and she writhed, tried desperately to kick him where it ought to hurt.

“Get off my wife.” A blood-curdling battle cry ricocheted all around and Duncan slammed his blade into the warrior. Blood sprayed and the man toppled off her.

“Ella, did he hurt you?” Duncan swept her to her feet and into his arms, the man unmoving on the ground.

“I’m fine. You arrived in time.” She dragged in a deep breath. “Go and aid Ivor.”

“No’ without you.” He tossed her over one shoulder and ran back with her toward the raging battle.

“Watch out.” Ethan bounded down the trail and head down, plowed into another of Gavin’s men flying toward them with his blade raised high. Ethan and the man crashed to the ground and blood spurted, Ethan’s dagger embedded deep within the warrior’s gut.

“Ethan.” She scrambled out of Duncan’s hold and grasped Ethan’s shoulders, his pants slashed down one leg. “We have to stop Gavin.”

“Aye, and right this moment.”

“You remain here, Ethan. I’ll return to the fight. Look after my wife.” Duncan left her with her brother, surged toward the battling men and bounded into the battle.

* * * *

Duncan jumped the low brush and swung at Gavin as he and his warrior fought Ivor. He hadn’t wished to leave Ivor in such a predicament, but when he’d turned around and found Ella gone, he’d made chase after whoever had taken her. Never would she have run from a fight and he’d feared the worst, had barely gotten to her in time. The sight of that thug about to surge into her had made his fury soar, his strike a death blow.

Rocking from foot to foot, he caught Gavin’s next blow then ducked low, whipped his blade into Gavin’s side before striking another of Gavin’s warriors who jumped into the fray.

“Pin him between us.” Gavin grasped his side, the long cut in his heavily padded jerkin drawing blood as he snarled at his man. “We’ll slay MacKenzie where he stands. Three, two, one.”

Their blades descended.

Hell. Duncan spun, caught both well-timed blows above his head, his arms shaking as he held his position. Swiftly, he kicked Gavin off balance then swept his other leg out and toppled the other man. Both fell forward, their claymores sliding down each other’s and impaling the other’s chest. Blood gurgled from their mouths and Gavin’s eyes went wide before flickering shut as he slumped into a heap, his lifeblood flowing into the dirt.

Beside him, Ivor slammed his blade into the MacDonald warrior he fought, metal clanging, his strike so harsh it sent the man toppling sideways and he fell and hit his head on a protruding rock next to a thorny bush. Skin split open and blood sprayed, the hit far too deadly for it not to have taken his life.

“Oh goodness.” Ella clutched a hand to her mouth as Ethan crouched next to Gavin. He rolled him and the other slain warrior over, took one look at both men and shook his head at his sister.

“This is all my fault.” Ella dropped to her knees next to Ethan, her face turning white.

Ivor hunkered down beside the warrior he’d fought, held his palm to the man’s mouth and with a shake of his head, said, “He willnae rise, and neither shall the other warrior who attacked me across the meadow.” Ivor grimaced, grasped his side, blood oozing from a cut. “They intended our death this day. ’Twas either them or us.”

“Are you all right?” Duncan aided Ella to her feet with his hands around hers and shielded her with his body as he searched the surrounding tree line. “Ethan, are all the men traveling with Gavin accounted for?”

“Another warrior joined us on the trek here. There’s one miss—duck.” Ethan jumped to his feet, flung his dirk and sent it spinning end over end right toward him. Duncan dropped to the ground with Ella as the blade whizzed over their heads and
thunked
into another MacDonald warrior slinking out from the tree right behind them. The man’s raised blade clattered to the ground, Ethan’s dirk now buried deep between his eyes as he crumpled into a heap, death taking him swift and fast. “Aye, now all are accounted for,” Ethan muttered.

“What of you?” Ella swept her hands over Duncan. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, love.”

With no other MacDonalds in sight, he ran his hands over her body, touched the scrapes on her arms and her ripped sleeve. No other nicks or cuts. She remained clear of any injury, although needing a moment to calm his raging fear for her, he clutched her tight. He should never have let his guard down while on MacDonald land, no matter being within a stone’s throw of her grandparents’ cottage.

Ethan strode past them and looked over Ivor’s wound. “How bad is it?”

“I might need a few stitches, although I’ve suffered far worse than this afore. Are you certain we can expect no more men to suddenly appear?” Ivor searched through the trees.

“Very certain. I’m sorry I couldnae get here sooner to warn you all.” Ethan eyed Duncan. “Gavin caught sight of your galley sailing down the kyle and decided ’twas time for the hunter to become the hunted. I crossed the hills with him as he snuck after you, then when I realized his intent, that there was naught I could do to halt his desire for this battle, I fought him and he had me bound and gagged then tied high in a tree.”

“You arrived in time to aid us and for that I’m most grateful.” Gently, Duncan rubbed Ella’s back as he held her, his very soul demanding further retribution against the warrior who’d tried to hurt her, only the man had already paid with his life.

“We need to see to the burial of all those who’ve perished here this day.” Ethan touched Ella on the back and she slid out of Duncan’s hold and hugged her brother. Ethan whispered in her ear, “Tend to Ivor’s wound while Duncan and I dig a pit.”

“Of course.” Shaking, she stepped across to Ivor and the two left.

Duncan watched her as she walked across the meadow and disappeared inside the cottage. Once assured she remained safe within her grandparents’ home, he turned to Ethan. “I truly thank you for your timely arrival and aid in the battle.”

“I never wished for this fight. Certainly when the MacDonald learns of this battle and his nephew’s death, he’ll come after you.”

“I’ve no doubt the war between our clans is about to get a hell of a lot bloodier.” He gripped Ethan’s shoulder. “I’ll make things right. Never will I allow you, your sister or your grandparents to suffer any injustice because of what’s happened here this day.”

The reek of death now pervaded this place, as well as cast a heavy pall of darkness over them all. Aye, Gavin had paid with his life for his misdeeds, but so too would Duncan pay for the danger he’d brought down upon his wife’s head.

A danger he could never permit.

Above all else, Ella’s safety came first, no matter the cost to him.