The Bewitching Twin (15 page)

“Do not be long. I miss you.”

Aliss was glad when he blew out the candle on the small table beside the bed. The only light now was from the fire in the hearth, which granted her a modicum of solitude in her dark little niche at the window.

She stared out at the dark night, letting the steady pounding of the rain fill her mind. No thoughts, no wishes, no wondering what tomorrow would bring, just here and now with the rain.

She took a deep breath, when suddenly she thought she saw a greenish glow. She squinted, searching the darkness again.

Aliss strained her eyes some more, gasped and made a dash for the bed. She jumped in, pulling the covers nearly over her head and pressing her body against her husband.

He turned and draped an arm over her, his light snores telling her he was sound asleep. She did not care as long as he was there beside her.

She tried to close her eyes, but she popped them open as soon as they closed. She continued in that fashion until finally sleep claimed her and filled her dreams with two blazing green eyes staring at her from the woods.

A
liss had been thrilled to find the remnants of a garden just outside the cottage. Wild onions grew between the weeds and she had even found fairy ring mushrooms. Of course, she would leave them undisturbed, not wanting to upset the wee forest people.

After the heavy rain, she intended to give the rich soil another day to dry. Besides, there was much to keep her busy.

The kitchen in the keep was being cleaned by a bevy of women. All would make use of it until the cottages could be fully repaired and their hearths made ready for cooking.

Aliss along with Anna located a cottage suitable to serve her healing needs and set to cleaning it. Presently, she used a corner in the great hall to see to minor ills and injuries.

She and Anna had been working since early morning at cleaning out the place and had taken a rest to enjoy the food the women had brought to them from the kitchen. A long bench in the shade of the front yard served as their table and chairs.

“It is beautiful here,” Anna said, taking a deep breath of the warm fresh air.

“It is heaven on earth,” Aliss said and watched Anna nibble at her food. Something was on her mind. She only nibbled when she needed to express her thoughts.

“What troubles you in this paradise?” Aliss asked.

Anna knitted her brow, chewed her lip, until Aliss wanted to pull the words from her mouth. Instead, she encouraged her to voice her concerns.

“Share with me what troubles you.”

Anna’s head went up and her shoulders pulled back as if a weight had been lifted off them, and words rushed forth. “Many of us worry we will need to leave here.”

“Why?”

“Rogan will leave in the allotted time if you and he do not mend the rift between you.”

“No one need leave with Rogan. The isle belongs to us all.”

Anna shook her head. “Do not misunderstand me, Aliss. The clan cares for you. You are one of us, and we do not want to lose you either. We all believe you and Rogan love each other and that is what we hope you will consider. But we would never abandon our chieftain. He has seen us through many difficult times.”

Aliss had known there would be talk and she had not doubted the clan would take their leader’s side. He had, after all, saved them from a ravaging illness and had found a new home for them. Unfortunately, she had been the key to achieving his goals. Did they not care at all about her feelings?

She barely touched what remained of her food and wished she could spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning out the cottage alone. She had thought herself a part of them and yet they sided with their chieftain. She really was foolish.

She had been duped by everyone, even herself. She should have been more vigilant. She had been too busy dealing with the ill. Rogan probably had counted on her deep involvement in keeping her from seeing the truth. She had been cautious at first with Rogan, even wondering if this isle had anything to do with her abduction. Then she had grown absorbed with treating the ill and finding the cause of the sickness and Rogan had been so kind, attentive, and helpful . . .

Damn, she had fallen easily into his trap.

Aliss was relieved when John came to fetch Anna, and Aliss insisted she go with her husband. Finally, she had the solitude she craved. Rogan did what was best for his clan and would he not continue to do so? She was merely a pawn in this game and she would do well to remember that.

“Are you all right?”

Startled, Aliss bumped into the edge of the table and shot her husband a surprised look, though it changed quickly enough to one of concern when she saw a bloody cloth wrapped around his hand.

“What happened?” she asked, rushing over to him.

“You answer me first.”

She looked perplexed.

“Are you all right?” he repeated.

“Of course I am,” she said, annoyed that he knew she was upset. She reached for his wounded hand.

He yanked it away. “I called to you twice from the doorway and you did not hear me.”

“Are you going to give me your hand or bleed all over my clean floor?” she snapped and held out her hand.

He placed his hand in hers. “I am as concerned for you.”

“Don’t be.”

“You are never curt when treating someone. Something is wrong. What is it?”

“None of your concern,” she said and removed the cloth, resting his hand on it.

Her eyes spread wide. “This is a knife wound. How did you get it?”

“Tell me what troubles you and I will tell you about the wound,” he bargained.

“No,” she said, and shoved him to the table. “Sit.”

She went to work as soon as he sat. She cleansed the wound, which she was relieved to see was not deep. More of a surface cut that had bled out and would now heal with proper attention.

“Your gentle touch belies your anger.”

“I am not angry,” she snapped, and almost winced at her own biting tone.

“Did someone upset you?”

“I need to concentrate. No more questions,” she ordered, and to her relief he remained silent.

She spread a generous amount of salve on the wound then bandaged it with a strip of white cloth, tying a secure knot to hold it in place.

“Keep it dry and clean,” she said, and turned only to be spun back around and drawn between his spread legs to rest close to him.

His hands held her hips firmly, letting her know he did not intend to release her. She thought otherwise and wiggled to free herself of his grasp.

“Stay put!”

His demand surprised her. It was not like him to command her. He had always been respectful and considerate with her, but then she had always granted him the same courtesy.

“I want to know what troubles you.”

“Why?”

His brow wrinkled. “You are my wife and I—”

She yanked herself free and moved away from him. “We are no longer truly husband and wife.”

She took a step back when he stood, the strength of him filling the room, his sleek movements reminding her of a wolf that prowled his territory.

“I disagree.”

Even his voice resembled a low growl.

She placed her hand on the rough wood mantel for support. “You deceived me. Now you expect me to trust that you speak the truth about your love for me?”

He marched over to her, grabbed a finger and placed her hand to his chest. “Feel my love for you. Know that my heart beats wildly when I see you and when you are out of my sight too long I miss you.”

Aliss dismissed the heavy beat beneath her hand. Surely, it was her imagination.

“I love when I wake before you in the morning and feel your warm body snuggled next to mine. I love holding you, hearing you breathe, watching you sleep, waiting for your eyes to flutter open and for you to smile. You always smile when you wake and look at me.”

How could she deny her own similar feelings? She felt safe and comfortable in his arms as if she belonged in them. And she couldn’t deny the smile that came so easily to her lips when she woke to see his face.

That she loved him was obvious, but she could not reconcile his betrayal. It tore at her heart.

She shook her head. “I do not wish to discuss this.”

“I do.”

“We don’t always get what we want.”

“No, we don’t,” he said. “Sometimes we have to take it.”

“Such as this isle that is more important to you than I am?”

He turned his head and stepped away from her.

She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Deny it.”

“I will relinquish the land according to our bargain. Does that not answer your question?”

“Do you really expect me to believe you will keep your part of the bargain?”

He took hold of her wrist, yanking her hand off his arm. “Are you too afraid to give me a fair chance to prove my love for you?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He walked out.

Aliss threw the cloth down on the table and squeezed her head with her hands. She wasn’t afraid. She was strong. It had taken all her strength to agree to his bargain and remain with him. Didn’t he realize how badly he had hurt her? Didn’t he know how much she loved him and wished that he truly loved her? Didn’t he know how frightened she was he would betray her again?

He had played her for a fool once. She could not allow him to do the same again. She would remain strong.

She plopped down on a chair, fighting tears.

Aliss turned at the sound of sniffles.

“I fell,” said five-year-old Joseph and held out his scratched and bleeding arm.

Aliss went to him, bending down to his short height and gently taking hold of his skinny arm.

“It hurts.” Joseph wiped his nose on the sleeve of his free arm.

“It doesn’t look bad. I think we can fix it,” she assured him.

“It won’t hurt, will it?”

“It may sting a little.”

Joseph shook his head and took a step back. “Like a bee?”

“No, no, nothing like a bee sting.”

Joseph stopped, wiped at his nose again then stepped forward. “Okay, fix it.”

Aliss talked with Joseph as she cleansed the abrasion and gently rubbed salve on it. In no time, she had him giggling and laughing and forgetting all about his injury.

Before he left, he looked around the cottage then called her to him with a crook of his little finger.

Aliss went to where he stood by the open door and bent down.

“I am glad you have magic hands,” he whispered.

“Magic hands?”

He nodded. “Everybody says so and I’m sure glad you’re our healer. You’ll always be with us, right?”

“Why do you ask that?”

He shrugged. “I heard some people say you might leave us.”

“Aliss is not going anywhere, Joseph.”

Joseph smiled and giggled as he was scooped up in Rogan’s arms. Rogan then placed him back on the ground and ordered him to go play and have fun. He turned to Aliss and said, “You are needed in the kitchen. There has been an accident.”

She retrieved her basket. “The choice is mine whether I go or stay.”

Rogan snatched the basket out of her hands. “I’m confident that I can convince you to stay.”

They hurried to the kitchen, Aliss aware that her heart beat much too fast for her hurried pace and aware that she would need to remain vigilant this time. She might be the Wolf’s prey but this time she wouldn’t be caught.

A deep cut that refused to stop bleeding had everyone frantic and the injured young woman crying in fear of losing her arm.

Anna showed up shortly after Aliss, and while they worked on Teresa, Rogan calmed everyone down and herded them outside to wait.

The wound would require several stitches and there was fever to worry about, but Aliss was sure that Teresa would be fine and continued to tell the young woman so.

What concerned her more was Anna’s pale complexion. It had started when Aliss had begun to tend the wound and had grown worse by the minute.

“Are you all right?” Aliss asked, as she prepared the arm for stitching.

“My stomach is upset.”

“Something you ate?”

Anna shook her head. “I don’t know. I have been feeling this way since traveling on the ship.”

Aliss frowned. “It cannot still be seasickness.”

“The illness has not returned, has it?” Teresa asked anxiously.

“No,” Aliss assured her. “We got rid of that for good.”

The young girl sighed with relief then smiled. “Perhaps you are with babe.”

Anna’s hand rushed to her stomach. “I never thought of that.”

Aliss smiled. “Could it be so?”

Anna laughed with glee. “Yes. Yes, it could be so. Actually, now that I think about it, it most definitely could be so.”

“How wonderful!” Teresa said. “You will have the first babe to be born in our new home.”

R
ogan sat under the shade of a large oak tree watching his wife chat with two other women. Once they had learned that Anna was with child it was all the entire village could talk about.

Two days later and the gossip continued; most claimed the impending birth was a blessing from heaven, a sign that assured them this was the perfect place to settle and call home.

Kendra and he had hoped for a slew of children, since both were only children while most families had more than they could feed. Fate, however, had different plans for them, but Kendra wanted him happy and, before she died, had insisted that he find love again.

She had taught him how unselfish true love was and only recently had he begun to realize the wisdom of her legacy.

“Admiring your wife from afar?” Derek asked, joining him under the shade of the tree.

“She is a beauty,” Rogan said with a smile.

“You are a lucky man.”

“So you’re the one who was elected to speak with me?”

Derek looked affronted.

“Do not bother to deny it. I know the clan has gotten together with the intention of trying to keep Aliss and me together.”

“Good, then I can speak my mind.”

Rogan coughed though it sounded like a laugh.

“All right, so I always speak my mind,” Derek said. “You are an idiot.”

Rogan grabbed his shoulder. “That was a hit.”

“It is your heart that is going to suffer the damage.”

“It already has,” Rogan admitted reluctantly.

“Then do something.”

“I intend to.”

“The clan is content here and—” Derek shook his head. “You do?”

“A plan has bubbled and stewed in my head since we’ve landed here.”

Derek rubbed his hands together. “Has it finished brewing?”

“Just about.”

“Tell me,” Derek urged in a whisper.

“No!”

Derek fell back, affronted. “Why not?”

“Because you will tell another then he will tell another and another until—” He threw his hands up. “It will be common knowledge to the whole clan.”

“You accuse me of gossiping?”

“I most certainly do,” Rogan said with a laugh.

“At least you intend to take care of it or else I would have to—” Derek smiled and shook a fist at him.

“Is that a threat?” Rogan asked.

“You threaten your chieftain, Derek?”

Derek spun around and Rogan jumped to his feet. Neither man had heard Aliss approach.

“He needs it now and again.” Derek grinned.

“Perhaps he does,” Aliss said.

“A woman who knows her husband. You would do well to remember that, Rogan.” Derek grinned again and with a nod bade them good day.

“Why do you rub your shoulder?” Aliss asked as Derek drifted off.

“Is that what brought you over here? Concern for my shoulder?”

“Is something wrong with it?”

He thought to lie but then that was what had got him into this mess in the first place. He was better off with the truth.

“No. There is nothing wrong with it.”

She turned to go as he expected she would. He reached out and took hold of her hand. “Sit with me for a moment.”

“I have work to do.”

He tugged her gently under the tree. “Just for a moment.”

Aliss obliged reluctantly.

They settled in the shade of the towering oak in tense silence. Rogan knew she would jump up any second and be off. He knew she was afraid to open her heart to him again. After all, he had damaged it once; why would she take another chance? So he intended to court her, treat her extra special, and let her know how very much he admired, respected, and loved her. He would do anything and everything to repair the damage to her heart and help her to love again.

“It is wonderful news about Anna and John.”

She beamed with delight. “I couldn’t be happier for them.”

“It is always good when another babe joins the clan.”

“A birth is a joy everyone can share in.”

“And this birth has the distinction of being the first in our new home,” he said, holding her glance with his. “Or is there a chance that you could be first?” He had to know. Ever since he had heard of Anna, he had wondered if Aliss was with child. Surely, she would know by now.

Her silence made him even more curious. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“There is nothing for me to tell you.”

“While I am sorry to hear that, I am also relieved,” Rogan rushed to explain, seeing her startled expression. “I am eager for you to have my child, for I have no doubt you will be an excellent mother. First, however, I want to make certain you are secure with my love and know that you are my life, my breath, my being. Then I will get you with child.”

Aliss stared at him speechless then simply turned and walked away.

He watched her go and knew that there was no way he could watch her walk out of his life. His heart already ached from the distance that had been forged between them even though every night she slept in his arms.

His plan was set and placed into action. He would advance forward as an army of one and conquer her. He jumped to his feet, gave a quick look around, and spied what he wanted. He gave it a swift pluck and followed Aliss until he caught up with her. There in front of the cottage where she did her healing, he attempted to begin to heal her heart.

“For you.”

Aliss turned around.

He held out a yellow wildflower and cringed when he saw that in his rush he had yanked out root and all.

She smiled, laughed, and took it from him. “Thank you.”

That she was gracious in accepting his mistake made his heart soar even more with love for her and he stepped forward. “One kiss,” he murmured. “I have missed kissing you. Just one—please?”

She looked from him to the flower then to him again and with a tender smile stepped close and kissed his cheek then stepped away.

“I had more than that in mind.”

“You asked for a kiss and I gave it. You gave me a flower and I accepted it.”

She was right. She had accepted his gift freely and gladly, root and all. He owed her the same.

“No root next time.”

“No cheek next time.”

She entered her cottage sniffing the flower, her green eyes sparkling, and Rogan smiled as he turned and walked away.

The night brought with it a thunderstorm and a fever to Teresa.

Rogan knew his wife would remain by Teresa’s side until the fever no longer threatened her. Anna would not be there to assist; Aliss had insisted it was not necessary.

He brought supper to his wife but she was too busy to eat. She gently cooled the young woman’s body with wet cloths while assuring her in a soft voice that she would be all right, and she meant it.

Rogan had watched her carefully when he had first brought her to his clan. He had heard of her unique healing abilities, but he had not been certain if they were tale or truth. Her talent seemed almost too mythical to be true, but he had learned differently.

He had learned that she possessed the heart and touch of an angel and the determination and strength of a warrior. Her presence alone had the capability of bringing relief to the ailing. Even now as the young woman’s fever raged, Teresa lay calmly in bed, relaxed by Aliss’s tender touch.

There was no point in disturbing the two, so he took his leave quietly, hoping Aliss would find time to eat when Teresa slept.

He returned to the keep and spoke with the few men and women in the great hall whose cottages were not yet ready for occupancy. Then as the night grew late he made his way to his bedchamber and climbed into an empty bed.

He lay there thinking of Aliss as he did most of the day. She forever invaded his thoughts, and without her here beside him she continued to haunt his mind. He forced his eyes closed and before long they drifted open and he found himself staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.

A strange thought came to him. He would spend many nights here staring at the ceiling and it would be a good idea to have it painted with an interesting scene. Then he would have something to gaze at while waiting for his wife’s return.

He laughed to himself. He was planning a future with Aliss and it felt so very right. He turned on his side and looked at the pillow where Aliss rested her head. In a very short time, he had grown accustomed to having her there beside him. He would not want to sleep without her and would not want to wake without her there.

He threw off the blanket, pulled on his shirt, his plaid, and his sandals, and hurried out of the room. He would go to Aliss and wait for her no matter how long it took.

Rogan entered the cottage quietly though Aliss turned her head and acknowledged him with a nod as he closed the door. He took a seat in a wooden chair near the fireplace and settled in to wait for his wife.

He was snoring in no time.

Aliss heard the familiar sound and smiled as she bathed Teresa’s forehead with a cool cloth. The fever lingered though it raged no more and she was certain that in a couple of hours it would be gone completely.

She dipped the cloth in the bowl of water to rinse the heat from it and caught the sight of her husband, legs stretched out, arms folded across his chest and his head lolled to the side, sound asleep.

She smiled as she recalled his earlier gift. In his haste to offer her a token to prove his love, he had plucked a flower out by the roots. His thoughtfulness had touched her heart and the exposed roots made her think of their own love that had been carelessly uprooted and discarded without care.

Should she give him a chance in his quest to prove his love? Or was he simply doing it to keep what meant more to him—the isle.

Aliss returned her attention to Teresa. Finally, three hours before dawn, her fever vanished and she rested comfortably.

Anna’s entrance stirred Rogan awake but did not surprise Aliss. She knew her helper would arrive early to relieve her even though she had insisted Anna’s help was not necessary.

“I could not sleep any longer,” Anna said once at Aliss’s side. “How is Teresa?”

“The fever is finally gone and she sleeps.”

“Then I will stay with her while you go sleep yourself.”

Aliss did not argue. She was tired. She stood and stretched and winced at the ache in her neck and shoulders.

Her husband’s strong hands were suddenly there massaging the sore muscles.

“Let’s go home to bed so that I can tend your aches,” he whispered.

He eased her into the crook of his arm and she went willingly, her tense muscles insisting she capitulate and her body warning her she was headed for trouble. Even worn out from the long night, she felt the flutter of passion beginning to stir. It always did when he touched her.

They walked in silence to the keep and up to their bedchamber.

She changed into her night shift and slipped into bed beside him, thinking she should tell him she was tired and wanted to sleep.

But as soon as she stretched out, he gently turned her on her stomach, straddled her hips, and went to work on her sore neck and shoulder muscles. His fingers worked magic, kneading, squeezing, forcing her aches away, and she did not protest.

She let him have his way.

His thumbs worked in circles at the base of her neck and she moaned from the relief he brought her. He expanded to her shoulders, urging the taut muscles to relax with strong manipulation. They surrendered one by one and he moved down her back, attacking every tight muscle he discovered.

His hips swayed along with his movements and she found her passion stirring little by little as he eased himself down over her bottom, his hands massaging up and down her spine.

He nestled between her legs fully aroused and yet he made not a move to make love to her. He simply continued massaging her with his powerful hands until her body was completely limp and pliable and thoroughly aroused.

She was ready for him.

It would be easy once she turned over to guide him into her. She was more than moist, she was saturated with desire for him. He would claim her nipples with his mouth and send her into a fast and furious climax then bring her to climax again along with himself.

But while her body ached with desire, her heart ached for love.

He slipped off her.

She quickly turned on her side, curling her legs up, fisting her hands to her chest in an effort to protect her aching heart. Her breath caught for a moment, anticipating he would turn and wrap his arms around her.

When he didn’t she relaxed enough to finally drift off to sleep, though not before a single tear slipped down from the corner of her eye.