The Reluctant Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons) (30 page)

“Yeah.” She closed her eyes. “Just really, really tired. Come
back to bed. I need you to hold me.”

As she gave in to her fatigue, the mattress shifted under his
weight. Wrapped in his arms, she sighed and let sleep claim her.

“Rest, sweeting.” He smoothed her hair back and kissed her
neck. “We have much to talk about when you’re rested.”

* * *

Heat lured her, enveloped her, excited her. Nibbling
kisses against her neck made her tilt her head to give the lips that teased her
a little better access.

“Umm,” she purred. “That feels wonderful.”

Artair chuckled then continued his assault on her senses. His
lips trailed a path across her throat as his hand slid under her tattered shirt,
up her ribcage and to her breast. With a growl, he pulled the shirt over her
head and helped her take off her bra.

Before she could return any of his attention, his lips had
already latched on to her breast. She arched against him, lacing her fingers
through his hair. Heat flowed through her, settling between her thighs. His
erection pressed against her leg, telling her he had already discarded his
plaid. Skin to skin gave her a rightness she’d never known before.

Kissing his way down her belly, he eased off her torn workout
pants and panties. Rebecca caressed his shoulders, lifting her hips to help him
in his important task. Expecting him to return to kissing her, she gasped in
surprise when his kiss wasn’t against her lips but applied to the very core of
her. With an amused chuckle, he proceeded to love her with his mouth and very
talented tongue.

Nothing had ever felt so wonderful. Nothing had ever made her
know the kind of longing and ecstasy Artair brought to her. She tugged on his
hair, unable to find the words to let him know how wonderful what he was doing
felt. The only things spilling from her lips were moans and breathless
pants.

Then her mind formed a word, and it worked its way aloud.
“Now.”

She didn’t have to ask twice. He rose over her and entered her
with a thrust that filled her completely. But he didn’t move, didn’t start that
fantastic rhythm that would take her to the stars. The delicious length of his
muscular body rested against hers, but he hesitated.

Rebecca hadn’t realized her eyes were squeezed shut until she
forced them open.

Artair stared at her with such intensity, she was almost
frightened. Supported on his elbows, he cupped her face in his calloused hands.
“Becca, this seals our vow.”

She didn’t understand, didn’t honestly care. Raising her hips
to meet his, she tried to encourage his response. Still firm and full inside
her, he wouldn’t move. “I—I don’t understand.”

“I have made you my wife, lass. We said the vows, we now seal
them.” He withdrew slowly, tauntingly, then glided back inside, drawing a
contented moan from her. “You are my wife. Say the words to me, Becca mine. Say
ye belong to me now and forever.” Artair repeated the torturing motion. “Say
it.” His voice bore a trace of fear and an edge of desperation.

“Now and forever, Artair. I’m yours now and forever.”

He took her breath away with the force of his kiss, the
seductive motion of his hips, the exploration of his hands. She couldn’t get
enough of him, couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. The bed rocked with
the force of his movements as he thrust into her again and again.

Rebecca gasped, feeling every muscle knot into an almost
unbearable tension, then wave after wave of delight rolled through her. She
called his name, begging him to join her in release.

Breathing her name hoarsely in her ear, Artair thrust into her
one last time. Joined as one, their hearts beat a frantic rhythm, as they slowly
descended back to earth.

Reluctant to release him, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Still marveling in what they had just shared, she sighed. Suddenly, another word
found its way to her lips. “Wife?”

He gave a contented grunt before rolling to his back, dragging
her with him. She found herself sprawled on his chest.

“Aye, lass. You’re my wife. By Scottish custom, we have
handfasted.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nay. I wouldn’t tease over such a claim.”

He sounded angry, so she tried to soothe him. “I didn’t know
that was possible, that we could marry without a minister and a license. A
handfast?”

“In days of old, priests were often hard to come by in the
Highlands. If a lass and a lad did not wish to wait to be wed, they would pledge
their troths to each other. ’Tis called a handfast.”

“Don’t we need a witness?” It couldn’t be that easy, as simple
as vowing to belong to each other.

“No witness is required.” He held such love in his eyes, her
heart flipped in response. “You are my wife, Becca mine. I cannot lose you
again. You are my life, and I will stand at your side until the day you
die.”

Fear wrapped around her like swaddling, dulling the beautiful
words she’d wanted to hear for so long. “Until I die. But you’ll never die.
You’ll never be a mortal again. You’ve given up everything you wanted for me.”
Rebecca tried to scramble away.

Artair reached out to grab her shoulders. “Listen to me, Becca.
This
is what I wanted.
You
are who I wanted. I didn’t have to leave Avalon to find a wife.
She came to me. And my child. She came to me as well. I have given up nothing
and gained everything. I love you.”

“You mean it? You really mean it?”

His growl betrayed his frustration. “Lass, will you never
understand how wonderful you are? Will you never see how special you are? How
beautiful you are in mind and body? I love you. I love you beyond all I thought
possible. You are my wife, and I am truly blessed by the Ancients to have you
want me in return, to have a woman who understands my life.”

“But Rhiannon—”

“She knows.”

“She knows?”

He nodded. “She accepts us as we are, as husband and wife.”

She leaned down to kiss him. A long, slow, tender kiss.

“Wife,” she said in a breathless whisper. “I’m your wife.”

“Aye. Are you sorry, lass?”

“Are you kidding me? I love you, Artair MacKay. I’ve loved you
for the longest time.”

“And I love you, Rebecca MacKay. I will love you for all my
life.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Stop fussing.” Megan brushed Sarita’s hand away from
Rebecca’s hair. “She looks fine.”

Sarita nodded but gently laid another lock of Rebecca’s unbound
hair over her shoulder. “It’s just—this is her day. I want everything perfect
for her.”

The threat Helen held like the sword of Damocles over Rebecca’s
world constantly weighed on her. This evil was far from over. She, Artair,
Johann and the Amazons had to face the fact that Helen needed to be brought to
justice.

But it wouldn’t be today.

“Trust me,” Rebecca said, hoping to soothe the nervousness of
the other Amazons. Her heart warmed realizing how important it was to them that
this day was special. She could feel their joy wrapping around her heart and
wished they would one day find the same contentment. “Everything is perfect. My
aunt’s here. I have my sisters at my side. My daughter’s with her nannies. And
the man I love is waiting at the altar.” She sighed, thinking of the only thing
that could make her sad on this day. “I still can’t believe you’re all
leaving.”

“Things are different now,” Gina replied, looking a bit wistful
herself. “We’re trained. We can fight. We don’t all need to stay in Avalon,
waiting around for trouble to happen. Just the Guardian needs to keep the vigil.
Besides, you’ve got so much to stay for. Artair and Bonnie. Johann’s staying for
a while too. Once he’s got us all hooked up with our computers, we can talk all
the time online.”

“We know you’ll call us when we’re needed. Right, Guardian?”
Sarita threw Rebecca a beautiful, sincere smile. “The more we’re living in the
real world, the more able we’ll be to notice when Helen makes her next move.
Plus there are always plenty of demons to slay. We’ll keep busy.”

Rebecca nodded, sniffing back tears at the notion of her
sisters not being near, especially Megan. But their bond was unbreakable. For a
moment, she thought about Sparks. For the first time, she finally understood why
Sparks had been so obsessed with finding Trishna and Helen. If one of her
sisters was missing, she’d use all her powers to find her.

“But we’ve been together since the start. I’ll miss you, Rebs.”
Megan’s voice quivered.

“I’ll miss you too.” Rebecca dabbed at Megan’s eyes with the
embroidered handkerchief Aunt Kay had given her before she went outside to wait
for the ceremony.

Gina handed Rebecca the small bouquet of wildflowers tied with
a green ribbon that matched the outfits worn by the three bridesmaids. Each
woman revealed her inner Amazon in the style and color of her outfit.

Megan chose a strapless, skintight red dress. Sarita wore a
blue sari. And Gina wore white leather pants so tight, she’d probably have
trouble walking.

“It’s time,” Megan said after glancing at the clock.

Rebecca nodded. Although this was merely a formality—Artair was
already her husband—the event was still something she wanted to enjoy, something
she wanted to savor. Her fingertips brushed the brooch pinned over her heart
before her hands smoothed the plaid that draped over her shoulder and around her
waist.

Beagan and Dolan had brought Artair’s old plaid to her that
morning, saying they had rescued it from her destroyed cabin after they’d
returned to Avalon. She’d squealed and given them both a kiss on their heads.
The blushing changelings had morphed into rabbits and hopped away.

Running her hands over the long skirt of her ivory brocade
dress, she smiled, thinking of how different she was than she’d been on the day
she’d planned to marry Rick. Her dress now was as down-to-earth as she felt.
Simple and elegant. She wore a crown of wildflowers Beagan and Dolan had brought
along with the MacKay plaid, and she would walk to the altar like a good
Earth—with bare feet.

Following the Amazons out the front door of her new home, she
turned back and smiled. The place was wonderful, and Rhiannon astounded Rebecca
with her generosity. They now lived in a Cape Cod house the goddess had given
them for their little family. It appeared very out of place next to the stark
cabins. Artair still wasn’t quite used to the opulence, often complaining he
would grow soft staying there.

Bonnie’s room was next to the master suite. Beagan and Dolan
could be found there at all hours of the day, fussing over the beautiful baby
who thrived on their attention. Rhiannon was known to pop in from time to time
with yet another toy for the child she swore would be the most powerful warrior
the world had ever known. The nursery was littered with wooden swords, toy
horses and a bow. Rebecca had removed the arrows.

With a contented sigh, she followed her sisters toward the
makeshift altar.

Nestled by a small grove of maple trees, the ancient stone
altar had appeared the day before when Rhiannon visited. In her typical bossy
fashion, the goddess announced that a handfast wasn’t appropriate—her Amazon and
Sentinel required a celebration of their union. Setting Beagan and Dolan to
making plans for a proper marriage and a feast, Rhiannon informed them of the
time she would return for the ceremony.

Rebecca was surprised Artair hadn’t argued. In fact, he’d
embraced the notion with open arms. Of course, he didn’t have much to do to
prepare for the wedding other than throw on his plaid and wait.

Now, she followed Megan, Sarita and Gina as they paced to the
altar. Rhiannon stood as the one to officiate the ceremony, and Johann stood in
as Artair’s best man. Beagan and Dolan waited near the Amazons with Bonnie
cradled in Dolan’s chubby arms. Aunt Kay kept a watchful eye on all of them. The
other three patron goddesses had come to the wedding as well, each in the
festive dress of her culture.

Rebecca’s groom stood tall and proud in his MacKay plaid, his
shirt white as snow against his bronzed skin. He was so utterly handsome.

Artair nodded to each Amazon as she approached the altar then
moved to one side. He held out his hand to Rebecca.

The hand was the same one he’d extended when she’d walked away
from her last wedding, her near-wedding. In taking that hand, she’d forever
changed her life, just as taking it now would again lead her to a new existence.
Amazon. Wife. Mother.

“’Tis time.” The same words he’d given her that day. His green
eyes held a mischievous twinkle.

“Aye, Artair. ’Tis time.” She took his hand.

Artair led Rebecca to stand in front of Rhiannon and the
altar.

The goddess smiled. “A first in the history of the Amazons. A
Sentinel and an Amazon have come to pledge their lives to each other the way
they have pledged their lives to the service of their goddesses and to humanity.
Now, before their patroness, they will state their vows.” Extending an elegant
hand to Artair, she nodded.

He took Rebecca’s right hand in both of his. “Becca mine, I
promise to love, honor and protect—”

She gave his hand a hard squeeze.

He took the hint. “To love, honor and
cherish
you. Through the good times and the bad. I will be faithful,
and I will be yours in this life and the next.”

Rebecca’s heart sailed far above her beloved Earth. “Artair, I
vow to love, honor and cherish you. I hope we share more laughter than tears,
but I will be by your side through both. I’m yours forever.”

Rhiannon held up two gold rings. “I give you these rings as
token of my benevolence to my Amazon and my Sentinel—”

“
Our
Sentinel,” Freya said just
loud enough to be heard.

“—and ask that they exchange them as a sign of the vows they
have taken here this day.”

Artair took the smaller ring and slid it on Rebecca’s
finger.

A tear slid down her cheek when she gave him his.

Raising her hands high, Rhiannon said, “What I have joined
should never,
never
be parted.” She smiled at the
couple, then nodded at the groom. “You may kiss your bride, Arthur.”

“With pleasure,” he replied. Gathering Rebecca into his arms,
he kissed her with far more passion than was probably appropriate.

She didn’t mind in the least, feeling his kiss to the tips of
her toes.

“Now,” Rhiannon said. “Your goddesses have a gift for you.”

Her arms still wrapped around Artair’s waist, Rebecca gaped at
Rhiannon. “A gift? But you’ve given us so much already.”

“Rebecca MacKay, you have been restored.”

“Restored?”

“Your womb will bear the fruit of Artair’s seed. When I cast
aside the powers of the Ancients, I restored that which was lost to you, that
which you restored to your sisters. Even now, a son grows inside you, planted
the day after Artair MacKay died for you—planted after you selflessly gave up
your claim to divinity, your chance to have powers equal to the Ancients. You
only used those powers for good. You used them to restore his life and to help
your sisters, and your goddesses wished to return that kindness. You will bear a
son to thank you and our Sentinel for your sacrifices in our service.”

“A son?” Rebecca’s hands dropped to cover her belly, hardly
believing what she’d heard.

Megan’s laugh filled the air. “Rebs! It’s what you always
wanted.”

Rebecca suddenly found herself scooped up in her husband’s
arms.

Twirling her around, Artair’s laugh reached her heart. The man
she loved had all he’d ever wanted.

“Do you still wish to foster my new Earth?” Rhiannon asked as
Artair put Rebecca back on her feet.

“Oh, aye,” Artair answered, staring into Rebecca’s eyes. “She’s
our daughter now.”

Rebecca smiled and nodded. “Our daughter.”

“There is one more thing,” Rhiannon said.

Rebecca’s heart was so full, she wasn’t sure she could absorb
another surprise or it would surely burst. “What is it?”

Rhiannon smiled, her face still full of mischief. “’Tis not a
gift I give, but a gift you gave your husband. A gift you gave him when you
restored his life.”

“I don’t understand.” How Rhiannon loved her riddles, but
Rebecca wanted this one quickly solved. She had a honeymoon to go on, after all.
And she wanted some privacy to celebrate with Artair the news of their son.

“When you breathed life back into his body, you restored his
humanity.”

Artair cocked his head. “M’lady?”

“You are now mortal, Sentinel.”

“No,” escaped from Rebecca’s lips. “He can get hurt? He can
die?” And she would outlive him. Sparks had told her Amazons had potential
lifespans of centuries. She didn’t want to live that long if she would lose
Artair. “No.”

Freya rushed to add, “Aye, but do not frown. This news is good.
You bonded your life force to his, gave him part of your life to restore his.
Your souls will forever be joined, and your lives destined to end at the same
time, the very same hour, the very same minute. At least in this lifetime.”

Rhiannon stomped her foot, setting the ground to rumbling.
“
I
wished to tell them.”

Freya laughed heartily. “Then you should have been more timely
with the telling.”

“I don’t understand,” Rebecca repeated.

Rhiannon, probably wanting her moment in the spotlight, hurried
to explain. “Your lives are joined, not just in marriage, but in reality. Should
evil not befall you, you shall live a long life, Rebecca MacKay, with Artair at
your side. And on the day you die, he shall as well. So you best guard your life
with care, Guardian. It no longer belongs to only you.”

Artair kissed her forehead. “What are you thinking,
sweeting?”

“That I’m completely, utterly, truly happy.”

“As am I.”

As Rhiannon led the group toward the feast that was spread in
the waiting lodge, Artair pulled Rebecca aside.

Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her long and deep.
Then he rested his forehead against hers. “So, lass. We are bonded.”

“So we are.” She sighed. “Can you stand being married to a
kick-ass Amazon for the rest of your life? Things will never be boring. That I
promise.”

His chuckle was warm and genuine. “Aye, lass. I love you, so
’tis a burden I can bear. Can you handle being married to an ill-tempered
Sentinel, especially knowing all our days will be spent together? ’Twill nae be
boring for you, either.”

Rebecca gave him a quick kiss and answered him in his own
brogue. “Oh, aye, Artair MacKay. I love ye with all my heart. ’Tis a burden I
will gladly bear.”

* * * * *