Aileen sighed deeply. “I can’t comprehend what the next few days will hold for us. I only know that at this moment, standing in your arms, I want
you
.” Her hand brushed down his arm, clasping his hand.
“I love you, Stephen. My father will just have to accept the idea I’m here to stay.”
Her words and her smile were his undoing.
Capturing her mouth, he let out a groan swallowing her breath within his. His mind swirled, reveling in her touch as she placed her palms under his tunic onto his skin.
Breaking free from her succulent lips, he quickly scanned the area. “This way,” he uttered hoarsely.
Aileen gripped his hand tightly, blindly following him with no concern for the others. Her body ached with a fierce need to have him in her. She licked her lips, tasting him.
Twigs snapped, leaves rustled, as they rushed further into the trees oblivious to all, except their burning passion for each other. Deeper into the dense foliage they traveled. Gray light sliced through every now and then, so thick was their passage. More thunder sounded, making its way toward them. It would only be a matter of time before the rain descended.
She trusted him as she ducked beneath the branch he held aloft for her. No sooner did she slip under and out from its reach then he drew her to him.
“I need ye fierce, Aileen.” His eyes were but shards of gray—almost glowing in their intensity.
“No more fiercely than I need you,” she stated. Taking his hand, she placed it on her breast. “Take me now, hard, Stephen.”
In one swift move, he hitched up her gown, and shoved two fingers across her womanly folds, moist and ready for him.
“I see ye are ready for me.” His breath waxed hot against her neck, before he grazed his teeth down the side of her throat.
Aileen didn’t want his fingers. She wanted him inside her, now! When his fingers left her, she took advantage and reached for his erection, easily slipping her hand beneath the folds of his plaid, and squeezed.
“Lugh’s balls, woman,” he groaned.
With her other hand, she brushed them gently over his balls, saying, “No, I believe these are yours.” A delightful shiver of wanting ran through her, and when she gave another gentle touch, she saw a tremor roll through him.
“Hold your gown up.”
His eyes flashed and his voice so hoarse, Aileen could barely understand him. Releasing her grip, Aileen slowly raised up her gown to her thighs.
Grabbing her around the waist, he growled low, “Put your legs around me.”
She did as he commanded, and he backed her against the tree. Not giving her time for thought, he entered her in one thrust, her heat searing him.
She shuddered, clinging to his body.
His grunt was the only response she got. There was no room for gently kisses or wooing. She nipped at his neck tasting sweat and his own intoxicating scent. He rode her faster, plundering her mouth with his tongue. An assault she gladly surrendered to.
Her pleasure broke swiftly. As lightning flashed across the sky, Aileen screamed his name.
Stephen let out a cry as he pumped his seed deep within her. So violent was his release, he thought the ground shook.
Bringing them both slowly to the ground, he cradled her onto his lap, and held her still quaking body. Draping the plaid around them, he laid his head back against the solid bark for support.
If an enemy had come upon them, Stephen knew he would be helpless to defend them, so depleted was his energy. He pressed her close to his heart as if his
life
depended on her very existence.
In that moment—within his heart, Stephen realized what he had to do.
There was only one problem he could foresee. Aileen’s father had to give his permission. That thought alone, caused his stomach to clench. Her father would most likely take a sword to him...
again
.
He closed his eyes, reveling in her warmth. She moved slightly on his lap.
“Marry me, Aileen.”
She slowly turned with a look of pure astonishment etched across her face. “Stephen?”
Thunder clapped loudly above them, causing a squirrel to jump out of the nearby tree, twittering madly as it scampered off. Within seconds, the clouds opened up, unleashing a downpour.
Quickly standing, Stephen tossed his plaid over her shoulders before shoving her out from under their love tryst. By the time they managed their way through a few trees, both were drenched. Stephen looked the worse for wear, with only his tunic on, and boots covered in mud and leaves.
The instant they stepped onto the banks of the loch, Stephen was greeted with the edge of Aidan’s sword. He realized what their appearance looked like, and rather than try to defend himself, he smiled bravely and said, “Aidan Kerrigan, I ask consent to wed your daughter, Aileen.”
Aidan’s answer was a fist to Stephen’s jaw.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Sometimes the storm is an omen of danger, and sometimes it washes away the grime of battle.”
“Really, Dad?” Aileen shoved past her father to tend to Stephen’s face.
“I do not need tending,
leannan
.” Stephen gave her a weak smile, trying to move his jaw around.
“
Leannan
, my ass,” her father spat out. “And my answer is no!”
“Why?” asked Aileen, hugging the plaid around her in an attempt to keep warm as the wind turned to a biting fury.
“I suggest we seek some shelter before we are thoroughly drenched,” interrupted Liam.
“There’s a cave behind the trees up beyond the horses,” replied Stephen, standing.
Her dad stormed off in the direction of the cave, and Liam turned to Stephen. “If you wish, I can help to ease the pain.”
Stephen snorted in disgust.
“I think I’ve got it covered, Liam.” Aileen’s tone was cool.
Wrapping his arm around Aileen, they made their way up to the horses, and led them up the hill. Rain pounded the ground with brutal intensity, making the climb difficult. Thunder clapped right above them, causing Buttertwill to give a start.
“Shhhh...my friend,” soothed Aileen as she stroked her wet mane.
Stephen slipped on a patch of mud, biting back a curse.
“This storm seems to have a mind of its own,” shouted Aileen over the howling wind.
“Aye, it’s...” Stephen halted, his gaze looking back down to where they came from. Nae, it couldn’t be. He continued to scan the area, his breathing a bit labored. Was this Duncan’s doing?
Liam had continued upward, standing next to Aidan at the entrance of the cave.
“Stephen?” Aileen paused.
Lightning splintered across the loch as if the Gods were throwing spears of light. The air sizzled with energy.
A quick glance at Aileen, told Stephen she felt it, too.
He took quick strides to reach her. “We need to get out of this storm.” Taking the reins from Buttertwill, he motioned for her to continue climbing.
“This storm is fierce,” muttered Aidan, as they stepped inside. “At least the cave is large enough to accommodate us.”
Liam had gathered brush from the entrance to help build a small fire. It was a cozy scene, if only the atmosphere of those present were a match.
“Here, Aileen, take this dry plaid,” stated Aidan, removing the wet one from around her shoulders, and tossing it to Stephen.
“Is there another for him?”
“Nae.”
Aileen looked at Liam. “Really?”
Liam’s body tensed, then he nodded his head toward the back wall.
To Aileen, it seemed they came prepared by the lump of tartans against the wall. Striding over, she seized one. Giving her father a glare, Aileen handed it to Stephen.
“Traitor,” hissed her dad.
Liam grimaced, but continued to kindle the fire without looking up.
Aileen stomped her foot. “Stop this, right now!” She marched over to her father, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Quit treating my future husband as some kind of barbarian.”
“I told him, no,” he retorted with a scowl.
“Future husband?”
Aileen turned around, giving her
future husband
a huge smile. “Yes. My answer is yes, and it’s all you need.”
“Humph!” replied her father, and then went to sit next to Liam.
She practically threw herself into Stephen’s arms. “When this is all over with, I will be your wife. For now...be content with my promise.”
He delicately touched the stray wet lock of hair against her cheek, pushing it aside. “My heart is yours,” he said softly and gave her a gentle kiss, not wanting her father to take up his sword, again.
Thunder rumbled again, making its way across the Highlands. Stephen tilted his head to the side, as if listening.
“What is it?” Aileen asked, her brow furrowing.
“This storm feels like the verra ones my brother, Duncan, would pitch around when angry.”
Confusion marred her features. “Your brother? Why would you think that?”
“Duncan’s power is the command of the sky. One does not want to be around him when he unleashes his fury. His storms are the ones of legends.”
Aileen arched a brow. “Could he be nearby?”
Stephen just shrugged, but he cast a glance at Liam who was spreading out some food.
“What say ye, Fenian? Do ye sense Duncan?” asked Stephen.
Liam hesitated, rubbing a hand across his neck as if deciding how best to answer. “I don’t know, since I’ve sealed myself off from my powers.”
“Cursed fae! A Fenian Warrior hiding from the fae. What good are ye to us, then?” protested Stephen.
In a blink of an eye, Liam was on Stephen, pressing him against the stone wall, dirk at his throat. “Do not fear, the
warrior
is still here.”
“Are we doing this again?” snapped Aileen.
Stephen’s eyes narrowed to shards of gray, fists clenched. “Ye ever pull a blade on me again, I’ll bury it in ye.” His tone deadly.
Aidan sat quietly against the wall, arms across his chest with a look of smug satisfaction.
“Enough!” shouted Aileen. “I’m tired, cold, hungry, and worn out from all this testosterone.” Pointing a finger at her father, she added, “Wipe that smirk off your face, and get used to the fact I am marrying this man.”
She turned and faced Liam. “I sure hope you brought enough food, because I’m famished. And please don’t tell me all you have is oatcakes, since I’m pretty sure I can’t eat another dried one.”
“Bread, cheese, dried beef, apples, and some nuts,” replied Liam, backing away from Stephen.
Aileen almost swooned. “Thank you!”
Saving the last for Stephen, she pleaded, “Don’t even
ask
about that word, testosterone. I’ll tell you later. And for the love of God, will you put on some dry clothes.”
Stephen didn’t hesitate, removing the wet item off his body. Quickly retrieving the dry plaid, he wrapped it around his waist.
“Happy now?” he asked, his smile as intimate as a kiss.
She just stood there, mouth gaping open in shock. Heat prickled along her spine at the recent memories of them together, and she shook her head to rid the lusty thoughts away.
“Beast!” she teased.
“Shall we eat?” Giving her a wink, Stephen placed his wet tunic across a small boulder near the fire.
The only sounds now within the cave were the crackling of the fire, and the sounds of everyone eating. Liam had even brought a flask of whisky, which helped to ease the tension.
Aileen sat propped next to Stephen, a tartan wrapped around her. Her eyelids started to droop until another clap of thunder rumbled outside their shelter.
“Do you really believe Duncan is doing this?” asked Aileen, yawning.
“I don’t think he is,” Liam interrupted.
“Now why would ye think so?” Stephen questioned. “Urquhart is but a few days ride from here, so it would appear possible.”
“Your brother is much changed, Stephen. I can tell you no more.”
“Ye Fenian Warriors are all alike. Tossing out your crumbs of wisdom, leaving more questions on the path,” he said in disgust. “I’ll take the first watch.” Brushing a soft kiss on Aileen’s mouth, he left to stand guard at the entrance.
“He is worried about enemies?” her dad asked.
“You don’t know, do you?” she whispered, her hand against her breast.
“The cleansing has begun?” Liam asked quietly.
Both heads snapped in unison at Liam.
“What
cleansing
?”
Aileen gave Liam a disgusted look. “He means the one where the bishops from Rome, at least that’s what they claim, are here in Arbroath to
cleanse
the village of the pagan heathens.”
“Bloody hell.” Her dad’s tone was angry. “Now it all makes sense why
Liam
forced himself to come back with me to find—”
“It’s much worse,” interrupted Aileen.
Her dad grimaced. “Isn’t it always?”
“There is another, an evil druid by the name of Lachlan, who is working with the bishop. He was following us, but we managed to evade him.” Aileen clutched the plaid more tightly around her, sensing a deep chill. “Stephen says it’s only a matter of time before he and his men find us.”
“God’s teeth! How does this play out, Liam?”
A shadow of annoyance passed over Liam’s face. “You know I am bound by a blood oath—one you took also.”
“You bastard!”
Aileen felt the blood leave her face. Her father never used that language in front of her. Swallowing, she recognized their situation was probably far worse.
His voice took on a deadly calm when he spoke again. “Tell me this, have we screwed with the timeline?”
“No.”
“Good. Then at dawn’s first light, you will take Aileen and I back through the veil. I will not endanger my daughter’s life with a raving lunatic menacing the Highlands.”
“Obviously, you haven’t heard a word I’ve said,
Dad
,” she uttered with cold sarcasm. “I’m staying here with
my
people and marrying Stephen. If need be, I will fight along with him.” She stood slowly, glaring down at him. “This raving lunatic, as you so aptly called him, must be stopped.”
Walking over toward Stephen, she grasped his hand as he leaned against the entrance.
Stephen kept his gaze fixed out at the trees when he spoke. “Ye should at least consider his offer.”