The thatched roof needed some tending, but overall it was a beacon of light on this island. She moved cautiously forward, pushing open the door. Musty smells greeted her, and she swiped at the cobwebs draped at the top. A table and two chairs sat in the center. Glancing to her left, was the hearth, two chairs framing its sides.
Carefully putting down her pack, Aileen eyes went wide at the massive bed on the right with furs covering it. This place had not been occupied for a long time. So, if Stephen was not sleeping here, where was he?
Wiping her palms down her gown, she placed them on either side of her temple, reaching out to him, again. When she got no response, she stomped her foot. “Damn it, Stephen!
I need you
.”
Storming out the door, she looked for the stone path Duncan had told her about. The path jutted out to the left of the cottage, and Aileen started out. As she made her way through thick foliage, she stumbled over a log and broke her fall against a pine tree. Wincing from the pain in her arm, she rubbed at it only to stop abruptly.
There, some thirty feet away crouched on the ground was Stephen.
Aileen’s heart broke at the sight.
Duncan was correct. He was changed and barely recognizable. His matted and wild hair hung down past his chin. A face that always required shaving, now wore a full beard. The only item that covered him was his plaid, which looked filthy. She noticed fresh scars, determining these were from the battle last month. He continued to rock back and forth, clutching his head, reminding Aileen of a wounded animal.
Cautiously, she approached until she stood only a few feet from him. This was not how she expected their first meeting. It should be one of joy, but her knight, the man she loved, was
dying
right before her eyes.
Remembering the words she told Duncan, telling him she would bring back
their
Stephen, Aileen clutched at the folds of her gown and swallowed back the lump in her throat.
“Stephen, my love,
please
look at me,” she pleaded.
He pounded his head. “’Tis cruel to hear such voices. Over and over, you weave through my mind, teasing and tormenting me. Your words are malicious, telling me
she
is here. If ye persist in your torture, I will slay ye.”
“I’m here, my love. Just open your eyes.” Aileen tried to keep her voice calm as panic seized her. He wasn’t dying. Stephen was losing his mind.
“Leave me,” he growled, his voice unrecognizable to Aileen.
Gathering what little strength she possessed, she bit out, “No, Stephen MacKay. I will stay right here until you open your eyes.”
“Begone, vile demon!” Grabbing the dirk laying to his right, he got up slowly and opened his eyes.
Smiling weakly, Aileen held out her hand. “I’m
here
.”
“The demon has taken
her
form.” Lunging at Aileen, he held the dirk poised at her throat. “Ye die now,” he hissed.
Aileen trembled, and she fought for control. “Then you will not only kill me, but our child, too.”
His breathing ragged, Stephen blinked, trying to focus. Aileen gradually reached her hand up and cupped his face. He jerked from her touch.
“
Aileen
,” he rasped in astonishment as if waking from a nightmare. His gaze saw the dirk at her throat, and he quickly dropped it. “By the Gods! What have I done?” He snapped his eyes back to hers, which were filled with tears.
Taking her other hand, she clasped his, firmly. “I came back, Stephen. I’ve been the one calling you. No others.”
Crushing her in his arms, he muttered, “
Leannan
,
leannan
, please forgive me.” Weak in body and spirit, Stephen collapsed onto the ground, bringing Aileen down with him. Great sobs racked his body. After several moments, he took her face in his hands. “I am not worthy—”
Aileen placed a finger on his lips to halt his words. Her voice thick with emotion, she said, “I did not endure all of this to have you walk away from me, Stephen MacKay.”
The sun was making its descent and a cool breeze floated by.
“Do you think we could go to the cottage?” she whispered with a smile.
Stephen nodded, but when they got up, he immediately scooped her into his arms. Aileen let out a gasp, placing her arms around his neck. Though he had lost a great deal of weight, he was still toned. They were silent as he carried her all the way back to the cottage.
Stepping inside he gently placed her down. “Would ye care for something to eat?”
“No.” Taking his hand, she pulled him over to the bed. Watching, she waited for any reaction. He remained unmoving. So Aileen removed her boots and then turned around. “Will you undo my laces?” She glanced over her shoulder, noticing his eyes had flashed.
Good
, she thought.
She could feel his fingers fumbling with the laces. When she felt the last one slip free, she slipped it down past her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. Slowly turning around, Aileen noticed his fist clenched by his sides as if trying to control his desire.
Good,
she thought, again.
With a sweep of her hand, she brought her braid around to the front and started to free it from its confines. Running her fingers through the mass, she shook it free. Her gaze gravitated down to see that he was fully erect.
Very good
.
When she reached out to remove his plaid, he captured her hand. “Nae. Get in the bed.”
She arched a brow at him, but complied.
Swiftly, he removed his plaid and moved onto the bed next to her. Turning her over, so her back faced him, Stephen brought the furs up and over them. He placed his arm around her, pulling her tight against him.
Aileen snuggled against his erection.
“Sleep,
leannan
. For on the morrow, I will take all of your body.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Aileen smiled.
Yes, you will Stephen MacKay, and so will I.
Within moments, Aileen and Stephen had fallen fast asleep.
****
As the first rays of light slipped through the shutters, Stephen awoke. He had slept fully, since exhaustion had devastated his mind and body. Aileen tucked against him was snoring softly. His heart soared knowing she had returned and was carrying his child. Making a vow then and there, he silently pledged to always keep her safe. They would never be parted again.
He touched her blond tendrils, taking them between his fingers, so soft and beautiful, and then stopped abruptly.
“Sweet Danu,” he uttered quietly. Raising his hand up to his face, Stephen stared at the dirt caked on his hand. Closing his eyes, he let out a soft groan. It was a wonder Aileen did not flee the moment she saw him.
Moving slowly out from the covers, so as not to wake her, he edged out of the bed. Placing them back around her, he bent to retrieve his plaid from the ground. As he silently made his way out of cottage, Stephen took one last look at her.
“I will never lose ye again, Aileen.”
After dousing himself in the loch, he proceeded to build a small fire. The Goddess was kind to provide the fish for their morning meal, and he gave thanks as he tended the blaze.
Smiling inwardly when the door of the cottage opened, he had hoped the lure of smoke and food would rouse his love from her bed. He could hear her stomach protesting loudly from where he sat.
“Good morning,” she uttered softly.
Stephen stood and turned around smiling. “Good morning, my love.” The sight she presented him caused his groin to tighten. All she had around her was a fur, casually draped over one shoulder. He could just make out the slight swell of one breast.
“Stephen!” she exclaimed. “You’ve shaved.”
Her statement snapped him out of his lustful thoughts, and he rubbed a hand over his face. “Aye, as much as I could. I will have to wait until we return to Urquhart to cut my hair.”
She frowned. “Where did you bathe? If there is was water nearby, I want some.”
“The loch. Where else?”
“My Stephen has returned.” Her voice soft.
He arched a brow. “Hungry? It is fish.”
“For you.” She let the fur slip further off her shoulder.
By the Gods, he wanted her. The fur only covered a small portion of her body, and he could see those long legs. He wanted to run his mouth and fingers over every inch of her body. Yet, she needed food to help nourish their child. “Ye have not eaten,” he said gruffly. Stooping back down to turn the fish over, his hands shook.
“I want
you
—not food. We can eat later.”
“Stubborn fae,” he muttered, trying not to look at her.
Aileen rolled her eyes. Dropping the fur, she placed her hands on her hips and angled her head at him. “You can either make love to me, Stephen MacKay, or I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
He couldn’t help himself and looked up. His mouth fell open at the sight before him. Turning around, she gave him a glorious view, sauntering away. “I’m going back to bed.”
Lust roared instantly in him, and he dropped the trencher to the ground. Storming through the door, his chest heaving, Stephen’s eyes roamed over her body sprawled out on the furs.
“Are
you
hungry, Stephen?” Her voice heavy with need, she stroked the bed in invitation.
Stephen’s only response was a growl before he descended on her. Their lips met with savage harmony—hot with need. Cupping her breasts, he pinched her nipples as she groaned into his mouth. He could feel it resonating deep into him. Could not get enough of her. Could not taste enough. Could not feel enough.
He was drowning in Aileen.
Taking his fingers, he stroked between her womanly folds. She was wet, and her desire sent his mind spinning. He tried to be gentle, nipping, and trailing kisses down her neck.
Aileen dug her nails into his back matching her need with his. She grabbed his head, kissing him hard. Teasing and pulling at his bottom lip, she took his cock and stroked it near her opening.
Stephen plunged deep into her, and Aileen cried out with pleasure, arching up high. “
More
,” she demanded.
He slid out slowly, and then slammed back into her watching her eyes glaze over. Gritting his teeth, he fought the wave that was ready to crash over him. His control shattered when she screamed out his name. A guttural cry of release tore forth from him, and he shook violently.
Moments passed before either could move.
When Stephen opened his eyes, he stared into Aileen’s, which were shining with unshed tears. “Don’t you
ever
send me away again. To live a life without knowing if you lived or died is not a life. I will stand by your side until I take my last breath.”
“Aye,” he murmured, taking his thumb and wiping away a tear that slipped down the side of her face. Stephen rolled over onto his back, crushing her against him. His voice was low when he spoke. “I ken it was not the right decision, but I feared for your life weeks before. When ye went through the veil, my life ended that night.”
Aileen let the tears of joy and sorrow fall. “My father died shortly after I returned. I lost two men I loved that day. I
wanted
to die myself.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “Och,
leannan
, I am sorry for your loss. Your father was a great warrior.” Tilting her head to look into her eyes, he added, “There will be no talk of dying, hear me?”
She gave him a weak smile. Taking his hand, she placed it over her abdomen. “Our child was the only light that kept me going. I fear that if the baby had never reached out—” She swallowed back the lump in her throat, and he realized she was unable to continue.
“Whist, do not say such things.” His eyes scanned her face in confusion. “In truth, Aileen, how can this be? How can ye tell so soon?”
Aileen shrugged and hiccupped. “Stephen, I conceived on Beltaine that I’m sure of. You forget our child has a heavy dose of fae blood. I believe this child will be vastly powerful.”
Gathering her close, he kissed her softly. “I have wanted ye more than life itself. Willing to cross the veil in search of ye, defying the wrath of the fae.” Cupping her face in his hands, his eyes bore into hers. “I
love
ye
, Aileen.”
“Oh Stephen, I love you, too,” she whispered.
He silenced her with another kiss, this one more drawn out, leisurely. When he parted from her lips, her eyes were heavy with lust.
“Now, I will take my pleasure of ye unhurried.”
His smile was wicked, and Aileen melted into his arms, letting the tide of bliss sweep them up and away.
Chapter Forty-Nine
“When the thread of love is woven around two hearts, two souls, they shall become one.”
Aileen’s body was sated from the past few days thanks to Stephen. Smiling, she looked down at him, sleeping softly. She had lost count of the many times he made love to her. Her heart sang each morning when she woke to find him staring at her, and she would never tire of being in his arms. A part of his life, forever. Happiness was a treasure, and she intended to enjoy every moment.
The sun was warm on her body as she continued to gaze at her future husband. His wounds were healing rapidly and color had returned to his face. She let her eyes travel over his body.
“Ready for me again,
leannan
?” he drawled keeping his eyes closed.
She smacked him playfully. “How long have you been awake?”
“Never went to sleep,” he replied, opening one eye.
“Really? Hmmm...” She bent and placed a kiss along his jaw.
“I was figuring out how we were going to travel back to Urquhart.”
Aileen put her hand on his chest and smiled. “It’s all been arranged.”
Giving her a questioning look, she took a finger to his lips to silent him. “I told Duncan to bring the horses on the third day.”
Angling his head slightly, Stephen drew her hand down to his fully erect cock. “Ye are verra clever.” His voice was tinged with a seductive husky quality.
“Yes, I am,” she stated. Standing, she stretched and made to head back to the cottage.
“Just where do ye think ye are going?” he demanded.