Highland Burn (22 page)

Perking up at his last words, Abigale sat up, resting her weight on her elbows. “I knew it. Ye healed my saddle wounds. That’s why I can no remember how I arrived at Black Stone.”

“Aye, and before ye ask, aye, I spit fire.” James said sarcastically as he lay on his side stretched out on the fur rug facing Abigale. The flames from the hearth backlit her profile casting a golden glow over her skin.

Abigale giggled.

Rolling over to face James, she traced her finger over the scar under his right eye. Indeed he must be a magnificent dragon. It thrilled her, but on the other hand it scared her to know that a beast of a dragon lived deep inside her husband. Could she accept that fact? The dragon was a part of James and she knew without a doubt she loved him, but getting used to a dragon would take some time.

Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm. “What else ails ye?”

“I can no imagine how painful it must be to know ye’ll outlive yer loved ones. Eternity is an awful long time to live.”

James rolled over on his back, forearm behind his head. He pulled Abigale tightly by his side. She fit perfectly.

“And ye’ll have to watch me grow old and gray.” She frowned and took a deep breath before she asked the next question. "And what aboot our children, James? Will they be immortal?”

“Abigale, as long as I’m alive ye will be immortal, but our children will not, unless one of our sons is chosen to become a guardian. I’m sorry." He held onto her tightly. “I know how much ye desire a family. This is why Dragonkine do no marry, because of their immortality.”

Their children would be mortal? Abigale fell silent as she wondered if she could endure watching their children grow old while they stayed exactly the same age, or painfully watch their children suffer from sicknesses or worst yet death. She didn’t know what to think.

“Abigale, I understand if ye need some time to think this through, but know one thing… I would rather live my immortal life to the fullest with ye and our future children than spend my endless days without ye. I know now, I need ye, lass."

Abigale’s heart plummeted to her stomach. He wanted a family… he needed her. She understood exactly what James was saying, to live yer life to the fullest, and she could do that as long as James was by her side.

Rolling on to her stomach, she looked down at James. “So, there’s a possibility of wee bairns in the near future?”

He exhaled like he was holding his breath waiting for her to speak. “Aye, as many as ye want.” James smirked with the devil in his eyes.

“Well, James Douglas, the man who never wanted a wife,” she mocked. “Seems like ye’ll have one for a very long time.” Abigale smiled and teased his chest with her fingertips.

~~~~~

James returned her smile and kissed her. Indeed he had a bonny lass for a wife and took great pride in knowing he could give her the one thing her heart desired. Children.

James broke their kiss. “There’s one more issue to discuss. Marcus. Promise me ye’ll stay away from him,” James stated bluntly.

“James, he has been a friend to me. Ye have my heart.” Abigale bent down to kiss him but was stopped. James stared intently into her eyes. “Promise me."

“I promise. But there’s one condition.” Now it was Abigale’s turn to make her request. “I want the girls to stay here, with us until their parents come for them.”

James grumbled his agreement. He would agree to her terms if it meant she would stay far away from Marcus.

“Good.” James relaxed his hands and gave her the kiss she wanted. “And I dinnae want ye to leave Black Stone.” Slipping that one tiny request in could do no harm.

“James—“

“This is not negotiable,” he demanded. There was an enemy close at hand who made no qualms about wanting his attention. It drove him mad that he wasn’t any closer to knowing who lurked in the shadows waiting to strike. Hopefully Magnus could obtain some insight from the dragon elders. That was if he was granted an audience. In the meantime, Black Stone was to be heavily guarded and he would make damn sure he protected Abigale with his life.

Abigale rolled her eyes in defeat.

“My lady? Did ye roll your eyes at me?” James teased her as if he was shocked at her reaction. “Do ye understand the punishment for such a display of rudeness?"

Abigale lowered her gaze like she was being scolded, but her grin told a different story. “Nay, my Laird.”

In one fluid motion, James pulled Abigale on top of him and covered her arse with his massive hands. Each cheek fit perfectly in his hands and he squeezed. “Punishable by spanking.” James wiggled his black brows.

James rubbed her arse cheeks. “I shall take my punishment willfully,” Abigale whispered in his ear.

A large hand came down, across both cheeks. The sound of the swat echoed throughout the room. Flames threatened to engulf him as he dealt another smack. With each skin-stinging strike he felt Abigale’s arousal.

Pushing her over onto her back, pure raw animalistic power took over. He paused for the briefest moment, before he took her again, and gazed down into her deep blue eyes. “My
bel ange
.”

Chapter 20

In shallow holes moles make fools of dragons. ~ Chinese Proverb

If it wasn’t for James having to deal with an urgent matter at hand, Abigale would still be in the solar naked and wrapped up in his massive arms. Being the Chief of Clan Douglas of Angus, and a dragon, business needed to be tended to, which gave Abigale time to check on the girls. She was hopeful that the girls would be eager to play outside since the rains had stopped and the sun was shining. The promise of a beautiful morn stood firm.

Abigale winced when she bent down to slip on her winter shoes, reminding her how deliciously sore her body had become after her night with James. A bright smile crossed her face as she stood and smoothed out her hunter green dress with gold trim. The square neckline was high enough to keep her warm, but still showed off her peachy skin. Long flowing sleeves covered her slender arms and opened wide at the ends. As she adjusted the gold knotted sash around her hips, she placed her hands on her stomach. She smiled. Just the thought of one day having a child of her own with the man she loved warmed her heart.

Indeed it was going to be a beautiful morn.

A knock on the door interrupted her day dream when Alice brought the girls into her bedchamber. “My lady, ye look stunning this morn,” Alice beamed.

“Thank ye kindly, Alice.”

The eldest girl with soft blond hair approached Abigale and bowed. “Good morn, my lady.”

Abigale smiled at the child. “Good morn.”

The eldest girl had been pleasant, but Abigale sensed the girl didn’t trust her fully.

It was obvious Alice had spent a great deal of time with the girls. They were clean, hair perfectly plaited, and dressed in long-sleeved brown wool dresses perfect for playing outdoors. The youngest, who had yet to speak, looked adorable in an elegant white bonnet that sat on top of her blonde head and tied around her chin.

Abigale bent down to the wee girl’s level and smiled brightly. The little girl peeked out from behind Alice’s skirts. The poor child seemed so timid, yet there was courage behind her blue eyes. “Ye know, I have been itching to go outside.” Abigale took the girl’s tiny hands in hers. “Would ye like to come with me?" Abigale glanced up at the eldest girl and smiled.

The girl returned her smile. “Yes, my lady.”

As Abigale looked back to the wee one, dimples winked back at her as the child beamed from ear to ear. Wee one shook her head up and down with so much enthusiasm Abigale thought that the child would jump out of her skin. Abigale picked her up and held her close. Small skinny arms wrapped around her neck and squeezed, as if saying, I’ve missed you.

They filed out of the bedchamber and into the long corridor. Before long wee one wiggled and fidgeted to be released, so Abigale put her down. The girls skipped in front of her and Alice, laughing and giggling as they made their way through the castle.

Abigale couldn’t have been any happier. Seeing the girls like this warmed her heart. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“My lady, may I have a word with ye?” Alice asked.

“Of course Alice, ye may speak freely with me. There’s no need to be formal.” They joined arms and Abigale squeezed Alice close. "But first I must thank ye for taking such good care of me. Ye are a true friend.”

“Och lass, ye know I love ye like my own.” Alice patted her hand and smiled. “I do have concerns, my lady, about wee one. She hasn't muttered one word since she has arrived and the eldest does no trust easily. She won’t tell me her name nor her sisters.” Alice pursed her lips together. “I’m afraid the wee one can no speak.”

“Alice, the girls need a little time and lots of love. Do no worry, give it some time,” Abigale reassured her. “Has there been any word about their parents?"

Deep down Abigale hated to ask, but she knew that there was a possibility of their mum or da returning for the girls. It disgusted her to think that she would have to return the children to live in poverty, furthermore returning them to undeserving parents. How could anyone raise a family in that filth? Nay, she would protect these girls and never allow anyone to hurt them again.

Alice shook her head. “Nay my lady, no a peep.”

Abigale couldn’t help but feel relieved about the news. “The laird has given me his word that the girls can stay here until they are claimed. Do we have an empty chamber close to mine?”

“Aye, I will have it prepared.”

Suddenly the doors to the great hall leading out to the bailey opened wide. Rory and a few burly warriors entered which gave the girls the perfect opportunity to race outdoors.

As they reached the great hall, Alice excused herself to the kitchen and Abigale raced outside behind the girls.

In passing, Rory nodded his greeting as Abigale flew pasted him. “Good morn Rory.”

“Aye, ‘tis a good morn, my lady.” Rory winked.

~~~~~

A blast of cold fresh air hit Abigale’s lungs as warm rays heated her body and sheltered her from the cool morn breeze. Days like today would soon be few and far between, for the sting of winter was approaching fast.

No one was milling around the bailey this morn, except maybe a servant or two. The devoted and dearly loved deerhounds, Lennox and her trusted friend Mahboon, came racing across the grounds, almost knocking the girls down.

Abigale called the girls to her. “How about we play hide and seek.”

The girls huddled next to Abigale ready to play. “I’ll be the seeker and you two go run and hide.”

The girls took off running in search of the perfect hiding place. The eldest called over her shoulder. “No peeking!” she squeaked with a giggle.

Abigale finished the countdown. “Ready or no… here I come.”

The sound of scampering feet caught Abigale’s attention and she started her search in that direction. Old oak trees with perfect nooks and crannies littered the walls surrounding the castle, making for excellent hiding places. Abigale peeked behind an oak when the dogs ran past.

Both dogs barking, they charged past the gatehouse, and ran with God speed into the nearby forest. Abigale grew cautious as she hurried to find the girls. The eldest girl ran from her hiding spot to find Abigale. The girl must have sensed trouble by the way the dogs were reacting.

“There ye are. Where is yer sister?”

“I dinnae know.”

Both of them looked at each other as if they both realized why the dogs took off towards the forest.

“She must be in the forest,” Abigale said.

Panicked, they both ran from the secured walls and out into the open wilderness of the forest. Barking echoed throughout the glen, making it easy to follow the dogs. Hopeful that Lennox and Mahboon had found the girl, Abigale called out, “Wee one!” Again she called out even though she knew the girl wouldn’t answer. At least Abigale’s voice might chase away any wild animals that may be a threat. “Wee one! Come out!"

With the eldest girl right on Abigail’s heels, they both came to a sudden stop. Marcus was bent down talking to wee one. He stood up as soon as he saw Abigale approach. He grinned and released the child. “Ye should be more careful where ye roam."

Relieved that she had found the girl, yet alarmed to see Marcus, Abigale called out to her. “Wee one, come here lassie.” Wee one happily ran to Abigale.

Never taking her eyes off Marcus, Abigale scooped wee one up into her arms, making sure she wasn’t hurt.

A gut feeling told Abigale to get the girls and herself back to the safety of Black Stone. Not wanting to scare the girls, Abigale calmed her rattled nerves and took a settling breath. “Girls, get back to the castle and find Alice. Take Lennox and Mahboon with ye. ”

Not trusting the situation, the eldest girl hesitated and gazed at Marcus with a suspicious eye. “Is everything alright, Lady Abigale?”

Marcus stepped closer to the girl. “There’s nothing to fear, lass, but ye should do as yer told.”

Wee one grabbed her sister’s hand as they reluctantly followed the dogs back to Black Stone.

“The lasses look good, Abigale. Much better than the last time I saw them,” Marcus stated.