Highland Hellion (Blades of Honor #1) (22 page)

“Aye.” He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, his head tossing from side to side, his hips lifting from the mattress in response to her teasing.

“But you also promised we would be equal in every way, did you not?” She giggled.

“Aye. But this is not the time for riddles, Arya. What in the name of St. Stephen do you want?”

She raised her bottom, then guided his shaft to the entrance of her core, already wet and slick, ready to accept him.

Once she had positioned his manhood where she wanted it, she leaned forward, grasped his wrists, securing them to the bed above his head. “You took me in the cave, so, as your equal, it is my turn to claim your body now.” A possessive little growl followed her declaration. She playfully nipped at his bottom lip, then slowly took his manhood into her body, one sweet inch at a time.

But his impatience won out and he bucked beneath her her, burying his rod to the hilt.

Proud of her ability to control her man, she released his hands, tossed her head back, and set a rhythm she found pleasurable. She rocked back and forth, slowly at first, then faster and faster as the tension built and her core muscles contracted around his shaft, and an array of sensations more intense than she imagined were possible threatened to consume her body and soul.

He teased and rolled her nipples between his fingertips, moving her ever closer the precipis of release. But when he sat up, covered a breast with his mouth, then trust his hips skyward, all was lost.

She climaxed hard and fast, her body convulsing as wave after wave of her orgasm rippled through her. Lost in a moment of bliss, she didn’t try to stop him when he grabbed her hips then flipped her to her back, never breaking the bond between them.

“My turn. And heaven help you, I’ll show no quarter,” he growled as he ground his hips against hers, then set a decadent tempo of his own.

He thrust long and deep, fast then slow, driving into her until her body responded and the tension in her core began to build again. She clutched his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh. Lord help her, but she was on fire and ready to burst into flames any second.

Garrett arched his back, then plunged forward, penetrating deeper with each thrust. They were one, two bodies moving together in unison, both craving the ultimate release.

“Do you yield?” he asked against her shoulder, then pumped his hips even harder. “If not, you must pay for your decision.”

“I’ll never surrender,” she replied, just as her body betrayed her and he tipped her over the edge. One more thrust and he followed her earthshattering release with one of his own.

A few hours later, as they lay on the bed, entangled in the sheets, Garrett brushed his lips across her brow.“Are you awake?”

“Aye,” Arya whispered. “But I am surprised you are not sleeping.”

“I have too much on my mind.” He stroked his knuckles across her cheek, then kissed the tip of her nose. “I was certain you’d sleep for a sennight after the way I made love to you.”

Arya snuggled closer, then pinched his nipple. “Dinna flatter yourself. I had something to do with the intensity of our joining too. And dinna forget what I told you. I willna surrender.” She tried to tweak his nipple again, but he caught her hand.

Garrett laughed, then brought her fingers to his lips. “How be we agree to a truce. Admit we were meant to be together and complement each other in life and beneath the sheets. Equals in every way.”

“You know, Garrett, most men would call you a milksop for being so obliging to a woman.”

“I dinna care as long as we are happy, and you’re mine.”

“Agreed then, a truce it is.” Arya smiled, then released a soft sigh.

“Is something amiss?” Garrett’s brow furrowed.

“Nay. I was wondering how long it will be before we can go home. I enjoy visiting with my brothers and their families, but I canna wait to return to Oban and start our life as husband and wife. There is so much to be done and I am not cut out to be a lady. I miss—”

“Your mother?” Garrett caught a stray tear tracking down her cheeks with his fingertip.

Arya nodded. “Aye. It breaks my heart to know I will never see her again. She willna know about our marriage or see her grandbabes.” She slid her hand over her belly.

Garrett placed his hand over hers. “She knows. Do you think we will have to wait long? For a babe,” he quickly added. “I can think of nothing that would please me more. You may even carry my son now.”

Arya frowned. “Dinna be in such a rush. I never thought much about having bairns in the past, and it is far too soon to think about them now. And if I were fertile with your seed, who said it will be a son?”

Garrett tucked her beneath him, then gazed into her eyes. “I would cherish a lass. Especially if she has her mother’s spirit. Either one will suit me fine. As long as we can keep trying.” He grinned, then kissed her deeply.

Epilogue

Oban Scotland, one year later.

Arya threw her arm around Cailin’s neck, then did the same with her brother. “Garrett and I are so glad you decided to come for a visit. I’m anxious to hear all the news from Fraser Castle. It has been a while since I’ve had a letter from Fallon. Not since she gave birth to Lachlan. I hope all are well.”

“Bryce and Fallon send their love. As do all the bairns,” Cailin replied.

“Och, where are my manners? You must be exhausted from your trip.” Arya stepped back. “Please come inside the castle. I’ll show you to your solar, then have a basin of water and toweling sent up at once, so you can freshen up.” She turned, then climbed the steps. Connor, Garrett, and Cailin followed.

Before they entered the keep, Connor glanced around the bailey, then peered up at the two-story stone structure. “You’ve done a fine job. Did it take long to build?”

“We had plenty of help, so we completed it in under seven months. The main keep was the first thing we finished. Then, Arya and I moved from the croft we’d been staying in and oversaw the rest of the construction from here. The castle isna as grand as yours, but there is plenty of room to expand should the need arise.” Garrett slid his arm around his wife’s shoulder, then kissed her cheek. “Arya and I are very happy here.”

“And you’ve had no issue with Campbell?” Connor asked.

“Nay. So far, he has left us alone,” Garrett replied. “But Arya is right, you must be tired and parched. I have a jug of whisky that I’m sure will go down well about now.” He thumped Connor on the back, then he and Arya escorted their guests inside.

“I asked Cook to prepare a feast for your arrival. Once you’ve taken your belongings to your chamber, perhaps you would like to join us in the great hall.” Arya moved to the bottom of the staircase. “If you’d like, I’ll show you the way.”

“That willna be necessary,” Connor said. “If you tell us where you wish us to sleep, I’m certain we can find our room.”

“Top of the stairs, the first chamber on your right. I started a fire, so it should be nice and warm.” Garrett pointed to the second floor of the castle. “Arya and I will check on the food and drink.”

Connor nodded, then led Cailin up the steps.

“It is so wonderful to see them.” Arya snaked her arm around Garrett’s waist.

Garrett kissed the top of her head. “Aye, let’s see to the feast. They will be down before you know it.”

“I canna believe over a year has passed since your wedding. Your home is lovely,” Cailin said as she and Connor entered the great hall an hour after their arrival.

“Aye, time goes by very quickly. Please have a seat.” Arya pointed to two empty chairs and waited for her guest to sit, before claiming her spot next to Garrett. “Have you heard from Edina and Alasdair of late?” Arya filled four goblets with mead.

“Alasdair and Edina came for a visit about a month ago. Not long after Fallon gave birth to Lachlan. It was lovely to see them, but I must say, with our five bairns, Bryce’s five, and Alasdair’s three, Fraser Castle was overrun with wee ones. In a nice way of course,” Cailin added.

“With the birth of their newest son, Bryce and Fallon have caught up with you and Connor,” Arya noted.

“Not quite,” Connor announced proudly. He placed his hand over Cailin’s belly and smiled. “We are soon to regain the lead.”

“Another babe?” Arya was thrilled for them, but had to admit she found the idea of raising six bairns overwhelming.

Cailin nodded. “Aye, I am breeding again. Number Six will be here by the end of summer. Unless of course I have another set of twins.”

“Or triplets.” Connor puffed out his chest.

“Heaven forbid!” Cailin ran the back of her hand across her brow.

“Congratulations, man.” Garrett offered his hand to Connor. “This calls for some whisky and a toast.” He filled a tankard, handed it to Connor, then poured some for himself. “To the new babe.
Slainte mhaht
! Well done, man.” He raised his cup in the air.

Arya glared at her empty mug until Garrett filled it with whisky. She joined the men in another toast, then shook her head. “I could never understand why people always congratulate the man when a woman is breeding. As if siring a babe is some great feat. It is the woman who must carry his seed and give birth.”

Cailin took Arya’s hand. “Speaking of babes, when can we expect a little niece or nephew from you and Garrett?”

“We are in no hurry,” Arya responded quickly. “I am still getting accustomed to being a wife. There is so much to learn, and we have plenty of time to think about starting a family.”

“It isna for lack of trying,” Garrett announced proudly, but the comment gained him an elbow in the ribs from Arya.

Connor doubled over with laughter. “That is one time, sister, a man is essential. You may be an independent woman and want to do everything by yourself, but you canna make a babe on your own.”

“I believe she would if she could,” Garrett said, snickering behind his hand.

Arya glared at the two men. “I am sure you both think you are amusing. Perhaps you would like to bed down with the men in the great hall tonight, Garrett?”

“How are your bairns?” Garrett quickly changed the subject, inched closer to Arya, then kissed her on the cheek.

“Nice try at making amends.” Arya elbowed her husband again, then laughed. “Aye, Cailin, how are they? Andrew, Keenan, and the twins? They must be getting so tall. And I do miss Leslie.”

“I almost forgot, she sent you this.” Cailin reached into a canvas sack, pulled out hand-sewn tapestry, then gave it to Arya. “The bairns are all doing wonderfully. Andrew is growing like a weed. I think he will be even taller than his da someday. And Keenan is close on his heel. The twins are into everything, and Leslie is as precocious as ever. She puts me in mind of her aunt, Arya.” She wiggled a brow and smiled.

Arya examined the sampler, tracing the intricate stitches with a fingertip. “Leslie does such lovely work. Did she do this all by herself?”

“Aye. I helped her get started, but she has worked on it for almost three months,” Cailin replied.

“Well, this is obviously one talent she must get from your side of the family because I still canna sew to save my soul. I tried to make a tunic for Garrett last winter and ended up tossing it into the fire.”

“At least you tried,
Leannan.
” Garrett made another attempt to kiss Arya’s cheek, this time successfully.

Arya stood, then held the colorful tapestry against the wall. “I love how she joined the MacDougall, MacEachan, and Fraser crests. I will hang it in our solar. It would be lovely if you and Connor would allow her to come and stay with us for a fortnight this summer. Longer if she wishes.”

“She’ll be pleased to hear you liked her gift, and I know she would love to come for a visit,” Cailin replied. “She begged to accompany us this time, but too many summers have passed since Connor and I have been away without the bairns. We werena about to pass up the chance when Fallon offered to mind them for us.”

“We will look forward to having Leslie—”

“Excuse me, Lady Arya, but a missive just arrived for Lord Fraser. I’m told it is urgent.” A servant entered the great hall and handed Connor a sealed parchment, along with something wrapped in linen.

Connor frowned as he peeled back the wax seal. “I have no idea what this could be.”

“Read it.” Cailin leaned over his shoulder, trying to get a peek.

Connor read the note, then scrubbed his hand across his chin. “This canna be possible.” He picked up the linen wrapped parcel and quickly opened it. A shocked expression crossed his face as he stared at the object in his hand

“What is it, Connor? Is something amiss at Fraser Castle?” Concern was evident in Cailin’s voice.

Arya moved to Cailin’s side, then patted her sister on the shoulder. “
Dinna fash
, I am sure all is well.” She glared at Connor. “Are you going to tell us?”

“The missive is from our cousin Ian. It is about James.” Connor dropped the missive on the table.

Cailin sprang to her feet and clutched her throat. “Has something happened to Bryce and Fallon’s son?”

“Nay. The message is about my oldest brother.”

“I thought he died at the Battle of Berwick on Tweed,” Garrett said.

“So did I. We saw him slain.” Connor sat, then picked up his tankard and downed the content. “Apparently, we may have been mistaken.”

“Do you think there is a chance he is still alive?” Cailin crouched beside her husband’s chair, then grasped his hand.

“Ian was in Berwick on clan matters and decided to stop for a wee dram before starting for home. After he’d stabled his mount, he headed for the inn. On his way, he came across three men in the alleyway, fighting over a woman.”

“What has that to do with your brother?” Cailin asked impatiently.

“From what Ian said, the lass was known about town as a wench who lifted her skirt for coin. She’d been assaulted by two of the men, and the third, a monk, was trying to help her,” Connor continued.

“I still dinna know what this has to do with your brother.”

“Please, Cailin, let him finish.” Arya nodded at Connor. “What else did Ian say?”

“Ian came to their aid and managed to drive the two men off. Grateful, the monk offered to pay my cousin for his trouble. Ian of course declined, but the man insisted. He had no coin, but he did have this.” He handed Cailin a dirk with an intricately carved blade and gems in the handle.

Cailin’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open. “Do you think it is his?”

“I suppose there is a possibility,” Connor replied.

“Let me see.” Arya could no longer contain her curiosity. She took the dirk from Cailin so she could examine it more closely.

Connor reclaimed the blade, unsheathed his own, then laid the two weapons on the table beside each other.

Garrett picked up the dirks and examined them. “They are identical. Perhaps someone found it after the battle, and the monk somehow happened to come by it later. Did Ian ask where he got it? You did mention a priest rescued you and your brothers following the siege.”

Connor took the weapons from Garrett. “The man who saved us was at least three score. I doubt he is still alive. From Ian’s description, this man is much younger. Perhaps a little older than me. It is possible the monk found the dirk or got it in trade, but Ian said when he took a good look at the man’s face, he noticed a striking resemblance to Bryce and me. He also mentioned the man had one brown eye and one green. So did our brother.”

“Did he not inquire about his identity? Where he lived?” Arya asked.

“Aye. He told Ian his name was Brother Lazarus, and he claimed to be passing through town. He never said from where. When asked if he’d heard of the Fraser clan and if he could possibly be kin, he said the monks raised him and swore he had no connection to any clan.” Connor placed the dirks beside each other on the table. “He might be telling the truth, or maybe he doesna remember his family.”

“Why did Ian
na
question him further? Did he ask how he came by the dirk?” Arya bit her lower lip, waiting for Connor to answer.” Could she have
four
brothers?

“Apparently the woman they’d helped was in a bad way, and the monk asked Ian if he could take her home. Ian agreed, but when he turned around again, Brother Lazarus was gone.”

“What are you going to do?” Garrett asked. “If I thought my dead brother could be alive, I would do everything I could to find out.”

“I plan to find Brother Lazarus. But first, I will return to Fraser Castle and tell Bryce what has transpired. We will send for Alasdair, then head to Berwick as soon as we can.”

“I want to go with you.” Arya stepped forward. “If he is alive, he is my brother too.”

Connor shook his head. “Nay. You are welcome to wait at Fraser Castle if you like, but you are not coming with us.”

“I am going, so best you get accustomed to the idea.
Now
.” Arya took another step, then grabbed the back of the chair for support, her head suddenly spinning, her stomach twisting in knots.

Garrett rushed to her side, in time to catch her before she collapsed to the floor. Arya could hear people’s voices, but for a moment, her vision blurred and she couldn’t make out their faces. As the fog cleared, she gazed up at her husband. “What happened?”

“You fainted.” Garrett stroked her cheek.

“I never faint.” She sat, then swatted his hand away. “I must have stood up too quickly. Or perhaps it was the spirits. Help me off the floor.”

Garrett assisted her to stand, then escorted her to a chair.

“Is this the first time you’ve collapsed? Do you have any other sign of illness, like dizziness or nausea when you awaken in the morn?” Cailin asked.

“Aye, on occasion. But this is the first I’ve lost my balance.”

“When was the last time you bled, Arya?”

“Three fortnights ago. Perhaps longer. I dinna monitor it that closely. Why?”

Cailin grinned, then patted Garrett on the back. “Practice does make perfect,” she whispered, then smiled at Connor. “I’m afraid you will have to go on this journey without your sister after all. It wouldna be wise for her to undertake such a task when she is with child.”

“I canna be breeding! I refuse. I am going with them to Berwick, and that is final.” Arya stomped her foot, then brought her hand to her forehead when the room began spinning again.

“You dinna have much choice.” Cailin laughed. “Being a mother isna as bad as you think. And you’ll have Fallon and me to answer all your questions.”

“Cailin is right,
Leannan
.” Garrett kissed Arya’s brow. “If you will promise to go and
stay
at Fraser Castle with Cailin and Fallon, I will accompany your brothers in your stead.”

“I am not a woman who needs to be coddled. Nor am I the first to have a babe.” Determined to stand, Arya tried again, but another bout of dizziness swamped her. She hated to surrender, but was forced to concede. She nodded her agreement. “Fine. I will wait at Fraser Castle.”