Highland Shadows (Beautiful Darkness Series Book 1) (6 page)

She cleared her throat, trying to think of what to say. She really had no experience talking to men. What was she thinking? She had little experience making conversation with anyone other than her father.

“Do ye drink? Och, of course, ye drink.” Her heart started to pound again. “Saints above! I’ve wine over by the hearth. Would ye care for some?”

He raised a curious brow at her, but the corners of his lips lifted in a smile. “Some wine would be nice,” he said gently.

He stepped around her to stand on her right side, which she knew instinctively he did so to present his unblemished profile. She accepted his offered hand. His eyes widened slightly. “Ye’re so warm.”

She blushed and fought the desire to tear her hand away. “I’m often warm. Ye won’t have to worry about having a wife who complains about our Highland winters.” She really needed to stop talking.

His rich laughter rang out, making her feel more at ease. He poured them each a glass of wine. She managed to sip at her cup, although she longed to drain the contents down her throat.

“Forgive my nerves,” she said. “I did not know the day would begin with my being betrothed.”

Without turning to look her straight on, he smiled a sideways smile. “Neither did I.” He drained his cup, which she took as permission to do the same. Filling their cups once more, each drained them again. Then they stood together, side by side, staring into the hearth.

At length he said, “Should ye not have a fire?”

She smiled but continued to stare at the bare, clean stones. “I’ve no need of a fire.” She considered how ridiculous that might sound to him. Her eyes scanned her room for a distraction. “Would ye like to view my tapestries?”

He looked at her curiously, but then he nodded. “Have ye ever seen the merfolk?” he asked as he considered her newest image.

She smiled. “Once, when I was just a wee lass.” She loved the magical beauty of the fae. To her they were a promise that not all who were different or magic were bad. Some were filled with goodness and brought beauty wherever they went and gave it to whatever they touched.

He surveyed her walls, pausing in front of a tapestry she had made when she had been in a particularly dark mood. It featured a wolf pack and a tangled forest.

“Ye do not like this one?” she said as she eyed his scowl.

“Nay, I do in fact. The artistry is incredible. This one made ye feel more than the others, but it forces me to remember the troubling time in which we live. The workmanship, however, is remarkable.”

She could not contain her smile. He did not flatter her. He truly admired her work. Had he feigned praise, she would have known. She could smell a lie from across the room. Her arm brushed his, and she heard the beating of his heart quicken. She closed her eyes and savored the sound. This time she knew it was not fear or anger that set his heart to race. It was her. She inhaled his scent, which had deepened, growing fragrant with traces of musk. Closing her eyes, she relished his masculine smell and let it caress her from the inside out. Her whole body responded, lulled into a state of euphoria.

A sudden clamor caused her eyes to snap open. She looked down. She had dropped her cup. She glanced up at Alex who still had his head carefully angled to the side, but he smiled. Blushing, she bent down to pick it up just as he did the same. Their heads collided, causing them both to simultaneously wince and laugh. He looked straight at her now, which she knew meant he must have forgotten himself. Both eyes, blue and green, crinkled when he laughed, and his unmarred cheek dimpled when he smiled. Her gaze shifted to his maimed side. So much pain. Immediately, she sensed a change in him as her eyes passed over his scars. Once more, he tilted his head away.

“What happened?” She reached to touch his cheek, but he flinched and took a step back. All lightness faded from his expression, but only for a moment. Then his eyes softened. “Forgive me. My courage failed me just now. I’m not used to being touched.”

“Neither am I,” she said softly.

They stared at each other, not speaking, just feeling. She saw herself when she looked at his scars—her real self.

“There was a fire,” he said, breaking the silence. “It happened when I was a lad.”

She nodded. She knew all about fire and death. She knew how wickedness could alter a life forever.

“But that is in the past.” He drew closer, taking her hand. “I’ll not allow ye to be forced into marriage to me. I will leave this minute if that is your wish. But if ye’ll have me, I make a promise to ye now. As your husband, I vow to care for ye and protect ye. That is...if...” His voice trailed off. She knew what he wished to say. She reached up and cupped his marred cheek. This time he did not pull away. “I’ll marry ye, Alexander.”

Relief radiated from his body. She could smell his joy. She could feel his skin warm from his pleasure. He was a good man. This she did not doubt. She cast her gaze to the ground unable to look into his kind, honest eyes. A man like him deserved more. She turned away, returning to her seat by the hearth. Taking up her needle, she stabbed the fabric and tried to catch her breath.

She felt his scent curl around her when he drew near. She bent her neck back and met his gaze, one blue eye and one green.

God above, how she wished she could tell him the truth. It was the right thing to do, but fear of rejection stayed her tongue.

She reached for his hand and pressed it over her heart. “Not all scars are visible,” she said softly.

He touched her cheek. “Indeed not,” he whispered.

CHAPTER 5

Alex stared transfixed into Cora’s sky blue eyes while the priest spoke words that would bind their lives together. He marveled at how quickly life could change. The day before, he had set out from Sonas clinging to the desperate hope that Clan Ross and MacKenzie might align against a common enemy. And now, not only had an alliance been forged, but somehow the fairest of angels stood before him without fear, pledging to cherish him all the rest of her days. It seemed too good to be true, and yet her warm hand filled his, proving she was not merely the stuff of dreams. She stared boldly up at him, beyond his imperfect facade to the man within, and in her eyes he glimpsed one unmistakable emotion that burned like wildfire deep inside his soul—hope.

With vows exchanged and the final blessing spoken, the priest turned to Alex and bid him kiss his bride. He stepped closer. A slow smile curved his lips. “May I?” he whispered.

Her full lips parted. She reached up and cupped his cheek. Her touch set his already racing heart to thunder in his chest. He dared not breathe as he wrapped his arm around her slim waist and gently pulled her flush against him. Her luminescent blue eyes bore into his. Slowly, he bent his head. Their breaths mingled and then hitched as their lips touched, hesitant at first, but then a blaze of heat coursed through him as her arms circled around his neck. Their kiss deepened, and for a moment the world was forgotten.

Too soon, onlookers surrounded them, calling out words of congratulations. He smiled in return, angling his scars away from the crowd, but to his surprise Cora shrank away from her kin, drawing nearer to him. The closer people came, the further she retreated. Instinctively, he stepped in front of his new bride, and with purpose, he shifted sides so that his scars would greet the clan. The usual surprise crossed peoples’ faces, and they became more hesitant. He glanced down at his wife who had tucked closer to his side as though she wished to disappear beneath his skin, to hide away, and for the first time in his life he was grateful strangers kept their distance.

“Have ye no wish to greet your clan, Cora?”

She shook her head.

He grazed the back of his fingers gently down her cheek. “Such deep secrets ye keep.” She was heating up in his arms. “I’ll get ye inside,” he promised. Then he turned to Jamie. “Greet the villagers on our behalf.” As off-putting as Alex could be, Jamie was as approachable. His charm and winning good looks put everyone at ease.

Alex passed William who was speaking in confidence with the priest. “We shall welcome your company in the great hall when ye’re ready.”

Then he turned with Cora on his arm and disappeared behind the altar, leaving by way of priestly quarters to avoid the sea of villagers eager for a glimpse of Cora after so many years. When they at last entered the quiet of the great hall, she moved from his side. He regretted the loss of her touch and heat.

Eyes downcast, she said, “Thank ye. I’m not accustomed to crowds.”

“Neither am I. Jamie often accuses me of being more comfortable in the company of animals than I am with people.”

She raised a brow at him. “Is that true?”

“That’s enough questions for now, Cora,” William said as he passed into the room. “Ye’ll have time to get to know one another on the journey to your new home.”

“I do not wish to rush the Lady Ross—” Alex began, but William interrupted.

“The Lady MacKenzie is anxious to leave.”

Alex felt his face warm when he heard Cora’s new name. He looked down at her. Her fisted hands belied her calm smile.

“I’ll not rush ye, Cora. We could take a fortnight or so here.”

William drew closer. “Nay, ye must leave today, now in fact. There’s an ill-look to the clouds. They warn of trouble that cannot be far. Do not linger on your journey. Make your way swiftly to Sonas.”

Cora’s eyes darted to her father and then back to Alex. “How many days ride?”

“A day and a spell if we set a modest pace,” Alex said.

“I’ve packed a bag for ye, Cora.” William pointed to a satchel by the gate. Once more Alex was struck by the lack of servants in the keep. He knew a lame man did not manage the entire castle alone, but whoever helped did so unseen.

“Her trunks, dowry, and supplies for your clan will follow after. I will send as much grain as I can spare.” William reached out and laid his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Hold fast to who ye are. Do not allow others to turn your head away from your heart.”

“I am my own man,” Alex said in reply.

William nodded his approval. “I’m counting on it.” Then he turned to his daughter.

~ * ~

Cora rushed into her da’s arms. “Please,” she whispered. “I don’t want to leave ye. Ye’re going to need me. Who will take care of ye? Who will see to your comfort?”

“Ye know I’ll be cared for. This is your chance, dear girl. I’ve had mine.” William kissed her brow and held her close. “Everything is going to be fine.”

“But what if it’s not, Da? What if—”

“’Tis done. At last ‘tis done, and I have peace in my heart. He’s the one,” William promised.

She nodded, swallowing her fear and doubt. Let her father have his peace. After all the heartache he had known, it was the least he deserved during his final days.

She threw her arms around his neck one last time. “I love ye, Da.”

“Cora, my precious girl.” He pressed a kiss to her wet cheek. “Nay, love,” he admonished gently. “Shed no tears for me. Ye’re looking at a happy man. My heart bursts with pride. Go now, my love.” William’s gaze shifted to Alex. “Ye belong by his side now.”

Fighting for courage, she forced a smile to her lips. “I love ye so much,” she said, stressing each word. Then she turned and crossed the yard to where Alex waited with a horse. The speckled mare reared up as she approached. Alex grabbed the reins and stroked a soothing hand down the horse’s side.

“Hush, lass,” he crooned to the mare. After a few moments, the horse quieted. Once more, Cora stepped closer, but the mare retreated, tugging the reins in Alex’s grasp. Again, he soothed her with a gentle touch.

“Come,” he said to Cora. “Do not be afraid.”

She approached again and this time the mare remained still. Alex helped her mount. “We will set a slow pace until ye both get used to each other.”

Alex led her beyond the battlements of Dun Brae, the only home she had ever known. Despite how she wished to look back, she kept her eyes trained on the road ahead. She had said goodbye to her father, and in her heart, she knew she would never see him again.

CHAPTER 6

Alex rode beside his wife. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. He turned in his seat and did what she had not done once since setting out—he looked back at the now distant Castle.

“We can visit often,” he said, hoping to reassure her.

“He didn’t tell ye, did he?” She kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“I feel as though there are a great many things your father did not tell me.”

“He’s dying. He’ll not live out the season.” Before he could reply, she nudged her horse and trotted forward, leaving him behind.

He started to go after her, but Jamie caught his arm. “Give her some time.”

Alex knew he was right. Still, he desperately wished to follow. Somehow in the brief time spent together, they had shared moments so profound. His instinct commanded he chase after her, refusing to let the rare taste of intimacy and trust slip away. But he knew authentic feeling could never be forced. He exhaled a slow breath and resolved to give her the space she so obviously craved.

They had ridden for a few hours when the sun began to set.

“The stone hut is not far,” Jamie said. “And should be empty this time of year. Shall we make camp?”