The Bewitching Twin (20 page)

S
ilence pierced the earth; not even a bird sang or a leaf rustled. All stilled following the accidental assault on the chieftain that had left him standing and his jaw swelling.

“You idiot,” Aliss yelled and stomped over to Peter, who stood pale and speechless. With a wagging finger in his face, she let him have it. “Have you no brain in that thick head of yours? You use fists to settle a problem instead of using common sense.” She jabbed at his head. “Your own stupidity will see that you remain unwed, since no woman would want such a dumb man. You are—”

“Aliss.” A hand on her shoulder had her spinning around. “I think you have chastised him enough.”

She almost sagged with relief when she saw that Rogan’s jaw was not as swollen as she had first suspected. It was red and could possibly bruise but the swelling was not serious and would probably vanish in no time.

“He got what he deserved for hurting you,” she said, and turned to see Peter sulking off in defeat and humiliation. “Oh, dear.”

“You really gave it to him,” Raynor said with a laugh, as he approached through the dispersing crowd.

“I did not mean—” She shook her head, reminded of the young man’s injuries and her own fury at seeing her husband attacked. She had wanted to pummel the young man. She took a deep breath. “Raynor, go and bring Peter to my cottage so I may see to his wounds.”

“He doesn’t need a nursemaid.”

“No, but he could use a friend just now,” Aliss said. With a few mumblings and sputtered oaths Raynor complied.

She took Rogan’s hand and looked around for the other injured man. Spying him sulking away, she stopped him by shouting out, “Robert, to my cottage so that I may tend your wounds.”

“I—”

“Now!”

The young man scurried off, stopped near Sheila and with cautious steps approached the young woman. Within minutes, She began to smile while Robert’s swelling made his grin appear distorted. They walked off together.

Aliss and Rogan were left standing alone in the field.

She raised her hand to his swollen jaw, hoping her loving touch would help ease his pain. She didn’t want him to hurt, to suffer, but then hadn’t he wanted the same for her? The truth would set both of them free. Would it take long for her to be truthful with him and let him know her feelings? Hadn’t he finally been truthful with her?

He kissed her palm.

“I did not think before I spoke,” she said by way of apology.

“I noticed.”

“I became furious when I saw Peter hit you. How dare he strike my husband. I could only think of—”

“Coming to my rescue?”

She winced. “I usurped your authority.”

He kissed her palm again. “You did me a great honor.”

“I did?” she asked, doubtful.

He nodded. “As Peter and Robert fought for the woman they love, you defended the man you love. And in front of the whole clan. That certainly will be fodder for wagging tongues for at least a month.”

Aliss winced again. “I did not think. I did the very thing I accused Peter of doing, only I attacked with my tongue.”

“A strong weapon for you.”

“I am no better than the two men who battled over Shelia.”

Rogan took hold of both her hands. “Love is instinctive, which causes people to react, even irrationally.”

“Love is completely chaotic.”

He kissed her lips gently before whispering, “Drown with me in the chaos.”

“I must tend the injured men,” she murmured regretfully, and stepped away from him.

“Will you tend me afterward?”

“Only if we can get lost in the chaos and forget all else.”

“I will make it so,” he said.

“Then I will see you soon.” She hurried off, though she really didn’t want to leave him. They were healing, the two of them. He had finally been completely honest with her. Their love had been too new, too fresh, for him to ignore the debt he felt he owed to his mother. It had festered for a lifetime inside him. She could not expect him to toss it aside for a love he had newly discovered. He had a right to claim what was his and trust that his new love would survive.

Love certainly wasn’t simple.

It was complex and torturous and made you feel the fool more times than you cared to remember. Yet everyone wished to find love, claim it, hold on to it, and never let it go.

Peter and Robert certainly acted foolishly over love, but then so had she. She shook her head as she walked. She was not proud of her actions. She should have handled it differently, but at that moment when Peter connected with Rogan’s jaw, fury reared its ugly head and possessed her like the devil himself. All she could think of was
attack
.

Now she felt shameful for humiliating the young man.

“Stop beating yourself up,” Raynor said.

Aliss looked up. Raynor sat in front of her cottage on the bench, legs stretched out.

“The two are inside right now talking like old friends. Peter is probably glad you gave him a tongue-lashing. It was a lesser punishment than he would have received from Rogan.”

“I never thought of that,” she said, sitting down beside him. “What would Rogan have done?”

“A chieftain getting punched in the face, accident or not?” Raynor shook his head slowly. “It would not have been pretty. You are most likely everyone’s hero today.”

“I’m no hero.”

“Of course you are, and Rogan knows it and should be proud of you. You saved Peter, the idiot, from punishment, you spoke up in defense of a fearful young woman and helped her speak up for herself, and you helped Robert discover that there just might be a chance for him to win Sheila’s heart. But most of all, you defended your husband in front of the whole clan. You are certainly a hero.”

“I attacked—”

“You defended.”

“I spoke before—”

“Anyone else could, saving the day,” Raynor confirmed.

Aliss laughed. “I like your version better than mine. It makes me appear a powerful warrior fighting for justice.”

“That’s because you are.” He sat up. “I was proud of you today. You’ve changed. You need no one to defend you and no one to hide behind.”

“You insinuate that I hid behind my sister?” She needn’t ask the question; she knew it was true. She had depended on Fiona far too long. Her abduction had allowed her to grow into an independent woman and for that she was grateful.

“Let’s say that Fiona overpowered anyone in her presence.”

They both laughed.

“She has a demanding way about her, but a loving heart,” Aliss said.

“True, but time away from each other has given you a chance to discover your own strength, to become independent.”

“It has and I must admit I like it.”

“Fiona will adjust to her new sister and be proud of her,” Raynor said then stretched to a stand.

Aliss popped off the bench with a smile. “Not without protest.”

Raynor agreed with a nod and a grin. “See to the injured idiots and then I will see you later at supper.”

“I may be occupied,” Aliss said without thinking, and turned bright red.

Raynor laughed. “I’ll be an uncle soon enough again.”

Her hand went to her stomach after Raynor turned and walked away. He was right, he just might be an uncle soon.

Clouds drifted overhead and gathered in number as Rogan walked to the keep. A storm approached, he could smell it, and it wasn’t far off. He hoped Aliss would finish soon so she wouldn’t get caught in the rain, but then he actually hoped she’d finish soon so that they could get lost in a couple of hours of endless lovemaking.

She stirred his passion, refused to leave his thoughts, and was forever a part of his soul, and it felt wonderful.

Margaret acknowledged him with a smile and a nod when he entered the hall. She was busy instructing a couple of young girls at a table. His decision to place Margaret in charge of the keep had been a logical one. She was alone, with time on her hands, and she loved to cook. She had been honored and thrilled when he had asked her and had not hesitated to accept.

He was pleased that it had proven to be a good choice for all concerned. Meals were excellent, the keep was kept clean, his wife was free to heal, and Margaret was happy.

He climbed the wooden steps, noticing that the weak and broken steps had finally been replaced. There was much yet to be done in the keep and the village itself, but day by day more repairs and improvements were being made.

The Wolf clan finally had a home they took pride in, and he had finally settled into a life with a wife he loved dearly. Of course, there was the bargain to consider. Aliss had not let him free of it yet, but all indications assured him that she would. He longed to hear her tell him that she loved him. He had heard it too few times before he was robbed of the pleasure. Soon, if he remained hopeful, he would hear her say “I love you” again and again.

He shut the bedchamber door closed behind him and stopped for a moment to look out the window. He had dreamed of this day, of looking out over his land, and now that it was here it was not how he had imagined it.

What had once been of first importance to him now took second place to his feelings for Aliss. She mattered more to him now than anything else in his life, and he did not even try to make sense of it all. He did not want to. He simply wanted to share his life with his wife, have a slew of children with her, and grow old with her.

He walked to the bed, stripping off his shirt and tossing it to the chair as he went. Then he took off his sandals and stretched out on the bed. He recalled how lonely his father had been through the years, missing his wife more and more as the years passed.

He didn’t know how his father had managed. He had hurt so badly when Kendra died, but then death had claimed her; he had no say in the matter. Not so with his mother. She chose to leave to protect him and his father. She had been alive all those years but they had never gotten to see her.

He could not live like that again. Those years had been difficult, and he could not imagine walking away from Aliss never to see her again, yet knowing she was alive and well.

He shook his head.

There was no way that would happen. He and Aliss were meant to be together, and in time, she would understand that and realize how much they truly loved each other. All would go well for them, he was sure of it.

And the rest of his plan?

Again, he shook his head.

If he chose to proceed with it, it would surely cause a rift between his wife and him that might never be mended. He could not take that chance, and he truly believed his mother would not have wanted revenge that would hurt so many. He was finally in possession of his inheritance and now his mother would want him to be happy with the woman he loved.

Thunder shook the heavens, lightning struck the ground and sent it smoldering while rain pounded the earth. Rogan listened to the downpour nourish nature.

Nature’s melody soon lulled him to sleep.

Something tickled his lips and he wrinkled his nose and shook his head in an attempt to chase it away. It persisted and he swatted at it. The stubborn little bugger returned, but this time he waited, let it alight and grow comfortable.

The faint strokes danced across his lips as light as a fairy steps. He let it have its way, enjoying the enticing little dance until finally—he attacked. His tongue rushed out to capture it and connected briefly with the faint sweet taste of wine.

Then the same sensation came with a waltzlike dance along his naked chest, before floating down across his bare stomach and suddenly changing to sensuous nibbles and nips as it retraced its path up again.

Had he heard a faint sigh?

Or was that him?

Was this a dream?

He felt his kilt being ever so slowly spread apart and thought to open his eyes, but if this was a dream, he’d wake up and he didn’t want to wake up just yet.

R
ogan almost vaulted off the bed when moist lips began to sample him. Tentative, shy licks as if uncertain if she should taste or if she would savor the taste. The licks turned robust, and when she took him in her mouth his eyes flew open.

“Aliss?”

Her head popped up. “You were expecting someone else?”

“No, no, I never expected you to—”

“Pleasure you as you do me?” She laughed. “You can’t have all the fun.”

“Have all the fun you want,” he encouraged. “But then it’s my turn.”

He felt her shiver between his legs, then her hand moved to cup him gently and her mouth descended with care over him. In her inexperience and total desire, she became masterful. But more importantly, she was doing this of her own accord. She had wanted him and had claimed him as her own and that brought his passion to heights he had never thought to experience again.

Damn, but he loved this woman.

He lost himself in the sheer exquisite pleasure of her generosity. She taunted and tempted and drove him nearly insane. He swelled with desire and felt ready to burst but that wouldn’t be enough for him. He wanted to be inside her, feeling her clamp tightly around him.

He reached down and to her surprise lifted her to nest on his groin.

She gasped, smiled, then quickly stripped her blouse and skirt off, tossing them carelessly to the floor.

He ran his hands over her round hips, her skin as smooth as silk, then rested them at her waist. “I will guide you.”

She shoved his hands away. “I need no help.”

He watched as she stretched her arms to the ceiling, running her fingers through her mass of red curls, her breasts round and full, the nipples hard. Then with a roll of her neck and arch of her back she raised herself up and with sensuous grace lowered herself over his engorged manhood.

Little by little, she slid down over him and when he thought she would finally take all of him, she started all over again, a wicked little smile on her face. She enjoyed teasing him and he would let her have her fun for a time, since it gave her pleasure and outrageously stimulated his senses.

Then he would take command.

She moved over him like an experienced courtesan, but then she lost herself in pleasure and that was all it took. He groaned like a dying man when she bounced with agility, stimulating him to new unimaginable heights.

It felt so good. He could let her go on and on . . .

Thought vanished and sensations raced through him, his heart pounding, his blood rushing, and his desire hot and heavy.

He heard the faint laughter as if from a distance and he glanced at her. She smiled, laughed, stretched her arms, sighed and bent over him, her hands resting on his chest. Her grin was victorious.

It took a mere second for him to flip her on her back. Her round shocked eyes glared at him, her mouth hung open, and he drove his tongue in as his manhood swiftly penetrated her moisture.

He captured her gasp in his mouth as she arched up and welcomed the length of him.

He released her mouth. “My turn.”

She ran her hands up his chest. “Have you the stamina to satisfy my hunger tonight?”

“Don’t challenge me,” he warned teasingly.

But she did, she ground her pelvis against him and groaned. “I could come all night long.”

He drew back out of her, though not all the way, and returned slowly. “We’ll see about that.”

They taunted each other, Aliss reaching climax several times and Rogan asking if she had had enough. He was surprised when she answered with a laugh and encouraged him to continue.

The night turned long and memorable until finally Aliss begged Rogan to join her and he did, both of them reaching dizzying heights of pleasure and erupting like bursting stars that rained to earth and settled contentedly.

They lay apart, their bodies moist with perspiration, their breathing calmed and their hearts no longer racing.

Rogan reached out to join pinkies with her. She took firm hold and they lay comfortably beside each other.

He turned his head to face her. “I am a lucky man to have found you.”

“But I brought chaos to your life.” She angled her head to look at him.

“Thank the Lord. I was getting bored.”

She laughed. “You fib.”

“That I do,” he said gently. “I wasn’t bored, I was lonely.”

She turned on her side, their fingers parting, and she rested her hand on his chest. “Do you not still find yourself lonely? My work often keeps me from you.”

“It may separate us at times, but you always return to me and I can always find you if I feel the need for your presence. Don’t you know that is why you find me popping up at the healing cottage so often or tracking you down wherever you may be?”

She shook her head, her expression sad. “I never gave it a thought.”

He pressed his hand over hers. “You wound me, woman.”

“I am sorr—”

Rogan halted her words with a finger to her lips. “There is no need to apologize.”

Aliss attempted to speak.

His finger remained firm. “You came to me tonight filled with a loving passion. That tells me more strongly than words how you feel.”

She moved his finger away. “And it is enough?”

He stroked her cheek. “It goes beyond enough. You gave more of yourself to me tonight than you have ever given and that proves to me how much you love me and perhaps forgive me. You are a good wife and—” His hand rested on her stomach. “Someday you will make an excellent mother.”

“You have such confidence.”

“As should you. You have a gentle touch with the ill. How can you not help but have a tender touch with your own child?”

“You want children.”

“A slew of them, if you agree,” he said eagerly, then poked her. “Have you even given it thought?”

“Now and again I have.”

“We are making headway,” he teased.

“Do you think we are?” she asked seriously.

He moved to stroke her face again. “I know we are.”

She yawned. “I should trust the Wolf.”

“With your life.”

She laughed. “Place my life in the hands of a wolf? That would take trust.”

“A wolf is trustworthy.”

“To whom?” she asked.

“His pack. He guards them with his life.”

“You do that. You guard your clan, and I believe you would give your life to protect them, though I would not want to see you do that.”

“If necessary I would.”

She touched his face like a young child exploring, and with a sad smile she said, “I would give my life for you.”

“No, you would not,” he said adamantly. “I forbid it.”

She shook her head. “You cannot. I have already made it known. Besides, you told me I could not stop you from forfeiting your life for mine. What you can do, so can I.”

“You will take it back.”

“I will not,” she said, as if insulted that he demanded she do so.

He took firm hold of her arm. “Never even think that, promise me . . . please?”

She scooted closer to him and gave him a gentle kiss. “I did not mean to upset you.”

“Then promise me,” he said, stroking her lips with his.

“You tingle my senses when you do that.” She held up her gooseflesh-covered arm for his inspection.

He kissed the raised bumps on her flesh. “Promise me.”

“Remind me of this promise.”

“My kisses titillate you so much you do not recall?” He kissed her some more.

She licked her lips. “How can I think when passion races through me?”

“Promise me,” he urged, running his fingers slowly over her naked flesh.

She sighed.

“Promise and I will stroke you to sleep.”

“What if I don’t want to sleep?”

“Then I will love you to sleep.”

She laughed. “I promise. I promise. I promise.”

Before the sun could greet them the next morning, Aliss was summoned to Margaret’s cottage with a strange request. It was imperative that she come alone. Aliss was relieved when Rogan made no fuss. His only request was that she confide in him as to why all the mystery.

She had agreed and hurried off in the predawn morning, healing basket in hand.

Margaret stood outside waiting and opened the door just enough for them to enter.

“Whatever is—” Aliss turned speechless when she spotted Ivan on all fours in Margaret’s bed, a blanket draped over him, though his hands and feet stuck out.

“We were having ourselves a little fun when Ivan went to move over—”

Aliss held up her hand. “No need for details.”

“I heard something crack in his back.”

“Hurts like the devil if I move,” Ivan said. “And feeling the fool doesn’t help.”

“Nonsense,” Margaret chastised. “We were having a wonderful time—” She looked to Aliss. “Ivan has the stamina of a young man.”

Ivan grinned.

Aliss smiled. She couldn’t wait to tell Rogan.

“I heard a crack,” Margaret said. “His back, I think.”

“Let’s have a look,” Aliss said, and walked over to Ivan.

“I’m naked,” he warned.

“I tried to at least get his kilt on but—”

“It’s all right,” Aliss assured the couple. “I don’t need to remove the blanket.”

Ivan sighed with relief.

Margaret smiled. “Good. I don’t want another woman seeing how well endowed my man is. It might give her ideas.”

Ivan grinned again.

Aliss saved her laughter for when she spoke with Rogan.

After a thorough examination along his back, she explained, “I am going to blend a poultice that Margaret will apply to your back, Ivan. While the towels soak, I’m going to work on your back with my fingers. I think we can get you to where you will be able to move enough to lie flat and rest until it heals.”

By the time the sun had risen a good distance in the sky, Ivan was sitting on the edge of the bed, not completely pain free but feeling better.

“You won’t go telling anyone, will you?” Magaret asked.

“She’ll tell Rogan, you can count on it,” Ivan said.

“Well, of course, she loves him. I would tell you if it were them I saw.”

Ivan grinned. “That would be a sight.”

The two of them laughed.

Aliss shook her head. “I won’t say a word.”

“Except to Rogan,” Margaret corrected.

“Except to Rogan,” Aliss confirmed.

“Good,” Ivan said, with a pound of his fist to his thigh and a wince. “My chieftain will know that the old warrior still has stamina.”

Margaret sauntered over to him. “That you have, deary, that you have.”

“None of that for a while,” Aliss ordered.

They both looked devastated.

“How long?” Ivan asked. Margaret held his hand tightly.

“A week at least, then we’ll see how your back is.”

They both looked as if they’d been handed a death sentence.

“It’s either that or a month.”

“A week, a week,” they both said in unison.

Aliss left Margaret fussing over Ivan. She smiled on her way to the keep. They made a good couple. You could see how much they cared for each other by the way they looked at each other. It was there in their eyes; they sparkled.

Love seemed to be in the air along with autumn’s first crisp bite. Besides Ivan and Margaret, she spied Robert carefully placing a freshly picked bouquet of heather in front of Sheila’s door. To his surprise, she opened the door before he could make his escape.

She picked up the bouquet and smiled at him. He returned the smile and they were soon talking.

She even spied Derek chatting with Tara while little Daniel ran around his legs. Now there would be a good match. Tara had arrived at the Wolf clan seeking sanctuary from a brutal lord who had killed her husband.

Perhaps there would be a wedding or two, maybe three, this winter or spring. She couldn’t wait to tell Rogan. She hurried into the keep and spotted her husband sitting at a table by the fire’s hearth, the table prepared for breakfast.

“I waited,” he said, standing to greet her with a kiss.

“But I’ve been a while. You must be starving.”

“I nibbled,” he said, and demonstrated on her neck.

She giggled and hurried to sit. “I have gossip to share, though some of it you must not share with anyone.”

They were soon deep in laughter.

“Ivan’s right. I am proud of him,” Rogan said with a grin.

Raynor entered the hall and hesitated to join them, but a wave from both had him sitting down just in time to hear about Derek and Tara.

“I thought those two had eyes for each other,” Raynor said, piling his plate with food.

“What about you?” Rogan asked. “Aren’t you interested in finding a wife?”

The piece of thick bread stopped before entering Raynor’s mouth. “In due time I will find a suitable wife.”

“Suitable?” Aliss asked.

Rogan rolled his eyes.

Raynor shook his head. “I will not have you or Fiona interfering with my future plans.”

“You have plans?” Aliss asked accusingly. “And you haven’t shared them with us?”

“I have no plans yet,” Raynor said. “You and Fiona will be the first to know when I do.”

Suddenly the horn sounded throughout the village, the sorrowful wail penetrating the windows of the keep.

Rogan stood. “A ship approaches.”

“No reason for alarm,” Raynor said, and finished his piece of bread before he stood.

Aliss was already at her husband’s side. “You know who comes?”

Raynor nodded after taking a drink of ale.

Aliss glared at her brother. “Do not tell me that you sent a message to—”

Raynor shook his head. “She’s probably come searching for me.”