Knight of the Highlander (21 page)

Arywnn had been strangely silent the whole exchange, and Colin turned to her, curious as to her opinion.

"What do you say, love?"

Arywnn bit her lower lip as if deep in thought. The knowledge of her belonging to him flew from the background of his mind to the forefront, assaulting him with passionate desire. He swallowed compulsively and forced his attention to her eyes, away from the temptation of her lips.

"Tis a good plan. I just… I'm afraid. Tis no small undertaking we attempt."

"Aye, tis true lass. But yer champion, he is sure and strong. Ye have naught tae worry 'bout." Dougal slapped Colin on the back, and offered Arywnn a reassuring grin.

"Thank ye."

"Anytime lass. And may I offer congratulations? Tis a fine man ye married, lass."

"Aye, the finest," Arywnn agreed.

"Enough, my pride is already swollen tae bursting knowing I won the lass' heart." Colin teased as he shook his head.

"We'll gather supplies, and you'll be on your way. It's late in the day for us to gather all that is needed, so you'll likely leave the day after the morrow."Silas interjected, offering a reassuring slap to Colin's back.

"Aye." Dougal nodded.

"Very well." Colin agreed. Two nights, he was given two nights next to his bride in a bed. He would take full advantage.

****

Arywnn tried to calm the fluttering butterflies that were tickling her insides as she watched Colin speak with Silas and Dougal. Colin was her husband. The realization washed over her like a warm spring rain, and she found her lips releasing a grin born of joy and deep love. Colin's gaze continued to flicker back to hers, a silent message of devotion and anticipation within. The heat in his gaze made the butterflies frenzy about, causing her to place a hand to her stomach as she willed them to cease their fluttering.

"We'll not detain ye. I fear I've lost yer attention already." Dougal snickered as he slapped Colin on the back.

Colin was indeed no longer paying attention to his friends, but his focus had lingered then remained on Arywnn. When Dougal slapped his back, he seemed to remember himself, and gave his friend a rueful grin. Rueful, but entirely unapologetic.

"It's true. I will admit tae being a bit… distracted," he said wolfishly.

Both men chuckled.

"We'll leave ye tae yer bride," Dougal called as he left the room.

"Yes, we will. I'll see that all the necessary arrangements are made, Colin." Silas nodded, and strode to Arywnn. "I'm glad he's found you, little dove. You may have a bit of… an adventure… ahead of you, but you'll surely be better because of it." Silas patted Arywnn's hand and then left the room, striding away as only a man with a purpose can.

"Arywnn?" Colin spoke softly, caressing her name with his tone.

"Aye?" she responded, feeling slightly breathless as she met the devouring gaze of her husband.

He studied her for a moment, as if memorizing every detail of this slice of eternity. Slowly he walked over to her and grasped her hand, gently intertwining his fingers with hers. The warmth of his grasp sent shivers of delight up her back, and settled in a pool of pleasure in her belly.

"Are ye concerned?" he asked, his voice a low whisper.

"Truth be told, aye. But, as yer friend Dougal said, my champion, he is strong. Aye?" She smiled into his gaze as she caressed his face with her fingertips. The rough sensation of his beard just barely breaking the surface of his skin was a sharp contrast to the smoother planes of his brow as she caressed it as well.

"Are you hungry? Do you need anything?" he asked as he leaned forward his lips a whisper away from her own.

"Nay."

"I'm plenty thankful for that… Are you…adverse tae turning in early?" he whispered against her neck as he trailed his nose along her skin.

"Nay," she murmured the words as her body trembled with the need to feel his touch.

Without a word, Colin swept her into the cradle of his arms and kissed her full and passionately on the mouth, but the kiss was quick as he turned and made his way to the door. Even with her as a burden, he walked with a stealthy grace that Arywnn had always admired. With a wolfish grin, he carried her up the stairs even as her own eyes darted about for someone who might see his overt display of passion. Thankfully, the hall was empty and Colin vaulted up the stairs like a man racing for a prize of great worth.

As he entered his room, he strode to the bed and set her down gently. The soft mattress gave in slightly under her weight.

Colin began to chuckle.

"Wha' so amusin'?" Arywnn asked, her own face threatening to break into a grin at the mischievous and delighted expression covering Colin's face.

"I was simply… remembering. Carrying you, it was how we first… got acquainted. Was it not?"

"Aye. T'was." Arywnn grinned fully then.

"Little did you know that sometime later I'd be doing the same. Not tae save your virtue, but claim it." His eyes darkened to pools of liquid desire as he leaned forward, resting his brow against hers.

"Aye. So, ye are the knave tonight?" Arywnn teased, though her tone was rather breathless.

"Yes, I'm the knave, the Knight, your champion but most importantly… I'm yours," he whispered the words, and then claimed her lips with a hot and possessive kiss.

Arywnn needed no further invitation. Pulling him closer, she felt herself lean back onto the soft bed, welcoming the weight of her husband as he continued to ravage her lips with his own. Her body hummed with unknown need, but she didn't dwell on why, only that she would soon find it filled.

Colin gently caressed her form with a tender confidence that left shivers of delight in the wake of his touch. Each caress, each kiss, brought her into a tuning hum of union with her mate, her husband. It was as if his touch branded her, claimed her, and in response, her body sang. The song continued, changing melody with each article of clothing removed, and each devouring kiss till a symphony was created all climaxing in one moment.

Then finally. one song remained. One of devoted and unconditional love that lulled her to sleep in her husband's warm embrace.

****

Colin awoke slowly, his body languid with released passion and returned love. His thick arms tightened around the beautiful and very bare body of his wife nestled against him and breathing softly. Her auburn hair was wild and free. Half of it underneath her, and half across his arm teasing his senses with it's inviting and arousing fragrance. She sighed in her sleep, and Colin saw a flicker of a smile tip her full and somewhat swollen lips, enhancing their berry ripe color. She was tempting him to wake her and restart all they had enjoyed last night.

Yet he paused, though his body yelled at him for his self-control. The next few days would be difficult, treacherous. A few hours of peaceful sleep would be the greater benefit for his wife.

His wife.

He repeated the word over and over in his mind, savoring the taste of it, the full meaning. She belonged to him, him alone. None could strip her from his grasp. His name was hers, his children would be carried and nourished by her, and when he was old and grey, he'd continue to hold her as he did now, loving her more each day that passed.

He mentally considered all that needed to be done before they could leave. He knew Silas wouldn't waste time, nor expense, in taking care that all their needs were met for the journey. A truer friend he couldn't ever find. Silas would also take care to transfer his funds with discreet care from England to his new home.

Taking a deep breath, he silently prayed that the obstacle ahead would be minimized by whatever heavenly forces were available to aid him. Arywnn stirred and Colin froze, mid breath, hoping he hadn't awoken her with his silent brooding and concern.

"Ye are fretting," Arywnn spoke softly as she turned around in his arms till she faced him.

"Perhaps," Colin responded, yet the tension that was present only a moment before melted in the warmth of her caressing hand as she reached around and traced his back.

"Ye need not."

"Oh? And how did you know I was fretting in the first place?" he asked as he placed a small kiss to her slightly upturned nose.

"Your body was tense, ridged. And ye probably didn't notice but ye were about' tae squeeze the breath from me," she teased.

"Was not."

"Were indeed."

Colin gave her a playful scowl, and Arywnn mimicked his expression causing him to chuckle.

"We must get up," Arywnn whispered, but made no move to do as she implied.

"Oh? And why?" Colin raised a challenging eyebrow and leaned forward to kiss a sweet spot on her neck, one that had left her breathless earlier.

"I-I…" Arywnn began, her words fading.

"I have no idea either." Colin chuckled and worked to eliminate all other rational thoughts from his wife's mind.

****

The next day flew by in a fury of activity as arrangements were made for their journey. Arywnn found herself gazing up the stairs wishing the day would end so that she could have Colin's full attention once more, but the evening continued to wear on. A tight sensation in her chest would arise whenever she thought about tomorrow. The journey ahead wasn't as long as it was dangerous. Tonight could be the last night she spent on Colin's arms. She wouldn't dwell on such things. No. Her champion, her knight, was strong. 'Twas Rian who would be sleeping his last. Not Colin.

Eventually the men announced the end of the preparations, and Arywnn exhaled a sigh of relief, pushing the creeping fear of earlier back into the furthest recesses of her mind. Colin strode toward her and grasped her hand, warming her skin. Her small hand was easily overwhelmed by his strong one and the sensation was calming.

"Are you well?" He traced her brow with his other hand, his eyes crinkling with concern.

"Aye… 'tis a busy day, the morrow." Arywnn offered a smile, but knew it fell flat, judging by the frown Colin gave in response.

"Yes, it will be a busy day… but not a fearful one. You will be safe. I swear it." He kissed her wrist without taking his eyes from hers.

"I ken you'll keep me safe, 'tisn't I I'm concerned about." She shrugged.

"Ah." Colin nodded. "You'll not loose me. I'm far too stubborn for death tae hold me yet."

"See that it's so," Arywnn murmured.

Colin pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly so that her head rested on his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat slowly distilled her fears and caused her to relax.

"Come, let us retire," Colin spoke softly into her hair just before he kissed the top of her head.

"Aye," Arywnn agreed. She couldn't squelch the goose bumps of anticipation that surfaced on her skin.

Colin made their excuses to Dougal and Silas then lead her up the stairs. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and with it, the unknown. But tonight, tonight was theirs. She'd dwell on that sweet thought, lose herself in his love, and face the morning when it finally arrived. Not a moment sooner.

The journey was shorter than she remembered. It seemed as if each step they took back toward her home caused her fear to multiply. As they passed through the heathered meadows and glens of her rugged Highland home, Colin continued to encourage her, and did his best to allay her fears. Yet each time she gazed into her husband's eyes, fear washed through her. It was no small undertaking; overthrowing a Laird. Regardless of the legitimacy of her claim to be chief, rather her husband, Rian wouldn't step down without a fight. The end of that fight would surely mean death for someone. Arywnn continued to pray it wouldn't be Colin's life that was forfeit.

****

As they came into the Chattan lands, Colin pulled his wife aside. He knew fear was torturing her regardless of his efforts to give her peace. Truth be known, he was fearful as well, but not for himself, for his beloved Arywnn. Should something happen to him, she would be at Rian's mercy, but to leave her in Aberdeen would undermine everything they were trying to accomplish. She alone was the legitimate heir, not he. She needed to be present to issue the challenge to Rian.

Silas had promised that a contingent of men would be waiting for him. As they came closer to the keep, he saw the subtle signs of their almost invisible presence. The fifty or so men would not engage the Chattan warriors unless necessary. Their purpose was to lend Colin strength in numbers. Without protection, the plan to challenge Rian would be utterly folly. It was a risk Colin was not willing to take. With men at his side, he insured a safe audience with the Clan Chief to issue his challenge.

As they made their way inward, Colin paused by a large outcropping of boulders and waited. Arywnn began to speak, but he held up his hand, silencing her voice. Soon the cooing of a dove broke through the silence. Colin answered with his own call. Men began to filter in from the forest till they stood around Colin, awaiting information and orders.