Demon Laird (Legacy of the Mist Clans) (35 page)

Just as his parents had done, he would use this building as his residence until the keep was repaired. But as he stepped in an
d sneezed against the dust that rose around him, he knew it would be a long while before he got any sleep.

He heard a tiny sneeze behind him and turned, startled. Lia had followed him in. She carried a cup in her hand and fought against another sneeze. His gaze focused on the cup
—his medicant, he realized. He had been so preoccupied, he had forgotten again. “Thank ye, lass,” he said and stepped forward. He took the cup from her, braced himself for the obnoxious taste, and drank it down. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the shiver that followed.

Lia’s lips twitched as she looked up at him.

“Thank ye for looking after me,” he murmured, stepping closer. The spark he saw in her beautiful eyes drew him like a moth to a flame and provoked a tempest within him. He could not resist stroking his fingers through her silky hair and lowering his head to touch his lips to hers.

He toyed with her mouth playfully at first
, but quickly his kiss became more intense and more demanding. A soft groan curled through her and Ronan’s body came alive. It was not the knowledge that he wanted to make love to her that startled him, it was the intensity of it. He promised himself he would have her tonight, but if he meant to keep that promise, then he needed privacy… and a bed.

He reluctantly ended the kiss but pulled her into his embrace
, resting his cheek on the top of her head. Her body conformed easily to his; no longer was she coiled with worry. “Forgive me, lass, but there is much work tae be done.”

“Aye,” she said softly
but did not move.

He gently rubbed her back, feeling the tension still in her shoulders. “Ye suffered through hell today and now tend
tae wounded.”

“I’ll be all right, Ronan,” she said and pulled away enough
to look up at him.

He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead because he knew if he kissed her lips, it would be impossible for him
to stop there.

She moved away and stepped out the door. Ronan almost turned back
to the task at hand, but he hesitated and watched her, his eyes narrowing. She limped badly.

With a growl, he quickly
caught her arm and stopped her. “Lia, are ye in pain?”

She gave him a puzzled frown. “I am fine.”

A terrifying vision pushed its way forward. Flames raging around her as she struggled on the floor, fighting to free herself from under a heavy beam that had once been one of the main supports for the roof of his keep. He shook the vision away and crouched before her. Without truly thinking his actions through, he pushed her skirts up, revealing a shapely leg that sent his lust pounding through his being.

“Ronan!” she gasped, horrified.

But her beauty was marred by a large bruise that ran the length of her leg, and it was rapidly darkening. Both her knee and ankle appeared painfully swollen.

“Damnation, lass,” he muttered between clenched teeth. “I want ye off
yer feet, now.”

“Ronan, I’m fine.”

“Dinna argue with me,” he snapped with more anger than he intended. He released her skirts and stood. “When my leg pained me, ye told me tae stay off my feet and use damp cloths tae take the swelling down. I want ye tae do the same.”

“I will when I’m finished with the wounded.”

“Ye test my patience.” He stepped closer and whispered in her ear. “The wounded are minor. Marta can see tae them. Dinna force me tae carry you, for if I have tae place ye in a chair, I will tie ye tae it.”

But he’d much rather have her tied
to his bed.

He nearly groaned at the vision that came
to life with his thoughts. The pleasure he could give her—

Bloody hell! He had
to stop that line of thinking immediately, but his body betrayed him and his shaft hardened on the spot. He desperately tried to force the vision away, but instead it sharpened and clarified. Too easily he could see her with her hands bound over her head, not enough to hurt, only to excite, her legs open before him as he trailed soft kisses down her body, descending lower, working slowly toward his goal…

He shook himself, forcing the vision
to fade. Nay! That particular pleasure would not come for a long while, if it ever came at all. She had never been touched, he knew instinctively, and he would never do anything to frighten her. Perhaps she would be open to its potential later… but not yet.

Lia must have sensed his passion
; she stared up at him, her eyes wide. She swallowed hard and her tongue dampened her lips.

He forced himself
to loosen his jaw a bit. He did not want her to think he was angry with her. “Lia, that rafter could have easily broken yer leg. I want ye off yer feet right now. Do ye understand?”

She nodded and limped away.

****

Ronan worked well into the night
, but it was thanks to the clan members joining together to assist their laird that the building was completely cleaned and furnished within an amazingly short amount of time.

Although not as large as his solar, the top floor of the building was pleasant enough. Stairs led from the floor below
to a door that opened to a spacious living area. The bedroom was a bit cramped, but it was walled off and had its own door.

Those who had been displaced by the damage
to the keep would sleep in the community area on the bottom floor. Ronan, however, had the second floor all to himself… well, if his plan worked, himself and Lia.

He and Aidan hauled in the last of the furniture. Ronan had stripped off his tunic a long time ago, wearing only trews and his cross-quartered boots.
He shoved his damp forelock off of his brow and looked around. A warm fire snapped merrily in the hearth, and the last of the dust and cobwebs had been cleaned away. Rugs adorned the floors, and in the corner sat a large table where he could break his fast or manage the business of his clan.

His clothing
, however, hung on lines in the bailey, airing out after being washed to rid it of the smell of smoke.

Aidan looked at him critically. “Ronan,
ye’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

“Quit mothering me,” Ronan snapped then softened his words with a wink.

Aidan chuckled.

“I needed this finished for Lia. Thank ye for
yer help, Aidan.” He moved to his table and poured two cups of wine, handing one to his brother.

Aidan inclined his head
and gazed at Ronan curiously. “In a verra short amount of time I’ve not only seen my brother return but have witnessed the emergence of a new man.”

Ronan ducked his head, his cheeks darkening. He debated his words only a moment. He and his brother ribbed each other constantly
, but Ronan knew Aidan would always have his back. He took a long drink from his cup and sat heavily in a chair before the hearth, staring into the flames. “I am no’ alone,” he said, his voice soft. “I had physically escaped my captors, but my soul remained imprisoned. Lia found the key tae unshackle my chains.” He took another drink and looked at his brother.

Aidan sat in the chair across from him
. “Ye be in love with her.”

Ronan
swallowed hard and slowly nodded.

Aidan
gazed at him a long moment, then his lips twitched as if to smile.

Ronan braced himself for his brother’s banter.

Aidan chuckled and took a drink. “We did well today.”

Ronan was surprised his brother passed on the opportunity but was grateful for the boon.
“Aye. When this all started, I never imagined being able tae use the fear of the Demon Laird tae such a great advantage.”

“
Longshanks willna let this stand.”

“My thoughts exactly, brother. Yet he
is focused on Stirling. Methinks we have a bit of time.”

“My birds tell me Longshanks has ordered th
e construction of another War Wolf as if the first had never existed. He seems tae think just building it, in full view of Stirling Castle, will terrify the Scots so much they will be begging tae surrender tae him.”

Ronan shrug
ged. “If it had been Longshanks outside my gates with that damned machine, I would have had second thoughts.”

“I agree with you there, brother.” Aidan paused and took another drink.
“I am just grateful the gates were not damaged.”

“Aye. We must make repairs as quickly as possible
, but I am thankful the baron was so inept at siege that he targeted all the wrong places.”

“Edward will not make that mistake.”

“’Tis sooth. If he brings us tae siege, then the battle turns toward his strengths. We need tae meet him on the field.”

“He is no slouch there either, Ronan.”

“Nay, he is not, but our odds are better on the field than they are behind our walls.”

“Aye.” Again he paused. “What did ye say
tae Lia?”

“What do ye mean?”

“I saw ye talking, then she returned tae the pavilion only tae sit and tend her leg. She didna move from that spot but near drove Marta tae distraction with instructions tae tending what few wounded there were. She took me seriously when I told her no one would question her in the matters of healing.”

Ronan laughed heartily. “I merely told her if she didn’t get off that leg, I would tie her
tae the chair.” He paused, his humor fading. “Damnation, Aidan, it was a miracle that rafter didn’t kill her or destroy her leg.”

Aidan swallowed hard, his face losing a bit of color.

Ronan stood. “Forgive me, but ye be right that I’ve been pushing myself too hard this day. I must see tae Lia.”

Aidan nodded and bid him good night.

But Ronan wasn’t quite finished for the evening. He called the servants to tote a hot bath upstairs before he went to the pavilion.

He found Lia asleep in her chair, her leg
propped up before her and covered with damp linens. “Hey now,” he said, gently gripping her shoulder.

She started then blinked at him.

His smile grew at her muddled expression.

“Ronan? Is everything all right?”

“Aye,” he said and carefully lifted her into his arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Who heals the healer?” he asked softly. “Who tends tae her injuries and watches over her while she sleeps?”

Lia gazed up at him, a wealth of emotion in her eyes. “You?” she asked as if scarcely daring
to hope.

“Aye,
my sweet lass,” he murmured and carried her into his new solar.

****

Ronan set Lia on her feet, but she was careful not to put weight on her injured leg. Since she had been sitting, it now hurt like the blazes if she stood. She glanced around, stunned to see that what had just this morning been a wreck of a storeroom was now a wonderfully pleasant living space, warm and inviting.

Lia’s gaze fell on the huge tub filled with steaming water. She sucked in her breath and took an involuntary step back, staggering slightly.

“Nay,” Ronan whispered, his strong arms surrounding her.

“Who…
who is that for?”

“For ye, lass,” he paused and grinned wickedly. “Actually
, for both of us.”

Her stomach dropped and her heart slammed against her ribs.

Ronan studied her a long moment, the wonderful gleam in his eyes fading, and Lia suddenly wanted to kick herself. “Ye said ye loved me,” he whispered.

“I…
I do.”

“I have found solace and comfort in
yer arms. I wish ye tae find the same in mine… and perhaps even more.” He stepped closer, filling her vision. His fingers lightly traced down her cheek to her jaw and then down her throat. Their descent stopped at her collarbone where he shifted to trace along its length, back and forth, in a mesmerizing rhythm. She wanted to throw back her head and allow him to touch and explore all he wanted.

Lia studied the deliciously handsome man before her, admiring the clean and graceful lines of his face, the de
ep color of his steel-gray eyes. She was tired of fighting her desire for him. Suddenly, she realized she no longer cared about what was proper or what others might think of her. The only person who mattered stood before her… and he wanted her.

She reached up and caressed his cheek
, and she was happy to see the wonderful spark return to his eyes. She allowed her fingers to travel from his cheek to the back of his neck where she wove them through his thick, soft hair. Tugging gently, she pulled his head down and touched her lips to his.

Her heart soared as he returned her kis
s. A hot, heady desire blossomed within her. All she wanted to do was lose herself in their kiss.

His hands moved across the side
s of her breasts and her entire body clenched. But then they traveled to her shoulders and gently down her back, moving slowly to her sides where his fingers found the laces of her dress. His lips moved from hers to trace a delightful path across her cheek to her ear. “Worry not, lass,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “I shall be gentle this eve… but I will make ye mine tonight.”