Warriors Of Legend (30 page)

Kate took comfort in the gallant knight before her and stepped forward with confidence. Micah’s bright smile dazzled her and lifted her spirits.

She approached and Micah took her hand. He pulled it to his lips. “My lady, you are radiant this day.” The softness of his lips sent a rush of warmth through her. Kate’s hand trembled in his.

Just nerves, like any bride on her wedding day,
she thought.

Micah turned and they faced the priest. Power and strength seemed to radiate from Micah and Kate found her nerves calming.

The priest gave a short introduction, citing the blessings of marriage then instructed Micah to speak the vows. Micah’s hands firmly gripped Kate’s. He gazed into her eyes and she was certain he looked into her soul.

“I take thee, Lady Kate Liulf,” Micah said his voice soft and resonate. “To my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘till death us depart, if the holy church it will ordain, and thereto, I plight thee my troth.”

Kate trembled at the power and sincerity of his voice. She repeated the vow, her voice a soft counter to his.

The priest then blessed the rings and Micah again spoke as he slid the gold band on Kate’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed and with my body, I thee honor.”

A bolt of energy shot through her, obliterating the last of her fear and pensiveness. Kate also repeated the words as she slid the ring on Micah’s finger. Her hands no longer trembled and her voice grew in strength. She stepped into a whole new world. A world with new challenges but one also filled with hope; not pain and fear.

The priest bade Micah to kiss the bride. As Micah touched his lips to hers, Kate left the world of darkness behind. Micah’s hands cupped her face and his kiss ravished her senses. Fire roared through her veins and she returned his kiss wholeheartedly, still amazed at how Micah dizzied her. The cheers of the audience turned into playful hoots and bawdy shouts. Micah backed away, his bronzed cheeks turning darker. He grinned down at her then wrapped his arm around hers.

Kate laughed softly. “The revel awaits, my lord,” she said.

“Aye,” he replied and winked. “And there is much to celebrate this day.”

Kate agreed completely.

***

During the revel, Micah watched his new wife, amazed at how profoundly marriage struck him. In reality, he had never given it much thought. A man married to secure his lineage with heirs. Micah did not want children yet, not until he cleared his name. He had always regarded marriage as an event so far in the future it never seemed real.

Now the future proved true.

Kate, beautiful in her white brocade wedding dress, laughed and smiled vibrantly. She had emerged completely from her shell of terror. Micah found that simple fact his greatest reward.

The revel progressed, loud and boisterous. Micah noted the soldiers selected for guard duty remained sober and alert. With Kate’s marriage, Micah wondered how MacLeary would adjust. He doubted the laird would foreswear his quest for Appleby. MacLeary claimed a birthright but could not prove family ties to the land. He would not stop, and his tactics would change. Micah needed to know how.

He took a drink of wine, forcing his worries down. He could think of that tomorrow. Tonight belonged to himself and Kate.

The minstrels struck up a lively tune and Micah turned to his new wife. “My lady, would you dance with me?”

She smiled brilliantly. “I would be honored.”

Micah rose and tugged her to her feet. He hadn’t enjoyed a revel this much since his youth.

***

The hour grew late and Kate tried to catch her breath as Micah escorted her from the dancing to the large table. He fetched a cup of wine for her. Instead of returning to their seats, he pulled her to a quiet corner. Micah nodded toward Marjorie who spoke with Kate’s maids.

“I think Marjorie is planning the bedding ceremony.”

Kate’s cheeks burned brighter. She gulped a deep swallow of wine and heard Micah chuckle.

“I am not one to make my private affairs so public,” he said. “Perhaps I should resort to some thievery.”

She blinked in surprise. “Thievery?”

“Aye,” he replied with a mischievous grin. Micah set his wine cup down and tugged Kate’s away. Abruptly, he lifted her into his arms. “I shall steal my own wife away with only one man wise to my actions.” Micah paused and winked at Hubert, who smiled. Silently, Micah moved around the crowd, skirting through the shadows of the great hall.

Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. “Marjorie will be quite vexed with you when she discovers you have ruined her fun.”

“Marjorie is always vexed with me.”

They reached the stairs. Other than Hubert, no one noticed the bride and groom had left the revel. “Thievery suits you well, sir,” Kate said.

“Ah, my sweet, you will find that I have many talents.”

Kate’s blush intensified. A part of her feared what awaited her but another part anticipated this night. Micah would not do anything to hurt her. His strength had always been tempered with gentleness.

Kate glanced up at him and allowed herself to admire his handsome features. She thought of the scars she bore and a surge of worry startled her. Men had called her beautiful once but now… Micah would take her to his bed and see firsthand what pain her captors had wrought.

Chapter Nine

Micah stood Kate on her feet, shut the door behind them, and bolted it. He avoided her gaze and moved to the small table, pouring two glasses of wine. Micah marveled at his hesitation. Tonight he would make Kate his wife, in body as well as name.

He handed Kate a cup and risked a glance at her as she took a long drink. He clearly saw her nervousness but she did not appear to be afraid of him. So why did he delay?

Micah drank, the wine uncoiling his stomach. He realized the cause of his hesitation. Desire pounded through his body so powerfully that Micah worried he might frighten Kate. The demon he kept so tightly leashed threatened to escape every time he touched her.

Micah sighed and set his cup down. “Kate…”

Her eyes met his and he saw it. Fear. His heart sank and he looked at the floor.

Kate fidgeted. “You…you don’t want me do you?”

His head shot up. “What?”

Kate’s cheeks turned a fiery red. “My apologies, Micah…I mean…my lord. I shall return to my own room if there is nothing more.”

She started to walk away.

A chill curled down Micah’s spine. His jaw flexed. Kate walked away from
him
. In turn, she walked away from herself. Did she really think he didn’t want her?

Again the worry of MacLeary bedding Kate rose within him. Surely, Kate knew Micah tortured himself just by being near her. How could she not realize the battle within him?

Micah shook his head, trying to think rationally. Kate did not know anything about love. Her experience had shown her the brutality of men. Micah decided to change her perception immediately.

“
Ma chérie
,” he whispered and stepped forward.

She stopped but did not face him.

Under the soft tendrils of auburn fire, Micah caught a glimpse of the back of her neck. He took another step and traced his fingers through her hair, lightly touching her skin. She shivered.

“I do want you,
chérie
.” He moved her hair aside and pressed his lips against her neck.

She bowed her head. Her body quivered like a taut bowstring. Micah’s tongue touched her, tasting her delicate flesh. He wrapped his arms about her waist.

Micah buried his face in her hair, savoring the feel of its silken strands and slid his lips up the side of her neck. His teeth tugged lightly on her earlobe. His mouth followed the sleek line back down to the curve of her shoulder. He moved slowly, taking pleasure in the touch of her skin against his lips.

Kate groaned softly and leaned against him. She depended on his strength, her body conformed perfectly to his. Her head fell back against his shoulder. His mouth traveled to her throat. Micah felt her life–beat pounding vibrantly under his lips. His tongue stroked the pulsing vein.

Her hand reached up and buried in his long hair, pulling him closer.

Micah grazed Kate’s tender throat with his teeth, delighting in her shiver and moan of pleasure. His hands moved upward to cup her breasts through her dress. Quickly, Micah loosened the laces of her dress and backed away long enough to pull it roughly from her shoulders. He returned kissing her neck, his fingers toying with her round breasts, soft and supple, fitting perfectly in his hands.

Micah again backed away to rid himself of his tunic. Kate tried to turn around but he stopped her.

“Nay Kate,” he whispered. “Let me finish what I have started.”

“Micah…” Her voice had an edge of desperation that cut through his desire.

He inched away from her, distracted by the way her beautiful hair caressed her shoulders. “What is wrong?”

“I don’t want you to see me.” He heard panic in her voice. She tried in vain to pull her dress back up.

Once again he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. She seemed to relax slightly. “You are my wife, Kate, what we do here is blessed by God and the church.”

“I know,” she choked.

Micah’s worry grew. “What troubles you, Kate? I am helpless unless I know.”

She nearly crumpled in his arms. “I am so ugly.”

Micah blinked in shock. How could she think such a thing? Kate was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He could tell her that…he should tell her that…but something nagged at him. Kate must have a reason for her words.

“My sweet,” he said softly, grazing her ear with his lips. A soft groan escaped her and he smiled. “I honestly see nothing that offends me. Tell me what I should see.”

Kate remained silent for a long time, as if weighing his words. Micah took the opportunity to explore her ear with his tongue, tracing each delicate curve.

“My back,” Kate blurted.

Micah pulled away immediately. Tiny white lines webbed across her skin. Rage filled him again that a whip had been brought against her. Micah longed to strangle MacLeary. He forced himself to control his anger.

“Kate,” he said, tracing his fingers over the lines. “To me, these are not blemishes on your flesh but a testament to the courage of your heart. That courage is what makes you beautiful to me. When I see these marks, I do not see scars. I see the strength of your soul.”

Kate turned in his arms and he allowed her. She needed to see his face to know the sincerity of his words. She studied him for a long time.

Micah placed her hand over his chest where an errant practice blade had marked his flesh years ago. “I too have my own scars. Do you think me ugly because of them?”

She recoiled as if he had slapped her. “Nay.”

His lips quirked. “Then how could I say the same of you?”

“I am not a knight. I am not supposed to have scars.”

“All of us have scars whether they be on body or soul.”

Micah closed his eyes as Kate ran her fingers lightly down his chest to his ribs and studied a blunted mark there. A fall from a horse, if he recalled correctly. Her fingers continued exploring him. A violent passion lunged, and Micah battled it with all his might.

Kate traced across the wound his uncle gave him. A forbidden thrill ran through Micah. The demon lashed out. Micah grunted and snatched her fingers away. He wanted to let her explore his body but he couldn’t, he didn’t dare. That was one place she would not touch. He kissed her powerfully, before she had a chance to question his actions. Kate relaxed against him and returned his kiss. Micah’s heart soared, savoring the small victory.

He continued to caress her, marveling at the feel of her creamy skin under his hands. Kate nuzzled his throat. Micah froze in surprise. She kissed him, her tongue working almost has he had done to her. He closed his eyes delighting in the new sensation.

Micah’s hands traveled downward, over her dress that caught at her hips. He gently tugged her gown free. It fell in a small heap on the floor. Micah paused, allowing his eyes to feast on her beauty. She was so glorious. He swept her into his arms, devouring her with kisses. One hand slid to the inside of her thigh. He stroked her lightly. Her moan of agony almost broke his control.

“Micah…” she whispered, returning to kiss his mouth with unveiled passion.

His fingers traveled slowly upward. He felt the soft curls of the mound of hair and abruptly veered back down.

“Micah,” she protested.

He smiled to himself and repeated the action.

She squirmed slightly. Her hands entwined in his hair. Micah parted her feminine folds and lightly traced his fingers over the slick heat.

Kate almost convulsed in his arms. Her cry strangled in her throat. She quivered as his fingers continued their journey so exquisitely. The scent of her femininity filled his head and made him giddy. She moaned and thrust her hips forward, instinctively seeking greater pressure.

Her fingers caressed his chest, exploring every curve of the hard plains, down his flat stomach, and stopped at his braes.

Micah paused long enough to rid himself of that last bit of clothing and soon they stood locked together in the middle of the room with only the fire in the hearth and their passion for warmth.

***

Kate abruptly backed away. Her head spun and the ache within her increased. She gazed upon Micah in all of his feral glory. His black hair streamed wild about his face, accenting the clean lines of his cheek and jaw. His full lips beckoned her to kiss him. She longed to touch his massive shoulders and broad chest, to run her fingers over the perfect muscle that wrapped tightly across his ribs. She saw every fiber of sinew on his flat stomach.

He scooped her off her feet and carried her to his bed. Micah stretched over her, his body pressing her into the mattress. His hands stroked along her sides, his mouth trailed a path of liquid heat down her throat. Kate gasped as his mouth covered her aching breast and ignited an inferno through her body. He swirled his tongue around her pearled nipple. Her fingers wove through his wonderfully thick hair, it fell over her, caressing her with silken strands. Micah released one breast to her groan of protest only to move to the other. Just when Kate thought she could bear no more, he recaptured her mouth. His kisses never stopped as his hands explored her body with loving abandon. His touch was gentle yet demanding. Desire surged within her, tingling her nerves. He drove her close to insanity with need.