The Promise (Highland Lairds of the Crest #4)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

When Brianna awoke the next morning, it was still quite dark. She felt around the makeshift bed that Aidan had made by some stroke of genius the night before, set up in a soft grassy spot, adding a bit of cushion beneath them. It was surprisingly comfortable—or had been while he was next to her. Realizing Aidan was already up and gone, Kitty too, Brianna sat up and noticed it wasn’t quite as early as she’d thought. A soft predawn glow lit the horizon, and she scanned the area where they’d made camp, stopping when her eyes met his. Her smile was instant, and she could feel the warmth in his eyes even from here. He was standing by the fire, Kitty in the sling, which he’d draped over his shoulder. God, she loved that man . Gaping at the realization, of how it had come so naturally, she covered her mouth with her hands. Aidan’s head cocked to the side as he looked at her curiously. Yes, her feelings were quickly growing, but the way it hit her today was startling. Good, but startling. Brianna 2.0 had evolved way beyond her expectations, not that she’d really had any to begin with.

She stood, wrapping one of their blankets around her shoulders, and grabbed the dagger Aidan left within her reach, securing the scabbard around her calf. Then she slipped on her fur-lined boots, which he’d thoughtfully placed beside the bed before making her way over to him. He had a steaming beverage in one hand and pulled her in close with the other. He kissed her forehead. “For you,” he said and pressed a cup of tea in her hand.

Brianna took the mug gratefully. “You know you’re on my short list.”

He winked, seeming to understand what she meant. “I’m no fool, Breea, and haven’t a care where I place in your pecking order. I’m merely glad to have made your list .”

She was a little undone by his reply. Sure, she enjoyed feeling witty—and, shockingly, being witty with him—but he had to know, he was the list. She took a sip, humming in pleasure before burrowing against him, loving how the weight of his head felt atop hers. “You sure know how to make a girl happy.”

He pulled back, lifting her chin. “’Tis only your happiness that concerns me.” When she blushed, thinking of the ways he had surely done that, he chuckled. “I was speaking in general.”

She shrugged, then smiled coyly, something she was getting more used to, petting Kitty from her perch.

“How are your legs?” he asked her .

“Aidan,” she whispered. “Shhh.”

His innocent massage last night had been anything but. Maybe it had started out that way—after he’d gotten her comfortable, he’d sat at her feet and began rubbing her aches away. How he’d found each and every muscle that needed attention was impressive, but at some point, his intentions had shifted to something more amorous. She knew she was partly to blame, and it probably hadn’t helped that she’d moaned and squirmed the entire time. Aidan had been gentle but diligent, hitting everything from her toes to her glutes, but then he’d retraced his path, using his lips. He told her how fair her skin was, and she knew he didn’t mean she was prone to sunburn (though she was), but that he thought she was beautiful. The way he flattered her so easily, so naturally, was romantic, and she totally had a thing for his fifteenth-century vocabulary. When he began kissing her inner thighs, she’d nearly jumped out of her skin, and then he’d shimmied her shift, the only thing she had on, above her waist, cupping her bottom in his hands. She’d held her breath, wondering what sort of pleasure she might be in store for, and then she wasn’t able to wonder anything coherently at all because he had her writhing and whimpering until she’d cried out his name. When she reached for him, desperate to feel him inside of her, she heard his breath catch as he sank in deep and stilled for a long moment. It was the most incredible sensation, and her legs, which by that point were working just fine, had wrapped around his waist, and this time when he began to move, she’d met him thrust for thrust. Her nails had scored his scalp and his shoulders as he rode her, hard and fast. The pleasure was so intense, it nearly overwhelmed her, and when he released just moments later, she found that equally gratifying. Truly, it was an amazing end to an incredible day.

She looked at him now, smiling and shaking his head, obviously aware of what she’d been recalling.

“Breea.” When he pointed at her, chastising yes, but teasing her too, all she could do was shrug and bite her bottom lip. “ Breea , I beg you. Cease.” He said, reading her clearly.

She spun around to compose herself for a second or ten, then turned back to him again. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said with a chuckle. “I look forward to having you again later, truly. We just haven’t the luxury now.”

“Anyway,” she said, pasting on a serious look. “My legs feel fine.”

He gripped the back of her head and dragged her in so he could kiss her soundly. “Aye, they do.”

So much for her all-business approach, not that she was complaining, not one bit. She’d never realized how much she would enjoy this kind of attentive affection and was happy, maybe even relieved, that Aidan seemed to give it so easily. He took such good care of her, looking after her in every sense. It wasn’t lost on her that this was all just the beginning. She thought about it, how or what that might look like in the very near future, to be living together at Pembrooke. Would he be home all the time? Would he have to travel? Would she go with him? Would they have children? Would it matter to him whether they were boys or girls? When she glanced over at him, her eyes met his—he’d been looking at her curiously again, which wasn’t all that surprising since that was usually how he looked at her.

She took another bite of the sandwich he’d given her when he’d sat her down with Kitty. When he’d first offered it to her, she’d been taken aback. Not that anything seemed wrong with it, but it clearly was a sandwich, appearing in the fifteenth century well before its time, so she just hadn’t expected it. She wasn’t sure what was in it, but the bread was a soft grainy roll, and whatever was inside was the perfect combination of sweet and salty with a hint of spice, and just plain delicious.

“Did you make this?” she asked, and her voice cracked slightly, as Brianna was surprised by a swell of emotion.

“Are you unwell?” Aidan asked. He had the oddest look on his face, though, again, that wasn’t altogether alarming. “Breea?”

The sandwich was just really so good and had been prepared almost daintily, clearly made with such care. That he’d done this for her when she was certain he’d have been content with a hunk of torn bread and a few course wedges of cheese overwhelmed her. She took another nibble, trying to figure out exactly what was in it. When she finished chewing, she asked again, “ Did you make this?”

Aidan nodded. “Aye, just before you awoke.”

Gaping again, she just looked at him in awe, shaking her head. Aidan reached for the sandwich then, and she pulled it to her chest, swatting his hand away.

“Is it bad?” he asked, clearly having gotten the wrong impression.

“Bad?” she croaked, shaking her head in wonder. It was delicious. The roll wasn’t too hard or crusty, and it wasn’t too cumbersome to take a bite. She opened the pocket he’d sliced into the small loaf and saw thin slices of apples and cheese evenly layered and…and… “Is this fig ?” she asked.

“Aye, a spread.”

“You brought a spread ?” she cried.

His brows furrowed. “Nay, only figs.”

Well, he certainly hadn’t thrown it together, that’s for sure.

“Breea?”

Brianna held up her hand and shook her head again, then turned to the side, looking away. She just needed a moment to compose herself, which wasn’t so easy to do when he was watching her so closely. After she’d managed a breath, she gave him a lopsided smile, then pressed the roll back together and took another small bite. “It’s just really good, Aidan.”

He seemed to understand then that she just appreciated his attention to detail, and gave her a quick nod, before going back to breaking down their camp .

This was merely the beginning of a pattern that continued for the next several days, with Aidan seeing after her, her mare, and Kitty with the utmost care. Even his men were considerate, and still all the while so diligent in their duties, foremost of which she now realized was providing protection for Aidan, and now for her. Brianna tried to make herself useful as much as possible, always asking if and how she might help, but it appeared they had a system of sorts and were simply happy to have her along. Aidan’s men had also been giving them a bit more breadth at times, especially once they’d made camp for the night, and after securing the perimeter. The same was true for most mornings until they set off again for the day.

It seemed impossible (though she shouldn’t be surprised by what was possible anymore), but so far, every day she’d spent with Aidan was equally exciting and overwhelming—Brianna was sometimes almost frightened by the intensity of these new and budding feelings and emotions. It seemed like a whole new world had opened up for her. Before Aidan, she’d been so singularly focused on the things around her. And while she still took time to commit certain sights to memory, the objects, structures, and even the places now ranked far below her concern for Aidan, Kitty, her mare, and even Aidan’s men.

She’d been so sheltered, or maybe just so shut off for years, that Brianna was surprised she loved touching and being touched so much. Sexually, sure, that was entirely brand new to her, but really, she just craved Aidan’s physical contact. It was incredible that she could just reach out as he passed and feel her fingers brush his shoulder, hold his hand, kiss him, even just press her lips to whatever part of him was in reach, be it his back or his arm, or rub her face against his chest when he held her at night. It seemed that now she’d been awakened to the pleasure of touch, she couldn’t get enough. She’d been so tired the last few evenings, that after they’d washed up in a nearby stream, Aidan literally rubbed her to sleep, sensing her exhaustion. She’d been sure to wake up extra early to catch him before he left their bedroll. At first, she worried she’d miss him, but after he’d made love to her, he confessed that he lingered, waiting for her to stir.

“If you feel but a fraction of what I do…leaving our bed without looking into your eyes…without touching you…holding you…without losing myself in you…’tis nearly impossible. So, waiting for you to stir is no hardship, Brianna.”

Swoonfest!

With so much to focus on once they began riding for the day, it was usually during these predawn hours, still lying in his arms that Brianna wondered about their life at Pembrooke.

“Aidan?” she asked one morning about a week into their journey.

“Aye,” he whispered, still quiet, and rubbing her back.

“You want children, yes?”

He grunted, pulling her closer. “I desire a keepful of bairns, with you, Breea. With eyes blue like a starlit sky and hair as smooth as a glassy lake.”

She chuckled and was about to confess her days of smooth and straight hair would soon be abruptly coming to an end, but he rolled her beneath him, eyes shining. “In the quest to carry out our legacy for the house of Pembrooke, we need to be diligent.”

“Well, when you put it like that it seems rather necessary,” Brianna said, grinning.

He made love to her again, and Brianna was sure that it was love, if the depth of emotion in his eyes and the reverence of his touch was any indication.

They quietly made their way back to the stream afterward and washed before breakfast.

“Ready?” he asked, once she’d dressed, making sure that her daggers, which he had insisted she wear daily, were tightly secured.

When she nodded, he said, “You’re in for a treat today.”

“Aidan Sinclair.” Brianna shook her head, enjoying their easy banter. “Don’t you know? Every day has been a treat.”

He liked that, and made a point of showing her his appreciation with a kiss. When he pulled back, he stared into her eyes, and said, “I can’t wait to get you home, lass.”

Once he’d spoken the words, Brianna noticed something cross his features, worry perhaps.

“I didn’t jinx us, did I,” she joked. It was only when she saw something flare in Aidan’s eyes that she understood she was making light of something that carried real weight. Despite everything, Brianna realized she’d still been seeing things through the lens of a historian—she still, for the most part, had felt removed from the actual consequences of living in the past. But that look in Aidan’s eyes shocked her into her current reality. The observer perspective wouldn’t work anymore. While it had to be true that jinxes and spells in the fifteenth century probably had a different connotation than where she came from, in light of her journey to this century, she couldn’t downplay it either.

“Nay,” he said, then gave her an unconvincing smile.

Brianna cringed inwardly. What if she had jinxed them? Or something worse?

“Breea?”

She sighed. “Sorry. I just,” she reached for his hands, “You don’t think we’re…” she looked around. Even though the rest of their party was well out of earshot, she still leaned in close and whispered, “You don’t think we’re cursed or something, do you?”

Mercifully, Aidan didn’t even flinch. “Nay, not at least for you simply saying you’ve enjoyed our days together. Nor my wish for us to be at Pembrooke and start our lives anew.”

While his reply didn’t quite assure her that jinxes and curses were impossible, Brianna decided not to press it any further. She could tell Aidan was anxious to keep moving, and not because he believed they could be jinxed or cursed or that the end of this journey meant the end of their troubles. But she couldn’t quell the feeling that something was preoccupying him. Whatever it was, she decided, that she’d trust him to tell her if and when he felt it was necessary.

So far, he’d never rushed her on any of their mornings, and even though the few people they’d happened upon along the way all had been familiar to Aidan and his men, she sensed traveling out in the open like this wasn’t his first choice. They were armed, sure, but she was certain he’d chosen their path based on the quickest and safest route possible with her, Kitty, and her mare in tow. Still, something about their conversation made her look at things differently, with a bit more caution. This feeling stayed with her as they returned to their camp and joined Aidan’s men for a quick breakfast before getting ready to set off for the day.

While Aidan and his men finished breaking down their camp, Brianna checked in on her mare as she did every morning. And, like she did every morning, she marveled at how much the horse had improved.

“You just needed someone to trust, didn’t you?” Brianna cooed and stroked her snout. Her mare (Brianna had yet to come up with just the right name) neighed and pressed against her hand. “I know, I’m feeling rather sure of myself, too.”

“As you should be.”

Brianna startled for a second but relaxed almost instantly as Aidan came up beside her. After looking the mare over, too, he gave a nod and addressed the horse. “My wife was right, Merri. I’m pleased to see how you’ve fared. You’ll flourish at home, sweet, just wait.” He turned to Brianna then. “Would you like to lead her today?”

Brianna nodded, surprised at the offer, but knew it was because they’d both won his trust. Then, something else struck her. “Did you call her Merri?”

“Aye.” He winked at her. “You’ve got your kitty, Kitty, and now you have your mare, Merri.” He bent to kiss her. “The dragons will have to wait.”

“ Dragons ?” she said, a half-smile on her face, trying to figure out what he meant.

“Breea, we’re speaking of the House of Pembrooke,” he said, looking aghast. “You think a House as powerful as Pembrooke wouldn’t have dragons ?” He leveled her with a serious gaze that he managed to keep for just a few seconds before he chuckled, pulling her close, still laughing against her lips as he kissed her.

It was then Brianna remembered her earlier comment about releasing the dragons and laughed, too, blushing both because Aidan had remembered—and because she’d almost— almost —truly wondered if he’d been telling her the truth.

Yeah, Aidan definitely got her.

She was still in a dreamy mood later that morning when Loch Ness came into view and was stunned by its sudden appearance. She’d seen the lake before, of course, but here, and now, it was as if it were brand new. She stayed her horse, soaking it all in, then glanced over to Aidan to see if he was as taken with it as she was. He’d clearly been waiting for her to catch his eye, she couldn’t be sure how long he’d been sitting there, but his look was brimming with awe, too. She held his gaze, and was overcome with a rush of emotion at the realization that his look of awe had nothing to do with the lake, and was all because of her. It was an enlightening moment, and she felt a little guilty for the years she’d spent being jaded.

For the next few nights, they made camp on the later side. Aidan and his men were happy to be nearing their destination and had taken to riding a bit longer to further close the distance. Talk in the late evenings had turned to Seagrave and Aidan’s friends who resided there, Greylen and his wife Gwen. Brianna recalled Dar and Lachlan speaking of the couple, too and was excited to meet them. It felt like an entire lifetime ago that she’d visited the MacTavishes at Abersoch, but in reality, it had only been a couple of weeks.

The next morning, after another impassioned pre-dawn effort to establish their legacy, thus ensuring the house of Pembrooke’s survival, Aidan led Brianna to a nearby stream. She could tell the area was very familiar to him, and although the sun was just beginning to rise, he pointed off in the distance, telling her she’d soon have a hot bath, a soft bed, and fare that was sure to please her. His mood had been somewhat lighter these last few days, and while he still kept up his running commentary on the land, always quick to point out new flora and fauna for her benefit, she noticed this morning that he stopped several times to listen and scan the area before moving on. She was always quick to follow his lead, and so stopped abruptly each time too, wondering if there was something she should be looking for, but then he always moved on in the end. It happened once in the water too, as they bathed, but then something shifted, and in an instant, his face set. He pressed a finger to her lips, then motioned with his head, they needed to leave. He didn’t look alarmed, just alert, so she didn’t panic, but still, she’d never tried to be so quiet in her life.

They were just starting to get dressed, when Aidan’s head shot up, and he turned to look in the opposite direction. Brianna held her breath, by now truly scared, she was about to ask him what was wrong when he covered her mouth with his hand. She froze in place, half-dressed, with her eyes darting to the rest of their clothes, a bow and quiver, his sword, and their daggers. It was all easily within reach, but when she met Aidan’s eyes, she knew whatever he’d seen was bad, so she made no attempt to gather their things. A moment later, he was covering her with her cloak and pressing her daggers into her hands, before securing his. When he looped the quiver over her shoulder, her heart dropped a little more. He’d never had her use it before, and it had been years since she’d last shot at a target. She stood a little straighter as he retrieved a single arrow, pressing the shaft against the bow before wrapping her fingers around both. Her eyes darted from side to side, as she tried to figure out where she’d have the best advantage, but Aidan squeezed her hand.

“Not now,” he said, his voice low but crystal clear. “ When I tell you, make for our camp. Forsake not one second, Breea. Flee, as if the fires of hell are at your back.”

She nodded. He didn’t want her to look back.

“If you need to defend yourself, do not waver. Be precise, aye?”

She nodded again, understanding that he was telling her to aim to kill.

“If you stand right where we slept last night and look toward the fire pit, Seagrave lies due north,” Aidan continued, “by foot, you’ll reach its border well before dusk. Trust no one until you cross MacGreggor land. They will not patrol beyond it. No one, Breea.”

She felt tears pool in her eyes as she nodded, her heart thumping wildly. Did he think she might have to reach safety alone? Or was he merely preparing her for the worst? He was so grave, his face set in an expression she’d never seen on him before. Aidan stared into her eyes for another second before saying, “Never forget who you are.” Brianna trembled slightly, wondering if that was his way of saying goodbye, if these would be the last words she ever heard him speak. It was true that O’Roarkes only married in the case of true love, but there had never been a guarantee of the longevity of those marriages—was her promise of a true love match already coming to an end? Before Brianna could fall into a doom spiral, Aidan turned and suddenly made himself so large, it was like he grew to twice his size. He was obviously shielding and protecting her, but she wasn’t sure from what. Still, the movement brought her back to her senses.

Brianna heard a disturbance behind them from their camp, breaking the eerie quiet that had settled over the woods. When she turned toward the sound, Brianna saw their horses flee the area, her mare taking up the rear. Then, just as Aidan reached behind him to squeeze her wrist, she saw what he had seen. The men. There were at least eight of them, creeping out from hiding spots all around the stream where they’d just washed, obviously having lain in wait to catch them. The thought of them watching her for so long without her knowledge sent a shiver down Brianna’s spine. When something sounded behind them again, she tightened her grip on Aidan’s shirt, but he just squeezed her wrist again, rubbing his thumb on her palm, a calming gesture. As soon as she turned, Brianna saw it was his men approaching, which he must have known. She said a prayer as Aidan scanned the area, one arm keeping her snug up against him. By the time Henry, Alan, and Richard reached them, the other men were only several yards away.

Brianna had no idea what their plan was, if Aidan and his men even had a plan, but it was clear that all four of them worked seamlessly together, and could read one another’s expressions and intent in an instant. Right now, it seemed like they were all focused on the strange men moving closer to them. Then, Aidan’s arm moved from her back, and she knew it was almost time. When Aidan reached for his sword, his men did the same, the movement so fluid Brianna felt like she was watching in slow motion. She saw Aidan’s stance shift as he gripped the hilt with both hands, power radiating from his torso and hips as he swung it through the air and bellowed, “ RUN !” before lunging forward.

Her heart beating wildly, and all at once terrified, Brianna turned and ran back toward their camp. Between her breathing and the sound of blood rushing in her head, she couldn’t hear anything behind her. She was tempted to turn around, but Aidan was counting on her not to. She kept repeating in her head the words he told her to remember. I am Brianna O’Roarke of the House of Pembrooke, by right and by marriage. The brush scratched her face, hands, and legs as she flew through it, but she kept going. She stumbled a few times over some roots or branches but pushed herself back up each time she nearly fell. Her grip was so tight on the bow and arrow, that her fingers were numb, and her knuckles raw from scraping the ground as she tried to keep low. When she finally reached the perimeter of their camp, it was obvious that Alan, Richard, and Henry had scattered their things. They’d probably let the horses go too, so they wouldn’t be stolen or hurt or, God forbid, worse. She knew Kitty had to be somewhere, and scanned the camp wondering where they’d hid her. After a moment’s frantic searching, Brianna decided she’d have to come back to scour the area later. Remembering Aidan’s instruction, she found the spot where they’d slept and stood there to get her bearings. Thankfully, her grandfather had taught her how to find due north in one of their informal lessons. As she headed off, Brianna whispered to herself, Oh, please, please, please, don’t make me do this alone…

She heard movement behind her, and she froze. For a few seconds she was overcome with fear, then Aidan’s eyes flashed in her mind, and his parting words: “Never forget who you are.”

She would not fall apart. I am Brianna O’Roarke of the House of Pembrooke. Gathering herself, the words a mantra in her head, she turned to see a man she didn’t recognize, fast approaching, but still a safe distance away. Aidan’s voice rang in her ears: Trust no one …Everything she’d been taught in her youth came back to her now. But this wasn’t a competition or target practice with her grandfather. There’d be no awards ceremony or blue ribbons. Defend yourself … Planting her feet, she gripped the riser and nocked the arrow, extending her arm as she drew the bowstring, finding her anchor like an old friend, level with her jaw. Aidan’s words again: be precise … Staring down the arrow shaft, she took aim, dead center, on her mark … do not waver …Completely still, Brianna could almost hear her grandfather’s voice in her ear, he and Aidan trading off guidance in her mind: someday Breagha, you may have only one opportunity and only one arrow…don’t be rash. With a deep breath, her lungs expanded, and the movement stretched the span of her arms, that fraction of an inch further to set the tension… wait for it, girl …there!—she opened her hand, her eyes followed the arrow’s path as her fi ngers swept passed her ear and the arrow struck her target. She watched blankly as her would-be attacker fell to the ground where he’d stood and Brianna allowed herself a moment to accept what she had done before she turned.

Seagrave. Due north. Run. Trust no one.