Chapter 6
It was time.
Isabelle could no longer wait to give Lucian an answer.
He deserved at least that from her. But even now as he brushed Elad, she still didn't know what her decision would be.
She had hoped that after a full day of getting to know Lucian better she would be able to make her decision, but all it had done was confuse her even more.
There was no doubt she couldn't get enough of his body and the pleasure he gave her, but was it enough to give up her life and travel with him to a kingdom made up with the same magic that put the mark on her arm?
She stood back a moment and watched as Lucian used steady, smooth movements to brush his mount. It was obvious the time he spent with her had taken a toll on him. He hid it well, but there was no denying he was meant to be in his kingdom. He didn't belong with her, but could she let him go?
She knew the moment he realized she was there. Their eyes met over Elad's back. His black eyes were warm, welcoming. There was a small smile pulling up the corners of his sexy mouth. Her fingers longed to delve into his black locks and pull his head down for a kiss.
But the time for pleasure was over. He’d been honest with her. She could do no less for him.
“I promised you a decision,” she said, her tongue thick in her mouth. How she longed to return to the night before and their exquisite lovemaking, with the decision hours away.
Lucian set down the brush and walked around the horse. “You did.”
Hope—and doubt—filled his beautiful black eyes, making her heart clench. He was a warrior, a prince. He was strong, confident, and amazing. She had put that worry in his gaze. She’s the one who had put the lines of strain that bracketed his mouth.
He had done so much for her. What had she done for him? She might have welcomed his touch, but she hadn’t believed his story, had pushed him away when he spoke of magic. And still he remained by her side.
That's when she realized she needed to stop asking herself what she could do and ask what she couldn't do.
Could she allow Lucian and his kingdom to die? Could she allow him to walk out of her life with the knowledge that she would never see him again? Could she live without him?
The answer was a resounding nay.
A huge weight lifted off her shoulders as she acknowledged her answer. What a fool she’d been. Yes, he asked the impossible, but in return she would be his. She wanted to dance around and shout her answer to the world.
Instead, she smiled, her heart trembling with elation and happiness. “Will you take me with you?”
His lips parted as he simply stared at her. Lucian took a step toward her. “Really?” he asked, his voice breathless, as if he expected her to change her mind again.
She nodded and found herself enveloped in his arms as he swung her around and around. He stopped and buried his head in her neck.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
She smiled up at the sky at his words, and she could have sworn the mark on her arm sizzled.
Lucian secured a horse for Isabelle, one that was surefooted and steady. He wanted to leave immediately, fearing she might change her mind once more. But every time he asked, she just laughed and kissed him.
His heart was lighter than it had been in years. He was going home. With his mate. Isabelle had made the impossible, possible. He couldn’t imagine the anxiety within her, but he was going to be beside her forever. He would help her through it all.
He smiled at his mate, his Isabelle, as she stood with Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald.
That morning he’d combed her hair, hearing her sighs of pleasure.
The long strands of her hair were soft as down and cool to the touch.
Never had he imagined himself combing a woman’s hair, but he’d found he quite enjoyed it.
It was definitely something he planned to do often.
One of many things he looked forward to once they were settled in Drahcir.
He finished tying off the bag holding Isabelle’s possessions to her horse. It took everything he had to stop himself from dragging her away from the MacDonalds. They were the only family she knew, and she needed to say her farewells.
“I'm going to miss you, dearling,” Mrs. MacDonald said as she hugged Isabelle for the third time.
Lucian saw the moisture in Isabelle's eyes as she kissed Mrs. MacDonald's weathered cheek before turning to Mr. MacDonald.
“You were the daughter we never had, lass. I hate to see you leave, but know 'tis something you need to do,” Mr. MacDonald said. “We'll be here if you ever need us. Take care of yourself.”
“I will,” she said.
Lucian was surprised to find Mr. MacDonald walk to him. “I better no’ hear of you mistreating her.”
“Never. I pledge my soul on it,” Lucian answered solemnly.
Mr. MacDonald seemed satisfied with the answer as he returned to his wife and pulled her into his arms as she cried. Lucian helped Isabelle on her horse before he mounted Elad. At long last, he was finally returning home. He couldn’t wait to see the gates of the kingdom or his family.
But more than that, he couldn’t wait to show Isabelle her new home.
“Ready?” he turned his head and asked.
Her eyes were bright from unshed tears, but her smile was wide. “Ready.”
With one last wave to the MacDonalds, Lucian nudged his horse into a walk.
The weeks of travel had been decidedly hard on Isabelle, though she made a point to never complain. Lucian made sure to travel slowly, but it was obvious he was more than eager to reach his home. She was just as anxious about meeting his family.
She heard tales of his childhood and his family, of the antics between him and his brothers. Those stories kept her laughing as she came to learn about his brothers through the stories, as well as more about him.
Isabelle had a growing respect for his parents to put up with such unruly lads. It was apparent by the way his parents disciplined the boys and the wisdom they tried to pass down that they were good people.
Lucian spoke often of how his father would spend time alone with each of the brothers riding through their small kingdom, hunting, fishing, or just walking through the village. All the while imparting some knowledge the boys needed to know about the kingdom, family, or life in general.
The king wasn’t the only one to spend time alone with the boys. The queen did as well. She also had things to impart to her sons, specifically how to properly woo a woman. Isabelle knew she would have to thank the queen for that.
After another hard day of travel in the mountains, she reclined in Lucian's arms as they stared at the fire in the coziness of a cave. Her gaze was drawn to his bare arm and the intricate symbol that graced his skin.
The more time they spent together, the more she realized they had always been meant for each other.
It wasn't something she could explain to anyone, more of a feeling deep within, and it was all somehow connected to the symbols.
She moved her left arm near his and looked at the marks.
The firelight played across their arms, but her eyes only saw the markings.
“Do they bother you?” Lucian's deep voice asked near her ear.
She smiled though he couldn't see her face. “Nay. At first they seemed strange, but now…now it’s as if they have always been there.”
“They have. They just needed to be awakened and brought to life.”
Isabelle leaned her head back to look into his black eyes. “Like me.”
His smile was devastating as he hugged her to his chest. “Just like you, my love.”
“I have to admit, I'm more than a little frightened of when we reach Drahcir.”
“Why is that?” he asked as he smoothed back her hair loosened from the braid and kissed her neck.
“You're royalty, Lucian,” she said as she sat up and turned to face him. “I'm a commoner.”
“There is nothing common about you.” His eyes narrowed and he asked, “Are you afraid my family willna accept you?”
Isabelle eyes fell to the ground. “That thought has crossed my mind.”
She felt his fingers under her chin and allowed him to raise her face until she looked him in the eye.
“Doona,” he said softly. “We doona hold to the convictions that have plagued the rest of Scotland. Royalty or commoner, it’s the same in my kingdom.
No one will look down upon you. You’re my mate, destined to be a princess of Drahcir. ”
“Destiny or not, people still view outsiders as threats, and regardless of what you say, people will look at me differently because I'm not royalty.”
He chuckled and ran a thumb across her cheek.
“Ah, Isabelle. None of my words will ease your fears, but I’ll tell you that my kingdom has had to accept outsiders every generation.
It’s part of our life. Believe me when I tell you the people of Drahcir will be thrilled to see you because it means they are that much closer to seeing their lives continue. ”
As his words sunk in, she realized just how foolish she had been. She turned and resumed her place against his chest and threaded her fingers through his. “Thank you.”
“It’ll be all right,” he said as he nuzzled her ear.
She sighed and closed her eyes as he found a particularly sensitive spot just behind her ear.
Her entire body melted against him. His hands moved to hold her breasts and soon his fingers had her nipples hard and aching.
While his hands caressed and kneaded her breasts, his mouth left a trail of fire that blazed right to her core.
She burned for him as she did every night and as with each time their bodies joined, the need for him grew.
Isabelle pulled out of his embrace and turned to face him as she straddled his hips. Her hand found his arousal, thick and hard, as she guided him inside her.
“By the heavens,” Lucian moaned, and took hold of her hips. “I want to taste you.”