Chapter 17
A passionate fire unlike any other! Nella stared at the flames dying in the hearth – nope, not that fire.
That one was so different than what was taking place here and now between her and…
aye, her lover. The flames between her and the one resting beneath her were bright and solid and blazing after all the years in an ember. Bring it!
Her leg was draped over his thigh, the bristle from his hairs rubbing her tender flesh after their thorough mating.
All the time she had let slip by them at her rash choice.
She should have sought him out; well, her lips grazed his torso in a soft kiss, the salt at their efforts in seeking one another fresh on his flesh. Never again!
One thing remained unchanged. She grinned. The snore. Callum still made the same sound while slumbering. When had she first heard it? Oh, aye, it was the time they sneaked out to meet in the meadow then fell asleep in each other’s clothed embrace given the sky was overcast.
How she had missed it! She closed her eyes and pressed her ear closer, tilting her head slightly on his nipple while the dusting in his torso hair caused her to twitch her nose to keep from sneezing. If a sneeze sounds off, he will awaken. Her nose twitched again.
Was it really a snore? Uh, naw. Not if it made her instinct in sense feel like his lips were caressing her ears. Such a unique sound. Like a groan laced with a growl. Love it! Was he the only one ever to make the sound? Aye. No, it was no snore, but a night growl only made by Callum.
As her palm traced over his hip, he unknowingly made it again but deeper this time.
Oh, aye. She pressed her sex closer to his thigh.
Dare she wake her Highland stallion for another ride?
She leaned in harder. A twinge from pain at her body adjusting shouted, no!
Giving an inward sigh from disappointment, she snuggled closer while Callum’s arm tightened about her even in sleep. Love you too, Callum MacCade.
Where were they headed other than Dundee? Were the chances of their survival walking away from this even possible? Her worries hung the air heavy as the earth scent from the peat bricks which crumbled slightly with the fire in need of tending. Wait. Where was her signature night growl?
“Nella?” her knight summoned, his voice raspy from shouting her name during their mating.
She leaned up onto her chin, meeting his gaze. “Hhhmm?”
“Are you not tired?”
“Wee bit,” she said in earnest. “There also lingers a wee bit of worry in many matters.”
His fingers began caressing a trail over her spine. “Tell me.”
“I fear if I fall asleep, once I awaken, I shall find myself back in… in ‘his’ bedchamber discovering this is all a dream.” There, she said it.
“Oh, Nella,” he sighed. “I held the same fear but mine involved waking in the captain’s chambers at Stirling – alone.
” His fingers turned into a palm pressing her waist closer.
“Yet, here we are. Please do not worry for this, I am here now and always.” He leaned down, kissing her at a silent seal on the vow.
After he leaned back on the pillow he questioned, “You stated ‘many matters’. The other?”
She raised her chin. “I wish to tell Brayden of my instinct in sense.”
“Your worry regarding revealing the instinct in sense has faded?”
She pressed her lips onto his neck. “Within your care, aye, it has faded a wee bit from the harsh accusations thrown at me by my late sire. This and I care for Sir Brayden’s manner. I see how you trust him so.”
He brushed the stray hair from her brow. “He has been a good friend who saved my brother Aonghus and his wife during the sieges of Largs.”
“Sir Anoghus’s wife, the one who bears an instinct in sense from her clan’s line as a fate-seer we spoke about earlier?”
“Aye, she is with bairn. This is why she and my brother are not present. Only you and a very wee group know the truth about the element in her grasp. One of those is Sir Brayden. You are wise to trust him; he will not lead us astray.”
“Then we tell him on our journey toward Dundee?”
“Aye.”
She nodded then found sudden interest in the curve upon Callum’s neck.
“Nella?”
“Aye?”
“Have we stated all the ‘many matters’?”
“Nae.”
“Nella, you mentioned in the passageway earlier the oddity of Hiss seeming to know who we are.” He knew her so well. “Is the worry regarding Dundee?”
Her spine straightened even while laying across him. “Aye,” she replied. “What if this is a trap?”
“Agreed, there is a strong chance.” Her gaze snapped up, meeting his. “What if we have been pursuing this in an ill way?”
“How so?”
“Well.” Callum laid one hand behind his head, titling his brow higher so he could lean closer. “We have been chasing Hiss then the Benefactor which led us here. Always one step behind.”
She tilted her skull slightly, not in care for her instinct but curiosity. “Rather than defending the attack, you seek to challenge the enemy straight ahead in a counter siege?” He nodded. “Tell me your thoughts regarding a fresh plan.”
“Well, we know of Lord Kolson’s intent.”
She snorted. “Aye, straight to Dundee seeking Hiss.”
“The smith which vanished.”
“Same as the other two who you declared missing at court in Stirling.”
“Aye,” he explained. “What if it is all connected?”
She moved the finger which circled Callum’s taut nipple to tap her lips a moment. “Follow the weapons, find the enemy?” He is brilliant.
“Aye, that was my consideration.” He grinned. “My lady, I love your mind.”
She smiled. “This is a grand compliment. One I am most pleased to hear as you are now stuck with it and me, Callum MacCade.”
His grin broadened. “Promise?”
Her word was iron. “Aye.” Then she questioned, “Are we to search trade routes for vast amounts of ore being sought by a lone clan or lord?”
“This is one choice but there perchance is another.” She cocked a brow at him in silent inquiry.
“In Dundee there should be a Spaniard captain. He supplies the finest blades second only to German. The crown has many a weapon by way of his Spanish steel, which is how I know he is present on Scottish soil during certain tides. If this Benefactor needs to arm a vast number of warriors in haste, seeking blades as well as smiths is a practice I would call upon. Your thoughts, my lady?”
“’Tis a bit of a challenge to determine which I love more. Your mind” – her lips raised for a long kiss – “or your lips. Both are grand, my knight.” She smiled again. “Onto Dundee and findin’ this Spaniard.”