Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Eva arrived at the castle yard with the sound of hooves still ringing in her ears, her body aching but upright in the saddle.
Connor dismounted first and came to her side at once, his hands firm and gentle as he helped her down.
Her legs wobbled when her boots met the stone, and for a breath she leaned fully into him.
The sight of the familiar walls made her heart flutter with relief she had not dared feel before now.
She barely had time to steady herself before Annabeth came running across the courtyard, skirts gathered in her hands.
“Eva!” her mother cried, voice breaking as she reached her. Annabeth pulled her into her arms, sobbing openly.
“I’m so relieved to see ye’ve returned,” she wept, clutching her tight, “I thought ye were lost to us, me dear daughter.”
Eva’s strength gave way then, and she clung to her mother as tears spilled freely.
“I’m nae hurt,” Eva said through her sobs, though her voice trembled, “I’m all right, Maither, I swear it.”
Annabeth cupped Eva’s face, searching her as though to be certain she was real. “I can breathe again,” Annabeth whispered, pressing her brow to Eva’s hair.
A familiar voice cried her name, and Eva turned to see Amelie hurrying toward her. The maid wrapped her arms around Eva without hesitation, holding her fiercely.
“Amelie!” Eva exclaimed, laughing and crying all at once, “I’m so happy ye’re here, I feared the worst had happened to ye.”
Amelie pulled back just enough to grin. “I’ve a bump to the head and a sore pride,” she said, “but I’m alive, and thank God ye are too.”
Eva laughed weakly and squeezed her again. “I thought I’d lost ye,” she admitted.
Amelie shook her head. “Nae so easy to get rid of me,” she said, eyes shining. The simple warmth of her presence eased something tight and sharp inside Eva’s chest.
“And the guard, Neal?” Eva asked.
“He is lost,” Amelie said, turning her gaze down.
“Nay. I am…” she sobbed. “He died protectin’ us. I shall take flowers to his grave,” Eva managed to say. Neal was gone because of her. It was the least she could do.
Then Margaret appeared at the edge of the courtyard, her face pale with worry as she took in the sight of Eva standing there. She crossed the stones quickly and pulled Eva into a firm embrace.
“Thank the heavens,” Margaret said, her voice thick, “I feared the worst when word reached us.”
Eva returned the hug, surprised by Margaret's care.
She straightened at last, shoulders back despite the ache in her body.
“They couldnae break me,” Eva said, her chin lifting with quiet pride.
Margaret smiled at her, eyes bright with unshed tears. “Indeed ye are a strong lass,” she replied, “and nay one here ever doubted that.”
Hands guided Eva gently toward the doors, voices overlapping as concern turned to action.
“Get the bath ready,” Annabeth said, already fussing, “and clean linens.”
Margaret nodded. “We’ll see to every bruise,” she added, “ye’re safe now.”
Connor hovered nearby. Eva's gaze locked on him as she looked over her shoulder, as though to assure herself she was truly home.
Inside the castle, warmth wrapped around her as servants hurried ahead.
Eva allowed herself to be led, the tension finally draining from her limbs.
As the bath was prepared and her cloak slipped from her shoulders, she felt the weight of fear loosen its grip at last. Surrounded by familiar voices and caring hands, Eva closed her eyes and let herself believe it was over.
An hour later, Eva sat alone in the deep tub, steam curling around her shoulders as the water slowly cooled.
She scrubbed her skin as though she could wash away the fear itself, her hands trembling when she remembered Jack’s grip and the dark forest closing in around her.
She had truly believed she would never see her mother again, nor Jason, nor the stone walls of the castle she had once thought confining.
Worst of all, I thought I'd never see Connor, and that cut me deeper than any blade.
When she finally rose from the bath, her limbs felt heavy but clean, the ache dulled to something bearable.
She wrapped herself in a thick wool blanket, breathing in the familiar scent of hearth smoke and soap.
The room felt too quiet, the silence pressing in now that the danger had passed.
She was wringing water from her hair when a knock sounded softly at the door.
Eva’s heart skipped as she opened it to find Connor standing there, his face drawn and eyes dark with worry. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, as though sealing the world away.
“I should’ve protected ye better,” he said at once, his voice rough, “I should never have let ye out of me sight.”
Eva shook her head, clutching the blanket tighter.
“Ye did protect me,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze, “ye came for me, Connor, and ye saved me life.”
He exhaled shakily and stepped closer, his hand hovering as if afraid to touch her. “I thought I’d lost ye,” he murmured.
Eva swallowed, her voice softening. “So did I,” she admitted, “and it near broke me.”
The words rushed out then, carried on the relief still flooding her veins. “I love ye,” Eva said, the truth bare and trembling between them.
Connor froze for a breath, then his expression gentled, all walls falling away.
“I love ye too,” he said quietly, as though the words were sacred, “more than I ever kent I could love anyone.”
He pulled her into his arms, careful yet urgent, and kissed her with a hunger edged by reverence.
Eva’s knees went weak as she melted against him, every nerve sparking to life where his hands steadied her.
Desire curled low in her belly, warm and dizzying, driven not just by want but by the certainty that she was safe here.
As he held her and kissed her again, Eva clung to him, knowing with fierce clarity that she was home.
“Ye’ve carried the weight of the world on yer shoulders these past days, Connor, let me tend to ye a wee bit.”
He gave a tired smile and nodded. “Aye,” he said gently, “I wouldnae say nay to that, lass.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and loosened his tunic while Eva knelt down before him. She pushed her hands under his kilt and began rubbing his thighs, her thumbs pressing into the tight cords of muscle there.
Connor let out a slow breath. “Gods,” he murmured, “ye’ve magic in yer hands.”
Eva smiled to herself as she worked up his legs, kneading strength and weariness alike. His thighs were firm, marked faintly with old scars, and she traced them with care.
“These limbs have done too much work of late,” she said quietly. “Let them rest.”
She saw Connor close his eyes, the tension easing from his frame.
“I daenae ken how I’d have borne any of this without ye,” he said.
Eva leaned close, her voice soft. “Ye are a fine, strong warrior,” she whispered.
She wrapped her hand around his thick staff. Connor groaned in delight. Remembering her lesson from before, her hand moved up and down, slow and tender.
“Mm, lass, ye daenae ken what ye do to me,” he groaned.
Pressing fingers gently into him, she massaged and stroked. Connor moaned louder and louder. Eva smiled, delighted that her touch brought this reaction out of him.
After a few moments, he put his hand over hers and stopped her.
“I want to be inside ye. If ye’ll have me?” he asked.
“I want that too. I ken we are nae yet man and wife, but ye risked yer life for me. I ken that I am yers and ye are mine,” she said.
Connor reached for her hand and tugged her gently toward him. “Now it’s me turn,” he said, his tone warm and certain.
He pulled her up from her knees, standing before him. Eva laughed softly, nerves fluttering, but she let him pull the blanket off of her.
“Och, ye are a bonnie, lass. So beautiful,” he said.
She moved her hand to cover her burn scar.
“Nay,” he said. “Yer scars make ye more beautiful.”
She dropped her hands and allowed his gaze to move over her. His large hands reached out and ran up and down her hips. Eva felt attractive; she truly felt in this moment that he desired her. Gone was the shame of her thick body and scar. She knew that for Connor, she was beauty.
He gently guided her to sit on the bed.
“Be kind,” she teased.
He knelt before her, hands steady and reverent as he rested them over her knees.
“I’ll be gentle.” His hands moved slowly along her thighs, easing the tightness she hadn’t known she carried there.
Eva sighed, the sound unguarded.
The simple touch unraveled something deep within her, the fear finally loosening its grip. She rested her hands on his shoulders, grounding herself in his presence.
“I feel lighter already,” she admitted.
Connor smiled faintly. “That’s how ye make me feel too.”
He pressed his hand between her thighs. She opened her thighs wider. He worked carefully along her secret places, warmth spreading with every patient motion.
Eva leaned into him, resting her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes closed as safety settled over her like a balm.
His hands slowed. He brushed his thumb along her rosebud.
“Aye, daenae stop,” she whispered.
The cool air kissed her skin, yet his nearness kept her warm. Eva’s hands trembled as she pressed into his shoulders and threw her head back. Her heart thudding with his every touch.
Connor kissed her thighs with aching tenderness. Eva felt her knees weaken, her hands gripping his shoulders as sensation bloomed through her.
“I’ve wanted this,” she whispered.
His lips traced slow paths along her inner thighs and down toward her center, awakening every nerve beneath his touch.
Eva gasped softly, her body responding before her mind could catch up.
“Ye make me feel alive,” she said, wonder filling her voice.
“That’s how ye undo me,” he replied, his voice low and earnest.
He licked and kissed as she wiggled underneath him. His hands slid to her waist, thumbs brushing gentle circles that made warmth spread through her. Eva leaned fully into him, surrendering to the closeness.
She explored him in turn, her hands tracing the strong lines of his back and shoulders. Beneath her palms, he felt solid and real, a steady presence after so much fear.
“I trust ye,” she said quietly, the words carrying more weight than any vow.
He kissed her again, deeper this time, full of longing rather than haste. Eva’s senses swam with him, the scent of leather and fire, the heat of his skin, the way his hands never strayed without care.
Her body hummed with awareness, every touch setting her nerves alight.
“Oh! Connor,” she breathed, saying his name like a prayer.
Her body tensed. A tremor tore through her as she released. Connor groaned as he drank her juices.
Eva lay back on the bed, allowing the pulses to move through her. She melted into the blankets underneath her.
Connor stood up. She saw his magnificent form looming over her.
“Are ye sure ye want this?” he asked as he wrapped his hand around his hard member.
Eva looked at him and it. “Aye, I do. Do ye?”
“Aye, lass,” he answered.
He placed his hands on her waist and picked her up as though she were as light as a feather, and placed her higher up the bed. He climbed on top of her, his strong arms flexing as they held his weight.
His fingers brushed through her hair, then down her side, sending a shiver through her. She had never felt so safe, nor so desired.
She opened herself to him as he placed himself between her thighs. She felt the tip of his hard rod pressing against her. Eva placed her hands on his back, pulling him toward her.
“I want ye, now,” she pleaded.
She felt Connor slowly enter her. Soft moans escaped her lips. Eva arched her back up to meet him.
“Oh, lass, ye feel so good,” he groaned.
They moved together slowly, guided by instinct and affection rather than urgency.
His hands found hers, their fingers lacing tightly as if to anchor them both.
“We’re here, together,” he said softly.
Eva nodded, her heart swelling at the truth of it.
She pressed her face into his shoulder, breathing him in as emotion washed over her. Desire mingled with relief, with gratitude, with love too strong to hold back.
“I love ye,” she said, her voice steady now.
Connor kissed her and whispered back, “And I love ye, Eva, with all I am.”
She felt him inside her. His hips pushed back and forth. Her hands roamed over his back, holding onto him.
“I love feelin’ ye inside me,” she moaned.
Connor growled as he pressed his head into her shoulder. He moved faster and faster. Eva felt as though they were becoming one, intertwined in passion.
She felt Connor’s body tense as he released a loud groan that echoed off the walls. As he spilled his seed inside of her, Eva pressed a kiss against his strong chest. Her mind swirling with one thought.
I shall never love another… only him.