Chapter Fourteen #2
Rory’s face transformed into sadness, and he removed the ring that had belonged to Killian’s mother. “There was one. And not a day goes by that I do not regret losing her.”
One month later
“I do not believe this is a wise marriage,” King Rory said as he stood beside Killian. “But I am willing to let you take command of Ossoria.”
In the past few weeks, Killian had worked alongside his father, learning the politics of éireann and understanding the different provincial kings. The kingship was like a game of chess, but he was well aware of the threat that lingered.
Even more startling was the revelation that his sister, Carice, had become involved with one of the Normans.
She had slowly recovered from her illness, and for that reason, Killian would be ever grateful.
King Rory had agreed to release her from the betrothal arrangement, and she was now free to marry whomever she desired.
Everyone had gathered for Killian’s wedding, which was to be held at the Tulach-na-Coibche, the hill named for the numerous marriages held there and the bride prices paid. The day had been cooler than usual, holding the threat of snow within the skies.
Several of the provincial kings had gathered—including the Norman leader Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow, and his wife, Aoife. They had claimed Leinster as their own, and though there was a fragile peace between the Irish and Normans, it would take more time before the power struggles ceased.
As for himself, Killian was content to reign over Ossoria with Taryn as his bride.
She walked toward the hillside, wearing a gown of deep blue. Her long black hair was pulled back with ropes of pearls, and a single sapphire rested upon her forehead. This time, she had done nothing to hide her scars.
Although there were whispers among the children as she walked, their mothers shushed them.
Taryn walked proudly with her shoulders held back, and beside her walked two queens—her mother and Queen Isabel of Laochre.
Queen Maeve had been disgruntled to learn that they had lied about their earlier claims of marriage, but she’d been mollified at the prospect of a grand wedding.
Taryn sent Killian a quiet smile, and her presence brought a warmth within him that seemed even greater than the sun.
When she reached his side, he noticed that Harold the cat was following in her footsteps, his gray tail twitching as he stalked the train of her gown.
Many of the onlookers chuckled at the sight of the animal.
“Harold seems quite taken with you,” Killian remarked, kissing her lips in greeting. “But I won’t be allowing him to marry you.”
“There is only one man I wish to marry,” she said. “And that is you. But Harold may share our home.”
He took her hand in his, and as the priest began the blessing, he murmured, “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She squeezed his hand in answer, smiling. “I love you, Killian.” Her blue eyes met his, and he leaned in to kiss her deeply.
“As I love you, a chroí.”
There was amusement in her eyes when she pulled back from the kiss. “If you don’t stop kissing me, we’ll never finish our marriage vows. Our guests will grow impatient.”
He sent her a wicked smile. “Then they’ll have to wait, won’t they?”
True to his promise, they did not stay long at their wedding celebration. Taryn barely had a few bites of her marriage feast before her husband took her by the hand. His thumb stroked the sensitive skin of her palm, and she recognized the promise in his eyes.
There would be time to eat later. The look on his face revealed that he was hungry for her instead of food.
She sent him a tentative smile, and he led her away from the crowds.
Outside, light snowflakes spun upon the wind, coating her eyelashes and nose.
By the time they reached Killian’s chamber, her hair was damp.
He opened the door, and behind them, she spied the cat, who had followed them up the stairs. Harold nudged at her legs, seeking affection.
But Killian was adamant. “You are not joining us,” he informed the cat, closing the door in the animal’s face. Taryn laughed when a paw crept beneath the doorway, as if Harold were seeking a way inside.
She had grown accustomed to the animals that seemed to follow Killian everywhere. Not only the horses and the cat, but even the dogs adored him.
A sudden scratching sound upon the door revealed that Harold had not given up on his quest to be a part of their wedding night. Taryn started to laugh as Killian undressed her. “He doesn’t give up, does he?”
“He wants only to be with you.” He breathed against her throat as he unlaced her silk gown, lifting it over her head, leaving her clad in a léine. The words flowed over her like another caress, and Killian removed his tunic, standing bare-chested before her.
Her body was alive and yearning for him, but the room was cool from the window accidentally left open. Taryn walked over to close it, but Killian stalked her, pressing her against the wall. Snowflakes blew into the room, dusting her bare skin.
He kissed a snowflake above her breasts, and the sudden shock of ice and heat made gooseflesh rise over her skin. Her gasp pleased him, and as several more droplets touched her body, he kissed them away. “I’m freezing, Killian,” she told him, moving to his warm body. “Close the windows.”
But instead, he took a small amount of snow from the ledge and drew it into his palm. It reminded her of boys who scooped up balls of snow, only to throw them at bystanders.
“What are you going to do with that?” she demanded. From behind her, she seized her own handful of snow.
He eyed her with interest. “Trust me, Taryn.”
“Not when you’re holding a ball of snow.
” Clearly, he intended to place it somewhere upon her skin.
But he closed the window and led her back to the bed.
He distracted her with his heated kiss, one that relaxed her inhibitions, reminding her of how much she loved his touch.
Taryn removed her léine, and her body was warmer now, eager for the joining that would come.
She could imagine him sliding into her, making their flesh one.
He removed his own clothing and laid her back upon the bed, his hard body nestled alongside her.
Then he took a small amount of snow and rolled it across one nipple, making her bite back a scream.
He followed the frigid snow with his warm mouth, suckling and tempting her.
The sensation was so shocking, her fingers dug into his back, her legs twisting with need.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered.
“Melting you.” His voice was husky and filled with desire.
“I want you to feel naught but me loving you this night.” He drew his hands lower and reached between her legs, stroking the wetness that was already there for him.
The wicked caress flooded her with need, and she arched against him as he caressed her intimately.
She reached for his trews, wanting to feel his length upon her bare skin.
He covered her then, and the heat of his skin warmed her to her core.
His erection was thick upon her stomach, and she shifted her legs apart while he continued to stroke her nipple with his tongue.
She reached down to his shaft, and in her palm, she had a little of the snow she’d taken from the ledge.
He let out a hissing curse, and she laughed at him. “Careful, Killian. Whatever you do to me may come back upon you.”
“Then I’ll have to warm myself.” He slid his length inside her, and she gasped at the sensation of being filled so deeply. Taryn arched against him as he began to penetrate in rhythm, but it was his eyes that held her captive now.
Once, she had been a woman who had hidden herself from the world, believing she was less of a person. But Killian had changed that, and he had never made her feel anything less than beautiful. She wanted to awaken each day beside him, loving him until she drew her last breath.
He took her to the edge of eternity, using his lips and his hands to evoke the familiar rush of pleasure, pressing her higher until she convulsed around him.
She cried out, holding him close until he thrust a few more times and shuddered with his own release.
Taryn lay with him in her arms and traced her hands over his skin.
As they spent the remaining hours loving one another, she was filled with satisfaction and joy at their future together.
The silent peace was only broken by the plaintive meow of a lonely cat, followed by a thump against the door.
She laughed and held her new husband close. “Harold doesn’t give up, does he?”
Killian slid his hand over her skin, their bodies still joined together. “He loves you. As do I.”
She breathed in the scent of this man, reveling in their closeness. “On the morrow, we will return to Ossoria. You’ll have everything you ever dreamed of.”
He kissed her hard once more. “Nay, a mhuírnín. Everything I dreamed of is right here.”
Keep reading to enjoy an excerpt of Warrior of Fire, book two in the Warriors of Ireland series!