Blessing The Highlander (11 page)

 
           King Alred studied the man Seonaid had wed. He was young, strong, wise and titled. In his mind, he recalled the Brodie lineage and was a bit surprised by what he learned. His blood traced back to the Pict queens. A warrior class who ruled in their husband’s stead. Garrick was a descendent of the Ancients! They were here before even the Fae. He was duly impressed as he grunted his approval. Their children will be legendary.

 
           “I am not Seonaid’s golden warrior. Actually, she has no such warrior. She simply is recalling Lokai, my daughter, Diedre’s betrothed.”

 
           “Who are ye then?”

 
           “I am Alred, King of all the Fae.”

 
           Garrick became more mistrustful. What was he doing there? His thoughts flew to a certain little Fae in his bed and growled, “Am I ta assume that Diedre is the Fae that appeared in me bed a few years back? I never touched the lass! I sent her away!” Alred quirked his brow with surprise. It seems that he has not watched her as closely as he thought.

 
           He shook his head. “No. This visit concerns my other daughter. The one that Lokai left the missive with when she was injured.”

 
           He stared at this king...stunned into silence. A thousand questions whirled through his mind yet he was unable to utter a sound.

 
           “I will explain all to you while you settle your thoughts. Then you may ask me your questions.” And he did. He held nothing back. Not even the fact that she had lived a full life in a future time, thanks to her sister. He finally fell silent and awaited Garrick’s queries.

 
           “Why do ye tell me this?”

 
           “You seemed to need solutions...to the point of getting my daughter drunk. By the way, she does not do well with strong drink. And she does not know I am her father… or MacGregor either. She was a bairn when Diedre placed her soul in the future so she has no memory of this life at all. And I warn you now, Brodie, I will not tolerate any more unhappiness in her life!”

 
           Garrick was silent as he let these revelations sink in. Questions swirled around. One on top of another. Finally he began to ask what he felt was relevant.

 
           “Ye say she has no memory of this life. Will she ever remember anything of her life of any time? Even the future?”

 
           “No. And you must never tell her of it. Seamus will still be her father even though she will never remember her childhood. I fear that she is too fragile to handle that much truth.”

 
           Garrick nodded slowly as he thought of his next question. “She does nae have any Fae powers does she?” he asked worriedly. “I will nae have her accused of witchery!”

 
           “She has a touch of the ‘knowing’… the ‘sight’ as you call it. But that is all.”

 
           “Nay! Ye are wrong! She speaks ta me in me thoughts! And I into hers! Tis nae natural!”

 
           King Alred’s eyes widened in alarm. This was forbidden! What has Diedre done? He jumped up and walked over to the bed to peer closely at Seonaid, probing her mind to see if it were true. Garrick was right. She did have the gift. He placed his fingers on her temples and gently pulled the gift out of her without her ever knowing. He turned to face his son- by- marriage and gave him a curt nod. “It is gone now. I have removed it.”

 
           “Thank ye. It was fretting her something fierce.”

 
           “You care for my daughter. That is good.”

 
           Garrick stared at his sleeping wife and felt a warmth in his chest. “Aye. I care for her. Probably more than is wise.”

 
           “You can never care too much.” He looked tenderly at his daughter then cleared his throat. “Is that all of the questions you have?”

 
           Garrick glanced up. “I have one more...nay, two. Will her sister be visiting her...ever? I will nae have her distressing me wife again! And how can I reach ye if we have need of your help...probably after said visit?”

 
           With a twinkle in his eye, King Alred answered him. “She is forbidden to bother Seonaid again and is about to be wed herself to a Fae that even she dare not cross. He keeps a very close eye on her. But Seonaid need only cry out in her mind for her father and I will hear her. If you need to contact me it will be more challenging. Take this.” He handed Garrick a gold torque to wear about his neck. Etched into the gold was Fae lettering which met in the middle with writing from the Ancients. A large sapphire studded each end. “If you need help with Diedre just call out for Lokai. He will take care of it instantly.”

 
           Garrick found himself beginning to like his father-by-marriage a wee bit. At least he understood what a trial his other daughter was. “Thank ye, your Majesty. These answers mean much ta me.” He bowed low showing him the proper respect due a king.

 
           “I only show you the same courtesy that I would presume,” he replied dismissively. “It grows late and I must leave. I only came with the intention of seeing Seonaid. I did not want to disturb you.” As he turned to depart, he said, “I would leave her a gift if you allow.” He snapped his fingers and a beautiful velvet gown the color of sage was draped across his arm with matching slippers and a blue cloak lined with arctic fox.

 
           “She will love it but how will I explain it ta her?”

 
           “Tell her it is a wedding gift from her father. It is the truth, after all. I will be visiting Seamus next to enlighten him. All will be well. Good eve, Laird Brodie. Make her happy.” Then he was gone along with his throne and candles. Garrick would have thought it a dream except for the evidence in his hands. He had much to think about but for now he needed sleep. He slipped the torque around his neck, carefully draped her gifts on a chair and lay back down in bed, gathering his wife in his arms. She sighed softly as he dozed off.

Chapter VI

 
           The dreary morning sky promised rain as it progressed. She sniffed it on the light breeze that blew in through the window. Seonaid treasured that smell. It was so fresh and held a promise of cleansing.

 
           Her gaze was drawn to her husband as he snored softly beside her. She was still amazed that he had wanted her for a wife when he knew nothing about her. He looked so young when he slept. There were no creases in his brow, no frowns of worry or angst.  She decided that she was fortunate indeed that he had been the one to discover her.

 
           As she lay in his strong, tanned arms she endeavored once again to recall her past. She could not fathom why she failed to evoke even a sliver of it. It was vexing to not know who she was. Nothing appeared familiar to her. She felt valueless to her husband. She brought neither riches nor an alliance to him...merely herself. One day she feared it would not be sufficient. She was already experiencing strong emotions for him. Seonaid knew that it was not wise but she could not control her heart. She gnawed on her lower lip as she mulled these thoughts over in her mind.

 
           “What has put a frown on me lovely wife’s face so early this morn?” Garrick asked in his deep rumbling brogue.

 
           Her gaze shot up, startled, to meet his vivid sapphire eyes. She was a little discomfited to be caught lost in her thoughts of him. She shook her head saying, “Tis of nae import. Do we travel on to your home this day?”

 
           “Nay, wife. I will nae have ye trapped in the rain. We await me men for escort. They should be here by this eve. We still have this day ta revel in each other before the worries of the world catch up ta us.”

 
           Garrick brushed a stray lock of hair from her brow… replacing it with a whisper of a kiss. He felt his cock stir as he inhaled her fragrance. She smelled of heather, rain and Seonaid, which was her own unique fragrance. He took another deep breath as his eyes darkened with desire.

 
           He leaned over her and captured her pert lips with his wide sensuous ones moving seductively over them… parting them with his tongue. As he drank from her mouth the kiss deepened. He slanted his lips over hers and suckled her tongue as she wrapped her arms around his neck, emitting little mewling sounds, writhing on the bed.

 
           She welcomed his kiss. He was very skillful at it, she decided, as she felt her blood begin to thrum. She succumbed to his unspoken demand opening herself to him as she felt his large hand trail up the inside of her thigh. A rush of wetness flowed to her entrance as her body prepared for the joining. Seonaid gasped as his calloused finger parted her nether lips to stroke the hidden pearl. She groaned as a rampant fire began building in her core.

 
           Garrick thought he might shatter. It was taking all of his resolve to restrain himself as his lips blazed a trail down her throat capturing her tightly budded nipple in his mouth. He suckled hard as she cried out in pleasure. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as she responded to his touch. His shaft was on fire. He could wait no more.

 
           “I must have ye now, mo gradh!” he growled as he established himself amid her silky thighs and gently thrust himself into her taut sheath… filling her.

 
           She gasped at the sensation of fullness but there was no hurt this time. “Wrap your legs round me waist, Seonaid.” She obeyed and felt him thrust even deeper into her body. He began plunging tenderly in and out of her, producing a burning friction to build where their bodies joined. As his passion rose, Garrick thrust harder, grinding his hips against hers. Seonaid’s instincts took over as she lost control of her body, exploding into white-hot ecstasy, her silky sheath contracting on his large shaft, milking him of his seed as it spurted towards her womb.

 
           He roared in pleasure as his passion culminated with hers. His sweat-soaked body collapsing as he rolled to the side drawing her into his arms as he went. He murmured Gaelic phrases in her ear as he nuzzled her hair…sated.

 
           Seonaid smiled as she waited for her breathing to calm. She discerned that he resorted to Gaelic when he murmured endearments to her. She did not comprehend the words but she grasped the sentiment behind them. She loved the way his chest rumbled when he spoke it, she thought as she ran her fingers across his hard stomach. She prized his masculinity, his maleness… which caused her to feel more feminine. All was good she decided as she dozed off in his warm embrace.

 
           Garrick was pleased with his new wife. Her passion corresponded with his own which was rare in a marriage. She stirred his blood to heights he had never felt before and he could not fathom it. But he did not have to understand to relish the benefits. She was his match...his mate and he found that he delighted in that. She will make an excellent wife and countess he decided as his eyes closed.

 
           When Seonaid woke again she was disappointed to find herself alone in the bed. Rain was pouring down in gray sheets outside of the window. Occasionally, the wind would gust, propelling droplets on the stone floor. She was about to rise when she heard footfalls outside her door. As she shielded herself with the fur pelt, Garrick arrived in the chamber glancing over at her.

 
           He grunted his approval as he stepped aside, allowing Angus and Robbie entrance to the room toting a large tub. They both gave her a glance from the corner of their eyes as they set it near the hearth. There was a twinkle in Angus’ eye as they speedily left the room… only to be replaced by servants carrying large pails of heated water.

 
           When they were alone again, she noticed that Garrick had cheese and a loaf of bread, along with apples and some ale. Seonaid wrapped a fur about her as she rose and, smelling the ale, wrinkled her nose in distaste.

 
           Garrick laughed. “Do nae fash yourself, lady wife. I have brought ye some goats’ milk. Now come, eat afore the bath grows cold.”

 
           She grinned hurrying over to fill her famished belly. They ate quickly, and then shared the bath. Seonaid put her wedding dress back on since it was the best one she had. The innkeeper’s wife had graciously mended, cleaned and pressed it as best she could.

 
           They settled themselves before the hearth as there was not much to do on such a day. Seonaid combed her flaming tresses before the fire to dry them as Garrick ran a whetstone down the span of his sword. He glanced at her a few times as the silence between them stretched out to several minutes.

 
           Clearing his throat he said unconcernedly, “I have news of your clansmen.”

 
           Her hand allayed… midstroke. Was he going to return her to them? Her heart leapt to her throat. No! He vowed he would keep her. She would cleave to that. She looked over at him expectantly, not uttering a word.