Dragon Knight's Axe (35 page)

Hearing soft footsteps approach, he held out his hand, keeping his focus on Urquhart. Fiona slipped her fingers into his, and he brought their combined hands to his chest. “’Tis a sight to see one’s home in a different light, aye?”

Leaning her head against his arm, she smiled. “It is beautiful. To tell you the truth, I hated to leave.”

He was stunned by her confession, believing she longed for her home. “Truly?”

“I had grown fond of everyone, especially Nell. And Brigid and Aileen are like sisters.”

Alastair peered down into her face, one that bewitched him more each day. “And now you will be when we are married.”

She sighed. “I like the sound of that.”

Caressing her cheek softly with his knuckles, he bent his head to taste her lips. It was only to be a soft kiss, but when she opened to him, he growled. Taking her lips fully, he devoured their softness. Breaking slowly from the kiss, her cheeks were flushed, and Alastair longed to find a secluded spot to tear her clothes off and feel her skin on his.

“By the Gods, I’ve missed ye.”

“Well, then we’d better have this wedding soon,” she said softly, kissing their still joined hands.

Hugging her closer, he looked out at the water. “Were ye happy in your other life?”

Surprised by his question, she frowned up at him. “What made you ask that question?”

Shrugging, he slowly cast his gaze back to hers. “’Tis a simple question. I would not want any ghosts of your past to haunt us.”

Fiona burst out laughing. Shielding her eyes from the fading sunset, she responded, “First, I believe you and I will always have ghosts from our past. In the future, it’s called
baggage
. Second, I was miserable, feeling disconnected with my life. I believe my soul cried out to return home all those years. I had no close friends and no desire to make any. When I woke in this time, I reconnected with my spirit.” Looking back up at him, Alastair saw her eyes glistening. “I am home.”

Placing his forehead against hers, he let out a long sigh, fearing his next question. “What of your brothers, Fiona? Can ye be happy here at Urquhart?”

“Honestly, I will miss them. I’ve just been reunited and it’s not like I can hop on a plane…”

“
Plane?
”

“Don’t ask. My answer would freak you out.”

He glared at her, and she instantly took her palm in an attempt to rub the frown off his face. “That will not work,” he grumbled.

“Well, I tried,” she giggled. “Getting back to your question…part of me longs to see them. So, do you think we could visit them from time to time? I understand it requires both of us to travel across the sea, which is something I am not looking forward to.”

“Fiona, I would travel all the oceans, if that is what ye wish. There is naught I would not do to make ye happy. Did I not say it would take a lifetime?”

“Oh, Alastair, thank you,” she whispered as he bundled her back into his arms. “What I wish for at this moment, is to go somewhere and take off all your clothes.”

“Och, my love, that is where my thoughts have been.”

She let out a squeal when Alastair grabbed her hand and moved it over his erection.

Of course, Desmond made his presence known by shouting curses as he rode furiously down the hill.

“I believe your brother is happy to see us,” drawled Alastair.

Smirking, Fiona shook her head. “You might as well get used to his outbursts. It’s part of his demeanor.”

“Thank the Gods there will be an ocean between us.”

“Alastair!” She smacked his chest. “I hate that there is an ocean between my brothers and us.”

Seeing her lips pout, he bent his head back to hers. “Forgive me.” Then without waiting for a reply, he took her mouth savagely.

“Ye devil! Take your hands off her before I run my sword through your balls!” bellowed Desmond.

Breaking quickly from the kiss, he gave Fiona a wink. “Must ride quickly, or your brother will have my head.” He whistled for Gawain.

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed for her horse’s reins. “I believe he said your
balls
.”

As he mounted his horse, he rubbed a hand across his face. “I believe it would be best to get inside the walls of Urquhart.”

“Well, you had better hurry. He’s almost here.”

Leaning over, Alastair gave her one last kiss. “Let him try and catch me.” With a swift nudge to Gawain, he rode off.

“Oh, Molly…what a stubborn, playful man I’ve fallen in love with. Shall we join him?”

As Alastair approached the castle, he shouted for the guards to raise the portcullis. Not risking a glance over his shoulders to see how much closer Desmond had approached, he charged Gawain onward, saying a silent prayer that the men could move swiftly. Hearing the grating sound of steel, he watched it being raised.

It became a challenge on what could move faster. Man, beast, or steel.

Judging the distance of how far up the gate had traveled, he deemed Gawain could pass through, but not him. Bending his head to the side of his warhorse, he kept a steady pace, flying through and feeling the breath of steel graze his back.

Bringing the horse to a slower pace, he patted him. “A fine race, indeed, Gawain.” The horse shook and whinnied.

Duncan ran forth. “By the horns of Cernunnos! What possessed ye to come charging through with the gate barely up?”

Alastair swung his leg over and jumped off the horse. “Being chased by a madman,” he replied slapping his brother on the shoulder.

“I fear he is the one that has lost his mind,” growled Desmond, wiping his brow as he came charging inside.

“For the love of Lugh, our long lost brother has returned once again,” laughed Stephen and embraced Alastair. “Good to see my
real
brother is home.”

Merlin came rushing forward, barking loudly, and he all but jumped into Alastair’s arms. No sooner did he give his greeting, than the dog ran off in Fiona’s direction.

Seeing the confusion on Desmond’s face regarding Stephen’s comment, Alastair reached out his arm. “’Tis in my true nature to love a good challenge. I have been sorely lacking these many moons. Truce, O’Quinlan?”

Desmond dismounted and narrowed his eyes at Alastair. Placing his hands on his hips, his mouth remained a thin line.

Keeping his arm extended, Alastair added, “For Fiona?”

Finally grasping Alastair’s forearm, he almost snarled when he said, “If I catch ye touching her before ye are married, I will take my blade to your balls.”

Alastair cocked a brow. “Ye have to catch me first.”

“Stop, both of you!” Fiona arrived, and Stephen gave her a smirk as he helped her off her horse. “What?”

Stephen coughed into his fist. “This
is
Alastair. He loves a good challenge and will leap without thought.”

“Don’t you mean a prankster,” she corrected with a warning glance.

“Och, she loves me, so dinnae fear,” Alastair stated and started to reach for her only to be met with a blade at his back.

“I said no touching,” snapped Desmond.

“What the hell is going on,” asked Brigid running out into the courtyard. Pushing the men aside, she grabbed Fiona in a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here.” She turned to Alastair, and added, “And you, too!” Turning to Desmond, she placed her hands on her hips. “If you lower your sword, I can give you a hug, too.”

Alastair tried to hide his smug look as he waited for Desmond to lower his blade.

“What? Do you think he’ll ravish Fiona in the courtyard? With us watching?” Brigid stood and glared at him.

“By all that’s holy,” muttered Desmond. Dropping his sword arm, he came around and gave Alastair a warning look.

“Let’s get out of this cold air and into the hall. I’m sure you must be hungry and tired,” said Brigid, grabbing Duncan’s arm and propelling him forward.

“’Tis grand that they have returned,” Duncan murmured against her cheek.

Alastair swept his arm out for Fiona to proceed, and she gave him a secretive glance in passing. He watched her backside, until Desmond blocked his view as he followed her into the castle.

“And how long are ye here this time?” asked Stephen stepping alongside Alastair.

Wrapping one arm around his brother’s neck, he replied, “After the snows, Fiona and I will travel to her homeland. For now, ye must endure my presence.”

Stephen halted. “What are ye saying?”

Alastair placed his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “Fiona and I are to be married. We plan to make Urquhart our home.”

“Sweet Mother Danu,” he said in a shocked tone. “I thought I would never witness the day. Now, all we need is Angus.”

Alastair rubbed a hand across his face understanding that until they were all together, none of them would truly be settled. “No news?”

“A traveler passed by several moons ago telling us of a tale about a great knight at one of the tournaments in France. On his shield he had a fire dragon and his reputation precedes him, especially when he was known to
use
fire as a weapon.” Stephen let out a long sigh. “For now, let us dwell on your good news. We can discuss our
older
brother later.”

Embracing Stephen, Alastair then stood back. “Then let us go forth and tell the others.”

****

Long after their meal and the news of their impending marriage, Alastair sat back and watched Fiona. She chatted with the women as if they had known each other their entire lives. Seeing the blush on her cheeks, and the light in her eyes, he knew his heart had truly found a home. Hearing her sultry laughter, his groin tightened. Did she know the power she had over him? Only Fiona saw beneath the man and reached out to the beast. And she loved them both.

“If ye continue to look at Fiona as if she is your feast, I fear I cannae hold off Desmond,” said Duncan, his voice low as he refilled Alastair’s mug.

Alastair’s chest moved in quiet laughter. “I told the man he could take first swing at me in the lists tomorrow morning.”

“With fist or blade?”

Taking a swig of mead, Alastair rubbed at his chin in thought. “He did not say.”

“Should I be worried?” asked Duncan as he reached for a slice of honeyed cake.

“Nae.” He waved his hand casually through the air. “Furthermore, Desmond has every right considering he is her brother.”

“So, ye
have
made Fiona your feast,” stated Duncan.

Alastair choked on his drink, sputtering the contents everywhere.

Duncan smacked him hard on the back. “Ye best get married soon. She might be with child.”

“Child?” he rasped out between continued fits of coughing.

“Is everything all right with Alastair?” asked Fiona.

“Aye,” replied Duncan. “I was just regaling him with tales…”

“Not another word,” hissed Alastair reaching for a knife to cut out his brother’s tongue.

Oblivious to his own demise, Duncan continued, “Of Nell’s recent wounded stray.”

As Alastair heaved a heavy sigh, he sat back in his chair. “I had not thought to consider…” His voice trailed off. What a fool he had been not to even realize that she could be carrying his—
their child
. His heart swelled at the possibility.

He was about to wipe that bloody smirk off his brother’s face when Duncan leaned close to his side. “From what my sources tell me, meaning my lovely wife, ye have nothing to fear. She is
not
with child.”

Clenching his fists on the table, he glared at his brother. “Why would ye spout such nonsense, then?”

“To make ye tremble with the idea, which it did, aye?” Duncan poured some more mead into their mugs, adding, “Also, to repay ye for scaring all of Urquhart with that fine display of horsemanship earlier this evening.”

Alastair moved so swiftly, Duncan had no time to react. Dumping the entire pitcher of mead over Duncan’s head, he gently put it back down on the table. “’Tis your move,
Brother
,” and casually walked out of the great hall.

Chapter Forty-Three

“One soul can live a lifetime. Two souls joined…can live on for eternity.”

“Give me a kiss, fair maiden,” he commanded, his voice breathed low along the corridor.

“Do I know you, Sir Knight?”

“Ye ken me from afar. One kiss is all I ask.”

“But how do I know you won’t take more? Suppose your lips make it down to my breast?”

His breathing labored, he took a step closer. “Would ye let me have a kiss along the tops of your breasts?”

Her eyelids fluttered. “Would you stop there? Or would you pull down my gown and trace your tongue around the tips?”

He stalked her and she kept retreating. “Ye would let me taste them?”

The fair maiden placed her hands under her breasts, teasing him with a view of her
pert nipples.

“Would you taste both? Or would you want more, perhaps you would like to tear my gown from my body and delve your tongue into more hidden places?”

Grabbing her hands, he placed them behind her back crushing her body against his and pressing his erection into her. “Do ye feel how much I want ye, Fiona?”

“Kiss me hard, Alastair,” moaned Fiona. “We don’t have much time.”

Growling low, he took her mouth with savage intensity. Releasing her arms, he slowly backed her against the wall. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs pressing over her nipples. Swallowing her cry of pleasure, he deepened the kiss. Her hands slid down to his painfully swollen cock, she squeezed, and he threw back his head.

“Are you sure a kiss is all you want?” Her silky voice held a challenge.

He stilled her movement. “A few more strokes and ye will unman me.” Kissing her hard one last time, he shifted and took a few shaky steps back.

“I could meet you later, say in your chambers? In the woods? Down by the loch? You name the place.” Her voice a husky whisper of sound. Alastair had to fight the urge to shove her gown up and take her swiftly against the stone wall.

“Do not tempt me, vixen.” Running a hand through his hair, his fingers twisted through one of his braids, causing it to unravel. “Argh!”

“Here, let me,” she said moving away from the wall. “Bend your head down, my love.”