Kept by the Highlander (8 page)

             
With a stifled shout he unleashed his essence into her, plunging forward until the last of his seed had filled her womb. The beauty beneath him was still writhing, but slower now, as her body shook with smaller and smaller tremors. He rolled to his side, bringing her with him. He glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

             
There was a satisfyingly damp spot on the bed, tinged with blood. There would be no doubt to any who saw it what had just occurred here. He smiled grimly and kissed Kalila's damp brow.

             
There was no turning back now.

             
There never had been.

Eleven

             
Kalila wrapped the dark blue silk over her head. For once in this cold and foreign country, her veils would help her stay hidden and not attract stares. Malcolm had packed her few belongings, leaving behind the gaudy gowns that the King had provided her.

             
Aluda had the rest of their things and was waiting for them at an inn near the Scottish border. Her Scotsman had truly prepared for everything. Perhaps, just perhaps, everything would be okay.

             
Regardless, they had at least taken away the one thing that Al Hakam wanted. Her. He would never deign to marry or lay with a fallen woman. She smiled to herself, feeling the tenderness between her legs. Yes, she had fallen and she was glad for it.

             
Even if they were not able to make good their escape, they had defeated their enemies. This was a good thing. And she now knew what had been hidden for so long. She knew what it felt like to be taken by a man.

             
That was a very,
very
good thing.

             
"Are you ready?"

             
She nodded, knowing that even if they were caught, the risk was worth it. She felt brave and so sure that all would be well, even as she knew that thought was foolhardy.

             
Malcolm smiled into her eyes, giving her one last kiss.

             
"Let's go."

             
Her eyes widened as Malcolm pulled a dagger from his boot. Whatever happened, she did not want to see her Highlander hurt. He was truly hers now, even more so than when he was her slave. She had decided to keep him and to be kept. If only luck would be on their side.

             
Gingerly he pushed open the door. It was late and the hallway was cool and quiet. A guard had been stationed there before. She inhaled quietly when she saw him out of the corner of her eye. She jerked her head to the side and Malcolm nodded.

             
He slipped out of the door and a moment later she heard the sound of the guard's body being lowered to the ground. She did not know if Malcolm had killed the man or not. Without a word she followed him into the castle.

**********

             
Malcolm kept his back pressed against the wall. They were nearly there. Nearly to the street and his waiting carriage. It was simply a matter of getting past the wall.

             
Or over it.

             
He'd misjudged the laxity of the guards at the back gate at this late hour. There were two there and both were wide awake. Speaking of women if he judged their bawdy tone right.

             
There was no hope for it. He'd have to fight them. Damn, but he'd hoped to avoid that when she was near.

             
"Stay here."

             
"Mal-colm- wait."

             
He turned to look down at her.

             
"Perhaps a distraction is in order?"

             
"You mean yourself?"

             
She nodded pertly.

             
"No. It's too dangerous."

             
Kalila tossed her head.

             
"For who?"

             
He grinned at her.

             
"Alright then your Highness, distract them."

             
He watched as Kalila shot him a flirtatious glance and pulled her veil aside. Then she sauntered out into the light.

             
The guards jaws dropped when they saw Kalila smiling at them. They didn't notice Malcolm coming around behind them as they both gawked at her, staring as she started unwrapping her silk veils.

             
The first guard didn't even feel it when Malcolm conked him over the head.

             
Malcolm tapped the second guard on the shoulder. The man turned and was rewarded with the dull end of Malcolm's dagger blade. He dropped like a stone, out cold.

             
He grinned at Kalila and pushed open the gate.

             
"After you."

**********

             
Kalila snuggled deeper into Malcolm's side. They had been in the carriage for hours now, constantly jostled as the driver pushed the horses ever faster. She had stared out the window as the early morning lit up the English countryside until her lids grew heavy.

             
Malcolm pulled her closer into the crook of his shoulder.

             
"Are you awake?"

             
She nodded.

             
"Do you know where I am taking you?"

             
"To your home."

             
He sighed deeply.

             
"Aye. It will be your home too, if ye'll have me."

             
She smiled into his chest. Her Scotsman's accent had gotten stronger, with each mile that passed. She tilted her head back to look at him. His expression was one of gruff tenderness.

             
"Aye Highlander, I will have you."

             
He smiled then, a look of pure happiness on his face.

             
"You're a marvel, do you know that?"

             
Her eyes were drawn to his smiling lips and he groaned, pulling her in for a kiss. It seemed hours had passed before he lifted his head again. His voice was gruff with desire.

             
"What I would do for a bed right about now…"

             
"I do not know. What would you do?"

             
He laughed, squeezing her into his side.

             
"We're nearly at the inn, but unfortunately we can do no more than water the horses and collect Aluda."

             
"Can we not rest? Even for a little while?"

             
"An hour. No longer. We have only a few hours head start on them. It won't be hard for Al Hakam to guess our direction sweeting."

             
She nodded, understanding the need for haste. She wondered how Aluda would deal with the jostling carriage ride. It was not for the faint of heart, that was certain.

             
At last the carriage slowed to a stop. Malcolm laughed at the expression on her face as she tried to walk into the inn on stiff legs. She'd removed her veils and was wearing the plain cloak of an English woman to cover her dark silks. It was the best they could do. Still, her dusky skin and unusual appearance attracted stares.

             
Aluda ran down the stairs with a huge grin on her face.

             
"It is good to see you your-"

             
She slapped her hand over her face sheepishly to stop the word from forming. Kalila opened her arms and they embraced as long lost sisters.

             
"Come Prin- you can refresh yourself in my chamber."

             
"Thank you Aluda. We must be quick. Are you prepared to travel?"

             
Aluda nodded and led her to the chamber. It was small but private. A basin and pitcher of water stood on a side table by the window.

             
Kalila splashed her face and lay down on the bed. The moment she closed her eyes it seemed her faithful servant was shaking her awake. The Princess groaned and forced herself to her feet.

             
"It is time."

**********

              Malcolm accepted the basket of food and flagon of wine from the innkeeper. He walked over to the carriage and handed the basket to Aluda through the window.

             
"Try and rest and don't eat or drink too much. We can't stop for a few hours at least."

             
Aluda and Kalila nodded. He was proud of his Princess. After a life of pampering she was bearing up well under the strain of traveling on the run. In fact, she seemed to hold up well under everything that life had thrown their way as yet. She was full of surprises.

             
The biggest one had been her passion in bed. His Princess had been a tigress, with no maidenly airs, just a sensual curiosity that roused his blood. Soon, he'd be able to take her at his leisure in a proper bed.
His
bed.

             
Malcolm climbed onto the spare nag and led them off, eager to be on their way.

             
He was still pleasantly contemplating the chilly nights ahead several hours later when he felt it.

             
The hairs on the back of his neck were rising.

             
He lifted his hand and the carriage rolled to a stop behind him. It was a hired ride and he could not expect the driver to hold up in a fight, nor loose his neck for paying customers. If they were being pursued, they would have to leave the carriage behind.

             
Luckily, they'd just crossed into the lowlands. No foreigner stood a chance at tracking a Scotsman through his own land. Malcolm tilted his head and listened. Faintly, so softly that it was almost a shiver in the air, came the sound of hooves.

             
"Everyone out. Quickly, help me load the nag."

             
The driver leapt down and helped him strap the heavy bags to either side of the borrowed horse. Aluda and Kalila were out of the carriage, clutching the basket of food and a small satchel. Malcolm looked at the driver.

             
"You need to continue down this road. When you get to the fork, take the left. There's an inn not far down the road. Stay there for the night, then you can be on your way."

             
The driver nodded and caught the bag of coins Malcolm tossed him.

             
"It's been a pleasure."

             
Malcolm turned to the women.

             
"We must continue on foot. I hope you're wearing sturdy shoes."

Twelve

              Kalila's feet were aching as they trod through the tangled woods. Every now and then they would come upon a foot path, some that Malcolm said were made by animals, others by people. They'd been walking for three days now and were all exhausted. They'd slept little, huddled up under a tree for a few hours while it was too dark to walk.

             
But Malcolm promised her that they were close. And the pride in his eyes at her forbearance made the pain worth it.

             
Also the promise of hot food, a bath and a bed. In that order.

             
"Shhhhhh- someone's here."

             
Malcolm held up a hand as they came to the edge of a large clearing. They hunched down low, partially hidden by the brush. After a moment a huge grin broke out over the Scotsman's face. He glanced back over his shoulder at her and winked.

             
Then he dashed out of the woods growling like a bear. A woman's breathy scream rent the air, quickly replaced by huffs of outrage and a belly laugh from her Highlander.

             
"Malcolm?!? Malcolm you gave me a fright! Where have ye been ye silly man? We thought you lost to us forever!"

             
"Give me a kiss Bernice and stop swatting at me!"

             
Kalila's spine straightened and she stood up sharply. Who was he kissing? She relaxed when she watched Malcolm buss the cheeks of a round older woman, clearly a servant judging from her clothes.

             
"Lila, come here. Bernice, this is my friend Aluda. And this is my woman. Lila, this is Bernice, the best cook in all the Highlands."

             
Bernice's eyes widened at their sorry appearance.

             
"Heathens?"

             
Kalila smiled and extended her hand in greeting.

             
"In the flesh."

             
Bernice's shocked expression slowly turned to one of merriment and she released a great loud guffaw.

             
"Come on then, let's get you all something to eat."

**********

             
Malcolm glared at his father, Laird McRae. They shared the same handsome features, as well as the same stoney determination. Unfortunately, this time they were equally determined to achieve opposing aims.

             
"Ye ask too much son. This marriage cannah be."

             
They'd been at the Castle Lochland for two days now. The two women were still recuperating and had yet to be fully presented to the Clan. And if his father had his way, they never would be.

             
"Ye are the future leader of this Clan. Ye cannot force them to accept an outsider, no matter how much she stirs yer breeches. Keep her as a plaything and marry a good Scottish girl."

             
"I would not do that to Kalila, Father. And I have no desire to wed another."

             
His father's scowl deepened.

             
"Caitlin will be upset to hear a' yer intentions. Or have ye forgotten her so quickly?"

             
Malcolm frowned. Caitlin was his childhood friend. They'd grown apart once he'd gone to school in England, but every summer he'd returned home and resumed the friendship. Many assumed they would wed but Malcolm had never felt himself in a particular rush to do so. Nor had he made any promises to the girl, spoken or unspoken.

             
Thankfully his mother intervened.

             
"Come on Callum, this will not do. He's not a boy any longer. He can choose his own mate. Lord knows you did that yourself without any thought to the Clan's acceptance."

             
The crags in his fathers face grew even deeper until Lady Alice laid her hand on his cheek. Then his face broke and reformed in a tender smile.

             
"Aye, yer right at that. But I had to have ye' English or no."

             
Malcolm raised at eyebrow as his father kissed his sassenach mother, not caring who was near. They were always so, and had been since the start. His mother turned to him with an eager smile.

             
"Now, when do we get to meet our future daughter in law?"

*********

             
Kalila was nervous. It was an unfamiliar sensation. She sat by the fire as Aluda dried her hair. They were discussing what to wear for the banquet celebrating Malcolm's safe return. It was also the first time she would meet his Clansmen, or his family.

             
A soft knock sounded at the door. She glanced at Aluda and nodded. A moment later, a beautiful older woman entered with a serving girl at her heels.

             
"I am Lady Alice. I bid you welcome to Castle Lochland."

             
Kalila stood and bowed her head slightly.

             
"Thank you for your hospitality Lady Alice. I am Lila, and this is Aluda."

             
The Lady smiled and nodded her head. Her servant laid a dress and a wide swath of plaid over the bed and left.

             
"No need to bow to me your Highness. I should be bowing to you!"

             
Kalila felt the blood rush from her face. Aluda gasped beside her. But the lady just laughed.

             
"Mal-colm has told you my identity? And the danger this knowledge carries?"

             
"Come dear, I am his mother. Of course he told me of the woman he plans to wed."

             
Now it was Kalila's turn to gasp.

             
"He did not tell you of his intentions?"

             
Lady Alice shook her head fondly.

             
"Why am I not surprised? For all his English manners, he is a Highlander in truth. Of course he did not ask. Sit."

             
Kalila sat down abruptly. Alice leaned over and pecked her cheek.

             
"Now, let's prepare you to meet the Clan."