Loki (22 page)

Loki glanced at Bella, and the two of them shook their heads at the same time. Bella whispered, “He needs a bath, too, but please do not tell him. He should stay with us.”

“Gwynie and I will travel with you to Ayr, but we’ll take the jewels to King Alexander and spend the night in the royal castle,” Logan added. “Torrian, let Kenzie ride with you to Ayr. You can spend the eve at the tavern with the three of them. In the morn, Gwynie and I will gather our guards, stop at the inn to collect you and return to our keep. You can have our horse then and follow along with us. Loki will need two and Gwynie can ride with me.”

Loki found his horse, helped Bella up, and climbed up behind her. “Aye, ‘tis time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

***

Once they arrived in Ayr, Loki and Torrian headed to the tavern with a few guards while Logan and Gwyneth continued on to the royal castle.

Kenzie asked, “Torrian, are you going to the Highlands with us?”

“Nay, I’ll head back to Ramsay land. You’ll go with your family. I’ll see you in the spring, I’m sure. But for now, some warmth, some food, and some family.”

Bella announced, “And a bath.”

“Nay,” Kenzie hopped down from the horse and stared at her. “Not a bath. I hate baths.”

Loki took one look at him and said, “You need a bath, Kenzie. You’ll bathe before we eat. All of us will.”

His chin dropped to his wee chest. “Must I?”

“Aye, you must. And if you do it without whining further, I’ll buy you a fruit tart.”

“Suits me fine.” The bribe was enough to restore brightness to his expression and he dashed inside, only to be stopped by the man at the desk.

The man tried to order him back out of the tavern, but Loki said, “He’s with us. We’d all like to bathe—downstairs for the men, upstairs in the best chamber for my wife. We’ll take a full meal for all, including the five guards we have with us.”

“Aye, my lord. We’ll take care of everything.” Once the arrangements had been made, Loki led Bella toward the stairs.

“Kenzie, go with Torrian,” he said, calling down to the lad. His wife continued on her way, clearly eager for her bath. “You’ll bathe with the men while I situate Bella.”

Kenzie stopped and spun around to check where Loki was headed, then followed him to the staircase. He whispered, “But if you go up there, you’ll see a girl naked.”

Loki would have choked for sure if he’d been drinking anything. He turned back to the lad and said, “Well, that would suit me just fine since she’s my wife.”

The lad stared at the floor, his face contorted. “But do you really like girls, Loki? Because I do no’ like them.”

“Well, someday, I promise that you will like lasses, but for now, ‘tis acceptable if you do not.”

He jumped closer to Loki. “But I do like Bella. She’s the only lass I like.”

“Good, because I love Bella. You go run and take that bath now so you can get your fruit tart. I’ll return in a bit.”

Kenzie yelped, “Aye, I have to hurry!”

Loki chuckled all the way up the staircase, wondering if he’d ever felt the same way. He must have at some point. He gave the door a light rap before he opened it, peeking around the side in time to see Bella preparing to climb into the tub.

“Hurry and close the door,” she squealed, covering herself the best she could. “I’m so cold I did not wish to waste this hot water the lads just brought up.” She stuck her foot into the water and moaned.

Loki froze and stared at her, that sweet moan going straight to his cock, now begging to be set free. “Bella, you should know by now what that sweet sound does to me.” He unclasped his brooch and dropped his plaid to the floor, tossing his boots to the side and removing the rest of his clothes in a flash.

Bella stared at his hardness. “That happened just from my moan?”

“Aye, and the sight of you, too.” His words came out in a husky tone even he did not recognize, but he moved quickly and lowered himself into the tub before she submerged herself.

“Loki, you’re taking up the entire tub.” Her hands went to her hips.

He said, “Do not move, lass.” He leaned over and flicked his tongue over her nub, causing another moan to erupt from deep inside her.

She leaned toward him, her hands grasping his shoulders, but then she fell into the tub and he flipped her around to tuck her bottom against him, water sloshing everywhere.

“Hand me the soap, lass.”

She did as instructed, leaning back against him, and Loki lathered every inch of her body that he could reach, while she did her best to quiet her moans.

Once he finished, he helped her into a sitting position and managed to turn her around without slopping too much more water out of the bath. He repositioned her legs and said, “Ride me, sweet Bella.”

She kissed him hard on the mouth, sucking on his lower lip and then plunging her tongue inside his mouth. Loki leaned his head back as she continued her assault, and when she ended the kiss, she gripped his shoulders and reached down to slide him inside her.

After a couple more thrusts, she took him full inside of her, then pulled off him. He groaned and reached for her hips, tugging her back, but she resisted. Understanding dawned at him as he peered up at his wife. She wished to be in control this time. He guessed it was only fair after what she’d just been through.

He lathered his hands again and caressed her breasts, paying particular attention to each nipple as she moved over him again, taking him inside and picking up her rhythm. Her gaze locked on his as she continued. She rode him hard, and when he could take no more, he reached under the water and touched her sensitive bud, forcing her over the edge. He stared into her eyes as passion consumed her, holding out for as long as he could until her contractions pulled him along with her.

Loki knew what heaven would be like.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Loki and Bella slept soundly in a huge bed, and Kenzie and Torrian took their repose on pallets downstairs. When Logan and Gwyneth arrived the next morning, they packed their satchels and met as a group in front of the inn. The sun shone bright in the bluest of Scottish skies—a mild, beautiful day for the time of the year. “King Alexander wishes to thank you for your loyalty to the Scottish crown,” Logan said, nodding to their group. “He also wishes to thank Kenzie for retrieving his gemstones. By the way, what clan are you from, Kenzie?”

His shoulders slumped. “I do not like to use my clan name. We lived alone because my sire did not get along with his clan, and I do not know where they are. It makes me sad to mention it. Must I tell you?”

Logan patted his back. “Nay. ‘Tis not necessary. The king wished to offer this token to you, Kenzie, in appreciation of your hard work.” Logan held up the ruby ring. “Though you cannot wear it, he thought you might like to present it to a special person.”

His face lit up as he took the ring in his fingers, moving it back and forth to catch the sunlight reflecting off its surface. “Many thanks. ‘Tis my choice? I’ve ne’er touched aught this special before.”

“Aye, ‘tis your choice.”

“Then I choose Loki.” He turned to Loki and said, “You saved me from the cold, and you had to fight hard yesterday.”

Loki took the ring into his fingers, rotating it for all to see its beauty. “Many thanks, Kenzie. I’m happy to bring you home with me. But I wish to ask a question, and I want an honest answer.”

“I’ll tell you, honest and all.” Kenzie’s expression told Loki how much the wee lad already looked up to him.

Would he ever have believed that someone would look up to him? A few at Clan Grant would find this fact hard to believe, and a moon ago, he would have never believed it either. But so much had happened to him in that short time, and one person had stayed loyal and faithful to him through it all, no matter what he’d done. Bella. She deserved it more than anyone.

“May I give it to someone I love? ‘Tis not a ring I would wear, but I have no ring to give to my wife. May I present her with this ring?”

“Aye, I would like Bella to wear it.” He turned to Bella, a hopeful expression on his face.

“I do not know,” Bella said shyly. “‘Tis so beautiful. Mayhap you should hide it.”

Kenzie hopped up and down several times. “Nay, do not hide it. I want to watch the sunlight on it. I’ll never see it if you hide it. If you wear it, every time I see the ruby ‘twill remind me that our king is proud of me.”

Bella hugged him and held her finger out for Loki to place it on her finger. Loki kissed her quickly and Kenzie giggled. “You kissed a girl, Loki.”

Logan said, “Well done, Kenzie. Your choices would make your king proud. We’ll take our guards and head to our castle. We wish you a safe journey. Let the guards do as they should, Loki. No more playing hero with these two along.”

“Torrian, you can ride Gwynie’s horse.” After climbing up behind Gwyneth, he turned and said, “And Kenzie? I kiss girls, too.” He twirled Gwynie around, threw her head back, and gave her a loud smack on her lips.

Kenzie giggled again and turned away.

They all waved goodbye, then headed for their own horses.

Kenzie skipped along behind Loki and Bella, firing questions too fast for Loki to answer. “So is the Grant castle as big as they say? Do you think they’ll allow me to stay? Mayhap I could find a job to do…I know! I could be a stable lad, and I promise to work verra hard.”

Loki grinned and continued over to their horses, casting a sly grin at Bella, who was clearly as amused as he was by Kenzie’s exuberance.

“Oh, wait! Loki. Did you say during supper that you wish to marry your wife again? There’s a nice priest here who would love to marry you proper. He’s a Blackfriar at the kirk on the other side of town, but I like him.”

“Bella and I are married proper, lad. I just mentioned that mayhap we would have a celebration back in the Grant hall someday. We do not need to be married again.” He leaned over and kissed Bella’s cheek before he helped her to mount her horse.

“But you really would like Father Prestwick.”

He scurried over next to Loki, peering up at him with such hope in his face, it took him back a few decades. He remembered feeling the exact same way about Brodie Grant. “Kenzie,” he said as gently as he could, “we really do not have much extra time. Winter is coming to the Highlands soon, and ‘twill be a harsh enough trip as it is. If we delay any longer, it could be disastrous.” Loki lifted Kenzie up in front of Bella. That was a mistake, because now Kenzie could look at him eye-to-eye.

“Please, Loki. Father is the only one I need to say goodbye to. He’s the only one who would wonder what became of me. He gave me food many times and let me sleep in his kirk when the coldest nights fell in winter.”

He couldn’t deny the look in the lad’s eyes, so he peeked at Bella, who gave him a slight nod.

“I promise ‘twill be quick.”

Loki spun around and mounted his horse. “All right, lad, but only for a few moments.” He motioned to their guards to follow.

Kenzie’s face lit up and he clapped his hands. “You’ll no’ regret it.”

“Lead the way.” Loki tipped his head in the direction of the kirk, wondering when he’d turned into such a soft-hearted fool.

Once they reached the kirk, Kenzie jumped down and ran over to Loki’s horse, tugging on his hand. “Come along, I promise you’ll love Father Prestwick.”

“Bella and I will wait outside. You run in and give Father a hug.”

“Nay—” Kenzie’s face fell, “—I want you to meet him. ‘Twill only take a moment. Please?”

Loki sighed and slid off his horse, then wrapped his hands around his wife’s waist and helped her dismount. “Bella, let’s go inside and warm up for a bit.” He turned to the guards, “We’ll return shortly.”

Kenzie pushed the door open and ran down the aisle, calling for the priest all the while. Loki and Bella followed him inside. The kirk was remarkable, and the tapestries and woodworking were some of the most beautiful Loki had ever seen. The altar had red cloths trimmed in gold threads, covered kneelers, and thick pillows with carefully tended needlework on each one. The lad disappeared through a door to fetch the priest, presumably in the Blackfriar living quarters behind the altar.

A few moments later, Kenzie came through the door tugging on the hand of the priest, a tall man with brown hair peppered with streaks of silver. He had a kind smile, and when he finally managed to pull away from the wee lad, he bowed to them, his hands clasped together at his waist. He stood in front of the altar, a distance away from them yet.

“Greetings and welcome to the House of Our Lord. I am Father Francis Prestwick, and I’m pleased to hear you will be taking Kenzie to your home. He is a good, hard-working soul, whom I will miss dearly. He reminds me of my own son.”

Loki and Bella stayed at the back of the building, Bella seated and Loki standing next to her, his hand on her shoulder. “We promise to take good care of him, Father.”

“The lad tells me you are Loki Grant of the legend of the Norse battle?”

“Legend? I’m not sure about that, Father, but aye, I am Loki Grant and this is my wife Bella.” Loki took a few steps in the direction of the friar.

Kenzie bolted down the aisle and yanked on Loki’s hand. “Come closer, you must see Father Prestwick closer.”

His mischievous grin made Loki pause—the lad was clearly up to something—but he decided to venture closer to the priest anyway. Loki had to admit the man had a certain pull to him. He moved down the center of the aisle, Bella following directly behind him.

As he approached the priest, Loki dipped his head, then lifted his eyes to meet the other man’s gaze. Bella gasped behind him and wee Kenzie was practically dancing on his feet behind the priest, a wide grin on his face. “Do you see what I see, Loki?”

Aye, he did. The priest’s eyes widened as he stared at Loki. “Are you the son of Ciara Blackett?” he choked out.

Loki nodded, unable to speak for a moment. The priest had one blue eye and one green eye, just as he did. Loki glanced at Kenzie and whispered, “You knew.”

Kenzie nodded, a grin still on his face. “You are the only two I ever met with eyes of different colors, and yet they are exactly the same. Do you no’ think ‘tis odd? You would no’ have believed me if I told you. You had to see for yourself.”

A fine tremor shook the priest’s hands as he whispered, “Excuse me, I think I need to sit down for a moment.”

Loki helped him to a nearby bench, then sat down beside him. “Are you all right, Father?”

“Aye. If you’ll give me a moment to collect myself, I’d be happy to explain.” He reached inside his robe and pulled out a linen square, wiping his forehead and his cheeks before he set it back inside his robe. “Kenzie, would you do me the favor of taking Bella into my chambers? You can find a piece of fruit for each of you.”

“Aye, Father.” Kenzie held his hand out to Bella, who leaned down to kiss Loki’s cheek before she left.

Father cleared his throat and folded his hands in his lap, looking at them for a moment before he raised his eyes to Loki. “Edward Blackett is not your true sire. I am, as you may have guessed. Our eye color is quite unique.” He twisted his hands together in his lap. “Before I was a priest, your mother and I met at a kirk not far from where she lived. She was the sweetest woman I’ve ever had the good fortune of knowing. I noticed bruises on her frequently, so I asked her one day if it was her husband who gave her the bruises.” He paused to stare into space, as if seeking strength to continue. “Our relationship grew from there. Even though she was married to another, I loved your mother. I committed a sin against our God, but I loved her with all my heart.”

Tears misted in his eyes, and before he continued, he ran a shaky hand through his hair. “One day, when I could no longer tolerate her living with that beast, I confronted Blackett. I confessed to our transgression and declared my love for your mother, hoping your sire would allow Ciara to leave her marriage. I was hoping to reason with the man, but he would not consider allowing her to leave. As soon as he saw me, he knew I was your father, and I believe he guessed that the babe to be born was also mine. I lived alone in a cottage not far away.”

Father Prestwick gave the sign of the cross on his chest before he continued. “I left that day more determined than ever to convince Blackett that your mother and I belonged together. She carried our bairn and I wished to be the father I should be to both of you. But I decided to give him time to absorb the truth. It never occurred to me that he would react the way he did. Word reached me two days later that your mother had died in childbirth along with your sister, but I’m not sure I believe it to be true. I often wondered if he killed all three of you out of anger.” He broke into a quiet sob. “He told me you ran away and they found you dead in the forest. I had no idea you still lived, or I would have searched all the earth for you.” Crying openly, he reached for Loki’s hand. “I’m so sorry. How can you ever forgive me? I had no idea.”

“Did you not wonder when I was here living on my own? Had you not heard of Loki then?” Loki wanted to believe that this was his father, but why had he not come to him sooner? They had been so close to each other here in Ayr.

“Your mother named you Lucas. I never knew you as Loki, so I never suspected the stories could be about you. I was also out of the country for many years. Once I recovered from the shock of losing you all, I decided to become a priest in the hopes of becoming a better man. I traveled to London and did not return for quite a while. Every day I beg for forgiveness, but I never expected to find you at my doorstep.”

“Father, I was adopted a few years later by a wonderful clan in the Highlands. It was my great fortune to have been brought into their family, though I wish I’d had the chance to get to know you and my mother.”

Loki gazed at his father, his true father. He was a kind-hearted, loving man—one who had made mistakes and paid for them dearly. This was neither a man of noble blood nor a man of the greatest clan in the Highlands. But he was Loki’s father, and he wished to accept him.

His sire continued, “I beg your forgiveness for my failures. It would be an honor for me if you would allow me to be a part of your life, in any small way, but I also understand if you choose to deny me. Whatever you decide, I hope you continue to honor the parents who raised you, wherever they are, and I will say many prayers for them this night.”

Loki stood and helped Father Prestwick to his feet. “I am pleased to meet you, Da, and I welcome you into my life. The three of us are headed deep in the Highlands. You are free to join us—my clan is the most welcoming clan you will ever find—but I wish to return to them. They are my first family, and I treasure them.” There, he’d actually said it, and it felt good because he knew it to be true.

“You are happy then?”

“Aye, I have never been happier. I was adopted by the most wonderful couple in the land of the Scots, and I married the love of my life.” He didn’t need to explain anymore. Somehow, he knew his sire had already been through enough hell. The man didn’t need to know more about the time he’d spent living in a crate behind the inn.