Stone Heart (26 page)

She sat up in bed and watched the sun setting outside the estate house. Her room was four stories up and gave her a perfect view of orange sky above tree tops. She showered, reached for her Druid robe, and brushed her hair. She had just decided to leave it loose when someone knocked on her door. "Come in." Angus opened the door and stepped into the room. She tried to catch her breath when he appeared, bare-chested, before her.

"Are you ready, lass?" he asked as he moved toward her.

She knew complete joy when he placed his hands upon her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Angus, tell me once more you're doing this because you want to. Not because you feel some obligation."

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Stone Heart

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He leaned back enough to gaze into her eyes. "I do want this, Karen. My fear for your safety kept me distanced. But as the Fairy said, I should have considered what you might want. And if you are happy, then I will know endless joy."

He hugged her to him and she placed her head over his heart. "I'm ready," she whispered.

"As am I." He lowered his head and gently kissed her. She was sweetness and light itself. He would deny her nothing.

Karen knew the risks, but much was revealed to him by her throwing those risks to the wind. First, he knew she cared for him enough to give what she had given no other. And this was being done despite what she knew of his past. Second, she wanted to be with him at the end, even if that should come this night. It was an act so profound that he knew his heart would never want another.

He stepped away from her and took her hand. In silence, they walked from the castle and into the woods. Angus had picked a very special place. One he knew Karen would like. To anyone else, the location would have been ironically morbid.

Angus himself had run from the place. But she had picked it to take eternal rest. Here, he would know her as a woman, and here she would be buried. It would become a place of both joy and sorrow. A place with memories of their time together. And maybe not so sad because of those memories.

Karen looked around her. "You know, don't you. You know this is where I want to be buried."

"Aye. O'Connor brought me here." He paused for a moment. "At first, it frightened me."

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"No, Angus," she said as she took his hands in hers. "Don't be frightened of it. You brought me here so we could make a beautiful memory. And I want you to come here and think of this night. Will you do that for me?"

"Aye," he whispered, hoping the twilight hid the tears in his eyes, "I will remember only the love we share here tonight. For I
do
love you, my heart. I always will."

"Oh, Angus, I-I love you too!" she cried as she walked into his open arms.

He picked her up and carried her very near the small pond.

There, he placed her gently upon a bed of Irish moss and stretched out next to her. "I want to show you all that is in my heart, little one. Tell you all the things I have never said to another soul."

She placed her palms against his cheeks and slid her hands into his black, silken mane. "Kiss me, Angus. Please, kiss me."

At first, he lowered his lips to meet hers in a slow, gentle manner. But he wasn't prepared for the passion which suddenly poured from her. It was as though a lifetime of holding back was being released into one fiery moment. It had his mind spinning. What a fool he had been! This should have happened much sooner. He matched her desire with his own. In his lifetime, he had never thought to know such union, such perfect harmony with another life.

Their tongues met and the kiss deepened. Her hands caressed the contours of his back and shoulders. She moaned and it drove him over the edge. He sat her up and pulled the gown over her head in one fluid motion. Even in her frailty, 232

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she was lovely. Small breasts fit exactly into his palms as he carefully cupped them. Lean thighs opened, begging him to take what he so desperately needed. For three hundred years, he had waited for a moment of bliss. A moment of perfect union. As he lowered her back to their mossy bed, one of his palms left her breast to smooth her inner thigh. Then higher. "It's like stroking the breast of a dove," he gasped.

She grasped his shoulders and pulled until he moved over her. Her hair fanned out in a silken halo of honey-gold, gilded by the moon's light. He kicked off his boots then removed his leather pants with one hand. Then both hands found the juncture of her thighs and he gently stroked with his fingertips. When she cried out and thrust against him, he almost lost himself. Something in his conscience deliberately made him slow the pace. Karen must enjoy the moment as much as he. He
had
to be sure they were not moving too fast.

"Calm, you," he crooned. "The night is young."

"Please, Angus. I don't want to wait. I
can't. I...
"

He watched her back arch and her head go back. She thrust herself against his hands and moaned. His fingers made small circular motions against her so she might know more pleasure. Her wetness told him she was ready. She grasped his wrist to hold his hand to her. Then her thighs opened more and he lowered his head. Karen cried out as he gave her the most intimate of kisses. He heard her call out his name over and over. Then she collapsed upon the ground and lay very still. His heart almost stopped in fear. Slowly, she lifted one of her small hands to cover his. He pressed his palm to her soft, woman's place to warm her.

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"Angus," she breathed.

He moved over her to cradle her within his embrace. But she opened for him as he did so. Thrusting into her seemed the most natural thing in the world. Her maiden head tore and she cried softly in pain. Then she smiled slowly and sweetly. As perfect as any smile he had ever seen.

"You're
magnificent,"
she said, kissing his neck and chest.

He felt her heart beating far too fiercely beneath his palm, but she moved with him, urging him. "You are so verra' small, my sweet." He had to stop and catch his breath. "Do I hurt?"

"No," she panted, stroking his back. Her legs circled him.

He slowly pulled back, then moved into her again more fully. In order for her to feel him more thoroughly, he was deliberate with every move he made. Each caress and circle of his hips was meant to pleasure her. Because of his need, sweat beaded upon his body. Even though he wanted to take his time and luxuriate in the feel of her around his shaft, she sheathed him tightly. Angus found he needed release soon. It had been so very long. He could hold himself only a little more. It was too hot and far, far too good.

"Stop holding back, Angus. Let it happen, my love. Let it happen."

Her soft entreaty destroyed his efforts to control himself.

His release came swift and hard. His cry of completion was loud and long. Then he collapsed over her resting only enough weight on his arms and thighs so as not to crush her.

But enough of his body met hers to keep them in intimate contact.

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He lay, replete, in her arms. Nothing had ever been so clear to him as his love for this wonderful woman. It consumed and captivated him. She stroked every part of him her hands could reach and he lifted her into his embrace.

Then a sensation of pain came to him. He felt his chest ache horribly. It was like some kind of weight was crushing him and squeezing his heart all at once. It radiated in all directions and Angus and realized he was physically sensing the result of Karen's efforts. Their connection was that strong.

"My love?" He quickly sat up and pulled her carefully against him.

"I-It's all right," she gasped. "Everything will be all right."

Her smile was bright despite the darkness and waves of pain he knew she endured. "Tell me what you want, Karen. I will do as you say."

She felt him trembling with fear. If the choice were left to him, they'd be heading back to the estate and Shayla or some herbalist would be called to help her. But this was
their
time and she wanted nothing to interrupt it except the end. She knew it was near, but happiness filled her to the core. "Let's stay here, Angus. I want to stay right here with you. Only you. I want you holding me."

He rocked her and nodded. "Then it shall be so."

"I'm so happy. You have no idea how happy."

He felt it mingle with the pain. Deep, peaceful emotions poured into him. Never had he felt anything so fulfilling. Tears coursed down his cheeks at the sheer bliss and sadness of the moment. He pulled her robe toward them and covered her.

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climax had taken from her the very strength to stay awake.

Her sleep brought him a measure of relief because he hoped she would feel no pain in that state. The pain which he had sensed from her earlier was no longer present. And her heart slowed to a more normal pace as she quietly lay there. Still, she was too cold.

Lowering her to the ground from his embrace, he found wood nearby and piled it for a fire. A pass of his hand sent flames into the air and warmth through the small clearing.

Angus stretched himself beside her, and Karen softly moaned.

She instinctively turned into his arms for warmth and protection. These he gave her without pause. His fear for her would not allow rest. So he held her and pressed her breast against his that he might feel her frail heart beating.

I might have killed her
. How could he survive without his heart? As though she could sense his fear, she comforted
him
. She rolled upon her back, pulling his head against her soft breast. Then her hands stroked his hair and shoulders. All this as she still slept. Angus let her hold him. He turned his head, nuzzled her breasts then, miraculously, found sleep himself.

* * * *

Karen woke with a pounding in her veins that made her want to scream. Angus' embrace tightened around her and much of the pain left. He slowly lifted his head to gaze into her eyes, and she reveled in the sheer masculine beauty of him. For a long time, neither of them said anything. Then Angus rose, carefully pulling her with him.

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"You will be my mate, Karen. As soon as you are able to walk, we will find Shayla and be
handfasted
. If you are too weary, I will carry you."

She grinned. "What if I say no?"

"
You will not!"
he growled playfully and nuzzled her cheek against his.

"Then, I guess I'd better agree."

"This time of the morn, the Sorceress will probably be near the great clearing. Can you travel that far?"

"Just try to keep me from it," she said, kissing him until he moaned.

There wasn't much time. Now Karen's heart was beating far too slowly. They must find Shayla soon. He became obsessed with the idea that she should be his mate before another hour passed. He would pledge himself to her, and she would have the last things he could give. His love and his name.

He helped her dress then pulled his own clothing on.

Determined to save her strength, Angus picked her up and cradled her to him. The clearing was not so very far and, afterwards, they could return to the small glade as mates.

And there they would stay until she finally passed from this life.

* * * *

"Where could Roland be, Tearach? It's as if the man has disappeared from the face of the Earth." Pluck sighed. He had to run back and forth to keep up with the pacing Goblin Leader.

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"I told him to stay on
our
land. But ... and trust me on this

... if a Goblin doesn't want to be found, then he
won't
be."

"You think he's up to no good, don't you?"

"He's half-crazed with anger over the Matthews woman. I don't know what he might do. I tried to talk sense into him."

"The Sorceress, Hugh, and some of the others should be here soon. Goblin or not, we'll find him," Pluck declared.

"Let's hope so, before he does something insane." Tearach ran a hand over his face in frustration.

As he spoke, Shayla and a large group of followers walked into the clearing. Tearach hadn't wanted to involve the Sorceress. But it was better that Roland be punished for disobeying his leader than for doing something worse. The expression on Shayla's face boded poorly for Roland.

"How long has he been missing?" she asked, as she approached the Goblin Leader.

"Since last night. He was supposed to take his turn standing guard over the eastern forest perimeter and didn't show up."

"But you have an idea what he might be doing, don't you?"

He noted her imperious look and ominous tone. The Sorceress was enraged. "I hope I'm wrong, but I believe he may be planning something against the little outsider."

"For
your
sake, as well as his, you'd better pray to Herne he doesn't touch that girl!" Shayla turned and addressed the others. "Find him. I want him back here before noon. And find Karen Matthews and Angus MacGregor. Doubtless, they'll be together. Take them to the estate and have them wait there until Roland is found."

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"There are Angus and Karen now," Pluck's voice rang out as he pointed to the edge of the clearing.

"What has happened, Sorceress?" Angus asked as he walked forward and slowly lowered Karen. She leaned against him for support.

"Roland is ...
What has happened to her?"
Shayla rushed toward Karen and placed her hand upon the girl's shoulder.

Karen was far paler than normal and struggling for breath.

"Please, I'm all right," Karen weakly announced.

Angus held Karen close. He momentarily forgot his initial confusion about the large gathering in the clearing. His greatest concern was for
her
. "I have come to have you handfast us, Sorceress. Will you do this?"