Page 37

“You would not mind?”

“I insist,” he said, his growing manhood also insisting.

While the rain beat down on the cottage, Sky proceeded to explore her husband’s naked body. Smiles and laughter were shared until the passion grew so hot that Slayer took command and satisfied them both.

They talked, ate, and coupled the day away, and when night barely touched the land, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, far too exhausted for any nightmares to disturb them.

CHAPTER12

Time was running out for them and it broke Sky’s heart to think that their solitary time here would soon be no more. The last few weeks had been blissful, a dream come true. She had come to know Slayer, the man, not the Gallowglass warrior, and she could not stop herself from falling in love with him. She woke most mornings in his arms and was showered with kisses. Some mornings they coupled, other mornings they lay in bed and talked. Days were filled with walks in the woods or spending time by the stream.

When rain forced them inside, they stayed occupied with tender touches, soft kisses, and endless pleasure. This time with him taught her how love could be born from the strangest of circumstances and no matter how hard one might try to deny it, it simply was not possible. It settled into the heart and refused to let go. And a touch that had been nothing more than an innocent touch was now a caress that trembled the heart, and a tender kiss now sparked passion, and when hands were simply held, it was a reminder that neither would ever let go of the other.

But like all dreams you eventually wake up and Sky feared she would wake soon, and her lovely dream would be gone, and the Slayer she had come to know and to love would vanish, replaced by the feared Gallowglass leader.

But how could she love one and not the other when they were one and the same man?

Sky watched Slayer talking with a large warrior from where she pretended to work in the garden, tending to the plants that were flourishing. She had heard him call the warrior Clyde as the two walked a distance away to talk. That her husband hadn’t wanted her to hear what they discussed was obvious, so she had gone to the garden to wait.

A lovely red crossbill suddenly landed on her shoulder and began chirping in her ear insistently.

Many believed that she could speak with animals and birds but that was not true. However, she had learned to understand their actions, thus forming a type of communication with them. Something in the forest had upset the crossbill, hence her insistent chirping, and seeing how Slayer fisted his one hand as he spoke with Clyde, something upset him as well.

“Thank you, my friend, for letting me know that trouble brews in the forest,” she whispered, and the bird flew off her shoulder.

She cast another glance at her husband, and she could almost see him transform in front of her eyes. His stance had turned commanding, his shoulders were drawn back tight, and his eyes narrowed. She watched, wishing she could hear what they were discussing.

* * *

“Lowlanders have crossedthe border into the Highlands,” Clyde said. “We have yet to find out why they are here, but the substantial fee offered for the mission to see the Murdock sisters dead may have something to do with it. The large fee is drawing endless mercenary groups to the area, though some wisely retreat when they learn it is the Gallowglass they will face.” Clyde shook his head. “The foolish or desperate pay no heed to it.”

“The promise of wealth can turn the wisest man foolish,” Slayer said.

“There is something you need to know, my lord,” Clyde said with a quick glance at Sky. “I only learned it and I do not know if the news has reached Cavell yet, but he should be made aware of it as well since it means his wife is no longer in danger.”

“Explain,” Slayer ordered.

“It has been made known that the woman they search for has reddish blonde hair and only two of the Murdock sisters have that color hair. Cavell’s wife is safe.”

Not so Sky, Slayer thought with a glance at his wife, and he gripped his fist tighter.

He had been enjoying his time here with Sky, alone, with little to bother them. This news reminded him of his duties not only to his wife but to his clan as well. It was time to leave here and return home.

“You are sure about this news?” Slayer asked, though he trusted Clyde’s word.

“Not a doubt about it,” Clyde said, his glance falling on Sky.

“Has any word reached us from Melvin yet?” Slayer asked. “He has been gone long enough to let me know what he has learned and also what goes on at Clan Murdock with Cavell and his wife, Elsie.”

“Not a peep from him. I could go and see if anything prevents him from sending word to us and deliver the news to Cavell,” Clyde offered.

“Take a few warriors with you,” he ordered.

Clyde laughed. “This is a one-man mission. I need no help or protection.”

“Mercenaries roam the area?—”

“And what interest would they have in a single warrior? There is nothing to fear and I fear nothing. But I am no fool and will be cautious. Besides, alone I can travel faster which means I return home faster.”